CHAPTER 13: Dormant With The Enemy
Ax
"I looked through all the files I could, but I can't get a reference on all the members," Erek was saying. "They've locked it away well. There may not even be one accessible."
"Think we could try and contact Illm or other members?" Prince Jake asked.
"I don't know. They may be just as oblivious to the information as we are. You're right on one thing. They are expanding. It would be impossible to know of all the members unless they had it in some databank that's so blocked away with firewalls and such no system could tap into it. Or, unless we were able to contact some leader of some sort."
"If one even exists."
"I have no doubt one exists. There is no possible way that an organization like that could run on its own."
Prince Jake, Erek, and I were all at Erek's house the following day before Prince Jake had to leave for school. Erek was able to get away from playing the part of Ana long enough to be brought up to date on the current problem. We were now sitting on the sofa, Prince Jake to my right, Erek across.
"Does she seem to be in contact with anyone that could be of help?" I asked, then. "You have taken her place for several days, now."
"She has a brother that she socializes with," Erek said slowly. "But I don't think he's on the Movement side. All the rest are human."
"Well," Prince Jake said slowly. "What do you suggest, Ax?"
"Whether she is in the movement or not is indeterminable. I have spoken with her many times previously before; she does not seem to act like many of her species, yet, it still could be a façade. There is no indefinite proof of either case."
"Which 'case' do you think would be the reliable?"
I said nothing. Prince Jake sighed.
"Yeah, I thought so too," he nodded once more and stood up. "All right. We have three things to address. First, Erek, I'd like you to contact Illm. Try and find out something- anything that could help us find out information about Aurana. I'll take into account we may have to deal with this another way. Let's hope that's not a road we'll have to take. The final way is what we discussed earlier, Ax."
"The solution. Yes."
"What solution?" Erek asked.
"Prince Jake believes we should collaborate knowledge and technology to possibly create a solution that could take Aur 1-6-2's memory away. It was still under significant study on my home world."
Erek thought for a moment. "It seems more likely to be impossible but it's worth a try. I'll see what I can do. You say your people were in the process of creating such a substance?"
"It was extremely new," I mention with a thought. "I told Prince Jake about it; it involved turning recent brain cells inaccessible to the mind itself."
"Clever," Erek said, seeming to be in deep thought, "but difficult. Especially if it involves erasing the mind of both the Yeerk and the host. The studies never reach completion?"
"Not at the time. There was no way to regulate which brain cells the solution deactivated and which cells the solution left alone."
"We could try..."
Prince Jake held up his hand. "Please. All of this talk is giving me a headache. You two do what you have to do. Ax, I want you back at eleven tonight to watch Aurana."
"Yes, Prince Jake."
"Erek, when Ax relieves me of watching Aurana, I'll come by later to see how you're coming along. I'll inform Rachel of-"
"Not yet," Erek interrupted. "One of the two other ways should work. I'm sure of it. It'll probably take us all day to think of a breakthrough for that solution, so I'll call in a sick day for Ana."
"All right. I'll see you later on tonight."
Erek turned to me when he left. "Well, let's get started."
************************************
"No, not there!"
CRASH!
I apologize.
"It's not your fault... just..." Erek sighed. "Clean it up and burn this towel," he threw it to me. "I do not want it contaminating anyplace else."
For the second time that day I had dropped one of the cultured solutions. We would have been making better progress had I not been so clumsy. I blamed it on the fact that the night before I had had a troubling, broken sleep.
"What is wrong with you today?" Erek complained, annoyed. "That is the second time."
I am fully aware of that.
He sighed again. "Never mind. We'll just have to try again," he said curtly. "Pass me that precipitate over there."
I did so. He poured the clear liquid slowly into the cup. "Looks like a winner. See how those enzymes are reacting?"
Yes. They seem to only be attracted to the 'C' synthetic cells .
"Check the data log. Those were our recent ones, right?"
Yes.
"Success!" He stood straight up, his motorized body shimmering into his
holographic human one. "It seems extremely late."
It is ten forty in Earth time. I must go.
"Fine. I think we've done our part. Illm wasn't much help." He had talked to him earlier before we engaged in making the solution. It was not exactly an accomplishing event.
Illm had informed us that there was a database, and that he himself had no access to it. There was another who did, but Illm was unsure of whom.
"We keep these kinds of things confidential, you see," Illm had said. "There has been a recent breach within the system and one of our factions were discovered. They all were forced to terminate their lives as well as the lives as the hosts before the Empire captured them."
Were you able to determine the reason for the breach? I asked.
