Chapter Eleven

The alarm pulsed a steady rhythm that vibrated through my head, dazing me. I felt as though I were moving in slow motion as I eliminated all evidence that would lead to the illicit search of the Captain's personal logs. There was no guilt as I worked, only numbness. A black hole had replaced my innards, sucking away at every emotion that tried to fight its way to the surface. My mind had no room for anything, save the words of that horrendous file.

There is nothing left for us to do here, the Hork-Bajir are lost.

Vaguely, in the back of my mind, I realized that I was no longer alone. My commander was there, as were the other exo-datologists. They were shouting all at once, a jumble of thought-speech in my mind. It did not penetrate the fog.

We did everything we could, and now the only thing left is to limit the spreading of the Yeerk disease.

Commander Eskilan's face filled my vision. He looked frustrated and concerned. I was dimly aware of the fact that he was barking orders, telling me to get to my station. I moved slowly, working on autopilot.

Which is why Alloran decided to release a Quantum Virus on the remaining Hork-Bajir problem. Perhaps it will calm the Yeerk storm.

Alloran decided to release a Quantum Virus on the remaining Hork-Bajir…

Alloran decided to release a Quantum Virus…

A sharp pain in the left side of my face threw me out of my stupor. My cheek was stinging fiercely, and when I reached a hand up it came away bloody. For a moment I just blinked at the blue-green goo dumbly, before I registered that I had been hit. I looked around for my assailant.

(Allora, do you care to join us now?) Commander Eskilan was standing in front of me, obviously torn between anger and worry.

(You hit me?) I questioned, noticing a small trail of blood on his tail blade. My blood.

(I didn't mean to cut you, Allora, I am sorry.) He said, (But we are in the middle of an emergency and you were acting like a sleepwalker. Either help us resolve the situation or get out.)

(What…what emergency?) I asked, still trying to regain a sense of reality. It seemed to me as if the alarm had been going off in my head forever, rather than for the last two or three minutes.

(We are being attacked by a small Yeerk task force. They took us by surprise. One Blade Ship, and numerous Bug Fighters.)

(A Blade Ship?) That got my attention. Only Visser's had Blade Ships. (Whose?)

(Visser Thirteen.) The Commander said flatly. I sagged with relief. I wasn't ready to face my father's captor quite yet. Eskilan noticed my reaction and scowled, (Are you staying or going, Allora?)

(I…I think I can -) I stuttered, trying to gather my thoughts.

(Never mind. Get out. I don't have time for this.) Commander Eskilan shoved me aside and took over my console, working both his and mine. I stepped back, feeling a dull wave of shock wash over me. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I was actually being kicked out, but when none of the others in the room so much as glanced at me I turned and left the room.

Relieved of my post, I was unsure of what to do. The hallways were a flurry of Andalites running to and fro. Everyone had a place to be except for me. The alarm was still blaring painfully. For a few moments I wandered aimlessly, trying not to think about what I now knew. The black hole was shrinking, and what it left behind was raw and painful.

Zendat. He would distract me. I turned around abruptly, almost colliding with a warrior, and headed for the Dome. He was the only other person on the ship who had nothing to do. Perhaps he could keep the pain from washing over me, pulling me under.

I had never seen the Dome so devoid of Andalite life before. Usually there were at least a dozen Andalites wandering around, feeding or socializing. This was not the case today. For a panicked moment I didn't even see Zendat, and I wondered if he had snuck into battle. But no, there he was, behind a small thicket of trees. He was standing as close to the Dome's edge as possible, staring out at the black space with all four eyes.

I followed his gaze and realized that space was definitely not empty. A Blade Ship was hovering shockingly close. It was big – much bigger than I had expected from the holo's. Surrounding it like a swarm of trekka's to its master were the Bug Fighters.

(Its big.) I commented, walking up behind Zendat. I noticed that even my thought-speak sounded dull, flat. As if someone had sucked the energy straight out of me.

Zendat didn't seem to notice my apathy. In fact, he hadn't noticed me at all until I was nearly next to him. He jumped about a foot when I spoke.

(Allora!) He cried excitedly, (What are you doing here!?)

(I guess I'm about as nonessential as personnel comes.) I said, smiling weakly.

(You mean they didn't need you?) Zendat asked, his main eyes wide.

(I wasn't being very useful.) I shrugged, not wanting to delve into it. I had come here to avoid that conversation, not indulge in it. I changed the subject quickly. (So what's been happening?)

