We are here! The end of Asculan's adventure's in the War. Though we still have one more 'chapter' until the very end. Please enjoy.

Lilyofthevalley: It's great to hear you've liked the story so far. Yes, Asculan is a jerk but then he was one in -54. I'm pleased that you noticed the humour. I've tried to write a 'lighter' side into his jerk-ness. (If that's possible.)

I know that sometimes it's not good to speed up in years but for this story it had to be done. I'm worried about whether they 'flow' properly. About Asculan's happiness – well, you'll just have to read this chapter and the next. ;)

Hope you enjoy reading this next chapter! Thanks, as always, for the review.

Tiko: Yay! Another review! I agree I don't like Lirem much either. Great to hear from you : D

Elwing: Yes, you did miss two chapters but not to worry. I hope you enjoyed your holiday.

Trust me, when I sorted out the date-conversion thing it made sense…but now I can't remember how I did it. Kayless and Ellemar do not die.

I know that Asculan is VERY discrimitive but that's he's nature and they way he was brought up. The whole 'father to son' thing is just Asculan showing he's male-superiority side again. I guess to is passed on from parent to child. I also know Asculan is ANOYING!!!!! It's funny how many reviewers have said basically the same thing…great minds do think alike.

In response to your question: "If I still review the chapters, will you still read them?" Yes, I will. It's cool that you're rereading them. I'm very interested in hearing your views of the chapters. So yes. I will still read your reviews. You caught my inside joke. Yeah Keeda-Bastet is named for Keeda. Well actually Keeda is named for Keeda-Bastet. Long story.

GenesisDragon: Great review! Please enjoy this next chapter.

Quillian: I agree with your views on the way Lirem and Asculan might react when the War ends. But I don't think the main war ended just the war on Earth. Yes Earth was important but the Yeerks were doing Ok without it before the series so I think that the War was still going on at the end of -54.I wanna see your plans for Lirem in The Progression. That should be interesting.

Irish Rage And Love: You are right this chappie is a climax or some such thing. It's important let's say that. I'll enjoy writing it but maybe not the end so much. Happy reading.

The REAL Cheese Monkey: I understand computer troubles. My PC is soooo slooooowww! I thought it was funny. Lock and load. Anti-world was mentioned in Visser and -46.

Now I've done answering reviews, please enjoy this chapter..

Chapter Twenty Seven

The Other Side

Andalite date: 8623.3

Earth date: 2001

Politicians. You understand them. Usually brilliant at getting what they want but not all that good when it comes to strategy. Lirem was an exception, along with Jaham. Both of them were Fleet first then they turned to the more complicated side of leading the People.

Quarantine may not be as – clean - as other methods of ending the Earth Situation - as it was commonly called - but it was certainly the easiest way of stopping the Yeerks here and now.

Many years ago now Lirem had said that either the humans go free – or they die. It appeared that them being liberated was out of the question in the War-Council's mind.

Death was now the only way to freedom for them.

In some ways I pitied the resistance on Earth. They were fighting a battle that could absolutely not be won. I made a mental note to give them as quick a death as possible.

You see - Lirem had said Quarantine. The Council had agreed on Quarantine. But there was no way, not even with the entire fleet, I could keep Quarantine.

Lirem's eyes had told me what he wanted done. What he needed to be done. What the Council had condoned so many years ago they were now accepting.

Genocide. We would stop the Yeerks now. Earth was the final battle. The turning point. I would order Quarantine. The crew would accept, but even they, the faithful warriors, would understand what I truly meant.

Humankind would end when we arrived at the small blue planet so like the Homeworld that was Earth.

It was a terrible thing to ask of my crew. They understood the implications. How could they not? Over thirty years ago a war-prince had resorted to genocide in a desperate bid to win an ever losing battle. The result was Alloran - Butcher of the Hork-Bajir.

