A/N: ( and ) thoughtspeak... do I need to say "written with Ember Nickel" again?

"I am an idiot," Marco said for the seventh time in the minute.

"Indeed, if it took you that long to realize it," Rachel countered.

(Should I go after her?) Tobias watched Cassie take off.

"No, that's okay, um..." Jake didn't need to make another suggestion, as a figure materialized on the fifty-yard line.

"Hello, humans and Yeerks!" the Drode taunted.

Marco swore.

"No, no, it's okay..." Jake thought quickly. "Ax, tell the Yeerks he's addressing their human hosts.

After doing so, he complained, (That is a grievous omission of my species!)

"Wouldn't want to insult the Andalite honor," Marco smirked.

(What are you and what are you doing? ) Visser Three demanded.

"I am the Drode, and I will be your referee today."

"Not. Fair." Rachel sulked.

(Why shouldn't I kill you immediately?)

"Our mutual... master would not be pleased with that. Not at all." The Drode approached Visser Three, who backed away.

"We can't let him be the ref!" Rachel continued.

(Got any better ideas?) Tobias asked. (Hey- what's that?)

"Huh?"

(A girl. Screaming. "Mommy! Daddy!" She almost sounds familiar- uh-oh. Here comes trouble- real trouble.) He landed and began to quickly morph human.

"What's going on?"

"It's Taylor- Sub-Visser 51."

Rachel said nothing, just took Tobias's emerging hand.

"Visser," Taylor pronounced. "I have an ultimatum. My host is as indestructible as they come. Promote me to Visser rank, or I will infest this human." She heaved a bag down onto the field.

(And... WHY DO I CARE?)

"Open it," she instructed Chapman.

He clumsily did so, revealing Melissa's paralyzed form. She screamed again before Taylor sprayed her face.

"Iniss's host will rebel, making both of you less able to function. The Empire needs me."

In response, Visser Three raised his tailblade to her throat.

Visser One, knowing an ally when she saw one, spoke, "Visser Three, as a superior officer I command you to let her go."

Reluctantly, he tried to pull back, but his blade was stuck. He had to morph to escape.

The Animorphs' hologram flickered as another Chee took control. "I have to go." Erek departed without explanation.

Meanwhile, the Drode was flailing in agony. "Get this Earth creature off or me!"

Marco nodded to the sack that had held Melissa and her stowaway. "I guess the cat is out of the bag."