Squee! I was up late writing this, so appreciate it. This is the sequel to Collateral Damage. And this fic is filled with fan characters and speculations, so if you don't like that kind of thing, don't bother reading it. I own none of the songs I quote, except for the one entitled "not drunk"... it's a sucky song though so feel free to steal it. I also own no IZ characters that pop up. All the ones that aren't in the show are mine. Steal them and I hunt you down.
BIG thanks to Invader Bast who beta-read most of this chapter! Want to thank her yourself? Go read her fics!
The gist of this fic is Jendai telling a story, and everything after these "~ ~ ~" little... things is the story he's telling Zim. If it gets confusing, review and tell me and I'll post something that has a brief explanation of the characters that are new.
AFTERMATH
Chapter 1
"Freedom carries sacrifice, remember when this was
my life."
-Three Doors Down, "Life of my own."
The night Jendai Kaalae died was a frigid winter eve in mid January.
It was one of those nights where children huddled under their blankets, wishing for summer or hot cocoa, whichever came first. The smell of snow was in the air, sending memories of winter break through skool goers. Of course, Zim couldn't feel the cold. He had been hard at work all day, perfecting his experiment with the lazer weasels and was now trying to catch a quick nap on the couch. GIR was off in the kitchen, trying to find out where Zim had stashed its cupcake cache and no one had seen Jendai for hours.
Ever since the death of Merana Sali, Jendai had been quiet and reclusive. Whenever he had wished to talk, it was of trivial things such as the weather, Zim's latest plot, how stupid humans were, and more things of that nature. And even those conversations were short, clipped by a faraway pain in blue eyes or some outburst of pent-up emotions. He never spoke of their daring venture to the human nation's capital, or of the strange alien whom he had befriended. It was as if, with her death, Merana had completely dropped out of both of their lives. Jendai seemed to wish it that way. He'd moved out of their house, leaving it full of everything that Merana had owned. No "For Sale" sign had been posted. He just packed up, left, and moved in with Zim and GIR. The big Irken had expressed a desire for Zim never to speak of the house, and had sworn never to return; although he did go off on long drives in the old pickup, often returning smelling of human alcohol, though he was rarely drunk. On those atypical situations where he was, Zim had left him to his computer's medical programming, saving both of them from the hassle of dealing with each other.
Zim snorted in his sleep, turning over on the soft couch. He hardly slept anywhere other than his room in the lab, but the couch just felt better tonight. It was warmer in the main house than it was in the lab. His dreams wandered from world domination to nightmares of scientists with machine guns. Somewhere in the background, a fair skinned, human-looking woman with silver blonde hair and amber eyes gazed at him, her image slowly fading...
"Master! Master wake up!" GIR squealed, jolting him awake.
The alien groaned. "What is it now, GIR?" he asked bluntly, sitting up. He hadn't bothered with his disguise. A stray antenna fell in his face, and he irritably forced it back upright. The cold was affecting them strangely. The door was locked, as were the windows. "Can't you find the cupcakes?"
GIR paused. "Nooo... I think..." it said, pondering. "Oh yeah! The big master told me to come and bother you so I'd be out of the way! So I did, and Master where are my cupcakes?"
"Jendai sent you up here?" Zim asked, sliding off the couch. "Where is he?"
"Ummm... down the toilet," GIR replied, cocking its metal head. It hadn't bothered with its disguise either. "Now can I have my cupcake?"
"They're in the freezer," Zim called over his shoulder. He was already on his way to the kitchen. What could Jendai want? He had never called Zim before. Usually, it was the other way around. Zim calling the other Irken for advice on his projects. He climbed on the toilet seat, flushing himself down.
The lab was cold. Freezing in fact. Zim's breath formed clouds of vapor in the air. Why wasn't Jendai up in the house where it was warm, rather than down here where one could freeze to death? "Jendai?" he called experimentally. "Where are you?" He wandered down the rows of tables cluttered with bits and pieces of projects and experiments. Rooms led off into ones similar to the one he was currently in. His rooms came into view, then passed by as he made his way to the quarters he'd created for Jendai.