The epitaph rang true in my mind. If my friend would forever be known for his actions on the Hork-Bajir world what would I be remembered as? Asculan – slaughterer of over six billion sentient peaceful people? A despised, corrupted captain disillusioned by war?

I understood that now was not the time to develop a conscience. And truthfully I wasn't really troubled about the idea of killing off an entire species. I had never even seen a human, the numbers were just that. Numbers. Six billion and how many? They were not people; they were the difference between freedom and slavery.

The problem in my mind was more personal to me. I had never really encountered Visser Three in person. I had never had the opportunity to end the Abomination's life but now I did. The question was whether I would take it. Would I kill the face of my enemy? The face that also happened to be my friend?

I did not know. My mind trained for so many years of battle said yes, I could kill Alloran. Me, my essence, said no. There was no way I could ever look at my friend, see his face, understand that it was not truly him but see only him, and order his execution.

Maybe these humans could ignore the honour that one holds with a friend but I could not. And yet … when the time came who would I rather survive? Me or him? The answer was simple, me. But then how could I kill Alloran…?

(Sir?) Prince Kayless asked tentatively, pushing out of my mental struggle. (We are nearing the target planet. I am picking up one Pool ship on the ground, a Blade ship up in orbit and a number of smaller ships. Estimated time of arrival is three hours. Your orders?)

I consulted the holograms on front of me. A small red dot represented the Pool ship. I called up the more detailed scans of the landing site. A mass of metals and hard rock appeared to be destroyed. Presumably the remains of a settlement. There was residual radiation showing Dracons had been fired continually for a number of hours. I could only assume that the visser had decided on a more forward strategy than that he had been using.

We might be able to take the Pool ship, but, as the doomed GalaxyTree had shown we could not take the Blade ship as well.

(Call the high command,) I ordered briskly, making my decision, (request support, tell them I will be most – displeased if I do not receive it. Helm? Take us into Z-space. We will wait until the appropriate moment to show ourselves.)

Prince Offeran nodded and walked silently to the communications consol. There was a slight jolt as we entered Z-space. I breathed deeply; I swear it seemed as if I spent most of my life in Z-space.

(The high command says they have already dispatched the StarSword on an intercept course,) Prince Offeran said as he looked up from the screen.

I turned my stalk to look at him, in a low dangerous voice I asked, (When did they dispatch? I was unaware that they were on the Homeworld.)

My T.O turned once again to the screen, a few seconds then – (They were travelling with the main fleet to the Anti-world. The Great Leader decided after he spoke with you last to send them to Earth instead to help uphold the Quarantine.)

I noticed a slight shudder as Offeran said the word, (Couldn't they have sent another ship?)

The young prince looked scared and confused and said, (I – I do not know, sir, I mean, I only know what you've told us. We don't know the situation with the outside fleet!)

I showed him my approval and said, (Let us discuss a more important issue -)

-

For hours we stayed hidden in the blankness that is Z-space. Most of the crew became agitated and nervous. A few of the younger warriors looked as if they might jump into a rut at any second. Even Kayless had taken to pacing the length of the bridge.

The boredom was punctuated every now and then with the helmsman calling out, (Twenty minutes until our cousins arrive…fifteen…thirteen…)

I had gone through every possible outcome for the Quarantine. It was possible that the Yeerks would accept it for a while until they built up enough strength for an outwards push against us. They might just attack us the moment the Dome ships Elfangor and StarSword popped out of Z-space.

You may have noticed the ironic name of my ship, Elfangor. What better name than that of a warrior that will forever be remembered not just by his people but by his enemies as well?

Though were the real Elfangor failed his namesake would not.

Earth would be freed, one way or another.

An annoying alarm sounded off. For a few seconds the warriors on the bridge looked around at each other confused.

(What is that?!) I snapped, not at all in the best of moods.

It was Prince Offeran that answered first, (Communications, I think. Someone is hailing us. It's…it is Yeerk.)

