A Traitor
*5:30:00 REMAINING*
Larynia? Minalea-Silinan-Alareim said over the mirror wave call. Did we wake you?
Of course you did. Why? Larynia was sleepy. It was the middle of the night, although it was bright enough to see because two of the four moons were up.
Olana and I found something.
What? Can't it wait? and then she asked; And what's Olana doing at your scoop?
Mom's on the alshiir again. But I think you want to see this, Larynia, Olana-Soiru-Jinala's thought-speech said. I really think you want to see this.
What is it?
You know that scanner I've been building to see what and who are in the area? It's detected a space ship. A big one.
You couldn't see a space ship on that scanner, Larynia protested. It is too well concealed. That scanner is barely more advanced than a toy!
On the contrary, Olana said, her voice trembling with excitement - but still maybe with a trace of being insulted. It cannot be tracked by the large, advanced, complicated equipment, but this scanner is so plain they must have overlooked it when concealing the ship!
Trust Olana to figure it all out. She was a technological genius.
It's only about five hours travel away, Minalea said.
It doesn't explain what it's doing there.
Will you help us find out?
Larynia thought about it.
We'll be gone a few days for show, Minalea said. Since it'll be overnight anyway.
We can say we went on a wandering. They'll let us go, Olana added.
Larynia knew that Minalea would have the most problems convincing her parents, after getting into trouble with the military, but for something as innocent as a wandering…
They did that monthly, just the three of them. Her own parents would be easy to convince - she was old enough for her mom to trust her and her dad knew she could look after herself. Olana's parents… her father was locked up for selling unregistered escafil devices illegally and her mother was so high on the alshiir root that she would hardly even notice if Olana was gone.
Please, Larynia, we'd never manage without you! Olana said. And by the way, you're usually the one pushing us into something, so just this once let it be the other way!
What if you get into trouble with the army again, Minalea?
That's my problem, Minalea said.
Okay, Larynia said. She was curious, after all - it wasn't everyday a space ship stood waiting for exploration only a few hours from your scoop. When?
Now, or we might miss it. We'll be at your scoop in half an hour. We'll bring the ordinary stuff. Healer's kits, extra food, your emergency transmitter…
Don't bring a shredder this time, Larynia warned her.
I won't, Minalea promised. That's what had gotten her into trouble. She had gone to a gathering - a party - with her boyfriend Geralon - and a stolen military shredder. A very stupid thing to do, considering that the military shredders were bugged. And if I do, I'll get Olana to take out the bug.
Don't, Larynia ordered.
Minalea laughed her most rebellious laugh and the connection was broken.
That was Minalea. Always a rebel. If someone said 'left', she'd go right. Larynia and Olana used to joke about it… if Minalea ever was infested, they'd feel sorry for the Yeerk.
Larynia turned her stalk-eyes towards the night sky. She wondered how many ships were hidden up there. Then she sighed, flicked her tail through the air, refusing to start worrying about where her warrior brothers were, and went to find her parents.
*1:40:47 REMAINING*
"What the..?" Jake cried.
Larynia froze. He took it, she said. He took the Time Matrix. Her brother was surprised to hear fear in her voice. It's gone!
"That's not all that's gone," Tobias said urgently, looking around. "Rachel's gone, too!"
My belief is that the human will do little help against one Andalite warrior, one of the fighter pilots said - almost proudly.
"Make that one Andalite traitor," Tobias snapped, and the pilot pulled back from the sharp tone in his voice.
The computer voice interrupted them all. "Warning. This ship will self-destruct in fifteen seconds. Immediate evacuation recommended."
Merin turned to one of the warriors. Can you stop it?
Not fast enough, the warrior said. Not when it has started. Shall we perform the ritual of death?
"Warning. Ten seconds remain."
Merin sighed, and nodded. There is no choice.
The warriors agreed, and began. I am the servant of the People… Andalite heads bowed down in unison. I am the servant of my Prince… Stalk-eyes were raised towards the ceiling of the Yeerk ship.
Jake shrugged. "Well, Tobias, Larynia, it was nice knowing you. I guess we're history."
"Warning. Five seconds remain…"
Larynia shrugged, as if to rid herself of a bad feeling, and then raised her head proudly to join the Andalites in their last ritual.
Rachel knew at once that if she didn't move quickly, she'd be dead.
Fortunately for her, when the Time Matrix shimmered into existence - it happened too fast for her to be sure exactly where - Tanlorin's four eyes were all turned away. So she had the millisecond she needed before she was noticed.
