Animorphs: Galactic War
7: Home Is Where The War Is (Part 1)
The Tailstrike: Zero-Space
War-Prince Galuit was starting to wonder how he had come to be in such a crazy situation. A few weeks ago he had been in combat with the Yeerks and was winning easily. Now he was fighting a race he'd thought long dead alongside a group of humans who were, by the laws of their people, too young to fight. On top of that he was also allied with some of his former Yeerk enemies, although they were now all nothlits.
Sometimes it doesn't pay to think, Galuit thought as his head started to ache slightly.
He found the Animorphs, minus Ax, in the dome.
I'm afraid I have some bad news.
"As if we hadn't had enough already," Marco sighed.
"What is it this time?" Jake asked.
It's just been confirmed. The Chelraks are targeting your world next.
Everyone groaned. Another invasion of Earth had been everyone's nightmare scenario from day one.
"How big a force are they sending?" Tom asked.
Unknown. But we guess they'll send at least ten capital ships. It depends on whether they intend to capture the planet or simply destroy it.
"We've got to go back now!" Cassie said.
You'll have to go ahead in a shuttle. I have to meet with War-Prince Breeyar and the rest of the High Command just outside of your star system. Galuit did not seem happy about this. It seems that some of our Princes are wondering whether Earth is worth saving. I must be there to convince them that it is.
"So what do we do when we get to Earth?" Ryan asked. "In case you'd forgotten, the damned authorities were the reason we left in the first place! We can't expect any help from them."
"It probably wouldn't make much difference even if we did alert them," Rachel added. "Even if they did believe us they'd be no match for a Chelrak invasion force. We've seen what they can do. Earth would go under in days!"
"Days? More like hours!" Marco said.
"But what can we do?" Jake asked despairingly. "We only beat the Yeerks because they relied on stealth and not weapons. I don't know if we can stand against a straight military invasion!"
With luck you will not have to, Prince Jake. At least not alone. Intel thinks that the Chelraks aren't ready to move yet. They're probably still assembling their forces at a staging area somewhere. If they operate as we do, they will send a small advance force to Earth first to check its defence capacity.
"Great! They'll find out we've got none at all!" Justin muttered. "Or at least nothing that can stand up to them!"
True. Assuming we let them report in, Galuit smiled.
"What did you have in mind?" Rachel asked with a smile.
We send an advance force of our own. This force can disrupt the Chelraks and give us time to bring in our own defence fleet. That is, assuming I can convince them to send one.
"You want us to do this, right?" Rachel asked hopefully.
Yes. But you will not be going alone. I will send a contingent of Andalite warriors with you just to be on the safe side. War-Prince Alloran will go with you and command them. Should a large Chelrak force arrive do what you must do but make sure you alert us or all will be lost.
Everyone nodded. This was going to be their biggest fight yet.
As they turned to leave for the docking bay Galuit spoke again.
Oh, I almost forgot. Two of you will not be going on this mission. Warrior Marco, Aximili is awaiting you in the fighter bays. You launch in ten minutes.
As Galuit left everyone stared in amazement at Marco, who looked a little sheepish.
"What have you been up to this time, Marco?" Rachel asked.
"Well it's a little difficult to explain…" Marco said nervously.
"Why don't you try anyway?" Jake put in.
Marco sighed. "Ok. Let's go down to the launch bay. Ax is waiting for us there. I'll explain as we go."
Chelrak 5th Fleet: Andromeda Cluster
Commander Izlyr was not having an easy day. Since the Emperor wanted the Earth problem dealt with by the end of the week, he hadn't had time to requisition all the forces that he would have liked. It meant that at best he would only have fifteen destroyers to complete the invasion. He wasn't too worried about resistance from the Earth but if the Andalites became involved things might not look so favourable.
He looked at his tactical display again. Chelrak Intel insisted that there weren't many Andalite ships near the Earth. If he moved quickly he might be able to secure the Earth before the Andalites could form a cohesive defence there. He activated his communicator to the bridge.
"Is the advance force ready yet?"
