PSA: this is your brain on Yeerks

[mynameis-jake.livejournal.com]

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.

Comments

[mrsarcastic003]

Yeah. My head-guest was a real jerk.

[mynameis-jake.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry.

You're not a member of security?

[mrsarcastic003]

Thanks. Not your fault--but thanks.

No. I'm... in school, actually. My older brother is part of security.

[Private]

[mynameis-jake.livejournal.com]

Ah. I'm not sure if that biases your opinion or gives you more insight, but... I was actually going to ask you if you thought security could be trusted. I'm new, see. If they had Iniss cornered but refusing to surrender, how careful do you think they'd be while... changing his mind?

[Private]

[mrsarcastic003]

I can't speak for all of security, but my experience is that they will do everything they can to preserve both lives, and both of their rights to live freely. They'll do everything they can to save your brother and Iniss.

My family is pretty big on preservation of life. I'm pretty sure my brother won't let anything happen to Tom if he can stop it. Iniss either. There are ways to keep Iniss alive until they can figure out a way to let him exist without enslaving someone else.

[Private]

[mynameis-jake.livejournal.com]

Thank you. You understand that I can't just take your word for it, but that is reassuring.

By the way... just out of curiosity, who is your brother?

[Private]

[mrsarcastic003]

You're welcome--and I do understand. I think if I were in your place I'd want more evidence than just word of mouth, too.

Oh--he's Nightwing. And... I've been incredibly remiss as far as introductions go. I'm Robin. It's nice to meet you, Jake.

[Private] 1/2, this comment probably gets deleted

[mynameis-jake.livejournal.com]

[Private]

[mynameis-jake.livejournal.com]

So Nightwing's in Security. So... so I'm talking to Jason Todd? Tim Drake? Robin. That's... yeah, that's an added reassurance. It's nice to meet you too.

[Private]

[mrsarcastic003]

Glad I could help.