"None, except that somehow someone found out about the location of their hiding," Illm responded. "Since then we have been keeping everything extremely secret."
"How do you know who is in the movement, then, and who is not?"
"There is no possible way, unless contact needs to be made. There are many different factions. Of each faction, there is one in charge. This one tells everyone within their faction when there are meetings held, where they are, and needs to be done to prepare."
Would the head of your faction know?
"I am not positive. He can only speak to the leaders of other factions, and who pass the message on to them."
"So in other words..."
"It may be difficult, even impossible, to find if this girl you speak of truly belongs to the movement or not," Illm had confirmed.
Thus, we returned to Erek's house and began working on the solution. I was only glad that it had been a success.
I will inform Prince Jake of our progress, I told Erek.
"Okay," he said. "Tell him to meet me over at Ana's house, though. I think I had better get there before her parents worry. They're extremely protective. Humans are so jumpy. Don't know why."
I shall do so.
I morphed into my bird morph before stepping out, then flew out into the air. It was quiet, a type of quiet that I enjoyed. The atmosphere of the night inadvertently led my mind to think of other things...
Erek would like you to meet him at Ana's house, I told Prince Jake after reaching the shed.
All right, he said through his morph of the tiger. How was our plan coming along?
Asking Illm proved to be useless. Erek can explain that later. But we were able to successfully culture enzymes that will complete the job.
Excellent. I'll have Tobias relieve you tomorrow morning.
Yes, Prince Jake.
He sighed. I'm not going to even try any more. 'Night.
Prince Jake flew off, and I was left alone with Aurana. I demorphed and sat down. Thankfully, she was asleep.
An hour in Earth time had passed, and I was beginning to relaxed. It was almost out of my mind why I had been so nervous to come in the first place. I had nothing to worry about.
And then she abruptly woke up.
She looked over and saw me.
"Oh! Aximili. I did not expect you to be there."
I could not think of anything else to say other than, Oh... yes. I switched positions with Prince Jacobriel.
She looked down and for a moment the silence lingered. Then, "So are you... doing all right?"
What? Oh. Yes. Yes, I am. Are you?
"Yes. Fine."
She sat back and for another excruciatingly long moment we said nothing. Then she sat up again. "Aximili, listen. About yesterday?"
Yesterday? Oh, yes. That. It had not even crossed my mind. I lied horribly.
"It was erroneous of me to falter like that," she lifting her head up slightly. "I would never do such a..."
Ridiculous?
"Yes. I would never do such a ridiculous thing on purpose. Especially not with you."
I twitched, but attempted not to show offense. It was not completely your fault, but you are correct. It shall not occur again.
"Never. What is past is past," she said promptly.
Of course. I was glad that it had been so simple. We began a new conversation, and we left the topic of our mistake alone. Many things are difficult to evade once they have begun.
********************
"You underrate them. While his theory is slightly incorrect, it is dangerously close. His views on there being a space-time continuum, and of time being relative has set the basis for humans to be uncannily close to travel."
Did the theory include Z-Space?
She smirked. "Of course not. This is still simply theory here. But the fact that he has figured all this without ever entering space himself is excellent."
I wonder why they do not direct more of their resources toward the matter.
"They enjoy directing their priorities to other essences. Such as creating cinnamon buns."
Well, then that is definite reason to direct priorities elsewhere.
She gave a vague, momentary smile, then looked toward the door, yawning. "What time is it?"
Instantaneously speaking, four o' seven in Earth time.
"That late?" she stopped, shaking her head. "I mean, that early?"
Yes, I suppose so. It is odd, I do not feel tired.
"Neither do I." She turned and gave me a derisive grin. "Most likely because of that senseless debate about Cincurian technology we had earlier, which lasted for hours. It is not, by the way, better than Yeerk technology."
With originality in mind, it is, I input. Of course, it is not as good as Andalite technology.
"Of course it is not," she mimicked my voice. Then, "But we are not going to get into this. We'll most likely end up arguing into the daylight hours if we do."
I laughed. Well then possibly I should be quiet and let you sleep. You will have a somewhat easy day today.
"What do you mean by that?"
Well, we are not planning to kill you anymore.
"Ah, the tension lifts," she said sardonically. "I had forgotten all about that. So... what do you plan instead?"
Instead, we have created a solution that will take away the memory of both you and your host.
She stared at me for a moment. "Really? This is not some sort of sick Andalite humor, is it?"
Andalites do not contain much humor.
"That is indisputable," she said, then smiled more broadly. "You surprise me. So you Andalites truly are not the heartless, vindictive creatures I thought you were."
