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Post by Xerxes on Mar 2, 2013 16:03:53 GMT -5
Xerxes sat down at the last remaining computer in some public library just outside of Milwaukee. He hadn’t bothered to look at the library’s name: he wasn’t planning on ever returning and he wasn’t there to check out a book. As he opened up the internet browser, he carefully scooted his chair two inches to the left, positioning himself more equally between the individuals on either side of him, trying to stay as far away from both of them as he could.
While watching the woman with the curly red hair out of the corner of his eye, he began to get to work. He bought a domain name and within minutes, found a website that would enable him to create his own. His money came directly from a banking account his father had set up for him a few years back, direct guilt money as a result of all his prior sins. Xerxes had never used it before.
Shifting his peripheral attention to the bulky, unshaven man slouching in the chair to his right, Xerxes deftly selected a pre-made template for his new site. With a few more keystrokes and clicks of the mouse, the poker-faced teen began to type.
It was short and it was sweet. Descriptively vague, as Xerxes truly did not know any of what he claimed. He scanned over his message before submitting it to his website. He was aware that most people (if anyone ever actually saw it) would blow it off as some random idiot who seemed to think he was brilliant for proclaiming that the Animorphs could morph, through some obscure allegory. But really, that was a shot in the dark and had nothing to do with animals.
After all, if one could become an animal, and Andalite, a Hork-Bajir, or a Taxxon (as Styglin had heard reports of in the past, combined with Xerxes’ post-war knowledge), then what was stopping them from morphing into humans? It seemed like a reasonable guess: what better way to hide from the public and one’s enemies than in plain sight? For all he knew, they could be anyone, anywhere. Like the Controllers used to be. Darkness roiled in his eyes at that thought before he dismissed it utterly and skimmed the rest of his message.
Everything else was sheer woolgathering. None of it was true. But that was okay. As he clicked the submission button and printed it before the eyes of the world, he was pretty convinced that he’d get their attention. After all, if the US government could detect slight keywords that could send armies of men down upon suspected terrorists or whatever, surely the Animorphs could do the same? If he remembered correctly, they’d had access to alien technology at the end of the war (it was in all the newspapers, as to how the Animorphs had vanquished the last stand of the Yeerks). Anything humans could do, Yeerks could do better. Except survive.
Anyways, he was certain that the message would turn on some alarms in some secret base somewhere and the computer’s IP address would be tracked down and located. And eventually the Animorphs would arrive, if only to try and kill him. But at least he would’ve gotten their attention, and maybe a chance to speak to them. If not, there were always other ways.
He closed all the windows and logged off the computer before meandering over to the Nonfiction section of the library (putting several feet between him and every other individual there) before casually picking up an encyclopedia on the French and Indian War in the history section, pretending to be perusing it casually as he waited for somebody to arrive.
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Post by Shiro/Efflit on Mar 2, 2013 19:00:47 GMT -5
"That could have gone better," Efflit muttered aloud as he walked down the pool ship's corridors, trying desperately to ignore the dracon burns on his arms and legs. His superiors didn't like hearing that he had yet to properly locate the renegade animorphs, let alone exterminate or assimilate them.
I was hoping they would finish the job, Shiro interjected. They were more merciful than I have ever seen you be.
Efflit only sneered. Usually his host would be correct that such failure would not be tolerated. But fortunately he was much better suited his assigned task than most others who failed. And as such, his superiors had settled for torturing him rather than exterminating him. They said it was to make sure he remembered what it was that he was supposed to be accomplishing. Capturing or crushing the animorphs.
Just as he was reaching a human sleeping chamber to rest, a messenger approached. An underling he recognized but did not recall the name of. The young woman stood at attention, eyes forward. "Efflit 1431, there has been a development."
She handed him a screen with a website displayed upon it. There was a curious bit text contained within. "It was posted eleven minutes ago at a library near Milwaukee. It was-"
Efflit backhanded her hard across the face. "Eleven minutes! Why am I just hearing about this now?"
The woman clutched her face, but still stood mostly at attention. "We would have told you sooner, but you were... unreachable." Her eyes flicked to the burn marks on the arm that had struck her face.
Efflit ignored her and began marching to the hanger where his ship was stored. "Send all the information to my ship. Hopefully your delay won't stop me from arriving before the animorphs decide to do the same." If the one who posted the website had information about the animorphs, he would need to obtain it if at all possible.
