A/N: Clearly Andalite ninjas were needed here.
Chapter Five
In the silence that followed, I was absolutely terrified that Marco was going to lash out at Gafinilan. And whatever else I was unsure of about the stranger Andalites, I was absolutely certain that the three of them could dispatch the three of us. Neither Marco nor Melissa were at all accustomed to their new bodies, and I would instinctively hesitate to strike at one of my own species, let alone a superior officer.
A moment passed just then, as a realization slowly came to me. Even knowing they would kill us easily, even knowing they were the only Andalites other than the Abomination that I might ever see again, I would hesitate to strike them.
Hesitate.
Not refuse.
They were my people, perhaps the only ones I would ever see. My people. My species. And yet, when the thought had come, I had automatically assumed that I would choose to fight with the humans.
Hesitate.
Not refuse.
During my brief inner contemplation, Mertil had stepped closer to Marco. He was examining my human friend with careful consideration. (What is your name, Aristh?)
(It's Mar-) Marco began before cutting himself off as he realized belatedly what he had been about to say. He froze, and one of his stalk eyes turned toward me for an answer. Unfortunately, my own brain had frozen as well. For that brief moment, I could not think of another name for the life of me. I could see my own panic reflected back at me in Marco's eye.
(Mar….) Mertil's thought-speak voice held doubt. (What sort of name is-)
(Marazipan!) Melissa blurted out loud, making all of us turn to stare at her. (His name, it's… It's Marazipan… Marazipan-Caramel-Nesquik, uhh, Warrior… Sir. We call him Mar for uhhh, short. It's a fad.)
(Nesquick?) Gafinilan considered that. (I don't believe I've heard of that family.)
(They don't get out much.) Melissa managed. I could see that she was terrified but doing a fairly admirable job of hiding it.
I could see the uncertainty within the two older Andalites, and they was clearly going to press the issue. Fortunately, they was interrupted by Estrid. (I can see why.) She sounded equally disinterested and dismissive. (That is a terrible name. But we don't have time for these pleasantries. There is work to do, Gafinilan.)
That decided them, and Gafinilan turned away, already all but dismissing our presence. (Of course. You Arisths will keep up with us or be left behind. It is your choice. We will not be held back.)
As the three real Andalites moved toward the opposite door, Marco's private thought-speak voice came to myself and Melissa. (Marazipan, really?)
(Hey, it worked.) Melissa replied. (And I didn't see you coming up with any winners, Mar.)
A look passed between them that I didn't quite understand, before Marco replied, (Just remember, I get to pick your name when they ask.)
(We should go.) I urged my companions onward before we raised the suspicions of the other Andalites any further. (And someone should-)
(Keep Jake up to date.) Marco's Andalite head gave a short nod. (Already on it. They're working on something.)
That worried me somewhat, as did the thought that I was being kept out of whatever they were planning, but there was nothing else I could do. I simply walked ahead and let my two Andalite-morphed Human companions follow after.
The first corridor that we came to curved sharply to the left, and with each step, the temperature dropped further. I was shivering before we were halfway through, and it was getting worse.
When Estrid spoke abruptly, I jumped, having been lost in my own thoughts. (The damage to this ship's environmental controls must have been extensive. I hope that enough power remains for our purposes.)
Interestingly, I could hear no discomfort or complaint in her voice. For one of the scientist caste, let alone as young as she appeared to be, that was surprising.
And intriguing.
Mertil responded shortly, (We will find a way to make it work, regardless. The opportunity is too good to fail.) One of his stalk eyes swiveled around to look at the three of us at the back. (Regardless of anything else.)
I felt like I should say something, given the fact that the older Andalite was still quite clearly suspicious of us. However, before I could think of what I could possibly say to dissuade those suspicions, the door ahead of us swished open. Blessed heat flowed through the cold air.
Rather than move through the doorway, however, Mertil and Gafinilan stopped. The latter raised his tail blade warningly. (Step into view, now.) He ordered. I could also see Mertil sidle to put himself between Estrid and the doorway.
Prince Jake, in his still rather disturbingly beautiful Andalite form, appeared. His thought-speak voice sounded appropriately nervous. (Umm… hello.)
