CHAPTER 8: Where Perpendicular Roads Cross
Aur 1-6-2
When I regained control of my host, I kept quiet. I never wanted to speak to him again. What was odd was that he kept quiet, too. He seemed to be thinking something over. Of course I expected to be snubbed, but it was a different kind of ignoring. He seemed unsettled.
What exactly did you say to him while I rested? I asked Ana.
Nothing except truth to what you both need to realize, Ana muttered.
Whatever do you mean?
Ana sighed. I'm sorta tired right now. Just... look over to what's happened over the past... few minutes.
Um, okay, I said back. It was odd to me because Ana does not normally enjoy sharing her personal memories with me.
Enjoy.
From that tone of voice... I do not think I shall.
Ana gave a quiet laugh. And for some reason that quiet laugh worried me.
I looked it over. Then again. Running the pictures through as if it were a movie, as some humans consider it.
You... really gave him a talking to didn't you?
Yes and I would have given you the same if it were possible.
You are not truly expecting me to-
Yes, really, I am.
But to make friends with this... this... Andalite?
Yes that... that... Andalite.
No, listen, you do not understand-
I understand enough, she seemed to sigh. Yeerks are blind in their natural state. And sometimes I wonder if they're blind in their host, too.
Would that include Andalites being blind?
You cannot let go of this can you?
No I cannot.
Ana sighed. Then, yes, it would include Andalites being blind.
What do you expect me to say to him, then? 'Hello, I am Aurana. I deeply apologize about wanting to kill you last night. Let us put the past behind us and go out for a smoothie. While we are at it, will you become my friend?'
Ah, how good it is when Yeerks finally learn sarcasm, Ana said sweetly. Yes, something like that. Except I really don't think Aximili knows what a smoothie is, and I think we better cut that 'will you become my friend?' part too or else it'll turn into a Barney and Baby Bop special.
What?
Just talk to him.
I sighed out loud, which startled Aximili. Before we had both been in complete silence. I looked out the door, where the sun began to set, and a cool breeze blew in.
"So..." I looked up at Aximili. "My host talked to you before. Have you found anything of value to learn from it?"
Aximili stared at me as though I were the biggest fool to ever walk this galaxy. Then, he answered. Yes.
Silence. I was beginning to hate silence.
You two are so pathetic, Ana mused.
Well what am I supposed to say?
Say what you would to me.
And that is supposed to be easy?
I never said it was supposed to.
Oh this is stupid. Why should I be doing this anyway?
I never said you had to.
Then it is settled. I refuse.
I did it because I thought you could take up the challenge.
I stopped. The anger that enthralls me toward you cannot be explained, Ana.
I love you too. Now go ahead... take chances... make mistakes...
Isn't that from one of your children's television shows?
Yep. You could learn a thing or two from humans. Both you and Aximili.
I sighed aloud again and looked up at Aximili. "See... I searched her mind... and I saw her and your conversation... Well I am interested to hear your opinion on it. You see, humans never cease to amaze me. When I first entered this host... it was something I did not expect. I suspected it to be like in a Hork-Bajir. Strange, ignorant, and shall I say, dumb. But when I actually got to know her better... see her point of view... it was a significant surprise to me."
I suppose you are correct. he turned to me. Why are you telling me this? Is it to get my sympathy?
I laughed rudely. "Your sympathy? Why would I care about that?"
Then why are you bothering to talk?
"Boredom and the fact that my host put me up to it. Otherwise I would have nothing to do with you, Aximili."
Well then... good.
"So should I continue the conversation? Because I really have been wanting to have an intelligent conversation with someone involving what I've found out about humans, but so far, I have yet to find a suitable opponent for debate."
Continue if you wish.
"Well I would like to point out the error in my own ways."
A Yeerk? Admitting she was wrong? This I must listen to.
"Probability says that you made the same mistake," I said, smirking.
And what mistake would that be? he asked.
"Judging humans too quickly. I have found through experience that they are unpredictable and not what they may seem at first."
True. They are clever. Witty. Definitely not as stupid and intellectually disadvantaged as I had thought they were at first, Aximili was willing to talk.
"Although they are technologically deprived, they never cease to amaze me," I went on, being careful not to mention that he had just admitted that he had made the same mistake as well.
Nor I.
"One thing I never understood before I got to know Ana was that while humans dispossess superior technology and intellect, they have the ability to understand circumstances beyond the abilities of both Andalite and Yeerk together."
What Ana just spoke to me about would take millions of years for any Yeerk or Andalite to realize. I never expected it. Nor have I ever realized it.
