So...this happened...

If you've read Polaris then pretty much all the same warnings apply. If you haven't, what are you doing here, silly, go read that first!

This first chapter is kind of a prologue thing so...yeah...

Summary: With Vort out of the Irken Empire's hands, it seems the Resisty and Team Nebula are gaining the upper hand. The Tallest, however, continue to plot their strategies of counter-attack. But things aren't always so simple. Sometimes life will catch us off guard. Sometimes the ones closest to us are the first to betray us. And sometimes the real enemy isn't who we expect it to be...

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Being the Almighty Tallest was supposed to be amazing.

It was what every Irken wanted to be. What they strived to be. It wasn't like it was hard. All you had to do was be the tallest Irken alive. Though it did help if you had some honors to your name and a favorable reputation. After all, ruling a huge empire was a tremendous responsibility. It helped if you had some idea on how to lead.

Generally, all Irkens were programmed to be completely loyal to the Tallest. But, there were those who could defy this programming. Those with deeper, uncontrolled ambitions. Those who possibly came a bit short and could attempt to take the position from you. Those who wanted more than what they were programmed to want. Who felt things beyond what a normal Irken was supposed to feel.

Defects.

Tallest Purple felt a bitter taste in his mouth at the word. He – along with the rest of the Irken race – had always been told that Defects were those with PAKs that didn't work right. It happened sometimes, the Robot Arm in the smeeteries would pick out an older PAK that hadn't been upgraded in years. The soldiers in charge of programming would miss things during routine updates. However, when you became Tallest, you became privy to all sorts of secrets. Defects weren't necessarily "broken". They were simply glitches in the code, who for some unknown reason could go against their programming and strive for more than what was assigned and ordered.

Now, in many situations, Defects were easy enough to spot. Regardless of the ability to go against everything they were told the think and feel, every Irken knew what was expected of them. The contrast of wanting more and knowing you weren't supposed to want more, of refusing to make the choice between the two, could cause a conflict, for data to become corrupt. Especially for the ones who altogether refused to acknowledge that they were Defective. When the conflict and corruption manifested itself in terrible failures and horrendous disasters, well, those Defects were easy enough the spot.

However, some Defects weren't so easy to pick out. Those that figured out and understood what was going on, who could keep their cool instead of panicking and rejecting it, it was easy enough to simply continue to blend in, to continue to follow orders, to pretend that you were a perfectly Functional Irken. It was as simple as keeping your head down, choosing to follow your programming instead of going against it.

Then there was the option many Defects chose, even if they didn't realize they were Defective...

Invaders...

It was true that anyone could be an Invader. You just had to be driven enough, competent enough, determined enough, cut-throat enough. You had to be competitive, cunning and fearless. All you had to do was pass a test to prove yourself, then continue to do so for the rest of your life.

However, only the Tallests knew the truth of the Invader program. The very dark secret that had been under heavy lock and key for centuries. A secret that could destroy the Irken Empire from the inside out. After all, no one was supposed to violate their programming, so why was their an alternative that allowed Irkens to do so?

Because, of course, all Invaders were Defective.

And what a better way to weed them out than with the promise of fame and glory? With all kinds of perks and the respect of their people? For the chance to achieve complete adoration, acceptance, and validation?

Normal Irkens – Functional Irkens – were never tempted by such things. They had no reason to pursue anything greater than what they had been assigned to do for the rest of their lives. Defects, however, were tempted by their ambitions, by the need for recognition, perhaps even the need to survive. The honors that came with being an Invader did offer great security. After all, being revered and respected made it harder for people to accuse you of being Defective.

Invaders were expendable. Either they conquered a planet for the Empire or they died trying. The ones that managed to succeed were usually the smarter ones, the ones who could easily assimilate into society. However, they were monitored carefully. Any sign of disobedience could not be taken lightly. And if they died, well, one less Defect was one less threat to the status quo.

Purple was still completely baffled as to how Zim had become an Invader. He was very obviously a Defect from the start (and also, very obviously, one of the ones who was in denial about it.) Before Zim's existence evaluation, Purple often wondered why he had never been put on trial before. Surely he would be judged Defective. Zim was too stupid to hide it. Purple had asked Red about it once, and Red had said they had to bide their time and leave it to the Brains. Taking matters into their own hands could easily back-fire. Zim was small, but he was tenacious and had a dangerous thirst for power. If he ever did discover he was Defective, that he wasn't under anyone's control...

However, Zim turned out to be unlike even other Defects. Somewhere along the way, the data in his PAK had become so corrupt that it altered the Brains' decision. Zim was marked as Functional, and was sent back to that silly, weird planet called Earth.