Mertil seemed taken aback. (I-who are-)
(Sorry, sorry.) Tobias appeared as well. (We didn't know who was there. My-uh-my sister was scared.)
Turning an eye toward me, Mertil's voice managed to convey equal parts skepticism and annoyance. (Just how many others did survive on this ship, Aristh?)
Prince Jake saved me from trying to answer that one. (We didn't know they were alive either. The power doesn't work in most of the ship, and it's hard to get anywhere.)
(And your names are?) Mertil asked with narrowed eyes.
(Inconsequential.) That was Gafinilan. (The bridge. Have you been onto the bridge?)
(We were trying to.) Tobias spoke, pulling himself up straight. I was a little bit proud of his attempt at military posture. (But that way's cut off. Vented atmosphere.)
Prince Jake spoke privately to me then, as well as the other two, I assumed. (Cassie came back. She's helping Rachel try to get to the bridge first. We're going to delay them any way we can.)
A long sigh of annoyance escaped Estrid. She seemed more upset at the delay to her mission than she had about the near-freezing temperatures. (Perhaps I can find a way to fix it long enough for us to pass through.)
(No.) The word came in a rather loud chorus from myself, Prince Jake, Melissa, Marco, and Tobias. And, I realized belatedly, from Gafinilan.
We all looked at one another, then to the true Andalite. We knew why we didn't want her to fix the problem, but the fact that he had spoken up as well was surprising. And, I believe, helped take away some of the suspicion as to why we had said no.
Indeed, Estrid was focused on Gafinilan, thankfully. (What? Why not?)
(There are other ways to the bridge.) The older Andalite declared. (Two possible that I can think of. We will split into two groups in order to save time.) He stopped to consider. (I will take Estrid and these two-) He indicated myself and Tobias. (- along the lower levels. They both look healthy and trained enough to serve as adequate protection.) Then he turned his attention to the other warrior Andalite. (Mertil, my old friend, I need you to take the rest of them along the upper deck path and try to find another way through to the bridge.)
Mertil looked decidedly unhappy about that arrangement. (I don't think-)
(There isn't time to discuss.) Estrid interrupted. She was bound and determined to get to that bridge and fulfill her mission, and she clearly didn't care who happened to be with her. Nor did she appear to notice the suspicion that Mertil clearly felt toward us.
Gafinilan clearly agreed, and started to move toward the hatch on the left side of the corridor. His fellow warrior stared after him, and then grumbled a command before turning to stalk the other way.
(You're going to have to delay both of them.) Prince Jake said to Tobias and me. (We'll do what we can with the other one, but you two have to keep them away from the bridge until Rachel takes care of it.)
(Good luck, guys.) Melissa sent before she and the others were led away. I truly hoped that my friends could maintain the Andalite illusion with Mertil, who had been suspicious from the beginning.
Unfortunately, there was no time for me to fret over that, because Gafinilan was already shouting for us to catch up.
Tobias looked to me as he set his shoulders once more. (Any idea how to stop these two from getting to that bridge, Ax-Man?)
(I am… working on it.) I tried to sound confident, but without giving away our secrets, I didn't have a clue as to how we were going to do what had to be done.
We walked faster to catch up with Estrid and Gafinilan. On the way, I asked, (Do you believe that Rachel can do what needs to be done to turn this ship?)
(With whatever help Cassie can give her?) Tobias hesitated. (I don't know. I hope so. But one of us had to try, and better it be Rachel since she was-is Cassie's best friend. Besides, we thought it would be better if she didn't have to try to deal with the typical Andalite arro-) Seeming to realize who he was talking to, my nephew cut himself off and looked at me. He was still new enough at being an Andalite that he turned his whole head.
(Typical Andalite Air?) I asked. (Our air is not that different from your own. And I fail to see how being around less Andalites would help. Is this a human issue?)
(Uhh…) Tobias's eyes began to look in every direction as though seeking an escape. (That wasn't exactly what I meant. You see, Ax, there's something about… the thing is, your… what we've seen about…) He paused, seemed to consider, and then spoke in an entirely different tone of voice. (What is that?)
