Animorphs: Ressurection

[Estelore]

<Thank you. Liquefied grass will be more than adequate. Most of my recent sustenance has been limited to meat while in carnivorous morphs, so anything remotely resembling provisions intended for Andalite consumption would be a vast improvement.>

[Underseen]

"No thanks, I'm not a big fan of Protein Bars." Dru told Aya. He was ready to get out of space and back to earth.

[Terenia]

Aya collects a handful of rations - several protein bars and a pouch of liquefied grass. "I try to keep at least something for everyone on board, though I don't have much," she explains as she hands the grass over to Reli and places the protein bars in the center of the table, taking one for herself. She glances over at Dru and shrugs. "Suit yourself. Can't afford to be too picky this far out. I've been living off of protein bars, Spam and a few other odds and ends. There isn't exactly a grocery store nearby."


She takes a seat at last, sinking into the chair that is clearly positioned at the head of the table and yanking the wrapper off of her protein bar. "So. You want to get to Earth," she says, taking a bite and chewing thoughtfully. "It's not our usual sort of job, but we can do that...maybe. It's a bit of a haul, though, so it'll cost you in food, fuel and of course whatever we determine as a base rate. There's a bit of an added fee for going into such dangerous territory, of course."

She glances at Fisher, who is looking less and less happy with his circumstances. "Cheerful fella you've got there," she says with a smirk, keeping her attention focused primarily on Reli, who appears to be their makeshift leader.

[Estelore]

<I am certain we can arrange for adequate compensation for your time and trouble. As for Fisher... I believe he is most eager to be planetside as soon as possible.>

Reli swung one stalk-eye in his direction and hoped this wouldn't get uglier than it needed to be already. She accepted the grass pouch from Aya and opened it deftly, inserting one hoof into the open end of the bag... probably the closest Andalite equivalent to a feed sack tied to the face of an Earth horse.

[Gumby]

"Cheerful fella you've got there,"

Just a Reli replied, Fisher could take no more. Using all his willpower to look angry, he stood up tall and looked Aya square in the eye.

"Miss Aya, thank you for all your hospitality, but I must ask one question on my mind. You keep referring to "we", talking in the plural. If you would be so kind to inform us, who is the other occupant of this vessel?" He was trying now to show his anxiety, but it clearly stood out. His frame looked strained, his spine wa a wound spring ready to explode loose.

[Terenia]

Aya raises her gaze to Fisher, her smirk fading only slightly. "My apologies, sir," she says, smiling sweetly. "My comrade is a bit on the quiet side. He's been watching, of course, but I'm in charge of negotiating. He's the muscle of our little duo. Which is odd, considering how small he is." Laughing a little, Aya takes another bite of her protein bar, taking her time as she chews. It's pretty clear that she notices Fisher's anxiety, and she is in no hurry to placate him.

When she finally does swallow she shrugs. "My companion is named Terliss Five-Seven-Eight of the Tel Serrlash pool. He is a Yeerk, of course." Her fingers trail down to tap against her Dracon, not pulling it, but reminding him that she is armed. "Is that going to be a problem, sir?" Aya asks, her dark eyes widening innocently.

[Gumby]

Fisher had often read about the feeling one gets when one realize just how bad of a situation one is in. Now he experienced it. Everything seemed to snap into place, like he had just put on glasses to see the situation. She was a Yeerk. She was armed. They were not. This was her ship. She was hiding, probably a criminal of some sort. Or possible insane. Think, think, remain calm. Fisher slowed his breathing, aware of the thundering of his heart and the sweat forming on his skin. Trying to remain as discreet a possible, he forced a formal smile.

"I most certainly hope not." He said, pleasantly and calmly as he could before taking a seat, glancing casually at Reli, and flashing her a concerned look.

[Estelore]

Reli thought-whispered to Fisher as soon as she saw the clarity of the situation appear in his eyes. <<Thank you for understanding. It was either this or slowly starve to death or asphyxiate on the pod, with no way to land, and not enough fuel to make another Z-Space jump. Of those situations, just between the two of us, I prefer the one with the Yeerk, because at least in this setting, I have something I can fight before it kills me. You cannot fight oxygen starvation. Still, I would rather this not become fighting until we can be sure we have the upper tail on her.>>

Reli turned her most diplomatic voice back to the rest of the people present. <Being on the run for too long without rest is enough to make any crew anxious and distrustful. I hope we will all be able to proceed peacefully and without undue grief to anybody, especially those who allow us here as their guests.>

If Lee had ever suggested I would be placating a rogue Controller for transport back to Earth, I would have told him to seek mental reconditioning.

