1 Episode Two: Bug Hunt
Part Three: A Shaping Plan
SKORRE
Like a thousand gnats, they swarmed from the walls.
Black, terrifying visages, each more demonic than the last.
"What the FUCK is that?!" Yelled David.
"You give a damn? Kill the mothers!" Screeched Ripper, as he opened fire with an AK-47, tearing the room with bullets.
A creature pounced on me, from the ceiling, but my blades found its soft skin.
Burning! My blade was on fire, my skin bubbling, boiling like melted plastic.
"They have acid for blood," I called, "We cant make contact!"
The yells of my team mates and the Dracon/Slug fire was the only reply I got.
"Eat this!" Said Aleks, sticking a heavy Dracon pistol into a creatures mouth.
The monsters looked like a large, muscular human being, turned inside out, a thick exo-skeleton over the ribs and body, and a long head that blended into the spine. A hideous, elongated mouth and long, thick arms with claws bigger than a Gervasid's rounded it out. The thin, quick tail was just a fun extra. The stinger was so small I could hardly see it, but it was there.
"This is a battle I do not think we can win!" I called to my comrades.
"He's right, there's too damn many of them," Said LaRouche, firing the Dracon rifle, " We need to get out of here!"
"No SHIT Shirlock!" Was Ripper's reply.
"Pull back! Morph to Golden Eagle! Ripper and Aleks, lay down surpressing fire, keep us safe as we morph, then jump through the window that you're about to shoot out!" Said David.
"Sure Shit," Said Aleks, as he blasted a long, wide window open with his pistol.
"Wait! Sara has no bird morphs!" LaRouche realized.
"I do, I aquired a Golden Eagle from the cargo hold. It's the same one you all morphed, along with Sander's Cheetah. You actually forgot about them, didn't you?"
"Never crossed my mind," muttered David.
"Why did you not inform us?" Asked Aleks.
"You never asked."
The creatures had herded the six of us into the corner of the control room. Only a dozen or so of them were left, but we were weakened.
Suddenly, they began to pull back!
"What is the blue fuck is going on?" Asked Ripper.
"They're learning. They know the cant beat us, they are retreating, regrouping," Panted LaRouche.
"Why would they do that?" Questioned Sara.
"I don't think that THEY are. Something else is pulling their strings."
"The bitch…"
"What's that, Ripper?" Asked David.
"You know, like an ant hive. Theirs a bitch, a big ass momma. She runs the whole show."
"BEE's, stupid, bee's have hives," corrected Aleks.
"You know what I mean. She's gigantic, dude, she controls all of 'em, all the soldiers."
"I don't think we want to stick around to see that," I said, motioning to the creatures scurrying back into the walls, leaving us for the time being.
"Skorre's right, lets blow this Popsicle stand," Said David.
We began to morph Golden Eagle, and within forty seconds, were birds of prey.
The monsters began to fly out of the walls!
A trap! Exclaimed LaRouche.
Hurry, out of the window, GO! David commanded.
I went through first, followed by Aleks and Sara, LaRouche, and David. Ripper came last.
Damn, that was a tight fit! One of the bastards clipped off my tail feathers! He panted, as we flew to the ship.
It looks deserted, Sara observed.
Yes, we must make sure that we do not take those…things…off planet with us. I agreed.
Oh, God. Do you see what I see? Asked LaRouche.
I shifted around in a U-Turn, and saw a terrible sight.
A field, ten miles long, in a narrow, flat valley.
It was covered in eggs.
Thousands, millions of eggs.
DAVID
Guys, I'm calling a team pow-wow.
What? Here? Are you insane? We can't just fly around here, with all those things down there! Belted off LaRouche, manicly.
We can. They can't fly. We're safe up here. I replied, in a calm tone.
What is it, David? Asked Aleks.
W have stumbled into a gold mine, boys and girl.
Silence, then, a reply:
NO WAY! NO FUCKIN' WAY!
What is it, LaRouche? Asked Skorre.
He wants to take those…bug things back to earth, drop them and let them get the Yeerks. We can't do that!
Wait just a damn minute, LaRouche. We do what I order us to do, or have you forgotten already?
LaRouche said nothing.
So, we just grab a dozen of those eggs, drop them in a Yeerk pool, and let them multiply? Asked Ripper.
Yeah, they would root out the Yeerk infestation, we could vaporize the city to keep them from spreading, and the Yeerks would think we had more of them and would be willing to use them on other planets. We can hold them hostage, think about it! We could win this damn war, once and for all! I said.
