Hello! I know, I know, it's very bad of me to give you another cliffhanger, but so much happens that I can't take care of all the action in one chapter! It would be huge! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this, and please, as always (:P) let me know what you think :)

Chapter 13

My meeting with the Visser shook me to the core, and over the next few days I succumbed to the influence of heavy, despondent lassitude. The sheer power of Visser Three's personality had clearly buried my poor husband, and I felt that it had overwhelmed me too, so that I lacked the courage to even attempt to fight him. It seemed clear that I could never have succeeded in reclaiming Alloran, and if I tried again I would only get my friends killed.

Fortunately for me, my friends were rather less apathetic than I, and after two days moping in my quarters I was interrupted by a buzz on the intercom.

Enter.

It was Lortif, the pilot aristh. I hadn't spoken to him since that night at the Sharing when he had allowed Visser Three to identify me. Standing in front of me, he shifted uncomfortably under my glare.

I've come to apologise for my behaviour, he said quietly.

It's taken rather a long while, I said, in a tone that was rather nastier than I intended.

Yes, he said. But I wanted to be able to do something to make up for my previous failings. I twitched my tail in interest and motioned for him to go on. I recognised one of the controllers who chased you and Arbat and Kipsing at the Sharing, Lortif continued. Farling and I searched the Sharing website and found him. Kipsing and Tirdellan helped us, and Medrar too, but we did it because Farling and I wanted to apologise.

And where is my wayward son now? I asked. Farling's shorm smiled, a dazzling smile, and I suddenly realised that Lortif would be very handsome one day when he was fully grown. He was of a similar build to my own Alloran.

Farling is guarding the prisoner, he said proudly. I stared in shock.

You caught a controller? You brought him on the ship? It was inconceivable! I'd been out of action for a mere two days and they'd... No, they couldn't possibly have!

Come and see for yourself, Lortif said.

I followed him to the arisths' quarters. Their paraphernalia had been cleared into a corner, and in the centre of the room was a human male, sitting on the ground, bound with loops of wire and with a blindfold over his eyes and a piece of material tied over his mouth. He shied away at the sound of my hooves on the Starwave's floor.

Kipsing's idea, Farling explained when he saw me enter and look at the material in confusion. My son was lounging against the near wall, keeping both stalk eyes trained on the controller. It's called a 'gag'. It stops him calling us names.

How ever did you catch him? I whispered, my hearts racing. What awful risks had my children taken to please me?

He was jogging near this area, Farling said. Apparently some humans run for recreation, though most don't. Lortif morphed a Kafit bird to keep a watch for other people, and Tirdellan morphed her human morph. She persuaded him that she was hurt and needed his help. When he came to help her I stunned him with a shredder, and Kipsing helped us get him back to the ship. He's been here for a few hours.

I laughed, still reeling slightly. Does Arbat know you brought a Yeerk onto his baby?

No. Farling frowned. Will he be angry? We were hoping this controller could help us get close to the Visser.

Don't worry, I'll deal with your uncle, I assured him. I smiled at him and Lortif, who had sidled in and now stood at my son's side. And as for you two... They waited uncertainly, and inside I felt a great wave of affection for them and their eagerness to please me. Congratulations on a successful mission. They beamed, and I laughed. And I suppose I must find Tirdellan and Kipsing and congratulate them too. You've done wonderfully, whilst I have been most negligent of my duties as your leader. I apologise.

I had been keeping my thought speak private, shutting the controller out of what we were saying, but I now turned my attention to him.

Lortif, remove the gag and blindfold, I commanded, using my most imperial tone. He crossed to the human and slid his tail blade under the blindfold near the human's eyes, ripping the material away with a twitch of his tail. It must have been a terrifying experience, to judge from the wide eyed expression of the controller. Lortif performed the same operation with the gag and stepped back. A dribble of blood seeped from our enemy's mouth, a trickle of strange and lurid scarlet. I strode into the view of the controller.

What is your name filth? I demanded. He shuddered but didn't reply, his eyes watching me suspiciously. I paced in front of him, back and forth, letting him see my tail twitching as if I was seconds away from slicing into him. Why keep up this charade? We know you are a Yeerk. A human would have spoken by now.

"I will tell you nothing, Andalite scum," he spat vehemently. I glanced at Farling.

What is his host's name?

Jason Clement, my son replied. I turned back to him.

Well then, 'Jason Clement', listen very carefully. It made me feel sick to terrorise such a pitiful, helpless enemy, but I forced all traces of sympathy from my voice. With a sneer I gestured at the walls. We have the capacity to hold you, slug. You will not be found. You will starve, slowly and painfully. You will die. Unless you co-operate. Unless you tell us how to get into the Yeerk pool.

He struggled to his knees and I knew then, knew that he wouldn't help, knew that I would have to kill him. "Burn in hell," he snarled. I was about to start talking again, but thought speak interrupted me.

