Animorphs: Galactic War
2: The Aftermath
Ax's scoop: one week later
The Animorphs had kept a very low profile over the past week. Since they'd been discovered at the site and they weren't entirely sure whether the Yeerks had gone they were in 100% paranoia mode. However, three or four days after the battle, a wave of 'revelations' hit the country as the remaining Yeerks started dropping dead. Without the Pool Ship and command support from the orbiting fleet, the Yeerks were finished. The news was filled with nothing else but the stories of ex-controllers and the failed invasion. Marco's mom was now at home. Ax and Alloran had moved her to the shed where Jake had spent his days as a controller, waited until Visser 1 had died and then let her go on her own. As yet, she did not know of her son's involvement. The Animorphs waited a few more days, just to be certain, before they declared the war over.
"So it's finally over," Cassie said with relief.
It would seem so, Alloran said. But only on this world. The Yeerks still hold power on other worlds, but I suppose there is little we can do about that for now.
"Can I go home now, midget?" Tom asked. "I don't want to stay 'dead' for longer than I have to."
"I guess it's ok, Tom. If any Yeerks were still alive here Erek would have told us by now," Jake said.
"You know we always talked about the war ending, how great it would be?" Marco broke in. "Why does it feel so weird?"
Because you've known nothing else but war for so long, Alloran answered. Take it from one who knows.
"Don't get your hopes up too much," Ryan warned. "The Yeerks are gone but that doesn't mean they might not come back. It doesn't stop our old Predator friends from coming back on safari either!"
Ax then broke in. And we still do not know whose forces drove the Yeerks out in the first place.
I've talked to the Hork-Bajir, Tobias said. None of them knew whose ships they were.
"Erek was more in the dark than we were," Marco said. "He was monitoring Yeerk communications at the time. One minute the ships were there and the next they were just gone."
He didn't pick up on any of the other ships' communications? Ax asked hopefully. Marco shook his head in reply.
There is little we can do in any event, Alloran said. All we can do now is wait for my people.
"Are they still coming even with the Yeerks gone?" Rachel asked.
You're assuming they know that the Yeerks are gone. In any event they still have to collect us, don't they? Alloran pointed to Ax and himself as he said this.
"Looking forward to going home then?" Cassie asked.
Somewhat. I will be glad to see home again but I do have some things to answer for when I get there.
We will face it together, War-Prince, Ax said gently.
Just then Erek ran into the scoop. "Guys, turn on the TV! Quickly!"
"What is it, Erek?" Rachel asked, puzzled.
"Just turn it on, it'll explain itself."
Ax turned on the TV. The local news was on and it was in the middle of the 'top story of the century' (that is, the Yeerk invasion).
"So what's new? We've been listening to this stuff all week," Marco said.
"Hold on. There's more."
It then went on to say that an FBI unit was arriving in town to investigate the invasion and a group known as the 'Animorphs'.
"Did he just say…?" Marco said, shocked.
The last bit gave everyone a jolt. Apparently a reward was being offered for information on the Animorphs. They watched the broadcast for another half-hour and this fact seemed to be stressed more than anything else, along with the fact that the unit was 'very interested in locating this group'.
Alloran's face hardened. Nothing ever changes, does it? he fumed.
"What does this mean?" Cassie asked.
"It means we don't ever reveal our identities. That's what it means!" Ryan said, catching on. He was shaking in anger.
"How come?" Marco asked.
Alloran sighed. Although it's your own government searching for you I doubt their intent is benign. I believe they are out to exploit you or dissect you. Possibly both!
"How can you say that?" Cassie asked with an appalled look on her face.
Alloran snorted in reply. You saw that! Draw your own conclusions. If their intentions were benevolent wouldn't a public appeal for you to come forward suffice? This search for you is a little too…desperate if you know what I mean. They're hoping someone will betray you through greed or perhaps you will be greedy yourselves and reveal yourselves without thinking! It's something that I might have done as Visser 3 if I were still searching for you!
They all pondered this for a minute before concluding that he was probably right.
"I don't believe this! We deal with Yeerks, Predators and those aliens and now we're hiding from our own people! SHIT!" Rachel's burst of anger just about summed it up.
Alloran and Ax were just as furious. These humans had fought tooth and nail for their planet, for the galaxy even, and this was their reward? To be hunted like criminals?
"Man, what do we do now?" Marco sighed in despair.
"Nothing. We do nothing!" Jake snapped. "The war's over and we don't need our powers anymore. The government can shove this search for us up its ass! End of story!" With that he strode out angrily.
