Chapter 4

It wasn't the kind of interview I'd been expecting. I shuffled uneasily in my seat, trying to delve deeper into the words to figure out what exactly was going on. Was it a test? Was I supposed to react in a certain way?

I was an actor. This was an interview. Okay, I knew what was going on.

"That's awful…" I said with a gasp. "Five years? There must be some way to stop it."

Isaac nodded stiffly. "That's why we're here. We've been spending some time thinking of how to stop the Yeerk advance and protect Humans from enslavement. Of course, it's not easy…" He sighed. "And the best thing we can do for now is to gather intelligence in hope that we can cause sufficient delay. Those hopes rely on a race called the Andalites."

Bert chuckled abruptly. Isaac swivelled to him, disturbed by the interruption. Bert shrugged and cleared his throat, quietening.

"Who are the Andalites?" I pressed. "Will they get here in time?!"

"It may take a couple years," Isaac replied. "The Yeerk Empire has stretched widely, and Earth is not the first priority."

"Not the first priority?!" I gasped. "How can we not be the priority? Think of all the families! Think of all the children whose parents are in shackles! Think of the husbands, whose wives have been stolen from their loving hands!"

Isaac and Bert were taken aback. They exchanged a glance.

"She's got spirit, this one." Bert commented with amusement.

"Quite…" Isaac replied. He focused on me again. "Ms Harwood, we are here to ask for your help. You're renowned by our team for your abilities. You're also not well-known outside of your close circles."

Thanks, I thought to myself.

"We think you're perfect for the mission we propose," He continued. "Subject to you accepting, you will be provided with suitable technology in order that you are able to maintain observance of Yeerk activities both here and abroad. We're willing to help you with an alibi so that your activities won't be interrogated. You will also be rewarded for contributing to the efforts to scupper Yeerk progress."

I stared at him with intent. "You know I'd do anything for my family. Anything to protect them from these monsters."

They looked to each other again. Was my posture wrong? Was I expected to react in a different way? It was too late for a sudden switch. I had to maintain.

"Geez," Bert chuckled. "Never thought it would be this easy."

Isaac ignored his comment. "Ms Harwood, no matter the result of this meeting, you must say nothing. Nobody outside of this room is to hear this information. Not even your friends. You will only be putting yourself, and them, in danger."

"I understand," I said. "But I have to ask… How will I know who's been infested?"

"You won't."

"So my family… my friends…"

"May be infested," He said for me. "That may be upsetting, but with our help, and with your efforts, work can be done to counter this menace."

I bowed my head and stared sadly to the distance. My lower lip quivered. I made sure that my body tightened, so that I looked anxious and on-edge. "I'll do it." I spoke.

"I have to ensure that you know just how dangerous this will be for you," He explained. "It is no easy decision, and we're willing to give you time to think it over."

"I'll do it!" I reinstated forcefully, looking into his eyes. "I'd be nothing but a coward if I didn't!"

He nodded, though he still looked uncertain. "Very well. We will give you a piece of Andalite technology so that you can carry out initial observance of the local area. We have several key locations in the town that we wish for you to study for unusual activity."

Bert reached forward and handed me a small piece of card. I took it in a shaking hand and read what were instantly recognisable as coordinates.

Isaac explained, "Unusual activity could be people going in and not returning. Gathering crowds. Unearthly sights…"

"Big green space lizards." Bert added.

"And we will provide you with the tools you need," Isaac said. "We wouldn't expect you to spy on the locations without adequate disguise. However, this technology is to remain strictly secret, and it must be used responsibly."

I placed the coordinates in my pocket. "Secret. Of course."

Isaac moved with more than just head motions for the first time. He grabbed something from below the desk and placed it on the surface. It was a small cube, really nothing that looked too amazing. It had a slight purple glow.

"A cube?" I huffed. "That's it? That's how I save humanity?"

Isaac was unfazed. "This Andalite technology will allow you to turn into any living organism whose DNA is acquired. The ability to morph will be the tool used to scout Yeerk activity."

I didn't think it was the greatest prop, but I would save that comment for later. For now I had to stay fully immersed. "Does that mean… I can turn into an animal?"

"Precisely," Isaac said. "But only for four hours at a time. If you stay in morph for longer, you will not be able to return to your Human body. We have managed to collect for you a small number of animals we thought would be useful in your task."

He revealed from his inner suit pocket five tiny sealed bags. Each one had a tab inside. Again, it looked very innocuous.

"We have here for you…" He started, looking at the small labels each bag had. "Pigeon, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, squirrel and seal."

"I tried to get you a tiger," Bert said. "But they ain't native. Would stick out a bit, huh?"

"I can turn into any of those?" I asked.

"And any other animal whose DNA you will acquire," Isaac explained. "You have to touch the animals to do that. We will do our best to supply other DNA, within reason, but these are your starters. Realistically, they should be all you need."