Then, three years ago, Zim had bypassed the blocks in the Tallests' communication lines. And, of course, Purple and Red had been talking about him. Purple was always worried of what would happen if Zim ever found out what he truly was. Of what Zim would do with the knowledge of not just being able to defy the laws of the Brains, but also that his so-called mission had been an elaborate lie to get rid of him for good. It was ironic, that Zim had heard this very conversation. Purple remembered the slight panic he'd felt upon discovering that Zim had been listening, remembered how erratically his squeedlyspooch had pounded.

Purple gave a wordless scoff, tightening his grip on the railing of the balcony. Normal Irkens didn't panic. Normal Irkens didn't feel fear.

To both Purple and Red's great surprise, Zim hadn't said anything. It had been obvious that the former Invader had heard the entire conversation, and instead of doing what they had thought he might do (swear vengeance and what-not), he merely reached over and closed the communication. Purple and Red had been left staring at each other, dumbfounded.

They never heard from Zim again...

And, for a while, things were okay. The Empire expanded beautifully. Red was already talking about a third Operation Impending Doom, which Purple couldn't help but get excited over. They did have a whole new crop of Invaders at their disposal.

Then that all got side-tracked when that stupid Abomination resurfaced...

The thought of Dek made Purple's blood boil. That half-breed son of Invader Zon had been very good at hiding his true origins during his last visit to Irk. He'd had a perfectly programmed fake PAK and everything. Not to mention, there were so many Irkens spread out across the universe. It wasn't hard to lose track of who belonged and who did not.

Also, Dek was almost as tall as the Tallests, giving him quite an edge in finding information he otherwise should not have been able to uncover.

However, a quick look through the hatchery database was enough to expose the now Captain for what he was. Purple would admit, Dek had been clever enough to hack it to have himself added in, but it didn't take much to uncover that it was all falsified. Then that disgusting half-breed killed twenty of their soldiers before literally escaping into the night.

Then he had the gall to pop up again while recruiting some monkey-brain hacker or whatever.

Purple's entire body tensed as he thought about it. Stupid Galactic Alliance. Now everything was just a mess. A big, disgusting, terrifying mess. And, if he thought about it too much, he could almost say it was partially his and Red's fault. But...no. They were the Almighty Tallests. They certainly weren't responsible for the Galactic Alliance not informing them of Meekrob joining. After all, that had been part of the pact as well, right?

Purple had known for as long as he could remember that he was different. He had been assigned as an engineer, but it never satisfied him. He liked it, and he was definitely one of the best, but being cooped up in the engine room of ship after ship became extremely boring. However, that was his assignment. That was his programming. He knew that it wasn't normal to feel the way he felt, knew it was considered Defective, but as long as he kept his head down, did his job the best he could, it would all be fine. He would muddle through

Then...he met Red...

At the time, Purple had been the Head Engineer on the newly built Massive. Red was a commanding officer on a short assignment on the ship. They'd fallen under attack and with all his knowledge and a few risky decisions, Purple had played a big part in helping them defeat the sudden foe. And Red had wanted to meet the person responsible for their victory.

Purple couldn't help but vividly remember the first time he'd laid eyes on him. They had been the same height even then (it seemed they had always been), but the way Red had carried himself made him seem taller than anyone in the entire Irken Empire. Even when making casual conversation, his crimson eyes had an intensity that made Purple's squeedlyspooch hammer wildly inside his body. He had been almost certain that he was about to just explode.

Of course, Purple had done his best to maintain composure. Looking back now, he was pretty sure he fail epically. Irkens weren't supposed to have feelings of attraction, or fidget and trip over their words. Purple had been so glad when that first meeting had ended, and almost gave into the urge to lock himself in his quarters for the rest of his life.

Just when he had gotten over that humiliating first encounter, ready to move on and never see or speak to Elite Commander Red ever again, Purple's life took an unexpected turn.

The summons by the Control Brains had been unnerving. Irkens were only summoned by them for two reasons. The most likely was to answer for some sort of crime. Purple had been certain somehow, someway, someone had discovered that he was Defective. But that was impossible. Purple did his job exquisitely, and had never caused any trouble. He'd become an expert at hiding what he truly was. There was no way he had slipped up.

When he'd arrived at the Brains, his squeedlyspooch had jumped so hard that he had been so sure it was going to burst right out of his body.

Red was there, standing in front of the Control Brains, looking as confident and serious and beautiful as ever.

Purple vaguely remembered wanting to die.

As it had turned out, the Control Brains had summoned the two of them for the same reason. They were the two tallest Irkens alive. And in this scenario, the situation was always resolved one way: with a fight to the death.

Honestly, Purple had considered the consequences of simply turning the offer down and walking away. There were too many variables. Red was more experienced in combat and Purple had no idea how to run an empire. Not to mention, Red looked far too good in his battle armor and Purple honestly didn't trust himself if the two of them got physically close, even if it was for a fight.

