The New Times #4: The Shamed
By: Meg
Prologue:
My name is Devilin. Myself
and my companions-Xeltos and Henralina- are here to tell you a story. It
is a tragedy uniquely our own. Along with me and my friends, another friend,
who was Insithins-Cooraf-Enilon, we were disgraced so badly that we were
expelled from RAHMA, the Royal Andalite Homeworld Military Academy.
We are here to tell
you how it came about. I suppose you could say this is our hirac delest.
We are giving it to Tobias, Prince Elfangor's human/hawk/Andalite son.
He is to give it to his shorm, our Prince - Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill
- only in the event of all of our deaths, or until we say otherwise.
Hah. That is a bitter
sentence, to be sure. Of the 4 of us who were disgraced, one, Insithins,
is already dead. I had a part in that, as well.
I am not here to tell
you a battle story along with the human morphers who call themselves
the Animorphs. This is OUR story.
Part 1: Prelude to Shame
Chapter 1: Devilin
I was accepted to the most
prestigious Andalite military academy: RAHMA, or the Royal Andalite Homeworld
Military Academy! I was so excited!
You see, in the interactive
school (school done by computers) I went to, I always ranked #1 in all
military subjects. Taroth-Hareli-Nooralia, my providential governor, recommended
my to Lirem-Arrepoth-Terrouss, the Head of the Council, as my province's
candidate for RAHMA, the military academy.
But first, because
I was province-sponsored, I had to take an aptitude test.
The categories on the
aptitude test were: Intelligence, Starfighting Ability, Tailfighting Ability,
Command Ability, Tactical Ability, and what was called the HT ability.
It was the Hoof-Thinking Ability: whether or not
you could think on your hooves, and think
for yourself when you were cut off from superior officers.
Each category's points
were out of 500. 500 was genius, 300 was average. My official record was
as follows:
Candidate Devilin-Torothal-Swarvalan
Province: Ansalonala
Intelligence: 423
Starfighting Ability: 375
Tailfighting Ability: 290
Command Ability: 457
Tactical Ability: 324
HT Ability: 200
Personality: Overconfident, self-righteous,
good leader, unorthodox thinker.
RAHMA APPROVED
As you can see, I was
a bright child. My chief failings were overconfidence and believing in
my own right. My
Talifighting and Hoof-Thinking Ability
were severely lacking as well. However, I was intelligent, could pilot
a starfighter decently, and I was an excellent commander and tactician.
That earned me a spot
in the Officer Corps.
Chapter 2: Xeltos
I earned my way into RAHMA
a little differently than Devilin.
My father was a Fighter
Pilot Prince on the Dome Ship ShredderPower. My mother served as a nurse
on the same ship. Since it was dangerous to live in a Dome Ship during
the war, I lived with my mother's brother and his wife. They loved me as
their own, for my aunt could not have children. Indeed, I loved them more
than I loved my own parents.
That all changed when
the ShredderPower was destroyed. All of my family, my grandparents, aunts,
uncles, cousins, all of them, were invited to the memorial service.
The Yeerks, in a moment
of superb arrogance and malignance, blew up the space station where the
memorial was being held.
I remember why I didn't
go. I was down with the sickness that humans call pneumonia. Normally,
it wouldn't be very dangerous. But coupled with the shock and emotional
trauma of losing first my parents, then my entire family, I was in intensive
care.
Oh, how I hated the
Yeerks! Oh, how I wanted revenge!
As was customary for
war orphans with no family to turn to, I was given a choice. From the Orphan
Fund, I could get enough money to go anywhere. In addition, I would be
welcomed anywhere.
But I chose to go to
RAHMA; putting myself on the path I walk now. There was no fee, for then
the RAHMA desperately needed Andalites to train.
Like my father before
me, I was placed in the Starfighter Corps.