Kayless's eyes narrowed. A few others gave an involuntary jerk. (Answer them, Prince.)

Prince Offeran lent forwards pushing the warrior in front of the screen away, (What do you want, Yeerk?)

I moved forwards to see an Andalite face on the screen, it was not Alloran and I was sure I had seen it before.

The face said, (We are not Yeerks. I am Aristh Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill, the brother of Prince Elfangor. You have correctly identified this signal as originating from a Yeerk Pool ship, but this ship is now under the control of…) he turned a stalk eye to look away from the screen, there was a moment of suspicious silence then, (…the Earth Liberation Army.)

I gave a snort of disapproval; it was a stupid and pompous title for a very typical Yeerk trap.

(Do you seriously expect me to believe that humans have seized control of a Yeerk Pool ship, Aristh Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill?) Offeran asked sounding as sceptical as I felt, (Clearly you are a Controller. Just as clearly this is a clumsy trap.)

If this was however not a trap…well, perhaps there was a way I might be able to keep both Alloran and myself alive.

(There is a Yeerk Blade ship heading…) the aristh started, he transmitted the co-ordinates. In truth this aristh was actually about the same age as many warriors aboard the ship. (You may be able to intercept them.)

I myself checked the heading he gave us. It was true that yes, there was a Blade ship were he said it would be. But honestly did he not think that a Yeerk would know where one of their own ships was?

(Discontinue the communication,) I ordered Offeran.

He nodded and said (Anything else, Yeerk? Is there another part to this pitiful attempt at a trap?)

Suddenly behind the aristh an older Andalite stood. He was much older with metallic blue fur and a stunned expression on his face, Alloran! No, Visser Three. Not your friend. The Enemy, I reminded myself.

Offeran looked startled and said, (So the deception is over. I see the visser has revealed himself.)

The face of my friend turned to the side. I could tell that he was speaking to someone off screen, his mains eyes flickered with the slightest passion then he turned to face Offeran, (Who are you?)

Offeran looked slightly offending at having been asked such a question from a Yeerk, (I am Offeran-Jibril-Castant. I am officer of the day aboard the Andalite Dome ship…) he paused and looked at me with a stalk. I smiled and he said, (The Dome ship Elfangor.)

I allowed myself an ironic smile at the thought of Elfangor finding out that I, the most opposed to him in the whole Andalite race, had named my own ship after him.

(A well-named ship,) the visser said. Suddenly I shook; never would Visser Three ever say such a thing. Never. What was going on? What was this game? (Now officer-of-the-day Offeran, you're going to want to contact the captain because you have just captured a Yeerk Pool ship. We will advance at space normal speed to any point you name. All Bug fighters will be deployed around the ship, and as we reach the rendezvous point you will see all Bug fighters self-destruct. At that time we will detach the Pool ship's main engines. All weapons will be powered down. This ship will be perfectly helpless.)

Offeran suddenly looked as if he'd faint. Kayless gulped a lot of air through his nose and several warriors let out small cries of amazement.

It was getting harder and harder to believe this was a trap. But I had to be sure…I had to know…

I stepped into view as Offeran stepped aside. I looked at the Abomination long and hard, (Visser, I refuse to -)

A flourish of noise interrupted me as the communications changed to allow spoken words as well and thought-speak, a small, Gedd-looking creature appeared, he had brown skin and stood taller than a Gedd but still they were very similar.

"Hey, Ax-man," the human said. I assumed it was a human. This human in fact was the high-pitched one I had heard a few months before, "Is it true the Andalite homeworld is watching all this? Can I wave to them?" He threw his strong looking arms into the air and jumped up and down.

Very similar to a Gedd being electrocuted, I noted to myself.

"Hi, everyone! Howard Stern rules! Yaaaah!"

What was that? What was this thing doing!? Suddenly I started thinking … Aximili, one of the Animorphs … the visser but not … a high pitched human … surely had the visser really been the visser he would have reprimanded such foolish behaviour?

