translated by DawningStar
Cassandra stepped off the craft with a well-hidden terror and a face that held all the pride of a Yeerk visser. Kyli offered a low-key stream of information as it was needed, and Riae's transferred memories were there as well on demand. In the detached portion of her mind that was usually occupied with ideas for stories, Cassandra thought idly that most impostors didn't have the advantage of the memories of the person they were supposed to be. It ought to give her an advantage, anyway. It might also prove Riae's undoing, should anyone think to check the Yeerk's identity.
Don't think like that,> Kyli chided. Weren't you just telling me I should be more optimistic?>
Not in those words,> countered Cassandra. Maybe the banter would keep the worry off her face before it had a right to appear.
But she couldn't let herself be distracted, either. She was entering the main building in Arrain Eram, Jissem accompanying her at a respectful distance. That wouldn't last long, Cassandra knew, only until she was too far in to escape.
The building here wasn't nearly as big as the main offices of Earth, and Riae should have been the highest-ranked Yeerk there--but an Andalite-Controller Cassandra recognized as the current Visser Five appeared, no doubt summoned by Jissem before he'd picked her up. Once Visser Ten, this was Riae's rival and as such would probably be the one to present the charges against her.
Cassandra fell immediately into the deferential attitude expected of a lesser-ranked Yeerk, even another Visser. It wasn't hard; she'd been lectured many times about proper respect by nearly every Yeerk she'd been assigned to. "Visser Five," she bowed, "what an unexpected honor to see you here."
Unexpected, perhaps,> Visser Five replied with a cold facsimile of an Andalite smile, but I think no honor, for you at least.>
"What do you mean, Visser?" asked Cassandra, cocking her head in feigned bewilderment. "You speak as though you believe I have done something wrong."
He laughed humorlessly, and gestured outward. Cassandra looked, and saw herself surrounded by Controllers carrying Dracon beams. You speak as though you can convince me otherwise--traitor.>
"But I've done nothing except what I was ordered to do!" Cassandra protested, allowing fear to cross her face.
That's it,> Kyli whispered. Keep saying you're innocent. He'd be really suspicious if you admitted to anything.>
As though he isn't now, thought Cassandra, but Kyli was right--no Yeerk would ever willingly admit wrongdoing. The consequences were too severe, and frequently an innocent expression and faultless acting could get one off the hook.
But not in this case, Cassandra knew. Riae had made too many enemies in now-higher places, there was too much evidence of her soft-heartedness toward hosts. She could only hope to play out the charade, get Kyli to safety, and then...erase all chance of Riae's memories and her own being uncovered.
Visser Five stared at her with cold green eyes, and shook his head. You know what will happen to you, Riae,> he said suddenly in private thought-speak. Why not make it easier on yourself and admit it? Maybe we can even get the penalty reduced.>
Cassandra responded with a Visser's icy glare, and was escorted away by the numerous guards with her head held proudly high.
Kyli, thought to be Riae, was given a chance to feed in the Yeerk Pool before the Council would convene for the trial. A Hork-Bajir-Controller guard advised her that she'd be kept in a separate area to avoid any attempt at escape, and that her host would be left with the other hosts belonging to high-ranked Yeerks, as she was escorted down to the pool area.
Cassandra was almost amused by the familiar cages. They were fuller than such an elite pool would normally have been, but not overly crowded...still, many hosts were within earshot...
The Yeerk touched her memories briefly and read in them something of her intent. Oh, Cassandra, must you? You'll get us both in trouble.>
Like we're not already? Kyli, this is what I do. I can't...not do it. And they know I'm a Storyteller--it won't reflect on you.>
Kyli sighed. I suppose. I can't stop you, anyway.>
Very true. Don't worry. Maybe this will even help somehow.>
There was an unmistakable snort as Kyli disconnected and slipped out into the opaque gray liquid.
