Chapter 20

Again, an arrogant chuckle from the Visser. "Do beg my pardon," he said sarcastically. "Did my ears deceive me? Did you just say I should destroy this technology?"

"That is correct," said the woman, far from loosing her ground.

"And why, I ask, might I do that?"

"Because otherwise I shall press a small, red button, on an instrument located about my person. The pressing of this button will result in the detonation of a primitive, but no doubt effective human explosive device, situated within the lower decks of this ship."

The Visser stared, unmoving at her, for a second or two, letting this new information sink in. The woman's requests were clear. Visser One greatly opposed an open infestation of Earth. Visser Five, working for Visser Three, had come across a weapon that, if activated, would dismiss any reservations about us human's power to resist. If Visser One was to remain in office, she could not let this weapon come into the knowledge of the Council.

"You're bluffing," he said, although I could make out a note of doubt in his voice.

The woman smiled slyly. "Have you ever known me to bluff?" she asked. She addressed the rest of the crew. "Has anyone on board this ship heard of the legendary Assassin to bluff?"

She laughed crudely, as if the very suggestion was an insult.

I could tell from the expressions of the crew that the Assassin had not earned her reputation by bluffing. And I could tell Visser Five knew that too. They had met in the past - as much was clear from their earlier conversations - and Visser Five had been wary of her then.

I glanced round at the others. We were all, by new, in battle morph again - Ferdie and Maggie still as lynx and wolf, although this time I had gone wolverine. Smaller, easier to hide in, better senses.

--I don't think she's bluffing,-- said Ferdie, obviously thinking the same thoughts as I was. --The Visser knows that too. Why else would she be known as the Assassin?--

--Who has she assassinated?-- asked Maggie.

--Who knows?-- I replied. --Past Vissers, maybe? Powerful Yeerks who get in the way of her employer's plans? Council members who refuse to pass a bill? Yeerks rebelling against the system? Probably the same reasons why human leaders are assassinated.--

--If there's one empire where I can imagine assassination takes place, the Yeerk empire would be first on my list,-- said Maggie.

Lort-Strelitz stepped forward. He glanced at the Assassin, but addressed the Visser.

"Visser Five, it is impossible for this Sub Visser to have planted any explosive device aboard my ship whilst I have been aboard."

The Assassin smiled at him. "The weapon has been here all along," she grinned. "This is the genius of my plan. By utilising the fact that you only recently took command of a human ship and it's crew - a military ship, that was still in service - I could hack into the human database and retrieve information about this vessel. I discovered an explosive device on board, and it's power. With a little more digging, I was able to gain control of the system that would set off the device, and direct the trigger to a device which I have, on me, right now."

The Visser seemed to snap at this information. "I could kill you right now!" he bellowed. "I command an army of thousands! Dozens of whom are with me right now - and there are more soldiers at my disposal! I could have my officers shoot you on command! I could have you tortured and hurled up in front of the Council of Thirteen! I could have you delivered directly to Visser Three himself! I'm sure he'd love to meet to discuss your little business plan."

But the Assassin never lost her cool. "And of course, you are free to do so, Visser. And of course, I could destroy this ship, right here, right now, with everyone on board."

"You'd be killed, too!" cried the Visser.

"I have long regarded the human concept of kamikaze as a fine and noble action. Unlike you, Visser, who regards death with such fear that even the lower ranks cast pity upon you."

"How dare you insult my credibility!" yelled the Visser, taking out his Dracon and pointing it directly at the Assassin's chest.

Again, the woman did not take even a single step back. "And yet I cannot see you sacrificing your entire crew, nor yourself, in an attempt to kill me." She held out a dainty wrist, strapped around which was a bulky watch-like device. She placed a finger on a button and strode up to the Visser, holding the device up in front of her face.

"Small…red…button," she whispered. "I can press this before any of your shots could kill me. Do you still think I'm bluffing? Can you even afford to take that chance?"

The Visser glared at her again, but, after what seemed like an eternity, slowly lowered the Dracon beam.

"Do I have a choice in the matter?" he croaked, seemingly defeated.

"Yes, you have a choice," declared the Assassin. "Either hand over the technology, or I shall do it for you, taking your ship, your crew, and your little human Fugitives with me."