"It is so odd though. I never thought I would actually learn something from humans," I shook my head in wonderment. "Yet here I am, being taught by none other than a child, something almost everyone considers primitive."
At least she is not insolent.
"That is true... too much insolence is already caught up between our societies."
Silence again. This was beginning to get on my last nerve.
"So... how are you liking it here on this planet?" I asked him.
Moving away from the human debate? he asked mockingly.
"Not so much as slightly shifting the topic," I responded.
I suppose it is adequate. Everything is so different here⦠so strange and primitive. Through his Andalite body, he seemed to smirk. I am sure not so much primitive than you Yeerks.
"They may be primitive Aximili," I spat, "and compared to you Yeerks may be too. But that doesn't mean that you're any better than any of them. Nor humans for that matter."
For once that incisive little smirk was wiped off his face. I sighed, seeing it was no use to go on.
And I suppose you know all about humans?
"I know enough," I said derisively, surprised he wanted to continue speaking. "Humans, in one sense, can be just as unpredictable, arrogant, and stereotypic as the next Andalite. Yet you'd most likely go for days without seeing an Andalite have some mind with at least one sort of morality to them. Such as my host, for example. I never would have thought I could make friends here. But Ana just made everything so clear... after I talked to her for a while I just wondered how in the world I could not have seen before the things she saw and understood. When I saw her world through her eyes... saw her perspective in everything..."
(-Searched her thoughts... Aximili interrupted.
I looked at him cockily. "I am pleased to say that I have never done that entirely, only to the consent of knowing how to behave like her so her family, friends, and acquaintances would not notice a difference in her actions."
Aximili looked surprised. You truly are... different.
I shot him a knowing look. "And so are you."
How so? Aximili scoffed.
"Well, let's see. You attempt to kill me, then you save me, attempt once more, then you save me. After saving me twice, you then attempt once more to kill me. If it weren't for your conscience or whatever kept you from killing me the first time, I'd have been dead by now," I told him. "If it wasn't for your obsolete cockiness I would have mistaken you for a human."
Aximili ignored that last remark and looked down. It was not much of a choice. You were at an unfair advantage and it would have been dishonorable to benefit from it.
"I suppose I am the one suffering the consequences," I muttered.
And I will be forced to live with this incident for the rest of my life.
"Why must you kill me? I'm in the peace movement. I thought you spared people like me."
I cannot spare your life because you have too much knowledge of us.
"I was not planning to turn you in, Aximili. It would ruin everything I stand for in the movement."
The thing is, I cannot be positive if you are in the peace movement or not. And one mistake risks the lives of my friends and I completely, and that includes balancing the fate of this very planet.
"You spoke to my host, Aximili, and you know it. That is no excuse. There is another, but you are just afraid to admit it."
No, there truly isn't.
I stared hard at him. "Do not lie to me Aximili. Look at me. I am tied to a pole. In three days... two days actually... I'm going to die. No doubt about it. So what is it? Why must you kill me?"
Aximili sighed. He looked away. Let me just say... that Visser One has taken his toll on all of us.
"I am sorry," I managed to say. "But even so... I hate Visser One just as much as you do."
You will never learn the pain from losing one of your family because of that... that abomination.
"Aximili I have hundreds of family. And do you not think Visser 1or any other Visser hasn't killed the lot of them for disobedience? But I continue to go on. And Andalites have killed my family, too. Which is why I have a hatred against Andalites."
Not all Andalites are similar, Aur 1-6-2.
I looked down, not caring that he still refused to call me by the name I wished to be called by. Then back up at Aximili. "Nor are all Yeerks, Aximili."
Aximili could see what I was saying. I've always wondered...
"Wondered what?" I asked him.
Well, Aximili hesitated. I have always wondered if... you know... Yeerks had feelings other than hatred and anger and arrogance, other feelings they refused to show.
"Why would you think of anything different?"
Because that is all I have grown up to know and expect. That is all that I have come across, or been told of. That's what I've been taught at school, and that's what I've seen on the battlefield.
I spoke softly, with a touch of anger in my voice but also a sense of knowledge and understanding. "Tell me something, Aximili. Do all Andalites have many different feelings and opinions about the same exact things?"
Well, yes.
"Then that is your answer," I stared down at the ground as if it were interesting. We said nothing for a while, and thus I was contented to having proved my host wrong.
Later, after time passed feeling like hours, we spoke again. Things were going smoothly, until he asked a blunt question. I suppose it would have come one way or another, but I did not expect it so soon.
What do you have against Andalites? I mean, other than the fact of our constant attacks against you?
"What do you mean?"