I suppose that was some form of a Yeerk compliment?
"Certainly." She laid her head back, closing her eyes for a moment. "I think that today I shall stay up and watch the sunrise. It will be an enjoyable thing to do under the conditions."
Excellent. It is not unlike Earth's sunset, so now I can prove to you that Earth's sunset is much more pleasant than its' nightfall.
"Humans have a very simple saying to that comment you just made, Aximili."
What is it?
"Dream on."
So we waited for the sunrise. And while we waited, we debated. Ironically, debate seemed the only thing we could agree on.
An hour later, it came time for me to prove the Yeerk right. I opened the door and moved closer to the pole, where I could get a better view. I then morphed human, and sat on the floor; beyond the door the woods stood high, and I needed to be in a low position in order to catch the full view. The sun began to peek over the distant horizon, exposing the sky to its' bright emanation and forcing the eyes to adjust to its' glow rather than the distant glisten of the stars.
"It is nice," she said, breaking the silence as the sun comes up. "To be able to experience this type of thing every day. Humans do not know how lucky they are."
"You truly enjoy nature, don't you?" I asked.
"It is something that I can appreciate while being here on this planet," she responded. "I have never been able to understand the value in the environment and the nature of worlds because of my ignorance to them. Earth was the first planet other than my own home world that I was able to see, and it is much better than the latter. Truthfully I would be overwhelmed if there were any other planets that could surpass this."
"Well, the Andalite home world is nice... but it does not have so many oceans. The Leeran world has far too much water- it's land is barren and the true beauty lies beneath the water. There are others... too many to name, that are nice, but Earth... it is different. It is unexplainable."
"Possibly," she said, continuing looking out the door, "If I could leave Earth.... just momentarily, I would visit these other planets you speak of. Not the Andalite home world," she corrected herself quickly. "It would be treason there. But exploration would be nice."
"Yes," I agreed. "It would be."
Silence could elude us no longer, and as it seemed like a great avail at the time, it would not have mattered whether we were in silence or we were speaking; both seemed to suit just fine.
I sat there, enjoying the view more than I had in awhile. It was relaxing; and calm. Despite the fact that I was cold (for human skin has no protection whatsoever), as I closed my eyes for a moment's rest, it seemed like a sudden wave of warmth washed over me.
And everything was perfect.
Ax
"I looked through all the files I could, but I can't get a reference on all the members," Erek was saying. "They've locked it away well. There may not even be one accessible."
"Think we could try and contact Illm or other members?" Prince Jake asked.
"I don't know. They may be just as oblivious to the information as we are. You're right on one thing. They are expanding. It would be impossible to know of all the members unless they had it in some databank that's so blocked away with firewalls and such no system could tap into it. Or, unless we were able to contact some leader of some sort."
"If one even exists."
"I have no doubt one exists. There is no possible way that an organization like that could run on its own."
Prince Jake, Erek, and I were all at Erek's house the following day before Prince Jake had to leave for school. Erek was able to get away from playing the part of Ana long enough to be brought up to date on the current problem. We were now sitting on the sofa, Prince Jake to my right, Erek across.
"Does she seem to be in contact with anyone that could be of help?" I asked, then. "You have taken her place for several days, now."
"She has a brother that she socializes with," Erek said slowly. "But I don't think he's on the Movement side. All the rest are human."
"Well," Prince Jake said slowly. "What do you suggest, Ax?"
"Whether she is in the movement or not is indeterminable. I have spoken with her many times previously before; she does not seem to act like many of her species, yet, it still could be a façade. There is no indefinite proof of either case."
"Which 'case' do you think would be the reliable?"
I said nothing. Prince Jake sighed.
"Yeah, I thought so too," he nodded once more and stood up. "All right. We have three things to address. First, Erek, I'd like you to contact Illm. Try and find out something- anything that could help us find out information about Aurana. I'll take into account we may have to deal with this another way. Let's hope that's not a road we'll have to take. The final way is what we discussed earlier, Ax."
"The solution. Yes."
"What solution?" Erek asked.
"Prince Jake believes we should collaborate knowledge and technology to possibly create a solution that could take Aur 1-6-2's memory away. It was still under significant study on my home world."
Erek thought for a moment. "It seems more likely to be impossible but it's worth a try. I'll see what I can do. You say your people were in the process of creating such a substance?"
"It was extremely new," I mention with a thought. "I told Prince Jake about it; it involved turning recent brain cells inaccessible to the mind itself."
"Clever," Erek said, seeming to be in deep thought, "but difficult. Especially if it involves erasing the mind of both the Yeerk and the host. The studies never reach completion?"
