The Defeated, Part Eight 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 Eight
translated by DawningStar

"The rest of us can maybe get there all right," Tariss said gravely, "but if you're recognized...anyone traveling with you will be suspect, too."

"Well, not her," Midori corrected, "Cassandra..."

The same idea occurred to Controller and host at the same time, and Riae clamped down hard on Cassandra's voice box. I won't let you do that!> the Yeerk hissed. Absolutely not!>

And what else is there to do?> demanded Cassandra. I won't let you go turn yourself in, certainly. You know you're far more valuable to the resistance than I would be.>

But you know everything about it from your story! If they infested you...>

You think they'd believe it? Probably they'd just figure I was crazy. Anyway, how likely is it they'd infest me?>

"Cassandra?" Ilie/Rena interrupted the silent argument. "Is something wrong? You aren't listening."

She opened her mouth--and found herself still unable to speak. Riae! Cut it out!> she sent furiously.

Reluctantly, Riae released control. They'd better not let you do it,> she muttered.

"I was thinking," Cassandra said slowly. "Like Midori said, it's me they would recognize...Riae could get through in another host...and if I turned myself in as Visser Thirty-Seven..."

The response was everything Riae could have wished for. Ilie/Rena and Midori protested at once, loudly and incomprehensibly, while Kyli and Fhren stared in shock. Tariss was shaking her head violently.

Faizah looked grave, and held up a hand to silence the rest. "Cassandra...you do realize what you're offering? The other Vissers and the Council of Thirteen won't go easy on Riae."

"I know." Cassandra winced. "Riae knows. She doesn't want me to do it, either. She almost didn't let me offer."

"You can't!" Midori insisted. "They'll be able to infest you! They'll know you aren't a Controller!" She looked relieved to have come up with a valid objection.

There was a short silence. Kyli broke it. "There is...a way around that." She managed somehow to look terrified and determined and overwhelmed all in one.

"No!" exclaimed Fhren, slicing the air emphatically with one hand. "Not you, Kyli! If this host wants to waste her life on a futile attempt to save her Controller, fine, but you're not getting involved!"

"Fhren, the ground-dweller girl is right. The Storyteller needs a Yeerk to play out the charade. Have you thought what would happen to Tariss if Cassandra is infested?"

Fhren shook his head adamantly, but there was a growing despair in his gray eyes. "I'll go, then."

"You know you have a hard time connecting with female hosts. This is too important to risk." Kyli sighed. "Look, Fhren, I'll make it back if I can. If I can't...well, someone needs to protect Tariss."

He stared at the ground and didn't answer.

"Aren't we forgetting something?" Riae demanded, seizing control again. Everyone looked at her. "I am not going to trade in another life--two!--for my own! I won't let Cassandra do it. I'll--I'll throw her into a memory loop if I have to!"

"Riae." It was Ilie. She was still seated on the ground and pressing a hand to the crimson-stained binding on her leg, but her tone was steady, her eyes level. "You and Cassandra have an understanding, even a friendship. You can't crush her down now."

There was a hesitation, then the Villager added reluctantly, in Rena's softer tones, "Besides, she's right. We don't want to lose either of you, but Cassandra would have a better chance of making it out than you would."

Cassandra could feel Riae's rapid thoughts if not overhear their content, and she knew it when Riae reluctantly subsided into despondent acceptance. "All right," she whispered finally. "Just--just give us some time. Cassandra will need to know more about me if she's to pull this off."

Faizah nodded compassionately. Riae stood and took a few steps away for privacy's sake though their conversation would be entirely silent, seating herself once more on the ground. Kyli also drew back, to speak in low, urgent whispers with Fhren. Cassandra noted absently that the Controller's hands were shaking slightly, and then was startled to realize that her hands trembled just as much, whether from her own reaction or Riae's impossible to tell.

