Hey everyone! Exams are over, I am a happy duck and departing for Scotland in a few hours time! I wanted to get this chapter up before I get too incapacitated with jet-lag to even LOOK at a computer.
I am VERY glad that there are NO thought-speak brackets in this chapter. You see, I can never bring myself to type it with (these brackets) on Word. Call me stupid, but there XD
On with the fanfic!
Chapter Four
Visser One, still holding the smoking Dracon beam, screamed as he regarded the patch of ash and wisps of smoke that were all that was left of the Andalite.
"You fools! I ask you to restrain one aristh and you can't even manage that?! Thanks to you we will not be able to find out where the rest of those accursed Andalites are hiding!"
One of the Hols'aar-Controllers said something in a low voice to another. I strained my ears to listen but its voice was low and gravely, and the words it said were grunt-like and incomprehensible.
The Visser turned on it.
"You! Yes, you! Step out here. What do you mean by questioning my judgment?"
The Hols'aar stepped out nervously. I noticed that its legs were overlong for its body, and this made it ungainly. It let the Dracon beam in its main hands fall to the ground. Although I couldn't find emotion on the blank features, I knew if the Hols'aar had any sense, it was scared. It was scared plenty. It tried to explain itself.
"Visser, tak' il graha'ar, kchrk Andalite…"
Since there was actually a class in Galard offered at the high school and I'd heard it spoken some, I knew enough to realize that this wasn't it. I guessed Visser One didn't have any trouble understanding the Hols'aar's language. His voice became silky. More dangerous than before.
"Do. Not. Ever. Question. My. Decisions."
He raised the Dracon beam and fired again. The Hols'aar collapsed. Visser One turned to the rest of the company. Even behind the bushes, we all could feel that the fear had been upped a few notches. Visser One didn't even seem to see the consternation he'd caused.
"You and you, construct a fence to conceal the Andalite fighter. We have been weakened too badly by the last war; there may be intact technology inside that we can appropriate. I will get the Controllers in this area to do a cleanup operation as soon as they can."
What he said next made me very afraid.
"Four of you, sweep the surrounding area for any watchers. I am not prepared to take any risks with this, since your stupidity has already jeopardized this operation."
I made urgent eye contact with the others. Slowly, very slowly, we began to inch our way backwards from the bushes we'd been crouching behind, making for the darkness of the trees not far away.
The Hols'aars were being very careful in their check, making sure to poke around every bush near the clearing. In a way, this was good. It meant we had a bit of time to clear the empty space between the bushes and trees before they worked round to us.
On the other hand, the fact that they were being so careful meant they were all the more likely to find us.
We ended up behind separate trees; I thanked God that we'd managed to get Will's wheelchair out of sight, deeper into the undergrowth. I could feel cold sweat droplets drenching my forehead and popping out all over my body. My heart was beating the fastest it had ever been in my life, and I was sure the Hols'aars would hear it from where they were. I had to fight the urge to just cut and run.
The Yeerks couldn't suspect anyone had been watching. If they did, there went our last chance for cover later.
The Controllers were drawing nearer.
I realized with a sudden sick surge of fear that Will hadn't yet fully made it into the trees. He was crawling slowly, using his arms to draw his useless legs along. If the Hols'aars carried on as they were doing now, they'd see him.
My breathing increased rate until every breath hurt. Will just needed a few seconds to get to safety…
The Hols'aar-Controllers were almost on us!
CRASH!
There was a loud noise from the clearing, presumably made by the fence-builders. The Hols'aars searching the bushes turned for a moment, their blank eyes fixed on the scene.
Away from us.
Will edged into the shadows. I saw Maria reach out and help him behind her tree. My pent-up breath whooshed out in one, painful exhalation.
The Controllers were now poking around in the bushes that we had been crouching behind. One of them, with a guttural word to its companions, left the edge of the clearing and started for the trees.
All of us stayed as still as we could. My whole body was shaking. I was terrified they'd hear me breathe. A thought struck me and I prayed that Hols'aars didn't have much of a sense of smell.
This one was heading straight for me. I pressed myself into the bark of my tree, hoping that the trunk would shield me from the seven-foot-tall alien now looking around with huge, empty eyes. I dared not turn my head to check on the Hols'aar. Instead, I stared straight ahead into the darkness, praying that it would go.
There was a flash of light in the corner of my eye.
One of the Hols'aar's hand-blades!
He was actually resting it against the tree-trunk!
I prepared for discovery, wondering if it'd use the Dracon beam or its blades.
There was a grunt above my head.
The blade withdrew.
The Hols'aar crunched back through the undergrowth, growling to the other three. Nothing here. They moved off to search the remainder of the perimeter. I slumped against the tree. All the adrenaline that had been coursing through my veins left me then and I felt like crying like a little scared kid.
The others peered cautiously around tree-trunks at me. I gave a shaky thumbs-up, then followed it with a 'wait' signal. From the sounds coming from the clearing, the fence-building was nearly done.
We waited for the rush of air and the absence of light that meant the Yeerks had lifted off. Then we ran.
I don't know how the others managed to get home out of that deserted park. All I know is that I ran, tripped and stumbled through the trees until my feet found a path and I followed it blindly, running anywhere but back towards the horror we'd just witnessed. It was a miracle that, when I finally got back to the light, I'd come out on a street I recognized.
Even then, I didn't slow down. I ran all the way back home as if the Hols'aars were still after me.
I opened the door as quietly as I could. I was late, after all, and I didn't want to be interrogated by my parents. After waiting a bit in the hall until my breathing slowed down and I was sure I wasn't trembling anymore, I joined my family in the dining room.
They were grouped around the dining table, all three of them. Mom, Dad and my little sister Sophia, all chatting away and eating. As I slid into my place I looked around at them, and it struck me how abnormal this family scene seemed, after the park. Now that I knew the Yeerks were back I wasn't sure if I could just take my place and relax with them.
It turned out to be easier than I'd expected. My parents were off into one of their debates/arguments about some trivial issue that escaped me. They do it all the time, and it's never serious, but all in good fun. It can get tedious to listen to, though. Tonight I was glad of it. It gave me an excuse to sit, eat and stay out of the conversation.
Still, what I'd just seen was preying on my mind so much that, when Mom was clearing the plates away before bringing out the dessert, I asked a question.
It was stupid; I'll be the first to admit it. Stupid, and possibly suicidal. If Hannah or Jon had been there they would never have said it. As it was, I regretted the words as soon as they were out of my mouth.
"Hey, Dad? Do you think the Yeerks could ever come back?"
Mom had come back to the table to clear my plate. I watched my parents' faces. Carefully, I studied them. Hoping to see something, anything that could give me an indication of what I was looking for. Not knowing what I'd do if their expressions suddenly became guarded and secretive. Not sure how I'd deal with myself if that happened. Not sure whether I wanted to know.
Dad leaned his chin on his palm, as he always did when he was thinking. Mom picked up my plate and disappeared into the kitchen. Her face registered nothing more than mild interest.
Dad gave my question his usual thought. Then he answered.
"No, Steve, I don't think so. They won't try that again."
I could see nothing on his face.
I did not feel one bit better.
I tried to really build up tension in this chapter, what with the Animorphs having to hide and being so close to discovery etc. I really hope it worked :) Please could you use it as a criterion for criticism if you review? Thanks a lot!