Visser Three confidently took his leave of Visser Thirty-Five and Sub-Visser Five. He was supposed to...come to think of it, he didn't know whom he was supposed to meet. Should he have brought someone with him? Did he need to get a Dracon beam?

No, Andalite assassins wouldn't announce their presence through Yeerk computing channels. And his Andalite body would serve him as well as anything.

So he unconcernedly strolled to an airy, semi-private chamber that seemed to be registered to a high-ranking Anati-Controller. "Hello!" called the jovial Yeerk. "Thank you so much for coming by."

((Why am I here?))

"There are lots of Yeerks who can't make it out here."

And one I wish couldn't, the Visser thought.

"We'd appreciate it if you could just answer some questions for a live transmission. Keep people up-to-date with what's going on."

((Just this once? And you won't interrupt me once the debates get under way?))

"Of course not."

((Well, I suppose.))

"Wonderful!" smiled the Anati. "If you'll just go in there?" He nodded towards a small enclosure, though big enough for advanced holographic recording equipment. Including a psychophone for recording thoughtspeak. Sub-Visser Fifty-Four would have been proud.

Dubiously, Esplin entered. The remaining space was hardly big enough for an Anati...

but it was not an Anati who faced him.

"Hello," smiled Under-Visser Nine. "Nice to see you."

((What are you doing here?)) the Visser hissed.

"Recording you. Shh, we're about to go...live. I'm here with Visser Three, the controversial commander who'll be hoping to maintain control of overall tactics after the Generational Convention here on the Anati homeworld. Now, last convention wasn't so straightforward, I understand? What happened after your unexplained departure?"

((I had no use to linger any longer than necessary once I finished my business on Earth. I had tasks to complete across the galaxy.)) There was plenty that had happened that he wouldn't have minded telling Essam about, but he didn't want to goad him. The sooner the conversation was over, the better.

"I see. It must be a stressful occupation?"

((I haven't broken yet.)) Esplin concentrated on sending a thoughtspeak message directly to Essam, that the psychophone couldn't pick up. ((Though I've seen the stress get to other commanders. Really quite a shame how they break down.))

Fuming, Essam asked, "Yet it surely helps to delegate your work to subordinates."

((Any great bureaucrat knows that,)) the Visser self-deprecatingly replied before privately adding ((The less-great ones overburden their assistants.))

"I'm speaking, of course, of Edriss Five-Six-Two, who's been often seen on planets where you're working."

((Sub-Visser Ninety-Five is an exceptionally competent assistant. I'm glad for her counsel.)) The seething Visser privately hissed, (Now if you don't have any relevant questions for me, I will be leaving.))

"Well," Essam feigned a smile, "while there are many opinions about your leadership capacity, no being in the galaxy doubts your military genius. Do you recognize this beast?"

((Who, you?)) Esplin said too quietly for the psychophone to pick up.

But an image was forming behind them, one that was also being transmitted to viewstations across the Empire. A young Andalite, eyes fierce and challenging.

((Yes.))

"Would you mind telling the galaxy who it is?"

((Yes, I would,)) he privately retorted before announcing ((Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul.)) The warrior—or was he a prince now? Esplin could never be sure—had given Esplin plenty of headaches over the generations. He only hoped he had given just as many in return.

"The very Elfangor whose fighter, along with plenty more Andalite vessels, has emerged in the outer asteroid belt of this system?"

((There are Andalites in this system and you're standing here asking me ridiculous questions?)) Without giving Essam time for an answer, the Visser turned and galloped out of the makeshift studio.

"Wh-" began the Anati-Controller, but it was too late. Esplin was long gone.

Be rational, he tried to tell himself. There were competent enough soldiers working the defense systems. There was nothing to be gained from showing up. No, he had told Edriss he would return to her.

So he went back to their quarters. Edriss was as fixated with the computer as he had been. Rather than check the accumulating messages he was receiving, though, she stared at the images of Andalite ships emerging from Z-Space.

((Edriss?)) he said gently.

"What's going on?"

((Edriss? Could...could I use the computer?))

She wordlessly got up and returned to the furniture she had been sprawling upon.

Esplin browsed the messages—a couple of Under-Vissers wanting his help with the Andalites.

"What's going on?"

((I know as little as you do. A squadron of Andalite ships just popped out of Z-Space on the other side of the system. They probably won't get here until after we've left, they've never risked time dil-))

"I know how fast Andalite fighters move."

((Elfangor is leading them. I've fought him before, I might be able to predict what he'll do next.))

"You belong here."

Stalk eyes whirling in every direction, Esplin steeled himself. ((Yes. Yes, it's no use fighting with idiots in power. Once the Sub-Visser shuts up, we can take care of the Andalites.))

"Who do you mean by "we"?"

((I'll let the security forces deal with it for now. Afterwards, I can handpick who I want in charge. Or maybe I'll just stay here and take care of it.)) He glanced at the messages, looking for the specific ranks of the Under-Vissers who had contacted him. ((Under-Visser Six and Nineteen...whose side are they on?))

"I've never met either of them."

He typed feverishly, searching for information about them. ((Can't tell. But maybe they're just doing this to distract me...yes, seeing as it's Elfangor. I don't have the time to be preoccupied with somebody else's mind!))

His stalk eyes faced the wider quarters. It took them a moment to focus on Eva's face. It took him a moment longer to parse it, and realize he had said something wrong.