About the anger of a beast

"This is wrong."

Jake's voice was just loud enough to be heard by everyone awake. The ones sleeping – who didn't hear him – consisted of two people; Sira'aki and Menderash. Menderash, who had been given another draught, but was still feverish. And Sira'aki, who had been more or less awake all night in order to keep watch over the patient.

"Wrong," Jake repeated.

"What?" Santorelli asked softly.

For once, no-one was playing garih. Not even KEdi'ir, who seemed to know that there were times when it was best to leave adults alone, and had long since learned that garih was – unfortunately – a game for at least two people. So now the child sat in a tree, not that far from his sleeping mother, and kept watch, having decided that it was his turn.

It was a cheerless scene, with Tom being the only one looking even remotely content; he was having his ears scratched.

"This," Jake replied, gesturing indistinctly in a direction his arm chose on random.

"Care to be more… specific?"

"Jake's not used to seeing people slowly fade away," Rachel murmured lowly. She hugged Tom's head, where it lay on her lap, and rocked it back and forth for a moment before returning to scratching the beast's ears.

Jake gave his cousin a look, before glancing at Menderash, and finally made a movement that was a very rare combination of a nod and a shrug.

We shouldn't stay here, Tobias said, but not many listened. JaLa'an looked up, his expression showing that he agreed, but he kept silent. Tobias glared down at the rest of them from his perch. Rachel, at least, should have paid attention to him.

"Jake's not used to people dying on him," Rachel continued.

"It's happened," Jake said lowly. "But it's not something you get used to."

"He's not dead yet," Jeanne objected softly.

"Rachel?" Jake sighed.

Rachel hugged Tom's head again. "If he lives… well, right now he's so weak that I suspect he'll take weeks to recover fully. Perhaps more. He'll need peace and quiet and rest and more help than his pride would allow him to accept."

"And if not?"

"He'll be dead by nightfall," Rachel said blankly.

We still shouldn't stay here, Tobias repeated, but still no-one listened.

"Even if he recovers, we don't have weeks to spare," Jake said. "I suppose we don't even have until nightfall, to be honest, for they'll be angry he's escaped, and probably search the woods. Therefore…"

We! Shouldn't! Stay! Here! Tobias snapped, and this time people heard him.

Jake nodded, silently.

"Menderash'd only be worse of if we tried to move him," Rachel said, and Jeanne and Santorelli agreed in a set of murmurs.

"Still, if Melissa either betrays us or is caught, or they find Menderash's trail, then we're a sitting duck," Santorelli pointed out grimly. "So our choice is to stay here despite that, or… or risk one life to save many."

"Don't the Kelbrid have something they can give him?" Marco wondered. "Something to solve not being able to move him?"

Rachel spoke to JaLa'an. They talked for some time – Rachel was probably explaining what had been said – before JaLa'an reached into his bag. He pulled out a piece of carefully folded cloth, which he now unfolded to expose the contents; it looked like tangles of thin, dry, brownish-grey roots. His expression was questioning.

Rachel grimaced in disgust and twisted both Tom's and her own head away, saying a sharp "Ra'art" that made JaLa'an fold the cloth again and return it to his bag.

What was that? Tobias asked privately.

"Primlar," Rachel told him in a strange voice, and refused to explain further before she began speaking to JaLa'an again.

What is all the noise about? asked Menderash's faint thought-speech voice, and they were all more or less startled to realise that he was awake.

Jeanne was quickest to get over the initial surprise. She sank down to sit on the ground beside the nothlit. "We are discussing what to do. We think we might be… pursued. Hunted."

Could you… discuss more quietly?

Jeanne smiled faintly, but then had to ask; "Menderash, is there any family on your home planet… anyone who needs to know what happened to you?"

A flicker of pain – or perhaps regret – crossed Menderash's face, which was already creased with fever and dimmed agony. No… he said lowly. No family. No parents alive, and no wife, no sons, no daughters.

JaLa'an had kneeled down by his head and was trying to feed him what could best be described as 'mulch'. It was a thick, green, blue-tainted fluid, so Marco thought – in the back of his mind – that it might also be described as 'school food'. He grimaced but said nothing. If he made any comment, those unpredictable Kelbrid might decide he needed some mulch. Yuck.

Marco realised that he was beginning to learn how to keep his mouth shut. He wondered if that was a good thing.