However, declining an offer to be Tallest was not done. It was one the things the Brains wanted you to want. Turning down the opportunity was the equivalent of putting a neon sign on you that said "Here, look, I'm Defective, please deactivate me and throw me out of an air-lock."

Also, becoming Tallest had so many benefits. The Tallest was never questioned or threatened by Smallers. They were the highest authority after the Brains, relaying and upholding the law.

It was a chance to live worry free for the rest of his life...

So, of course, he took the challenge.

Red had been as ruthless as Purple had predicted. However, he surprised even himself by holding his own quite well. The fight lasted a good couple hours or so, before they were both barely standing. Purple had a bleeding lip and several gashes. Red's armor had taken a beating and his shirt was torn from his shoulder to his abdomen. Purple had had to set his jaw to keep a straight face. He most definitely should not have been thinking about tearing the rest of the commander's clothes off and partaking in the most primitive and disgusting activities.

Though it was shocking to discover that the thought hadn't been disgusting at all...

Purple had managed to shake those thoughts away, focusing on catching his breath. He was hurting all over, and was pretty sure he was simply going the pass out soon. Red had stood up straighter across from him. His stamina had been impressive (was still impressive). Purple had been sure that there was no way he was getting out of here alive...

Then, Red did the unthinkable...

"I would like to call our match a draw," he had said clearly, confidently, his eyes showing no hesitation.

The Brain had glowed as it spoke in that deep, echoing tone. "There has not been a draw for over a millenia, Elite Commander Red."

"We are equally matched," Red had explained. "Two Tallests have ruled before and they can do so again."

Purple had stood frozen. Why would Red stand up for him like this? Why call a draw instead of taking the win that was so blatantly in front of him?

When Purple had asked Red that very question, the commander had shrugged and said, "No one's ever kept up in a fight with me like you did." Then he smirked. "You intrigue me."

Purple's face had heated up and all at once he had wanted to punch Red in the face and also do...something else entirely.

On the bright side, the two of them found quickly that they got along rather well. Despite having very different outlooks on how to handle some situations, and the occasional argument (smoke machines were totally better than lasers, what was Red thinking?), their new partnership had flourished. Purple just had to ignore all the stupid, bubbly, fluffy, inappropriate feelings he would get around Red. But...as the years went by, it only became harder to do...

Their partnership became a friendship, and between the friendly hi-fives and teasing bickering, Purple had found that his terrible feelings for Red had only grown. He tried so hard to keep them locked down, to keep Red from finding out. Best case scenario was Red ignored it, brushed it off and carried on with things as they were. Worst case scenario was Red had him arrested and deactivated for being Defective. Red did always seem like such a stickler for the rules...

However, it had seemed that the universe either really liked him or really truly hated him...

It had been after the first Operation Impending Doom. Despite one major hiccup (who was promptly shipped off the Foodcourtia where he belonged) the whole thing had gone ridiculously well. They'd had a huge party on Irk with a rave and everything. Purple should've known that he wouldn't be able to hold his liquor. Working around heavy machinery left little to no time for drinking. Red had had to help him back to their quarters, and Purple, in his drunken haze, thought it would be a great idea to smash his mouth against Red's.

When he had remembered it the next morning, he apologized profusely, saying it would never happen again. To Purple's relief, Red had shrugged it off, saying Purple had been drunk and hadn't known what he was doing.

But then, two weeks later, Red had him pushed against the wall of their quarters, his mouth doing the exact same thing, only a lot more deliberately. And enthusiastically.

Purple still wondered why Red had done that. He remembered an instructor once saying that Defects were like rotten fruits – one bad one spoils the bunch. That they spread their corruption to others like a disease. Purple wondered if he had done that to Red. Or, maybe, Red had been Defective from the start as well. Or, maybe, there was another explanation. One rooted in a secret so dangerous that not even the Tallests were made aware of it...

However, Purple never questioned it. Now that he'd had a taste of what being with Red was like, he wasn't about to screw it up by asking about his motives or his feelings. As time went by, it became apparent that he didn't need to anyway. Red wasn't the type to express what he felt with words, but he was extremely good at doing so with actions.

"Pur?"

Purple looked over his shoulder from his place on the balcony. Even after so many, many years of being together, Red's very presence made him feel like he might explode. He smiled as he lifted himself up to perch on the balcony railing.

"How'd it go?" Purple asked as Red approached him.

The frustrated sigh was all the answer Purple needed. "Why are the majority of our strategists idiots?"

"Because they're not as awesome as you?" Purple offered.

Red hummed in amusement. "Maybe. Or there was a mix up during their programming." He rolled his eyes. "You should have been there. You could have made snarky remarks and kept me from dumping a couple of them out of their chairs."

