Chapter 4
We walked back in silence. I didn't have anything else to say, didn't know what to say, really. And Ajax still seemed deep in thought.
When we finally entered the room, Captain Evaren noticed us sooner. He pointed to Ajax, You, aristh, take the helm. Then, with a small glance to me, said, Female, you take the weapons console.
That rocked me. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a high-ranking officer to call me by gender. Not only was it slightly unprofessional, and rude, but it seemed a little untimely now because more females were coming to the service.
Alloran thought so to, apparently. I saw him fidgeting with his hands. His stalk eyes were swiveling from Evaren to me.
He saw I was enraged and offended. But, he also knows me.
Aristh Yaolyn, he said privately, take your post without a second thought or hesitation. I will speak to him later.
Great, I was already offended, now I was starting to get provoked. I turned toward the console, without looking back I replied to the War Prince privately, No, don't bother.
He didn't reply back.
Ajax was having minor trouble with the helm. Rather than be reprimanded for lousy flying, he turned his stalk eyes to Evaren. Sir? he said, I'm having some trouble with this Hork-Bajir helm.
Captain-Prince Evaren looked at him with disdain. Would you rather man the weapons, aristh?
I didn't turn around, I kept my body to my business. But I let my mind wander.
Our captain's tone was angry, stressed. Why so early? I wondered silently. Why would Evaren be harried so soon in the mission?
No, sir, I can handle it. my fellow aristh said dejectedly.
Good. Prince Evaren said. T.O.? Set a course five points north, exactly one half hour into our flight we will prepare a Zero-Space jump.
Yes, sir.
My stalk eyes watched Alloran, once my prince, now the tactical officer. No, he was still my prince. Somewhere underneath the weary Andalite was my prince. Weary Andalite?! I exclaimed to myself.
War-Prince Alloran-Semitur-Corass was as weary as Captain Evaren. The humans, Hork-Bajir, my fellow aristh and I weren't weary or done in. What was the matter with the old fighters?
Hail the human Hummal in the engine room, Evaren-Illimad-Licturn said.
In an instant Zachary was onscreen. He wved, holding up a human tool. I believe it was called a "monkey wrench." An inapt name, it looked nothing like a monkey.
"Hello, sir!" Hummal said cheerfully. "What can I help you with?"
I'd like a full report, technician.
"Aye aye," Zachary replied. "Well, sir, not much is going no down here really. Quite steady. She's vroomin' and hummin' like my old Ford back home."
And that's a good thing, am I to suppose?
"Why, it's not only good, but it's very relaxing, sir."
Good. Keep me updated, Hummal.
"Will do, sir."
The screen went blank. Opaque.
Captain-Prince Evaren did not seem at all comforted by Zachary's report. Which was strange, I was all for having a comfortable, safe trip.
He turned back to Ajax, keeping stalk eyes trained on me, Arisths?
Yes, sir? we answered in unison.
Steady as she goes. Make yourselves comfortable, we're in for a long, boring ride.
I nodded, a very human gesture. I kept my main eyes on the screen, but my stalk eyes wandered. Right as the captain finished speaking, my stalks found Alloran. He was staring at the Captain, horrified, though the Captain did not see. A good thing.
It was as if old Alloran were remembering something he'd have rather forgotten. I was eager to know what it was, but asking my prince would only make it worse.
* * *
We were a half hour into our course when we met with another Andalite ship.
The Galaxy Gaze.
Sleek and swift, it was a completely Andalite fighter. My brother's old fighter.
But my brother was dead, mother and father, too. Even though the Yeerks were as good as gone, their destruction would never be healed or forgotten completely. I was supposed to avenge them.
But, how can I avenge them if their killer is dead?
He was a Yeerk, name of Sub-Visser Twenty-Three. He died. End of story, right?
Maybe for you.
But not for me.
We hung there, in space. Our ships were married together by the linking of the hatches. Two Andalites boared our ship.
One was Commander Flechet-Nevtoni-Atammil, one of history's greatest pilots. He hadn't lost a fighter yet.
The other was Warrior Ralimn-Lesult-Gahar. I knew him. Not because he was famous or widely-known, though.
Because he had been my brother's closest friend.
Captain-Prince Evaren greeted them warmly, How good it is to see you, Andalite Warriors. Welcome aboard the Shorm.
