Chapter 28
Loren is mystified by Zero-space. Elfangor mentions that he has explained it to her numerous times and figures she is just "making conversation". And he doesn't blame her as she had to endure being controlled by a Yeerk. Elfangor says it's one of the worst experiences any creature can endure. He remarks that she is acting better than he expected her to. Is it just me or does being infested by a Yeerk sound an awful lot like rape? Just by Elfangor's description.
It turns out that Loren's Yeerk had been at the end of its cycle. Every three days a Yeerk has to feed by absorbing Kandrona rays in a Yeerk pool. Elfangor made a deal with the Yeerk to be put into hibernation instead of dying. He then shoots the Yeerk into real space and there is a chance that it'll be picked up one day. However, he also makes mention that he made sure to release the Yeerk in a spot where it'd most likely die. Elfangor admits it's not what he'd have done before but said he just doesn't care. He admits that Alloran's way is correct but he learned too late. War does change people in horrible ways.
Chapman harasses Elfangor about not knowing where to go. It turns out Elfangor has been changed so much by this one mission that he doesn't think he can ever go back home to his parents. He tells the two humans that he has basically disgraced himself so he is afraid of being reprimanded.
Chapman continues to harass Elfangor and says he was right in siding with the Yeerks. He tries to make Elfangor use the Time Matrix. This is a bad idea as the Yeerks had put a tracking beacon on the Jahar and Sub-Visser Seven had left instructions for Chapman in case something went wrong.
Elfangor then realizes he can spring a trap. Loren asks if she'll ever get back to Earth. As I don't have any real feelings for home, I would find traveling the stars better than what I have now. In fact, since I was a little kid I have dreamed of one day living on Mars.
Chapman uses the opportunity to take another jab at Elfangor.
Chapter 29
Elfangor explains what will happen and then asks how he can tie up Chapman effectively. Loren gags Chapman and it takes Elfangor a few moments to understand that it's to make sure he won't talk. Loren says that it's sad that it won't hurt him. Ah, I can feel all the Chapman love in the Jahar!
Loren asks Elfangor if he's tempted to use the Time Matrix and Elfangor asks if she wishes that she'd never been picked up by the Skrit Na. Loren says no because she wouldn't want to ever not have met him. AW! I am having so many feels right now. It hurts!
Elfangor makes mention of the pictures he found in the Skrit Na ship and asks about where Loren lives. It turns out that Elfangor had been looking at a cigarette ad. He asks why humans smoke in beautiful places but Loren is laughing too hard. They both end up laughing.
Loren asks why Elfangor doesn't want to use the Time Matrix. He mentions that time is extremely complicated but adds that he's really afraid of the Ellimists. Ellimists are god-like beings that created the Time Matrix. Some Andalites believe the race died out and other Andalites believe that they just moved onto a higher state of being.
Loren states that the existence of the Time Matrix proves that Ellimists are real. Elfangor says if they are real then they have powers normal beings can't dream of.
And then Elfangor talks about the different dimensions and why an Ellimist would be bad to piss off. He also mentions that whatever happened to the Ellimists could also happen to them. This is one of my fondest memories from this book. I started to read it and it took me back to my childhood. Don't know why, but it did.
As they get ready to leave Zero-Space, Elfangor sets up a date with Loren. So cute!
Chapter 30
Arriving at the nebula amazes both Loren and Elfangor. Though Elfangor pretends he's not amazed and it's a normal sight for him to see. Elfangor remarks that what will make this scene really remarkable is when the StarSword arrives.
Loren gets sad when Elfangor says that Earth is hundred of light years away. Again with the importance of home.
The StarSword is under attack. Well this is off to a good start!
Elfangor has a lock on the StarSword and heads off towards it. Elfangor spots the StarSword but things seem off. Loren points out what is attacking the Dome ship. The asteroids are attacking!
Chapter 31
Cue Loren saying that the asteroids are alive and Elfangor going that that's impossible. Yes, something so weird has happened that the human is more accepting of events than an alien is.