Chapter 3: Henralina
Then, the Electorate passed
a law saying that, for every Province, at least one willing female had
to be put into the RAHMA. I showed the most aptitude for the military life
in my province; besides, I was the only female
willing to go!
I had a choice to where
to go: Starfighter Corps, Officer Corps, Medical Corps, or Teaching Corps
(Andalites who were specifically trained to, as Warriors, train arisths
that were put on Dome Ships without formal military
education).
All of those teach
Tailfighting to those males who need it. Only males!
I chose the Medical
Corps.
It was the custom,
in that time, to put together many Training Squads, with one person from
every Corps in each. I was placed with 3 males: Officer Aristh Devilin-Torothal-Swarvalan,
Starfighter Aristh Xeltos-Sradon-Goleter, and Teacher Aristh Insithins-Cooraf-Enilon.
They knew me as Medic Aristh
Henralina-Losoth-Sinfrana.
I still remember our
first meeting.
Chapter 4: Xeltos
< Training Squad lists
are posted > the pleasant tone of the barracks computer said.
< FINALLY! > I said.
It was the beginning
of my third year at RAHMA. Every time a shalsloa (what you humans call
a 'class') reaches their third year, they are put into their Training Squads.
They remain with their
Squadmates for the rest of their military careers. Unless some die, then,
they are alone. Exceptions can be made, and arisths who learn war on Dome
Ships don't have Squadmates. Example: Prince Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul
was trained on a ship. In fact, my mother and father met each other in
a Squad (my mother was the first female to gain entrance to RAHMA in over
one hundred years). I glanced at my roommate, Samilin-Tahaylik-Cosalan.
< Want to go look?
> He said.
I nodded and got up
to stretch. It felt good to move (get my mind of the exam on Model 11s
that was tomorrow), besides, I had to complete the RAHMA ceremony of finding.
I bowed down low.
I always thought these
all these ceremonies were pretty pointless-who cares? But I had to do them,
or else be punished with even MORE ceremonies-the ceremony of forgiveness,
pardon, doing something in our little
RAHMA social world to make up for it,
etc, etc. Besides, it drew a lecture from the most boring teacher- War-Prince
Shoslon-Elnadad-Ceretlal. He had REALLY only advanced in rank to Prince,
but instead of retiring, he went to RAHMA to teach Tailfighting. So, he
got a rank booster.
I had always excelled
in Tailfighting, so I never went to any of his classes. I don't know if
this was a good thing or a bad thing.
I chanted dutifully.
shorm among those. >
The first part was
done.
I glanced across the
room at Samilin. He was finishing his own ritual.
He looked at me, and
we trotted across the room to the computer screen.
First, we typed in:
SEARCH: TRAINING SQUAD: SAMILIN-TAHAYLIK-COSALAN.
His Squad came up. He
was lucky-he got some other arisths that I knew to be very smart, loyal,
professional, and, above all, they all had healthy egos.
My turn. SEARCH: TRAINING
SQUAD: XELTOS-SRADON-GOLETER.
My Squad came up.
< Oh, NO!! > I said.
< I'm sorry, Xeltos,
> Samilin said. My Squad was:
Training Squad #5
(Meet Prince Kataran at 0500 tomorrow)
Officer Aristh Devilin-Torothal-Swarvalan.
Starfighter Aristh Xeltos-Sradon-Goleter
Medic Aristh Henralina-Losoth-Sinfrana
Teacher Aristh Insithins-Cooraf-Enilon
You see, first of all,
there was a strong anti-female bias at RAHMA at that point. Many male students
at RAHMA chafed under the law that there had to be at least one female
from every province at RAHMA. That meant at least ten females (ten
provinces). I am ashamed to say, I was one of those males. So, I didn't
particularly like the fact I would have to spend my last two years at RAHMA
with one!
Also, from what I had
heard from other arisths, Devilin was an egomaniac and an idiot. Also,
he was prejudiced against aliens, believing Andalites to be the Pinnacle
of Creation. I knew Insithins was not very talkative, so where would
that put us?
