Prologue


My name is Katie. I won't tell you my last name, or where I live, but it's not because I'm afraid of the Yeerks. I just want my privacy. Besides, the Yeerks already know who I am.
See, I'm a controller. Not a voluntary exactly. Well, sort of, I suppose. But it wasn't because I'm stupid, or think that humans couldn't stop the Yeerks so why bother resisting. I knew about the Yeerks even before I became a controller. I knew about the Sharing and what it really was. I knew about Visser 3, now 1, and he scared me. He still does. I knew about the Animorphs. I knew about what they were doing.
I'd read all the books, I'd considered each person's opinion, each alien species' opinion. I could sympathize with each. I understood the Andalites' guilt. The Humans' and the Hork-Bajirs' desire for freedom. Those were good reasons to fight.
But I also sympathized with the Yeerks. Not the power hungry, cruel, evil Yeerks like many of the Vissers and Sub-vissers, but just your average Yeerk. The one who knows it can't ever rise to such a level of power, or who doesn't want to.
The way I figured, we humans had pretty much decided that all Yeerks are like Visser 1, and Innis 2-2-6, and all your other power hungry Yeerks. But what about Tidwell and Aftran, and your other lowly peaceful Yeerks? All they want is to see. To walk. To taste. To hear. The list goes on and on. What's wrong with that?
Surely there must be a better way…
Chapter 1


My name is Illarim 7-4-6. I am a Yeerk. About a year ago, I found out that I would soon receive my first permanent host. Every Yeerk eagerly awaits their first host.
Of course, there are training hosts so that you can become accustomed to it, but then after your training session, it's back to the pool. How could anyone want to leave the world of sights and sounds, tastes and smells, walking, talking… Why would anyone want to leave that and live in a world of, of nothing?
My new host was a human! Most Yeerks begin with a Hork-Bajir host, or a Gedd, but I was to receive a human! I did not understand why, because I was young and in no position of power. Of course, I wasn't going to say anything in case it had been an accident and I was meant for some other host. A human was fine with me!
I knew very little about my host, except that it was a human girl. A child, but nearly adult. Her name was Katie. It was a strange name, but I liked it. It sounded almost wistful and airy. Katie.
I would receive her at the next meeting of the Sharing in one week.
I couldn't wait.
Chapter 2

Katie

One week. I'd said yes. I couldn't turn back. At this point, I would become a controller, and I knew it. I was confused, but not really, because I knew I wanted to do this. I don't change my mind about things that easily.
Way down deep I was scared, but my fear was not enough to stop me. Or was it? Maybe I could still change my mind. Not show up at the next meeting. I could do that. Or could I?
I flopped back onto my bed and stared up at the ceiling. It had footprints in several places from when I'd had a bunk bed and slept in the top bunk. My sister had taken the bottom. We'd shared a room for a long time. Now, Amy was off at college and I had the room to myself.
I sighed and turned to look out the window at the crisp fall day. The sky was a crystal blue with not a cloud in sight. The leaves on the maple were crimson, orange and yellow. The yard needed raking. Again. Ugh.
I think that's when I decided for sure. I couldn't be selfish about all this beauty. It would be a sacrifice, but not a huge one. But I would do it. I was sure this time. I would not chicken out.
Chapter 3

Illarim
The day had come. I'd waited and waited, and it was finally here. My host would be here any second.
Then, I felt a head being placed in the water and I knew that after my long wait it was time. I swam over and felt for the ear canal. It was slightly different than a Gedd's, but it didn't matter. I knew what to do. I secreted numbing enzymes so that the girl would feel no pain and crept toward the brain, alive and tingling with electricity. I continued and squished every part of my body into her brain.
I took control of her hands and feet, mouth, ears and eyes. Her eyes! So different from a Gedd! Everything was clear, the colors so bright! I could have laughed for sheer joy.
I used my host's voice and assured my superiors that I was in full control of my host, then left the Yeerk pool. As I climbed the stairs, I looked back at what had been my home for so long and knew, I never wanted to be back here for longer than necessary.
I left the building that housed the entrance to the pool. I searched Katie's memories and knowledge, and decided to go to a park. It was near her home.
As I walked, I looked all around me at the colors. The trees were beautiful, the sky, the grass, all so wonderful. I saw birds flying, honking and cawing and just singing. It was more wonderful than anything I had ever imagined.
I felt something wet on my cheek and lifted a hand to touch it. Tears. I didn't know if they were Katie's or mine. I could feel Katie's joy at my seeing this beautiful world.
I know I did the right thing, she thought.
I was startled. What?
I did the right thing, she said again.
I was confused, so I searched her memories. She merely watched and waited quietly. Her reaction to me made no sense. My practice host, a Gedd, had moaned and yelled, been angry and defeated, while I had infested it. I was extremely confused by the human's reaction. She had not been a controller before…
As I searched her thoughts and memories I became even more confused. This girl had been a voluntary controller not because she was angry with the world. She had chosen to become a controller so that I would have a chance to experience all the wonders that she had.
Immediately, I felt myself growing fond of this human. I knew I shouldn't. From an early age, all Yeerks are taught that the host is a host and nothing more. Your host is not a friend. A host is inferior and not a peer.
But I couldn't help it. A part of me wanted and needed to like this girl. But I knew I shouldn't. I wouldn't. Couldn't. She was merely a host.
I felt sadness coming from her. Hosts cannot read your thoughts, but they can sense emotions and such if you are not careful. I hadn't been, and she had sensed that I was not a good kind Yeerk. She had been naïve to think that I would be grateful and love her for allowing me to see and hear. She was a host and nothing more…