Aximili's Headache

Into this furnace I ask you now to venture

You whom I cannot betray

From Leonard Cohen's "The Old Revolution"

Captain-Prince Asculan-Semitur-Langor barely acknowledged Aximili's presence, and that suited the young Andalite just fine. Aximili greeted them stiffly, playing the part of a warrior – however he tried, he could no longer make himself feel like an aristh – sent to perform a dreary task. "Play the part," Marco had told Jake, and Issetha had extended that to mean Aximili, too. Play the part of the bored warrior.

But of course, Captain Asculan was too busy looking down his nose to notice the effort. In response to Aximili's formal greeting, he only swept a glaring stalk past the aristh. One of his junior officers motioned for Aximili to move ahead, and he led them back up to the bridge, trying to keep his stalks from spinning back to make sure they were at a safe distance.

Despite his resolves to face the Andalites, he still had a nervous tingle in his legs that made him want to run.

Reaching the Pool ship's bridge, the Andalites spread out to make sure the area was safe, looking as if they had done the exact same thing at least twice a day for the past fourteen years, and Aximili moved up to Jake and performed a ceremonial bow.

Asculan did not even raise his eyebrows at the sight of the young human leader. He was planning to have the first word – and later, of course, the last – but Jake was faster. "Captain, thanks for coming over. As soon as we can settle some details, I'll be glad to turn this ship over to you."

Asculan's expression did not shift. But his thought-voice was like bricks slowly being grinded to dust; Details?

From there it grew worse. Asculan flatly denied Jake's demands and requests. On the issue of the morphing cube, he was especially adamant. Issetha was muttering lowly in the back of Aximili's head, an annoyed echo of his own more and more concerned thoughts.

Something needs to be done, Issetha said finally, seeing, through Aximili's eyes, the layer of doubt and hopelessness that quickly and securely descended over the Animorphs.

Aximili only vaguely heard her comment, listening to Asculan's drawl; Now you're proposing the technology be made freely available to the entire Yeerk species? You can't be serious. This will never happen. No Yeerk, no Taxxon will ever be given the morphing technology. Am I clear?

A long, heavy silence followed. Aximili could almost hear Asculan's scornful sneer growing broader. The older Andalite's contempt for the humans, for the Animorphs, was growing with it.

Do something, Issetha urged.

Aximili did. His thoughts rushed along their own paths, and he barely realised where they led him before he had spoken and it was too late; Captain-Prince Asculan, I hereby declared a challenge.

Silence. Then, the Captain-Prince laughed, all his scorn coming out in that laughter, enough to make most people flinch. Aristh, you are not in a position to declare a challenge. You would have to be of princely rank or have the support of an Andalite of princely rank.

Aximili silently cursed his haste in speaking up. Even if he had been of princely rank, he should have thought it through more carefully. For him, a lot was at risk as it was; he had no need for more.

A little more won't hurt, on the other hand, Issetha whispered comfortingly…

…just as Alloran spoke; I hold that rank.

The grizzled old War Prince took one step forward, sending no more than a quick look at Aximili, but Aximili was ready to sigh with relief. Alloran's support had not been expected – but it was definitely welcome. Although Aximili grew worried again as the silence stretched out to a dangerous extent after Alloran's words.

Alloran, said Asculan finally, warning obvious in his voice, you are under suspicion already for your actions on the Hork-Bajir world, I wouldn't –

What I did on the Hork-Bajir world was precisely what you and the Fleet were preparing to do to this world, Alloran replied sharply.

Asculan steeled himself. I was under orders. You acted alone.

I still retain my rank, Alloran said with finality. I am a War Prince. This aristh has declared a challenge and I support his challenge. The requirements of the law are satisfied.

More thick, dangerous silence, as wheels turned in Asculan's head and his tail twitched behind him in fury.

Marco broke the silence by wondering what a challenge was. Issetha used Aximili's voice to tell him. Aximili himself was holding his breath, not daring to either breathe or speak, until he heard Asculan say; I will confer with my officers.