She threw herself at his tail-blade and grabbed hold at its root.
Tanlorin took a step back in surprise. You!
"Yes," Rachel said, making sure his tail was held securely under her arm, with both hands around the tail-blade's root. "Me. But not for long." She began morphing grizzly.
Tanlorin pulled at his tail, trying to break free. Rachel hung on grimly.
Let go!
"And let you kill me? Not likely, traitor," Rachel growled. As he pulled at his tail again she was dragged along, stumbling down to her knees and then lifted up into the air.
Tanlorin's tail was strong enough to lift her up, but not strong enough to hold her there - especially not when she was partly grizzly. She was beaten down against the ground, and dragged over it.
Still, she hung on. And by then her skin was protected by a thick layer of grizzly fur. She was growing, and she could feel the muscles in her arms getting stronger.
Tanlorin was noticing that as well. He was pulling and tugging more desperately at his tail. But now, Rachel was no longer pulled along.
She bared her teeth in a grizzly grin.
Sorry, old chap, she said. But I had a few tricks up my sleeve. Let's see now… this will be interesting. Desperate Andalite versus seriously pissed grizzly. Yes. Interesting.
She still held his tail under one arm, squeezing it tightly, as she took a step forwards and delivered one proper grizzly slap.
That is, her entire arm and paw came at full speed towards his chest and sent him flying for as far as his trapped tail allowed.
That's what you get for stealing Time Matrixes! Rachel said, walking up to the fallen Andalite. She held his tail in her mouth to leave both front arms and paws free.
Tanlorin kicked at her. But although Andalites are pretty decent kickers, it did little more than to annoy the powerful grizzly morph.
Merin said we needed you alive, she snapped. So alive you'll be. She looked down at him with her weak grizzly eyes. More or less, that is.
She raised an arm.
Just then Tanlorin flew up, and launched towards the Time Matrix.
*THREE DAYS BEFORE THE DEFEAT*
Not so fast, Rachel snapped, after the tickling feeling of being moved through time and space disappeared. She was still holding his tail in her mouth.
Tanlorin was up on his feet again. And sneered; Can you not see in that morph?
I can't see, Rachel confirmed, heard the sudden confidence in his voice and was instantly alert. But I can smell your stinking traitor butt well enough and I'm…
Rachel stopped. Sniffed the air again.
She knew that smell.
It was the smell of the slightly stale air of the confined area of a space ship, combined with Taxxon stench and the leathery scent of Hork-Bajir. She smelled humans, the apelike Gedds… as well as one, single, reeking-with-arrogance Andalite.
Well well well… Visser One's voice said. The guards gathered around, forming a circle. What have we here?
Tanlorin straightened, saluted and said; Tanlorin-Athol-Dralnan of the Blue Assault Group reporting, he said. Bringing a human rebel that you might find very interesting.
Rachel growled, still holding Tanlorin's tail, wondering to herself if she should bite it off and then kill him or not bother about it and kill him directly.
Visser One's eyes narrowed. The Assault Group is hidden well, he said. But not well enough. How do I know you are who you claim you are?
Tanlorin crossed his arms over his chest, raising his stalk-eyes. If I am not, you will kill me, or infest me. Either way, my uncle - whom I do believe you know - will be very upset. His name is Athol-Darilan-Jemili.
One moment, Rachel snapped. That creep is your uncle?!
Visser One turned towards her. Very good, Tanlorin. Except… that rebel. That rebel does not seem to be trapped. In fact, you seem to be the one who is trapped. IS THIS A TRICK?!!
Tanlorin flinched back an entire step.
And, while we're at it, friend Andalite, WHAT IS THAT SPHERE AND WHAT IS IT DOING IN MY SHIP?!!!
Rachel made her decision and gave a sharp tug at Tanlorin's tail. She raised on her hind legs, slammed a paw across his face to knock him out, and reached for the surface of the Time Matrix.
STOP THE REBEL! Visser One roared. His guards flew forwards, but landed on empty space when the sphere, the traitor and the rebel disappeared.
*BACK IN NOW-TIME*
Rachel smelled around the area to make sure it was the right place, and - after making sure Tanlorin was properly knocked out - demorphed again.
She made a short trip to a Yeerk storage in the future to pick up a box of Andalite shackles - force field shackles to avoid the prisoners from morphing out of them - and placed a set on Tanlorin when she got back.
His hands were locked together behind his back, his tail tied down to them, and a collar and a leash. The easiest and definitely the best way to keep Andalites prison.
