Just to gloat…I got a free day of school! Hee-hee! Okay, not I've got that out of my systems I'll move on.
Quillian: Nope, Asculan isn't exactly boring. Though he can get stuck in a rut from my opinion.
Tiko: It's great to know that you actually took the time to read all the chapters. And that you liked them is very good, too. If you read this chapter I hope you enjoy it. : D
Birdie num num: Oookay, if you say it was funny…thank you very much for the review!
Elwing: Okay, I'll answer all the reviews you've given me over the past few days. People may want to skip this as it could take a while.
Yes, Elfangor is 'in'. But he's gotta to 'out'. Ended in a high note? Really? Ok, I'll leave that up to you.
No, don't worry about Ellemar he isn't going to die. Neither is Kayless, I've got bigger plans for him.
And about Elfangor's cursing…he's the only one to do so. I figured that he would have picked up some human habits and way of speaking. Besides it's kind of funny seeing Asculan try to understand what he's on about.
Asculan is annoying isn't he? Well, from now on he's gonna be a bit different following his lecture to himself. But don't mistake that as having reformed into a all round good-guy because we know that's not gonna happen.
It great to know you actually took the time read the beginning chapter again. You can comment wherever you like. About the converting dates…well I took a look at the H-BC and figured out the difference in years between the Andalite year and the Earth year. It's something like 1.15 Andalite years to a Earth year.
I think I must have gotten a bit confused over the whole naming thing. Please forgive me. Yes, it is official; in my world Andalites only had one child per scoop before the war. I may be wrong because of Alloran and Arbat but I made an excuse for them.
Sofor is kind of meant to remind people of Rachel except that he isn't half as blood thirsty as her. He'll fight but he won't enjoy it.
And as for the perfect qualities for a prince…it was kind of my private joke. The civilians think that princes are kind and loving but in reality they are all the exact opposite except of the shinning few that give the princes their nice-guy image.
(Elgangor and Ellemar.)
Asculan is meant to really take up after Eoptis so I decided to over-write Eoptis's characteristics. He is never slightly ticked he's TICKED! That kind of thing.
The whole vecol thing. Well later on because of Asculan's lose of stalk-eye and site on one side that makes him a vecol in some sort of way so he gets what's coming to him. Well, Asculan is not meant to be there for you to love. That's what Kayless is for, hee hee.
Asculan is very possessive I admit. But we know that Aylary is actually the one who almost owns Asculan once they get 'coupled'. As she was Aldrea's mother I thought she'd shear her ability to manipulate others. Like the way Aldrea uses Dak.
Whoot! I'm done! Next chapter please…
Chapter Twenty Four
Change
Andalite date: 8584.2
Earth date: 1986
Over thirteen long years had passed since I had first screamed at Elfangor, eventually realising it was I I was most upset at. I had seen so many battles that I couldn't even begin to count.
It would have been great if I could say I won them all, or at least, most of them. But – unfortunately – many I had lost or drawn.
The TailStrike had done its duty, but now it was old and her crew were needed to man the newer class of Dome ships being created.
Prince Kayless was being transferred to the Pulsar and Elfangor was leaving to serve under a captain I had met only briefly Captain War-prince Nerefir of the Dome ship GalaxyTree.
Note the 'war' in captain-war-prince this meant he outranked me so I was certainly not going to argue about who got Elfangor.
It did cross my mind though…I still did not like Elfangor but he was a brilliant fighter pilot and a great prince. Then I had found out I would not be needing a crew at all –
(What? Transferred to the Homeworld?) I asked in confusion.
(Captain?) Prince Kayless asked from his position to my right.
I showed him the pad bearing the War-Council's seal. He took it and looked, then he laughed and passed the pad to Elfangor.
(Looks like you're heading home, Captain,) Elfangor said happily.
(We all are,) I said. I could hear the excited approvals from my bridge crew. (It's just that I'll be staying when you all go off to save the day. You can visit your parents Elfangor…ask them about your brother.)
Elfangor beamed. (You heard the Captain! Set course for the Homeworld!)
(Is it not my task to give the orders?) The F.O, Galuit-Enilon-Esgarrouth, said sounding a bit upset that I did not scold Elfangor's enthusiasm.
