Chapter 29
((The main room is as active as ever, only know it is filled with the law-abiding, well-disciplined souls of the department, slowly scraping away at the last crooks and crannies as the last sweep was done. A couple of hours have passed since the last weapon was fired, and the criminal gang is long gone, hauled away in transporters to the nearest cells that will fit them.
((My work is done, and how relieved I am that that is the case. After all the worry and stress, after fearing for my life, it is over. My enemies have been taken prisoner. Best of all, I am going to get a lot of free pizza. I am already planning my toppings. I think maybe peri-peri chicken for my first, and then maybe a vegetarian on the second day. I have a whole year to decide.
((But one lesson I have learnt from this experience is one that I thought I knew at the beginning of this little adventure: Don't let your obsessions get the better of you. Only now that I have seen its effect have I realised how important that lesson is. Thankfully, my mission thus far has been without its overindulgences. For the most part. Yet my greatest enemy, once my lover, has been undone by the very thing that she craved the most. Poetic, I suppose. Maybe even ironic, assuming I know what that word means on this backward planet…))
I paused, having running out of anything useful to say into a battered old personal computer, a replacement for my own which I left back in the hotel. I wanted to savour the moment so bad that I would go through the tiresome ordeal of transferring the files later on.
((I might as well end this journal entry… Yes, I will. End journal entry. Mark Earth date… Oh, blast it! Ayattil, what is the Earth date today?))
The lowly assistant, stood by my side as he always had done, scratched at his temple and hummed, ((I don't remember, sir…))
((It feels like far too long since we started,)) I sighed. ((Never mind, I'll put that information in later. I think it's all the excitement.))
He nodded, a smile breaching his face. ((Does this mean that we can go home, sir?))
I rolled my eyes at his impatience, though deep down I understood it perfectly. ((Not quite yet. There is just one or two more things that I need to do here.))
Ayattil blinked, obviously unaware of anything other than our total victory. I felt that the best way to explain would be to do those things, and so I strutted forward toward the one villain who still remained in the base, solely due to the fact that nobody could possibly move her.
It was almost pitiable what had happened to Ardina. Once, so slender and appealing, then turned into a grotesquely fat, sloshing blob. Now, finally, she sat as a gargantuan sphere, filled with so much food that one wrong prod could cause her to burst like a water balloon met with a pin.
It was fantastic ammo for a brilliant parting shot.
For a while she had been communicating, throwing abuse at my fellows and groaning about indigestion. That was following the delirium that she went through during the great feed, enjoying the food pumped into her so much that she never realised what was happening. Now she knew perfectly well, and she took out her anger on everybody else. She hadn't talked to me, but I intended to change that.
I approached cautiously, as anybody would. Her skin creaked and groaned uncomfortably, threatening to break open at any moment. However, it was little more than a threat, as the department's doctor had earlier pointed out. I could approach quite safely, and even announce my presence by poking a finger against her belly.
((Will you stop poking me?!)) Ardina spat. She could not see me, her head probably somewhere atop the great globe.
((You never used to oppose it,)) I said with amusement. ((In fact, you rather enjoyed it.))
She fell silent as she figured it out. I could feel the hatred radiating through her. ((Nicalor… This was your doing, wasn't it!))
((Indeed it was. I had to disable you somehow.))
Her anger rose, and with it her body squelched and moaned uneasily. The pressure built but was instantly released with yet another bout of flatulence. Thankfully, though I couldn't tell which part of her I was talking to, aside from her belly, I was sure that I wasn't behind her.
((I should have killed you when I had the chance,)) She snarled viciously. ((I just can't believe… You… You're the one who has pulled off this little raid?! You and that dribbling moron, Ayattil?!)
Ayattil correctly responded, ((I don't dribble that much, Ardina, ma'am!))
I laughed and stood back in an attempt to locate her head or any other extremity that would give me some bearings. ((I wouldn't call Ayattil a moron, Ardina. He is smart enough not to mess with Nicalor-Garroon-Charod!))
She huffed irritably, ((Always so smug, aren't you. You think so highly of yourself, but you're little more than a snivelling cockroach that always gets its way! When I finally get free of whatever cell I'm held in, I'm going to squash you like the bug you are!))