Jahar. I turned to the entrance to the quarters. Arbat stood there, with an air of awful stillness.

Don't interrupt me now, I said crossly, but his gaze didn't waver.

Leave us, Jahar, he said quietly, his thought speak private and for me alone. Leave us now, whilst you are still good and loving and kind. I faltered, and he turned and quickly dismissed Farling and Lortif. They looked at me for confirmation and I nodded for them to leave.

I'm not a child, I said softly. I'll stay. Arbat stepped forwards and took my hands. It was surreal! A controller cowered barely three feet away and all I could see were Arbat's eyes, sparkling green in front of me.

Alloran would never forgive me if I allowed you to become us, Arbat said, and a look of unsettling affection gleamed at me from those eyes. Leave whilst you are still the Jahar we both love. He reached up, hesitatingly, to my cheek, and I pulled away angrily.

Fine. Get me what I want. I strode furiously from the quarters. Arbat did not stare forlornly after me, as I had expected, but instead was already turning to the quivering controller and I felt sick. I managed to hold myself together as far as my own quarters, but once in them I collapsed, falling to my knees and shaking. If Arbat hadn't stopped me what would I have allowed myself to do? I had never tortured before. I had never even killed. I had always left such horror to be the burden of these two brothers; one who had shared his softer side with me and shielded me from the horror which led him to commit atrocities and the other who loved me in vain, who shielded me too, even when I gave him no hope. I was unbelievably grateful, at that moment, for Arbat's love. He would be the villain, the monster; so that when I returned to his brother my hearts would be free from horror. So that, once again, I could support my stained husband and balance his dreadfulness with myself.

After an hour or so I went to find Tirdellan and Kipsing. Her quarters were empty, but the mystery was solved when I entered his, as they were both there. They jumped guiltily as I entered, and I laughed at the absurdity of the fact that I had frightened them.

Sorry I startled you. I wanted to find you both, and congratulate you on your success. Tirdellan flushed, pleased, and I suddenly noticed that her hand was trailing on Kipsing's lower shoulders. She removed it guiltily at my gaze. Kipsing smiled, not noticing.

With any luck this controller will tell us how to access the Yeerk pool, he said happily. He took a step forwards, away from Tirdellan, unconsciously distancing himself from her in front of me. If you need help interrogating him?

I recoiled at his offer, instinctively revolted. He was still young! He couldn't know what he was committing himself to! He hadn't seen the burden war had lain on my husband's shoulders, my husband who had once been as young and attractive as Kalladin's son. But then... he was an assassin. He was a killer. And you wouldn't know it. I couldn't see it in his easy stance, in his relaxed and casual poise. And I knew then, in an instant, beyond a shadow of doubt, that I did not want my daughter involved with this dashing young male. I did not want her to love one who bore death so easily.

Arbat is managing it, I said stiffly. Kipsing nodded.

No doubt he is very competent, he agreed. Still, if he should require assistance... On an impulse I changed my mind. Maybe out of some petty fear I wanted to him damn himself irrevocably; maybe I wanted to allow his bloodlust free rein until even my innocent daughter could see it.

Very well then, if you would like to help. The controller is being kept in Farling's quarters. Kipsing left us eagerly, and Tirdellan frowned at his almost indecent speed. I eyed her carefully, and she avoided my gaze.

I am old enough to make my own choices, she said quietly. I wanted to move forward, to reassure my daughter, to tell her she would make the right ones, but something stayed me. At her age I had discovered the misery of illicit love, and then its happy, yet tragically short, resolution. Perhaps my daughter would have better luck than me.

Just make sure they are good ones, I replied, and her head snapped up, eyes wide with surprise.

You don't mind? she asked. I shrugged.

He has extensive lands. His mother and I are old friends. He is clearly brave, intelligent and successful. There can be no logical objections.

Tirdellan hesitated.

Are you aware that he is an assassin? she asked tentatively. 'Are you aware that he is a monster?' I wanted to reply, but I didn't. Instead I reached forwards my tail and touched hers gently.

Believe me, if you truly did love him then what I thought of that would not stop you. She frowned.

So you do disprove? I shook my head.

I said nothing. However, if you feel that the correct response from me is disapproval, and if that worries you, then I would suggest you do not commit yourself to anything foolish. I paused, then added. As I did.

Her eyes widened. What did you do, mother?

I promised to marry someone I thought I loved, I replied gently. And when I realised I did not I broke his hearts. Tirdellan shivered.

How did you live with yourself? she inquired.

Your father saved me, I replied softly. I never told him, but I would probably have killed myself if he had not rescued me from my despair. I stepped away, back to the doors. That's why I'm here, Tirdellan. That's why I've dragged you all across the galaxy. Because I despaired and he saved me. It's time I returned that favour.

