Chapter six

Cassie

My name is Cassie. I have been living my life here, mostly in California. I spent a lot of time in the Hork-Bajir valley, and also going back and forth between Sacramento and Washington D.C. I had an office at each of those places, and also a home in each one. Just two small apartments. Ones that, of course, I didn't pay for. I also owned my own home in the same town I grew up in. Where we fought our war. I guess my life appeared fairly happy now. I was dating someone, Ronnie Chambers. We worked together a lot, and he was only a couple of years old then me. I guess it had been getting pretty serious. I wouldn't of been surprised if, eventually, we ended up getting married. It all had been going right until Jake, Tobias, and Marco left.

About eight months ago, Jake came to me. He told me about Ax's disappearance and how he was going to go save him. I told him where Tobias was, and he left. I had wanted to go, I should have gone. Jake wouldn't let me. For whatever reason, he wouldn't let. I know he was right. In space, I would have been no use to them. I guess that I just wanted to be with my team again. The media went wild with the disappearance of Jake and Marco. With Jake, it was easier to cover up the fact he was gone, but not Marco. Marco had spent his life after the war marketing himself. He had become a very famous celebrity. He had a television show and also was in a couple movies. People noticed that he was gone. Then, when it came out that a Yeerk prototype ship that had been in orbit was missing, well people started making theories. The government denied having any involvement, and whenever I was asked, and believe me, I was asked a lot, if I knew anything, I just shook my head and said no.

I guess a part of me became depressed then. I was, potentially, the last living Animorph. Out of all of us, I was the only one left. I had figured that if we were going to die, it would have been in the war, like Rachel had. I hadn't though that we would all die so soon after the war. When everything was going right. I was so lonely. I hadn't been able to tell anyone, not even Ronnie. I know he knew that I was aware of something, and he asked me about it. I just couldn't tell him. That and my own depression put a wedge in between us. I even avoided him. I threw myself into my work more by helping the Hork-Bajir and going to school. I still wanted to be a veterinarian, and I didn't feel like I had time for a boyfriend. So I cut him off. I wouldn't even explain to him what was wrong.

I was in Washington D.C. when I got the call. I was there to speak before congress about passing an act to give the Hork-Bajir more land. Their numbers were thriving amazingly. There were roughly 50,000 Hork-Bajir living on Earth. They lived all throughout Yellowstone and most other national parks in the US. They also lived in wildlife areas in Canada. It was beginning to become a very big debate on what to do with the Hork-Bajir. My job was to get the Hork-Bajir the land and attention they needed.

I took a long shower and got ready for bed. I was just about to fall asleep when my phone rang. I walked over and answered it. It was my cell phone. A number that was very exclusive. I had two cell phones actually. One that was for business work, and another that was for friends and family.

Ring, Ring.

I looked at the phone, Unknown Caller. I debated whether to answer it. It could be that somehow, someone had gotten a hold of my number. O well, better find out.

"Hello?" I asked. I tried to sound like I wasn't dead tired.

"Cassie, it's Jake," I swear, I stopped breathing. I knew it was him, I knew it. His voice, though scratchy and staticy, was the same. After what must have been a minute of silence, I felt myself become very dizzy. I took a deep breath.

"Jake? O my God Jake, where are you? Are you back? Did you save Ax? Tobias? Marco?" I felt tears welling up in my eyes. My hand came to my mouth, covered it. I had convinced myself that I would never see Jake again. I didn't know what this meant.

"No, I am not back. I am on the Blade ship with Tobias, Marco, and the rest of my crew. I also have Ax. Cassie, I need you to listen to me. We don't have a lot of time, so I can't repeat myself," Then he explained the whole situation to me. It was crazy, insane, science fiction, but I knew it was all true. I knew it. During my time in the Animorphs, I had come to accept the insane, crazy, and science fiction.

Jake and the others were in trouble. Here was my chance to do something about it. I would not lose four more friends to the Yeerks or whatever evil was out there. They were not meant to die like this. Though I had just heard of it, I hated The One. He was ruining my life. He was the reason I had lost Jake and the others. He had taken them away from me. I hated him as much as I hated the Yeerks responsible for Rachel's and all of the other Animorphs' deaths. I wouldn't sit back and let this happen again.