Rachel tied the leash to a strong-looking hook on the wall and went back to the Time Matrix. Tanlorin would be unpleasantly surprised when he woke up… but that was his problem.
She found an old backpack, placed the shackles in it, and put the backpack on her back. After a second thought, she packed food and blankets as well.
She had friends to save from a self-destructing Yeerk Mother Ship.
*1:40:29 REMAINING*
…"Warning. Five seconds remain…"
Larynia shrugged, as if to rid herself of a bad feeling, and then raised her head proudly to join the Andalites in their last ritual.
"Okay, everyone, join hands and we're outta here!"
Jake had been standing with his eyes locked on the floor, but now raised them again. He did so just in time to see the Time Matrix and Rachel appear.
"Do as she says," he snapped, and no-one hesitated to follow the order.
The Andalites and humans were quick to reform the circle, joining hands, and - in the case of the Andalites - cutting off their ritual. Rachel smiled at Tobias before taking his hand and squeezing it. She motioned to Larynia to step forwards.
The large sphere had barely stopped shimmering when Larynia commandeered it and the group back to the bridge of the River's Promise.
*1:40:00 REMAINING*
Captain Jaruili of the River's Promise turned his stalk-eyes at the familiar buzzing. He let out a thought-speech sigh when the Time Matrix and its group began coming into clear sight.
Karmil! he called out over the ship. To the bridge!
Merin stepped forwards, and bowed his stalk-eyes and head respectfully towards the captain. The Mother Ship is destroyed, captain, he said.
Did you gather any information?
"The database was huge and we were out of time and luck," Jake said before Merin got a chance.
Jaruili swivelled a stalk-eye towards him, questioning, maybe a bit annoyed. And who are you, human?
"Jake."
The captain stared at him doubtingly, the name meaning nothing special to him, and Jake looked back calmly, waiting. They stood like that, each a leader expecting the other to be introduced first, until Larynia smiled and walked past Jake to join her brother.
My Prince, she said to Jake. If you would allow me…
Jake gave a curt nod, but all the Andalites on the bridge - except the ones coming from the Mother Ship - went a bit wild-eyed at what Larynia called the human. Larynia allowed herself a smug smile as they stared, looking shocked.
My my, she said. Aren't we a bit rude, staring like that?
The staring stopped instantly. Warriors went back to their duties, and Jaruili regained his dignified look.
Better, Larynia said. We told the ship to self-destruct, and did so that quickly because we didn't trust our warriors.
Why not? another voice asked, this one slightly annoyed. Karmil stepped out of a drop shaft and onto the bridge.
Larynia looked at him, made a discreet gesture towards him with her hand and Jake nodded. Rachel saw that and put on her sweetest smile. "Captain Jaruili, we would like to demonstrate something. If that is okay with you?"
Jake leaned his head a few millimetres to the side, wondering what she was doing. She mouthed "trust me" before continuing her smiling. The Andalites, unused to what they would call 'mouth sounds', of course understood and suspected nothing.
Certainly.
"We need a volunteer," she said, looking around, starting to dig in her backpack. Seemingly on chance she pointed at Karmil. "Oh, you'll do fine. Come here."
Karmil's stalks flickered towards Jaruili, who nodded. The TO stepped up.
"Tobias, could you help me with this?" Rachel said, still all smiles, as she pulled out the shackles. Jake stopped himself from laughing. Rachel turned to Karmil, the shackles dangling from her hand. "If I could borrow your tail?"
Karmil seemed highly doubtful about it, but after a glance at Jaruili he did as he was told. Rachel clasped the first shackle around the tail, closing the sheath over it.
Karmil scraped the floor with a worried hoof. Captain Jaruili?
I assure you, Larynia said. There's no harm in it. Right, Merin?
No harm at all, her brother agreed smoothly.
Jaruili nodded. Continue.
"Your hands, please?" Tobias said, and when Karmil brought them behind his back Tobias closed the shackles around them and tightened the connection between them and that of the tail.
"Only one more," Rachel said and lifted the collar.
Karmil reeled back. But Tobias caught his arm and held him still. Rachel closed the collar around his neck with a snap and took a hold of the leash.
Like it? Larynia asked.
Karmil's stalks flickered around uncertainly. No.
Neither did I.
"This," Jake said, motioning towards the shackles, "is something from the future. Made by Yeerks. It's made of a type of force field that reacts with certain energies. You have to know the trick to put it on or take it off. Very effective."
Jaruili was watching with some degree of curiosity. TO Karmil, would you be able to break free?