The blaster was a simple, crude invention of his, but it would serve its purpose well. It was large, cumbersome and probably would backfire. Although, a single blow from it could kill if it hit the right spot. The act would be messy, and most likely extremely painful if he missed, but there was nothing better to use. And he would not miss. Jendai turned it over in his long-fingered hands. He sat, perched on the edge of his bed, useless legs swinging beneath him as his upper body moved, staring at the weapon. He'd known for some time now. Known he couldn't continue. Too much had been taken away from him. He'd barely survived when he'd first come here. Then Merana had saved him... in more ways than the obvious. Now she was gone. Everyone he'd truly cared for was gone. Leeri, Min, Kaml, Lidge, Merana... Kas... everyone. He couldn't take it anymore. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to fire...
"Jendai? Are you in here?"
He froze. Zim. Zim was still alive. But, he was different. He hadn't known him for years. Only months.
Zim poked his head into Jendai's bedroom. His Soldier red eyes widened in shock as he saw the position of the bigger Irken. "You... you aren't... are you?" the tiny Invader's voice was soft with fear. Jendai supposed he'd rarely seen death this close before, which was odd for one of the Soldier class.
Jendai set the blaster down beside him. "Zim... please come here," he said in his soft tenor voice. Zim obediently came forward, keeping his distance from his fellow Irken. "Don't be afraid, Invader," he laughed. "I won't harm you. I don't wish you to die. Only me."
"Why?" he almost whimpered. His antennae were tilted backwards as far as they could go, easily revealing his fear. "Why do you want to die?"
"Sit down, Invader," Jendai replied, motioning to the bed beside him. "You might want to have GIR bring down some food. This could take a while."
"Give me the blaster and I will, Jendai," Zim retorted.
Obediently, Jendai handed over the weapon to Zim. The small Invader shuddered at the sight of it before sliding it under the bed. He then climbed up to sit beside Jendai. The blue-eyed Irken took a deep breath. It was obvious he was apprehensive about the whole thing. "You know how I came to earth, correct?" Zim nodded. "Good, that'll make this whole thing slightly easier on me." Jendai sighed again, and began to tell his story.
~ ~ ~
Things had most likely been going on for longer than he'd thought. But he hadn't known that then. It was a time of political unrest on Irk. Those of the Student Class had long since felt that Soldier Class was getting too important with the growth of the Irken Empire. There were numerous reports of Soldier and Student violence against each other. No murders, as no Irken would intentionally kill another Irken, unless ordered to as punishment for criminal actions against the Tallest or other figures of power. Soldiers began to hold every position of high power that Students had once held for many years. Among the Student Class, morale had soared after one of their own entered a position of high power, giving them a toehold in the growing Empire. Tension between the two Classes had never been stronger. Hatred was a dominating emotion towards the other Class on both sides. Small groups of Students plotted to do away with the Tallest of opposing Class and replace him with a second one of their own.
From his point of view, though, the day everything began was hot. Huge fans had emerged from the ceiling of the West Jihi Workshop, blowing cooler air down on the workers. The sounds of the shop were deafening; clangs, buzzes, whirrs, shouts and even the odd singing voice. Large vehicles stood in various pieces and positions around the spacious floor. Some were being detailed, others repaired, and some even being pieced together from scratch. The twelve workstations were busy, a pair of Irkens working hard at each. They were student-teacher pairings, the student learning everything they could from their mentor. One, station number twelve, only had one Irken working. He had no student to teach his skills to. He didn't care though.
The voot cruiser he was repairing had been shattered into about ten pieces and needed his full concentration. Whose idea it had been to take the small transport out for a spin truly needed more instructions on driving. A hook-like appendage appeared out of his back pod, reaching up to grasp the piping overhead. It pulled him upwards, allowing him to hang upside-down over the wreckage, giving him a better view of the damage. One of his robotic legs slid out, wrapped around the tool he wanted, and pulled it up to him. He slid goggles over his face, then set to the task of piecing this scrap heap together. Every so often, one of the legs would come back out, select another tool, then retreat back into their position. Time slipped away as he became totally absorbed in the project at hand. Others were climbing up into the same position he was in. Soon, talk drew to a halt as all Irkens in the building settled down to work.
"Tikem!" a loud, rough voice shouted into the workroom. The pair at station six looked up instantly at the sound of their boss's voice. "Hurry it up! General Kak wants his ship in working order by noontime! Get on it!" Tikem and his student nodded and quickly continued. The owner of the shop, Regert Shrig, strode down the stairs, barking at his workers. Regert was on the taller side, about 3'7", making him the boss, but he was also on the stockier side as well. His reddish eyes were screwed up in attentive annoyance. He wore a typical mechanic's outfit, black for his office and red for his eyes. Regert strode up to station twelve, watching the Irken suspended from the ceiling toil over the smashed voot. "Hey, Kaalae," he called.
