Yeerkbane





*1:14:00 REMAINING*

Lerim sighed heavily. Athol was one of the few I thought I could trust.

That happened to Captain Jaruili as well, Larynia said. With Karmil, the… But then she frowned, and reached up to put a hand on her forehead to steady herself.

What's wrong? Merin asked.

I… I feel strange, Larynia replied.

Then there was an assortment of surprised sounds as Larynia faded and reappeared again, like someone standing in thick fog.

What? she asked, seeing how they stared.

What's this time's version of you doing now, Larynia? Tarafor asked urgently.

She has sneaking out with two friends to see a ship some scanner had detected, Merin said, watching his sister worriedly with all four eyes. They just reached the ship. I've got a copy of her memories.

Larynia nodded. I'm fine. I just need… I think I need to sit down for a moment. She began doing that, folding her legs under her to sit on the floor, but before she was done the backpack fell to the floor with a series of clonks from the shackles in it and she was gone.

Simply gone.

What happened? Lerim barked. Tarafor! You're the Head of Sciences. Explain this to me!

Tarafor turned his stalks towards Merin. Tell me more about that ship.

It was… destroyed. It had crashed… they didn't recognize it - couldn't tell if it was Yeerk or Andalite - but it was what warned her of the coming invasion. It was what, in the end, allowed her to escape.

Tarafor, what happened? Lerim repeated impatiently.

I believe she switched time line, Tarafor said, managing to look worried, excited and fascinated all at the same time. Something you have done has changed something about the present that -

So she's dead? Nemsar said in a flat voice.

Tarafor shook his head energetically. Not at all. She's… not needed, so to speak. Something in her past - but in our now - changed… so that she never joined this mission of yours. And if she did, she never got this far.

"She must have never joined the mission at all," Tobias said. "Because we'd have noticed earlier if she was cut off halfway. Right?"

Tarafor nodded, but doubtingly.

"Is that good or bad, though?" Jake asked. "Cause it means she never even fled from the planet - never reached the refuge. So it could mean two things. Either there were no escapes - the Yeerk victory was total - or there was no Yeerk victory."

I prefer the second option, Nemsar said.

"So do I," Jake agreed. "Whatever that'd do to Earth."

Tarafor?! Lerim said again. Jarali almost felt sorry for the Head of History. But Tarafor was, for once, in his proper element: Sciences, a topic rarely discussed in the Council of War.

Despite that, he looked helplessly from Jake to Lerim, and to Nemsar and Merin, and then back to the impatient Head of Council. His front hoof pawed the floor. I'm sorry, he said. I… I do not know.



*ALSO 1:14:00 REMAINING*

How much further? Larynia wondered.

Just about five hundred meters, Olana replied.

But we won't see it, because it'll be cloaked, Minalea added.

If it's cloaked, it's got something to hide, Larynia said reasonably. Or it might even be something to hide.

Why would it 'be' something to hide? What would the Andalite fleet have to hide from the People? Olana wondered.

A lot, Minalea and Larynia said at the same time. Minalea continued; That's why we're here to see it. To see what it's doing here, and what it's hiding.

Olana shrugged and galloped on. She took the lead again, as Minalea and Larynia began discussing possible secrets. She counted the meters between her and the ship's position as she ran, so she wouldn't run into it.

Then she stopped. Staring.

What? Minalea asked.

Two steps forwards, and you're through the cloaking, Olana instructed. Her stalk-eyes followed her friends as they did as they were told and came through the ship's cloak, watching for their reactions.

The ship was gleaming black, and almost flat. It was built for speed - any idiot could tell that from studying its shape, you didn't need to go through advanced inaerodynamics to know that. There was no Dome, as on the great Dome ships - which would have hindered manoeuvrability - but a great deal of weapons, mainly the very conspicuous shredder cannons. There was at least half a dozen of them. Larynia also pointed out the numerous docking stations along the sides and gave an estimate of how many fighters it would be able to carry.

The number was a long way past 'just impressive'.

But not one of them recognized the ship. It was a beautiful ship, and somehow it felt wrong not to know what it was called.

What now? Minalea added, getting bored with just admiring the craft.

We could go home, Larynia said. Except our parents aren't expecting us back for another few days.

They won't mind.