"I'll go calm him down," Tom said, quickly running after him.
He's right. We can't do much until my people arrive, Alloran said.
"How will we know when they do?" Cassie asked.
They will find a way. Don't worry.
With that, they broke up to go home.
Tom finally caught up to Jake. He was still seething.
"Are you ok, midget?" Tom asked weakly, already knowing the answer.
"I don't believe it, Tom. Rachel was right. I mean what the hell did we fight for? If I'd known this was going to happen I might not have bothered fighting at all!"
"They're just greedy government trash, midget. They don't deserve anything from you. But you weren't fighting for them. You were fighting for Marco's mom, Prince Elfangor and every other victim of the Yeerks, not to mention me! It was worthwhile, midget! Don't tell yourself that it wasn't!"
Jake nodded. "I guess you're right. Let's forget it for now. We've got a big tearful reunion to take care of first."
"Oh hell! I'd forgotten about that bit! What should I say?"
"Just that the Yeerk stories were true. That you were a controller until two months ago and then you escaped and have been living rough here ever since. It's pretty much the truth isn't it?"
Tom nodded. "I suppose I don't mention that…?"
"No, you don't tell them anything…yet," Jake said coldly.
"Ok midget. No problem."
"When all that's done can you help me with something else?"
"Sure. What's wrong?" Tom said looking at the expression on Jake's face.
"It's Justin. He's been avoiding me all week and giving me funny glances when we're at dinner. If I didn't know better I'd say he was almost afraid of me."
"But that's ridiculous! There's no reason for him to be afraid of you, is there? Unless…oh hell, do you think he knows?"
"It's possible," Jake admitted. "He could have seen me demorph that night when I got hit by that fighter, even though the others tried to cover me. That's the only thing that worried me about that mission."
"Do you think he might betray us now that all this stuff's on the news?"
"I don't think so but he might be scared. I think we'd better corner him and bring him in on things, don't you?"
Tom nodded. "Ok, I'll back you up."
With that, they started the long walk home.
Ax's scoop: the next day
Erek arrived at the scoop with an update for the Animorphs the next morning. He and his fellow Chee had been hacking the government databases and snooping around for information. Everyone had arrived except Tom and Jake.
"Just give us the news, Erek. We can fill Jake and Tom in later," Marco eventually said. "The suspense is killing me!"
"Relax Marco! The news is largely good," Erek chuckled.
"What's the bad news first?" Ryan asked.
"First off, I'm sorry to say that your suspicions about this investigation were probably correct. The government department that's handling the investigation isn't an FBI regular one. We had to hack our way through at least ten security protocols before we could get any real information. At a guess, I'd say it was a 'Black Ops' group."
A what? Ax asked, puzzled.
"He means a load of bad people, Ax," Marco said. "That expression's for a group in the government that the public doesn't know about. The kind that does dirty or illegal stuff mostly!"
So their intentions are not honourable then? Alloran wasn't pleased to hear that he was right.
"I've discussed this with all the rest of the Chee," Erek said. "They agree with you. They don't like this one bit."
"So what's the good news?" Cassie asked.
"Simply put, you're probably safe unless you get careless. The government has no idea who you are or that you even definitely exist. Their investigation is going nowhere fast."
"How come?" Rachel asked, barely able to conceal her delight.
"Lack of evidence and leads mostly. No one has come forward with any solid information about your identities and no one's got any definite proof that you even exist. There's even talk that people that night were hallucinating or high on drugs or something!"
"YES!!!"
The Animorphs couldn't hide their relief.
"How about their Yeerk investigation? Have they got anything there?" Cassie asked.
"That's not looking any better either. Although that can't be written off as an illusion they're struggling to get any more solid information about the Yeerks other than what we already know. Most ex-controllers aren't co-operating either. They don't want to talk about their experience. Either they aren't coming forward or they're just telling the government to take a hike. Those that are still sane, that is."
The mood went more sombre as he said that. Even with the Yeerks gone and defeated, they'd still claimed many victims.
"So they've got nothing to go on? "We're probably safe then?" Rachel asked hopefully.
"As things stand, yes. But there's only one other thing. They're not likely to give up, ever!" Erek added.
"Yeah. As they see it there's too much in it for them to give up, right?" Ryan said miserably.
"So we could be looking over our shoulders for the rest of our lives?" Cassie exclaimed in shock.
Erek nodded sadly. "That's probably it."
