Chapter Thirty

I stared in disbelief and turned to Jake, "We aren't going to believe that, are we?"

Jake seemed to be interested in something faraway. Marco answered for me, probably speaking Jake's mind, "if it wasn't authentic then I don't think that Ax would have ran off like that."

Tobias was perching silently, his only reaction to seeing the hologram re-play was to seek a higher perch. I glanced up at him, "She could be lying. Could be another Andalite."

"It was Elfangor." Cassie pointed out, "Although it didn't feel like him."

Tom and Abby didn't have anything to say, they seemed to have a shared feeling that this issue had nothing to do with them.

How long do you think he was there?

"What?" Marco asked.

How long do you think he was there. Tobias repeated.

Marco blinked, he looked at the others, "It could be since we…wait! Why are we believing all this? It doesn't make sense. Elfangor is dead. We saw it happen. We were there. Remember? Visser Three was there too. And last time I checked he also thought that Elfangor is dead."

I shrugged. "The holograms were authentic. Or at least we think that they are."

"You're telling me what we saw happen to Elfangor was us getting carried away?" Marco laughed cynically. "Isn't this insane?"

A branch of a tree swayed and the leaves rustled. I jerked in alarm, "Tobias?"

Tobias's body was easily lost in the dark sky. It was still raining but I haven't spotted any lightning for some time.

"Let him be." Jake said quietly when I started morphing. "Give him some space, he'll talk it over with Ax."

I lowered my eyes to the ground. I didn't say anything but stared at the small holographic emitter that brought forward this crisis.

"Abby." Jake said finally, "What would Sixkiller do if we didn't give her the blue box?"

Abby's head jerked in surprise for being addressed by Jake, she glanced at Tom then said, "I don't know. She didn't tell me."

Jake shook his head; "Your group has more experience with dealing with her. What do you think she would do?"

Abby bit her lower lip and her eyes glazed slightly, "maybe she'd kill him."

I cast a glance at Cassie and she confirmed to me that she was lying.

Jake looked troubled, "So is that what we're barging with? Elfangor's life?"

"Appears so fearless leader." Marco said without emotion, "It's the box or Elfangor."

"Then it wouldn't be a choice." Jake sighed. "We'd have to give her the box. We'll need the help of someone with battle experience as well. We could actually win this war if Elfangor was on our side."

"We give her the blue box and hope she doesn't do …whatever with it?" I questioned skeptically.

"Not so fast. Jake." Marco said nodding at me, "How do we know that we can trust her?"

Abby answered this for Marco, "Sixkiller does keep her word. I know this from experience."

"We wouldn't trust her not to play games on us poor dumb Animorphs." Marco replied. "We weren't born yesterday you know."

"Something your grandmother used to say, Marco?" I teased, I was trying to get the mood back to normal, or close to it. I still didn't believe for a second that Elfangor was alive. If he was how was I supposed to explain to myself what happened on the night that we crossed the deserted construction site?

Marco rolled his eyes, unable to come back with a crushing wise crack. Instead he said, "Look, we're arguing about whether or not the cube will fall into Yeerk hands, it doesn't have to be in Yeerk hands for it to be bad news for us, what if this Sixkiller gets to be more trouble than the Yeerks, what then? Because in case you people haven't noticed, we only fooled David because he had that male ego thing. From what Abby says, Sixkiller doesn't have an ego."

It was one grim meeting, I'll tell you that much.

"There's something you have to know," Abby said, "About Sixkiller she doesn't do things for-"

She's here! Tobias yelled suddenly, I'm flying overhead guys, she's only a few yards away!

"What the…" I felt my eyes widen.

Cassie spun around at the sound of a twig snapping.

She's coming towards you! Tobias said, I see her.

I looked at Jake, my face said it all because he nodded and said, "Do it."

I reached out deep inside of me and summoned the grizzly DNA that roamed my bloodstream. The changes began much slower than the ones I observed on Cassie. She was already half wolf and I only managed to have myself covered in grizzly fur and growing claws.

Jake morphed a tiger and Tom stared stupidly. I shook my head at him. Man, and he thought he was going to survive this war by reacting like this?

Tom wrapped an arm round Abby and faced the girl that came crashing into the scoop. Tobias dove down and tried to rake her face. I thought he was going to get a direct hit but she threw herself to the ground –either that or she tripped- and Tobias raked hair.

She skidded to a halt not a few feet away. Her entire body froze –just froze and became a motionless figure- as she regarded us with her eyes. She unfroze and took a step forward with her eyes locking into Jake's.

I lumbered towards her. And rewarded her with a backhand blow that knocked her to the ground.

Sixkiller's head snapped up and she felt her mouth; her hand came away bloody. She spat at me.

Stupid. A mixture of spit and blood doesn't scare a grizzly, all it does is annoy the human that share's its brain.