You attack Andalite culture a lot in our conversations. Thus I was wondering, what exactly you despise about us.
I opened my mouth to speak. Then closed it. Should I open my thoughts to him? He did the same to me... I supposed that then I should do the same to him. Besides, this was beginning to be enjoyable. Not in the sense that I was about to be starved and I was tied to a pole here, awaiting my fate, but in the sense that I finally had an intelligent being to speak with about certain subject matters that would get me killed or suspected of treason if I ever were to speak it with another within my own species.
"You Andalites have it so... easy," I finally answered. "You grow up in your own worlds already at a far better advantage than anyone in the Empire."
I am positive at not that far of an advantage beyond physical genetics and technology.
I looked at him. "True, still, the obligations I have are... overwhelming, and at times, so ludicrous I cannot believe I am abiding by them. It seems unfair. Then again, I am positive you have been through the same."
Aximili seemed to smile with his eyes. My friends and I have felt that ever since we began fighting in this war.
"Well don't think you're alone because you aren't," I muttered bitterly. "Of all things I had to be born a Yeerk. A Yeerk! A worthless creature that no species looks up to or respects; but rather, fears and hates under the stereotypes held by they galaxy. At times... I do envy you."
That is the last thing you would wish to do, Aximili said.
"What is so unpleasant with being an Andalite?" I asked him. "You have stable, powerful bodies, calm security with who you are and who you are to become, as well as intelligent minds capable of things I have never even would be able to dream of. You were born in a world of a people whom are honorable, well-known, respected-"
And arrogant. Aximili said. At times, we can be overly proud of accomplishments that we should not be proud of. You were correct about one thing, Aur 1-6-2. Normally, I would have not cared about anything but myself and if the Andalites defeated you, I would have cared only because I killed you off for my own, selfish reasons and not to save these humans. Most Andalites do wish to do only that.
"What changed your mind?" I inquired.
I came to know these humans. I came to see what sort of things they were capable of, what sort of thoughts went through their mind. Sometimes I look back and see how foolish I had been, back on the Dome ship, before the Blade Ship shot us down, how I wanted to kill you all without a thought of any human.
I nodded. "That's not how it is now, is it?"
My human friends have a saying: War changes people in many ways. I suppose war has changed me, and many, many others.
I cocked my head. "Human friends?"
Well, yes, Aximili said quickly. I have morphed human before and attended a human school; even a human movie; and many a time the mall.
I grinned. "It seems like you've become quite the explorer here on Earth."
It is enjoyable. I admit, unlike the Hork-Bajir or the Taxxons, humans are quite interesting.
"Most likely because they're so unpredictable."
And confusing, different, foreign, strange... I could go on with the list. They're species alone is more diverse than any other I'd ever known.
"But not in a bad way. I actually enjoy unpredictability. While it is erratic, unstable, and sloppy, it can bring up the most interesting of things," I said while picking up a small rock and throwing it casually out the door.
Ouch, a voice said in my head.
"Oh, I apologize," I peered out the door as a wolf came into view.
I'm back. Hello Aximili. Hello Aurana. I hope you haven't gotten yourselves into too much trouble?
"No, actually we were having a very nice conversation," I said. It was then I noticed a boy standing next to the Andalite. Uneasily, he stepped in.
Oh, really? Caella seemed to raise an eyebrow.
" Yes, " we chorused
Well, Aximili, you are free to go. Prince Jacobriel ran into some conflicts with Tom, so he won't be coming tonight. Rest up; tomorrow I must attend to business so you shall have to watch Aurana again.
Why have you brought Erek? Ax motioned toward the boy that stood next to Caella.
Because I am most positive that Aurana's host's parents shall be worried if Aurana does not show up tonight. A massive search may go underway and that could ruin everything.
Ah. Goodbye, then, Caella. Goodbye Erek.
"Goodbye Aximili," Erek waved as Aximili stepped out.
"Pardon my asking, but is Erek human?" I asked.
Erek looked down at Caella. Caella looked up at Erek. Then they both looked at me. "No," Erek said. Then he turned to Caella. "Alright. A portrayal was all I needed." He turned and was about to walk out of the door when he stopped and turned back to me.
"Where do you live?" Erek asked me.
I hesitated, but told him the address. Like them, I did not want to attract excessive attention to myself. Before I could ask him anything else, he was out the door and off on his way.
I was about to ask Caella but she got to me first with the questions.
So, what did you and Aximili talk about while I was gone?
"Nothing really. Just how much we hate each other's species, and why in the world couldn't see what my host saw."
And what did she see?
"The similarities between Andalites and Yeerks."
