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Chapter 15

I had two legs, two arms, two moderately good eyes and only one heart. I was human.

I was in human morph in the Yeerk pool complex. It was terrifying. We descended the roughly cut staircase slowly, Arbat and Kipsing leading, and then me, following them, and then Tirdellan my daughter and Medrar. Apart from me and Medrar the others were accomplished enough morphers to be fully clothed (by human standards), so did not look out of place. Medrar and I shivered in our skimpy clothing.

It wasn't just the cold which made us shudder. As we descended we were welcomed by a chorus of wails, howls and shrieks. Voices screamed in desperation: human, Hork Bajir, even taxxon shrills of distress. The air was heavy with horror, the light unnatural and oppressive. We had been hidden from the main pool by a bend in the stairs descending to it, but as we rounded the corner the full horror of the scene hit us.

A pool. A deep wound in the dirt, filled with sludgy grey liquid. And alive with Yeerks. The surface roiled with their swimming bodies. The cavern around it was huge but makeshift, the walls propped with metal struts. There were two piers jutting out over the pool, and two lines of hosts. Exit and entry points for Yeerks. After they were released some of the hosts screamed and fought. The humans who resisted were thrown into large holding cages which took ten to fifteen of them. The struggling Hork Bajir were chained up individually. They were far more capable of doing damage to each other and themselves if allowed loose.

Calm, I whispered to Tirdellan and Medrar. Calm.

It is horrific, Kipsing said softly. I privately agreed. How could a sentient species inflict this on others?

And the worst horror of all was yet to come. Once the scene was laid out before us the sounds could be distinguished, and I heard it then: the mocking laughs of the willing hosts. I'd read of them, these creatures who chose to give up their freedom, but I hadn't wanted to believe it was true. Now I could see them, taxxons, a few Hork Bajir and humans, too many humans, lounging in a seating area and sniggering at the distress of others.

There would never be an Andalite in that area. I knew that for certain.

We reached the bottom of the staircase, and Arbat struck out for a set of warehouses ringing the edge of the cavern.

We need weapons, he said quietly. I nodded.

They're staring at us, Medrar hissed, fear tingeing his thought speak.

Ignore them, I directed. Look like you're meant to be here. We were aided by the fact that it was a very warm day outside. Humans wear less clothing in heat anyway, so we looked less strange than we might have. In fact, I passed some 'fully clothed' controllers wearing even less than me. We strutted to the warehouse unmolested, and there were no guards at the door. It seemed too easy. Blood thudded in my ears. A quick glance to check no one was watching too closely, and we ducked in. The warehouse was lit by a fluorescent bulb swinging overhead. Arbat snorted.

How technical. He walked over to some boxes and flipped off the lid of the top one. What are these? he asked in confusion.

Ready-assemble tables, Kipsing read off the box. I wandered over to another pile and read the label. Ready-assemble chairs. Cleaning supplies, Medrar said, peering into another box. Mops and brushes.

Let's try the next warehouse, I suggested. We slunk out and approached the next warehouse. This one was guarded, by two Hork Bajir and a human male.

Right, Arbat hissed. This is where I test our Yeerk prisoner's seniority.

See, Arbat hadn't morphed his original human morph. He's morphed Jason Clements, the human controller we had captured and destroyed. We didn't know how influential this controller had been, but at least he would be a recognised face. Arbat braced himself, took a deep breath and walked up to the warehouse entrance. One of the Hork Bajir turned to regard him.

"I've been ordered by the Visser to check the dracon beam supplies," Arbat said boldly. The Hork Bajir stared for a second, and then laughed, a grating, alien sound. The human controller stopped forward.

"You're not going to find any dracon beams in the oatmeal holding shed, Enliss 764," he explained. He pointed to another warehouse, several doors down the row of them. "Try weapons storage, you fool." Arbat accepted the insult without a hint of anger.

"Just checking you're awake," he said calmly, and turned to us. "Come, we mustn't keep the Visser waiting." The human laughed appreciatively as we followed Arbat towards the indicated storage area.

"Yes, don't keep the Visser waiting," he called. "Particularly as he's leaving for his Blade ship in half an hour."

It was all I could do not to grab Arbat's arm.

Did you hear? I hissed.

Hak Bajeesh, I have not become miraculously deaf in the last few minutes, Arbat said, his voice sounding perfectly composed. I could see that he was practically trembling with excitement.

