An Alliance (Vissers 2 and 24)

[Subvisser 33 (Salheer 671)]

Salheer knew that if Visser 24 was to have any chance whatsoever of defeating Visser 42, he would need a powerful ally. The Emperor believed that Visser Two would be the perfect candidate. Since he believed that Visser 42 would likely find a way to monitor any of the usual meeting places, he arranged for the two Vissers to meet on a moderately large transport ship in orbit above the planet.

Salheer stood on the bridge. Both Vissers were aboard the ship, and both would soon join him here. Now, it was a question of tricking these two into working together. It would likely be considerably easier than getting the other pair of Vissers to join forces.

[tinem]

The sound of hooves on metal heralded Visser Two's arrival. He walked onto the bridge, glaring at the subvisser.
<Why have you called me here, SUBvisser?>
He crossed his arms over his chest, his tail twitching a bit. He disliked being forced into things by those of a lower rank and he certainly didn't like being forced into space like this by a subvisser.

[Iwirt 1655/Visser 24]

This was the moment Visser 24 had planned for. He still harbored intense hatred towards Visser 42, and would go to any length to take him down.
Iwirt walked onto the bridge of the ship, his step lacking the air of confidence because of his bum knee, courtesy of Essak. He saw that Subvisser 33 and Visser 2 were already there.
Also, he noticed something strange about Ryan. For once, the man seemed....intimidated.
He stepped onto the bridge, and greeted both, noticing that Visser 2 seemed irritated with Salheer.
"I apologize for being a little late. My host's mobility is....limited thanks to a recent.....accident." He sighed, his face showing a little anger as he remembered how Essak shot him in the kneecap.
He quickly calmed. "So, Subvisser. What do you say we get down to business?"

[Subvisser 33 (Salheer 671)]

"I am terribly sorry for the inconvenience, Visser Two," Salheer told him. "But this is a matter that I think is very important. It was necessary for us to meet here, lest Essak Three-Two-Nine learn of our plans. I believe that here, at least, we are beyond his ears. I am certain you will understand the necessity for secrecy. To put it plainly, Visser Two, all the Vissers on Earth are headed towards a conflict such as the Empire has never seen before. The balance of power will be shifted drastically, no matter who wins. I wish to offer you the chance to destroy your greatest enemy in a single stroke."

[tinem]

Visser Two listened silently as Salheer spoke. His eyes narrowed in suspicion at his offer.
<And what, precisely, do you expect in return?>
His tail lowered slightly. He was intrigued, but suspicious.

[Iwirt 1655/Visser 24]

Iwirt listened to Salheer's speech and Visser 2's question. Why didn't I think of that? No one would do this for absolutely nothing...
Iwirt shifted most of his weight to his good leg, then spoke up.
"I like the part about destroying enemies in a single stroke, but Visser 2 has a great point."
He stood eye to eye with Salheer. "That's a good question. What are your motivations behind this?"

[Subvisser 33 (Salheer 671)]

"I would think that my reasons are obvious," Salheer chuckled. Mostly because they were far from it. "This conflict, my dear Vissers, will surely end with you gaining more power. It is my hope that you will remember a lowly Subvisser who aided you. With Essak Three-Two-Nine removed, there will be an opening for his position. I am confident that, with your support, I can convince the Counsel of Thirteen to grant me his place."

[tinem]

Visser Two scoffed and sneered down at Salheer.
<I have all the power I want. Visser One will make another mistake. I must simply be patient and wait for him. I have learned patience. Have you, Sub Visser?>
He watched Salheer closely. He was risking a lot to do this.

[Iwirt 1655/Visser 24]

Iwirt watched the scene unfold. The only thing Iwirt wanted more than power, was to see Visser 42 taken down, and taken down hard.
"While I like the idea of more power, I like the idea of Essak Three-Two-Nine's downfall even more." He turned to Visser 2.
"I know we haven't officially met, but we have a common enemy in Visser 42. He wants to use his powerful friends to take us down, but together, we can take him down first.
I do, however, agree that in time, Visser One will screw up yet again. I may not be as high up, but I assure you I would be a powerful ally."
He held back a wince as an intense pain shot up his bad knee.

[Subvisser 33 (Salheer 671)]

"It is not a question of whether Esplin Nine-Four-Six-Six will make yet another massive mistake. The questions are: when, how, and who will profit from it? You could wait for him to fail again. Of you could seize the chance now. Consider our enemy, Visser Two. He knows that, in terms of pure power and influence, he is no match for Irwit One-Six-Five-Five. But Essak Three-Two-Nine has many friends; Esplin Nine-Four-Six-Six among them. The two will side together, I can guarantee, and destroy any enemies in their path. If nothing else, Esplin Nine-Four-Six-Six is good at that.

"This, Visser Two, presents an opportunity for you. Between the two of you, you will be more powerful than Esplin Nine-Four-Six-Six. This, here, is the mistake for which you are waiting. If you join with us, you will be able to destroy Esplin Nine-Four-Six-Six and assume his place. In time, you could aspire to an even greater station. But if you do not join us, I doubt Esplin Nine-Four-Six-Six will rest until he has purged Earth of all competition. And to be quite honest, Visser Two, you could not stand against such an assault. Between Esplin Nine-Four-Six-Six's friends and his own resources, you could do little to stop him."

[tinem]

Visser two couldn't help but chuckle at Salheer's speech. As he spoke, he pulled all the strength of Tinem's fright voice into his next words, wanting to at least be sure to terrify Salheer's host, of which there would be no doubt.
<You think so little of me, Salheer Six-Seven-One?>

[Iwirt 1655/Visser 24]

Iwirt stood in silence through Salheer's speech. When Visser 2 spoke, his voice intimidated even Ryan.
Visser 24's host was not a man that could be easily frightened. Then, at the worst possible moment, the pain in his knee intensified, and the knee gave way.
"AGH!" He barely managed to keep his balance, but succeeded nonetheless.

[Subvisser 33 (Salheer 671)]

Even though he had been warned about the power of Visser Two's voice, Salheer's host still was terrified; Salheer himself was a bit worried, too. He decided it would be best to let his host have control for the moment. He stumbled back and grabbed onto a part of the ship to keep from falling over.

"I mean no disrespect, Visser," he said quickly. "But Esplin Nine-Four-Six-Six has a habit of destroying those who are far superior to him." Salheer calmed down a bit. "The previous Visser One was great enough to become a member of the Counsel, but he still defeated her. He is an idiot with the knack for destroying the brilliant. And when he joins with Essak Three-Two-Nine, he will be unstoppable unless you and Irwit One-Six-Five-Five devote your full attention to the matter."

[tinem]

He smirked smugly as he watched both hosts react. He knew Salheer wasn't as afraid as his host was, he wasn't drawn in by that. He turned and walked to the window, staring down at Earth.
<And how do you propose we rid ourselves of them?>
He sounded interested, but he only wanted to know what Salheer had in mind. Perhaps he could do it on his own without the sub visser.

[Iwirt 1655/Visser 24]

The pain finally eased off, and Iwirt noticed that Visser 2 hardly even seemed to know that he was even there.
"Well," Iwirt said in the most respectful tone he could, "I'm sure we can think of some way to rid ourselves of our enemies. But, as has been mentioned, our enemies have friends in high places, and if we expect to take them down, we will have a better chance if we form an alliance, of sorts..."
Visser 24's voice showed sign that he was still in pain, but his tone was as serious as it could be.