Sorry about the formatting problems I had the first time I uploaded this. I'll try not to let it happen again.

Chapter 6

"That's great and all, but what are going to attack?" Marco asked. "We still don't know anything about their operations."

((I have an idea,)) David began. ((The Visser has weekly meetings in his office. We could go in as bugs and listen in, maybe figure something out.))

Prince Tobias nodded. "We know about his meetings. We were planning on stopping by some time."

Jeanne raised her hand. It was a gesture I have seen humans perform before, but I do not understand its purpose. It seems to be a way of getting the attention of a superior without interrupting.

"You don't have to raise your hand, Jeanne, we aren't in school," Prince Tobias prompted.

"Although, Tobias does kind of act like Chapman," Marco whispered loudly. That was something I did not understand either. Whispering is how humans communicate when they do not wish to be overheard, but Marco tends to whisper loud enough for everyone to hear him.

"Marco," Prince Tobias began.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. Detention after school, right? I promise I'll turn in my homework next time."

Prince Tobias just shook his head. "I don't like the idea of all of us hanging around in Esplin's office, waiting to overhear something."

David nodded. An odd movement coming from a rat. ((Yeah, it's kind of risky. Although…))

"What?" Marco prompted.

((The Visser records what he discusses during his meetings. If you get the records of the previous meetings, you wouldn't have to sit around waiting. Of course, you couldn't get past the security, so forget I mentioned it.))

Prince Tobias nodded at me. "Can you crack it, Alloran?"

((Almost certainly, my Prince. At best, the Visser will be using security designed by Prince Aximili. He was a great warrior but he was no scientist. His security will be easy enough for me to bypass.))

Prince Tobias nodded again. He was making an effort to make motions that most humans make naturally. "Okay. I don't want to send everyone on this, though."

"Why not?" Rachel asked.

"Because too many will make us feel more powerful than we are," he answered. "We'll feel strong if all six of us are there. But we can't handle the entire Yeerk pool."

((I would be able to do this alone, my Prince,)) I told him.

"Probably, but there's no way I'm sending you without backup." He paused to think. "Jeanne, you have…experience…with security. You'll go along with him. David, you know ways in and out of the Yeerk pool. You'll go along, too."

Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Just the new guys?"

((I resent that,)) David interjected.

Prince Tobias nodded. "They don't need us babysitting them all the time. I think it's about time they handled a mission on their own."

"But do you really think it's safe to send Jeanne and Alloran with David?"

((I resent that, too.))

"If we never offer David the chance, he can't earn our trust. I'm not worried about him turning Jeanne and Alloran in. They aren't the ones the Yeerks really want. Anything less than my head would get David killed."

"Unless he never really betrayed the Yeerks," Rachel insisted.

((Again: resentment.))

Prince Tobias shook his head. "He turned on them. Esplin wouldn't have ordered him to fake the defection. Not when he had you all pinned down. He'd never pass up a sure thing."

"I just don't like it," Rachel insisted.

"Stop worrying," Marco told her. "That's my job. When you're worried, that means the rest of us should be fleeing at top speed. So cut it out. It's scary."

((Look, I don't blame you guys for not trusting me, but now I have nowhere else to go.))

"That didn't stop you the first time," Rachel shot back.

((This is different. You don't understand. I could never betray Al. Ask him. He knows.))

They all turned to me. I nodded. ((The Anati are symbiotic creatures. David, Cassie, and I each morphed a piece of one. When we were connected… David will not betray us. He asked for forgiveness for what he did. He earned it.))

"Not from me," Rachel insisted.

((Then give me a chance to make it right,)) David argued. ((Let me show you that I'm different now. I'm not the same scared kid I was back then.))

"You'll always be a scared kid, David," Rachel answered.

Marco shrugged. "Maybe so, but now he's a scared kid on our side."

"You can't tell me that you, of all people, trust him," she said flatly.

Jeanne interrupted. "S'il vous plait, let's stop this fighting. Tobias has given the order and that is what matters. It was a command decision. I will go with David and Alloran and that is la fin."

Marco sighed. "That's what I'm worried about."

Chapter 7

David led us to the water tower just outside of town. ((This is where the Yeerks get Kelbrid into the pool,)) he explained. ((It pipes water out from a lake beneath the mountains. A little work and the Yeerks turned it into an entrance.))

