The Future Past
She stayed with the androids that called themselves the Chee for several days before she was better. She would never be fully better again; the burns would leave scars she would have to wear for the rest of her life. But by the end of those days she could move again without her sore skin tormenting her.
She could move, but she still remembered nothing.
The Chee fed her and hid her from the Yeerks as if it was the most natural thing in the world. But she had no memory of them, or of anything or anyone else.
Over a week had been when she had the first flash of memory. She was sitting by a river, watching it flow, keeping both ears open for those the Chee called Yeerks and their bug fighters.
The Chee were nearby, talking amongst themselves. She heard parts of their conversation. They were discussing possibilities of saving someone from the Yeerks.
She still wasn't sure who these Yeerks were, but according to the Chee the Yeerks were the ones at that battle. The blue creature she had tried to kill was a Yeerk. So were most of the tall, bladed creatures. She didn't know anything more than that, but she knew that the word made her blood boil with rage.
She was watching the river, and listening to the conversation between the androids. Then she heard a word. A word she recognized immediately.
"…Jordan, maybe she'd…"
She sat up, her back suddenly stiff. She knew that name.
The Chee continued, and she heard the one called Tomi say "No, no, too risky. We can't…"
But it was already done. She had had a flash of memory; a picture. A picture of a young woman, with long, blonde hair and a dangerously stubborn expression, surrounded by furry dogs baring their teeth.
She stood up and walked up to the Chee. Who is Jordan? she asked.
The Chee had been surprised the first times she spoke to them, claiming she spoke like someone in morph - whatever they meant by that - and wondering if she was a nothlit - whatever that was. Now, they accepted her way of speaking.
It was the most natural way to speak. She had noticed that she was able to speak with her mouth, but it felt wrong.
Tomi turned towards her, and smiled encouragingly. "You remember something about her?"
She nodded.
"She's a sister to one of the Animorphs," Theresa said. And at her confused expression, she added; "The resistance leaders."
Does she have blonde hair?
Theresa nodded, wrinkling her holographic forehead. "Yes. You know her?"
Perhaps. I recognize her name.
"It's a good start," the one called Mack said. He seemed to always be optimistic, and she liked him for that. "Maybe, if we're lucky, you'll remember your own name as well."
She nodded, and went back to her river. She toyed with the dracon, that she kept with her ever since it had been given to her, and started thinking again. Maybe she would find something else that she recognized.
But her memory was sealed off tightly. Hidden behind a wall. And she couldn't break through.
The next time she got through to her memory was the next morning. Being bored, she asked Tomi to tell her about the Animorphs.
And then came another name she recognized.
Tomi was telling the story - in holographs as well as words - of each of the Animorphs - being as organized as any Chee and telling it in alphabetical order.
She started by showing a hologram of one of those blue creatures. And said; "That's Ax."
Aximili, she corrected automatically.
Tomi blinked, turned towards her. "What did you say?"
She repeated the word, insecurely, wondering to herself where she had gotten it from. And then she asked Tomi what was special about it.
"Aximili is his real name," Tomi said. "You see, 'Ax' is just a nickname. His name is Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill."
Her eyes widened when she recognized the name. And recognized who the name belonged to. My cousin, she said.
"What?"
But she was sure now. She remembered that clearly. He's my cousin! she blurted, and flew to her feet, happy with knowing finally something about who she was. I'm Aximili's cousin!
Tomi stood up, watching her. The other Chee turned away from whatever they were doing and watched her as well. Theresa smiled. Mack reached up to pat her shoulder lightly, being careful about her burns.
But then Tomi and Theresa exchanged a worried glance.
"That would mean you're Andalite," Tomi said carefully.
I am?
Theresa nodded. "Yes," she said. "And also a nothlit. As we thought."
She didn't know what they were talking about, and she didn't care. She finally had a clue to who she was! She turned towards Tomi. Tell me more about Aximili.
Tomi sighed. "He's got a brother who gave the Animorphs the power to morph. The escafil device, that they called the blue box. His name was Prince Elfangor."
Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul, she laughed, dancing around. I remember him, too! Elfangor-Sirinial… she stopped. Tilted her head to her side. Couldn't believe what her mind was telling her.
"What is it?" Mack chuckled. "Remembered his favourite dessert?"
No, she said, not bothering to ask what 'dessert' was. No. I remembered my name.
And she turned to walk away, leaving the Chee to decide that maybe she needed her time alone.
Larynia-Talene-Sirinial. That was her name. That was who she was.
With her name, came a flood of memories. Her parents, her two brothers, the fall of her planet and disgrace of her people, the tough times on the new planet, struggling for survival… and Marco.
