A/N: I should have replied to all registered reviewers with the new review reply feature. If I've missed you out let me know. If you are an anonymous user, leave your e-mail address and I will be able to reply.

Okay, after this chapter there are only two more to go for this fic. However, once those are finished I will start on Part 2 of the series.

I know this took me ages to update, but I had major writer's block. However I am over that now. Please review and let me know what you thought.

"Andalites!"

I awoke the next day to shouting and screaming, and hurried to the window. Huge Dome ships hovered in the sky. It seemed the Andalites had decided to launch a surprise attack. Green-blue beams lanced into the moons, destroying our cannon placement.

I raced from the room and hurried down to the bottom of the building. There was panic, without me there to command. Well, I was there now.

"Visser! They've destroyed most of the Dracon cannon stations. What do we do?"

I stared, horrified. It was at that point I knew this was it. We were going to lose. The stations had been well concealed. The Andalites must have known they were there… and there was only one way that could have happened.

(Marco,) I hissed in hatred. He'd just signed my death warrant. Doomed his mother to the terrible suffering that had driven Hildy insane, then finally death.

"What do we do?" the subordinate asked again. I looked around to my fellow Yeerks; they were staring at me, fear in their eyes.

I thought of what I knew of human history. Thought of soldiers running into the bullets, fighting even when there was no hope.

As though reading my thoughts, Eva said: (Just because we're doomed to lose from the beginning is no reason for us not to try and win.)

"Visser?"

I raised my eyes and met the eyes of them all, one by one. "We fight. Send up the fighters, and my ship."

"Visser, shouldn't you stay here, won't it be safer…"

"I'd rather die in battle than be executed. And don't question me."

I strode from the building and up the docking ramp into my Empire ship. Far better than Visser Three's little Blade ship. Well, little in comparison to MY ship.

I went to the bridge. My bridge crew was already there, assembled.

"Send us up then, Manten," I said.

Manten was really sub-Visser five, but I was the only person in this small team who was ever referred to by the others as my rank. The bridge crew of my ship were a small group of about 10 Yeerks, each of whom I knew very well. My relationship with them differed from that of my other subordinates. I had handpicked them for their loyalty, intelligence and skill. Although I gave the commands, we were equals in intellect and skills, and, except in battle, I permitted, even encouraged them to advise me. After all, improvement can only be made through criticism.

They respected me, but I never wanted them to fear me. In this small group alone, I wanted trust and understanding. As a close-knit team, we trusted one another with our lives. This group had stood by me through everything, when I was on the run and my trial.

I looked through the transparent panel as we rose into the air, watching the battle that we slowly moved to meet.

(There's no hope,) I whispered to myself. (They outnumber us ten to one.)

(Edriss, you have to try and win. If you die, Visser three will launch open war. My son…)

(We're going to die, Eva. We are. But your son may live. He's smarter than Visser Three, braver. He'll survive. I'm sure he will.)

(What do you think happens? When we die?)

(Even the Andalites do not know the answer to that, Eva.)

I looked back at the battle. We were drawing closer.

(Thank you,) I said to Eva. I'd never thanked a host for using their body before, not even Allison. But I found I meant it.

(You're welcome,) she said automatically, surprised.

"Dracons are ready to fire, Visser. Shall we shoot?" Manten asked

I nodded, and quickly scanned the Andalite ships. "Aim for their main Dome ships. Try and disable their weapons. They won't have shields up there all the time, or they wouldn't be able to fire."

"Now?"

"Yes. Fire."

Our red beams lanced through space, directed by my three excellent shooters. Jahlan, a young Yeerk I had admitted to the team only a couple of years ago, pulled off an excellent shot, slicing a weapon station clean off a quickly moving Dome ship.

"Excellent, Jahlan," I told her.

But the Andalites now began to return fire. The shields averted most of the damage, but each beam that hit them wore them down.

"Return fire. Make your shots count."

Red beams struck out again. It was really almost pretty, with the red and blue light beams streaking across the black of space.

I was grateful for the good crew I had. They didn't panic and each shot was skilled and accurate, but without being too slow. It was still hopeless of course, but at least we would give the Andalites a good fight.

I also thought Eva coped well. She'd never been in a space fight like this before, but she seemed to be controlling her nerves well.

The ship rocked as finally, a shredder beam broke through the shield.

"Left engine is severely damaged, Visser," Odret, or sub-Visser 50, reported. I could tell he was a little afraid, but he kept calm.

