Heya! It's time for another past chapter (even though I know there's a cliffhanger in the last present one!). I thought it would be interesting to see how the start fo the war was, before the Andalites realised how long and terrible it would be - kind of like when everyone thought WW1 would be over by christmas. Also, if anyone thinks it's a bit incongruous to have them all happy about the war when Alloran and Jahar were definitely not happy at the end of chapter 12, that's because they've been at it a little while and so far nothing too bad has happened, so it's all exciting and lulling them into a false sense of safety.
Anyway, I'll shut up now, except to say that I hope you enjoy this and reviews are, as always (:D) most welcome!

Chapter 14

Jahar keyed in the access code for one of the Command Centre's main hangers. Access granted, her computer told her coolly. On her viewing screen the hanger split open, a great crack rupturing its roof. She waited until the crack gaped to its widest and then piloted The Jahar in smoothly. It was very strange, flying a ship named after herself, but Alloran had left it at home for her whilst he was away. A high ranking War Prince did not have time to make private flights. Slowly Jahar settled the ship down into a waiting cradle, and cursed as it wobbled a little, disturbing her passenger. He stumbled, and clutched the safety restraints she had strapped around him in terror. Jahar reached out with her tail to soothe him as she switched off the ship's engine, and then unbuckled him.

When they left the ship and entered the hanger it was a hive of activity. Since the war the number of ships built each year had multiplied beyond imagination, and now every one of the old Command Centres groaned with craft. They were in desperate need of rebuilding to cope with the new numbers of ships, but there was no time. The concentration of the Andalite command was taken up exclusively by building new ships, and manufacturing new weapons and above all searching the universe for the Yeerks. Outdated infrastructure was a secondary concern. Similarly, there were nowhere near enough transport pods for the number of Andalites whizzing around the Command Centre, and Jahar had to wait patiently in a queue for an empty one. When it arrived she directed it to take her and her companion to the main hanger, and it shot off, zipping past other holding hangers, loading bays, maintenance docks and cargo docks. There were a number of fighters in the maintenance docks, their sides burnt from the odd skirmishes with the Yeerks which had happened since the war began. The main body of escaped Yeerks had not been found yet, and so there had been relatively few casualties on either side.

So far.

The transport pod entered the main hanger, which was filled by a giant dome ship. It rose high above Jahar, its sleek sides gleaming, resting in a giant cradle slung under its belly. In the centre of it was the giant dome, containing the cultivated grassland which made space flight bearable for claustrophobic Andalites. Andalites scurried around its engines, tiny and insignificant compared to the power centres of the ship. Its name was printed in glittering letters under the main bridge.

Lightwing.

Jahar's stomachs flipped. The Lightwing was Alloran's ship, and its presence here meant that he was not far away now. She'd received the news that the Lightwing would be returning to the home planet to have superior engines fitted only a short while ago, and had hardly been able to control her excitement. Alloran would be home! She hadn't seen him for months, and now he was perhaps minutes away.

The transport pod deposited her at the central office for the main hanger, which was situated high above the hanger, with huge windows to allow a good view of the Lightwing and the Andalites clustering around her. A bored looking Andalite slouched, surrounded by computer interfaces. He only raised his stalk eyes to her, keeping his main eyes focussed on a screen showing radiation levels within the hanger.

Can I help you?

Yes, Jahar replied, fighting to keep her voice steady. I'm here to see War Prince Alloran. The Andalite nodded, and flicked a switch with his left hand.

War Prince Alloran to the central office please. His thought speak boomed, magnified, throughout the hanger. As Jahar watched, one of the tiny figures peeled off from the gaggle admiring the work on the new engines and crossed to a transport pod. He entered it, and it shot off, heading up to them...

The office Andalite regarded Jahar curiously. Are you well? You are breathing very fast.

I'm fine, she snapped. The Andalite shrugged and indicated her companion.

Those aren't allowed on site, you know. I'll let it go this one time but if it happens again I'll have to report you.

Jahar waved him away. Yes, thank you. I understand. She was barely listening, practically trembling with excitement. And then the office doors glided open.

Alloran looked bigger since when she'd last seen him. More muscled, and with more of a swagger to his step. He frowned as he entered, no doubt annoyed at being summoned away, but his face cleared as soon as he saw her.

Jahar!

Alloran! she cried. Neither of them ran to the other in front of the office Andalite, but she trembled with the desire to race into his arms. He nodded curtly at the office Andalite.

Thank you Tarryan. I will be in my quarters aboard the Lightwing should I be required. Tarryan gave a nod of acknowledgement and Alloran turned to go. Come Jahar. We'll be able to talk on the ship. Jahar hesitated, confused at his lack of reaction, and then she realised that he hadn't seen her companion.