She almost wished she could lock some of her memories back in that dark hole where they had been hiding.
But she remembered one more thing, as well. One thing that gave her hope.
So Larynia - because that was her name - drew Theresa the Chee aside and said; I want to ask a favour.
Theresa smiled. "Anything," she said. "We're Chee. If we can help someone, we're happy."
Can you swim?
Theresa nodded.
I mean, swim really well. As well as a whale. A dolphin. An orca.
Theresa nodded again. "What's the matter?"
Larynia didn't want to explain too much; she didn't feel like talking about Marco. So she only said; Me and my friends are from the future. We were trying to undo this defeat.
"Then it is too late."
No. We hid the Time Matrix that brought us here in the ocean. I would be grateful if you would find it for me.
"Larynia," Theresa said, worried. "The ocean is a very large place. It would take us years, hundreds of years, thousands of years, perhaps, to find the Time Matrix there."
Larynia disagreed. I know where it is. I do not know exactly where, but I know in which area.
Theresa looked troubled, but promised; "We'll try." She smiled bravely and Larynia smiled back. "Well, it is our only hope," Theresa added and blinked. "Where is this place?"
Larynia led the group of Chee to the beach. She was highly thankful that she hadn't lost her Andalite sense of direction and distance when she became a nothlit, or they would have been searching the coast for a shorter eternity.
She pointed out the place where Marco had begun rolling the spherical Time Matrix into the ocean. She told them how he had hid it under seaweed and whatever else he could find, that he had been in orca morph, and that he had been gone for about one and a half hours.
A Chee called Jeremy stayed with her on the beach, hiding them both under his hologram, and the rest - including Mack, Tomi, and Theresa - waded purposefully into the water.
"What are you going to do with the Time Matrix?" Jeremy asked. He was usually very silent, so Larynia was surprised that he had spoken.
But she wasted no time in answering. I am planning to save the Andalite world firstly, she said. I can warn them in time, let them beat back the Yeerk attack. Then I'm sending them to stop the Yeerks here.
"Not much of a plan," Jeremy said. Then he shrugged. "But hey, I'm a Chee. What do I know of war and tactics and armies?"
Larynia smiled at the android. She was sick and tired of Yeerks and battles and wars herself. Since Marco was killed, she had… well, at least since she had remembered who he was and that he was dead, she often felt like ignoring the war, letting the universe fend for itself best it could, and caring nothing if her two peoples fell into slavery.
But then she realized that one reason she loved - she refused to say 'had loved' - Marco so much was that he would never have given up. And if he had known she was even thinking about it, he would have been furious.
She'd always liked making him furious. But now, for probably the first time, she was going to do what he would have asked of her. And save the world while she was at it.
Not because she wanted to. Not because it was her duty, although her sense of duty had always been strong.
But because Marco would have wanted her to keep fighting. So fight she would.
Jeremy stayed silent after that. Larynia didn't feel like talking, either. So neither of the two said another word until the Chee began coming out of the water again.
Larynia got to her feet. She only saw one android head, bobbing above the surface far out among the waves, and then an arm as whoever it was waved, before it was all hidden under a hologram.
You think they found it? Larynia asked Jeremy.
Jeremy nodded. "They told me over Chee-net." He sighed. "Are you leaving at once?"
Larynia bit her lip but nodded again, fingering at the dracon that she still carried. It would be easier. And safer. The Yeerks can't be allowed to spot the Time Matrix, and the Yeerks are the rulers of this planet. We can't let them find it.
Jeremy agreed. Or at least he didn't disagree. All he said was; "Good luck. Keep out of trouble, okay?"
Larynia nodded. I will try.
And she watched for any sign that the Chee were returning. They were still hidden under their hologram.
After some time all the Chee were hidden in the safety of Jeremy's hologram, now each wearing their normal, human-form hologram.
And rolling the glittering Time Matrix between them.
Did it take you long to find it? Larynia asked.
"No," Theresa replied, smiling at the calculating look on Larynia's face. "We don't need air, so we can stay under as long as we need to. And we don't get tired, so we can keep working. And it keeps making this weird, humming sound that our sensors can detect from a few hundred meters away in the water."
Larynia looked worried, wondering if the Yeerks had the same sensors, but hoping they hadn't. But she let the worry pass, and continued with her task.
She stepped up to the sphere and placed one hand on it's metal surface. Her skin tingled. She turned back towards the Chee with a weak smile, readying the dracon in her other hand.
"Good luck," Tomi said, and smiled. The others nodded and mumbled similar goodbyes.
Larynia turned back towards the sphere, placed both hands on it and shimmered and disappeared.
