Chapter 3
I am an Andalite female. Humans call us a mix between human, deer, and scorpians. I can see why.
Our torsos could be considered the same in shape, though our hands are much more delicate, we have an extra set of eyes on stalks, and we have no mouths, thus the use of "thought speak". Our lower bodies seem like mythological centuars of homo sapien lore. We have cloven hooves.
And then there is our tails. Powerful, swift, deadly. Near the tip of all Andalite tails is a great, curved blade. Only males are greater, they are more like scythes, whereas females are more like scapels. We can use them in the blink of an eye. They are great for close range.
And, when our foe is farther away, a good shredder or Dracon Beam always comes to mind.
I followed my prince to the vast dome at the top of the Dome ship. This was where the meeting would be held.
We entered the room, and a respectful silence followed. I saw Prince Galuit at the far end. He was a big male, larger then Alloran, who was already powerfully built.
He smiled with his stalk eyes, hailing us. Welcome Prince Alloran, and who do I have the pleasure of meeting in this student?
Prince Alloran returned the welcome, Thank you, Prince Galuit. This young fighter is Aristh Yaolyn-Sirinial-Maylenee. Following your directions I have chosen her to come with us. Then he trailed off, Galuit and himself both talking privately.
Probably about me.
Soon, Galuit nodded, Very well then! Everyone, gather round, here is our private council. Everything in here is to be kept secretive. Got it? he asked, peering directly at me.
When he was sure of us he continued, "The humans have not returned, we are considering them dead for now. Aximili also. All in here, save myself, Prince Jalik-Olimu-Coolin and Captain Pitare-Islith-Garout will be leaving aboard a large Cruiser class fighter. The Shorm.
I smiled, "shorm" was Andalite for a very, very deep friend.
You will leave at midnight Earth time. You will leave silently and quickly. This is to be secretive. No one shall know.
I jolted an inch. If no one was to know...? What of our families, then? Perhaps it would not matter if I didn't return, because my family was dead from a Yeerk raiding, but others?
I stifled myself, perhaps they had worked something out.
Then it is settled, Galuit said. Prince Evaren-Illimad-Licturn shall lead the expedition with Prince Alloran as T.O. They will settle out the positions from there. Good luck and may your journey be swift and safe.
We were dismissed.
Before everyone left, I got a good look at the crew. There was Captain-Prince Evaren, Prince Alloran, myself, another aristh, two humans, and one Hork-Bajir.
* * *
We entered the docking bay as silently as we could, the lookouts had been told to keep out of that area for the night. They'd be given a small subsidy for following the orders.
Captain-Prince Evaren-Illimad-Licturn led us inside the cruiser. O, she was a beauty. Jet black and very sleek. It had been made with Andalite technology, but with human engineers, so it wouldn't look totally like an Andalite vessel. Apparently there was a treaty between we Andalites and these Kelbrid.
The ship was shaped like one of Earth's birds. A peregrine falcon, I think it was called. Designed for speed and agility. Not too mention power, I noted to myself when I saw the beam exits for Dracon cannons.
We boarded, and immediately were given instructions. Introductions would begin when we were out of the docking bay.
You, Kelt Mahet, take the helm - it was designed specifically for Hork-Bajir. Zachary Hummal, get to the engine room, check on the motors. Jennifer Lovedye, man the weapons for now. Tactical Officer Alloran? Take the two arisths and familiarize them with this ship.
Yes, sir.
Alloran led us out of the bridge room. He showed us our compartment rooms, a small grazing area, some information stations, and the engine room.
I stole a quick glance at my comrade. He was a young male, possibly two standard Andalite years older then myself. His fur was a dark, navy blue. He wasn't much bigger than I was, really. He paid extra attention anytime Alloran spoke.
Now, this is the engine room. The ship's engineer is Zachary Hummal.
The human engineer waved to us then, stepping out from behind a console.
He had short dark brown hair and blue eyes. He wore what most human mechanics wear: a jumpsuit. His was a bluish-gray and had tools filling up most of his pockets. "Hello there, War Prince Alloran, arisths. I'm Zachary, you can call me Zach, though. Pleasure to meet you all here. Welcome to my domain - the Engine Room. Basically you'll be seeing a lot of grease and feeling a lot of heat once this thing gets start-"
We felt and heard a grinding noise, then we were jerked to our right as the ship turned on and pulled out of the docking bay.
