The Andalite Chronicles: In Loren's POV
(KA's timeline: approximately chapter 8)
A/N: Hey guys, I'm so sorry for not updating, the past few months have had points where it was basically hell in my life, especially around the point where I last updated for this story. Then, alas, I totally forgot about it until the other day. Woe is me! I promise to start again, updating at LEAST once a week, but probably more because it's summer and I've got more time on my hands. Well, you know the deal, tell me if ya like it/hate it, etc, but puh-lease, constructive criticism, no flaming. Thankees!
Chapter 6
After Alloran's initial talk with Elfangor and Arbron, he headed over to the control area and stayed there for the most part during the next few days. He brooded over there and became withdrawn, at least to us. Arbron wasn't exactly Mr. Party animal either, as he used the computer (though it looked less like our computers than imaginable, ours are huge and from I've heard, we used things like keyboards to enter information)
Since Chapman seemed determined to have as little contact as possible with me, I spent the days with Elfangor, the only being who didn't ignore me. We talked at length about each other's daily life on our planets. Elfangor seemed incredulous when I said that people didn't fall over that often, saying that without tails, it should've been that we had no balance.
"I guess we're just a bunch of gymnasts compared to you. Oh man, if only you could see our gymnasts at the Olympics!" I said.
Gymansts?
"They're people who can do all sorts of things, like acrobatics." Elfangor still seemed confused. "Well, I don't know, like cartwheels and things." Elfangor was still obviously confused. "Well, here, I can show you a cartwheel, it's one of the more basic things that gymnasts can do, though mind you, I'm not very good."
I stood up, took a deep breath, and did something that vaguely resembled a cartwheel. This is why baseball's my thing, NOT gymnastics, I thought.
Nevertheless, Elfangor looked extremely surprised. That's very impressive! Can all of you humans do that feat?
I laughed. "Elfangor, put it this way, I'm one of the worst people for doing this."
It seemed as though every little bit of movement I could do amused and amazed him. I mean, when Chapman and I first sat down on the ships floor, he started laughing, as though it was funny. Well, I guess when you think about it, our horses don't sit on the floor like we do either, and they're as close-looking to the Andalites as we have on Earth. Even just eating was strange for them. I guess they didn't belive Chapman when he said that we ate with out mouths, so when we asked for something to eat, they had to give us some sort of liquid rations.
These are used for Andalites who are to weak to walk. Eflangor explained.
I tried the liquid, and for being grass, it wasn't half bad. Better than the crap that they give us in the cafeteria, anyway.
As we neared Earth, I explained the major features to Elfangor. "The brown-and-green parts are land. The blue is ocean. Water. See the bright white at the bottom? That's ice. It's called Antarctica. It's very cold."
What sort of ice? Frozen carbron dioxide? Methane? asked Elfangor.
"Water. Just frozen water." Frozen methane? I laughed a little inside my head; if that were true, with all the global warming, we'd be dead by now!
Ah. Of course. That would make sense. And where do you live?
"Well, see that continent up there? The one on the upper left part of the planet? See where the line between night and day is? Almost right on that line." I bit my lip; I was starting to get pretty homesick. "My mom must be dying from worry. I've been gone for four days already." Don't cry Loren, you'll be there soon, I told myself. But I couldn't help it, my eyes started to water.
Yes, but soon you will be home. Then she won't worry anymore. Maybe she won't have to die.
Despite myself, I smiled. "That's just an expression. Do you have a mother at home? Does she worry about you?" I asked.
Elfangor seemed to hesitate, but then went on. I guess she does. My father doesn't, though. He was in the military, too, when he was young. Of course we had peace then. I guess maybe they do worry I'll get hurt or whatever.
Were all dads alike in that they just didn't care after they came back from the military? "We just had a war," I said. "That's . . . that's what happened to my dad. He was in it. He didn't get killed or anything. But he kind of . . . I don't know. After he came back I guess he couldn't cope with reality. So he left." I sighed at the painful memory. After he left, it was just mom and I and I'll never forget how different he was after he came back from the war. It was like a whole different person; gone were the smiles and the hugs that he had given me before he left, gone were the laughs and the jokes. I missed him so much.
You have wars? But you don't have space travel. Who do you fight?
Before I could answer, Chapman entered the room and answered. "We fight each other," he said, winking his eye. "So, Loren,, Daddy went nutso, huh? Another whacked-out 'Nam vet? I guess some guys can't take it."