Cassandra...> Riae's mind-voice was low, troubled. I don't want you to do this. I'd rather go myself than send you in there, even if they don't figure it out. Maybe especially then. I know you know what I expect. Are you sure?>

I'm sure.> Cassandra was surprised at just how certain she was. She fumbled to find the words to explain. Like we've been saying, your knowledge and experience will be of more use to the resistance than I would. I'm just a Storyteller.>

And then it came to her, the reason for her odd assurance. Besides,> she said slowly, I've become a part of my own story. Maybe all Storytellers imagine that. I know I did. But my part in the story was to tell it, and I can do that best if I go. Who knows, maybe I'll even get other Yeerks to join us.>

Never happen,> Riae said flatly. Cassandra, no offense, but you're crazy.>

None taken,> replied Cassandra, trying hard to keep a cheerful tone. But of course, it didn't fool Riae. Cassandra could feel the Yeerk digging farther into her thoughts, searching out her emotions. She wouldn't have hidden them if she could.

You're terrified,> Riae whispered at last. Cassandra, why would you do this when you're so afraid?>

I've told you,> Cassandra snapped back. Because it's right and it's logical, and because you're my friend and I will not let you die!>

There was a stunned sort of silence from the part of her mind that belonged to Riae. All right,> the former visser surrendered with a sense of vast sorrow. All right. I can't stop you.>

Cassandra couldn't speak, even silently. She felt a hard knot forming in her throat, echoed in her mind by a wordless apology.

It was a full minute before Riae spoke again. You will need to know more about me...>

Yes. Probably so.>

If you agree, the fastest way would be a memory transfer. But you know how unpleasant those can be, especially with time so limited.>

Cassandra considered. She did indeed know, from old experience--the 'training' phase all hosts went through, with Yeerks who took pleasure in providing scenes of the consequences of disobedience and made no effort to gentle the transfer. But Riae would surely do her best to minimize the pain, and it was necessary, after all. Go ahead,> Cassandra assented, and braced herself for the onrush of memories.

I'm sorry,> murmured Riae--

--and then the world dissolved.

There was only warmth and the faintest of sounds, a high-pitched noise she could not yet interpret except as a sign of others around her. Tentatively she imitated the noise, letting out a single tone, and heard the sound return softly. Was there something in front of her? She stretched forward, and touched someone else, someone like herself, and knew that there were many such, and they were all together...

...You are Riae Four-Two-Nine, of the Iriem Palr Pool,> the adult told her brusquely, and she swam away with a new sense of pride...

...The other grub, her best friend, seemed oddly ill, twisting uncomfortably beside her in the warm liquid. Riae reached out with her palps. What is wrong?> she asked...

...Lissi's designation had changed, and now there were two of them, one larger, the other smaller. Both were Lissi Six-One-Eight-Double-Two, both soft-spoken and sympathetic, but now the adults seemed to speak only to the prime. Riae couldn't understand...

...Lissi the lesser touched palps with Riae. They've offered a host to my twin,> she whispered, a permanent one. They say she did well in training, but she let me take some of it instead of her. They don't know. She says we can still trade off...>

...Riae knew some of what her friends did to manage their partnership was really sort of against the rules that had been set out, but she didn't want to tell. It wouldn't do her any good anyway...

...She wanted to advance. She'd regret losing both Lissi the prime and the lesser, of course, but it wasn't her fault, and now a promotion was offered for any Yeerk turning in possible rule breakers...

..."Riae, how could you," Lissi whispered. Riae didn't know which one. One of the pair had escaped into the anonymity of the Yeerk Pool, while the other and her human host were being taken away for trial and sentencing. She did rather regret it, but after all, one couldn't afford friendships...

..."The Earth Moonbase, Sub-Visser Fifty-three, and a fine post it is," the officer told Riae. "Not much of a job really, just rounding up dissident hosts, but you'll do well and get promoted again, I'm sure, and Earth's a good place to be noticed..."

..."These hosts are guilty of causing trouble among the cages, and therefore they are to be collected and dispatched," the message read, and Riae scanned the included list, then began to write out the orders...

..."I only told my stories," the host said, disturbingly earnest, "I only tried to keep the memories, and someone who heard me will continue. I just wish I'd been able to finish." Riae didn't dare reply, though she found the statement intriguing--it might be taken for sympathy...

...He was human, fair and dark-eyed, and he stood tall on the disintegration platform, calling out words to some tale or other in a strong voice. Riae at last succumbed to curiosity. "Why are you doing this?" she asked softly. But the host only regarded her with something like pity even as he vanished into deadly sparkles...

