A/N: Sorry this took so long, but I have no internet at the moment and when I tried to put this chapter up, my friend's computer threw a paddy. But it's finally here and the next one's well on the way too.

I'm going to use () for thought-speak cause it won't let me use the greater/less than signs

P.S. Thanks sooooooo much for all the reviews I got for the first chapter. I would name you all, but there were so many of you, it would take up too much space. Thanks again.


Astrana groaned, as she tried to find the source of that obnoxious beeping while still half asleep. It was the species database. "Stupid machine." She muttered bitterly. "What is wrong with you?" She looked at the display, and did an abrupt double-take. "An Andalite? What would an Andalite be doing here?" She stretched in an effort to properly wake herself. "I'd better check it out." She made a mental note of where is said the Andalite was, then re-cloaked her nest and set off.


At the meeting that morning, Marco was paying little attention. It was the same old argument anyway. Whether to have a break or hit them while they're down because they're lying low. Besides that, the crazy dream he'd had last night wouldn't get out of his head. It had been so real. He was roused from his thoughts by a rustling in the tree above his head. But he had no preparation for what happened next.

The very alien from his dream swung down by her tail and smiled at him. "Hello little one." She released her hold on the branch and dropped down to the ground. "It is good to see you again." She turned to face Ax. "Tell me, what is an Andalite doing here with humans?"

The reactions of the group were all immediate, but there were differing types. Cassie went to examine this new fascinating new creature, and Jake put out an arm to stop her. Tobias screeched in alarm, nearly falling off his perch while Marco stood dumbfounded, trying to make sense of what was happening. Rachel started going into grizzly morph and Ax raised his tail, spitting out a single word. (Yeerk.)

This merely confused her. "Yeerk? What is a yeerk?" The sight of Rachel halfway through her morph didn't help. "And a human with Andalite morphing technology?"

(Do not try and feign innocence, Yeerk. You are fooling no one.)

Jake, a man of few words, gave a short order. "Rachel, hold it still."

Astrana's immediate reaction was indignance. "It?" she exclaimed, her tail thrashing irately. "I am not an it, I am a her!" Because there was no warning, she was caught completely off guard when Rachel, now fully a Grizzly wrapped two mammoth limbs around her. "What are you doing? I mean you no harm, I assure you." She only struggled for a moment, then said approvingly, "This animal is very strong."

Rachel ignored this. (What'd you say Jake? Do we believe her or not?)

Jake began to pace. "Well, she doesn't seem dangerous, but we can't afford to be wrong. We're going to have to keep her where we can see her for three days just to make sure."

Cassie spoke up. "I could go and get one of the bigger cages in the barn. That would work. But someone would have to be watching her at all times in case the yeerk decides to make a run for it. I'll need two people to help carry it as well."

(I would be willing to watch her Prince Jake. We could put the cage near my scoop.) Some of the venom had faded from his voice, but it was still obvious what he thought.

Jake nodded. "Cassie, Marco and I will go get the cage. The rest of you take her to Ax's scoop. We'll meet up there. Make sure you keep a close eye on her."

They all moved off with purpose – all except Marco who had the look of someone who believes they are dreaming and is just going to go with the flow and see what happens.