Arbat and Kipsing announced success as the day drew towards evening and the ghostly white Earth moon hovered in the sky. Arbat was extremely reserved, his character bound once more with hoops of iron, but Kipsing was openly exultant.

It took a lot of persuading, but we have our entrance to the Yeerk pool, he told us. Involuntarily I glanced towards Arbat and he met my gaze.

As soon as we had what we needed I put him out of his suffering, he whispered to me, and I was grateful for the illusion that we had acted mercifully.

So, where is it? Medrar asked curiously.

McDonalds, Kipsing said proudly. There was a pause and we all looked at him. The same question was on everyone's minds, but the arisths clearly weren't going to ask it out of fear of looking foolish.

And what's McDonalds? I finally said. Kipsing shrugged.

I don't have a clue, but that's where the entrance is.

How useful, Tirdellan said snidely, and Kipsing shot her a look of betrayed hurt.

McDonalds is a food outlet, Arbat said, rescuing Kipsing. Controllers request a 'Happy Meal with extra happy'.

Why is the food's emotional state a factor? Farling queried.

I do not fully understand it, Arbat admitted. But that is how they signal their intention to enter the pool. The actual pool entrance is concealed in a walk in refrigerator.

And you are certain of this? I questioned. The controller was not lying?

Arbat pulled a face of delicate distaste. Definitely not, he said in a tone that ran shivers down my spine. Medrar moved to the main monitor.

I should imagine we can find this 'McDonalds' on the human internet, he said. His fingers danced, and suddenly a giant yellow M filled the viewing screen. Is this it? He sounded dubious.

Yes it is. See, that's a list of the food they offer, Lortif pointed at the screen. The arisths crowded around the screen and Tirdellan joined them. Kipsing stood beside her and tried to surreptitiously brush her fingers with his own. She removed her hand firmly, and I felt a sparkle of triumph.

Arbat sidled over to me. Hak Bajeesh, I am afraid I have acted on my own initiative again, he said, in private thought speak. I kicked a hoof in annoyance.

Will you ever be directed? He chuckled gently.

Not when I have such splendid ideas, Hak Bajeesh. I gave him a light slap for his arrogance.

And what have you thought up then, Arbat?

To my surprise he called Tirdellan over. I eyed her, unimpressed. So, a co-conspirator then? She blushed, and I relented. It wasn't her fault for obeying her uncle. What have you done Tirdellan?

I sent her to retrieve an Earth animal, Arbat said. Do you have it? Tirdellan nodded and headed over to the main consol. Reaching under it she pulled out a small Ramonite box and opened it.

Inside was one of the foulest creatures I have ever seen. The very sight of it made me shiver. What is that? I asked, trying to keep the revulsion off my face. It looked like someone had shrunk a Bug fighter and breathed life into it. Tirdellan reached into the box and picked it up with a look of disgust. I admired her willpower. I doubted I could have touched it.

This is a cockroach, she said. Arbat grinned.

And it's going to get us into the Yeerk pool, he added.

We acquired the cockroach, passing it around and each taking their turn to touch the wretched thing. Then all of us except Farling and Lortif (who I elected to stay behind and secure the ship in case everything went horribly wrong) morphed to our human forms and walked into the town centre, to the McDonalds which housed the entrance to the Yeerk Pool. It was partly to prevent a disaster destroying all of us at once that I left the arisths on the ship, but also Medrar had been the only one of the three who had shown restraint around the food at the Sharing, and since McDonalds was a place of food I didn't fancy a repeat of Lortif and Farling's poor performances. As we approached I explained my newly formed plan to the others. Arbat liked it, but then he had come up with most of it. Medrar didn't voice an opinion. In the army he would never ever have been asked by his commander what he thought of a plan. Tirdellan was neutral. I think her concentration was more taken up in conspicuously ignoring Kipsing. The assassin did not like the plan in the least.

It puts you too much at risk, Jahar, he said grumpily. I might not be fast enough to save you if something goes wrong.

It only works if it's me, I said firmly. Visser Three will recognise my human morph. Besides, you have the most important job of all, I added, in private thought speak. He grumbled a bit more, but I could tell he was mollified.

When we reached McDonalds it was difficult to ignore the glorious food smells. The air was laden with them! And around us at the tables humans shovelled the delicious smelling food into their mouths.

Control, Arbat whispered to us. Kipsing shot him an annoyed look. Arbat pointed out a large white object behind the counters where the humans dispensed the food. There, that's the refrigerator, he said. We morph in the toilets and reconvene there.

We walked into the human waste disposal facilities and piled into two of their strange little cubicles. It was rather cramped, with me, Tirdellan and Medrar sharing one whilst Kipsing and Arbat shared the other, and even more so when we demorphed.

In fact, there is not enough room in those cubicles for three Andalites, and we only realised that a fraction of a second before the door lock popped under the pressure.