I hope it's a trap, was Shiro's only comment.
On his ship, Efflit hurried to morph and demorph in order to heal the burn wounds on Shiro's body. Then he slipped on a fresh Underarmour morphing suit with casual American clothing over top. He slipped a hunting knife under his pant leg and put a pocket knife in his pocket to complete his outfit. Even with his haste, it was still another twenty three minutes before Efflit had managed to land his cloaked ship near the library, and another four before he reached the library doors.
He walked the library as casually as he could, scanning for the computer number that his reports said was used to make the website. It wasn't long before he found it. Empty.
Not surprising in the least. He did not expect the website's author to stick around. However, he still approached the computer. There was a plump man with a beard sitting at the next computer over, apparently shopping for shower curtains. On the other side was a girl with curly red hair, deeply engrossed in a combative video game.
"Excuse me sir," Efflit said to the man, calling upon etiquette from Shiro's past that he had rarely ever needed to access before. "Do you happen to recall anyone sitting at this computer not forty five minutes ago?"
"What?" the man asked, breathing heavily through his mouth. It seemed he had been a bit startled.
"This computer. Was anyone using it about forty minutes ago?"
"I dunno. Why? Or wait, is it a tall blondish kid? There was a guy like that earlier. Seat's open now though if you want to use the computer."
"Did he say where he was going?" Efflit asked, ignoring the invitation to use the computer.
The man raised an eyebrow. "It's not like we chatted up a storm or anything. Forgot he was even there until you mentioned him."
"Please, any information you could give would be very help-"
"He's over there." The redhead had been so immersed in her video game that he was surprised she even knew he was there, let alone had been paying attention to their conversation. Even as she nodded her head in the direction she had indicated, her eyes never left the screen.
It was Efflit's turn to raise an eyebrow as he headed toward the Nonfiction section.
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Post by Xerxes on Mar 2, 2013 19:51:04 GMT -5
The encyclopedia was fairly interesting. Although never particularly fond of war history, Xerxes still found the thick tome to be a delightful find. Maybe I actually will check this out, if the Animorphs do not arrive, that is. Currently, he was in the midst of a short biography on some obscure Iroquois leader. And currently, he was sitting on the floor between two rows, clearly blocking the entire aisle but not caring in the slightest. Xerxes was only even there to set up a possible rendezvous, not actually check out a book.
And then came a conversation, floating upon the breeze generated by the library’s heating and air. It concerned a certain individual, one that described him perfectly. Sliding silently to his feet, Xerxes stood up and positioned himself leaning against a row. He tilted his head forward and rested one black cowboy-booted foot against the bookshelf as well. With a dangling arm, he quickly tapped the boot, reassuring himself that his bowie knife was still inside. A few more pats across his black leather jacket and jeans confirmed the continuing presence of his other blades.
It wasn’t that he was expecting trouble, but he was going to be prepared for it anyways. He was fully aware that an Animorph could morph away anything not immediately life-threatening, and then become immediately life-threatening. Which meant that if he had to do something, he’d have to do it quick and make it count. Good thing I’ve been practicing for a long time.
And then he caught sight of the obvious source of the newcomer’s voice. After all, he had just been directed to Xerxes approximate location. Remaining as energetic as an Egyptian statue, Xerxes slowly brought his head up as the man came closer. His expression was cold and a slight frown danced in his eyebrows. His hazel stare was as sharp as ever as he assessed the man.
Asian, much older. Excellent shape. Moved with purpose. Expressions seemed to be controlled. Earlier dialogue suggested someone with determination and straightforwardness. Military-esque. Dangerous.
But Xerxes allowed the person to get closer anyways. He faced him with the same stare, never wavering, barely blinking. “Identify yourself,” Xerxes stated, his tone nearly devoid of any inflection.
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Post by Shiro/Efflit on Mar 2, 2013 20:59:18 GMT -5
It wasn't long before Efflit spotted someone who fit the bearded man's vague description. And he was "among the pages of history," no less. He approached but stopped short when commanded, "Identify yourself." This was obviously the right guy.
