Aximili's Headache
The Hork-Bajir kept Aximili under careful watch until Jake and the others returned. By then, Toby had organized the relocation of the entire camp – something that had taken a lot less time than guessed after she had made clear to the parents that either they came along, or they stayed where they were – alone. Especially Rachel's mother had tried to turn it into a debate, only to find that the only Hork-Bajir intelligent enough to even attempt countering her arguments did so by flatly refusing to even listen in the first place, with the excuse "there is no time".
Aximili followed silently when and where they told him to go, his few belongings and the Kandronas packed down in packs that were strapped to his back.
When the Animorphs dropped out of the sky in their various bird morphs, the usual party of worried and annoyed parents came to meet them, and comments about "where have you been?", "why didn't you tell us?", and "I'm still your parent and I demand to know –" raining over them even before they began demorphing. Jake slipped away from them easily, even though Rachel's mother tried to play the part of his parents. He saw Aximili watching them from a distance and motioned for the Andalite to follow him.
Aximili did. So did the two Hork-Bajir who had been his shadows throughout the day. Jake finally stopped, and sank down by a tree, more or less out of sight and way from the busy, half-built camp, and watched the Andalite with an evaluating look in his eyes.
Aximili was aware of how he drew himself up to stand at attention, his face expressionless, under his Prince's gaze. His stalks noted that the Hork-Bajir had climbed up into a tree to perch on a branch, just above him
"Any confessions, Ax?" Jake wondered finally.
Aximili at once thought of that strange shortage of cinnabons that once had struck the mall and was his fault, the phone call he'd made home back at the very start of his stay with the Animorphs, his cheating on a test in order to pass a course he had been failing in school, and how he'd once broken his father's hologram-emitter and been too ashamed to confess, blaming it on Elfangor – despite the fact that Elfangor had not been home for months.
Yes, there was plenty to confess. But none of it of any relevance.
Then he was reminded of Issetha.
Nothing you don't already know of, my Prince, he said softly. Touching a hand to his forehead, he added; My… Yeerk. Issetha.
"Is she trustworthy?" Jake asked.
Aximili replied with more ferocity than intended; If I did not think so, would I have allowed her to stay?
"You might not have had much to say about it." Jake made a face. "Honestly, Ax, I don't know what to make of this. With Aftran and Cassie, well… you know Cassie. It wasn't that hard to see how and why she did what she did then. But you…"
I know it is… slightly out of character, Aximili admitted stiffly. Issetha, in his head, laughed merrily at that.
"Out of character?!" Jake repeated, but suddenly he was grinning. "Ax, that was the understatement of the century! I'd have expected to see the Drode and Crayak holding cancan classes in little pink dresses before seeing you carry a Yeerk, even a Peace Movement one, without first cutting your own throat."
True, Aximili agreed, working hard to keep his face straight. It was hard to do with Issetha giggling uncontrollably in his head at the image of Crayak in a little pink dress.
Jake shook his head, worried. "Maybe you should give me the full story, here, in case there's something I've missed. Don't leave anything out."
Yes, Prince Jake, Aximili agreed, preparing to begin.
"Oh, and Ax-man? Would you mind terribly if I asked you to take out the Yeerk while you're speaking? So I know who I'm talking to."
Aximili didn't even need to ask Issetha. She sighed mentally, and said; You see? It's me they don't trust. Just do me a favour and don't hand me over to anyone.
Certainly not, Aximili told her, and then raised a hand to catch her as he felt her leave his head.
Jake nodded, looking relieved that there was no protest. "Just a precaution."
Of course, my Prince, Aximili said, his voice carefully levelled. Cradling Issetha gently in his hands, held against him for warmth, he began telling his Prince the complete story of how he had been captured, infested and how events had progressed from there on.
When Aximili was finished, rounding off about where the Kandronas had been discovered, Jake was silent for some time. His gaze was fixed on Issetha, waiting in Ax's hands, but his eyes were glazed over like on someone lost in thought.
Prince Jake?
Jake shook himself, raising his head towards the Andalite's face as he got to his feet. "Yes?"
If you require nothing further for the moment, may I return Issetha to… my head, or shall I place her in water? If my memory serves me, Yeerks should not be allowed to turn dry.
Jake sighed. "Put her back in your head, Ax, if it makes you happy."
But he turned away after that, as if not willing to watch. Aximili lifted Issetha to his ear and stifled a shudder as she began crawling in. He was still not used to it – was still sickened by it.
I almost thought you'd forgotten me, joked the Yeerk.
That would be very hard to do, Aximili said truthfully.
Jake swivelled around again, peering at Aximili. "Ax? Could you let Issetha through? I want to ask her a few things."
Aximili felt the thought-speech centre of his brain slip beyond his control. The shock of losing it first made him grasp desperately after it, but then he calmed down and realised that it would probably be returned when his Yeerk no longer needed it.
Issetha speaking, he heard his voice say to his Prince.
Jake nodded. "Who are you? Exactly?"
I am Issetha 948, of the Kin Dara pool.