I stood over her and got ready to deliver another blow. The anger that rose inside of me was overwhelming, I found myself remembering the fall that sent me tumbling to the concrete.

Rachel! No. Wait! Jake ordered, I want to talk to her.

I would have backed off; I really would, without hesitation even. But Sixkiller gave me this frosty stare and spoke very patronizingly as I got off her; her voice was low enough so that only I heard her, "Good girl, just do what Jake says and everything will be fine; all this excitement must have disoriented you." Her eyes opened wide and she cocked her head at me, "you don't have to be afraid."

I don't know why, whether it was because I thought that I'd lower myself to her standard by answering or reaction to her words or because I simply didn't expect her to say that; in any case I didn't say anything. But I did knock her to the ground again. Jake stared at me.

Sixkiller slowly got off the ground, she was looking at me all the time, when she stood up she turned to Jake. "I do not negotiate without the presence of the full group." She looked around, "where's the brother, then?"

I can speak for him. Tobias said coldly, We wouldn't want to bother him.

"But I must insist." Sixkiller's eyes danced with dark joy and I noticed Abby shivering, "I have much that I want to tell him."

It wouldn't be necessary. Jake said coldly.

"I can wait," Sixkiller said easily, "I haven't anything better to do."

I'll go too. I said when Tobias pushed himself off the tree. I followed the clear trail that Ax left and found him standing not so far away underneath a tree. All four of his eyes were closed and his palm rested on tree bark.

Ax? Tobias asked.

Two of his stalk eyes turned towards him. His main eyes stayed closed though.

We have to go back to your scoop. Tobias said, We caught Sixkiller and she claims that she wants to negotiate. She wouldn't do it unless everyone was present.

No answer.

Come on, we need you. I said. You aren't going to let her push you around are you?

Ax took himself away from the tree and followed me back to the scoop. On the way back I spoke to Tobias quietly, are you okay?

There was no answer, as I trotted bear style with my entire body rolling, I noticed that another storm was brewing. A badger disappeared down his hole and a squirrel scurried off.

I'll be fine. Tobias said finally, It's Ax I'm worried about., he's not taking it lightly.

He'll deal. I said hopefully, Ax was running silently beside me, his eyes were strained and there was something different about him, something that wasn't there before.

Tom and Abby were still off at a side when I came back to the scoop. A demorphed Marco was lounging on a sofa he dragged out here some while ago and Jake and Cassie were standing close to each other –they too have demorphed. Tobias landed on a perch and I stood beneath the tree. Ax stood close by. Seeing that every one was demorphed I demorphed too. I would have asked Jake or Cassie why hey had demorphed in front of Sixkiller but I was too busy trying to locate her.

At first I couldn't find Sixkiller and thought that she took off. I found her leaning motionlessly against a tree. Her eyes were closed and she looked like she was dozing off.

She straightened up after seeing Ax arrive but she didn't address him, she turned to Jake. "So we all seem to be here."

"You just tell us what's the deal here."

"I want the blue box." She said, her voice was husky and her accent was foreign. I couldn't pinpoint a nationality, but she was defiantly not from around here.

Jake nodded, "You'll get the blue box, but for that you release Ax's brother."

Sixkiller raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me, but I said nothing about releasing anyone. Who gave you that foolish idea?" her eyes wondered over to Abby.

Jake and probably most of us, was surprised. Marco pushed himself off the sofa. "We give you the blue box in return for…?"

Sixkiller looked at Marco, "You cannot figure it out?"

Marco probably had but it was Tobias who spelled it out, we're not trusting you. We'll never know if you'll stop harming Elfangor.

Sixkiller laughed, a shrill voice in the dark forest, I noticed Ax shifting his weight. "Oh is that so? I'm afraid you don't have a choice."

"If you do get the blue box what are you planning to do with it?" Cassie asked. The thought surprised me, I hadn't thought about it.

Jake watched Sixkiller's reaction carefully.

"It is not your business." The answer was cold and the tone allowed no room for arguments.

"Of course its our business." I snapped at her, "right up at this moment it appears that we're going to give you the blue box as a gift. We need proof showing us that Elfangor is alive." I gave her a cold smile, "why don't you show us Elfangor? That way we'll really believe you."

Sixkiller slowly turned her head towards me; she favored me with a long icy stare. She took six swaggering steps towards me and stuck her face very close to mine; again she spoke so that only I could hear her. "You seem to understand what's going on far better than the others. Why don't you go ahead and give out the rest of the orders. Tell me this, why do you think I'm going to show you Elfangor?"

I shrugged. Trying to look impassive to her intimidation. All the others with the exception of Ax were staring.

"Until then." She hissed through gritted teeth, "I suggest you shut up before you hurt yourself-" her eyes opened up in what appeared to be mocked astonishment, and for the sixth time since I met her, I noticed how white her eye balls were and the profound darkness of her pupils. The sharp contrast was unusual. Strange, "it wouldn't be the first time, now would it?"

