Revolution part 2

Seeing the axe-ship appear, I thought for the first time in a long time about what was happening on Earth.

I had naively thought that the presence of Visser-12 on the mothership had only made their task easier. That upon learning that Visser-12 was in danger, the blade ship had quickly taken off to rescue him and that as planned, it had been shot down by the French army and the Animorphs at the moment when its exit from the atmosphere made it vulnerable. The impressive offensive capabilities of Visser-12's ship were offset by extremely weak defense, and I had no doubt that it would be an easy victory. Deprived of a leader to command them and of orbital support, the capture of the HQ by the coalition forces of the Animorphs, the French, and perhaps the Americans should have been difficult but largely achievable.

Nevertheless, the presence of this ship made me fear the worst. But I didn't have time to worry about what had happened to the others. Alone, we had no chance against the axe-ship and already some were pleading for us to surrender. I had to quickly restore calm. Find a glimmer of hope. Or we were going to lose this battle before it had even begun.

Soldier, attention. I tried, but the most brazen of my troop retorted:

Go fuck yourself, you nutcase.

Immediately, the others followed suit without me knowing what to do to stop them. Before today, I had never commanded anyone and the Yeerks are not the most docile species in the galaxy. I watched helplessly the complaints of my soldiers:

We're all going to die.

I should have let Jera456 report me.

By the way, where is that traitor?

Knowing him in a survival pod.

A warning shot crashed against the shields of the mothership and shook the entire structure to the point that I stumbled. As I got up, I saw the long-range sensor display screen. An idea suddenly came to me.

Me, I'm not staying one more minute on this ship. Everyone to the shuttles. If we all take off at the same time, they won't be able to kill all of us. Shouted one of my Hork-Bajir.

If you do that, you will all die. Your only chance of survival is to stay here. I exclaimed.

Open your eyes, Thévenin. This ship is nothing more than a flying coffin. And your combat skills won't change anything.

Two frigates have just taken off from the ground to lend us a hand. If we catch it in a pincer movement, we have a chance to defeat it. We just need to hold on until they arrive.

You're crazy. They can't jump to zero space for such a short distance. Even pushing their engine to the limit, they can only go at 99% of the speed of light. It will take them at least half an hour to make the trip. We won't last that long.

We will hold on for days if necessary. I replied.

Without wasting time, I headed to the nearest control console and redirected all power to the engines. The mothership plunged into the depths of Jupiter. The others understood where I was going with this and lent me a hand. Everyone knew that our shields were much more powerful than those of the axe ship. We could delve much deeper than it into the bowels of the gas giant and stay safe there as long as necessary (its thick atmosphere sufficiently diluting energy weapon fire to protect us). At least, that was the theory. In practice, I had no idea how deep we would have to go for the axe ship to abandon the chase, nor the level of fuel in the tanks. But above all, I had no idea if we would receive help from Earth. I was really lucky that no Yeerks had the idea to check my claims. They would have seen that I had lied and that no ship was on its way to help us. David, who of course knew all about my lie, was crying his eyes out.

And the next time I hear you talk about retreat before I give you the order, I will kill you myself, you bunch of cowards. I shouted before getting up and running to the engine room.

I had to quickly find a way to sabotage the long-distance sensors. I couldn't risk them discovering the truth before we were out of trouble.

oOoOoOoOo

Richac6487 was increasingly at his wit's end. Because of those primate fools, he was going to end his glorious career on this cursed rock lost in the middle of nowhere. How did it come to this? If only his assistants had thought to change the code of this primitive bunker. If only his monkeys were evolved enough to respect the natural hierarchy between races.

He was looking for a solution, but the only one that came to him was to kill them all. But if Jera456's plan went as planned, he would need them. When he saw on one of the TV screens a human teenager surrounded by Hork-Bajir, he shouted with all his authority.

Silence. Stop your ridiculous arguments and turn up the volume on screen number 4.