Cassandra let herself sag in the manner of a long-time host, and was caught carefully by the Hork-Bajir guard. He half-supported, half-dragged her to a cage--a single cage, she noted, faintly disappointed, with no other hosts in it. No matter, the pool was small enough that everyone should hear her.
The Hork-Bajir thrust her into the cage and locked the door behind her. Leaning against the bars, Cassandra reconsidered. Would it put Riae in danger, if she continued to fulfill her role as a Storyteller? Would it put Kyli under suspicion?
But she was a Storyteller above all, and looking at the full cages, she knew she couldn't deny the hosts whatever measure of hope she might provide. Telling the stories of the Village was obviously out of the question, but perhaps one of the ancient times, or even an Animorph-story...or a poem, first, to get their attention, Cassandra mused. Then she remembered Tal's songs, and smiled. Perfect. Not the second, for fear she'd be connected to the resistance, but the first--yes, that was safe enough.
"We cried in silence," she began the poignant tune,
"pleas unheard
and slowly we gave in,
We looked around
and found no hope
no way for us to win."
Then a flute's delicate tones picked up the melody, and Cassandra faltered for a moment in wild disbelief before continuing. Tal!
"We searched for help
and meanwhile dreamed
but our help never came,
We dreamed of freedom
dreamed of peace
but war stayed just the same."
Other voices joined in as they went into the chorus, uncertain at first but growing stronger, and the next verse was filled with a joy rarely if ever heard in the Yeerk Pool.
"Never forget
but keep in mind
the way things used to be,
Right is still right
and wrong is wrong
this is what we must see.
Empires fall
and nations rise
and peace will come someday,
But we are here
and here our task
is showing the right way.
And some forget
and some still dream
and some in silence weep,
And some give up
and some give in
and some the memories keep.
And some the memories keep."
So it really is well-known, like Tal said, Cassandra thought in wonder as she finished and the clear notes of the flute trailed away. Was that him playing? Is his Yeerk here? She searched the nearby cages but didn't see the song-maker. It didn't seem likely that there would be another host with a flute, and yet...
But that didn't matter much for the moment, if she couldn't find him. They weren't likely to be able to talk.
Cassandra let out a sigh and closed her eyes briefly, clearing her thoughts, then looked up. The hosts in their cages watched her with something close to eager anticipation, ears long-dulled from screams and pleas now open to hear whatever story she would tell. She smiled. This was why she had become a Storyteller, after all.
"Her name was Cassie," she began in the traditional words, "and she was an Animorph..."
The liquid was cool and splashed against her face. Cassandra knew from experience it would sting if she opened her eyes. The Hork-Bajir's firm grip held her motionless as Kyli brushed against her ear and slid within.
There was a moment's silence as the Yeerk accessed memories, then So you did attract attention,> in a tone of disappointment. A story and a song, at that.>
I did tell you I would,> the human pointed out. And no one seems to be suspicious.>
Yes, well...we can hope it will stay that way.> Kyli paused. Do you really think your friend is here?>
Cassandra sent a mental shrug. It's possible. Let's keep an eye out for him, in any case. Do you want to do this part, or shall I?>
The equivalent of a shudder came from the Yeerk's portion of the shared mind. Definitely not me. You know Riae better than I do, anyway.>
All right, then.> The Hork-Bajir-Controller pulled them gently into an upright position, and stepped away. Cassandra looked about.
The caged hosts looked studiously away from her, obvious in their attempts to remain disconnected from the possible troublemaker--couldn't have the Yeerk now controlling her reporting them, after all. Cassandra wished she could reassure them, but to do so would have been tantamount to suicide.
The Hork-Bajir guards waited for her at the end of the dock, Dracons ready though not yet aimed exactly at her. Cassandra walked toward them, and they formed up around her almost like an honor escort--though perhaps a little closer than was wise, so near the edge of the Yeerk Pool...
