Thank you for all reviewers to far! Again, just to reiterate the fact that no'one knows for sure where the Animorphs live, but before anyone flames me because they don't agree with me, let me just say that San Francisco works with my story here and I guess it's as good a place as any for them to live! Anyway…hope you enjoy, please review at the end of this chapter, it would make my day!

Chapter 22

The journey was an uncomfortable one, to say the least. We were being blown around like mad, bits of dirt and dust kept getting in our eyes, and we had a rather close call whilst going under a low bridge. I was almost tempted to morph back to swan and fly the rest of the way. But at long last, we started to see signs that we were coming into the city. I peered out into the horizon. Crossing an immense stretch of water, I could just about make out a spectacular bridge. I assumed it was the Golden Gate bridge, which meant that we were at last in San Francisco; the city that Eramas had told Sam and the others where the tiny handful of human morphers were living and fighting. The end of one difficult journey for the four of us, but the beginning of another, longer and more difficult one. A new journey of which I could not even envisage the ending.

"Ok, guys," shouted Sam over the noise of the wind. "We've all seen quite a few signs now that we are coming into the city. I think we should morph flies now, while there's less chance of being seen."

"What are we going to do next?" replied Ferdie.

"Follow the passengers, and especially the four guys in dark suits who were with them. I think they might be Controllers."

I began to morph to fly, my heart beating in my chest. A sense of horror and dread was arising in me. This was the end of the line for us at the moment. By the time I demorphed, who knows what we may have seen? Thousands of unanswered questions were running through my head. Some that might be answered in the next few hours. Some that I would prefer not to know the answer to. And some which would probably remained unanswered for years to come. As I became more and more insect, I could feel the beating of my heart die away as it formed the simplistic organs of the fly. However, the thoughts were still swirling around in my head, and not even the fly's mad instincts could distract me from them.

--The coach is slowing down,-- said Sam, soon after we finished morphing. --And I can't see very far, but I think we are in a street in a busy part of town.--

The coach came to a stop.

--Alright, guys,-- said Sam, --lets get down and follow the suits. Try not to get noticed - they're probably on the lookout for humans in morph.--

We took to the air, and watched as one by one, the celebrities got off the coach. My fly eyes were limited, but I could just make out their faces, and it was possible to tell the passengers from the Controllers.

--What are those flashing lights?-- asked Ferdie. --There are so many of them coming from all directions.--

--I think they are camera flashes,-- Philip replied. --There must be a lot of media around.--

--Where do you think we are?-- I asked.

--I think we are outside a large hotel,-- he replied. --All the celebrities are being escorted inside.--

--Let's follow them,-- said Sam. --Keep out of sight - once we get inside, try and stick to the ceiling.--

We followed as twelve of the most influential and powerful people on Earth were escorted through a set of enormous glass doors into the hotel. About to become unwilling slaves to an evil alien empire. And there was probably nothing we could do about it.

--Out of sight now, guys,-- repeated Sam. I flew up onto the ceiling. My eyesight wasn't great for long-range vision, but I guessed we were probably in the foyer of a large and expensive hotel. I could just make out a large desk near the far wall, lots of comfy armchairs, coffee tables and a wide screen television. Through a set of double doors to the left, I could make out a large hall which was possibly the dining room. There were many people milling around, distinguished looking guests, stiff-lipped staff, cleaners and yet more reporters, who were being ushered out by a tall man in a porter's uniform. Hospitality staff were handing out elegant flutes of champagne to the twelve celebrities.

"Thank you all for coming," said a man who we hadn't seen before. The celebrities - potential hosts, I couldn't help but think - were being addressed by who appeared to be the manager of the hotel. "Welcome to The Pegasus. I cannot begin to say how pleased, and honoured, I am to have you all stay here. I do trust your flight was enjoyable - I, myself, an a great supporter of both Visser Enterprises and The sharing."

--No doubt that guy's a Controller as well, then,-- I remarked.

--I bet most of the hotel staff are Controllers. This place will be crawling with Yeerks,-- Sam replied.

--Gorgeous place though, don't you think?-- I asked. I was suddenly aware that for the last few minutes I had been subconsciously trying to ignore Sam's voice. --I know it's a bit hard to make out with these fly eyes, but I bet you need a pretty big pile to be able to afford a place like this.--

--Yes,-- said Philip simply, with the typical dismissive aristocratic habit of pretending not to notice anything that is grand or beautiful.

The manager was speaking again. "Right, I'm sure you're all wanting to rest after such a long journey, not to mention get out of the eyes of the, er…" He trailed away, motioning to a member of staff to rid the hotel of the media. Sounding embarrassed that his guests' privacy should be invaded upon like such, he continued,

"A light buffet meal and champagne reception has been prepared in the William Scope room," he said, turning towards a discreet door at the back of the foyer. "I assure you that you will be most comfortable there. At three o clock, a member of staff shall lead you down to the main conference room, where the president of Visser Enterprises and The Sharing will be greeting you and giving a short speech on what the evening will entail. You will then have a chance to rest in your suites. The coach will be leaving for the Enterprise's headquarters at five o clock for the main speeches. Dinner shall be served at eight, and the party will follow. The coach will be returning to the hotel at two o clock tonight."

--Notice how they're all being kept together for the majority of the time. I'm surprised the celebrities are complaining that they don't have enough freedom.--

--They probably aren't worried about something like that - look at all the champagne they're knocking back!-- said Ferdie.

--I wonder when they plan to infest them?-- I said. --Here, or at the headquarters?--

--If they infest them here, there's probably not much point in them being taken to the headquarters,-- Philip said.

--Unless that is where the newly-hosted Yeerks are briefed for some upcoming mission,-- Sam replied. --But all we know is, we have to take that itinerary with a very large pinch of salt.--