I turned a stalk eye in the direction he was now focused on, and found a sight that made my knees weak.
Against the wall there was a holographic image, similar to human paintings, but projected several inches out from the wall. It portrayed a wide field of blue and green grass. In the sky beyond hung two suns, one much lower than the other and clearly near the end of its day. The lower sun's setting rays cast colors over the grassy field. Also, unlike human art, the image was not static. The grass could be seen swaying against a light breeze, and clouds drifted lazily through the sky.
(Home.) I managed finally, hearing the crack in my own voice. (It's home.) I raised a hand and stepped closer, in spite of what would likely be even more annoyance from the true Andalites we were with. I had been away for so long. Just seeing this image of it made me feel simultaneously happy beyond measure, and sick to my stomach.
Tobias stepped closer, moving next to me. (The Andalite homeworld has two suns?)
(Three.) I responded, taking this chance to educate him. I raised a hand to point to the sun that was setting. (This is Den. It only remains in view of our world for four of your… of Earth's hours, from early to mid-morning. It's job of lighting the land is passed directly to its brother,) I touched the higher, second sun. (This one is called Hold. It rises at nearly the same time as its brother falls, leaving no time of darkness between the two.)
(Hold will warm and brighten the world through most of the day, until mid-evening, when the third and final sun rises. Together, the two of them make the single Earth hour during which they're both in the sky the hottest point of any day.)
(Then Hold will set, leaving the last sun to give us light for three more Earth hours before it too goes down.)
Tobias was quiet for another moment, watching the hologram. Finally, he asked in a soft, almost reverent voice. (What's the name of the third sun?)
(Home.) I answered him in a whisper. (The third sun is Home. Den, Hold, and Home.)
I was grateful beyond measure, in that moment, for this opportunity. Whatever else happened, Tobias, my brother's son, deserved to know more of where his father had come from. I resolved to stop avoiding the issue out of uncertainty or doubt, or whatever had been preventing me from bringing it up. Tobias may have been born human, but he was Elfangor's son, and he should know as much of our people as he knew of his mother's.
I was going to teach him everything.
(Are you two coming?) Estrid sounded horribly annoyed. She and Gafinilan had moved out of our sight. I winced and hurriedly moved to catch up. As much as I wanted to tell Tobias, for now, we had to focus.
We found them a short distance ahead, standing by one of the lifts. The emergency stop light was active, indicating that the lift was inactive.
(Apologies.) I bowed at the knee and Tobias followed my gesture. (We were…)
(Daydreaming no doubt.) Gafinilan grunted. He nodded to the lift. (Help me get this open. We'll see if there's a safe way to get down to the lower levels through here.)
Together, the three of us strained and pushed at the lift doors, while Estrid waited with clear impatience. It was difficult, but we eventually managed to pry the doors open, revealing the empty chasm beyond.
Leaning over, I could see the lower level far below.
Estrid had already moved beside me, giving a little push with her shoulders so that she could see. (It's too far down.) She sounded genuinely upset. This mission of hers clearly meant everything to her. (We'll have to take the time to morph. I assume everyone has a Kafit bird.)
(Is it that far down?) Gafinilan asked, moving closer to where we were.
(Yes.) Estrid's thought-speak voice projected annoyance. (It's entirely too-)
(Why don't you check, just to be sure?)
Without warning, Gafinilan rose up on his back legs and lashed out with his two front hooves. The kick took Estrid in the back and propelled her into the wide open lift shaft. She hung suspended in the air for a clearly terrified second before plummeting with a scream that echoed through our heads.
The smack of the female Andalite striking the floor, and the abrupt cessation of her scream in my brain, brought me out of my frozen shock. I whipped around, but Gafinilan already had the blade of his tail against Tobias's throat. (Now now.) He shook his head. (None of that. I just thought we should chat without annoying interruptions.)
Tobias was as still as possible with that blade against his throat. I didn't think Estrid was dead, not from that kind of fall, but she was clearly out of commission. And I had no idea where Prince Jake and the others were. That meant I had to find a way out of this. First, I had to know what was going on.
(Why did you do that?) I demanded, trying to keep my voice as neutral and calm as possible. Inwardly, I was reeling. Why? He had assaulted another Andalite, and now he was threatening Tobias. (You are going to let him go. Then we may… talk.)
