The Liberation Chronicles #8: The Murder
For "J"AUTHOR'S NOTE:
- Thanks a million to Kay and Kat and Tobiasrulz. You guys are always so helpful!
- This is the last in this series. I'm going to miss it, but I'm ready to move on. Don't worry, there's plenty of closure. It's just coming to its natural end.
- This is by far the darkest of all my fics. It's PG-13 (I think), but there are some very dark scenes. Nothing really to worry about, I just wanted to warn you.
- After this fic, I'm going to slow the fanfics down for awhile. I love them, and I have one in the works that I want to finish, but I also want to work more on original fiction. So I won't be turning out a series on a regular basis like I have been. I'm not going away, though, that's for sure. You can't get rid of me that easy!!! Bwahahahahaha!!!!
- Thanks for reading. J
Chapter One – Cassie
"Go to hell."
The door slammed.
For a moment everyone was frozen. Then I spun and ran after Jake.
"Jake, hold on!" I cried.
He paused in the doorway to our room and looked at me. "I'm so tired of this whole war! I'm so tired of fighting! I don't want to do this anymore. I gave up my childhood because of those idiots in there, and now they refuse to make peace. I hate this, I hate this whole thing. I just want it to be over, and I really, really don't care if they demote me. Someone else can do the leading now."
While he'd been talking, I'd been walking toward him. Now I touched his arm, and said, "Let's go inside."
In our room, Jake stared out the window at the Andalite sunlight. "I hate it. I don't want this anymore. If they don't discharge me, I'm resigning."
"Jake –"
"I swear, Cass. This is not the life I want."
"And it's not the life I want either!" I said. "But you have to think about this."
"What use would there be for me in the military anyway? If those morons decide to continue the war, I can't fight knowing that we're working against peace."
I was silent. "You're right," I finally said. I put my arms around him and hugged him tightly. "You're right."
Jake pulled away from me and went and sat down on the bed. He seemed drained now, and very old and tired. "Not that I'll have the choice. Not after telling the Head of the Electorate to go to hell." Suddenly, he laughed. "Did you see his face?"
I smiled. "Yes. He was not happy."
"Well, screw him." The smile faded abruptly from Jake's face.
I nodded silently, reached over, and held Jake. He put his head on my shoulder and said, "I'm tired, Cassie. I've been too old for too long."
"I know. We're all tired."
Jake sighed heavily after several minutes, and pulled away. "No rest for the weary. We have to make some decisions. I'm calling a meeting tonight."
"I thought you were going to let someone else lead," I said, forcing a smile.
"I am," he replied. "Ax gets to run this one. And if by some miracle we ever get back to negotiating peace, he gets to run that, too."
I took Jake's hand and squeezed it.
We were interrupted a few moments later by the sound of the door opening. Salia entered, followed by Julie, Tom, and Sara. Oh, she said in surprise. I did not know you were here. I assumed you were still at the conference.
"The conference is over," Jake said bluntly. "Your people are morons."
Salia was startled. I see, she said quietly. I am very sorry. She looked at us for a few moments, not sure what to say. At last she said, Sara, come with me. I will take you to your parents.
"Actually, Sara, why don't you stay here for the afternoon?" I asked. "I think your mom was pretty tired."
"Okay," Sara said easily.
"Can we go get something to eat?" Julie asked.
"Sure, sweetheart," I said. They left, and I scooped Tom up in my arms. "Salia, Rachel had a miscarriage this morning."
Salia's eyes widened. Oh dear. That must be devastating for her.
I nodded, "But I think she'll be okay."
That is good. She hesitated. May I ask what transpired at the conference? she finally asked carefully.
"Lirem was a complete jerk," Jake said before I could open my mouth. "He told the Yeerks they should stay on their planet and go back to Gedd hosts."
I see. Salia sighed. I should speak to my husband then.
"Yeah, I need to talk to him, too," Jake said. "I'm calling a meeting for this evening."
I will inform him, she said.
"Thanks," Jake said. Turning around to stare out the window, he sighed and raked his hand through his hair.
Salia hesitated at the door. I am very sorry the conference ended badly.
"So are we."
Salia left, and I took Tom over to Jake. "Hold your son," I said. Jake managed a small smile and took Tom from me. We were silent for awhile.
Finally he sighed. "I'm sick of this. I want to be with my kids."
"I want that, too."
"Well, if they discharge me I'll be around a lot."
"I guess that's a bright side."
Jake snorted derisively. "Some bright side." He shook his head and handed Tom to me. "I'd better go talk to Ax."
"Okay." I stared out the window at the colorful Andalite landscape. "Hey, Jake?" I said as I heard the door open.
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
He smiled and looked a little less tense. "I love you, too."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That evening we gathered in the main conference room. We were all there except for the kids. That meant there were eight long faces, eight worried expressions.
Actually, I thought, glancing at Jake, there were seven worried faces and one brooding, furious one.
"Jake," Rachel began.
"Whatever it is, ask Ax," Jake replied calmly. "I'm tired of being the general."
Rachel looked at me. She was pale, but had said she was feeling better. I didn't know how much of this was an act and how much better she actually felt.
In any case, I simply shrugged. "Okay, then," Rachel said. "Ax, what do we do now?"
Ax was standing at the head of the table, where Jake used to sit. He looked supremely uncomfortable in his new role. I . . . I do not know. I suppose we should wait for the word of the Electorate – whether or not we may leave –
"Screw the Electorate!" Jake exploded, slamming his fist on the table. "Forget what they want! We have done nothing but try to please them for the last five years! We can't work against peace!"
There was silence for a moment. "Jake," I said softly, putting my hand on his wrist. "I realize you're angry, but – "
"It's not that," he said, shaking his head. "I'm just tired. I can't do this anymore."
"None of us should," Rachel spoke up.
"What?" Marco said. "Xena, quit the war?"
"I'm not a psycho, Marco," Rachel snapped. "I am human. And I'm a mother. I agree with Jake. We can't continue this war."
There was a long stretch of silence. Finally I broke it by saying quietly, "It's no longer a just war."
"A what?" Jordan asked.
"It's a concept I remember reading about. I don't remember where. A war is just when it is defensive and when everything possible has been done to avoid it, when the hurt done if the war is not fought outweighs the hurt done if it is. This used to be just war. Now it's not."
Cassie is correct, Salia said quietly. I have never fought in this war, but I have always lived with it. After the recent developments, I can no longer support it in any way.
The question now is, what do we do? Ax asked. Do we resign? All of us?