"Yes Commander. But they're not due to leave until…"
"They're going to leave now. Also bring the schedule forward twelve hours! If we move fast we'll take the planet and not have to face the Andalites at all!"
"Understood."
Izlyr smiled. The Andalites and their human lapdogs had got lucky when they destroyed the Keldorian lab. This time it would be their turn to suffer…
Fighter bay of the Tailstrike
"How the hell did you end up as a fighter pilot, Marco?" Justin asked incredulously.
"I'm not a pilot, I just take the weapons," Marco replied. "It's mainly Ax's fault. He wanted to be a pilot like his brother was, but it takes two people to fly these new Andalite fighters and there weren't any other Andalites for him to team up with. So…"
"He asked you instead?" Rachel rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Just because you're the king of videogames? What the hell was he thinking?"
"I think he was thinking that since my dad is such a computer geek I would be too," Marco said. "Anyway we ended up flying in their simulators a few times and we did a little better than expected."
Actually he destroyed 17 Bug fighters, Ax said proudly. He was waiting for Marco by one of the newest Andalite fighters, a model 28. War-Prince Galuit was so impressed that he assigned both of us to flying status instantly. Are you ready for your first real mission, Warrior Marco?
"Oh man! How did I get into this one?" Marco moaned as he climbed into the fighter.
"Good luck, Marco," Jake chuckled. "You too, Ax."
I'm sorry I'm not coming with you, Prince Jake. But we'll probably meet on Earth once our mission is complete.
"See you later, Ax," Rachel said. "Look after Marco, will you? He may be a moron but we don't want to lose him."
"I heard that, Xena! Get out of here before I start firing at you!"
Andalite shuttle: 2 hours later
We'll reach Earth in 2 more hours, Prince Jake, Alloran said.
"Fine, so long as we get there before the Chelraks do," Jake said.
"You think Marco will be ok?" Cassie asked in concern.
"Ax will look after him," Jake said. "I don't think Ax would have taken him along if he didn't think he could handle it."
Aximili has sound judgement, Alloran said. Besides I watched one of their performances in the simulator: it was exemplary. I'd be more worried about ourselves if you ask me.
"Yeah. What are we supposed to do when we get to Earth?" Tom asked. "We can't trust the government for help and even we're not enough to fight off a whole invasion force."
"We'll just have to see what happens," Jake said. "Let's just hope the Chelraks aren't brave enough to invade Earth without checking it out first."
We have a hundred Andalite warriors and the Hork-Bajir on Earth will probably assist us, Alloran said. We won't be powerless.
"We'd better not be!" Hannah said. She and most of the other freed humans from Keldoria had tagged along. Although they couldn't morph, they were out to get revenge on the Chelraks in any way they could.
Jake looked out of one of the shuttle's windows. He could see three other shuttles carrying the Andalite troops along with two escort fighters.
"I just hope it'll be enough," he sighed.
The Ellimist's valley
Toby, Jara and Ket were stunned to see the Animorphs back.
"I thought you'd be on the Andalite homeworld by now," Toby said. "Why are you back here with an army?"
They quickly filled the Hork-Bajir in.
Toby sighed. "Another invasion? Will this ever end?"
Not until the Chelraks are beaten, Alloran said.
Will you help us on this one? Tobias asked.
Ket answered first. "If friend Tobias fight, we fight!"
"What makes you so sure they'll attack here?" Toby asked.
We're not, Alloran replied. But when they've been here before they've always operated in this area. There's a good chance they'll start their invasion from here too.
Toby nodded. "We'll fight. We didn't free ourselves from the Yeerks just to be enslaved by the Chelraks!"
"We'll go and check the town out," Jake said. "Just to make sure they're not here already."
Fine. But take this with you. Alloran tossed a wrist communicator to Jake. You can morph and wear it at the same time. I'll alert you if anything happens.
"Mind if I tag along?" Hannah asked. "I'm dying to see home again and if anything happens I want to get to my parents before they do!"
Jake nodded reluctantly. "Alright. But if anything happens you stay out of the way! No playing hero, got it?"