No, but they'll wonder why we turned back so soon, and when parents start wondering they start asking questions. If they find out about us going alone to see this ship - or just of us finding it without informing them instantly - we'll be in trouble. It's 'dangerous' to go see an unidentified craft like this. And finally, they'll figure out about that scanner, Olana, and they'll wonder where you got the parts… by the way, where did you get them?

Minalea got them for me, Olana said, shrugging.

Larynia raised an eyebrow, to which Minalea responded; You don't want to know.

Larynia? Olana said then, suspiciously. You usually don't go out of your way to worry about what our parents think. What type of mess have you planned this time?

Larynia's expression was all innocent as she said; Oh, just to explore the inside of the ship.

Minalea loved the suggestion, of course, while Olana protested.

Two against one, Minalea said smugly, rubbing her hands. Democracy at work, Olana. Sorry.

I hate democracy.

Minalea blinked with faked surprise. You do? I'm actually quite fond of it, myself.

Olana looked helplessly from one madly grinning Andalite girl to the next. You two are hopeless, she declared.

Thank you, the two replied simultaneously.



*1:08:00 REMAINING*

I have a question, Japhar, the Head of Foreign Affairs, said suddenly. What is the human resistance doing on a mission concerning the Andalite War Council? I know you humans, and my question is; how does this serve your interests on Earth?

"Because we need your help," Jake said. "We humans are what you Andalites would call 'primitive'. We don't have z-space travel or shreddercannons. We need help to fight the Yeerks up in orbit." He smiled wearily, for the simple reason that he had nothing else to do. "To tell the truth, we need help down on the surface too. We just lost our battle. In about an hour, the last resistance on Earth will be captured. We don't want that to happen."

Lerim looked uncertain, shifting his weight to another set of hooves and back again. Jake… I'm afraid I am not aware of what title you hold… but I must inform you that in one hour, not even we can do anything.

"I said 'captured', not 'infested'," Jake reminded him. "And I have no title. Although certain Andalites have had serious problems realizing that."

Still, it does not give us much time… Lerim said.

Tobias shook his head. "About sixteen hours. Visser One wanted us to wait for infestation so we would have time to despair properly."

It takes months through z-space to Earth, one of the informers shot in.

"No," Tobias disagreed. "Z-space has reconfigured."

How do you know, human?! the informer snapped. The informers took their job very seriously, and regarded it as a personal insult if their information was questioned. Or wrong.

"Because I know, Andalite," Tobias snapped back. "It's a bit hard to forget things like this. Because in those mentioned hours, I'll be infested and on my way to this planet together with my friend Aximili and an army of Yeerks, and this planet will fall into Yeerk clutches. Why? Because of Athol, probably, and because the Yeerks know it takes a day to get here, while you'd never expect them so soon."

When Tobias was finished speaking there was a silence in the room. A good number of the Andalites were white-faced - an unavoidable effect of the phrase 'fall into Yeerk clutches'. But Lerim wasn't white-faced. He was more stern than usual.

I remember young Aximili, he said. He allowed them to catch him alive?

"'Allow' had nothing to do with it," Jake said in a defensive tone. "If I'd been able to change it, they wouldn't have caught me alive either. Or any of my warriors. Unfortunately, there wasn't much I could do."

You are only human. Aximili is Andalite.

"Yes, he is," Tobias agreed. "But that only means they keep him under extra guard. If you ever wear those shackles, like the ones we put on Athol, you'll understand just how impossible it is for captured Andalites to commit suicide."

But Japhar's forehead was in deep wrinkles. If they infest an Andalite on Earth…

Jake nodded, knowing where he was heading. "That's what got them through your security. Right now they're dancing around the edges - as I hope you are aware of - but with the information in Ax's head they'll be brave enough to break through… and perfectly capable of it. So they'll get to the surface."

And at that point, our planet is doomed, Jarali said heavily. He knew better than most how poorly defended the surface and the people really were. He was responsible for them, after all. He turned to the Head of Council. I think it is in our own best interest to help Earth, he said.

"It took you a long time to figure it out, but you're right."

The Time Matrix had reappeared, together with Rachel. Athol wasn't with her.

Did Athol cause any trouble? Kerroth asked.

"No," Rachel said, sighing. "So. What did I miss?"

We are discussing the possibilities of assisting your planet, Yramil informed her.

"Discuss faster," Rachel ordered. "And while we're waiting; Nemsar, is your ship ready to leave?"

Nemsar nodded. By now it should be.

