The Defeated, Part Seven Translator's Note--The original manuscript was written in Galard. There are uncertainties about the meanings of some words, and poetic license has been taken in translating the poems and songs, in order to keep the spirit meant rather than the exact wording.

The Defeated, Part Seven
translated by DawningStar

"Nih Tagut had to knock her out again on the way up," the Hork-Bajir reported, looking down at Tariss. "Nih Tagut hopes she isn't hurt, if she is a friend of yours."

"To be quite honest I'm not sure whether she is or isn't," Riae replied. "She was assigned to my host before me...they were closer than most. Cassandra doesn't want her killed."

"I see," Faizah said, frowning at the unconscious Andalite-Controller. "Is she a high-ranking Yeerk?"

Riae shrugged. "Fairly high--in the two hundreds. And likely to get higher, if she'd succeeded. She's rather ambitious. She was awfully embarrassed when she realized she was getting fond of Cassandra."

The rebel leader smiled faintly. "I can imagine."

"She's lucky she did, though," Ilie put in. The adult was pale and biting her lip in pain, but with her leg tightly bound to stop the bleeding she could function from the ground.

"Indeed she is. Without you and Cassandra, Riae, very few of us would have survived the Taxxons--perhaps none. Your friend Tariss included." Glancing toward Midori, Faizah added, "Our resident thief tells me it was your doing she stayed to help. Congratulations on getting through to her. It's quite the accomplishment. I'm a relative newcomer to the tunnels and their mentality, but Midori's lived down there all her life."

Riae shivered at the thought. "It must be horrible," she voiced involuntarily, then hoped Faizah wouldn't take offense.

"It is," the leader agreed, not upset in the slightest by the remark. "It is. But what choice do we have? We're killed on sight by any Controllers, and there's no way for us to contact the main rebellion. Even if they wanted our help." Faizah looked ruefully around at her gang, as ragged and underfed as she was herself.

Thinking guiltily of her own ample daily allowance, Cassandra sighed mentally. Riae echoed the thought with a nod.

"But now you do have a choice," Ilie/Rena said earnestly. "We can help you get in contact with the Villagers. They're going to bring together the different resistance movements and get Earth free again."

Faizah smiled mirthlessly. "The Villagers, is it? I used to tell stories about that myself. It's a myth."

"We've lived there for years ourselves, my host Rena and I. How else could I have survived, without Kandrona rays?"

The gang leader hesitated, then said abruptly, "We'll have time for this later. Tariss is waking up."

They looked down at the Andalite-Controller, who was twitching in the last stages of unconsciousness. The Hork-Bajir ground-dweller prudently took a firm hold of her tail-blade, bracing himself against any escape attempts.

One stalk eye opened slowly, then the other. The main eyes quickly followed. What's happened?> Tariss asked rather groggily.

"Consider yourself and your team prisoners of the resistance," Faizah advised her. "I wouldn't try to escape if I were you. We all have Dracon beams now, thanks to you."

Tariss looked rather accusingly at Riae, whose expression turned faintly guilty. "I never actually said I hadn't joined the resistance," she pointed out. "Just that you had no proof that I had."

The Andalite-Controller snorted. Cassandra's been having an effect on you, I see. You're twisting words as bad as she ever did.>

"Quite an effect," Riae admitted ruefully. "It's mostly her doing I'm involved in all this."

Now there's a story I'd like to hear.> Tariss managed an Andalite smile, if a rather weak one.

I want to talk with her,> Cassandra said suddenly, startling Riae enough that some of it must have shown on her face. I can bring her around. You know she'd be a great help to us.>

She would be, Riae admitted, but even Cassandra's optimistically-tinged memories gave her little hope of that. Still...All right. You take control.> Gingerly, she released her hold on the human's movement, remaining just barely in contact with her thoughts.

"Tariss?" Cassandra said hopefully. "It's Cassandra...I missed you."

Tariss snorted. Only you would say that, Storyteller.>

"Only you could make that sound like an insult," Cassandra retorted, but her eyes were dancing. "What d'you think you were doing down there? If you'd set that thing off, it could've collapsed half the city!"

Orders are orders,> Tariss sighed, and you know what happens to those who disobey them. We were assured it was properly set.>

"Well, sometimes you have to find a way around orders!" snapped Cassandra. "There are things more important than your career in that rotting hulk you call an empire!" She felt Riae wince slightly at that description, but continued determinedly, "You always used to pretend you hated my stories, but I knew better. Now we'll see who you really are: a hero, or just some minor annoying villain."

Tariss looked utterly baffled at the speech. Faizah was grinning widely. Ilie/Rena glanced from Cassandra to Tariss, and managed a small smile. Within Cassandra's head, Riae felt almost as confused as Tariss. What are you doing?> she queried.

Later,> Cassandra promised silently.