"I will do it Jake. Right now," I said. Oh, all of the things I wanted to say. I knew that this might be my last time to say it. I decided to say it. "Jake, I love you."

Silence.

"I know Cassie. I love you too. Now, get this done, we need you," I don't know if he said it to get me to do it quicker, like I wouldn't, or if he really meant it. Things between Jake and me hadn't been great after the war. We had been able to become friends again, but there was always tension between us. Then I heard the connection end.

I hung up the phone slowly. I walked over to my desk and pulled out my work cell phone. I hurried through the phone book on it, and dialed the number for the human ambassador to the Andalite home world. His name was Thomas Richards. He had become a pretty good friend of mine lately, since we had to work together often. The original job was offered to Jake, Marco, or me, but with Marco living his movie star life, Jake a manic depressant, and me running around helping the free Hork-Bajir, it went to someone else. Mr. Richards knew nothing about Andalites at first. I think it was more of a favor from the president. After many meetings with Ax, myself, and other members of the Andalite fleet, Mr. Richards grew accustomed to the Andalite culture and became and expert on them.

"Hello, this is the office for Ambassador Richards," a sweat voiced secretary said.

"Yes, this is Cassie Anderson. This is an urgent call and I must speak to the Ambassador at once," I shot, I had no time for pleasantries. I was half way annoyed that I had to go through a secretary.

"Yes Miss Anderson, just a moment,' There was a click, then the line began to ring again.

"Hello Cassie, This is Thomas, what is it?" He sounded concerned. He knew about Ax's disappearance, but just what the Andalite government would say. The mission Jake and the others went on was not officially condoned by the Andalite or any of Earth's governments. This originally was to give it a level of deniability if the Kelbrids claimed there was a treaty breach.

"Thomas, I need a favor, a very important favor. Can we meet?" I asked. As I said it, I walked around my room, grabbing clothing. All of the tiredness that was in me was gone. I was so full of energy I was almost shaking.

"Now? Cassie, can this not wait until the morning?"

"No, it is a matter of life or death. I must meet with you know. In fact, if you can get a hold of War Prince Caysath-Winwall-Esgarrouth, that would be even better," I said as I pulled on a pair of professional pants and a white button up blouse. Prince Caysath was the new liaison between Andalites and Humans. The job originally was Ax's, but due to his disappearance, it was given to Caysath.

"Yes Cassie, of course. Where?" He asked. I could tell by the way his voice sounded airy and hurried that he was also getting dressed as fast as he could.

"Your office, twenty minutes. And make it discrete. We don't want to draw attention, at least not yet," I said. With that I hung up the phone. I pulled on a black blazer and opened my large patio doors over my balcony. I focused my mind on the owl. I felt my body start to morph. I watched as my clothing morphed with my body. This fascinated me. During the entire war, we had been forced to morph nothing but skin tight clothing. Now, sense the war was over, Andalite morph scientists taught us how to morph clothing, accessories, and most importantly, shoes. It just took a whole different level of concentration, but was rather easy once you accomplished it.

I soared high over the city. Still this long after the war, it was amazing to fly. Ten minutes later, I landed on the gate outside the Andalite embassy. It was a rather attractive building, built to accommodate Andalites. There was even a large indoor court yard that had a few nice ponds and beautiful green grass. When the weather was nice, the glass roof over the court yard could be retracted, letting the air in. Unfortunately, it had been rainy lately, so the roof was closed. After a few minutes, a black limousine came around a corner and to the embassy. The gate I had landed on opened and the limo drove in onto the drive way. I just flew down to the lawn and demorphed. Thomas didn't wait for the chaffier to open the door. He rushed out of the limo and waited for me to fully demorph. He was a middle aged man of about fifty, and had light, sandy hair. For his age though, he was in great shape and had a rugged handsomeness about him. Something you don't see a lot with politicians.

"That still takes getting use to," He said as he gave me a welcoming hug.

"Yes, well at least we can morph clothing now," I said with a smile.

