trans_9 | Reunion

Ax had been deep in Stacy's ventilation system when the ship had announced the release of new crew members. He had promptly retraced his steps and demorphed, but all that took time. As he trotted down the corridors toward the Observation Deck, he hoped he wasn't too late.

Then he rounded the corner, and spotted Tobias in his human morph talking to--

...To...

< Elfangor?! >

"Yeah that's true. I wish I knew more about those pods. I'd hate to have Visser Three back there somewhere and not know it. We defeated him as I recall, but nothing would surprise me here. And I miss Rachel. One of the others who got the morphing power. I keep hoping she'll be in one of the popped pods."

< Believe me, I'm as shocked as you > Tobias called to Ax. < I'm still trying to figure out how he could have been collected or whatever they call it, and we still recall what happened that night. >

Now THAT was a surprise. < You defeated Visser Three? > He asked. How long was he out? Not that he wasn't happy to hear the Visser was taken down, he hadn't expected that much time to have passed.

Elfangor looked over at Ax as he arrived. < And I'm not quite sure how I was saved, but I can't say I'm not happy to see you. Both of you. > He said, the happiness evident in his thought speak. Even if things were WRONG in this scenario, once he set that aside, it was good to see them again.

Ax looked like he'd just been kicked in the head. He also looked a bit older than Elfangor would remember -- not a full standard Andalite year, but it had been two Earth years since they'd last seen each other, at least from Ax's perspective.

When Prince Jake and the other Animorphs had told him that Elfangor had died, he'd said that nothing could have killed him. He hadn't expected his half-hysterical denial to come true like this.

He shook off some of the shock and drew himself to attention.

< Prince Elfangor, it is good to see you alive and well, > he said formally. Then he laughed and arched his tail over his back, extending it out in front of him to touch the blade to his brother's. < It is very good to see you. >

This wasn't going to be like the time on Leera, or the suicide mission when he had met Estrid. This was Elfangor. His brother.

Elfangor finally got a good look at Aximili. He looked more...mature. Some from age, but also in the way he held himself. He was more than the aristh he remembered.

Andalites didn't smile, but he would if they had the mouths to do so. He extended his own tail, touching the blade with Aximili. < It's good to see you to, little brother. So, is it still aristh, or have you not been able to return home long enough to become a warrior yet? > He asked. He could tell. Aximili looked the part of a warrior now and it should be acknowledged.

Tobias waited, quiet. This was where his knowledge of future events could be a problem. He knew that Ax had become a prince, but not until after the war. And he knew what happened to him after that. He had continually wondered how much he should say about it, if anything.

Ax stood a little taller at the praise he heard in Elfangor's words, but at the same time his face fell. He didn't know what Tobias knew -- he didn't even know that Tobias was from after the war.

< We have had...limited contact with the Andalite Homeworld, > Ax said. The radio telescope, the Ascalin incident, the time he'd met Estrid, their recent Z-Space transmission...

Elfangor waited a moment, wondering if he should make it obvious how good he thought this was.

Well, things were weird enough and Tobias made it evident they had dealt with the Ellimist. < The Animorphs would be Tobias and the other human children, correct? Good. That was more than likely the best move you could have made. When everything it dealt with, then you can make sure your rank is where it should be. > Elfangor said in a humorous tone. After all, what had he done as an aristh? And he certainly couldn't fault an action most Andalites found odd if it meant that they'd be closer to winning and he himself broke Andalite law itself. Promotions could wait.

< Later, the Andalite leaders didn't think Earth had any hope > said TObias privately. < They wanted to quarantine it. They told him to interfere with our final battle plan, and not let it happen, but he chose to side with us. They were surprised that we won. I don't know how much to tell Ax though...somehow this ship can pull people...beings...from differnet times. It pulled Ax from an earlier time than it took me from. He knows this but I still don't know how much I should say. >

Ax said with a very human nod, either entirely oblivious to Tobias' private conversation with Elfangor or simply choosing not to comment on it. His face darkened further. < We contacted the Andalite high command shortly before I was abducted to warn them about a trap set by the Yeerks in the Anati system, but they seemed dismissive. >

To say the least. They had accused Prince Jake of lying to them, and then said that Ax himself possibly had divided loyalties. Was that because he hadn't returned with Estrid and Gonrod? Because he had interfered with the horrific mission of the crew of the Crusader?

Ax shivered a little, involuntarily.

Elfangor...was not pleased to hear that. < They were going to leave Earth to lose? There were going to GIVE the Yeerks SIX BILLION HOSTS?! > He asked Tobias, managing to keep most of his shock and outrage from showing outwardly too much. Though it might have still been noticeable to Ax.

