Epilogue

Tom! You're alive.

Before I could turn around, my brother threw himself into my arms and held me with all his strength. The terrible, no, the ruthless Yeerk killer (as the Yeerk survivors called him) was holding back tears and apologizing profusely. He looked so small and fragile at that moment. I had a hard time believing he could have done all that at only 15 years old.

The controllers who had locked me and other hosts in the ship's hold had, of course, not bothered to explain to us what was happening, but enough snippets of information had reached our cages for me to understand what had happened. Jack and his friends had infiltrated the Yeerk flagship, blown it up, and then broadcast an ultimatum from an Andalite world ship that had arrived, somehow, in the solar system without the Yeerks detecting it. All the Yeerks in the system had to surrender immediately or be exterminated.

Despite the loss of their flagship, I would have expected all the Yeerks to regroup for a final assault. After all, even though the flagship was a considerable loss, there was only one Andalite world ship. They had a good chance of winning.

And it is indeed the order that the Yeerks in command of my shuttle received from their superior. But it was at this moment that the peace movement chose to emerge from the shadows. Quickly, all Yeerk decision-making bodies were decapitated, and each ship captain found themselves having to decide alone on the course of action without being able to coordinate with others. Some chose to go and commit suicide alone on the enemy ship's cannons in a final act of defiance, but most surrendered. And even among ships like mine where the hierarchy had decided to continue the fight, the Yeerk crew revolted against this decision. Barely a few hours after the first tremor shook the flagship, the war was over. All the Yeerks had surrendered and were now being escorted to Earth by Andalite fighters where they would have to free their hosts and wait anxiously.In pools now monitored by Andalite guards, the winners decide their fate.

From now on, it would be enough to press a button to annihilate their species. Or to do nothing. The remaining pools were not designed to accommodate so many Yeerks at the same time. And certainly not for permanent stays. If they took too long to decide or to build additional pools, a large part of them would die from disease or fighting for a bit of living space. But to be honest, I didn't really care about their fate. As far as I was concerned, apart from Thévenin, they could all die for all I cared. But I knew he wouldn't agree.

In any case, given the role the peace movement had played in the outcome of the war, I had no doubt that an agreement in their favor would be found. Not to mention that if the Earth had not yet been destroyed, it probably meant that the Andalites had chosen to take the risk of a peaceful coexistence with the Yeerks.

Upon our landing, the Andalite soldiers entered the ship, aimed at the controllers, and freed us. Immediately, I rushed out of that narrow cage where we were crammed with ten other individuals to the outside. I felt the wind on my skin and had to close my eyes to avoid being dazzled by the sun.

I was finally free. I had never been so happy in my entire life.

I turned around and saw the Andalite guards approaching me and grabbing me. They gave me a quick examination that I assumed was to check that I wasn't hosting any Yeerk, then signaled me to leave. I didn't try to argue with them. Their appearance was quite frightening and I doubted they understood English. Besides, where on earth were their mouths? I saw behind me that the other humans weren't so lucky. Most were staggering and having difficulty walking. Others still remained in their cage, waiting for an order that would no longer come, their minds completely broken by several years of infestation by Yeerks much less friendly than Thevenin.

I walked straight ahead and passed the security corridor set up by the Andalite soldiers, where curious and worried humans were gathered. Immediately, I was bombarded with questions and television cameras rushed towards me. I was the first human to come out of the ship, so their curiosity was legitimate. But I couldn't answer them. They were speaking Spanish. Where on earth was I and how was I going to get back to California?

I tried to make myself understood without success, but an hour later, I was saved by the arrival of another Andalite ship from which Jack descended.

I returned his embrace, relieved myself to know he was alive.

And the dwarf, why are you apologizing? Thanks to you, I am free. No, we are all free. You saved the damn planet Earth.

I didn't know you were on board the flagship, Tom. If I had known...

You would have been better off blowing it up anyway. And if you apologize again, I'll kick your ass into orbit. I replied while ruffling his hair.

He smiled and let go of me. Dark circles far too large for a child his age adorned his eyes and he looked exhausted. But he seemed happier than he had been in two years.

Come on, Tom. We're going home. Mom can't wait to see you again. She was worried sick about the both of us. And Marco is planning to throw a huge party.

I followed him silently, but after a while, I asked:

By the way, it might seem strange that I'm asking this, but: do you know what happened to Thévenin?

He froze and squirmed visibly, uncomfortable.

I thought you knew.

Let me guess. That fool remained loyal to the end to a people who despised him and died stupidly.

At this thought, I felt a pang in my heart.

Not exactly. To create a diversion and gain access to the flagship's reactors, we had to drain the main pool.

I didn't need him to explain the rest to me. I patted him on the back and reassured him.

At least he didn't suffer.

He nodded and I followed him a little less joyful than a few seconds earlier. But once I saw my parents again, my sorrow for Thévenin took a back seat. I was back home.

If I could resume my life without too much trauma. If I hadn't become a vegetable like so many others, it's thanks to the risk he took to protect me. If my brother could save the Earth, it's because he covered them. If the animorphs (as they called themselves) were able to maintain their anonymity until the end of the war, it was thanks to the information I provided them by violating Thévenin's trust. I was going to fully enjoy this second life that was offered to me thanks to him.

Marco nodded and I quickly forgot my worries by dancing to the rhythm of the music, pushing my body to its limits to release my pain and appreciate having control like never before.