*2:59:00 REMAINING*
Captain Jaruili-Taninis-Eredric turned around instantly at the buzzing sound, and found himself face to face with a human.
A human standing in front of a sphere and holding a Yeerk dracon.
On the battle bridge of the River's Promise itself, his own Dome Ship!
Yeerk! he spat, and his tail was halfway towards her face when she suddenly disappeared again.
Another buzz and the human reappeared, now a few meters away, but still with the sphere and the dracon.
Some of Jaruili's warriors started forwards, when a thought-speech voice cried; Wait!
Jaruili recognized the voice. He motioned to his warriors to wait, but that didn't stop them from raising and aiming shredders.
Who are you, human? Jaruili asked. He had been contacted by humans earlier - humans and Andalites, to be exact - but the communication had been cut off with the excuse of Yeerks attacking and he hadn't heard from them since then.
My name is Larynia-Talene-Sirinial, said the human, still speaking in thought-speech. Strange, for a human to do that.
Jaruili felt like laughing at the name, but stopped at the last moment. Many others seem to be her as well today, he said. What proof do you have?
The human motioned at the sphere behind her. This is the Time Matrix, she said. And then added fiercely; Don't come too close to it, or I'll shoot you. I won't let it be stolen.
A young fighter pilot stepped up to Jaruili, walking cautiously and slowly, knowing his place was not to disturb the ship's captain any time he wanted to.
Jaruili swivelled a questioning stalk-eye towards him.
I am Merin-Arethil-Coorat, he said. I just arrived on this ship… I was sent here to confirm the identity my sister, who supposedly had called your ship. he nodded towards the human, who, as soon as she saw the pilot, had bit sharply into her lower lip. Jaruili was not sure what such a very non-Andalite gesture meant. Larynia-Talene-Sirinial. I do not know about the one who called your ship, but that… is not my sister.
Why not? Karmil asked. He was Jaruili's TO - tactical officer.
Because my sister cannot morph, said Merin. And I will not believe that that is my sister until she proves it by demorphing.
Jaruili nodded towards her. Go on, he said.
The human's pose faded. I can't do that, she said.
And why not? Karmil demanded.
Because I'm a nothlit.
There was a murmur of thought-speech for a few moments, but silence fell when Jaruili called for it.
Still, that is not my sister, Merin insisted privately. My sister would have convinced us all by now…
Oh, Merin you fool, the human snapped, suddenly fierce. Don't you think I know when you're blabbering privately? Stop it, or I'll chop you to pieces like the slow, stumbling klutz you are!
Merin stared as if he had just seen an Ellimist. Jaruili recognized a faint trace of disbelief before he turned his eyes back to the human, who continued without stopping.
What's the matter? she snapped. Shredder-stunned or something? She glared at Merin, and didn't stop talking; I'll prove to you I'm your sister. Even though sometimes I really only feel ashamed about it. Get over here!
Merin hesitated, and glanced at Jaruili, asking for permission. Jaruili thought for a moment, and exchanged a glance with Karmil, who said - privately - to Merin; Do you consider it safe?
If that is my sister, I advise you all to keep your distance, Merin said to the captain and the TO.
You believe it is?
She certainly has temper enough. he sighed, maybe feeling a twinge of homesickness. I think it is safe.
Then go, Jaruili said.
By then, the human had spread her arms wide, still glaring as if to make a point of it, and was busy saying; Oh, are you scared? Frightened of a puny, harmless, tailless human. Brave Merin is afraid of a lone woman!
But even if she gave the impression of being in control, being calm, one foot rested on the surface of what she claimed was the Time Matrix. Jaruili had by then figured out that it operated by touch, and he guessed that she didn't feel as safe as she seemed to. She was ready to disappear at any moment.
Merin walked up to her, using the cocky swaggering typical of fighter pilots.
The human waited until he was right in front of her. She took one look at his tail, up somewhere between relaxed and attack, and then she reached up to rest one hand on his forehead. Merin didn't move. His eyes went through the glazy state of someone receiving memories by thought-transmission.
When the human pulled her hand away, Merin's expression had changed completely. From secure and cocky to surprised, relieved, and at the same time obviously troubled.
Well? Karmil said impatiently.
Merin didn't seem to hear. He blinked, his tail sunk far back to relaxed, and took the human's hand in both his. Sister, he said, his voice thick. What has happened to you?
The woman smiled and her eyes were suddenly wet. Another unexplainable human thing that was unique for them, that they called 'tears'. It will take too long to explain, she said. I'll let you know later. She turned towards the captain of the ship. Jaruili? I need a word. A lot of them, actually.
*2:30:00 REMAINING*
For the what must have been the hundredth time, Merin flinched at the phrase.
