I flew off in some odd direction. I cursed myself as the sun set, taking with it the precious thermals I needed to stay aloft easier. I had to figure out where the others went. I made way to the University Auditiorium. I beat my wings as fast as I could trying to get ahold of some air. I ran through my mind the situation and everything that could go wrong and if I should even be trying to do this.

I dove straight down to get some speed to focus my mind. I have a bad habit of thinking things over. And right now I didn't have the choice to think of things. I swooped back up and pulled the rollercoaster ride to gain speed, finally I made it, fifteen minutes shy of two hours. I saw a red tailed hawk on the ground. ^TOBIAS^ I shouted in thought speak. There weren't any people near him so I morphed out, stumbling over myself as I flew/bird-walked/human-ran over to him. I was there soon after I finished.

"Tobias. Wake up." I called. The hawk turned and looked at me, "Rachel…?" For a hawk he must be in bad shape to not notice it was someone other than one of the animorphs. "Tobias. Where are the others?" I called. I heard a sound and turned. A police officer was standing with his gun pointed at me. Mind you, this is a girl in a one piece swimsuit holding a hawk. I didn't hesitate to move as he shot at me. Like I said, I have faced down a T-Rex and lived. I don't think scary gets much beyond that.

I ducked and whirled as he shot, trying to keep from getting hit. Wounds only heal if you are in morph, and unfortunately for Tobias his main morph was the one that was injured. If he morphed he could die.

"Tobias. Where did they go in?" I called. Tobias looked up at me with one of his eyes, it was clouded and I didn't know how much time he had. I ducked behind the Auditorium as I heard others join in the deadly game of gun-tag. "Tobias. Please, stay awake and think. Where did Rachel and the others go?"

Tobias opened his eyes and looked at me fully, finally seeing me. ^Who are you?^ he asked. "A friend. I'm here to help you and the other animorphs. Now. Where did they go in?" My arms were covered in blood, I didn't know how much a hawk could lose and still make it but the way his wings were I was sure he didn't have much left to lose. ^They went into the basement. The Senator's are there. Gonna infest them. Trap though. Vissir Three was waiting. Caught them. Shot me. Ax is still out, we have to…" Tobias fell into unconciousness. I cursed myself for not sticking closer to the group and looked around. I pulled back as I saw the cop turn the corner and then call to others. He turned around and I made a break for the ticket room. My heart beat faster from the adriniline, I wasn't much afraid of them and their guns but this was about as dangerous as that T-rex. I ran in and closed the door. I ducked down under the desk where I looked for a place to hide Tobias. I didn't want to leave him out in the booth but I had no choice. I moved over to the cabenit and foud a roll of papertowels. Wrapping Tobias's wings up I gently held him and moved into the theater itself.

It was bright, no one was here. I sighed. I had a feeling about this. I mentally banged my head against the nearest wall. I normally watched the news with my dad but I had been working and then I had went into hiding. I should have bought a newspaper. But it didn't matter. I knew what was going on now. There were no Senator-wannabies coming here to talk about the elections. There was no threat to cancel the speeches. There were no speeches.

I looked up and around me as I crouched down in between the seats. There were police officers on the balcony areas with rifles. It was twelve rows on three floors and I was at the top. Thirty six rows to run. Or not. I stooped low to try and stay hidden while I morphed, I could leave Tobias under the seat and come for him later. I smelled something then looked at the floor. It was a sharp sweet smell. Like the kind of smell you get after your house has been sprayed for insects.

The Yeerks were getting smarter. And I was getting more right about what was going on then I was comfortable with.

I considered my options then nodded. I moved to the edge of the Aisle. I had to be quick or they would see me. The only thing I wished I had was a skateboard. It would make this a lot easier. I got into a runners stance, held the hawk close and took in a deep breath and ran out and down. I was at the first set of stairs when I heard the gunfire. I jumped, cleared both the shot and stairs and landed, pushing off I ran again.

I'd like to take this time to mention I hate hurdles.

I landed in the third aisle and hit the ground hard, tumbling with my hand pushing me up to keep from ingering Tobais further. Moving quickly I felt a few of my hairs get shorter. "Hey, I'm not getting a haircut." I muttered to myself. I lept over the second set of stairs and darted up and over into the orcestra pit. I hit the ground hard and felt tobias shift. At least he was still reacting tomy movement.s I ran forwards and up into the stage area, barely missing the bullets of the officers who joined the game.

I ran backstage and found a closet opened with a stairway downwards. I looked around and found an old cape. I wrapped Tobias in that to keep him warm and hold him together as I made my way quickly and carefully down the steep steps to the bottom. I jumped down the last three feet and fell to my knees, and then was glad I did. I landed behind a cage. A few humans saw me and they nodded. "You are here to help us?" one small boy asked. I nodded. "Yes. I am here to help." I nodded and moved behind them. They watched me move to the controls. I stopped behind another cage, this one with screaming Hork-Bijir in it. I saw Jake and the others, they were chained to the ground, and some, like Jake and Cassie were muzzled. Vissir Three's voice boomed in my head.

^Brothers and Sisters! We have finally caught the Andilites. Tell me, what shall we do with them?^ I heard screams from people, I saw the supposed "Daily" and "Nico" wannabie-imposters shouting with them. I knew I was right. I laid Tobias down and narrowed my eyes. He was probably going to torture them then infest them. I looked around. No Ax. I didn't see him on my way down. He was probably hiding somewhere. I would have to be careful. I don't think I gave him the object to trust me when I bailed on them last time. But now I didn't have a choice. ^It is truly a shame we did not catch your friend but soon he will be found and will join you.^ Vissir Three reassured them. I took in a deep breath.

I focused on the bull and shifted quickly, careful not be seen.

I lowered my head and backed up, pawing the ground.

There was no more hiding for me. I was now an Animorph, I was a fighter for earth, I had to do this. There was only one plan, and that was the one Ellimist gave me. Find and save the Animorphs then join them.

And I had to stick to it.

There was no Plan B.