A/N: readers are rendered speechless Yes, I know, exciting isn't it? Two chapters in two days! I really didn't think I would get this chapter up this fast. See, last night about midnight, I took out my notebook (I handwrite my stories then type…to me it's easier cuz then I get two drafts and such) and began working on chapter 7 which was originally told in Jake's POV; which I hated with a passion. I ripped the chapter apart and chucked it across my room and glared at the "Chapter 7" heading on the blank page. Then I got an inspiration. (More like a sugar buzz) so I switched and wrote in Marco's pov, and wa-lah! I can honestly say, I love this chapter:D I'm so proud of it, considering the first draft was utter crap. Needless to say, in all my excitement, I made my beta read it asap and decided to post because of my mirth. :D That and I'm happy to see War of the Worlds tonight. ducks all the tomatoes thrown at my head

Anyway, you guys could care less about my social life or the progression of this story, but I can tell you now, chapter 8 will be in Rachel's point of view and I believe 9 will be Tobias. Not quite sure on that one yet. I might write it in different point of views and choose the best…but we'll see. :D This story might be moving along quicker than I thought because the creative juices are now flowing! cheers

I hope you all enjoy this chapter as much as I did and thank you to rockergurl13 for reviewing the last chapter soon after I posted it. :D

And now, onto the story and enough about my ramblings. I applaud you if you actually read all of this, cuz I know I would have fallen asleep by now. hears a chorus of 'finally's'

Chapter 7

Marco

I want to state, thoughspeak will now be between () since it was pointed out the greater than, less than signs do not work.

(Yo, Yo, Yo wad up? Marco's in da haopwlk!) My thought speak cut short as I began to demorph from Osprey to human.

Jake called and assembled this meeting, which meant I probably will be taking his advice and getting math homework answers out of whatever Hork Bajir I happen to be fighting at the time, followed by a night of nightmares and me waking up wondering if I'm completely human or some odd mix of human and animal. Yup, just another day of being an Animorph.

Rachel looked over at me through her cover girl eyes and rolled her blue pupils in boredom. I surveyed the barn and noticed everyone in their usual places, except Cassie's arm, which was currently down the throat of a rather pissed looking raccoon.

(What's up Jake?) Tobias asked, ruffling his feathers.

"What is up Doc. Okuh. Kuh." Ax said, attempting to make a joke. At least, I think that's what he was doing. You can never be sure with that one, if you know what I mean.

"Ax-man, lay off the cable and stop imitating Bugs."

"Anyway," Jake started. "Something big is going on. I came home from school today and overheard Tom talking to another controller about how perfect things needed to be for the council's arrival."

"The council? As in the council of eleven?" I asked.

"Council. Cow-n-silll. Of thirteen. Thir. Teen. Teeeenuh." Ax corrected.

(There's definitely something big going on. I started tracking known controllers again yesterday. They're skittish about something.)

"Can't be that bad. The Chee of doom and gloom hasn't shown up yet." I pointed out.

No sooner did I open my fat mouth, Erek the Chee waltzed into the barn. Not really waltzed, more like lumbered in, but waltzed sounds better. I groaned. His presence is not usually a good sign.

"We're doomed!" I declared.

"Stop being a drama queen!" Rachel snapped.

"Maybe I should come back another time…" Erek started to say.

"No Erek, stay!" Cassie insisted, locking the cage to the raccoon she previously had her arm down it's throat. I think she wanted us to be doomed. Why else would she want Erek the Chee of gloom and doom to stay?

"What is it Erek?" Jake asked him.

"We just found out today some important information."
"Good or bad?" I asked.

"More like Bad and Worst." Erek said, glumly.

"How about we take bad for 100 Erek." I stated. Rachel rolled her pretty blue eyes at me and said nothing.

"The Yeerk Council of Thirteen is due in sometime tomorrow to evaluate the progress of earth."

"Don't they have some inspector or representative? I would think they would stay safe on the Yeerk home world or on some Blade Ship somewhere." Cassie stated.

"I think they do, but I guess they wanted to see this for themselves."

"So this means that Visser Three is going to step up the infestation of our race." Rachel stated. "And he's also going to make it harder for us to attack or infiltrate the sharing or yeerk pool." I swear that Rachel sounded almost excited at the prospect. Crazy one she is.

(OK, we kind of knew about the council. Should we ask about what's worst than the council visiting?) Tobias asked.

"We have discovered that the yeerks are developing a virus."

"What kind of virus?" Cassie asked, perking up.

"One that is supposed to target the morphing power. I believe it is designed to make the person or persons sicker with the ability of morphing." Erek stated.

"So meaning, the more you morph, the sicker you become?" I asked.

No one said anything.

(I do not believe the yeerks are technologically advanced enough to develop a virus of that nature. It would take years of careful testing and evaluating. There is no way they could have tested-) Who I noticed had demorphed back to his Andalite body when I wasn't paying attention.

"So theoretically speaking then?" I said, cutting Ax off.

(Well, even so, the Andalites would-)

"Ax, please don't try to explain." Jake stated, rubbing his temples.

"We have no big information on it. Only they are ready to begin testing. The Visser probably won't offer himself as a subject.."

"Meaning he needs to capture one of us." Cassie finished.

Erek nodded.

We were all silent. Not even a peep from the animals which was odd. They never stayed silent. It sent a chill down my spine.

"Well Erek, you really know how to make a crowd go speechless." I said, trying to fill the silence.

"Thanks Erek. Is that all you got?" Jake asked. Erek nodded glumly.

"We'll be in touch." Erek stated and left the barn and the six of us in our own thoughts.