Chapter 25

((Okay, Ayattil, is everything clear?))

((Everything is clear, sir!)) He replied staunchly.

((Are you absolutely sure?)) I requested, not entirely convinced.

((Absolutely, sir.))

I still wasn't absolutely sure, but one could never be fully certain when Ayattil was involved in proceedings. I massaged my head to calm whatever stress was knotting within and dragged my front-right hoof against the cold ground. We were stood outside of a clothes store, south of our hotel, watching as the crowds of Humans waved past at the peak of the Earth day. Parked beside the store window, unable to move because of the sheer mass of creatures before us, I was beginning to get frustrated and equally hungry.

((Okay then, let's go.))

I waited for the opportune moment and moved away from the shop window. Ayattil briskly followed, and we tucked our tailblades beneath us as we emerged into the sidewalk freeway. A couple of people yelled angrily as if we had moved into their direct path, while a couple others froze and watched, perhaps intimidated by our sudden and unexpected appearance. By now, both of us had gotten used to such reactions, and we kept going along our way.

There was a reason that I was in my own form. Not for convenience, obviously.

We were headed in the direction of our hotel again, but on our current path was a small bakery that created a whole variety of treats. Barging through the Human traffic, we approached our destination, stepping on only a few shoes. When the crowds opened up again, we slumped forward and took on more relaxed positions to enter the establishment.

The store interior was dark, considerably more so than that of many other stores, but that was indeed deliberate, as the low lighting complimented perfectly the mahogany feel that filled the space. It served brilliantly to highlight all of the products on show, which were illuminated clearly by bulbs lining the shelves and tables. The room was a little compressed, but at the same time comfortable, and that was one of the major reasons why I frequented it. That, and the food.

"Good morning, sir!" Came a familiar voice as we closed the door behind us. The Human male could be heard over the light whisperings of the few other customers dotted around the store and the usual car horns outside.

I took the lead, pushing Ayattil back with a gentle flick of my hand when he moved towards the Human. Ahead, at the far end of the room, was a large counter decorated professionally with the usual cash register and leaflets, with added casings on either side that exhibited rows of appetising bread products. Behind all of that, stood in a vertically-striped red and white apron, was Mr Smith. He was the owner.

He smiled invitingly as the pair of us strolled right up to the counter. "Good morning, sirs," He repeated. "How may I help you today? Ah, I know!"

Mr Smith ducked over to the left side of the counter, and ever-so-delicately removed a block of rough, dark fudge from atop its sparkling white plate.

"This is my double choc chip Belgian chocolate fudge!" He announced proudly as he showcased it before us, swooping it slowly beneath our noses. "Very popular with Andalites this season, I should add."

((Mr Smith,)) I said, attempting to politely intrude. ((You introduced me to that particular delicacy last week.))

He gawked, and then narrowed his eyes suspecting. "You are… Ah! Yes! Nicalor!" He finally sussed. "Is that you? I recognise your voice."

I smiled. ((Yes, it is me.))

"My apologies, Nicalor. I've only ever seen you in a Human body, you know," He laughed. "You know, I think you look better in your own body."

((Yes, yes, thank you,)) I mumbled impatiently. ((Now, Mr Smith, I have grown very fond of your apple pies.))

His face shone brightly. "Ah, yes! My apple pie! Of course, that is one of our best selling products, my good friend!" He ducked again, this time to the right side of the counter. From there, he retrieved a golden, aromatic apple pie. I could already feel the imaginary Human tongue in the depths of my mind dripping with saliva.

((I'm not at all surprised. It's absolutely wonderful,)) I complimented genuinely. ((I'll take two of those, if you don't mind.))

Mr Smith grinned from ear to ear, and quickly began to package up two of the delicious desserts in white paper bags. "I know you'll love them." He thought to add, placing those paper bags inside white card boxes.

((I sure will,)) I replied, handing the two boxes over to Ayattil as they came in my direction. ((How many American dollars will that be?))

"Ten dollars, sir."

I thought that ten dollars was good value for apple pies of such high quality, and I gladly reached down into my utility belt. I unzipped the top, pulled open the flap, and dug my hand in to search between the contents within, finding a whole maze of objects in the way. Unable to see clearly inside, I turned to face the front of the store to get some more light in, and it helped me to move aside some of the trickier obstacles.

Eventually, I pulled from the belt some American money. Ten dollars that were fair exchange for the delightful flavours to be found within Mr Smith's breaded confectionaries. I proceeded to hand the money over to Mr Smith, who took it graciously and thanked me for the exchange.

