Revolution part 3

Cannon recallAt the end, this chapter refers to volume 14 where the Animorphs race against Visser-3 to discover and seize an Andalite object that crashed on Earth in the 1950s and that humans have hidden in theZone 51. In the original volume, they say zone 91, but it's obvious that the volume refers to the legend of Roswell and zone 51. By the way, I warn you that in this chapter, I spoil the end of volume 14.

oOoOoOoOo

I couldn't believe that Jera456's plan had worked. If there was one thing to acknowledge about him, it was that he was skilled in intrigue and manipulation. Without him, I would never have succeeded in posing as Visser-12. I would have had even less idea which Yeerk to contact and what to say to regain control of the situation.

I made a gesture to two of my guards. Immediately they approached the hosts of our enemies and held a flask filled with water to their ear. Emlin1478 turned his host's head and gave me a look of pure hatred.

Savor your triumph well, it will be short-lived. You will soon learn that there is no darkness in the galaxy great enough to hide a Yeerk from the wrath of the empire.

Then his host lost all expression and a giant worm emerged from his ear to land in the water of the gourd. His host then took a few steps forward, staggering before collapsing lifeless like a puppet whose strings had been cut. It was to be expected. Emlin1478 had been using him for 4 years. There wasn't much left to save of this former executive of Lockheed Martin.

Through thought, I asked a guard to take the host and the gourd containing Emlin1478 to a safe place. The Yeerks controlling Tom's mother and Rachel's father came out of their hosts docilely without a word. They were probably waiting to see how the situation would evolve before deciding to which camp they would pledge loyalty. I couldn't blame them. In their place, I would probably have adopted the same cautious attitude. Whatever their aspirations, for lower-ranking Yeerks, survival is too precarious a thing to compromise with ideologically motivated impulses. Anyway, my thoughts were not directed towards them.

As soon as they were released, the two humans ran towards the airlock shouting and then pounded the opening buttons. Through thought, I ordered the other Yeerks to leave me.

Are you screwing with me?

Don't call me sir. Damn, is that how Jack feels when Aximili calls him prince, I sighed and continued: They're just humans. I can handle it.

All left hastily except Jera456.

It concerns you too.

No, I have three things to tell you in private that cannot wait much longer. And those humans are not the only ones who need your attention.

What do you mean?

My host is trying to hide it from me, but he is having a hard time recovering from what the involuntary hosts did to him. He needs you.

I then thought back to the state in which Timmy had been found. As soon as we landed on Earth, Jera456 had asked where his main host was. He was then led to the cages of the involuntary hosts. In accordance with Richac4687's orders, Yeerk soldiers had invaded the Welington manor and captured everyone there. Timmy was then brought to the HQ and placed in the same cage as the involuntary hosts while waiting for another Yeerk to be found for him. Richac4687 was counting on the hatred between involuntary and voluntary hosts to get rid of this troublesome witness to his double-dealing. For theFor the umpteenth time, I wondered why on earth it had been decided to stack the overcrowded cages of the involuntary hosts within sight of the luxurious quarters where the voluntary hosts rested while waiting for their Yeerk to finish feeding. Perhaps to convince the former to cooperate more and remind the latter of what they risked in case of betrayal.

In any case, the least we can say is that Richac4687 was not far off the mark. This experience was not going to help Timmy have a better opinion of his species and, by extension, of himself. As soon as he was found covered in blue and reeking of an indescribable smell, I wanted to take him in my arms. But if I wanted to survive long enough to comfort him, I had to continue playing the role of the ruthless Visser-12.

I leaned down and took Timmy in my arms, trying to ignore David's taunts about my hypocrisy in pitying a voluntary host like Timmy (who had actively helped the Yeerks conquer Earth) but feeling only contempt for him who had just tried to escape this war where he was dragged by force.