"What are you talking about? I would have helped you," Purple replied. "Besides, I hate those strategy meetings. They're so boring! And I know you can only tolerate so much of my devilish charm when the situation is serious."

It was true. The first strategy meeting they had attended together ended with Red scolding Purple for throwing cheese puffs at the others at the table. It was a catalyst of sorts for them to simply split duties. Red took care of the serious stuff, and Purple took care of the fun stuff.

Red gave him a tiny smile and Purple felt like his insides were melting. "Devilish charm? Is that the nice way to say 'restless and obnoxious?'"

Purple pouted. "Now you're just being mean."

Red chuckled before making his way closer. Once he was close enough he put his hands on either side of Purple, allowing their hands to brush against each other. He leaned forward, having to tilt his head up slightly, and their foreheads came together. Purple let his eyes fully shut. He reveled in moments like these, when he and Red were completely alone, and no one could judge them. It was possibly the closest thing to freedom they had.

"What's on your mind, Pur?" Red asked, his tone low and gentle. A shiver went up Purple's spine.

"Besides how handsome you look right now?" Purple asked, attempting to keep the mood light.

"Stroking my ego isn't going to get me to let up," Red told him in an amused tone.

Purple smirked and trailed one of his claws up Red's arm. "I could always stroke something else," he suggested.

"Nice try," Red replied before he pulled away slightly. He took Purple's chin in his hand so they would have to make eye contact. His gaze was soft and concerned. "You've been kind of distant since we heard about Vort. Is...everything okay?"

Purple sighed heavily. He'd been avoiding this conversation since The Resisty and Team Nebula had managed to win Vort. Maybe even longer than that. Red wouldn't like what he had to say, but he couldn't help the way he felt. It was all becoming too much.

"I don't want to do this anymore," Purple whispered, directing his eyes anywhere but at Red.

He felt Red tense immediately. "You don't want to do what anymore?"

Purple resisted the urge to roll his eyes, settling for giving his co-ruler a blatantly unimpressed look. "You know I don't mean this," he told him, taking Red's hand from his chin and holding it in his own. "I'm yours, you stupid grump."

Red seemed to relax at that, but continued to look concerned. "Then what are you talking about?"

Purple nibbled his bottom lip, forcing himself to look back at Red. "What if...we just...gave up?"

All at once Red stiffened, his expression incredulous. "Gave up? What the hell are you on about?"

"Red, just think about it," Purple explained. "If we just let the stupid Resisty and Team Nebula have the Brains then we can just...negotiate our way out."

"Or they'll just execute us," Red pointed out firmly.

"They wouldn't execute us," argued Purple. "You and I both know that that's not how Team Nebula operates."

"But that's what Lard Nar would want. And what makes you think he wouldn't just pass his own judgement without Team Nebula's knowledge?"

"The alternative is eventually being executed by the Control Brains!"

"That won't happen! We're careful and-,"

"We shouldn't have to be careful!" Purple snapped, nearly knocking Red backwards as he hopped of the railing.

There was a brief pause, with the two of them just staring at each other. Red looked shocked by his outburst, and a part of Purple couldn't fault him for that. This had been brewing inside him for a while now. "I don't want to live like this anymore," Purple told him fiercely, clenching his fists at his sides. "I want...to be able to touch you whenever I want. To kiss you whenever I want. And...and I'm sick of us being used as a couple of puppets! There's so many things you and I have talked about that we want to do, but we can't because we're so afraid the Brains will-,"

"Purple!" Red shouted, successfully cutting off his partner. Purple set his jaw but knew Red had been in the right to stop him. He had almost said too much. Even with the loyalty of their people, Irken's knew the law, and even the Tallests were never to defy the will of the Control Brains.

There was a short, tense silence where Purple lowered his gaze to the floor. He felt stupid for saying anything. He had known how Red would react, and yet he had opened his mouth anyway.

He felt Red come closer, felt Red's forehead pressed flush against his own, felt his hands take hold of his. "You know this is the only way," said Red quietly. "We do our jobs. We play the game. It's the only we stay safe." His hands came up to cup Purple's face. "This...this is how we stay alive."

Purple looked up into those crimson eyes, unable to help the horrible scowl that came across his face. Safety. Security. Maybe Red was right about that. But...what was the point if they had to constantly live in fear? Was it really worth their freedom?

"No," Purple growled, pulling away from Red and stomping past him. "It's how we keep breathing."

He didn't stop to see if Red followed him, simply striding out the door of their quarters. The urge to punch something was great, but held himself back. If he started throwing a fit, others would become suspicious. He glided down the hall, hoping he succeeded at keeping his carefree façade while he was fuming inside.

Being the Almighty Tallest was supposed to be amazing.

However, Tallest Purple couldn't help be feel like he was only in a more comfortable prison...