Innocent until Proven Guilty
Chapter 1
Shirler 374 was sitting along the far wall of the computer lab. Her human host, Morgan Tashani, was being peaceful for once, actually not talking, or even, complaining. That was amazing in itself.
As she typed the report she had needed for a class, her eyes wandered. Glancing around at all of the human children in the room, she realized that that night was the night she was going out to begin her mission.
Visser 3, the despot, had forced her to search for the Andalite Bandits'. The Visser had finally come to realize that the Andalite Bandits' might actually be humans. He was an idiot, of course, not even realizing something that was right under his nose.
As she leaned back on the chair she was in, she examined her human nails. That was considered a normal human habit when one was bored. Shirler did not know exactly why, but for some reason or another it was, and she continued to look at her nails.
They're my nails, and you know that, Shirler. I don't even see why you bother. Morgan said, speaking up once more.
Bother with what?
Bother pretending to be human. she replied, Don't think that I don't realize it. Whenever I go to the cages, everyone there is spazing over how horrible their Yeerk is. But I'm not.
Shirler considered this, Maybe you just don't to complain as much out there as you do in here. she suggested.
You know that's not why. I should be complaining out there, but I'm not. It's because I see all those people crying, and I feel like I don't have a right to.
Oh, please. From what I've read from your memories, you have every right to be crying. Shirler said, sighing mentally, I know that that isn't the real reason.
I have every right to be crying, yes, but I don't feel like I can. It's like, once I get free, I just can't do it. Everyone has extremely horrid Yeerks, whereas I have one that's almost...
Almost what?
Almost human. Morgan said, You are like a friend. I mean, you can sometimes be horrible, and I loathe when you are, but most of the time you are calm and even...nice.
Shirler laughed, Me? Nice? I really should be more Yeerk-like, shouldn't I?
Surprisingly, Morgan laughed as well. Shirler was shocked at the point the human had made. It was true, obviously, but was that a good thing?
The bell that signified the end of class --and the end of school-- rang loudly. As Shirler packed up her supplies, she sighed in worry. Why did she have to be the one picked for this repulsive plan of the Visser's?
It was odd, really. She had a human child for a host, and the only thing that was good about that was the fact that her host was trained for the wildlife. Not that that would help her if she met an Andalite. Why had the Visser ordered her to do this? Did he want her to die?
Obviously he did. If she didn't find the bandits, she would most likely be executed, knowing the Visser. And if she did somehow happen to find them, she was almost certain to die as well.
Sauntering out the door, Shirler walked towards the bus. She was to ride this vehicle to the meeting spot where the Visser would be waiting. That was where she would begin the plan.
In other words, she was riding to her death.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The man stared down through his viewing globe at the young human child. There was a Yeerk in her head, he could tell that easily, and she seemed quite agile. The perfect person to force into his plan.
With the girl, he would be able to succeed in what he needed most. He needed to get his revenge for who did this murderous crime to him, and he needed the human child to do so. If all went well, his plan would be under way by sundown.
He would have his revenge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shirler was content to stay on the bus. She had always enjoyed the moments of peacefulness as she was left there to think to herself. Well, she had enjoyed as much peace as she received with a host who liked to talk.
So. Morgan said, seemingly enjoying the sound of her thoughts, The Visser is basically sending you out there to die?
Yes, I believe so. Shirler said, sighing, It's rather odd. I have been a loyal Yeerk. Why must he act so preposterous?
Maybe he's on crack.
Shirler stifled a laugh. As much as she knew that she shouldn't be laughing, it was so unbelievable that it could be true. The Visser did show many of the symptoms.
Perhaps you're right. Shirler continued, Oh, yes, this is where we meet the Visser.
You mean, meet our doom. Morgan supplied.
Why are you always so negative?
Morgan laughed, I learned it from you.
Shirler walked calmly off the bus, and then into the woods. There, she met the Visser. Visser 3.
What has took you so long? he practically screamed.
Shirler took a deep breath, The human form of transportation that I took to get here was late, oh grand Visser. I am anxious to begin your glorious plan.
