Transformers- Eldest Hand

"Eldest Hand"

By Mike Priest

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Perceptor brought the rifle to his shoulder, peered through the scope, then set it down and adjusted the sights.  Once again, he set the rifle against his shoulder, peered through the scope, and set it down.

"Don't think you're gonna shoot any straighter, professor."

Kup entered the room as Perceptor magno-clamped his rifle to his back and regarded him.

"I am simply ensuring that my equipment is in nominal condition."

Kup rolled the cy-gar in his mouth around for a moment and grimaced.  "Ain't gettin' any nominal-er, I'd say."

"Is something the matter, commander?" Perceptor asked with a straight face.

Kup's expression softened and he leaned against a nearby wall, folding his arms.  "I wanna know why you ain't offered your help to Ratchet about tryin' to get Prime back in the game."

Perceptor's expression remained icy.  "Ratchet's remedial skills outstrip my own.  I'd simply be an encumbrance."

"Slag," Kup grunted and motioned accusingly at Perceptor.  "You think you gotta be...this all the time now?  You're with my team fer a different reason, y'know."

"Yes, I am completely cognizant of that…reason," Perceptor's voice faltered an inch.  Kup immediately capitalized on it.

"You don't haveta sacrifice the 'bot you were just to keep up with the rest of us."

"Perhaps I simply wasn't enamored with…the 'bot I was."

"Hey, lemme remind you that the 'bot you were saved my life.  Brought me back from the brink," Kup nearly spat.  "So I don't appreciate you slaggin' on that guy."

Perceptor had no response.  Kup stared at him for a few more seconds, then grunted and turned to leave.  He tilted his head and spoke over his shoulder.

"In whatever case, stay frosty.  We'll be movin' soon.  I got Trailbreaker workin' out some exit strategies at the moment.  Soon as we've solidified our route, we're takin' Prime outta here to higher ground."

Perceptor simply nodded.  Kup walked out of the room, passing by Prowl.

"Commander," Prowl intoned politely.  Kup grunted and nodded in acknowledgement before continuing on.  Prowl entered the room, coming face-to-face with Perceptor.  Before he could offer a greeting, Perceptor spoke.

"Come to verify if your house of cards has buckled yet?"

The frown that sank Prowl's face was almost comically-overdone.  "Perceptor, have you taken a look around you recently?  The house has long since buckled.  However…"

Perceptor finished the thought for him.  "It never hurts to discern which cards are still in play."

Prowl smirked easily.  "We'll make a strategist of you yet."

Perceptor returned to silence.  Prowl's expression turned to one of unease.

"But I did want to speak to you about…well, you.  How shall I put this…?"

"You may as well speak plainly," Perceptor replied.

"Plainly, you seem…out of character."

Perceptor scowled.  "Interesting.  I suppose you'll wait until I've been incapacitated and then do something about that."

Another frown, this one nearly-imperceptible but far more honest, tugged at Prowl's lips.  He quickly recovered and went pokerfaced.  "Perceptor."

Perceptor studied Prowl for a moment and then sighed.  "I apologize.  That insinuation was inappropriate."   

Prowl raised an eyebrow and folded his arms across his chest.  "Perceptor.  It's evident that you are still…struggling with your misgivings, but I need to know if I can still trust you to see the plan through to the end."

"And where precisely does it end, Prowl?"

"With Kup.  It began with Kup and it will end with Kup."

Perceptor locked optics with Prowl.  "The precise instant that is no longer your determination, I WILL become distinctly untrustworthy."

"I believe you," Prowl replied as he turned to leave.