That we could, said Sara, solemly, But, what would the cost be?
Nuthin' that's what! We could kill the damn Yeerks, get the planet back! Damn, Dogs would be all dead, pushin' daisies! Squealed Ripper, excited about these developments.
It sounds like a good plan, the Yeerks would definitely be terrified of us, mused Aleks.
As long as we keep the contagion from spreading, I have no objections, Added Skorre.
Only Sara and LaRouche opposed us.
So we do it.
I still object, David, I cannot endorse this at-
Your objection is well noted, Marc LaRouche. Now, all of us, swoop down and grab an egg. We'll make five trips, so we'll have thirty eggs. Then we'll get the Hell out of here.
Aleks led us in the dive, his claws out and ready to grab one of the lucky eggs.
IMPERIAL POOL SHIP, JUDICATOR, QUALLEN NEBULA
MAY FIFTEENTH, 2000…
Efflit 1318, Visser 69 patrolled the halls of his command ship with a sinister aura about him.
In the month since he had aquired his new host body, of the former Animorph Rachel Berenson, he had been promoted several times, and most recently, from Sub-Visser four to his new rank. He was charged with finding the human renegades known as the Antimorphs, and he had been appointed a grand fleet to do the job.
Heading the fleet was a pool ship, and his personal Blade Ship. Under him, a dozen Sub-Visser's and their Lancer Frigates provided support. Beyond that, Twenty Anti-Fighter Platforms and Twelve Carrier Ships rounded the fleet out, along with two supply ships and a repair cruiser.
"Quite a command, I have here," He mused under his breath.
The entire fleet was some two hundred pool ships, a hundred Blade Ships, and six hundred Lancers strong. The Empire spanned fifteen planets and nearly a hundred moons, more than a dozen species.
Very few in the empire had a fleet like this under their command.
But every Visser knew what would become of Efflit, should he fail.
Visser 69 stood in his host, overlooking the galaxy, that some day, the Empire would dominate.
You'll never do it, you'll never take it all, said his host, rebelliously.
You don't think so? There are trillions of Yeerks in pools on the home world, little human. Trillions. More every day. We will hold it all, someday. In fact, I expect the Andalite world to fall shorty after we recover the ancient Capital Pool City of Taaram. We have even more hosts than we need at the moment, frail little human. You have failed. All of you. What a pitiful attempt at resistance.
The Visser was so engrossed in his conversation, that he hardly noticed his subordinate, Admiral Gerraam 1131, waiting patiently to his side to be addressed.
"What is it, Admiral?"
The Admirals Hork-Bajir host spoke, remarkably, with a tone to the voice that Rachel recognized as British. Where he had picked it up, who knew?
"Visser, a transmission from the capital on Taxxis. The Emperor commands you to make contact with him."
"Very well, move the fleet from this nebula so that we can send a clear transmission."
"As you wish."
Efflit stalked towards his quarters and found his holo-relay ready for him.
He assumed a courteous kneel, before the trasmitter.
A ten foot tall image of a hooded Hork-Bajir materialised before him.
"My lord, how shines the Kandrona?"
A gruff, voice replied, "The Kandrona shines upon me, Efflit 1318. It shines upon the Empire well."
"Then can I assume that the liberation of the home world is immanent?"
"You assume correctly."
His voice sounds…metallic, almost, Rachel muttered.
Silence, fool! The Emperor is not one to be trifled with.
"You will be happy to know that Sub-Visser eight has been promoted to the rank of Visser Thirty Six. He is, as we speak, preparing an invasion of the Andalite System."
A pang of jealousy ran through Efflit, how could that fool Nodnarb 395, outrank him, much less be leading the attack on the most hated enemy of the Empire?
The fates were not kind.
"This news brings joy to me, my Emperor, for it brings joy to the Empire."
"And how goes the hunt of the Antimorph Fleet?"
"The hunt is progressing…slowly. We have several leads, we are following all of them, at this time we can only assume that they are beyond all known space."
"You must find them, Visser 69. The followers of Taggart must not be allowed to roam the stars."
"I know, my Emperor. We will find them, I swear it."
"They could destroy us," was the Emperors reply.
"I know, though, if they could be turned to our cause, they would make powerful hosts."
"Yes…" The Emperor said with a hiss, "They would be a great asset. Can it be done?"