Andalites and Yeerks? Similar?
"Yes," I proceeded to tell Caella what Ana had said exactly to Aximili and I.
That is quite amazing... Caella said. And all this time Andalites and Yeerks believing they were so different, believing that the reason they hated each other was because they were exact opposites... when all this time, they were almost exactly similar.
"If this battle is ever over, we Yeerks and Andalites could learn much from each other and from humans," I said thoughtfully.
Yes, Caella agreed. We could learn much. She looked at me. Are you hungry?
I noticed a slight rumbling in my stomach. "A little, but-"
In a flash Caella was up and jogging out of the door.
"How am I supposed to eat it when my hands are tied up?" I finished, even though there was no one around to hear it.
Then Caella came back in what seemed was no time at all. I shivered, but thankfully, Caella closed the door on her way in by grabbing the handle with her jaw.
Around her neck was a lunch box of some sort. She set it down in front of me, and pulled out a mini-lantern as well, which she set to the side, and turned it on by flipping the switch with her nose.
She went behind me and loosened the roping. When she was done, she sat down in front of me; between the door and where I was placed.
I looked inside the lunchbox. There was a thermos, which probably had soup, a soda: Coca-Cola, and an apple.
"Nice choice. Just how long have you Andalites been on Earth?"
For over two Earth years, now, Caella answered.
"That is quite a long time to be fighting," I said.
Yes. It is hard... sometimes we just want to give up. There come times where we just wish that it is not us that needs to take on this obligation. But, I suppose it being an obligation is why we must do it. Otherwise, these humans shall never have a chance.
I looked at her. "And... why would you care?"
This caught her off guard. What do you mean?
"Species that invade other species never seem to be your main concern unless that species is Yeerk."
Well... it is my personal belief that no species should be allowed to be taken over without a fair and honorable chance of fighting back. Considering these humans are almost as far from superior technology as the Hork-Bajir, then I believe it is our duty to defend us.
"Have you ever felt that it just shouldn't be your responsibility? That you just wanted to turn back- just wanted to put the weight on someone else's shoulders? Ever felt that it wasn't fair that you had to suffer it all, you had to go through all the pain, that you were the one that was forced to do this, and even though you saw an exit... even though you knew there was a way out... you couldn't go? You couldn't let yourself give up like that? No matter how much you knew you would hate yourself for it... you would never just quit? And even if you had a chance to turn back time once your done... you would do the same?"
Caella peered at me through the wolf's eyes. Yes but... you of course would have never felt that same way, correct?
"To understand my words fully one must have gone through that experience."
Caella seemed to nod. So... what is life like for you?
As I talked my life away I grinned to myself. Of course. Why hadn't I seen it before? The perfect way to escape from the hands of these... Andalites. Not to act sinister. Not to act crude, or cruel, or unrefined. Get their trust. Be compassionate. I just needed to talk to each and everyone of them.
Opening myself up to vulnerability was just a small price to pay to do what no Yeerk other than Aftran could- get their compassion, get their respect... and get my freedom.
I was in the middle of telling Caella about my relationship with Ana when a knock came at the door. Three taps. Caella jumped up and jogged over to it, and pushed it open with her nose. A bird came soaring in. In the clutch of his talons he held a blanket.
Hello Caella. Hello Aurana, Tobouss said. He dropped the blanket down. I reached over and grasped it; it had to become awfully cold in that shed. He looked down at Caella and they seemed to converse with each other through private thought-speak. Then Tobouss swooped down, and right in front of my eyes demorphed. He was a human!
In seeing my shocked eyes he gave a grim expression. "Do not worry, I am not a human. A long time ago I had become trapped in that morph you had seen- what humans call a hawk. Over time I was able to regain my morphing powers- but not my original form. I had been able to acquire a mix of human boys and do a frolis maneuver for this human morph when it was vital to walk among the humans."
"Oh," was all that I could say. It was a shame, too. They would have been so much easier to capture if they were human.
What was I saying? I had a grudge against Andalites. Not humans. If they were humans, then I wouldn't mind them. I would have been willing to speak to them without conducting any plan for their downfall. However, since they were Andalites, I wanted to rid of them all. Well... not all. Caella seemed nice enough. But not Aximili. Aximili had to go. The others I would have to get to know first. Get to see who they were.
When he walked over I was close to jumping up and running away from the shed. However, I knew Caella would be able to catch me, and I would lose their trust. So voluntarily I put my hands behind my back, and gently Tobouss retied the rope to the pipeline.
With my plan in place I said goodbye to Caella and prepared to speak openly to Tobouss. He would be my next easy mark.