But Menderash obediently tried to eat the mulch. Fortunately he did not have to chew it – he didn't have enough energy left to waste any on that.

Despite the fact that they all knew it was a bad idea to stay, no-one – not even Jake – spurred the rest of them into action to do any leaving. They sat around, waiting, perhaps not even knowing for what; silently staring either at the ground or into the woods. KEdi'ir, Sira'aki – when she woke – and Marco – in wolf morph – sat watch. Jake stood leaning against a tree, half asleep (still jolting awake, cross with himself, now and then), and Tobias had fluttered down to the ground and morphed human to sit with Rachel. That caused her to neglect scratching Tom's head, and the beast was most unhappy about that. He entertained himself by glaring viciously at Tobias and watching the reaction.

After almost two hours, when it was time to demorph, Tobias sighed, leaned sideways to kiss Rachel's forehead – and was violently shoved away by Tom. When he looked up again he was lying flat on his back, staring straight into Tom's mouth, getting a very good look of the beast's teeth. He had two heavy paws on his chest and couldn't breathe… couldn't breathe until…

"Oh, I'm sick of this!" Rachel was at once on her feet and tore the beast aside with a brutal grip on his ear. Tom probably weighed about eight times more than the blinded Animorph, but he moved lightly when tugged at, as if he'd been no more hindrance to Rachel's hand than a rabbit. He then sank to the forest floor a meter or so away, tail motionless, flat on the ground behind him, ears laid back and head stretched out in front as he stared up at his human in surprise.

As Tobias began breathing again, Rachel waved a fist over the beast's face and he crawled together even more, shaking where he lay. He let out a low whine and crawled forwards to press a cold nose into Rachel's hand in submission, clearly begging her forgiveness. Rachel pulled away in anger and Tom shrank together even more, letting out a loud wail. Those watching could almost feel the steady stream of despairing thoughts that were being transmitted from the kii-raja to his human.

And suddenly Rachel dropped to her knees and clasped both arms around the kii-raja's neck, burying her face against it. "I'm sorry, Tom," she whispered. "I know you don't understand… I just don't want you harming Tobias. I've told you to leave him alone. I've told you. I've told you."

Tom slowly stopped shaking as Rachel began scratching him beneath his chin and he nuzzled her face with his cold nose affectionately. Then he shoved playfully at her with a front paw – gently, of course, but the blow still made Rachel fall backwards. At once he had to be forgiven for that, too, upset with himself to the point of whining more, which he did not stop doing until Rachel agreed to rub his ears again.

By the time Rachel was allowed turn her attention away from her kii-raja, Tobias was already back in hawk morph. The scratches he had gotten on his chest from Tom's claws, and the (more alarming) ones on his face from the beast's teeth, were only a memory. Another memory was the vivid image of those teeth about to close around his head. He wouldn't get rid of that one for some time, he supposed.

"Are you okay, Tobias?" Rachel asked.

I'm fine, he told her, and watched her return her attention to playing with Tom, a mixture of different thoughts flying about in his head. He was unable to straighten them out, but he knew he was glad that his voice hadn't betrayed any of them.

"They say you shouldn't step between a kii-raja and his master," Jeanne said conversationally, but in such a low voice that only Tobias would hear her. She was standing beside his branch, also watching the kii-raja, who at the time – in Rachel's hands – seemed moderately harmless, like a tame but playful young lion that unfortunately had not yet realised how large he was growing.

So? Tobias snapped.

Jeanne glanced up at him, face unreadable even to the hawk's fierce gaze. "What I'm trying to say is that you're living dangerously, Tobias. I think Tom's beginning to notice. And he doesn't like it."

As Jeanne walked away, Tobias turned his head to look at Tom. The beast's ears were being scratched by Rachel, and he looked content. When Rachel stood up Tom followed, so close that his shoulder brushed past her arm for every step. She stopped by the pile of packs, found her own and began digging in it for something to eat, while Tom did what he usually did; combined being her eyes with baring his teeth at anything larger than a moth that came too close for his liking. Those around, though, by then knew him well enough to keep their distance, and for the moment the beast simply looked like a oversized dog, bored while his master was occupied elsewhere.

But when Rachel, having gathered enough food to be able to provide a light snack to the entire group, walked closer to Tobias's branch and signalled towards her shoulder for him to perch on, Tobias was very aware of the golden kii-raja's resentful, annoyed stare.