"Yes," Jake said firmly. "I was going to do it anyway." He shrugged. "I'd probably be asked to if I didn't. But I think we all should."
We looked at each other. We had fought in the Yeerk-Andalite war for over half our lives. Soon, it would be over for us. Completely over. Out of our hands.
I don't know how the others felt, but I felt a profound sense of relief. It was someone else's war to begin with; it would be someone else's war to finish. Even if they botched it. I would have my husband home. I felt as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
I also felt incredibly selfish.
How many others would die because we refused to fight? The Andalite army did not have a draft. We would never have to participate in the war again. We were safe.
But others weren't.
We decided we would talk to Lirem in the morning. Then, we slowly drifted back to our rooms.
Ax and Salia went first. I watched as she put her hand on his back as they went through the doorway, stroking it gently, and I felt happy for them. Forlay had told me that Ax thought he might never find somebody. I was glad he'd found such a wonderful female to love and be loved by.
Jordan and Marco went next. His hand found her butt and I heard her laughing teasingly in the hallway as the door closed. "Gee," I said, raising my eyebrows at Rachel. "Wonder what those two will be up to later."
She rolled her eyes. "Their room is next to ours. The walls are thin. I imagine they'll be up to the same thing they've been up to every night we've been here."
I laughed. So did Tobias, and, I was relieved to see, Rachel. Jake forced a smile. "I'm going to bed," he said, standing. "I'm tired."
"Okay," I said. "Can you check on the kids first? I know they have a guard and everything, but just make sure they're not killing each other. They should be in bed."
"Sure," he said. He kissed me.
"Love you."
"Love you, too. G'night, guys."
"Good night."
Tobias looked at Rachel and me, and said, "Well, I think Jake has a good idea. I'm going to bed."
"Okay," Rachel said. "I'll be along soon."
"Okay." Tobias reached over and hugged Rachel, held her for a long time. I looked away. "I love you," I heard him whisper.
"I know you do," she said. "Thank you." He left.
"So," I said quietly after a moment of silence. "How are you really doing?"
Rachel didn't answer right away. Finally she looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, "How did you get through it? This hurts. Right here." She placed her hand over her heart, and hung her head as the tears she'd been suppressing all evening began to flow.
I scooted my chair closer to hers and put my arms around her. She leaned her head on my shoulder and cried. "I know it hurts," I whispered. "But it'll get better. You have to believe that."
"When?" she demanded, an angry edge to her voice now. She swallowed painfully. "When, Cassie? When will this go away?"
I shrugged. "For me . . . it got better as time passed. Once Julie was born, I hardly thought about it anymore."
Rachel shook her head. "What if I can't have kids?"
"Rachel, you can have kids. I was your doctor during your first pregnancy. I would have seen an abnormality that severe. You are perfectly normal. Most women have at least one miscarriage."
She looked at me. "Really?"
I nodded. "Really."
She sighed and wiped her eyes. After a pause she said, "Everything's changing so fast. I can't imagine not being Xena, Warrior Princess."
"I'm glad it's over," I remarked.
She looked down at her hands. "Me too – really, I am. But it's been so much a part of my life – a part of who I am."
"Yeah, but it's not all of who you are."
"No," she said softly. "You're right." She sighed heavily. "I've changed so much since we left Earth . . ."
"We all have," I said. "And to tell you the truth – I like you better now. You've always been my best friend, and I've always loved you, but sometimes, when we were teenagers, I felt like I didn't know you anymore. I feel like I understand you again."
Rachel looked at me for a long time and finally gave me a hug. "Thank you so much, Cass."
"Anytime." We stood up and left. At the door, I paused and glanced back for a moment before flipping the lights off. As I did so, I felt like something ended. Like we left something behind in that conference room. Part of me was glad to be rid of it, and part of me was sad for those that would have to take up the struggle.
Chapter Two – Aximili
Salia and I entered our room and closed the door behind us. Are you all right? she asked.
I sighed. Yes, I think so. I suppose I am just disillusioned. It is so difficult to believe that Lirem and the others could be so . . . so . . . I shrugged my thin shoulders.
So very wrong? she supplied, bluntly.
I looked at her in surprise. Yes. I always looked at the Electorate as something beyond fallibility. We all did.
Salia walked over and linked her arms through mine, holding me. Aximili, everything will be fine.
I wish I could believe that. I disengaged myself from her embrace and turned to stare out the window at the dark landscape. Salia turned the lights off and came to join me.
How does your back feel? she asked.
Better, tonight.
Salia slipped her arms around my waist again, and leaned her head on my shoulder. I love you, she whispered.
And I, you, I replied, turning my stalk eyes to look at her. Thank you. I found her hand in the dark and held it in my own.
I suppose we both slept eventually. I, for one, was not eager for morning to arrive.
But it did, and I awoke early. Salia was still asleep, leaning her head on my shoulder. I stared out the window and watched the Andalite sunrise, which is more spectacular than the Earth sunrise. Earth's sunrises are beautiful in a far more subtle way, with soft pinks and oranges, and occasionally reds, that run together and blur into each other before becoming a brilliant blue. Andalite sunrises involve every color from yellow to blue to purple in a large, splotch-like arrangement, before becoming orange for the day. They are both very beautiful, and very different.
Beside me, Salia stirred. Good morning, I said.
Good morning, she replied, nuzzling her head against my shoulder.
I turned one of my stalk eyes back and intertwined it with hers. We should feed before the others wake.
Yes, she said quietly. She released her hold around my waist.
We left our room, and quietly made our way through the hall to the door that led outside. I hoped there would be no other Andalites feeding at this hour, particularly members of the Electorate. Salia and I stepped outside into the cool morning air.
We were alone. I breathed an inward sigh of relief.
Salia began to trot along the huge expanse of grass. I followed, slowing my pace slightly to stay beside her. We fed for several minutes, and then simply ran, enjoying the feeling of being together.
At last we slowed and walked to the pool in the center of the field. I put my hoof in the water and slipped my arm around my wife's waist as she did the same. She stroked my face with one hand, gently, and I curled one of my stalk eyes around hers. For a moment, I almost forgot about everything that would happen that day.
"Ax and Salia sittin' in a tree," I heard two young voices sing from behind me. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
Why, you two – ! Salia took off after Julie and Sara, who ran squealing back into the hallway.
"Whoa!" Marco cried as they shot past him. "Slow down! Someone's gonna get hurt."
"You sound like Mommy!" I heard Julie call cheerfully to him.
Marco rolled his eyes. "Hey, Ax, Jake said for me to come get you."
