Chapter 6

I resolved to ask Captain Nerefir about the name of the ship when I had a chance. Right then, though, I was acquainting myself with the ship. My quarters were larger than those usually given to a Prince. I know it was because the Captain liked me.

It was not the typical Dome ship. Many of the crew quarters had been converted into laboratories. At least, that is what I assumed they were, as I did not recognize anything in them. The scientists were content to sleep in the dome or with their equipment.

I, like most of the other soldiers, was not happy that we had to deal with so many of them. They would be virtually useless in a fight and understood nothing about warfare. Just because all Andalties have tailblades does not mean all are able to use them. In an emergency, the scientists would hold us back and probably die.

((Fools,)) I muttered as I walked onto the command bridge where Captain Nerefir was assembling us. A few other Princes heard me and nodded their agreement. Enril, also on the bridge, must have heard me because she turned away and focused all four eyes on the ground.

((I've invited Doctor Enril to share with us what she knows of the planet before we arrive,)) the Captain informed us. ((Enril?))

She nodded but still did not look at us. ((We know very little.))

((She says that like it's a surprise,)) I muttered to no one in particular. The Warrior next to me chuckled slightly. He must have been one of those odd Andalites who did 'humor.' Even after my time on Earth, I still do not quite grasp it.

((We know nothing about the planet's geography. It is possible that our people would not be able to survive on it.))

((Maybe not your people,)) I mumbled.

((We know nothing about the dominant life forms other than that they are sentient and are intentionally broadcasting primitive radio signals in hopes of contacting life forms from other worlds.))

((How considerate of us to oblige them.))

((It is also possible,)) Captain Nerefir began, ((that the Yeerks intercepted these same transmissions. If it is possible for them to infest this race, there is a good chance that they will attempt it. That is why you warriors have come along. We will not be able to fight off a large Yeerk presence, so our initial actions will be scouting. Prince Elfangor will go down to the planet with Doctor Enril, assess the situation, and report back. Is that clear?))

I nodded. ((Yes, Captain. How many Warriors am I to take with me?))

((None.))
That surprised me. ((None, Captain?))

((Prince Elfangor,)) he sighed, ((imagine for a moment that you are living peacefully on your world. And then an army of aliens drops out of the sky. That does not go over well. A bad first impression is difficult to get over. You will infiltrate the planet by stealth, assuming the form of the native creatures.))

((I understand,)) I nodded. ((When am I to report back?))

((As soon as possible. If you do not return within three days, we will assume that you have met with harm, either at the hands of the Yeerks or the natives. We will take...appropriate...actions.))

((As you command.))

((Then you are dismissed, Elfangor. Go and rest; we will arrive within a few hours.))

I returned to my quarters. There was very little in them. We Andalites are not big on furniture, after all. All there was was a small hologram of my family. And beneath that, the only thing the Ellimist had let me take from Earth. A picture of Loren.

I could not look at either. When I was on a mission, I could never look at the image of my family. It only reminded me that odds were great that I would never see them again. And I could never look at Loren's picture. I could not bear it. Merely possessing it was enough.

((Prince Elfangor?)) I turned one stalk eye behind me to see Enril standing in the doorway.

((What?)) I snapped. I really did not want to be bothered with this scientist. And the thought of being trapped on this world with her was unbearable.

She did not seem to notice my irritation. Or else she ignored it. ((I thought that perhaps I should speak to you. If I am to be trusting in you to ensure my survival, I should know more about you.))

((There is nothing you need to know,)) I said.

((But I have heard so much about you,)) she insisted. ((Is it true you knew Alloran-Semitur-Corass?))

I spun around to face her. My tail twitched. ((I will not speak of Alloran to anyone. Is that clear, scientist?)) I hissed.

She took a few steps back, frightened. Good. ((I merely thought that-))

((Yes, that is exactly right. You merely think. That is all you do. That is all you are good for.))

She looked at the ground again, submissive. Pathetic. Loren would never, ever, have put up with such words from me. If I had said something like this to her, I would be bleeding right now.

I turned my back on Enril. ((Leave me now. I will find you when the time comes. Until then, I want nothing to do with you.))

Chapter 7

I closed the door as soon as she left, and then I turned to the only piece of furniture in my quarters. It had not been easy to acquire. I had to deal with several Skrit Na to get it. It was a human record player. And, of course, I had a few records. I shut myself off from the outside world for the next few hours, concentrating only on the music.