Alloran? she called softly, and stepped aside. Alloran turned back to her, and she motioned downwards. His gaze travelled to the ground.

And froze.

Andalites are born with open eyes, and are able to walk within a few hours. They take time to learn to articulate words with their thought speak – to start they tend to send images and emotions before they are taught to discipline their communication. A new baby Andalite comes to roughly knee height on its mother at the most. It was hardly surprising Alloran had missed this one the first time, hiding behind Jahar's back legs. Now he stared in wonder as it walked forwards nervously, nudged by Jahar's tail.

A male, she said softly. He's seven days old. Alloran stepped forwards to greet it, and arched down his tail. The blade at the end of it was larger than the baby's head. Instinctively the baby lifted its tiny tail up to its father, the tail blade still a soft nub of undefined bone.

Our baby, Alloran breathed. And then he suddenly laughed. Oh Jahar, if you were anyone else's wife but my own I would have to discipline you for bringing a child to a military facility. She smiled and walked to his side, reaching down a hand to the child to lead him with them to the transport pod.

Well it's a good thing I married the most powerful Andalite in this facility isn't it?

Alloran took them to his private quarters on the Lightwing, leading them past other crew members in the corridors. Jahar deliberately slowed her pace to allow the baby Andalite to keep up, and he was the recipient of more than a few stares, although none of the crew would have dared comment. This was a new world for Jahar, a world she had glimpsed on the Yeerk planet. Here Alloran was powerful and respected. Other Andalites stepped out of his way, saluted him as they passed. As his mate she too shared in the power, and was greeted with deference. For a second she wondered if this was how the King and Queens of old had felt. The Andalites had abolished the institution of monarchy centuries ago, retaining only the honorific title of Prince for their commanders because the armies of warring monarchies had once been led by the sons of the Kings. Here on the Lightwing, in this war where the military was suddenly important again, Jahar felt herself to be Queen to her mate, the Prince leading the army.

And with them walked his heir, the next generation. Her son, who would surely too become a great commander, lifted up through his father's influence.

They were foolish, romantic musings, and she knew it, but power is intoxicating and Jahar could feel herself growing addicted to her powerful mate's prestige and influence. It led her to love him even more, if that were possible.

In his private quarters they were freer to express their emotions, and Alloran had barely entered before he reached out to her and held her in his arms.

I was going to visit you tomorrow, he said softly as he stroked her face. A surprise. He laughed. Or so I thought. But you seem to have outpaced me.

I couldn't wait a second, when I knew you were returning, she said honestly. He smiled and touched his fingertips to her forehead.

And stormed in dragging a child with you. Most irregular. His expression softened. But I'm so very glad you did. He stepped away from her and knelt down closer to their baby who was looking anxiously around the quarters. I had no idea he would come so soon.

He's early, Jahar admitted, sending calming, reassuring thoughts to the baby. But definitely yours, she added anxiously.

Alloran shot her a look of surprise. Did you really think I doubted that? he asked. Besides, I think he has my eyes. Or will when he grows into them. The baby blinked its oversized eyes, and Alloran laughed. He reached out and offered his son a finger, and the baby grasped the tip with his whole hand. Have you named him? Alloran asked.

I call him 'Farling', Jahar admitted. Her mate paused, mentally translating the name.

'Little pet', he said.

It's just a baby name, Jahar added. For when he is so small. Alloran shrugged.

I like it. We can sort out his secondary titles later. For now he only needs a first name. He gently stroked the baby's back and it rubbed its shoulders against his fingers in delight. Farling suits him, doesn't it?

How long are you here? Jahar asked abruptly. I brought him because I didn't know if you would have another chance to see him. Alloran stood up to face her.

Actually this job will take several days, so I can come home tonight and be yours the next few days, love. His eyes sparkled invitingly, and she was suddenly aware of how long they'd been apart, how very long it was, and a shiver of desire shook her.

I was hoping you would say that. He smiled and slid fingertips over her shoulders, his touch light but enough to turn her legs to water. War suits you my love, she whispered, running her eyes over his muscular body, in better shape than ever before.

Yes, he replied. I was rather pleased to find that it does.

On the flight home Alloran piloted The Jahar, clearly deriving pleasure from being in charge of his ship again. Jahar wanted nothing more than to focus on him and him alone, but she denied her selfishness and played with Farling. It would be an unpleasant shock for the baby over the next few days when he would have to share his mother for the first time in his life. Fortunately he fell asleep very quickly when they returned to the scoop, exhausted by the day's adventure. Liberated from parental duties, Jahar was able to indulge in a night run with Alloran, galloping through the undulating grasses under the stars.

