Hi, yet again. Yes this is obviously another chapter, so you all know what's gonna happen next.

Kharina: In answer to your comments.

1. I wasn't thinking when I said they cuffed his hands, I should also have said that they sheathed his tail. Thanks for pointing that out.

2. Yes saying that he'll kill Aylary is a bit harsh but he's upset, tired and angry. He isn't really thinking about what he's saying.

3. We know that Aylary didn't really do anything wrong from human standards but who knows what Andalites would think about that type of thing?

Thanks for the review, please keep on reviewing.

Elwing: Yip, he does not like Aylary at all now. Well he finally got taught that beauty does not mean a nice personality. Besides we know he doesn't kill Aylary because she dies on the H-B homeworld along with Seerow and Barafin.

WHOO-HOOO! Yeah, you finally got e-mail! Does a little happy dance. I'm looking forwards to reading your fiction.

The REAL Cheese Monkey: Seerow, the rat-bustard! Asculan needs an umbrella then huh? I am not mean to him; I just like seeing him suffer. Just kidding.
Wow, well you go and by a psycho rapist then. Just leave me out of it!

Thanks to you guys, let's move on.

Chapter Sixteen

War

Andalite date: 8561.2

Earth date: 1966

Retirement. To give up one's regular work because of age, current situation e.c.t.

The thought left me with a burning anger every time it came to mind. That's what the military had said I had done, retired. They refused to accept the fact that they had forced me out of active service.

No. I had retired, Unable to cope with reality after he returned, some had said.

He just couldn't face the fact that his wife no longer loved him, poor fool, others said.

He is a vecol; we don't have vecols in the military, I had actually heard a group of arisths saying this as I ran one day to meet Alloran at the Academy.

Alloran had been coupled to Jahar a few years ago now. He had one child, a male named Lissan-Corrass-Attimul. He was a fine young child; it had become my 'duty' to look after young Lissan whenever Alloran, who was still a warrior, was away on duty.

Aylary no longer lived in my scoop, of course, she had moved to her husband, Seerow's. I still saw him every now and then; I had forgiven him for being coupled to my wife. After all it wasn't his fault she was an evil, disgusting, worthless excuse for a female.

Seerow I could forgive. Aylary I would not.

I now spent most of my free time, of which I had a lot, wandering around my grassland. My mother had passed away before I returned to the Homeworld and so I was alone.

Oh yes the others would come and visit whenever they were on the Homeworld, and sometimes one of my old captains would show up for a talk. But still, I was alone. And I was bored.

This is why I was standing looking at Prince Seerow's face on the communicator in my scoop.

(How are you Prince Seerow?) I asked stiffly.

Seerow merely inclined his head, (I am well. The species we are studying is truly unique! I have never encountered anything like it! Aylary – well you know Aylary is a biologist – she is having a great time studying their physiology -)

(Yes,) I cut in. I really did not care what Aylary was doing. (That's why I contacted you. Alloran is there I believe?)

(Yes, though he's still a bit upset about not being promoted,) Seerow said. Alloran served under Seerow and had recently been brought up for promotion. Seerow had turned down the recommendation. Apparently he thought it would 'bring out the worst in him.'

A rift had been formed between Alloran and Seerow, and of course Sofor supported Alloran while Feyorn and Breeyar had no clue what was going on as they were out exploring a planet known as Sector 4, YS-73853-3.

YS meant yellow star. That was the type of sun at the centre of the system. The dash-three meant the planet was third away from the sun.

I had heard all about the incident from Alloran and then about two days later from Seerow. I had begun to realise hat the People seemed to think that since I was a vecol I liked hearing about their problems.

I did not.

(Well, the reason I contacted you Seerow, my shorm. Is that I am terribly, exceptionally, outrageously bored. And well, I was thinking…) I let it hang.

Seerow narrowed his main eyes. (You knowwhat military policies letting civilians come to a military expedition are.)

(Oh come on, Seerow! I have not left my own territory in four years! Besides I could perhaps speak to Alloran and make him see sense,) one of the many things I had learned from Captain Eoptis was to use others problems to suit your own needs.

Seerow seemed to think about that and said, (Well, you always could relate to him better than I could.)

I smiled (Absolutely, Alloran listens to me.)

(Alloran! Listen to me!) I yelled. As you might have been able to guess I had arrived at the planet on which Seerow and Alloran were based.

Alloran whipped around to face me, (Why do I need to listen to you?)

The remark stung. There had been a time when Alloran valued what I had to say, but now…well, he had ignored me when I first arrived and was only now responding to me because I had delivered a kick with my back legs.

(As long as I am stuck here, under the command of Seerow, I will never be promoted. You know that Feyorn has made Captain, and that Breeyar has made Prince! And what am I? Still a warrior!)

(Well, maybe all you need is patience,) I said to him.