...The screen flicked on, and Riae barely dared read the words there. "You are hereby promoted to Visser Nine, and your presence is requested by the Council of Thirteen..."

...She hadn't expected the host-change, and even less expected that Visser Ten's subordinates would get charge of her host and all the memories the human held, not when she'd reached such a high level. Had she given the Council some other reason to be suspicious of her?...

...Assigned to a Storyteller, the final irony, and she would make the most of it. Always intrigued by the strange hosts and more so by the determination she felt in this one, she would become one herself, if the girl would only consent to teach her...

Images flickered wildly, memories shifted in dizzying patterns, and for a long moment Cassandra was uncertain who she was. Then she felt Riae's steadying touch at the back of her mind and relaxed. She was Cassandra, human Storyteller and sometime rebel, but for the next few days or weeks she would be Riae, the Yeerk Visser who found herself and became the first Storyteller of her kind. The memories were all there, ready to recall at need, despite the disorienting pace she'd gone through them.

Riae was waiting rather nervously. am sorry,> she said,

Don't worry about it,> Cassandra advised. I never expected you to be perfect, not with being a Yeerk Visser. I do know something about advancement around here.> Actually she felt a little glad Riae had trusted her enough to share it with her, her old regrets and hidden sorrows and shames.

And you still want to do this.>

Of course.>

Riae sighed silently. I'd almost hoped...when you knew what I'd done...that maybe you wouldn't. But I should have known better.>

Cassandra felt faintly hurt that Riae could have believed that of her. You're my friend, Riae. Even in that memory you were sorry for what you'd done, and now you're making up for it. You can make up for it better by doing some good now than by giving yourself in.>

You're right. You're right. I'm sorry.>

There was a long silence, then Cassandra broke it. We may not have another chance for this, so...I want to make you an official Storyteller. I know the apprenticeship's been a little short, but sometimes that happens.>

A flash of surprised delight came from Riae. Really? What do we do?> she asked eagerly.

Cassandra snorted aloud. Like you don't know. You looked at all my training memories first thing.>

Well...yes,> admitted Riae sheepishly. But I still would like you to do it, you know, officially.>

All right.> Cassandra took a deep breath. She'd always intended to teach someone to be a Storyteller, and though this wasn't exactly as she had envisioned it, she knew the words by heart. Riae, you know all I have to teach you,> she began. You know the stories I have told and the poems I have made. Do you also know the value of a Storyteller and the risks to such a life?>

I do,> the other replied soberly.

Will you agree to support the hopes of the hosts and the belief in freedom, always holding these responsibilities above your life?>

Riae knew the words from Cassandra's memories, but she repeated them slowly, as though she were considering their meaning. I will provide the hosts with hope and the Yeerks with a means of learning their wrongs, keeping freedom, memory, and the stories alive, and I will hold these above my own life.>

Then you are a Storyteller, with the dangers and joys that entails. You may teach this your art to any who wish to learn, knowing in full your danger and theirs, and you will pass on to them your own stories and those you have been taught.>

I am a Storyteller, and I will pass the stories on,> Riae completed the ceremony.

Cassandra dropped the formality, and laughed silently. Congratulations. You're the first Yeerk Storyteller.>

Yes, I suppose I am, aren't I? I wonder what the Council and the other Vissers would think if they knew,> Riae mused. Better they don't find out. Is that all?>

Cassandra considered for a moment. There are still the old stories,> she pointed out slowly. Every Storyteller had a few stories they'd made themselves, often one or two begun by their teacher and left unfinished, and the numerous poems that came and went. But definitely most important were the old stories, the true stories handed down for many years--stories of the Animorphs, of Old Earth, of the Hork-Bajir and Andalites and other races. You'll remember them all?>

Of course,> Riae promised. I'll never forget anything you taught me, Cassandra. And I'll find someone else to carry on, too, if...> she trailed off.

It was hard to think that this might be the last time they spoke. Despite her brave words, Cassandra really had no expectation of getting out alive. She'd do her best to protect Kyli, but for herself there was little hope. Good luck, Riae,> she whispered.