How much I have missed open space, Alloran said wistfully, raising his eyes to the heavens. The dome is always crowded with young arisths sparring, and older warriors shouting at each other. To be quiet and alone is a gift, Jahar.

She laughed wickedly. I can leave you alone and return to the scoop if you desire solitude so much.

He lowered his eyes back to her, running them openly over her recently-recovered sleek figure. Oh, I wouldn't say it was solitude I desired so much, love. The starlight reminded her crazily of the night he'd asked her to be his, and she knew that she loved him as madly now as she did then, as she always would. She felt giddy with romance and the knowledge of his power, and moonlight and love.

How well you look, War Prince Alloran. And we thought war would destroy us.

He moved in closer to her, catching her in his hands. His eyes gleamed in the light of the moon, his expression unseen but not unimaginable. Do you know, Jahar, I think this war might be the best thing that's ever happened to us.

Alloran stayed for three days, and for those days Jahar was simply happy. There were no complications, no layers to her mood, no niggling worries or doubts. She surrendered to the joy of being married to a loving, amusing husband and having a tiny baby who demanded constant attention and offered delight. Farling divided his day between cantering with the adults around the nearest meadow (and occasionally tripping over his oversized hooves), playing with the learning programmes Jahar's mother had given them to help stimulate his thought speech, and sleeping, worn out from exertion. Alloran was with her almost constantly, snatching minutes when she was feeding Farling to use their computer to keep in touch with the engineers working on the Lightwing. The only time he left her properly was to visit Arbat, and Jahar declined his invitation to accompany him. She had sent Arbat notification of Farling's birth, and had received curt congratulations. A few days later a gift of a toy fighter had arrived for Farling. Other than that Arbat had expressed no interest in his nephew or his sister in law, and Jahar was reluctant to impose herself on him. It felt too much like rubbing his nose in her and Alloran's happiness to parade Farling in front of him.

Kalladin came to visit, and a stream of Jahar's other friends, attracted by the new baby, and Farling was showered with presents, whilst his mother was similarly deluged in compliments on his size, his eyes, his shape and his tail. Jahar felt sorry for Alloran as he stood there placidly, smiling throughout the female respects. Jahar's friends were normally wary of addressing her influential warrior husband directly, but now that he had acquired the tamer, domestic status of 'Daddy' he was victim to some of their more inane compliments.

The lack of Aldrea's presence was unmissed by the other females, who had never really known the younger Andalite, but Jahar remembered her from their time together on the Yeerk planet, and the distance between them was the one taint of sadness in her joy.

The only other friend who did not appear was Vitana. She had visited before, when Farling was only days old, and Jahar understood her friend's reluctance to come again whilst Alloran was at home. She had never learnt the full details of how Alloran had disengaged himself from Vitana, but she trusted it had been done honourably, because Vitana clearly bore her no grudge. However, she doubted her friend would ever be comfortable with meeting Alloran as Jahar's husband.

And then, on the morning of the fourth day, Alloran woke her, his eyes glittering, practically shaking with excitement.

We've found them! he cried, shaking her abruptly. We've found the scum!

What? Jahar asked, still sleepy. He was practically dancing.

The Yeerks who escaped have been reported! They have descended on a new planet, the Hork Bajir planet, and I have been assigned to lead the defence force against them!

Jahar forced a smile, ignoring the congealing of her hearts. How wonderful! I suppose you will be going soon?

Today! I have already summoned a transport ship to pick me up and fly me to the hanger, he said gleefully, but stopped dancing suddenly and reached for her hand anxiously. Love, you are not sad? It will not be forever. I will return soon, I promise.

Again Jahar smiled, but this time truly. Of course. Forgive me, Alloran. She looked up into his eyes and stroked his temples gently. I have become selfish, but I know that I can not keep you to myself when the fleet needs you as well.

When we have destroyed the Yeerks I will return to you, he promised. His expression hardened. And we will destroy them. I have not forgotten the promise you made me give on the Yeerk planet, Jahar. I will defeat these slugs, for your sake, and for Farling. And after that, who knows? Perhaps I shall retire, or perhaps I shall stay. Imagine, Jahar... I could be a Captain or even on the People's council!

Stay alive, she whispered, suddenly sharing his mad thrill for the promises of the future. Prestige, and power, and happiness glittered in front of them. Come back to me, my glorious husband. He kissed her tenderly.

I will, beautiful Jahar. Even if I have to destroy the entire Hork Bajir planet, I will return to you victorious.