The thought speech things won't show up for some reason, or at least not when I checked it. I have no idea why, so I've done it as brackets instead. Hope you like this. I know my chapters are quite short, but I like them that way. Please keep reviewing and get your friends to R&R too! Anyway, on with the story...

(Goodbye Samilin. Thank you for being my host. )

(Goodbye. ) She replied.

I slid out of Samilin's ear for the last time, and entered the warm sludge of the pool. The first thing I did was to go and find Milan, Tassan and my pool brother Estril.

(Hey. )I said approaching them.

( You're late.)

( I know, I had to wait to talk to Samilin. )

(WHY?!) Milan exclaimed. (You'll be in her again in an hour and ten minutes.)

(I won't. I'm moving up to Hork- Bajir. Sub- Visser 19 told me after our last meeting and I never got chance to talk to you.)

(Wow Aftran, that's great!) Estril exclaimed.

(I hope it behaves itself.) Milan provoked.

(She's female.) I replied calmly. (And I'm the one who needs to behave, I'm the one in charge of her body.)

(No, I mean I hope it doesn't fight you.)

(If I'm kind to her, and let her have some freedom then maybe she won't have any need to fight me.)

(Here they go again...) Tassan and Estril said at the same time. If they were humans they would have rolled their eyes at each other.

(Shut up) Milan and I snapped simultaneously.

(OK. How are Innis and Illim, anyway?) Estril asked me. Innis 551 and Illim 871 were my, well, boyfriends I suppose humans would call them. In Yeerk society it is usual for either a female Yeerk to have two boyfriends or a male Yeerk to have two girlfriends.

(Ask them.)

(Huh?)

(They're coming now.)

(Oh, I didn't...)

(Notice?) Innis supplied.

(Yes, good job you're not in a Hork- Bajir Estril,) joked Illim. (You'd have no chance in a battle!)

(Talking about Hork- Bajir..) Estril said.

(Where've you been, anyway?) I hastily interrupted him. I wanted to put off the time when I would have to admit to being the first one of us in a Hork- Bajir for as long as possible. I was worried they might be jealous.

(We had to rearrange our feeding schedules, Sub- Visser 51 told us to.) Innis answered.

(In PERSON?) Milan asked. Good, she understood I wanted to tell as few Yeerks as possible.

(No, she sent word) replied Illim. They were best friends and tended to be reassigned together. ( We requested it would be as short as possible, though. We missed you, Aftran.)

I suddenly didn't think they would be jealous of me. (I missed you too.) I replied.

(Aftran's getting moved up to Hork- Bajir.) Estril informed them.

(Wow!) Innis and Illim exclaimed. (Which one?)

(Number one-four and a load of other numbers. Sub- Visser 19 said she was a young female.)

(You can't remember it's number?) asked Tassan.

(Better than not remembering her name, when I find that out. And don't you start with the it thing.)

(Sorry.) Tassan said. (I don't want to take sides. I'll just say it-she.)

(Ha Ha,) I said sarcastically. (You two are on my side, aren't you?) I asked Innis and Illim.

(Of course honey, but..)

(But what?)

(Maybe you are too soft hearted. You'll have to be strict or it, I mean she'll take charge.)

(Thanks for the advice, Innis, but I think I can do this myself.)

Suddenly, the message came through the loud speaker for me to go.

(I'll see you at the next feeding.) I said to them.

In case anyone was wondering, Illim is the one who later infests Mr Tidwell. I don't think you ever find out his designation. R&R for next chapter.