trans_channel | PSA: this is your brain on Yeerks

My name is Jake. I'm here to tell you that there is a Yeerk among you. His name is Iniss 335, and his host is Tom Berenson. My brother.

I'm new to this ship, but not to the war against the Yeerk invasion. I'm told that some of you are sympathetic to the Yeerks, that you pity them, and I understand.

I'm not going to tell you that you're wrong. I can't make that call for you. But you know what the Yeerks are. You know how they control a host so completely, so perfectly, that you can't tell who around you is free and who's helpless in his own mind. The one you don't know is Tom, who has been imprisoned for more than three years. Imagine being unable to move a single muscle, voice a single thought, imagine your body a tool for your captor, used to enslave everyone you care about. Imagine that your thoughts are no longer your own, that someone else can rifle through them at will, and does: uses your knowledge to fool your friends, find their weaknesses, and your every fantasy to shame you.

I know that my brother is strong, but I also know that he is suffering, and I would like that suffering to stop. If you still feel that all creatures have a right to live as they choose, then so be it. But I hope you won't mistake Iniss for the victim here.

If you see Tom, I would appreciate any information.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Maybe not, but if it's gone so far that the species has evolved specifically to that end, then we're past the point of simple choice. Separating them won't be the issue. Last time we had this particular problem, the ensuing conflict had civilian casualties.

I'm sure you can see the issue.

Edited 2010-06-09 21:20 (UTC)

On planet Earth, we have species that do exactly what they're evolved for. Animals, we call them. It may not be a simple choice, but the Yeerks could choose to negotiate, they could choose to look for alternatives. Some do - but not this one.

Civilian casualties won't be an issue, but thank you for the reminder. We have no intention of harming anyone; we just want to find Tom.

You're no longer on Earth, and the circumstances have changed. No offense, but the track record for this kind of thing isn't good enough to merit the trust you seem to be expecting. You're also assuming that the civilians will calmly stay away from you and your conflict, which is demonstrably not the case, or they wouldn't be on board at all.

If you're not going to get rid of the Yeerk, then decide what you are planning to do with it. If you are, then kill it and don't be stupid.

Given the fate of the last intelligence to cross the line of squeamishness and vengeance for this crew, I doubt highly that death is the least favorable option.

Edited 2010-06-09 22:22 (UTC)

There is no conflict, actually. No one is attacking anyone else. We've had battles result in civilian casualties before, and I really don't see that as necessary here.

...

Sorry, hang on, just be clear. You want us to kill the Yeerk?

No, I'm not saying that.

I need you to keep this particular issue between yourselves if you can, something that you've markedly not done with this little announcement. As you can already tell, cooler heads aren't prevalent around this particular issue.

Necessary or otherwise, do you think you have that much control over this situation?

...Right. I apologize for not getting more familiar with the history of the ship beforehand, but I still think it best for everyone - and not necessarily for my team - for the threat to be known. The last thing we want is for Iniss to take it upon himself to infest a new host body - and dispose of his old one. If it comes to that, I'd rather...

Well. What's done is done. If you're worried about other people getting hurt, please help me to contain the threat.

Do you honestly think we don't have him in custody already? I don't have any more time right now to dedicate to teaching you how to manage your self-appointed command.

Think.

You have Tom?

Where is he? ...Can I see him?

Not my jurisdiction, and frankly, it's not yours either. If it's any consolation, this is the safest route, thanks to your announcement.

He probably won't be harmed.

I see. Thank you for your help. I'll keep asking around.

PSA: this is your brain on Yeerks

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