On how much he should say? < ...how much of a time difference is there? >

Elfangor shook his head, a human habit he had picked up himself, feeling a heavy weight at this news. < It is...probably one of our greater faults, in underestimating those we might think are 'inferior.' > Elfangor said, so Ax could hear him this time. < And then we don't pay the attention we have too. >

he replied. To the second question he replied < About two years, I would say. Great, now I sound like Ax. I really don't get how that could happen without us remembering. >

Even in his own shock and happiness, Ax wasn't entirely unobservant. He noticed Elfangor reacting to something, and a quick sweep of the area settled the matter of something perhaps creeping up behind him.

Ax felt a surge of panic. Was Tobias telling Elfangor about his actions on board the USS George Washington? Did Elfangor think he had acted wrongly? Was Elfangor ashamed of him?

< Perhaps, > he said guardedly, sifting through Elfangor's statement for some hidden meaning. Was it a test? < We can only hope to learn from our past mistakes. >

< I have found much can happen in this universe without it making sense. It could be as simple as teleportation system and a solid double, or something beyond even the most advanced species we know of could not understand. > Elfangor said. He's never even heard rumors of a ship like this, so who was to say it was a known species.

< Hopefully they can learn before Earth becomes a mistake to add to the list. It would be too great a loss for everyone if Earth is taken. Human bodies have plenty potential for being a threat and even if they don't have new technology the Yeerks can use against us, just the number of capable bodies is would make things far more dangerous. And if Yeerks can somehow tap into the human ability to adapt and advance so far, so fast, winning may become impossible for us. > Yes, he had thought of this. In case a situation came up where Earth was in danger of being taken, in case the 'inferior beings' were left to die.

It was logical. It was true. Beyond his own personal reasons for wanting Earth safe, it would just be too dangerous if that many hosts were taken.

< I think both groups underestimated us. They weren't expecting that we could do what we did. But we did it. We even defeated Vis...the one whose name you guys don't like said. But it turned into all out war before we did win, because they captured the cube. >, He wasn't going to say "one of us gave it to them" You can relax though, they didn't manage to keep it, and we still managed to stop them, although we did have to get additional help to do it. >

< You are right about the other things. Although it's a slightly scary thought, something possibly being so powerful. Ellimist-level stuff is bad enough. And I agree about humans, I think many races underestimate us, like I said. They're such a contradiction when you think about it. Good one minute and cruel and ruthless the next. >

It shouldn't matter that it was "logical" to leave the supposed "inferior species" to die, or waste under Yeerk control -- it was wrong. Any Andalite should be able to see that, not just ones whose loyalties might be "compromised".

< The Animorphs won't let that happen, > Ax said to Elfangor, still unaware of what Tobias was saying privately. < And I will serve my prince as long as that takes. >

Until you decide that Prince Jake can't make the correct call, said a nasty little voice in the back of Ax's head, and Ax silenced it ruthlessly.

Hearing the Visser was defeated was good. And a relief. He was too dangerous, even before he had an Andalite body. The other news wasn't as nice though. < Did you capture all the Yeerks who acquired the ability? > He asked, his tone worried. Morphing was a dangerous, dangerous ability in the wrong hands, beyond just fire power. < War was to be expected. I had hoped the morphing technology would help delay too much loss until back up did arrive. You and the others have gone beyond what I expected and I'm glad for it. > Especially with his people for making such a mistake in ignoring the threat.

Of course making his response to Ax was a bit more difficult with this information, since Tobias made it clear they could handle it. He said after a moment's hesitation. Though it did seem so remarkable. Six young ones against the entire Yeerk force on Earth and Visser Three. To do what they did...it's simply amazing.

The last sentence was confusing. < Another Andalite did come? > He asked. It hadn't sounded like one did.

< There were several but we only met them briefly. There was an attempt to set a virus loose by one named Gonrod and another guy. I dont' remember his name. They had a female with them, her first name was Estrid. They wanted Ax to help but in the end, we realized the virus might kill us too. Or humans anyway. We had to stop them. >

< Another time we found out two others survived the dome ship crash. Mertl and Gafinlin. But Gafinlin was dying, and Mertil had a morphing problem. We helped them once but that was the last we saw of them. > Tobias said.

< Some of your people were traitors though...once we got sucked into Z-space in morph and somehow we wound up on a ship called the Ascalin. We got off it but the commander was the traitor. I remember us stopping him and then having to escape the crashing ship. I think I got snapped back to Earth or whatever just after that, but Ax was able to help the Leerans out. >

< We have encountered several Andalites, > Ax agreed. < Gonrod-Isfall-Sonilli, Estrid-Corill-Darrath, Arbat-Elivat-Estoni, and Aloth-Attamil-Gahar . Estrid and Gonrod were able to return to the Andalite homeworld, Arbat and Aloth were killed. >

Ax had no doubt that Estrid would have simply adored an opportunity to discuss science with Dox. He wondered what had happened to her upon her return -- if she had been imprisoned for her part in Arbat's plans or if she had been able to escape persecution.

