Tobias

I demorphed and flew above the treetops to see if I could get a handle on where we were. My night vision very good, but I could make out major landmarks. The full moon cast just enough light to outline the others and the class below me. Forest extended north and west for as far as I could see. To the east a low mountain blocked the river I'd seen when we landed from sight. If we really were in New York, that river should run south all the way to New York City. In the distance to the south I could see lights. I flapped hard in the still night air, trying to see the river over the hills. Where there was water, there were usually towns. But the air just wasn't good for altitude. I drifted back down to the ground.

(There's a town maybe 50 miles to the south, but there might be something closer over these mountains. I'll have to wait until morning to check it out though,) I told Rachel and Marco. Ax had demorphed and was staying out of sight of the class.

Marco sighed and stood up. "Ok we're going to have to lead these people back to civilization. Then we'll come back and clean up that infestation compound."

(Maybe we should split up. Two of us lead the class, two take the compound.) I suggested.

"I can take the compound myself," Rachel said. "How bad could it be? It's probably just Chapman and his teacher goons."

"Sure Rachel, go kick butt against a dozen Controllers with Dracon beams. How do you know there isn't a platoon of Hork-Bajir in that building? Besides, you think Chapman's going to watch his big shot at Yeerk glory escape into the woods? He's probably organizing a search right now," Marco said.

"I could still take them," Rachel said sullenly. "Fine. How 'bout this: two of us lead the class, the other two check out the compound, trip up Chapman's search effort, and do some reconnaissance. Then, once the class is safe, we all four come back and trample this place into the ground."

"How did this field trip go to hell so quickly?" Marco moaned. "Why can't anything EVER go the way it's supposed to?"

"Oh like you were really looking forward to a week-long civics lesson," Rachel snapped. "Are we doing this my way or not?"

(Sounds ok to me,) I said, (No one will miss you guys and Jake and Cassie in all the confusion.)

"Tell Ax and see what he thinks."

(He says he'll do whatever Rachel decides,) I said after translating into thoughtspeak. Thoughtspeak has a farther range than regular talking. Ax was running through the woods, crushing plants for food.

"I'm not Prince Rachel?" she responded with a smile.

(Guess not.)

"That's alright. I'm definitely not the princess type."

"No, you're the warrior-princess type. Now let's get going on this insane plan," Marco said.

In the end we decided Rachel and I would stop the Yeerk search, and Marco and Ax would lead the class to the closest town.

"Ok, great," Marco griped as we prepared to split ways, "How am I supposed to get these people to follow me?"

"Just use your legendary charisma," Rachel said as she started to morph back to wolf.

"If this turns into a Donner party situation, I'm blaming you," said Marco.

"They'd probably eat you first just to shut you up," Rachel retorted. "Which way are you going to head?"

"Toward the town in to the South tonight, and in the morning we'll check to see if there's anything closer over the mountain," he called over his shoulder as he headed back toward the group.

(Fight well, Rachel and Tobias,) Ax said, in Cassie form once more. He followed Marco and turned his back to us.

(Good luck,) I called to them.

(Ready?) I asked Rachel.

(Ready,) she answered, fully wolf. (Let's go kick Yeerk ass.)

We took off through the woods. Rachel ran and I flew without talking for a few minutes. She's not the most open person in the world, but she'll usually talk to me. I gave up and broke the silence.

(I actually was looking forward to this week,) I said.

(Yeah, me too.)

(Really? Civics paper and all?)

(Well yeah, Tobias. We don't exactly get a lot of quality time, if you haven't noticed,) she sighed. (It's always one thing or another.)

I had nothing to say to that. I didn't want this to break down into our same stupid fight about me staying human, but she clearly had something on her mind. We went on in silence for awhile longer.

(You know, we could get killed,) she spoke up suddenly. (Anytime. One of us could just get shot and die. How many close calls have we had? And it's not just the Yeerks. Every time we morph…) she trailed off.

(You're not scared,) I said. It wasn't a question. I just knew she wasn't scared. This kind of talk was very unlike her.

(No. I'm just saying. What if there are things we never get to say? Never get to do?)

What the hell was she talking about? The Rachel I knew said and did pretty much whatever she wanted.

(I guess you just have to live each day,) I said, (and accept the risks and deal with the dangerous stuff as best you can. Like any person, really.)

We arrived back at the airstrip. Rachel stopped and sat down, barely panting. Wolves can run forever. I alighted on a rotting log next to her. She demorphed and gave the building an appraising look.

"Well, time to go accept some risks," she said. I took to the air and circled around. Floodlights illuminated a parking lot holding half a dozen ATVs. I relayed the info back to Rachel.

(No Controllers in sight and no other vehicles,) I finished.

(Great, let's start by taking out those ATVs then,) she said. She had morphed a grizzly. One of her favorites. (Let's do it!)

She stepped into the lighted area while I landed in order to morph to something more destructive. I decided on Hork-Bajir. Nothing could slash tires like the 8-foot-tall bladed reptile-like aliens. I hadn't even lost my feathers when

Wheeeeeeeet! Wheeeeeeet! Wheeeeet!

Alarm! I heard Rachel roar in frustration.

(Tobias, I'm trapped! There's a force field around me, and I can't get out!)

I watched in helpless horror as Melissa Chapman sauntered out into the yard, causually stunned the bear with a Dracon beam, and ordered the teachers to drag her inside. Rachel disappeared inside the complex.

(Rachel! I'll get you out of there!) I yelled. The only question was how?

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Author's Note: Let me know if you think this is going downhill. I know where I want this story to go; it's just a matter of getting there. And thanks for the reviews!