Ship's Bridge




*2:24:00 REMAINING*

Merin blinked with all four eyes and peered at his sister. Hijack it? he said after a short silence.

Larynia nodded. The Time Matrix stood not far from them, and even as they spoke she was keeping an eye on it. She didn't trust the Andalites on the ship - not completely, if at all - and that made Merin feel sad.

Larynia, a Mother Ship is a great target, considering it is the largest and most important ship the Yeerks have, even more so than the Pool Ships… but how, exactly, do you intend to do that?

I will use the Time Matrix to drop in at the main bridge and blast everyone in sight so that I can take over.

Merin still looked highly unsettled at the thought. Not surprisingly, he shook his head and said; You were never any good with a shredder, sister, and neither so with a dracon. And without your tail… no. And even if you manage to take the bridge, you will never be able to break the codes. You might be better than most females at computers, but… he sighed it will take an entire group of technicians to break those codes, and it will take them at least an hour to do it.

Larynia smiled. I know someone who can help me.

Who?

The Chee, she said. And continued at her brother's puzzled expression: They are highly advanced androids. Pacifists, so they will not help me with any assault, but they might help me to break the codes.

Let me see if I got this straight, Merin said. Because it sounds a bit stupid. You are planning to attack the bridge of the Yeerk Mother Ship as a defenceless human nothlit with a dracon and helped by only a pacifist robot?

Larynia's eyes flashed dangerously at the word 'defenceless'. I wouldn't call it that, she spat. I've got strong arms and hands and legs and in a fair match I could take you down anytime.

Really? Merin said, eyeing her new form again, wondering if she was telling the truth.

She nodded, her eyes hard. If I grab that tail, you'll be the defenceless one.

Larynia knew very well, of course, that she would never be fast enough to actually grab his tail, but she also knew that Merin didn't know that. And she hated when people thought she was 'defenceless'. It had happened too often, even while she had been an Andalite. With two older brothers - both warriors - her main goal since she was very small had been to prove that she could be like them. That she could be a warrior, too. That she was far from as 'defenceless', as some claimed.

Now, in human shape, probably for the rest of her life, she was not going to take any comments about it from any Andalites. Marco had been human, and he had managed just fine. So could she.

Merin still looked doubtful, and Larynia glared at him a last time before she got to her feet and walked away. She walked up to the Time Matrix and stopped, standing next to it, fingering it's gleaming surface. Merin saw her expression change as she did so, but couldn't decide if she saw the metal sphere as no more or less than a weapon, was afraid of it, or if she hated it bitterly like an old enemy.

He left his sister where she was and, noticing that he was hungry and not thinking he was needed for the time, went to feed in the Dome.

He didn't see when Larynia shimmered and disappeared.



Theresa shook her head. From her perspective, in her time line, it had been only a few minutes since Larynia had disappeared, and now she had appeared back again and was asking for their help. Theresa had nothing against helping her, of course, being a Chee with all the helpfulness that came along, but she didn't like the general idea of Larynia's 'plan'.

"It's not a very good idea," Mack said carefully. Theresa was glad she wasn't the only one with those thoughts.

I know, Larynia replied. But I don't have that many options.

"But you can't just stay there," Tomi objected. "Sooner or later the Yeerks in the other parts of the ship will figure out that something's wrong, and they'll try to break into the bridge."

Larynia sighed. She fingered her dracon, that now hung in an easy-open strap by her hip. If you break the codes for me, I can seal off the bridge. I can seal off any area in the ship I want to.

"They will still be able to break in by force," Mack pointed out.

That will take time.

"Yes, but it will happen."

"And besides," Theresa added. "The chance that you will be able to overcome the Controllers present on the bridge when you arrive is very small."

Larynia smiled. Let me worry about that, she said. All I ask is help with the codes. This is what I'll do. I'll secure the bridge - somehow - and then I'll go here, fetch someone to help me with the codes, and bring that person right back when he or she is done. Will you help me or not?