 Ax crossed his arms. < When the Animorphs retrieved me from the crashed Dome, I agreed to serve Prince Jake while I remained on Earth. After the Ascalin Incident, I vowed to serve him until he personally released me from service. >

Unless you decide that something needs to be done and that your Prince cannot do it, the treacherous voice whispered in his head. Ax ignored it.

Traitors...almost expected. He'd seen how far an Andalite can lose their mind. A traitor somewhere, at some time...eventually, it would happen. As sad as the thought was. That was why Elfangor had accepted the title as a hero, to uphold what was honorable, for those who lost their way. Still, to hear confirmation.

It was a sad, sad thing. A terrible blow. At least whatever the traitor was trying to do against the Leerans was prevented. Leerans would have been an even worse blow.

The VIRUS however. < They were going to release a VIRUS?! Please tell me that was an insanity of someone with little power and not someone in real power. > Elfangor asked, even more worried now. Did they want to repeat the Hork-Bajir world?! No matter how many Yeerks died, it was pointless if innocents who weren't even enslaved were killed as well.

But then...another surprise. < You made a human your Prince? > Elfangor asked. There was no distaste or anger in his tone. Merely surprise. < A human Prince...we have never given the honor to another race before. But I trust that if you have vowed to follow him, then he must have earned it. > He knew Aximili had high ideals of the Andalite race. And with his first Prince being a 'Hero,' then this Jake had to know what he was doing to earn such loyalty from his brother.

There were many surprises in this conversation, many things he had missed. Then again, he was supposed to have never been able to miss them. It was a strange, strange time, but it wasn't so bad. There were some bad news, but that's always to be expected of war. In the end...things would be better. That was the important part.

< I don't know all of what Ax found out, but the crew were already dead officially, in the computers. I don't know if he'll talk but he knows a lot more. I know the crew were Prince Galuit, Prince Arbat and Estrid...they had a female with them. Arbat died and the other two left after we stopped them.>

Ax said. < At least, not before Estrid and Gonrod returned to make a report. > If they were heard at all. If they were not immediately imprisoned to keep the information from circulating and damaging morale, or trust in the Apex Level Intelligence agents.

He smiled a bit at Elfangor's words. < Prince Jake has more than earned the right to be called by that title. > The smile grew. < The Yeerks currently believe the Animorphs to be a team of highly-trained Andalite guerrillas. >

Ax chose to take that as a compliment to his friends' skills.

< Officially dead? That does not bode well, > Elfangor commented. A suicide mission for a virus. That meant it was very likely to be deadly to things beyond just the Yeerks. < But things have turned out all right? > He asked Tobias, excluding Ax from the thought speak. At least then nothing worse should happen because of this.

Elfangor listened and then laughed in amusement. < Do they? Even the Visser? He still underestimates humans, I see, but at least it will be more to your advantage that way. > He knew how strong humans could be. It was why he trusted the children to be able to handle the power.

Still, to think normal human children, even with one being his son, could achieve the same skills has trained Andalites? It was a wonderful irony. Maybe instead of years in training, Andalites should just be sent to humans to learn how to do such things.

< They did find out eventually > TObias replied privately. < But we were surprised they were fooled for so long. We didn't expect it to go that way. When they did find out, we sort of went into hiding with our families in the hork-bajir colony. I already told you about finding mom. Well...I don't know if the Visser was afraid but he definately did get angry at us a lot. And yeah, it did turn out okay. At least in the sense that we won. But the aftermath of war is just as hard as the war itself sometimes. All of us had a hard time with it. > He wasn't sure if or how he should talk about his last memories before all this...The One, the stolen ship and the order to ram.

< Even he, > Ax answered, then closed his main eyes in shame. < Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to avenge your death, Elfangor. >

He had been so close so many times, but something always went wrong. The Abomination would escape, or the Animorphs would be forced to flee, one thing or another, or another, or another...

< It may be he thought I wouldn't break Seerow's Law as well. He still has a bit of a history for thinking too little of humans. Were all of you able to save your families? > Elfangor asked. He really hoped he didn't cause them pain by giving them such a responsibility.

Elfangor paused at Aximili's apology. Ah, yes. It was his responsibility to avenge him. It would be a mark against Aximili's honor if he didn't. However, this was also the Abomination.