"Rank?"
Below anything worth mentioning, Issetha replied. Civilian, more or less. And too young to be taken seriously even as that.
"How did you manage to find out about Ax's capture in time to push that…" he sent her a questioning glance.
Sub-Visser Fifteen, she offered.
Jake nodded. "Yes. How did you find out about Ax in time to hinder Sub-Visser Fifteen from infesting?"
Yeerks in a pool carry messages palp to palp. A member of the Peace Movement found out about it when they were trying to find the Sub-Visser, and he quickly spread the word to the rest of us. I happened to be close enough to try to stop it. This was the only way I could think of.
Again, Jake nodded. "Lucky you did, I suppose, and for that you've got my thanks."
Not necessary, Issetha mumbled, and Aximili was very happy she only held his thought-speech – if she'd held control of his face, she might have made him blush, which would have been terribly embarrassing since it was a type of behaviour far beneath an aristh.
"One more question." Jake crossed his arms over his chest. "If you're on our side, why didn't you allow Ax to kill the Visser?"
Issetha hesitated at that. Aximili felt her worry, and felt his own grow to match hers. Of course his Prince would ask that question. Of course. He had wondered himself – worried – but then, over the last day or so, forgotten to think about it.
Fortunately, his Yeerk found a reply to give. I am not a killer, she said. And cold-blooded murder makes me sick.
"You had nothing to do with it. It was Ax's decision."
So claimed Aximili, Issetha told him. But as I said, I'm not a warrior, I'm part of the Peace Movement, and I don't want anything to do with killing. And also… well, the Visser is… a relative.
A relative? Aximili shrilled silently at her, almost accusing. And you didn't tell me?
You didn't need to know, Issetha said evasively.
But –
Aximili, please – could we discuss this later?
Aximili forced himself calm and turned his attention back outwards. Jake's eyes hade gone slightly wide before he got over his surprise. Then the expression quickly turned to badly concealed suspicion – or perhaps he didn't even try. "A relative?"
Issetha made Aximili nod, slowly. One of my parents was his sister.
"Ax, did you know?"
He didn't, Issetha admitted. He is a bit upset.
I am not upset! Aximili complained in his head, annoyed that he couldn't tell his Prince that.
But he claims he isn't, Issetha told Jake.
Jake nodded once again. Aximili's stalks noted that his fists were clenching and unclenching at his sides. "So for that you didn't want to kill the Visser?"
Yeerks take their families seriously, the Yeerk explained. And I don't like killing.
"So instead you let our main enemy and the target we've practically been after since this all started slip away?" Jake roared, suddenly red in the face with anger. "Do you know what a golden opportunity that was? Who are you to make that decision?!"
Issetha cringed back, letting go of thought-speech.
You're frightening her, Aximili said softly, he himself refusing to be intimidated.
"I don't give half a rat's ass if I'm frightening her," Jake growled. "Get her back. I'm not done yet. Issetha? I know you're still in there. You have some explaining to do. If you don't, I am going to have you starved, and I don't care what Ax thinks about it. Do you hear me?!"
Yes, Issetha replied timidly.
"Good. Then explain. Because if that's the only reasons you have for letting the Visser live, then…" He let the sentence hang, unfinished and menacing.
Issetha spoke slowly. I didn't think about it at the time, but afterwards I realised… if the Visser died, someone would have to replace him, right?
"Obviously," Jake huffed.
I know who, and if he got his hands on Earth, I think you'd have a problem, the Yeerk continued, now with more certainty. His name is Lathud 149, and he's a Visser, very ruthless, who's been rising in ranks quickly the latest year. He's got favour with the Council. And he's dangerous – worse than Esplin… Visser One, that is. Lathud's more intelligent than Esplin is, more calculating. If he took over Earth, you could forget outsmarting him the way you've done with Esplin.
Jake glared at her – more properly, at her host. "Ax? Is that true?"
He can't know that, now can he? Issetha muttered.
Jake uttered a colourful line of words that should probably not be repeated. He thought for a few moments. Then glared up at Ax. "I'm still not sure what to do about this. But I'm sure of one thing – Issetha is your responsibility, Ax. She decides to switch sides, and it's on your conscience. And I am going to have you watched, just to be safe."
Yes, Prince Jake, Aximili replied, hiding his dismay at the last statement.
Jake continued. "But you need to be absolutely clear on one thing; if she betrays you, and we need her out of the way, we might have to take you down too. If it comes to that, we will. It's at your own risk. Understood?"
Yes, Prince Jake, Aximili said lowly. Then added; But she won't betray us.
"And how do you know that?" his Prince questioned.
Aximili shrugged. I just know.
Jake simply nodded, and then left.
Thank you for believing in me, a soft voice in Aximili's head whispered.
No matter, Aximili replied, sadly watching his Prince leave. But it seems I'm the only one.
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Author's Note;
See? There was a Crayak in a little pink dress. Ha!
Ah, well. More next time. Whenever that'll be. I seem to be stuck at the beginning of that chapter. *insert growl of frustration here*