"Got it," Hannah replied, although she sounded far from certain.
The mall: 1 hour later
With Rachel in the group it was inevitable that they would end up at the mall sooner or later. After half an hour of searching the town everyone gave in to her not-so-subtle hints despite Jake's misgivings. After all, they'd not been on Earth for the best part of a month and by now they would probably be considered missing persons. The last thing they needed to do now was draw attention.
"It'll be ok, Jake," Rachel had said when he'd raised this point. "It's not like we're going to be here for long is it?"
Ryan snorted. "We know what you consider 'not long', Rachel! We haven't got that long this time. In case you'd forgotten, our lizard friends are on their way here as we speak!"
"Well, at least we beat them here," Cassie said with relief.
"Yeah. We can rest for awhile, can't we?" Hannah said.
Jake sighed. "Fine. But don't take long and don't draw any attention! We're not here on vacation!"
Rachel then dragged Cassie and Hannah off toward the shops.
"Why do I get the feeling that's the last we'll be seeing of them today?" Ryan muttered.
"Death by shopping!" Justin chuckled.
"If anything goes wrong because of it, I'll kill them!" Jake promised. "Let's go. Tobias is waiting for us outside."
The mall's food court: same time
What Jake didn't know was that they had already drawn some unwanted attention. Tyler Stone, an FBI agent on vacation, had been having a quick snack in the food court, wondering what he should do next. Officially he was on vacation; his superiors had no idea that he was here and for good reason. He had come to look for the so-called 'Animorphs' on his own and he had no intention of telling the government about it.
The simple truth was that he didn't like the way the government had handled this affair. Admittedly the Yeerk invasion had taken everyone by surprise and had given the government a real jolt when they discovered how far the Yeerks had managed to infiltrate. Unfortunately, because of it, they'd become paranoid and it had given the scaremongers in the military and other agencies free rein. The assignment of a 'Black Ops' unit to the Animorphs investigation was ample proof of that.
What the hell were they thinking? Tyler angrily thought to himself.
To his mind, treating the Animorphs like they were the enemy was a big mistake. If the rumours were true they were heroes and should be treated as such. Tyler had no doubts that this was why there hadn't been any sign of them since the end of the invasion. No doubt they'd learned of the 'Black Ops' investigation and, instead of coming forward like the government had hoped, had simply melted into the shadows. After all, if they'd fought these Yeerks for two years then they would have had to be paranoid too!
Unfortunately this also meant that his chances of finding them weren't looking that hot either. There was very little to go on. Ex-controllers hadn't been able to identify them, most of them thought they were Andalites as Visser 3 had. The eyewitness sighting on that last night wasn't too promising either as it had been in the dark and no firm ID had been made. Apart from the data on the Yeerks and Andalites all they had was a conflicting mass of misinformation! Still, if they were anywhere to be found, it would probably be in this area. He'd visited the local police when he'd first arrived to see if there were any leads. He got more than he bargained for. There had been a large series of disappearances over the last month, both kids and adults. None of them had had criminal pasts and there were no suspicions about any of them but it seemed all had vanished from the face of the Earth. It wasn't what you'd call rock hard data, but he had to start somewhere.
Supposing you did somehow find them, what would you do then? He tried to push away the doubts he was having. It was better if he found them than the government team.
He just put his file down and was about to finish his coffee when he saw the group of kids passing the food court. He quickly picked up the file again as he sensed something familiar about them. He wasn't wrong. All of them were in the missing persons list! Jake, his brother Tom, his cousin Justin…all of them were in the file and yet here they all were in the mall as if nothing had happened! If this wasn't something unusual then he didn't know what was. Tyler put away his file and started to follow them at a discreet distance.
The Ellimist's valley
Prince Edullon-Razsagal-Istharn, the Andalite troop leader and Alloran's second in command, quickly came up to Alloran with a message.
War-Prince, I have bad news. We've lost contact with our fighters in orbit. Our scanners have also detected seven ships entering the atmosphere. We've sent a warning message to our fleet.