"Good. Who else can we send?" she asked. When the War Council members and their informers hesitated, glancing around uncertainly - this had been Athol's subject - Rachel said; "You know what? This might take all day if we leave it to you. Nemsar, get someone to call all your friends. See if they're free. Lerim? Get Jake a list over all your big, bad battle ships and tell him which ones are able to get to Earth within a day. Then he'll pick out the biggest, bad-est of the bunch and send them there."

She smiled a sweet smile and added; "You'll let me help pick the ships, right, Jake?"

Jake nodded, a bit lost. "Whatever she just said."

"Then move it!" Rachel exclaimed happily.



Welcome to the Yeerkbane, Nemsar said, his stalks swivelling, and took his hands away from the still-shimmering Time Matrix. These are my quarters - the rooms where I rarely spend any time since I'm always on the bridge. This is the vestibule. I must admit, I've never gone further in, since I'm afraid I'll get lost.

Merin began exploring the room, chuckling to himself about his "clumsy big brother" becoming a captain of such a ship.

Nemsar grimaced and sent his warriors out of the room as another Andalite entered, swaggering cockily.

Samaron, Nemsar said. The damage report from that attack, please.

Samaron-Kilekti-Araggouth glanced at the three humans and the glittering Time Matrix with his stalk-eyes. He was the tactical officer on the ship; the one who had been in charge while Nemsar was gone.

Yes, captain, he said finally, deciding Nemsar probably knew the humans were there. The damage to three of the shredder cannons from the collision with that Blade ship was minor, we fixed it in moments. The gravity instability we suffered turned out to be a computer problem - the computer is still not properly run in and the pilots are not yet accustomed to it. It has been attended to. And the belly of the ship was not even scratched.

Nemsar looked proud and astounded at the same time. It took a direct hit with zero damage?

Yes, captain, Samaron confirmed with a beaming expression. Zero damage.

The belly, Merin said. That was always the weakness of the Dome ships, as the Yeerks well know nowadays. As a fighter pilot I've seen that.

The shredder cannons were the biggest problem, then, Nemsar concluded. Good to have them fixed. They might be of use.

"They will if we're going to Earth," Tobias said. "Because they've got a good number of Blade ships there for you to collide with."

We're still lucky that Mother Ship was gone, Samaron said.

You're welcome, Merin grinned. That was on Larynia's behalf, actually.

Samaron blinked confusedly, but regained his stern TO-face quickly and continued; I do not know how we would have been able to deal with it. It is unwise to put an untried ship in a big battle the first time.

She'd have been fine, Nemsar said, trusting his ship. I hope. Anything else?

Yes, captain, Samaron said, nodding. We've got stowaways.

"Stowaways?" Tobias said. "On a battleship? Who's that stupid?"

"Me," Rachel snapped, glaring shortly at him.

"You would be the exception, of course, Rach dear."

I suspect them to be spies, Samaron said. Traitors. But it does not really fit in.

"Controllers?" Jake guessed.

On our planet? Impossible! Samaron disagreed forcefully. And if the Yeerks couldn't find better spies - or traitors, or hosts, or whatever they are - than those three, they are loosing their touch.

Well then, Samaron, let's see these traitors and ask what they're doing on my ship. And how they found it. For it is cloaked, right?

Of course.

Merin looked from one to the other and hid a smile. By then, he had figured out who these 'stowaways' were. Why Larynia had disappeared suddenly. And, finally, how the destruction of the Mother Ship had contributed to it.

And it seemed like he had been given a few more of his sister's memories than Nemsar had.



By the time Samaron found his captain again - now in the tactical simulation room - Nemsar had arranged quarters for the three humans and the Time Matrix. All three of them, being exhausted and hungry, needed to rest. Also, the ship was up in orbit, waiting for the other Alacrity ships - and a few other ships - to join them in going to Earth.

Samaron walked into the room and Nemsar and Merin, standing next to him, turned around to meet the three stowaways.

It was impossible to mistake their sister for anyone else. She had barely entered the room - looking like a queen going where she wished to instead of like a prisoner - before her four eyes narrowed and she said one, short word; You.

The next second she had launched at Nemsar, her tail flashing - flat of blade first, of course, she didn't actually want to hurt him, just scare him a bit. Or a lot. Nemsar hurried to block it and backed away. She danced after him, tail arching downwards again, when he said; Enough, Larynia!

By then Larynia was surrounded by warriors, and was busy glaring at each and every one of them at the same time. Her tail twitched as if she wondered who to strike first.

