A very superior officer. A ship's captain is lord and master of his ship. An aristh is basically something a ship's captain might scrape off his hoof.
Even though the captain's tone was very accusatory, I had this sudden urge to start laughing. It was sheer relief. First, because my friends were well. But also because I was back among Andalites.
They looked like me. They spoke like me. They moved like me. I wanted to laugh and to be sad.
Answer the captain's question!"; the tactical officer roared, speaking up for the first time. As the number two officer, tactical officers are the ship disciplinarians.
Sorry, sir,"; I said. It's just that I haven't seen a fellow Andalite in a very long time. And I thought I might never ... that I might be stuck on Earth for the rest of my life."; The T.o.'s fierce expression softened. But not much.
The captain nodded and said, Just give me your report, Aristh."; But he said it nicely.
all yes, Captain. I have been marooned on Earth for approximately point seven standard Andalite years. I believe I am the only survivor following a battle between the Dome ship where I served and a Yeerk Pool ship. The Pool ship was assisted by a concealed Blade ship belonging to Visser Three."; The T.o. made a sneering, disgusted sound.
The Dome was separated prior to battle and ... I was in the dome. It wasn't by choice.
I was ordered to the dome."; I felt foolish defending my actions. But I didn't want it to look like I was some kind of coward. Anyway, the dome fell from orbit and crashed in one of Earth's oceans. I was down there underwater for several Earth weeks, until the humans came to rescue me."
The same humans who are now in sick bay?"; the doctor asked.
all yes."; They used some human diving craft?"; the T.o. asked.
ationo. They morphed into aquatic animals and rescued me."; The captain showed no expression except a wary tightening around his main eyes. They morphed. And where exactly did they acquire the ability to morph?"; This was going to be hard. Some time ago I had managed to make contact with the Andalite command. They had basically told me to take the blame for giving humans morphing ability. They didn't want to blacken Elfangor's reputation as a hero. Giving away morphing technology is a major crime.
What should I say? Should I lie to the captain? It seemed impossible. But I had orders from much higher sources.
I did, sir. I gave them morphing capability."; The captain just looked at me. I see.
You are not a good liar, Aristh Aximili."; My hearts skipped a few beats.
Sir?"; The T.o. sighed. ally young fool, if you gave the morphing power to the humans, how did they manage to already be in morph the first time you saw them? Obviously, they were already capable of morphing by the time they discovered you."; What could I say? I hadn't exactly had time to prepare a good story. I was supposed to be a mosquito a few billion miles away.
Now I looked like a liar and an idiot.
I said nothing, just tried to stand at attention.
Doctor, thank you,"; the captain said, dismissing the doctor. Perhaps you'd like to go check on your "humans." And see if you can't analyze this Zero-space problem young Aximili has discovered."; The doctor left. The captain leaned close..Aristh Aximili, I'd like to know why you're lying to me."; I would never lie unless ..."; Unless what, you insignificant aristh!"; the T.o. cried. ally are addressing a ship's captain!"; I nodded. all yes. I know."; The T.o. started to yell again, but the captain cut him short with a raised hand.
.Aristh, have you at any time made contact with the home world during your time on Earth?"; all yes, Captain,"; I said, practically collapsing with relief. Captain Samilin got it. He understood.
And were you given orders at that time?"; all yes, Captain."; He looked as if he might ask more, but he didn't. He looked at me for a long time. Then in a much gentler voice he said, What happened to Elfangor?"; He was killed. By Visser Three. On the planet surface."; The captain nodded. The T.o. looked shocked.
Prince Elfangor did this?"; the T.o.
asked in an awed voice. Prince Elfangor broke the law of Seerow's Kindness?"; That speculation will never leave this room,"; the captain said harshly. It was Aristh Aximili who foolishly gave the morphing power to the humans. But between us, I'll say this. I served under Prince Elfangor. I was his T.o. at one time. And anytime Elfangor did something, it was for a good reason."; He looked right at me and said, Elfangor was my friend as well as my prince. I'll believe he broke the rules. I'll never believe he did wrong.";
"Hey, I have a question," Marco said, raising his hand and waving it around in the air with a sense of urgency.
What question?"; I asked him.
"Where, where, where ... WHERE ARE WE?"
We are in the sick bay of the Andalite assault ship Ascalin."; I tried not to sound too happy about that fact. I knew my human friends would be devastated at learning they were marooned far from Earth.
"Ascalin? Isn't Ascalin that new salad green?" Rachel wondered.
We have just come out of Zero-space and are now moving at top space-normal speed toward planet Leera."; "Leera? Where the psychic frogs are from?"
Cassie said. "The creatures who the Yeerks were going to use those mutated sharks on?"
all yes."; As we already knew, the Yeerks were having difficulties invading Leera in their usual style. The Leerans' psychic abilities make them able to detect the presence of a Yeerk in another Leeran's head. The Yeerks were going to alter hammerhead sharks to make them suitable for Yeerk infestation, and then use those shark-Controllers as shock troops in the oceans of Leera.
"But we busted up that plan back on Earth,"
Marco said impatiently. "I was there, remember? I know this part. What I meant was, how did we end up here? One minute I'm a mosquito, then bim, bam, boom I'm my cute, lovable self again, only I'm looking up at some Andalite who's asking whether I ever had a tail! I almost peed myself. I thought he was Visser Three!"
It seems our extruded mass was swept up in the wake of a passing ship. Everyone is very surprised and excited. We have made a scientific breakthrough."; "Oh, good, I feel better already," Rachel said, using a tone humans call "sarcasm."
"So how do we get back?" Prince Jake asked.
ationo one knows. The doctor and the other scientists on board are working on the theory. There may be a snapback effect. But they don't know. And we are about to land on Leera. This is an assault ship, which means it carries a large number of surface attack craft. It is no longer a secret Yeerk invasion of Leera. It has become a major, open battle. They have four Pool ships in orbit and two Blade ships. Hundreds of Bug fighters. We have less than a third of their forces."; "So let me get this straight," Rachel said.
"Suddenly we're a bazillion miles from home and we're about to get dragged into a serious shooting war where the good guys are outnumbered three to one?"
all yes,"; I said.
"Cool," Rachel said. "What can we do to help?"
"Oh, even for you, Rachel, that is just sick,"
Marco said.
ally can do nothing,"; I said. I told you the kafit bird morph that Visser Three used is from my home planet. That means our side may be infiltrated by Yeerks or their allies.