This is for Quillian. You've made my day on numerous occasions. It's another kind of short Chapter, but I will get more as soon as I can.

Elfangor

One day I am going to be old and someone will ask me to tell them what was the craziest thing I ever did and I am not even going to know where to begin. I thought crazy was driving a mustang across the Taxxon homewold, and then crazy went to a whole new level after I created an entire universe with the Time Matrix.

I didn't think I could top that. I was wrong.

Crazy then became pretending to be what I'm not and hiding the Time Matrix. Then I met the Ellimist who put me back where I was supposed to be and crazy became the adrenaline rush, the high that comes with every battle and knowing that any second could be your last.

But now crazy is walking though a Poolship towards what looks like certain death. I have my own phalanx of Hork-Bajir guards, each one not certain if they should kill me or protect me if the need arose. Sub-Visser Twenty Three is beside me, she looks nervous. I think she is very brave.

I have absolutely no idea whether the animorphs will make it here in time. We are being taken to the main shipboard pool. Whatever happens I gave them strict orders to get off this ship and stay alive.

Sub-Visser Twenty Three presses her hand against the last panel and the door slowly slides open into the vast room that is the center of yeerk life. Visser Three is waiting.

The sight of him always brings back memories of the first time I saw him as the abomination and guilt and what my foolishness has done to Alloran.

Life has made me learn, Alloran was right. War is about killing and destroying your enemies before you yourself can be destroyed. War is about trying to ruin more of their stuff before they ruin yours. If I die today I will not die alone.

Loren is here somewhere, so is Visser One.

(Sub-Visser it's about time you arrived.) Visser Three's tone was as dark as his mood. Nothing good could come of this.

"Most respectfully Visser, if your engineers could maintain one drop shaft perhaps then I could have arrived on time." Her tone was icy and full of distain for Visser Three. He had not yet acknowledged me, but continued to stare at her. His own contempt for her clearly evident.

(Just because you are here by appointment of the emperor does not make you immune to repercussions Sub-Visser.)

"Maybe not Visser Three, but for the time being you will do well to remember that I am here by appointment of the emperor and you had best respect what that station implies. Also remember I am here to investigate you and your policies regarding the invasion or rather delayed invasion of earth." Her eyes met his as a cocky little smile tweaked the edge of her mouth.

To this the Visser said nothing, apparently Visser One would not be the only one on trial next month. She had shown her hand, she was not his ally and now he knew it, but that didn't make her mine either. He looked past her noticing me for the first time.

(You're looking better Andalite then the last time I saw you. You have something to tell me I presume?)

(You presume too much Visser. Where is Loren?) I had to act like she was all that mattered, like I had no hidden agenda. That his own death wasn't growing ever nearer.

It wasn't hard. I loved Loren and at this moment, had things been different, she would be all that mattered. Visser Three bought it hook, line and sinker.

(She is in my chambers. As you can see I have more pressing matters to attend to, like the torture of a traitor.) For a moment I though he meant Vashi until he motioned to a small Hispanic woman in one of the cages. (Visser One requires my attentions.)

Then to her guards he bellowed, (Bring her out and tie her to one of those posts.)

In the center of the room there were several posts used for public torture and punishments, it was a very effective way to keep subordinates in line. I watched as two human controllers dragged the woman out of the cage. Secretly I hoped Marco could not see this. There was no way we could rescue Eva today.

(Well Visser, since your so busy have her brought here.)

He looked uncomfortably at Sub-Visser Twenty Three as she silently awaited his reply, she had the ear of the Council of Thirteen and he knew it. What choice would be the mistake even he wasn't sure. Once again he met her cold gaze, (Bring the human).