Disclaimer: Animorphs belongs to the great K A Applegate and/or Scholastic. The Aliens and Predators belong to 20th Century Fox Film Corporation. All others are mine. I am not profiting in any way from this etc. etc. This story takes place two months after the 'Black Death' series.
Animorphs: Galactic War
1: Invasion's end
Yeerk outpost: Ganymede
The small outpost on Jupiter's moon had become far busier over the past few months. It was an early warning outpost, designed to detect an Andalite force before they could threaten Visser 3's forces at Earth. With the Visser apparently losing every battle of late, the outpost had become significantly more important. Everyone knew the Andalites wouldn't wait forever. However, as important as the outpost was, life there was boring. Even the commander, a human controller, had to acknowledge that as he entered the Observation Bridge.
"Anything to report?" he asked.
"Nothing. Unless you count a load of space and dust!" a lieutenant replied sarcastically. "Sometimes I wish that the Andalites would show up."
"They are coming. Intelligence said that they were sending a large fleet."
The lieutenant snorted. "Hmph! Intelligence said a lot of things. They said Earth would fall in weeks. They said the Andalite bandits on Earth weren't a significant problem and they said Visser 3 was the best commander for the job. I'm starting to wonder whether Intelligence actually has any!"
The commander chuckled. "Well, your boredom is over for now. I'm relieving you."
The lieutenant smiled at that and was starting to get up when several lights on his panel started flashing.
"What is it?" the commander asked.
"I'm picking up a disturbance. Hold on while I get a fix." He soon realised what it was. "Sir, a jump point is opening over us! Something's coming out of Zero-Space!"
"Activate viewscreen!"
The controllers watched in awe as a large triangular ship emerged from the jump point. It looked like an Imperial Star Destroyer out of Star Wars except it also had two large green nacelles on its sides.
"What is that? I've never seen a ship like that before!"
"The computer hasn't either, sir. Its configuration is unknown!"
As they spoke ten fighters were launched from the large ship.
"Sir! They're heading right for us!"
The commander was aghast. "Impossible! No one knows we're here!"
"Sir! The fighters' weapons are fully powered! What do we do?"
The commander knew that there was nothing he could do. The outpost was supposed to be undetectable and had no weapons.
"Send a message to Earth quickly! Tell them we're under attack! Tell them…"
He had no time to finish as green bolts flew from the fighters and reduced the outpost to dust.
Earth: Ax's scoop
The Animorphs were now meeting in Ax's scoop since they had freed Tom and Alloran. Although Tom wasn't an Animorph and Alloran seemed to keep aloof from the others, Jake still wanted them in on things.
"Ok, Erek, you called the meeting. What's this all about?" Jake asked.
Erek was typically blunt. "You have a problem. A big one."
"That's nothing new," Marco said. "We've handled big problems before, right?"
The others all nodded.
"This might be your biggest and last problem yet, Marco. It all started when the Yeerks lost contact with their listening post on Ganymede. They think it's been destroyed."
A sudden thought struck Alloran. Andalites?
Erek nodded. "That's the assumption."
"What's so bad about that? We're going to win at last!" Cassie exclaimed.
"Yeah. No more acid bleeding aliens or being hunted and no more Yeerks! I can live with that!" Marco added.
"The Yeerks don't believe they can win. They still haven't recovered fully from the alien problem we all had two months back. Therefore they're getting desperate," Erek went on.
If it's a full fleet coming then they're right. They have no chance of winning, not with the losses they sustained.
It didn't take much to figure out that Alloran was right. The Animorphs hadn't had a full mission since the destruction of the alien hive at the Yeerk pool. There hadn't been a need. The Yeerks had had their hands full the last two months keeping word of their invasion from getting out. They'd not had much time to spare to rebuild their shattered and demoralised forces.
"Just how desperate are they getting?" Jake asked.
"The good news first. You've won: The Yeerks are bailing out. In two days they'll take what they have and leave Earth altogether. The bad news is they're making one last offensive tomorrow. They're going to try to snatch as many victims as they can and take them out with them."
"Where, when and how?" Rachel asked.
"The where and when should be obvious. Have you forgotten the town's biggest festival is happening tomorrow night?"
"Shit! That's right. I'd forgotten about that," Marco said. "That thing always attracts nearly the whole town!"
The perfect target, Ax concluded.
"I don't know how they're doing it, though. I'd guess the Sharing has something to do with it, they will have a presence there tomorrow night. Hork-Bajir will be there too, so don't hold anything or anyone back. Oh, one other thing Marco. Visser One's heading this operation."
Marco's eyes went wide as he heard this. "You sure?"
"Definitely. She was sent by the Council to make sure they got one result from the Earth, at least that's what I was told. If you want to free her, tomorrow's your last chance!"
With that Erek quietly left, leaving them with a lot to think about.