((Cell? Ha!)) I mocked. ((No cell will hold you now. We won't need one! Your gluttony has made sure that you won't be moving for a long, long time, my dear Ardina. You'll end up back on the home world, I'm sure, probably used as a warning to children about the dangers of Human food. You'll be strapped down with ropes in a hangar somewhere. That is,)) I lowered my tone and raised my tailblade up against her vulnerable belly. ((Unless you pop before you get there. One small stumble, one stray pin on the ground, and boom!))
((You wouldn't dare…)) She growled.
I noticed her growing nervous, her body quivering noisily. Then I retreated blade and huffed an audible laugh. ((Don't worry. I won't spoil your indulgence. I suppose maybe I'll see you again, you fat, farting blob.))
((I'm sure we will…)) She hissed.
I left her just as a specialist team approached to move her. The job would most likely require the base ceiling to be removed and her body lifted out via crane. It didn't concern me, and I had a bigger task in mind. I guided Ayattil away from the centre of the base and back to where our department were placed. Drehun and the rest were stood against a back wall, totally relaxed now that their chores had been left to the cleaning crew.
Neechun and Rebecca looked thoroughly annoyed, and that seemed perfectly reasonable. I was Drehun's new favourite, and he made this clear when he smiled brightly and welcomed me over to stand beside him. Even Ayattil was allowed within touching distance with him, which was extremely rare.
((Passing on a few words, Nicalor?)) Drehun asked inquisitively. ((Did you know that Andalite?))
((Yes,)) I nodded. ((She came down to Earth on the same ship that I did. Her name is Ardina- Eskallon-Taryal, and she is… was a scientist at the ARC, working on the Food for Andalite Processor. Funny, isn't it, that it would eventually be her downfall.))
Drehun laughed heartily at the situation, and with a stalk eye I could see Neechun fuming behind us. That made me even happier.
I turned slightly to face him, holding my body up straight and tall. ((Isn't it funny, Neechun?))
His eyes narrowed further, and his fists clenched, but as Drehun looked past my shoulder at him, he was firmly held in his place. ((Yes, Nicalor. Hilarious.))
Then I looked to Rebecca. Her arms were folded beside him, and she looked far more stressful than angry. ((And you, Rebecca? Can't you see the hilarity?))
((I guess…)) She forced out. ((Hey, Neechun, I need to go to the bathroom, okay?))
She turned and unfurled her arms to leave, but with her first step came the mid-section of Neechun's tail, pushing her back into position. ((Not again, Rebecca. We'll stay right here.))
Drehun, still gleaming at the sight of victory before him, sighed and began a series of musings. ((Finally, Nicalor, we can rest. We can tell the Humans that their delicacies are no longer under threat from a dangerous criminal gang. They'll regain their trust in us. I hope that's the case.))
((They never had anything to fear,)) I suggested. ((We would get to this point eventually.))
He nodded. ((Of course. And thanks to you, Nicalor. We can go back to normal duties now.))
((Sitting around and drinking coffee all day?)) I said. ((Waiting for anything to come through the reports?))
((Exactly,)) Drehun chuckled. ((And I can see a bright future for you, my young detective. You and your… that thing that follows you around.))
Ayattil waved to him from behind me.
Drehun continued, ((Yes, I'll see that you two are recommended for promotion. You've done a wonderful job in bringing down this gang and their leader.))
((It was nothing, sir, honestly.)) I laughed, waving a hand dismissively.
Drehun shifted his feet so that he faced me directly. ((You must tell me, Nicalor, how you managed to do it.))
It was terribly embarrassing, but also deeply rewarded, most of all the expressions appearing on Neechun's face. ((It was simple really. Ardina had a set-up where the majority of her more capable guards would go out on specific missions. All I had to do was get rid of them, infiltrate the base, take out the leader and signal to the department. Of course, we had to take control of the security room to let you in, etcetera, etcetera, but that's all very simple stuff as you know.))
He smiled, taking full interest in the story so far. Then his eyes turned to Ardina, who was very slowly being rolled into a more manageable position in the centre of the room, noisy as ever. ((And how did that happen?))
((The food processor, sir,)) I answered. ((We found it nearby the security room. She feeds from it through her hooves. Knowing that she was connected, I knew that turning the machine on full blast would immobilise her. She'd be too busy gorging herself to resist.))
((We'll have to find something to do with her,)) Drehun muttered pensively. ((But please, tell me, how did you lead the guards away?))