"-ed. Well then, here we are. Now, I suggest you get out of here, the hull can get pretty heated if you are used to it." he said with a final glance to we arisths. "Bye for now!"
Alloran led us out of there, back to the bridge.
Captain Evaren was standing in the middle of the bridge issuing orders. Good now, he said, Kelt Mahet? Steer us clear from the Dome ship Elfangor.
"Yes, sir." the Hork-Bajir replied.
I sensed something strange from the Hork-Bajir. She seemed confident, and her speech wasn't gluttered like other Hork-Bajir's. I ignored it.
The Captain noticed us then.
Ah, good, T.O. Are they familiarized?
Yes, sir. I showed them their compartments, the bay, the bridge, the grazing area, they engine room, and a few information rooms.
Good, now then, Prince Tactical Officer Alloran, you can come here and assist Kelt and Jennifer with their stations. Arisths? You are dismissed for now, you can report to the grazing room for a while to relax. It will be a long ride.
* * *
Once inside the grazing room Isighed, it felt good to quench my edging hunger.
Now, you may ask: How do Andalites eat without mouths?
We eat through our hooves, of course. Our hooves crush the grass and absorb the nutrients they carry, we do the same when we drink.
My fellow aristh wasn't very talkative, he seemed to be concentrating on something else. He ate by himself at the other end.
Bored, I walked over to him. Hello, I said. My name is Yaolyn-Sirinial-Maylenee, I'm an aristh, like you.
He looked up at me, smiled, than began talking at a rapid pace. Hello, Iamalsoanaristh. Mynameis-
Whoa! I laughed. Slow down, please, I could barely understand you!
He smiled, laughing spite himself. Sorry, he said. I am Ajax-Oferil-Orion, Aristh.
Nice to meet you, I replied.
Well met, he countered.
We talked for a little while, grazing as we went. I learned a little from him as well.
He, like me, did not have a family. They disappeared one night, years ago. He had been taken care of by an officer who was now dead.
I told him my story, and he didn't speak for a while. He was in deep thought. When I was about to interrupt the silence, Captain-Prince Evaren hailed us.
Arisths? Please report back to the bridge.
I am an Andalite female. Humans call us a mix between human, deer, and scorpians. I can see why.
Our torsos could be considered the same in shape, though our hands are much more delicate, we have an extra set of eyes on stalks, and we have no mouths, thus the use of "thought speak". Our lower bodies seem like mythological centuars of homo sapien lore. We have cloven hooves.
And then there is our tails. Powerful, swift, deadly. Near the tip of all Andalite tails is a great, curved blade. Only males are greater, they are more like scythes, whereas females are more like scapels. We can use them in the blink of an eye. They are great for close range.
And, when our foe is farther away, a good shredder or Dracon Beam always comes to mind.
I followed my prince to the vast dome at the top of the Dome ship. This was where the meeting would be held.
We entered the room, and a respectful silence followed. I saw Prince Galuit at the far end. He was a big male, larger then Alloran, who was already powerfully built.
He smiled with his stalk eyes, hailing us. Welcome Prince Alloran, and who do I have the pleasure of meeting in this student?
Prince Alloran returned the welcome, Thank you, Prince Galuit. This young fighter is Aristh Yaolyn-Sirinial-Maylenee. Following your directions I have chosen her to come with us. Then he trailed off, Galuit and himself both talking privately.
Probably about me.
Soon, Galuit nodded, Very well then! Everyone, gather round, here is our private council. Everything in here is to be kept secretive. Got it? he asked, peering directly at me.
When he was sure of us he continued, "The humans have not returned, we are considering them dead for now. Aximili also. All in here, save myself, Prince Jalik-Olimu-Coolin and Captain Pitare-Islith-Garout will be leaving aboard a large Cruiser class fighter. The Shorm.
I smiled, "shorm" was Andalite for a very, very deep friend.
You will leave at midnight Earth time. You will leave silently and quickly. This is to be secretive. No one shall know.
I jolted an inch. If no one was to know...? What of our families, then? Perhaps it would not matter if I didn't return, because my family was dead from a Yeerk raiding, but others?
I stifled myself, perhaps they had worked something out.
Then it is settled, Galuit said. Prince Evaren-Illimad-Licturn shall lead the expedition with Prince Alloran as T.O. They will settle out the positions from there. Good luck and may your journey be swift and safe.