I had tried to explain to him that I did not despise him at all. That the way (quite despicable) I treated him was due to necessity and not any hatred on my part. But he refused to listen to me. All he wanted was to show me how much he hated me. A few seconds later, Timmy, freed from Jera456's control, began to cry softly while I held him as tightly as I could, uttering comforting words. After a few minutes, he calmed down and remained silent without expressing any desire for me to let go. I got up and calmly walked towards the two other humans who had finally understood there was no way out and had gathered next to each other with iron bars, visibly determined to sell their lives dearly.

Calm down, mom. Sorry, I mean Jean.

Don't come any closer, filth!

Calm down, I am not going to hurt you. No yeerk will infect you anymore. At least not without your consent. You have my word. Do I look like I'm about to attack you?

After a glance at the child in my arms, the two humans lowered their makeshift, futile weapons (but did not abandon them altogether)

Who are you? Why did you take on the appearance of my son? Where is he? If you have harmed a single hair on his head.

It's a long story. But to put it simply, for about six months, I have been the Yeerk of your son. Normally, he is somewhere on Earth safely with the rest of your family. Without any Yeerk in his head. I specified in front of his tense face.

But that only vaguely appeased her. Learning that her son had lived through hell for six months, without her realizing anything, seemed to have shocked her. It was up to Dan to speak again.

And my daughters, are they well?

As far as I know, yes. Jack managed to get them away from the yeerks before they could capture them. But we need to hurry. Knowing him, it's only a matter of time before he embarks on a suicide mission to save you. In fact, I'm extremely surprised he hasn't already tried something.

You monster, why should we trust you? And what does Jack have to do with this story? Asked Jean Berenson.

He, Rachel, Marco, Cassie accidentally discovered the existence of the Yeerks and Tom's situation about a year ago. Since then, they have been secretly fighting to try to slow down the invasion and free their loved ones imprisoned by the Yeerks.

In front of their incredulous expressions, I added:

I know it's a lot to take in in a very short time. And you don't even know half of the story yet. But you have to trust me. In any case, you have no choice. At least if your goal is to one day regain your freedom and your children alive. Do you really think you can take over this ship with two iron bars? By the way, where did you find that? Never mind, it doesn't matter and time is precious to us. I'll start from the beginning, I am Thevenin789 and even if this is the first time you hear this name, I've been secretly interacting with you for months. I belong to a species of parasite trying to conquer Earth to use humans in a war that has been going on for over a century against another species called the Andalites. But I and the group I recently became the leader of oppose the war and the invasion of Earth (...)

Before I could continue, Timmy jumped from my arms and displayed a serious expression that could only come from Jera456.

Precisely, we will need to talk about that again. In case you forgot, it is my men and not yours who control the critical points of this colony.

I thought you agreed to let me take command.

Are you an idiot or are you doing it on purpose? The only reason I approved your takeover is because I couldn't do anything to oppose a crowd fanatical about the fights. But it didn't take you 5 seconds to prove your gross incompetence to me. What made you deliver that little speech before we made sure what happened to the others? And you broadcast it to the humans too! Said Jera456 angrily.

Yes well excuse me, I thought I could trust you when you said you had ensured the obedience of Richac4687. If he hadn't betrayed us and had attacked the HQ and the axe-ship as planned, none of this would have happened.

One of his assistants worked for me. If he had planned to betray us, I would have been warned. Something must have prevented him from launching the attack as planned. And you didn't need to kill him.

He betrayed us and killed, I don't know how many of your yeerks. I exclaimed.

Killing him will not bring them back, but sparing him could have saved many others. Seeing us victorious, he would have joined us, and his men would not have been too many to ensure a peaceful transition. I did not do all this to abandon power to another Visser-12.

Oh stop it. Whatever you say, you were too happy to give up the power to me to go pursue new conquests or indulge in I don't know what decadent hobby.

I may be a coward, but no matter my fear, I have never run away from my responsibilities. Unlike you, I didn't do all this for those damn stupid primates. My only concern has always been to protect my subordinates. I only embarked on this crazy revolution because I was tired of sending my men to their deaths in senseless battles. Jera456 almost shouted.

