Chapter 4
Most of us gathered in Landing Bay 1, parked in a far abandoned corner away from busy Andalite workers. Marco was still absent, being treated in the ship's medical bay. Jake and I had been making regular check-ups on him, and though he seemed to have recovered, he was to stay there for another day or so.
The War Commander was arriving in his very own cruiser. It was a beautiful vessel, sleek and elegant. Rounded at the front, the state-of-the-art transporter sported a curved tail that swooped forward over the body. They certainly didn't want such a beauty docked beside The Shadow.
"Not bad!" Santorelli complimented, raising his volume so that we could hear him over the great hum as the ship came to rest.
Jake's hair was being whipped wildly by the spiralling wind, but his body remained statuesque. He was more than ready to meet Torceran again – or Torch as we'd started calling him.
I was holding Tobias against my chest as he struggled in the strong gusts. Like him, I had fallen silent. I had a lot on my mind, and talking to Torch could force a big decision upon me.
The engines stopped. A team of Andalite workers attended to the ship, causing a rustling of activity. We watched on, waiting for the hatch on the side to open, simultaneously anxious and eager to meet the War Commander again.
His imposing figure would not take long to emerge. The hatch slowly dropped to the bay and the crew began to emerge. We saw Prince Erasutt and War-Prince Axtana move forward to greet him and exchange pleasantries. The War Commander was taller than both, and more imposing in every possible way. It was hard not to watch him as he strutted through his crew, ensuring their formality and congratulating them on a steady flight.
Another Andalite was following him closely, having also arrived. When he stepped out from behind Torch, we all exchanged knowing looks. We all recognised him.
"Hey! That's that Caysath guy!" Santorelli burst, keeping his volume down just enough that he wouldn't draw attention.
"Yes. Prince Caysath," Menderash muttered. "He must be here to see us."
I spotted a twitch from Jake. Nobody else noticed, with the possible exception of Tobias. We had been sceptical of Caysath's role in our mission since he gave information to the Andalites without our permission. He gave a good reason for doing it, but that break of trust certainly had an effect. Jake was taking that into his maze of considerations.
Maybe Caysath had informed Torch of Menderash's true identity. We would soon find out.
Of course, with 360 vision, it didn't take them long to spot us. After the standard checks and consultations, both Caysath and Torch made their way over. We stopped our minor chatter, and Santorelli strategically placed himself behind Menderash, gripping onto his hair to stop him instinctively performing a suspiciously accurate Andalite bow.
We stood in awe as the War Commander eventually arrived before us, escorted by Axtana. We offered our welcome, and he bowed in return.
((Good day to you,)) He spoke with a booming voice worthy of his stature. ((I was looking forward to seeing you again. And you are all present apart from… one? Where is the loud one?))
Jake replied, "He is in the medical bay, War Commander. He is recovering well, but couldn't be with us today."
((I wish him the best,)) Torch said compulsively. Then, he turned slightly and raised a hand to Prince Caysath. ((May I introduce Prince Caysath-Winwall-Esgarrouth? Prince Caysath, these are the Animorphs. Some of them.))
I sensed some of the tension within us disperse. Caysath must not have said anything, which was a huge relief.
((A pleasure.)) Caysath said to us. We greeted him back like we'd never met.
Torch puffed out his chest proudly. ((I must congratulate you all! I hear that you have taken a Kelbrid general and three soldiers! That's even more than I asked for. I commend you for your efforts. I assume that you have made detailed reports on Kelbrid Space for us?))
"We have, War Commander," Jake said. "We mapped a large portion of the Kelbrid planet, Kyritlyp. Took images of major landmarks in the capital. We also explored a number of locations on Makroovi, where we found Kelbrids present. Those are only some of the major reports we have for you."
He smiled, clearly impressed. ((Have these reports been passed on?))
"They are in War-Prince Axtana's possession, War Commander."
Axtana sidled up to Torch and spoke, ((The reports are numerous and extensive, sir. From what I have seen, the Kelbrids are both intriguing and dangerous. The information is pertinent to us going forward.))
Torch clasped his hands joyfully. ((Excellent! I couldn't have asked for more! Jake Berenson, Animorphs, I will see to it that your names are cleared. As far as the universe is concerned, you are innocent of any crimes.))