"Our families are going to be at risk too. We've got to stop this!" Cassie said.
"Yeah, but they'll be expecting trouble, right?" Ryan asked.
"Definitely. I mean this whole thing carries a lot of risk but I guess they don't care about that if they're leaving." Rachel said.
Then they'll probably send down all the forces they can spare! Alloran said worriedly. It's what I would do, anyway.
Even with all of us we might not have enough power if they do that, Ax said.
"Then we'll commit everything too!" Jake said fiercely. "Tobias, are you up for a visit to the Ellimist's Valley?"
You bet! Tobias said and flew out the door.
"The free Hork-Bajir? You're bringing them in?" Marco asked.
"Why not?" Rachel put in. "It's their last chance to get a piece of the Yeerks. Hopefully it'll be our last chance too."
"Never thought I'd hear that from you, Xena," Marco said seriously.
"Ok, we'll meet up again tomorrow and work out the rest then," Jake said. "Tom, if this goes well you won't have to live in here much longer."
"Good job, midget. Ax's snoring keeps me awake!"
My what!
Ax gave Tom a nasty look whilst everyone else broke up in giggles.
Ax's scoop: the next day
The Animorphs were discussing what they hoped would be the last mission on Earth when Tobias flew in.
Good news, guys! Ket, Jara and Toby are up for it! They'll be sending help tonight.
"Good. How many are they sending?" Jake asked.
Uh, all of them I think. About ninety or so!
Ninety! I didn't know they had that many! Ax said.
We're not the only ones who've been hitting the Yeerks the past few months, Ax, Tobias chuckled.
"How are we going to hide that many?" Rachel asked worriedly.
Toby said not to worry. They can take care of themselves and when we need them, they'll be there.
"I've found out something else," Marco put in. "The festival tonight. It's being held near the construction site!"
Rachel soon caught on. "So they grab people at the festival, smuggle them out the back to the site and…"
"…Game over," Ryan finished grimly.
"Where do we try and stop them then?" Cassie asked. "The festival or the site?"
Why not both? Ax suggested. With the free Hork-Bajir we have the numbers to do it.
Jake nodded. "Ok. We'll all go tonight and check it out, find out what the Yeerks are planning to do…"
"…And then stomp them!" Rachel said with relish.
"What about our families? Won't they be coming too and want us with them?" Cassie asked.
"We'll all have to think of some way to get around that like we always do." Marco said.
Jake sighed. Lying was something they had had to do often but he still hated it. Even worse was that since Tom's 'death' in the alien fight two months back, his parents had gone from it's-dangerous-out-there overprotective to you-might-drop-dead-any-minute overprotective. Still, he couldn't back out of this now. "Ok, I'll see you later at the…oh shit! Justin! I forgot!"
With that, Jake flew out of the scoop.
"Justin? Who's Justin?" Ryan asked in confusion.
"His, our, cousin," Tom replied. "Second cousin that is. He's two years younger than Jake and real hyper. Jake was telling me yesterday that he was coming. Our parents probably wanted him down so they could try and forget my 'death'."
"Good job we haven't had a mission since then," Marco muttered. "Your parents have been smothering Jake. He can't breathe without them noticing!"
Will this Justin make this problem worse? Ax asked.
Tom shook his head. "I don't think so. If anything it might make things easier. Justin's a good kid but he's so hyper that my parents going to have their hands full watching him!"
Good! We go as planned then. Ax said.
With that, the Animorphs left to go back home.
We will be going home soon, Aximili. You should be happy. Alloran said.
Not really, I will miss this world and all I have to look forward to at home is dishonour, Ax said miserably.
What do you mean? Alloran asked incredulously.
Ax told him of his lies to the Council when he had contacted them so long ago.
Alloran snorted. Then we will face them together, Aximili. If those cretins on the Council are stupid enough to try to hurt you for that then I will reveal the truth!
Aximili was aghast. But War-Prince…!
But nothing, Aristh! It's time we made the Council face up to the truth of things. Without these young humans this world would have fallen just like the Hork-Bajir world did. In effect, they have done our work for us! It's time this Seerow's Kindness nonsense was put where it belongs: in a waste recycler!
But the dishonour to Elfangor… Ax started to say.
…Will be minimal. Once the people hear of what has happened out here I'm sure they will understand. Elfangor did what needed to be done. If he had not, this world would be Yeerk territory and I would still have that filth in my head! I owe your family and those humans my life. I will repay that debt one way or another. The Council owes you a better reward than dishonour and I will see you get it.
Ax knew he could have argued all night with Alloran and it would not do him any good. All right, War-Prince, if you insist, he eventually sighed.
Good. But let's forget this for now. After all we still have one more battle to fight.
We? Ax asked in surprise.
