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I pressed a panel on the door of Sub- Visser 19's command room that rang a bell within. I suppose humans would call a command room an office. To understand how I was feeling at the time, imagine going to see a very strict boss or school headmaster, add a panicking host and the very real possibility that I could be killed slowly and painfully. That's how frightened I was.

"Enter," came the bored yet simultaneously threatening command from within.

I slowly pushed open the door. A strong male Hork- Bajir stood before a large computer panel.

"You asked to see me, Sub- Visser?" I asked.

"You must be Aftran Nine-Four-Two."

"Yes, Sub- Visser." I replied.

"How long have you been serving as a Gedd?"

"Three years, Sub- Visser, but only a month on Earth."

"Well, I have received reports that you are very hard working. Good Yeerks get their rewards. How would you like to move up to Hork- Bajir?"

I hesitated. Hork- Bajir came from a different planet to us, and it was not natural to infest them. Samilin cut in.

Only go to other Yeerk. Gedds don't really form proper sentences: I was quite surprised she'd thought of that actually.

Yes, you're right Samilin, I can't really turn it down.

"I would like that very much Sub- Visser. Which Hork- Bajir will I be assigned to?" I enquired.

"Number 144529. A young female." he answered.

"Thank you Sub- Visser."

"You've just fed?"

"Yes, Sub- Visser."

"Then take it at the end of your next feeding. That will be all."

"Thank you very much, Sub- Visser."

I left the room, feeling quite pleased with myself, yet worried that the Hork- Bajir would hate me far more than Samilin ever could. It also felt strange that Sub- Visser 19 didn't even know the Hork- Bajir's name, he just gave me a number. Hork- Bajir were more intelligent than Gedds, I knew that, although everyone said that they were pretty stupid. But how could we label any sentient creatures with numbers, steal their bodies and stick them in cages for an hour every three days while we swam in the pool? I told myself I was just being soft- hearted again.

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