((Gah, my whole post deleted itself))
Terenia takes a moment to prepare herself before she speaks, knowing all too well that one wrong word will likely mean a world of pain later.
<Visser,> she says at last, <you sent two of your men to retrieve me. They have both been destroyed, along with the fighter.>
<What!?> Visser Three's nostrils flare, <you dare attack my->
<One of your soldiers sent out a transmission prior to his death,> Terenia interrupts quickly. Visser Three does not look too pleased by her cutting in, but he quiets, <In the transmission you will see nothing to indicate foulplay by me.>
I hope, Terenia adds silently, having no real idea of what the transmission contains. <Your men were defeated because the planet I landed on seems to have a relatively large Andalite force. They are determined to destroy any sign of Imperials.>
<And yet you live,> Visser Three sneers, his eyes a collage of anger and amusement, <explain to me, my treacherous human, how that is so?>
<The Andalites are arrogant fools,> Terenia says, steeling herself to sound convincing as she crafts her lie, <they did not suspect that another Andalite could be taken by the Yeerks, and therefore did not question my presence. Evidently the bounty on my head has not spread as far as I had thought.>
Silence. Terenia's hearts are pounding and her lungs feel as though they are about to collapse. Visser Three seems to be considering her closely.
<Explain your continued presence at your current location,> Visser Three says at last.
<I...> Terenia hesitates, scrambling, <I wish to gather information from the Andalites. It may prove useful. Sir.>
<I would almost believe that,> Visser Three snorts, <if it were coming from someone who did not have a history of betrayal and foolhardiness. Yet...your unnoticed presence amongst the Andalites may prove useful,> he seems to be contemplating something, formulating a plan of sorts. Terenia waits, knowing better than to interrupt him a second time.
<Very well,> he says at last, <you will remain on the planet until your Kandrona runs out. Then you will return to me and perform a complete memory dump. If the information you provide is useful, you shall be rewarded. If not...>
He lets the threat hang, but suddenly the hologram changes. It is no longer Visser Three's face being projected, but that of a young woman, perhaps in her late teens or early twenties. She has long, tawny hair and pale gray eyes that are shining with fear. Terenia inhales sharply, her expression darkening with a mixture of pain and rage.
<I understand, sir.>
<Good. Do not fail me, Teresa. I am beginning to tire of your antics.>
The hologram disappears and the feed cuts off with a cackle, leaving Claxter and Terenia alone in the ship. As soon as Visser Three is gone Terenia exhales the breath she had been holding throughout the conversation, collapsing against the wall.