Thank you, Marco. He left. We had better go, I said to Salia.
She and I went inside, where the others were gathered. All of us looked extremely nervous, but, I noticed, there was a sense of relief in the air.
"Are we ready?" Prince Jake asked. I smiled to myself. Whatever he said about stepping down and allowing someone else to lead, no one could truly take Prince Jake's place. I thought that if anyone should receive credit for us having survived on Earth and in our recent mission, it was Prince Jake, and that was why, even now, we looked to him.
"Yeah, I think so," Cassie said. She was not a soldier, nor were Tobias and Jordan. They did not have to do this with us, but we wanted to present ourselves as united.
Then we should go, I said.
Good luck, Salia said. She was going to watch Julie, Tom, and Sara while the rest of us had our meeting with Lirem.
"Thanks," Prince Jake said.
As a group, we left our hallway and passed through the conference room and into the Andalite delegations' hallway. We paused in front of Lirem's door, and Prince Jake knocked.
There was no answer.
Prince Jake knocked once more. Still, no response issued from within.
Electorate Lirem? I called. We waited. There was no reply.
"He's not there," Cassie said at last. I was almost disappointed.
And then I saw it. The smudge of something blue-black near the base of the door. The sight of it caused a sinking feeling in my hearts, because in a flash I knew what it was. What it had to be. The only question was why was it there.
Electorate Lirem! I called, anxious now.
"Ax, he's not there," Rachel said.
I did not answer. Quickly, I tapped in the default code, along with my own identification number. The default code was what was used to enter any and all rooms in code-guarded Andalite facilities in emergencies. Only War-Princes knew it, and could use it.
"Ax, what are you doing?" Prince Jake demanded.
The door slid open.
We all stared in horror.
"Oh my God," Cassie whispered.
Lirem's crumpled, mostly tan body lay in the middle of the floor. A pool of blood spread around him, seeping from a long gash in his chest. There was no question that he was dead. His main eyes stared unseeingly at us. The far window was smashed.
But the thing that caught my eye was his tail. The blade had been severed, and there was a small pool of blood beneath that as well. Whoever had done this had wanted to deliberately strip Lirem of his dignity.
"Nobody touch anything," Prince Jake said, finding his voice. "Marco, go get one of the guards."
Marco hurried away, and the rest of us stood there, staring in morbid fascination.
"They mutilated him," Cassie whispered. "The tail was cut after he was dead."
How can you tell? I asked.
She tore her glance away from the sickening tableau in front of us. "Dead bodies don't bleed much," she said. "If he had done it before Lirem was dead, there would be a larger pool of blood beneath his tail."
"Why would someone do this?" Rachel asked. "This wasn't even an assassination. It was murder."
Lirem undoubtedly had many enemies, I replied. He was honored by the people, but not very popular among his associates. However . . .
"However we all know who the first suspects will be," Jordan finished.
We looked at each other grimly. Yes, we all knew who would be accused even before the physical evidence could be analyzed.
And the war would continue.
There was a thunder of hooves behind us. Step aside! a voice commanded. Three very large, very strong Andalite guards pushed their way through, followed by Aline-Dray-Gorat, the Electorate member second only to Lirem in rank. I knew nearly nothing about him. And he was the new Head of the Electorate.
Aline and the guards quickly surveyed the scene in front of us. Everyone must leave, he finally said. I do not know what your business with Lirem was, but you all are to return to your quarters. I will send for you if I require your presence.
We nodded numbly, and left. Back in our own hallway, we stared at each other in shock. "And I thought it couldn't get any worse," Rachel murmured.
One of the doors in the hallway slid open and Salia stepped out with the children. How did it go? she asked, taking in our shocked expressions.
Lirem is dead, I said, privately so that the children did not hear. Murdered in his quarters.
What? she gasped. No . . . I do not believe it.
"Believe it," Marco said tersely.
"I suggest we stay in our rooms like they said," Prince Jake said suddenly. The others nodded, and Tobias and Rachel disappeared into their room with Sara. Cassie took Julie and Tom into her and Jake's room, hesitating slightly at the door. Prince Jake nodded for her to.
"Ax," he said, stopping me as I began to leave. "Salia, could I speak to Ax for a moment?"
Certainly, she said.
Prince Jake and I were alone. "Ax," he began, glancing at the door. "You know who's going to top the suspect list for Lirem's murder."
I nodded, surprised we were even discussing the matter. Yes, the Yeerks of course. Visser Forty-one especially.
"Yeah . . . but I'm going to be there, too, Ax. After what I said yesterday. I'm the first person in a long time to say something like that to a member of the Electorate. They'll say I panicked and that was my motive."
I stared at Prince Jake, and he looked back at me with serious brown eyes. There were, I realized, wrinkles around them. His face was already lined,the way humans' faces become when they grow old, and his hair was already graying at the temples. They shall never convict you, I said.
"No," Prince Jake said. "No, they won't. My fingerprints won't be there, and they'll have no evidence. But I'll be under suspicion. Which is why you have to be in charge here, Ax. I can't be the leader now. And it's not only because I'm sick of it. Our credibility will fall apart if you're answering to the guy they think might have murdered highest-ranking Andalite in the whole government."
I nodded. Prince Jake made perfect sense. But I did not want to lead. Even with the rank of War-Prince . . . I did not want to lead the Animorphs. That was not my place.
But for now, it would have to be.
Chapter Three – Cassie
"Jake?" I said softly as he came in.
"I just needed to talk to Ax for a couple minutes," he said.
"Mommy, what's going on?" Julie asked.
I looked at Jake. "Well –" I began.
I was interrupted by a pounding on our door, and a thought-speak voice demanding that Jake and I come out. I glanced at Jake and shrugged.
"Yes?" I said, answering the door. Three very large Andalite guards were standing there, glaring at us intimidatingly.
Electorate Aline has requested your presence in Electorate Lirem's quarters.
"Why?"
I do not know, nor should you ask. Simply come with me.
"Okay," I said hesitatingly. "Julie, take Tom to Rachel and Tobias's room."
"Okay," she said, looking worriedly at the guards.
We walked down the hall, flanked by the guards. The smallest stood beside me, while the two larger ones walked beside Jake. I had no idea what was going on, but I didn't like it.
At last we reached Lirem's quarters. Aline, the new Head of the Electorate, greeted us. Thank you for coming.
"Like we actually had a choice," I snapped. I was irritated. I didn't enjoy being treated like a suspect.
Yes, I apologize for the guards. But with our present . . . circumstances, well, you must understand the need for more security.