You don't think I'm just going to stay and cower in here, do you? I have a blood oath against the Yeerks just like you and your shorm have! Alloran cursed mentally as he realised he'd just made a slip. I'll join you later, I have a morph or two to acquire, he quickly added and then left.
Ax watched him go, somewhat confused.
My shorm? Tobias? What blood oath does he have against the Yeerks?
"Are you ok, Ax?" Tom asked, noticing Ax's expression.
Yes, I'm fine. I've just been given a lot to think about. Ax decided that he was going to have a little chat with Tobias once this was over.
The festival fairground: early evening
Tobias flew over the fairground, trying to find a trace of Yeerk activity. He hoped they'd start making their moves soon as it was getting dark and his hawk eyes were not that good in the dark. Ax, Alloran and the Hork-Bajir were concealed near the construction site, ready to attack there. The others would be arriving soon. From what he'd heard, Jake was having trouble getting away from his family. Tobias hoped this wouldn't become too much of a problem. He didn't want to fight without his 'Fearless Leader' there. Deep in thought, Tobias started to make another patrol.
Visser 3's Blade Ship: Earth orbit
Everyone had stayed out of Visser 3's way that day. Although he no longer had his Andalite body no one wanted to cross him, not in the mood he was in now. Loud curses and screams of rage had been coming from his room all day since Visser 1 and her party had arrived and gone down to the surface. Visser 3 had refused to acknowledge her. He wasn't about to give her a chance to gloat. Eventually he came up to the Battle Bridge to let off some steam.
"Visser 1 will be ready to begin our final operation soon," a bridge controller reported.
With any luck it will fail and the Andalites will kill the bitch!
Visser 3 thought."Anything else?" he asked impatiently.
"No Visser. What the…?"
The controller's panel had started flashing.
"What is it?" Visser 3 asked.
"A jump point is forming over the moon, Visser!"
As they watched, four ships came out of Zero-Space. They were identical to the one that had destroyed Ganymede's outpost.
"Who are they?" Visser 3 asked in amazement.
"I don't know and neither does the computer, Visser. Their configuration is unknown!"
Another controller spoke. "Visser, a transmission is coming in from the lead ship!"
"So they wish to talk, do they? Put it on!"
The Visser's eyes widened when he saw the figure on the viewscreen.
"Visser 3? So the rumours were true. You have lost a lot of power since we last met!"
"YOU?! You should be dead!" Visser 3 exclaimed.
"Yes, I'd hoped you'd believe that. It made our work so much easier."
"How did you survive? How did you get these ships?" Visser 3 asked.
The figure sneered. "Better to ask: what will we do now?"
"Visser, they're launching fighters!"
"Launch ours!" Visser 3 ordered. He didn't want a fight as they'd only just finished repairing the Pool Ship fully. Still, with two other support ships it would be an even match.
"You've just signed your death warrant! This time it will be for real!" Visser 3 snarled.
"You think so?" the figure replied. "Fire pulse cannons!"
After he spoke, gold energy pulses were fired at each of the Yeerk ships. They scored a direct hit but appeared to do little damage.
Visser 3 roared with laughter. "Is that the best you can do?"
"Visser! Our shields have failed! The other ships are affected too!" a controller reported in panic. Visser 3's smile disintegrated.
"Actually Visser, it isn't!" the figure laughed sadistically. "Fire disruptors!"
Green bolts then flew into the Yeerk ships. One was caught head on and destroyed outright. The Pool Ship and Blade Ship were both hit and damaged.
Visser 3 knew then that he was in serious trouble. "Lock dracon beams and return fire!"
Red dracon beams flew at the opposing ships. However, since their shields were still up, the effect was minimal. The battle raged on, but there was only going to be one outcome and Visser 3 knew it. He cut the connection to the opposing ship.
"Can we jump to Zero-Space?"
"Yes Visser, but the other ships…"
"Forget them! If they're sensible they will escape too, as we can't win! Now do as I say before they blast us out of the stars!"
The badly damaged Blade Ship just managed to jump into Zero-Space ahead of a wave of disruptor fire. The other support ship and Pool Ship weren't so fast or lucky and were blown into oblivion. The remaining Bug fighters, deprived of support, soon met the same fate.
Command Ship of the opposing fleet
The commander of the mysterious fleet watched Visser 3 escape. He had expected no less.
"We'll kill the coward later. Scan the planet!"
"Sensors are detecting ships on this continent, Emperor."
"Good. Send the Raptors down and destroy them!"
The construction site
A major battle was being fought below as well. The Animorphs had found the Yeerks' shuttles in the construction site and were now fighting with the Hork-Bajir controllers guarding them. Jake was fighting with them too. His parents and Justin had been 'snatched' along with several other unfortunate people by Hork-Bajir controllers at the fairground but Jake had escaped them.
We've got to reach those shuttles and get those hostages out! Rachel screamed as she slashed a Hork-Bajir open with her claws. She was in bear morph as usual.
