Chapter 5
The three Andalites boarded our ship the moment Fletchet left. I knew none of them. They were indifferent to me.
Except Ralimn.
Captain Evaren, he said, because of the threat of death, you can dimiss your helm and weaponsmen.
Ajax and I looked from the warrior to our captain. Defeated, Evaren waved his hand dismissively. Before he could speak Ralimn interrupted, And now I would like to talk to the female aristh.
Evaren looked about to protest, when Alloran looked to him, talking in private thought speak. As you wish, he sighed.
The warrior pointed to me, Come, he waved his fingers. Perhaps he had been aboard a ship like ours before, he knew exactly where the grazing room was.
It was empty.
I had expected to see Kelt Mahet and the human, Jennifer Lovedye in there, perhaps they were in their quarters.
He watched me, Ralimn did. Stared at me not only with his main eyes, but also with his stalk eyes.
I studied him.
He was bigger than when I last saw him, years ago. Ralimn was three years older than I, the same age my brother would have been. His fur was medium blue, navy almost. There were some scar marks, mostly on his haunches. His tail blade wasn't like most males, it was slighly smaller. It had a strange curve.
Why are you aboard this ship? he asked me, finally.
A special mission. I replied, War Prince Alloran thought I would be well suited for this task.
Ralimn snorted, You'd think that, wouldn't you?
What do you mean?
That's what Jahlil thought, too. His superiors told him he was suited, too. Look where he is now.
I clenched my fingers into fists. How dare he talk about my brother that way! His friend!
He saw my rage. I'm sorry, he apologized. I don't want the same thing to happen to you.
It won't. I said simply.
Don't be naive. he chided, Even you know the future is uncertain.
"When we have tomorrow, who needs yesterday?" I quoted from an old human song.
Ralimn shook his head sadly, forlorn and lost. Your brother would have liked that quote.
Yes, he would have. I agreed.
Silence. A small pause.
I cannot leave you knowing you're going somewhere where death lurks.
It happens everyday, I said. If you "can't" then come with us. The Shorm.
I stopped, caught myself. I had said the last part so defiantly, so quickly I had not stopped to think.
Ralimn nodded, Very well.
* * *
Warrior Ralimn and Aristh Yaolyn, please report back to The Shorm's bridge.
Ralimn closed his main eyes, and nodded. Following him, we went back.
It was a relief to me, to go back where others were. I was shaken. I was troubled.
Commander Fletchet had returned. He stood waiting dutifully by the closed hatch. When I was in the room, he began. Very well, Captain Evaren. You were truthful. I apologize for not believing you, however... However, the High Electorate would like for more updates, even late, from your ship. They thought you were gone. As in dead.
I assured them you were alive and well, just slightly under schedule. Your ship was to have passed here already.
We would have passed through Z-space hours ago had you not interfered! Evaren exploded.
Yes, well, ahem, Fletchet trailed off, looking directly at Ralimn.
Ahem nothing, Evaren amended for the Commander. We're leaving. Now. I'll thank you to get off my ship so you shant hinder our mission any longer, Commander.
The Andalite turned, swiveling his stalk eyes around at all of us. Very well then, Seerio, Klija, Forlorn, follow me. Captain-Prince Evaren? I am leaving Ralimn onboard, he shall make sure you update the council. I leave you with good wishes. Goodbye.
Goodbye, Commander.
And with that, following his warriors, Commander Fletchet-Nevtoni-Atammil left the Shorm, and the Galaxy Gaze powered up her engines, disconnected the link, and flew off into space.
The three Andalites boarded our ship the moment Fletchet left. I knew none of them. They were indifferent to me.
Except Ralimn.
Captain Evaren, he said, because of the threat of death, you can dimiss your helm and weaponsmen.
Ajax and I looked from the warrior to our captain. Defeated, Evaren waved his hand dismissively. Before he could speak Ralimn interrupted, And now I would like to talk to the female aristh.
Evaren looked about to protest, when Alloran looked to him, talking in private thought speak. As you wish, he sighed.
The warrior pointed to me, Come, he waved his fingers. Perhaps he had been aboard a ship like ours before, he knew exactly where the grazing room was.
It was empty.
I had expected to see Kelt Mahet and the human, Jennifer Lovedye in there, perhaps they were in their quarters.
He watched me, Ralimn did. Stared at me not only with his main eyes, but also with his stalk eyes.
I studied him.
He was bigger than when I last saw him, years ago. Ralimn was three years older than I, the same age my brother would have been. His fur was medium blue, navy almost. There were some scar marks, mostly on his haunches. His tail blade wasn't like most males, it was slighly smaller. It had a strange curve.
Why are you aboard this ship? he asked me, finally.
A special mission. I replied, War Prince Alloran thought I would be well suited for this task.
Ralimn snorted, You'd think that, wouldn't you?
What do you mean?
That's what Jahlil thought, too. His superiors told him he was suited, too. Look where he is now.
I clenched my fingers into fists. How dare he talk about my brother that way! His friend!
He saw my rage. I'm sorry, he apologized. I don't want the same thing to happen to you.
It won't. I said simply.
Don't be naive. he chided, Even you know the future is uncertain.
"When we have tomorrow, who needs yesterday?" I quoted from an old human song.
Ralimn shook his head sadly, forlorn and lost. Your brother would have liked that quote.
Yes, he would have. I agreed.
Silence. A small pause.
I cannot leave you knowing you're going somewhere where death lurks.
It happens everyday, I said. If you "can't" then come with us. The Shorm.
I stopped, caught myself. I had said the last part so defiantly, so quickly I had not stopped to think.
Ralimn nodded, Very well.
* * *
Warrior Ralimn and Aristh Yaolyn, please report back to The Shorm's bridge.
Ralimn closed his main eyes, and nodded. Following him, we went back.
It was a relief to me, to go back where others were. I was shaken. I was troubled.
Commander Fletchet had returned. He stood waiting dutifully by the closed hatch. When I was in the room, he began. Very well, Captain Evaren. You were truthful. I apologize for not believing you, however... However, the High Electorate would like for more updates, even late, from your ship. They thought you were gone. As in dead.
I assured them you were alive and well, just slightly under schedule. Your ship was to have passed here already.
We would have passed through Z-space hours ago had you not interfered! Evaren exploded.
Yes, well, ahem, Fletchet trailed off, looking directly at Ralimn.
Ahem nothing, Evaren amended for the Commander. We're leaving. Now. I'll thank you to get off my ship so you shant hinder our mission any longer, Commander.
The Andalite turned, swiveling his stalk eyes around at all of us. Very well then, Seerio, Klija, Forlorn, follow me. Captain-Prince Evaren? I am leaving Ralimn onboard, he shall make sure you update the council. I leave you with good wishes. Goodbye.
Goodbye, Commander.
And with that, following his warriors, Commander Fletchet-Nevtoni-Atammil left the Shorm, and the Galaxy Gaze powered up her engines, disconnected the link, and flew off into space.