As they pondered this, Jake walked into the scoop.
"Guys, there's someone you have to meet."
With that, a younger boy walked into the scoop behind Jake. Actually he was gently forced in by Tom who was just behind him. He looked like a younger version of Jake. Brown hair, brown eyes and the rest.
"Justin, meet the rest of the Animorphs," Jake said.
"H-Hi," Justin said weakly. He was so nervous he was shaking like a leaf.
To say everyone was stunned would be an understatement. Marco, Rachel, Ax and Alloran did not look pleased in the least.
"Have you snapped, Jake?" Rachel roared.
Alloran then spoke up, giving Justin another jolt. Why is he here?! Are you planning on advertising our existence!?
"Relax guys! Jake said. "He's known about us for a week! He was up in a tree near the site and he saw me demorph. I thought I'd better bring him in before he told the wrong people, ok?"
The others grudgingly agreed before Erek filled Jake in.
Justin shuddered. "Thank God I didn't tell anyone!" he moved closer to Jake who smiled at him.
"There's no one else who knows?" Marco asked.
Jake shrugged his shoulders. "Apart from that Yeerk, Aftran, and her ex-host Karen, no. At least not anyone I know of."
Marco sighed in relief. "I don't think either of them can lead the government to us. We should be ok."
Ax agreed. We'll relocate the scoop to the Ellimist's valley, just to be on the safe side. I'm sure the Hork-Bajir wouldn't mind.
A good idea, Alloran said. That way…
Alloran suddenly seemed to freeze up as he was talking. Ax was in a similar posture. Justin and Cassie suddenly rocked back on their feet like they'd been shocked. Tobias seemed to be having trouble staying upright too.
"What's wrong?" Tom asked in shock.
Ax seemed to snap out of it. It's a mirrorwave call. My people are here!
"You're talking to them now?" Ryan asked.
Yes. They want to send a shuttle down and meet us.
"The Ellimist's valley! We could meet them there. Can you give them its location?" Jake asked.
Ax seemed to concentrate hard for a moment. Done. They'll be here in one hour at the valley!
With that, everyone affected by the call recovered as it was cut off.
"Man, what was that?" Justin asked, bewildered.
A mirrorwave call. An Andalite method of communication. Some humans seem to be susceptible to it as well, Alloran said.
"We knew Cassie and Tobias were," Marco put in. "That's how we found Ax."
"Justin is too," Jake put in. He quickly went over to Justin and helped him up.
"We'd best pack up and go to the valley," Rachel said. "We've got some Andalites to meet!"
The Ellimist's Valley: one hour later
Justin had been even more freaked out when they'd arrived at the valley and met up with the free Hork-Bajir.
"Are you sure he's ready for all this, Jake?" Marco had asked. "Kids have heart attacks too, you know!"
"He'll get used to it," Jake replied. "We all did."
Not long after that they spotted the Andalite shuttle as it came in to land.
I wonder who they have sent? Ax pondered aloud.
One who knows you quite well, Aristh.
Prince Galuit? Is that you? Ax asked as three other Andalites walked out of the shuttle. It was indeed Galuit and two guards.
It's good to see you're still alive, Aristh. Still, after Leera I should have expected nothing less! Galuit replied. It's War-Prince Galuit now, by the way. Galuit then noticed Jake and the other Animorphs. Greetings, Prince Jake.
"Hello, War-Prince. It's been awhile," Jake replied.
Does the war go well? Ax asked.
Yes Aristh, it goes well. Too well in fact.
As everyone tried to work out what he meant, Galuit noticed Alloran standing some way off. His back was turned and he was staring at the floor. It didn't take much to work out why.
Alloran, are you ever going to greet your old friend or do I have to tail-fight you to get your attention? I've improved since our academy days!
Alloran spun round. Galuit?
So the rumours were true. You are free, Galuit eventually said. Welcome home, old friend.
You know this guy, Jake? Tobias asked while the two War-Princes talked.
"We met him on Leera a few months back," Jake replied. "Well, at least most of us did. You and Rachel were returned to Earth before he met us.
Galuit looked at the Animorphs. Prince Jake, it's unfortunate that you and your friends were not born as Andalites! You've surpassed all expectations of you.
None of the Animorphs knew what to say. Galuit chuckled. We'll talk later. I have a couple of debriefings to attend to first. He turned to Alloran and Ax. War-Prince Alloran, Aristh…oh I almost forgot, Warrior Aximili, you both have a long debriefing to endure.