From having viewed the hawk as possible lunch, Tom had gone on to view him as a possible rival.

And Tobias was sure that it was not a change for the better.

They did not barge in. They were careful. Compared to the mass of them collected outside, only a small number came within tail's reach of the Phantom, and only one came into it; and he stopped in the doorway.

He was a Kelbrid, no doubt about it. He had a very prominent scar, clearly visible on his face. He watched the group wordlessly for some time. His first word was; "Andalites."

Larynia (who – perhaps fortunately – didn't have a shredder) decided to reply. Raising her tail a bit more, she said; Yes. And you?

"You are not supposed to be here."

The translating chips in the heads of the arisths and the scientist barely managed to translate that sentence, and the sentence that followed it was lost; the Kelbrid was speaking too quickly, too soon, and the language seemed complicated.

Could you… repeat that? Estrid asked.

The Kelbrid glared at her. "I have been told Andalites can understand any language."

After some time, yes, Estrid agreed.

Who told him that? Aralgo wondered in a private mutter. Okay, so the galaxy knows, but that's a strategic secret!

"Then…" …and the rest was a blur.

Speak slowly, Estrid instructed. First, who are you?

Another glare. His black and white eyes flashed (black and white? Weren't Kelbrid eyes black and green? Estrid thought). "I am Ka'an, cer y'yhan, and I do not take orders from you."

You just did, Aralgo snickered. Privately, of course, Carali was glad to note. At least he had some sense.

"But that does not matter. You are not supposed to be here. Since you are, we shall simply have to dispose of you – that is, kill you all." His eyes glittered, and the horns above his head twitched. "Good day." Ka'an left the doorway and four new Kelbrid appeared, probably to carry out Ka'an's calmly spoken orders.

Only four? Larynia muttered, almost sounding disappointed. Too easy. Too easy.

And things happened quickly. The four Kelbrid advanced at once, more or less side by side, and suddenly one stumbled over one of Minalea's snare wires. Before the others could react, two of them fell over the two other wires. The last one leapt nimbly over his fallen friend – careful to keep the claws on his feet in order – to avoid tripping over him… and landed right inside the force field. He did not look too happy when he realised that.

Too easy, Larynia repeated sadly as she, Estrid and Aralgo moved forwards to knock the three snared Kelbrid out. Minalea and Carali loosened the snares and kicked the aliens into the force field cage, lifting their limp horns in after them. Minalea then restored the snares. She was looking extremely pleased with herself.

Then Larynia leapt to the doorway. You'll have to do better than that, Ka'an! she yelled.

Ka'an's horns twitched above his head as he slowly raised his wrist blades. He acknowledged the challenge by clicking his claws against the floor. "Trust me, Andalite; I shall."

Larynia had no time to even wonder what was happening, but the next moment she was on the floor, outside the Phantom, lying on her side with her front hooves bound by a horn, the other horn curled around her neck and the lower part of her head. A foot landed nimbly on her tail, just as she had been about to raise it. The blade was easily held down, secured by the cold, giant claw of that foot.

Another twitch of Ka'an's horns and she found herself looking straight up at him with her main eyes, though her stalks kept circling furiously.

"Good enough for you, Andalite?" the Kelbrid wondered, almost kindly.

Larynia kicked with her back hooves and twisted angrily, trying to break free, and spat in reply; You cheating, Yeerk-allied, parasite-friendly scum, let me up and I'll show you 'good enough'!

The horns twitched tugging her front legs violently to the side. Ka'an's eyes flashed – the slits on his cheeks flared in unmistakable anger. "We are not allies of the Yeerks. Just so you know." He lowered a wrist-blade towards her throat, with the obvious intent to cut it open.

Neither are we, came Estrid's voice. You heard her; let her up. The scientist's shredder was aimed at Ka'an. She nodded her stalks towards it. You do know what this does, don't you?

Ka'an met her gaze without any traces of fear. "Yes. And you do know that nearly three dozen Kelbrid have you only steps away from within horn's reach."

Estrid looked slightly less secure. Aralgo, Carali and Minalea, right behind her, exchanged uncertain glances.

But we still have our ship, Olana reminded them all from inside the Phantom.

"And we have ours," Ka'an countered, motioning at the dozens of fighters that made up the sphere they were held in.

You know, Aralgo said conversationally, in private thought-speech, he does have a point.