It did not help. I was less angry now, less irritated, but far more depressed. I could not stop thinking about what I had left behind. Neither could I figure out why I was dwelling so much on my past this time. I have gone on plenty of missions to foreign worlds. Why was I thinking about these things now? I never figured out the answer to that. I just passed the hours surrounded by the voices of men light-years away.

Someone pounding on my door snapped me out of it. ((Elfangor, open the door,)) the Captain demanded. I complied instantly.

((My apologies, Captain. What is-))

I cut off when he did something that surprised me. He smacked me across the face with the flat of his tailblade. I stumbled back, my tail instinctively in the position for a fight. He lowered his, though. ((Why did you do that?)) I demanded.

((Because that is all you are good for.))

I was silent for a few moments. I knew I was in trouble. ((You have spoken to Enril.))

((Yes, I have,)) he said. I could hear the anger in his voice. ((She came into my quarters demanding that I send someone else with her. Specifically anyone but you.)) I looked away from him the say Enril commonly did. ((Is there any particular reason you have decided that the basic rules of courtesy no longer apply to you, Prince Elfangor?))

((It is just that...I find the presence of these scientists so annoying,)) I answered. ((They are useless!))

Nerefir snorted. ((In many ways, yes. But really, Elfangor, of what use are you? When you aren't killing Yeerks, what productive purpose do you serve? Nothing. One day, we will win this war. And then, you will contribute far less then these scientists.))

((That may very well be, Captain, but that day is not today. The scientists have been virtually useless in this war and they are just the same now. Perhaps if they were designing weapons or something... But these are biologists!))

The Captain muttered something I could not quite hear. Then he said, ((You need to learn to live for the future, Elfangor, instead of remaining fixated on the past and despising the present. What is done is done. And now that we have learned what we can, we move on.))

((There are some things I do not wish to move beyond,)) I argued. I should never forget my family, the ones I left behind.

((Those are the very things that we must get past. You must learn to let go, Elfangor.))

((Like we let go of the wrongs of the Yeerks?))

((No; those have not passed. They still exist. But once we right them, and once we learn from them, then we must move on. I do not know what you really have against these scientists and apparently against Enril personally, but you must get over that. If you don't,)) he added with a sinister grin, ((your time on Utharon will be unbearable.))

((I am still to go with her?))

((Do you think I would change an order because I was asked to? Your orders remain unchanged. Now get to the hangar. The two of you are going down to the planet in your Moonraker. We will keep an eye on things from up here.))

((Any sign of Yeerks?))

((None, but they know how to hide. They could be here. Not in great force, though. No Pool ship. At most, they could be hiding a Blade ship somewhere, but I doubt that.))

I nodded and turned to leave. ((Elfangor,)) he added.

I looked back at him. ((Yes?))

((I know you. If you find Yeerks, do not try to defeat them all on your own.))

((Yes, Captain.))

((And if you meet Visser Three, you are not to engage him. I know that you will want to. I am one of the few who knows the history between the two of you. If by some chance you see him, you are not to fight him. You are to return call in reinforcements. Is. That. Clear?))

((Yes, Captain.)) His wishes were clear. His orders were clear. But what was unclear to me was whether or not I would obey them. He may have known our history but he did not understand. I still believed that there were some orders that could not be obeyed.

Then I remembered what I had wanted to ask him. ((Captain? Why is this ship called Alloran?))

((To remind us of something very important,)) Nerefir told me. ((We fight a Yeerk named Esplin Nine-Four-Double-Six. He is our enemy. No matter how long we fight the Abomination, it is the Yeerk who is our foe. Never the Andalite. Alloran will always be one of us.))

((Captain...do you think that some day he could be saved?))

Quietly, he said, ((No. Never. Perhaps some day, we will manage to get the slug out of his head. We could return control of his body to him. But the Yeerk will never really leave. For some, it is too late to ever come home from the battlefield. Alloran was lost to us long ago. No power of Andalite or Ellimist could ever bring him back.))

Chapter 8

Enril and I were silent on our way to the planet. I believed she was afraid to speak to me, and I had nothing to say to her. I piloted my ship without so much as a glance at her. Nerefir was right about at least one thing. I would be happy to move on from this experience.