Karmil replied that he wasn't sure.
"Try," Tobias said invitingly.
Karmil began pulling half-heartedly at the leash. The collar tightened around his neck as he did so, and he stopped. He tried to free his hands, but failed. He shook his tail, pulled at it, but only to pull his arms painfully upwards. He stopped doing that as well.
It is pretty safe, he said. Can we have it removed now?
"Not just yet," Rachel said. And then added: "You're being such a good boy."
How about morphing? Jaruili asked.
"You cannot morph out of them." Jake said and grimaced. "Believe me. I've tried."
You can always morph out, Karmil disagreed.
Rachel tugged lightly at the collar. "You've been warned. But if you want to try it..?"
Karmil, his face suddenly a bit arrogant as he thought he had found the way out, began morphing.
And just as soon he began screaming in thought-speech, staggering, and stopped morphing. He melted back to Andalite, and stood there, shaking, eyes wild.
It didn't work, did it? Larynia said. Very unpleasant, isn't it?
Karmil made himself nod, still shaking.
I think that is enough, Jaruili said, a bit shaken himself. Release my TO.
"There is just one thing you need to know before we do that," Jake said.
What? Jaruili asked.
Captain, we told you we couldn't trust our warriors, Merin said. It's the same reason we are unwilling to release TO Karmil.
What reason?! Karmil snapped. I demand you release me this instant!
"You're not in the right place for demanding anything," Rachel growled, tugging at the leash. "So shut up."
Jake, tell your people to release my TO! Jaruili said, beginning to look angry.
"No," Jake said. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Karmil is a traitor."
How dare you accuse me of such a thing?! Karmil roared.
"You're tail is tied," Rachel replied simply.
Jaruili stared. Karmil turned around in his shackles and started angrily towards Jake. Rachel and Tobias easily stopped him.
This human has no idea what he is talking about! Karmil snarled.
Jaruili's tail twitched. It is impossible, he growled. I've known Karmil since… since we were just arisths. I demand…
Has the thought struck you, captain, that they might be the traitors? Karmil said, almost spitting out the last word.
It just did, Jaruili said in a threatening voice. The warriors tensed, watching the scene but doing nothing yet.
"We're the ones trying to save your ungrateful asses," Jake said, his arms crossed over his chest. "If you don't want to be saved, that's your problem. One ship this way or the other will make no difference. But I'm not leaving traitors behind. Not when the Andalite military is full of them."
"But don't worry," Rachel grinned. "I've got a lot of shackles."
Release my TO, Jaruili said. Warriors? If they do not release Karmil within…
Larynia stepped up, put her hand on his forehead and transferred a copy of her memories from the pool's control room. About Cerili, Gerid, and the two others, as well as Tarul. Then Larynia stepped back. Jaruili stood for a few moments, looking through the memories, wondering if they were real or fake.
It's not worth risking, Larynia said softly.
Jaruili was silent. And with a blank face, he nodded. The only problem is, who can I trust?
"No-one," Jake said.
Karmil was, by then, furious. His stalk-eyes were darting around, and he was tugging again and again at the leash. Rachel pulled back with all her strength each time, making him stumble.
Release me! he spat.
Jaruili shook his head sadly. No, he said. Not until all this is cleared up.
"You ought to understand that," Tobias said to the TO. "For the safety of the ship, you will have to be a good boy and do as you're told."
Who else in the group we sent were traitors? Jaruili asked.
Tanlorin, and the ones in the pool's control room.
Tanlorin-Athol-Dralnan cannot be a traitor, a warrior said. You must be mistaken. His uncle…
"That Athol-Darilan-Jemili guy," Rachel said. "Yeah, I know. Visser One helped me find that out."
The Andalites looked a bit stunned at the disrespectful way of speaking about a War Council member. Jaruili had found out from Larynia's memories what Athol really was, but his eyes narrowed at the mention of the Yeerk leader.
"Tanlorin tried to steal the Time Matrix, captain," Tobias said. "Rachel stopped him. Who knows where they've been between that?"
Then Karmil gave a sharp yank at the leash, almost pulling it out of Rachel's grip, and roared; Blue Assault Group! It is time!
More than half the warriors on the bridge burst into action. More began flooding out of the drop shafts.
How many? Too many.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Author's Note;
Okay, so not the worst trouble imaginable. Trouble, yes, but not that bad.
I'm almost finished with the next one, it'll be up soon enough. I've got about three sentences left to write, and then I only need to prrofread it.