I did nothing. Recently I had come up with a brilliant way of punishing my subordinates. Favouritism. If you favour one crewman above all others the rest will punish him for you. A brilliant way really of controlling my crew.
So, the more I favoured Elfangor the less the rest of my crew liked him. It was yet another style of command I had learnt from long gone Captain Eoptis.
In truth I was worried about heading back to the Homeworld. What would I do there? They couldn't possibly have decided to take me off active service. That would be mad. We needed every fighter we could in the Fleet.
The Abomination was still at large; no matter how hard I tried I was never able to kill him. It was the same for me, whenever we met he also attempted, and failed, to end my life. Eventually it had become almost a long lasting game of sorts, sometimes I would be the hunter and on others the hunted.
We were in luck and no Yeerks attacked us on the way home, but still it would take a few hours even with Z-space transfigured to give us the shortest possible trip.
(Prince Elfangor inform me if we run into any trouble. I will be in my quarters,) I ordered. Sullenly I marched back to my solitary quarters. Today was an important day to me at least. Twenty four years, that's how long it had been since Deodatus's death.
This day twenty four years ago I first heard of his death. None of my crew knew what happened to my son, or even that I had indeed long ago been coupled. Maybe it was stupid but every year, no matter where I was, I would perform the mourning ritual.
Eoptis would think I was being pathetic. He would say I should long ago have found another mate. (Well, you're not here are you Eoptis?) I asked aloud.
I stood inside my rather large quarters. I had lit some therat bark. It realised a soft fragrance that was supposed to remind a warrior about his home and the People for whom he was fighting.
I lowered my blade and closed my main eyes leaving the stalk eye open, (In memory of the People, of my ancestors that gave their lives so mine could be born I -)
The ship lurched forwards and I fell onto my back on the deck. (What the -)
(Captain?) Elfangor's voice echoed through the communications, (We seemed to have received a jump start. I mean we're back, we're home.)
Still on my back I asked, (Jump start? What does that mean? I thought I asked you to try and stop using those sayings you picked up wherever you were hiding.)
I could practically see laughing eyes watching Elfangor was he straightened up on the bridge, (I mean Z-space, um, it rearranged itself. We've just arrived at the Homeworld coordinates. Should we exit Z-space?)
(No,) I sneered. (I think we should just carry on by. Yes, you fool! Take us out of Zero-space!)
I heard laughs erupt on the bridge. Apparently the other warriors thought this was all terribly amusing. I could think of many things to say but instead I merely resigned to mumbling incoherently to myself.
(This is it, my crew.) I announced in open thought speak to the entire crew. (It has been an honour serving with you. The TailStrike has done its duty – and so have you. Make me proud.) I smiled to myself as I added the last line.
The crew had indeed made me proud. I fully expected most of my crew to go on to become great warriors and princes. I had taught them very well.
---
CREEEEEEE-AKKKK. The tree fell cut perfectly at the base. I leaped away just before it hit the ground. My land had become very rugged while I was away in space and I had a lot of reshaping to do.
I stepped back and prepared to start dividing the tree into smaller pieces.
(You're that captain aren't you?)
I jumped. I very nearly had a heart attack. A small child stood nearby, he had big green eyes and was perhaps three or four years old.
(Who are you?) I asked.
(Who are you?) He echoed.
I huffed in amusement, this little one was a very disrespectful brat, (I am Captain-Prince Asculan-Semitur-Langor, and you?)
He blinked at me and said, (You're Old One-Eye. That's what my brother says everyone calls you.)
(Aximili!) I saw Elfangor come running up, behind him I noticed two older Andalites also running to catch up. (Captain! I hope my brother didn't cause any trouble.)
(Your brother eh?) I asked.
(Y-yes.)
(Old One-Eye, eh?) I taunted.
Elfangor hung his head. Aximili watched his brother and did the same.
His parents finally arrived. Captain Noorlin looked at me as if he couldn't quiet place something. Suddenly his eyes lit up with recognition, (Asculan! I mean – what rank do you hold now?)
(Captain-prince,) I replied.
(You have done well for yourself,) he said sounding impressed. (I didn't recognise you with your – well – your…you know.)