The one who was a great War Prince. One he could not beat himself.

< Even if that makes a mark against your honor, you have not failed me, Aximili. You have gone beyond what any aristh, beyond even the best of Andalite warriors, in defending against a Yeerk invasion with only six of you. And I do not doubt that you will be able to do our whole family proud. You have already made me proud to call you my brother. >

< All of us except for Jake. The Yeerks got his parents. It was because of his brother being a controller and catching on before they could be rescued. They were all safe afterward though. > he replied. < We actually found out that Marco's parents were involved really deep. Mostly his mother. His mother was host to Visser One, or the former Visser One. We could have rescued her earlier but she begged us to let the slug live because if you-know-who was elevated to the top, he'd go for all out war. As long as Visser One stayed, we would have a better chance. But then they ordered it killed, and we got her out. That was right after his father discovered Z space for humans. Ax was shocked they...we...whatever...could make progress so fast. But we were able to use the discovery to eavesdrop on the Yeerks. And Eva proved valuable help in the fight even though she never physically fought with us. >

< Anyway, we got everyone out and took them to the free hork-bajir valley. Everything went okay getting Rachel's mom, Cassie's parents and my mom...although I had to make her able to morph to get her to safety...but Jake's brother tipped off the Yeerks before we could get his parents. It had a bad impact on him, and everything almost fell apart. I'm surprised we pulled through. And they were freed in the end though. >

Elfangor switched to talking about vengeance. 

< The number increased later,near the very end. > Tobias turned private again when his father mentioned the six. < We had no choice...we had to recruit more. It was a hard decision because we had a problem once before with a kid who found the cube...we tried to make him one of us but he thought he could bargain with the Visser for his parents and he didn't like taking orders. He turned on us and we were forced to get rid of him. We knew we had to watch that we didn't have that problem again. We sought out disabled kids...we knew the Yeerks had no use for damaged bodies. There were about 20 auxillaries at the end. Sadly, many of them died during the final battle. They fought well though. >

Ax's back legs went a little wobbly and he tried to think of something to say, something to communicate how much his brother's words meant to him. But he couldn't quite shape the words in his mind.

Elfangor was proud of him. He didn't know everything, but he was proud of him.

< I... >

He would be worthy of Elfangor’s pride. He wouldn’t let him down.

< Thank you. >

< Z-SPACE?! > That got a physical reaction as his stalk eyes snapped to Tobias, his body going rigid. < Already?! > Human had just been getting computers when he was with them. sure, they did some things a bit backwards and progressed fast, but to be all the way to the point of developing technology for Z-SPACE?! It was unreal. < I...I am sorry for Jake's lost. I'm glad the others got out safely, at least. > He thought spoke, forcing himself to act calm.

< Reinforcements are to be expected eventually, but to go for as long as you did, it's an achievement. > Elfangor said to Tobias before speaking aloud.

< There is no dishonor in missing the chance to avenge, when greater good has been accomplished. With what you both have accomplished, you could never kill the Visser and I would still be proud. > Not that getting rid of him wouldn't be good, of course, but he knew how very hard to kill the Visser was.

< It was Marco's dad. One of the other kids you gave the power to. He said he reacted pretty much the same way. > said Tobias.

< That's true. We always struggled with the aspect of the hosts anyway...wishing there was a way to kill the yeerk without destroying the host. We did what was necessary, but it wasn't always easy. War never is, obviously. I don't think any of us thought we'd get as far as we did. >

Ax noted Elfangor's physical reaction and immediately tensed himself, scanning the area around them for signs of a threat. He didn't see anything however, and assumed it must be something that Tobias was telling him. He was dying to ask what it was, but...

But if it was something the two of them wanted him to know, they would include him in the conversation. And the fact that they weren't, the fact that they were having a private conversation right in front of him, hurt him more than he cared to admit.

He schooled his expression to blankness, focusing his main eyes on a point just above Elfangor's left ear.

< Would you like me to inform the ship's captain of your presence? > he asked his brother. 

And he wouldn't have to stand here wondering what Elfangor and Tobias were talking about.

Elfangor caught the shift in his brother. He noticed. He definitely noticed. < We should talk more about this later, Tobias. Aximili's noticed. > Elfangor said in private thoughtspeak.

< It's always the desire to somehow kill the yeerk, but spare the host. It's unfortunate we can't, but it's better dead than to be a slave. > Elfangor said, trying to be a comfort to Tobias in case he still felt guilt about it. Most Andalites learned to expect it.

< A Command Staff? > He'd be in a position of command again. Honestly, it was not something he looked forward too. However...it may be necessary. < That may be a wise idea, Aximili. I should meet with the captain anyway. >

Reunion

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