eugenesis-text

‘Where is the logic in that’ spat Perceptor, trying to keep his eye on the shifting patterns of people.
Prowl’s stasis pod drifted towards a dark corner of the room like an inflatable dinghy.
‘You haven’t got time to argue!’
Chromedome, meanwhile, was pushing Transformers towards the portal, having calculated how long
it was taking for the energy disc to reassert itself (an imperfection in the warpgate makeup, said Perceptor,
could send someone’s legs to Hydrus 4). He filtered teleportees in quick succession.
‘They’re closing in,’ called Frenzy from the corridor. ‘I just clipped a Sharkticon; his pals won’t be far
behind!’
Swindle crashed into Delphi with his forearms locked over his face. Afterburner came next, then
Finback, then Fulcrum, then Leadfoot, then Vortex…
Perceptor pushed Prowl’s rogue stasis pod to the back of the queue.
Kup ran to the door and traded shots with imaginary Sharkticons, blasting anything – shadows, debris
patterns, scorch lines – that didn’t conform to recognisable shape.
The hangar was almost empty now. A final cluster of Decepticons prepared to leap.
…Pounce, Wingspan, Rippersnapper, Desolate, Fireball, Snipe, Retread, Skyslash, Sledgehammer,
Bristleback, Countershot…
The Institute was down to four Transformers and 900 Quintessons. Perceptor pushed Prowl’s pod
through the portal with one hand and stood behind the lectern controls. Soundwave and Chromedome
bounded up.
‘Everyone accounted for,’ said Chromedome. ‘We’re clear. No ‘Bots or ‘Cons except us. Kup! Come
over here: we’re leaving.’
Kup squeezed off a final round, discarded a smoking energon clip, and jogged over.
‘See you on the other side,’ nodded Soundwave, and dived to safety.
Chromedome beckoned to Perceptor. ‘After you, commander.’
‘I’m not going.’
‘Excuse me’
‘Someone needs to stay behind to deactivate the teleportal. If not, the Quintessons will continue their
pursuit.’
‘Not a problem. We’ll blow the Delphi portal once we’re across and collapse the bridge.’
‘It won’t work. The Quintessons will work out where you’ve jumped by reading the co-ordinates on
this side.’
‘Well what if we… if we…’
‘There’s no alternative, Chromedome.’
‘Nonsense! We can think our way out of this.’
‘Jump. I will remain here and cover your tracks. That’s an order. I assumed leadership; all this is my
responsibility.’
‘If you stay here you’re dead. We’ve already lost Rodimus and Prowl. We need you!’
‘With Optimus Prime a few metres away I don’t think so.’
‘I don’t know what you guys are arguing about,’ said Kup. ‘I’m staying behind.’
Chromedome slapped his head. ‘What is this, Self-sacrifice Day Why can’t we just— er, Kup, what
are you doing’
‘I’m saving your lives,’ said Kup, pointing his weapons at Perceptor and Chromedome. ‘Don’t try and
stop me.’
‘You’re saving as at gunpoint’
‘You’re not thinking clearly,’ said Perceptor, trying to hold Kup’s flickering gaze. ‘You need to
offline for a while. Things haven’t been easy for you lately.’
‘I know they haven’t. And they’re not gonna get any easier.’ Kup lowered his guns. ‘Leave me
behind. I need to do this, Perceptor. For the first time in my life, I’m truly tired.’