*5:30:00 REMAINING*
Larynia? Minalea-Silinan-Alareim said over the mirror wave call. Did we wake you?
Of course you did. Why? Larynia was sleepy. It was the middle of the night, although it was bright enough to see because two of the four moons were up.
Olana and I found something.
What? Can't it wait? and then she asked; And what's Olana doing at your scoop?
Mom's on the alshiir again. But I think you want to see this, Larynia, Olana-Soiru-Jinala's thought-speech said. I really think you want to see this.
What is it?
You know that scanner I've been building to see what and who are in the area? It's detected a space ship. A big one.
You couldn't see a space ship on that scanner, Larynia protested. It is too well concealed. That scanner is barely more advanced than a toy!
On the contrary, Olana said, her voice trembling with excitement - but still maybe with a trace of being insulted. It cannot be tracked by the large, advanced, complicated equipment, but this scanner is so plain they must have overlooked it when concealing the ship!
Trust Olana to figure it all out. She was a technological genius.
It's only about five hours travel away, Minalea said.
It doesn't explain what it's doing there.
Will you help us find out?
Larynia thought about it.
We'll be gone a few days for show, Minalea said. Since it'll be overnight anyway.
We can say we went on a wandering. They'll let us go, Olana added.
Larynia knew that Minalea would have the most problems convincing her parents, after getting into trouble with the military, but for something as innocent as a wandering…
They did that monthly, just the three of them. Her own parents would be easy to convince - she was old enough for her mom to trust her and her dad knew she could look after herself. Olana's parents… her father was locked up for selling unregistered escafil devices illegally and her mother was so high on the alshiir root that she would hardly even notice if Olana was gone.
Please, Larynia, we'd never manage without you! Olana said. And by the way, you're usually the one pushing us into something, so just this once let it be the other way!
What if you get into trouble with the army again, Minalea?
That's my problem, Minalea said.
Okay, Larynia said. She was curious, after all - it wasn't everyday a space ship stood waiting for exploration only a few hours from your scoop. When?
Now, or we might miss it. We'll be at your scoop in half an hour. We'll bring the ordinary stuff. Healer's kits, extra food, your emergency transmitter…
Don't bring a shredder this time, Larynia warned her.
I won't, Minalea promised. That's what had gotten her into trouble. She had gone to a gathering - a party - with her boyfriend Geralon - and a stolen military shredder. A very stupid thing to do, considering that the military shredders were bugged. And if I do, I'll get Olana to take out the bug.
Don't, Larynia ordered.
Minalea laughed her most rebellious laugh and the connection was broken.
That was Minalea. Always a rebel. If someone said 'left', she'd go right. Larynia and Olana used to joke about it… if Minalea ever was infested, they'd feel sorry for the Yeerk.
Larynia turned her stalk-eyes towards the night sky. She wondered how many ships were hidden up there. Then she sighed, flicked her tail through the air, refusing to start worrying about where her warrior brothers were, and went to find her parents.
*1:40:47 REMAINING*
"What the..?" Jake cried.
Larynia froze. He took it, she said. He took the Time Matrix. Her brother was surprised to hear fear in her voice. It's gone!
"That's not all that's gone," Tobias said urgently, looking around. "Rachel's gone, too!"
My belief is that the human will do little help against one Andalite warrior, one of the fighter pilots said - almost proudly.
"Make that one Andalite traitor," Tobias snapped, and the pilot pulled back from the sharp tone in his voice.
The computer voice interrupted them all. "Warning. This ship will self-destruct in fifteen seconds. Immediate evacuation recommended."
Merin turned to one of the warriors. Can you stop it?
Not fast enough, the warrior said. Not when it has started. Shall we perform the ritual of death?
"Warning. Ten seconds remain."
Merin sighed, and nodded. There is no choice.
The warriors agreed, and began. I am the servant of the People… Andalite heads bowed down in unison. I am the servant of my Prince… Stalk-eyes were raised towards the ceiling of the Yeerk ship.
Jake shrugged. "Well, Tobias, Larynia, it was nice knowing you. I guess we're history."
"Warning. Five seconds remain…"
Larynia shrugged, as if to rid herself of a bad feeling, and then raised her head proudly to join the Andalites in their last ritual.
Rachel knew at once that if she didn't move quickly, she'd be dead.
Fortunately for her, when the Time Matrix shimmered into existence - it happened too fast for her to be sure exactly where - Tanlorin's four eyes were all turned away. So she had the millisecond she needed before she was noticed.