One of his assistants turned up the volume to the maximum and everyone fell silent:

Hello, I am Thevenin789 from the Arsirk clan, and if I am speaking today, it is to announce the creation of the Second Yeerk Republic. A republic where yeerks will live in symbiosis with both their hosts and the rest of the galaxy. A nation born from the collaboration between the few resistants.Human, Andalite, and Yeerk. Despite his comforting words, I imagine you must be as confused and scared as the humans. My long experience has taught me that no matter what species one belongs to, there is nothing more frightening than the unknown. So I will explain from the beginning the events that led to the situation we are in. My name is Thevenin789 and I am a Yeerk. A Yeerk is a (...)

What is this nonsense, thought Richac6487. This was not at all what was agreed upon. And who was this Thevenin789? Where was Jera456? No matter. For now, the most urgent thing was to regain control of the situation. Richac6487 spoke again.

You see now that I am on your side. So let me lead the operations.

What tells us that this isn't a scheme to enslave us? Why should we believe that you are better than the other side? I say you don't care about us and just want to use us as cannon fodder in your wars, then enslave the survivors, exclaimed one of the human soldiers.

Yeah, you're right. We should kill them all. His closest colleague agreed, raising his Famas menacingly in my direction.

Even if you're right, how do you expect us to beat them? They are extraterrestrials. Besides, they can impersonate any of us, and in the eyes of the public, we'll just be the crazies who killed the president. I say we need to negotiate, retorted another soldier.

Traitor!

Idiot!

Cowards!

The soldiers insulted each other.

SILENCE! I am the Prime Minister. Given the president's inability to perform his duties, it is up to me to take command of the armed forces. Lionel Jospin attempted to intervene.

Isn't it the president of the Senate who replaces him if he is canned? asked a soldier.

Chirac is not deceased. Just temporarily unavailable. Unlike Lionel.

As far as I'm concerned, it would be better for him if he were dead, replied one of the soldiers.

I order you to immediately cease these acts of insubordination. Do I need to remind you of your oath? Insisted Lionel.

We swore an oath to defend France, not to serve you. And what tells us that you aren't infected too?

Do I have the behavior of an infected person? Why would I have brought you here to stop Chirac after reading the Defense Minister's report?

I checked the manual. It is indeed up to the president of the Senate to take command. Another soldier interrupted them.

The president of the Senate is a close associate of Chirac. He is probably already infected. Opposed Lionel Jospin.

And you, aren't you one of his close ones perhaps? Sneered one of the soldiers. No way I'm obeying a faggot.

Do you really think this is the time for such considerations? The fate of France, not of humanity, is at stake. Let us be worthy of this great honor that history grants us to prove our worth to posterity, declared the Prime Minister in a grandiloquent tone.

Keep that for your voters, when you have to explain to them that they will become the slaves of these monsters, retorted a soldier.

For the first time, Lionel got angry:

I do not allow you! Chirac and I are the last of a generation of politicians who experienced the war and the resistance. We know the price of freedom and what happens to those who refuse to pay it.

After that, Richac6487 stopped listening to this uninteresting argument. The broadcast had just been cut off in the middle of Thévenin's speech, and that concerned him much more. What was happening up there? Fortunately, he had thought to install Yeerk communication devices in the bunker. Discreetly, he asked one of his subordinates to send a message to the mothership to request clarification. After 5 long minutes of waiting, he received a response. The hologram of a Hork-Bajir filled the room. It had a mean and wild look that a Hork-Bajir would never naturally display. Everything in its expression said it was dangerous. A voice with authoritative tones resonated in the now silent room. It spoke in Galard (the common galactic language), but the humans fell silent, understanding that what was happening was important.

Here is sub-visser Bentrash158, personal assistant to Visser-12, captain of the blade ship in his absence and commander of his personal guard. The insurgents have fled in the face of our assault, but it is only a matter of time before we dislodge them from their hiding place and they face the wrath of the empire. Unfortunately, Visser-12 is still in their hands. In his absence, I order all sub-vissers to submit to my authority.

Here is the sub-visser Richac6487, commander of the Western European invasion troops, I am relieved to know that these terrorists have been stopped. For the good of the empire, I gladly accept to submit to your command. Can I have more details on the situation of Visser-12? When will we have the joy of seeing him among us again?