((Easy!)) I sung. ((I got Ayattil to morph me. Do you remember, earlier today, that Ben's Bites was robbed of its cakes?))
((Yes, I do.))
((Ayattil planted me, as a plant, within one of those cake boxes, where I was delivered here. Meanwhile, I got Ayattil to return home where he would proceed to call Neechun.)) I turned to my most envious foe, and asked, ((Do you remember that call?))
Neechun grumbled, ((I do. You seemed very off character.))
((You were talking to Ayattil, in my body. And he told you that I had discovered the identity of Hoketh-Perrulii-Tugesh.))
Neechun stroked his chin. ((Yes, he did say that.))
((And that message found its way through to Ardina,)) I concluded with certainty, drawing a curious look from my superior. ((She sent out her guards to my hotel room, leaving my path into the base much clearer. Fortunately, Ayattil managed to escape brutal murder, too.))
((But wait,)) Drehun interrupted, scratching lightly at his chin. ((How did the message get from Neechun to Ardina?))
I smiled, and I could feel the full victory coming ever closer. ((That brings me onto my next point. I can reveal the identity of Hoketh-Perulii-Tugesh.))
The entire department fell silent as I made the announcement, and instantly began to crowd around with great intrigue. Drehun looked as if his hearts were about to burst from his chest.
((You can?)) He stammered. ((You must tell me! I will stop at nothing to have him found!))
((You won't have to search for long,)) I offered, maintaining my proud smile. ((Because he is right here in this room. Stood among us, actually.))
Tail blades began to twitch, and suddenly everybody was exchanging glances. All but one person.
Drehun gazed at me with his main eyes expectantly. ((Who is it, Nicalor?))
I stood aside, swinging my arm around to clearly indicate the guilty person. It received a few mutters and even more unbelieving faces, but by this point I was certain of my conclusion. ((It's Rebecca, sir. Rebecca is Hoketh in a Human morph.))
Rebecca's jaw dropped, and her head spun around to the others around her, clearly aghast. Her steps backward, most likely out of shock, were ceased as several tail blades formed a formidable wall behind her.
Of all there, Drehun was the most stunned by my statement. ((Rebecca?! Have you gone mad, Nicalor?!))
((Not at all, sir,)) I countered. ((I've had my suspicions for a while now, and I've been steadily building up my case.))
((Nicalor, you dope,)) Neechun spat, suddenly becoming active beside me. ((How could it be Rebecca? She's been with me for two years now. I would have noticed!))
Drehun wasn't going to let us fall into another petty argument. He stomped his foot and addressed me directly. ((Nicalor, I want your evidence. Now. I can't believe for a single second that young Rebecca here is responsible for all this damage!))
Despite the confrontation, my confidence was still running high. I crossed my arms behind my back and paced as I organised my evidences in my head. ((Well, Drehun, sir, my first suspicions arise when I consider the timing of Hoketh's sudden disappearance and Rebecca's entry into the department. Those two incidences happened at around the same time.))
((Coincidence.)) Neechun snorted distastefully.
((Maybe, on its own,)) I compromised. ((But I wonder, Neechun, if you searched your memory of the last two years, has Rebecca ever been in your company for more than two hours at a time?))
He raised an eyebrow. ((Of course she has.))
((Without a bathroom break?))
Neechun's reply wasn't so immediate this time, and he looked to the ground. ((That is a common occurrence, I concede…))
The young Rebecca was beginning to get more agitated, visibly shaking. ((So?! Doesn't everybody go to the bathroom?!))
((She has a point, Nicalor.)) Said Drehun.
((Perhaps,)) I shrugged. ((But these are just two small minor points. My real evidence comes from her action, both around me and around others. Back near the beginning of the investigation, when both I and Neechun were searching for evidence on the criminal gang's activities, I received information from Rebecca herself. She told me that Neechun had investigated as establishment called Neon Firefly and found nothing. Neechun, did you ever go to Neon Firefly?))
At this point, Neechun gaze was almost entirely on Rebecca. ((No. I didn't.))
((It turns out, sir,)) I resumed. ((That I had been planning to infiltrate the establishment the whole time. Rebecca must have heard, and tried to divert me away from it, because Neon Firefly is where we came across the group's plans to raid the president's banquet.))
I could sense the opinion of those around me changing, but I was not done yet.
