Set early in the series - time frame and sequence of events not perfect - before Ax has any contact with other Andalites.
Arrogant.
That is what they call us. We are not arrogant, we are Andalites. We are an ancient species, much older than the humans, and though there may be some older than us, we are by far the most advanced in the universe. Why should be not be proud of our accomplishments? But saying that we are arrogant is going too far; it is very insulting.
I have come to the conclusion that perhaps my friends believe I am arrogant because of my lack of emotional response to killing. I believe that they would have a stronger reaction towards me in this aspect if not for Rachel's disturbing attachment to it.
When I kill another species, my lack of reaction is not because I believe that I am better than they are. I do not need to believe in my superiority. For one matter, I have killed him; therefore, I have bested him. I am superior to that individual. Second, if Andalite technology is more advanced than theirs, then by definition we are superior. But thirdly, the reason why I can mentally handle the concept of taking another being life is because I have been preparing for it my entire life. My entire aspect is different.
To kill another being is part of an old Andalite sacrament.
It began in the time of the ancients. It was a time when our tail blades meant life or death. We had to use them to protect ourselves against our predators. We do not have predators today. But we are forever thankful that we have retained our tail blades. But we still follow the rituals that follow the slaying of our enemies as though it were ancient days.
For example, I have eaten with Cassie's and Jake's families. Jake's family says a prayer before their meal. Cassie's does not. Jake's family prepares themselves so that they can eat the food with the proper reverence to their beliefs. The same is not true with Cassie's family. While I am certain based on Cassie's behavior towards all things, she appreciates her food, she does not have the same spiritual outlook or understanding that Jake or I would have.
Andalites perform rituals at the start and the end of the day. We do not perform eating prayers because we are almost constantly eating throughout the day so long as we are on decent grass. But we perform rituals before going into battle, after returning from a failed battle, after returning from a successful battle, after losing a comrade in battle, after losing a comrade not in battle, and so on. Everything has a deeper spiritual purpose. It means something to us. How we wage war has roots to our ancient past. We do not have the same outlook at what we do as the humans.
So they deem us arrogant.
I do not really listen to them. They are a primitive and backwards society. What they are expected to know by my age I knew when I was but a small foal. I wonder if there is something wrong with their brains. Their overall comprehension of mathematics and the sciences seems hindered in some way. Perhaps their brains simply cannot absorb and remember as much information an Andalite brain.
If this is the case, then I think we have nothing to fear from the humans other than if the war is lost and they are taken by the Yeerks. Although, the rate at which they have advanced is startling. It took them approximately six decades from their first flight in order to achieve lunar landing. We were able to accomplish the same feat after a few centuries – time adjusted according to their years. Yet there are so few of them that seem as though they can mentally comprehend the most advanced of their limited sciences. No, we will have nothing to fear from them.
Sometimes I wish I could just tell them. I wish I could tell them that everything they are doing is wrong, that I know a better way because we already discovered it. It is not allowed. I will not be responsible for my own version of Seerow's Kindness. But when I watch them and their primitive fumblings, I cannot help but express my frustration at their efforts and our superiority. So they call me arrogant. Even my prince thinks I am arrogant.
It does not help that I am reduced to silence for I am right but cannot speak against my prince. I see their errors. I know more advanced technologies and systems. Everything they do seems to be inefficient when I compare it to my people. But there is nothing I can do. I must listen to them because my prince is one of them. He constantly orders me not to address him by his title. That would be such disrespect; that is not acceptable. He tells me that he is not a prince so it cannot be his title. He may not technically be a part of the Andalite military, but I am not of a high enough rank to command myself. The code I follow dictates that I have a prince to follow. He would have me think independently and vote on what to do. That is inefficient.
Democracy only works for civilians, not for warriors. And his chosen system of democracy is flawed. There is too much indecision and infighting. Our system of democracy for our civilians at home is far superior. The voice of the people is always heard and followed. I believe that even those who do not win elections are still satiated. I would not know. As part of the military, I am not allowed to vote.
I was taught not to question my superiors. But when one works with another person so closely, it cannot be helped. I made disrespectful remarks of my former captain, Old Hoof and Tail, but I never questioned him. With Prince Jake, he questions himself with every decision, sometimes leading me to question him as well. I never questioned my captain. When I would watch him command, every decision and every order was distinct and sharp, never wavering. The same cannot be said of Prince Jake. Although I question many of his choices, I believe he is the best prince out of my options.
My pondering has, to my horror, led me to question my dear brother. It has occurred to me that Elfangor did not behave like any other Andalite I've ever known. Some of his mannerisms remind me of the humans. He would shrug and roll his eyes. It was something I thought was unique to him. Andalites are taught not to pick up behaviors from other species because it is considered degrading. But Elfangor always seemed to hold tradition and custom is such peculiar regard.
Whenever he knew he was being watched, he did his best to act like he was a normal Andalite. But being his brother, I noticed that when he was alone, sometimes he would simply sit and contemplate. What he thought about was always a mystery. He was not a scientist; he was a warrior. He always told me that fighting is instinctive. A great fighter clears the mind and allows his tail and stalk eyes to command the rest of his body. What could he possibly be pondering about for hours on end? The more time I spend with the humans, the more I am inclined to think that Elfangor behaved much like them. Could he have possibly been touched by humanity?
No, that is impossible. That was the first ever dome ship to enter Earth's space proximity. We were the first Andalites – Visser Three not included – to ever have contact with humans.
He must have known something. He had the biggest heart of any Andalite I ever knew. Loss was always at the back of his eyes. He said I would understand one day. But I still can't comprehend how such a celebrated warrior could act like none of it mattered. He always told me to do as I was told. How often did I see him performing his own daily tasks? I don't think I ever saw him. I always just assumed it was because he preferred privacy. Maybe it was something more.
Maybe he thought the way humans do too. Humans seem to think too much about things other than what is important. Elfangor told me that family was most important. Family is closely related to things of the heart. I was taught that our rituals are paramount. Family is part of what every Andalite should hope to achieve, but there are many other rites to be completed. Elfangor never illustrated his concern about the other rites. He was different. But everyone overlooked that because of his status.
I wonder if I really do wish to be just like him. I only knew the Elfangor that he presented. What did he think about? What were his real views? Why did he reject tradition? Why did it seem he reflected what I see today; was it humanity?
The answers elude me. For now, I shall not concern myself with petty thoughts. I must focus on the spiritual significance of my current and future actions. I always strive to match emotion, reverence, and ritual. Success leads me to a perfectly balanced mindset so I can be without troubles. Humanity and their overly emotional "logic" shall not affect me. The good of the People, for whom I pledge my life to every morning, must be upheld. There is no room for matters of the heart in the pursuit of enlightenment.
The Andalite nature is superior.