What an interesting plot! It would be good for a book series. Perhaps even a movie.

"Do I just hold the cube when I do it?" I asked, gazing at the strange object.

His hand was still touching one side. "No. You simply have to place your hand on it now. Go ahead."

I reached delicate fingers forward and rested them on the purple cube, wondering how long they expected me to do so. It came as a shock when I felt a strange sensation shoot up my arm, like a small electric shock. Very convincing, if a little unnecessary.

"You have obtained the power," Isaac explained dryly. Then he started to open the four small bags, pulling the tabs out one at a time. He held the first up to me, a tiny blue patch showing. "Now place a finger on the blue spot. Picture a pigeon. Concentrate on it."

I followed his order, gently putting the tip of my index finger on the blue mark. I thought of a pigeon, with its feathers and beak. The way it bobbed its head forward and back as it walked.

Another strange sensation flowed into me. I accepted that the cube could do such a thing, but a small wooden tab? They really went out of their way to make some convincing props, even if they didn't look all that interesting.

The process was repeated until I'd 'acquired' all four animals. I felt a little strange.

Isaac cleared his throat and began to put everything away under the desk. "In order to morph, you must concentrate on the organism until the change is complete. While you are in morph, you can communicate telepathically to those in a short range. If you'd like, we could arrange a training session. Just remember never to stay in morph for over four hours."

"Play it safe," Bert said. "Never go over three."

"Three hours," I repeated. "This technology is amazing. The ability to fly like a bird, climb like a squirrel and run like a dog… It's… It's amazing!"

"It certainly is," Isaac muttered. "Now, in thanks for your service, we'll pass over your compensation."

I looked at my hands in awe, stretching fingers like I'd gained such a supreme power. "The best of nature is all in me. I can feel it. I can really feel it!"

There was a bang. Bert had dropped an open briefcase onto the table in front of me, and inside of it…

Money. Lots and lots of money. Piled high and wrapped snugly.

"Wait, wha…?"

"Fair compensation?" Bert giggled. "Five-hundred-thousand pounds. That's your first pay check."

I stood up, barging the chair noisily backwards. All intent to maintain my character dropped, my thoughts instead engaged with the compiled rectangle of notes placed before me. I grabbed one of the bundles, wrapped in a silvery seal. It had to be fake. Surely!

I inspected it, looked for the tell-tale marks.

The money looked real. It felt real.

It was real.

"Oh my god, oh my god…" I uttered.

"It's all yours," Bert said. "Don't spend it all at once!"

"You mean this… I…"

I couldn't believe it. A briefcase full of money? That was stuff I'd only seen on the tele. But surely that meant…

"Wait," I gasped. "You mean… Oh, holy shit." I dropped what money was in my hands. Suddenly, it was no longer priority. "This is real?"

Isaac didn't look amused. "Of course it's real! You think we went through all of this for a joke?"

"I didn't… I thought it was an act! I thought…" Then something dawned on me. "We're being invaded?!"

"Do we need to start this all again?" Bert laughed.

"My family?!" I burst. "Oh shit, oh shit! What if they're… oh god!"

"Now you see, this was the reaction we expected," Bert said. "Just calm down, Amy."

"Calm?! What the fuck?!"

There came a series of bangs on the door, followed by George's muffled voice. "Amy! Amy! What's going on in there?!"

"They're fucking insane!" I yelled back. I went for the door, just as he managed to barge it open with fury on his face.

"I'll beat the crap out of y-! Shit, is that real?!"

He'd seen the money and stopped dead in his tracks. Oliver and Kiani followed him in, and their reaction was much the same.

Isaac was clearly frustrated. "Could we please calm this down?!"

"Who even are you?!" I demanded, turning back to face him.

"Is that real money?" Oliver asked, his voice almost a whisper.

"Yes, it's real!" Isaac shouted, his body twitching. "Now, please, scurry along back to the living room. We have business to take care of."

George wasn't going to let it drop. "Why was she screaming? What's going on in here?"

"We're discussing Ms Harwood's new employment, and it is a private conversation."

"It's not private at all." I huffed.

"Ugh…" Isaac sighed. "Why did we let her friends in again?"

Bert shrugged. "They insisted. Paranoid bunch."

"So that's real money?"

Kiani growled, "Oh, stop it Oli!"

I turned to George and folded my arms. "They told me that Earth is being invaded by Space parasites."

He blanked. "Seriously?"

"I told you that the subject was private!" Isaac hissed. "Must I remind you?!"

"Space parasites?" Kiani squeaked. "You have got to be joking."

I explained, "They want me to work as some kind of spy."

We all heard Isaac sighing heavily. It drew our attention. "Look, I will explain it to all of you. Satisfied?"

"This had better be good." George warned.

"Fine. We'll go through it all again." Isaac said, annoyed by the inconvenience.