Chapter Two
The visser looked around at the faces of his sub-vissers. All were looking at the computer read-out before them. A dark flickering light fell on their sad faces. Even the visser himself was wearing a self-involved gaze.
How could this be? After so many years of pushing for open war all it took was the death of a brilliant officer? Yes, he now had what he had always wanted. Yes, he was now Visser One – after so many years of trying, of fighting, he had at last reached his ultimate goal.
Visser One. What greater achievement could one have? He felt a certain amount of pride swell up within him. From being a nothing, a nobody, he, Esplin had managed to capture an Andalite host. He had devoted his life to the Empire and at last he was being rewarded.
The read-out before him showed plans – plans that the visser could not help but think would make Edriss roll in her grave. Of course she had no grave; it was not the Yeerk custom.
His attention turned to Sub-Visser Seven, his designation was Iniss Two-Two-Six. Iniss was a born second in command, steady and yet willing to take a risk, strong and yet able to fall in line, smart and yet he understood when not to show his opinions.
Iniss host was that of a human male, Hedrick Chapman, He was in his mid-forties and somewhat small and thin. He had small dark brown eyes and a weak chin. Whenever he smiled it looked as if he might break into tears at any moment. His hair was a light sandy brown; it was receding and yet still managed to fall into his eyes.
No matter what the time of day he would only ever be seen wearing a suit. Either all black or a typical navy blue. Surrounded by the other sub-vissers, most in Hork-Bajir or strong human hosts, Iniss looked like a tooth-pick.
“This may very well succeed, Visser – but – we must have a back-up plan. If, and we know they will, the Andalite Bandits do heard word of the operation they will all but die to stop it. I suggest that we have a second ship – a submarine – at the ready, manned by our people. If the attack on the human air-craft carrier fails we can order the sub-marine to fire instead.”
The visser nodded. While it may surprise some he was not completely unfair, he knew when to give credit to those who deserve it.
(Very well, Sub-Visser Seven? You will accompany whichever visser is in control of the mission. You ill make sure we do not fail. Understood?)
Iniss nodded his head, “Yes sir. But won’t you be leading the mission?”
While it was true that if the ‘mission’ was a success the visser who actually led it would be given most credit Visser Three could not risk that it would fail. The death sentence still hung above his head and he was at pains to remove it. Besides he had the two-hour deadline to contend with. If he went it would mean using his human morph, he had no wish to be trapped permanently in such a body.
(No,) he said. (I will contact the Council and inform them of our latest operation. They will decide whether to approve or disapprove it. Now all of you are dismissed. Sub-Visser Seven? I suggest that you spend some time with your host’s daughter, I don’t want her poking her head where it does not belong . . . again.)
Iniss bowed and said, “Yes, Visser One, sir.”
Esplin could not help but feel pleased as he heard the title.
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“The Council has decided that…” Council Member Argon continued. This council member, unlike Garoff One-Six-Eight, had never been a very understanding Yeerk.
Of all the Council of Thirteen he was the least likely to help anybody or anything. His host was a human, one of the few human hosts in the Council. All Council Members took turns talking to the lower-ranks when they communicated. It was yet another diversion tactic to confuse any would be assassins.
“…Visser One? Have you understood?” Argon asked from beneath his deep red hood.
(I – uhh – maybe you could say that again? Council Member, sir,) Visser One said looking at the ground rather than facing Argon’s angry stare.
Argon sighed looking down the line of the rest of the Council Members. He then looked back at Visser One, “We are sending the newly promoted Visser Two, the former Visser Five, to Earth to assist on the Operation. The Council suggests, Visser One that you do not fail like you have oh-so many times in the past.”
The vissers tail twitched on hearing the insult but he did nothing else to signify he heard it.
“I understand that Visser Two sent you the details which you have refined?” Good. We congratulate him on his good work, hopefully as the original plans did not come from you – Visser One – they will not fail. We would like your final approval so we can give orders to Visser Two.”
Visser One had a fleeting image of himself telling the Council exactly what they could do with their insults and Operations but he merely resigned himself to a (Yes, sir, I approve.)
He could see even through the hologram Argon’s sneer,” We thank you, Visser One."
Argon switched off the hologram and the visser stood alone in his office. It was always dark and being underground usually either stiflingly warm or, if in winter, ice cold. A single small light hung from the ceiling, its light did not even reach the corners of the disturbingly small room.
The office was anything but friendly and welcoming. He had a desk, no chairs as he did not need any and the sub-vissers were always more than happy to stand. The walls were lined with Blade-ship schematics and star charts.
Visser One hated being alone in his own office. But what was he supposed to do? Call Iniss to him and say (Please wont you stay? We can have a talk; it’s just that I’m afraid that the Andalites could come at any minute.)
It sounded pathetic even inside his own head. Alloran laughed at his fears. He always did. He’d talk and talk until Esplin could hear nothing but Alloran’s voice growing more and more wild and insane at every passing minute.
He often heard reports about his brother and sister Yeerks unable to control involuntary human hosts. And they dared think he was a weak minded fool? If any one of them spent just three days inside Alloran they would think differently.
(And yet you’d die rather than give me up to some Council Member wouldn’t you?) Alloran asked from his part of their mind.
(Obviously. I’m not fool enough to think that the Council keep me alive because I’m useful. They keep me alive because I’m just a good way to intimidate the Andalites. I’m just a prize. They think I’m about as good a military commander as a human shoe.)
(Well…it might be because you can’t even kill six Andalites with an army of thousands,) Alloran retorted.
(Why don’t you just shut up? Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!)
Alloran receded into a corner if their mind laughing. He had done his work for the day.
Shaking with barely contained anger he picked up a pad contained the Operation now dubbed mockingly by the Council Operation 9466.
He quickly skimmed the pad:
Operation 9466 is to be headed by Visser Two. Same Visser Two will be given the human Admiral Carrington, he will proceed to the ‘air craft’ carrier the George Washington. The humans will believe they were attacked by another sub-division called ‘Chinese’. They will retaliate by attacking a real ‘Chinese’ craft. A ‘world war’ will ensue thus weakening the human defences. Earth will be weak and ready for infestation.
That is if you don’t mess it up, Visser One.
Council Member Argon 009.
(Arrrggghhhhh!) Visser One flung the pad across his office. He screamed and cursed and yelled and swore at every creature in the galaxy, alive and dead.
At one point he even managed to break one of his weak Andalite hands.He headed towardsthe infirmary,he knew he could just morph and repair the damage but his hand gave him a perfect excuse to leave his office without looking a fool. As he walkedhe muttered, (Insult me now, but when I’m gone you are going to miss me.)