I nodded reluctantly, resisting the urge to ask why the guards were looking at my husband as though he were target practice. "It's all right. What do you want?"
You are a physician, correct?
"Yes."
We need you to examine Lirem's body, and determine the cause of death.
"Bleeding," I said. "He bled to death. I can tell you that from here."
Yes, but we would like you to tell us what made the wounds.
"Okay," I said uncertainly. "I'm not an expert, you know. You should have someone else look at this."
We will. We simply want your opinion.
I knelt by the body and turned it over carefully. Along the back was a deep gash. But, I realized, it was not an especially long gash. At the same time, it was too long and deep for it to be a knife-wound, and too shallow and short to be a tail-blade wound. Unless . . .
Unless it was made by a female tailblade.
I couldn't be sure. There were probably weapons I'd never seen that could have made a wound like that. But they had asked for my opinion.
I looked up. "I can't say for sure. But I think Lirem was killed by a female tailblade."
A . . . a female tailblade?
I nodded.
Impossible. Simply inconceivable. What could make you believe that? He was staring at me accusingly.
"Well – the length and depth of the wound. You really should have someone else look at it."
Do not worry. We most certainly will. Aline looked at the guards and Jake. Put him in a cell.
"What?" I said, shocked. What was this? They were arresting Jake? Why?
He is a suspect.
"Why?" I demanded.
Return to your room.
"But he was with me all evening," I said. "All night."
Please return to your room. One of the guards stepped forward and took my arm firmly.
"Get off of me!" I shouted, throwing his hand off. "You can't do this! You don't have any evidence!"
You may not instruct us on what we can and cannot do! Return to your quarters before we incarcerate you as well!
"Cassie, go," Jake said. I looked at him, and realized he did not seem surprise. "Talk to Ax."
"But – "
"Go, Cass. And don't let Julie give herself an ulcer over this." He smiled at me.
I managed a small smile. Julie was a notorious worry-wart. "I'll try." I glared at Aline and the guards. "You do anything to him and I'll – "
I advise you not to threaten a member of the Electorate, Aline said calmly.
I backed off. This wasn't going to help Jake any, and it might get me in huge trouble. As calmly as I could, I turned and walked away.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Those bastards!" Rachel exploded. "How dare they do this? Whatever happened to unlawful search and seizure?"
I sighed, glad at least that Rachel seemed to have her mind off her miscarriage for the time being. "That was in the United States, Rach. It's different here. Didn't you learn Andalite law at the academy?"
"Yeah, but . . ."
You failed to pay adequate attention? Ax finished.
"Oh, shut up, Ax, Mr. I Don't Know Squat About Sario Rips 'Cause I Was Busy Making Eyes At – "
Really? Salia said casually, looking at Ax. And who were you 'making eyes at'? Estrid?
"Estrid?" we said in unison. Where had that come from? I remembered Estrid, and her involvement in an Andalite plot to rid Earth of the Yeerks using biological warfare – which might also have killed the human hosts they inhabited.
Ax blinked rapidly in embarrassment and didn't answer. Salia didn't add anything, and I was surprised to see things suddenly seemed a bit frosty between them.
Marco, however, didn't take the hint. "Why'd you mention Estrid?" he asked. "She – oof!" He broke off as Jordan elbowed him in the ribs.
Why don't we attempt to focus on Prince Jake? Ax suggested, probably trying to shift some of the focus away from whatever it was that was ticking Salia off. What can you tell us, Cassie?
"Wait, can they actually convict Jake?" I asked.
Ax shook his head. No. And do not think that he did not expect this. He spoke to me this morning because he knew this would occur. Now, you said they asked you to examine the body. What did you find?
"Nothing that pleased them," I answered ruefully. "I told them that I thought it was likely that the wound had been made by a female tailblade."
"Oooh, bet that ticked them off," Rachel remarked.
"It did," I said.
What makes you believe that is the case, Cassie? Because I must say – Lirem was a great warrior in his day, one of the greatest. I find it difficult to believe that he could be defeated by a female.
"Sexist," Rachel muttered. Ax ignored her.
I shrugged. "The depth and length of the gash suggest it. I don't know for sure. They said they'd have someone else look at it. I didn't give them the answer they wanted."
"Is there any female who is well-trained enough to pull that off?" Marco asked. "You guys don't exactly encourage that in your women."
That is true, Ax acknowledged. Even now, there are few females in the Andalite military. But there are a few who could have done it, I suppose. Especially if she caught him while he slept.
"And until they figure out what actually happens, Jake sits in prison," I said.
He is a War-Prince, Ax replied. They will treat him with respect.
"Even after what he said to Lirem?"
Lirem never officially demoted or discharged Prince Jake. He is still a War-Prince.
"Do you think they'd let me see him?" I asked hopefully.
Perhaps. I am going to speak to Aline soon. I will attempt to arrange it then.
"Thanks."
I suggest we return to our respective rooms now.
I sighed heavily. "This means I gotta tell Julie."
"If you'd like to put it off for a bit, Tobias and I can take her and Tom this evening," Rachel offered.
"Are you sure? How are you feeling?"
"I'm better," she said honestly. "A little tired, but okay."
I looked at Ax. If we are given a few more hours, we may be able to straighten everything out, and Julie will have nothing to worry about, he said.
"That's true. Okay, thanks, Rach, Tobias. I appreciate that."
The rest of them left, and Ax and I looked at each other. Prince Jake will be fine, he assured me as we walked down the hall toward the crime scene.
"I know," I said. "But I don't understand how they can just accuse him like that."
Ax did not answer. We arrived at Lirem's room, and two of the guards stepped in front of us. Ax flashed some sort of identification, and we stepped through.
Lirem's body had been moved, though the puddle of blood remained on the floor. A tall, Andalite male who looked vaguely familiar was hovering over a table with the limp body laying on it.
"Romlin?" I asked, finally putting his name with his face. He and I had gone through medical school together.
Cassie, hello, he said. I had not known him well. I was surprised he remembered my name. They told me your hypothesis as to the origin of the wound.
"Yeah. It wasn't popular."
Nevertheless . . . I believe it was correct.
"It was?"
Yes, and my field of specialty is forensics.
"Oh . . . wow." I looked at Ax. "Does this mean Jake is cleared?"
He shrugged his thin shoulders. With the Electorate, one can never be entirely sure.
Aline entered the room. Romlin, what did you find? Hello, War-Prince Aximili. I was ignored entirely.
I must say I agree with Cassie's conjecture that the wound was made by a female tailblade.