((Thank you, Mr Smith.))

"Oh, please, Nicalor. Call me Lenny."

((Okay, Lenny. I will from now on,)) I said, and with a courteous bow, ((Thanks again. I'm sure I'll be back again within the week for some more of your delicious pies.))

"I look forward to it, my friend!" He called as Ayattil and I turned to head for the door.

With our lunch in hand, we exited the establishment to the busy New York street. So eager to delve into what I had just purchased, I decided to have a quick teaser, maybe just a sniff. I passed one of the containers to Ayattil, and pulled the other open to gaze upon the beauty of what sat before me. My nose held over, I could take in the powerful scents. It made my front legs quiver, and, knowing that I was unable to eat it in my own form, I quickly closed the container before the sensations ravaged my usually sane mind.

((I like this plan, sir.)) Ayattil commented, doing the same with the container that he held. I snatched it back.

((It is certainly one of my better plans, yes,)) I agreed, pulling them both beneath my left arm. ((Now, the next step. Let's get back to the hotel.))

We did just that, wandering again through the dense mob of Humans, dodging past curious tourists and enraged rush-hour suits, occasionally being pulled aside to have our pictures taken by some who wished to be seen with "real Andalites", as if they had only just discovered our existence. I had to refuse a small female youth who wished to ride on my back, something that hadn't yet been requested until that moment.

The rest of the journey was largely uneventful, and after Ayattil had ceased ogling the reception staff of our hotel yet again, we made the long journey up eight floors. Back in my hotel room, things were about to become a little more complicated.

Stage one was complete. It may not have seemed like much, but it was perhaps one of the more crucial movements that we had to make. I dropped the two pies down on my desk, for they had served their main purpose, and they would serve their second later when I was feeling hungry.

Ayattil held a kind of steely determination in his eyes, and though I was quick to realise that any confidence that he ever showed was most often misplaced, it pleased me to know that his role would not be overly taxing. In fact, it was simple.

Though I find that simple is still rather challenging for him.

((Right, Ayattil,)) I addressed, clasping my hands together positively to hide any nerves that pervaded my exterior. ((Next step, and this is the one that I, personally, will definitely find to be the toughest to bear. First, we'll go to your room.))

I hated Ayattil's room with every particle of all of my hearts, but, once again, it was a necessity for us to be in there, if only for a short period of time. We moved one of the pies to Ayattil's room, faking a friendly visit. I dropped the container on one of his jars and inspected his room. Already, it had developed the same aura of hopelessness and blandness that was his trademark.

There was a blind spot in his room, the far corner where he slept, where not even birds flying outside could see. Though I really wished not to, I followed him there to commence the very worst stage of my spectacular plan.

((Okay, Ayattil,)) I sighed. ((Go ahead. Just be quick about it.))

((Do you want me to face you, sir, or should I look the other way?))

((I don't care,)) I grumbled. ((Just get it over with!))

((Okay, sir, here I go…))

I couldn't bear to look, even though my pride told me that I should. I turned away, crossed my arms in a petulant strop, and awaited for him to speak up again. There were some slight squelchy noises behind me. The sounds of stretching bone, shifting cartilage, to be exact. There was the sound of less lumbered breathing.

((Ready, sir.)) I heard him say.

Without turning, I twisted a stalk eye in his direction. What I witnessed sickened me to my stomach, and deep shudders made their way like venom up my legs and tail. I found myself lost for words, and remained in my stationary, reluctant stance.

((Your body is so comfortable, sir!)) He exclaimed.

I shook my head grievingly. ((I cannot believe that I have permitted you to morph my body, Ayattil. A lowly turnip such as you, taking a form as splendid as my own. It sickens right to the core, and tears at every piece of happiness in my mind. What's left of it.))

He smiled at me with my own face and swung his stalk eyes around, testing my more robust frame. ((Wow, sir! It's as if everything has been put into perspective now!))

((What do you mean?))

((I can see things from angles that I never knew possible, sir,)) He squeaked with glee. ((So this is what it's like to be tall…))

((Ayattil,)) I groaned. ((I'm only five inches taller than you.))

((And it makes such a difference, sir! I shall cherish this wonderful memory.))

((You certainly will not!)) I demanded. ((I don't want this to be mentioned to anybody, do you understand? Not even to your snivelling, deformed offspring, when or if you ever have any.))

His smiled dispersed, to be replaced by his typical bland expression. ((I don't think I want to have offspring, sir.))

((Oh? And why not?))