What if this wasn't a trap? What if the humans had done it? What if they had actually won? Impossible, I would not believe it. Captain's prerogative.

How could a handful of humans with nothing but the morphing ability defeat an entire army of thousands of Yeerks? It was as likely as a Skirt-Na telling the truth.

The visser had a smug look on his face as he said, (I should have mentioned that under orders from his prince, Aristh Aximili has patched this communication through to the civilian net.)

What!? How dare he? The Electorate had been and still was watching every thing I did? They were watching me thinking, what is the captain doing? Can't he see that these are peaceful people? He should be offering friendship not threatening destruction.

They were destroying everything I had worked for for over fifteen years! I had my orders - Quarantine. But how could I possible justify Quarantine while the entire Andalite world was watching. I could so clearly imagine Ellemar and Lirem watching me closely trying to guess my next move.

Lirem would be as angry as I. Jaham would be shouting orders about ending the link but knowing if the did the Electorate would know they had been deceived. Ellemar, oh Ellemar had won, how could I possibly destroy the precious humans now?

"Captain Asculan, we know that the Andalite fleet is devoted to the destruction of the Yeerk threat. And we know that you must be personally committed to that goal," another male human, taller and lighter than the last stepped into my view.

You know I am you arrogant little human, and I will do everything within my power to destroy it. I thought the words I knew I could not say with the fools on the Homeworld watching.

"Because of your devotion to duty it may almost seem a disappointment to reach your goal at long last, only to discover that your foe has essentially surrendered," his voice was calm and collected.

You … you… you think that single-handedly you and your little band of friends have stopped a war that has been fought for thirty five years? Are you really that naive? That foolish? That stupid?

I now detected a smugness in his tone as he grew more assured of his authority over me, "At this point we have to set aside the necessary ruthlessness of war, the suspicion and hostility, and turn instead to the more satisfying duties of making peace."

Ohhhh…you are a deceitful little monster aren't you? You think that sweet words and good gestures can replace thousands – millions – of Andalite warriors? You. Are. Wrong.

"Our victory could never have occurred without the support of our Andalite friends," he said these words but all on the bridge could hear he did not mean them.

Very true you are! Without us distracting the Yeerks. Dieing on Leera and Anti…coming to Earth all those years ago…you would be theirs by now. You should be thanking us on bended knee!!

"I look forward to our two peace peoples working closely together, to form a deep and abiding friendship. We have so much to learn from our Andalite brothers, just as we have already learned so much from the great Elfangor and his no less courageous and resourceful brother, Aximili," this pathetic human had finished his oh-so touching speech and looked at me with small brown eyes.

You think Elfangor was a hero? He broke our very laws! The very things that we have been dieing for! No. Stupid human child, do not think you understand the game of war.

By the end of all this I had resigned myself to failure on Lirem's orders. There was now only one thing to do, I gave myself new orders.

(Who exactly are you?) I asked the human.

The smallish one jerked a fat thumb at the bigger one, "This is Jake. Jake Berenson. President of Earth."

-

Dozens of silent explosions filled the dark space beyond the orbit of Earths only moon. The Bug fighters belonging to the now rather defeated-looking Pool ship were destroyed.

I watched, resigned, while the engines were detached. These humans were living up to their word at least. To be sure, absolutely sure, that this was not a highly sophisticated Yeerk trap I waited. I knew from experience that sometimes the longer the wait the easier it was to subdue when at last the time for attack arises.

Lirem had contacted me angry and very upset soon after the Bug fighters had been destroyed. Apparently the Electorate were demanding to know what we were actually planning to do to Earth. They had ordered an enquiry led by none other than Captain Ellemar, the only captain to oppose me going to Earth.

Lirem and Jaham made sure he would find nothing but it was very apparent the War-Council's reign on the Homeworld was over. The Electorate would realise we had lied to them and they were not as forgiving as one might believe.