He laughed, (And you're one to talk, oh Patient One?) He gave me a playful nudge with his tail. Then deciding to change the subject, (So how was the trip?)

(Do you mean the long, boring, uneventful trip on that piece of junk they call the Kafit? The trip where I kept on getting dirty looks from the other passengers and one actually went as far as to say he did not want a vecol on the ship? That trip?)

Alloran laughed (That one, yes.)

(Oh it was enjoyable enough,) I answered back. (So what is this place called then?)

Alloran gestured around the complex we where in, (Why this is the A-YPCC. Stationed on the world of Sector Six, U-four, seven, nine, two, zero – one.)

(U?) I asked.

(Unclassified,) Alloran explained. (The sun is like none other we have ever seen, it emits some kind of radiation that we can't identify. The locals have some name for it, though for the life of my prince I can't remember it.)

I turned to look out of the plex at the green sky over head. It was raining at the moment. Acid rain, this planet was not in the least as hospitable as the Homeworld or even Velocia-Rex, and that was a desert planet.

(I can't believe that life forms even evolved here,) I mumbled.

(They did.)

I turned to see Seerow and some other warriors standing in the hatchway. Beside him stood a creature that I assumed was an inhabitant of this world.

It seemed to be hulking, bluish primate creature with webbed feet, narrow eyes and was leaning over slightly with one hand resting on the ground. No match for an Andalite female let alone an Andalite Warrior.

I looked at Seerow quizzically but it was the creature that answered. "Rrrr-I am rrrrr-Arrrrgon oh-oh-rrrnine. You arrre anotherrr Andalite."

I looked sharply at the creature, Argon, (I am Asculan-Semitur-Langor.)

The alien clearly had trouble mastering the inter-stellar language Galard. Argon seemed to smile, "Not warrrrior? Or rrrr-prince?"

)No. I – I am not fit to be a warrior,) I replied. I looked at Alloran but he was staring steadily at Seerow. Apparently he did not seem to think it fit that the alien, Argon, was in the complex.

Seerow didn't seem to notice at first but then he jerked himself away from his thoughts and smiled. (Argon is the representative of his people; he is a member of their governing body, the Council of Thirteen. I am glad that you two seem to get along.)

Get along?

I would hardly have chosen those words myself. More like I was not saying what was on my mind because I thought it might insult Seerow.

Alloran however should no restraint, (Yes, we have given him and his cohorts' full access to all our databanks. And we have yet to meet the esteemed leader of the Council of Thirteen. And I am so looking forwards to it.)

The alien gave Alloran what might have been an insolent look, "All in rrr-good time, Warriorrrr Allorrran. All in rrr-good time."

(We have shown you everything and yet you show us nothing! I am in the right mind to inform the Council about this fruitless expedition,) Alloran snapped.

Seerow frowned and turned to face Alloran, he then looked at me apologetically, (Aristh Lirem please come and escort Asculan back to the Kafit. I think it's time he goes home. Warrior Alloran I would like to have a word with you.)

Wordlessly a young aristh marched into the room; he looked at me and gestured for me to follow. I looked one last time at Seerow, and said goodbye to Alloran and marched out.

Behind me I could hear Alloran yelling at Seerow completely ignoring the fact that Argon was watching and silently listening.( They will grow tired of us; they will eventually figure out that they might not need us! I am warning you my Prince, these creatures are dangerous! I will stay only because you are my prince, but I will not defend you when you fail.)

(That is enough, Warrior!) Seerow yelled back.

I noticed the young aristh was looking back with one stalk-eye. He seemed worried by his leader's behaviour.

(What is your name?) I asked, attempting to try and sound genuinely interested.

He turned a stalk-eye to look at me, (I am Aristh Lirem-Arrepoth-Terrouss.)

(Really? Well, remember this night Lirem, I have a feeling that one day it'll be important. One day when you are older you will be able to say 'I served under Prince Seerow.' One day that will mean something.)

Lirem seemed a bit disturbed and merely answered (Yes, sir.)

I was aboard the transport ship the Kafit when I heard the announcement. I will remember it as long as I live.

I was standing looking out at the blank whiteness of zero-space when I saw a group of other Andalites, male and female, young and old, standing watching a screen.

I ran to see what was going on. At first all I got was dirty looks and snide remarks, but then I decided to pull what Alloran would call a Captain Eoptis, (Get out of my way! Now!)

The crowd quickly parted.

On the screen I saw the tired face of Alloran, where only hours before he had been smiling and talking, he now seemed so old, so beaten.

(- have relieved Prince Seerow of command. They have taken four fighters and two transports. Over a quarter of a million of them. We are at war. The Yeerk plague has lied to us, they used us. Millions of sentient races are in danger because of us.)

Alloran paused, (Because of Seerow's Kindness.)

There you have it. The time of Seerow's War has just begun. Please REVIEW!