Estrid drew some courage. She'd been in a Yeerk pool. She'd been terrified, naturally, but compared to that, this – being faced by this murderous Kelbrid – was nothing. So she told herself, at least.

Just let us go, she told Ka'an. Five arisths and a scientist are no threat to you.

Ka'an's eyes narrowed; his gaze grew intense. "You are… arisths?"

"What did you think we were, the War Council?" Larynia snapped angrily, still twisting in order to try to break free. Of course we're arisths!

Ka'an's horns suddenly let go and he leapt back. "Go. Leave." He snapped a few orders at his surprised crew.

Now he knows what an aristh is, Aralgo commented. Who tells him these things?

Larynia got back to her hooves in a fluent motion, tail cocked behind her. She backed slowly towards the Phantom.

"Leave this quadrant of space," Ka'an ordered. "It is not safe here. You were lucky this time – others might not be so attentive."

Lucky? Carali questioned. You're… you're letting us go?

"Yes," Ka'an said, sounding annoyed.

But… why?

"You are only arisths. I am a Kelbrid. Kelbrid do not kill children."

We are not children, you – Larynia began in a growl.

Very smart, Larynia, Aralgo grumbled as Ka'an's ears leaned outwards in a mysterious expression. Very smart.

Ka'an, Estrid said suddenly. We… well, since you let us live, and you claim not to take the Yeerks' side, perhaps you can help us.

"Why should I help you? I already did. I advised you to leave. That is all I can do." The Kelbrid seemed uninterested.

Do you know of a creature who calls itself the One? Estrid persisted.

That caught Ka'an's complete attention. His cheek-slits flared, and his eyes narrowed, focusing on Estrid. "Yes," he admitted finally. "The One – the Whole… master over the Yeerks and the Touched. What do you want with him?"

He holds a friend of mind prisoner, Estrid continued. An Andalite, like us… he's known as Aximili.

"Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill." Ka'an nodded.

The eyes of the group of Andalites – stalks included – stared dumbly at Ka'an. No-one could figure out anything to say before Minalea's; Well, well, well. I knew your cousin was famous, Larynia, but this… this was unexpected.

The Kelbrid's ears leaned outwards again at their expressions. "Many seem eager to free him."

Who else? Larynia wondered sharply.

"I am not certain I should tell you," Ka'an said. "I still do not know who you are." And he added, more coldly; "And I would appreciate if you let my warriors out."

Olana removed the force field, at an impatient signal from Estrid. They moved aside to let the Kelbrid out. Only one was properly awake; he pulled two of his friends along with his horns, and helped the other – who was dazed – to walk. Larynia managed the introductions while they waited. I am Aximili's cousin, Larynia-Talene-Sirinial. These are my friends, Olana-Soiru-Jinala and Minalea-Silinan-Alareim. Also, Carali-Sarthantir-Malar, and Aralgo-Karfur-Emonrili. And of course, the scientist; Estrid-Corill-Darrath.

"And how do you… Estrid… know Aximili?" asked Ka'an with notable interest, pronouncing Estrid's name as e'estri.

I met him on Earth, Estrid replied.

Ka'an's ears leaned out even more. "I was wrong to ask you to leave. We have common enemies, and you are limith y'limith…" (The translating chips turned that into 'friends-of-friends', which in truth was a rough translation, since 'friend' is a very multidimensional word in the Kelbrid language, and can mean anything between 'person one can stand on a good day' to 'person one would trust one's life to'.) "…and now you are also out guest – if you wish to be." There was a note of questioning in his normally harsh voice.

We will consider it, Estrid told him. Our ship would not be harmed by a rest.

Ka'an nodded. His horns had curled into coils above his head and his stance was much less hostile. The other Kelbrid followed his example. "Then return to your ship. We will lead you to our home. Follow if you wish."

He turned and started to move away, giving orders to the Kelbrid around him as he did so, but Estrid stopped him by calling out; Then who are these common friends you speak of?

Ka'an did not turn around, but he answered; "Surely, scientist, you have heard of Rachel the Animorph?"

Estrid's back legs almost folded beneath her in shock. Impossible: Rachel was dead!

But as if he had read her thoughts, Ka'an continued; "No, she is not dead. She is very much alive. And so are the other Animorphs."

They are here? Estrid whispered.

"Nearby," Ka'an told her. "Will you come with us, or not?"