((Well, sir, my mother always told me that children are creatures that bring great despair and incomparable evil. Harbingers of pain and suffering beyond even the most crazed and sadistic imagination, sir.))

((Your mother should know that better than anybody,)) I replied. Then I shook my head, and uttered ((No more distractions. Let's do this before I become physically ill.))

I reached my hands behind my back and unlocked the clip that hung my utility belt around my waist, loosening it and eventually pulling it free. I held it up in the air and allowed Ayattil to take it and fasten it around himself. He required some help, and it felt so awkward and strange putting the belt around what was essentially myself.

((Could we go over the plan again, sir?)) Ayattil requested once the belt had been tightened.

((I suppose, to be on the safe side,)) I agreed. ((You are now disguised as me.))

((Yes, sir.))

((We are in your room, beside you bed, where you are supposed to be sleeping. They cannot see us from here, because I checked the room thoroughly for hidden krymu cameras. In your disguise, you will journey to the store known as Ben's Bites, where they are today holding an annual cake sale, and purchase one of the items. Something with chocolate in it.))

((Dark chocolate, sir?))

I nodded. ((Preferably. Meanwhile, I will be safely tucked away in the utility belt. When you are there, you must make your way to the back of the store. There should be a large purple-striped box, given to the store by the winner of this year's Let's Bake A Cake competition. You must drop me into that box without being seen. I have been studying the local area for a while now, and every food-based event around the city, and I am certain that Ardina's gang will strike there specifically for that cake. You will then leave the store with a chocolate cake, and they will be unlikely to suspect any untoward activity. Come back to the hotel, and enter my room. Put the cake in the fridge.))

Ayattil nodded, his attention fortunately still present. ((And then I make the call, sir?))

((Yes. You will use my personal computer to call Neechun. He's recovered, so he will be back in the offices. What must you say to him?))

He smiled proudly, clearly having remembered. ((I have located the criminals. Don't bother lending your help, because I don't need it.))

((Well, done,)) I congratulated, surprised. ((Ardina will then be passed on the information, if my detective skills are correct, and she will promptly send out her largest grunts to have me killed.))

Ayattil scratched at his head. ((And what if they aren't correct, sir?))

((Then I'm dead. However, I always trust my own skills, and I am not wrong with this one. I know it.))

((So,)) Ayattil began to summarise. ((The larger bad people from the base won't be there when the cake arrives. They will be at the hotel, murdering me.))

((Precisely. It makes my part of the job much easier,)) I pointed out. ((Though, please try not to get murdered, because as soon as you have made the call, I want you to demorph and make your way out to the base. They should ignore you, because you are so ineffectual in every possible way. We can then double-team those that remain.))

He looked distinctly puzzled, and even anxious. ((Sir, you've never done anything like this before. Will it work?))

I paused to consider, but I didn't allow any doubt to seep into the well of positivity that I had been building up. ((I'm sure it will work. They are dealing with a detective, so the last thing they will be expecting is for me to infiltrate their base while it is operation and take them head-on. I will be just like that Human we saw on the television the other day. James Bond, I think his name was.))

((What are you going to do about Ardina?)) He asked.

I smiled. ((Don't worry. I'll deal with her. Now, I will morph, and we can get going.))

Closing my four eyes, I pictured the form in my head, and instantly I felt the changes begin. The plant was a horrible, debilitating morph that I had sworn never to use again, but once more I found myself in a situation where it was the best choice on the metaphorical table. My arms began to shrink, and the nerves that branched through them dulled and faded. Within seconds, I was on the ground, unable to feel anything and immobile.

((Is everything okay, sir?)) Ayattil asked in concern.

((Everything is fine, Ayattil. When the morph is complete, put me inside the utility belt. Take everything else out of it except for the money that we need.))

A short pause occurred while my entire field of senses simply switched off. I was left only with my mind. Then, ((I've emptied it, sir. Just waiting until you finish… Okay, I've put you in the belt, sir!))

((Good job. Now, take us to Ben's Bites.))

The establishment was not too far away, being a fifteen minute walk at most. I had examined the route the day before so that I could guide Ayattil whenever he forgot where to go (which was often). He grumbled about the busy streets, and I felt sympathy to a degree. Really, I was more concerned about him losing the utility belt or acting so out-of-character that he gave away the disguise. Our enemies would definitely be watching.

((I think I'm there, sir.))

I awoke from my bored stupor when he made that announcement approximately eighteen minutes after leaving the hotel. ((Are you sure? What do you see?))

((Lots of people.)) He informed.