Jendai looked up. Nervous, he pushed his goggles back to get a better view of his employer. The protective eyewear had left rings around his large, blue eyes. "Yeah?" he inquired, smooth tenor in sharp contrast to Regert's coarse bass.
"I need to see you," Regert said, eyeing what had once been a voot cruiser. "Got your work cut out for you today, eh?" He rubbed his gloved hands together. One of his antennae pricked up with excitement, while the other drooped in his face. According to the boss, an engine casing had fallen on it, disabling any movement. Of course, he could have just had it repaired at a medical center. But Regert felt it made him look more intimidating. "Make me lots of cash, ya hear?"
The blue-eyed Irken chuckled. "I'll do my best, Sir." He released his hold on the pipe, falling lightly to the floor. He stretched, wiping the sweat off his forehead. Jendai was a good-sized Irken, three foot, four inches tall, making him the head mechanic, one of the best in the shop. West Jihi was a strange place. Rather than being a heightocracy as a normal shop-and the rest of Irk-was, status in West Jihi was based on how fast and how well you could repair your assignment. Jendai was the swiftest, and the best, therefore he was head mechanic-second only to Regert. Unfortunately, the position of Boss was still based on height. There were just some things the founder of West Jihi couldn't change. "What'dya need to see me about?"
"Just come on," the boss told him, motioning him to follow. His single antenna was tilted backwards slightly, showing his fearful emotions. Jendai shrugged, trouping after him. They wound their way around stations eight, nine, ten and eleven, heading straight for the stairs that led to Regert's spacious office. For a moment, Jendai stopped outside the door, just looking out at the cluttered workshop that he'd been working in for fourteen years now. He couldn't remember any place other than West Jihi... except for the Nursery he'd left when he was seven. "Kaalae, come on," Regert called from inside.
He slipped into the office, taking note of everyone inside. Instead of only Regert's young student, Wikki, there were two Irkens he'd never seen before. One was an adult female, and the other was a male child. The female wore the uniform of a Nursery worker. Regert moved behind his desk, sinking down into his chair, and motioned Jendai to come stand beside him. The mechanic did so, blushing slightly. He hoped he didn't have oil or grease on his face. Chances were though, he did. The female Irken smiled sweetly at him, deep purple eyes gleaming, before turning her attention to the boss. "Mechanic Regert," she began, her voice soft and gentle. "I have a young Student here who needs instruction. We have come a very great distance to meet with you. I was hoping you would honor this little one with your tutoring."
Regert licked his lips uncomfortably. Fortunately for him, Wikki chose that moment to burst into the room, tears filling her striking yellow eyes. "Teacher!" she squealed, throwing herself into Regert. "Teeeeaaaacher..."
"Please excuse me a moment," Regert sighed, turning his attention to Wikki. "There there, small one," he chuckled, stroking her antennae gently. There were two kinds of this gesture. The light, brush teachers used for their students and the hard, methodical rubs of those who were desperately in love. "You're supposed to be napping. What's the matter?"
Wikki looked up at him. "I... I had a bad dream..." she sniffed. She was a very young Irken, only around five years old and was fairly new to the West Jihi Workshop. Her Nursery was close to the shop, and so she had been sent there at the earliest possible time. "It was scary!" Wikki burst into tears again.
During the whole episode, the two strange Irkens had just stared, the smaller one more with awe than anything. Jendai just stood blushing. He couldn't help being embarrassed by his boss. Finally, Wikki forgot her dream and sat still beside Regert, playing with his dead antenna. "Sorry, about all this," he grinned, blushing himself. "Wikki's just a little thing."
"Is she your...?"
"My student, yes."
The female Irken's hand flew to her mouth. "I-I wasn't aware... oh dear..." she kept muttering to herself, as if she were unaware of her rudeness. "No one told me you had a student already, Regert."
"Wikki is a fairly recent addition to our little shop," Regert said through his teeth. "She came a few months ago." He failed to add that the female should have checked that a student as even on their way before suddenly showing up. The breach in protocol could be overlooked the first time.