Stop, you are like Richac6487. You supported me only because it was in your interest. If you could, you would have betrayed me. By the way, what were you doing in the mothership's engine room when I found you?

And you're going to tell me it's a coincidence that you were leaving the sensor room just before it broke down? By the way, great idea to sabotage our own ship. Luckily, you're not supposed to be the more skilled of the two of us in military strategy. He said sarcastically.

We began a staring contest that I broke by admitting:

I also wanted to spare Richac6487, but after his statement, I couldn't let him live without the other Yeerks understanding that I was an imposter.

You had a million ways to get out of it.

I am not like you. I am not a smooth talker who always knows what to say to get what he wants. Anyway, if you care so much, I am willing to let you have the power.

It doesn't work like that. It's you and no one else that the men obey now. And frankly Thévenin789, if that was the only thing I was interested in, I would have just had to report you to Visser-12. If I had brought him the Andalites' heads on a platter, he would have forgiven me any of my mistakes. And once the invasion was over, I would have become a Visser. Do you remember the day you proposed that insane alliance to me? You said I was wallowing in luxury to forget my guilt towards our hosts. I have never felt any regret for the primitive species that the empire enslaved or exterminated. Most would have done the same to us if they could. And humans are the worst of all those I have encountered. However, every day, I think back to the hundreds of thousands of Yeerks I let die, or even knowingly sent to certain death. Listen, since you care so much about these bloodthirsty gorillas, I'm willing to try to coexist peacefully. But from now on, we do as I planned. We announce our takeover to each sub-visser individually, then we secretly contact the Earth authorities via the controllers in their entourage. Only then do we announce our presence to the human population. All you're going to achieve by wanting to go too fast is to trigger a panic or a new war.

I don't know. We need to go quickly if we want to be ready to repel the empire or the Andalites.

The nearest imperial fleet will take at least a week to cover the distance separating it from Earth. As for the Andalites, I thought they were on our side?

I evaded his last question and simply replied:

A week seems very short to prepare ourselves to push them back. We have no time to lose.

One week is the shortest possible time frame. But I know better than you the workings of the imperial administration and the logistical constraints of a war fleet. In reality, I think we have at least two months ahead of us.

Well, very well, I trust you. We will do it your way. But don't forget in your plan that we also need to warn the animorphs before they launch a new attack on the HQ.

Who are the Animorphs? asked Jera456.

Hmm. How to say. You know the Andalite bandits?

Yes, besides, we will need to contact them quickly before he launches an attack on the (....) Wait, is it (...) The humans you talked about? If we add Aximilie (..).

I was about to confirm to him that the Andalite commando never existed when an alarm went off. We rushed to the bridge without paying further attention to the two humans behind us who had incredulously witnessed our argument. Immediately, the Yeerk I had appointed as captain of the ship called out to me.

visser, the American army launched a major offensive against the HQ.

I gave up reminding him not to call me screw and put my head in my hands. This day was never going to end.

oOoOoOoOo

Meanwhile, George Bush was preparing to give the most important speech of his career. For the first time since becoming President of the USA, he was afraid. But in a few seconds, the camera would turn on and he would have to act as if he had the situation completely under control. In times of crisis, if the captain trembled, then the population would panic. If the leader doubted, then the men would disobey and anarchy would ensue. At least, that's what George Bush believed since his time in the army.

To give himself courage, he told himself that in this secret bunker located 50 meters deep, nothing could reach him. He sat in the replica of the Oval Office that had been built there during the Cold War to give the illusion that their governments had not fled to take shelter (this subterfuge was intended to deceive both the Americans and the Soviets).

The broadcast began.

My dear compatriots, if I am addressing you today, it is to announce the most terrible news. Contrary to what we thought an hour ago, the message that disrupted our airwaves this morning was not a hoax. Our nation, no, our entire planet is invaded by what I can only describe as belligerent aliens. This seems completely senseless and yet, it is the absolute truth. Mr. Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill, could you present yourself to the camera.