That did it.

I used both hands to push Sixkiller away, unfortunately she was far faster than me; she blocked my hands and sent me careening into a tree.

"Why you little…" I growled angrily, I was already dreaming up beautiful ways to release my keyed up anger when Jake told me to back off.

I would have resisted, I would have opened my mouth and told Jake that I wasn't finished here. But you know what? All this time I've spent fighting alongside my cousin told me that he wouldn't let me do it.

I backed off sneering at Sixkiller, "You're safe now. Next time pray that Jake isn't here between us."

She ignored me. And the gesture kicked me right in the stomach. I swallowed back the tidal of anger and forced myself to stay calm. I looked up at Tobias.

There will be a next time. He told me privately.

I nodded.

Jake talked calmly, but the tension was there, he was letting Sixkiller act at will. "Next time you want something talk to me, you aren't here to talk to my comrades."

Sixkiller said, "That doesn't bother me." She flashed a fake smile to Jake –which he turned down- and said briskly, "Forgive the unfortunate interruption and lets go back to our little issue here, you were saying…?"

"I will give you the blue box but in return I ask for Elfangor's freedom."

"Denied."

Jake stared at her, "This is no negotiation."

Marco was watching the two carefully and Cassie was looking at Ax.

"It is perhaps the worst kind of negotiation but it is one just the same. You give me the blue box," Sixkiller sighed, "and I give you my word."

"I don't trust your word."

"Then this is over." Sixkiller said, she turned and started to walk out of the scoop, Jake didn't stop her; she stopped herself. I saw Marco smirk and nod at Jake, he probably thought that she needed the blue box badly. But that wasn't it. "I'm sure that the Visser will appreciate the little piece of intelligence information I have lined up for him."

Jake's eyes narrowed, "You knew we were human before we demorphed. You said so yourself; otherwise I wouldn't have demorphed. Tell me, who told you about us?"

"That has nothing to do with what we're talking about here." Sixkiller replied. She gave Jake a sly look. "You yourself have to find out who in your group has been talking about you behind your back." She paused slightly, "Sniff the rat out, it isn't so hard."

Jake said nothing.

"Perhaps I have a way to settle this." Sixkiller said, "You are worried that I might hand over the blue box into Yeerk hands; do not worry about that. I would not do it. The Yeerks are my enemies and the day you find me giving them things for free is the day hell freezes over."

If the Yeerks are your enemies then why are you holding an Andalite warrior prisoner? Ax asked coldly, it was the first time he spoke that day, Your behavior is far from normal and may be considered by some as treasonous.

Sixkiller's eyes narrowed, a surprise to me since I thought she'd laugh Ax off and give him a cocky-eyed stare. "Indeed I may be an enemy of the Yeerks and I do resist their forces but that does not make me an ally to the Andalites. And nor does it mean that I have to tolerate Yeerk enemies."

The warrior you have imprisoned is a great foe to the Yeerks. He is capable of hindering their efforts greatly and is capable of giving us an even winning chance against the Yeerks. What do you wish to accomplish by doing this?

Sixkiller paused for a few seconds before answering Ax, "It appears that you know nothing of me and you honestly do not know why I am fighting. Let me tell you this; the Yeerk's invasion on earth is my least of my worries, you may make yourselves busy by trying to stop them and yes, you will fail. As for me, I have higher goals to achieve. What I need and want from your brother has nothing to do with you or your group."

Then why are you here? Ax's voice was colder than ever. If I didn't know any better I'd have thought he would have ended her life right then and there. He was practically seething from hoof to tail.

Sixkiller answered him in an equally cold voice, "the blue box, I want it."

You have no right to it.

"You aren't here to tell me what rights I have," Sixkiller said calmly, her tone changed as she continued, "now, if any of you know what's coming next then I suggest you run off and bring me what I want."

Jake let loose a frustrated sound, "Are you even listening to us? We're telling you that you have no deal unless you could prove to me that Elfangor is alive."

In private thought speak I heard Ax say, Prince Jake, I can confirm to you that the hologram are real.

Jake walked over to Ax and took him to a cornered. Away from Sixkiller and us.

I had no idea what they were talking about. But when they came back they must have reached a decision, because the next thing Jake said was, "Okay, two days from now we'll give you the blue box."

I almost choked on my spit, "What?!"

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Great, this is the end of part two. The next chapter will be posted in part three; Sixkiller; something something, I still haven't worked out the title but very soon I'll figure one out. I don't know if I should write an introduction, summing up what happens (tell me if I should) but what I do know is that you'll find out very soon why Sixkiller needs Elfangor, why she wanted the blue box, who the little one is and the rest is a surprise.

Oh right, I almost forgot; there is a very high chance that Rachel and Sixkiller will actually fight on a one-on-one combat. Whether they will be human or morphed is another thing.