All my comments are at the end of the chapter, so I'll see you down there.

THE THIRD BROTHER

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Ready-Made Honorary Warrior

The air smelt clean and fresh, nothing like the staleness of the confining laboratory. After her adventures on Earth, Estrid had sworn on the journey back home that she would never tread into any sort of scientific premises.

It was another one of her impulsive lies. At first she resisted, but she got so bored on the way back to the home world that she had to go back.

Of course she no longer program deadly viruses. She seeks much more peaceful areas these days, Aximili would have been pleased to hear that.

But Aximili had been supposed dead for a long time now, and her meeting the other day with his younger brother proved that he had made no contact whatsoever with his family or the home world. His parents would have known, and they would have passed on this piece of information to the younger brother.

Her collogues have noticed a decline in her attention. They knew her to be focused and determined. But it was hard to focus on anything when she allowed her thoughts to wonder back to Earth.

Earth. The humans. Arbat. Aloth. Visser Three. Chocolate. Cinnamon Buns.

Aximili.

She'd swear that the very thought of that Andalite is even more disrupting than eating Earth-made chocolate in a human morph. She sighed a little at that and started to graze on University premises.

Unfortunately she could not graze for long.. Estrid was interrupted by two warriors who strode confidentially towards her, she knew they were warriors the instant she laid eyes on them. There was no mistaking that swagger.

Estrid-Corill-Darrath. One of them said formally, I am warrior Zenban-Thray-Strader. And this is warrior Mathyl-Estoni-Forah. You have been requested to meet with War-Prince Galuit-Enilon-Esgarrouth at Base. We are your escort.

She stood there gapping at them for a few moments.

If you would follow us, please. Our mag-hover is not far.

Estrid snapped out of her trance and followed their lead. What would a war prince want from her, she wondered, but then felt her heart sink right down to her hooves. Estrid had told them everything about what happened on Earth, they said they wouldn't press charges on the condition that she never spokes about the subject in public or private. What had happened? Did they change their minds?

She hoped not. She really hoped not.

The warriors had noticed Estrid's panicked state but they made no contributions to ease her mind. When they finally arrived and Estrid was -at last- standing before the war-prince she thought she would lose her last shred of control and start protesting.

She was glad she didn't.

The war prince welcomed her heartily and asked the warriors to leave. He studied Estrid with aged eyes and asked her what she thought of becoming an honorary warrior.

Estrid almost stumbled over herself, what?

War-prince Galuit said, you are a very capable fighter, even for a female. You have fought before, as I am told. I believe you could help me where no one else in the military could.

Before Estrid could protest he pushed on, though your sense of judgment could be faulted, and your experience with guerrilla warfare isn't what I would like to be bestow this honor, and opportunity to you.

Estrid was at loss for words. What could she possibly say? She could not conceal her astonishment. He had absolutely floored her -she hadn't expected this. Estrid was expecting an ugly unwelcome and a harsh reprimand, not praise!

He sighed, Estrid thought she saw a hint of a smile in his eyes, I really need you, Estrid-Corill-Darrath, and that's not flattery, it's the truth. Many things are happenig. I am not sure how bad things are on Earth but they are about to get much worse. I cannot persuade high command to divert the bulk of our fleet to fight the Yeerks in that wing of the galaxy, but I'm sure as yallad not going to stand doing nothing while they run us to our deaths. And then, in a somber tone he added, Or worse.

Estrid shuddered, she knew what the 'or worse meant'. Her mind flashed back to the caged humans in the Yeerk underground complex. The Yeerk pool. The cries of rage, anger and despair hit her hard. It felt like she had visited that vile place not months ago but just yesterday.

Then a thought occurred to her, you are sending me to fight the Yeerks…sir?

Galuit shook his eyestalks, no, I can never ask you to do that. You would be sent along with a group of handpicked warriors. Your familiarity with Earth is greatly appreciated.

She frowned, but I am of no use to you, surely, a group of well-trained Andalites can accomplish even more than what I am cable of.

Again, Galuit disagreed, As I told you; I need someone who had been on Earth previously. Some one who is acquainted with Aximili and his batch of human fighters. You are the only person I know I can trust.

Estrid felt her hearts stop beating momentarily, she had never ever been treated with this much respect from any warrior. Prince or no prince. I…I am very honored War-Prince Galuit, I accept your offer, I am willing to fight for my people. I only hope you know what you're doing.

The War-Prince looked relieved. He even smiled.

But War-Prince Galuit, I need you to answer a few questions I have on my mind.

Galuit did not interrupt her so she continued. Is Axmili alive, sir?

Estrid thought that it wasn't just the question that made Galuit smile but perhaps the way she asked it and how her voice wavered a bit at Axmili's name.

I hope he is, though between you and me I don't think that Elfangor's brother could be killed so easily. A little bit gentler he added, though I wish that you would not attach yourself to Axmili, the mission here is to force the Yeerks out of Earth.

She nodded embarssed and a little nervous that the war-Prince could see through her so easily. But then she asked another question, even more hesitantly, and when she asked it she observed the War-Prince's reaction with dread.

He appeared angered, but then his eyes softened a bit and he slumped, his answer was a little bit strained but it was a careful answer. I wouldn't call it illegal. It is not unapproved of, and yet it isn't approved of either. No one know what I'm doing. Prince Galuit scowled, and that's a good thing. If those fools at the counsel ever get wind of what I'm doing it will be all over even before it has started.

Estrid was quiet at that.

Do you still accept my offer? Galuit asked.

Estrid nodded. War-Prince Galuit, when would I be asked to leave?

Prince Galuit shrugged, jut as soon as I get the rest of the force assembled and trained…Prince Galuit looked at Estrid strangely, then he took her arm in his hand and lead her away from the large windows they were standing by, I need to talk to you about this particular force, and the way I'd like things to be done…

Hehehe, the practiced martial moves of Phoenix sol, morpherkidvb if you wait just a little bit longer you'll see me pull a summersault.

You realize I'm laying all the pieces down just so that in a few chapters' time I jump up and throw the board at your faces? *grins* I knew none of you are going to be surprised, and what's no more surprising is that I don't know how to do that, yet.

Oops. I shouldn't have said that.

Jinako-chan mentioned something interesting. It's interesting because I was waiting to hear any of you people mention this; this being the Scyeth/Estrid thing. Scyeth had tripped head over heels…er…hooves over Estrid and all she ever cares about is Axmili. *evil grin* and where is this heading boys and girls? Yup, you guessed right; it's heading all the way to Earth where Scyeth is going to…actually, Scyeth isn't going to do anything now, Phoenix-sol (that's me) is going to shut up.

Okay. Now review…or…or…or I don't know what I'll do. (I'm going to have be more creative about this issue)