Thanks to the THREE people that reviewed, I'm much obliged. This chapter is dedicated to Irish Rage And Love, The REAL Cheese Monkey and Kharina, thanks!

Irish Rage And Love: Cocky, eh? I'm glad you like him, he's gonna start sounding like the Asculin we know and love shortly so don't worry.
I always have a laugh when I try to think of Andalite saying, it's always really fun. I know that WAS a REALLY short chapter I'll try to write MY normal length.

On to your side note. Yeah, your reviews are always really great, 'cos your comments on the story always seem to cool, almost like you've already read the whole thing! Tell me how it ends will you? Just kidding, I've got a Chapter Plan, don't worry, I know where this is going, even if you don't! Mawhahahahahaha!

The REAL Cheese Monkey: Yip, cheating is a very good solution. Thank you, again. I hope you like this chapter.

Kharina: I know it was REALLY SHORT! As I have said before it just isn't my thing to have REALLY LONG chapters, I know that might bug you guys, and I'm sorry, but it's just me.

Thanks you guys. There more detailed the review the better! wink.

Chapter Nine

Of Viruses and Promotions

(What is he doing!) I shrieked.The Andalite fleet stopped and waited for the approaching fleet to catch up to them, (He must be mad!)

(Not just mad, insane!) Prince Eoptis agreed with me. We stood, side by side, watching the 3D holographic screen. It was showing an enemy fleet at least twice the size of the Andalite fleet it was chasing.

Did the Andalte fleet hide? No. Did it fire? No. Did it run? No.

It did keep its position, steady and strong, totally confident.

I shook my head, (Seerow, you are foolish.)

The image on the screen changed. Suddenly the face of an insect-like alien filled half our view. This had not happened on my 'test'. (What it going on?)

Prince Eoptis scuffed his hoof into the ground in a gesture of amusement. (He is hailing the Enemy. Aristh Seerow is trying to talk with the Enemy! Well – you two have most definitely proven to be the most interesting pair I have ever had to instruct.)

Unexpectedly the Enemy ships just started to implode.

I mean, it just happened. No discussion from Seerow, no bargaining.

Just BANG! And the ships began to implode, collapse into themselves. Within less than a minute the entire enemy fleet had gone. Wiped out of holographic space. What had my shorm done?

The aforementioned shorm slowly stepped out of the testing booth. He smiled at me in a very smug way.

(How?) I asked.

He just continued smiling. (I opened a communications channel and then transmitted a virus into their engine protocols. The anti-matter over-heated and well,) he smiled at me, (you saw the result.)

(Good job! You will make a fine warrior,) the prince said. (You two are dismissed I will contact you when I receive your full orders.)

We both thanked the prince and left. We ran laughing past a new group of arisths standing waiting for their prince. How long ago it seemed that that was me.

I noticed them watching us as we ran across the training field towards the Reelak. Their eyes shone with something I had never expected to see, admiration.

Then I realized that that was to be expected. We were warriors now after all. (This is great!)

(Yes,) Seerow agreed. (I wonder how the others did in their assignments.)

I laughed, (You worry too much. They are probably already princes knowing Feyorn. By the way, that was cool. The way you took out the Enemy.)

Seerow raised his stalks in a surprised expression, (They are only a holographic computer representation. Had they been real I would not have done what I did.)

(Yes, you would have put some tail into them the moment they arrived on screen!) I laughed and took a playful swing at him.

He ducked and knocked my blade aside, (I am sorry that your father is not here to congratulate you.)

(Let's not talk about that.) I said stiffly. My father had become a very personal subject and at this moment I did not wish to speak about him, not even to Seerow.

He nodded and said something about contacting his parents, I understood and he left. As I was watching him run back towards the Academy I saw her. She was feeding by the Reelak, alone. I ran to her.

How could I not?

(Aylary,) I called as I approached.

She turned to me and smiled. She smiled!

(Um, uh errrrrrrrr,) I didn't know what was going on I couldn't even talk!

Laughter filed my mind as she stepped closer to me. Her large, beautiful green eyes blinked and looked up at me. Again she laughed, and then her hand reached up and gave me the equivalent of an Andalite 'kiss'.

As we Andalites do not have mouths as many other species do we 'kiss' by stroking one another's faces with our palms, as a result we are uneasy about close contact.

Quick as a tail blade she darted away, she stopped a few metres off and waited for me. I smiled inwardly, what is she doing?

(Aylary!) I called again. This time she turned and looked at me all laughter gone from her eyes.

(I have decided,) she said.

(What have you decided?) I asked.

(I have decided that since my father agrees with you. When you return from your next assignment. You will be my mate.)

(I will be your mate?) I asked stupidly.

(Do you want to have me or not?) She asked. What type of female was she? Even the mythical Ellimists couldn't have designed such an annoyingly beautiful female.

(Yes,) I said. (I want you to be my mate.)

(Good,) she said. Then she bounded away returning to her father standing on the edge of the field some way off.

(Yes! Hah-ha! This is indeed a good day!) I exulted. Everything was coming together. I was a Warrior, I had finally got Aylary's acceptance. What more could I want?

It was in a good mood that I entered my new home for the text two years, her name was StarGazer. She was one of the two other Explorer class ships. As I headed towards the cargo-hold to hear the captain's address I smiled at Seerow. He to smiled back pointing at a group of young arisths nearby. They had been watching the warriors as we marched towards the cargo-hold.

As was to be expected we waited for the captain to arrive. When he did he was not much of a shock, he was slightly smaller than Captain Ellemar had been, slightly lighter in shade than Prince Eoptis. Not much to say about him really. Except that he was a captain and any captain deserves respect.

(I am Captain Noorlin-Sirinial-Cooraf and welcome to the StarGazer.)

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