Why do you keep saying that? he asked.
What? Larynia replied, toying with the dracon that she refused to let anyone else even take a look at.
'Your home planet', he said. You talk of our home as if it isn't yours.
It isn't.
Why not? Merin asked.
Larynia sighed heavily. Because too much has happened, she said.
Tell me, Merin demanded.
No, she said.
Larynia!
No, she repeated. I've never done as you've told me, why should I start now?
Because now I'm the only one with a tail.
Larynia smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
Please?
Okay, she said, switching to private thought-speech. I'll tell you. If you swear to keep it secret. You can't ever tell anyone. Because if I tell you part of it, I'll have to tell you it all.
Merin was surprised at the seriousness in her voice, but promised as he was asked. It was the least he could do.
Larynia nodded. I'll start when our planet fell.
FELL?! Merin cried out, in open thought-speech, making a more than a few sets of stalk-eyes turn towards them.
Larynia gave him a sharp stare and he apologized for shouting out, but still felt somewhat shaken.
Larynia nodded. Fell. To the Yeerks. Yes, it happened. I'll start there. And end where we are now.
She lifted her hand and placed it on his forehead. He could feel how the memories were sent into his own mind. They came too fast for him to make any sense of them at first. Only a few moments after Larynia had removed her hand did he get them more or less in some sort of order.
And he felt, if possible, even more shaken. He looked down at his hands to find them shaking, and clenched them to make them stop. Then he found that his hands wasn't the only part of him that was shaking; his whole body was trembling.
He grabbed a hold of himself and forced some sort of dignity back to his posture. A fighter pilot did not tremble like a frightened child.
Did not, he reminded himself again, discovering that his front knees were still twitching. Definitely not.
I'm sorry, Larynia said, placing a hand on his shoulder - and then recalling that Andalites didn't do that, and removed it again.
Is that what has happened to you?
Larynia nodded. What will happen. Unless we do something about it. That was why I had that talk with your captain and the TO. In just a few minutes, he'll get a transmission coming in from me and Marco - you know which one.
She paused and glanced at him, and continued when he nodded, confirming. I told him what to say, and what we will tell him, and hopefully he is smart enough to do as I told him. After that he will be calling the War Council, informing them according to what I told him.
And what is that?
What was just transferred over to you. That's all I know. The siege on your planet will remain the same, unthreatening, seemingly too unstable and too weak to be worth worrying about, for one more day. After that, the Yeerks will have secured Earth and they'll attack. Our fleet will try hurrying back, as you know, but traps are set around in Z-Space.
I know, Merin said in a growl.
Anyway. Jaruili will do his best to convince the War Council that a fleet shall be sent to Earth, my world… Merin flinched again, but Larynia ignored it … and I've given detailed instructions of how to prevent it from falling… how to prevent the Animorphs and cousin Aximili from being infested.
How about evacuating our planet?
No, Larynia disagreed. Karmil and Jaruili saw the flaws in that at once. The Yeerks will realise we know what's going on. They might do something that I don't remember, that I know nothing about, and can't expect. We don't want that.
Maybe not, Merin agreed.
At the same time as you're all busy saving Earth, the remaining part of the fleet will be speeding back home. When and if - maybe they won't risk it without the morphable human hosts, and Aximili who knows the defences - the assault on your planet can be stopped, from behind them and from the surface's armaments.
Merin searched through his copy of Larynia's memories and found what he had been looking for. Their victory was inevitable once they reached ground level.
Larynia confirmed that with a nod. True. That mistake won't be made this time. And if they do reach the planet's surface, we'll need to have prepared complete mobilization. Everyone. If they get down to ground, everyone with a tail will have to fight. Not just the warriors. They were slaughtered.
Merin found the thought of teachers and cloud artists and dancers and… females… participating in battles somewhat disturbing. But he realised that his sister was right. From her own memories, she had managed to get herself and their parents on one of the three fleeing transports by using her tail.
It wasn't that a bad idea, he realised. And it was necessary.
Larynia continued. I have discussed it with the tactical officer, and he believes I am correct. I transferred a few battle memories to him, to help him understand, and he is working on the details of the plan.
And what will you be doing? he asked.
I could stay here, of course. The Time Matrix allows me to. But I'm going to the bridge of the large Mother Ship heading for your world and I'm going to stop it.
How?
I intend to hijack it.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Author's Note;
Not much happened in that one. *sigh* I didn't manage to put her in a lot of trouble in the end of this one, but I promise I'll do that for the next chapter instead. Or the chapter after that.
Otherwise I'll take a trip to the doctor and ask what's wrong with me...
Don't forget to be *good* little readers and review. (!!!)