She threw herself at his tail-blade and grabbed hold at its root.
Tanlorin took a step back in surprise. You!
"Yes," Rachel said, making sure his tail was held securely under her arm, with both hands around the tail-blade's root. "Me. But not for long." She began morphing grizzly.
Tanlorin pulled at his tail, trying to break free. Rachel hung on grimly.
Let go!
"And let you kill me? Not likely, traitor," Rachel growled. As he pulled at his tail again she was dragged along, stumbling down to her knees and then lifted up into the air.
Tanlorin's tail was strong enough to lift her up, but not strong enough to hold her there - especially not when she was partly grizzly. She was beaten down against the ground, and dragged over it.
Still, she hung on. And by then her skin was protected by a thick layer of grizzly fur. She was growing, and she could feel the muscles in her arms getting stronger.
Tanlorin was noticing that as well. He was pulling and tugging more desperately at his tail. But now, Rachel was no longer pulled along.
She bared her teeth in a grizzly grin.
Sorry, old chap, she said. But I had a few tricks up my sleeve. Let's see now… this will be interesting. Desperate Andalite versus seriously pissed grizzly. Yes. Interesting.
She still held his tail under one arm, squeezing it tightly, as she took a step forwards and delivered one proper grizzly slap.
That is, her entire arm and paw came at full speed towards his chest and sent him flying for as far as his trapped tail allowed.
That's what you get for stealing Time Matrixes! Rachel said, walking up to the fallen Andalite. She held his tail in her mouth to leave both front arms and paws free.
Tanlorin kicked at her. But although Andalites are pretty decent kickers, it did little more than to annoy the powerful grizzly morph.
Merin said we needed you alive, she snapped. So alive you'll be. She looked down at him with her weak grizzly eyes. More or less, that is.
She raised an arm.
Just then Tanlorin flew up, and launched towards the Time Matrix.
*THREE DAYS BEFORE THE DEFEAT*
Not so fast, Rachel snapped, after the tickling feeling of being moved through time and space disappeared. She was still holding his tail in her mouth.
Tanlorin was up on his feet again. And sneered; Can you not see in that morph?
I can't see, Rachel confirmed, heard the sudden confidence in his voice and was instantly alert. But I can smell your stinking traitor butt well enough and I'm…
Rachel stopped. Sniffed the air again.
She knew that smell.
It was the smell of the slightly stale air of the confined area of a space ship, combined with Taxxon stench and the leathery scent of Hork-Bajir. She smelled humans, the apelike Gedds… as well as one, single, reeking-with-arrogance Andalite.
Well well well… Visser One's voice said. The guards gathered around, forming a circle. What have we here?
Tanlorin straightened, saluted and said; Tanlorin-Athol-Dralnan of the Blue Assault Group reporting, he said. Bringing a human rebel that you might find very interesting.
Rachel growled, still holding Tanlorin's tail, wondering to herself if she should bite it off and then kill him or not bother about it and kill him directly.
Visser One's eyes narrowed. The Assault Group is hidden well, he said. But not well enough. How do I know you are who you claim you are?
Tanlorin crossed his arms over his chest, raising his stalk-eyes. If I am not, you will kill me, or infest me. Either way, my uncle - whom I do believe you know - will be very upset. His name is Athol-Darilan-Jemili.
One moment, Rachel snapped. That creep is your uncle?!
Visser One turned towards her. Very good, Tanlorin. Except… that rebel. That rebel does not seem to be trapped. In fact, you seem to be the one who is trapped. IS THIS A TRICK?!!
Tanlorin flinched back an entire step.
And, while we're at it, friend Andalite, WHAT IS THAT SPHERE AND WHAT IS IT DOING IN MY SHIP?!!!
Rachel made her decision and gave a sharp tug at Tanlorin's tail. She raised on her hind legs, slammed a paw across his face to knock him out, and reached for the surface of the Time Matrix.
STOP THE REBEL! Visser One roared. His guards flew forwards, but landed on empty space when the sphere, the traitor and the rebel disappeared.
*BACK IN NOW-TIME*
Rachel smelled around the area to make sure it was the right place, and - after making sure Tanlorin was properly knocked out - demorphed again.
She made a short trip to a Yeerk storage in the future to pick up a box of Andalite shackles - force field shackles to avoid the prisoners from morphing out of them - and placed a set on Tanlorin when she got back.
His hands were locked together behind his back, his tail tied down to them, and a collar and a leash. The easiest and definitely the best way to keep Andalites prison.