Aur 1-6-2
When I regained control of my host, I kept quiet. I never wanted to speak to him again. What was odd was that he kept quiet, too. He seemed to be thinking something over. Of course I expected to be snubbed, but it was a different kind of ignoring. He seemed unsettled.
What exactly did you say to him while I rested? I asked Ana.
Nothing except truth to what you both need to realize, Ana muttered.
Whatever do you mean?
Ana sighed. I'm sorta tired right now. Just... look over to what's happened over the past... few minutes.
Um, okay, I said back. It was odd to me because Ana does not normally enjoy sharing her personal memories with me.
Enjoy.
From that tone of voice... I do not think I shall.
Ana gave a quiet laugh. And for some reason that quiet laugh worried me.
I looked it over. Then again. Running the pictures through as if it were a movie, as some humans consider it.
You... really gave him a talking to didn't you?
Yes and I would have given you the same if it were possible.
You are not truly expecting me to-
Yes, really, I am.
But to make friends with this... this... Andalite?
Yes that... that... Andalite.
No, listen, you do not understand-
I understand enough, she seemed to sigh. Yeerks are blind in their natural state. And sometimes I wonder if they're blind in their host, too.
Would that include Andalites being blind?
You cannot let go of this can you?
No I cannot.
Ana sighed. Then, yes, it would include Andalites being blind.
What do you expect me to say to him, then? 'Hello, I am Aurana. I deeply apologize about wanting to kill you last night. Let us put the past behind us and go out for a smoothie. While we are at it, will you become my friend?'
Ah, how good it is when Yeerks finally learn sarcasm, Ana said sweetly. Yes, something like that. Except I really don't think Aximili knows what a smoothie is, and I think we better cut that 'will you become my friend?' part too or else it'll turn into a Barney and Baby Bop special.
What?
Just talk to him.
I sighed out loud, which startled Aximili. Before we had both been in complete silence. I looked out the door, where the sun began to set, and a cool breeze blew in.
"So..." I looked up at Aximili. "My host talked to you before. Have you found anything of value to learn from it?"
Aximili stared at me as though I were the biggest fool to ever walk this galaxy. Then, he answered. Yes.
Silence. I was beginning to hate silence.
You two are so pathetic, Ana mused.
Well what am I supposed to say?
Say what you would to me.
And that is supposed to be easy?
I never said it was supposed to.
Oh this is stupid. Why should I be doing this anyway?
I never said you had to.
Then it is settled. I refuse.
I did it because I thought you could take up the challenge.
I stopped. The anger that enthralls me toward you cannot be explained, Ana.
I love you too. Now go ahead... take chances... make mistakes...
Isn't that from one of your children's television shows?
Yep. You could learn a thing or two from humans. Both you and Aximili.
I sighed aloud again and looked up at Aximili. "See... I searched her mind... and I saw her and your conversation... Well I am interested to hear your opinion on it. You see, humans never cease to amaze me. When I first entered this host... it was something I did not expect. I suspected it to be like in a Hork-Bajir. Strange, ignorant, and shall I say, dumb. But when I actually got to know her better... see her point of view... it was a significant surprise to me."
I suppose you are correct. he turned to me. Why are you telling me this? Is it to get my sympathy?
I laughed rudely. "Your sympathy? Why would I care about that?"
Then why are you bothering to talk?
"Boredom and the fact that my host put me up to it. Otherwise I would have nothing to do with you, Aximili."
Well then... good.
"So should I continue the conversation? Because I really have been wanting to have an intelligent conversation with someone involving what I've found out about humans, but so far, I have yet to find a suitable opponent for debate."
Continue if you wish.
"Well I would like to point out the error in my own ways."
A Yeerk? Admitting she was wrong? This I must listen to.
"Probability says that you made the same mistake," I said, smirking.
And what mistake would that be? he asked.
"Judging humans too quickly. I have found through experience that they are unpredictable and not what they may seem at first."
True. They are clever. Witty. Definitely not as stupid and intellectually disadvantaged as I had thought they were at first, Aximili was willing to talk.
"Although they are technologically deprived, they never cease to amaze me," I went on, being careful not to mention that he had just admitted that he had made the same mistake as well.
Nor I.
"One thing I never understood before I got to know Ana was that while humans dispossess superior technology and intellect, they have the ability to understand circumstances beyond the abilities of both Andalite and Yeerk together."
What Ana just spoke to me about would take millions of years for any Yeerk or Andalite to realize. I never expected it. Nor have I ever realized it.