Ah. Aline seemed disappointed, but turned to me and said, That means your husband is free, seeing as he possesses no tail at all. And the Yeerks are no longer under suspicion, for the same reason. He seemed especially bitter about the latter part.
"Thank you," I said dryly, but felt a huge sense of relief. Jake would be all right and I wouldn't have a daughter spending a sleepless night thinking about her father sitting in an Andalite military prison.
Aline sent some guards to retrieve Jake from his cell.
The question now is, what female could have done this? Ax asked.
That is what I would like to discuss with you tonight, Aximili. In a private counsel. There are a few Electorate members who have a suggestion, but . . . Aline glanced and Romlin and myself. It is an extremely sensitive subject.
Very well.
The guards reappeared with Jake, who looked no worse for wear. Nevertheless, I ran and threw my arms around him. "Are you okay?" I whispered.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, holding me tight. "Did you tell Julie?"
I shook my head. "No, I wanted to wait until we figured out what was going on."
"Good." He kissed my forehead.
Thank you, Jake, Aline said. That will be all.
Somehow I got the impression he meant more than just that Jake was free to go.
Sure enough, as soon as Jake and I were alone in our quarters, he pulled a sheaf of papers from his uniform pocket. "I've been discharged," he said. "Honorably, which, considering the circumstances, is a bit of a gift."
"Oh, Jake," I said.
"Hey, I'm not surprised or heartbroken about this." He threw the papers casually in the corner. "You know me. I never wanted to be the leader. It just happened. And now I'll figure out something else to do. Being a warrior isn't an ingrained part of me, the way it is for Ax or Rachel."
I squeezed his hand and put my arms around him.
Chapter Four – Aximili
That evening I went to see Electorate Aline as he instructed. I stepped inside the conference room, and looked around. There were three other Andalite males, members of the Electorate. When I was inside, Aline told the guards to wait outside, and locked the doors.
You know the situation, Aximili. Now we would like to discuss our conjectures with you.
Why? I asked.
Because you are a War-Prince, and because you found Lirem's body. We think you have the right to know.
Thank you. Before we begin, however, I would like to know one thing.
Yes?
Where is the Yeerk delegation?
We have detained them.
Why? You said they were no longer under suspicion.
They are Yeerks, Aline said crisply. They are always under suspicion.
I elected not to pursue the issue.
So . . . the Head of the Andalite Electorate was killed by a female. Aline began pacing. I knew he felt embarrassed as to that fact. To be defeated in battle by a female was an embarrassment – but for one of the greatest warriors of our time to be murdered by one, in his own quarters in the Hall of the Council no less . . . that was humiliating. Whoever had murdered Lirem had wanted revenge.
It appears that way, I said carefully. I still was not certain about the reason for my presence.
Who could have done it? What female possesses the ability to do that?
I didn't reply right away. I was thinking, struggling with something. Something had been bothering me since Cassie said she thought Lirem was killed by a female. And suddenly I knew who they suspected.
Estrid-Corrill-Darrath, I said quietly. She is a great fighter.
She is. She learned from the greatest fighter. She could have killed him. Most likely, she is the only female alive who could have done so.
But why? I asked. Why would she do that? It makes no sense. She did not even know Lirem.
Ah, but that is where you are wrong, Aline said. He sighed. This, too, is something of an embarrassment. Estrid and Lirem are both such public figures . . . brilliant and well known in two very different ways. This will be a great shock to the people.
But you cannot be certain it was her! I shook my head. How had she known him? Had they been personal friends? And if so, why would she murder him? As much as I disliked Estrid, I could not conceive of her as a murderer. It must have been someone else.
Aline looked at one of the other Andalites seriously. Narin?
The one he called Narin stepped forward. Estrid was Lirem's . . . mistress.
I stared at Narin. You are lying.
Aximili, are you accusing a member of the Electorate of dishonesty? Aline snapped.
No, of course not. But . . . Lirem was married.
Yes, he was. And his wife knows nothing of the affair, we are almost certain. Someone else who shall be greatly shocked by this.
How did this happen without anyone knowing?
Aline sighed. They were very secretive. Only three members of the Electorate knew anything. Only Narin knew for sure. Apparently, it had been going on for some time.
I stared at them in disbelief. I had not liked Lirem, and I did not like Estrid, but unfaithfulness in an Andalite marriage is considered one of the greatest sins. The vows of marriage are sacred, much more so to Andalites than to humans, who seemed to break them often. The very idea of Lirem, who as the Head of the Electorate was supposed to embody all Andalite virtues, being unfaithful to his wife with Estrid simply left me reeling. Estrid was beautiful, there was no denying that. But there was no excuse for this.
But . . . this still does not explain her motive. Why would she kill him? She must have loved him in order for her to have broken such sacred laws with him.
That is what we would like you to find out.
What? Me? Why?
You knew her before, correct? We know that she called on you a few days ago.
A flash of insight hit me. That is why she was here. Lirem . . .
Yes.
I felt sickened.
We could call her in for questioning, and she would simply deny it. We need you to ask her privately.
She will not tell me anything. We are not confidantes. And this is not honorable. I cannot do it.
Aximili, you must. This female is a murderer. She deserves to be imprisoned for the rest of her life. You will go to see her tomorrow, with a concealed audio recorder. You will tell her that we believe a female killed Lirem, and that she alone possesses the ability to have done it.
No!
No? You refuse the orders of the Electorate. Aline studied me. I should throw you in prison, but . . . I think not. I think I shall throw Jake in instead. Say that new evidence has arisen.
You would lie? Imprison an innocent person because I refuse to do your filthy work for you?
Aximili, you are becoming impertinent! I quieted. Fine, I can see you are a talented negotiator. If anything, I admire that. But, I have an offer I think you will not be able to refuse.
What? I asked suspiciously.
If you refuse to do as we say, we will place Jake in military prison until Estrid confesses, or someone else is caught. However, if you do as we ask, we will agree to further talks with the Yeerks. And I give you my word, I will not be as stubborn as Lirem. They would most likely be very successful. He glared at me sternly. What is your decision?
I did not answer for a long moment. Aline had left me with no true decision. I would be a fool to refuse those terms. But it rankled, being coerced into something my conscience told me not to do.
At last, I said, I will do it.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That evening, I returned to my room. What did they say? Salia asked as I came in.
I hesitated. They had not sworn me to secrecy, but I was almost certain that had been an oversight. But at last I said, What I am about to disclose to you does not leave this room.
Of course not, Aximili, she replied.
I paused. Lirem, I said slowly, was having an affair with Estrid-Corrill-Darrath.