As the Andalite led his officers and soldiers away, Aximili realised that this was nothing to be relieved over, and at once the nervousness returned. The nervousness – the fear. How could he be fool enough to declare a challenge?

At a time like that, too?

The last thing he needed was to draw any form of attention to himself. And if he was exiled, they would hold him for a few months at least before the sentence was carried out. How would he explain that the dust from a Kandrona-starved Yeerk had, after three days, found its way into his cell?

Then, simple exile and losing his tail-blade would be a hope, not a fear.

In that turmoil of nervous fear Issetha was again the only stable point. She wrapped up her host's mind in soothing thoughts and hushed softly, letting him cling to her presence, as he had come to do more and more often lately. Listening to the wordless comfort of his Yeerk, Aximili could forget the outside world.

A tail-blade cracking like a whip woke him up with a start, almost making him flinch. When he saw that it was only Alloran, happy to be in control of himself again, he let out a sigh of relief and raised his tail-blade to touch it against the older Andalite's. Welcome back, War-Prince Alloran, he said.

Alloran only smiled.

One of Captain Asculan's junior officer arrived on the bridge about then, trotting right up to Aximili and inclining his stalks just the slightest. Captain Asculan issues the following orders: Four morphing cubes will be made available to aristh Aximili to use as he sees fit. Aristh Aximili is hereby elevated to the rank of Prince. Prince Aximili is appointed the liaison between the Andalite Fleet and the people of Earth.

Aximili had sighed with relief too often by then to do it once more. Instead, he straightened, and replied; Thank the Captain for me. I will carry out my duties to the best of my ability. My challenge is hereby withdrawn.

Still on the bridge of the Blade ship, before they visited Washington to announce anything to the world, Jake quietly gathered the remaining Animorphs, and Toby, around him. Alloran had left, heading off to Captain Asculan's ship for a chance to call his wife.

"We all know Andalites," Jake said in a low voice, looking straight at Aximili as he spoke, and then looking away. "Of course, we can tell them most things about this war. They'll be upset about some, but we'll have to live with that. Other things, however…" he nodded towards Aximili "…for his sake… we better not even mention."

It was clear what he was referring to. Issetha.

Cassie nodded silent agreement, and so did Toby, as Jake looked at them in turn. Tobias glared fiercely at the Animorph leader, back in his hawk form, but then glanced at his Andalite uncle. I'll say nothing, he gritted in private thought-speech. He had not spoken at all for a long time, but no-one was surprised at his tone. Not if it could get Ax in trouble.

"Another secret?" sighed Marco. Then shrugged. "Of course, I'll be quiet."

Everyone expected to hear Rachel's dry snort of "for once", and Cassie shivered when it did not come. Marco grimaced, visibly uncomfortable.

 "You're in charge of your people, Toby, as usual… and we'll each have to warn the parents –" Jake began.

And who talks to Rachel's mom? demanded Tobias sharply.

"I will," said Cassie at once, before things could get hostile. The hawk turned his eternally fierce glare towards her, almost disappointed.

Jake nodded. "Anyone else who knows?" he asked Aximili.

One more, Aximili said lowly, thinking of Othil and his host. No… two. But they will be silent. Issetha reminded him of one more thing, and he added, voice barely more than a whisper… And of course, the Visser, and War-Prince Alloran.

"The Visser we can't do much about," Marco muttered, frowning.

"And I don't think we need to worry about Alloran," Cassie said, and as usual everyone trusted her judgement. Even Aximili and Issetha. "He knows the Andalites… as well or better than us. He's also grateful to us for helping him free. He's smart enough to know that speaking up would put Ax in trouble. He'll be quiet – leave it to us."

Jake nodded again, relief flickering over his face. "Well then. Now that that's settled, we've still got some things to do…"

It was a long day. The world had hundreds of questions for the Animorphs, and hundreds of pictures needed to be taken of Aximili.

