Korean Pearl; I rarely have a real route planned anyway, just a basic plotline. What I meant when I said altering previous chapters can change the plot was that it can mean I have to revamp several chapters which, in themselves, didn't need it. So I will often change a route with a fic from a review, or if I feel it should be changed. Thanks for the review!
Dot The Distracted: You should find a lot more description of the 'alien premises' as you put it, in this chapter, glad you like it so far!
Anonymous- cat: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you like it!
Elwing: Well, you can rest assured that I won't stop paying attention to Animorphs! I started reading them a little late, so I still haven't got them all (although I've got a good 90!) Yeah, and I really love writing, although I'm terrible at original fiction, strangely. But I love writing about my obsessions, like Animorphs. Anyway, enjoy this chapter; I loved writing it, and I love getting your reviews!
I have tried to add some description of the Andalite world to this chapter (no one suggested it, but I thought I hadn't really done enough). I've tried to make it fit with how I saw Andalite culture, so let me know if it seems really off to you.
"Photographs!" Marco yelled across the huge grassy courtyard, packed with every species.
"Huh?" asked several people. I was puzzled myself.
"I have to write a report on this trip, so I want some photos. Anyway, it would be good to have some as souvenirs," Marco explained.
Most of the people in the courtyard moved to gather around Marco. Marco turned to the ten smartly dressed professional photographers who had been with him all day, taking photographs of various areas of the tour. A photograph is an exact copy of a scene, taken with a camera. The 'camera' is a primitive device, but it works well enough. Andalite readers should think of it as a primitive still hologram.
After several seconds of discussion with his photographers, Marco made his decision.
"OK, I want everyone by the front of the electorate building, we'll arrange you once you're there."
I didn't totally understand the purpose, but went anyway.
Andalites prize architecture, and the Electorate building was no exception. This was no sharp- looking, metal structure. Instead, it was made of hirlim, a rare stone found on the Andalite world. The light of the setting sun sparkled off the silver crystals in the rock in brilliant streaks of rainbow colours and silver glints, and I could see why the photographers had chosen this site.
The Electorate building had huge open windows in the walls, and a derrishoul tree was planted at both sides of the huge entrance. Inside, the floors were covered in grass and huge trees, tended carefully by the many plant carers employed there, grew from the ground for many metres up through holes in the roof made specifically for that purpose. The rooms were divided from one another by delicate bushes, not walls, and beautiful springs and rivers ran all around the building.
Most of the Andalite buildings were similar, and the water from their various springs and rivers ran under the courtyard in tunnels that had been built painstakingly by Andalites before I was born, to emerge in a beautiful lake framed with trees in the centre of the courtyard. The ship cradles, which were, out of necessity, rather ugly constructions, were located in an area of land between Marili's university and the Academy; it must have been at least 50 human hectares large to house all our ships. That was the one ugly place, so it had been screened from view by huge trees.
I could see why Marco wanted to start the photographs now, there were so many beautiful places it would be hard even with the two hours he had given himself before sundown.
Marco and his team constructed a temporary metal staircase to elevate the top groups of people so they could be seen. Once the people were on it, they would hide the staircase so it would look like it wasn't there.
Hork- Bajir went on the top two steps, and then most humans and Yeerks on the lower ones. Marco, Cassie and Ax took pride of place in the bottom at the centre, and Eva and I went either side of them. The five of us were framed by two derrishoul trees.
"All four eyes forward, Alloran and Aximili," instructed a photographer.
(But..) we both began at the same time. We had both learnt that a warrior never focuses all four of his eyes forward at the same time; it is incredibly dangerous.
(Just do it!) Marco snapped, in gorilla morph. (We don't have time to play games, it'll be dark before we're finished as it is.
We obeyed reluctantly, and the photographers took several shots from various angles.
"That should do it," said the chief photographer. "We'd also like to take a few individual or small group photos. If anyone wants one taking, you just have to ask."
We dispersed, and I saw many people go off to have smaller photos taken by the lake, the Academy or the universities. The Yeerks had a group photo taken next to the lake; in fact, it seemed like one of the most popular places.
I had several more photographs taken, at the insistence of Marco. By then, the sun had set, and it was time to return home. I found Illim, Baras, Marili and Jahar, and we headed back for a well- earned rest; although, with a Yeerk around, Marili wasn't resting; she was still doing her project.
I allowed Illim to ride on my back home; it meant we could get there more quickly. We were all cantering across the grass, and it felt wonderful to be free again.
It felt so wonderful that I picked up my speed, forgetting that Illim was on my back. I leapt over small streams, splashed through larger stretches of water, jumped logs and swerved around trees. The land whipped past. I swerved into a stretch of forest, slowing slightly to weave between the trees, and leaping over the tress felled by the recent winds. I approached a line of bushes, gathered myself, and leapt over them with ease.
It was a credit to Illim that he managed to stay on, even when I gave a small buck of delight. He didn't speak either; I think he realised that I was enjoying my freedom and did not want to ruin it for me.
I had run for about a mile when I realised Illim was even there! I quickly slowed to a canter, then a trot, then to a walk. I halted and looked back; my family was quite a way behind me, still staying at a sedate canter. I waited for them.
(Sorry, Illim,) I said.
"It's alright, it's great to see you enjoying yourself. Anyway, I know how you Andalites love to run; I nearly got knocked over several times in the dome when an aristh wasn't looking where he was going."
I laughed. I would treasure this memory of my wonderful gallop and Illim's friendship for many months, and it would help me to face my people, to keep my pride, even when there seemed to be little hope.
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