"They will join us, or die, my Emperor."
Part Three: A Shaping Plan
SKORRE
Like a thousand gnats, they swarmed from the walls.
Black, terrifying visages, each more demonic than the last.
"What the FUCK is that?!" Yelled David.
"You give a damn? Kill the mothers!" Screeched Ripper, as he opened fire with an AK-47, tearing the room with bullets.
A creature pounced on me, from the ceiling, but my blades found its soft skin.
Burning! My blade was on fire, my skin bubbling, boiling like melted plastic.
"They have acid for blood," I called, "We cant make contact!"
The yells of my team mates and the Dracon/Slug fire was the only reply I got.
"Eat this!" Said Aleks, sticking a heavy Dracon pistol into a creatures mouth.
The monsters looked like a large, muscular human being, turned inside out, a thick exo-skeleton over the ribs and body, and a long head that blended into the spine. A hideous, elongated mouth and long, thick arms with claws bigger than a Gervasid's rounded it out. The thin, quick tail was just a fun extra. The stinger was so small I could hardly see it, but it was there.
"This is a battle I do not think we can win!" I called to my comrades.
"He's right, there's too damn many of them," Said LaRouche, firing the Dracon rifle, " We need to get out of here!"
"No SHIT Shirlock!" Was Ripper's reply.
"Pull back! Morph to Golden Eagle! Ripper and Aleks, lay down surpressing fire, keep us safe as we morph, then jump through the window that you're about to shoot out!" Said David.
"Sure Shit," Said Aleks, as he blasted a long, wide window open with his pistol.
"Wait! Sara has no bird morphs!" LaRouche realized.
"I do, I aquired a Golden Eagle from the cargo hold. It's the same one you all morphed, along with Sander's Cheetah. You actually forgot about them, didn't you?"
"Never crossed my mind," muttered David.
"Why did you not inform us?" Asked Aleks.
"You never asked."
The creatures had herded the six of us into the corner of the control room. Only a dozen or so of them were left, but we were weakened.
Suddenly, they began to pull back!
"What is the blue fuck is going on?" Asked Ripper.
"They're learning. They know the cant beat us, they are retreating, regrouping," Panted LaRouche.
"Why would they do that?" Questioned Sara.
"I don't think that THEY are. Something else is pulling their strings."
"The bitch…"
"What's that, Ripper?" Asked David.
"You know, like an ant hive. Theirs a bitch, a big ass momma. She runs the whole show."
"BEE's, stupid, bee's have hives," corrected Aleks.
"You know what I mean. She's gigantic, dude, she controls all of 'em, all the soldiers."
"I don't think we want to stick around to see that," I said, motioning to the creatures scurrying back into the walls, leaving us for the time being.
"Skorre's right, lets blow this Popsicle stand," Said David.
We began to morph Golden Eagle, and within forty seconds, were birds of prey.
The monsters began to fly out of the walls!
A trap! Exclaimed LaRouche.
Hurry, out of the window, GO! David commanded.
I went through first, followed by Aleks and Sara, LaRouche, and David. Ripper came last.
Damn, that was a tight fit! One of the bastards clipped off my tail feathers! He panted, as we flew to the ship.
It looks deserted, Sara observed.
Yes, we must make sure that we do not take those…things…off planet with us. I agreed.
Oh, God. Do you see what I see? Asked LaRouche.
I shifted around in a U-Turn, and saw a terrible sight.
A field, ten miles long, in a narrow, flat valley.
It was covered in eggs.
Thousands, millions of eggs.
DAVID
Guys, I'm calling a team pow-wow.
What? Here? Are you insane? We can't just fly around here, with all those things down there! Belted off LaRouche, manicly.
We can. They can't fly. We're safe up here. I replied, in a calm tone.
What is it, David? Asked Aleks.
W have stumbled into a gold mine, boys and girl.
Silence, then, a reply:
NO WAY! NO FUCKIN' WAY!
What is it, LaRouche? Asked Skorre.
He wants to take those…bug things back to earth, drop them and let them get the Yeerks. We can't do that!
Wait just a damn minute, LaRouche. We do what I order us to do, or have you forgotten already?
LaRouche said nothing.
So, we just grab a dozen of those eggs, drop them in a Yeerk pool, and let them multiply? Asked Ripper.
Yeah, they would root out the Yeerk infestation, we could vaporize the city to keep them from spreading, and the Yeerks would think we had more of them and would be willing to use them on other planets. We can hold them hostage, think about it! We could win this damn war, once and for all! I said.
