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

Fear is a great reason to lie. Maybe the only reason.

But it's strange, thinking of Iniss having friends. I mean, we consider the peace movement Yeerks to be our friends, but Iniss isn't... Iniss is still...

Just be careful, Dani. If anything happens, don't be afraid to let us know.

But he wasn't afraid to tell me he was a Yeerk. He talked to me about them and he decided to tell me. I didn't force him or figure something out. It just seems stupid to be honest only to make a situation for yourself where you lie.

I know it isn't impossible. I've kept that fact in mind, but he took a chance to trust me. Until I see proof not to, I'm going to return the favor.

But besides that, like I said, I'm the last person he wants against him. And he's seen enough of my abilities if he's smart enough to pull off such a big lie right off the bat, he could probably figure out what they could mean for him.

But the best lies are based in truth, aren't they? Never mind. You've... never been exposed to Yeerks before, and I've been too much. We're not going to agree on this, but want to speak with Tom the way you have, if that's my only option.

Maybe, and like I said, I'm willing to accept the possibility. But I'm not going to assume it's the truth.

I think the problem is you only have exposure from one side. My powers allow me to take over minds. I've done it. It was only temporary and it's different from how the Yeerks do it, but in the end, I can see how they just justified it in their mind.

And to be without senses...

I can see both sides. There's differences, yeah, but it's all basically the same.

It seems like you're only seeing it from the Yeerk's side, to be honest. Right now there are only two options, one that's horrible for Tom, and one that's horrible for Iniss. Even though Iniss has had his way for years, even though the body rightfully belongs to Tom, because of your own experiences, you still sympathize more with the Yeerk.

...

Iniss is giving me trust, but trust needs to be earned.

I can't ask for big things from Iniss without showing him he was right in trusting me. I was making sure he did before I pressed him too much.

...though it seems that is another advantage of you ALMOST KILLING HIM. I'm pretty sure he knows I'm sincere now.

Don't play the trust game with him, Dani. Do what you think is right, but don't think you have to prove yourself.

...Glad to help.

It's not proving myself or anything. Trust can't be asked for. That's why I know I can't ask all of you to trust me. You have no real reason too.

But I am doing what I think is right and I'm making sure I don't blow it for them both by jumping the gun.

All right. And, for what it's worth, I think I do trust your intentions. Other than that, we'll just have to see.

...

I am sorry. I hope it'll be easier in the future and everyone can be happy, but I can't give in until then.

[Transmission End.]

PSA: this is your brain on Yeerks

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