She stared at me as shock and incredulity played across her lovely face. Lirem? she repeated with an undignified squeak.
I nodded solemnly. That was why she was here that day. Not to see me, love. To see him.
But . . . but what does that have to do with Lirem's murder? Surely they don't think she killed him. She is a scientist, not a warrior.
But that is it, Salia. She is. She is a warrior. An extremely good one. She nearly defeated me in a match once.
Salia restrained a laugh. You?
Yes, me. And they think she killed him.
But, Aximili, why? If he was her lover, why would she murder him?
They do not know. And that is where I come in.
She was silent. What do you mean? Aximili, what are they making you do?
They want me to talk to her privately, wearing an audio recorder. They want me to get her to confess.
Aximili, that is wrong!
I think so as well. But I have no choice.
Why?
Aline said that if I did not do as they told me, they would return Prince Jake to military prison. And if I did, they would re-negotiate with the Yeerks.
They gave you an offer you could not refuse.
His words precisely.
She sighed and came to wrap her arms around me from behind. I am sorry I doubted you, my husband.
It is all right. I understand why you did.
Must you do this tomorrow?
I nodded. Yes. I am to go to the university at noon to speak to her. I do not know if she will tell me anything.
Salia tightened her arms around me, and lay her head on my shoulder. How are you feeling? she asked after several moments of silence.
Tired, I said, placing one of my hands over hers.
Then sleep, she said softly. Everything will be fine.
I closed my eyes, and eventually I did fall asleep. But I could not believe what Salia said, because in my hearts I knew that even if everything was fine for my friends and I in the end, it would not be fine for someone else.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Late the next morning, I prepared to visit Estrid. Aline gave me an extremely small recorder than nestled into the longer fur on the top of my head, near my eyestalks. It would not come loose, and it would not be seen.
I felt horribly guilty wearing it.
Why? I demanded of myself. If Estrid was a murderer, she deserved to be caught. But this was deceitful, and somehow struck me as very nearly immoral. I still could not believe she had killed Lirem. If she had, I could not imagine what he had done to provoke it.
But I had agreed. And there was a greater good at stake. So I went.
The University of Advanced Scientific Theory where Estrid conducted her research was located quite close to where we were staying. I walked. At the door, I showed the visitor's pass Aline had given me, and I was allowed through. I found Estrid's name on a directory, and made my way through the hallways until I came to her laboratory.
I knocked. Come in, her voice called.
I stepped into the room.
Estrid looked at me, an odd glint in her eyes. Hello, Aximili. Her voice lacked any inflection. She slowly took the vial she was holding over to a shelf and set it carefully down.
Estrid.
So. They sent you. I thought they might. She faced me, hands empty.
Pardon me?
Do not play the fool, dear Aximili. I am very smart. Brilliant, they say. She shook her head as though she thought they were the fools to have said this about her. I know what you are here for.
I came to visit you, I said. We are leaving soon – the conference has ended, and with Lirem's death, they thought it would be better if we were not here. I wanted to say good-bye.
Estrid simply looked at me. She did not believe me. Why do they believe it was I who murdered him?
I was silent for a moment. At last I gave up – she knew what I was there for, and I would only look stupid if I pretended otherwise. The mark on his back was the work of a female blade. You are one of the few females who could have defeated him.
You flatter me.
You are a great warrior, Estrid. You are one of the most gifted people I have ever met.
She inclined her head, accepting the compliment with grace. Do they also know of my . . . involvement with Lirem?
Involvement? I looked at her quizzically.
She outright laughed. Aximili, you are a very bad liar. You know of my relationship with the Head of the Council.
I sighed, and dropped all pretense. Yes.
She looked away from me. I suppose you want to know why I chose to take him as my lover. Because it was all my choice, you see. He wanted me, I knew that. But I was free to say no.
Yes, I would like to know.
She returned her gaze to my face. As I said before, they say I am brilliant. And I suppose they are correct. I work in this lab, and have made more discoveries and developments than most male Andalite scientists twice my age. I am very successful. She said all of this without a hint of vanity. She was simply stating what had already been said in every article ever written about her – and there were many.
But there is one way aspect of my life in which I have experienced very little success. I never found a male who wished to marry me. Andalite males do not wish to be with a female they believe is their superior in intellect or in physical ability – and I was often both. Perhaps if you had come home with Gonrod and I, things would have been different.
I seriously doubt that I would have changed anything for you, Estrid, I said.
Most likely not. But in any case, I grew increasingly lonely. The scientists here are overwhelmingly male and overwhelmingly old. There was no one with whom I could converse – most of them treated me as though I were a child, no matter how good my work was.
One evening, I was invited to a dinner in the Hall of the Council for high achievers in the sciences. I was the youngest person in the room and I was bored out of my mind. Approximately halfway through the evening, Lirem came to speak to me. He said he had read much about me, and wanted to talk to me. He was the most attentive person I had spoken to in months. When I talked, he looked at me, Aximili. I was more than simply a brain to him. He looked at me, found me attractive.
You are very beautiful, I said. You always have been.
Thank you. But – besides you – Lirem was the first male to look at me as a person. And he liked me, Aximili. You do not.
No.
Lirem . . . asked me to come to his scoop the next day. I knew what it would mean if I said yes – he and I always knew what the other meant, even when we were not being direct. I knew he was married – while he was speaking to me, his wife had been socializing. I knew it was wrong. But I did not care. So I went. And our love affair began.
Estrid, how could you?
Can you not understand, Aximili!? she suddenly exploded. He loved me! Loved me! Do you realize what it is like to go through life, not loved but prized? As though you are not a person, but something to be paraded and shown off? It is an alienating experience. Lirem made me feel less alienated. I loved him. It was not a cheap affair born of lust.
Why did he do it?
His wife was . . . cold. She barely spoke to him. He craved affection the same way I did.
Did it not bother you that he was so much older than yourself?
Estrid made a dismissive noise. Age. What is it but a number? I felt so old, and he told me I made him feel young again. We loved each other.
Then why did you kill him?
What makes you believe I did? she replied evasively.
Do not play me as the fool, Estrid. I am not stupid either. You killed him. My only question is why.
She stared at me for a long moment. Well, here is my answer for your audio recorder. I did kill him. And that is all the Electorate need know. Now turn it off and I will tell you why.
I stared at her. What?
I want you to know why I did it. I am sure you shall have to testify as to what I am about to say later on, but I do not want to say this while there is a recorder going.
