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Welcome to Percotran -Part XXXII By: Richard Davidson on 3/8/2003; 12:39 AM It really has been nice knowing you boys. Richter had regained consciousness a few seconds earlier. You know, I really like his new personality, said Ted, quietly. Hes a little sappy, but he definitely puts his heart into things. Oh, I do; I do! said Richter earnestly. And Im sorry I had to kill that nice Vice President. I didnt want to do it; but he scared me. 17 was surprised. He thought killing was beyond the scope of Richters programming. Oh well, he thought, guess I was wrong. It didnt matter anyway, since they were going to be dead in two minutes and thirteen, -no, make that two minutes and twelve seconds. That Geneticon tied some pretty good knots, mused Ted. I cant move at all, added Richter, in solemn agreement. Yeah, well I can move my arm, but I cant reach anything to cut these ropes with, and even if I could, 17 paused and took a breath, do either of you know how to de-activate a Thermal Detonator? Both men had to admit that they, indeed, did not, and subsequently it stood to follow that a very quick and merciful death was about to greet them with a flash, and a bang. And quite suddenly, and even more unexpectedly, there WAS a flash, and a bang; -well, more of a pop! really. The XP-2,000,000 had appeared, floating in the air a few inches above 17s free hand, humming softly. That really is an amazing device, said Richter, sure that if he ever survived this, he would modify Kitty so that she was equipped with tiny rope cutters, and possibly a very finely tuned laser beam. As it was, she was slowly and deliberately polishing the floor around Richters feet, and he could actually see himself in it. Can you use that thing to de-activate a Thermal Detonator? Ted asked the obvious question. 17 was desperately trying to interface with the XP-2,000,000. Being asked questions wasnt helping. I think it likes you, noted Richter, commenting on the devices sudden appearance. The XP-2,000,000 analyzed the situation, and the Thermal Detonator. The XP-2,000,000 was programmed to do many tasks, including providing power for any system; interfacing incompatible power grids; mind reprogramming, and a host of other functions that not even those who designed it could imagine, but it didnt seem to have the specs for a Thermal Detonator. It calculated that it had 11.8 seconds left with which to resolve the situation, and it was running through all possibilities at a rate of 278 scenarios per second, give or take a scenario. The most likely solution was to use the same dematerialization technology it had used to travel from Thawalas boat to a spot two and a half inches above 17s hand, but it was having trouble finding the scenario where it could focus enough energy on the precise location of the Thermal Detonator, allowing a margin of error that was far beyond unacceptable. With only 1.27 seconds left, and in a moment of rare self-sacrifice, the XP-2,000,000 attached itself to the Thermal Detonator, and the two dematerialized together, and were gone with a resounding pop. All three men felt a sense of profound relief at the prospect of being allowed to live, and yet a deep sense of disappointment. The XP-2,000,000 was gone forever. It had been their only hope of controlling or destroying the giant company they were deep in the bowels of. I wonder where it rematerialized, 17 said thoughtfully. I dont know, but wherever it was, Ill bet they didnt see that coming. Ted was being glib in his relief. Then came the sound of boots on metal stairs, thundering towards them. Whats that? asked Ted, as Richter could only muster a wan smile. Percotran Security, boomed a thunderous voice, and the room filled with Security Officers.
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