Chapter 2
Same disclaimer applies. And this Chapter is dedicated to Rasberry Girl
"Alive," Cassie mouthed to herself. She laid her head down in the government van that was arranged to transport Ronnie, Rae, and herself to the military base near Sacramento where the Crew of The Rachel was being held.
The military men told her everything. When Jake took The Rachel out to Kelbrid Space, he thought that no one knew about his whereabouts. However, he visited General Doubleday and swore him to secrecy. General Doubleday passed away about 1 year ago and revealed where Jake and his crew had disappeared. The government immediately sent a ship to follow The Rachel to Kelbrid Space, and found the crew-
"MOM-MOM!" "POP-POP!" Rae screamed, interrupting Cassie's thoughts. She was getting a little restless in her car seat.
"No honey, Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop live the other way. We're going to the Capital. Can you say Cap-it-al?"
"APTAL!" Rae screamed. Then she contented herself with a Cabbage Patch Kid doll Cassie packed for the long trip.
"Good enough." She reached for Ronnie's hand. She was scared. He grabbed and squeezed her hand in his. He then kissed her cheek.
"Don't worry baby. Everything will be fine. I KNOW it."
Yeah Ron, I hope so.
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The van pulled into the base. As soon as everyone was cleared by security, they were taken to the base hospital. Cassie was confused.
"Excuse me," her soft voice managed to say, "Why are we going to the hospital?"
"That's where they're being held, ma'am."
"Oh,"
The van pulled up to the hospital entrance. They were immediately escorted up to the floor where the rest of the Animorphs were held. Cassie thought she recognized a short dark man sitting in a chair near the nurses' station....
"MARCO!"
Upon hearing his name, Marco got up from the chair he was sitting in and ran towards Cassie's direction. Marco was surprised to see Cassie, Ronnie and...a kid?
Why'd she have to bring HIM here? Doesn't she know?
"Marco! I never thought I'd see you again!" She almost suffocated him with her hug.
"Hey, hey, not too tightly..." he tried to joke.
"Where's everyone else? Where's Jake?" She asked.
Marco's face instantly changed from one of joy to sadness.
"Ax, thank God, is alive and well, he's en route to the Pentagon, Tobias is being looked after by the vets...further down the base...Menderash is being questioned...somewhere...Santorelli and Jeanne are downstairs too-"
"Where's Jake?" Cassie repeated, more impatiently this time.
"Cassie, you know, we're in the Intensive Care Unit-"
"Um, maybe I should get some coffee," Ronnie broke through the mood. "Do you want me to take Rae?"
"No Ron, I'll hold her." Cassie was gripping her child very tightly.
"OK," He touched Cassie's cheek and left.
It was then that Marco noticed the light brown curls springing from Rae's head. The caramel complexion . The freckles, and those eyes...
"Jake's not in good shape Cassie. Everyone's amazed that he's survived this long..."
"Tell me everything, Marco. Everything."