The StarSword fires its main shredders but even that does nothing. This scares Elfangor as the main shredders are very powerful. A fighter pilot is killed by one of the living asteroids.
It is Loren that figures out the energy is what attracts the living asteroids. Elfangor sends a message to the Dome ship saying what Loren knew. Soon after the Yeerks arrive.
A Blade ship comes into view and Elfangor believes he senses Sub-Visser Seven. He also admits he doesn't usually believe in psychic things. This part seems to say that Elfangor and Sub-Visser Seven were destined to meet and become enemies. That whatever happened they would always meet.
Sub-Visser Seven contacts Elfangor directly. The aristh has to remind himself that it isn't Alloran any longer. Before Elfangor switches things on so that the Yeerk can see and hear him, he tells Loren to pretend she's still a Controller.
So Sub-Visser Seven is now Visser Thirty-Two? I thought he'd go to Visser Three because that's what I'm used to calling him.
Loren asks if the plan worked and Elfangor says, [If it doesn't, neither of us is going to the Yosemite,]
Loren then remarks that it's a bad time for Elfangor learn how to joke as they're going to the depths of Hell.
Elfangor is waiting carefully for the right moment to shoot the Blade ship. Chapman shoots Elfangor with the shredder (that is turned on its lowest setting) and then starts to brag.
Loren says that she's had it with Chapman right before she kicks him in the balls! You are an awesome lady, Loren! Loren stuns Chapman.
And the chapter ends with the Jahar about to be boarded.
Chapter 32
Elfangor tells Loren to shoot and she hits a Hork-Bajir. But then an Andalite arm appears. Visser Thirty-Two shoots Loren and she falls into Elfangor! And now Visser Thirty-Two has entered the Jahar! Well, this is going to go great. I should probably get out now.
Elfangor thinks he's about to die and swings his tail-blade at the console and he shoots the Blade ship at point blank range. You are awesome, Elfangor! The hatch is torn open and lots of chaos because of that ensues! Yeah, Visser Thirty-Two, Elfangor is a great source of agitation for you!
A living asteroid attacks the Jahar and Elfangor believes he's going to die. While he tries to fix the situation he wonders why he should bother. Arbron was dead and Alloran was worse than dead. So why should he even bother to fight?
My baby needs a hug!
Chapter 33
As this is the beginning of Part 3 of the book, there is a little mention of how Elfangor's situation is worsening and then a recap of what has happened so far. Complete with Elfangor bemoaning his current situation.
Is it coincidence that Elfangor snaps out of his depression when he sees Loren floating around lifelessly?
Elfangor is thinking of using the Time Matrix. He doesn't say it by name but he mentions Arbron's suicide attempt and so it's pretty clear what Elfangor is talking about.
Elfangor has trouble reaching the panel but Loren helps him. You go girl! Elfangor is impressed.
Air returns and Elfangor mentions it hurts but that it's a good kind of pain. Elfangor tells Loren that humans must be strong. And Loren replies that the same is true of Andalites. So much good love!
Elfangor explains what a black hole is but Loren replies that she learned about them at school. The Andalite is surprised that humans know of black holes. While Elfangor compliments humans a lot, he seems to fail to realize what kind of technology is needed to learn about deep space. Though the aristh is not big on technology, which has been brought up a lot previously in the book.
Visser Thirty-Two speaks and Elfangor has to remind himself it's not Alloran. So we are given even more descriptions of how horrible it is to be controlled by a Yeerk. The visser correctly guesses that Elfangor is thinking of tail-fighting him, but he tries to dissuade the Andalite from doing so. Elfangor replies with a taunt and the visser brings up all of Elfangor's insecurities. Visser Thirty-Two then brings up using the Time Matrix and so my guess what Elfangor was after was wrong...
Elfangor brings up why that won't work but the visser replies that they'll just have to work together. A Yeerk and Andalite working together. This will work out so nicely!