It won't be long. About two hours ago, the insurgents took control of the mothership's life support systems and forced all its occupants into unconsciousness. Visser-12 was on board. He must be a prisoner with the other crew members. Unfortunately, as soon as we arrived, those cowardly insurgents fled with the mothership into the lower layers of the Jovian atmosphere. Our shields do not allow us to follow them to attempt a landing, and we cannot continue firing for fear of destroying the ship. To save the visser and make his traitors pay, I have no choice but to conduct a long siege. However, the other sub-vissers have shown themselves to be much less reasonable than you and reject my legitimate authority. I am one of the few Yeerks aware of your recent troubles with Visser-12. But I am sure he will forgive you if you help me put an end to this anarchy.Explained Bentrash158

No need to bribe me. My recent mistakes were due to a culpable but understandable ignorance of the grotesque system of government of these animals and not to a lack of loyalty to the empire. In these troubled times, I will do my duty and when the time comes, I will accept to pay the price for my mistakes.

are content that at least one subordinate knows how to be reasonable enough to set aside their ego for the good of the empire. Contact your colleagues in North America and inform them that if he refuses to comply, theywill have to face our two troops. Once peace is restored, focus the means on stifling this affair. Human governments must not suspect anything. We will wait for the return of Visser-12 to make other decisions.

Far be it from me to contradict you, but I think there are certain decisions that cannot wait for the return of Visser-12. If there is a return. After all, despite our attachment to our glorious leader, we all know that his devotion to the empire was absolute. He would not want us to risk letting these terrorists escape to save his life.Objecta Richac6487.

What are you trying to imply?

I will be clearer: every breath of these rebels is an insult to the empire, and our hesitation to destroy them is a sign of weakness. I admire your loyalty, but by letting your attachment to Visser-12 dictate your actions, you are giving this rebellion a chance to survive and spread beyond the system. We must crush them now with all our strength. Believing that all the rebels were on this ship is a mistake. Shortly before this attack, Sub-Visser Jera456 paid me one of his pleasant visits, during which he made some ambiguous remarks. At the time, I didn't pay attention, but after this rebellion, they take on a new meaning. Especially since, to access the mothership, these insurgents must have had high-level complicity. We must now strip these traitors of any hope of victory and begin a great purge of the traitors, starting with the men of Jera456. You have claimed command, and you must now bear the consequences. You know Visser-12 well enough to know that if the roles were reversed, he would not have hesitated.

If I do what you ask, I will be accused of treason and thrown into a pit of the imperial ship.Bentrash158 worried

On the contrary, Visser One will reward you for restoring order on Earth. He might even appoint you as Visser and new head of the secret invasion of Earth. After all, as soon as we have forced the other sub-Vissers to recognize your authority, you will be so de facto, and the empire cannot afford to divert resources from the front to challenge you for this title.

Your words are a sweet poison that I would drink to the dregs. Once this crisis is over, I would like to continue receiving your good advice. Even if it is heartbreaking, I will do what is necessary. In the meantime, I give you carte blanche to restore order within the invasion forces. Bring the rebellious underlings in line and then start the purge. If you prove sufficiently effective, perhaps I will appoint you as my new assistant. And once we have succeeded in the invasion, perhaps you will become a leader in turn.

At your orders visser36.Replied Richac6487, emphasizing the title before ending the communication.

The events were turning out better than well. With the speed that experience granted, Richac6487 pulled the Draco ray gun from his pocket, which never left him (even in his sleep), and pointed it at the head of that damned bespectacled man who had been defying his authority for months. Before anyone could react, he fired and his head exploded in a spray of blood.Strangely satisfying. He had been waiting so long to be able to do that.

Immediately, the human soldiers opened fire, but their bullets smashed against the personal shield surrounding his chair. The other Yeerks in the room were less fortunate. It would have been possible to equip each with a personal shield, but he wanted his subordinates to know at all times that they were at his mercy. And anyway, now he no longer needed them. Worse, he was one of the few Yeerks who knew he had been part of this rebellion. He could not allow them to survive. One by one, he killed all the men present in the room until he was the only one left standing. He then realized what had just happened and began a long laugh. Once again, he had gotten away with it. Better yet, his intelligence was finally going to be recognized for its true worth. It was only a matter of time before he outsmarted that fool Bentrash158 and became a leader himself.