Are we going to go to the Visser now? Tirdellan asked fearfully.

We haven't got much time, so we can't waste a second, Kipsing butted in before I could answer.

We have half an hour, I said coldly. That is plenty of time. Do not get excited. Kipsing snorted, but I was keeping an eye on Medrar and Tirdellan. The aristh was silent, but he had paled visibly, whilst my daughter's hands shook. I could only hope they could control themselves sufficiently to deceive the Visser.

Again the warehouse was guarded, but Arbat's morph was clearly a controller with rank, and the guards waved us in. This time the boxes yielded dracon beams when pried open. Arbat took one, and Kipsing did so too, balancing the weight of the weapon in his hand and complaining that it was too unlike a shredder. Tirdellan reached for one, but Kipsing knocked her arm away. Not for children, he said, with a hint of nastiness to his tone. Tirdellan flushed, and withdrew her hand.

No one on this voyage is a child, I said crossly, handing a dracon beam to my daughter. Except for those that act as juveniles. Kipsing scowled, but then shrugged.

Forgive me, Jahar.

Of course, I said, and then added privately: Keep your wits. The last thing I needed was Kipsing riled or flustered. He played a crucial role in our plan.

We found chains and handcuffs in the warehouse too, in a metal box marked 'restraints'. Medrar and I stood there patiently whilst we were tied up. With his lack of human clothing the Visser would not be fooled into believing Medrar was a normal controller, but he fitted perfectly the image of a captured Andalite. Once Medrar was chained Kipsing gave a yank and the aristh stumbled forwards with a yelp, dragged by the restraints. The assassin laughed.

Looks pretty real, doesn't it?

Perfectly, Arbat said, pleased. I didn't like the cold metal biting into my wrists. It made me want to shudder and shake it off.

Let's find the Visser now, I directed.

We can't leave through the front, Medrar said. Those guards saw Jahar and me enter unchained. I felt like a fool. He was right, of course. There was no way we could be dragged past the same guards having walked willingly in. Moreover, the warehouse did not seem to have a backdoor.

Kipsing raised his dracon beam and fired. TSEWW!

There's the way out, he said smugly, pointing at the smoking hole in the back wall of the warehouse. Arbat sighed, and rolled his eyes, but clambered through. Tirdellan grasped the end of my chain whilst Kipsing took control of Medrar, and we left the warehouse through our makeshift exit. Fortunately no one seemed to have a reason to be behind the warehouses, and our emergence escaped notice.

Now, with clanking prisoners in evidence, we got more than stares. Whispers followed our progress, skirting the Northern end of the pool.

"Taking some rebel scum to the Visser," Arbat explained to the staring Yeerks.

"Is he still here?" Kipsing added. A helpful controller said that he was, and even gave us directions to where the Visser was reviewing improvements to the pool drainage system. Medrar and I were hauled roughly and realistically away. I even fell to my knees, and Tirdellan begged my forgiveness as she dragged me across the ground, grazing them.

Keep going as I directed, I said harshly, climbing to my feet. But then I softened. I'm all right, I said quietly to her.

Mother, I am frightened, she whispered. How can this work?

I laughed softly. Find strength in the knowledge that you can outwit every creature in this facility, Tirdellan. You are an Andalite. You are mentally and physically superior to any Yeerk. If they knew what you were they would cower from you.

She managed a weak smile, and reeled off, as if quoting: 'They're more afraid of you than you are of them'.

I didn't have time to ponder her words, because we had turned away from the main pool area and were entering an area that looked newer, the rock around us rawer as if it had been recently burrowed into. In front of us was a gaggle of five or so human controllers and a couple of Hork Bajir. In between them I glimpsed flashes of blue fur, and my single human heart hammered.

You are sure this will be finished by next Tuesday? a terribly familiar voice boomed. Visser Three clearly did not mind broadcasting his words to the wide vicinity. As we neared them one of the humans said something and waved a chart. I glimpsed Visser Three bending his neck to study it. Good, he said, and then suddenly the crowd flowed aside and I saw him flick his tail in annoyance. What is happening? The controllers were parting to let us through, moving aside in front of Arbat as he waded between them towards the Visser. The Visser turned to face us, and for a second only saw Arbat. There had better be a good reason for this disturbance Enliss 764, he roared. Arbat bowed.

"Visser, I believe I have captured two Andalites," he said deferentially. Visser Three eyed him like a juicy Gortrin tuber.