A warm sight to see Andalite soldiers out here in this wild land, too. Fletchet agreed. We were not told that there would be a second ship here in this sector. Peculiar.
Even I knew what was coming next. They thought us traitors, running from our home.
Evaren blinked first, Commander Fletchet, I am Captain Evaren-Illimad-Licturn. This is my Tactical Officer, Alloran-Semitur-Corass. I assure you, sir, we are following orders from the Andalite home world.
Fletchet took a small step back, relaxing one hair. Well well, this is unexpected. One would think the Andalite home world, 'Leera', would notify us, the border patrol. Explain your ship's mission.
Evaren looked superciliously toward Ralimn-Lasult-Gahar. Fletchet noted his look, replying, I assure you, Captain, Warrior Ralimn is a highly respected official, not unlike yourself. He will not betray anything. Continue on.
Sighing, Prince Evaren began, We are on a secretive mission into Kelbrid Territory. he said, and before Fletchet could intrude, he continued. We are seeking the Great Aximili and the Animorphs. As of the moment, they are presumed dead. We are to find them, and bring them back, alive or dead. This mission, is again, top secret, and we cannot have it revealed to anyone. Not even the rest of the Andalite world.
With all do respect, Evaren, Fletchet said, we cannot allow you to enter Kelbrid turf. It'd break the agreement. No, as fellow Andalites we cannot allow you to enter. It's too dangerous. Kelbrid space is full of dangers unimaginable. I've seen tapes.
Prince Evaren's eyes enlarged about a size, The High Electorate will not pleased when you have intruded upon a mission you were never welcome upon.
The High Electorate was a new 'council' of great leaders, they, supposedly gave the order for our journey.
We shall see, old friend. We shall see. Three warriors shall board this ship. They will watch you very closely. I will return momentarily. Fletchet said. Then, in a loud thought speak to his ship, Seerio, Klija, and Forlor, board the Shorm. Ralimn, you stay here. Watch them closely, if they attempt to leave, don't hesitate.
I understood that, too.
If Evaren gave the order to flee, we would be killed.
We could only hope.
We walked back in silence. I didn't have anything else to say, didn't know what to say, really. And Ajax still seemed deep in thought.
When we finally entered the room, Captain Evaren noticed us sooner. He pointed to Ajax, You, aristh, take the helm. Then, with a small glance to me, said, Female, you take the weapons console.
That rocked me. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a high-ranking officer to call me by gender. Not only was it slightly unprofessional, and rude, but it seemed a little untimely now because more females were coming to the service.
Alloran thought so to, apparently. I saw him fidgeting with his hands. His stalk eyes were swiveling from Evaren to me.
He saw I was enraged and offended. But, he also knows me.
Aristh Yaolyn, he said privately, take your post without a second thought or hesitation. I will speak to him later.
Great, I was already offended, now I was starting to get provoked. I turned toward the console, without looking back I replied to the War Prince privately, No, don't bother.
He didn't reply back.
Ajax was having minor trouble with the helm. Rather than be reprimanded for lousy flying, he turned his stalk eyes to Evaren. Sir? he said, I'm having some trouble with this Hork-Bajir helm.
Captain-Prince Evaren looked at him with disdain. Would you rather man the weapons, aristh?
I didn't turn around, I kept my body to my business. But I let my mind wander.
Our captain's tone was angry, stressed. Why so early? I wondered silently. Why would Evaren be harried so soon in the mission?
No, sir, I can handle it. my fellow aristh said dejectedly.
Good. Prince Evaren said. T.O.? Set a course five points north, exactly one half hour into our flight we will prepare a Zero-Space jump.
Yes, sir.
My stalk eyes watched Alloran, once my prince, now the tactical officer. No, he was still my prince. Somewhere underneath the weary Andalite was my prince. Weary Andalite?! I exclaimed to myself.
War-Prince Alloran-Semitur-Corass was as weary as Captain Evaren. The humans, Hork-Bajir, my fellow aristh and I weren't weary or done in. What was the matter with the old fighters?
Hail the human Hummal in the engine room, Evaren-Illimad-Licturn said.
In an instant Zachary was onscreen. He wved, holding up a human tool. I believe it was called a "monkey wrench." An inapt name, it looked nothing like a monkey.