The Chee exchanged a few glances. Not one of them liked the plan, but they knew they wouldn't be able to change her mind. They remained silent.

Well?

Jeremy smiled suddenly, and said; "I'll help you."

Larynia nodded. I'll be back soon. It'll only seem like moments for you.

"We know," Tomi said, sighing. "We know."

Larynia flashed a grin and, placing a hand on the surface of the Time Matrix, disappeared.



*2:18:00 REMAINING*

Merin flinched with surprise, his tail flying instinctively up into attack, when his sister and the large sphere appeared from nowhere right in front of him.

When he saw who and what it was, he relaxed, lowering his tail again.

Larynia grinned. Scared you, didn't I?

Perhaps, he admitted and looked out over the Andalite landscape.

Larynia looked around as well, suddenly feeling the sharp bite of homesickness.

She saw the darwa plant not far from where she was standing. She used to pick those… take them home and drying them, placing them here and there in her family's scoop. The smell was sweet and soothing, and it was one of the things she had missed the most after fleeing from her planet.

She was standing on kanrish fornul, her favourite type of grass. She sank her toes into it, wishing she could taste it, but knowing it was impossible.

Iirlek trees, with multitudes of fruits that dangled from branches, perfect for any young Andalite to use as targets while practicing with their tails.

So much to miss.

So much to long for.

So much to save.

She forced the sadness out of her mind and focused on her task. We can count on the Chee, she said. I asked them. One of them will help me. All I have to do is secure the bridge.

But you cannot do that alone, Merin said.

And why not?

Because no-one can. Too much security, too many guards, too many things to keep an eye on. He smiled an Andalite smile with his main eyes, but this one was very sad. And you no longer have four eyes.

So? Larynia snapped, feeling defensive of her new body.

So, I arranged an… escort.

I don't need an escort, she said.

Maybe not, her brother agreed smoothly. But it will not do any harm.

Larynia shook her head. No need to endanger well-needed troops without cause.

Merin ignored the comment and continued. I talked to Karmil, the TO. He said he'd talk to captain Jaruili and for arrange someone to come with you. He paused for a few moments. To relieve you from duty at the bridge, he added then, watching carefully for her reaction. I'm sure you have better things to do.

Larynia was silent for a few moments, her face unreadable. Merin couldn't decide if that was good or bad.

"You mean you were talked to by Karmil, who told you that I wasn't good enough to handle the Mother Ship by myself," Larynia said then, very suddenly, going over to spoken speech as if to put up a distinct boundary between them. Her voice was low, and almost bitter. "You mean he told you to convince me to agree to this… this escort… so you Andalites could keep your multitudes of eyes on me and make sure things go exactly your way."

Merin looked vaguely guilty. But Larynia only noticed it because she knew him well enough; not many others would have seen any trace of it.

"I know my former people," Larynia continued, still bitter, and stressing the word 'former'. "I know them well. You know what else I know? I know I'm not going to be pushed around by the War Council, ship captains, War Princes and Princes and other officers. And especially, I'm not going to be pushed around by my brother." She glared at him, but then the glare softened. "Even though I hope he will refrain from trying to push."

Merin pawed the ground, and shifted his weight to another set of hooves. He was still looking very guilty.

Larynia decided that was enough. Her words, although she didn't regret them, had clearly stung badly. I will accept the escort, she said, switching back to thought-speech and reaching up to touch his cheek. On one condition.

What condition? her brother wondered, relief in his voice.

That they be put under your command, she said. And that you follow my orders.

Merin caught her gaze and held it, trying to read the unfamiliar human face. He read enough to tell that she wouldn't back down on her demand. Done. But Karmil will not like it.

I don't care what he thinks as long as he doesn't get in my way, she said, shrugging. And if he has a problem with that, he can go shove himself out an airlock.

Merin smiled. Shall we go speak to him?

Of course.

Merin grew serious again when his sister turned towards the metal sphere next to her. Larynia?

Yes?