A few seconds later, a huge blue centaur without a mouth, with antennas on its head equipped with eyes at the top, entered the camera's field and stopped behind the president. As requested by the president's communication advisors, it took care not to show its tail (and especially the huge blade it contained).

Despite his imposing appearance, Mr. Aximili is actually just a child whose shuttle crashed on Earth after our enemies, the Yeerks, destroyed the ship he was traveling in. Hunted since then by our enemies, he has been trying to find human allies to help him repel the Yeerks. As you have understood, we are dealing with a formidable enemy. Too formidable, perhaps, for us to defeat alone. But precisely, we are not alone. Mr. Aximili's people will send a fleet to rescue him and avenge the death of too many lives unjustly taken by those vile beings, the Yeerks. In the meantime, Mr. Aximili will provide us with as much technology and information as his young age permits. In fact, he started six months ago. And this is not our only advantage.

The video sent earlier in the day is the result of a failed coup attempt by the corrupt and incompetent government of our adversaries. A few minutes ago, we took advantage of the political chaos currently prevailing among our Yeerk adversaries to launch a majoroffensive against their main base located on the California coast. Deprived of this essential base for their food supply, they will be forced to abandon the North American continent. For the moment, the offensive is going well. Our shots are stopped by some sort of energy barrier that protects the base. However, they have so far proven completely incapable of repelling us or even inflicting significant damage. With the help of God, I have faith that this battle will bring us victory. Nevertheless, like all difficult times, it requires tough measures. From now on, I decree martial law and the mobilization of all reservists. In the coming days, all citizens aged 18 to 35 will be called to join the nearest National Guard unit for (...)

But he was suddenly interrupted in his speech by one of his closest advisors who had the audacity to enter the room and address him out of context:

Mr. President, I have an urgent communication for you.

Before the president could rebuke this intruder, the intruder took a curious device out of his jacket and in front of the camera appeared a teenager of about ten years old. No, it wasn't a teenager, but a very realistic hologram, George Bush realized afterward.

Mr. President, I suppose and (....) Aximili, what are you doing here? Where are Jack and the others? I asked with visible surprise.

<They are doing well, Yeerk, but we thought you were dead,> Aximili replied to me. Was I dreaming or did I note relief in his mental tone?

The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated, but I don't have time for that. Mr. President, you must immediately stop this attack on our HQ. After some setbacks, our coup has succeeded, and I am now the new leader of the invasion force. Not all yeerks are yet aware of the change in power, and many will oppose it. But our control over the yeerk fleet and the Kandrona generators will eventually force them to side with us. To facilitate this transition and our future collaboration, I ask you to kindly cease this attack immediately.

But the president ignored my words and merely shouted while pointing at the human-controller who had brought the communicator.

Guard, seize this traitor.

Mr, I understand that this intrusion may shock you, but your overreaction jeopardizes future relations between our two (…)

As for you, vile creature, it is out of the question for us to collaborate with demons like you. This war is a trial sent by heaven from which nothing will deter me. I will only stop the offensive when we have sent you back where you came from. You want peace. Leave our territory!

I had a strong urge to shut him down with a scathing retort. But I took a few seconds to calm myself. As unpleasant and off the mark as he was, I had to keep my cool. I told myself it was normal for him to be confused and that this day must have been long and eventful for him too.

But before I could answer, the cry of a grizzly was heard and Jack arrived on the set.

Sorry sir, we couldn't stop him. Apologized the security guard who was following them closely.

If you are really Thevenin789 then tell us something that only Thévenin789 knows. Jack asked me.

When I discovered that you knew about the Yeerk, I put GHB in your orange juice to be able to take you to the pool. But if you want, I can also tell another anecdote. I replied, after noting that unlike the Yeerks, he had immediately thought of the possibility of a trap. And this, while he was supposed to belong to an inferior species. At the same time, we had done everything to make the news of my death as credible as possible, and making a close one believe in the surprise was typically the kind of cruel trap that Visser-12 liked to subject them to.