Are you...asking me to help you?> Tariss asked uncertainly, with a glance at Faizah. You and the ground-dwellers aren't going to kill me? I've heard enough about them to know how much they hate Yeerks...not that they don't have reason.>

"I'm gang-leader," Faizah said firmly, "and I say you're more valuable alive than dead. So long as you don't cause trouble."

Tariss's eye stalks turned toward her team, just out of earshot and covered by a good dozen Dracons. Several were still unconscious; the rest looked rather dazed, quietly sitting in the shadows of an ancient apartment complex. And the rest?>

"Safe as long as they don't try to escape," Faizah assured. "Right, Nih Tagut?"

The Hork-Bajir looked faintly uncomfortable with the idea, but he nodded. "Since you became gang leader we do better than anyone else. What you say goes."

Tariss let out a long breath, looking steadily at Cassandra. I can't promise anything,> she said finally. I...Visser Thirty-Seven, this sounds like Cassandra but we both know how well a host can be impersonated. Will you let me speak with Cassandra--alone?>

I don't like this,> Riae said nervously. I'll be helpless, outside...anything could happen...>

You know I wouldn't let anything happen to you. Please, Riae?> Cassandra pleaded. It won't be for long.>

"All right," Riae said aloud, and reluctantly released Cassandra entirely, emerging into the girl's ready hand.

As she gently cradled Riae, the Storyteller noted Faizah's intrigued expression. The gang leader couldn't have seen many Yeerks who'd willingly release their host, even temporarily--or many hosts who would protect the Yeerk. It might even make her more willing to trust them.

"It really is me," she told Tariss. "I know you wanted to be loyal to the empire and all, but--look, Tariss, it doesn't deserve your loyalty any more. This is your chance to change things for the better. Maybe we could manage without you, maybe not, but I know I'd be far happier if you were on the right side."

Tariss stared at the ground for a long moment. All right,> she said at last. All right. I trust you, Cassandra. Maybe I shouldn't, but I do. And you're right about the empire, you always have been, even if I wouldn't admit it.>

Cassandra blinked in faint surprise. She hadn't been expecting that last. "Thank you," she told her former Yeerk softly.

Well, don't get all emotional about it,> Tariss growled. And you'd better get that visser of yours back in your head before she dehydrates.>

Hurriedly, Cassandra raised Riae to her ear. The Yeerk wasted no time in returning, fast slipping into the ear canal with the brief pain of infestation. What happened?> she wanted to know as soon as she'd made connection.

She agreed. She'll help.> Riae could have taken the memories directly, of course, but Cassandra appreciated that she'd asked first.

It took only a moment for the pair to re-establish their former shared control. Looking up, Cassandra found Faizah's gaze still on them. "I suppose you're in charge," the gang leader said with a half-smile. "What do we do now?"

Cassandra froze for an instant. The adult couldn't have meant her. She was a Storyteller, she didn't lead...but Faizah had meant Riae, no doubt. Well?> she inquired.

Oh, no, you don't,> the Yeerk refused, more than a hint of amusement to her tone. You got me into this, you aren't shoving everything off onto me now. And what do you mean you don't lead? You're a worse taskmaster than any Visser.> Riae paused. Besides,> she added more soberly, I haven't any idea of what to do.>

Cassandra swallowed, trying hard to come up with something that would sound like she knew what she was doing. Her creative mind, for once, betrayed her. "Um," she got out, and looked helplessly at Ilie/Rena. The symbiote pair only chuckled softly.

Go on,> Tariss said, not unkindly. You're the only one around here with any chance of coming up with a workable plan. Besides, it's your fault we're all in this mess anyway.>

Her former Yeerk's near-repetition of Riae's comment made Cassandra grin, and snapped her out of her paralysis. Shutting her eyes for a moment, she found options and possibilities there as though this were itself a story she was telling. The beginnings of a plan fell almost effortlessly into place. Are you doing that?> she asked Riae suspiciously.

Doing what?> Riae responded, surprised enough that Cassandra believed her. The Yeerk was courteously holding back from Cassandra's deeper thoughts, touching only the surface emotions and speech.

Never mind.> Cassandra took a deep breath and looked to Tariss. "Who of your team would help us?" she queried.

The Andalite-Controller looked faintly startled, but replied, Maybe Fhren Four-One-Six and Kyli Three-Nine-Five.> She indicated two human-Controllers, awake and sitting together slightly to one side of the main group. They're a little uncertain, they've had pretty good relationships with their hosts, I think. The rest...Rlim Five-Nine-Two may well be a plant from someone higher up, but mostly they're your normal Yeerks: ambitious and occasionally treacherous.>

Cassandra nodded. "Ilie, can you get in touch with Karen and the others?"

"Yes, I think so," Ilie said a little uncertainly, adding quickly, "Maybe not Karen herself, she's been awfully busy..."

