CHAPTER 7: Lesson from a Human
Ax

"Hey Ax want to go to the mall?" Prince Jake asked me the next day. "Cassie and Rachel are going to meet us there. Tobias and Marco might show up, but I'm not sure."
No thank you, I answered.
"You sure?"
Well, I suppose. It is just I have not had a good night.
"Oh, have a hard time sleeping?"
Yes, I answered. It was true, but only because I really couldn't sleep, not with that Yeerk there. And after she had narrowly escaped, I spent the entirety of my energy trying to find her. She was lucky. Normally human-controllers cannot escape from Andalites. I knew I had to tell Prince Jake about the night before, but I wanted to wait until later, when we met with the others. It was more efficient that way. I told him this, and he nodded.
We made our way out of the field and into the woods. When I got to the edge and near civilization, I morphed into my human morph, a frolis maneuver of Prince Jake, Cassie, Rachel, and Marco. Confidently I walked onto the sidewalk down toward the mall.
"So this thing that occurred last night. Did it have to do with those annoying people we've been dealing with?" Prince Jake asked. He was referring to the Yeerks, but I knew he would not say it out loud because it might attract unwanted attention.
"Yes."
"Great," he muttered.
We walked into the food court and sat down, waiting for the others to arrive. I honestly did not even know Aur 1-6-2 was there. But my eyes, almost overlooking but not quite, caught sight of her, I instantly knew who it was.
She was working in the store called 'Hot Dog on a Stick'. At first I wasn't sure it was her. She was leaning over the counter, her hair shielding her face. Then she looked up, and her dark brown eyes locked on to mine. The anger in my adrenaline rose. We exchanged glares; she left the store. Quickly.
"Prince Jake," I said urgently, jumping up from my seat. "There is no time to explain. That girl, over there, is a controller who knows who I am. You must follow me." I followed in pursuit, Prince Jake following. She walked rapidly down the stairs, almost stumbled in her pathetic attempt to escape, and out of the mall, almost out of sight.
Outside, Aur 1-6-2 had begun to run. I followed at her pace with my clumsy human legs, almost missing seeing her run into an alleyway.
I lessened my pace a little and stopped right at the alleyway. Then I walked into its' darkness to what I had no idea held.
I stopped. Had I heard something? Listened. I need to demorph. I did so. And then I could hear much clearer. The breathing of a human girl. Where? Right... in front of me.
I kicked the boxes away that separated us from each other and grabbed her arm roughly, forcing her to stand up.
Hello, Aur 1-6-2, I growled.
"Don't kill me," she begged. Then, thought twice, and said, "Leave me alone."
You already know an exceeding limit of information. I should have killed you when I had the chance.
"What are you going to do? Kill me here?!" she asked, losing her temper. "They'll find the body. Questions shall be asked. They'll see the marks."
Yes and any Yeerk will see that an Andalite did it.
"Get away from me, Aximili. I know you do not want this host of mine dead so just GET AWAY!"
I narrowed my eyes and raised my tail. I kill Yeerks and their hosts everyday. Why should this one be any different?
"Because..." she couldn't find any excuse, we both knew that. "Because this one is-"
"Ax?" Prince Jake's voice broke Aur 1-6-2 off.
I kept my tail aimed. Without turning my head, I said, This human-controller has discovered the truth about me. She cannot live, I said to him through private thought-speak.
Prince Jake sighed. "All right."
Prince Jake... I hesitated. This Yeerk also says she is in the peace movement.
"Are you sure?"
No. But if she is...
"I catch what you're saying. You know what to do. We'll have Erek take a look of her profile."
FWAP!
I struck the flat end of my tail against her head, and she collapsed.
Then, I morphed human, and Prince Jake helped me lift her up and take her to the shed. Inconspicuous in the alley and very near the forest, we did not have a reason to worry that we would be seen. Even so, Prince Jake was sure to check over his shoulder every once in awhile.
We reached a small building; if it can even be called so. It was a structure, nevertheless, very poorly built and would serve no use with the exception that it was far from where most humans spend their time. I demorphed and stood guard; Prince Jake left to get the others.
They all gathered around the same time. Cassie tied Aur 1-6-2 up to a pipeline at the back wall, while the others discussed the matter.
"Jake, we've got a problem," Rachel said. "We don't have Andalite morphs."
"Well we can't be like this when she wakes up. We have to morph. And we should make her afraid of us, also, so she doesn't become cocky," Prince Jake said. "Everybody into your battle morphs. Oh, and guys? Talk like Ax does, we don't want her suspecting anything. We can't take a chance."
"Yes sir," Marco saluted Prince Jake.