I flew to the coordinates she had given me earlier. I do not know why she decided that it would be a good place to land and I did not particularly care. I just wanted to get this over with.

I took a good look at the land before I landed. Much of it looked rocky, with many small hills as well. There was little in the way of vegetation. Some small bushes, a few larger trees, and dry grass as far as I could see. The planet looked thoroughly inhospitable.

((Atmospheric readings normal,)) Enril told me. ((We should be able to breathe fine here.)) Judging by the layout of the land, I doubted that.

I said nothing. Instead, I stepped out of the ship and was immediately assaulted by a wave of heat. This planet was like an oven! Andalties rarely sweat, but I was doing so now; profusely. ((How pleasant.)) Sarcasm was something I learned during my time on Earth. It has served me well, though I fear it was lost on Enril. Then again, what wasn't lost on her?

I tasted the grass; it's the first thing any Andalite does on a new world. And when I tasted it, I couldn't help but yelp. ((Ow!)) It was like being bit or something. Eating it was possible but painful. ((A wonderful planet you've found us, doctor,)) I muttered. I swept my eyes around, looking for any sort of threat. We needed to acquire native creatures, but I saw none. Enril noticed something, though.

((What is that? Or, was?)) She pointed to a pile of bones lying in the grass.

I walked over and examined it. It was the skeleton of some small creature, with approximately twelve legs. ((How should I know? You are the scientist. We need to find the natives...))

"Hello?" a voice called. It was higher-pitched than the usual Andalite voice.. Then I saw something that I consider odd, even after everything I have seen. There was a creature clinging to one of the trees, its arms and legs wrapped around a branch.

The creature was small, and covered in greyish-white fur. It had large, tufted ears. It looked a bit like the stuffed bears I have seen human children hold. It looked at us with large eyes. I would go so far as to call it adorable. Although I would never mention that to anyone.

I fought down the urge to point my Shredder at the creature. ((Um...hello,)) I responded.

((The translator chips seem to be working fine,)) Enril commented to me privately. ((We got enough of a language sample from their initial broadcasts that we should be able to understand them without any difficulty.))

((Assuming that we do not come across a group that speaks a different language,)) I muttered. I doubted the scientists considered that.

We stared at each other for a few moments, unsure who should speak. I decided to. ((We came in response to the signals you sent to our homeworld,)) I informed him. ((We are-))

"Andalites. Yes, yes, I know, I know." The creature began to climb down from the tree.

((He is adorable,)) Enril muttered, probably not realizing that I could hear her.

((Remain focused on the job,)) I snapped. I kept my speech private from the alien. ((And we have no way of verifying its gender. You are making a baseless assumption.)) To the alien, I asked, ((How do you know the name of our race?))

"The other one told us of course," he answered.

((The other one?)) Enril asked. Already, though, I knew who it must have been. We were the first Andalites to reach this planet. But we were not the only Andalties in the galaxy. There was one other.

War-Prince Alloran-Semitur-Corass. Once my Prince. Now...now he is Visser Three, the Abomination, the slave of Esplin 9466. The one and only Andalite-Controller. All because of my foolishness. I allowed him to be enslaved. And now I feel that it is my duty to see him freed.

If he was here, it meant that the Yeerks would be as well. In that instant, this world changed for me. This small, innocent creature could be an enemy who would kill us if given half the chance. The planet itself went from an inhospitable world to a death trap.

((Yes, the others,)) I interrupted Enril. Clearly, she had not put this puzzle together yet. I was far from surprised. ((The ones we came here to meet.)) To the alien, I lied, ((Our ship was running low on power not far outside of your system. We contacted some of our people for aid. You must forgive Enril,)) I added. ((She is...forgetful.))

"I thought you said you were here because of the signals we sent out..."

((Yes, that is why we were near your system. But when we were low on power, we called for aid. I am glad to know they have already arrived.))

((Prince Elfangor, what are you talking about?)) Enril demanded privately. ((There cannot be any other Andalites here.))

((There is one,)) I told her so that the creature could not hear. ((Visser Three.)) To the alien, I said, ((Please, take me to them as soon as possible.))

((This is a bad idea. We should go get Captain Nerefir. If the Yeerks are here-))

((This is not about the Yeerks. This is about me and him.))