There's too many of them! Marco exclaimed as he used his gorilla fists to floor another opponent.
Then allow us to help!
Everyone stopped fighting. The Hork-Bajir controllers were staring in terror at a spot behind the Animorphs. They turned around and saw a massive four-legged creature. It looked like a cross between a lion and a great horned demon and was much larger than both. Alongside were Ax and Tobias and more Hork-Bajir who were wearing blue armbands: the free Hork-Bajir.
Is that…Alloran? Cassie managed to say.
The Desert Behemoth of the Estharon system. Like it? Alloran replied.
ATTACK!
With that they all charged forward and the Yeerks soon found themselves outmatched. Alloran and the free Hork-Bajir cut a line right through the controllers, allowing the Animorphs access to the shuttles. Marco noticed Visser 1 running for another shuttle, her own private shuttle.
Guys! I've got to go get…
We saw, Marco. Go get her! We'll finish here! Jake said as they started to get the hostages out of the shuttles.
Marco nodded and ran after her.
As they were freeing Jake's family and the last few hostages Ryan suddenly noticed something descending from the sky.
What the hell are…?
That was all he had time to say as green disruptor fire flew from the alien fighters into the shuttles and the site, killing controllers and free warriors alike.
Let's get out of here! Jake shouted as they ushered the hostages into the woods.
Good idea! Where's Marco? Rachel asked with worry.
Right here, Marco ran over to them with an unconscious Visser 1 slung over his shoulder. I didn't know you loved me that much, Xena!
I don't! Rachel snapped.
Uh guys, we're under attack! Jake said. Let's go!
As they turned to flee, a fighter made another pass, lacing the edge of the woods with disruptor fire. Jake caught some of the blast and he collapsed with a scream.
Jake! Demorph! Cassie screamed.
He can't demorph with all these people around, Tobias said.
If he doesn't, he's dead! Demorph Jake! Rachel ordered.
Jake started to demorph. Since many of the hostages had taken cover and hadn't run away inevitably he was noticed. People stood in shock as they watched a tiger becoming a human.
Cover him, quickly! Cassie said.
The others quickly surrounded him as he finished demorphing.
"Who…who are you?" someone asked.
We're the Animorphs. Please don't tell anyone about this! Marco said as seriously as he could.
Yeah right! Cassie snorted.
Jake had morphed to bird by now and was flying out of the circle.
Ok, retreat! he ordered.
The Animorphs and their assorted allies fled as the fighters destroyed the site and the shuttles.
None of them knew that someone else had seen Jake fully. He had climbed up a tree to try and hide once he'd escaped from the Yeerk shuttle. Stunned and frightened by what and who he had just seen, Justin jumped from the tree and started running for home.
Ax's scoop: half an hour later
Tom had wanted to go on the mission with the others but they had all said no, despite his protests. When they came back, he began to think they had been right.
"Uh, how did it go?" he asked as he looked at the exhausted Animorphs.
Alloran and Ax came in behind them. Alloran answered for them all.
We won. But there were some…unexpected developments.
Marco put Visser 1 down in the corner and tied her up firmly. Unexpected developments that nearly killed us! he snorted as he started to demorph.
"I didn't know your people were that ruthless," Cassie said accusingly.
My people? I can assure you that those ships were not Andalite! Alloran replied indignantly. Ax nodded in agreement.
That got a confused expression from everyone.
"Then, whose ships were they?" Ryan asked.
A very good question. I don't have an answer for it. I have no idea, I have never seen fighters like those before. Alloran said. It was plain he was as baffled as everyone else was.
"Let's think about that later. We've got another problem, our cover's blown!" Jake said, worried.
I don't think the Yeerks are in a position to do much with the information, assuming any survived. Ax said.
He's right, Alloran added. Those ships must have hit the Yeerks in orbit before coming to the surface.
"Then we've…won?" Rachel asked hopefully.
We'd better wait a few days and check with Erek to make sure, Tobias suggested.
"Good idea. In the meantime we'll stay low, right?" Jake said. Everyone nodded. "I'd better get home and see if everyone's ok."
"Look after her. Don't lose her now, Ax-man," Marco said, his voice cracking as he looked at his mother.
We'll watch her Marco, don't worry, Ax said as they started to leave.
Alloran was deep in thought.
We may have won here. But who helped us? Who are they and what do they want?
Alloran eventually gave up and began to settle down for the night.
Alien Command Ship: Earth orbit
"All Yeerk forces in this system are destroyed or have retreated, Emperor."
"Excellent. Now we wait. The Yeerks have begun to suffer as we did."
"Soon we will reveal ourselves to the Andalites. At last we will have our revenge on both of them!" a lieutenant broke in.
"Yes. We have been well prepared for this day. They will be no match for us!"
TO BE CONTINUED….