You know her? Samaron wondered.

She's our sister, Merin said, laughing. He had backed away when Larynia entered the room, knowing her as well as he did. And no, she's not a spy. Calling her a spy would be like saying Yeerks aren't parasites.

A SPY?! Larynia snapped at Nemsar. I'm not a spy!! How dare you let us be treated this way, Nemsar?! So this is your ship, huh? Why didn't you tell me you had a ship?! They had us locked in an aristh's quarters! Do you know how small those rooms are?! How come -

I said enough, Larynia! Nemsar repeated with his most stern Prince-captain voice. Larynia grew silent.

And don't turn tail on me when you're mad, Nemsar added.

Larynia began sulking. You can deal with it.

Who are your friends?

Minalea-Silinan-Alareim and Olana-Soiru-Jinala, Larynia said. and they aren't spies, either, if you have to know. her face grew dark, as she muttered; Calling us spies… I'll teach you to call us…

Did she cause trouble? Merin asked, a bit amused by the whole situation.

Samaron nodded, regarding the young female with a degree of respect. She brought down two of your warriors, captain Nemsar, he said. That was before they grew careful, of course, but it is still a hard thing to do.

Send them back to the academy, said Larynia, flicking her tail casually. They're not ready for the big, bad universe yet.

Neither are you, Nemsar said firmly. We're not even on the planet any longer. This isn't a game, Larynia-Talene-Sirinial. Do mother and father know you're here?

They think we went wandering. Don't be such a big brother, Nemsar. Let me call home and talk to father later - when it's too late to turn back, preferably - and it'll be fine.

He'll be furious, Merin mentioned.

I know, Larynia said.

But you'll just smile your best smile and wrap him around your graceful little finger like you always do, Nemsar sighed. Who's ever going to teach you respect?

No-one, Minalea said, being the first of the other two to speak. and me neither. Are you heading for a battle?

If you have to know, yes, Merin said. Earth.

Merin is a fighter pilot, Larynia said to her friends.

That's what Olana wants to be, Minalea informed the group, at which Olana's stalks twitched uncertainly. Could we go see the fighters?

Yes, of course, you should go see the fighters. I should send you in a fighter straight back home! Nemsar growled, getting angry. what do you think you're doing, exploring an unidentified battleship? Who knows who it might have belonged to? If this ship had belonged to any other captain… or what if it had been a Yeerk ship! What would you have done then?! Of all the stupid, irresponsible -

Larynia rolled her stalks and began answering when another Andalite, an aristh, came in, saying; The other ships have arrived, captain. They are leaving. We are told to leave now as well - Head of Council Lerim himself is on the hologram. Shall I confirm the order at the bridge?

Nemsar looked at the three females, indecisively. If he sent them back now…

Please? Larynia said.

What about you parents? Samaron wondered.

Mine don't care for half a jadran, Olana declared with a shrug.

I'm already in trouble, so a little more won't matter, Minalea said. They'll know it's my fault, not someone else's.

He'd have to let the fighter stay on the planet… because the Yeerkbane needed to leave immediately. Nemsar shook his head. I can't take responsibility for…

The aristh stirred. Lerim had obviously not been in his most patient mood. Captain? There is no time - we should not keep the Head of Council waiting. Should I confirm the order?

Stop stressing the captain, aristh, or I'll chop your stalks off! Samaron snapped, true to his duties, and the aristh flinched back a few steps.

We're old enough to be responsible for ourselves, Larynia stated.

But none of the pilots would want to miss the battle! And he didn't dare send the three with just an aristh or two piloting the craft… who knows what might pop into Larynia's head? Or Olana's or Minalea's, for that matter?

Exploring a battleship like that, they must have been mad!

Their own planet might be attacked as well. Especially with most of the fleet away on duty. And if there was going to be a battle, wherever it was, the Yeerkbane was easily among the safest ships to be on.

Nemsar pawed the ground with a front hoof. Glanced at Merin, who raised an eyebrow, signing that he couldn't decide. Samaron's stalks were lowered briefly, almost unnoticeably. Nemsar knew what his advice was.

Confirm the order.








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Author's note;

There. That problem solved. Good.

The next chapter is the second last one, and after that it's the last one - that will be put up together with the epilogue. Review this one, please; cause I want to know what you think of my general idea of the Andalite species, and more importantly how they're portrayed in this story.