A/N: Wow guys, aren’t you lucky! Two chapters within a week! Consider it my gift to you before I go off on a brief hiatus. This is a bit of a transition chapter, but expect lots more action coming up! You’ll hear from me again in August, probably, when I’m just another old married woman. Anyhow, enjoy!

-T.

Chapter 22

(Why did you help us?) The first words directed towards me by the larger Andalite – Jennor, I later learned – were almost insulting. She had successfully morphed and demorphed, repairing her injuries. I noticed that the smaller Andalite, Terenia, had done the same, despite claiming to me a nothlit earlier. I pretended not to notice, but my hearts began to beat faster. Perhaps the Aldrea’s Cube did work!

(Why shouldn’t I?) I responded, not in the mood to be questioned. Especially not for saving their lives, (You are my people.) I turned back to the computer, hoping to end the conversation before it began.

(Who are you?) The Andalite named Jennor would not be swayed. I sighed a little and swiveled my stalk eyes to face her. She was large for a female, just slightly smaller than Zendat’s true form. Her fur had the purplish hue of most female Andalite’s and her eyes wore the hard arrogance of an Andalite brought up in the military. It was a look I recognized. Despite all of this, it was her tail that caught my eye. It was an oddity, something I had never seen before. The muscles were thick and the blade at the end was twice as large as a normal female’s blade.

(That Yeerk filth told you,) my response was carefully neutral as I recounted Visser Three’s slightly warped version of events. No need to make it seem worse than it was. (I am the daughter of Alloran-Semitur-Corass. My name is Allora. I was working as a scientist on one of our transport ships when I was captured.)

(Why didn’t you try to escape before?) Jennor pressed.

(Good grief, Jennor, let the girl be!) Terenia interjected, looking annoyed, (Who cares? At least she was there when she was or we’d be in pieces right now! At least it’s over with.)

(And you,) Jennor rounded on her friend, finally leaving me in peace (what do you think you were doing, telling Visser Three who you were! Now you’re marked. You’ve slipped past him twice now, and that will not make him happy.)

(I’ll be fine.) Terenia responded, sounding so sure of herself that I almost laughed. The little Andalite girl thought that she could fight off Visser Three!

(Jennor is right, you know,) I said, unable to keep silent, (The Visser hates losing. Especially to an aristh, let alone a human.)

(We’re not aris-)

(Please.) I cut Jennor off before she could embarrass herself with fabrications, (I am not an idiot, and neither is Visser Three. He was humoring you. Someone of your age has almost no chance of being of warrior status.) It was a lie, at least partially. I had no idea if Visser Three had bought their story of being warriors. If he had then he was more ignorant that I would have thought. I couldn’t imagine that my father would buy it, though, and they did share a brain.

Terenia and Jennor lapsed into silence, presumably talking amongst one another. Perhaps deciding my fate. I was too exhausted to care. Instead, I turned to the safety of the computer and checked our current status. The fuel tank was full and it seemed as though someone had just gone through a diagnostic check recently. I was positive that there were Empire trackers on the ship somewhere, but as long as we were in Zero-space they were useless. There was an insufficient amount of food on board, especially for Andalites. Only a few containers of liquid grass, no doubt kept in case Visser Three needed the ship at short notice.

I entered in a random bunch of coordinates that would allow us to stay in Zero-Space for a reasonable amount of time. Several days, at least. That would allow me time to formulate a plan before returning to the Blade Ship. Glancing at the two arisths I saw that they were deep in conversation. Seeing that they had no intent of including me I settled back to look over the data logs in depth. The computer work was soothing, and it eased my frazzled brain, making it easier to forget the pain of my time with Visser Three.

***

It was three days before Jennor and Terenia began to voice their opinions to me. Jennor thought that we should contact the Andalites immediately and bask in the glory of their highly illegal travels. She was under the presumption that it would result in their promotion, rather than their discharge for some reason.

(What if they punish us instead?) Terenia asked, a rare moment where she seemed to be the more reasonable of the two. My first impressions of the arisths had not changed over the past few days. Jennor tried to appear stern and upright, the poster child of an Andalite warrior. Terenia was bold and reckless, sometimes saying strange and foolish things. How the two had survived so far, I could not guess.

(We need to return to the Blade Ship.) I said. Both Terenia and Jennor looked at me as if they regretted including me in the conversation.

(Are you missing your father already?) Jennor responded coolly. I ignored the jab.

(Visser Three contains the computer detail for the Aldrea’s Cube,) I reminded them, (if he successfully produces one, then you two will be directly responsible for breaking Seerow’s Law.)

(If we go back we’ll be killed,) Jennor said, although she looked unsettled. She hadn’t thought of the loss of the computer files as breaking an Andalite law. I could see that in her eyes.

