CHAPTER TWELVE

The com-link switched off. A thick tension filled the room.

"What do we do?" Tobias whispered, his tearful eyes fixed on my father.

"Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes to win and survive."

"But it's not that easy! That's Rachel up there, Jake. Don't you get it? We can't fight her."

"She's not Rachel anymore. She's a Yeerk."

I had never seen Tobias angry. Ever. He always seemed distant, disconnected to the world. But just then, I saw the rage he must have been holding back for years. He lunged at my father, pinning him down to the cold steel of the ship's floor.

"Don't you care about any of us?" he sobbed. "Don't you care about anything but this stupid war? Look what it's done to you!"

"Tobias, I can imagine what you're going through.. She's my cousin. I miss her, too. And we'll save her if we can. But that's not going to happen if we don't take care of business first..."

Tobias glared down at Dad, then looked around the room at each of us. Marco just stood there. He looked sad, tired, unsure of what to do. I felt the same way. This wasn't my place to say anything. I couldn't really defend my dad, because I realized something at that moment... I didn't really know him, what he'd been through.. I didn't know much about the Animorphs at all. This was their moment, not mine. Malbin and I quietly stood in a corner as Tobias picked himself up and sat again at the controls.

Marco helped my dad up, patted him on the back.

"Look guys, we all need to just calm down here. Yeah, this is crazy. Insane, even. But it wouldn't be the first time I've said that. It wouldn't be the first time we were in deep doo doo."

"Did you just say doo doo?" Dad asked.

"Look, the point is we've gotta fight. We can't just let them take the Andalites. The ERC is down there. I know you're upset, Tobias, but Jake is right on this one."

Tobias sighed. "I know he is.. I just wish he wasn't..." After a pause, he turned and looked at my dad. "I'm sorry, Jake."

Dad nodded. "It's okay, Tobias. Let's get to work."

Tobias flipped some switches. "Everyone should probably strap themselves in about now."

"You heard the man," Marco said, hurrying over to a nearby seat.

I took a seat by the captain's chair, making sure to fasten the chest belt. I had always heard that Tobias was a crazy flyer. I wasn't going to take my chances.

Dad sat beside me as Malbin approached the flight controls. He turned to Tobias.

((Perhaps I could be of some assistance?))

"Do you know how to work the cannons?"

((Of course. Back at the academy, I..))

"All right then. Get ready." He jerked his head towards the Dracon cannon station.

Malbin stepped over to the controls. His stalk eyes explored the various panels and buttons. He lightly clicked a hoof against the floor, an Andalite expression of joy and excitement. Then, he noticed the chair.

((Perhaps I will stand...))

"Incoming Bug fighters at twelve o'clock!" Tobias shouted.

((We should have plenty of time to respond. By your hours, it is only 6:30.))

"Calvin, that means they're straight ahead.." Marco said with a snort.

((Oh. I see.. I shall prepare the cannons.)) Malbin flipped a few switches and took the controls. I knew he was scared. We all were. But he still seemed excited. I knew this must've been a fantasy of his..

A Bug fighter zoomed towards us. Dracon fire flashed just below our ship.

"Take her down!" Dad shouted. "Then turn back and we'll get them from behind!"

Tobias yanked the Rachel down so quickly I almost lost my lunch. Marco wasn't kidding. Tobias flew like a madman. Apparently, the Bug fighters weren't expecting it either. They zoomed right on by as we veered around.

"Fire! Now!"

Malbin squeezed the controls and our Dracon cannons pulsed. Their force was so strong that it rattled our ship. I could feel the chair vibrating beneath me as two lasers rocketed into view, making their way towards a Bug fighter. It sizzled into nothingness.

"Score one for Calvin Klein!" Marco shouted, clapping his hands.

((With all due respect, I must remind you that my name is Malbin.))

Without warning, Tobias jerked the ship into a barrel roll, dodging a Dracon blast. He answered with a shot of his own, incinerating the enemy ship.

"Good work, Tobias. Take us towards the SunBlade."

We approached one of the Dome Ships, careful to avoid oncoming fire. Bug fighters and Tail-fighters alike battled all around us. The Andalite world was just below, seeming to extend forever like a great, golden blanket.

"We have to reach Prince Evalh," Dad said.

Marco sighed. "We might be too late. They could've gotten to him already."

Suddenly, a large ship came into view. It was below us and approaching fast. I could faintly see its narrow bridge, the two large wings at the rear...

It was the Blade Ship.

Dracon fire pummeled the Rachel before we knew what hit us. An alarm began to sound. Lights flickered on the panels above Tobias.

"Jake, the main thruster is down. We'll be out of fuel in minutes."

"Kill the engines."

"What? Are you insane?" Marco shrieked.

"Kill the engines to save fuel. Veer the ship down towards the planet. Try and set our coordinates for Eshren Field. When we've passed the atmosphere, bring the engines back on-line and make a landing."

"Jake.. I'm not sure if.." Tobias began.

"We've got no choice. Do it."

The Blade Ship continued its approach. It looked like it was going to ram right into us. I grabbed the arms of my chair, closed my eyes, and prepared for the end...

Suddenly, there was a sense of weightlessness. Had the hull been ruptured? Were we losing all gravity and oxygen, about to be sucked into the cold darkness of space?

No. The engines were off, just like Dad had ordered. And we were falling.

Falling right towards the Andalite planet.