Rachel

"We need to think about our next mission," I said to the group assembled in Cassie's barn.

Cassie was tending to a sick horse while Tobias was perched in the rafters. Marco was lounging on a bale of hay and Ax was standing in human morph looking at Cassie interestingly. I was sitting on a bale of hay speaking loudly to get everyone's attention.

"I don't think so," Cassie said. "There are no missions until Jake is our leader again."

"Jake is not going to be our leader," I snorted. "He smokes!"

"Oh yeah and that's a great argument," Marco mumbled. Loudly, he said, "I have to agree with Rachel though. Jake's messed up pretty bad, there's no way he's going to lead us."

((And we need to start getting back in the game,)) Tobias said. ((There are still Yeerks out there.))

"Okay, bird-boy lets get a few things straight," Marco said. "First, this is not a game. It's not like we're playing football or soccer. And second…" he paused.

"Second?" I urged.

"That's all I've got," he said sheepishly.

I sighed. "Either way we have to kick Yeerk butt."

"We can't do this without Jake," Cassie argued. "It won't seem right."

"It won't seem right if Jake fights and he's not himself," I snapped. "Let's take a vote."

"I'm for the mission," Marco said and then stopped. "Did I just say that?"

"I'm against," Cassie said.

((I'm for,)) Tobias said.

I turned to Ax.

"I only follow Prince Jake. Ake. J-ak. Ke." He said.

I turned to Cassie. "I vote for," I said. "Sorry, you're outnumbered."

"Fine," she snapped. "When do we do this?"

"Not Friday," I said. "The funeral's on and Marco and I are definitely going."

"Well, today's Thursday afternoon," Marco said. "We'll have to do it after the funeral. We'll have to plan."

"The Sharing's an easy target," I suggested.

"Tom…" Cassie began.

"We won't hurt Tom," I promised. "I don't want another death in the family."

"So, Saturday?" Marco asked. "I've got nothing better to do."

"It's planned then," I said.

"That's not a plan," Cassie objected. "We don't even know if the Sharing's having any meetings or events on Saturday. We don't know where it is or what time. We don't know if they'll have Hork-Bajir all over the place. This is not a plan."

((How are we supposed to get the Sharing's information?)) Tobias asked. ((Jake was the one who found out about all that.))

"We can ask Erek," I said referring to Erek the Chee. "He'll know for sure."

Cassie looked disappointed.

"I will only do this with Prince Jake," Ax said. "I only follow him."

"Are you telling me you're not going to be in this battle?" I asked incredulously.

"That is indeed correct," Ax said. "I will not fight unless it is Prince Jake's wish. Wis-ish. Ish. Shhh."

"That's fine," Marco said. "But when you want to go behind Jake's back, we're not going to be there for you."

Ax looked uneasy, but shrugged, a human gesture he had learned and walked out.

"He was always loyal to Jake," I said.

((I'm going to talk with Erek,)) Tobias said. ((See when the next meeting is.))

He flew off.

Author's Note I'm doing alot of these Author's notes aren't I? But just to let you know, I'm going to do another Tom chapter but it's not going to be until the very end! Actually it might even be Tom's Yeerk!