There isn't a newspaper on this planet that won't carry your face tomorrow, leefachir, Issetha snickered wearily.

But the day eventually ended, and Aximili parked his new ship in the valley, staying there during the night. It was empty, deserted, as the others had other places to sleep that night and the Hork-Bajir had moved deeper into the mountains, since Toby wanted to keep them away from curious people who would surely be looking for them as soon as they learned of their existence.

The Kandronas were the main reason he had come. He also took some of Michelle and Walter's veterinary equipment, that he had been stealing over the last week or so and hidden away. He stashed all of the things in his new ship – he was very worried that someone might find it, but knew he needed the things within easy reach. In a nerve-wrecking moment he had plundered a few more spare Kandrona disks from the Pool ship, flinching at the slightest sound, believing it was an Andalite officer come to wonder why in a dark sun he was stealing Kandronas. Those, too, had been carefully hidden in his new fast-courier.

He built up a small pool of force fields on a counter on the tiny bridge of his ship, and Issetha left his head to swim. There was a new strategy to be tried, a new method of keeping her with Kandrona, but it was best if she had a good swim before that. Aximili spent the time grazing close by his ship, restlessly pacing back and forth.

His mother would have scolded him for 'rushing his food'.

Strange. He had not thought of his mother for very long.

Aximili's life in the following months was spent postponing his return home.

First, he had a good excuse; he had to personally oversee several hundred Yeerks who had to turn nothlit. By record, not personally, but the Andalite Fleet were shuffling their hooves, tail-blades twitching at the mere mention of the entire affair, and made sure they were of absolutely no help at all. And although human police and military units agreed to help, the Andalites shuffled their hooves and twitched their tails even more when things were not in Andalite hands. So he basically had to oversee it himself.

He had, however, managed to transfer the responsibility of the Taxxons to humans. Andalite civilian reports showed a great support for that idea – those poor, poor Taxxons – and the Fleet lessened their grumbling on the matter after they had grown used to it, so all Aximili had to do was drop in once in a while to see how things were going, and that no-one had stolen the two escafil devices trusted into human hands.

That would not have made him especially popular.

And once he ran out of Yeerks and Taxxons, and had all four escafil devices back in his own Andalite hands, there were infinite matters of humans wanting to get in contact with Andalites. The UN, NATO, EU, Red Cross, and endless other organisations – and of course every single astronaut or cosmonaut or rocket scientist or space station or aliens-are-coming-society on Earth wanted to thoroughly question anything with blue fur, stalks, and a tail.

Aximili easily had his hands full. Having Issetha around helped drastically; that way, he truly could think of – or do – two things at once.

Once the storm of world leaders and billionaires wanting official visits from Andalite officials had lessened, it was drowned in a slowly but surely growing storm of companies who had realised what they could gain from some hints of Andalite technology.

And the Andalites, in return, wanted tourism. They heard of Earth's wide supply of life forms, and wanted to see it. They wanted to taste cinnabons. They wanted to see for themselves if humans truly only had two legs – and no tail.

The immediate effect of that was a growing demand of bakeries on the Andalite Home World. Some retired big-time officer from Apex Level actually filed a personal demand for a sushi restaurant near his scoop.

Fortunately, there were plenty of humans who could cook, and who wouldn't mind moving to another planet for a while. All expenses paid, even. They were eager to go.

Still, there was more to do. Aximili rushed about the planet in his small – but fortunately, very fast – liaison ship, to talk to diplomats and officials and company spokespersons and even extremely rich civilians about things that at times made his head spin. And at other times, he felt like morphing human for a chance to have a lower jaw to drop, or teeth to grit.

And every single tourist who arrived from the Home World wanted a personal interview with the human-expert. So far, they were all very rich, or very important, and they all had a personal problem with the word "no". Aximili wanted to grit his teeth about that, too.