(Who cares if he has the cube anyways?) Terenia added, (So what?) She winced then, and fell silent. From Jennor’s angry look I presumed that she was telling her exactly what was so bad about the situation.

“Re-entering normal space,” the computer announced calmly in Galard. We had worn out my navigations, and the ship slipped smoothly from white to black. I knew that Visser Three’s Blade Ship would locate us within seconds, although it would take quite a bit longer for them to reach us. I had purposefully left the tracking systems unharmed, though I could have easily disabled them.

(We have to stop Visser Three.) I insisted, my stalk eyes scanning over the computer array, checking for irregularities.

(And do what? Tell him to please leave your fathers’ head so we can step on him? Oh, and before that, if he’d be so kind to hand over the computer log of the Aldrea’s Cube?) Terenia responded with her odd brand of humor called sarcasm. (It’s a miracle we survived as it is. I’m not eager to have a repeat of the other day.)

(It’s more than that.) Jennor put in. (We’re going to run out of fuel eventually. We need to go back to the Andalites sooner or later; it’s inevitable. I’d rather be assigned to something where I have War-Prince’s backing me up than wandering around space in a stolen Bug Fighter, looking to pick a fight when we’re strongly outnumbered.)

(Allora, we’ll get your father back eventually. We just have to wait, right now.) Terenia said in a voice that supposed to sound sympathetic. I recoiled against the pity.

(No! Are you complete imbeciles? I’m a scientist by profession, and what’s more, Alloran's daughter. If we go back to the Andalite’s they won’t ever let me anywhere near the Blade Ship, if even a Dome Ship! I’ll be stationed in the safest place possible, so that I’m not considered a security risk. This is my only chance!) I did not mention the real reason that I wanted to go back. In three days I had let no mention of Zendat slip into my public thoughts. Those were for me and for me alone. Let the foolish arisths think that this was a simple matter of revenge. Let them think that all I wanted was to free my father who could not be freed.

(Allora, I-) Jennor was cut off by the computer, which beeped loudly. She jumped to the controls. I frowned with distaste. I had set myself up as the only person who manned the computer, just as Jennor had set herself up as the makeshift captain and Terenia…well, Terenia was still just an aristh. I did not like my position being usurped.

(There’s an Andalite ship! Only .75 light years away, and its hailing! Computer open communications.)

(NO!) I cried in frustration. It was too soon! I didn’t have a plan yet! We could not contact the Andalites, not now! I could not be shipped back to the safety of the Homeworld! I whipped my tail forward with all of my strength. Jennor moved to block the blow, but it was not aimed for her. Instead, my tail sliced through the metal of the communications array, sending sparks flying and a jolt through my body.

(Allora! What are you doing? How are we supposed to let them know we’re not Yeerks!) Jennor cried, aghast.

(You don’t.) I said as calmly as I could manage while pulling my tail blade from the wires and scraps of metal that had been the communications systems. You turn the ship around and head back to Visser Three’s Blade Ship.)

(Allora, we can’t! We’ll be killed!) Terenia was looking from me to Jennor in horror.

(Then so be it. I’d rather die having tried than live a failure.) I said with all of the gusto that I could muster.

(No. We’re going to find some way to contact the Andalites and get home. I will not lead us into a death trap!) Jennor began to work feverishly at the computer controls. I let her, knowing well that she would fail. I knew computers, after all. I knew exactly where to lay the most critical blow. The system could be repaired, surely. But it would take hours, days even. Not minutes.

(Jennor, if you go back to the Andalite ship it will take several hours of interrogating us, then several hours of talking amongst themselves before they come to a decision about what to do. Have you forgotten your computer file? The Aldrea’s Cube is in the Visser’s possession. Do you know the implications of that? We need to get those files back.) I reasoned. Jennor ignored me.

(They’re powering weapons.) She reported a minute later, without ceasing her work. I walked behind her to look over her shoulder at the screen. The Andalite Ship had gotten much closer, and their Shredder’s were at seventy percent.

(Jennor, what are you doing?) Terenia asked nervously.

(I am going to get a connection through,) Jennor said stubbornly. I sighed inwardly and prepared to override the command before she got us killed.

(Computer, initiate preparations for Z-Space jump.) Terenia cut in before I could say anything. I looked at her in surprise. (Make immediate jump.)

“Destination required,” the computer said blandly, as if death weren’t seconds away.

(Track spacecraft ID: BS021. Visser Three’s Blade Ship,) Terenia said. A few moments later we entered Zero-Space once more, safe from the Andalite ship. I felt myself collapse inward slightly from relief and exhaustion. I had done it. I had succeeded. We were going back to find Zendat.

(We are going to die, you realize that, right Terenia? You just ordered us to our deaths.) Jennor said furiously. I turned away from them slightly, going back to my usual position at the computer to let them fight it out. They were not my concern. My concern was Zendat. My concern was saving him, returning him to his rightful form.

