Lie Algebras was either really, really easy or I didn't write anything like enough. Cryptography was pretty bad, but it could have been a lot worse. Natural Language Processing was moderately evil, but at least I was able to write something for each question.

Only one exam left, but it's Advanced Algebra.

I think that's a valid excuse for this chapter being short.

Chapter Eleven

Pain. Crushing agony in his mind. Andros reached up to press hands to his face, barely aware that it was his own thoughts that caused that reaction. The pressure continued, pushing inside his brain.

There was a shift, and the pain seemed focused by his right ear. He felt the squeezing and was able to remember through the suffering what this feeling meant. The pressure in his ear vanished as something pulled free. Moments later, the headache disappeared and Andros scrambled away, staring at the black slug that lay on the floor where he had been.

He hovered somewhere been laughter and tears, exultation and horror. He moved his hands and stared around the room, knowing it was truly himself doing the moving. Free! He was free!

The Yeerk looked so small and pathetic now. Andros saw it moving across the floor. It would die like this, without a host or a Yeerk pool. He watched it struggling and hoped it was painful.

Andros looked around the empty, grey cell, wondering where Karone was, desperately hoping the Andelites wouldn't hurt her for what had been done through him. She'd been hurt enough. Zhane.

He fought not to cry. The delight to his sudden freedom couldn't erase the memory of what his hands had done. He remembered the look of shock and confusion on Zhane's face when the Yeerk had attacked him. He remembered the sight of Zhane tumbling down a rocky cliff side. He remembered the sound of his own voice, telling Karone how Zhane had attacked him, how Zhane must have been infested, how Andros had tried to pull him up from the edge of the cliff only to watch Zhane lose his grip.

How could she ever forgive him for this?

The door opened and an Andelite walked in. A huge, powerful creature. Andros stood, wanting to explain that none of this was his fault, but no doubt the alien knew already. What he would find out was whether he cared.

Human, the voice arrived in Andros' mind, what do the Yeerks know of the Maydor chemical?

"The what?" Andros asked.

Do not lie to us, human. We know you were trying to steal information on it.

"The Yeerk inside me knew you were trying to create a weapon using morphing technology. He was ordered to find out what it was. They didn't know any details. I... it didn't have a chance to transmit anything before your people found me on the research station."

They do not know what it is or what it is capable of?

"No. That was what the Yeerk inside me was sent to find out."

What can you tell us the Yeerk fleet deployment?

"I'll tell you anything I can but, please, can I see my sister? Is she alright?"

The other humans who were with you are imprisoned here. They have no been harmed. We will allow you to see them when you have told us what we wish to know.

The Andelite asked questions. Then more questions. Then he followed up with a few queries. Andros stood there, trying to recall all that he'd seen and heard while under Yeerk control and feeling useless because most of the time he'd been too busy fighting for his body to pay attention to what the Yeerk was doing. He got the feeling the Andelite wasn't happy with the answers he was giving.

"Look, I've told you all I can remember," Andros said after a long spell of interrogation, "please will you let me see my sister."

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Tobias sat alone in the cell, waiting for Ax to return. Ax had gone to his father to give the message that Tobias wanted to talk to him, but he hadn't been hopeful about the odds. The Andelites weren't happy that Elfangor had given away the morphing power, and Ax's father was furious that a member of his family had been behind it.

Tobias wasn't too surprised when Ax came back and said that his father had refused a meeting.

"So what happens now?"

"Most likely, my father will release you all once he's learned what he can from your friend."

"Is Andros alright?"

"Yes. He's free of the Yeerk. The chemical works."

Relief was almost a solid force inside him. It wasn't the same as getting his friends back, but it was proof it was possible. It meant there was hope for his planet.

"I'm sorry I lost my temper earlier," Tobias said, "when you talked about using them as a test. I'm glad Andros is freed."

"Apology accepted d d d."

Tobias gave a small laugh. He'd been alone too long for this crazy, messed-up situation to seem good.

"Would you be able to give me some of the chemical?" he asked, "If I can use it on Earth, maybe I could stop the invasion."

"My father will never allow it."

"Have you asked him?"

"Yes, but it's forbidden to share our technology with other races. And this chemical is a powerful weapon against the Yeerks. He doesn't want the wrong people learning about it."

"Can you ask him again?"

"He won't change his mind."

Tobias almost wanted to punch something. The Andelites were such a stubborn, proud race. They had in their hands something that could save his entire planet but they wouldn't hand it over.

Tobias didn't think he could make Ax's father change his mind, but he had to try. The only way to do that was to speak to him.

He sighed. He hadn't wanted to do this.

He'd held on to the secret for too long, not even telling his human friends. But he didn't have a choice if he was to get the chemical. He turned back to Ax, bracing himself for his friend's reaction.

"Tell your father, that Elfangor's son wants to speak to him."