"As for names... don't go around calling everyone by their true names. We'll have to make them up."
"Make them up?" Rachel said blandly. "Okay, my name is Jennifer-Love-Hewitt."
"Andalite names, Rachel," Cassie grinned. To what human humor this was I did not know.
"Fine, fine, fine. Rachiliett-Corian-Dirian," Rachel repeated it over and over to get used to saying it. "I kinda like it," she said after awhile, "It's like a cross between Rachel and Juliet."
"Okay... what about you, Tobias?" Prince Jake asked.
That'll be easy. Tobouss-Shamtul-Esgarrouth, Tobias answered. One for his name, one for his father's, and one for me. I was honored, to say the least.
"Cassie?"
She hesitated for a moment, thought about it, then answered. "Caella-Mahreen-Courliey."
"Marco?"
"Ummm... Ocram-Diertan-Shielien," Marco said.
Prince Jake went ahead with his name. "Jacobriel-Encourril-Niarin." Prince Jake turned to me. "Do those sound alright?"
Yes, of course, I answered. Odd... but they seem to be of a precise choice. A Yeerk would not know the difference.
"Okay, then get used to your name as you morph. We'll do it after you morph to yourselves or otherwise we'll be babbling like idiots."
"Too late," Rachel eyed Marco and grinned.
Has she awakened yet? Marco asked after he had completed his morph.
How should I know? Stop talking like that it's annoying, Rachel muttered.
Like what? You know I'm already annoying, why should this be any different? Marco retorted.
Quit it you two, Tobias said.
Come on guys. It's going to be a long three days so you may as well make the best of it, Cassie said.
Hey guys stick to the plan. All of you. That means that... you shall talk defined as you were ordered to by your prince, Prince Jake said.
Oh he's got it good, Rachel said.
Ax, what's the deal with this girl? Prince Jake turned to me.
It is a long story. Basically, I believe she followed me after the battle we had the night before, and found my meadow. I was not able to retain her.
Okay. Tell me the story later.
Yes, Prince Jake. I believe she has awakened, now. She is stirring,
Aur 1-6-2 groaned and opened my eyes as light flooded in. She seemed to be in pain, which I had no doubt she was in; I was almost positive I had given her a migraine. I was not empathetic.
She sat up and tried to lift her hand in order to hold her head, just to find her hands has been tied behind her back with rope. She looked around at our slightly unusual group, worried.
"Where... am I?" She tried getting out of the daze and shook her head a couple times which just seemed to inflict further pain of the migraine.
The door was wide open and I saw her look longingly through it where there were trees, blue sky, rough dirt and rock terrain, and her only exit.
You have been placed inside of a shed where we will hold you for three days, Prince Jake said.
She groaned again and lowered her head. Then she turned to me. "Why didn't you just kill me the first time, Aximili?"
I couldn't, was all that I simply said.
Her head seemed to throb too much to argue so she just leaned back on one of the walls of the shed. "So these are your little friends. May as well tell them it will do no good to free my host. She'll hate you all anyway."
Now why would she do an unwise thing like that? Marco asked.
"It is not unwise to hate someone for killing a friend of yours."
Is she a voluntary host? Cassie asked.
"You could say that. We are part of the peace movement. Not like you care," she then raised an eyebrow. "Why are you in morph and Aximili in his true form? Do you have something to hide?"
There was hesitation, and I saw the others tense up. Then, Because Aximili is only an aristh and has not yet been trained to morph unless under emergency circumstances, Tobias said.
Whew, thanks Tobias, Cassie said using private thought speak.
Aur 1-6-2 looked away from me. "Well as long as I am to die then you all should know one thing. I do not wish you to call me by my Yeerk name but rather by my fused name, Aurana."
That is a nice name, Cassie said, trying to be kind. Where did you get it?
"Well it was something between my host and I. Her name is Ana, and mine, of course, is Aur. So together it is Aurana. I do require yours."
Is that a question or a statement? I demanded.
"Neither, Aximili, it is a request," she said scornfully back. "Or must I have your permission? You know what, since a request is so terrible why don't you just kill me right now and get it over with?"
I can arrange that.
"I'd like to see you try."
Why are you so willing to die?
"Why are you so willing to commit murder?"
I do not murder!
"You sure do to me."
That's because you cannot see it from my point of view.
"Your point of view? Your point of view is nothing but a vile misconception. You care nothing but of yourself."
And I suppose you 'Yeerks' are any better?
"I certainly am."
As though I truly believe that.
"You are too ignorant to believe anything on your own."
Yeerks are the rulers of ignorance. Besides, it was your own fault you are in this predicament.
