-Theylix-

My name is Theylix 472. I'm a Yeerk. What does that mean? Well, it means I've spent my entire life as a blind, sad little worm in a dirty pool. In the beginning, I didn't see this as a problem. After all, I knew nothing else. But then my training began. I didn't get a host since those were too valuable to be used on "young, dumb squirmers" like me, so instead I used computers specifically designed to be used by Yeerks without hosts. There, I was told about everything. I learned I was a member of the proud Yeerk empire, which was expanding across the universe. I learned about the dozens of planets and species we had conquered and enslaved. The Hork-Bajir, the Taxxons, the Gedds, and so many more. I learned about the Andalites, and how they had been fighting us from the very beginning. I learned what my purpose was, too. To one day be given a host and serve my empire well, climbing up the social ladder to one day hopefully be a Visser or such. I wasn't sure about that part, but I adored the idea of having a host. To be more than a squishy little thing; instead have limbs and eyes and a skeleton. I wanted to run free and see these planets for myself and run my fingers through grass. That sounded so exciting to me and whenever I pestered a Yeerk with a host to describe it to me, I listened in awe.

I was told just a few days ago what my mission was. I had been assigned to a human on Earth. I was going to be given a rather young one with little power in society because according to my instructors I was "troublesome" and "a nuisance." It was this poor performance review that led to my rather large number in my name, since the lower the number the higher up in society you were. I didn't really care about my rank or the kind of host I was getting. All I cared about was that I was GETTING ONE.

And now I had one. I excitedly latched onto her brain and pressed my body into all the nooks and crannies. I felt my control extend through her body. I could feel fingers and toes that weren't mine. I didn't know exactly how to move them, but they were mine, and that was good enough for now.

I then connected to her mind. Her name was Makenna. Her father was in prison for child and domestic abuse. Her mother was an alcoholic who shouldn't have custody of kids, but did anyway. Makenna's sister, Trinity, dealt with her problems by flinging herself at the scummiest men on earth. Makenna dealt with her problems by misbehaving at school and telling off her teachers.

... oh. I think my host is a bit... broken.

(Hello, I'm Theylix 472.) I introduced myself.

(Hey.) I could read every one of Makenna's thoughts. She was nervous, confused, and a little bit scared of me. She had no idea what was happening to her.

"Theylix? You okay?" I felt someone nudge my leg with their toe. I felt that. On my leg. My face split into a grin. Huh, moving isn't as hard as I thought it would be.

"This. Is. Incredible," I said, wiggling my fingers and toes. Speaking wasn't that hard either, thank goodness.

I opened my eyes and saw a teenage boy standing over me. Makenna's memories told me his name was Quintin. He smiled back at me. "Here, let me help you." He took my hand and pulled me to my feet. It took me a moment to steady myself on my new legs, but I got the hang of it. It was probably so easy for me to do all this stuff not because I was the best controller in the galaxy, but instead because of Makenna. I was instinctual tapping into her skills and abilities, making using this body so much easier.

Quintin smirked at me unexpectedly. "You don't have to act like I'm a sub-visser. I know you're more excited about this than that."

I blinked at him for a moment, trying to piece together what he meant. It then hit me. "NEFTUS!?" I exclaimed.

"The one and only," he said with a dramatic bow. I squealed and pulled him in for a hug.

Neftus had been with me since the very beginning. He had been my friend all throughout training. We failed exams together, bad-mouthed our cranky instructor together, and dreamed about having a host together. We were inseparable- until Neftus got assigned a host first and had to leave.

"I thought I'd never see you again," I said, looking at him.

"Come on, you know I'd never let that happen," he said, playfully nudging me. "I BEGGED Iniss to give you this host."

I smiled. "Thank you so much. You really are the best."

He laughed. "I know," he said with a dramatic flip of invisible hair. "Come on, Iniss is talking to all of the new hosts to get them all situated." He opened the door and I quickly followed after him.

(Is he your... Yeerk best friend?) Makenna asked.

(That's one way to put it, I guess,) I answered.

(That's cute.)

I smiled as I followed Neftus down the hall. We passed by a door and my blood ran cold when we heard screaming inside. Neftus froze at the sound.

"LET ME GO! PLEASE, LET ME GO! I WON'T TELL ANYONE! I PROMISE! JUST DONT DO IT TO ME! PLEEEAAASE!" The screams were then abruptly cut off by gurgling as the person had their head roughly shoved underwater. I tried to ignore it, but then I saw Neftus's face. It was a mixture of rage, fear, and pain. As quickly as it had appeared, it vanished. "Come on, we're gonna be late," Neftus said, hustling forward. I couldn't help but notice the change in his tone. I wanted to ask about it, but at that moment we headed through a new doorway. This room looked like a standard meeting room for a corporate office, with a long table with chairs. A man sat at one chairs, waiting.

(Wait, that's Chapman!) Makenna exclaimed. (He has a Yeerk, too?!)

"Iniss-262," Neftus greeted him.

"Neftus-496 and Theylix-472," Iniss returned the greeting. "Congratulations on getting a host, Theylix. We have some business we need to go over before you can be allowed to infiltrate human society."

(Infiltrate?) Makenna questioned.

"Yes sir," I said, ignoring Makenna and sitting down at the table. Neftus joined me.

Iniss skimmed through the papers in front of him. "So, as you know you need to visit the Yeerk pool every three or so days to consume kandrona rays. The closest Yeerk pool entrance to your home is the McDonald's on the corner of Crescent Avenue and 18th street. The back employee entrance is left unlocked at night, but during the day the password is 'Happy Meal with extra happy.' An employee will let you into the back freezer. There is also an entrance in the high school Makenna attends, in the janitorial supply closet."

I jotted down a mental note. I'd need to remember those two spots.

"Here is your standard-issue Dracon pistol," Iniss said, pulling out the sci-fi-looking device. "Do NOT let it fall into the hands if anyone that is not our own, and for the love of the home world don't lose it!"

"Yes sir," I replied. I picked up the device and admired it. It was a bit too big for human hands, clearly designed for Hork-Bajir claws, but I wasn't about to complain. I slid the device into my pocket.

"Now, the most important rule of all: do NOT let the humans find out about you. No one should know that you are anyone other than Makenna. You need to act like her, speak like her, even think like her. You are not Theylix. You are Makenna. Got it?"

I straightened my shoulders. "Yes sir."

He nodded. "Good. You two are dismissed. Make the Yeerk empire proud."