"It is so odd though. I never thought I would actually learn something from humans," I shook my head in wonderment. "Yet here I am, being taught by none other than a child, something almost everyone considers primitive."
At least she is not insolent.
"That is true... too much insolence is already caught up between our societies."
Silence again. This was beginning to get on my last nerve.
"So... how are you liking it here on this planet?" I asked him.
Moving away from the human debate? he asked mockingly.
"Not so much as slightly shifting the topic," I responded.
I suppose it is adequate. Everything is so different here⦠so strange and primitive. Through his Andalite body, he seemed to smirk. I am sure not so much primitive than you Yeerks.
"They may be primitive Aximili," I spat, "and compared to you Yeerks may be too. But that doesn't mean that you're any better than any of them. Nor humans for that matter."
For once that incisive little smirk was wiped off his face. I sighed, seeing it was no use to go on.
And I suppose you know all about humans?
"I know enough," I said derisively, surprised he wanted to continue speaking. "Humans, in one sense, can be just as unpredictable, arrogant, and stereotypic as the next Andalite. Yet you'd most likely go for days without seeing an Andalite have some mind with at least one sort of morality to them. Such as my host, for example. I never would have thought I could make friends here. But Ana just made everything so clear... after I talked to her for a while I just wondered how in the world I could not have seen before the things she saw and understood. When I saw her world through her eyes... saw her perspective in everything..."
(-Searched her thoughts... Aximili interrupted.
I looked at him cockily. "I am pleased to say that I have never done that entirely, only to the consent of knowing how to behave like her so her family, friends, and acquaintances would not notice a difference in her actions."
Aximili looked surprised. You truly are... different.
I shot him a knowing look. "And so are you."
How so? Aximili scoffed.
"Well, let's see. You attempt to kill me, then you save me, attempt once more, then you save me. After saving me twice, you then attempt once more to kill me. If it weren't for your conscience or whatever kept you from killing me the first time, I'd have been dead by now," I told him. "If it wasn't for your obsolete cockiness I would have mistaken you for a human."
Aximili ignored that last remark and looked down. It was not much of a choice. You were at an unfair advantage and it would have been dishonorable to benefit from it.
"I suppose I am the one suffering the consequences," I muttered.
And I will be forced to live with this incident for the rest of my life.
"Why must you kill me? I'm in the peace movement. I thought you spared people like me."
I cannot spare your life because you have too much knowledge of us.
"I was not planning to turn you in, Aximili. It would ruin everything I stand for in the movement."
The thing is, I cannot be positive if you are in the peace movement or not. And one mistake risks the lives of my friends and I completely, and that includes balancing the fate of this very planet.
"You spoke to my host, Aximili, and you know it. That is no excuse. There is another, but you are just afraid to admit it."
No, there truly isn't.
I stared hard at him. "Do not lie to me Aximili. Look at me. I am tied to a pole. In three days... two days actually... I'm going to die. No doubt about it. So what is it? Why must you kill me?"
Aximili sighed. He looked away. Let me just say... that Visser One has taken his toll on all of us.
"I am sorry," I managed to say. "But even so... I hate Visser One just as much as you do."
You will never learn the pain from losing one of your family because of that... that abomination.
"Aximili I have hundreds of family. And do you not think Visser 1or any other Visser hasn't killed the lot of them for disobedience? But I continue to go on. And Andalites have killed my family, too. Which is why I have a hatred against Andalites."
Not all Andalites are similar, Aur 1-6-2.
I looked down, not caring that he still refused to call me by the name I wished to be called by. Then back up at Aximili. "Nor are all Yeerks, Aximili."
Aximili could see what I was saying. I've always wondered...
"Wondered what?" I asked him.
Well, Aximili hesitated. I have always wondered if... you know... Yeerks had feelings other than hatred and anger and arrogance, other feelings they refused to show.
"Why would you think of anything different?"
Because that is all I have grown up to know and expect. That is all that I have come across, or been told of. That's what I've been taught at school, and that's what I've seen on the battlefield.
I spoke softly, with a touch of anger in my voice but also a sense of knowledge and understanding. "Tell me something, Aximili. Do all Andalites have many different feelings and opinions about the same exact things?"
Well, yes.
"Then that is your answer," I stared down at the ground as if it were interesting. We said nothing for a while, and thus I was contented to having proved my host wrong.
Later, after time passed feeling like hours, we spoke again. Things were going smoothly, until he asked a blunt question. I suppose it would have come one way or another, but I did not expect it so soon.
What do you have against Andalites? I mean, other than the fact of our constant attacks against you?
"What do you mean?"