((It's New York, Ayattil. There's always going to be lots of people,)) I sighed. ((Can you see Ben's Bites?))

((Yes, sir. And there are lots of people outside eating. There's a couple of tables with cakes on them.))

I would have smiled if I could. ((That means that the event must have started, which is good. Remember, enter the building, and head to the back. The purple box should be there.))

((Okay, sir.))

I hated the excessive pauses, especially with Ayattil being in full control of the situation. I waited for a while as he hummed incoherently, located our required destination. Much to his credit (he was on good form, it seemed), he managed to find it. With me starting to lose hope, he perked up.

((I'm by the purple box, sir,)) He announced cheerfully. ((And it smells delicious!))

((Are you sure that it's the right one?)) I asked.

He hummed inquisitively. ((It's at the back of the store, sir. It's purple with white stripes. Or is it white with purple stripes…?))

I groaned. ((Don't worry about the details. Just store the memory of the location in your head and go to the lavatories. I want to remorph to give as much time as possible.))

((Okay, sir, I'm heading over there now.)) He replied dutifully.

In no mood to wait, I began to morph as soon as he had announced that we were safely alone in the lavatories. At the last moment, Ayattil remembered to remove me from the utility belt, and following a couple minutes of blindness, I awoke from my senseless state leaning up against the bathroom counter.

((Ayattil,)) I grumbled. ((Could you not have dropped me within one of the stalls, just to avoid the likely situation of any Humans walking in here and seeing me? Ardina's spies could be just on the other side of that door!))

((Sorry, sir. I thought a stall would be a bit too cramped for you.)) He explained.

((As long as nobody saw me…))

Ayattil shook his head assuredly. ((Nobody saw you, sir.))

((Then we got lucky. Remember, no screw-ups today. Just this one day. Please.))

((I'll try, sir.))

((Now,)) I huffed. ((I will enter one of the stalls and morph back to plant. I will have just less than two hours, once I am in place, to reach the base. That is assuming that they plan to strike at the same time of day as they usually do: Just after midday. Did you see anybody suspicious?))

Ayattil nodded. ((I saw one of the large men, sir. He didn't see me.))

((Excellent! Everything is going according to plan. Place me in the box, and then get home, make the call, and join me back at the base entrance as soon as you can.))

He stomped a hoof on the ground. ((Yes, sir!))

Though I admired his determination, I was still so greatly put-off as I watched him perform his own habits in my prouder, more elegant body. As my final cringe faded, I pushed into one of the cramped lavatory stalls and began the morphing process yet again, making absolutely sure that I wouldn't fall into the toilet bowl.

((Are you finished yet, sir?)) Ayattil asked a short while after my senses left.

((How do I know?)) I grumbled. ((You tell me!))

((… I think you're done, sir. I'm putting you in my belt now.))

((Quickly now,)) I rushed him. ((Get me in that box, make a purchase, and get back to the hotel.))

((On my way, sir!))

There wasn't much to describe during the next few minutes as Ayattil got into position. The life of a plant, I had found, was very boring indeed, and all that I could do in those spare moments was pick out potential flaws in my rather gung-ho plan. There were a few I could spot, most if not all revolving around Ayattil's potential foolery.

((I'm behind the box, sir,)) He proclaimed. ((It's pretty big…))

((It will be. Make sure nobody is looking, and put me in. Also, hide me well, between one of the cake layers.)) I instructed as clearly as possible.

((Nobody's looking, sir. I'm opening the box, and… ooh!))

((What?!)) I demanded.

((It's a very big cake, sir!))

I sighed and mumbled something incoherent. ((Of course, Ayattil, it's the centrepiece. How many layers does the cake have?))

((Um, three, sir.)) He reported.

((Three. In that case, place me between the top two layers, without breaking them. Make sure I'm completely hidden.))

A long pause occurred that filled me with no confidence. ((Done, sir.))

I simply had to be sure that he didn't mess anything up, and so I asked, ((Did anybody see you?))

((No, sir.))

((Good. Finally, Ayattil, place the krymu device in the box, facing upwards.))

It was another precaution. The device had been linked beforehand to my personal computer, which was now in Ayattil's possession, so that he could keep track of what was happening around me. Specifically, he would know when the box was opened, and in what kind of environment, and the kyrmu was so tiny that it was nearly impossible to see with the unsuspecting eye.

((I've done that, too, sir.))

((Well done, Ayattil,)) I said. ((Go buy something and head home. I will see you at the base.))

((I'll try not to get murdered, sir.)) He promised, before heading off back to the hotel.