Mr. President, you can trust him. He is on our side. You can stop the offensive. Declared Jack to George Bush.

But instead of calming down, he pulled a revolver out of his pocket and pointed it at Aximili.

That's enough now. Take these freaks of nature away from here. Dissect this one and imprison the others in our high-security lab. We must discover everything we can about this morph technology.

Aximilie prepared to defend himself and I to respond when I was roughly pushed out of the communication circle.

You parody of a politician, you better not lay a finger on my son. Tom's mother shouted.

All stopped in surprise.

Mom! Are you okay? Jack asked, half crying.

Yes, and your uncle too.

But before she could add anything, a tranquilizer dart hit Jack. Through thought-speak, I sent my orders to my men. The ship-axe's artillery officer got to work, then a Hork-Bajir guard forcibly moved Mrs. Berenson aside so I could retake my place.

I snapped my fingers then, and an immense light accompanied by a noise worthy of the apocalypse filled the room. When they regained their sight, the inhabitants of the room noticed that it was now lit by sunlight. The shot had completely annihilated the bunker's roof without causing any damage to what was underneath.

Exasperated by all the events of the day, I then shouted in the direction of the president:

Listen to me carefully, you idiot, I've spent my life obeying Yeerks who sent their troops to death from the comfort of their chairs. I've spent my life lowering my eyes when, from the command center of a flagship, they accused the few survivors who, against all odds, managed to return alive, of cowardice. Now, it's over. So listen to me carefully because I won't repeat it twice. Between our two species, it was never a question of war. No more than there is a war between a pig and a butcher. Right now, a fleet with enough firepower to exterminate you in a few hours is in orbit, and our shields are strong enough to withstand any of your weapons. Your attack on our HQ is equivalent to that of a mosquito against an elephant. So you're going to stop it immediately before it persuades my people to remove me from power and infect your people without being hindered by idealists like me.

yeerk

My name is not yeerk, but Thevenin789. I interrupted Aximili violently.

Thevenin789, if I understand correctly, this primitive technology transmits everything that happens in this room to all of humanity.

I turned around and for the first time noticed the camera. I wasn't close to being able to go to sleep.

Use the weapon located in Area 51. Shouted to his men, the president who had cowered fearfully in a corner.

What is it? I asked, moderately worried.

<It's an old Andalite chamber pot> reasoned Aximili's voice in the heads of all the spectators.

In front of everyone's astonished look, he specified:

Centuries ago, Andalite ships were not equipped with waste recycling systems. So, organic waste was accumulated in containers. Once full, they were thrown at the nearest sun, but an unscrupulous captain must have discharged too far from the sun's gravity well, and the container drifted until it crashed on Earth. Given that a leak in the middle of a journey that could last several months would have been very problematic, these containers were made of very advanced materials by human standards. So when they discovered it, humans mistook it for a weapon and hid it in Area 51.

Lie. How could a simple chamber pot have killed all the men who approached the object without suits, shouted the president.

He cannot. It's just a chamber pot, explained Aximili calmly, wondering if it was another human joke he didn't understand.

Without wanting to offend you, Aximili, the same thing happened with the first Yeerks to come into contact with the Andalites. By traveling to the four corners of the galaxy, they became real nests of germs. I'm actually surprised that no Animorphs have caught something nasty from being around you.

All the men present looked at the president, uncertain of how to proceed with the events. I thought it wise to add.

Mr. President, I apologize for losing my temper. But if you do not stop this attack, I will be forced to retaliate and kill your men. Understand that despite my desire to have peaceful relations with humans, I must prove to the Yeerk that I will not put my desire for peace before their safety.

Very well. Order the ceasefire. But our troops will remain in place. Abdicated George Bush reluctantly.

That seems to me to be a good compromise. I gave in.