I just wanted to advice you not tell him that thing about the airlock to his face.

Larynia laughed out loud. Then she took his hand and fingered the Time Matrix, causing them both to shimmer into nothingness.

The two appeared again, at the exact same moment, seemingly out of thin air for anyone watching, in the centre of the bridge of the ship, and walked purposefully straight up to the captain. That is, Larynia walked purposefully (with the Time Matrix rolling along next to her like a loyal dog) and Merin followed, still having a few traces of respect for the captain and the TO.

Yes? Karmil asked impatiently. Jaruili turned to listen.

Larynia spoke first, in a dangerously neutral voice. My brother would like a word with you, tactical officer.

Karmil nodded and looked at Merin. Merin straightened and told the TO the 'slight complication' of his orders and 'slight modification' that would be needed.

Karmil was not happy about Larynia's demand, but he was far from stupid. He knew it wasn't worth blowing the whole idea just because of a 'slight complication'. The Mother Ship of the Yeerks was, after all, a key target. And this was their only chance to take it out.

Merin was quick to point that out. And Jaruili, once he got the idea of what they were talking about, did the same. He was much more flexible than his TO, who strictly kept to orders and traditions and old beliefs. One of those traditions was that the TO would not go against an expressed order from his captain. Or so he said, as he muttered that he agreed to the condition.



Merin, Larynia said, suddenly reverting to private thought-speech. I'm going to trust you. I need you to promise me something.

What? Merin asked.

If… if I am killed, you need to make sure no-one misuses the Time Matrix.

Merin nodded gravely. I will keep it from the Yeerks, he said. I shall make sure it is in safe hands.

No, Larynia said. Andalite hands aren't necessary safe. And when talking about this specific object, it will never be in 'safe hands'. If I'm killed, I want you to hide it and make sure no-one - not Yeerk, Andalite nor human - ever finds it.

Merin looked puzzled. Larynia added; Please?

He nodded, still a bit unsure, but promising to do as he was asked.

Larynia smiled at him, reached up to press her fingertips against his cheek, and then placed a hand on the surface of the metal sphere that was the Time Matrix.

The warriors that had been handpicked by Jaruili and Karmil for the mission were standing nearby, waiting. Merin and Larynia still suspected that one or more of the warriors might have been given 'individual orders', and were planning to keep an eye on the group. Karmil had, in fact, been given his orders of 'offering an escort' from outside the ship, and they weren't sure if he decided that that overruled the orders of his captain.

Any last moment orders, captain? Merin called to Jaruili.

Jaruili shook his head. No, he said. Good luck. The only order you have is to take the bridge of that ship, and make sure it never reaches our planet.

At least not in one piece, Larynia said, grinning. Well then, let's get this show on the road.

All the Andalites nearby stared at her, and she said Sorry, human expression before asking them all to join hands and get ready so that they could get to the Mother Ship bridge.

The warriors did as they were told, and Larynia held her brother's hand as she focused on the Time Matrix.

This was new. Every time she had used the thing, she had had something to go on. The first time, when Marco had used it, she knew his mind had searched for something familiar. Something he remembered. Something the Time Matrix could identify from those memories or thoughts. The second time, she had used Jaruili to get where she wanted. She specified time and person, nothing about location. It had worked.

The other times, she did about the same thing. She specified time, always, and used persons or places to get where she wanted.

This time, she only knew time. The little information she had about the Mother Ship was too scattered, too indistinct, to do any real good. All she could do was to hope for the best as she asked the sphere to do most of the work for her. The result was that the Time Matrix drained her of energy to do that work.

The next thing she knew she was in a large area, feeling a bit wobbly. There was a shout, followed by thought-speech cries and the sound of dracons and shredders being fired.

Larynia felt as someone pushed her to the side, felt the heat from a dracon where she had been standing, and then blinked to clear her vision.

Larynia! Larynia, don't just stand there!

Larynia pulled her hand away from the Time Matrix, pulled her dracon free and aimed it at the first enemy she saw.