Define anxious', will you Shirler? Morgan said, mentally rolling her eyes.
Be quiet! I need to grovel! Shirler replied, bringing laughs from Morgan, Oh most exultant Visser, I will set forth and find the bandits for you, so you may have your everlasting victory over them.
The Visser took this information. No, he absorbed it like a sponge. Of course I will! The Andalite bandits will be mine before sundown. Now! Go forth, and bring them to me!
Yes, my Visser. I will grant you your victory. Shirler said, and then took off down the narrow path. Soon, she would veer off the path, and into deeper woods, where the bandits were most likely hiding.
You know, you sure know how to grovel. Yes, my Visser. Oh, of course, my most exulted one. It's rather amusing. Morgan stated.
It's all in the facial expressions. And the tone of your voice. Shirler said, Also, Visser 3 is a person who thinks everyone should kneel down to him, and if you flatter him, he gets stupid.
How can he get stupider?
Don't start with me, Morgan. Shirler warned, Remember we have to find these Andalite Bandits or we're doomed.
Aren't we already? Morgan asked.
Peminist.
For around an hour or so, Shirler walked stealthily through the trees. She was as quiet as a mouse, of course. She wouldn't have much luck finding the bandits if she was running through the woods and stepping on all sorts of leaves and twigs. This way, she avoided all of them.
Shirler stepped out of the woods slightly. She was in a meadow, with flowers blooming everywhere and a fresh spring scent in the air. It was really quite pleasant. But what she was looking at wasn't a flower.
There was a young boy sitting in the meadow. Next to him, was an Andalite.
Chapter 2
Shirler's mouth dropped open. An Andalite! She had actually been able to locate one of them. She started to reach for her hand-held Dracon beam, but she stopped.
Why'd you stop? Morgan asked, confused, I mean, I don't want you to kill them or turn them into that jerk of a leader of yours, but why?
Because whenever there is one Andalite, there is always another close by. If I step into their sight, the Andalite would most likely call for his friends. Shirler said, worried, And I don't have any back-ups. The Visser was so convinced that I wouldn't find them that he didn't send back-up troops.
So what are you going to do?
Well... Shirler began thoughtfully, I could most possibly capture the boy, but that would require the Andalite to leave. So we'll wait.
Shirler settled into a more comfortable position, while still trying to be a quiet as possible. It wouldn't help her to have the bandits hear her now.
While she waited, she studied the human boy. He had dark hair and eyes, although she could barely see his eyes from that distance. His skin was a light tan, and if Shirler had to guess, he was Hispanic.
The boy wasn't talking. He was sitting on a rock, doing homework. Or, at least, Shirler had guessed that he was doing homework. He was writing in some sort of notebook, and she thought that she saw a textbook there as well.
The Andalite, on the other hand, was toward the edge of the meadow, talking with another person who had just arrived. The Andalite was blocking her view of the person, but she assumed that the person was a female, from the sound of her voice that sometimes drifted over to Shirler.
After waiting impatiently for about five minuets, the Andalite and the girl spoke to the boy. Now Shirler could see that it was a young black girl, with short cut hair. She was wearing overalls with a long-sleaved shirt underneath it. They spoke with the boy, and then left. The boy continued on with his homework as before. It was time.
Oh, great, I was hoping that they all would leave. Morgan sighed, Now I have to watch you hurt that kid, don't I?
Unfortunately, yes. Shirler replied, getting up out of her crouching position and silently moving towards the boy. The sun was just starting to go down, and a chill was in the air. Shirler moved even more quickly towards the boy, carefully keeping out of sight by the edge of the woods.
Suddenly, she heard a screech. Glancing up quickly, Shirler saw a large hawk coming down at her. Yelping in fear, she dove to the side. The hawk had obviously alerted the boy, who sprung up out of his position on the rock and started to run.
Furious, Shirler jumped back up and ran after him. Catching up with the boy, she grabbed his arm. He fell down on the ground, and Shirler anxiously tried to take hold her Dracon beam.
She saw the hawk coming back for a second try, and the boy was struggling wildly, trying to free himself. Quickly, she pulled out the beam. But before she had the chance to use it, Shirler suddenly saw a bright light coming from the sky.
