Perceptor's Fate

The glow from the energy bars painted an ice-blue hue onto Ultra Magnus’ armour. It was the year 2386 and Ultra Magnus sat on the floor of his prison cell with his elbows resting on his knees and his head in his hands. Where did it all go wrong? What kind of leader was he, letting emotion rule his head? Evidently, the kind that wound up in jail.

He was ready to accept his fate at the hands of Star Saber, but what he couldn’t handle was the solitude inside his cell. Alone with his thoughts, Ultra Magnus could have gone mad. Scrounge versus Xenon. Reincarnation versus Reductionism.

His thoughts were interrupted by a whisper. A faint voice in the darkness was calling his name. Ultra Magnus prayed it wasn’t coming from inside his own head.

“Ultra Magnus,” the voice whispered, “it is me, sir: Bumblebee.”

With a start, Ultra Magnus rose to his feet and approached the bars. He could barely make out Bumblebee’s small frame, his yellow scheme given a green tinge by the energy bars.

“How did you get in here?” Ultra Magnus asked.

“Need you ask?” Bumblebee replied with a mix of confidence and nervousness.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to find out what was going to happen to you?”

“Well, that all depends on what happens to Perceptor.” Ultra Magnus paused. “But whether he pulls through or not, my fate has already been sealed.”

“How do you mean, sir?”

“Star Saber offered me a proposal; to join Fire Convoy and become part of the Cybertronian Defence Force.”

“And will you?”

“I don’t know, little friend. I figure I’ve burned all my bridges here.”

“If you wait, I can try to see what I can find out.”

Ultra Magnus laughed. “I admire your attitude, Bumblebee. But Star Saber’s motives are so well guarded, not even I know his agenda.”

“Well, I got in here didn’t I?”

“No denying that. But I doubt you’ll have much time, I’ve been told Perceptor doesn’t have long to go.”

Bumblebee slipped back into the shadows. “I need you to know that I’m here for another reason besides you, sir.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m here to find an answer to the question none of the Autobots seem to be asking: What happened to Optimus Prime?”

“It’s no wonder the Liege Maximo held you in such high regard. You’re the kind of sly, duplicitous creature that he loved to surround himself with.”

Star Saber entered the med-room and approached the patient lying motionless with his cerebral casing open. “It’s a shame he was defeated so quickly, Perceptor. But then, I guess it was his own fault for underestimating Optimus Prime.”

“Just as I underestimated you,” Perceptor said weakly. “I should never have agreed to be a part of this.”

“Surely you must appreciate the irony of all this – you, the one who developed the chip we implanted into Ultra Magnus’ memory cluster and you, the one he finally lashed out on. For an Autobot, he certainly has a strong grip.”

“I’m so pleased you find it so amusing.”

Star Saber bent forwards over Perceptor’s body. “Well of course! All the pieces are slowly falling into place. It may have been a slow and long process, but the Empire’s revenge on Optimus Prime will finally be meted out. And with the news of your demise, Magnus will have no choice but to accept my offer of a new body and transfer to the Brave Maximus.”

“My demise?”

Star Saber remained silent. He bent forwards a little closer and slowly reached into Perceptor’s cerebral casing. His fingers located Perceptor’s brain module and held it delicately between his thumb and forefinger.

From his hidden vantage point Bumblebee winced as Star Saber squeezed down and terminated Perceptor. The Autobot spy froze as a chill ran up his central support strut. He had to get word to Ultra Magnus and stop him from making the wrong choice.

Shame he was too late, really.