Rachel tied the leash to a strong-looking hook on the wall and went back to the Time Matrix. Tanlorin would be unpleasantly surprised when he woke up… but that was his problem.
She found an old backpack, placed the shackles in it, and put the backpack on her back. After a second thought, she packed food and blankets as well.
She had friends to save from a self-destructing Yeerk Mother Ship.
*1:40:29 REMAINING*
…"Warning. Five seconds remain…"
Larynia shrugged, as if to rid herself of a bad feeling, and then raised her head proudly to join the Andalites in their last ritual.
"Okay, everyone, join hands and we're outta here!"
Jake had been standing with his eyes locked on the floor, but now raised them again. He did so just in time to see the Time Matrix and Rachel appear.
"Do as she says," he snapped, and no-one hesitated to follow the order.
The Andalites and humans were quick to reform the circle, joining hands, and - in the case of the Andalites - cutting off their ritual. Rachel smiled at Tobias before taking his hand and squeezing it. She motioned to Larynia to step forwards.
The large sphere had barely stopped shimmering when Larynia commandeered it and the group back to the bridge of the River's Promise.
*1:40:00 REMAINING*
Captain Jaruili of the River's Promise turned his stalk-eyes at the familiar buzzing. He let out a thought-speech sigh when the Time Matrix and its group began coming into clear sight.
Karmil! he called out over the ship. To the bridge!
Merin stepped forwards, and bowed his stalk-eyes and head respectfully towards the captain. The Mother Ship is destroyed, captain, he said.
Did you gather any information?
"The database was huge and we were out of time and luck," Jake said before Merin got a chance.
Jaruili swivelled a stalk-eye towards him, questioning, maybe a bit annoyed. And who are you, human?
"Jake."
The captain stared at him doubtingly, the name meaning nothing special to him, and Jake looked back calmly, waiting. They stood like that, each a leader expecting the other to be introduced first, until Larynia smiled and walked past Jake to join her brother.
My Prince, she said to Jake. If you would allow me…
Jake gave a curt nod, but all the Andalites on the bridge - except the ones coming from the Mother Ship - went a bit wild-eyed at what Larynia called the human. Larynia allowed herself a smug smile as they stared, looking shocked.
My my, she said. Aren't we a bit rude, staring like that?
The staring stopped instantly. Warriors went back to their duties, and Jaruili regained his dignified look.
Better, Larynia said. We told the ship to self-destruct, and did so that quickly because we didn't trust our warriors.
Why not? another voice asked, this one slightly annoyed. Karmil stepped out of a drop shaft and onto the bridge.
Larynia looked at him, made a discreet gesture towards him with her hand and Jake nodded. Rachel saw that and put on her sweetest smile. "Captain Jaruili, we would like to demonstrate something. If that is okay with you?"
Jake leaned his head a few millimetres to the side, wondering what she was doing. She mouthed "trust me" before continuing her smiling. The Andalites, unused to what they would call 'mouth sounds', of course understood and suspected nothing.
Certainly.
"We need a volunteer," she said, looking around, starting to dig in her backpack. Seemingly on chance she pointed at Karmil. "Oh, you'll do fine. Come here."
Karmil's stalks flickered towards Jaruili, who nodded. The TO stepped up.
"Tobias, could you help me with this?" Rachel said, still all smiles, as she pulled out the shackles. Jake stopped himself from laughing. Rachel turned to Karmil, the shackles dangling from her hand. "If I could borrow your tail?"
Karmil seemed highly doubtful about it, but after a glance at Jaruili he did as he was told. Rachel clasped the first shackle around the tail, closing the sheath over it.
Karmil scraped the floor with a worried hoof. Captain Jaruili?
I assure you, Larynia said. There's no harm in it. Right, Merin?
No harm at all, her brother agreed smoothly.
Jaruili nodded. Continue.
"Your hands, please?" Tobias said, and when Karmil brought them behind his back Tobias closed the shackles around them and tightened the connection between them and that of the tail.
"Only one more," Rachel said and lifted the collar.
Karmil reeled back. But Tobias caught his arm and held him still. Rachel closed the collar around his neck with a snap and took a hold of the leash.
Like it? Larynia asked.
Karmil's stalks flickered around uncertainly. No.
Neither did I.
"This," Jake said, motioning towards the shackles, "is something from the future. Made by Yeerks. It's made of a type of force field that reacts with certain energies. You have to know the trick to put it on or take it off. Very effective."
Jaruili was watching with some degree of curiosity. TO Karmil, would you be able to break free?
