<<She won't succeed,>> Terenia says quickly, reading Mike's thoughts. <<Maybe once she spends some time among the rebellion she'll even believe that you both more or less want the same thing.>>
Unable to contain her own excitement, Terenia stops Mike's body in its tracks and moves to the side, glancing back the way they had come. Her heart leaps when she sees Efaen's form, tail held high, trotting towards them.
<<It really worked,>> it is clear from her amazement that she had not expected such a success. She tries, with some difficulty, to emanate calm as she waits for Efaen by leaning against an old ship hull and crossing Mike's arms across his chest.
<I have conditions,> Efaen says without preamble, skidding to a stop in front of Mike and Terenia. <You will not be permitted to perform a memory dump of any sort on me. You have Terenia to vouch for my memories, and I will not allow the intrusion. If an opportunity for combat or espionage arises, you will allow me to utilize my skills as a trained Andalite warrior. If I request to be sent along on a mission, I expect my wishes to be honored.> Her main eyes bore into Mike's/Terenia's as she speaks. Her thoughts come across as angry, tinged with the usual bigotry as she talks down to who she believes is Corliss. There is something else there as well, though. Excitement, perhaps?
<Finally,> Efaen concludes, <I will not, under any condition or any circumstance, allow one of your filthy kind to inhabit my skull. Those days are over. I will not sacrifice my freedom.>
Terenia's excitement, which had been soaring, took a nose dive. Her hands, which had been clenched in excitement, shifted into fists of fury.
<<What the hell use will she be if I can't have her as a host?>> Terenia demands, knowing that her anger is obvious on Mike's face.