Helaine-Mtalenon-Ashul:
I heard my daughter scream, distantly, and swam back to the surface of my mind. "Sonili, no!" echoed through my ears, turning my blood to ice. A hork-bajir roared in pain, before everything went quiet, and I opened my eyes. I saw the human first, then my daughter. She crouched among the blood, trying to rouse the human. His red blood stained her arms to the elbow, turning the fur almost black. Cuts and gashes covered him, each weeping weakly. I saw one of Visser Twelve's personal guards lying dead nearby. ((Medic!)) I yelled.
((Jacob…)) Sonili whispered brokenly, my shredder lying beside her.
Within minutes, my men located the yeerk's primitive medical-bay. I had two broken ribs, but they would heal. The human… was another matter.
Velen shrugged helplessly, staring at the medical scanner, ((I have stopped the bleeding, but that's all I can do. I've never treated a human before))
((Your best is all I can ask)) I answered heavily. The medic nodded grimly.
((()))
"What's up… Doc?" a voice croaked beside me. I looked down at the barbarian, who had exposed his teeth.
((We have two Hork-bajir locked in a storage room. I assume you wish us to… recruit them?)) I asked.
The human chuckled painfully, "Good guess."
((()))
In less than a week, the human was back on his feet… barely. He had to sit down and rest often, but Velen couldn't keep him in the med-bay. The arisths saw him as some kind of totem, or good-luck charm. The two Hork-bajir (both turned out to be female) followed him everywhere he went. Their loyalty almost bordered on worship.
The escafil device never left my side.
Jacob Nyles:
"Come out, come out wherever you are…" I called, limping through the cargo-hold. Unlike human children, Andalites didn't giggle out loud. Taff and Jett had also hidden, just like the children… but they did giggle. Sort of.
((They're seven feet tall, and covered in blades. I doubt giggle is the proper description)) Esplin said dryly.
((How else would you describe it?)) I asked.
((A deep chuckle, which cannot be heard, but can be felt in the soles of our feet as the deck-plates vibrate)) Esplin promptly answered.
((Alright, smart-ass, you've made your point)) I growled.
I passed by Bellai, and kept walking, pretending I didn't see her... until I spun, "Yah!" I shouted, tagging her shoulder.
((Jacob! You always tag me first!)) she complained.
"Not always," I mimicked, "Sometimes I tag Taff first."
"Jah-kob no tag Taff first. Taff always last," a harsh voice protested from above.
"Taff quiet, or Jah-kob find Taff and Jett!" a second voice hissed earnestly. I rolled my eyes.
((They'd be cute, almost, if they weren't so sharp…)) Esplin mused.
I pulled a shiny, faceted optical node from my pocket, and it… slipped free as I walked. I turned a corner among the crates and counted to eight, doubling back as quickly as I could. One of the Hork-bajir was crouched on the deck, examining the shiny bauble. I slapped her arm, "Tag!"
The alien warrior honked in surprise, and disappeared into the shadowy crossbeams with a single bound.
"Taff out!"
"Taff not out, Taff here."
"Jah-kob tag Taff!"
"Yes, is true,"
"Taff out!"
"No, Taff here."
Of the two, Jett was generally themore clever, or at least, more perceptive one.
I ignored the argument, using the noise they made as cover to creep through the crates. Sonili was the hardest to find, and harder to tag.
After forty-five minutes, I had to admit defeat, and climbed up into the crossbeams, sneaking up on Jett, who was still arguing with Taff. I tagged them both, just to be sure who was who.
((Jett is the smaller one)) Esplin remarked unhelpfully.
((They're both huge)) I pointed out, annoyed.
((Well, Jett is the slightly less than immense one))
"You win, Sonili!" I called out.
((Finally))
I heard something moving up above, and dimly perceived that a cargo lid had been laid across two crossbeams.
"How did you get up there?" I demanded, stunned.
((Jett and Taff helped me)) the girl answered smugly.
"Well, have them get you down before your mother sees!"
((Fine…)) Sonili grumbled, but she was on the deck a minute later. Neither one of us wanted to piss off Dr. Helaine.
The ship trembled as we dropped out of Z-space. A few seconds later, something fired on us. Unsecured cargo rolled around the bay, threatening to crush anything in their way.
"Out!" I yelled. The Andalites beat us to the hatch, and I pushed them through, Jett and Taff hard on my heels. Considering they had blades on their knees, I was highly motivated to get the hell out of their way.