[Terenia]

Aya considers for a moment before taking her hand away from her Dracon, instead placing it flat on the table in front of her. "Wonderful," she says, all smiles again. "Then let us proceed. As I said, Terliss and I are willing to help you, so long as we can negotiate a fair price. There is a slight problem, though. Usually we require at least half of our payment in advance. I can see from your circumstances that you do not have much of worth to us, so we would need to be paid retroactively and, frankly, I have no idea whether or not I can trust you, my Andalite friend."

[Estelore]

Reli did some calculations in her head. This could either go very well or very damn badly. She would be breaking the highest law of her race. Which was worth more, the law, or the lives of her human companions?


Reli moved very slowly, not suddenly, and removed her utility pack, which she knew only contained one thing, one very relevant thing which could potentially change the game for all of them.

Reli placed the pack on the table and pushed it toward Aya.

<This contains one portable Escafil Device. On the condition that you do not attempt to acquire or morph any of us, and that you return us either to Earth or to the Andalite home world, that is yours, as a down payment for your services.>

I am a traitor to my race, a violator of the Law of Seerow's Gift, for the lives of four humans. If we survive, I can never go home. At this point, I can only hope that Aya or Terliss value what I have done, and that they are not already morph-capable.

[Gumby]

Fisher. Was. Fuming. Reli had good intentions, but he'd rather take the ship by force than let the damn slug get a morphing cube. He shot murderous glare at the Andalite, considering the possibilities. There was no way the Yeerk could keep the cube of course; and if she got them to the Andalite world or Earth, Fisher would jump her. A dracon beam could deliver a stunning blast, he'd done well in his Basic Energy and Advanced Weapons course. He could knock the slug out and take the ship. Hell, even if the ship was rigged to blow or some crap if the slug died, he'd still do it once the others got into the pod. Either way, the Yeerk was not getting the device.

He sat at the table, unconsciously drumming his fingers against the surface.

[Terenia]

Aya's eyebrows raise and she leans forward in obvious interest. She reaches over and takes the pack pulling it towards her and opening it, peering inside. What follows is a long moment of potentially awkward silence, Aya's eyes blanking as she and Terliss speak to one another, their conversation entirely internal.

"Alright," Aya says, nodding and closing the pack. "We'll do it. I'll place the Escafil Device in a secure location, and so long as it remains in my possession we're open for business. I'll still require payment upon delivery, of course. At the very least the equivalent to the fuel and food we use, and a few extra items. You'll find most of them aren't too expensive, just luxuries Terliss and I are typically denied, living out here." She grins. "Like chocolate. You have no idea how much I miss chocolate."

[Estelore]

<Of course. On the topic of chocolate, I have been told it is all but a necessity for any Andalite visiting Earth to taste this substance. I have never taken the opportunity, since my only visit to Earth was on business.>

Conversation will hopefully maintain a measure of peace here.

[Terenia]

"Definitely worth trying," Aya says firmly, pulling herself to her feet. She lifts the pack, slinging it casually over one shoulder. "I'm going to go lock this up. Wait here, and don't try to touch anything. All the computers are voice activated and have passcodes that, unless you speak Yeerkish, you won't be figuring out." She winks pleasantly and moves out of the room, sealing the door behind her.

<<What are we going to do with them?>> Aya asks Terliss, her smile fading as soon as they are in the next room. She chews her lip nervously.

<<For now?>> the flat, androgynous voice of Terliss responds. <<Keep an eye on them, and carry out the task. They are paying well enough. Check the databases, though. If there is a gashad on any of their heads they may be of more worth to us dead.>>

[Gumby]

Fisher's face had gone from raging to cold calmness. He stared cold daggers at Reli, then stood up and slowly began to pace around the room. The only Yeerkish he knew were swear words, and they were all starting to bubble up to mind right about now. He stopped right besides Reli, glaring at the Andalite.

"I think," He forced out calmly. "That there are a few things we need to talk about."