Well either you have or you haven't. Which is it? Several of the surrounding controllers edged away, and I sensed that they did not expect the Visser's restraint to last. His deadly tail twitched. Arbat gestured back to Kipsing and Tirdellan, and they stepped forward, dragging Medrar and me into the Visser's view. His cold eyes flicked quickly over Medrar, clearly unimpressed, but widened when he saw me. I glared at him with real hatred, and Visser Three laughed; a ghastly corruption of my husband when amused.

Hello my dear Jahar, he said, sweeping me a theatrical bow. What a mess you seem to have got yourself into. I did not truly trust myself to reply, but it was essential to the plan that I did.

I need to speak to you, I urged. Please let me. The Visser ignored me and turned to Arbat.

Excellent work, Enliss 764. I sense a promotion coming your way. Arbat beamed.

"Thank you, Visser," he murmured. I was loathe to do it, but I pushed myself forward.

I need to speak to you in private, Yeerk. Unexpectedly, Arbat suddenly spun and delivered a kick which winded me, knocking me to my knees. For one second the malice behind it felt horribly real.

"You do not address the Visser, scum," Arbat said coldly.

Haha, Visser Three chuckled. How shocked she looks! Does that hurt Danceling? 'Danceling'. An Andalite term of endearment. One my husband occasionally used for me. Gasping I climbed back to my feet. Medrar reached to help me, and Kipsing whipped the chain he was holding threateningly. It snapped against Medrar's cheek, leaving an angry red welt, and he moaned in pain. I felt dizzy, as if everything was spinning out of my control. The kick hadn't been planned. Once again Arbat was demonstrating independent thought, and it encouraged Kipsing to copy him. I could only hope it would engineer us the success Arbathad previously enjoyed on this mission. Visser Three was clearly taken in by the spectacle, but we couldn't act unless he was alone with us. That was what we needed, that was my job. I felt sick to my heart, but once again addressed the foul abomination standing in front of me.

Listen, Yeerk. I have information that will interest you. Allow me a minute with my husband and I will tell you everything.

Visser Three smiled lazily. If I infested you I could learn everything you know within five minutes, Andalite, he pointed out.

That won't be fast enough to save you, I said quietly. The Visser stiffened, and I knew I had his attention.

And why would you be interested in saving me? he asked suspiciously.

I will not see any harm come to Alloran, I said truthfully. The Visser paused, and I knew he was tearing mercilessly through my husband's mind, searching memories of us together in happier times, so that he could judge me. He must have found in my favour, because he suddenly turned to the controllers clustered around him and waved his hands in dismissal.

Leave us. They nodded and scrambled away, clearly glad to be released from hovering around him, too afraid to leave his presence without permission. Visser Three turned to me. Well? he said.

Not out here, I breathed. As I said the words it sounded stupidly obvious to me, that we were trying to seclude him. However, whilst he looked confused and understandably suspicious, there was no light of realisation in my husband's eyes. I suppose Alloran had never seen me try to be sneaky before, and so the Visser did not think me truly capable of it. Arbat gestured at a nearby temporary office, a cut out and assemble building with a door and no windows. The Visser hesitated for a second, and then led the way in. We followed, my chains clanking. I suppose he must have trusted the Yeerk Enliss 764, and that worked to our advantage. A row of light bulbs hanging from the ceiling illuminated a desk, a chair, a water cooler. Medrar? I hissed.

Ready, he whispered. The Visser lounged in a deceptively casual way against the desk, but I knew my husband's achingly familiar body was tense, ready for the slightest movement.

Now what is so important for you to tell me? he asked grumpily. I took a step forward, and as I did I heard a slurping sound behind me.

Medrar was demorphing!

Instantly the Visser's attention was torn. He only had four eyes! His two facial ones spun to Medrar as a pair of front legs struggled to escape the chains wound tightly around the young Andalite.

Stop morphing now! Enliss, shoot him! Arbat raised his dracon beam, and one of the Visser's stalk eyes was one him. The other was on me, moving towards him, and Visser Three moved quickly, with an angry shout, ready to give me a punishing swipe with his tail.

He didn't have enough eyes to watch Kipsing.

Quick as a flash the young assassin whipped his hidden dracon beam out and fired on the Visser.

TSEWWW!

Perfect aim!

Visser Three dropped like a stone, stunned and out for the count.