((Then why are we using it?)) Jeanne demanded. We were in our bird of prey morphs. I was my falcon. David was a golden eagle. Jeanne was a red-tailed hawk. ((If it is where the Kelbrid enter the pool, it does not sound like a smart way to get inside.))

((It's because of all those different creatures coming and going all the time,)) David answered. ((The Yeerks couldn't put BioFilters in or anything like that. It's our best bet. If we stay as flies, we should be fine.))

((But we are birds, not flies.))

((No problem. We land, demorph, remorph, and go on in.))

((Wouldn't someone see us?)) I asked. ((Surely there is security on this entrance.))

((No, nothing. The Yeerks figure that if anyone wanders in on them unloading Kelbrid, they won't live to tell the tale. Worst case scenario is that someone accidentally stumbles into the Yeerk pool. It's like getting a free Controller.))

((But surely there is at least human security. Cameras perhaps. Something.))

((No cameras. Cameras would leave evidence. They're trusting that no one will be stumbling around the water tower. Who would be that stupid?))

(([Nous,)) Jeanne muttered.

In spite of our concerns, we demorphed on tower. There was a catwalk wrapping around it where we were able to stand. I did my best to keep away from the edge. Andalites are not built for heights.

"Alloran, you do not have to hug the tower."

((I was not embracing it, Jeanne,)) I insisted. ((I was merely making certain of its structural integrity.))

"Ah. And it meets with you approval?"

((Yes. Yes it does.))

"Then you are ready to morph, peut-être?"

I was already morphing. It would be much better to be a fly here. Flies…well, they possess the ability to fly. Andalites do not.

First came the shrinking. It was as though the catwalk was rushing up to strike me. I averted my eyes from my own body. A fly is not an attractive creature and you would not want to watch yourself become one.

I accidentally caught a glimpse of Jeanne. Her eyes bulged like those of the fly. I could see their many lenses glistening in the sun. I wanted to scream. But a warrior must become used to such things.

I also saw David, a hideous rat-fly monstrosity. I had heard Marco make a joke once about flies the size of rats. What I was seeing was in no way humorous. It was terrifying.

I kept my eyes focused on the sky after that. I didn't see the changes, only felt them. I felt the wings shoot out of my back. I felt my legs and hands twist and mutate into the claws of the fly. I felt my fur become dagger-like hairs.

Morphing is never painful. In fact, the way that it kills pain is remarkably simple. Or so I think. However, I have learned that all humans and even, I must admit, most Andalites do not understand the principles behind it. To avoid embarrassing readers, I will not elaborate on it here.

Before long, we were fully fly. ((Okay,)) David began. ((Now, we wait here until someone opens this thing.))

((What? That isn't a plan,)) Jeanne complained. ((This could take all day!))

((I don't think so. The Visser operates on a predictable schedule. A shipment of Kelbrid is due within the hour.))

((You did not mention this,)) I noted. ((It could have been a target for us to attack.))

((We wouldn't have attacked. The last thing we want to do is fight a hundred Kelbrid,)) David answered.

((One hundred?)) Jeanne questioned.

((That's how they usually come.))

((Form whence do they come?)) I inquired.

((What?... Oh, now I understand. Where did you learn to speak, the Dark Ages?)) David inquired. I believe he was using the human tone of voice known as sarcasm. ((No one knows where they're coming from. The One sends them here and the Visser sends them out.))

Sure enough, we had been waiting for only thirty minutes before felt a presence above me. My fly antennae detected heavy vibrations. Something large was not far away. ((Does everyone else feel that?)) I asked.

((Oui.))

((Yep,)) David answered. ((I believe that is the ship we have been waiting for.))

((For which we have been waiting,))I corrected him. ((Honestly, humans are so confusing. Why is it that you are unable to obey even the most basic grammatical rules of your own language?))

((Because he's American,)) Jeanne answered.

((Hey, these Americans saved your people from the Germans. Twice. And we took over that whole Vietnam mess for you.))

((And we all know how well that turned out,)) Jeanne muttered. ((Besides, you owed us. We helped you in your rebellion against the English.))

((That doesn't count! You barely helped us at all!))

