Author's note: Just wanted to remind you that the opinions of my characters are, of course, not necessarily mine. Essam implies some derogatory things about foster care in this chapter, and I don't want you to take this as an OOC message. Thanks, and, as always, thank you for reading!

Essam was confused.

There was Visser Three, supposedly the greatest general of the generation. Sub-Visser Fifty-Four wasn't doing much to disprove that assertion; after only two days of discussion, the Visser's mind was keener than ever and the Sub-Visser was floundering. Esplin had the resources of the Empire at his disposal.

So what was he doing entering some dingy low-rank's quarters that any Yeerk worth their Dracon beam could walk into?

Perhaps whatever he was doing would be enough to convince Edriss that he was unfaithful. Emboldened, Essam entered a passcode at the door, opened it up, and calmly stepped inside.

((What are you doing here?))

"Relax! I'm here to talk to you."

((Yes, our last conversation ended so well.))

"It's not about either of us. It's about..." Essam nervously scanned the room, but didn't notice anybody else. "Edriss."

((What about her?)) glared the Visser.

"We..." Essam forced his host body to breathe slowly. "Back when we were on Earth, long before you came-" The Visser's tail blade twitched, but he said nothing. "We set up a plan. A plan that would take many generations to come to fruition."

He paused. ((And this concerns me how?))

"One moment, Visser. I have been monitoring the situation on Earth, and the project is almost ready. Believe me, nothing would give Edriss more satisfaction than knowing that this is complete."

((And so you came to me to inform me about this new weapon, so that it might be put to the services of the Empire? What a loyal Yeerk you are! Perhaps I should recommend you for a promotion.))

"It has nothing to do with me, Visser. I'm only concerned about Edriss. The plan is incredibly sensitive, and one mistake could jeopardize it."

((Edriss is not here.))

"Visser, your schemes are growing out of control. Some of the free humans already seem aware of our presence."

((Humans have many myths and rumors. This is harmless.))

"If the situation on Earth grows too volatile, our plan will be destroyed. Edriss's dream will be destroyed."

((I know exactly how to manage the situation on Earth.))

"While Sub-Visser Fifty-Four knows exactly how to manage the situation in the whole galaxy."

((He's done a poor job of demonstrating it.))

"You're an exceptional fighter. You can pilot any ship in the fleet, you can morph creatures that no Andalite could resist. Why are you concerned about bossing useless low-ranks around?"

((Why were you?))

"You need to stand aside, Visser. For Edriss, if nothing else."

((Who are you working for, dapsen?))

"What are you implying?"

"Don't they have any decent sustenance in this place?" the other Controller had muttered the night before, critically eying a pile of moss.

"You can deal with your host body later," said Under-Visser Nine. "What do you want?"

"The same thing as you. Power. Safety. A competent leader."

Essam smirked. "Do I qualify as "competent"?"

"Not yet. You can prove yourself, though."

"How so?"

"You know what Esplin is going through better than we do. Get to him, get him out of the way. As quietly as possible, much as it pains me to suggest."

Essam smiled. "I'm not quite sure what he's going through...but I know how to get to him."

"That's fine," said Efflit. "Whatever works."

((I am implying,)) Visser Three said, ((that you should leave this room before I report you for unauthorized access.))

"I'm just as authorized to be here as you are."

((The data files would suggest otherwise.))

"The security system let me in with the passcode."

((Yes, and as your superior, I can order you to leave.))

Since Essam had another hope, he wasn't going to risk humiliation by pressing the issue any further. "Consider my offer!" he pleaded, backing out.

((I consider it ridiculous.)) Esplin slammed the door.

Back to his original plan, then—the Visser's original quarters. Getting inside would be more of a hassle, but he had a chance.

A short shaft ride later, Essam knocked on the locked door. "Who is it?" Edriss called.

"Edriss, I'm sorry."

"Leave me alone!"

"Is Visser Three here?"

There was silence as Edriss walked to the door, unsure if he was trying to manipulate her. "He's meeting with some subordinates right now."

"Come with me. I've learned from my mistakes, I'll do better this time. I shouldn't have treated you like I did, it was my fault. Let me make it up to you."

"Take your blathering somewhere else."

She was less compromising than he'd expected, and he was down to his last resort. "I found the children."

"What?" She opened the door.

"They're together, on Earth. Being raised by different humans for temporary periods. It's not a healthy system, Edriss, we need to do something."

She stood at the edge of the door for a long moment. "No," she finally said. "You're still as ignorant as you were a generation ago."

"Edriss, I can't do it alone. I need your help."

"You're just trying to influence my emotions. It won't work. I'm stronger than you think." She backed away and closed the door.

Perhaps in time her memories of him would have faded until he seemed no more than a onetime ally, a longtime companion, who'd helped her get so far before she'd moved on to better things. But instead, the memories of his descent into neurosis were suddenly raw once again.

Still, she felt a certain pride in having quashed his ravings, even if she wasn't so strong as to be totally unaffected by his sudden reappearance. She could handle him.

She had no way of knowing that, several stories above her, Visser Three was feeling the same pride, and that for one moment they were as close as they had ever been.