She stayed with the androids that called themselves the Chee for several days before she was better. She would never be fully better again; the burns would leave scars she would have to wear for the rest of her life. But by the end of those days she could move again without her sore skin tormenting her.
She could move, but she still remembered nothing.
The Chee fed her and hid her from the Yeerks as if it was the most natural thing in the world. But she had no memory of them, or of anything or anyone else.
Over a week had been when she had the first flash of memory. She was sitting by a river, watching it flow, keeping both ears open for those the Chee called Yeerks and their bug fighters.
The Chee were nearby, talking amongst themselves. She heard parts of their conversation. They were discussing possibilities of saving someone from the Yeerks.
She still wasn't sure who these Yeerks were, but according to the Chee the Yeerks were the ones at that battle. The blue creature she had tried to kill was a Yeerk. So were most of the tall, bladed creatures. She didn't know anything more than that, but she knew that the word made her blood boil with rage.
She was watching the river, and listening to the conversation between the androids. Then she heard a word. A word she recognized immediately.
"…Jordan, maybe she'd…"
She sat up, her back suddenly stiff. She knew that name.
The Chee continued, and she heard the one called Tomi say "No, no, too risky. We can't…"
But it was already done. She had had a flash of memory; a picture. A picture of a young woman, with long, blonde hair and a dangerously stubborn expression, surrounded by furry dogs baring their teeth.
She stood up and walked up to the Chee. Who is Jordan? she asked.
The Chee had been surprised the first times she spoke to them, claiming she spoke like someone in morph - whatever they meant by that - and wondering if she was a nothlit - whatever that was. Now, they accepted her way of speaking.
It was the most natural way to speak. She had noticed that she was able to speak with her mouth, but it felt wrong.
Tomi turned towards her, and smiled encouragingly. "You remember something about her?"
She nodded.
"She's a sister to one of the Animorphs," Theresa said. And at her confused expression, she added; "The resistance leaders."
Does she have blonde hair?
Theresa nodded, wrinkling her holographic forehead. "Yes. You know her?"
Perhaps. I recognize her name.
"It's a good start," the one called Mack said. He seemed to always be optimistic, and she liked him for that. "Maybe, if we're lucky, you'll remember your own name as well."
She nodded, and went back to her river. She toyed with the dracon, that she kept with her ever since it had been given to her, and started thinking again. Maybe she would find something else that she recognized.
But her memory was sealed off tightly. Hidden behind a wall. And she couldn't break through.
The next time she got through to her memory was the next morning. Being bored, she asked Tomi to tell her about the Animorphs.
And then came another name she recognized.
Tomi was telling the story - in holographs as well as words - of each of the Animorphs - being as organized as any Chee and telling it in alphabetical order.
She started by showing a hologram of one of those blue creatures. And said; "That's Ax."
Aximili, she corrected automatically.
Tomi blinked, turned towards her. "What did you say?"
She repeated the word, insecurely, wondering to herself where she had gotten it from. And then she asked Tomi what was special about it.
"Aximili is his real name," Tomi said. "You see, 'Ax' is just a nickname. His name is Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill."
Her eyes widened when she recognized the name. And recognized who the name belonged to. My cousin, she said.
"What?"
But she was sure now. She remembered that clearly. He's my cousin! she blurted, and flew to her feet, happy with knowing finally something about who she was. I'm Aximili's cousin!
Tomi stood up, watching her. The other Chee turned away from whatever they were doing and watched her as well. Theresa smiled. Mack reached up to pat her shoulder lightly, being careful about her burns.
But then Tomi and Theresa exchanged a worried glance.
"That would mean you're Andalite," Tomi said carefully.
I am?
Theresa nodded. "Yes," she said. "And also a nothlit. As we thought."
She didn't know what they were talking about, and she didn't care. She finally had a clue to who she was! She turned towards Tomi. Tell me more about Aximili.
Tomi sighed. "He's got a brother who gave the Animorphs the power to morph. The escafil device, that they called the blue box. His name was Prince Elfangor."
Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul, she laughed, dancing around. I remember him, too! Elfangor-Sirinial… she stopped. Tilted her head to her side. Couldn't believe what her mind was telling her.
"What is it?" Mack chuckled. "Remembered his favourite dessert?"
No, she said, not bothering to ask what 'dessert' was. No. I remembered my name.
And she turned to walk away, leaving the Chee to decide that maybe she needed her time alone.
Larynia-Talene-Sirinial. That was her name. That was who she was.
With her name, came a flood of memories. Her parents, her two brothers, the fall of her planet and disgrace of her people, the tough times on the new planet, struggling for survival… and Marco.