Karmil replied that he wasn't sure.
"Try," Tobias said invitingly.
Karmil began pulling half-heartedly at the leash. The collar tightened around his neck as he did so, and he stopped. He tried to free his hands, but failed. He shook his tail, pulled at it, but only to pull his arms painfully upwards. He stopped doing that as well.
It is pretty safe, he said. Can we have it removed now?
"Not just yet," Rachel said. And then added: "You're being such a good boy."
How about morphing? Jaruili asked.
"You cannot morph out of them." Jake said and grimaced. "Believe me. I've tried."
You can always morph out, Karmil disagreed.
Rachel tugged lightly at the collar. "You've been warned. But if you want to try it..?"
Karmil, his face suddenly a bit arrogant as he thought he had found the way out, began morphing.
And just as soon he began screaming in thought-speech, staggering, and stopped morphing. He melted back to Andalite, and stood there, shaking, eyes wild.
It didn't work, did it? Larynia said. Very unpleasant, isn't it?
Karmil made himself nod, still shaking.
I think that is enough, Jaruili said, a bit shaken himself. Release my TO.
"There is just one thing you need to know before we do that," Jake said.
What? Jaruili asked.
Captain, we told you we couldn't trust our warriors, Merin said. It's the same reason we are unwilling to release TO Karmil.
What reason?! Karmil snapped. I demand you release me this instant!
"You're not in the right place for demanding anything," Rachel growled, tugging at the leash. "So shut up."
Jake, tell your people to release my TO! Jaruili said, beginning to look angry.
"No," Jake said. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Karmil is a traitor."
How dare you accuse me of such a thing?! Karmil roared.
"You're tail is tied," Rachel replied simply.
Jaruili stared. Karmil turned around in his shackles and started angrily towards Jake. Rachel and Tobias easily stopped him.
This human has no idea what he is talking about! Karmil snarled.
Jaruili's tail twitched. It is impossible, he growled. I've known Karmil since… since we were just arisths. I demand…
Has the thought struck you, captain, that they might be the traitors? Karmil said, almost spitting out the last word.
It just did, Jaruili said in a threatening voice. The warriors tensed, watching the scene but doing nothing yet.
"We're the ones trying to save your ungrateful asses," Jake said, his arms crossed over his chest. "If you don't want to be saved, that's your problem. One ship this way or the other will make no difference. But I'm not leaving traitors behind. Not when the Andalite military is full of them."
"But don't worry," Rachel grinned. "I've got a lot of shackles."
Release my TO, Jaruili said. Warriors? If they do not release Karmil within…
Larynia stepped up, put her hand on his forehead and transferred a copy of her memories from the pool's control room. About Cerili, Gerid, and the two others, as well as Tarul. Then Larynia stepped back. Jaruili stood for a few moments, looking through the memories, wondering if they were real or fake.
It's not worth risking, Larynia said softly.
Jaruili was silent. And with a blank face, he nodded. The only problem is, who can I trust?
"No-one," Jake said.
Karmil was, by then, furious. His stalk-eyes were darting around, and he was tugging again and again at the leash. Rachel pulled back with all her strength each time, making him stumble.
Release me! he spat.
Jaruili shook his head sadly. No, he said. Not until all this is cleared up.
"You ought to understand that," Tobias said to the TO. "For the safety of the ship, you will have to be a good boy and do as you're told."
Who else in the group we sent were traitors? Jaruili asked.
Tanlorin, and the ones in the pool's control room.
Tanlorin-Athol-Dralnan cannot be a traitor, a warrior said. You must be mistaken. His uncle…
"That Athol-Darilan-Jemili guy," Rachel said. "Yeah, I know. Visser One helped me find that out."
The Andalites looked a bit stunned at the disrespectful way of speaking about a War Council member. Jaruili had found out from Larynia's memories what Athol really was, but his eyes narrowed at the mention of the Yeerk leader.
"Tanlorin tried to steal the Time Matrix, captain," Tobias said. "Rachel stopped him. Who knows where they've been between that?"
Then Karmil gave a sharp yank at the leash, almost pulling it out of Rachel's grip, and roared; Blue Assault Group! It is time!
More than half the warriors on the bridge burst into action. More began flooding out of the drop shafts.
How many? Too many.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Author's Note;
Okay, so not the worst trouble imaginable. Trouble, yes, but not that bad.
I'm almost finished with the next one, it'll be up soon enough. I've got about three sentences left to write, and then I only need to prrofread it.