((Not only that, but Rebecca has been seen rummaging through the files of her superiors. Report books have gone missing. I found vandalised and threatening materials in my room. Though, in fairness, that may have all been Neechun's fault.
((However, I feel that my greatest evidence came during the president's dinner fiasco. Before the event even took place, my suspicions began to rise when Neechun became suddenly ill. Ayattil had snuck rat poison into his coffee the day before, but he was in Human morph at the time.))
((You did what?!)) Neechun burst. I didn't regret admitting it at all.
((We found it curious how any ill-effect sustained in his Human form could transfer to his own body, and we came to the conclusion that it probably shouldn't. How strange, then, that Neechun should fall so suddenly ill before the gathering. I was then given his position on very short notice, and Rebecca was given a temporary position by my side. She gave me Neechun's plans for the event. The bizarre thing was that the plans Neechun had apparently drawn up did not make sense when compared to the criminal gang's plans that we discovered. There were holes. Holes big enough that the gang could pull off a successful heist. My conclusion was that Rebecca poisoned Neechun so that he would be sick during the event, and she took that opportunity to mess with his plans and hand them to me with little time to spot the errors. At the end of that night, I took a ride home with Rebecca, and I subtly tried to inform her of my suspicions. The next day, I am kidnapped by Ardina's guards, taken back here and threatened. I was not to make any moves in the case, not to mention anything to anybody.
When I made Ayattil contact Neechun, the idea was for Neechun to spring into action. He would take Rebecca and force her to help. Of course, he would tell her that I was onto something. She then proceeded to contact Ardina, who sent out her guards to take me down.))
Drehun looked convinced, but proceeded to ask, ((Why would Hoketh disguise himself as this Human?))
((Easy,)) I huffed. ((Who would suspect a detective's assistant, especially one of a different species and gender? Not only that, but within the department he would have easy access to our data. She could easily throw us off course or learn of plans. That is why the criminal gang seemed so elusive for so long.))
Drehun nodded, and then he spun a stalk eye in Rebecca's direction. ((Do you deny these accusations?))
"Of course I do!" Rebecca spat, visibly searching for any little escape route. "Nicalor is crazy!"
I smiled and twiddled casually with my fingers. ((Neechun, how long has it been since Rebecca left your side?))
He considered. ((Nearly two Earth hours.))
Just as I had suspected. Rebecca – or Hoketh – knew that as well, but realising that we knew as well sent her into further desperation.
((What will it be, Hoketh,)) I asked. ((Demorph or be stuck as Rebecca?))
Rebecca froze in place, though she still ground her teeth in anger. She contemplated. He contemplated. The clogs were clearly turning within the combined Human and Andalite mind.
((Curse you, Nicalor,)) Spoke a new voice in our heads. The voice of Hoketh-Perulii-Tugesh. ((I'd rather die in a cell than in this hideous body.))
The department watched on as Hoketh slowly began to demorph, utterly amazed that, all along, one of them had been the guilty soul the entire time. Most shocked was Neechun, whose emotional roller coaster was proving a little too much. He looked dizzied and almost collapsed on the spot. For a moment I felt an inkling of sympathy. Then I remembered that it was Neechun and part of me laughed.
Drehun was equally dumbfounded. ((I… Never would have guessed. Not in my wildest dreams! Officers!))
At the order, several officers who had begun to gather round charged in past the line of baffled witnesses and restrained the half-demorphed Hoketh. His tail had not yet grown out, but they quickly brought him under full control to limit the inevitable resistance.
((Take him away,)) Drehun ordered. ((And make sure to keep a close eye. I want Hoketh fully contained and taken in for questioning. He isn't going to get away this time!))
The emerging stalk eyes of our captive rose up and both glared mercilessly at me. A revenge shot, but one that he would not follow through on. No doubt, he'd be hauled into a cell back on the home world for a long time. The stare was brief, cut short as the officers yanked him away through the crowds and off into the invisible distance.
I clasped my hands together and drew a big sigh of relief. Maybe I looked confident and cocky on the outside, but it felt like a telling moment. Throwing out accusations was always risky, but it was so rewarding to get it all right in the end. After the entire ordeal, it was fantastic, wonderful to know that my job had been done to the usual standard. The look of utter glee on Drehun's face solidified that.
And Neechun was silent, until Drehun started to quiz him.
((Neechun?)) He squeaked, mind probably still a little boggled.