That arrogant bastard! What did he know about going to war? He was still a minor! Before I could give him a piece of my mind, however, Alloran spoke.
Have you been in a wawr, human?
"Me? No. Of course not. That war's over," said Chapman, smirking. I wanted to punch him.
Then be quiet, fool. Those who have been to war understand. Those who have not have no opinion worth hearing. Alloran looked at me then. Even those who return from war may never really come home.
Chapman shrugged, but I could tell he was a bit unnerved by what Alloran said. Serves him right, the piece of crap. I found though, that my anger had somewhat subsided and realized that it probably wouldn't be a good thing if I decided to punch Chapman here and now. I sighed again.
Deciding to change the subject, I said, "Anyway . . . tell me this. When you erase my memory, I won't remember any of this? Not even you?" Elfangor looked away, looking guilty. "It's okay, I'm not mad at you. You're taking us home. And you saved us from those Skritchy Noses," trying to make a feeble joke.
Skrit Na, Elfangor corrected.
"I know. It was a joke. Maybe not a very funny joke, I guess."
Ah. Humor. Yes, Arbron does that sometimes.
"But not you?"
I guess I'm not very funny.
I tossed my head. "That's okay. I like serious guys. I guess if my memory is going to be erased, it won't hurt if I ask questions. So. How come you don't have mouths?"
Chapaman joined the conversation. "Loren, how can he answer that question? He doesn't have a mouth. We do. Why do WE have mouths? Stupid question. I have a better question."
Well excuse me! God, this guy was starting to grind my nerves again. Did he take some sort of sick pleasure in annoying the hell out of me?
"Look, Elfangor, maybe we got off to a bad start, you and me," Chapman said. "I wasn't in a great mood, you know? (Really? I thought sarcastically) But hey, you guys are really missing out on something here. Do you have any idea how much money we could get for this technology on Earth? I mean, you could ask for anything!"
What, he wanted to make some sort of deal with the Andalites?
Elfangor laughed. What would we do with Earth money?
Shrugging, Chapman said, "Okay, forget money. How about power? We could snap our fingers and have all the presidents and prime ministers on Earth waiting on us. We could rule."
Us? We? Chapman wanted to take over Earth? Figures. Luckily, Elfangor put an end to it. We're Andalites, not Yeerks. We aren't interested in ruling other species.
"Ah. Well, that's good, I guess. Yeah, that's a good thing. But we could bring peace to Earth. No more wars." Say, now that wouldn't be a bad idea. Except for the fact that it was probably impossible. We've had wars ever since we have existed.
Okay. That's it. That's it. Elfangor! called Arbron. Elfangor went to go see what he wanted.
Ignoring Chapman, I pressed my face against the window again, looking out at Earth. We were almost there. Then I'd be home. At least I got kidnapped during the summer, instead of during the school year. I'd have to make up a ton of work. Man, I hope this thing doesn't get too big when we come back. I don't know what the hell I'm going to say to mom when I come home. Then again, my memory'll be erased. Maybe they'll just assume that I was mugged or something.
Alloran! Prince Alloran! Sir, you should see this, called Elfangor. He sounded nervous. What was going on?
I headed over to the computer where the Andalites were. All I could see was a big white ball that had been pulled up from one of Egypt's pyramids. What was significant about that? "Hey, what's the matter with you guys?" I asked. "You all look like you've seen a ghost."
The Time Matrix! I thought it was just a myth, said Arbron. The time what?
The second Skrit Na ship! yelled Elfangor. The Skrit Na dug it up. They have it aboard the second ship, the one that escaped into Zero-space!
Okay. So? What was so important about this time thing? Was it some sort of a time machine?
The Time Matrix! Hidden for fifty thousand years, and now dug up by the Skrit Na. The deadliest weapon in all of galactic history . . . and no one but us to go and get it back, said Alloran with his eyes alight with fire. Elfangor! Arbron! Get back on that Skirt Na computer log, both of you. We need to know where that second ship ran to! NOW!
He turned towards us. I apologize, aliens, but we cannot take you straight back to your planet. There is no time to waste. The existence of the entire galaxy is at stake!
I was stunned. The entire galaxy at stake? All I wanted to do was go home!
A/N: Like, no like? It was kind of hard getting back into character for Loren since I haven't written for her in so long, so apologies on that.
