When the group got to the park, they found that Erek had not lied to them about the security. There were human Controllers standing all around the gates, all dressed in security uniforms with guns and the works. The 6 owls flew over to a tree that was inside of the park. Getting in was easy. The hard part was demorphing, getting into battle morphs, finding the Yeerk pool, and destroying it. Oh, yeah, and getting back out alive.

Think they see us? Rachel wondered.

If they do, they'll know that we aren't just owls, Cassie replied. There's 6 of us, for one thing. And owls don't just hang out together in the same tree. Not to mention the fact that they don't wanna take chances, and will probably assume that every animal is a suspect.

You're positivity is overwhelming, Marco muttered.

Then we split up, Jake said. Someone stay here, the rest of us find our own trees. But stay close enough so we can communicate. We need to find out how to get in there.

At that, Marco volunteered to stay and the rest flew off a little ways so that they wouldn't look suspicious.

Everyone within range? Jake asked.

I hear you, Rachel said. Barely.

Me, too, Tobias agreed. One by one, the Animorphs all told Jake where they were and that they could hear him. Then they got down to business.

I don't suppose we could just fly in the house, Marco suggested.

Fat chance. The doors are closed, probably locked, there's probably security there, too, and it's hard to fly inside of buildings, Rachel replied. New plan?

Find somewhere to remorph flies or something to get in, Tobias wondered aloud.

Hmm… maybe, Jake said. But where? Controllers are all over the place.

I think they're doing that for a reason, Marco pointed out. Can't say I blame 'em.

Prince Jake? I see an area that we might be able to use, Ax reported. It is not too far from where I am, and I believe we should have enough space to morph without being noticed, especially noting the darkness and the limit to the human Controllers' sight.

Where are you, Ax?

Well, there is a very tall, large wheel nearby, with supports all coming in to the center, and small benches attached to it.

Ferris Wheel? Cassie guessed.

Most likely, Rachel agreed. I can see that from here, but it's not too terribly close to me.

Ax, are there more trees by you? Jake asked.

Yes, there are a few.

OK. Everyone fly at the Ferris Wheel and find a different tree each to land on. That way we can see what Ax is talking about. Everyone did as he said, and once they arrived they began looking for the spot Ax pointed out.

Oh, I see it, Cassie said. Kinda by Jake?

Which one of us is Jake? Marco wondered.

Jake is 2 to the right of you, Rachel told Marco. Eh… sort of.

Oh, I think I see him. Hi, Jake!

Hi, Marco.

How are you?

Just fine, thanks. Anyway, what about that guy over there? He'll make me kinda nervous.

The guy that's, like, directly in front of you a little bit? Rachel asked.

That's the one.

Don't worry about him. Morphing won't take us too long. We only need him to turn his back and we're good. Besides… it's dark out. He won't see a thing.

I don't know about this…

OK, Marco usually gets bad feelings about missions, Rachel began. But when Jake starts to worry, you know something isn't right.

What are you saying, Xena? That you think we should all go back to bed? Marco asked in a challenging voice.

What are you saying? That you don't?

I agree with Rachel, Cassie cut in. Maybe this isn't such a good idea.

Fine, we look for another place, Tobias said. It's no big deal. Let's move out and try to find somewhere else.

I think that's a good idea, Jake agreed. With that, he flew away. Meet back here in 5 minutes, or as close to that as you can, he informed them as he flew. Look for an open space.

The Animorphs took off, and in near 5 minutes they all met back at the place they'd originally been.

Anyone have any luck? Jake asked. One by one, everyone said no. Fine, then. Looks like we don't have much choice. We can go back, or we can take our chances right down there. All in favor of going home?

I am, Marco said. Let's sleep.

It isn't worth risking getting caught, Tobias said slowly. Maybe we should turn around.

We risk getting caught every time we do a mission, Rachel argued. Let's do it.

I think we're better off safe than sorry, Cassie said quietly. Maybe… maybe Tobias and Marco are right.

Ax? Jake asked.

I follow you, Prince Jake.

Jake wanted to sigh, but it was impossible for the owl. Whenever he wasn't sure what to do, he opened it up to the rest of them so that maybe he wouldn't have to choose, but it seemed like he always made the final call, anyway.

Well… I don't know, I have a bad feeling about that controller, Jake admitted. Maybe… OK, if we did go home, what would we do about tomorrow? We can't forget about it.

We could blow up the school, Marco suggested. Then they'd prob'ly cancel the trip.

Get real.

No, seriously now, Marco said, taking on a more serious tone as well. What if we send an anonymous e-mail and route it through some other country so they don't know who sent it, and include a bomb threat? They wouldn't risk bringing people to the school, then.

We can't do that, Cassie said. We'd get everyone all worried about bombs and such.

Yeah, and if we're lucky, they'll even call off school on Monday.

I don't know about that… Jake replied.

What if we sign it as Andalites? Rachel asked. Then the Controllers would cover it up and say something else happened, not necessarily a bomb threat, and then they wouldn't worry people and we wouldn't go on the trip?

That could work, Tobias commented.

But then we still have to worry about the rest of the people coming to the fair tomorrow, Jake replied. No, I don't think this'll work.

What if we don't threaten the school, but the fair? Marco asked. They'd close it, at least for the day. If nothing else, it buys us time.

Time for what? Tobias returned. If we can't get in, we can't get in. It doesn't matter how much time we have.

I know! Cassie said suddenly. Why did TA not have school last week?

Um… spring break? Marco guessed.

No, the plumbing was out. All we need to do is find a pipe and break it, and the fair's out for the day. We don't even have to worry about threats or anything. And they won't even know it was us.

That's a good idea, Jake said. But how would we do it?

Taxxon to get down there, and Ax's tail blade will be more than enough to cut through the pipe.

Tobias shivered. I didn't like that Taxxon morph so much.

We may have to use it, Jake replied. Sorry, Tobias, but this is sounding like the best option. Unless anyone else has a suggestion? It was quiet. All right, then, let's fly out of here. How are we going to locate the pipes.

Eh… that shouldn't be too hard, Marco replied. I have an idea. But will this take long?

I hope not.

Good.

Rachel got out of her tree and started to lead them away. C'mon, you guys! Let's do it!