I finally nodded, and reached up to find the small button that would turn the recorder off. It is off, I said. I was certain I was too stunned by all she had already told me to be further shocked by anything she said – but I was wrong.
Why did I murder the Head of the Andalite Council? Estrid began to pace, and I became disturbingly aware of the chemicals in the laboratory. Some were undoubtedly dangerous . . . I stepped closer to the door. She had murdered one person. What would prevent her from killing once more?
She did not speak for a long time. Finally, I broke the thick silence with, Estrid, why?
She hesitated. Lirem and I were . . . careful, you might say. I was not married. It would not do for me to become pregnant. As you know, paternity tests are routine with unwed mothers, and our affair would have become public. It would have shattered both our reputations.
It was my fault. Whether it was simply a mistake or whether I wanted our relationship to become public, I do not know. Perhaps I was selfish and wanted him to myself. Perhaps I felt guilty. Perhaps, on some level . . . I wanted to have his child because I thought it was the only opportunity for motherhood I would ever have . . . I do not know why, but I began forgetting to give myself the injections.
When I found out I was pregnant, I panicked at first. But then I realized that perhaps it was better this way. Yes, he and I would lose our reputations, but we would have a child and a life together. I went to him and told him. I thought . . . I was so stupid . . . I thought he would be as happy as I was.
And he wasn't.
No. He was furious with me for forgetting the injections. He screamed at me. He – he hit me. He had never done that before. I know some Andalite females must endure physical abuse, but Lirem had never laid a hand on me. I did not know what to do, and I told him as much. He said he knew what I would do.
I was silent, feeling sicker by the moment.
He ordered me to have an abortion. He arranged it with a doctor he knew, arranged for it to be completely private. No one knew. Of course, no one could know.
Abortions were completely illegal in Andalite society unless the mother's life was in danger, or the baby was found to have a physical or mental birth defect. Lirem had forced Estrid to break the law and murder their child.
What did you do? I asked softly.
I attempted to convince myself he was correct. That it would be better this way. I tried so very hard, Aximili. But I could not.
When did this happen?
A month ago. I tried to continue as though nothing had happened. But I had no one to confide in, and so it ate away at me. Eventually, I came to hate Lirem as much as I had once loved him.
What happened last night?
She looked at me solemnly. I went as I usually did. He never mentioned the abortion after the fact. Last night, I said I needed to talk about it. He told me to shut up. He said it had never happened. That it had all been a mistake. He called our child a mistake, Aximili! A mistake! He said it had been taken care of, and he never wanted me to mention it again!
I grew more and more furious. He hit me again, but this time I hit back. Estrid's voice became a low, anguished growl. I wanted to hurt him, as much as he had hurt me. And I did. I don't know what came over me – I cannot remember the murder itself. But when it was over, it was as if I woke out of a dream. I looked at the body, and he was lying in his own blood. She was not looking at me, but at the floor, as though Lirem's body was there. I stared at him, still boiling over with anger. His death, his cries for mercy, had done nothing to assuage my pain.
So you mutilated the body.
I cut off his tailblade, yes. She looked at me stonily. What do you have to say, Aximili?
I did not know what to say. Her story had been more horrible than I had ever suspected. It made me want to run to my wife and take her into my arms and hold her. Instead, I would have to take the recording to the Electorate. The very idea made my knees weak with disgust.
I – I have to tell the Electorate. You will go to prison, you realize this.
Slowly, she shook her head. No, Aximili. I won't.
Estrid, have you taken leave of your senses? You murdered the Head of the Electorate. You have confessed to it. You will go to prison.
No, I won't, she said simply. Please leave, Aximili.
I went without another word.
Chapter Five – Aximili
Aximili, did she confess? Aline demanded as I entered.
Yes, I said. I ripped the recorder off my head and set it on the table. Here is your precious confession.
I started to leave.
Not so fast, Aximili. We need you to go with us when we apprehend her.
What? I said, turning quickly. No!
Yes! You will.
Why? I said, nearly begging.
Because we say so. Of course, if you refuse, we can always –
Fine, I snapped. Inform me when you are ready.
I opened the door to our wing of the building. Salia was waiting, along with Prince Jake and the others. How did it go? she asked.
I reached for her and pulled her into my arms. I love you, I said in private thought-speak.
I love you as well, she said in surprise.
"Did she do it?" Marco asked bluntly.
Yes, I said with a sigh.
"Why?" Cassie said. "Estrid was . . . unpleasant, but she wasn't a murderer!"
I did not reply. She had a reason. No reason justifies killing, of course, but she had one that, in her eyes, did.
What?
I shook my head. I'd rather not speak of it. I sighed heavily. They want me to go with them when they arrest her.
"What?!" the others said in amazement. "Why?"
I shrugged. It does not matter. She knew why I was there. She knows they know she killed him.
"Was she panicking?" Cassie asked.
I shook my head. No. She was strangely calm in fact. Almost like she did not care.
"She's going to spend the rest of her life in military prison!" Rachel exclaimed. "How can she not care?"
I don't know, I said, frustrated. She said she wasn't going to go to prison.
"Is she INSANE?" Marco burst out.
"Yeah," Jake said. "You don't murder the Head of the Electorate and get away with it. Especially not with a taped confession."
"Unless that's not what she meant," Cassie suddenly said quietly.
What did she mean then? I asked.
She looked at me. "She's trapped," Cassie said softly. "She's got no way out. I don't know what happened to make her kill Lirem, and I don't know everything about her relationship with him, but I think she's right. I don't think she's going to prison."
I stared at her and thought of the way Estrid had looked at me at the end. A mixture of sadness and relief, I had thought. And with a flash of insight, I knew what Cassie was driving at. She wouldn't! I said.
"She would," Cassie said.
She's too cowardly, I protested, unwilling to believe what she was saying. I could not believe it . . . but many things had happened in the last few days that I had found difficult to believe.
"Exactly. She's too cowardly to face the consequences."
"I don't understand," Rachel said. "What's going on?"
Suddenly the door to our hall slid open. War-Prince Aximili, Aline said. We are ready.
I am coming. I looked at the others with dread. I shall see you soon. I stroked my wife's face with my palm briefly, and left.
Ten guards accompanied Aline, Narin, and myself to the University of Advanced Scientific Theory. We went inside and I led them to Estrid's laboratory.
The others waited while I knocked, though I knew there would be no answer.
My fears were confirmed. A heavy silence was the only answer from within.
Knock again, Aline commanded. She knows we are coming.
I did so. Estrid! I called. Open the door. It will be easier this way.
There was no answer. Finally, I attempted to open it manually, dreading the scene I knew I would find inside.