(KA's timeline: approximately chapter 8)
A/N: Hey guys, I'm so sorry for not updating, the past few months have had points where it was basically hell in my life, especially around the point where I last updated for this story. Then, alas, I totally forgot about it until the other day. Woe is me! I promise to start again, updating at LEAST once a week, but probably more because it's summer and I've got more time on my hands. Well, you know the deal, tell me if ya like it/hate it, etc, but puh-lease, constructive criticism, no flaming. Thankees!
Chapter 6
After Alloran's initial talk with Elfangor and Arbron, he headed over to the control area and stayed there for the most part during the next few days. He brooded over there and became withdrawn, at least to us. Arbron wasn't exactly Mr. Party animal either, as he used the computer (though it looked less like our computers than imaginable, ours are huge and from I've heard, we used things like keyboards to enter information)
Since Chapman seemed determined to have as little contact as possible with me, I spent the days with Elfangor, the only being who didn't ignore me. We talked at length about each other's daily life on our planets. Elfangor seemed incredulous when I said that people didn't fall over that often, saying that without tails, it should've been that we had no balance.
"I guess we're just a bunch of gymnasts compared to you. Oh man, if only you could see our gymnasts at the Olympics!" I said.
Gymansts?
"They're people who can do all sorts of things, like acrobatics." Elfangor still seemed confused. "Well, I don't know, like cartwheels and things." Elfangor was still obviously confused. "Well, here, I can show you a cartwheel, it's one of the more basic things that gymnasts can do, though mind you, I'm not very good."
I stood up, took a deep breath, and did something that vaguely resembled a cartwheel. This is why baseball's my thing, NOT gymnastics, I thought.
Nevertheless, Elfangor looked extremely surprised. That's very impressive! Can all of you humans do that feat?
I laughed. "Elfangor, put it this way, I'm one of the worst people for doing this."
It seemed as though every little bit of movement I could do amused and amazed him. I mean, when Chapman and I first sat down on the ships floor, he started laughing, as though it was funny. Well, I guess when you think about it, our horses don't sit on the floor like we do either, and they're as close-looking to the Andalites as we have on Earth. Even just eating was strange for them. I guess they didn't belive Chapman when he said that we ate with out mouths, so when we asked for something to eat, they had to give us some sort of liquid rations.
These are used for Andalites who are to weak to walk. Eflangor explained.
I tried the liquid, and for being grass, it wasn't half bad. Better than the crap that they give us in the cafeteria, anyway.
As we neared Earth, I explained the major features to Elfangor. "The brown-and-green parts are land. The blue is ocean. Water. See the bright white at the bottom? That's ice. It's called Antarctica. It's very cold."
What sort of ice? Frozen carbron dioxide? Methane? asked Elfangor.
"Water. Just frozen water." Frozen methane? I laughed a little inside my head; if that were true, with all the global warming, we'd be dead by now!
Ah. Of course. That would make sense. And where do you live?
"Well, see that continent up there? The one on the upper left part of the planet? See where the line between night and day is? Almost right on that line." I bit my lip; I was starting to get pretty homesick. "My mom must be dying from worry. I've been gone for four days already." Don't cry Loren, you'll be there soon, I told myself. But I couldn't help it, my eyes started to water.
Yes, but soon you will be home. Then she won't worry anymore. Maybe she won't have to die.
Despite myself, I smiled. "That's just an expression. Do you have a mother at home? Does she worry about you?" I asked.
Elfangor seemed to hesitate, but then went on. I guess she does. My father doesn't, though. He was in the military, too, when he was young. Of course we had peace then. I guess maybe they do worry I'll get hurt or whatever.
Were all dads alike in that they just didn't care after they came back from the military? "We just had a war," I said. "That's . . . that's what happened to my dad. He was in it. He didn't get killed or anything. But he kind of . . . I don't know. After he came back I guess he couldn't cope with reality. So he left." I sighed at the painful memory. After he left, it was just mom and I and I'll never forget how different he was after he came back from the war. It was like a whole different person; gone were the smiles and the hugs that he had given me before he left, gone were the laughs and the jokes. I missed him so much.
You have wars? But you don't have space travel. Who do you fight?
Before I could answer, Chapman entered the room and answered. "We fight each other," he said, winking his eye. "So, Loren,, Daddy went nutso, huh? Another whacked-out 'Nam vet? I guess some guys can't take it."
