Hey there! I have to do this fast, so I'll address quickly: Yes I know there is a lot of dialogue and not much description, and hey, you're probably right, it IS probably from all the song fics I write. But hey, that's the way it goes. Thanks to all who have reviewed!


Chapter 8

"Hey Taylor!"

Harry tapped on the side of my cubicle with a few rolled up papers.

"Got a minute?"

"Sure, Boss," I said, sliding back from my computer and facing him. "What's up?"

"You hear about this new Yeerk force?"

"Yeah…" I said cautiously.

"Anything today?"

"Not yet. I just got here."

"Look at this," he said grimly, handing me the papers.

I read.

"God…"

"Yeah…God…" he echoed. "Got this special. Won't be out until next week. After the celebration. If it's out at all. Government doesn't want a panic."

"Yeah, that explains why rumors of it are flying all across the papers," I said derisively, in shock, re-scanning the documents. "I assume you got this off the record?"

"Extremely. You know what that means."

I sighed. "Yeah. Someone has to get someone to go on the record."

"Tough luck, kid."

"What? I'm not doing it! I have a story!"

I saw his face.

"Harry, I've only got six days! I already have a basic story worked up. I can't go off chasing this…!" I let the papers drop.

I couldn't. Not this time. It was too dangerous, too painful. Forget the summary, it looked like cake now. This…

"I know." He looked at me, grinning.

"What does that mean?"

"I'm reassigning you. Just got a new intern in time for the summer program. She'll take care of your story, and you go on to bigger and better things."

"But…" I protested. "But…" I looked down at those innocent sheets of paper.

It couldn't be true.

The Yeerks couldn't be as strong as that. And they certainly couldn't be holding a grudge that long, could they? Surely they wanted something else…?

"Harry…"

"Come on, Taylor. You can do it!"

"No, Harry, I don't think I can." I pushed the papers towards him. "Not that big. Not on this topic."

He sat on my desk.

"Taylor, I know there's something weird going on between you and the Animorphs, wherever they are. I don't know why you're so sensitive on this subject, and frankly it's none of my business, so I'm not going to ask. But you are one of my BEST journalists, and it is up to you to be objective and carry out your job to the best of your ability. Kapeesh?"

"Oh, Harry…alright…Kapeesh."

"Good." He got up to leave.

"Wait! I…I don't even know where to start on this! The government never talks, you know that…"

"Ah, glad you reminded me."

Harry moved in closer, whispering in my ear.

"You may be too tied up in your personal feelings to realize it, but this is huge. Dangers like these haven't been around since the 9/11 attack. This is a matter of utmost National Security. We need that story…I've pulled in a favor, pressed a few buttons. When I was younger, I caught a couple of high and mighty people doing what they weren't supposed to…" he broke off, remembering. "Never mind. Anyway, a couple people owe me, and I've secured an interview for you. Datson building. 23rd floor. 3:00."

"This is all very cloak and dagger, isn't it?" I whispered back conspiratorially, making him laugh.

"That's my girl." He walked out of my cubicle. "Oh, and Taylor…be careful…it's those bad times again. You don't know who you can trust."