((But the Captain-))

((Will not have to know.))

Chapter 9

I will admit that, in my long history of doing stupid things, this was probably at the top of the list. What did I hope to accomplish once I found Visser Three? He'd certainly be guarded. And we would be led straight to him. There was no way this did not end in my death. So why was I doing it?

I let Enril speak to the creature as we walked. I was busy trying to think of a way to get myself out of the mess I had just jumped into. I would be able to justify it to the Captain easily enough. I would only need to tell him that I believed this was the only way I could locate the Yeerks. Even if he did not believe me, Nerefir would let that pass.

The true problem was dealing with Visser Three. Or, rather, not dealing with him. We would need to disappear once we located him. Except I did not think I would be able to walk away from him. When I stood face to face with him, would I be able to control myself. I doubted it.

Enril, of course, was clueless. That did not surprise me. She chatted happily with the native. I completely tuned them out. After several hours of walking, we wandered into a small village. It was an unusual mix of primitive and advanced technology. The buildings themselves were laughably primitive, made of pieces of wood lashed together with some sort of rope.

In sharp contrast were some devices that seemed to pull moisture out of the air. This planet was very dry, almost barren. Without these devices, it would be very difficult to live here. I did not see any water during the walk; all of it was collected here and funneled into a large cistern in the center of the village.

I knew I must be surrounded by Controllers. A few of them, at least, were watching me; I was sure of it. I did not know how long I had until Visser Three knew I was here, but it was not long. I needed to find him before he found me.

((The two of you must excuse me for a few moments,)) I told them.

((Where are you going?)) Enril asked.

I sighed. ((If you must know, I must find somewhere to relieve myself.)) As I expected, that caused her to turn away, embarrassed. I wandered out of the village, looking for a shady spot. I found some slight shelter in the shade of one of the few trees growing on top of a hill.

I concentrated on the DNA of one of the creatures within me. A Kafit bird, common to the Andalite homeworld. Six strong wings, a bill like a razor, keen eyesight and hearing... The sort of creature that might survive on this planet. There was a time when my own homeworld was a dangerous, wild place. The Kafit bird, apparently, never quite got out of that stage. I was grateful for that.

I was in the air almost as soon as I opened my wings. For once, the heat of this planet was coming in handy. It was creating wonderful updrafts. With no effort, I found myself higher than I had ever been before. And from there, I could see the Blade ship.

It was not far from the village, but hidden between some hills so that it would not be visible to anyone approaching from the ground. I could see a few of the natives moving towards it though. No doubt Controllers going to inform their Visser that Andalites had arrived.

I knew the steps I had to take now. First, I floated over the village. ((Enril,)) I called privately, ((do not react. Visser Three and the Blade ship are nearby, approximately one and one third of a mile south of the village. Controllers are going right now to inform the Visser of our presence. You must get away and morph to some flight-capable creature. We will be fine if we can reach my Moonraker and then the Alloran.))

((Prince Elfangor...I cannot morph.))

((WHAT!?!?))

((They gave me the power when they asked me to come on this mission, but I have not yet had reason to acquire anything.))

((WHY THE HELL DID YOU NOT MENTION THIS EARLIER!?!?!?))

I was...somewhat angered. I wished there was a wall I could have smashed my head against for a few minutes. If the Kafit bird had been capable of tearing its own eyes out, I might have done that.

I ran through my options in my head. I could fly to my ship, retrieve Enril, and then proceed to the Captain; or else do that the other way around. But if I left Enril here, there was a good chance she would be captured.

Although I did not care about her, she was a scientist and knew things that could be very dangerous if used against us. And morph-capable or not, I would not be responsible for a second Abomination. I would not. That was simply unacceptable. I could not allow it.

((They will soon realize that I am gone,)) I told her. ((When that happens, they will know what has happened. Run now, Enril. Run back to the Moonraker. I will meet you as soon as I am able; most likely I will be there before you. Run. NOW!))

She did not obey until I yelled, but that got her. Without giving any warning to her guide, she turned back the way she had come and bolted. The locals could not have kept up with her if they had tried to do so. An Andalite was far too fast for them. ((And Enril?)) I added.

((Yes?))

((If it appears you are about to be captured, do try to do the galaxy the small favor of taking your own life.))

((Where are you going?))