"Yes. You have done brilliantly so far, all of you. It's not time to worry yet. Keep firing."

Before they could obey, a shredder beam smote the side of the bridge. The bridge lurched violently; I was thrown against the wall and remember no more.

When I came to, I was lying on a hospital bed in a strange ship. I turned my head, wincing, and saw Jahlan sitting nearby. She was bandaged, but seemed to be, luckily, not too badly injured.

"What happened?" I asked her.

She looked at me, and I saw the answer in her eyes before she could give me it. She was worried and also I could see she was upset for me. She knew what depended on the outcome of the battle.

"We lost, Visser. I'm sorry."

"It isn't your fault. You did brilliantly, you all did." That reminded me… "Did we lose anyone?"

"I don't know," she said, and I realised her eyes were shining with tears. "I was knocked unconscious, too. I've seen Odret since, but I don't know about the others." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Can we help you? Can we help you escape again?"

I shook my head. "You should be loyal to the Empire, Jahlan."

"I am, but I think they're making a mistake. You're the best Visser I know. I want to help you."

"No-one can help me, Jahlan. But thank you."

"Can't I… can't I even steal poison for you? It would be painless, at least…"

"No," I told her firmly. "You're not to risk yourself for me. You're an excellent warrior, and you could go far."

"Visser…"

"Do I have to forbid you to help me, or will you do it as a favour?"

She fell silent for a few moments.

"If you're sure…" she said.

"I am." I tried to show no fear, but my voice trembled slightly.

Jahlan looked around her, and then walked over and sat down beside me. She tentatively reached a hand out and touched my shoulder.

I was surprised, to say the least. Although I'd alwayshad a close bond with this small group of Yeerks, I'd never had one brave enough to show this sort of friendship. It was very unusual even between two Yeerks of less of a rank gap than us.

(Don't reprimand her,) Eva advised.

(Of course not,) I said.

"Thank you," I murmured to Jahlan. "Although I should warn you that most Vissers wouldn't accept that."

"I know," she said. "But I thought it might help you." She looked worried. "Am I…"

"No," I said before she could finish. "It does help."

We sat together in silence for a while. I hadn't had this kind of friendship since I was low ranking. But then, that was the cost of being Visser One.

In a few days, the ship arrived at Earth, and Visser Three strolled in to see me. Jahlan had insisted on staying with me for as long as she could.

(Ah, Visser One,) he sneered. (Oh, no, wait. I almost forgot. You're not Visser One any more, are you? No, just plain old Edriss 562. You really should have a special execution, though. Perhaps… at the top of a pole in the middle of the pool? As you said yourself, I recall, at your trial, starvation is so much more painful when salvation is near.)

"You are by no means safe, Visser three. You'll lose Earth for us yet, you incompetent fool!"

(Unwise, Visser One, very unwise to upset me, as I will be arranging your punishment.) His eyes fell on Jahlan. (Who is that?) He asked me.

"I'm Jahlan 781," she replied, even though he had not asked her.

He glared at her. (Did I address you, low rank?) He snapped.

She was wisely silent.

(Is there any reason you're here?)

"I'm Visser One's subordinate. I was injured also when the Empire ship was hit."

(So!)

"I'm staying with her."

His tail blade whipped forward and struck a line across her cheek. (You dare to announce what you are doing! You will obey my orders!) He yelled.

Jahlan touched her cheek, looking horrified. She was only young, and had been in my command her whole working life. I'd never had to punish her or even threaten her, so this was a new experience. I saw her eyes go a little damp again, but with fear I thought this time.

I decided it was time to intervene. "Leave her alone you incompetent fool. And you wonder why you have rebels in your ranks?"

Visser Three sneered at me. (As if you haven't killed subordinates too.)

"I understand the subtleties. I don't use death threats as a solution to every little problem."

He looked like he'd like to strike me, too, but restrained himself. (Come on,) he spat. (You're coming onto my Blade ship.) He turned to Jahlan. (And you are not to follow. Go on, and make yourself useful.)

Jahlan nodded, and looked me in the eyes. "Goodbye, Visser One. Thank you for everything."

I nodded my head to her. "Thank you. You've done really well. Good luck."

She bowed her head to me, turned and left. Just out of the door she looked back, but Visser Three slammed it shut.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO REVIEW! I realise it's slightly OOC, but then this is the point of this fic. However if you think it's too OOC let me know. Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. 2 chapters to go!