"Not at the time. There was no way to regulate which brain cells the solution deactivated and which cells the solution left alone."
"We could try..."
Prince Jake held up his hand. "Please. All of this talk is giving me a headache. You two do what you have to do. Ax, I want you back at eleven tonight to watch Aurana."
"Yes, Prince Jake."
"Erek, when Ax relieves me of watching Aurana, I'll come by later to see how you're coming along. I'll inform Rachel of-"
"Not yet," Erek interrupted. "One of the two other ways should work. I'm sure of it. It'll probably take us all day to think of a breakthrough for that solution, so I'll call in a sick day for Ana."
"All right. I'll see you later on tonight."
Erek turned to me when he left. "Well, let's get started."
************************************
"No, not there!"
CRASH!
I apologize.
"It's not your fault... just..." Erek sighed. "Clean it up and burn this towel," he threw it to me. "I do not want it contaminating anyplace else."
For the second time that day I had dropped one of the cultured solutions. We would have been making better progress had I not been so clumsy. I blamed it on the fact that the night before I had had a troubling, broken sleep.
"What is wrong with you today?" Erek complained, annoyed. "That is the second time."
I am fully aware of that.
He sighed again. "Never mind. We'll just have to try again," he said curtly. "Pass me that precipitate over there."
I did so. He poured the clear liquid slowly into the cup. "Looks like a winner. See how those enzymes are reacting?"
Yes. They seem to only be attracted to the 'C' synthetic cells .
"Check the data log. Those were our recent ones, right?"
Yes.
"Success!" He stood straight up, his motorized body shimmering into his
holographic human one. "It seems extremely late."
It is ten forty in Earth time. I must go.
"Fine. I think we've done our part. Illm wasn't much help." He had talked to him earlier before we engaged in making the solution. It was not exactly an accomplishing event.
Illm had informed us that there was a database, and that he himself had no access to it. There was another who did, but Illm was unsure of whom.
"We keep these kinds of things confidential, you see," Illm had said. "There has been a recent breach within the system and one of our factions were discovered. They all were forced to terminate their lives as well as the lives as the hosts before the Empire captured them."
Were you able to determine the reason for the breach? I asked.
"None, except that somehow someone found out about the location of their hiding," Illm responded. "Since then we have been keeping everything extremely secret."
"How do you know who is in the movement, then, and who is not?"
"There is no possible way, unless contact needs to be made. There are many different factions. Of each faction, there is one in charge. This one tells everyone within their faction when there are meetings held, where they are, and needs to be done to prepare."
Would the head of your faction know?
"I am not positive. He can only speak to the leaders of other factions, and who pass the message on to them."
"So in other words..."
"It may be difficult, even impossible, to find if this girl you speak of truly belongs to the movement or not," Illm had confirmed.
Thus, we returned to Erek's house and began working on the solution. I was only glad that it had been a success.
I will inform Prince Jake of our progress, I told Erek.
"Okay," he said. "Tell him to meet me over at Ana's house, though. I think I had better get there before her parents worry. They're extremely protective. Humans are so jumpy. Don't know why."
I shall do so.
I morphed into my bird morph before stepping out, then flew out into the air. It was quiet, a type of quiet that I enjoyed. The atmosphere of the night inadvertently led my mind to think of other things...
Erek would like you to meet him at Ana's house, I told Prince Jake after reaching the shed.
All right, he said through his morph of the tiger. How was our plan coming along?
Asking Illm proved to be useless. Erek can explain that later. But we were able to successfully culture enzymes that will complete the job.
Excellent. I'll have Tobias relieve you tomorrow morning.
Yes, Prince Jake.
He sighed. I'm not going to even try any more. 'Night.
Prince Jake flew off, and I was left alone with Aurana. I demorphed and sat down. Thankfully, she was asleep.
An hour in Earth time had passed, and I was beginning to relaxed. It was almost out of my mind why I had been so nervous to come in the first place. I had nothing to worry about.
And then she abruptly woke up.
She looked over and saw me.
"Oh! Aximili. I did not expect you to be there."
I could not think of anything else to say other than, Oh... yes. I switched positions with Prince Jacobriel.
She looked down and for a moment the silence lingered. Then, "So are you... doing all right?"
What? Oh. Yes. Yes, I am. Are you?
"Yes. Fine."
She sat back and for another excruciatingly long moment we said nothing. Then she sat up again. "Aximili, listen. About yesterday?"
Yesterday? Oh, yes. That. It had not even crossed my mind. I lied horribly.