Ax's eyes went wide for a moment, and then he recovered and followed Alloran and Galuit into the shuttle.
"Left out in the cold again! Why are Andalites always so annoying?" Rachel grumbled.
"Don't say that too loud, they'll hear you!" Marco warned.
Once inside the shuttle, Galuit turned to Alloran and Ax. I know I should have included your human friends in this, but there are…complications. Firstly, Aximili, you are now a full warrior and are now assigned to my ship.
How is this possible, War-Prince? I thought I was irredeemably dishonoured! Ax said, stunned.
Galuit chuckled. The Council is not in a position to do anything to you now on account of this. He held up what looked like a large disc. Your brother's Hirac Delest!
Alloran and Ax stared at it in disbelief.
Galuit went on. Elfangor managed to transmit it into space before he was killed. We only received the signal about three months ago. Before the Council realised what it was it had been transmitted planetwide. Everyone knows about Elfangor's actions now.
Ax looked downcast. He had hoped to protect his brother's name.
I wouldn't despair, Aximili. Your brother's name is still as revered as it always was. The word is that he made this victory on Earth possible by giving these humans the morphing capability!
The Council is saying that? How come? Alloran asked in confusion.
Because they can afford to do little else. A posthumous trial of Elfangor would accomplish nothing and they know it. Elfangor was too well respected in the military and amongst the people and he still is despite his actions. The Council does not want to damage morale now, not when we are so close to victory. Many die-hard traditionalists weren't happy, but they've decided to let it go. So, aside from your 'lying' to them, they can't do anything now, Aximili.
Ax was relieved. War-Prince, the Hirac Delest, may we…?
Yes. It is your right. I should warn you now, Aximili. It contains a lot of surprises. Some unpleasant ones I might add.
Ax pushed the start button on the disc.
Alloran and Galuit left Ax alone to listen to his brother's final words.
What have the Council decided to do about me? Alloran asked.
Nothing, old friend. You had already atoned for the Hork-Bajir affair and no one can hold you responsible for your actions as Visser 3. The Council feels that you have suffered enough.
Now it was Alloran's turn to look relieved. I feel sorry for Aximili though. Maybe I should have told him about his brother's son sooner.
You know? Galuit was surprised.
The Yeerks do as well. They discovered Elfangor's last testament here a few months ago.
We have orders regarding Elfangor's son, Galuit revealed.
What are they? Alloran had a bad feeling about this.
We are to take him back with us to the homeworld.
WHAT? Alloran couldn't believe it. What good reason is there for that? Who is behind this idea?
Aximili's mother apparently. She wants to meet her grandson. She's quite strong willed and seems to have a lot of influence.
Amazing!
If I were to divulge the identity of the one who gave me the order, you'd realise how amazing it really is!
A sudden thought struck Alloran. But what if Elfangor's son is not willing to go? This world is his home after all. It is all he knows. We are not considering taking him by force, are we?
No. We simply explain the situation and offer him the choice. It is his to make alone. I wonder how Aximili will take it?
We can sound him out once he finishes the disc. I have another idea that you might want to consider. It may make things easier on this matter. Our human allies are having problems with their own people of late. I think they might appreciate an alternative.
Galuit's eyes went wide when he heard the plan. Are you sure this is sound judgement, Alloran?
No, but it seems to be the best choice we have.
Galuit reluctantly agreed. There were days when he hated being a leader and this was one of them.
Two hours later
The Andalites emerged from the shuttle again. Ax looked like he was walking in a daze.
"Finally!" Rachel said. "They certainly took their time!"
Sorry to keep you waiting, Galuit said. There was much to cover.
"Is Earth safe now?" Cassie asked hopefully.
I believe so. The Yeerks are retreating on all fronts. I do not believe they will reach Earth again. It is disturbing, though.
"What is?" Jake asked.
Your account of the final battle here. This is the eighth time that this has occurred. The unknown ships that destroyed the Yeerks here have attacked in several other sectors also. We have never encountered them yet but Yeerk prisoners' descriptions of the ships that attacked them match yours. We have no idea as to who they are or where they came from. It has certainly turned the war in our favour, but I have a bad feeling about this new race. I don't know why but I don't like it.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Anyway, Aximili has told me of your situation. It pains me to hear that your government has apparently betrayed you. We believe that we may have a solution to the problem.
"What is it?" Ryan asked. As far as the Animorphs were concerned, any help was welcome.
