The Quad C: Catherine
Chapter 2
"This is CNN Reporter, Miles O'Brian reporting to you live from the UN building in New York. With the meeting of the Secretary General of the United Nations with the Andalite Head of Council concluded, the go ahead has been given for the Human-Andalite Interplanetary Student Exchange program."
The day they announced that was June 23th 2096. It was approximately one hundred years after the Human Yeerk war had started. To me, that day was just another day.
"Two student applicants from the US will be given a chance to take part in this program. Exactly two months from this date, they will be flown to the Andalite Planet. For two month, they will, eat, sleep, play, and learn with the chosen Andalite student applicants, attending their learning institution there."
That afternoon, I was lying on my couch, fanning myself. The summer heat was unbearable, a scorching forty degrees Celsius. Flies had broken pass the mosquito net that barricaded the doors and windows. It couldn't be any worse…
In from the front door, walked by my older brother Conner. He was a year older than me. I didn't have to look up from my flat position to see what he had in his hand.
"Conner, as long as you don't bring that creature into my room, I'll be happy."
"Whatever sis. I can't help it if Harpy crawled out his box, across the window ledge and into your room. Besides, you left your window open…"
"Anything…just reassure me whatever you're carrying in your arm isn't to turn my room into a jungle."
"Don't worry, it's only a box of chicks. They'll be staying in the pen tonight. And shh! You'll wake them up."
"You said that last time, a nest of quails ended up residing at my ledge."
Who can stand sharing a room with weird creatures…besides Sally my dog, I allow no other animals entry in my room. Conner? He takes in anything. And no. I'm not talking about rabbits and stuff…he collects spiders and worms too, mostly to feed to his bird friends who loves gathering at my side of the window ledge. Our rooms window ledges are connected that's why…
"So Mr General, will Andalites students be visiting here on Earth too?"
"Yes. The Andalite student's who will host the two student applicants that we will choose shortly too be given the opportunity to come to Earth for two months. The student applicants will host our Andalite guest and accompany them to school, and guided tours about Santa Barbara, the Animorphs hometown and former war zone."
Learning about the Human-Yeerk war was an important part of the education system. Virtually all students, whether in the US, Australia, Asia, Europe all have had learn about it, and visited the area once. It was almost like a pilgrimage for the Animorphs, who were once students like us, giving up their childhood and innocence for the planet. Our school had planned for us to visit the place this fall. We were told that we might even get the chance to visit the Animorph Cassie Chambers, who now is not only the most famous person on Earth, but the oldest living too.
"The choosing of our two student applicants will begin very soon. We'll go over to the live choosing soon, but first in other news…new studies has shown that the Ozone layer…"
Zap!
"Today on 'That's my Baby'…"
Someone changed the channel. I didn't have to guess whom.
"God damn it Con, I was watching that." I protested.
"Its news. That's boring." He said, walking by me, then plunking his butt on the sofa seat next to where my head lay.
He turned to look at me; his face hovered directly over mine.
"Besides, you're going to have a baby of your own one day. May as well see how the animals do it."
I sat up straight immediately, nearly hitting his. Gosh. He's so freaking annoying.
"TV, CNN please."
Zap!
"And so here we go! The barrel goes spinning around..,"
"TV, Animal Planet."
"And so does the…"
Zap!
"Sassy, she's my cat."
Zap!
"She's two years old and…"
Zap!
"And so does the hopes of the thousand of finalist applicants who were chosen for their potential in the Human-Andalite exchange…"
Zap!
"Sassy's two years old, and this is her first litter…"
Zap!
"And our first student applicant who will travel to the Andalite home world is…."
Zap!
"She seemed very excited to have her litter…"
Zap!
"rine…Derevnain"
Wait! Derevnain?
Zap!
But…but…that was our family name…
"Conner!" I shouted.
"What?"
"Change back the channel. Isn't that our…"
Zap!
"Yes. Our first 2096 applicant is Catherine Derevnain! This lucky 16 year old will be traveling to the Andalite Home world and study there for two months!"
What? Impossible…
"And here's our second applicant. And what a coincident! I don't know if they're related, but our second applicant is, Conner Derevnain!"
I don't know what came into my mind at that moment when I heard my name being called. But I definitely remembered what came to my mind when I heard my brother's name being called.
Oh shit!
(Catherine! Catherine!)
"Arr!" I screamed, suddenly sitting upright.
For a moment I had thought I was back home in Washington. No it was only a dream…but just to confirm, I looked up.
Greenish painted metalloid walls…opaque windows and walls that turned transparent at the touch of my hand…a futuristic looking door, almost like that of star trek, only wider…
I was on the Andalite planet…yeah…Andalite planet.
(Conner! Catherine!)
I turned to where I thought where the thought-speak came from, to my right where Conner laid stone dead in his bed still asleep. No. Not him!
"Uh….Calath?"
(Catherine. You're awake! We got to get going soon. School's about to start in thirty of your minutes…and I do not wish that we be late on our first day there.)
Questions: Is all of this happening in the future.
Answer: Yes it is.