(Nothing.) Zendat said, sounding more disappointed than perhaps was necessary, (They haven't shot at us, so we haven't retaliated, and it's the same for them.)

(Huh.) I said, looking out at the enemy ships with mild interest. I noticed that there were a large number of Andalite fighters in the space just beneath the Dome. If I tilted my stalk eyes just the right way I could see them there, lying in wait much as the Bug Fighters were. (An impasse.)

(Annoying is more like it.) Zendat grumbled, (I want to see a space battle!)

(I'm sure that you will have more than your share of space battles in your lifetime.) I commented, smiling lightly. I watched the Blade Ship, memorizing its shape; it's blacker than black color. Somewhere out there a ship just like this one held my father. My father who had -

No. I couldn't think about that. I could not think about it. If I started to dwell I would never stop.

(They're moving!) Zendat pulled me gratefully from my thoughts, and I realized he was right. The Blade Ships engines lit up, and I tensed, preparing to see battle. But the line between Yeerk and Andalite remained clearly visible. In fact, it was growing more distinct.

(It's a retreat!) I said, amazed.

(Come on, get them while they're scared!) Zendat cried at the warriors below, and then groaned in frustration when he saw that they were not moving. (The Yeerks are getting away!)

The Blade Ship was much smaller now, and I saw a brighter light illuminate its black surface. Z-space engines. A moment later the Yeerk ship disappeared.

(No!) Zendat cried, banging the flat of his tail against the Dome in frustration. (Why did they do that? They let them get away!)

I shrugged. (I don't know. Tactics? We didn't want to shoot first.)

(But they got away!) Zendat said again, and I sighed.

(Yes, they got away. They always seem to get away, don't they?) I muttered darkly. Zendat took no notice, going off on a tirade about what should have happened. Meanwhile the alarm finally switched off, leaving a buzzing silence in its place.

(I should go apologize to my commander.) I said, cutting Zendat off after he had bantered on for about ten minutes.

(Oh. Right. Hey – why did he kick you out anyways?) Zendat asked, looking around furtively as if someone might be spying. (He didn't catch you on the captain's logs did he?)

(No, he didn't.) I responded stiffly.

(Well then what -)

(I don't want to talk about it.) I said. (I have to go. Goodbye.)

I turned hoof and trotted away, feeling as though my distraction had not gone very well. This day was rapidly turning into a disaster. I had discovered the worst news of my life, been relieved of duty, and now I was at a loss for how to salvage my mission to save my father.

Is he even worth saving? I quickly shoved the thought from my mind. If I began asking myself that, then my mission was as good as over.

(Allora?) I looked up and saw the other female exo-datologist, Reshora. She was heading the opposite way down the hall, probably back to her quarters.

(Oh, hello.) I said glumly.

(Allora, Commander Eskilan wants to see you immediately.) Reshora said, not looking particularly happy that she had run into me. (He assumed that you would return after the conflict and is waiting for you.)

Something about the tone of her voice made me hesitate before moving on.

(Anything else?) I asked.

(Well…) She paused before continuing, averting her gaze, (He's requested T.O. Reeshar to report as well.)

I felt the bottom of my stomachs drop out. T.O. Reeshar: the Tactical Officer of the ship, and effectively its disciplinarian. There was only one reason that he would be called: Commander Eskilan was going to report me.

I thanked Reshora and continued my way to the computer lab. The black hole had shrunk again, and I wondered vaguely if this was what it felt like to be shot in the gut with a Shredder.

The lab was brightly lit when I arrived – brighter than I had ever seen it. I grimaced when I saw that two Andalites occupied the room. Apparently the T.O. had not had much to attend to in the wake of a stalemate. His main eyes focused on me as I entered the room. They were cold, stern eyes that reminded me of my father's more sour moods. Suddenly I felt very much like a child preparing to be scolded.

(Allora-Forlay-Corass.) The T.O. began. (I understand that were unable to perform your duties today. Is this correct?)

(Yes, sir.) I mumbled, not bothering to explain myself. What I knew no one else could. It was my weight to bear.

(May I ask why?) The T.O. pressed. I continued to avert my gaze.

(I do not know, sir.) I said, wincing. It sounded like the lie it was.

(You do not know why you could not perform? Are you ill?)

(No, sir.)

