Chapter 10

Maggie gushed. --Prince Elfangor. Yes. That was the name I remember Eramas mentioning. A great Andalite war-prince, murdered by Visser Three.--

--No question this is a major finding for them, then,-- I said.

--Wonder what they're going to do with it?-- asked Ferdie. --All that talk about open warfare? Surely they don't expect to go and blow up the capital with that one gun?--

We soon found out, of course. Lort-Strelitz seemed to be on a roll, boastfully telling the officer Controller - Intrid - about his plans. The officer looked bloodthirsty. He stood gazing at the object, his tongue slowly licking his upper lip, which was curled into a slight smile. His eyes, like Lort-Strelitz's, were wide with excitement.

"The Beast Elfangor…" murmured Intrid. His eyes flicked up to meet Lort-Strelitz's. "With no disrespect intended to the great Visser Three, it is almost a shame that Elfangor is no longer around. I would have loved to watch his reaction when he observes the power of this weapon possesses."

"Quite," smiled Lort-Strelitz. "You are, I imagine, aware of the potential of this weapon?"

"I have been briefed on it's Zero Space capabilities, yes. However, I am unsure of it's applications in an atmospheric condition, such as Earth. As far as I am aware, Earth does not possess the technology of Zero Space travel?"

"You are quite right, Intrid. Earth does not possess such technology. Wd shall not be using this weapon for any type of aggressive manoeuvre, Zero space or otherwise. This planet does not do well in the inter-planetary arena. However, what it does do rather well is information. The planet is obsessed with knowledge. Without knowledge, it is nothing."

"And with nothing, it is in a perfect place for us to move in openly?"

"This weapon can produce a simple electromagnetic pulse. Primitive to Yeerk technology, and almost laughable to the Andalites. But it can have a profound effect on human technology. One pulse from any of our main ships, aimed at a localised target on Earth, will cause failure in all human electronic equipment within a certain radius."

"I am under the impression that humans possess this technology as well. Have they not taken steps to protect themselves against such devices?"

"Intrid, you are correct in saying that the human race also possesses this technology. However, this technology once belonged to the Andalites. As ghastly as they are, they are also far more advanced than humans."

"Or indeed, Yeerks," said Intrid reluctantly.

Lort-Strelitz twitched. For a moment I though he was going to order one of his soldiers to remove the young officers' head from his body. However, he seemed to possess greater self control than Visser Five, and carried on,

"True. This is why one of our greatest pleasures will be to see the Andalite race bow at our feet… However, we are straying from the track. As I was saying, the human race possesses the technology of the electromagnetic pulse-"

"The EMP,"

"Yes, fine, the EMP," said Lort-Strelitz impatiently. "However, it is generally not used in their everyday society, and because of this, the vast majority of human organisations do not bother to protect themselves against this device. In addition, the Andalite version of this…EMP…is far more powerful than any human version. This weapon can project the pulse, causing electronic equipment failure within a radius of eight thousand miles!"

"An improvement on the human five mile radius, then, Sub Visser?"

"A fantastic improvement, Intrid four-nine-zero. And one, I am sure, that the human race will be unable to defend itself against. If we are able to get this weapon working, and present it to the Council of Thirteen, it may just persuade them to allow us to over mind Visser One's judgement and carry out with Visser Three's plans for open warfare." He stood back and smiled manically. "And for my contribution," he pondered, "I could be made a full Visser!"

--Do you know, I swear that bloke stole that idea out of some blockbuster film," muttered Ferdie. "He bares more than a passing resemblance to James Bond, don't you think?"

Sam was silent. I think the reality was beginning to dawn on all of us - with the possible exception of Ferdie - that we were just a drop in the ocean compared to these guys.

--What does this mean for us, though?-- asked Maggie. --I mean, us morphers and those American guys? Not the human race as a whole.--

--Well,-- I said. --There's five human morphers in the US, and four of us. An army of nine against an army of god knows how many? When Visser One's in charge, we've still got a chance. Alright - a very small chance - but still a chance. With all out war we've got nothing.--

--So…we have to stop them?-- asked Maggie. --Get rid of that weapon somehow? Surely not…--

There was a tense silence. We know that we had to prevent the Yeerks from powering this weapons, but to do so would be almost impossible.

--No,-- said Sam at last. --We can't go starting a mission this dangerous. There's no way we'd be able to pull of any kind of plan. I think we should get out while we still can. The Yeerks don't yet know we're onboard - we should keep it that way. Save ourselves to fight when we find the others.--

For once, we all agreed with her. Sam had given me my opportunity to spy on the Yeerks, despite the obvious danger. It would be foolish of me to expect her to agree to another, such perilous, task.