To this day, I don't
know if the RAHMA TSB (Training Squad Board-they make up the Squads) made
a good decision or a bad decision on our squad.
Most likely, I thought
to myself, we were the ones that wouldn't fit in any other Squad, so they
stuck us with each other. At least our Sponsor was Prince Kataran. I knew
him-he was a Starfighter Teacher. I was in one of his classes. He was the
kind of teacher you don't remain formal to; you wanted instantly to be
his friend.
Sponsors basically
help you get to know one another.
His classes were always
very interesting. Maybe because he let you take the controls in a simulator,
rather than give you a boring lecture. Sim experience might save your life
in space; lectures sure won't!
I chanted, but with
a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
It was 0500 the next
day. I met with Prince Kataran in his classroom.
< Ah, Xeltos. Are
you ready to meet your Squadmates? And, did you study for the test that's
later today? >
I sighed. < I'm
as ready as I'll ever be, and yes, I studied. >
First, Insithins came
in. He looked at me, nodded, and sat down.
Henralina was next.
She came in looking a little intimidated. But Prince Katarn gave her a
smile, and she relaxed.
I knew that almost
half the girls in the RAHMA at that time had a crush on Prince Katarn.
He was young and handsome. He wasn't on active duty because he had had
his Model 20 shot up so bad that they had to give him a prosthetic arm.
You can't pilot with a prosthetic, but rumors had it he could.
To this day, I don't
know if the rumors were true.
Finally, Devilin came
in. He stepped in with a swagger, I saw Prince Katarn's main eyes narrow,
and I knew at once that there was going to be trouble between Prince Katarn
and Devilin.
< Good. Now that
we're all here, we can begin. > Prince Katarn said, giving Devilin a mildly
reproving look. Devilin ignored it.
< First of all,
for those who don't know me, I am your new Prince. You may call me Prince
Katarn. I require the pledge from you now. >
I folded one knee down,
and the other front leg I extended fully, so I was sort of bowing.
< I, Starfighter
Aristh Xeltos-Sradon-Goleter, pledge my life and honor to that of my new
Prince, Prince
Katarn-Alsornen-Zonaltow. I stand ready
to offer my life and honor to him. >
Prince Katarn smiled
at me. < You may stand, Starfighter Aristh Xeltos-Sradon-Goleter. >
One by one, we repeated
the pledge, including Devilin.
< All right. Now,
I need to know: does anyone here have a life-prophecy? > Prince Katarn
questioned us.
Insithins raised his
hand.
He proceeded to outline
his life-prophecy; if you're reading this, you know what it is.
Chapter 5: Henralina
We proceeded to get closer
together over the third year we were in RAHMA. Let me tell you about our
group.
Devilin became the
leader. As we got to know him, we found that, indeed, he was prejudiced
against aliens. But he was a good friend. And, yes, he did have a bit of
an ego, but we helped him overcome it as much as we could. Also, I discovered
I had a special affection for Devilin, aside from the normal feelings of
affection towards a Squadmate.For example, when Insithins would enter a
room I was in, I would nod, smile, and say hello. I was glad to see him,
as we all became closer.
But when Devilin entered
the room, my pulse would start pounding in my ears. I felt like blood was
rushing to my face. I tried extra-hard to impress him, and I always wanted
to be near him.
I guess you could call
Devilin ruthless. But that wasn't REALLY it. Basically, he looked at things
from a 'where will this be used best' standpoint.
Also, Devilin and Prince
Katarn never really got along. But, for the good of the Squad, they made
an uneasy peace between them, although Devilin frequently "rocked the boat"
as humans would put it.
Xeltos and Devilin
became shorms. I know that, at first, Xeltos was wary of Devilin, but they
discovered that they made an excellent team. Xeltos helped Devilin with
his Tailfighting, and in return, Devilin helped Xeltos to
form an increasingly solid grasp of tactics.