"Hello, sir!" Hummal said cheerfully. "What can I help you with?"
I'd like a full report, technician.
"Aye aye," Zachary replied. "Well, sir, not much is going no down here really. Quite steady. She's vroomin' and hummin' like my old Ford back home."
And that's a good thing, am I to suppose?
"Why, it's not only good, but it's very relaxing, sir."
Good. Keep me updated, Hummal.
"Will do, sir."
The screen went blank. Opaque.
Captain-Prince Evaren did not seem at all comforted by Zachary's report. Which was strange, I was all for having a comfortable, safe trip.
He turned back to Ajax, keeping stalk eyes trained on me, Arisths?
Yes, sir? we answered in unison.
Steady as she goes. Make yourselves comfortable, we're in for a long, boring ride.
I nodded, a very human gesture. I kept my main eyes on the screen, but my stalk eyes wandered. Right as the captain finished speaking, my stalks found Alloran. He was staring at the Captain, horrified, though the Captain did not see. A good thing.
It was as if old Alloran were remembering something he'd have rather forgotten. I was eager to know what it was, but asking my prince would only make it worse.
* * *
We were a half hour into our course when we met with another Andalite ship.
The Galaxy Gaze.
Sleek and swift, it was a completely Andalite fighter. My brother's old fighter.
But my brother was dead, mother and father, too. Even though the Yeerks were as good as gone, their destruction would never be healed or forgotten completely. I was supposed to avenge them.
But, how can I avenge them if their killer is dead?
He was a Yeerk, name of Sub-Visser Twenty-Three. He died. End of story, right?
Maybe for you.
But not for me.
We hung there, in space. Our ships were married together by the linking of the hatches. Two Andalites boared our ship.
One was Commander Flechet-Nevtoni-Atammil, one of history's greatest pilots. He hadn't lost a fighter yet.
The other was Warrior Ralimn-Lesult-Gahar. I knew him. Not because he was famous or widely-known, though.
Because he had been my brother's closest friend.
Captain-Prince Evaren greeted them warmly, How good it is to see you, Andalite Warriors. Welcome aboard the Shorm.
A warm sight to see Andalite soldiers out here in this wild land, too. Fletchet agreed. We were not told that there would be a second ship here in this sector. Peculiar.
Even I knew what was coming next. They thought us traitors, running from our home.
Evaren blinked first, Commander Fletchet, I am Captain Evaren-Illimad-Licturn. This is my Tactical Officer, Alloran-Semitur-Corass. I assure you, sir, we are following orders from the Andalite home world.
Fletchet took a small step back, relaxing one hair. Well well, this is unexpected. One would think the Andalite home world, 'Leera', would notify us, the border patrol. Explain your ship's mission.
Evaren looked superciliously toward Ralimn-Lasult-Gahar. Fletchet noted his look, replying, I assure you, Captain, Warrior Ralimn is a highly respected official, not unlike yourself. He will not betray anything. Continue on.
Sighing, Prince Evaren began, We are on a secretive mission into Kelbrid Territory. he said, and before Fletchet could intrude, he continued. We are seeking the Great Aximili and the Animorphs. As of the moment, they are presumed dead. We are to find them, and bring them back, alive or dead. This mission, is again, top secret, and we cannot have it revealed to anyone. Not even the rest of the Andalite world.
With all do respect, Evaren, Fletchet said, we cannot allow you to enter Kelbrid turf. It'd break the agreement. No, as fellow Andalites we cannot allow you to enter. It's too dangerous. Kelbrid space is full of dangers unimaginable. I've seen tapes.
Prince Evaren's eyes enlarged about a size, The High Electorate will not pleased when you have intruded upon a mission you were never welcome upon.
The High Electorate was a new 'council' of great leaders, they, supposedly gave the order for our journey.
We shall see, old friend. We shall see. Three warriors shall board this ship. They will watch you very closely. I will return momentarily. Fletchet said. Then, in a loud thought speak to his ship, Seerio, Klija, and Forlor, board the Shorm. Ralimn, you stay here. Watch them closely, if they attempt to leave, don't hesitate.
I understood that, too.
If Evaren gave the order to flee, we would be killed.
We could only hope.