((To finish some business.))

Chapter 10

I needed to know how Visser Three would react. Of course he would order us to be brought to him. But what would he do when he learned that we had run off? What steps would he take? Information is always important to have. And if he saw me, that might distract him from thinking of Enril. So I made my way to the Blade ship.

I saw him first. He was impossible to miss. An Andalite where no Andalite should be. Visser Three. I had to fight the urge to dive down and tear at his eyes. If I could have killed him in this morph, I might have tried it. There was no way I could get away with it, of course, but my life was a small price to pay for his.

But that wasn't an option; not in this body. So instead I watched. I saw a hologram of one of the natives appear before him. He nodded slowly and shut it off. A moment later, another native came running to him.

((What is this?)) Visser Three asked, seeming excited and pleased. ((Andalites have landed? How wonderful of you to tell me.)) Then his tail flashed. His tailblade was at the native's throat in an instant. ((FOOL! Why would you come to tell me in person rather than using a long-range communications system? I not only already know that Andalites have arrived, I know that they have disappeared as well.)) He twitched his tail and the alien fell to the ground, never to rise again.

((I despise it when my Yeerks become as foolish as the races we are conquering,)) he muttered. He turned to the ship and shouted a name I did not then recognize. It did not seem important. That was very foolish of me. ((Guraff!))

A Hork-bajir emerged from the ship, He was maybe a foot or so taller than the average Hork-bajir. "Yes, Esplin? What are your orders?"

((Andalites have arrived and are aware of our presence.))

"I shall eliminate them."

((Not quite yet,)) Visser Three corrected him quickly. ((So far, we know of only two Andalites. One of them is a female. She is inconsequential, though would be useful as a host. The other, however, is our old friend Prince Elfangor.))

The Hork-bajir smiled, "I have wanted to fight him for a long time."

((I know. I want him brought to me alive. If anyone can accomplish this task, it is you. Bring Prince Elfangor to me. Perhaps he shall become your new host.))

"You would trust another with an Andalite body, Esplin?"

((I trust you with my Blade ship and with my life, Guraff. I can think of no one better to have such a host.))

Guraff nodded, then started barking out orders. "I want Bug fighters in the sky. Watch the land for these two Andalites. Watch for any morphs that do not belong on this world. Be wary of other Andalites as well. We do not know how many there are, or where they are."

((The native informed me that they landed in a ship several miles north of here,)) Visser Three informed him.

"Then our first order of business is to destroy that ship. That is to be done before anything else."

((See to that personally.))

"As you command, my Visser." He disappeared into the Blade ship. This was not good. They would almost certainly see Enril. If she could get to the Moonraker, all would be fine. I could fly back to the Dome ship on my own. I had to distract them. And I could really think of only one thing.

I landed on the Blade ship. ((Hello, Visser Three.))

Every head turned to stare at me. Every weapon, too. Visser Three smiled. It's funny; there is really no difference between Visser Three's smile and that of his host. ((Prince Elfangor. So kind of you to save us the trouble of hunting you down.))

((If I didn't make it easy, you wouldn't be able to do it,)) I answered. ((And it just is not any fun to win all of the time.))

((Such arrogance from a bird!))

((Such arrogance from a slug.))

((I could have you killed right now. Perhaps you do not realize that. I understand that such things are typically beyond the comprehension of the Andalite mind. I suppose I should thank you for that bit of understanding. After all,)) he added, ((I would not be in this body without your help.))

((Why not come fight me yourself,)) I spat. My bill was tightly closed. If I had hooves, I would have been grinding them into the dirt. ((You have this morph. Why not see which of us is the stronger?))

((Because there is no question of that.)) Then, to his men, ((Shoot him. Be sure to use the low settings. I want him alive.))

That, of course, was my cue to take off. I suppose on another planet it would have been difficult. But the heat here made flying very, very easy. I was away almost before I realized it.

A Bug fighter shot past below me. More soon followed it. No matter the weather, my morph could never even come close to the speed of the Bug fighters. With any luck, Enril would be intelligent enough to hide. She could not possibly be foolish enough to remain in the open, could she?

I honestly was not sure. Nor did I have any idea where she could hide. There was little in the way of vegetation, or of cover. I had no idea how she could avoid being seen. ((Such a wonderful planet,)) I muttered again.