((()))
"What's going on?" I asked.
((We emerged from Z-space into the middle of a battle)) Dr. Helaine said calmly, manning the sensor station.
"Who's winning?"
((Our side… but we are flying a yeerk craft)) one of the other Andalites said grimly.
"Don't you have a secret hand-shake or something?"
((No))
((Jacob, please shut up and let the nice Andalites keep the mean Andalites from killing us)) Esplin cajoled tensely.
((Well, when you put it that way…))
I clung to a convenient handrail, and watched… and waited… Did I mention I hate waiting?
The entire battle ended in ten minutes, and some very harsh words were exchanged between our ship and several much larger Andalite vessels. We were ordered to power down, and prepare to be boarded, etc. A vessel of similar size docked with us, and a dozen very jumpy warriors came onboard, shredders in hand. Once they realized there really were Andalites onboard, and we probably had stolen the ship to escape, they relaxed… about a hair… because we might actually have yeerks in our heads, and apparently, the yeerks had managed to body-snatch one of their warriors, who was currently raising both Hell and Cain for them in this sector.
The Andalite in charge of the boarding party had two bandoleers, loaded with spare power cells for his Shredders, and he was missing his left stalk-eye… and a few fingers. Scars covered his flanks and chest. I instantly knew I did not want to make this guy mad at me.
((He does look… formidable)) Esplin admitted uneasily.
The scarred warrior's gaze fell on Esplin and me… and the two Hork-bajir behind us.
((And what of those three?)) he barked.
((Prince Evaan… it is… complicated)) Dr. Helaine said reluctantly.
Evaan's main eyes narrowed dangerously, ((Do not waste my time. Are they controllers, or not?))
"The Hork-bajir are free, Prince Evaan, but I am technically a controller," I said levelly.
((What are you doing?)) Esplin hissed.
((He's a predator. If we show fear, or lie, we're dead)) I shot back.
The big warrior shifted slightly, and his tail-blade… well, one second it was cocked behind his shoulder, then while I was blinking, it just appeared against my throat.
Dr. Helaine shifted uncomfortably, ((Forgive me, my prince, but the human's situation is complicated, as I said))
I smiled tightly, "Technically, I'm a defector."
Now that he understood.
((Yeerks seek to subjugate, to enslave, nothing more, and nothing less)) the prince growled.
"Well, not every yeerk seeks that… but they are scared shit-less of what the Council, or the Vissers will do to them if they say no," I answered easily.
((Careful…)) Esplin warned, ((I don't think he's quite… stable))
I had to agree.
A small hand slipped into mine.
((Please, don't hurt my friend)) Sonili pleaded, and Prince Evaan looked down, startled.
((This controller… is your friend, little one?)) he asked, puzzled.
((My prince, as strange as it may sound, I believe the yeerk. Without his assistance, the enemy would have successfully seized an escafil device at Ionithu II)) Dr. Helaine said grimly,
((In addition, he has demonstrated unconditional loyalty to my daughter… if not to me)) Dr. Helaine said wryly.
((You follow a child, yeerk?)) the Prince asked derisively.
I shrugged, "She asks nicely. No one else does."
The Prince laughed, a sound that made everyone flinch in their heads.
((I like this one!)) The blade left my throat.
((Quarantine the crew for three days aboard the DawnStorm. Bring the yeerk to the SwiftBlade)) the Prince barked, and his men jumped into action… like veterans.
((I don't like that he's separating us…)) Esplin said nervously.
((Don't worry, princess, I'll protect you)) I said blithely, shooting a picture of a knight in shining armor astride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle at her.
That earned a bark of laughter from Esplin.
((()))
Prince Evaan took me to the SwiftBlade, which turned out to be an Andalite Domeship (equivalent to a battleship) but this was not his ship. It was War-Prince Bheleran's flagship.
((So… he's like a five star general and Fleet-admiral, all rolled into one?)) I clarified.
((More or less…)) Esplin confirmed. She was (figuratively) rocking in a corner and chewing her lip off in anxiety.
((If you had more sense, you'd be doing the same!)) Esplin retorted.
((Then it's a good thing that I'm made of sterner, dumber stuff than you)) I grumbled.
((If the relationship between sterner and dumber are directly proportional, then technically you should be indestructible)) Esplin sniped.