((Well you…))

Chapter 8

I tuned out their arguing and concentrated on our mission at hand. I could feel something heavy being dropped onto the water tower. Probably the Kelbrid exiting their ship. Sadly, a fly's vision is very poor, so I could not be certain.

((I can't believe no one sees this,)) Jeanne marveled.

((A simple hologram would shield them from view,)) I answered her.

((Yep. That's what the Yeerks are doing,)) David agreed. ((Come on, let's get going. The Kelbrid will notice us, but I doubt they'll realize that flies are enemies. They aren't particularly bright.))

We flew up to the top of the water tower and I could see a bit better. The Kelbrid were leaping from a ship ten feet above the tower. When they landed, they would walk over to a hatch in the roof and slide down a pole. Presumably, they landed in the Yeerk pool.

((Who wants to lead this charge?)) David asked.

((You,)) Jeanne answered.

((Of course. Count on us Americans to do it for you. Fine, just hang back, croissant. Al, cover my back.))

Together, the three of us made our way to the hatch. ((We should wait until the last Kelbrid has descended,)) I warned them. ((Otherwise, we will have to worry about Kelbrid landing on us.))

((Good thinking.)) We waited. After five Earth minutes, it was safe to go.

The descent was rather boring. It felt like endless miles of darkness. There wasn't even anything to interest the fly brain. I had expected something, but nothing met my senses. The Kelbrid did not leave even a scent as they passed.

I wondered, not for the first time, how much of a hand The One had in the evolution of the Kelbrid. There were many aspects of their being that confused me. Their forepaws, for one thing, were odd. Almost everything in nature has evolved to be symmetrical. The Kelbrid were not.

What baffled me more, however, was that the Kelbrid were superpredators. Such creatures evolved vary rarely and quickly died. They were too efficient and killed off their food sources, and then went extinct. That should have happened to the Kelbrid long ago.

The superpredator dilemma is why, I believe, all sensible creatures evolve as grazers; omnivores at the very least. We Andalites, for example, would have made excellent predators. Lucky for many, we were grazers instead. If we had been predators, I suspect that we may have at one point been as bad as the Yeerks.

Humans have a peculiar duel nature. They can be predators or grazers. Any human can 'swing either way' as Marco might say. Their feeding habits are a good metaphor for humans as a whole.

I believe that you can learn everything you need to know about a race by looking at how it eats.

David shook me out of my thoughts. ((Alloran? We're there. Can you see me?))

((Yes, David, you are visible.))

((Okay. Jeanne, Alloran, follow me. We don't want to stick around here long. They just unloaded a pack of Kelbrid and they'll notice flies.))

((Really?)) Jeanne asked.

((Yeah. They can sense vibrations like a cockroach can. Every little disturbance will alert them.))

((Would they stop to worry about flies?)) I asked.

((They're Kelbrid. To them, everything's prey. They'll notice. Once they're infested, the Yeerks in their heads probably won't care, but its best not to take chances.))

We followed David down another tunnel. There were Kelbrid below us. As David had predicted, they snapped their jaws at us, but we stayed out of reach. Heights seemed to be the only weakness of the Kelbrid. Perhaps they were weak in water as well; we had never encountered them there.

((Hold on, stop,)) David called.

((Qu'est-ce qu'il y a?)) Jeanne asked.

((Uh…what? Was that French?))

((She asked why we stopped,)) I told him.

((Oh. We're just above the Yeerk pool.))

((I thought I smelled brimstone,)) Jeanne muttered. I think it was a joke. ((Why is that reason to stop?))

((Guraff will be briefing the new Controllers. It might be worth listening in on.))

((Would he give them any information that isn't in the computers?)) I asked.

((Maybe. The Yeerks like to keep secrets, even from each other. Guraff doesn't keep secrets. He tells his men things he thinks they need to know, no matter how secret it's supposed to be. He might reveal something that the Visser is too paranoid to keep on his computer.))

((I say we forget it,)) Jeanne responded. ((We're here to find targets. Guraff's briefing will probably just be the same thing he told those human Controllers in the McDonald's. Everything I have been taught has told me not to hang around where you are not needed.))

((Al, what do you think?))

I realized that it was up to me. It was a small decision and probably not one of any importance. Still, it was my first command decision. That made it special to me.

What would Prince Tobias do? Divide his forces. Someone would listen, the others would hack the computer. He would want all the information possible.

