I must have left this fic hanging for over a week now. I wish to point out -again- the fact that Internet accesses had been impossible in the past week and the fact that exams are starting to eat up my free time is not entirely my fault. I do have the next chapter finished but I need to check over it again. The next chapter will be a bit more exciting than this. Now I fell the desperate need to tell you people that Esplin (in Tobias's body) narrates the next chapter. So that should be interesting. PLUS, -again I feel the need to point out (mostly to morpherkidvb) that I have made this fic a little bit more original. Yup, I gave it the Phoenix-sol kick.

No one knows what I'm talking about, that's probably because I'm babbling. Sorry, I'll leave ya to the chapter.

But of course only after some of 'these messages'. As Ax would say. (better switch to decaffe)

~Danel

Good point, what's funny is that I've been thinking about making my chapters longer, but every time I try it the chapter ends up boring. Maybe it's my mood. How can someone capable of producing long, long stories with massive twists can't write a longer chapter? Maybe it's because I get bored of long chapters, I like long stories, but only if the chapters are small and compact.

~MeShelly

Oh, wow, I didn't think anyone would bother reviewing each chapter in turn like that. Ususally they'd just read the entire thing then comment –sort of takes out the excitement for me. Anyway, I'll answer your questions…just to show my gratitude. Okay, Rachel projected her thought speak voice because she didn't think it mattered what they thought, or maybe she wasn't thinking, you know how Rachel is, if she's hyped she's yelling and screaming and killing people. As for Ajeel invading Elangor's privacy I don't know, Elfangor did send his last thoughts to the entire Andalite race and his adopted people –us. Hmmm, maybe it is, you know, since the government kept it private and not a lot of people know about Elfangor's early life.

THE THIRD BROTHER

CHAPTER NINE

Illegal Discovery

It wasn't until I've spent fifteen minutes in the company of Ramor and Cleapath did it hit me. I could use Estrid to get the information that I needed out of Dargeion!

Hey, were are you going? Ramor asked as I took off towards my scoop.

Later, Ramor! I cried, I've got something to take care of.

I galloped away from Ramor's family scoop and ran on the boundaries of my own. I didn't want my parents to see me; they had a very annoying habit of sending me on family errands. Instead, I walked all the way over to Shrag's scoop. He didn't notice me until I was already four paces into his scoop.

He looked up at me, looking seriously annoyed, he turned away from his computer counsel and said in probably the sluriest tone ever, What is it now Scyeth?

No greeting rituals or anything, that Andalite really was inhospitable. Or maybe it was because he just didn't like me.

I need a favor of you. Its really no big deal - I began quickly but he interrupted me.

Go away Scyeth, go home or go to one of your friends' homes and play with their toys, whatever they may be. I really don't have time for you or your nonsense.

If I were sensitive I would have taken offense. I am sensitive actually, but I've gotten so use to Shrag. Besides, this isn't the worst he could come up with.

But its a matter if life or death! I really need your help Shrag. although dramatizing issues doesn't turn any of Shrag's eyes around, he kind of likes it if he thought he and only he had an answer to your questions.

Not today. Shrag said, but he was –very vaguely- grinning, he went back to his counsel, today, I've hit home.

I rolled my stalk eyes, whatever, will you help me or not?

Shrag's smile faded, right. Fine. Shoot.

You see, there's this girl and-

Absolutely not! Shrag snorted, waving me out, you'll forget that, you know I wouldn't do anything if it involves you chasing females, honestly child, don't you think I have work that is a little bit more important than this?

Sharg. I said patently, you owe me, besides, it isn't like what you're thinking. This is different. Its serious.

Shrag snorted, I doubt its seriousness, but since it is true that I do owe you-I will do it.

Great. You see, this girl she-

Spare me the details, Shrag snapped, I really don't want to hear it, jut tell me her name.

Estrid.

Shrag frowned. Estrid? Don't you know her second and third names?

No. I confessed, she would only tell me her first name.

Shrag nodded, he hacked into the databanks and pulled out one match for Estrid. Sure enough, there was her full name, an image of her and her occupation.

Looking quiet impressed Shrag said, Where did you meet this girl? Student of the UVAST…hmmm, brains and looks. That's a new one Scyeth. What happened? Did you assume the morph of another Andalite or something?

No. I snapped back, a little bit taken back, I didn't expect Shrag to tell me that I wasn't good enough for her, I thought you didn't want any details.

Sure. He said off-handedly, staring at her image in a way that made me feel uncomfortable, he tried to access her detailed entry. right. Oh look.

What? I said.

But he didn't have to tell me, it popped on screen right in front of me; it was a level one-security authorization needed. No way would any student of any University no matter how important a project they were working at would have had such high security guarding their data file. Most projects had to be autherised by the electorate, and if the electorate know about it then many people would. Breaking into a such a high level of security guaranteed a stay in military prison.

Opps. Shrag said, sounding unconcerned, we're locked out.

I sighed, What does it mean? Why would they protect the file at such high security?

She could have worked on a top secret project. Shrag said.

For the military?

Undoubtedly.

I fell silent.

Look, Shrag said surprising me by taking a much more noble role, you see, usual Shrag would encourage me to go on pursuing highly confidential stuff. He'd ask me about my doings and if asked about his curiosity then he'd tell me it was all for his 'amusement'. Scyeth, if you're in any sort of trouble you could tell me, maybe your parents don't understand but I do.

I'm not in trouble. I said frowning at Estrid's picture, it was taken when she a little bit younger.

Shrag said, sure, you are not in trouble now, but if you insist on pursuing this girl then you will end up in trouble.

Thanks for the help. I said turning away, then I added in a sarcastic tone, and the advise.

Shrag only laughed, later kid.

I went out of his land feeling a little bit unsettled, Shrag's attitude sure had changed in the past few days, maybe he knew about my brother, it was very likely, I mean, when I first met Shrag I didn't know anything about him, but he on the other hand had already dug out most of my family's history.

Shrag works for the military, he doesn't get off the homeland, he works in BaseOne, receiving interplanetary communications.

I shook it off and docked on a P-train. I was going to visit Estrid in the University of Advanced Scientific Theory…and I'm going to find out exactly what her coming to Sunset High just to meet me meant.

Like I said, I'll probably get the next chapter done today or tomorrow. And review. Actually, it's up to you. Forget that I asked.