((Ooh… touché)) I conceded.
((Do we have a plan?)) Esplin asked.
((The plan remains unchanged, my dear Esplin)) I drawled laconically.
((You know how much that accent annoys me)) the yeerk complained.
((True… but the plan hasn't changed. We're going Home)) I said quietly.
By any means…
Esplin 1894:
I was surprised when the prince led us directly to the War-prince's quarters. Two muscular, heavily battle-seasoned warriors stood guard outside.
((Think this is the place?)) Jacob asked snidely.
Prince Evaan hustled us past the guards. The room seemed huge after the cramped corridor. In the center of the room, a holographic projection of the sector hung, complete with planets and stars. Andalite ships in blue hung in position, with Yeerk ships in red flickering at the edge of sensor range. I was actually surprised by the War-prince.
He was quite slender, for an Andalite. Dye his hair purple, and he might pass for a female, but the huge Prince Evaan evidently worshipped Bheleran.
((War-prince, I have brought a prisoner, from the ship that surrendered))
((Just starve it Evaan. Why are you bringing this to me?)) Bheleran asked, distracted.
"Because I am no ordinary yeerk, War-prince." Jacob said
That drew the War-prince's gaze, and I saw a calculating intelligence in them that struck a chord in me. This was no war-hero. He was a monster. The ends justified any means, all that mattered was the result. This creature would vaporize a defenseless planet without hesitation if it would end the war.
Or at least, that was my first impression.
((Do tell))
((Alright Esplin, it's your show now. Sell it)) Jacob said, and he relaxed.
Completely. I stood before a War-prince, I cleared my throat, and I blinked. Jacob squeezed my shoulder figuratively, letting me know he was ready.
"Until my defection five months ago, I was the leading xeno-geneticist in the Yeerk Empire. My designation is Esplin 1894, and I was tasked with the modification and creation of weapons that would ultimately sweep us to victory. But… the price was too high. In the Yeerk empire, one cannot step-down, or retire. There are three choices; continue your work, execution, or desertion. I stole the only prototype."
((An interesting speech, parasite, but I see no proof. You have no data files, and no weapons)) Bheleran sneered.
"Tell me, War-prince. Have you heard of the humans?" I asked conversationally.
((Vaguely, they're a primitive species, from some insignificant world)) the War-prince said, waving a hand in dismissal.
"You are winning this war, because the only hosts the Yeerks have in sufficient quantity are Taxxons. What if I told you that I had a way to turn a weak, but numerous and vulnerable race of intelligent creatures into shock troopers almost as lethal as a Hork-bajir? Somewhere in the number of five billion?" I paused for dramatic effect,
"We would have destroyed you with the Hork-bajir, who only numbered in the tens of thousands, if not for your Quantum Virus… but these humans are different. Their genotypes are diverse and highly varied. A Quantum Virus might affect… perhaps a third of them, and they would still number in the billions."
The War-prince's eyes were riveted to mine, and something hard and cold swam within those emerald depths.
((What is it you want, yeerk?))
((Yes Jacob, what do we want?)) I asked, already knowing his answer.
"To fight. The humans would fight, and die to the last man, to be free, if they knew. They are unaware of their peril, War-prince. The Yeerks have infiltrated their world, and quietly seize hundreds every day, undetected."
((Why would a yeerk seek to warn these… humans?)) Bheleron asked sharply.
"Because I want something more. My host has shown me things… things I never thought to dream of before. I want to know what home means. I want… so much..." I trailed off, unable to speak. I tried to swallow, but emotion was choking me.
"When I die, I want friends, others who will mourn my passing, I want someone to care that I existed."
The War-prince looked at me thoughtfully, ((Intriguing))
Then Evaan shot me in the back.
Helaine-Mtalenon-Ashul
((But, mother, what if they hurt him?)) Sonili asked, worried.
((I'm certain the War-prince will do what is right)) I said reassuringly.
Her eyes remained haunted, and I felt a pang of sorrow: when had the eyes of my little girl grown so old? Not long ago, it seemed, she had been carefree, her greatest concern and trouble was how to amuse herself with so few fellow children.
((You knew him for weeks, and you still do not understand Jacob)) Sonili murmured, ((How will the War-prince understand?))
How indeed.
Jacob Nyles:
I stopped screaming after my voice gave out. Then there was just this weird, crackly noise. I hung from the restraints, until Evaan grabbed my hair, and yanked my head back. I tried to spit at him but… well, I hadn't been given water for at least a day.