That we could, said Sara, solemly, But, what would the cost be?
Nuthin' that's what! We could kill the damn Yeerks, get the planet back! Damn, Dogs would be all dead, pushin' daisies! Squealed Ripper, excited about these developments.
It sounds like a good plan, the Yeerks would definitely be terrified of us, mused Aleks.
As long as we keep the contagion from spreading, I have no objections, Added Skorre.
Only Sara and LaRouche opposed us.
So we do it.
I still object, David, I cannot endorse this at-
Your objection is well noted, Marc LaRouche. Now, all of us, swoop down and grab an egg. We'll make five trips, so we'll have thirty eggs. Then we'll get the Hell out of here.
Aleks led us in the dive, his claws out and ready to grab one of the lucky eggs.
IMPERIAL POOL SHIP, JUDICATOR, QUALLEN NEBULA
MAY FIFTEENTH, 2000…
Efflit 1318, Visser 69 patrolled the halls of his command ship with a sinister aura about him.
In the month since he had aquired his new host body, of the former Animorph Rachel Berenson, he had been promoted several times, and most recently, from Sub-Visser four to his new rank. He was charged with finding the human renegades known as the Antimorphs, and he had been appointed a grand fleet to do the job.
Heading the fleet was a pool ship, and his personal Blade Ship. Under him, a dozen Sub-Visser's and their Lancer Frigates provided support. Beyond that, Twenty Anti-Fighter Platforms and Twelve Carrier Ships rounded the fleet out, along with two supply ships and a repair cruiser.
"Quite a command, I have here," He mused under his breath.
The entire fleet was some two hundred pool ships, a hundred Blade Ships, and six hundred Lancers strong. The Empire spanned fifteen planets and nearly a hundred moons, more than a dozen species.
Very few in the empire had a fleet like this under their command.
But every Visser knew what would become of Efflit, should he fail.
Visser 69 stood in his host, overlooking the galaxy, that some day, the Empire would dominate.
You'll never do it, you'll never take it all, said his host, rebelliously.
You don't think so? There are trillions of Yeerks in pools on the home world, little human. Trillions. More every day. We will hold it all, someday. In fact, I expect the Andalite world to fall shorty after we recover the ancient Capital Pool City of Taaram. We have even more hosts than we need at the moment, frail little human. You have failed. All of you. What a pitiful attempt at resistance.
The Visser was so engrossed in his conversation, that he hardly noticed his subordinate, Admiral Gerraam 1131, waiting patiently to his side to be addressed.
"What is it, Admiral?"
The Admirals Hork-Bajir host spoke, remarkably, with a tone to the voice that Rachel recognized as British. Where he had picked it up, who knew?
"Visser, a transmission from the capital on Taxxis. The Emperor commands you to make contact with him."
"Very well, move the fleet from this nebula so that we can send a clear transmission."
"As you wish."
Efflit stalked towards his quarters and found his holo-relay ready for him.
He assumed a courteous kneel, before the trasmitter.
A ten foot tall image of a hooded Hork-Bajir materialised before him.
"My lord, how shines the Kandrona?"
A gruff, voice replied, "The Kandrona shines upon me, Efflit 1318. It shines upon the Empire well."
"Then can I assume that the liberation of the home world is immanent?"
"You assume correctly."
His voice sounds…metallic, almost, Rachel muttered.
Silence, fool! The Emperor is not one to be trifled with.
"You will be happy to know that Sub-Visser eight has been promoted to the rank of Visser Thirty Six. He is, as we speak, preparing an invasion of the Andalite System."
A pang of jealousy ran through Efflit, how could that fool Nodnarb 395, outrank him, much less be leading the attack on the most hated enemy of the Empire?
The fates were not kind.
"This news brings joy to me, my Emperor, for it brings joy to the Empire."
"And how goes the hunt of the Antimorph Fleet?"
"The hunt is progressing…slowly. We have several leads, we are following all of them, at this time we can only assume that they are beyond all known space."
"You must find them, Visser 69. The followers of Taggart must not be allowed to roam the stars."
"I know, my Emperor. We will find them, I swear it."
"They could destroy us," was the Emperors reply.
"I know, though, if they could be turned to our cause, they would make powerful hosts."
"Yes…" The Emperor said with a hiss, "They would be a great asset. Can it be done?"
"They will join us, or die, my Emperor."