Alloran felt a small measure of relief. At least it's only their advance force and not the main fleet. Are the troops ready?
Almost, Edullon said. We're unloading the last shuttle now.
Alloran began walking toward the communication post. I have to alert Prince Jake. You alert our forward positions and the Hork-Bajir. Have them prepare for ground assault!
The mall
Jake's wrist communicator sounded just as he was heading for the exit.
Ryan, Tom and Justin quickly pushed Jake into a corner and covered him while he answered the call.
Prince Jake! We have a problem. Our fighters in orbit have been destroyed. The Chelrak advance guard is here!
"Oh great! How big a force have they got?"
Seven ships are approaching as we speak. We think they intend to land due east of the town. I suggest you send some of your team to find out how many troops they have. I need you back here to co-ordinate our attack. Get back here as soon as possible.
"Understood."
"They're here?" Tom asked in dread as Jake cut the connection.
Jake nodded. "Let's go get the girls back. Their shopping trip's off!"
They doubled back into the mall forcing Tyler to quickly fall back out of sight.
Chelrak advance guard: 1 mile east of town
By now, the Chelraks had landed their forces and were preparing to move on the town. Ironically, it was ex-Commander Kraal who had leadership of the force. He had requested it himself as he was looking for revenge on the humans who had humiliated him. He knew it probably wouldn't get him his job back but a few dead humans would make him feel a little better if nothing else. Izlyr had reluctantly given him the job along with a firm warning.
"This had better go well, Kraal. I'm taking a big risk by assigning you to this mission. If you fail us this time you will become useless to us and useless things have a way of disappearing!"
After that, Kraal had made himself a promise: either he and his forces would win or they would all die in the attempt. He wouldn't give the Emperor a chance to humiliate him again.
"Is that damper field ready yet?" he asked impatiently.
"Almost." Squad Leader Morak replied. He had fewer cyber implants than most Chelraks but he was no less ruthless or fanatical. "It's online. Their communications with the outside world are now severed!"
The damper field, another new Chelrak weapon, had sealed the town and 3 miles of the surrounding countryside in an energy field that would disrupt all communication in or out of it. All phone, radio and Internet links out of town were now effectively cut. All communication inside the 'bubble' would still work but the town had been isolated from the outside.
Kraal grinned in satisfaction. "Get the equipment unloaded! We attack in 30 minutes! Once the town is secure, we'll wait for our main force to arrive."
"Are you sure we have enough forces to secure the town, Lieutenant?" Morak asked.
"We have 5 Hydras, 200 men and a new weapon for back-up!" Kraal sneered. "It should be more than enough!"
Outside the mall
"They're here," Jake said as he finished dragging everyone out of the mall.
"How many?" Cassie asked worriedly.
"That's what we have to find out," Jake said.
I'll go and take a look, Tobias said as he hovered overhead. Anyone coming with me?
"I'll go," Justin volunteered.
A sudden thought struck Hannah. "My parents! I've got to get to them before they attack!"
"We should move them out of town," Cassie suggested. "I'll go with you. You'll need help to convince them."
"Ok, get going," Jake said. "Get back to the valley as soon as you can! We don't have much time!"
With that, Justin quickly ran into an alley to morph into his bird form and he was soon airborne with Tobias. Cassie and Hannah went into town to find Hannah's parents whilst Jake and the rest headed back toward the valley to meet up with Alloran.
This gave Tyler a problem. Seeing the rest of the group had hardened his suspicions as they were all supposed to be missing. However, he couldn't follow everyone at once and he couldn't call for any back up since his phone didn't seem to be working. The only thing he could get hold of was the local cops and he didn't particularly want them involved. He decided to follow Jake's main group for now and hope for the best. Unfortunately for him, Tobias and Justin saw him from above.
Jake! Someone's following you. A guy wearing a brown jacket.
Jake scratched his head. He'd heard.
Let's go, Tobias said.
Aren't we going to help them? Justin asked.
One guy against four of us, including Ryan and Rachel? Trust me. It's him that'll need help!
