Almost There

“We will not make it,” I burbled with each waddling step toward the teleportal.
Ilinuvis trotted as fast as his stubby legs could carry him, pale blue data cylinders clinking around in the brown sack slung over his shoulder. “Speak for yourself, brother,” he replied with an amused hoot, and then went back to breathing heavily.
I risked a glimpse back: The crystalline jellyfish – six of them – gained ground in their pursuit.
We might make it, I thought, running through a quick series of calculations.
Calculations that did not account for the teleportal activating *right at that moment*, spewing out a handful of Castori scientists, led by the inimitable Cozi Trinnalami, chief of the Ursiniru Institute.
“Oh,” Illinuvis sighed, staggering to a stop six feet from the ring.
“Oh, indeed,” snarled Cozi.
“We can explain,” I lied.