Estrid nodded. Yes, she murmured, forgetting to ask the others about it until it was too late. Even then, she thought she would simply have to convince them. Yes, we shall come.

Captain Jake? Menderash murmured suddenly.

Jake's eyes were open and focused on the motionless nothlit. It was easy to believe the voice had been imagined – or had come from someone else, somewhere else. "Yes?"

Do not… do not forget to save Prince Aximili. It is what we came for.

"I won't forget, Menderash. Ax is my friend. We'll save him… or all our bones will adorn this part of the universe."

Menderash had never been the smiling type, but now there was a flicker of a smile on his pale face. But then it was gone. I hope you do not fail, as I have.

You haven't failed, Marco told him.

I have not succeeded. Therefore –

"Don't think that way," Jake snapped. "That'll only depress you. If we'd thought that way back on Earth, saying we'd failed before the fight was over, the universe would look very different today, and we'd probably all have been Controllers."

And you accuse him of being depressing, muttered Marco.

Jake shook his head. "Just… don't think that way."

Is that an order, Captain? Menderash wondered.

"Yes. Yes, it is."

Then it shall be as you say. Although there is… one more thing that you should be aware of.

"What?" Jake asked.

The One… he is after the Andalites. My people, my home world. Warn them. Menderash's eyes opened and his gaze bored into Jake.

Jake shuddered, for some reason, but then nodded. "I will."

He is also wants Earth, and the humans.

Sharp eyes turned towards the nothlit from all around. The scene was so silent that one could almost hear how Marco's expression darkened dangerously.

"That… that thing… is after our planet?" Santorelli said finally.

Yes.

"Which means he's got a couple of nasty weeks ahead of him..." Jeanne predicted in a vicious growl.

Menderash ignored that and continued; But there is a more urgent peril. He plans to achieve that goal through you, Captain.

"Through Jake?" Marco repeated grimly. His eyes grew very, very narrow; one could almost see the wheels spinning in his head. "So he thinks Jake would provide access where his minions can't get in. He plans to use him as… as some sort of key."

Precisely, Menderash confirmed, looking relieved that he did not have to explain.

"He can forget it," snapped Rachel in a snarling voice. "Nobody's using my cousin for anything. Except possibly Cassie."

"Rachel!" Jake protested.

"Shut up, Jake."

"Don't I have a say in that?" asked the Animorphs leader.

"Not really. Why? Were you planning to volunteer to help the One?"

Marco was smiling, despite the situation, looking back and forth between Jake and Jake's cousin.

"Of course not," Jake said. He shook his head in exasperation as he made the wise decision to let the topic drop. Then he rubbed his forehead, and turned back to Menderash; "Thanks for the warning, Menderash. We'll warn your people – don't worry. We'll warn our own, too."

Menderash's eyes closed again. Just be very careful, he sighed mentally. The One is stronger than he seems.

"I already knew to be careful," Jake muttered. "I just didn't know the One was after me."

"It complicates things," Santorelli said.

"Not at all," Jake replied with a strange, cold smile. "Whatever he's after, we're after bringing him down."

But first, we want the Rachel back, Tobias said.

Jake nodded. "We get our ship back – having it is an advantage we can't afford to overlook. We'll need it in any case to leave."

"With Melissa," Rachel reminded him.

"With Melissa," Jake agreed. "If we find her – or she finds us – in time."

"We can't leave without her!"

"But we can't wait a few days for her to show up, either," Jake pointed out. "Rachel; don't worry. We've promised we'll help her get home – we'll keep that promise. The way things are looking right now, we need to head back for Ax later, anyway, so – worst case scenario – we'll pick her up then."

Rachel hesitated, but finally nodded. "Let's just hope she sees things the same way."

"Why shouldn't she?" Jake asked, but Rachel only shrugged and gave no reply.

As Menderash had nothing more to say, and no-one felt the need to add anything, silence again descended over the group. The afternoon fled. The sun began its weary path down from the sky. Night fell.

And without a sound, Menderash died.

Wake up, my dear.

The One prodded at the sleeping mind, not bothering to even consider if he was doing it gently. He felt the stirring of thoughts, quickly followed by fear – oh, how he savoured the fear – and finally the rebellious anger. Then the mind blanched, trying to pretend to still be asleep.

I know you are awake, little Andalite, purred the One. Now, open your eyes.

The mind tried to resist. It was useless, naturally. Her eyes opened. Her sight displayed the inside of a space ship – still that space ship, still from inside that force field. How boring.