"Me? ME?! I do not believe so. This was the fault of an Andalite fool who does not know how to do anything intelligent. Common sense, Aximili! This was not my fault."
Yes, it was!
"No, it wasn't!"
Apparently so.
"Apparently not."
Yes-
You know, maybe we should keep you two apart for as much as possible for the next three days, Cassie cut in, breaking us up.
Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! Marco chanted annoyingly in private thought speak to our group.
Aur 1-6-2 and I glared at each other for a second; then I turned away from that despicable Yeerk.
To answer your 'request', Aurana, my name Caella-Mahreen-Courliey.
You guys are worse than Marco and Rachel, Tobias said in private thought speak to us with a laugh.
"That name is admirable. What about the rest of you?"
I'm Rachiliett-Corian-Dirian, Rachel said.
My name is Prince Jacobriel-Encourril-Niarin, Prince Jake said.
I'm Tobouss-Shamtul-Esgarrouth, Tobias said from above.
And I'm Ocram-Diertan-Shielien, Marco spoke up.
"I'd like to say nice to meet you but since you are the ones to kill me I cannot truly say that and mean it now can I?"
What a pleasant girl she is, Marco said to what I believe was sarcastically to all of us.
You're telling me, Rachel agreed. Wait, what time is it?
Five-thirty and thirty-nine seconds of your Earth minutes, I answered.
It's yours... never mind. Guys I have to go- I have babysitting, Rachel said.
I have to go too, Marco muttered.
I have to hunt right now, but Ax, I'll be back. Something tells me you and Aurana should keep away from each other. Far, far away. Tobias said.
Her name is Aur 1-6-2. She is a Yeerk. And that is all she will ever be.
Maybe, Tobias seemed to shrug. But a Yeerk can act just as arrogant or moralistic as the next Andalite or human.
I'll come for the next shift, Ax, okay? Prince Jake said, as he was about to walk out the doors with the others. I'm going to go have a chat with Erek.
Yes, Prince Jake.
Cassie getting up to leave but she sat down again. Then she stood up and began to pace.
What about you, Cassie? I asked.
Oh, I do need to get back to work on the barn, Cassie sighed. I'd hate to leave you two alone, though.
Do not worry I will not kill her. She cannot easily anger me, I assured her.
Su-re. We just saw a good example of that just now.
I will not even speak to her.
Ax don't hurt her, either, okay?
I will try, I muttered.
Sure, Cassie shook her head. I'll come back as soon as I am done, okay?
All right.
Then Cassie too left, bounding out into the open forest.
Aur 1-6-2 stared. "Where are they going?"
It is none of your business.
"You certainly do not sound cheerful."
Spending a full night with a Yeerk and then again the next evening is nothing I look forward to doing.
"You know what makes me so mad about this? It's the fact that you don't even know me."
I do not have to know Yeerks to be knowledgeable of their contempt arrogance.
"Arrogance! Excuse me? You are the one with discreet arrogance!"
Andalites have little arrogance. We are just very humble and proud of our accomplishments.
"You are a moron, Aximili. Humble? Pride? Well yes, you do have pride. In fact, you have too much pride. So much pride you become arrogant fools."
Shut up, Yeerk. Shut up before I take care of you, once and for all.
"I'm not afraid of you or your threats, Aximili!"
FWAP!
My tail went straight to her throat. Again? What was that you said? I did not hear right.
Aur 1-6-2 shuddered. I could not fully tell if it was fear or not. "I hate you Aximili!"
That is quite fine with me because I hate you as well, I said contemptuously. Now are you afraid of my threats or not?
She said nothing.
I pulled my tail back. I thought so.
Aur 1-6-2 muttered something under her breath. I could just barely hear her. "It is not your threats I'm afraid of." She continued to glare up at me. Then, she narrowed her eyes. "Why is it that your friends seemed so... amiable toward me? None of them were arrogant. None of them were pushy. Why is that? I'm part of the peace movement but you continue to have nothing but rancor against me. The rest... didn't seem to have as much. Why?"
Because they have not yet learned the consequences of you Yeerk filth. Some of them have even learned to trust them... but I will never, no matter how many times they save my life.
Aur 1-6-2 looked confused. "What? Of all people, I thought it would be the arisths to be a little trusting. Oh, well that may not be fully true. Arisths so want to be on top, so wanting to prove themselves to their leaders, they shall never rely on anyone but those above them. And furthermore, Andalites have so much intrepidity I'm surprised they actually trusted us in the first place."
So Andalites have intrepidity. That is nothing to be ashamed of.