(How will we not die?) Jennor was saying icily, (How could we possibly get out of this situation alive?)

(We have this thing on Earth, Jennor. It’s called optimism. Please get some.) Terenia responded, equal ice in her voice. I glanced up curiously. It was the first time that Terenia had mentioned her true origins since the battle. In the time I had spent with her I had begun to doubt the claim slightly. She was odd, certainly, but she seemed Andalite enough. Then again, if she had been lying then that meant the Aldrea’s Cube may be worthless after all.

(You are from Earth. You are a human,) I recalled out loud, (That is what you told Visser Three. I was unaware you were being honest.)

(Yeah, well. I was human. That was awhile ago, though.) Terenia responded, scuffing her hoof as though she would rather not discuss it.

(Ah,) I said. I wondered how long ago “awhile” denoted, and remembered the human Controllers aboard the Blade Ship. (Humans are the creatures the Yeerks are after now.)

(Yes, they are the creatures the Yeerks are after,) Terenia responded, looking even less thrilled about the conversation.

(Visser Three is the head of operations on Earth,) I commented, remembering his oft-repeated claims of rising to the position of Emperor after defeated the planet.

(No, don’t tell her that!) Jennor cried privately.

(He is?) Terenia asked, her stalk eyes snapping around so that she was staring at me with four wide eyes.

(Yes…why?) Had she not known? How strange, all of the arisths should have been briefed on the current situation.

(You idiot,) Jennor hissed at me silently. It disturbed me, how this Jennor and this Terenia interacted. I did not like being pulled into it. Jennor was watching Terenia warily, her eyes both furious and concerned. Terenia’s expression shifted from surprise to concern to anger, settling on the last with growing intensity.

(We’re going straight to that Blade Ship. No matter what. If he’s in charge of the invasion, I’m taking him down.) Terenia said, her thought-speak voice shaking.

(Terenia. You are being irrational.) Jennor kept her thought-speech as calm as possible, but there was an underlying tone of urgency to it.

(I’m being irrational!) Terenia cried, turning on her friend, (What about you? I hate to break it to you, Jennor, but I might have liked to know this information!)

(Listen, you two,) I interjected in annoyance, feeling rather like the babysitter for a couple of rowdy Andalite children, (we don’t have a choice now. Jennor, you will just have to be quiet and listen to us. You are in charge of this fighter, but you are being overruled. We will be going to Visser Three’s Blade Ship and doing what we can to destroy the Visser. Terenia, please try to remain logical about this. Control your emotions. I don’t know what kind of a history you have with this planet Earth and these humans, but we cannot allow your emotions to take over.)

Both Jennor and Terenia stopped in their tracks and stared at me for a moment. I was feeling pretty good about myself, for getting the situation under control before an all-out tail fight took place. That is, I was feeling good about myself until Jennor laughed derisively.

(Allora, Visser Three’s host is your father. Do you think that you have the mental stamina to lead this mission?) She asked with all the haughtiness of a true Andalite, (Be quiet, scientist. I have seniority over Terenia, and you are no warrior. Beyond that, I have no personal anger against Visser Three beyond the fact that he is a Yeerk. Detestable as that is, I am much more capable of executing a mission without getting involved emotionally. So you will listen to me.)

I felt as though I had been slapped. This child, this arisths was going to be ordering me around! It was asinine! Terenia was looking at her friend in equal shock and we both merely nodded. Fine, I thought to myself; let her think that she is in charge. I have other things to worry about.

Once Jennor’s position on board was secured she shot us both a grim smile. (So. Now that that’s settled, let’s make a plan to destroy this Yeerk filth.)

Terenia moved forward eagerly, and the two began to discuss. The animosity between the two had been forgotten as quickly as it had come. Strange arisths, these two were. Perhaps the military was right not to let females join.

For a minute or two I listened to their plans, but then I tuned them out. Nothing that they thought of was even plausible, and I had my own planning to do. I turned back to the computer and brought up the file that I had been working on for three days now. It was a complicated program, one that required my full attention. I needed to successfully transfer all of the data of the Aldrea’s Cube from Visser Three’s computer and destroy all evidence. Normally it would be a simple task, made more difficult only by the occasional Yeerk security code. But there was a problem.

I could not trust the data on any sort of disk or computer pad. As I had learned from the original acquisition, those could be taken easily. I needed to ensure that the information got off of Visser Three’s Blade Ship or perished. There was only one place that I could think of that would be sure to leave the ship with me, or be destroyed trying.

It would be difficult, maybe impossible. One incorrect line of coding could result in complete destruction. One way or another, though, I had to make it work. I had to get the content of the Aldrea’s Cube into the only safe computer aboard the ship.

The translator chip embedded in my skull.