That arrogant bastard! What did he know about going to war? He was still a minor! Before I could give him a piece of my mind, however, Alloran spoke.
Have you been in a wawr, human?
"Me? No. Of course not. That war's over," said Chapman, smirking. I wanted to punch him.
Then be quiet, fool. Those who have been to war understand. Those who have not have no opinion worth hearing. Alloran looked at me then. Even those who return from war may never really come home.
Chapman shrugged, but I could tell he was a bit unnerved by what Alloran said. Serves him right, the piece of crap. I found though, that my anger had somewhat subsided and realized that it probably wouldn't be a good thing if I decided to punch Chapman here and now. I sighed again.
Deciding to change the subject, I said, "Anyway . . . tell me this. When you erase my memory, I won't remember any of this? Not even you?" Elfangor looked away, looking guilty. "It's okay, I'm not mad at you. You're taking us home. And you saved us from those Skritchy Noses," trying to make a feeble joke.
Skrit Na, Elfangor corrected.
"I know. It was a joke. Maybe not a very funny joke, I guess."
Ah. Humor. Yes, Arbron does that sometimes.
"But not you?"
I guess I'm not very funny.
I tossed my head. "That's okay. I like serious guys. I guess if my memory is going to be erased, it won't hurt if I ask questions. So. How come you don't have mouths?"
Chapaman joined the conversation. "Loren, how can he answer that question? He doesn't have a mouth. We do. Why do WE have mouths? Stupid question. I have a better question."
Well excuse me! God, this guy was starting to grind my nerves again. Did he take some sort of sick pleasure in annoying the hell out of me?
"Look, Elfangor, maybe we got off to a bad start, you and me," Chapman said. "I wasn't in a great mood, you know? (Really? I thought sarcastically) But hey, you guys are really missing out on something here. Do you have any idea how much money we could get for this technology on Earth? I mean, you could ask for anything!"
What, he wanted to make some sort of deal with the Andalites?
Elfangor laughed. What would we do with Earth money?
Shrugging, Chapman said, "Okay, forget money. How about power? We could snap our fingers and have all the presidents and prime ministers on Earth waiting on us. We could rule."
Us? We? Chapman wanted to take over Earth? Figures. Luckily, Elfangor put an end to it. We're Andalites, not Yeerks. We aren't interested in ruling other species.
"Ah. Well, that's good, I guess. Yeah, that's a good thing. But we could bring peace to Earth. No more wars." Say, now that wouldn't be a bad idea. Except for the fact that it was probably impossible. We've had wars ever since we have existed.
Okay. That's it. That's it. Elfangor! called Arbron. Elfangor went to go see what he wanted.
Ignoring Chapman, I pressed my face against the window again, looking out at Earth. We were almost there. Then I'd be home. At least I got kidnapped during the summer, instead of during the school year. I'd have to make up a ton of work. Man, I hope this thing doesn't get too big when we come back. I don't know what the hell I'm going to say to mom when I come home. Then again, my memory'll be erased. Maybe they'll just assume that I was mugged or something.
Alloran! Prince Alloran! Sir, you should see this, called Elfangor. He sounded nervous. What was going on?
I headed over to the computer where the Andalites were. All I could see was a big white ball that had been pulled up from one of Egypt's pyramids. What was significant about that? "Hey, what's the matter with you guys?" I asked. "You all look like you've seen a ghost."
The Time Matrix! I thought it was just a myth, said Arbron. The time what?
The second Skrit Na ship! yelled Elfangor. The Skrit Na dug it up. They have it aboard the second ship, the one that escaped into Zero-space!
Okay. So? What was so important about this time thing? Was it some sort of a time machine?
The Time Matrix! Hidden for fifty thousand years, and now dug up by the Skrit Na. The deadliest weapon in all of galactic history . . . and no one but us to go and get it back, said Alloran with his eyes alight with fire. Elfangor! Arbron! Get back on that Skirt Na computer log, both of you. We need to know where that second ship ran to! NOW!
He turned towards us. I apologize, aliens, but we cannot take you straight back to your planet. There is no time to waste. The existence of the entire galaxy is at stake!
I was stunned. The entire galaxy at stake? All I wanted to do was go home!
A/N: Like, no like? It was kind of hard getting back into character for Loren since I haven't written for her in so long, so apologies on that.