Katie was angry with me. Why are you trying to make Emily join the
Sharing? She demanded. She doesn't want to, and I don't want her to.
Isn't it enough that I joined?
In time she will be convinced that she wants to become a full member. And no, you are not enough. It is my job to help recruit hosts. There are thousands of Yeerks who are not yet as fortunate as I. Besides, I sneered, It is not as though there is anything you can do about it.
Somehow, I didn't really want to be cruel to Katie. Perhaps it was not in my nature. But I knew I was supposed to. The instructors drilled it into us that we had to show no mercy to our hosts, to insult and rebuke them until they were so defeated that they would not rebel.
They told us stories of other Yeerks who had treated their hosts kindly, and they were enough to give you nightmares. One that I will never forget was of a host who rebelled, telling several people about the invasion and mutilating the side of his face in a crazed effort to tear the Yeerk out with nothing but his hands. Even if I didn't like to hurt my host, I could not allow anything like that to happen.
I felt an immense wave of sadness coming from my host. I understand, She said softly. I just wish it didn't have to be this way.
I was silent, agreeing with her, though I would not admit it.
Yeerk? She asked after a time. What's your name?
My name?
Mm-hmm.
My name, not that it is of any consequence to you, is Illarim 7-4-6.
I'm Katie. It's nice to meet you.
I laughed harshly at her. Innocent. Even when reality slapped her in the face, she pretended to ignore it. Habits like that would only cause her further grief. If you ignore a rising flood, it will not force the water to disappear.
In time she will be convinced that she wants to become a full member. And no, you are not enough. It is my job to help recruit hosts. There are thousands of Yeerks who are not yet as fortunate as I. Besides, I sneered, It is not as though there is anything you can do about it.
Somehow, I didn't really want to be cruel to Katie. Perhaps it was not in my nature. But I knew I was supposed to. The instructors drilled it into us that we had to show no mercy to our hosts, to insult and rebuke them until they were so defeated that they would not rebel.
They told us stories of other Yeerks who had treated their hosts kindly, and they were enough to give you nightmares. One that I will never forget was of a host who rebelled, telling several people about the invasion and mutilating the side of his face in a crazed effort to tear the Yeerk out with nothing but his hands. Even if I didn't like to hurt my host, I could not allow anything like that to happen.
I felt an immense wave of sadness coming from my host. I understand, She said softly. I just wish it didn't have to be this way.
I was silent, agreeing with her, though I would not admit it.
Yeerk? She asked after a time. What's your name?
My name?
Mm-hmm.
My name, not that it is of any consequence to you, is Illarim 7-4-6.
I'm Katie. It's nice to meet you.
I laughed harshly at her. Innocent. Even when reality slapped her in the face, she pretended to ignore it. Habits like that would only cause her further grief. If you ignore a rising flood, it will not force the water to disappear.