"That'll do." Feeling just a bit faint, Cassandra turned to Faizah for approval and half-suggested, "We can probably at least get the Yeerks' cooperation if we offer them Kandrona rays. If we asked them to leave their hosts or help us out, and in return they'd be fed..."

Faizah looked at her sharply. "You have access to a Kandrona?"

I won't have you lying to them to get their help,> Tariss contributed even more severely.

Cassandra suppressed a smile at that. More evidence that Tariss, whatever she pretended, really did care about her subordinates. "I think I do," she replied, glancing at Ilie/Rena. The pair nodded slightly. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I do. If they've fed not too long ago, anyway."

Tariss blew out a sigh. They and I fed before we left, early today. We have two and a half days maximum.>

I have about the same,> Riae added silently. I was trying not to remember about that...but it's a good idea. It might even work.>

It made Cassandra uneasy to feel Riae's fears and hesitations in addition to her own. A Yeerk was supposed to be decisive, quick to follow or give orders, and never, ever supposed to turn to a host. Cassandra almost found herself missing the lack of responsibility on her part.

She wasn't used to being in control even of herself, and now everyone seemed to expect her to figure out some plan to get them all out of danger. All her life Controlled, and now in a complete reversal, the Controller...Cassandra choked back a nervous giggle.

Don't you dare get hysterical,> ordered Riae. You know the most about the situation, that's all. Get us to your Karen or her group, and your part's done. You're a Storyteller. Well, Faizah was a Storyteller, and she's done well enough at leading. Look at it as a story.>

But it does look like a story,> Cassandra told her friend, not expecting or getting comprehension, and that's what scares me.>

Faizah was considering the idea. "That might work," she decided finally, "but what then?"

"With the Yeerks or their hosts to help us through checkpoints, we can make it to Karen's resistance group, once Ilie contacts them," Cassandra said more confidently. "And then we help them bring down the Yeerk Empire."

The gang leader began to grin. Cassandra suddenly had a strong suspicion that this had been a test of some kind. "All right," Faizah said, "let's get to it, then."

The captured Yeerks were mostly awake by now, huddled and talking in whispers about what might be done with them. The two Tariss had pointed out looked up sharply as Cassandra, Tariss, and Faizah approached them. The rest shrank back a little, staring suspiciously at Faizah and with bewilderment at their superior.

"What's going on, Tariss?" asked Kyli Three-Nine-Five. Her host was a human female, unusually dark-skinned--most of the old genetic differences between humans had vanished through the years of Yeerk occupation, but every once in a while one would show up again.

Our captors have generously offered to provide us with Kandrona rays, if we cooperate with them,> Tariss told Kyli and Fhren, a hint of irony in her voice.

She makes it sound like we'd kill them if they didn't cooperate,> Cassandra protested privately to Riae, and we need their help if any of us are going to survive at all.>

Riae's reply held a silent laugh. You should know the Yeerk mentality better than that by now. They have to think we're in a stronger position than we really are.>

Well, I don't like it,> Cassandra said defiantly. We should be able to tell them the truth. They should want to help us out.>

You just keep working to make it that way,> Riae told her tolerantly. Idealist.>

Someone has to be around here. You sure do a lousy job.>

Riae made a point of ignoring her, and Cassandra sent the Yeerk a mental grin. You do understand, though, Riae,> she added with a certainty she knew would startle her friend. You understand more every day.>

We've been offered generous terms, and I see no choice but to accept,> Tariss was telling Fhren, her tone hard. Cassandra had missed the Controller's reaction but it had to have been unusual--most Yeerks would never flinch at betraying whoever they were currently working for, especially if it meant their lives would be spared.

"But Tariss--" Kyli lowered her voice, and Cassandra could hear only a murmur--though she rather suspected Faizah caught the whole.

I'm fully aware of that,> Tariss replied, still directing her thought-speak to Cassandra as well as the two Controllers. But it will make little difference if we die of Kandrona starvation before we're ever sentenced.>

From that, Cassandra could easily take a guess at the content of the whispered phrase. She swallowed, hoping Tariss would never have such cause to regret their friendship.

"Then we'll have no choice but to cast in with the rebels," muttered Fhren. The human-Controller ran a hand through his pale hair, shifted uneasily. "I never thought...What of the others, Tariss?"

They'll be safe, and fed. They can denounce us to the Vissers, if it comes to that.> Tariss paused, and added softly, You could join them. I can't order you anymore, now. I suppose I'm truly a rebel, now.>

Cassandra could see Kyli swallow hard, but she lifted her chin firmly. "You know my thoughts on the matter, Tariss. Even if the rebels are--as we've heard--I'm with you."

Fhren nodded. "Me too," he declared, less eloquent perhaps but with just as much feeling for all its brevity.