You attack Andalite culture a lot in our conversations. Thus I was wondering, what exactly you despise about us.
I opened my mouth to speak. Then closed it. Should I open my thoughts to him? He did the same to me... I supposed that then I should do the same to him. Besides, this was beginning to be enjoyable. Not in the sense that I was about to be starved and I was tied to a pole here, awaiting my fate, but in the sense that I finally had an intelligent being to speak with about certain subject matters that would get me killed or suspected of treason if I ever were to speak it with another within my own species.
"You Andalites have it so... easy," I finally answered. "You grow up in your own worlds already at a far better advantage than anyone in the Empire."
I am positive at not that far of an advantage beyond physical genetics and technology.
I looked at him. "True, still, the obligations I have are... overwhelming, and at times, so ludicrous I cannot believe I am abiding by them. It seems unfair. Then again, I am positive you have been through the same."
Aximili seemed to smile with his eyes. My friends and I have felt that ever since we began fighting in this war.
"Well don't think you're alone because you aren't," I muttered bitterly. "Of all things I had to be born a Yeerk. A Yeerk! A worthless creature that no species looks up to or respects; but rather, fears and hates under the stereotypes held by they galaxy. At times... I do envy you."
That is the last thing you would wish to do, Aximili said.
"What is so unpleasant with being an Andalite?" I asked him. "You have stable, powerful bodies, calm security with who you are and who you are to become, as well as intelligent minds capable of things I have never even would be able to dream of. You were born in a world of a people whom are honorable, well-known, respected-"
And arrogant. Aximili said. At times, we can be overly proud of accomplishments that we should not be proud of. You were correct about one thing, Aur 1-6-2. Normally, I would have not cared about anything but myself and if the Andalites defeated you, I would have cared only because I killed you off for my own, selfish reasons and not to save these humans. Most Andalites do wish to do only that.
"What changed your mind?" I inquired.
I came to know these humans. I came to see what sort of things they were capable of, what sort of thoughts went through their mind. Sometimes I look back and see how foolish I had been, back on the Dome ship, before the Blade Ship shot us down, how I wanted to kill you all without a thought of any human.
I nodded. "That's not how it is now, is it?"
My human friends have a saying: War changes people in many ways. I suppose war has changed me, and many, many others.
I cocked my head. "Human friends?"
Well, yes, Aximili said quickly. I have morphed human before and attended a human school; even a human movie; and many a time the mall.
I grinned. "It seems like you've become quite the explorer here on Earth."
It is enjoyable. I admit, unlike the Hork-Bajir or the Taxxons, humans are quite interesting.
"Most likely because they're so unpredictable."
And confusing, different, foreign, strange... I could go on with the list. They're species alone is more diverse than any other I'd ever known.
"But not in a bad way. I actually enjoy unpredictability. While it is erratic, unstable, and sloppy, it can bring up the most interesting of things," I said while picking up a small rock and throwing it casually out the door.
Ouch, a voice said in my head.
"Oh, I apologize," I peered out the door as a wolf came into view.
I'm back. Hello Aximili. Hello Aurana. I hope you haven't gotten yourselves into too much trouble?
"No, actually we were having a very nice conversation," I said. It was then I noticed a boy standing next to the Andalite. Uneasily, he stepped in.
Oh, really? Caella seemed to raise an eyebrow.
" Yes, " we chorused
Well, Aximili, you are free to go. Prince Jacobriel ran into some conflicts with Tom, so he won't be coming tonight. Rest up; tomorrow I must attend to business so you shall have to watch Aurana again.
Why have you brought Erek? Ax motioned toward the boy that stood next to Caella.
Because I am most positive that Aurana's host's parents shall be worried if Aurana does not show up tonight. A massive search may go underway and that could ruin everything.
Ah. Goodbye, then, Caella. Goodbye Erek.
"Goodbye Aximili," Erek waved as Aximili stepped out.
"Pardon my asking, but is Erek human?" I asked.
Erek looked down at Caella. Caella looked up at Erek. Then they both looked at me. "No," Erek said. Then he turned to Caella. "Alright. A portrayal was all I needed." He turned and was about to walk out of the door when he stopped and turned back to me.
"Where do you live?" Erek asked me.
I hesitated, but told him the address. Like them, I did not want to attract excessive attention to myself. Before I could ask him anything else, he was out the door and off on his way.
I was about to ask Caella but she got to me first with the questions.
So, what did you and Aximili talk about while I was gone?
"Nothing really. Just how much we hate each other's species, and why in the world couldn't see what my host saw."
And what did she see?
"The similarities between Andalites and Yeerks."