We were dismissed.
Before everyone left, I got a good look at the crew. There was Captain-Prince Evaren, Prince Alloran, myself, another aristh, two humans, and one Hork-Bajir.
* * *
We entered the docking bay as silently as we could, the lookouts had been told to keep out of that area for the night. They'd be given a small subsidy for following the orders.
Captain-Prince Evaren-Illimad-Licturn led us inside the cruiser. O, she was a beauty. Jet black and very sleek. It had been made with Andalite technology, but with human engineers, so it wouldn't look totally like an Andalite vessel. Apparently there was a treaty between we Andalites and these Kelbrid.
The ship was shaped like one of Earth's birds. A peregrine falcon, I think it was called. Designed for speed and agility. Not too mention power, I noted to myself when I saw the beam exits for Dracon cannons.
We boarded, and immediately were given instructions. Introductions would begin when we were out of the docking bay.
You, Kelt Mahet, take the helm - it was designed specifically for Hork-Bajir. Zachary Hummal, get to the engine room, check on the motors. Jennifer Lovedye, man the weapons for now. Tactical Officer Alloran? Take the two arisths and familiarize them with this ship.
Yes, sir.
Alloran led us out of the bridge room. He showed us our compartment rooms, a small grazing area, some information stations, and the engine room.
I stole a quick glance at my comrade. He was a young male, possibly two standard Andalite years older then myself. His fur was a dark, navy blue. He wasn't much bigger than I was, really. He paid extra attention anytime Alloran spoke.
Now, this is the engine room. The ship's engineer is Zachary Hummal.
The human engineer waved to us then, stepping out from behind a console.
He had short dark brown hair and blue eyes. He wore what most human mechanics wear: a jumpsuit. His was a bluish-gray and had tools filling up most of his pockets. "Hello there, War Prince Alloran, arisths. I'm Zachary, you can call me Zach, though. Pleasure to meet you all here. Welcome to my domain - the Engine Room. Basically you'll be seeing a lot of grease and feeling a lot of heat once this thing gets start-"
We felt and heard a grinding noise, then we were jerked to our right as the ship turned on and pulled out of the docking bay.
"-ed. Well then, here we are. Now, I suggest you get out of here, the hull can get pretty heated if you are used to it." he said with a final glance to we arisths. "Bye for now!"
Alloran led us out of there, back to the bridge.
Captain Evaren was standing in the middle of the bridge issuing orders. Good now, he said, Kelt Mahet? Steer us clear from the Dome ship Elfangor.
"Yes, sir." the Hork-Bajir replied.
I sensed something strange from the Hork-Bajir. She seemed confident, and her speech wasn't gluttered like other Hork-Bajir's. I ignored it.
The Captain noticed us then.
Ah, good, T.O. Are they familiarized?
Yes, sir. I showed them their compartments, the bay, the bridge, the grazing area, they engine room, and a few information rooms.
Good, now then, Prince Tactical Officer Alloran, you can come here and assist Kelt and Jennifer with their stations. Arisths? You are dismissed for now, you can report to the grazing room for a while to relax. It will be a long ride.
* * *
Once inside the grazing room Isighed, it felt good to quench my edging hunger.
Now, you may ask: How do Andalites eat without mouths?
We eat through our hooves, of course. Our hooves crush the grass and absorb the nutrients they carry, we do the same when we drink.
My fellow aristh wasn't very talkative, he seemed to be concentrating on something else. He ate by himself at the other end.
Bored, I walked over to him. Hello, I said. My name is Yaolyn-Sirinial-Maylenee, I'm an aristh, like you.
He looked up at me, smiled, than began talking at a rapid pace. Hello, Iamalsoanaristh. Mynameis-
Whoa! I laughed. Slow down, please, I could barely understand you!
He smiled, laughing spite himself. Sorry, he said. I am Ajax-Oferil-Orion, Aristh.
Nice to meet you, I replied.
Well met, he countered.
We talked for a little while, grazing as we went. I learned a little from him as well.
He, like me, did not have a family. They disappeared one night, years ago. He had been taken care of by an officer who was now dead.
I told him my story, and he didn't speak for a while. He was in deep thought. When I was about to interrupt the silence, Captain-Prince Evaren hailed us.
Arisths? Please report back to the bridge.