A/N This chapter is fairly short, I know, but I wanted to get it up today. This story takes place between books 45 and 46. So, Marco has recently become officially "dead," and Visser Three has just become Visser One. I apologize for the shortness, but I promise that further chapters will be better. Sorry about the ">>" thing. I don't know why only one side works. If it's too confusing, please let me know and I'll try something else next time. Happy Independence Day, everybody.
Disclaimer: We all know I don't own a thing, so let's just leave it at that, shall we?
My name is Rachel.
And I was seriously annoyed at the Yeerks. It was Saturday and there were several huge sales at the mall that morning. But was I able to take advantage of any of them? No. I had to be out in the middle of the woods, searching for traces of a mysterious space ship that had crashed there last night.
On top of it all, it wasn't even a nice day out. It was a grey, rainy day. The kind of day on which one wants to be inside. Shopping.
I turned my thoughts back to the mission and trotted along, my wolf tail twitching. You'd think a space ship wouldn't be this hard to find, even in all these miles of forest. But we'd been searching for over an hour now, and so far hadn't found so much as a clue.
>Hey, guys!> Tobias called out suddenly. >I think I found something!>
From the air, Tobias directed us to a small clearing. The ship appeared to have crashed. There was almost nothing left of it but a charred lump of metal. It was impossible to tell what kind of ship it had been.
>Oh good,> Marco remarked, >I'm so glad we spent such a lovely Saturday searching for a heap of burnt metal.>
>No way anyone could have survived that,> I said, ignoring Marco.
>No,> Jake agreed.
>Prince Jake,> Ax began, >it is possible that this ship was crashed on purpose.>
>You think this was a suicide mission?>
>It's possible. Or there may not have been anyone in the ship when it crashed. It seems likely that the pilot may have left the ship before it hit the ground.>
>A trap?>
>I do not know. I am merely speculating.>
>Alright, well I don't think there's anything we can do about it now. Let's head back.>
We started back the way we'd come, but Tobias stopped us. >Guys, you really don't want to go that way. About two dozen Hork-Bajir and at least as many Human-Controllers coming this way. Along with our favorite Andalite-Controller.>
Jake said a word I won't repeat. >Alright. Other side of the clearing then.>
We ran back across, and crouched low behind a layer of underbrush. Tobias dropped down below the trees to keep from being seen. Seconds later, a mass of Hork-Bajir and Human-Controllers burst through the line of trees and into the clearing. They came to a stop and gathered around the remains of the ship. Visser One emerged from among them. I felt a shiver of fear and hatred run through me.
>What is the meaning of this!> The Visser was yelling. >Why have you all stopped— > He noticed the destroyed ship. >Well! What kind of ship was it! One of ours?>
The Human-Controllers in the front looked at each other nervously. "It's—it's impossible to tell for sure, Visser," one of them finally said. "It was most likely a small ship, but whether it was a Bug fighter or an Andalite fighter, we can't tell."
Visser One whipped his tail around and held the blade against the throat of the man who had spoken. >You will remove the remains and study them until you have an answer for me. Do I make myself clear?>
"Y-y-yes, Visser."
>Good.> The Visser removed his tail blade from the man's throat and turned to address the whole group. >Now get to work! I want this all cleaned up by the time I return from checking the progress at the bank.> He pointed to the three Controllers. >You, you, and you, come with me.> He started to leave, followed by the three Controllers, then stopped and turned around again. >I want half of you to search these woods. The pilot may have escaped.>
>What's happening at the bank?> Cassie wondered.
>I don't know, but I think we'd better move before the search party gets started,> responded Marco.
>Marco's right,> said Jake. >Let's get out of here. We can check out the bank later.>
A/N Alright, that's it for now. More soon, and I promise that there will be more of a plot in further chapters. Reviews would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.