"Come, let us get to business," with that, we hurried through the front door and into the embassy. The halls were large, made to allow Andalites to walk comfortable. They were painted a light blue and had very natural lighting. Every Andalite who I knew who had visited the embassy always said how impressed they were with the building. We walked quickly to his office, a large, circular room. It was full of books on each wall, but also holographic transmitters. This added a strange tie between human and Andalite style.

"I was able to reach Prince Caysath. He will be unable to come here directly, but he is expecting a conference call," Thomas said. He hurried over to his desk and punched in a code. I watched as the Holographic emitter on his desk booted up, then finally flashed to life. A life size image of Prince Caysath appeared, standing right next to me. He was the size Ax was, with, for an Andalite, strong arms. His tail was long and had a very deadly, curved blade.

((Ambassador Richardson, Miss Anderson, it is a pleasure to meet with you tonight,)) Prince Caysath said. He gave us an Andalite smile, with his eyes. Caysath was a very personable Andalite. He was very trusting and truly appreciated humans. This is a large reason why Ax had made him his number two on Earth.

"Prince Caysath, thank you for coming. Cassie here has something very urgent to share with the two of us," Thomas said.

"Thomas, I feel that since you are involved with this now, that you should know everything that is going on. What really happened with the disappearance of Prince Aximili and the other Animorphs," I looked at Caysath, who gave a nod of approval. With that, I started to explain the situation. Caysath took it all in without shock. He was among the few Andalites who knew all about the mission. He was the one who came to Jake with Menderash and he had been a large part in the planning of the mission. Thomas on the other had looked at us with wide, shocked eyes. I could see on his face that he had expected something like it, but finally learning the truth of it was still shocking.

"I am sorry to have to of kept this secret, but it was important for security. In order to ensure that the Andalites and humans both had a level of deniability, the mission had to be kept quiet," I finished. Thomas just looked at me and gave me a smile.

"I understand Cassie. I promise that this secret will be kept confidential. Now, what is the issue that we must discuss?" Thomas asked. I took a deep breath and then started to explain.

"Jake contacted me. He has Prince Aximili and the Blade ship. He and the others were found by the Blade ship inside Kelbrid space. They boarded it and were able to….neutralize the entire crew," I couldn't help but feeling a little satisfaction as I said that. "They also encountered a being known as The One. The One takes control of a creature's mind, controlling them. Unlike a Yeerk, the one can control hundreds, if not thousands of beings at once. He has no physical body and only exists as long as he has minds to live off of. Jake and the others knocked Ax out and locked him up because he was a member of The One. They made a run for Earth, hoping that more distance from The One and his crew, the less influence he would have on Ax. They fled through Zero Space, but are being repeatedly pulled out and attacked by some of The One's hosts. They do not believe that they will make it to Earth. They ask for immediate Andalite assistance," I turned to Caysath. The Andalite Prince looked at me, but I could tell there was a deep internal struggle going on. Finally he spoke.

((Cassie, please understand that I want nothing more then to save Prince Aximili and the Animorphs, but I cannot bring an entire Andalite fleet into battle. If those ships are Kelbrid, then we would be violating the treaty,)) He said.

"Well, first, if they are Kelbrid, they have entered our space. Second, and this is big. Second, there are no Kelbrids. They are just made up by The One to keep Andalites from coming into his space and destroying his network of slaves," I said. I could see Caysath's eyes raise and give me an Andalite grin. I smiled back at him.

((If what you say is true, and I am willing to accept this because of no evidence disproving it, then there will be little resistance to bringing a fleet to attack this foe. Do you know where the Blade ship is now?)) Caysath asked.

"No, but Menderash believe that they are within close enough range to Earth to allow the Andalite fleet to detect them. They are broadcasting a signal to help you find them. It is repeatedly being jammed, but now that you know of its existance, you might be able to find it," I said. I knew nothing would stop Caysath from going to save the Blade ship now.

((Of course. Thank you Cassie, I will bring our friends back to us. Thomas, I will contact you as soon as I can,)) Caysath said. I saw his hand reach down to turn off his transmittion.

"Caysath wait!" The Andalite stopped and looked at me, "I want to come."