I also found out that I was suddenly not very popular back on the Homeworld. Apparently a few senators in the Electorate were calling for my emendate discharge from the Fleet; in essence they wanted my head.

I had felt a sad ironic wave of hilarity when Lirem had informed me of this. I knew that it was not the People that would finish me. Not them or the Yeerks. No…rather my end, which the doctors had told me was very, very, near, had been programmed since my birth.

However, in the mean time Lirem had ordered me to (Give them nothing, understand? If the War-Council is going to be blamed for this fiasco then I surely do not want those responsible to get away with anything!)

After giving my approval and consent I spoke briefly with the StarSword. Shortly afterwards both ships launched fighters. They expertly swooped in and surrounded the beaten Pool ship. The Elfangor and StarSword approached at different angles.

I was happy enough that there was no danger from the aforementioned ship. Prince Kayless ran several sensor sweeps and declared them suitably alone and helpless.

It was time, (Prince Kayless? You stay on the bridge. Prince Offeran? Gather an away team and meet me in the hanger bay.)

Prince Kayless nodded silently. He also seemed to have realised that no matter what happened now he, like me, was not very welcome on the Homeworld at this moment in time.

I was walking alone through the deserted corridors of my ship when it happened.

Suddenly I couldn't see. The deck swam before me. Light seemed to grow in intensity until it was as strong as a sun and then faded. The world turned grey, I couldn't tell up from down. I reached from the bulkhead and allowed myself to lean against it.

The doctors had warned me about this. I breathed in and out slowly. Every breath I took felt as if a blade was being forced into my lungs. I closed my eyes against the confusing images that they were sending me. It felt like hours I was simply standing there, leaning against the cold, hard metal.

At last the pain subsided and I dared to open my eyes. By some sort of sheer luck the corridor was still as empty as it had been. I don't know what I would have done if anyone had seen me. I silently cursed myself and literally galloped the rest of the way to the hanger bay.

When I arrived I saw six older warriors, another six officers, one of which was Offeran waiting for me. He looked at me closely and said, (Are you alright, sir? We tried contacting you but you didn't answer. I was about to send someone to find you.)

I felt the rest of them watching. Did I really look that bad? (I am perfectly well, T.O. What I was doing is my business.)

He bowed his head in submission. We entered the shuttle that was hovering a few centimetres above the deck. I was still shaking slightly as we docked with the Pool ship. The wild brat who had I had first met when he was only three or four years old stood waiting for us.

(Captain-Prince Asculan,) he said respectfully.

I walked down the ramp and said, (You. Take me to your prince.) the word prince was said with a sneer.

Aximili frowned and said, (Yes sir.)

We marched down the dark, dull, passages of the Pool ship in utter silence. No one spoke, not even in private thought speak. I think my crew realised that I was upset about more than just this current situation.

The warriors swept onto the bridge. Following my orders they fanned out covering everyone. The younger princes looked at each other excitedly. This was likely the first Yeerk vessel any of them had boarded.

I stepped in last, careful not to allow any effects of the 'attack' I had experienced a few minutes ago. I was in no way going to allow them to see I was weak.

My stalk eye swept the bridge; I saw the human leader, Jake Berenson. The smaller, darker male stood beside him. His eyes watched me sceptically.

A much darker human also stood near Jake Berenson, this one seemed more delicate then the other two and was a female I believed. A bird was perched on a consol nearby. And lastly there was Alloran.

He stood tall and proud. Well, tall was not perhaps the best word to use. He had never been very big for a male and was about the same size as the dark female.

The warriors and officers kept on turning their stalk eyes to catch glimpses of Alloran before turning them back to watch me.

Jake Berenson gulped air through the horizontal slit on his face called a mouth, "Captain, thanks for coming over. As soon as we can settle some details, I'll be glad to turn this ship over to you."

(Details?) I wondered.

