CHAPTER FOUR

((Focus, Tom. Focus.))

I swear that must've been the millionth time he'd said that in the last ten minutes.

Time after time, I aimed the Shredder at the target. Time after time, I missed.

"I can't do this, Peltour. I give up."

((Would your father give up so easily?))

I gritted my teeth and resisted the urge to scream. "I'm not my father."

I was at the academy, taking private lessons from Peltour-Tallanbak-Eshrau. I didn't like the private lessons. All the other kids I knew were taught by humans, in classrooms. Me, I was all alone in a training room with the oldest, grumpiest Andalite teacher I'd ever seen.

Dad thought this would be better for me. Yeah, right...

I took aim again. Squeezed the trigger. Missed.

((You must focus, Tom.))

"I know, Peltour... I know."

((What is it you think of when aiming?))

I thought for a moment. "To be honest? My dad. How he's gonna feel when my next score report comes in."

((I want you to try thinking of something else.))

"Easier said than done. Like what?"

((Is there not some 'bully' you could imagine?))

I laughed. "I hate bullies. But I wouldn't really want to shoot one. The whole idea of even using a Shredder kinda weirds me out."

((And what if the target were a Controller? One holding your mother captive, ready to hand her over to Visser One?))

My eyes narrowed at the target. I let the thought seep in. "You're trying to use my emotions. Motivate me."

((If it will work, Tom, yes.))

"Let's see." I used my imagination as best as I could. I envisioned a crazed Controller, his arm around my mother's neck, holding a Dracon beam to her head. Sam's words came out of his mouth.

You sure ain't gonna do it...

I pulled the trigger. The circular target evaporated.

((Excellent, Tom! You did it.))

I felt my face turn hot, start to glow. I couldn't contain the smile. "You're..you're right! I did do it."

((Again, Tom. Try it again.))

I did. Again, I imagined the Controller. And again, I hit my target. It all seemed so simple now. Why hadn't I thought of this before?

I was overjoyed. Ecstatic. Thrilled. And then I realized something.

I was hitting the target because I imagined killing someone. Even if he had a Yeerk in his head, I was pretending to shoot a person...

What did that mean? Was I bloodthirsty? I had never thought of myself as a violent person.

I'd just do whatever I had to, to protect those I cared about... Yeah, that was it...

The next day, I returned to class. Again, Peltour stood behind me as I aimed and fired. Again, I hit every target.

This routine continued for a full week. A full week of barely missing any targets at all.

Not only that, but I was suddenly doing better in my academics too. It was like Peltour's suggestion had freed my mind, lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders...

Maybe if I actually faced this war instead of running away from it, I could fight...

That was the thought on my mind as I stepped through the training room's doors.

((Tom, I talked to my superior yesterday. We came to a decision.))

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

He gave a warm smile of the eyes. ((No, Tom. Nothing is wrong. Actually, quite the opposite. We are so impressed with your recent scores, that we have decided to promote you.))

Promote me? What was he talking about?

"What do you mean? Like, move me up a grade? Start going to the classes on Level 5?"

((No, Tom. I'm talking about making you an aristh.))

Anaristh? The youngest human arisths were at least 16, and there were very few of them. Only the most skilled in academics and combat training were ever promoted. This was huge. I'd have to live on a Dome Ship for months, maybe even a year. I'd be evaluated. And there were only two outcomes: Become a full-blown military officer, or be sent home. I wasn't sure if either was actually good...

Peltour could see my hesitation. ((It would be your choice, of course. But your father would be very proud.))

Wow... He was right. This was my chance. This was my shot at making everyone shut up about Tom the Loser, the son who was born for greatness but would never achieve it... I never thought this would actually happen to me. Though I'd never admit it, I'd always dreamed about becoming an aristh one day, about fighting alongside my dad... That'd be great... Scary, too..

When my classes were over, I rushed home to my scoop and told Mom the news. She said she'd be sad to see me gone for such a long time, but she also said that I needed this opportunity, this experience.

I agreed. As scary as it was to think about the war, I knew I had to involve myself somehow. How else was I supposed to pull myself out of this slump?

That was it. I had made my decision. But then I remembered something...

How could I have forgotten? Aliana. I'd be away from her, too... For a long time. How would she feel?

She probably wouldn't care, Tom.. She probably wouldn't notice half as much as you would...

I left my scoop that night and walked towards the field. I knew I'd find her running about, feeding on the grass with her hooves...

Strange, I know. But that's how they eat. Can't blame them for it.

"Aliana! Aliana, I've got some news! Peltour–"

((I know, Tom. Peltour has decided to make you an aristh.))

There was a tone to her thought-speak I'd never heard before.

"You know already? How'd you find out?"

((Everyone knows, Tom. Word travels quickly when it involves the son of Prince Berenson.))

"It means I'd have to be gone.. For awhile.."

((Yes. I know...))

"I.. I would be able to keep in touch through the Stream. I heard arisths get to establish two links a week. I could use one for Mom and–"

((You need not worry about me, Tom. I shall be fine.))

She cut me off again. Why? Had I made her upset?

I wanted to stay. I wanted to be with her. But this was my chance. I wouldn't get another one. The academy looks down at students who pass up a promotion. No one gets asked twice...

"Wait, what about your morph dance competition? Isn't it in–"

((A week from today.))

"..I would have to leave when the Dome Ship docks. That's in.."

I waited to see if she'd interrupt me again.

"...three days."

Her tail sagged slightly. ((Tom..))

"Yes, Aliana?"

((Do not forget me when you become a famous prince...))

I smiled. "That's not going to happen. I bet they'll send me home in the first week."

She tried to smile with her eyes. But I knew she was forcing it.