"It was erroneous of me to falter like that," she lifting her head up slightly. "I would never do such a..."
Ridiculous?
"Yes. I would never do such a ridiculous thing on purpose. Especially not with you."
I twitched, but attempted not to show offense. It was not completely your fault, but you are correct. It shall not occur again.
"Never. What is past is past," she said promptly.
Of course. I was glad that it had been so simple. We began a new conversation, and we left the topic of our mistake alone. Many things are difficult to evade once they have begun.
********************
"You underrate them. While his theory is slightly incorrect, it is dangerously close. His views on there being a space-time continuum, and of time being relative has set the basis for humans to be uncannily close to travel."
Did the theory include Z-Space?
She smirked. "Of course not. This is still simply theory here. But the fact that he has figured all this without ever entering space himself is excellent."
I wonder why they do not direct more of their resources toward the matter.
"They enjoy directing their priorities to other essences. Such as creating cinnamon buns."
Well, then that is definite reason to direct priorities elsewhere.
She gave a vague, momentary smile, then looked toward the door, yawning. "What time is it?"
Instantaneously speaking, four o' seven in Earth time.
"That late?" she stopped, shaking her head. "I mean, that early?"
Yes, I suppose so. It is odd, I do not feel tired.
"Neither do I." She turned and gave me a derisive grin. "Most likely because of that senseless debate about Cincurian technology we had earlier, which lasted for hours. It is not, by the way, better than Yeerk technology."
With originality in mind, it is, I input. Of course, it is not as good as Andalite technology.
"Of course it is not," she mimicked my voice. Then, "But we are not going to get into this. We'll most likely end up arguing into the daylight hours if we do."
I laughed. Well then possibly I should be quiet and let you sleep. You will have a somewhat easy day today.
"What do you mean by that?"
Well, we are not planning to kill you anymore.
"Ah, the tension lifts," she said sardonically. "I had forgotten all about that. So... what do you plan instead?"
Instead, we have created a solution that will take away the memory of both you and your host.
She stared at me for a moment. "Really? This is not some sort of sick Andalite humor, is it?"
Andalites do not contain much humor.
"That is indisputable," she said, then smiled more broadly. "You surprise me. So you Andalites truly are not the heartless, vindictive creatures I thought you were."
I suppose that was some form of a Yeerk compliment?
"Certainly." She laid her head back, closing her eyes for a moment. "I think that today I shall stay up and watch the sunrise. It will be an enjoyable thing to do under the conditions."
Excellent. It is not unlike Earth's sunset, so now I can prove to you that Earth's sunset is much more pleasant than its' nightfall.
"Humans have a very simple saying to that comment you just made, Aximili."
What is it?
"Dream on."
So we waited for the sunrise. And while we waited, we debated. Ironically, debate seemed the only thing we could agree on.
An hour later, it came time for me to prove the Yeerk right. I opened the door and moved closer to the pole, where I could get a better view. I then morphed human, and sat on the floor; beyond the door the woods stood high, and I needed to be in a low position in order to catch the full view. The sun began to peek over the distant horizon, exposing the sky to its' bright emanation and forcing the eyes to adjust to its' glow rather than the distant glisten of the stars.
"It is nice," she said, breaking the silence as the sun comes up. "To be able to experience this type of thing every day. Humans do not know how lucky they are."
"You truly enjoy nature, don't you?" I asked.
"It is something that I can appreciate while being here on this planet," she responded. "I have never been able to understand the value in the environment and the nature of worlds because of my ignorance to them. Earth was the first planet other than my own home world that I was able to see, and it is much better than the latter. Truthfully I would be overwhelmed if there were any other planets that could surpass this."
"Well, the Andalite home world is nice... but it does not have so many oceans. The Leeran world has far too much water- it's land is barren and the true beauty lies beneath the water. There are others... too many to name, that are nice, but Earth... it is different. It is unexplainable."
"Possibly," she said, continuing looking out the door, "If I could leave Earth.... just momentarily, I would visit these other planets you speak of. Not the Andalite home world," she corrected herself quickly. "It would be treason there. But exploration would be nice."
"Yes," I agreed. "It would be."
Silence could elude us no longer, and as it seemed like a great avail at the time, it would not have mattered whether we were in silence or we were speaking; both seemed to suit just fine.
I sat there, enjoying the view more than I had in awhile. It was relaxing; and calm. Despite the fact that I was cold (for human skin has no protection whatsoever), as I closed my eyes for a moment's rest, it seemed like a sudden wave of warmth washed over me.
And everything was perfect.