He narrowed his eyes, "Yes. The Yeerk prisoners of war have been promised the opportunity to be subjected to the morphing technology. So have a number of Taxxons down on the surface."

The answer came immediately (Denied.)

The human began to look unsure, "I promised them."

His arrogance nearly overwhelmed me. He promised them? Oh well since he promised the Yeerk filth of course I'd break our laws! (You had no right to promise what you do not own.)

"Hey, we're handing you a Yeerk Pool ship. And by the way, there are another couple of dozen major Yeerk vessels back in orbit around Earth and you can snap them up easy. Thanks to us," the small one said angrily.

I ignored the whiney small one and looked at the leader, (We're very grateful,) I lied. (But Yeerk technology, while no doubt fascinating to my officers is less sophisticated than our own. It is of interest, but no more than that.)

Small-one cried out, "We won your lousy war for you, you pompous old –"

Jake Berenson spoke, interrupting his fellow human, "My promise to the Yeerks and the Taxxons will be honoured."

I decide it was time to show who was actually in charge here, (The morphing technology is the property of the Andalite people. I am aware that you are morph-capable yourself, as well as a number of you people. Despite the fact that this was illegal, we don't intend to take any action against you for that. But the technology will not be made available any further.)

The female spoke up, "Sir, don't you understand? This is the way out. The Yeerks are parasites who require other bodies to see, to move about freely. As long as that's the case they'll be trouble. Maybe not for us or for the Andalites any more, but for someone."

The idea was ludicrous! This female expected me to believe that the Yeerks would stop just because we gave them the morphing ability? Given technology is what started this war! I laughed mockingly, (Now you're proposing the technology be made freely available to the entire Yeerk species? You can't be serious. This will never happen No Yeerk, no Taxxon will ever be given the morphing technology. Am I clear?)

The bridge fell silent as my words finished. The human leader suddenly looked old and beaten. He would submit. I had won. Then to my great annoyance Small-one sidled beside his leader and whispered something into his ear.

Jake Berenson nodded and looked around the bridge as though there was an answer to his problems hiding nearby.

The aristh decided to speak up, (Captain-Prince Asculan, I hereby declare a challenge.)

My blood froze. Then I decided to try and make the foolish aristh see sense, (Aristh, you are not in a position to declare a challenge. You would have to be of princely rank or have the support of an Andalite of princely rank.)

Silence fell again, then, (I hold that rank.)

I swung around to scowl at Alloran. Betrayer! He was betraying me! For this aristh! How. Dare. He?

In a low, dangerous tone I said, (Alloran, you are under suspicion for your actions on the Hork-Bajir world, I wouldn't -)

My old friend glared fiercely at me, (What I did on the Hork-Bajir world was precisely what you and the fleet were preparing to do to this world.)

I focussed my two eyes to look directly at Alloran, I was under orders. You acted alone.)

(I still retain my rank,) Alloran grated. (I am a war-prince. This aristh has declared a challenge and I support his challenge. The requirements of the law are satisfied.)

I wanted nothing more than to attack Alloran. To sever his lying, filthy head from his shoulders. I felt energy fill me up in preparation for battle. Oh, how I wanted to eradicate him.

My crew, I sensed, did not exactly share my need to wipe Alloran for existence. Rather I saw them glance at each other nervously, unsure.

"Is someone going to maybe tell us what a challenge is?" Small-one chirped annoyingly.

Aximili answered quietly, (It is the right and obligation of any Andalite warrior to challenge the order of a superior if he believes that superior is violating the fundamental right of the Electorate – the People.)

Small-one laughed, "You're kidding. How do you people ever fight wars if you can challenge anything your superior officer tells you to do?"

(If my challenge fails I will be harshly disciplined,) Aximili answered sounding terrified, (I will be exiled. Permanently. And my tail blade…My tail blade will be cut off.)