Efflit spread Shiro's arms in a display of non hostility. "I mean you no harm," Efflit said, taking a couple more casual steps toward the boy. Looking the young man up and down, Shiro got the impression that he was all business. He didn't think humor to try and lighten the mood would get him very far with this guy. Efflit glanced nonchalantly to either side, making sure nobody was closing in on him. He didn't notice anyone suspicious as he walked over, but wasn't going to wholeheartedly assume this wasn't some sort of elaborate trap. Any one of the people in this library, or even any fly buzzing around the windows, was a potential animorph. Whether they were allies with this boy or not.
"I assume you are the one responsible for the new website? What exactly is it you are hoping to accomplish?" He didn't bother specifying which website. "In any event, I am Shiro. An ally of the ones you mentioned. And you are?" Efflit offered a hand for the serious boy to shake.
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Post by Xerxes on Mar 2, 2013 21:29:50 GMT -5
The man approached, almost uncomfortably so, and after a brief moment of wasted breath, finally jumped straight to the point. It was almost enough to make Xerxes smile. This man knew what he was doing, in both manner and word. Which made him easier to work with, but harder to predict, and even more dangerous than Xerxes had established. Instead of smiling, Xerxes’ eyes added more steel to their gaze. This man would bear close scrutiny.
In counterpoint to the man’s spread arms, Xerxes slightly crossed his own, allowing each hand to rest on the forearm of the opposing arm. Even an unarmed Animorph could be excessively dangerous. After all, a grizzly bear didn’t need any weapons to rip your throat out.
Xerxes inclined his head slightly, despite its twisted angle, but did not take his eyes off the man-- Shiro was his name. Yes, he created the website. But before Xerxe could decide on whether or not the next question possessed merit, an introduction was asked and a hand proffered.
Xerxes slowly dropped his gaze to the extended hand, left it there for a moment with an unwavering expression, before lifting his gaze back up to the man, as if to say, “And you’re holding your hand out because?” Because touching someone was unacceptable. But despite his inclinations, Xerxes refused to allow himself to try to inch away. He couldn’t show fear. Predators could sense it, and the Animorphs were definitely predators.
As he did with the hand, Xerxes also ignored Shiro’s last question. His name was unnecessary. “Isn’t it obvious?” he said instead, replying to the earlier question. “I seek an audience with the Animorphs.” Xerxes’ voice was pitch to a low volume, keep it down in order to prevent his side of the conversation from being so easily overheard. It was a library after all; a single sound could travel far in the silence, uninterrupted.
“Are the others here with you?” he queried, moving nary a muscle, but trying to listen in on his surroundings, hoping to pick up on something. And without showing Shiro what he was doing. Because while he didn’t want something to sneak up on him, he also didn’t want to take his eyes off of the definite danger in the room in order to chase after phantoms. It was always better to keep your eye on the wasp than to let it vanish when you look for the flea.
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Post by Shiro/Efflit on Mar 2, 2013 23:36:25 GMT -5
Efflit withdrew his hand when it became obvious the man was not going to shake it. Apparently this was not going to be an overly friendly encounter.
"So you want an audience with the animorphs. Well, you got it. I am here, and so are you." Efflit pulled a large book off the shelf next to him, casually flipping through the pages without taking note of what it was he was looking at. His focus was still on the boy.
"As for others, as far as you need be concerned, it is only me. But you would be unwise to judge a book by its cover." Efflit snapped the book closed and put it back on the shelf. "If you would like a larger audience, perhaps we could go somewhere a bit more private. I have a ship parked nearby where we can speak freely, away from prying eyes."
"Which brings up another point, Mr. ... Whatever-your-name-is." He still hadn't given an identity. Although it would be easy enough to find out. Efflit could delve deeper into the creation of the website, use facial recognition software if he had been caught on a nearby camera, or simply have him infested. The last option was probably most likely. "The other point being, do you have anyone else here with you? And if so, should I be concerned for my safety?"
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Post by Xerxes on Mar 3, 2013 23:16:01 GMT -5
Interesting. Shiro exhibited a subtle threat with the use of the book. But it was redundant. Xerxes had already classified him as a threat. The subtlety of the action only served to confirm his thoughts. Such a man was clearly capable of devious machinations and did not immediately resort to bullying tactics. Otherwise, Shiro might’ve just outright threatened him. But the snake that slithered in its coils could be far more sinister than a lion roaring its anger.