I glanced at Elfangor, (Just call me Old One-Eye; apparently that's what everyone calls me. Isn't that right Prince Elfangor?)
Elfangor now looked as if he'd like to jump into the Reelak. Hisfur turned a lighter shade of blue and his stalk eyes looked up at the sky. (I might have – spoken with Aximili, about things.)
(Were are you heading?) I asked.
(We are heading back from the spaceport,) Noorlin replied. (It was Aximili's first trip there so I thought it would be more interesting if we ran rather than take a transport. Unfortunately he has the habit of running away. You understand)
I gave a sad smile, (No. I don't. It is getting late if you wish to stay here for the night you are welcome.)
Noorlin accepted readily, at this point Elfangor looked as if he'd like to faint.
Later that night Noorlin and I were talking about my brief time aboard the StarGazer. (Remember you very nearly through a fit when I told you that I was leading the boarding party?) Noorlin was asking.
I laughed, (Oh yes. I try to forget those embarrassing moments.)
Elfangor stood a little way off and was listening intently. I don't think he knew that I had served under his father.
Suddenly Noorlin's face grew serious, he looked closely at me, (How are you, Asculan? I remember hearing from Captain Ellemar how your father died. Soola's Disease.)
I knew what he meant; Soola's disease was genetically programmed. It passed on from generation to generation. From father to son. (I am well. My father only displayed symptoms very late in life which is unusual. I will very likely only start experiencing the symptoms in a good few years.)
(You have Soola's Disease?) Elfangor spoke up sounding shocked.
I looked at him. (Yes. After my father died I was tested. I inherited the gene from his side.)
(I didn't know,) he said.
(Hence the term private,) I retorted.
---
(Feyorn! It is good to see you after so long!) I ran to meet my old friend.
He turned and looked coldly at me, (My rank is captain, Captain-prince.)
I frowned and looked at Breeyar who was standing beside Feyorn. He kept his gaze perfectly blank as did Sofor who was standing beside Breeyar.
(What's going on?) I asked. (What did I do?)
(Come,) Feyorn turned and began to walk off.
I grabbed his arm. He stopped and glared at me. (Remove your hand, Captain,) he grated.
(Feyorn, what's got into you? We haven't seen each other for over thirteen years,) I asked growing worried.
(The last time did speak to each other you had me thrown off your ship,) he replied.
I laughed, (I was upset, you can't still be angry over that.)
(Yes. I can. This is exactly the problem Asculan, you are too volatile. You can't be relied on. I simply have grown wiser and can see that any relationship with you is simply quite useless and will only end up with me being your scapegoat.)
I really could not believe what I was hearing. (But – we've been friends since the Academy. I mean, with Seerow and Alloran and you and Breeyar and Sofor. I really didn't mean to be upset with you.)
Feyorn shook his head. (You are dangerous to be around Asculan. It took me a while but I see that people like you and Eoptis I really dislike.)
Feyorn removed his arm from my grasp and walked away leaving me to think about what he said. So much for loyalty, I thought.
His words made me think. From now on I would simply not let anyone know what I was thinking or feeling, that way I could not possibly offend. Hopefully. Maybe.
As I turned to leave the spaceport where this had all gone on I heard two voices calling me. Coming closer I could see ones pale blue fur and recognised him immediately. Jaham!
I cantered up to greet them, (War-Prince Jaham. Council-member Lirem.)
Both smiled, (What are you doing here?) Lirem asked.
I looked with a stalk eye at the others retreating figures, (Just – just saying goodbye to old friends. Prince Jaham I haven't seen you in years. How are you?)
Prince Jaham smiled, (I am chief of the military.)
(My Ellimist!) I blurted. (You've done very, very well then. May I ask as to why you called me?)
Lirem spoke up, (We know you must be wondering as to why you were transferred from the TailStrike. The War-Council has met and decided that your experience could be useful on the War-Council.)
I frowned, (Meaning?)
(We want you on the Council, Captain,) Prince Jaham said, he was clearly having trouble hiding his amusement at my not understanding.
(I am not a politician,) I said bluntly.
Lirem smiled, (You are now.)
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