(Are you unaware of your assignment?)

(No, sir. Our roles have been detailed. My stomachs twisted and turned.)

(Then what is it that happened, Allora?) The T.O.'s patience was waning. I could hear a biting edge to his thoughts that made me watch his tail blade.

(I was…distracted. )I said quickly, wondering how I would be able to talk my way out of this.

(Distracted?) The T.O. asked darkly. Suddenly he snapped an order at the computers, (Security hologram on.)

A hologram appeared in midair between myself and the T.O. It took me a moment to orient myself before I realized that it was an overhead view of the outside corridor. It was empty. I checked the timestamp and froze. Oh no…

A moment later a holographic version of myself wandered on camera, looking painstakingly conspicuous. I felt my stomach knot tightly and wondered if my hooves would reject my dinner. The miniature version of me entered the computer lab and all was still again.

(Pause tape.) The T.O. said, (So Allora, would you like to tell us what you found so distracting? Why were you in the computer lab twenty minutes prior to the emergency signal?)

(I was…I…) My thoughts were jumbled, and I couldn't form a coherent response. What could I say? Sorry, I was busy reading the Captain's diary?

(No response?) The T.O. had a new tone to his voice now, one of amusement. Apparently he was enjoying my obvious torment. (Well, I think have an idea of what was so distracting. Computer, fast forward five minutes.)

The image leapt forward, resuming real time on the same hallway five minutes later. As soon as it had resumed I saw a blue figure dash across the screen and duck into the computer lab, moving too quickly to identify. It didn't matter, though. I knew who had been caught on camera.

(Computer, go back ten seconds and freeze.) The T.O. said. The computer complied and a moment later there was Zendat, frozen in mid-gallop on the screen.

(Now. What could you and the aristh have been doing that would distract you from your duties?) The T.O. asked, leering. I grimaced. I didn't want to answer. I wouldn't answer. Nothing he said would make me reveal why we had been there.

I was so focused on keeping my thoughts to myself that it took a moment for the T.O.'s next words to register.

(I find it reprehensible that two youngsters such as yourselves should be gallivanting around the ship, performing inappropriate acts in public areas.)

(Wait, what? Performing…what?) My eyes widened as I realized what the T.O. was getting at.

(You think we were….mating? No! Absolutely not. No! I would never!) I had to fight the sudden urge to burst out laughing. T.O. Reeshar was famous for his analysis of information and his tactical work, but in this case he was as far from the truth as possible.

(I don't want to hear your denials.) Reeshar said, ice slipping back into his tone. (Just be grateful that we do not have video surveillance in this room, or you may be subject to even more humiliation.)

I wondered how he would react if he were able to watch a video of what had actually happened. What would he think of Zendat morphing the Captain? Again, I fought the urge to laugh hysterically.

(Now,) Reeshar continued, oblivious to my struggle, (I do not have room for frivolity aboard this ship. I still have to clear it with the Captain, but we are going to be arriving at a waypoint in three days. There will be a transport ship there.)

(A transport ship?) I asked, confused once more, (I'm sorry, I don't understand. What did a transport ship have to do with me?)

(You and Zendat both will be boarding the transport ship. You will not return.) Reeshar said. All humor slipped from my mind as the gears ground to a halt. I was being kicked off the ship? For an illicit rendezvous that hadn't even actually occurred?

(I…You are relieving me permanently?) I stammered, unable to believe it.

(Yes, Allora. You are obviously not mature enough to handle the duties assigned to you, and neither is Aristh Zendat.)

(No, I am! He is!) I cried, feeling panic well up inside of me. I couldn't leave, not now. A transport ship would never get me near my father.

(I am sorry, Allora, but my decision is absolute.) The T.O. said coldly. (You and your little boyfriend are going home.)

(Home?) I asked, all hope draining out of me. (The transport is headed for the Andalite Homeworld?)

(Yes, Allora. Your time in space is at an end.)


A/N: Poor Allora, she just can't catch a break, can she? Sorry for the long delay in chapters, guys. I was on vacation and writing took a backseat to relaxation. You'll be seeing more of me in the next month or so, though.

Also, as a note, I am probably going to be bumping the rating of this story up. In two or three chapters the story will begin to deal with violence and psychological issues, so consider yourself warned. I'll put another disclaimer before any relevant chapters as well.


Thanks to my readers and reviewers as always!

Happy writing (and reading!),

T.