Xeltos was very nice, and he was smart. He had a grudge against Yeerks
that made him apt to throw himself at them, just wanting to kill them.
We discovered about
his parents, and helped him be less likely to rush into battle, heedless
of the consequences. He almost never does it, now.
Insithins never talked
much, but he was incredibly smart. Since he became a Teaching Aristh, he
knew how to hammer a lesson home to an aristh. When one of us was having
trouble understanding something, he would help us understand it in
a way that we would never forget it. He also never enjoyed giving criticism,
for he didn't want people to think he was trying to be mean-he held emotions
very high.
Me? Well, I became the peacemaker.
If there was a dispute in the Squad, I would mediate it. I was the one
who looked for a way out that wasn't fighting, but I was ready to go tail-to-tail
if it was needed.
I also became the person
other Squadmates would go to if they needed to get something out of their
system. They told me secrets. I became a person who would help them let
out their frustration so it wouldn't boil out at
other, inappropriate times.
Prince Katarn was no
longer needed. Therefore, he gave the Academy Board the traditional speech.
You know, the one. As was traditional as well, Prince Katarn gave
our Squad name, as well as purchasing small gifts for all of us.
He named our Squad
the Lance Squad.
I can remember why
he chose that. < You are like the ancient Lancers. Smart, funny, dangerous,
you work well as a team. >
For the gifts, he gave
Devilin a piece of advice as well as a gachuk stone. Those types of stones
were very rare. < Devilin, you must learn to overcome your anger and
your prejudice for the good of the team. This gachuk
stone is to remind you of me. Though we
never truly will be friends, we can coexist. You must learn to do this
with ALL things. Also-look for the beauty of things, instead of looking
from a 'how can I use it' vision! >
To Xeltos, he gave
a small, but incredibly detailed miniature model of a Model 22 fighter.
< You will someday pilot one of these into combat, as your father did
before you. > He said. Xeltos smiled, and ran the Model around in his hand.
To Insithins: <
Always remember: if you need to drive home a point in the heat of combat,
do it. Worry about emotions later > as well as a small datapad that showed
two Andalites Tailfighting.
I looked closer and saw that
it was a picture of the Battle of Blasnaroe, when Shant-Hugdaln-Qwithy
and
Huit-Ziloprt-Vortasn battled to the death.
Again, Prince Katarn chose well. I knew, without any particular reason,
that Insithins would treasure it.
Finally, me. < Henralina.
Your compassion is your guide. >
To me, he gave a small
pad, with slots for medical records already on it.
< For when you graduate
> he said in private thought-speak.
We all smiled.
Part 2: The Trials: The Attempt
[Note: the author wishes to rate part 2
PG-13 due to content (an attempted rape). If you feel you'll be offended,
please don't continue]
Chapter 6: Devilin
It was now time for each
Squad to get specific training on a Dome Ship, pertaining to the type of
aristh you are. Unfortunately, although it was against custom, our Squad
was forced to split up.
Henralina and myself
were sent to the Dome Ship FlaarDanger. Insithins and Xeltos, who had then
become my shorm, were sent to the Alloran'sDisgrace.
It was a sorrowful
parting when we left. I embraced my shorm, and touched my tail blade to
his. I said the normal goodbye to Insithins. Henralina hugged both of them.
I must confess, as
unprofessional as it was, I felt a brief twinge of jealousy as I saw Henralina
embrace the others. Lately, I had noticed in myself a certain special affection
towards Henralina that I had never before
felt for anyone.
If I was in a Tailfighting
class, for example, she might come in. I would then try extra-hard to end
the match and win it.