What could Tariss have done, to inspire such loyalty in a world where loyalty is fast becoming a death warrant? Cassandra wondered, feeling a knot of something like pride in her throat. But then,> she whispered to Riae, feeling the Yeerk's inquiring touch, that would be why they were assigned a suicide mission.>

Very likely. We should reassure those two. Sounds like they've heard too many rumors about the ground-dwellers.>

Cassandra agreed silently and stepped forward, as Tariss moved on to the rest of the group. "I'm Cassandra," she said, with a smile that she hoped looked comforting.

From their expressions, she hadn't succeeded very well. Fhren eyed her as he might a barely controlled Taxxon, and Kyli was clearly terrified for all she tried to seem calm. "Are you in charge?" the dark-skinned Controller asked, a little nervously.

"Me?" Cassandra said in surprise, then rethought and added, "Sort of, I suppose. Not really. I mean, sometimes they listen to me."

Oh, that really cleared things up,> said Riae dryly from the back of her mind. The Yeerk sounded almost amused. And there wasn't a hint from her as to what might work better.

Feeling faintly irritated, Cassandra forced her attention back to the Controllers in front of her. "What I meant to say," she clarified coolly, "was that I have some knowledge of the rebels. I'm a Storyteller."

Kyli's eyes widened; Fhren's narrowed. "Storytellers," he spat. "Liars trying to stir up treason, the lot of them. I suppose it's you who convinced Tariss to join up. Well, I'm only going along for her sake, and if you think you can get me to fight my own people, you can just go jump out an airlock and take your stories with you."

Cassandra drew herself up sternly. It was hardly a surprise to find that the Yeerk thought of Storytellers that way; Tariss had said something like it in the beginning. Still, she didn't intend to let him keep on thinking it.

But before Cassandra could speak, she felt a surge of hot anger from Riae, and next moment the Yeerk had taken control. "I," she declared, "am Riae Four-Two-Nine of the Iriem Palr Pool and Visser Thirty-Seven of the Yeerk Empire, currently stationed on Earth. And I too am a Storyteller."

The two Controllers stared for a long, uncomfortable minute. "No wonder--" Kyli began, and hastily choked it off before correcting herself, "I didn't think Yeerks could be Storytellers."

"Well, I'm not, really, not yet," Riae replied, her anger subsiding into faint embarrassment. "Cassandra is teaching me. But she says I can do it, eventually."

"You have a voluntary host?" Kyli asked, eyes brightening. "I've read of those! Is it really even easier than Controlling a host who's given up?"

"We have no time for this," Fhren broke in. "If we're going somewhere, Riae or Cassandra or whoever you are, let's just go."

Cassandra took control back from Riae. "It will be some time before we figure out exactly what to do," she said. "Meanwhile, tell me everything you can about the security on the transport tubes and the roads. We need to go to Issara Kem."

Kyli shook her head, looking puzzled. "Issara Kem? Why? Nothing's there. No spaceport, no major buildings, nothing."

Why? Because that was where Cassandra had imagined a connection to the Chee's underground lair in a story she'd made up what seemed like such a long time ago. "I think we can reach safety from there," she replied, not going into details for fear the Yeerks would declare her insane and stop listening to her entirely.

"All right," Kyli acquiesced, with a shrug. "If you say so. We've thrown our lot in with you now, and we'll do our best to make sure we all stay alive,"--this with a glance at Tariss that strongly suggested who their first priority would be. She began her explanation, detailing the precautions on the transports for low-ranked Yeerks. There weren't many. Perhaps they could get through.

Then Kyli hesitated, drew a deep breath, and slowly added, "There's something else."

Fhren started to protest, but Kyli waved him off with a fierce look. "I wasn't going to say this," she admitted, "but...Visser...Riae, you're to be arrested under suspicion of treason. There's a warrant out. You're to be taken to trial as soon as you're found."

Riae stared at the Controller. Cassandra could feel her fear, and the knowledge that such a thing was quite possible. At last the Yeerk said flatly, "You're lying."

"I'm not. I wish I were."

"But Tariss--"

"Tariss doesn't know," Fhren cut in. "It was a high security broadcast, released only a few minutes ago. I assume when they found out there'd been no proton explosion."

"Then how do you two know about it?" Riae demanded suspiciously.

Kyli winced, her face a mask of guilt. Reluctantly she revealed the tiny device she'd had clutched in one hand, a highly expensive--and highly illegal--wavetapper. "I've had it for years," she muttered. "Tariss doesn't know. I'd never use it to hurt her, ever!"

"I believe you," Cassandra assured, taking over from the stunned Riae. "This does change things. I'll have to speak with the others. Thank you for telling us." She managed a warm smile at the pair. "Perhaps you'd better come, too."

The thought in Riae's mind matched her own: Now what are we going to do?

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