Then he fell silent. He had just seen a human crawling under the desk. He pointed his gun in that direction, but the human pleaded:

Screwdriver, I know that Bentrash158's offer is appealing, but you shouldn't accept it.

Why is that? Asked Richac6487, curious and amused by the futile attempt of this young Yeerk to escape his fate.

Do you know that my host is a volunteer?

Yes, and so? Asked Richac6487, who was already starting to get impatient.

So he became a volunteer when he learned that they were going to rebel against the empire and put an end to the invasion. Many of your officers are in this situation and have ended up sympathizing or at least getting used to the comfort of having a voluntary host. Not to mention the promise of finally being able to live in peace.

Are you implying that they would prefer to serve their animals rather than me?

A minority undermines me. But enough that you cannot suppress your participation in this coup. The day he wants to denounce you or simply blackmail you, Bentrash158 will have no difficulty finding evidence. If you choose to obey him today, you will become his dog. Until the end of your life, you will live in fear of the day when he no longer needs you. You must try to contact Jera456 and coordinate to attempt to turn the situation around. Nothing is lost yet. We can still win.

Jera456 had heard enough. He shot and then left whistling to organize the arrest of Jera456's clients and the assassination of his officers. He had the element of surprise on his side. He had no doubt he would succeed in killing them all. As for any survivors, he would ensure they were seized with terror just at the thought of speaking.

oOoOoOoOo

6 hours later, Richac6487 was quietly sipping an aperitif in the shuttle that would take him to the Yeerk HQ.

He had a hard time holding back his laughter again. Faced with the threat of a joint attack by his forces and those of the axe-ship, the weakest sub-screws had fallen into line, and then it snowballed.

Feeling the wind change and seeing the size of his forces increase by the minute, other subordinates spontaneously joined him. Thus, without the need for any bloodshed, all the subordinates submitted to his authority. Even the subordinate in charge of the HQ, who until the end hadcontinued to claim that it was up to him to take command in the absence of Visser-12.

Richac6487 was then able to begin the purge. All of Jera456's men who had not committed suicide were arrested. He had given the order to lock them in a separate pool and not to speak to them until he arrived. Thus, he could personally supervise the interrogations and accumulate false testimonies proving his complete lack of involvement in this puerile rebellion.

Icing on the cake, we had quickly been able to find in the HQ files who this Thevenin789 was. Remembering that Thevenin789 had mentioned human complicity in his speech, Richac6487 immediately sent Yeerk soldiers to arrest the family of his host. But on-site, they had to fight the Andalites who managed to evacuate them all in time. All except the mother of his host and the father of his cousin Rachel, whom the Yeerks were able to intercept while they were still at work. Richac6487 had ordered that they be infected immediately. There was no doubt in his eyes that they had been collaborating with the Andalites for months. Thanks to these humans, Richac6487 thought he would obtain the information that would allow him to get his hands on the Andalite rebels. Thus, he would be known throughout the empire as the one who succeeded where even Visser-12 had failed. Ultimately, maybe it would be him and not Bentrash158 who would be the new Visser in charge of the invasion of Earth.

The only shadow on the horizon was that he hadn't heard from Bentrash158 in a long time.

oOoOoOoOo

Meanwhile in California

We need to go save my father. Shouted Rachel.

No Rachel, that's exactly what they want us to do. If we rush in without thinking, we have no chance of getting out of it. Tempered his cousin Jack.

Excuse me, you want us to abandon them, you bunch of cowards. Replied Rachel.

I am telling you that they have my mother, Jack defended himself.

That makes you even more cowardly.

Calm down, both of you. There's no way we're abandoning anyone. But Jacks is right. We need a better plan than just blindly rushing into a trap. Cassie tried to calm Rachel. She completely understood her anger. She herself didn't know how she would feel if her parents weren't safe in the valley where they had hidden the Hork-Bajirs (she wished Tom good luck in explaining to them what was happening). But that wouldn't help them find a solution.