"But, but I need someone to teach this young Student!" she exclaimed. "We flew halfway across the planet to come here!"
Jendai suddenly felt a sinking feeling. Now he knew why Regert had asked to see him. "That's why I brought him!" his boss was already saying proudly. "This shortie is the best we've got! Oh, he's got a good inch or more left in him, but he isn't growing so much right now. Must be the fumes." Regert was a fast talker when he wanted to be. "This," he pushed Jendai forward. "is our head mechanic, Jendai Kaalae. He's got great skill and still doesn't have a Student."
"So... are you saying you wish me to give this brilliant Irken prodigy to..." she paused, trying to find the right words. "this..."
"He's had several personal assignments from the Tallest and can assemble anything from scratch in forty-eight hours flat," Regert said quickly, smiling the whole time. "Currently, he's working on a voot cruiser owned by one of the Elite Guards."
"This wonderful gift to Irk's society!" she smiled back. "It's done."
"Good."
Jendai's antennae tipped inwards in annoyance. How could Regert do this to him? He couldn't work with some little brat wandering around asking him fifty questions a minute. The blue-eyed Irken dug his elbow into his boss, who merely grinned at him. He groaned inwardly, there was no backing out now. He stole a glance over the desk at the child staring at him. Wide gray eyes met his. Strange. Few Irkens had gray eyes. He rose to his tip-toes, trying to see more of the little visitor. The small Irken looked to be around either seven or eight, and was already dressed in mechanic's clothing.
"Thank you for your help, Sir," the female bowed to Regert before exiting his office, leaving the little gray-eye behind. He looked after her longingly, then returned his attention to the two adults. He looked lost.
"I heard your name is Min," Regert smiled warmly. He patted Wikki on her thin shoulder. She giggled and waved at the gray-eye. He smiled at her. "Min, unusual name for someone in the Student class. You sure you aren't a Soldier transfer?"
"Yes..." he murmured to the floor, scuffing the toe of his boot against the ground.
"Well Min, I'll let you and Jendai get to know each other. I have some work to attend to in my office." The boss jumped from his chair, carrying Wikki with him. They made their way into his private quarters, leaving the two alone.
"Come on then," Jendai muttered gruffly. He left the room, not even looking back to see if Min was following or not. His strides were long compared to the youngster's, so Min had to jog to keep up with him. "Hurry it up, I have an entire voot to put back together before I leave here."
"Yes sir," came the eager young voice behind him.
They reached station twelve, taking a moment to prepare. Jendai pulled his goggles on, beginning the explanation. "I have a reputation to uphold here, Shortie. But, I'll break it once so you can learn the ropes. I hope you learn quick because the boss doesn't pay me if the thing's still broken when its owner picks it up." He picked up the tool he'd been using and hoisted himself back up onto the piping. "When I call for something, hand it to me, you hear?"
"Yes sir."
Jendai sighed. It was going to be a long day.
By noontime, the voot had been reduced to five pieces and Jendai was worn-out from explaining everything to Min. He had picked up that the little Irken was smart, as Min had memorized everything he'd been told in a matter of minutes. That would make for an efficient, quick, and skilled mechanic. He just dreaded the continuation of the day.
Someone his size cut ahead of him in the line. Jendai normally just needed something to drink before he got back to work, but today, he had Min to watch out for. "Move aside," he growled, antennae tilted inwards in anger.
"Sorry, Kaalae," the orange-eye murmured, sliding backwards. It was Kaml Tikem, Jendai's closest friend in the shop. His student, a teenage female called Lidge, stood behind him. She was close to moving out on her own, and was proud to show off that fact. "Didn't think you were in line."
"Just getting the shortie something," Jendai replied, allowing Min to slide up in from of him. "And my usual."
"You have a student?" Lidge exclaimed, peering around the two males for a glimpse of Min. "Nice. About time."
Kaml playfully slugged her in the shoulder. She yelped in mock pain, remembering to keep her silence unless spoken too until they were seated. Jendai smiled at her in answer, then turned his attention to Min. He was reaching for one of the gooey deserts. "No, Shortie, you gotta eat something better. It makes you taller."
"You should talk Jendai," Kaml laughed. "Everyone says you're gonna grow, so why haven't ya?"