(Yeah, this isn't exactly inspiring me to be chatty." Tobias put in, swiveling one of his stalk eyes to look at his captor.
I could see a strange smile within Gafinilan's eyes that, in that moment, scared me. It seemed as though he could either cut Tobias and then deal with me, or let Tobias go entirely, and that which he chose was entirely up to chance.
I have heard of the important Earth method of decision making known as a coin flip. In Gafinilan's eyes, I could see that coin flipping over and over. This was a choice that would be made not by weighing pros and cons, nor by any amount of pleading or threat.
Life or death, in those eyes, was a choice that would be made at random.
The coin landed, and Gafinilan relaxed his tail a little. He stepped back, but produced a hand held shredder which he pointed at us both. (Step close together, little spies.)
Tobias was still tense, but he moved next to me and turned to face the older Andalite. (So, you always go around killing off helpless girls, you big warrior you?)
(Oh I doubt she's dead.) Gafinilan shook his head. The insanity that I had seen in his eyes had never left, once I noticed it. (No, as I said, I just wanted her out of the way while I chat with a couple of Animorphs.)
Tobias went rigid, and both of us stopped breathing for a moment. The shock must have been transparent, because Gafinilan started to laugh in our heads.
(Oh that was too good. That was perfect. The look on your faces. I wish you had mouths to hang open.) He straightened, still clearly amused. (As if it was that hard to tell. As if I wouldn't be able to tell a human in Andalite morph.)
(After all,) He inclined his head with a low chuckle. (I do have some experience with the subject.)
With that, Gafinilan's Andalite form began to shrink and melt into another form. He was morphing, but he was directing the morph well enough to keep the shredder pointed at us, giving no opening to strike.
In moments, the proud, strong Andalite warrior had given way to another form entirely.
A human form.
It was a human female, to be precise. By my admittedly limited understanding, she would have been considered quite attractive according to human standards.
She saw the two of us staring and laughed again, this time giggling aloud in the human way. "Oh David is going to wish he was here."
(David?) Tobias started. (What about him? What the hell is going on? Who are you?)
The girl's head tilted. "Did you really think he was going to do everything all by himself, Animorph? Did you really think he didn't have plans?" She shook her head, tossing her long, pale human hair back and forth. "You have a team, so it's really only fair that he has a team."
The confusion, the shock, the uncertainty, it all warred within me. And, I could tell, within Tobias. I finally managed, (You didn't appear to be able to help him before.)
"I've been busy." The girl replied casually. "Cementing my position in your Andalite military. Taking over that old fogey's life and learning how to play the role. I think I do a pretty good job now, don't you?"
(Why?) That was Tobias. (Why would you work with David? What do you get out of it?)
"Let's just say this morphing ability is a huge, huge life saver." The girl replied before giving another giggle. The shredder never wavered. "And to think, if he hadn't come with his offer, I might have accepted that Yeerk in my head."
(What…) Tobias took a step forward. (What the hell are you talking about? Look, you can't just-)
He was interrupted by the sound of the shredder blast. The beam was clearly set to stun, thankfully, but it still took Tobias full in the chest. The blast was clearly calibrated to apply concussive force, and it knocked him backwards even as he fell unconscious.
And then he fell physically. Before I could grab for him, Tobias's unconscious form plummeted to join that of Estrid.
I spun back to the girl and readied myself to lunge. (You will regret that action, ally of David.)
"I doubt that." The girl responded with an air of utter disdain and boredom. "Once you're out of the way for a while, I'll catch up with the others and make up some story about you being traitors. Mertil will want to save the girl, but we'll have to execute your other friends, just to be safe. Terrible tragedy."
Gathering myself, I tried to lunge toward the side. This would be my only chance.
I never had the chance. The blast took me full on and I felt my hooves leave the floor as I was flung backwards.
Consciousness was already fleeing my brain, and darkness was settling into its place as the elevator shaft loomed under me.
I heard the morph-capable girl speak one more time before I fell, figuratively and literally.
"And my name isn't Ally Of David."
"It's Taylor."