One Andalite was on the bridge. The One felt a sneer of contempt. One of the Andalite's stalks had noted the slight movement in the Chosen's corner, and was now watching her with that stalk while he worked. His tail inched up, slowly, as he saw the intense green in the trapped Touched's eyes and the arrogant sneer that spread over her face.

The One laughed silently to himself. So easily manipulated – so predictable. It was almost tiresome.

He felt the mind stirring again, about to say something, but the One shoved her back and snapped at her to be silent. Of course she resented that. Of course – but it did not matter. She had to do as she was told.

Leave her alone, One, came the Andalite's soft but menacing voice, seeing the Chosen's pained grimace as her rebellion failed.

The One used Arayah's voice to reply; Why should I? I own this mind. Why should I leave it alone?

The Andalite turned away from his work and moved closer to the force field, still moving slowly. Wrong. You will have to let go, sooner or later. Of her… and our Captain. For you are but a parasite, and parasites can be driven out.

The One laughed. His 'host' was lying on the floor, still with her hands and tail shackled, but as he stared up at the Andalite outside the force field he saw that that did not matter. The Andalite was still affected by his green gaze – he still shrunk away.

When the One's laughter faded he searched Arayah's mind for a name to that Andalite. And said; Driven out? Perhaps. But what for? Do you want her for yourself, Jakari?

Jakari's face twisted with anger and alarm. He jerked forwards but then caught himself and stopped, just clear of the force field. His four eyes were glaring with intense loathing – laughable, thought the One. As if there was anything he could do.

How interesting. I may have struck a nerve… he said gleefully.

The only nerves to be struck are you own, sneered the Andalite in foolish response. Hope that they are strong, One, for when they fail you will be screaming.

For a moment the One was silent. Then… You want screaming? he wondered, his voice dangerously low. I shall arrange screaming.

He gave a curt order to the mind beneath his own and then withdrew from it. Before he managed to set up a boundary between it and his own, he could feel the sudden, stabbing pain he had caused, feel the spasm through the body that couldn't avoid it, and hear the heart-wrenching thought-speech cry the mind couldn't stop. He relished it; all of it. But most of all, he relished the near-panic on the helplessly watching Andalite outside the force field, that he had been able to glimpse just as the boundary fell.

He was very pleased with himself as he seeped back into his own shape, into the dimensions he now lived in, and the form he had come to use more and more lately.

Aximili, the Andalite Prince.

Oh, yes, he thought privately to himself, he might be a parasite. He fed of off others – fed off their dimensions, to be able to expand his own. But he was not driven away easily. He did not starve after three days, to begin with, unlike the weakly Yeerks.

The groggy mind beneath his own felt his mood and thoughts as he went through what had happened.

Leave her alone, the mind muttered feebly.

Or you'll do what? chuckled the One. You are even more helpless than that Andalite.

But the foolish creature built up strength to try to rebel, and said; Leave –

The One beat him down. A wonder, those Andalites; they never learned.

He supposed their stiff-neckedness (and sometimes sheer stupidity) was for the best. At least they kept him entertained.

Jake's falcon eyes easily made out the contours of the familiar Blade ship. It rested on its meadow, looking like a dangerous lizard warming itself in the sun. The newly dug pool was beside it, and even from a distance Jake could see the Yeerks swimming in it. He landed, just in among the trees, just hidden from sight, and demorphed.

There were no guards. He knew that. In fact, he was the only creature in the area – except for the Yeerks in the pool. Therefore he was able to stroll out into clear view, cautious but unworried.

But suddenly, he was no longer alone.

"Jake!"

He turned towards the voice. Cassie took his arm, beaming up at him. At least, he thought she was beaming; he couldn't make out her face.

"You're here," she said. "You made it. Come on now, there's no time to waste…"

She began pulling him towards the pool.

Towards the pool.

"Ca-Cassie!" he stuttered, digging his heels into the ground, trying to stop. But Cassie pulled on relentlessly, unnaturally strong.

"I wasn't sure you'd show up," she continued, ignoring his protests as if they did not even exist.

"What –"

"I mean, of course, if you consider things…"

"Stop –"

"Don't worry, Jake." She stopped, glanced up at his face, and smiled. Her face, which was turned right at him, lay in shadow, as if a wall of thick fog had been pulled between them; he couldn't understand why. But he knew that she was smiling. He knew it, in his gut; something in the back of his mind fluttered, telling him that she was smiling, she was happy; that was all that mattered, the world was a perfect place and he should be delighted about it.