Xerxes had no intent on acquiescing to the man’s offer. “A small audience is acceptable,” he snipped, his tone implying that that was the end of the topic. What better way to destroy the source of some dangerous rumors than to draw him away and dispose of him quietly? Please. Even little kids were told to avoid the men passing out candy. Besides, the public location was a purposeful choice: it drastically reduced the chances of any outright morphing or murder. Not with so many witnesses around, or at least potential meat shields. Xerxes figured that if chaos cut loose, the heavyset man would make a wonderful shieldwall.
And as for Shiro’s questioning, Xerxes had a few words of wisdom to dispense. “You should always be concerned for your safety: it’s a dangerous world we live, growing darker day by day.” He cocked his head slightly, almost treating Shiro to a thoughtful look. Ne also neglected to elaborate on the location of any potential back-up. As long as he could keep the man uncertain and off-balance, Xerxes might manage to walk away. Or pull the whole thing off. But first....
“Prove yourself.” The ransom had been posted online, exposed to the entire world for nearly an hour. This man could be anybody, or anything. If the man could prove that he was capable of morphing, Xerxes would continue with his objectives. If not, well, things might get a little crazy.
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Post by Shiro/Efflit on Mar 4, 2013 17:26:08 GMT -5
Efflit allowed a slight smile to cross Shiro's face despite himself. This young man was certainly no fool. He had denied Efflit's offer for privacy, not even bothering to pretend that he was interested. It was smart to stay within reach of the public, specifically to avoid the type of situation that Efflit was trying to get the boy into.
Looks like he is too smart for you, Shiro said to Efflit. You should give up and get out before any real animorphs arrive, if they haven't already.
Do you really care so much about this boy, or are you starting to care about my own well being? Either way, I still plan on getting what I need from this boy, one way or the other.
"I will prove myself, as you ask. It is a practical request, considering the circumstances. But as you said, it is a dangerous world, so I will need to make it quick." Shiro glanced around the room to make sure nobody was watching before concentrating on his scorpion morph. Even if the animorphs weren't present, he still had to worry about the wrong people seeing him. If he was seen by yeerks not allied with The One, or even yeerks that were who did not know Shiro's face, he could have problems. Even unarmed generic humans could become potential nuisances if properly provoked.
Despite the danger, Efflit still willed the changes to take place. Within a matter of moments Shiro's arms swelled up and his fingers melted into large pincers, even as the rest of Shiro's body shrank a few inches and began to grow hard patches of exoskeleton across his skin. Already his morphing was much too noticeable, so he reversed the process. His fingers reformed, his skin softened to its original density, and his height was restored.
"I sure hope that was satisfactory," he said politely. Then, adding a hard edge to his voice, "Now how about you tell me about this information you have threatened to make public."
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Post by Xerxes on Mar 4, 2013 21:01:39 GMT -5
Xerxes Alerion had seen many terrors in his lifetime. He’d seen Taxxons rush to devour a human who’d made the mistake of trying to flee his Hork-Bajir guards in the Yeerk Pool. He’d seen them devour each other. His every waking moment for years had been filled with invented nightmares and memories, thanks to Styglin. And on two separate occasion, Xerxes had been an involuntary witness to seeing Esplin 9466 morph his host into abominable horrors.
A human only slightly shifting into something vaguely bug-like was nothing in comparison.
Although the transformation was still disturbing, Xerxes remained in control of his stoney expression. Deliberately, once Shiro had reverted back to normal, Xerxes allowed his eyes to scan Shiro from head to toe before resuming eye contact. He sniffed nearly imperceptibly, as if to say he’d seen it all before and hadn’t been impressed then, either. The desire to gag was staunchly repressed. Steel and ice, that’s all he’d allow the Animorph to see.
Again, he inclined his head a smidgen, acknowledging the proof of the man’s identity. It would suffice. A microsecond’s glance beyond the man confirmed that none of the few people in sight had seen anything at all. Good. Their meeting could continue, even despite the sharpness of the man’s voice. A vanishing supply of patience was only to be expected, after all.
For a moment, Xerxes toyed with the idea of a sarcastic response, but he rejected the idea. It wouldn’t do any good to bait Shiro. “To be concise, I know the identities that the three founding members of your organization use when out and about in public. I know where your headquarters is located,” Xerxes said smoothly, despite the reality of his actions. He was running on pure speculation, attempting to bluff the man. But just the fact that he was there gave Xerxes a certain amount of confirmation in the accuracy of his insight. Of course, the Animorphs could be merely covering all possible angles that could potentially threaten their exposure, but Xerxes might actually have stumbled onto a nugget of truth.