She almost wished she could lock some of her memories back in that dark hole where they had been hiding.
But she remembered one more thing, as well. One thing that gave her hope.
So Larynia - because that was her name - drew Theresa the Chee aside and said; I want to ask a favour.
Theresa smiled. "Anything," she said. "We're Chee. If we can help someone, we're happy."
Can you swim?
Theresa nodded.
I mean, swim really well. As well as a whale. A dolphin. An orca.
Theresa nodded again. "What's the matter?"
Larynia didn't want to explain too much; she didn't feel like talking about Marco. So she only said; Me and my friends are from the future. We were trying to undo this defeat.
"Then it is too late."
No. We hid the Time Matrix that brought us here in the ocean. I would be grateful if you would find it for me.
"Larynia," Theresa said, worried. "The ocean is a very large place. It would take us years, hundreds of years, thousands of years, perhaps, to find the Time Matrix there."
Larynia disagreed. I know where it is. I do not know exactly where, but I know in which area.
Theresa looked troubled, but promised; "We'll try." She smiled bravely and Larynia smiled back. "Well, it is our only hope," Theresa added and blinked. "Where is this place?"
Larynia led the group of Chee to the beach. She was highly thankful that she hadn't lost her Andalite sense of direction and distance when she became a nothlit, or they would have been searching the coast for a shorter eternity.
She pointed out the place where Marco had begun rolling the spherical Time Matrix into the ocean. She told them how he had hid it under seaweed and whatever else he could find, that he had been in orca morph, and that he had been gone for about one and a half hours.
A Chee called Jeremy stayed with her on the beach, hiding them both under his hologram, and the rest - including Mack, Tomi, and Theresa - waded purposefully into the water.
"What are you going to do with the Time Matrix?" Jeremy asked. He was usually very silent, so Larynia was surprised that he had spoken.
But she wasted no time in answering. I am planning to save the Andalite world firstly, she said. I can warn them in time, let them beat back the Yeerk attack. Then I'm sending them to stop the Yeerks here.
"Not much of a plan," Jeremy said. Then he shrugged. "But hey, I'm a Chee. What do I know of war and tactics and armies?"
Larynia smiled at the android. She was sick and tired of Yeerks and battles and wars herself. Since Marco was killed, she had… well, at least since she had remembered who he was and that he was dead, she often felt like ignoring the war, letting the universe fend for itself best it could, and caring nothing if her two peoples fell into slavery.
But then she realized that one reason she loved - she refused to say 'had loved' - Marco so much was that he would never have given up. And if he had known she was even thinking about it, he would have been furious.
She'd always liked making him furious. But now, for probably the first time, she was going to do what he would have asked of her. And save the world while she was at it.
Not because she wanted to. Not because it was her duty, although her sense of duty had always been strong.
But because Marco would have wanted her to keep fighting. So fight she would.
Jeremy stayed silent after that. Larynia didn't feel like talking, either. So neither of the two said another word until the Chee began coming out of the water again.
Larynia got to her feet. She only saw one android head, bobbing above the surface far out among the waves, and then an arm as whoever it was waved, before it was all hidden under a hologram.
You think they found it? Larynia asked Jeremy.
Jeremy nodded. "They told me over Chee-net." He sighed. "Are you leaving at once?"
Larynia bit her lip but nodded again, fingering at the dracon that she still carried. It would be easier. And safer. The Yeerks can't be allowed to spot the Time Matrix, and the Yeerks are the rulers of this planet. We can't let them find it.
Jeremy agreed. Or at least he didn't disagree. All he said was; "Good luck. Keep out of trouble, okay?"
Larynia nodded. I will try.
And she watched for any sign that the Chee were returning. They were still hidden under their hologram.
After some time all the Chee were hidden in the safety of Jeremy's hologram, now each wearing their normal, human-form hologram.
And rolling the glittering Time Matrix between them.
Did it take you long to find it? Larynia asked.
"No," Theresa replied, smiling at the calculating look on Larynia's face. "We don't need air, so we can stay under as long as we need to. And we don't get tired, so we can keep working. And it keeps making this weird, humming sound that our sensors can detect from a few hundred meters away in the water."
Larynia looked worried, wondering if the Yeerks had the same sensors, but hoping they hadn't. But she let the worry pass, and continued with her task.
She stepped up to the sphere and placed one hand on it's metal surface. Her skin tingled. She turned back towards the Chee with a weak smile, readying the dracon in her other hand.
"Good luck," Tomi said, and smiled. The others nodded and mumbled similar goodbyes.
Larynia turned back towards the sphere, placed both hands on it and shimmered and disappeared.