"No? Then what about Aftran? I thought Andalites would have killed her on the spot. Aftran always knew something about you Andalites. She never said anything about it. Why is that? Yes, she did tell us her story of when she was in the woods with one of you... but she never seemed to be telling the full story. Why? What have you got to hide?"
Where are you getting at, Yeerk? I sneered.
Aur 1-6-2 smiled. She had seen the mistake I made. Now because I snapped at her she knew something was different about our... 'group'.
She sat back and looked at the dirt-matted ground. Huffily I walked to the opposing side of the shed- I wanted to be as far away from her as possible.
"What is it about you Yeerks and Andalites?" Aur 1-6-2 asked after awhile. I stared at her.
What are you talking about?
"Hello? And you Andalites were supposed to be so superior. Aurana's resting right now. And I am capable of speaking for myself."
The host?
"Yes!"
Oh, I apologize. I hardly thought someone as presumptuous as Aur 1-6-2 to speak like the host was now. And even if she was pretending to be the host, she probably would have been begging to be set free, not asking questions about the conflicts between Yeerks and Andalites.
"Well, answer my question. What is it about you Andalites and Yeerks?"
Yeerks desire to conquer the galaxy. They are like a plague, sweeping over the universe and bringing death and destruction wherever they go. Any Andalite would rather die than be the host of a Yeerk.
"Well Aur 1-6-2 certainly doesn't seem that way."
How do you know? You are only a human.
"Oh so that's it? I'm so sorry for being only a simple human. A simple, primordial mammal that is so blind and technologically deprived I am not capable of anything. No one in the galaxy is concerned with me because I'm so primitive. I cannot understand anything, I cannot do anything, and I'm just this incompetent little speck in the galaxy!"
I think I have the idea of what you are trying to say.
"Good. But see, I'm not off your case yet. I'm wondering how long it is going to take until Yeerks and Andalites see how similar they are."
Similar! That is absurd, I scoffed. Yeerks and Andalites are nothing alike.
"Oh, sure they aren't."
Is that human sarcasm?
"No duh."
Yeerks are arrogant. Andalites have the least bit of humbleness to them. Yeerks are evil. Andalites are good. Yeerks wish to conquer the galaxy. Andalites just want to save it. Yeerks are untrustworthy. Andalites aren't. Yeerks are incompetent parasites. Andalites are superior and have mammal structure.
"No, I thought Andalites were amphibians," Aur 1-6-2... or 'Ana' rolled her eyes. "Lemme see... Both Yeerks and Andalites are arrogant. Some Yeerks and Andalites are good. Some Andalites and Yeerks are evil. You cannot trust all Yeerks, while just the same you cannot trust all Andalites-"
That is not true! Andalites are trustworthy.
Ana narrowed her eyes at me. "Promise? ALL Andalites?"
Well not all of them, I looked away from her eyes, remembering the Ascalin incident.
"See?"
Are you going to go on with this nonsense?
"Nonsense! Ha! I have just yet begun. Both Andalites and Yeerks are warriors and fight constantly in wars... although in oppositions. Andalites and Yeerks have the same lifestyle-"
How so? Andalites live in meadows and forests. Yeerks live in a pool.
"I did not mean it by that way, Aximili."
Then in what way did you mean it?
"I meant that Andalites and Yeerks live in a world where they respect their superior ranks and one day hope to be at that level. While you Andalites have a name for the lowest rank, arisths, Yeerks have a lowest rank, also, in which the Yeerk is in a host, but is not a sub-visser. And of course while you have Prince, War-Prince, and Captain, Yeerks have Sub-Visser, Visser, and Council of 13."
I was silenced. Yes, that was true.
"See? You never know what you could learn from humans."
I suppose so... I said hesitantly, not wanting to fully admit it.
"Then what is it that makes you two hate each other so much?"
They wish to conquer the galaxy. I said bluntly. A galaxy which is not theirs.
"They wish to live with the same advantages as you," she said just as bluntly. "Besides, some of them don't wish to conquer the galaxy. Some just want to live. Think of something else. "
Opposition in sides? I asked meekly.
She shook her head. "No, Aximili. Opposition in thinking. You may not be at the same level at technology. And you definitely aren't at the same level of intelligence. But while most of you Andalites want the galaxy to be free... although it must be hard to do that through your utmost superior view of it... many of the Yeerks want the galaxy to be theirs... as well as have a chance to be something other than what their genetic makeup forces them to be. And there is one more similarity between Andalites and Yeerks that I came up with."
And what is that?
"Both Andalites and Yeerks don't give each other a chance... and judge each other's race based upon what they've seen... not what they know."