BANG!

The door slammed open to reveal a human male! A human male confronted by three half Andalite, half human monsters. Unsurprisingly this startled him. But instead of shouting he quickly reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a human hand weapon.

"Freeze Andalites!"

Let me just remind you of the situation. The three of us were squeezed into a cubicle, all somewhere in the transition from human to Andalite. This human (who was now clearly another controller) had been standing at the white basins opposite the cubicles. His trousers were still open, and he was pointing a gun at us.

It was extremely surreal.

Oh good, that sounds like a controller! a rather happy voice said. The controller hesitated, unsure which one of us had spoken. It was a mistake. The neighbouring door, Alloran and Kipsing's door, banged open, and Kipsing tumbled out, fully Andalite, his tail flying.

FWAPP!

The controller stared in horror at what had a second before been a hand attached to his am. It was now just a hand, on the floor. His mouth opened in a scream, and Kipsing swung again, slicing his head off neatly.

That would have been much more awkward if he had been a human, he said cheerfully as I watched in shock as the body thudded on the floor. There was something terribly macabre about his lack of regret or even acknowledgement of the horror of what he'd done.

He was a human, Tirdellan said, and her voice was unexpectedly angry. He was a human too! Why did you kill him? Kipsing looked surprised and hurt.

Next time I'll leave you to your fate, he said crossly, and turned away from her. Fully Andalite I stepped out of the stall and examined the bleeding body.

Someone is going to find this. And since Yeerks are operating here, it's a high likelihood they'll guess what's happened.

So we act quickly, Arbat said coldly. He was already morphing the new morph, the cockroach. We move before they find it. I realised Tirdellan was shivering, and stepped towards her, but she shook me off.

I'll be fine, she said stonily, staring the morph. Let's just do this.

Seconds later we were five cockroaches. Arbat and Kipsing seemed to have accepted the death as necessary, but like Tirdellan I was feeling shaken. It had been so sudden, and so very real. I don't know what Medrar thought of it all, because by the time I remembered him he had morphed to cockroach.

The cockroach brain was not difficult to contend with. It didn't like bright lights, and it seriously loved the smell of the blood, but aside from that it was pretty calm. It seemed to like being in McDonalds with all the smells. The primitive eyes were not good, but we managed to find our way out of the toilets and towards the refrigerator. And there we waited.

Using the antennae I could 'hear' voices. I heard humans ordering food. I heard the people serving the food shouting to each other. And then, after about twenty minutes of hanging around, I heard what we'd been waiting for. A man came in. He ordered the Happy meal with extra happy. He walked our way. I prepared my tiny legs. Now was the moment!

Everyone ready? I asked grimly. The big walk in refrigerator opened and we motored in, just behind the feet of the controller. The door swung shut behind us.

It was cold. Very cold.

How long is this going to take? Arbat asked, annoyed.

The controller waited and then suddenly the back of the refrigerator stretched open. We followed him through the opening.

BrrrrEEEEET! BrrrrEEEEET! "Unauthorized life-form detected." BrrrrEEEEET BrrrrEEEEET! "Unauthorized life-form detected."

The controller sighed audibly. "Probably some stupid insects," he muttered. The mechanical voice spoke again. "Shut your eyes tightly to protect against retinal damage from the Gleet BioFilter."

The what? Medrar screamed. No! Yeerks can't have that!

They shouldn't! Arbat agreed. There's been a serious security leak somewhere.

Impossible! Kipsing howled. Unless there's a traitor in High Command security!

Whilst the males got extremely upset Tirdellan and I just sat there on the floor going What?

Suddenly, there was a flash: a dazzling explosion of light. Something very horrible happened to my cockroach eyes and the world went dark.

I can't see! I'm blind!! Tirdellan cried.

Aren't you special? Kipsing said crossly.

I appear to be blinded too, Medrar agreed. How interesting. It is only set to blind.

What is? I asked tetchily. I didn't like not being able to see. What just happened?

It's a Gleet BioFilter, Medrar explained. A machine which destroys all life-forms whose DNA is not entered into the computer controls.

Stolen Andalite technology, naturally, Arbat said. Since we have been blinded, I don't know how you intend for us to find a place to demorph without being seen Jahar.

To my left I think there's a rock wall with fissures, Tirdellan said, before I could reply. I can feel big spaces.

We go to the spaces, I said. It was incredibly risky, relying on blind luck to keep us safe, but without eyes we didn't stand a chance of finding a better place. As it was I was able to demorph enough to grow new eyes, and used them to direct the other to a deep crack in the rock wall. We crawled in, and it widened out into a little cave which allowed us to demorph fully one by one and start our new morphs.

When we were all finished the others turned to me, waiting for instructions. I fought to control my breathing.

"Everyone ready to visit the Yeerk pool?"