But he was already putting all of his money on the table. He couldn’t fold now. “In order to buy my silence and for me to hand over all of the evidence I’ve collected, I ask for only one thing.” He paused for a brief moment, attempting to build suspense and to enable him to pull himself together.
“I want to become an Animorph.”
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Post by Shiro/Efflit on Mar 4, 2013 23:22:12 GMT -5
The guy appeared unimpressed and Efflit was surprised that he was a bit disappointed by that fact. Even a lot of his underlings let little signs of shock slip onto their hosts' faces when he morphed in front of them sometimes. Efflit was becoming more and more certain that this boy would make a wonderful host. Maybe he would even take him on as an underling. But first they would need to finish up this encounter.
"Oh come now. You won't take my word that I am an animorph, but you expect me to take your word that you have the information you claim? Simple as that?" Every bit of information the boy claimed to have was priceless in Efflit's eyes. Valuable enough that Efflit would warrant causing a scene to capture him if he didn't come willingly.
"You know what? Fine," he said almost casually. "I like your style. I think you would be a great asset to the animorph team. Welcome aboard." As the words left his mouth, he realized that maybe he made it too easy. Efflit offered a handshake again, this time to seal the deal. But even as he held out his arm as a friendly gesture, his other hand was coyly reaching for the pocket knife he brought with. Just in case.
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Post by Xerxes on Mar 5, 2013 22:06:03 GMT -5
There. He’d said it. There was no going back now.
Xerxes’ response was then quickly received, disbelieved, then sequentially accepted. The shift in the man’s tone was puzzling enough to cause Xerxes’ right eyebrow to twitch upwards slightly. Was there a seafood restaurant nearby, or was the scent of fish emanating from the man’s speech? Either way, something rang suspicious to the teenager’s ears. Why did Shiro suddenly lose his doubts about Xerxes? And the way he shifted to casual compliments from serious mistrust appeared equally sketchy.
Perhaps it was a test. For what, Xerxes had no clue. The only thing he could do was to remain on his guard and see where it went. If it were a trap, well, he knew where his first blade was going. He figured he could wing it when it came time to using the others. The only things Xerxes was certain of were these: Shiro was an Animorph and he either knew more than he was telling or he was constantly disassembling. Regardless, the dangerous man would bear watching.
Like before, Xerxes disregarded the hand that was once again stretched out to him, obviously insinuating the desire for a handshake to confirm the deal. He eyed the hand again, firmly resisting the urge to inch backwards, before returning his gaze gaze to Shiro’s. “Well, then. Take me to your leader,” said Xerxes, his voice bland and devoid of nearly all emotion, including irony. But by his lack of movement, Xerxes was attempting to make it clear that he had no intentions of making the first move. Perhaps he did just agree to go with Shiro, but he was also going to keep him in sight at all times.
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Post by Shiro/Efflit on Mar 5, 2013 23:16:19 GMT -5
When the boy didn't shake his hand this time, Efflit's first thought was that he realized it was a trap. He readied himself to chase or defend, but the need never arose. Apparently the guy just didn't like shaking hands. Quite the odd individual, Efflit commented to Shiro.
Are you sure he isn't a controller? Shiro responded. He does act almost as if someone else is controlling his body. Maybe it is you who is falling into another yeerk's trap.
Funny, Shiro. But it wasn't. It was a possibility that was all too real. However, controllers did not make their hosts appear to be controlled. This boy's unusual nature actually pointed toward him being anything but a controller.
Efflit took his hands back. Both from offering a handshack and from reaching for his pocket knif. Although he remained ready to grab his pocket knife at a moment's notice. "I will gladly take you too my leader, but I warn you, it is a bit of a drive." This, at least, was entirely true. "If you walk with me, I will take you to the ship I mentioned. You can meet some of the others."
Efflit began leading the way out of the library and to the secluded location where he parked his ship. He didn't enjoy letting the boy into his blind spots, but it was necessary to keep up his ruse. Just a little further and he would be able to force the young man to comply with his plans if necessary without causing an unwanted scene.
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Post by Xerxes on Mar 6, 2013 16:24:49 GMT -5
Xerxes waited for Shiro to begin leaving before he moved in the slightest. Once the man’s back was turned, the teen allowed himself to lean forward and stand straight, moving nearly mechanically as he rearranged his limbs and took a solid stance in the aisle for just the briefest of moments. He allowed his arms to hand down to his sides, but he kept his fingers curved, as if ready to catch anything that might fall from the sleeves of his jacket.