Things calmed down about seven months after the Yeerks had been defeated. By then, he was no longer the only Andalite liaison or diplomat present on Earth, and some of his tasks had been taken over by others, who had more experience with diplomacy.

Most were very arrogant when they arrived. Once humanity had bribed them with cookies a few times, they began realising that the job was not as easy as they had thought, and – astonishingly enough – humans were not as dumb as they looked. The diplomats were known on the Home World for striking hard bargains – that's why they had been chosen for the job. But those bargains were often softened by the use of several small delicacies in large amounts.

They'll learn, Issetha had murmured, as Aximili had begun doubting the wisdom of leaving the poor diplomats with humans. And, amazingly, they did.

Enough that, finally, after nine months, he could no longer postpone his trip home. He knew it. He loitered about Earth, hoping to find some excuse to stay longer, but there was nothing for him to do, and his parents longed for him, and his superiors were starting to wonder why he was not eager on heading home to see them.

That was dangerous.

Marco arranged a going-away party. First, it was way over-the-top, with so many people there that Aximili thought half would have been enough to take on the Yeerks and Andalites in hand-to-hand combat. Several Andalites were present. In human morph. It was due to them that the four catering firms almost ran away screaming in frustration. Fortunately, some of the Andalites had at least some diplomatic skills even with their mouths full, and there was food on the tables till at least half past ten. For about ten minutes, the party went without anything to eat.

Then someone ordered large amounts of pizza, several assortments of Thai food, and some from Taco Bell, Burger King, and three local restaurants, all in a "give me all you've got"-manner, that made Aximili suspect that the guilty party had been yet another Andalite – although the bill ended up on Marco's table. He was glad he wouldn't be around to see when Marco realised what he had to pay for the feast.

Around two in the morning things calmed down, and at about four or five only the Animorphs remained. Marco, Jake, Cassie, and Aximili, doing nothing special in the vicinity of Marco's pool. There was some toasting – with water, which was about what was left – to old times. There were toasts to Rachel and Tobias and Jara Hamee and the auxiliary Animorphs, as well as to Alien Task Force One.

"I would offer some sort of snack," Marco said, studying his glass with a slightly annoyed expression, "but certain people have eaten everything even remotely edible in the entire house. And some non-edible things. Like several plates of my best china."

"Quit complaining, Marco," Cassie sighed. "At least you got rid of all those cigarette butts."

Marco gave a small nod and then a wry smile. "I just wish they could have waited until they were proper cigarette butts."

They learned quickly, Aximili commented. Not even a hungry Andalite will put something burning into his mouth twice. We are not Taxxons.

"No. But there are better solutions to the problem than dipping the cigarettes in my pool and then eating them."

"Didn't one dip one in someone's champagne?" Jake said with a small, empty smile, of that type he had been using lately. Issetha worried when he smiled like that. "Set it on fire."

Another thing they only did once, Aximili declared defensively.

For a moment there was silence. Marco watched his glass of water some more. Aximili took a few steps over the grass behind the chairs of the others; a last taste of Earth's grass.

Then again, he would be returning, someday. He hoped.

"How are you travelling home, Ax?" asked Cassie suddenly, and the Andalite looked up at her with his main eyes. "Are you taking your liaison ship all the way?"

Aximili shook his head. I am docking the ship with a Dome ship up in orbit – it will be left here for the other diplomats to use. I am travelling with that Dome ship back home. It will take about two weeks.

Cassie frowned. "Two weeks?"

Aximili nodded, turned, and then looked up at the sky. The sun was rising, turning the horizon red and gold. It was time to leave.

Jake stood up, seeing how Aximili glanced at his ship. "Time to go?"

Aximili nodded. I do not think they would appreciate if I arrived late.

"Probably not." The Animorph leader peered at the Andalite. "Take care of yourself, Ax-man," he said.

You too, Aximili replied, inclining his stalks in a bow. My Prince.

"I'm not a Prince," muttered Jake, darkness descending into his eyes. "And you're a Prince yourself, now."