It was a Gedd. She fired, and missed.

You never were any good as a shot, her brother remarked. His stalk-eyes swivelled, and he yelled Down! just as another dracon flew past them.

Larynia recalled a few really bad words and muttered them in spoken speech to herself as she aimed at the next enemy. "Ha!" she exclaimed, when he sizzled and disappeared.

The team of Andalite warriors quickly secured the bridge, and as the last of the Yeerks were fought down Larynia left with the Time Matrix, only to return the next second with Jeremy.

Jeremy didn't hesitate. He refused to look at any of the bodies around them, any of the wounded and morphing or demorphing warriors, any of the scorch marks on the floor and walls, and walked straight to the computers.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked Larynia as his hologram flicked off and he opened a console in the computer. He placed his fingers there, attached a few wires, and there was a small click when he was finished. The warriors, including Merin, stared at his android form, some fascinated, some just curious.

Crack the codes, she said. But first of all, seal off the bridge.

Jeremy stood very still for a few seconds. "Done," he said then. The doors around the area were already shut, but now there were a few snaps and bangs as they locked and were reinforced by even stronger doors. The two drop shafts were sealed as well, visible red force fields appearing in their entrances.

Merin smiled. Larynia, this guy would be treated like a War Council member at the technological academy.

"Thank you," Jeremy said. Then added; "I think. What next?"

Remove the codes, Larynia instructed. I need full access to any system on this ship, even if it is only something that lets out the wastes into space.

"This ship has a lot of systems and a lot of codes, Larynia."

Then break them, she replied. The sooner the better.

Jeremy nodded and went to work. After ten or maybe even twenty minutes, he was done, and pulled his finger free, closing the console again. "There," he said, sighing as he turned on his hologram again. "It's all yours, Larynia. Now could you return me to Earth? This… scene… is depressing."

He was still refusing to take more than the quickest glance on anything that was around them.

Larynia did as she was asked, said goodbye to the Chee an extra time, and returned to the bridge of the Mother Ship.

She found the Andalite warriors deeply busy with the computers. All of them had morphed and demorphed to rid themselves of their injuries by then, and they had dumped the bodies of the Controllers that had been on the bridge in a corner. Merin turned his stalks towards her when she appeared.

Get this ship out of z-space, she said as soon as she had stopped shimmering. Put it on full alert but shut down all engines.

That is already done, a warrior called Cerili informed her.

Good.

And what are we supposed to be doing now? he asked.

What are you doing? Larynia wondered, watching as his fingers danced over the controls.

Just familiarising ourselves with the system, Merin said with a very over-pleased voice.

And what else?

Tarul happened to find a few… controls… to the ship's Kandrona, Merin said, pointing towards one of the working Andalites to tell her who Tarul was. Simply put, he switched it off. Does a lot of damage, but only in the long run. Right now, we're trying to find the pool controls.

And do what? Disable it?

Merin nodded. There's only one problem.

What?

The main bridge has no control over the pool and the pool area, he said. They are simply two control systems with no connections between them, due to security reasons. We get no errors, no access denied, no nothing. Only an instruction to 'see the pool's control room'.

Then that's what we should do, Larynia said.

Do? Do what?

See the pool's control room.

There are bound to be codes, Merin warned. And since they have no connection to this system, they will not have been cracked by your friend.

Then we'll crack them ourselves. Who here is good with computers? Larynia asked.

Tarul, Cerili, and a third Andalite, a pilot called Gerid, stepped up at once. Larynia nodded. Good. You three, and… any volunteers? Four warriors raised a hand each, and she pointed at two of them, who silently left their stations at the computers. Stay here and keep an eye on things for me, Meril, Larynia said to her brother. I'll travel only in space, not time, to save energy - and to avoid getting everything mixed up. Seal off that area for me so no-one barges in while we're working.

Anything else?

Yes. I need a hologram of how the pool's computer area looks.

