Chapter Seven
(Allora, you don't have to do this.) My mother pleaded with me for the twentieth time. I looked up at her with all four eyes, hoping that I could, somehow, make her understand. My mother had grown haggard over the past few years since my father had been taken. She had tried to keep a strong appearance, but the ridicule of society had gotten under her fur. Physically she was the same as always, but the glow that had set her apart was gone. Everything about my mother was dull and washed out. It was painful to look at.
(Yes, mother, I do.) I said. (Don't worry about me. Foresha lives just one scoop over if you need anything.)
(Allora.) My mother grabbed my wrist uncharacteristically. I immediately pulled away from her touch. (Allora, please…)
(Mother, what did you think was going to happen?) I cried, suddenly angry. (That I would study and study and then say no when the first opportunity came about? I'm at the top of my class and still no one will give me a job! Not unless it's at dock. No one wants to send me into space! And now that I have the opportunity, you want me to stay? Why?)
(Because I need you…) My mother's stalk eyes drooped and I couldn't help but feel disgust. I knew that my mother had been through a lot, having lost her husband in the worst way possible. But Foresha and I had suffered too, and we had persevered. Why couldn't she? I had made it through my final years of school, ignoring the ridicule, ignoring the hatred and the blame from my classmates. I had excelled in my studies of exo-datology, and I hadn't let my 'status' stand in my way.
Not that it made a difference, in the end. When the time came for me to find my place in the 'real world' no Andalite would have me. Especially not anyone remotely related to the military. No, my people had spent far too much time reading reports, watching the Yeerk who controlled my father rise in rank. Watch the Abomination become Visser Three.
As soon as the Warriors and War-Princes and Captains saw my name they shared a look. The look. The look that said, (Oh, this is Alloran's daughter. Well look at what a mess he made of things. No doubt this female will only make things that much worse). And then I would be turned away with some feeble excuse of no openings.
I knew in my hearts that if only I could get to space, if only I could have my place in the war against the Yeerks, I could make a difference. Perhaps I could free my father. Or, at the very least, kill him mercifully. It was incredibly frustrating, and I had just about given up hope and taken a nice, safe job on the home world.
Then, miraculously, a real offer came through. The Dome Ship StarSearcher was leaving its dock a month earlier than anticipated, and it only had half of its required technical and scientific crew. They needed Andalites badly, and were taking anyone who was ready to leave immediately. Although I was met with the usual looks of suspicion, I had been given a spot on board. I was to leave that very day, much to my mother's chagrin.
(I'll be fine, mother.) I said, checking to make sure that I had packed my holo-transmitter. (And you will be fine as well. Maybe you should go stay with Foresha for a few days.)
(Just promise me you'll be careful.) Mother said, and I knew that in her mind she was preparing for the fact that I might not be coming home. I pushed that unpleasant thought aside.
(Of course, mother. Always.) I said. I forced a smile, (Goodbye.)
(Goodbye Allora.) My mother said heavily. I turned and galloped away from my home scoop, before she could call me back.
The space station was bustling with activity, preparing for the premature launch of the StarSearcher. Warriors and War-Princes bustled around frantically, pushing past me to get to their stations. For a moment panic seized me as I realized I had no idea where to go. Then I saw a sign indicating a check in station. There were several lines, labeled 'Military', 'Biology', and several other occupations, all the way down to 'Exo-datology'. My line was empty. I walked up to the bored looking Andalite who stood waiting.
(Name?) He asked, his fingers hovering over a small computer pad.
(Allora-Forlay-Corass.) I said, trying to quell the unease in my stomach. The Andalites main eyes widened slightly as he did the double-take that I had become accustomed to.
(Allora, the daughter of Alloran?) He asked bluntly.
(Yes.) I responded, putting as much pride into that single word as was possible. I didn't care what he or anyone else thought. My father was a good Andalite. A good Andalite with a very unlucky streak.
(You are assigned to this ship?) The Andalite asked suspiciously. He glanced down at his computer pad, as if searching for a mistake.
(If this is the Dome Ship StarSearcher then yes, I am assigned to this ship.) I said coldly, (Or do you find it hard to believe that the daughter of the Abomination would be allowed to set hoof off of the homeworld?)
(No, of course not.) The Andalite said, covering his tracks quickly. (You're right here. Allora-Forlay-Corass, exo-datology. The ship is very short on exo-datologists. You will be working under Warrior Rendin-Traynar-Forat with two other newcomers. For the time being you may report to your quarters or the Dome until after launch. One of the transport fighters will take you up to the ship.)
(Thank you.) I said stiffly. The StarSearcher had already been taken into space, to have the Dome connected, earlier that day. Currently it was docked on the nearest moon to our planet. In order to get there I would have to take one of the transport ships with several dozen other Andalites, most of whom were full warriors. I took my place in line for the transport, feeling distinctly out of place. I immediately received suspicious glances and leers as I realized I was the only female in the vicinity. Determinedly I ignored them, marching onto the transport and refusing to look any of the male warriors in the eye.
(Who are you?) Someone asked, and I jerked in surprise at being addressed directly. I looked to see who had spoken. It was a younger male Andalite, a few years beneath me. An aristh, I realized.
(I am Allora.) I said simply, (I was told that arisths are to mind their superiors, and not speak unless spoken to.)
(You aren't my superior.) The aristh said, (You're a girl. I bet you aren't even trained to fight.)
(Be that as it may I am older than you and, unlike you; I have a real job aboard this vessel.) I retorted, bracing myself against the gentle shudder of the transport as it lifted off, (What is your name, aristh?)
(Aristh Zendat-Feryllion-Erthil.) The young Andalite said, pulling himself up straighter.
(Well, aristh Zendat) I said, (You should be glad you did not go around blabbering away at someone less tolerant than I am.)
(Are you going to get me in trouble?) Zendat laughed a little, a sound which irked me to no end, (Come on, lighten up, we're going to space!)
I scuffed a hoof indignantly, but the younger Andalite had a point. I had little impatience to spare when I was finally, finally leaving my wretched home world behind. I watched through the view screen as the ground fell further and further away, and the curvature of my planet could be made out plainly. I was in space. At long last, I had made it.
I was finally on the pathway to avenging my father.
