#chapter 3.1

Chapter 3.1

“SARIIIIIIII!!!” Bumblebee’s shouting caused bots on the sidewalks to send questioning looks his way as he dashed through starlit streets. Bulkhead clambered along closely behind.

    “’She’ll be right with us the whole time’,” Bulkhead mocked as he huffed and puffed to keep up with Bumblebee. “’We know this city.’”

    Bumblebee rotated around with astonishing speed and squinted up at Bulkhead, his chin practically grazing the latter’s vast chest. “Don’t you start that, now! We have to find her!”

   It was unlike Bulkhead to vent publicly, but right now he was frightened, not only due to the harsh reprimand that would inevitably be delivered by Optimus later that day, but also because the populace of Cybertron was not accustomed to organic life forms. If Sari ran afoul of Sentinel’s stigmatized followers, things could escalate from bad to worse within nanocliks. “We wouldn’t have to find her if we hadn’t left the maintenance district in the first place. Now she’s lost!”

    Bumblebee gasped in exasperation. “She’s got to be somewhere, and we’re  not giving up until we found out where.”

    Turning away, he continued to shout, “SARIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!”

********

    “Decommission Omega Supreme?” Ratchet’s surprised words echoed, bouncing off the corridors of the Metroplex where he and Perceptor were walking side by side.

    “Due to his severe processor damage, you must understand Omega Supreme is no longer fit for military service.” Perceptor said emotionlessly.

    Ratchet was taken aback, “Of course he’s not! The Science Guild determined that millions of stellar cycles ago.”

    “We plan to retire Omega Supreme as an active space vessel. He will be placed once again into a modified form of stasis synonymous to the sleep mode he was in while serving as your repair ship.”

    Ratchet calmed a bit, “A strong anesthetic, then?”

    Perceptor shook his head, “For the safety of Cybertron the Science Guild has decided to deactivate him.”

    “In other words, thistime you plan to euthanize Omega and thencash in on his lifeless shell.” Ratchet fumed. He remembered that Perceptor was still his superior, same as he was so many stellar cycles ago when Ratchet had been dragged into Project Omega by his fenders, kicking and screaming.

    Perceptor’s voice was highly automated and each syllable was uttered clearly without wavering, “Remember Ratchet, Omega Supreme served his purpose in the Great War. Also he has performed outstandingly in lieu of this most recent Decepticon threat.”

    Ratchet took on a pleading tone and shook his head vigorously, “Exactly. Does the Science Guild still have any fragment of morality protocol left in their processors? Omega was once a protoform – like you and me. He has a life force and, besides, he is a dear friend of mine. Does that mean nothing to you bots?”

    Perceptor waved his hand vacantly, “Honestly, Ratchet, the Guild believes that this is the most logical course of action. Despite Megatron’s impending execution, the remaining Decepticons have proven persistent in their attempts to destroy Autobot society by any means necessary.”

    That was about as emotionally translucent as Perceptor ever became. Eons ago, when Perceptor realized that his personality protocols banned him from fully committing himself to the study of science and technology, he simply deleted them, one by one, until only what was essential remained. How could Ratchet convince him and the entire Science Guild that thinking logically would never lead them to a conclusion that spared Omega’s life? Before the turning point of the Great War, Ratchet simply believed that the Autobots needed to fight harder and smarter in order to defeat the Decepticons. It never occurred to him that both his commander-in-chief and other officials in Iacon were already beginning to cross ethical boundaries to create living weapons that were the Omega Sentinels. After some time, he had finally come to terms with his undesired involvement in the project by reminding himself that, to him, Omega was more than a replaceable automaton. He was a dear friend and ally: far more alive and real, it seemed, than the Guilds were giving him credit for.

    “Ratchet,” Perceptor droned monotonously, “There is nothing you can do at this point. The Guild has approved the motion and it will move to the Council tomorrow. However, if they reject it, then I may be able to allow you an opportunity to make your opinions known before the Science Guild.”

    “I just don’t know why I wasn’t called to attest earlier!

    “Clandestinely I can tell you that many on the High Council considered your emotional attachment to Project Omega as a possible hindrance to logical reasoning.”

    Perceptor looked as if he would say something more but stopped abruptly instead. “I suggest you patiently await the Council’s decision. Perhaps it is time you regrouped with your crew.”

    Ratchet turned his face coldly. The last thing he wanted to do was listen to Bumblebee and Bulkhead’s endless prattling back at the barracks. Perceptor was right about one thing, though – there was little he could do this late in the game. What to do now? Maybe he should spend some time with Sari. She seemed distraught last cycle after the funeral. But how could he console her loss in good conscience when the fate of Omega Supreme was being decided behind the scenes?

Now Recharging chapter 3 page 36 by Maiji/Mary Huang

Morio: Take care. Ann: You too. Morio: Remember. She may say things that seem strange or illogical to you. —If she’s not afraid and it’s not harmful to her, let her continue. There may be other things she wants to tell you. Ann: Right. I won’t waste the time we have left. Morio: Please don't hesitate to call me at any time. Ann: *nod* Ann: Thank you. I know this is your job, but— sometimes it amazes me that you’re not human. —Not that “human” is a great benchmark or anything. But it’s the only one I have any experience being.

♥ support

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Ann: …That’s incredible. It makes me wonder if it’s true. If there really is a journey. To... somewhere. Or maybe it’s just the mind making metaphors… Morio: I find that humans exist in metaphors. If I did not understand metaphors, I could not communicate with you. —I’m sorry. Did I say something to cause any distress? Ann: Ah, no, it’s fine. I just never thought of it that way.

♥ support

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Woman: How is she? Morio: She’s comfortable. Sleeping. How are you, Ann? —It’s all right. I’m still connected to the monitoring system. If anything changes, I will know immediately. —How are you doing?

Now Recharging chapter 3 page 29 by Maiji/Mary Huang

3.1 Ordinary Day (Morio B side)

Now Recharging chapter 3 page 35 by Maiji/Mary Huang

Ann: I don’t know if I’m relieved or not. —That she seems so clear-minded, and I’m… I'm just a mess inside. —We've been lucky in so many ways. We've had time together. But it's so unfair... Why? Why does it have to be this way? I accept it, but I—I don't. —I don’t want her to die. *gentle squeeze* Ann:  You're over time. Morio: That is all right. Ann: No, you should go. There are other people who need to see you. We’ll be fine. I’ll be fine.