A plan suddenly came together in Cassandra's mind. She hadn't intended to do this so soon, but this might be the best chance she would get. Kyli, now's the time. Slip out and get into the pool. Wait a while, then take one host or another--preferably an involuntary who can be freed, if you can manage it--and get to the Chee. You know where they are as much as I do.>
Now? Cassandra...> Kyli protested weakly. But the human could feel the Yeerk's eagerness to be safe, out of danger, and back with Fhren and Tariss.
Cassandra sent a reassuring smile to her unexpected ally. You've risked enough for us, Kyli. More than enough. You deserve to get out of this safely, and we may not get another chance.>
A silent sigh, half relief, half reluctance. I'm sorry, Cassandra. I'll...do what I can to make sure everything turns out well. And thank you.>
Without forming a conscious reply, Cassandra made a single misstep, just a few inches too close to the Hork-Bajir who strode next to her. His taloned foot caught hers, and the human went sprawling to the ground, nearly tumbling into the pool. Her shoulder-length dark hair covered her ears fully, and as she got to her feet with the help of the disgraced guard, telling him off for his clumsiness, no one noticed the single tiny splash.
Thirteen figures in a hologram were the focal point of the room, the Council who had to judge all trials of Vissers. Most were Andalite-Controllers, still considered a sign of status despite the vast numbers of Andalites now hosts. There were also two humans, one Hork-Bajir, and one Ongachic. All wore the traditional robes and expressions of indifference.
Visser Five would prosecute, as she'd surmised, but he hadn't yet arrived from feeding. This wasn't a very important trial, after all, despite the defendant's high rank. It was fairly cut-and-dried; Riae had displeased higher-ranked Yeerks, and so she would be tried and sentenced for that. There was really no chance she could get out of it, not like Edriss Five-Six-Two, who'd been similarly put on trial and afterwards found her way back into favor with the capture of the Anati system.
Cassandra could have laughed if the situation hadn't been so serious. The whole thing would be a typical Yeerk trial--truth far less important than the way in which lies were told and what benefit she could be to certain high-placed members of the Empire. And the funniest part of all was the part no one could be allowed to learn, the fact that the Yeerk supposed to be on trial was safely away by now, and her host would take the sentence for her.
At last, the door to the trial chamber swung open. A Yeerk Cassandra knew had to be Visser Five entered, her guards giving slight bows while still keeping a close eye on their charge. She looked curiously to see what host body he was in, expecting Hork-Bajir or Andalite, probably not human. But he was human, and more than that, a host she knew--her prosecutor's host body was her friend Tal!
Cassandra hastily blinked and kept the inspection to a quick glance, but it took all her self-control not to stare or otherwise give herself away. How would it make Tal feel, she wondered, being here for this? And probably he'd be there when they carried out her sentence, too, since it was the usual procedure for the prosecutor to do that. She wished there was some way to tell Tal what was going on, but it was impossible if she was to bring this off.
It might have been her imagination, but Visser Five's glance toward her almost seemed to carry a hint of regret. Cassandra remembered what Tal had said about his Yeerk, and tried to fit what she knew of Visser Five into that picture. It wasn't a very good match. The ambitious rival Visser, sympathetic enough to allow his host a flute?
Maybe Tal had been reassigned, though she hoped not, for his sake. Maybe Riae had been wrong in her judgment of the other Yeerk, or something had happened since. After all, it would be hard to believe Riae was now a Storyteller without knowing everything that had been going on...
She shook her head slightly to draw her attention back where it belonged, in the courtroom. There really wasn't time for speculation.
"I apologize for my tardiness, honored members of the Council, " Visser Five said, bowing toward the hologram. "It was unavoidable."
There was no way to tell which of the Council members spoke, or indeed if any of them had. "It is forgiven you, Visser Five. We shall begin. The charges," the detached voice requested.