She felt her arms going slightly limp, and her fingers dropped the Dracon beam. But Shirler concentrated on keeping a strong grip on the bandit's arm, no matter how hard it was.
Vaguely, she noticed that the boy's struggling had died down, as he too was mesmerized be the bright light. Shirler was frozen in place by the light, and then it overcame her.
The light grew even brighter, and Shirler fell into darkness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tobias flew towards the girl. She had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, and luckily Tobias had seen her. She was obviously a controller, because she had pulled a Dracon beam out and was trying hard to aim it.
Marco was down on the ground, struggling to get free from the girl's iron grasp, when suddenly the girl stared up at the sky. Her immense concentration on firing the Dracon beam ceased, and she actually dropped it, although she still kept her grip on Marco's arm.
Marco also stared up at the sky. Whatever they were staring had to be amazing, because Marco had stopped struggling to stare up at the spot in the sky.
Well, that made no difference to Tobias. Raising his talons, he prepared to rake the girl's face. He drew close and was about to make contact when...
He zoomed through emptiness! Startled, he made a quick turn, only to discover that the girl and Marco had suddenly disappeared. Tobias landed, and stared, shocked, down at the grass where they were just seconds before.
What had just happened?
Chapter 3
The man smiled cruelly as his scale showed the young Earth child and the Yeerk coming through. The fact that the girl held a Yeerk did not defy his flawless work. His plan was now under way.
But as he turned away, he did not see the scale reading off another child from Earth coming through.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marco awoke groggily. He was lying somewhat painfully on his backside, and his head felt like someone had taken a hammer to it. As he tried to sit up, his head throbbed and he saw flashes of yellow in front of his eyes.
Slowly, he opened his eyes. Gasping, he almost fainted again from shock. This wasn't Earth. The ground was rough and jagged, and the sky was almost a pinkish color, dazzling to the eye. The ground was hard dirt, forming into mountains towards the right, and to the left, melting into a forest.
The forest was to far away for him to see definite colors, but he was almost positive that the prominent color was a deep red, and the trees seemed....mutated somehow. No, this defiantly wasn't Earth.
Marco glanced around him, and he was amazed to see a girl lying about four feet behind him. It was the girl who had attacked him, he noticed, glaring at her. He felt a pang of annoyance at the girl, who was obviously a controller.
Getting up, he considered just leaving her there and taking off his own way, but for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to do it. Plus, he could at least see if she knew something about this place. He, himself, didn't have any clue.
After waiting for around two minuets, the girl groaned and sat up holding her head. She blinked and glanced around at their surroundings, and then at Marco, who was standing there and looking down at her.
Do you have any idea where we are? she asked, glaring at him with the anger that Yeerks save for Andalites.
Nope. Not a clue. Marco admitted, I was hoping that you would.
The girl raised an eyebrow, An Andalite showing humility? she asked, amused.
Whoever said I was an Andalite? Marco said, not even bothering to go through the act of pretending not to know what she was talking about. It was kind of obvious that she knew already, considering she attacked him.
Well, then you are a human who can morph. Close enough.
Marco rolled his eyes. Whatever. Anyway, all I remember was you attacking me, and then a weird light.
The girl nodded, Yeah. I saw the light, too, right before I was going to... the girl suddenly jerked up, and began to search her pockets. Then she sighed, I lost my Dracon beam! It dropped from my hands when I saw that stupid light!
What a shame. I guess you can't kill me now. Oh, drat. Marco said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
Oh, stop it. Now you're going to kill me, right? I mean, that's the Andalite way. she said, staring him right in the eye, Since I'm helpless and all.
Marco shrugged, It's tempting. he admitted, But personally, I've killed enough helpless victims, thank you. Plus, I doubt it would be easy.
You can morph. the girl said, How much easier could it get?
Marco raised his eyebrow, Point taken. Anyway, it's getting darker, or at least as far as I can tell, and I don't know about you, but I don't want to be out in the open when that happens.
