Chapter 4 - An Unusual Warrior

Kaetila-Aerrin-Nalmun

I closed my eyes, trying to think of something else besides all the nights I had been unable to sleep in peace, because some warrior, some prince would...ugh. I had been trying to get some nice, peaceful sleep. So much for that! Horrible dreams...no...nightmares of all the years of roughness and molestation pervaded my thoughts every time I tried to sleep.

I sighed and resigned myself to remaining awake an hour more at least. But no more nightmares. That had been when I was younger. Now, I could fight! I could defend myself. I didn't have to take it anymore. To take the abuse during the 'night' hours of the ship and stand at attention to the same perverts during duty.

Anyway, on this ship, it was just me, Captain Zalismaine, Pilot and Commander Gonrod, Prince Ylairn, a few other warriors, and three arisths. We were a fairly small crew for such a huge ship. It was a Dome of course. A rather old piece of junk though. No new Domeships could be spared. Especially for the crew with the lone, female Warrior in all the Andalite military...

I smiled proudly at my reflection in the little pool of water in my quarters. Ah, yes, Warrioress Kaetila-Aerrin-Nalmun, soon to be Princess Kaetila- Aerrin-Nalmun. See, when you accidently save an Andalite commander's life by jumping in between him and a Dracon beam, you tend to get rewarded. I started out as merely part of a project: fifty female Arisths. I was the only one to stay, to make it this far and I was proud. I still got subtle insults from Andalite Princes and Captains communicating over from other ships, about how I was merely here because the 'right person' had found me attractive or I had blackmailed my way up the ranks in lewd, perverse ways (only partially true, really). But in reality, I felt that I had made it through more than any male Warrior ever had.

There was the little, nagging, empty space in my hearts that I couldn't fulfill. Relationship, after relationship, with eager warrior, after snooty prince, after eager warrior...

(You know Kaetila,) I said looking to my reflection in the polished walls of my new and larger quarters. (Perhaps if you actually selected with males who didn't happen to be already married, you might have some luck.)

It was true. I'd had relationships with at least three males who, by the way, were married and I either knew and decided I did not care, or they simply had not told me. And me, being foolish, pathetic, desperate me...well...I did not exactly break it off with them right after I found out. I usually stayed with them until one day, they left me or shut me out.

(You really are quite bright are you not?) I sneered. (You of all females have managed to work your way this far, and what have you done except cause yourself humiliation?)

So much for love...

I went down the hallway, to the main bridge, deciding to be of some use instead of falling into my typical self-pity. I saw Gonrod relaxing at his controls. He was on the last mission to Earth, so the Andalite government had been surprisingly lenient with him, coward or no. I did not know exactly how he had gotten out of a definite prison sentence, but I knew that I did not really care. If Zalismaine trusted him, so did I.

I ignored nervous Gonrod, and went straight up to Zalismaine. He and I have sort of a father-daughter bond. He was certainly old enough to be my father.

(Hello Warrior Kaetila!) He called cheerily. The dear old fellow. He highly approved of my promotion; perhaps because he'd seen me in battle! I eyesmiled deeply. I'd never held so much respect for anyone in my life, even my own parents I am ashamed to say.

(Good evening, Captain.)

(Why are you not resting? You are off duty for the next few hours!) I smiled again at the concern in his main eyes.

(I could not sleep!) I waved my hand, dismissing his worries. (I wanted to be of some use.)

He eyesmiled. (You are always useful, Kaetila. I have never known a Warrior who works as hard as you.)

I did not ever want him to call me 'Warrioress' the way the proper title demanded. I cannot explain it except to say that the way Zalismaine called me 'Warrior' was not to be stubborn, but simply was because he saw me as equal to male warriors, and perhaps, even a little superior to some he had seen.

Gonrod scowled. Gonrod does not approve of my promotion. Of course I do not really care what he thinks, but it still annoys me when he scowls like that at the Captain's and mine's comraderie. I guess he thinks the captain should treat me like dirt; what standard military treatment of a female officer would be, were there female officers other than myself. But I was used to that by now.

