Nothing for them to concern themselves with. Except that one of the Gedd-Controllers wasn't going to simply let an arrogant pair of Taxxon-Controllers pass by without a challenge.

"What rrrr arrrre you two rrrr-doing?"

Elfangor and Arbron both came to a rather abrupt halt.

I can handle this, Arbron said, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Elfangor wondered how Arbron would manage to tell whatever lie he had come up with using a Taxxon's three-foot tongue. Arbron was wondering pretty much the same thing, but he was committed now, he knew that he had to somehow get them both out of this mess and into the Skrit Na ship.

"Sssrreeeee sssnnuuurr ssstwweeeesshh sssnnnnaaaa."

Neither Arbron nor Elfangor had any idea what the former had just said, but Arbron had a feeling that it wasn't what he'd needed to say. Fortunately for both the Andalites, the Gedd hadn't the slightest idea what Arbron had said either.

"Rrrr, use the rrrpad!"

Arbron looked down at what the Gedd was holding out to him, it looked like a primitive miniature computer. Arbron wondered what significance that particular device held, but from the way that the Gedd was waving it around, it was probably important somehow.

Arbron picked up the pad with his Taxxon claws, wondering what to do with the device. He then noticed the makeup of the computer was similar to diagrams of primitive translation devices that he had studied in Technological History class. So that's what it is, Arbron thought. It's some primitive Yeerk version of our own translator chips.

Now that he knew that, the only remaining problem for Arbron was how to get this translation device to say what he needed it to. Looking at the array of buttons through his shattered, blurry Taxxon vision, Arbron hoped that his hesitation would be attributed to the difficulty of recognizing objects with Taxxon eyes.

Arbron finally figured out how to utilize the translation device that he had been given. Typing what he wanted to say on the keypad, Arbron hit the "transmit" button.

"Computer repair," said the toneless voice of the translator.

The Gedd-Controller nodded curtly, begrudgingly pointing them in the direction of the entrance. Once Elfangor and Arbron had both passed out of range of the Gedd's scent, they were both able to relax, at least somewhat. They were soon safely aboard the Skrit Na starship.

The door sealed securely behind them, shutting out the sounds and scents of the Yeerk spaceport. Now, all that remained was for them to fly the craft out of Yeerk space.

Yes, all that we have to do is fly a rather conspicuous captured Skrit Na freighter out of a heavily guarded Yeerk spaceport, which just happens to be deep within enemy territory. That shouldn't be a problem. Elfangor thought sarcastically, careful not to project his thoughts aloud.

Right now, though, all that Elfangor really wanted to do was shed the vile Taxxon form he was currently inhabiting. He was certain that Arbron wanted to do the same, it was probably only the fact that neither Andalite knew how they would escape their present situation that kept Arbron from doing so. Elfangor started his own demorph, addressing Arbron even as he did so.

I am going to demorph now, Arbron. I think it would be best if you did so as well.

Arbron didn't answer.

You can not possibly be enjoying that Taxxon body, Elfangor said matter-of-factly.

Arbron continued to remain silent, working the controls of the Skrit Na ship. Elfangor felt a shudder run through the floor as the ship's engines started powering up. Outside, the Gedds were running for their lives as they heard the thrum of the thrusters behind them, they knew that the blast of heat and radiation would kill them if the were anywhere near it.

Back on the ship, Elfangor was starting to get a little impatient with Arbron's complete lack of response. Once his demorph was finished, Elfangor trotted over to where Arbron was standing, still in his Taxxon morph, at the controls of the ship.

Arbron, you really should demorph now. It has been one hour and forty minutes.

Nothing, not even the slightest hint that Arbron had heard him. Annoyed, Elfangor kicked the base of the control console.

Will you listen to me for once in your life?! You need to demorph right now!

All the anger blew out of Elfangor in a rush, as Arbron turned to stare at him with those empty Taxxon eyes.

Please Arbron, you're the only other Andalite that I can talk to here. I don't want you to end up a nothlit.

Arbron's seemed to bow his 'head' then, setting the autopilot before turning to face his sometimes-friend. Arbron's feelings at the moment were anything but simple, he was confused that Elfangor had actually been worried about his wellbeing. He and Elfangor had never seen eye-to-eye on anything before. I guess it's true that fellow warriors can become family under the worst circumstances. Arbron wondered how Elfangor would react to what he was about to tell him.

Arbron, please? Elfangor repeated, sounding somehow even more desperate then he had the last time.

You don't know how much I want to right now, Elfangor blinked hard with both sets of eyes, too shocked to formulate a reply just then. I'm sorry I didn't tell you this sooner.

Elfangor's stalk-eyes drooped, his head bowing a couple seconds later as the truth hit him full force. He shook it off, knowing that there was no time for anything but their self-imposed mission. But, when he looked into Arbron's Taxxon eyes, he felt a shiver run the length of his spine as he remembered the awful and all-consuming hunger of the morph. To have to spend the rest of your life like that was a horror that Elfangor found nearly incomprehensible. The Skrit banging into his left flank broke him out of his grim musings, and he watched as Arbron's Taxxon claws flew over the console.

Elfangor had to admit that Taxxons were at least useful for something, but to spend the rest of your life as one of those creatures…? Elfangor shook those thoughts out of his mind, concentrating on what would probably happen.