Then, I remembered where the Visser's office was. I remembered that it had a window overlooking the pool. And I knew that the Visser would want to be able to hear the briefing. I could hack the computer while listening.

((We go to the Visser's office,)) I told David. ((We will be able to hear Guraff from there.))

Chapter 9

((So…how do we get in?)) David asked. We were hovering before the door of the Visser's office. Unfortunately, the door was tightly sealed. It would be impossible to sneak past it. And there were certainly security systems.

((I will be able to disable electronic security systems,)) I assured David. ((I will have to demorph, though.))

((Go ahead. No one will be watching up here. The Visser doesn't trust anyone to guard his office; he's been betrayed before. Too many times.))

((Perhaps if he was not so hated…)) Jeanne trailed off.

((He's gotten a lot more forgiving lately,)) David answered. ((I think it's because he's taking Guraff's advice. The Visser won't let another fiasco like the end of the first war happen to him again. He's learned that there are other ways of motivation than fear.))

((I sincerely doubt that the Visser will ever be loved by his subordinates,)) I told David as I demorphed to my Andalite body. I hoped he was right about no one watching.

((Oh, don't get me wrong. The Yeerks know exactly what he's like. The ones in command positions, at least. But these newer generations are being brainwashed. He's convincing them that he's the greatest thing since The One. And the Kelbrid love him, too. He reminds them of…well, of them.))

When I was fully Andalite, I set about working on the door. The edges were protected with a force field. I located the generator, hidden in one of the door hinges, and disabled it without any difficulty.

((Alloran, be certain that you can re-enable any security systems,)) Jeanne reminded me. ((We do not want the Visser to realize that his office has been infiltrated.))

I nodded. ((Of course, Jeanne. I had not thought of that.))

Sadly, there was no security other than the force field. I suppose it makes sense. A BioFilter would destroy any visitors, and it would be a hassle to shut down ever time someone entered the office. And it was useless, since Prince Tobias had Prince Aximili's DNA.

I pulled on the door handle. It did not move. ((There seems to be a problem,)) I told the others.

Jeanne lightly shoved me aside. "It is locked, Alloran. Give me a moment." She and David had demorphed. I scooped David up. He was vulnerable in his rat form and I did not want to risk his being harmed.

"Got it," Jeanne announced. "This was a pathetic lock. An idiot could have done it."

((An idiot put it here,)) David muttered. ((Let's get going. No one looks up here, but the Kelbrid might be able to feel us. I don't know how far their senses reach.))

We entered the office and closed the door. There was an ancient wooden desk facing the window. On the desk were some objects. Many of them were obviously of Yeerk origin, but a few ere clearly Andalite. Like the computer.

It looked like an egg and was the same color as my fur. I picked it up. Immediately, images raced through my mind. I set about hacking it. Andalite security would have stopped most intruders. But, as I believe I said earlier, I am a prodigy.

After five minutes of work, the entire system was wide open to me. It was actually embarrassing, since I was bypassing Andalite security measures.

((Got anything?)) David asked me.

((Too much,)) I sighed. ((I have everything in the computer available to me, but I do not know for what we are looking.))

"So why not take it all?" Jeanne suggested. "Can't you upload it to the Reliquary's computer or something?"

((Of course. I should have thought of that.)) I began to take Jeanne's suggestion, but then I had a better idea. I inserted a program that would link this computer with that of the Reliquary. Now we would know anything the Yeerks recorded.

I felt another presence in the computer with me. Jeanne was accessing it as well. "This is so much data," she sighed. "It could take us months to find a single target. We have no way of knowing what's important."

((Hey, Al,)) David suggested, ((the Yeerks would back up anything critical, right? I mean, they'd have to have a quick way to restore their information if the computer crashed.))

((Yes, that is correct. Of course, the odds of an Andalite computer 'crashing' as you say are astronomical.))

((So here's what I'm thinking. You crash the computer. When it starts to reload data, flag whatever comes up. Then we'll know what they really want to keep around.))

((That is a very good idea.))

((Well, do it fast because Guraff looks like he's going to start soon. They Kelbrid are assembling.))

I nodded and began doing what David had said. It did not take long. After a minute, the computer system crashed. I crashed only the one I was using, so as not to alert the Yeerks. Sure enough, some files began to load themselves almost instantly. I marked them and they were sent to the Reliquary.