"The Yeerk Riae Four-Two-Nine of the Iriem Palr Pool, currently holding the rank of Visser Thirty-seven, is charged with the following crimes: treason by sympathy with a subject species, which carries a sentence of death by Kandrona starvation, and treason by contact with the rebel Yeerk Peace Movement, which carries a sentence of death by torture," the computer read off emotionlessly.
Of the two, Cassandra decided, Kandrona starvation would be much preferable. Aside from the obvious reason that it wouldn't actually do her any harm, she would have at least three more days for Riae and the rest to make good their escape...though still there was little probability she could allow the sentence to be carried out; too much danger of discovery. Torture was definitely out of the question. Cassandra had never had reason to find out how much pain she could withstand, and by all accounts the people employed for such sentences did know, in detail. Far too much risk, considering all she knew, even balanced against the fact that no one would believe more than a quarter of it...
"You have heard the charges against you, Visser Thirty-seven; will you acknowledge, deny, or claim mitigation?" Visser Five asked, looking over at her. For an instant she could have sworn his eyes held sympathy. Tal, probably, through the Yeerk's defenses.
Tal has nothing to do with this, Cassandra told herself firmly again, and drew a breath. She could not allow herself to become distracted, not now. "I claim mitigation."
A flicker, a tiny movement in the hologram of the Council chamber. The claim was unusual for such a trial, Cassandra knew, but in keeping with Riae's character. She was fundamentally honest despite the lies necessary to rise so far in the Empire, and the best chance for the demoted Visser to survive this trial would have been to stick to simple truth--omitting, of course, a few key details. It was a part Cassandra didn't mind playing.
Visser Five nodded. "Very well. You admit, then, that you did in fact sympathize with humans, and contact the rebels?"
"I did not say that. The second charge is false in that I did not speak with any rebels of my own designs; it was necessary for me to enter the tunnels below Arrain Eram to prevent the detonation of a proton bomb, and in the course of that I encountered the gangs of hosts that roam those tunnels. I convinced them to assist me in disarming the bomb, because it was that or allow the city to be destroyed. Certainly I have never knowingly spoken with treasonous Yeerks." Ilie didn't count. She wasn't exactly a Yeerk anymore, after all.
"And your excuse for your sympathy with a subject race?"
Cassandra suppressed a frown. He didn't seem to be going at this as hard as she'd expected. Tal's influence, his own idea? Or did he just have something else up his sleeve? "I will admit to pity for some hosts--but who has not felt such?" she began. "Those who have served and then were discarded in the tunnels, their plight I pity, and I have tried occasionally to make things easier on my own hosts. I find this leads to greater effectiveness. And truly, what Yeerk can avoid some stirring of sympathy for hosts in such situations? It has never been a capital offense to do one's best to improve relations between Yeerk and host, and I have never gone beyond what is acceptable." Well, she hadn't. Riae's actions there might be questionable, but still nothing that would have gotten her in trouble without her interference in other things.
A warning glance from Tal's warm brown eyes. Was the Visser depending on Cassandra's friendship with Tal to keep Riae from putting him in danger? It would be an iffy proposition at best. Still, he was right. The flute was bordering on unacceptable, even for a high-placed Visser's auxiliary host, and Cassandra didn't want to get Tal in trouble. She'd have to stay away from that line of defense.
Actually, a weak defense there might suit her purposes, when it came to time to decide the sentence. Cassandra let out an inaudible sigh, and settled down for the long arguments sure to come.
The trial lasted for barely an hour, not unexpected since the evidence was already known and Riae's punishment probably already decided on. Visser Five made the closing statements before the hologram winked out and they were left alone, save for the presence of the thirteen Hork-Bajir-Controllers.
Visser Five looked at her for a long moment. Cassandra kept her face carefully blank of either fear or any other inappropriate emotion. She was actually rather proud of her performance; so far at least, no one had noticed any change in the supposed Yeerk's actions. But a momentary expression of triumph could ruin everything.
And it was harder than she had thought to keep quiet--to a certain extent, this was actually almost fun. She, a lowly host, was fooling the leaders of the entire Yeerk Empire.