"They're waiting," she announced.

"Who?"

But at once he knew. Around him stood the familiar cages of the Yeerk pool. In the cages were the Animorphs. Tobias sat on an artificial perch, turned away; Ax's blue silhouette stood further away. Marco waved at him, though Jake couldn't make out his expression.

"Rachel's already on the pier," Cassie told him. "Look."

She pointed towards the pier, and Jake watched his cousin step out on it, bold as always, and then look down into the sludgy waters as if doubting something. But as she kneeled and lifted her hair over her shoulder to keep it out of her way, there were no traces of doubt in her face. Jake had to turn away; he couldn't watch.

Didn't have to. He was no longer watching Rachel on the pier; he was on the pier. He and Cassie. Cassie was already dropping down by the edge, preparing to –

Wrong.

He started forwards with a cry of "No!" Cassie jerked back, stared up at him with her eyes wide, sudden fear in her expression. Now her face was clear to him; the whites of her widened eyes, contrasting with the darker eyelashes just above;  the lines of her nose and mouth; and the way her lips tensed in alarm, with her mouth just slightly open, as if trying to say something. He stretched a hand down to grab her shoulder, pull her up to him, away from the pool, and to safety.

His hand met only air. Or did his hands turn into air? He did not know. His gaze found two almond-shaped, green Andalite eyes in a cold, bored face. The Andalite swiped with the flat of his blade at Cassie's knees and she fell heavily into the water, in amongst the waiting Yeerks.

"See?" the Andalite said dryly to Jake, in spoken speech. "In the end you still have to use force."

His eyes jerked open. The first thing they saw was a kneeling Rachel and he flew to his feet, alarmed, and started forwards with a strangled cry.

Hand grabbed his left arm and swung him back around. When he made an attempt to free himself the grip only tightened painfully.

"Jake, calm down!" Marco said as he shook the Animorph leader by both shoulders.

Jake glanced back, seeing Tom who was up and glaring menacingly at him. Rachel had kneeled to pet her kii-raja. At Jake's sudden movement, Tom had flown up. Rachel sat next to the beast, one hand on his front paw – all she needed to restrain him – with a curious expression on her face.

There was no pool. No Yeerks.

Jake sank to his knees and buried his face in his hands. This… the lack of sleep, the dreams, and now hallucinations… this could not be good.

"Jake?" Rachel's voice came, and he felt a hand on his shoulder. "What happened?"

Jake raised his face from his hands and drew a long, quivering sigh. "I wish I knew. I thought I saw…"

"Thought you saw what?" Marco asked.

"Never mind," muttered Jake. He looked around, seeing that both Jeanne and Santorelli were asleep; more or less. Tobias sat on a branch, obviously woken by Jake's sudden movement, and now watching the scene with some interest. The Kelbrid were out of sight; so was Menderash's body. Very well; Rachel had said the Kelbrid would take care of the burial, so he was not really surprised.

He clenched his jaws when thinking about the nothlit, but then forced the unavoidable thoughts out of his mind. He'd think about that later. Not now. He'd think about that after they'd retaken the Rachel, when they'd freed Ax. Then he'd worry about Menderash. Now, there was nothing he could do, and wallowing in guilt and what-ifs would not help; it might even cost him another of his people.

He turned to creep back towards his abandoned blankets. He had the second shift that night; it was best to get some sleep before that. But he had barely snuggled down on his place, under those blankets – which was only minimally warmer than the surrounding air – when Rachel's voice woke him again.

"Melissa's coming back," was all she said.

Jake lifted his head. He gave a short nod at Marco's questioningly raised eyebrows, and trusted Rachel and Marco to deal with the new arrival. Personally, he just lowered his head back down to rest on his arm, and tried to sleep some more.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Author's Note;

A long chapter. Hm. I only read through this quickly, so if there are any mistakes left I won't be surprised. I might as well admit it; I'm bored with this chapter. Can't wait for the next one. Or, more properly; the one a few chapters ahead.

Only one more thing; I was wondering exactly how many people are reading this. I would really appreciate if everyone who did would notify me - in some way - so I can count you, and see if I won or lost a bet with a… hm…  friend of mine.