Tom began coughing, due to the smoke. He glanced around, and said, “The sprinklers aren’t working! Why aren’t the sprinklers working?”
(The fire must have been caused by an oil or other water-resistant chemical,) I told him, trying to be half as calm as I must have sounded to him.
“But-but,” he sputtered. I believe he was attempting not to cry, although he claims he was just nervous. He finally continued his thought, “But, nothing in this room is like that.”
I understood what he meant. (True. Everything in here is either fuel that would allow fire to be put out by water, or is fire resistant. Therefore, it could not be a wiring or cooking problem.)
“If it was wiring, the water would have fried us anyway.” Tom was sounding bitter. “So what do you think caused our mystery fire?”
I hesitated. I did not want to accuse, but he had asked. (Possibly a bomb.)
“Oh, a bomb. Is that all?” Obviously sarcasm. Something Humans commonly use in unfavorable situations. Tom then grew very serious. “Lee?”
(Yes Tom?)
“Do you think it’ll hurt when we burn up?”
(No. We will probably die of smoke inhallation first. Which means we will fall asleep before we die.)
“Oh. That’s good”
(Good?)
“Yeah. I’m gonna die in my sleep with my best friend at my side. I can’t think of a better way to die.”
(I can. To die in service of the people with my shorm at my side.) I then attempted humor. (Preferably after a long and prosperous career.)
Tom laughed nervously, and then began coughing again. He looked as though he was about to say somthing, But then-- A door opened and foam filled the room, extinguishing the flames.
“Mom!” Tom gasped.
(War-Prince Cassie!) I added, just as surprised and relieved.
“I told you, you can call me mom.”
(Yes, War-Prince Mom)
“Lee, you sound just like your father,” War prince Cassie laughed as we exited the room.
“Yeah, mom, and you sound like Dad.” Tom added.
“Now, watch yourself, Tom, or you’ll start to sound like your Uncle Marco.”
War-Prince Marco. Long ago, Soon after the invention of the yeerk Detection Device (YDD), he had determined his father was a non-controller. The two were given a ship and a crew, and had gone to find War-Prince Marco’s mother--who happened to be Controlled by the Yeerk called Visser One. To destroy the Yeerk and free the host would be a great victory to the family and a great defeat to the Yeerk Empire.
I am once again off the subject.
We walked through the dome of the Council Ship. The dome contained plants of various worlds--Andalite trees for talking to, Human trees for climbing, Hork-bajir trees for eating. Likewise grasses, for Andalites to eat and most others to walk on and admire.
However, we took the stone path that winds throughout the Dome, leading to all doors. You see, after my ordeal I could not eat, and was not strong enough to close my hooves, one of which now had a permanent scar where my tail had struck it in the explosion.
We reached the Habitation Area, Where we met up with our respective families.
“Dad!” Tom and War-Prince Jake embraced in the Human fashon.
(Father, Mother.) I said
(Leealnea, Are you all right?) my mother asked, worried.
(I am fine, mother. But Tom needs medical attention for his arm.)
War-Prince Cassie then saw the gash on her son’s arm, at the very moment my father saw the large nick in my hoof.
(Someday you two will be able to tell your grandchildren you got those scars in battle. If I am right, what you say will be true.)
(What do you mean, Father?) I asked, hoping he would not confirm my suspisions.
“Yeah, Ax, what do you mean?” Asked War-Prince Jake, although he looked as if he knew the answer.
(I have reason to believe there is a traitor aboard the Council Ship.)