Justin would have smiled if he'd still been in human form. He'd not been with the team for long but he knew well enough that Ryan and Rachel were not people you wanted to cross!
Yeah, you're right. Come on, we've got some lizards to spy on!
Chelrak advance guard
Oh shit! We're outgunned! Justin said as they flew over the Chelrak positions.
It was obvious they had sent more men than the Andalites had but what really worried them right now were the five jet-black tanks that were being unloaded from the Chelrak shuttles.
No one said anything about any lizard armour! Tobias said in concern.
We'd better get back and warn the others! Justin said.
Kraal, Morak and the other Chelraks were too busy unloading and preparing their forces to notice the two birds flying toward the town.
"Are the Hydras ready to move?" Kraal asked impatiently.
"Their plasma coils need charging. As soon as that's done we're ready," Morak replied.
Kraal muttered in frustration as he settled down to wait again. He could console himself with the fact that it would be worth the wait. The Hydra, the Chelraks' main battle tank, could practically vaporise anything with a single shot thanks to the plasma cannon it had mounted on its turret. The only drawback was it took so long to charge before and in between shots, leaving it somewhat vulnerable. Kraal soon dismissed this concern. The humans had nothing that could stand up to them and if the human morphers or any Andalites showed up, there was still the new weapon to fall back on…
Outside the Ellimist's valley
"Is he still there?" Jake asked.
Ryan quickly looked back over his shoulder. "Yeah. He's still there. Good thing Tobias saw him. Whoever he is, he's good at this."
"We don't have time to play with him now," Rachel said fiercely.
"We won't have to," Jake said. "If he's thinking of trying anything, he's in for a shock!" He had called Alloran on his communicator as they walked back. Alloran said he'd set up a 'hostile reception' if things got out of hand. Jake guessed that there would be Hork-Bajir or Andalites waiting for them when they got to the entrance.
"We'll be at the valley soon," Tom said. "We've got to get rid of this jerk whoever he is!"
"Can't we just walk into the valley and lose him?" Ryan suggested. "I bet he couldn't find the entrance."
"Maybe not but we have to come out of it again along with 100 Andalites to stop the Chelraks," Jake said. "We can't have him bringing search parties up here. I hate to admit it but we've got to get rid of him. Cassie wouldn't like this."
"Cassie isn't here now," Ryan said with some relish.
"How do you want to do this, midget?" Tom asked.
"Let's get over this ridge and then hide and wait for him," Jake said. "We'll confront him there. If things turn ugly…"
"He'll regret it more than we will," Rachel said darkly.
Meanwhile Tyler was having a crisis of his own. He had no idea what he should do now. He had a bad feeling that he was getting into something that was way over his head but there was no way he could back out now. His own curiosity wouldn't let him.
As he got over the ridge he suddenly realised his 'targets' had vanished! He quickly looked around with a sinking feeling in his stomach.
"Nice day for a walk isn't it, pal?"
Shit! Busted!
He turned around to find all four staring at him with barely concealed suspicion.
"Care to tell us why you're following us?" Rachel said.
"To tell you the truth I wasn't sure myself," Tyler replied, which was true. "But, according to the cops, you guys have been missing for at least a month. Would you like to clue me in about that?"
"Actually, no," Ryan snapped rudely.
"Let me rephrase that," Tyler said, pulling out his badge and gun. "Federal agent, now clue me in."
"Let me rephrase again, pal," Rachel snarled as she prepared to morph. "Get out of here before I rip you a new one!"
Tyler flinched in surprise as Jake quickly held her back. "Not yet," he said to her quietly.
Tyler sensed he had made a mistake by revealing he was FBI. The looks in their eyes had gone from suspicion to outright hatred. Oddly enough the sight of his gun didn't seem to faze them either. He was trying to figure out what to say next when another voice seemed to echo in his head.
Drop the toy or die where you stand, human!
Tyler's eyes almost popped out of his head when he whirled round to face three armed Andalites, all pointing shredders at his chest. Instinctively he quickly tossed his gun to the floor.