((Someone will come for us)) I told Esplin forcefully, but she didn't respond. She had no happy place to retreat to, so she was trying to distance herself from my mind. I didn't blame her.
The prince had been told to entertain me, by the War-prince, until he could find a minute to spare for me. Prince Evaan was many things, (bastard among them), but he was no sadist. He took no pleasure from my pain, but neither did it cause him discomfort. I was the enemy, who had destroyed entire races. I was the monster. Esplin 469 had been a sadist. I could tell the difference.
Still… I was going to murder Evaan… but not before I shoved Bheleran's testicles down his throat.
((Andalites don't have mouths)) Esplin pointed out, her thoughts distant and quiet.
((Not a problem. I'll carve him a smile, right across his goddamn throat))
Esplin approved.
Sonili-Esth-Fastil:
Have you ever had a friend that you knew would trade their life for yours, without hesitation? Not because your life was more important, or better than theirs… but simply because you were their friend?
Jacob was such a friend… Esplin liked me, I think, but I don't think a Yeerk really knows what sacrifice is… It's been three days since we found the fleet.
No word from Jacob, no mention of Jacob either. Mother is worried, but she tries to hide it from me, trying to distract us. Taff and Jett are worried too… but they always worry when Jacob is not near. As Jett described it to me, the nightmare stopped when Jacob was near. When Jacob is not near, the nightmare might come back… and Jacob knows what to do when there is trouble, and tells Jett and Taff the right thing to do.
Although we were released from quarantine, no one will tell us anything, and I can feel the warriors watching us. There is something I can do however. I have been thinking, very hard, about how to help Jacob.
The DawnStorm is a very large ship. It once carried thousands of colonists between the stars… now most of its decks have been retrofitted to carry fighter-craft. A lot of fighters…
I hacked into the DawnStorm's computer mainframe a few hours ago. Important systems like weapons, shields, propulsion, and life support have multiple layers of encryption that I can't break without setting off alarms, but non-essential systems are barely protected. Shuttles from the supply ships move between the combat vessels of the fleet, transferring personnel and supplies where they are needed. I checked the manifests, and a shuttle from the HomeMeadow is scheduled to dock with DawnStorm at 16:00, with a shipment of repair components for the damaged fighter-craft onboard, before continuing on to the SwiftBlade, to offload the rest of the supplies.
I intended to be on that shuttle… but a young Andalite female would draw attention.
((()))
I snuck into the cargo bay, and hunted through the maze of containers. It took me an hour to find everything I needed, and twenty minutes to assemble the device and attach it to a harness. It was 15:45.
((()))
((Listen, aristh, I don't see you anywhere on the manifest)) the shuttle pilot grumbled.
I sighed and glared at the ground, ((I know, sir, but this is the third time my transfer orders have been lost, forgotten, or misdirected. My replacement is already here though, and I've been waiting in the hanger for two days now. Please, can you just drop me off at the SwiftBlade, and let their quartermaster deal with me?))
I did not come up with this tale on my own. During my Uncle's first tour as an aristh aboard the FarCry, his transfer was somehow lost, but his quarters had already been given to his replacement. He was forced to camp in the hanger bay for a week until the mix-up was sorted out, and a shuttle dispatched to pick him up.
Apparently, my story was nothing new to the shuttle pilot.
((Alright, fine, aristh, no fur off my haunches)) the pilot shrugged. I thanked him profusely, and climbed aboard the shuttle, careful to keep my taller holographic eye-stalks from passing through the low ceiling. I then stayed out of the way, so that the pilot wouldn't accidentally brush against me and feel nothing but air.
The shuttle was essentially two compartments: the tiny cockpit, and the cargo bay, which was nearly twenty meters long, and eight meters wide. Three-fourths of the crates had remained behind on the DawnStorm, so space was not an issue. The cargo ramp took up the entire back wall, and folded down, almost like a human mouth. I had a carry-bag thrown across my shoulder, but it was just a hologram.
((()))
The shuttle touched down with a heavy thud, (any good pilot could have landed the ship with barely a tremor… speaking volumes as to why the pilot had been posted to fly a shuttle, especially given the recent shortage in fighter pilots)
The shuttle pilot dropped the cargo ramp, and I called out my thanks again as I quickly trotted down the ramp. The hanger bay was full of bustling activity, technicians and support crews hastily attempting to repair damaged fighters. I moved with a purpose, and no one stopped me. I was just another faceless aristh replacement, a nobody.