One time, I was fighting
with my opponent, Vertoonal-Shorslanka-Qjuigow, and he said < Boy, Devilin,
you've hooked a good one. How good is she? >
I got so enraged that
I blocked two blows and laid one of my own on his neck, turning the sharp
blade away so that I still delivered a powerful blow to the side of his
neck. He turned away and gasped for air, and before I knew it I went for
him. I laid the sharp end of my tail blade on his neck and said privately,
< If you EVER make another disparaging remark about Henralina, I swear
on my Warrior hood after I graduate that I WILL come after you. You got
that? > I asked, slow and menacingly.
He nodded, for he still
couldn't speak. I let him up.
Anyway, we were on
the FlaarDanger. I was grazing a little away from Henralina when I saw
three big, burly Warriors trotting towards where she was grazing.
Suddenly, I heard a small scream in my head.
Henralina! I rushed
to where she was, only to find a horrifying scene.
Chapter 7: Henralina
Three big Warriors headed
towards me. I kept a wary eye on them.
Suddenly, on of them
nodded to the others. Before I knew it, two of them had hold of me. One
was holding my arms; the other slipped a sheath over my tail.
< Hold her! > The
last one commanded. One grabbed hold of one arm, the other grabbed hold
of the other arm, and they were forcing me down.
The last one-nooooo!
-Was trying to mount me! This was rape! I had heard stories of this when
I was young, but I had always dismissed them!
< THIS is what happens
when some upstart females think they are equal to males! If you know what's
good for you, you'll renounce the RAHMA before forcing us to do this! >
One of them crowed.
< NEVER!! I'll never
give in to you! > I yelled.
He laughed. < OK,
because I have connections.I will weather the storm. I gave you a choice.
Don't say I didn't warn you… >
I screamed, all the
while rearing and kicking out with my back hooves at the one who was trying
to mount me. Suddenly-
< Henralina? NOO!!
HENRALINA!! >
Devilin galloped up,
and sliced one goon across the throat with his tail blade. I kicked the
idiot trying to mount me with one of my rear hooves, and I decapitated
the other Warrior.
Together, Devilin and
me advanced towards the one who tried to mount me, and when Devilin sliced
at the goon's throat, and the rapist blocked it, I leapt over him, and
sliced downward, cutting the Warrior in half.
Chapter 8: Devilin
We stood before the Council
for what we did. Yes, they had tried to rape Henralina, and it had been
self-defense (her) and defense of the innocent for me, but some were of
the opinion that less strong measures could have been taken to neutralize
the rapists than killing them.
Right.
Anyway, time and time
again, Prince Katarn interceded on our behalf when we were attacked. The
penalty for killing another free Andalite was death, but our situation
was infinitely more complicated. Finally, a verdict was
passed down.
Chapter 9: Henralina
< The sentence for killing
another Andalite is normally death. > One of the council members said.
I felt Devilin tensing beside me, and I took a deep breath.
I searched for my parents
in the crowd, and I sensed Devilin doing the same. We found our assorted
parents, sitting side by side, faces pale, worried.
< However, this
is different. Devilin interceded on Henralina's behalf, and Henralina interceded
on her own behalf when faced with rape from three sexist Andalite Warriors.
The punishment.... > he took a deep breath.
< Their second and
third names will be taken from them. They are expelled from RAHMA. However,
they do not have to leave the military, and will not be killed. >
Too shocked to do anything,
Devilin and I were led out of the courtroom. As I left, I saw pitying looks.
I looked for my father, but he looked away and my mother was in tears.
In the corridor, we
both collapsed. I heard shouts of rage from the room. Among them, my father
shouting < That's unfair! Cruel and too heavy a sentence! >
I looked at Devilin,
and we embraced.
In that moment, we
knew we were cut off from everything we had known.
But we had each other.
Part 3: The Trials: The Orders
Chapter 10: Xeltos
Since Insithins and I were
sent to the Alloran'sDisgrace, and he has passed away, I will tell this
next part of the
story myself.
We headed to the Alloran'sDisgrace.
We stayed on routine patrol for a couple of months, and I heard of Devilin's
and Henralina's disgrace. It made my hearts heavy with grief, and I despaired
of ever seeing them again.