"Thanks for the back-up," Jake said.
War-Prince Alloran is awaiting you, Prince Jake, Edullon replied.
As the Animorphs entered the valley Edullon turned to the other two Andalites. Bring him with us, he ordered gesturing at Tyler, who soon found himself being shoved into the valley at gunpoint.
The Ellimist's valley
Like our new toys, Prince Jake? Alloran asked as soon as they arrived.
Jake and the others couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the three armoured vehicles outside the shuttles. They looked like a cross between a Star Wars Imperial AT-AT unit and an Andalite warrior. All stood 25 feet tall, they 'walked' on four legs and had a turret that looked like an Andalite tail blade.
Our new Mechanised Battle Units: the Strikers, Alloran said proudly. We've yet to use them in combat so this should be a memorable first battle for them.
"I thought we were trying to keep out of sight. They'll attract a lot of attention," Rachel said in awe. "You sure we're going to need these?"
We'll need them all right! Tobias said as he and Justin landed nearby and demorphed.
Tyler nearly had a heart attack when he saw this. He'd found more than he'd dreamed possible but he wasn't in any position to do much about it now.
"Who's this?" Justin asked, looking Tyler over with suspicion.
"A piece of government trash," Ryan replied fiercely. "You know, the ones that want to dismember us!"
Put him in the lead Striker's containment unit. We'll deal with him later, Alloran said ominously.
Tyler barely had time to protest as he was forced up the entry ramp into the Striker and thrown into a containment cell at the back. It had a solid energy field over the door and it was obvious he wouldn't be going anywhere for awhile.
Tobias and Justin quickly filled everyone in.
"It doesn't look good," Justin said. "They've got more men than us and five tanks!"
"Shit! Looks like we'll need these after all," Jake said.
Alloran didn't waste any time. They'll attack soon so we must be ready for them! Prince Edullon! You will take command of the Striker units. Move them outside the valley and prepare them for battle. I will lead the attack on the ground.
At once, Edullon replied. Can I have one of the human morphers in my team? I might need some more options when we engage the enemy,
"I'll go," Ryan said and followed Edullon up the ramp into the lead Striker.
"What do we do now?" Rachel asked.
We'll go and meet up with our main force just outside the valley. With the Hork-Bajir and you alongside us it should be a little more even, I hope.
"Depends on what surprises they've got," Tom said worriedly.
"Come on! This is the biggest one yet! Let's do it!" Rachel said.
Everyone rolled their eyes and followed Rachel out of the valley. Moments later the Strikers powered up and did the same.
Chelrak advance guard: just outside of town
Kraal grinned sadistically as his forces amassed on the edge of the town. He was going to enjoy this. His time of revenge was at hand! His train of thought was then derailed by a report from Morak that came in through his communicator.
"All units are in position," Morak said. "All weapons charged."
"So much for the human filth," Kraal chuckled. He activated his communicator. "Kraal to all units: Commence attack!"
With that, 200 Chelraks wearing evil-looking black armour began advancing on the town close behind the 5 Hydra tanks.
Andalite advance guard
The Andalites and Animorphs were now on a hill overlooking the town and could see the advancing Chelraks on the town's eastern side.
"Shit! They've started already! Cassie's still down there!" Tom said.
Green disruptor bolts and red plasma bursts from the Hydras slammed into the suburbs as the Chelraks rolled in.
"We've got to get moving now!" Jake said in alarm.
Alloran reached for a communicator. All units advance. Protect as many humans as possible but do not compromise your own safety. Burn every lizard you see! He turned to the Animorphs. Shall we?
"Let's rock and ruin!" Justin grinned.
"Let's kick those scaly bastards off our planet!" Rachel was fired up and ready to fight again.
"Let's go!" Jake said with grim determination. He knew this would be their ugliest fight yet. They had to fight in the open on their home ground and with thousands of innocent people in the way, not to mention Cassie and Hannah. To top it off, a larger invasion fleet would be heading in soon.
I always knew my luck would run out someday, just don't let it be today of all days…
TO BE CONTINUED…