Now that they are on their guard, we would need an army to get into the HQ. How do you want to get it? Are we going to the White House and asking nicely to lend us a regiment? said Tobias.

And why not? Asked Marco.

"Pardon?" they all exclaimed at the same time.

If we never did that, it's because the risk was too great of running into a controller or triggering an open war with the Yeerks that we were sure to lose. But now it's only a matter of time before the Yeerks discover our identity and we are captured. Without us to resist them, the invasion will be over long before the Andalite fleet arrives. Since we're doomed anyway, we might as well try this. If we dieAt least, we will die fighting and trying to save our loved ones. Marco explained.

Am I dreaming or did what just came out of Marco's mouth actually make sense, declared Rachel.

Your line is: 'Let’s do it.' Marco replied.

That's what I say when someone proposes a risky plan. This is a suicidal plan. Against Rachel.

Axe, you don't have to come with us. You could hide and wait for the Andalite fleet to come and get you. Jack interrupted them.

I am an Aristh, Prince Jack. It is out of the question for me to abandon you just before the battle.

Do not call me prince.. On Leera, we agreed that I was your prince until I released you from my command. That day has come. You have fulfilled your duty and you are free to return home.

In that case, I would go as friends.

The Andalites do not have a mouth, but at that moment everyone had the impression that he had smiled. Holding back their tears, they, in the form of birds, headed to the nearest airport for what would undoubtedly be their last mission.

oOoOoOoOo

After this interminable journey, the shuttle of Richac6487 finally landed at the heart of the Yeerk invasion HQ. Upon his arrival, he was greeted with cold deference by Emlin1478 in his human host. He was the sub-visser in charge of the invasion HQ and North America. In other words, the most powerful sub-visser on Earth and the only one (along with Bentrash158) to work daily with Visser-12. Behind him, Richac6487 saw 5 Hork-Bajir controllers of his personal guard. A dozen of his own Hork-Bajir deployed around him. The tension was palpable between them. Despite his oaths, Emlin1478 still had not digested his rise to power.

So much the better, thought Richac6487. The triumph would be all the sweeter.

Dearest Emlin1478, I want to congratulate you on your excellent work. Thanks to you, I will soon be able to boast of finally having put an end to the threat posed by the Andalites to our invasion.

Thank you for this compliment. You are already behaving like a visser. What a pity that the 36 visser positions are already filled. Otherwise, I would support your application.

After his veiled provocations, the two glared at each other.

Thank you, however, I am sure an opportunity will present itself soon. But enough of social pleasantries. I would like to start the interrogations as soon as possible.

Certainly. Please follow me. Declared Emlin1478.

Before she finished her sentence, Richac6487 had the impression of briefly seeing a smile on the face of Emlin1478's host. It was so fleeting that Richac6487 wondered if he had imagined it. But in doubt, he asked his Hork-Bajir controller guards to keep a close watch on him. Something that made Emlin1478 happy could not be good for him.

He followed her into the depths of the HQ, staying as alert as possible. Finally, they passed through the ominous doors of the yeerk prison. As soon as Richac6487 stepped inside, the doors closed with a sinister sound, and from the heights of the prison emerged about twenty human-controllers who pointed dragon beams at him.

Richac6487 screamed:

So you're part of the traitors. But you forgot one detail. The moment my death is known, my troops will rush to this place and kill you all. Surrender and maybe I will know how to be merciful.

From the shadow behind Emlin1478, a voice I never thought I would hear again roared in the minds of all the beings present:

There is only one traitor here. Lay down your weapons immediately if you do not want to share his fate.

I was terrified. It wasn't possible and yet, there was only one being in the entire galaxy who could project so much cruelty with a simple phrase. Only one Yeerk capable of using the thought-speak of the Andalites. My men had no doubt. They dropped all their weapons and knelt, begging for mercy. Out of the shadows emerged a blue horse exuding an inimitable aura of malice and violence, closely followed by a human child with a bruised face who served as the main host for Jera456.

My screw, what a pleasure to see you alive. Stammered, trembling, Richac6487 in front of an Emlin1478 who no longer hid his smile.