The Yeerk was fighting back something like tears. You too,> she said. I think it's time.>

Several meters away, Kyli was winding up her argument with Fhren, murmuring fiercely and gesturing in tight, angry arcs. The gray-eyed Controller was staring at the ground in despair, no longer fighting, and Kyli finished with a final, quiet word, touching his shoulder. She looked up, and Cassandra met the frightened black eyes with her own brown, no less scared and yet determined.

Kyli nodded tersely and stood, pulling Fhren up as well. Cassandra gulped, and followed, returning to the small gathering. "We're ready," she said, unable to keep a faint tremor from her voice.

"Wait," Kyli said. "Riae, my host--you'll be taking her. You need to know, she's not--not like Cassandra. She's given up."

Riae managed a flashing grin. "I'll have to see if I can change that, then, won't I? Seeing as she'll be free when we reach Cassandra's Village."

Kyli looked a little doubtful, but nodded in assent. Cassandra held one hand to her ear, tilting her head, and whispered a last farewell to Riae, as Kyli slithered out of her host's ear into Fhren's waiting hand.

The dark-skinned human sagged immediately, and only Midori's quick dash to support her kept her from falling. Her mouth moved, unused to speech, forming words unintelligible at first. Finally she managed, "Storyteller...infest...?"

A surge of anger surfaced, at those who would put a host into this condition, and a faint apprehensiveness about having Kyli in her own head. "Riae is a Storyteller," Cassandra told her firmly. "She'll not beat you down. I promise." It might not have been Kyli. Many hosts were like this.

The host nodded, and struggled to add, "My name...is Erica."

Hopefully this one still had a chance to recover. "Keep the hope, Erica."

She smiled faintly at the ancient farewell between hosts, almost forgotten now. "I will, Storyteller."

Cassandra took a breath and held Riae out. Erica tentatively accepted the Yeerk and tilted her head with the ease of long experience as Riae infested her. Fhren stepped toward Cassandra, raising Kyli to her ear in cupped hands. Cassandra felt the damp touch in her ear, and then the contact of minds.

For a long moment Kyli said nothing, sinking into Cassandra's thoughts and memories, and Cassandra was unable to move on her own. Cassandra stretched to see the Yeerk's emotions, and caught a hint of the expected apprehension--and, surprisingly, astonishment. What is it?> she asked curiously.

They were right,> came the faintly bemused response. The histories of the takeover...they said voluntary hosts were preferred because they were easier to control, less likely to affect the Yeerk. I never really thought anything could be easier than controlling a host who'd given up entirely, but...you're something else, Cassandra.>

Thank you, I think,> Cassandra said, puzzled. Can I have control?>

Kyli withdrew somewhat at once, her sense oddly respectful. Of course.>

Cassandra looked out to see Erica just straightening as Riae took control. It was odd to see her friend look at her through the human's black eyes, odd not to feel the pain she saw in them, bright with unshed tears. "Well," she said softly, and could get nothing else out.

"You'll leave first," Faizah said briskly. "We'll get started as soon as you're out of sight. Take the upper streets, don't hide, but don't look like you're turning yourself in. You aren't supposed to know you're in trouble, remember. If either of you manage to get away after, I'm sure you know the way to safety. Whatever you do, don't let them find out about us." She smiled rather wanly. "But you're a Storyteller, Cassandra, you already know all that."

Cassandra nodded, looking at the gang leader. "I'll do my best. You'll all be safe."

Faizah hesitated, then held out her hand in a gesture that predated even the Yeerk invasion. Cassandra grasped it briefly, then turned away and began to walk slowly down the empty, crumbling street.

They'd almost reached the corner when Cassandra looked back, breaking her own resolve. Faizah was involved in getting the group into marching order, Midori was helping Ilie/Rena to stand. Riae stared at the ground, her posture one of deep sorrow and guilt. Fhren gazed after them, his eyes filled with loss.

I'm sorry!> Kyli cried silently in the back of Cassandra's mind. I'm sorry, Fhren, I didn't mean it!>

Didn't mean what? Cassandra couldn't help wondering, but she knew better than to ask. No doubt it had something to do with that final conversation, and she didn't want to pry. It'll be all right,> she said gently. You'll get back to tell him whatever you want to.>

Kyli laughed bitterly. Maybe, Cassandra. Maybe.>

There was silence for a time, as Cassandra picked her way through the ancient streets and Kyli searched through her mind. At last she said, Do you really believe that?>

Can't you tell?> Cassandra asked, faintly surprised.