Alloran, still glaring at me said, (Asculan under the law you may declare an emergence and continue until we can arrange for the challenge to be judged at a later time. But I do not see how a court could agree that this negotiation over prisoners can possibly be called a legitimate emergency. In which case you would lose your rank and position and be exiled.)

(I know the law,) I spat. (I will confer with my officers.)

I waited for the humans to leave the bridge. "I fought for this ship, Captain," Jake Berenson said. "You were invited aboard."

Angrily I lead my officers away. I took them to a small side room I presumed had been Visser Three's office. It was ironic that I, an Andalite, would be deciding the fate of his people in his office. Have I mentioned I hate irony?

Offeran started to speak but I cut him off. I didn't need to hear his opinion because I knew I had no chance whatsoever of winning a challenge against the brother of Prince Efangor: the Hero. Especially not now with the Electorate calling for my discharge.

I lent against a wall and stared into blankness. Is this what it was like for Captain Eoptis when I declared a challenge all those years ago? Had he stood infuriated by someone he thought he could trust suddenly betraying him?

Suddenly I felt weak. I felt as if I wanted to sleep and sleep and sleep. I had lost this battle long before it ever started. Lirem's wrath or the Electorate's? That was my choice.

Who would I betray?

It seemed my entire life had been leading up to this moment, all my training had brought me to this. Not a life or death battle but politics! I felt like hurting something, anything.

(Offeran?) I said at long last.

He looked at me cautiously, (Yes, sir?) He spoke like he was talking to a detrimental child.

I sighed through my nose, I was so tired, (Four Escafil devices will be given to Aristh Aximili. Same aristh is hereby promoted to prince, Prince Aximili is appointed liaison between the Andalite Fleet and Earth.)

Offeran left quickly to follow my orders. A few minuets later he returned with the arrogant Aximli's thanks. With the exchange of messages the Earth Situation had ended.

-

That night in my quarters I lit some therat bark and stood feeling the Illsipar as it entered my hoof. Today had not been the best day of my career. In fact I doubted whether there was any day worse than this day.

The StarSword hung in orbit of Earth only a few kilometres away. I saw its dome and the bulge that was the bridge. There I knew the captain; Feyorn was debriefing the newest addition to his crew: Alloran.

Yes, as surprising as it may seem Alloran had asked to be allowed to stay on Feyorn's ship rather than the Elfangor. I had expected as much. Alloran hated me, just as Feyorn, Breeyar and Sofor did.

I was utterly alone and I hated it. I supposed it was perhaps in some offhanded way my fault. I should try and speak with them…

But why didn't they try and speak with me? No! Why should I be the one to crawl to them? I did not like the idea.

I averted my gaze into the vast emptiness of space. Somewhere out there, long ago now, I had lost my friends, my family, my life. I had never fully recovered from the crash, from the isolation.

First I had lost Aylary, I had never really spoken with her, never really considered her a shorm. You see I had watched the human leader and the dark female, I could see that they were close. I pitied them; it was not hard to see that years of war had destroyed what might have been.

My computer beeped telling that a message was waiting. I turned to answer and felt a hot, burning pain shoot through my arm.

(Oh…no,) I whispered. (Not now. I really don't need this right now.)

Unfortunately Soola's disease had been killing for thousands of years and didn't stop to think about the wants or needs or one disgraced captain.

The pain continued from my arm into every cell in my body. It felt like an acid was burning me from inside out. Again my vision blurred and rapidly vanished. I tried to speak but could not even do that.

From far off I knew my legs had buckled. I felt the bitter, solid deck rush up to meet me. The blackness was encircling me, wanting almost for me to go with it. I was tired. I was lost.

Maybe…maybe…

I tried desperately to focus my mind, but it felt as though it was fading, always moving a little out of my reach.

Help. I moaned silently. Please.

The blackness was there again, pulling me, my resistance failed and the last thing I felt was it sweeping me away into an empty, eternal abyss.

Yes, that's the end of my longest ever chapter! Please REVIEW!