I found a secluded supply room, and the holographic duffel disappeared. I quickly broke the SwiftBlade's lower level security. I found the ship's hall logs, and indexed the material, roughly approximate to when Jacob probably would have arrived. It took fifteen minutes to spot him, as he was marched through the ship. He entered what must be the War-Prince's quarters, judging by the two guards outside. I accelerated the playback ten fold, and seconds later, Jacob was dragged back out, by Prince Evaan. He looked dead, and my hearts beat erratically for a moment. He's just stunned. He has to be. I told myself sternly, and followed Evaan through the halls, stopping at a non-descript storage locker. I sped up the playback, but although Evaan came and went over the next eighty-hours of footage, Jacob never emerged. Found you.
((()))
Storage Locker Alpha-2-19 was located two decks above the flight hanger, but below the crew-deck. I had three close-calls, where harried arisths almost collided with me, but quick eyes and quicker feet saved me from discovery. I turned the corner and saw my goal, fifteen meters away. I also saw a giant coming down the corridor towards me. Evaan! If he saw me, Evaan gave no indication; he simply entered the storage locker, and closed the hatch behind him. I hurried forward, and knocked timidly on the hatch. After a moment, the hatch burst open, nearly clipping my holographic face. I scrambled backwards.
((What aristh?!)) Prince Evaan demanded.
((P-p-prince Evaan, War-prince Bheleran sent me to tell you he requires your presence, immediately)) I stammered.
((Hmph. Very well)) Evaan walked off muttering darkly about sending idiots as messengers when one could use the ship's intercom just as easily.
When he disappeared from sight, I quietly slipped through the hatch, and secured it in the dark.
((Lights)) I called. The artificial lighting activated, revealing what a storage locker was supposed to look like, I guess. There were shelves with crates and boxes on them, crammed so tightly that one had no space to turn around, and would have to back all the way out to turn.
((Jacob?)) I called, tentatively. In the utter stillness, I heard a broken, ugly whisper of sound. Cautiously, I ventured deeper into the storage locker. I found Jacob in the back. Someone had tied his arms to opposite shelves, and his head hung low. Cables secured his ankles together, and were fastened to another shelf at ankle level. Blood had dried in spatters and drops on the floor around Jacob.
((Jacob?)) I asked, trying to keep the fear from it… but failing. He moved weakly, but did not raise his head.
My tail blade cut the ties on his arms, and he flopped to the deck limply, his head hitting sickeningly. I cut the ties from his ankles.
((Jacob, we have to go, you must stand!)) I cried.
I… believed in Jacob. I had never seen him like this. Someone had… hurt him, over and over again. He'd been… tortured.
((Why would Bheleran send an aristh, I wondered)) a voice growled behind me. I spun a stalk-eye, to look behind me as I should have done, tail raised. Evaan stood in the hatch.
((And I realized, he would not. I do not recognize you, boy. I think you are one of the arisths from the Yeerk ship. You are a traitor)) Evaan said with grim anticipation, stalking me. He had no hand weapons, but he was a Prince.
My larger opponent squeezed between the shelves. I had a very slim chance. I was facing away from Evaan, but he was facing me. He could not turn side-on as he normally would, so his tail would have to travel over his shoulder, to strike at me. I had no such problem… and I wasn't as tall as my hologram.
I backed up, towards Evaan, tail cocked. The big warrior realized his disadvantage and scowled, but he refused to retreat back into the open. He was arrogant.
He issued no challenge, he simply struck. I never even saw the strike coming, but it would have cut off my eye-stalks in one slash… if I wasn't a hologram. Evaan blinked, for just a second, and I attacked. I knew where to strike. I had seen where the Hork-bajir had slashed, and one of my Uncle's men had died in seconds. I think his name was Eourlund.
My little tail-blade, no great threat normally… swiped across Evaan's throat, hitting bother arteries and his trachea. I noted all of this in a detached sort of way. Evaan stared at me, and I turned off my hologram.
((A girl?)) he whispered in horror. Like a great tree, his knees buckled, but he kept his body upright… until he slumped, his eyes closing as blood spurted from my cut. It took a long time to stop bleeding.
I killed a Prince.
A hero of the People.