The Visser made a signal to the leader of the guards, who took a step in, expressionless as always. "Leave us," Tal's Controller ordered abruptly.
The Hork-Bajir hesitated. "It is highly irregular," he said slowly. "You will assure neither you nor the prisoner will be harmed, Visser?"
With a curt nod, Visser Five drew out his Dracon. "We'll be fine. I wouldn't be so foolish as to attack her when she's about to be sentenced anyway," he added at the guard's uncertain glance toward the weapon.
The thirteen guards left the room, and the door swung shut behind them with a metallic echo. Visser Five met Cassandra's eyes, a hint of uncertainty in his own. "It's not bugged," he said. "I made sure of that before we started."
"What is this about, Visser?" Cassandra asked. She was more than a little startled, but didn't dare show that. "And how can you be certain the room isn't bugged?"
He coughed, and confessed, "I used a pulse-wave. It's safe. Would you like me to insult the Council to convince you?"
Cassandra barely covered a smile. The pulse-wave devices would send out a single high-energy signal, shorting out any recording device in range for at least three hours--another example of marginally illegal technology available to those who could pay for it. "That isn't necessary. But you haven't said why you're so concerned about not being overheard."
"Because if we were I'd be in nearly as much trouble as you," he snapped. "Sympathy with hosts, remember?"
She shook her head, not understanding.
Visser Five let out a sigh. "My host wants to speak with yours," he muttered. "They met during a feeding cycle, and--why am I telling you this, you know already. He wants a chance to talk before you and probably your Cassandra as well are killed."
Cassandra knew her mouth was open, but she couldn't seem to close it. "So you are the Yeerk Tal spoke of in the cages? I wouldn't have thought you kind enough to allow a host such a pastime," she said at last.
He grimaced. "Probably I shouldn't have, but Tal--well, no matter. Will you let your host speak with mine, or not?"
"All right," Cassandra agreed. "She's listening."
The other took a deep breath, and then the bearing changed infinitesimally. The pride was gone; in its place a sort of fearful hope. "Cassandra?" Tal asked.
Cassandra relaxed her guard and let the pretenses she carried drop. "It's me, Tal. What's so important? You know how dangerous this is--to all four of us."
"I know," Tal nodded, "but I had to talk with you. Cassandra, listen, don't blame Sarim, okay? You or your Yeerk."
After a moment's thought, the request made more sense than it seemed to at first; at least in part, Tal was afraid she would blame him, for being unable to save her somehow. "I won't," Cassandra promised. "Whatever happens, I bear no ill will toward your Yeerk or you, Tal. Riae doesn't either."
Tal managed a smile, though it trembled and faded quickly. "Thanks," he whispered. "One--one other thing. I know you probably haven't had a chance to pass on your stories and poems and all, and I don't know all of them, but I'll remember those I've heard for you, and continue them, if I can."
For the second time in as many minutes, Cassandra was stunned speechless. The offer to remember a Storyteller's works meant accepting the possibility of dying for the stories, and the Storyteller. It was the next closest thing to actually becoming a Storyteller. Events Tal knew nothing of had made the offer unnecessary, but it touched Cassandra deeply. She was certain Tal meant it with all his heart.
Wordlessly, Cassandra embraced her friend. "Thank you," she told him. "It means a great deal to me."
Tal's eyes brimmed with tears. He dashed them away, tried another smile that didn't quite hold. "I know. Thank you for not blaming us. Most would."
"Well, it isn't really anyone's fault, is it? There's something wrong with the whole system."
The songwriter hummed a snatch of a song, Cassandra's own Council-tune. It brought a smile to her face. "That, too. Good luck, Tal, in whatever you do. And Sarim--treat him well."
That subtle change again, in reverse, and once again Visser Five looked through his host's eyes. He seemed oddly shaken. "I will, Cassandra," he said, something close to respect in his voice.