Simple. You come with us! Alloran said
"WHAT!!!" Everyone said at once.
"You can't be serious!" Cassie exclaimed.
We're deadly serious, Alloran replied. If you don't want to 'look over your shoulders for the rest of your lives', as you put it, this is the best choice.
You are some of the best and most honourable warriors I've known, Galuit added. But we both know what your species is like. It's still petty and divided. Most humans don't know how to co-exist with each other, let alone another species.
And that is effectively what you have become, Alloran added. Once one takes the morphing power there is no removing it.
"We know what you're saying but what about our parents? We can't leave them behind! Especially now I've just got my mom back!" Marco said.
Then I suggest you let them in on the secret and let them make the choice with you, Galuit suggested. Bring them all here and explain the situation. Then you can make your choice.
Jake nodded. He'd known a day like this would come sooner or later.
Tobias! I need to speak with you. Alone. Ax put great emphasis on the last word.
"We'll meet you outside the valley once you're done," Jake told him.
The valley entrance: half an hour later
The Animorphs were waiting impatiently for Tobias just outside the valley. Justin and Tom stood nearby.
Justin was back to his old hyper self. "I meet two loads of aliens in one day and now they're offering to take us with them? Am I dreaming or something?"
"I wish we were!" Cassie said. "This is crazy! We win the war and now we're expected to leave Earth and go into space? I don't know about you but I'm really scared!"
"What scares me is that what they said made sense," Ryan put in. "We never really thought about this when we took the power, did we?"
"We were too busy thinking about the Yeerks," Jake said. "Anything else wasn't that important then."
"Yeah, but what made them make this offer in the first place?" Rachel asked. "I thought Andalites didn't trust or like other species that much. Why are they doing this?
"It's because of me."
Tobias and Ax emerged from the valley. Tobias was in human form.
"You? What do you mean?" Marco asked.
Ax held up Elfangor's message. This will explain it. This is my brother's Hirac Delest. His final statement. He transmitted it to the homeworld before he died. It arrived there only three months ago. With that Ax started the message. As it finished, everyone stared at Tobias in awe and shock.
"Did you know about this?" Cassie managed to ask.
Tobias nodded. "Remember the trap Visser 3 set in that lawyer's office? The Aria woman? I found out then."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Rachel asked.
"Oh sure. I'm Tobias and by the way, did I mention I'm half-alien? How do you think I felt right then? I almost didn't believe it myself so I just tried to forget it. But that's impossible now that you and the whole Andalite race knows."
"So the Andalites mostly want you, is that it?" Jake asked.
"Yes. At least my relatives do. My real Andalite ones. I suppose I'm the only part of Elfangor they have left."
There was stunned silence after that. No one could think of much else to say.
"You'd better go and bring everyone else back here," Tobias eventually said.
"You're not coming, Tobias?" Cassie asked.
"No point. I've no relatives to get. Not on this world anyway," he added bitterly.
"Are you going to go with them?" Jake asked.
Tobias looked down. "I think so, Jake. I've got family now. It's all I ever wanted in the first place. Ok, it may not be perfect human family, but…"
"I know what you mean, man," Marco said, sounding very emotional for Marco.
Jake nodded. "See you in a few."
With that Tobias and Ax went back into the valley. The others started back toward town. No one noticed the shocked and forlorn expression on Rachel's face except Marco.
"Are you ok, Xena?" he asked quietly, knowing full well she wasn't.
"I don't know if I can stand losing him, Marco!" she replied through clenched teeth.
"I know you two were close. But apart from you what's he got to look forward to here? You can't blame him, can you?"
"No. But it still hurts!"
"Don't rule out anything yet. We may still be going with him." Even as he finished saying that, Marco knew he didn't fully believe it. Nor did Rachel.
Yeah, like we're really going to be able to convince our parents to let us go into space!
There wasn't much more that Marco could say as they walked back to town.
The Valley entrance: two hours later
The Animorphs' parents had all assembled just outside the valley. All had received messages from their kids telling them to meet out here and tell no one about it. None of them had the slightest clue as to why or what this was about.
"Anyone got any idea why we're all the way out here?" Rachel's mom asked. She had brought Sara and Jordan with her too as Rachel had asked.
"No idea," Jake's dad replied. "I just get a quick message from Tom telling me to drop everything and meet him, Jake and Justin out here and to tell no one. I didn't know you were going to be here too!"
All of the others told of similar stories.
"What's this all about?" Cassie's mom asked, exasperated.