Perhaps, said the Andalite, catching the human's gaze. But you are my Prince.

Jake almost smiled. The darkness flickered gone from his face for a moment, at least, and that was something. From behind Jake's back, Cassie gave a slight approving nod.

Marco put his glass down on the ground and got up as well. "Come on," he said. "We'll wave him off from the balcony." And to Aximili; "Keep in one piece, you hear me? And don't let the Andalites boss you about."

Of course.

Jake and Marco turned and headed for the house and the balcony. Aximili nodded once at Cassie, and turned and headed for his ship. His stalks were lazy again, and could not see much in the darkness, despite the red at the horizon.

But Cassie followed him discreetly into his craft, moving in such a way that he was barely aware of her presence before she spoke. "She's still alive, isn't she?"

Aximili's stalks spun back to find the Animorph standing in the open hatch.

Who?

She stepped closer, frowning. "Don't play dumb with me, Ax, I'm not an idiot. You know who."

The Andalite was quiet for a moment, understanding but not wanting to understand, before whispering; Issetha? Yes. Yes… she is still alive. Still with me.

Cassie eyed him, worried, before taking his hand and stretching up on her toes to gently kiss his cheek. "This can't end happily. But good luck, Ax, Issetha. And if you ever need help…"

Thank you, Aximili replied. For I do not think there will be anyone else we can turn to.

Cassie nodded sadly. "I'm here if I'm needed," she said, placing something in his hand and closing his fingers around it. "But there's little time, and you know there's really only one thing to do, Ax. You know." Then she turned and hurried away, out of the small craft, without even saying goodbye.

Aximili looked down at the escafil device in his hand, all four eyes fixated on it for a moment. It was one of those he had been given by the Andalites, to "use as he saw fit". It had been resting on the console next to him, with the other three. What Cassie meant by putting it in his hand was obvious – he had enough memories of Aftran's fate to understand. Cassie had even known that he would turn completely from the idea if it had been spoken, and had the wisdom of at least some discretion. Aximili was grateful to her for that, for this required thought.

So he thought. And, finally, he shuddered and wrenched his gaze away from the little blue cube. He placed it determinately back on the console and shook his head, fiercely.

No, he told his Yeerk. Never.

Issetha did not reply, but for once it was Aximili who read the Yeerk's mind.

I have not come this far only to give up! he snarled at her.

"I"? Issetha repeated, her tone echoing his harshness. It's been a long time since you were able to say "I". Her voice softened. But you can't have forgotten that I'm here, too, and as long as I am you're not alone. Therefore, it is not "you" that have come this far, but "we".

Aximili thought for a moment, and asked, slightly nervously; Then you will stay – stay with me?

We're still in this together, Aximili. I'll stay as long as you allow me.

Relief swept over the Andalite.

Besides, chuckled the Yeerk fondly, Where else would I go? Whatever Aftran thought, I don't like the idea of a lonely life. I had enough of that in the Pools. And I can't go back where I came from… first of all, there's not much left of my people to go back to. Secondly, by being of the Peace Movement, and by siding with you, I'm a traitor to my people.

As I am to mine, Aximili murmured sadly.

Issetha's touch on his mind was comforting. But I will ask one thing of you.

Name it, the Andalite said at once.

Let me touch that cube.

Aximili hesitated only a moment before agreeing.


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Author's Note;

Someone said in a review of the last chapter that "there's only a chapter or two left".

But that's not the case. For I'm not capable of keeping things short. *pats 312-page, unfinished KW Chrons document*

Thus, I'm very happy to announce, that there'll be at least four more chapters. That's a promise. And it might be more. First of all, it's the next chapter, with Aximili encountering first Estrid, and then his parents. Moreover, I'm saying nothing. Except that the "betrayed!" chapter is already finished, as well as a bunch of clips from here and there. Now I'll just have to head over and copy-paste the clips for the next chapter and add some text to link them together, and you'll have another chapter.