A… bad man.
I looked down at Jacob, broken on the floor. I could not carry him. My plan was useless now.
((()))
The shuttle pilot was surprised to see me, again.
((What's wrong now?)) he asked, a mixture of pity and disbelief in his voice.
I kicked at the deck angrily, as any aristh might.
((My quartermaster sent the wrong aristh, and now, this quartermaster is using me as a messenger)) I spat, glaring at my hooves. Beside me, a two meter long crate rested on a hover pad. I held the control unit in my hand.
((What's in the crate?)) the shuttle pilot asked, curious.
((I don't know, the quartermaster of the SwiftSword said that the DawnStorm's quartermaster would understand)) I grumbled.
((Well… you know what? It's a little out of my way, but I can drop you off on the DawnStorm. If you're quick, it won't put me back more than ten minutes)) the pilot offered.
I slumped in relief, some of my tension evaporating, ((At least one thing will have gone right)) I sighed.
((Just hurry and get promoted. You'll take less abuse from the quartermasters)) the pilot advised.
((I'm trying, believe me)) I said earnestly.
((()))
I stepped off onto the DawnStorm, and waved goodbye to the shuttle pilot. I guided the crate through the carrier's hanger bays, and looked for my mother.
((()))
((Mother)) I said breathlessly, and she turned, looking at me strangely.
((I believe you are mistaken, aristh))
((Oh, sorry)) I deactivated the hologram.
((Sonili, where did you get that device?!)) mother hissed.
((I made it, but I have a problem)) I said desperately.
((What?)) she asked, alarm beginning to creep into her voice.
I opened the crate beside me, and mother flinched.
((The human, what did he?—))
((— there's no time mother. I found Jacob, on the SwiftBlade. They tortured him)) I interrupted.
((No, I'm sure that's not what—))
((Prince Evaan walked in as I was cutting Jacob loose. He tried to kill me)) I sobbed.
My mother grabbed me and held me close. I was too old for it, but I didn't care, I needed it.
((Shh… it's going to be all right. We can fix this…))
((No, its not!)) I choked, ((Prince Evaan is dead))
Her eyes went to Jacob, ((The human…?))
((No, mother. Jacob can't even speak. It was me. I killed him. I killed a Prince))
My mother shrank away from me, dread in her eyes.
((What do I do?)) I asked, lost. Mother always knew what to do.
Her eyes hardened, and the air seemed to crystallize.
((First, turn that hologram back on. Second, go find those Hork-bajir, and bring them here))
((()))
Two of the arisths, Torfan and Yaigeir stepped into the room, and my mother spoke intently with them, her eyes like burning coals. Earth. She was taking us to Earth, with Jacob. Well, everyone but the aristh's. She was asking themto become forsworn, traitors of the People.
I stood by Jett and Taff, while their clawed fingers gently wiped away Jacob's blood with damp cloth, and carefully let him sip water from a rag. They said nothing… there was nothing to say.
I had betrayed my people.
((()))
Someone said my name for the third time, and I looked up at my mother. ((Sonili… Torfan has agreed to come with us… but Yaigeir cannot)) my mother said.
((Now, I must go)) mother said briskly, before leaving me alone with three aliens and the arisths.
Yaigeir hung his head in shame, and could not meet my eyes. I understood. He was the only son in a minor family. If he was shamed, his mother, father, and two sisters would be disgraced as well, exiled… if they were lucky. If they remained, no one would speak to them ever, or even acknowledge them. They would cease to exist. Torfan's father had died in a battle last year, a decorated captain and war-hero. His mother had not survived giving birth to him, and he had no other siblings. He had no family left to ruin.
Everything seemed to move so fast… it passed in a blur of activity and fear. Then we were walking through the corridors. I didn't know where. The Hork-bajir carried the crate that held Jacob between them. I don't know where the hover pad was. Yaigeir was gone. He could not afford to be seen with us.
It wasn't until we entered the hanger, and I saw the Yeerk ship that I realized where we were headed. Mother was already onboard, and had several satchels and pouches. I didn't ask. Calmly, we boarded the ship. Torfan flew the ship. I wondered why the DawnStorm's shields did not rise, to prevent our escape. Later, mother told me she had sabotaged the shields, weapons, and communications systems. We were pursued, but the other ships were caught unprepared, and we escaped into Z-space safely.
Then I cried until I fell asleep.