Despite the heavy heels of his boots, Xerxes trod as softly as possible as he began his trek across the thinly carpeted library floor. As he passed by, he unconsciously nudged a few books back into alignment with their neighbors, pushing them further onto the shelves in order to create a mostly flat surface. He even adjusted the book Shiro used as an example without missing a stride.
There were few worse things than a disorderly library.
As the two continued on towards the main entrance of the library, Xerxes made sure to keep about six feet between the two at all times. He wanted to stay out of arm’s reach and still have a few additional moments in which to react, if such a response were to be needed. But it was also a small enough gap that Xerxes could quickly close, if needed. When they reached the doors, Xerxes pressed the handicap button on a rail by the doors. After all, he wouldn’t want a closed door to come between them, or between him and a possible escape.
As they hit the street, Xerxes assumed a stalking method of walking. Although directing the majority of his attention towards Shiro and what was ahead, the teen made sure to not avoid keeping a constant gaze on everything else.
Was that slight shimmer in the sky a result of heat emissions from a nearby building? Or was it a cloaked Bug Fighter? Could the lady crossing the street be a Controller, spying on them? Was the large bird circling in the sky above them another Animorph? Was there someone in the shadows of the alley across the street? Did that postman have a dracon beam in his mailbag?
Xerxes’ mind whirled with possibilities and potential threats as he walked down the street. Although not rubbernecking, he was clearly sweeping the area. Hopefully, his scans were more predatory in appearance, and not the nervous darting of a paranoid person.
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Post by Javier Delgado on Mar 7, 2013 16:43:59 GMT -5
<<For the record, this plan is still far outside of my comfort zone. I liked the scouting and spying much better.>> Javier was talking to his companions in the area, either in morph or aboard their bug fighter. Right now he was crouched behind a dumpster, trying to avoid broken bottles and rotten food as he finished up the last changes of his morph. Claws burst forth from his fingers and his teeth became long and pointy as his body slumped close to the gravel.
The reason he was here in the first place was because of a cryptic website that had been recently published. Their computer expert, Eric, managed to trace the payment method of the domain name back to a specific bank account. And from there he supplied images of a few individuals who would be likely to use it. When they arrived, they spotted a person from one of those images, but he was already talking to someone. Their group was organizing a plan for someone to get close with a morph to listen in on their conversation, but they exited the library before that could happen.
It was obvious that their target was being led somewhere by the mystery man, but they weren't sure if they should risk intervening until someone realized that they had run into the mystery man before. He was a yeerk. A dangerous yeerk with a morph-capable host. If he was interested in this guy, then chances were that they should risk intervening after all.
Which is why Javier was skulking in the filth with a scaled tail erupting from his backside.
His new tail contacted a wooden pallet leaning against the alley wall, causing it to topple and crash to the ground with a resonating crash. <<I guess that's my cue.>>
Javier exploded from behind the refuse receptacle, ran out onto the sidewalk, and barreled toward the known controller. <<Run!>> he said to the boy. <<This man is a threat!>> Javier lunged at the controller, jaws agape.
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Post by Shiro/Efflit on Mar 7, 2013 17:01:46 GMT -5
Efflit allowed himself a smile. Things were going better than he could have hoped. His target had been easy to locate, and despite some personality issues he had been easy to coerce as well. And now he was leading him back to his ship where he would be able to get one of his fellow yeerks into the man's head and get all the answers he needed.
Or maybe I will infest him myself, Efflit thought openly. It would probably be easier that way.
It didn't work out so well for you last time, Shiro reminded him.
But I won't have to acquire myself this time. You won't gain control and mess things up while I am in the acquiring trance this time. Still, he would need to contemplate it some more.
Just then a loud crash in a nearby alley caught his attention. A spike of fear leaped into his heart for a moment before he realized the chances that it was anything for the two of them to worry about was minimal. If an attack at them was going to happen, it probably would have happened back by the library.
But his relief was short-lived as a Komodo dragon stepped out into the street and approached them. Efflit barely had time to pull the hunting knife out from under his pant leg before the reptile was upon them. "Save your life, kill the scourge!" he yelled to the nameless boy, even as he slashed at the scaled beast.
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