Chapter 34
Visser Thirty-Two elaborates on his plan. Elfangor, of course, doesn't trust him but agrees to it as along as the visser holds the rope. The visser replies that Elfangor will just use the Time Matrix for himself. Elfangor slips up in his reply and says 'Loren' instead of 'the humans', but quickly corrects himself. The visser catches Elfangor's slip and replies that the Andalite is telling the truth. He adds that he'll kill Loren if Elfangor betrays him.
Elfangor talks about the air hoods and that he didn't tell Loren what would happen if the air ran out.
Loren uses sarcasm and Elfangor doesn't get it. This would make sense if Andalites didn't have humor. But, through Arbron, we can tell they do. It just might be that Elfangor doesn't use humor that much and/or he can't recognize sarcasm.
Elfangor takes a look at the black hole and then imagines himself getting sucked in. He has to remind himself to focus.
Oh, great, the Jahar is spinning so the job is harder.
Elfangor makes mention of how hard it is for an untrained person to move in zero gravity. He is trained so he knows what to do.
Elfangor gets the Time Matrix inside the Jahar and I'm just waiting for the betrayal. It seems longer when you're waiting for stuff like this.
Chapter 35
When Elfangor gets back inside he realizes that Loren is suffering because Andalites and humans can't breathe the same air. This seems like a minor plot hole as humans have been seen on the Taxxon home world, a Skrit Na ship, and Andalite ships breathing just fine. So what is different about the air hood?
Elfangor tells the visser to make his move. He believes that the Yeerk had planned to kill him from the start. Elfangor talks of a tail-blade fight in zero gravity! That would be beyond awesome! Be still my little fangirl heart.
But, no, the visser moves to activate the Time Matrix and Elfangor goes to activate it too. And, Elfangor, I think a lot of people that have done drugs can feel you now. If you're wondering, Elfangor's description seems to be of a trip, if ya know what I mean.
Elfangor's remarks about the Yeerk in Alloran's brain is horrifying. Beautiful and yet disgusting.
Holy fucking shit! Elfangor saw Alloran's decision to use the quantum virus! I...this is a kid's book! Holy shit!
Finally Elfangor comes back to the present and realizes he has to counter Visser Thirty-Two's moves. Elfangor tries to think of where he grew up on the Andalite home world, but those images are mixed in with pictures he's seen of Earth.
Loren takes control of the Time Matrix! Elfangor, again, commenting on her strength. And a being, probably the Ellimist, laughs at them all.
Chapter 36
Elfangor wakes up with the laughter still ringing in his ears. He looks around and it seems like he's on the Andalite home world. And he's where he grew up too!
Are therant trees supposed to be like Ents? As they can speak in a way (but not with words). And other trees can actually speak with words? Planet of the Ents?
There seems to be an awful lot of rituals in Andalite society. Elfangor does a ritual for forgiveness but laments that he's not ready to be forgiven. My baby!
Elfangor realizes he knows WHERE he is but not WHEN. And, by the age of the therant (it's also called the Garibah but that seems to be the name for a guide tree that I guess can be a therant) it could be long LONG before Elfangor had even been born.
Elfangor gets excited and heads for home as he realizes he doesn't care when he is, just that he's on his home world. He remarks that he wants to play with his old toys and be a child again. He used to dream of being a Prince, fighting the Yeerks, and winning the war. But he's now seen the war and decides he wants no part of it. That's character development you're looking at.
So Andalites can taste but it's not as great a sense as a human's sense of taste is.
Elfangor realizes he isn't on the Andalite home world as there's a waterfall that is odd as it's basically just there and not as a waterfall should be. Elfangor recognizes the waterfall as the one from the cigarette ad.
And now Elfangor realizes that Visser Thirty-Two, himself, and Loren have created their own reality. Elfangor guesses that the being he had heard (which I now think has a possibility of being Crayak) was laughing because it knew what was happening.
----------------------------------------------
Animorphs Re-Read Table of Contents
No comments:
Post a Comment