No,> admitted Kyli. Not very well. Not while you have control. And...it almost feels like you do believe it...but you can't, not really.>

Why shouldn't I believe it?> Cassandra demanded. Maybe it doesn't seem likely now, but I can think of a half-dozen ways you'd get out of this. Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it's not there, you know.>

Kyli settled deeper into Cassandra's thoughts, her feel a bit suspicious. Then it changed abruptly to shock as she found one particular half-formed idea. You're going to try and protect me?> she asked in disbelief. Protect me? Why in the galaxies would you do a crazy thing like that? I'm a Yeerk! You're a host! Things just don't work this way!>

Cassandra came close to laughing. I'm protecting Riae, aren't I?>

Well, yes, but that's...that's different!> Kyli insisted. You're friends! And I...> She fell silent.

I've enough on my conscience already,> Cassandra said softly. I don't want anyone else killed, not if I can help it. And I think I can, here.>

With a faint sigh, Kyli whispered, I hope so. I shouldn't, but I do.>

They walked on in silence. The once-smooth streets crunched into smaller pieces beneath their feet, buildings on either side staring blindly with windows that still held a few shards of broken glass. Somewhere a cat hissed and a canine barked back, bringing a faint smile to Cassandra's face; even the Yeerks hadn't been able to kill off all of Earth's wildlife.

There was no way to measure time except by the distance they traveled, and after a bit the streets all began to look the same. Cassandra's thoughts turned inward, going over Riae's tone of voice and turn of phrase to prepare for the role soon to come, finding possibilities to take the place of truths she couldn't reveal.

Kyli's voice interrupted her train of thought: If we turn here, we'll reach the inhabited part of the city. The spaceport's not far. Someone will be there.>

For a brief moment Cassandra entertained the idea of turning back, hiding in the tunnels instead, but she discarded it quickly. Only when she as the supposed Visser Thirty-Seven was captured would the security on the transport tubes be lifted enough to let the real one through. Besides that, she'd promised, and she wouldn't break that promise. All right,> she said, and turned down a different street toward the distant roar of spacecraft taking off and landing.

Sure enough, it was not long before the streets turned smoother and the buildings vanished, replaced by the beginnings of construction on the outskirts of the Yeerk city. Cassandra vaguely wondered how long it would take for someone to report her presence as she passed low-ranked Controllers scurrying about the streets, keeping her head high and trying hard to look like a Yeerk visser--more specifically, like Riae.

About five streets later her question was answered, as a small hovercraft with the marks of a high-ranked Yeerk transport appeared in the sky and sped toward her. The street was clear of other Controllers in five seconds flat, long before the vehicle even began to slow and descend in front of Cassandra.

Cassandra stopped well out of the danger zone and waited imperiously as the door opened. A human-Controller jumped out, one Kyli knew only by sight as Sub-Visser Eighteen. Cassandra knew a bit more from Riae's memories; he was Jissem Two-One-Five, an ambitious Yeerk who had charge of the police system on Earth.

He approached her warily and began to speak, but Cassandra beat him to it. "It is," she said haughtily, "about time someone came this way. I have been walking for at least an hour."

A bit of the wariness left Jissem's face and he bowed deferentially. "Of course, Visser. Allow me the privilege of transporting you."

Cassandra sniffed and stepped past him into the craft, seating herself in the passenger-side chair and acknowledging him only with a nod as he hurried in and took the pilot's seat. He's relieved you don't know you're to be arrested,> Kyli remarked.

Yes. He won't tell until he's sure we can't try to escape,> agreed Cassandra.

The vehicle smoothly lifted off and rose above the buildings, Jissem skillfully handling the controls. "How were you stranded way out here, Visser?" he asked with just the right mixture of curiosity and diffidence.

"Some idiot managed to get authorization for a proton bomb down in the old tunnels," she said scornfully. "Taxxons got to them before I could, from what I found of the equipment. Waste of time."

Jissem nodded. "Such things are an insult to the Empire," he commented, and they spent the rest of the short trip in silence.

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