The girl stared amazed at him. Then, trying to mask the amazement, she struggled to her feet. Looking around, she focused her gaze on first the mountains, and then the forest.
I'm guessing that the forest would be the best bet, she said, It most likely has running water.
Marco shrugged and started towards the forest. He heard the girl follow him, and for a second, he did consider killing her. It wasn't going to be easy having a controller bent on destroying him follow him, that was for sure. But at least she wasn't armed anymore.
The suns, all three of them, were idlely setting. The pink sky was slowly growing to a dull red, and night was falling.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shirler examined the young boy in front of her. He had obviously realized that by being in front of her, he wasn't causing nervousness for her. In fact, by doing that, he put himself in a very dangerous position. He hadn't checked her for concealed weapons, although she didn't have any, and he was trusting her not to attack him from behind.
Or maybe he was simply stupid.
Anyway, Shirler walked about five feet behind him, not knowing if he was going to turn around and attack her, surprising her. Although, for some reason, she didn't think that he would, despite the fact the Andalites had obviously brainwashed him into believing that all Yeerks were evil.
Why don't you ask him his name? Morgan spoke up, It would be more helpful than calling him the boy' all the time.
Shirler considered this, and then moved up until she was even with the boy. He seemed a bit surprised that she had done this, but he didn't say anything about it.
he asked skeptically.
What, perchance, is your name? Shirler asked him, I mean, I can't just call you hey, kid' this whole time.
Taking in this information, he nodded, My name's Marco. What's your's? Shirler heard a ring of truth in his voice, so she was almost positive that that was his real name.
I'm Morgan Shirler replied.
Marco rolled his eyes, I'm not an idiot. That's a human name. I mean, your real Yeerk name.
As she heard him say the word Yeerk, she scowled, she said angrily, My real Yeerk name is Shirler 374. Happy now?
What's your problem? he asked, taken aback.
The way you said Yeerk.
Marco sighed, If aliens were trying to take over your planet, wouldn't you feel a little resentment?
Aliens have already taken over our planet, Shirler snapped, Their called Andalites.
And you resent them, don't you?
Shirler sighed. He had a point, she knew, but it didn't make things any better. She really should apologize, but that was beyond what she allowed for politeness. Especially toward annoying so-called Andalite bandits.
She then remembered that she had a job to do. She had been ordered by Visser 3 to capture the Andalite bandits and bring them to him. Here she was, walking right beside one, and she hadn't even tried to attack.
But Visser 3 wasn't exactly around to reprimand her about that, was he? So, for the time being, she could forget about orders, and just get off of this planet. Then she could decide what to do about Marco.
Shirler ran her fingers through her hair. Sighing, she tried to make sense of what had happened. Was this all just a dream? Maybe she had been struck unconscious and now she was in the mercy of the Andalite.
Frustrated, Shirler tried the only thing that she could think of - pinching herself. But when she did, it only hurt, so obviously she wasn't dreaming.
Pinching yourself? Morgan asked, skeptical, That's the most pathetic trick in the book.
Well, sorry, the only other thing I could think of was falling of a cliff. But in that brilliant trick, you wake up when you die. And sorry, that is one theory that I don't wish to try. Shirler replied, frustrated.
We're at the edge of the forest. Marco's voice rang through, jerking Shirler from her thoughts.
Looking up, she saw all of the trees, or things that might be trees. They were short and stumpy, with longs branches weaving in and out. Their leaves were all colors, from yellow to blue, but the prominent color was a deep musty red. The trees were all twisted and ghastly looking, and Shirler suddenly had doubts about spending the night in the woods.
Glancing at Marco, she could tell he agreed with her, just from the look on his face, but he cautiously stepped into the thick forest.
Shirler followed him, entering the unknown.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gazing into the dim forest, Quan Visha Kekeg, the ruler of the Shrakars, stared at the newest prey. The one who was in the lead was a male, smaller than the other. The other one, a female, was nervously following behind the smaller one.
Licking his fangs, Quan settled back in wait for the prey to come closer. Although he could feel that the two victims weren't friends, they were only traveling together, who knew when that might change?
Hungry for a meal, he waited until they least suspected him.....