You still dare to claim that you are loyal to me. You are even more pathetic than I thought. How could two wretches like you and Bentrash158 even for a moment believe that you could overthrow me, Visser-12, the most gloriously honored officer of the empire. The only one to have succeeded in enslaving an Andalite. Fortunately, there are still loyal Yeerks like Jera456. While you were scheming to take my place, he rushed at the risk of his life into the mother ship to save me. He freed me from the cage where that bastard Thévenin789 had locked me up and together we regained control of the mother ship and executed that traitor Thévenin789. Upon seeing me alive, Bentrash158 immediately surrendered, realizing he had no chance against me. But both of you will soon learn that I do not forgive disloyalty so easily.

My screw, allow me to supervise its execution myself. Intervened Emlin1478 with an obsequious voice.

My screw, his crimes are unforgivable, but you should think more before killing him, it might be advantageous to keep him alive. Remember that (...). Began to plead Jera456.

But he was interrupted by a Richac6487 exasperated by what he had just heard:

Jera456, stop your manipulations. I would rather die like a true Yeerk than owe my life to a being like you. As for you Visser-12, I wish you a long reign followed by a slow agony.

You finally behave like a true Yeerk. Too bad it's too late. Visser-12 then pointed to the guards escorting Richac6487. Prove your loyalty by executing this traitor.

My screw, I must reiterate my request for clemency. At least preserve the host.

But even before Jera456 had time to finish his plea, the head of Richac6487 exploded in a spray of blood, killing his yeerk instantly. His guards were far too eager to make Visser-12 forget that they had served a traitor to wait for an unlikely surge of pity from Visser-12.

Good. Now that the minor details are settled, let's get down to business. Emlin1478, go fetch those humans linked to the Andalites and bring them to the launch bay as quickly as possible. Jera456 and I will be waiting for you there.

As usual, I gladly obeyed my screw. But I want to reiterate my objections. The HQ is a safe place. It is perfectly unnecessary to take them on your axe-ship.

I do not doubt you. So much so that I also plan to take you on my ship. But after the betrayal of Bentrash158, I am forced to be wary of everyone. As long as the investigations into what happened are not completed, I can only rely on the yeerks obeying Jera456. By the way, have you finished freeing these yeerks and entrusting them with the guard of the Kandrona generators?

Yes my screwdriver.

Perfect. I understand that you might take my distrust as an affront. But rest assured that you will be rewarded for your obedience.

I expect no reward for having done my duty.

Stop your hypocrisy. Nowadays, yeerks demand a reward for the most insignificant gestures.

Forgive me my mistake. Emlin1478 replied, lowering their head.

Visser-12 turned his back on him without taking the time to answer. He still had much to do to ensure he once again had absolute control over the invasion force. While he was eager to get back on his ship with the human hostages, he had to regularly retreat to his private quarters under the pretext of a health issue with his Andalite host, even if it greatly slowed down the operations.

Finally, it was only 8 hours later that he was able to take a shuttle to his blade ship with Visser-12, Emlin1478, Jera456, Tom's mother, and Rachel's father on board. As he took off, he saw on the ground the entire invasion fleet that had been exceptionally parked on the ground and placed under the guard of a Yeerk loyal to Jera456 (except for the mother ship and the blade ship which would remain stationed in orbit).

In a dull noise, the shuttle connected to the ship-hatch airlock and the door opened. But as soon as they all exited the shuttle, the hangar locked, and all five of them were surrounded by Hork-Bajir controllers threatening them with their Dracon beams.

What does this mean? Exclaimed angrily Emlin1478.

To his great surprise, Jera456 and Visser 12 advanced towards the Hork-Bajir without the slightest hint of fear.

All three of you, leave your hosts immediately. Cooperate and I promise that once the transition is complete, you will be released and offered a position suitable to your rank. Resist and we will be ruthless. Reasoned in thought speech in their heads with a gentleness that visser22 had never used.

Before their eyes unfolded a spectacle as horrible as it was frightening. Visser-12 began to morph until taking the appearance of a 10-year-old child, then very quickly into another form much more familiar to Emlin1478. Before his eyes stood Thevenin789, the leader of the rebellion.