*2:59:00 REMAINING*
Captain Jaruili-Taninis-Eredric turned around instantly at the buzzing sound, and found himself face to face with a human.
A human standing in front of a sphere and holding a Yeerk dracon.
On the battle bridge of the River's Promise itself, his own Dome Ship!
Yeerk! he spat, and his tail was halfway towards her face when she suddenly disappeared again.
Another buzz and the human reappeared, now a few meters away, but still with the sphere and the dracon.
Some of Jaruili's warriors started forwards, when a thought-speech voice cried; Wait!
Jaruili recognized the voice. He motioned to his warriors to wait, but that didn't stop them from raising and aiming shredders.
Who are you, human? Jaruili asked. He had been contacted by humans earlier - humans and Andalites, to be exact - but the communication had been cut off with the excuse of Yeerks attacking and he hadn't heard from them since then.
My name is Larynia-Talene-Sirinial, said the human, still speaking in thought-speech. Strange, for a human to do that.
Jaruili felt like laughing at the name, but stopped at the last moment. Many others seem to be her as well today, he said. What proof do you have?
The human motioned at the sphere behind her. This is the Time Matrix, she said. And then added fiercely; Don't come too close to it, or I'll shoot you. I won't let it be stolen.
A young fighter pilot stepped up to Jaruili, walking cautiously and slowly, knowing his place was not to disturb the ship's captain any time he wanted to.
Jaruili swivelled a questioning stalk-eye towards him.
I am Merin-Arethil-Coorat, he said. I just arrived on this ship… I was sent here to confirm the identity my sister, who supposedly had called your ship. he nodded towards the human, who, as soon as she saw the pilot, had bit sharply into her lower lip. Jaruili was not sure what such a very non-Andalite gesture meant. Larynia-Talene-Sirinial. I do not know about the one who called your ship, but that… is not my sister.
Why not? Karmil asked. He was Jaruili's TO - tactical officer.
Because my sister cannot morph, said Merin. And I will not believe that that is my sister until she proves it by demorphing.
Jaruili nodded towards her. Go on, he said.
The human's pose faded. I can't do that, she said.
And why not? Karmil demanded.
Because I'm a nothlit.
There was a murmur of thought-speech for a few moments, but silence fell when Jaruili called for it.
Still, that is not my sister, Merin insisted privately. My sister would have convinced us all by now…
Oh, Merin you fool, the human snapped, suddenly fierce. Don't you think I know when you're blabbering privately? Stop it, or I'll chop you to pieces like the slow, stumbling klutz you are!
Merin stared as if he had just seen an Ellimist. Jaruili recognized a faint trace of disbelief before he turned his eyes back to the human, who continued without stopping.
What's the matter? she snapped. Shredder-stunned or something? She glared at Merin, and didn't stop talking; I'll prove to you I'm your sister. Even though sometimes I really only feel ashamed about it. Get over here!
Merin hesitated, and glanced at Jaruili, asking for permission. Jaruili thought for a moment, and exchanged a glance with Karmil, who said - privately - to Merin; Do you consider it safe?
If that is my sister, I advise you all to keep your distance, Merin said to the captain and the TO.
You believe it is?
She certainly has temper enough. he sighed, maybe feeling a twinge of homesickness. I think it is safe.
Then go, Jaruili said.
By then, the human had spread her arms wide, still glaring as if to make a point of it, and was busy saying; Oh, are you scared? Frightened of a puny, harmless, tailless human. Brave Merin is afraid of a lone woman!
But even if she gave the impression of being in control, being calm, one foot rested on the surface of what she claimed was the Time Matrix. Jaruili had by then figured out that it operated by touch, and he guessed that she didn't feel as safe as she seemed to. She was ready to disappear at any moment.
Merin walked up to her, using the cocky swaggering typical of fighter pilots.
The human waited until he was right in front of her. She took one look at his tail, up somewhere between relaxed and attack, and then she reached up to rest one hand on his forehead. Merin didn't move. His eyes went through the glazy state of someone receiving memories by thought-transmission.
When the human pulled her hand away, Merin's expression had changed completely. From secure and cocky to surprised, relieved, and at the same time obviously troubled.
Well? Karmil said impatiently.
Merin didn't seem to hear. He blinked, his tail sunk far back to relaxed, and took the human's hand in both his. Sister, he said, his voice thick. What has happened to you?
The woman smiled and her eyes were suddenly wet. Another unexplainable human thing that was unique for them, that they called 'tears'. It will take too long to explain, she said. I'll let you know later. She turned towards the captain of the ship. Jaruili? I need a word. A lot of them, actually.
*2:30:00 REMAINING*
For the what must have been the hundredth time, Merin flinched at the phrase.
