CHAPTER SIX
As brief as it was, the ceremony was one of the best experiences of my life.
Afterwards, Cruspen and Elloban led us to the command deck. If I thought the Tail-fighter's interior was cool, this made those systems look like kids' toys. Everywhere, Andalites ran about, using their many-fingered hands to work the computers, positioning the thrusters, adjusting the propulsion, configuring data for our next trip into Z-Space...
It was heaven.
But it was a busy place, not a place for arisths. We were rushed out and given a tour of the surrounding areas by Cruspen.
It's funny. Cruspen had been a sort of role model to me. But after meeting him in person, I could do without his company...
He showed us the various halls and stations, the wing where arisths took advanced classes, and, finally, our quarters.
Mine wasn't very big, but aristh quarters never are.
I set my backpack on the bed and began to unload it. After placing my holo on the tiny dresser, I stacked my clothes in the drawer. Then, I hid my comic books beneath them. We're not exactly allowed to bring stuff like that onboard a Dome Ship...
Once we were settled, the three of us met Cruspen in the hall.
((The drop shaft at that end leads to the dome. You may report there for the rest of the day. Classes begin tomorrow.))
With that, he was off, probably heading back to the command deck.
"Well, I guess we go on up there?" I asked, looking at Frederick and Malbin.
"Hmph.." Frederick snorted, making his way to the drop shaft. Malbin and I followed.
The trip up the drop shaft seemed like it took forever, even longer than our first trip to the main hall. The dome is situated on top of the entire ship, which looks kinda like a long rod. Inside the dome is an artificial environment, very similar to the Andalite home world. Andalites make ships this way so that they can bring a little bit of home with them everywhere they go.
It ticks the Yeerks off big time.
Personally, I love it. A little bit of home is never bad when you're a million miles away.
We stepped out onto the grass. It was a light blue color and felt springy under my feet. Malbin seemed to enjoy it. He ran around in wide circles.
((Delicious!! Absolutely delicious!)) he chanted.
Frederick walked past a group of young Andalites. They were playing drift ball, careful not to accidentally slice each other with their tails... Those blades can do some serious damage. One wrong move, and a head could go rolling...
He approached the edge of the artificial field, stopping at the giant glass barrier. The view was gorgeous. The stars shone with a clarity I had never known on the home world...
Just then, the illusion faded. This was not my home...
Here, the suns did not warm us.
Here, Kafit birds did not fly overhead.
Here, Aliana would not stand beside me.
Were these the types of things Frederick was thinking? Is that why he kept his distance?
I decided I should try to break the ice. The very thick ice.
"This is great, huh? We're finally arisths."
He smirked slightly. "Whatever, kid."
I frowned and turned away. "Fine. Didn't mean to bug you..."
Suddenly, his voice rose. "Look, this war isn't all fun and games, okay, kid? Some people don't have a daddy to buy their way onboard a Dome Ship."
What did he say?
"My dad didn't buy my way on. I earned it." I turned and looked into his eyes. They were cold, dark... empty...
"Yeah, right, kid. Everyone at the ERC knows about you. Tom, the fool who thinks he's gonna be the next Jake Berenson.. even though he couldn't aim a Shredder if his life depended on it..."
"That's not what I think. I've never wanted to be like my father." The words shocked me. But they were true. I didn't want to be my father. Neither did he.
"Then why are you here, kid?"
That was a very good question.
Why had I come here, left everything I knew and loved?
Because whether I liked it or not, I had a job to do. I had a duty to my planet, to my people. And I had to be prepared, like Dad said.
Suddenly, Malbin trotted up. It seemed like he was going to say something, but then he stopped himself. Sensing the tension between Frederick and me, he began to slowly back away.
((I did not mean to intrude.))
"No, Malbin," I said, turning towards him. "What's up?"
((Well, I just wished to give my greetings and salutations.))
"You already did. Before we boarded the Tail-fighter." Frederick, of course.
((Yes, I suppose you are correct. Though, I do wish to further establish a friendship with you. I have not interacted with humans often, and I have many questions for you, especially regarding the way in which you walk with only two legs. It is quite an amazing feat. I imagine an extreme amount of balance would be necessary to...))
"Malbin?" Frederick asked.
((Yes, Frederick?))
"Shut up."
I didn't agree with Frederick. Sure, Malbin was a talkative guy, but at least he was friendly. I could see the two of us hanging out. Frederick, on the other hand... I decided I'd rather keep my distance...
Later that night, after visiting with some of the other arisths in the dome, we returned to our quarters. I sat in my bed, unable to sleep. Maybe it was the excitement of being promoted. Maybe it was Aliana's message, the one I had imagined hearing. Maybe it was Frederick. I don't know. But I just didn't feel comfortable falling asleep.
The lights in the aristh hall dimmed. I thought I was alone in my insomnia. But then a thought-speak voice penetrated the silence.
((Pardon me, Tom. But are you awake?))
I looked around. Malbin? Where?
((I am in the room beside yours.))
I sat up on my bed. It was against the wall, below a large vent that I hoped was facing his room. I peered through the steel gaps and saw two Andalite stalk eyes staring straight at me.
"Ahhh!" I fell back on the bed, startled. I hadn't expected that...
((My apologies, Tom! I was trying to see you.))
I grunted and stood back up, looking through the vent.
"What is it, Malbin? You scared me to death."
((I did not mean to disturb you, Tom. But I am feeling isolated. I do not enjoy being in such an enclosed space.))
"Neither do I."
He was silent for awhile. ((Do you miss your home? Earth?))
I thought about that question. I thought about the Andalite world. About my scoop.
And yes, of course, about Aliana.
As if I haven't mentioned her enough...
But I was an aristh now. It was time to grow up.
And Malbin seemed like a friend.
"I am home, Malbin."