Andalites and Yeerks? Similar?
"Yes," I proceeded to tell Caella what Ana had said exactly to Aximili and I.
That is quite amazing... Caella said. And all this time Andalites and Yeerks believing they were so different, believing that the reason they hated each other was because they were exact opposites... when all this time, they were almost exactly similar.
"If this battle is ever over, we Yeerks and Andalites could learn much from each other and from humans," I said thoughtfully.
Yes, Caella agreed. We could learn much. She looked at me. Are you hungry?
I noticed a slight rumbling in my stomach. "A little, but-"
In a flash Caella was up and jogging out of the door.
"How am I supposed to eat it when my hands are tied up?" I finished, even though there was no one around to hear it.
Then Caella came back in what seemed was no time at all. I shivered, but thankfully, Caella closed the door on her way in by grabbing the handle with her jaw.
Around her neck was a lunch box of some sort. She set it down in front of me, and pulled out a mini-lantern as well, which she set to the side, and turned it on by flipping the switch with her nose.
She went behind me and loosened the roping. When she was done, she sat down in front of me; between the door and where I was placed.
I looked inside the lunchbox. There was a thermos, which probably had soup, a soda: Coca-Cola, and an apple.
"Nice choice. Just how long have you Andalites been on Earth?"
For over two Earth years, now, Caella answered.
"That is quite a long time to be fighting," I said.
Yes. It is hard... sometimes we just want to give up. There come times where we just wish that it is not us that needs to take on this obligation. But, I suppose it being an obligation is why we must do it. Otherwise, these humans shall never have a chance.
I looked at her. "And... why would you care?"
This caught her off guard. What do you mean?
"Species that invade other species never seem to be your main concern unless that species is Yeerk."
Well... it is my personal belief that no species should be allowed to be taken over without a fair and honorable chance of fighting back. Considering these humans are almost as far from superior technology as the Hork-Bajir, then I believe it is our duty to defend us.
"Have you ever felt that it just shouldn't be your responsibility? That you just wanted to turn back- just wanted to put the weight on someone else's shoulders? Ever felt that it wasn't fair that you had to suffer it all, you had to go through all the pain, that you were the one that was forced to do this, and even though you saw an exit... even though you knew there was a way out... you couldn't go? You couldn't let yourself give up like that? No matter how much you knew you would hate yourself for it... you would never just quit? And even if you had a chance to turn back time once your done... you would do the same?"
Caella peered at me through the wolf's eyes. Yes but... you of course would have never felt that same way, correct?
"To understand my words fully one must have gone through that experience."
Caella seemed to nod. So... what is life like for you?
As I talked my life away I grinned to myself. Of course. Why hadn't I seen it before? The perfect way to escape from the hands of these... Andalites. Not to act sinister. Not to act crude, or cruel, or unrefined. Get their trust. Be compassionate. I just needed to talk to each and everyone of them.
Opening myself up to vulnerability was just a small price to pay to do what no Yeerk other than Aftran could- get their compassion, get their respect... and get my freedom.
I was in the middle of telling Caella about my relationship with Ana when a knock came at the door. Three taps. Caella jumped up and jogged over to it, and pushed it open with her nose. A bird came soaring in. In the clutch of his talons he held a blanket.
Hello Caella. Hello Aurana, Tobouss said. He dropped the blanket down. I reached over and grasped it; it had to become awfully cold in that shed. He looked down at Caella and they seemed to converse with each other through private thought-speak. Then Tobouss swooped down, and right in front of my eyes demorphed. He was a human!
In seeing my shocked eyes he gave a grim expression. "Do not worry, I am not a human. A long time ago I had become trapped in that morph you had seen- what humans call a hawk. Over time I was able to regain my morphing powers- but not my original form. I had been able to acquire a mix of human boys and do a frolis maneuver for this human morph when it was vital to walk among the humans."
"Oh," was all that I could say. It was a shame, too. They would have been so much easier to capture if they were human.
What was I saying? I had a grudge against Andalites. Not humans. If they were humans, then I wouldn't mind them. I would have been willing to speak to them without conducting any plan for their downfall. However, since they were Andalites, I wanted to rid of them all. Well... not all. Caella seemed nice enough. But not Aximili. Aximili had to go. The others I would have to get to know first. Get to see who they were.
When he walked over I was close to jumping up and running away from the shed. However, I knew Caella would be able to catch me, and I would lose their trust. So voluntarily I put my hands behind my back, and gently Tobouss retied the rope to the pipeline.
With my plan in place I said goodbye to Caella and prepared to speak openly to Tobouss. He would be my next easy mark.
