Error in Line One (Tobias)

[Halbert Brunswick]

Halbert ascended the winding stairs and emerged in the local McDonald's. Leaving the freezer and walking as if he'd just come from the bathroom, he began to make his way through the crowds. For some reason, he found himself paying more attention to the people talking, than usual.

"Add fries and a drink for only a dollar!" A cashier, trying to get someone to turn their individual order into a meal.
"I'd like a Jr. Burger, small fry, bacon burger, and two apple pies from the Dollar Menu." A rather large man.
"I'd like a Happy Meal with the Extra Happy." A "fellow" Controller, who had no real intent of ordering a meal.

And then the people eating.

"I've got a test in chemistry tomorrow." A teenage girl, munching on a cheeseburger.
"Wanna go to the park after we eat?" A cheery girl with her father.
"Pass the ketchup, please." A man eating with his coworker.
"I'm going to the Sharing tonight. Wanna come?" A known Controller, asking a free human to join a group that would eventually ruin his life forever.

Halbert made his way outside, and began to walk down the sidewalk. He stopped abruptly, however, and started to talk, not realising he was doing so.
"Pass the test in the Sharing tonight at the park, Visser Three will kill you for only a dollar!"
Confused at why he was getting stares, Halbert continued on his merry way, not noticing the red-tailed hawk flying above him. There was a Sharing meeting tonight. That was all he cared about right now. He had to get there...

[Tobias]

I was on one of my routine scouting missions for Yeerk pool entrances when I noticed someone leaving that McDonald’s one. I perched in a tree and peered through the glass of the wide McDonald’s window. Happy Meal with the Extra Happy? That always was a good one. Oh it was just Halbert. I knew him from when we’d met the Chee. He was one of them, a good guy. I spread my wings and let the wind take me until I got a good thermal I could climb and drifted on it high above the city. But when I did I heard something disturbing.

"Pass the test in the Sharing tonight at the park, Visser Three will kill you for only a dollar!"

Something was up with that Chee, I didn’t know what but I intend to find out. Flying a little lower I called out to him in private speak, <Are you alright?> Having a malfunctioning Chee on the loose wouldn't be good at all.

[Halbert Brunswick]

Halbert heard the voice in his head. Or rather, his parts translated it into what might be considered as thought. He glanced up at the sky, zeroing in quickly on the hawk with his eyes, and gave a thumbs-up, to show he was okay. He was sure it was one of the Animorphs; Tobias, most likely, since that was the only red-tailed hawk.

[Tobias]

I lowered my wings slightly and flew down, circling so I could get to where I needed. I kept on the same thermal but flew low. <You said, unless I’m mistaken, ‘Pass the test in the Sharing tonight at the park. Visser Three will kill you for only a dollar.’> He’d figure out the rest I guess. No one should do that in a public place.

[Halbert Brunswick]

The confused Chee nodded to the hawk, and continued to walk, soon arriving at a gap between a two buildings. Once he was there, he slipped in, and accessed CheeNet, informing the others that he might be malfunctioning. Once the bird arrived in the alleyway, Halbert said, "I do not recall saying that." He looked up at Tobias. "But I have informed the other Chee. They will be here as soon as they can to take me home. Thank you, Tobias."

[Velox 233]

Velox 233 made his way down the sidewalk, with the intention of getting a quick bite to eat at the local McDonald's before heading down into the Yeerk pool through the secret entrance located at the fast food eatery. Unfortunately his host, Gavin, was less than thrilled at the prospect.

{Out of all the possible places we could get food, you just had to pick McDonald's?} Gavin said both annoyed and slightly disgusted. {I'm pretty sure I know why there are no more stray cats or dogs in this area). Velox groaned, irritated himself at having listened to his host complain straight for the past few blocks. {Well, it's either that or that inedible gruel they have at the pool's cafeteria. Take your damn pick}. Gavin mumbled something not fit to be repeated before replying, {Good point}. {I thought so} the Yeerk answered smugly.

They were less than a couple feet from the entrance, when they passed a young boy who exclaimed, ""Pass the test in the Sharing tonight at the park, Visser Three will kill you for only a dollar!". Velox had Gavin's hand frozen in mid-air over the door, as he slowly turned his head to stare at the kid who had just randomly blurted something about Visser Three and The Sharing. "Excuse me?" he said, his deep-set blue eyes focused intently on Halbert.

[Halbert Brunswick]

((OOC: Halbert had rushed into an alleyway; perhaps you could follow him? That'd be best. ^^ As it is, the post didn't work, because he is hidden right now)).

[Velox 233]

[OOC: Okay then^^]

IC:

Velox nearly did a double take. One minute the boy had been there, and the next he wasn't. It was almost as if he disappeared. {Maybe the kid's a magician} said Gavin wryly. Out of the corner of Gavin's eye, Velox caught sight of Halbert's back as he stepped into a nearby alleyway.

{To follow or not to follow, tis the question} Gavin murmured. Clearly Velox was not censoring his own thoughts and feelings as well as he should be doing. But right now, he was distracted and didn't care all that much. {I've made up my mind} the Yeerk replied to his host. {The pool can wait} he added. {If you really think that's wise, then so be it} said Gavin mentally suggesting a shrug. {It's not me that needs the Kandrona rays}.

Velox did feel a little hungry at the moment, but it wasn't urgent. {We're following the kid} he said. Making sure to keep a far enough distance so he wouldn't be seen, the Human-Controller silently followed the malfunctioning Chee into the alleyway. He was very good at stealth and secrecy, having once been an assassin for the empire, before he joined the Yeerk rebel faction.

[Tobias]

Former spy or not, almost no one could escape the sharp eyes of a red-tailed hawk. I saw him sneak in, I could hear his feet moving along the pavement with my sharp hearing. I kept my gaze on the Chee and I warned him in private thoughtspeak, <You might wanna hold off on talking to me. You’re being followed.> I focused my intense glare upon him. I recognized him but only his face, he was a controller I’d seen using a Yeerk pool entrance.

[Halbert Brunswick]

At Tobias’ word, Halbert scanned the place for lifesigns. He read Tobias’ red-tailed hawk form, as well as another: human and Yeerk. Suspicious, he turned around. The Chee was programmed for non-violence, and would remain so; he hoped the errors did not cause unnecessary violence. But he was sure they didn’t. “Show yourself,” he told the person. Once he did, he’d be able to provide a scan, possible identify the person.

[Velox 233]

Velox continued to follow Halbert into the alleyway, making sure to stick to the shadows so he wouldn't be seen. He seemed to be doing good, until the kid turned around and called him out.

{Quality of your work slipping?} Gavin said in a tone that suggested a smirk. Velox growled in response to Gavin's comment, but didn't bother with any comeback of any sort. He stood frozen in the shadows, out of Halbert's immediate line of vision.

Velox felt for his jacket pocket, where he had his Dracon beam tucked safely in concealment. If the kid gave him any trouble, he'd just set it to stun....or kill if absolutely necessary. But somehow he doubted that that much measure would need to be taken.

Stepping slowly and calmly from the shadows, Velox appeared before Halbert. He wore an expression of confidence and composure, but made a show of presenting himself as harmless and unarmed. After all, he didn't want to make the boy feel any unnecessary alarm.

Velox said nothing, waiting for the boy to speak first. He was a firm believer in not giving away anything that a person didn't politely ask for.