"Keep yer trap shut before I close it for you permanently," Jendai said, helping Min grab his lunch. He cast a look over his shoulder at Kaml and mimicked a welding torch welding the other Irken's mouth closed. Kaml responded with a pantomime of a lazer firing at Jendai's head. All chatter ceased as they approached the computer cashier. It scanned their items, then totaled them for the foursome. Kaml handed Jendai his half, and the blue-eyed Irken placed the cash in the receiving chute. The monitor flashed him a smiley face, before allowing them to pass on. As the unsaid leader of their group, Jendai scouted out their usual table and led them over to it. The two students plopped themselves down first, scooting over on the hard benches to allow their teachers to slide in beside them. Min dug into his lunch with the usual young gusto while Lidge and Kaml picked at theirs before actually eating anything. Jendai opened his ahki, a weak Irken alcohol, and downed half the contents.
"So..." Lidge tried to start a conversation. "How's the voot coming, Jendai?"
"Do you have to ask?" he groaned. "Whoever assigned that guy to be an Elite Guard needs a head check."
Kaml chuckled. "Red," was all he said.
"Never would have guessed," Lidge teased. A bright look suddenly crossed her face, filling her magenta eyes with excitement. "I heard a new joke today."
Min's antennae perked with interest and Jendai imagined his were doing the opposite. Kaml's were fully upright. "Oh do tell!" the orange-eye practically shouted.
"Okay!" Lidge thought for a moment, then began. "How many Reds does it take to fix a light?" Jokes about the red-eyed Tallest bounced around the Student class at a fantastic rate, not all of them innocent like this.
"Aww... I've heard this one," Kaml complained.
"Shut up," Jendai ordered. "I haven't." He gestured at Lidge with the bottle his drink was in. "Go on, short stuff."
"Three! One to stare at it for an hour, one to forget about it and go find some food, and one to make Purple do it!" Lidge squealed.
Min fell over laughing hysterically, Jendai chuckled good-naturedly and Kaml just hemmed. Noticing Min down on the ground, the blue-eye collected his student by his collar, pulling him back up to the bench in one deft yank. His student hadn't even noticed, he was laughing too hard. The joke hadn't even been that funny. Even Lidge had stopped her laughter to stare at Min. "Does he even know who Red is?" Kaml questioned.
"Not a clue," Jendai responded. "Hey, Shortie?"
Min's laughter cut off abruptly. His gray eyes were wide with questioning. "Yes, sir?" he asked.
"Do you even know who Red is?"
"I... I..."
"Thought not," Jendai smiled sadly. His antennae tilted backwards, betraying his thoughts to the world. The Irken chewed his lip before taking a long swallow of the ahki.
Kaml leaned his head towards him. "I'll handle this, Kaalae, chill out." He sat back, putting his hands behind his head. "Ever heard of the Almighty Tallest, shortie?"
"Yes, sir." Min seemed to like that saying.
"There's two, right?"
"Yes sir."
"Okay, then you know their names, right?"
"No sir."
Kaml groaned. "Red and Purple. Purple is the brains behind the whole Empire bit while Red is a bonehead who just sits around eating junk food." He leaned in to speak to Min directly, as if not wanting anyone else at the table to hear him. "Red's such an idiot cause he was originally a Soldier."
"Really?" Min's eyes widened. "How do you know?"
"Cause only Soldiers are that inept." Kaml nodded as he said this. "And Purple-"
"Excuse me," Jendai growled, leaving abruptly. "The voot needs to be finished by tomorrow." He set his ahki down, walking away with a stiffness of stride unusual for him. His antennae were slicked completely down, a sign of both fretting and unwillingness to talk. Other Irkens scattered out of his way, not wanting a confrontation. He disappeared through the door leading into the workroom, never looking back once.
The rest of the table sighed. "Sir?" Min inquired of Kaml. "Why did my Teacher leave so quickly?"
Kaml squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. His student saved him, butting in as her personality required. "Jendai needs to tell you that on his own. Give him some time and he might just tell you," she advised. "But then again, he might not. Kaml's his best friend around here and he's only just hinted at it to him." Lidge shrugged. "Whatever's eating him, he just needs to have some 'Kaalae Time' before he's normal again."
"Should I attend him?" Min asked quickly. Then added, "Ma'am," as an afterthought.
"Are you Min Kaalae yet?" Kaml answered with a question of his own. "Has he allowed you to take his name?"
"No..." the little gray-eye replied miserably.