Not to say there hadn't been those who had treated me with the respect I deserved. Of course, those were usually the married Andalites I'd had "little flings" with. Little flings that often ended in a broken heart. For me, anyway.

They got a little romance. Sometimes even a few passionate nights. And when it was over, 'I'm going on leave for a year...I must spend time with my wife... Oh I'm sorry. I thought you knew I was married... Well, anyway, I must get back home now! I'll always think of you!' or 'You know I care for you Kaetila...but she is my wife!'

Leaving me, each time, feeling a bigger fool than before, and feeling used and dirty. I would feel as if I would never be clean again.

I looked at the front screen. We were going to Earth for various reasons. The main to present a front to the Yeerks, of course, but mostly to find Aximili-Esgarrouth- Isthill and bring him home. To fight on the side of his people where he belonged.

I smiled at the image of him as I brought it up again. He was very cute. Most little arisths were. I assumed he was less of an aristh now, though. Most likely very mature compared to the arisths on the ship; Kalurai, Empeth, and Bwalkithtrith. They are pretty respectful little fellows. They are young, of course; not all prejudice like the older males. They respected me pretty well, because they knew my abilities. Bwalkithtrith, the youngest and the smallest one, by far, had a rather embarrassing little crush on me. I was glad he wasn't on the bridge right now! He was always following me around, bashful and smiling, and always trying to help. I finally just resorted to sending him on little errands about the ship just so he'd leave me alone for a while.

Prince Ylairn was also taking a bit of an unhealthy interest in me, career wise, I mean. He'd once appraised me as being 'elegant' (in his own words!). I had found it an embarrassingly lovely compliment, but all the same, I did not want a relationship right then. Or, I kept trying to tell myself that anyway. I needed time to...to figure things out in my life when it came to males. Of course, I found absolutely no problem flirting with him. Prince Ylairn was, after all, single and extremely attractive.

Captain Zalsmaine broke into my pleasant thoughts, urgently. I had been gazing into the screen.

(We have arrived!) he announced to the ship, eyesmiling at me and Gonrod. Two other warriors appeared on the bridge after a moment, and began to assist at the controls.

(Sir!) One cried. (Incoming message from a Blade ship!)

My hearts beat loudly in my ears. I knew whose blade ship it was! Then, I jumped as heavily scarred, Andalite face appeared on the screen.

(Abomination!) Captain Zalismaine cried. (What could you possibly have to say to me?)

(Well, well. What have we here? Zalismaine! An old friend of Alloran's! How nice...how nice to see you, indeed...and who is this?) I began to quiver as I realized all four of his host's eyes were on me. I shuddered.

He laughed and it was cold and mirthless. I glared back at him. He stopped laughing suddenly and sneered at me.

(Do not worry, Andalite filth. I'm not in the least bit attracted to a little piece of meat like you.) He laughed again, cruelly. (Well, you are all very, very welcome to Earth.)

Zalismaine spoke to me, breaking through my terror. (Princess! We must get the fighters out! They will attack in minutes!)

(Yes Captain!) I said, as he shut off the screen, and cut off Visser Three in mid-sentence. I laughed. I could just imagine his absolute fury at being cut off and ignored like an Aristh! I hurried down the shaft to the hangar.

I ran to my fighter, as did the other warriors. Even Prince Ylairn entered his fighter, next to mine. He eyesmiled charmingly at me and I forgot for a moment why I was going to my fighter.

(May your flying and your Shredder be as accurate and swift as that tail of yours, Warrior Kaetila) he said. I shook myself and tried to focus.

(Aaaah you as well, my Prince!) I eyesmiled shyly back, my hearts in my ears again. I slipped into my fighter and closed the hatch behind me.

Zalismaine's face appeared on my fighter's screen. (Good luck Warrior Kaetila! May the stars shine on your victory!)

I eyesmiled back at him. (You too, my dear Captain.)

I knew I would need luck. Of course, I had no idea it would have nothing to do with battle...