Finally, we got some
action. One of the crewmembers sighted a Blade Ship, and a fierce battle
commenced.
I piloted a Model 22,
and Insithins helped-I don't know how. But, finally, there was a turning
point.
We captured the Visser-it
turned out it was Visser Ten.
The captain, War-Prince
Taylanash, called Insithins and myself into an audience with him.
he began arrogantly.
< War is not about being promoted and playing the hero. War is about
killing. >
He gestured towards
Visser Ten, who had a Hork-Bajir body, and continued, < This.... scum....
is a sworn enemy of the People, > he continued.
I had a sinking feeling
in the pit of my stomach-I thought I knew where Captain Taylanash was going.
< However, I do
not believe this...Year...deserves any more life. Now, normally we would
hand him over to the Electorate for questioning, but.... >
The Captain peered
at us with all four of his eyes.
Chapter 11: Xeltos
We stared at the Captain
in shock.
< Don't worry >
he said, < all the Warriors on this ship will vouch that we killed him
in combat. So. Do it. >
< But sir! > I got
in a protest. < That is unlawful, and disgraceful, and you know it!
This Visser could have a wealth of information that would help us tremendously!
I really must protest this. > I said loudly. Then I softened
my tone.
The Captain's face
became hard and cruel. < Insithins? >
< No, my Captain.
I must agree with Xeltos on this matter. >
< Fine. But you
WILL face a court-martial for disobeying the orders of a superior officer.
Not if they're unlawful,
I thought to myself.
We spent the remainder
of our time on the Alloran'sDisgrace in the brig.
Chapter 12: Xeltos
We stood in a court-martial,
and received the same punishment as Devilin and Henralina. Although, I
tried to appeal.
< But sir! I really
must protest this! > I yelled at the leader of the tribunal we were facing,
Grand Fleet Admiral
Klasther.
< Overruled! > he
yelled. I saw Captain Taylanash smirk in the crowd.
I had heard, of course,
that Klasther owed Taylanash several favors from when they were young,
but I never imagined THIS!
I saw Insithins looking
for his family in the crowd. At least I don't have a family to be disgraced
by me! I thought
bitterly.
But it wasn't over
yet. < War-Prince Taylanash-Shantas-Leksuda, Captain of the Alloran'sDisgrace,
come forward! > The Grand Fleet Admiral yelled.
I saw Taylanash squirm
a little as he came forward. Good. See how it feels.
< You are charged
with ordering two arisths to disobey the Charter. Is this true? >
< Yes, it is. >
Taylanash said, totally relaxed.
< Then, by rights
and the judgment of my peers, I must discipline you. >
I saw Taylanash's face
slowly drain of color. < But- >
He never got a chance
to finish. < You are dismissed, WARRIOR Taylanash-Shantas-Leksuda! >
Through it all, Taylanash
kept his military bearing, and slowly walked out of the room.
< Aristh Xeltos?
Come forward. You as well, Aristh Insithins. >
We walked up, slowly,
to where the Tribunal was seated. In private thought-speak, they said:
< We didn't wish
to have to discipline you that sternly, but others in the military would
see us all dead if we let you go unpunished. There are those who believe
you follow the orders of a superior officer, no matter what.
Furthermore, most Andalites on the Council
wouldn't care if you killed ANY Visser-they hate all Yeerks. This was the
best compromise we could find, without killing you, for you know that the
normal punishment for disobedience is death. I'm sorry. >
< Not as sorry as
we are > Insithins said. < What happened to the noble view of sticking
together? > I asked.
Then, we turned our
backs and left.
Epilogue:
Now you know how we were
disgraced, Prince Aximili, now that we're gone.
It was hoped that,
by placing us in the Earth Fleet, we would either die or survive and go
on to become heroes.
Please don't hold it
against us-we did what we could.
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