Chapter Two: Jake

Disclaimer: do not own the Animorphs. Pronounce: Jernall- Jer(as in jerk)-nall(like mall, but with a n.)

Chapter Two: Jake

The last thing I remembered was saying, "Ram the bladeship" before blackness.

I'm Jake, the "Fearless Leader," as Marco calls me.

((Human, who gave you permission to board the ship?)) A male Andalite snapped at me.

I turned stood and turned, realizing that I was in an Andalite ship's dome. "I-I don't know how I even boarded... I was just trying to save Ax- I mean Prince Aximili..."

The male Andalite seemed to be twenty plus in human years. He had a scar that ran from underneath his left eye to his chin. His eyes opened wide when I said Ax's name.

((Prince Aximili... You know him? The brother of Elfangor?)) He said.

"Yes." I replied simply, not knowing how else to answer this... whatever rank he was.

((Are you the Andalite son, Tobias? Or the son of the host of Visser One, Marco?)) The Andalite asked.

"Neither." I answered, making the Andalite confused. "I'm the 'Yeerk killer,' brother of a Controller, cousin to the so-called Xena, past Prince to Prince Aximili, or just plain Jake."

His eyes open wide again. ((War-Prince Jake,)) He fell to one knee, the Andalite version of a bow.

"Whoa," I said as he stood. "I don't remember becoming a War-Prince. I barely even wanted to become Ax's Prince!"

The Andalite gave a small laugh- nice to know that the Andalites learned a sense of humor. ((My crew and I know.))

"Where am I? Who are you?" I asked randomly.

The Andalite turned around and looked up. He sighed. ((We are in the dome of the ship EarthBlade, in the middle of Z-space.)) He sighed again. Then two young Andalites entered the dome and stared at me. ((Ah, Arisths Claville and Berntian. This is War-Prince Jake.)) He turned slightly to me. ((These are Arisths Claville-Omarcho-Jamalclvan and Berntian-Gabrinalco-Calderino.))

I nodded as the Arisths did the Andalite version of a bow. The Andalite seemed to be stalling. Maybe he called them in private thought-speak so he wouldn't have to tell me his name.

((It is an honor to meet you,)) The Arisths said. I nodded again and they went about their business.

"May we speak in a place where we would not be disturbed?" I asked, trying to make sure that he wouldn't make any distractions.

((Of course,)) A split second of fear appeared on his face then disappeared as quickly as it appeared. ((My quarters.)) He led me there and turned to face me.

"I repeat, who are you?" I demanded.

He straightened himself. ((I am War-Prince Jernall.))

I walked around his quarters and came upon a hologram of four Andalites, one a female. "Your family?" I asked. I know I sound like I was trying to get inside his head, but I knew that he wasn't telling me something. "Listen, War-Prince Jernall. I've lied and not told the entire truth to know when someone else is. What are you hiding from me?"

Jernall sighed. ((That is I, my Shorms, and former Shorm. That is me, on the right. On the far left is Medic Evworth and next to him is Teacher Margtheo.))

"And the female?" I wondered.

((My former Shorm, Kaianaria.)) He sighed. ((The four of us are/is disgraced. Evworth, Margtheo and I regained out second and last names. Kaianaria has not been heard of in a long time, has not been given her second, and last names back).)

I nodded. "Do they know?"

((Excuse me?)) Jernall replied.

"Your crew. Do they know?" I clarified.

His stalk-eyes drooped. ((No, they do not.))

"Tell me about your friends." I asked/ordered, trying to get his mind off of being disgraced.