One of the warriors arranged that for her immediately, and after studying it for a moment or so Larynia knew the area well enough to tell the Time Matrix where she needed to go. She gathered up the five chosen warriors and reached for the Time Matrix.

It was one of the easier trips she ever made with it. After a short shimmer for such a short distance, and no blank-outs for travelling through time, they were there.

The warriors were quick with dealing with the working Taxxons and guarding Hork-Bajir in the pool's control area. Then Tarul checked the door, making sure it was sealed off properly, and immediately went to work.

Larynia glared at Cerili and Gerid, the two other 'computer experts'. Aren't you going to help him?

In fact, Cerili said slowly, his eyes narrowing. No.

Larynia knew at once what had happened. Her hand flew down to her dracon, but Gerid, that had been standing fairly close to her in the small room, lashed out with his tail and slammed it out of her hand.

Traitors! Tarul cried, turning and preparing to fight.

Gerid aimed a shredder, almost carelessly, and fired.

The beam hit Tarul straight on his chest. He stumbled and fell forwards, his eyes blank and his tail limp even before he hit the floor.

Much better, Cerili said. Now then. You, nothlit…

Larynia turned towards the Time Matrix.

No! a voice cried, and Larynia heard the shredder hit her more than she felt it. She didn't feel anything either, as she fell forwards and hit the floor face-first. There was still a good decimeter or two between her and the Time Matrix.

Idiot! Cerili cursed. There was a tail-FWAP and a thought-speech cry. You almost killed her. She's no use dead.

Larynia felt someone kick at her side, and grunted.

She's alive, Gerid reported.

Good, Cerili said, a bit relieved. We'll return to the main bridge, saying we're done down here. It was a bad fight but we only lost two warriors; Tarul and her.

Will Merin fall for it? Gerid wondered.

If we play your parts correctly, yes. Cerili's voice was very self-pleased. Poor thing. He'll be completely devastated… he sighed. It's only too bad we can't acquire her. But those burns she has… they would not follow her DNA.

Cerili, one of the warriors who had volunteered for the mission said. Is all this really wise? Yes, TO Karmil gave the order, but captain Jaruili…

Doesn't know about War Council member Athol's decision, Cerili snapped. And he better not find out. This is a classified mission. We take the Time Matrix, and hand it over to Athol - personally - together with this nothlit you almost killed and her brother. From there, we'll see what orders he has received from the Council of Thirteen…

Larynia heard those words and was forced awake by her own mind. Council of Thirteen?

That was bad. Really bad.

And the nothlit?

We leave her here. She isn't going anywhere. She is wounded, this room is sealed, and even then, she is in the middle of a Yeerk Mother Ship. Gerid? You think you can operate the Time Matrix?

The traitors had planned it all very well, Larynia thought. They knew exactly what to do. They knew exactly how. And it might - just might - have worked.

But they hadn't counted on one thing. Larynia smiled mentally to herself as she realised what she should do. They hadn't counted on loosing the Time Matrix.

She saw Andalite hooves next to her and realised that Gerid had been asked to use the Time Matrix. He was probably stretching out for its surface at that very moment.

Larynia launched forwards with all the speed she could muster, focused on the metal surface that her fingers just briefly touched as she fell down again, and the pool's control room shimmered and disappeared as she sent herself and the Time Matrix to another place, and another time.

She wasn't sure if the Time Matrix had taken her to the right place, and she was too weak from the shredder wound between her shoulder blades to find out. She simply had to trust it.

"Help me," she said, as the world darkened…




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Author's Note;

Remember #8 The Alien, when Ax talked to Alloran? Remember what he said; They have... they have infiltrated... they are on the home world... fight... Well? It seems Alloran knew what he was talking about.

I'll put up the next part as soon as I've typed it up. And I promise I'll do my best to get them into some really nice, juicy trouble... *Hey, that's what I'm here for*. And by the way, it's nearing the end... whatever the end will be.

Don't forget to review this one, while you're here.