My rival shook his head of whatever strode through it, and stood to attention. ((Drehun, sir?))
Even now, Drehun seemed lost for words, and stuttered around for a bit before finally exclaiming, ((How did you not see this? That your own assistant, in your company for two whole years, was the enemy?!))
Neechun, small as a mouse, replied, ((I… She… He was convincing! I couldn't tell!))
In a bad mood, Drehun would have castrated him there and then, but in such high spirits he was appearing very generous. However, I couldn't resist added more wood to the flame. I hummed, and threw in the question, ((Wasn't Neechun supposed to be one of the greatest detectives in New York City?))
((I never claimed that!)) Neechun hissed back at me, his anger quick to take control again.
((You never will be!)) Drehun boomed, putting Neechun right back in his place. ((The enemy was right under your nose the whole time and you didn't register! Not only that, but throughout this whole investigation you have done nothing but intrude upon Nicalor's work, and everybody else's! Neechun, I am demoting you. You can act as Tukkri's assistant until I find a more suitable position, and I don't want to hear any arguments!))
I cocked my head. ((Drehun, sir, do you really think demotion is the right thing to do?))
Neechun's stalk eyes popped up, probably thankful that somebody would stick up for him. The mere fact that it was me doing so was unprecedented.
((Surely, he should be arrested and taken in for questioning. After all, he was technically assisting the enemy by handing the department files to Hoketh.))
Drehun pondered. ((You're right, Nicalor. Officers, take Neechun as well!))
Maybe it was wrong of me. Perhaps. But seeing Nicalor dragged off as well was the cherry on top of the delicious, chocolatey cake. I didn't even bother with a parting shot, because I didn't want to cross the line into overkill.
((I think our job here is done, Ayattil,)) I said to him as he watched on beside me. Very little information had crossed the border to the ruins of his brain, but he knew just as well as I did that things had gone pretty smoothly. ((Are you in the mood for dinner? I was thinking maybe Chinese, or Italian. Probably Italian.))
((I'd love some pizza, sir!)) He chanted, a gleam in his dopey little eyes.
((Pizza it is. Come on, I'm sure Larry would be around to give us a ride.))
I began to stroll away towards the exit, a spring in my step, but I felt Ayattil's hand clasp around my arm. ((What is it, Ayattil?))
((Sir, don't you want to watch them take Ardina away? Look! They're going to take the entire ceiling away!))
Indeed they were. Heavy machinery was being brought into the base, aiming to remove a major chunk of rock layer from above. No doubt a couple of sturdy cranes were being brought into place above ground. It would be entertaining to watch, of course, but I had seen enough.
((Not really. Now hurry along before Luigi's closes.))
And then he laughed. The usual disturbing cackle that grated me so.
((What's so funny?))
A pun, apparently. ((I think Ardina got her just desserts, sir!))
((Shut up, Ayattil.))
Author's Note
Well, that took a lot longer than expected. After Twig, which was completed in the space of 28 days, I really did not expect this one to take one-and-a-half years! However, it really was tremendous fun, and had I been given more time to do it, I could have done it much quicker. Twig was written during a Summer break when I had no responsibilities whatsoever. Now I work full-time, as a volunteer, and have several other areas in which I'm dabbling, so that probably explains a lot.
This was also much more of a challenge. While Twig was a story based around the framework built by the main Animorphs series, The Main Course is based several years in the future, and has little to do with the Animorphs other than the species' involved. (That doesn't mean that this isn't canon, however.) Not only that, but combining so many disparate genres was much harder than anticipated. Crime, comedy, Thriller and Sci-fi. Maybe not that different, actually, but definitely something that Animorphs isn't used to.
It's been a pleasure writing again for you, but I've noticed that the reaction has been much different to that which Twig received. The favourites, follows and reviews have been much more infrequent that I thought they would be, especially considered Twig's record. Maybe it was the length, the time it took to write, the unfamiliar genres, or another factor entirely! To anybody reading this note who could shed light on the issue, please, please leave a comment and I'll try to correct any mistakes in the future.
Anyway, I really hope you enjoyed Nicalor's adventure, and hope as well that you will jump on board with the other fic I'm currently doing: Seer. With this story now done, the chapter updates for Seer should be twice as fast. After that, I have planned #55-60 for the main Animorphs series, and I promise that it will be good!
Thanks again!
Adam