Why do you keep saying that? he asked.
What? Larynia replied, toying with the dracon that she refused to let anyone else even take a look at.
'Your home planet', he said. You talk of our home as if it isn't yours.
It isn't.
Why not? Merin asked.
Larynia sighed heavily. Because too much has happened, she said.
Tell me, Merin demanded.
No, she said.
Larynia!
No, she repeated. I've never done as you've told me, why should I start now?
Because now I'm the only one with a tail.
Larynia smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
Please?
Okay, she said, switching to private thought-speech. I'll tell you. If you swear to keep it secret. You can't ever tell anyone. Because if I tell you part of it, I'll have to tell you it all.
Merin was surprised at the seriousness in her voice, but promised as he was asked. It was the least he could do.
Larynia nodded. I'll start when our planet fell.
FELL?! Merin cried out, in open thought-speech, making a more than a few sets of stalk-eyes turn towards them.
Larynia gave him a sharp stare and he apologized for shouting out, but still felt somewhat shaken.
Larynia nodded. Fell. To the Yeerks. Yes, it happened. I'll start there. And end where we are now.
She lifted her hand and placed it on his forehead. He could feel how the memories were sent into his own mind. They came too fast for him to make any sense of them at first. Only a few moments after Larynia had removed her hand did he get them more or less in some sort of order.
And he felt, if possible, even more shaken. He looked down at his hands to find them shaking, and clenched them to make them stop. Then he found that his hands wasn't the only part of him that was shaking; his whole body was trembling.
He grabbed a hold of himself and forced some sort of dignity back to his posture. A fighter pilot did not tremble like a frightened child.
Did not, he reminded himself again, discovering that his front knees were still twitching. Definitely not.
I'm sorry, Larynia said, placing a hand on his shoulder - and then recalling that Andalites didn't do that, and removed it again.
Is that what has happened to you?
Larynia nodded. What will happen. Unless we do something about it. That was why I had that talk with your captain and the TO. In just a few minutes, he'll get a transmission coming in from me and Marco - you know which one.
She paused and glanced at him, and continued when he nodded, confirming. I told him what to say, and what we will tell him, and hopefully he is smart enough to do as I told him. After that he will be calling the War Council, informing them according to what I told him.
And what is that?
What was just transferred over to you. That's all I know. The siege on your planet will remain the same, unthreatening, seemingly too unstable and too weak to be worth worrying about, for one more day. After that, the Yeerks will have secured Earth and they'll attack. Our fleet will try hurrying back, as you know, but traps are set around in Z-Space.
I know, Merin said in a growl.
Anyway. Jaruili will do his best to convince the War Council that a fleet shall be sent to Earth, my world… Merin flinched again, but Larynia ignored it … and I've given detailed instructions of how to prevent it from falling… how to prevent the Animorphs and cousin Aximili from being infested.
How about evacuating our planet?
No, Larynia disagreed. Karmil and Jaruili saw the flaws in that at once. The Yeerks will realise we know what's going on. They might do something that I don't remember, that I know nothing about, and can't expect. We don't want that.
Maybe not, Merin agreed.
At the same time as you're all busy saving Earth, the remaining part of the fleet will be speeding back home. When and if - maybe they won't risk it without the morphable human hosts, and Aximili who knows the defences - the assault on your planet can be stopped, from behind them and from the surface's armaments.
Merin searched through his copy of Larynia's memories and found what he had been looking for. Their victory was inevitable once they reached ground level.
Larynia confirmed that with a nod. True. That mistake won't be made this time. And if they do reach the planet's surface, we'll need to have prepared complete mobilization. Everyone. If they get down to ground, everyone with a tail will have to fight. Not just the warriors. They were slaughtered.
Merin found the thought of teachers and cloud artists and dancers and… females… participating in battles somewhat disturbing. But he realised that his sister was right. From her own memories, she had managed to get herself and their parents on one of the three fleeing transports by using her tail.
It wasn't that a bad idea, he realised. And it was necessary.
Larynia continued. I have discussed it with the tactical officer, and he believes I am correct. I transferred a few battle memories to him, to help him understand, and he is working on the details of the plan.
And what will you be doing? he asked.
I could stay here, of course. The Time Matrix allows me to. But I'm going to the bridge of the large Mother Ship heading for your world and I'm going to stop it.
How?
I intend to hijack it.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Author's Note;
Not much happened in that one. *sigh* I didn't manage to put her in a lot of trouble in the end of this one, but I promise I'll do that for the next chapter instead. Or the chapter after that.
Otherwise I'll take a trip to the doctor and ask what's wrong with me...
Don't forget to be *good* little readers and review. (!!!)