((I am finished,)) I announced.

((Just in time. Guraff's starting.))

I went over to the window to watch. It was a sight I wish I could forget.

Chapter 10

To me, it seems that everything about the Yeerk pool is deigned to be anti-Andalite. It is an underground area, for one thing; not a place any Andalite would choose to go. There is no grass anywhere, only stone and sludge.

The cages that lined one wall would certainly be torture for any Andalite. They were torture enough for the humans and Hork-bajir inside of them, waiting to be re-infested.

The narrow piers were also terrible for any host, but especially for an Andalite. The wooden one where a host deposited his Yeerk into the pool was narrow and looked a bit unstable. It was no place for an Andalite.

The steel pier was much worse. That was where the hosts were re-infested. It looked slippery and was as narrow as the wooden one. That was the last place any creature wanted to be; especially an Andalite.

In all of history, there have been only two Andalite Controllers. Both were controlled by the Yeerk Esplin 9466, now called the Visser. The first was my namesake, Alloran-Semitur-Corass. The second was my uncle, Aximili.

I had a cold feeling as I looked at that steel pier. It was almost a premonition. I couldn't help but feel that I would one day find myself at the end of it, waiting for Esplin.

All this flashed through my mind in an instant. I was more actively focused on what was taking place below me. Spanning the pool was an arched bridge with a large, circular area in the center. A monster of a Hork-bajir stood in the center. Guraff 427.

Guraff is an oddity among the Yeerks. He does not seem to be one of the ambitious Visser types, but he is not one of the separatists of the Peace Movement. He seems to be Esplin's only friend.

Guraff disturbs me mostly because he reminds me of an Andalite. He seems to value honor and courage; virtues that he alone amongst all the Yeerks appears to possess. He also seems to have a reputation as a great warrior amongst the Yeerks. From what I have seen, his reputation is well deserved.

The new Kelbrid stood around the pool in a half-circle. They seemed to be waiting for something. Then, Guraff's speech boomed throughout the pool. "One of you Yeerks has infested the Kelbrid leader, the chieftain of this pack. Step forward."

The largest of the Kelbrid, a specimen about half a foot shorter than Guraff's nine-foot frame, started along the bridge. He stopped when he reached the larger area where Guraff waited for him.

"I know the Kelbrid hierarchy. This one is your leader because he has fought for it. Now he and I will fight. Normally, it would be the Visser's place to do this, but you are to be my special, elite pack. You will answer to me and to no one else. Now, Yeerk, stand ready."

The Kelbrid dropped to its forepaws. It closed its ten-fingered hand in a fist and raised its stingered arm. Then, it attacked. It struck like lightning; like an Andalite tail. Guraff was ready.

He parried the stinger with an easy swing of one arm and kicked with one of his feet. The Kelbrid's head hit the floor beneath the two of them. The rest of its body hit shortly afterwards.

((Did I really just see that?)) David asked me.

((I believe you did,)) I answered. ((Although I cannot speak as to the accuracy of rat eyes. I am hardly an expert on the visual capabilities of your species.))

Jeanne cut me off. "Oui, you saw that."

Guraff turned to the remaining Kelbrid. "I am speaking to you, now, the hosts. You see what I can do. I killed your greatest warrior in less than a second. You answer to me. Is that clear?"

Almost in unison, the Kelbrid dropped to their forepaws. They balled up their hands. The stingers of their other hands retracted. On all fours, they loped around the pool, circling about Guraff. They roared with their raspy Kelbrid voices.

((I believe it is an acceptance of subservience,)) I told the others. ((They are accepting Guraff as their leader.))

((Yeah, that makes sense,)) David agreed. ((Guraff said the Visser normally did this, right?))

((That is correct.))

((That probably means that the Kelbrid-Controller who fights him probably throws the fight.))

((That is correct. I cannot imagine the Visser fighting a battle he could actually lose.))

((I just got an idea.))

"Do tell."

((Not here. I'll explain it when we get back to the Reliquary. It's really one that the others should hear.))

"Then let's be going. I think I know where this is going and I do believe I like it."

((Oh, I think you'll love it. Tell me, Jeanne: how do you feel about assassins?))