"We can tell you," Tom and Justin emerged from the trees.
"Tom? What's all this about?" his dad asked.
"We've been keeping, well, kind of a big secret. You know that all this Yeerk stuff on the news is true. I told you that when I came home. Well, you know these Animorphs they've been talking about? Well, they're true as well."
"How do you know all this?" Marco's mom asked.
"I was a controller just like you were," Tom replied. "And the Animorphs are…"
…Right behind you! Jake's voice seemed to 'echo' in their heads.
They turned round to see an assortment of animals. A tiger, a bear, a wolf, a gorilla and two birds of prey. As they watched, the animals started to change, assuming human forms. Humans that they knew all too well. They gaped in shock as the tiger became Jake, the bear changed into Rachel, the wolf grew into Cassie, the gorilla shrank to become Marco and Tobias and Ryan soon stood where the hawk and the harrier had been.
"Hi everyone," Jake said weakly.
Marco's mom suddenly realised. "You?! You were the 'Andalite bandits' who hurt the Yeerks here all this time?"
They nodded in reply.
The conversation then became a blur as questions started flying in.
Jake had to raise his voice to be heard. " Ok! Ok! We'll explain everything as we go along! We've got some friends to meet up with. I don't want to keep them waiting."
The adults had an even bigger shock waiting for them in the valley as their kids herded them to where the Andalites were waiting.
Nice to see you again, Alloran said to Marco's mom. Her eyes widened as she remembered who he had been.
Galuit then spoke up. I suggest you all get aboard the shuttle.
"What for?" Jake asked, confused.
Your parents look as though they've been bitten by an Antarean Bogg! Maybe we should move to the Dome Ship and convince them they're not dreaming! It might help to speed things along. Besides, I have a lot of work to do up there myself and I have been down here too long already.
As the Andalites ushered everyone aboard, Jake's mom finally managed to get a word in edgeways. "Jake, how did you… I mean, how…ugh!"
"It's a long story, mom," Jake replied. "It all started about two years ago when we were walking through the construction site…"
Galuit smiled at Jake. There were days that he hated his rank and his job, but he certainly didn't envy Jake his!
Zero-Space
The two mysterious ships had been part of the fleet that had driven the Yeerks away from Earth. Now they were stationary in Zero-Space, awaiting new orders from their main force. Soon, they received an update and a written order from the Command Ship.
"The Yeerks are retreating on all fronts. Our covert campaign has worked well. The Andalites know of our existence but not our identities. It's time that changed. Accordingly, you are to seek out and assault the nearest Andalite forces…"
The ships' commanders quickly read through the rest of the orders and then set course for Earth again. According to Intelligence, the Andalites had had a large task force there but that had recently been broken up as the Yeerks had left. Now there was only one Dome Ship there. It would be perfect for their purposes…
Earth Orbit
The shuttle with everyone aboard had only just entered the Dome Ship's docking bay when the two alien warships came out of Zero-Space and began firing disruptor bolts at the Dome Ship.
Galuit and Ax were the first out of the shuttle and somehow they managed to claw their way up to the bridge.
Damage report! Galuit ordered.
Our port shields have failed and there is structural damage on decks 35 and 38!
Who in the name of the galaxy are they?
I don't know, War-Prince. Their ships do not match any known profile!
Galuit quickly reviewed his options. He had none. Prepare for Zero-Space jump! he ordered as the alien ships made another pass.
Ax broke in. But War-Prince, what of our human allies? If we jump now they will be forced to leave their homeworld!
Which would they rather be? Galuit retorted. Stranded in space or dead?!
Ax made no reply. He could not answer that.
Galuit nodded. Jump now!
Galuit cursed mentally as they jumped. This was certainly not he way he'd wanted things to go. He wasn't happy and he knew the humans wouldn't be either…
Bridge of one of the opposing ships
The commander of the alien ship watched as the Dome Ship entered Zero-Space. He was unconcerned. Everything had gone according to plan.
"Is the homing beacon functioning?" he asked a lieutenant. They had deliberately brought the port shields down and had fired a homing beacon onto the Dome Ship's hull on the last pass.
"We have a clear signal, commander. It looks like they are headed for the outer rim of this star system!"
"Excellent! Send a transmission to the Emperor. I'm sure he will prepare a fitting reception for them!"
The bridge crew laughed cruelly. Revenge would be theirs at last…
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's note: Sorry about the thin plot this time, but it was the only way I could think of to get them into space!- Scorpion