"Thank you, War Commander."
Torch was posturing to move along, but he quickly stopped himself and retraced his main eyes to Jake. ((Hm. I forgot to ask. How stupid of me not to ask of any Yeerk presence in Kelbrid Space.))
Jake took a moment to unreel, taken aback by Torch's strangely nonchalant enquiry. "We saw no signs of active Yeerk forces. In fact, what we saw suggested that the Kelbrids had eliminated the Yeerks, War Commander."
The War Commander's reaction was bizarre. He narrowed his eyes and turned his head slightly to the side, in Axtana's direction. They were silent, but I could tell the signs of private thought-speech.
((Thanks again to you all,)) Torch spoke to us openly. ((I must see the Kelbrid prisoners now. I will be happy to arrange a more formal meeting soon. War-Prince Axtana will liaison.))
Axtana nodded as Torch proudly swooped away. ((I will arrange necessary meetings and pass on the details. Also, remember to attend your blood test appointments tomorrow. Inconvenient, I know, but it's compulsory for all ship residents.))
"We won't forget." Jake assured. With that, Axtana rushed to catch up to his superior.
Caysath remained with us. He was quite a contrast to the others in terms of energy. He still looked like he'd had far too many days in a stuffy office. With the others gone, all attention turned to him and the words he would undoubtedly deliver.
"Hey Caysath." Santorelli greeted informally.
((Hello to you all,)) He replied with distinct terseness. ((Let's go somewhere a little more private.))
We agreed, and Caysath led us away from the hangar as coolly as he could. Before we left the large open hangar, I caught a final glimpse of the newly arrived ship. I saw another figure emerging, escorted by two Andalite Arisths. It was a Mak. Jeanne was closest, and I tapped her shoulder to alert her to what I'd seen.
"Translator." She whispered.
We found a small, empty room down a quiet corridor and packed ourselves inside. Caysath ordered the door to close and placed himself beside it.
He started with an awkward, hurried reassurance. ((Firstly, I have not revealed our connection. Secondly, my insistence on escorting War Commander Torceran will, in itself, not reveal our connection.))
Santorelli huffed. "Like we care? They know what we did already, and we're off the hook. They don't know what you did…"
((They don't know about him,)) Caysath countered, jabbing a finger at Menderash. ((Brick-layer… Is that really what you came up with?))
Jake raised both hands to bring a stop to it. "Let's drop it. Prince Caysath, I'm sure you understand that our trust in you has wavered slightly. But whatever. We have no more secrets to hide… With the exception of Menderash."
He was speaking to Caysath, but the message was implied to us all the same. There was no need for confrontation, even if Caysath had broken a promise.
((And the torture of Esplin 9466?)) Caysath spilled.
Torture?! I shot a glance at Jake, who remained unmoved.
"Is that even a concern?" Jake asked.
((The murder of an Andalite prisoner? Of course it is a concern! Do you realise how much work I have put in to cover that up?))
My eyes were firmly fixed on Jake now, and I did nothing to hide my shock. Finally, his pokerface faultered, and his eyes fell to the side.
"Dead, huh?" He sighed without emotion.
((I think being boiled alive would ensure that. He lived for a little while, I suppose, but it wasn't pretty. So yes, Jake Berenson, we still have our mutual secrets to hide. This secret, however, would affect both of us negatively, so it is one that I certainly won't be telling. You have my word.))
"Why have you come?" Jake pressed, going straight to the point. Admittedly, I was barely listening anymore.
((I want to know your next steps. For good or worse, we are connected. Now that you have delivered the Kelbrids, will you leave the trade to us Andalites to complete? Will you leave for Earth, now that your names are in the clear?))
"We haven't discussed it. Not yet." Jake replied bluntly.
Caysath folded his arms across his chest and took a more relaxed position. ((It would cause no harm to stay aboard Steadfast, but I'm not sure how it could be of help, either. In any case, the Kelbrids are an unknown quantity. We have no idea what kind of trade we'll be in for.))
His words hung in the air. Jake had nothing to say, and I kept my thoughts bottled for the moment. Tobias flapped his wings, reminding me that I was holding him too close to my chest.
((Keep me informed.)) Caysath requested, before leaving us in the empty room.