Aline gasped. He, Narin, and the guards rushed inside. I stood in the doorway, staring. Estrid, I whispered, feeling an ache in my hearts.
She was lying on the floor, blue-black blood spreading away from her. Her tail lay limp by her side, her wrists cut and oozing. Her eyes were closed in her beautiful, distant face, and her stalk eyes lay limp against the cold, laboratory floor.
The others stared at the body, seemingly paralyzed. I stepped over to the counter and saw a sheet of paper there. In messy, childish scribble, it said,
Dear Aximili,
I know I've made a mess of things. I hope this partly puts things right. I know you believe me cowardly, but that is not the way it is. I cannot explain it to you. I'm sorry.
See that my work gets published, please. There are theories among the papers, ideas that may be proven in time, scribblings that might bear fruit. This is the first of my last two requests.
My second is this: Forgive me.
Regretfully,
Estrid-Corrill-Darrath
I put the letter down carefully. A great loss, Aline said.
Yes, I said. But perhaps it is better this way.
Yes, perhaps. The people need never know.
I looked at Aline, and shook my head. That is not what I meant. The people have been lied to for long enough. He did not reply. And, Electorate Aline – it is now time for you to keep your part of our bargain.
Of course, Aximili. Of course.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I was sent back to the others while Aline and Narin arranged for Estrid's body to be moved.
I entered the hallway. Cassie was waiting for me. You were correct, was all I said.
She bit her lip. "I was hoping I was wrong. Are you all right?"
I shook my head. I think I would like to see my wife.
"She's in your room." Cassie squeezed my hand and left, most likely to locate Prince Jake and tell him the news.
Aximili, Salia said as I entered. What happened?
Estrid is dead, I said.
What? she gasped.
She killed herself with her own tailblade.
Oh, Aximili. Salia took me in her arms. I am so very sorry.
I shook my head. I can hardly believe it. It is such a horrible way for her to have died. She should have been a warrior, but she was too brilliant. I do not know. Perhaps she was correct when she said things would have been different if I had returned home with her.
Do not tell me you blame yourself. I simply looked at Salia. Aximili, do you really believe that you could have prevented everything? I do not think so. I believe Estrid had many problems. She did not accept herself as she was, and I don't think that even someone as special as you could have helped her.
Thank you, I whispered.
Lirem's funeral was held a few days later. My friends and I attended, and listened while Aline gave the eulogy honoring the Head of the Electorate. Alone among the crowd, we knew he was lying. He had chosen not to heed my advice to be truthful with the people. At the end, he told the crowd that the Electorate would continue to search for Lirem's murderer. He would be caught, he promised.
"I hate that liar," Rachel spat afterward. "He's just like Lirem. Tell me, Ax. Are all Andalite leaders such scum bags?"
I did not contradict her for once. I do not know, Rachel, I said simply.
We also attended Estrid's funeral the following day. There was only a small crowd – her brother, who is a famous tail-fighter, and a few older Andalites who had worked with her. One of them gave a eulogy honoring her intellect and brilliance, and I could not help thinking it inadequate. She had been so much more, and that is what Lirem had realized – or what she thought he had realized. It was why she fell in love with him. It was why she died.
The day after Estrid was laid to rest, we gathered in the conference room once more. Also present were Erek the Chee and the Yeerk delegation. "Okay," Prince Jake said, standing. Against his wishes, he had been forced into his previous role as moderator. "Let's try this again. We're here for peace, so let's be a bit more successful this time."
I looked at Aline. Remember, I said warningly.
Do not worry, War-Prince Aximili. Peace will be attained.
Epilogue – Tobias
"Rachel!" I called, coming into the scoop from the hot, heavy air outside. "Communication from Jordan and Marco!"
My wife walked – or, rather, waddled, in. "God, I hate being pregnant in the summer," she muttered. "If I'm ever crazy enough to start talking about a third kid, I am getting pregnant in October so the whole fiasco is over and done with by spring. It's a pain in the ass."
"Your ankles are swelling?"
"Along with every other part of my body."
"Well, you know I would if I could, but I can't."
"Oh, shut up. You men are such babies about pain. One cramp, one tiny twinge, and you'd all fall to pieces. Where is that letter?"
"Here."
"'Dear Everyone,'" she read. "'Hope this finds you all in good health, especially you, Rachel. Everything here's going great. Earth should be habitable in the near future, probably within three or four years. Robert is growing fast, and he's learning to talk. He mastered 'Mama' the other day. I'm so glad we adopted him – it was the perfect solution. He needed parents and we needed him. I just hope things turn out as well for the other children who were orphaned in the war. Send a return communication as soon as possible. Much love, Jordan.'"
"She sounds happy."
"Yup," Rachel said, smiling now. "She does."
"Are Jake and Cassie coming over for dinner tonight?"
"I'm not sure," she said. "I think she mentioned Jake having a late class at the academy tonight." Jake was teaching a special leadership course at the Andalite Military Academy. The rest of us had no doubts about his qualifications, but we did harbor doubts as to whether or not he could teach what came so naturally to him.
"How about Ax and Salia?"
Rachel grinned. "I think they're sick of the rest of us bugging them to have kids. I – "
Hello?
"Or not," she said. "Hey, Salia. Come on in."
Salia and Ax entered. Since the peace conference they had been living in Salia's scoop while Rachel, Sara, and I lived in Ax's old place since it was bigger. I wasn't sure, however, how that arrangement would hold up once the pitter-patter of little hooves was heard.
"Are you guys staying for dinner?" Salia had acquired a human morph composed of Rachel, Jordan, and Cassie's DNA. She enjoyed morphing human and exploring various aspects of taste. Human food had become easier to come by since the peace treaty – which, by the way, had been surprisingly painless to put together the second time around. Aline had kept his promise to Ax.
If it is all right with you, Ax said.
"Ask the chef," Rachel said. "I'm not doing anything these days."
Tobias?
"Of course. There's always room for you guys."
Thank you.
"I'll be right back," I said. "I have to go get some vegetables from Sara's garden. Can you help me, Ax?"
Certainly.
Together, my shorm and I went out into the Andalite twilight and around the scoop to my daughter's vegetable garden. For a moment, I paused and watched the sun sink beneath the horizon as Ax did his evening ritual.
"He was right," I finally said.
Who?
"Your brother. My father."
About what, specifically?
"About there always being hope. Very few situations are completely hopeless."
I believe Elfangor would be very proud of us all.
I nodded slowly, and looked up at the sky.
"Mission accomplished, Father."