"Then you leave him alone to smack the voot cruiser around for a while," Kaml advised. "I swear, he'll be normal-or as normal as Jendai gets-in a few hours. He's an oddball, so everyone kinda stays out of his way or watches out for him, depending on his mood."
Min was about to answer, but the computerized voice instructed them all back to work. Lidge and Kaml Tikem groaned. They ushered Min to their station, promising to give him back to Jendai when they day ended. Personally, they all hoped it would be soon.
With a small groan, Jendai slid into his personal voot runner, more than ready to head home after a long day. His arms ached slightly as they always did. Fortunately, his voot practically flew itself with the modifications he'd made. He almost closed the front hatch when he remembered Min. He stood upright, scanning the roof of the shop that served as a landing pad for the workers' voot runners. A small body dashed through the crowd of Irkens. He waved to it, calling out in an attempt to get Min's attention pointed in his direction. Min finally noticed him and began weaving in and out of voots in various stages of departure, heading in his general area. "What do you do think you're doing?" Jendai demanded. "What's wrong with you! Brain worms?"
"I-I'm sorry, Sir," Min mumbled. "But... what did I do?"
The taller Irken grumbled to himself before answering. "Never run around voot runners like that!" He smacked the side of his for emphasis. "These babies look small and fragile but never forget they're machines that are bigger and stronger than you are." His eyes glazed slightly in thought. "I saw one of these knock over an Irken and bash his skull in once."
"Sorry, Sir," Min replied. "I'll remember that."
"You better," Jendai threatened. "Now, get in. We got a long ride in traffic ahead of us." Min obeyed, hoping inside. His teacher climbed in next to him, shutting the front hatch deftly. At a touch on the control panel, the voot launched off smoothly and merged carefully into the long lines of traffic that criss-crossed Irk's capital city like veins. He directed it across several until he found the correct road that would take him home. Min watched with awe the whole ride. Several drivers wove in and out of the traffic stream, causing jams and confusion. Jendai avoided the tangles with ease. His long, slender fingers glided over the control panel, guiding his small, swift craft along the roadway.
The highway took them deeper into the heart of the big city. Buildings loomed above the transports, standing like guards. Higher streams of traffic cast shadows down on the lower ones, and then upon the streets below. Small transports wove in and out of larger ones in a display of hurried driving shown everyday along the same routes.
Eventually, the buildings shrank in size and importance, offices and factories giving way to living quarters. Jendai let out a sigh of relief. He hated traffic, he always had. It was nerve-wracking, avoiding all the crazed Soldier drivers out there that would like nothing better than to run him off the road to save time. He'd seen enough of those "accidents." Carefully, he maneuvered the voot upwards towards the parking deck located at the top of a smaller sized living building. The little ship responded instantly. Min jolted abruptly beside him. "Sorry," Jendai flashed him an apologetic grin before returning his attention to his driving. The building's windows flashed by at an almost impossible pace as the voot ascended vertically. His fingers danced sideways, moving the ship in the direction they indicated. Slowly, he slid his fingers downwards, dropping the voot gently to the ground. It landed neatly in the circle that marked his space.
Jendai allowed the engines to cool off before killing them. You saw enough melted engine casings in his business to appreciate the few extra minutes spent cooling yours off. Min leapt out first, scouting out the rooftop docking-bay before darting back to Jendai's side. The young Irken stood by as if to help Jendai out of his voot. The blue-eye gave him an odd look, jumping lightly to the ground. "I'm not THAT old, shortie," he snapped tartly. "Okay? I don't need help climbing out of a voot runner." Grumpily, he looked Min straight in the eye. "Got it?"
"Yes, Teacher Kaalae."
That rankled Jendai somewhat. His antennae tilted inwards briefly, then returned to their relaxed position as he headed for the door. A protective shield popped up around his voot, protecting it from theft or damage. It would only open again with his access code, eye and blood scan. He stepped up to the door, allowing his weight to trigger the newly installed opening mechanism. It slid open obediently, not giving the mechanic any time to tinker with it mentally. Muttering to himself, he stepped into the elevator, pulling Min in with him. The chute opened beneath them and the elevator dropped down three floors. Jendai's building was small in comparison to others; only about seventeen stories tall.
The elevator door opened, allowing the two Irkens to make their way down the long winding hall. Jendai paused at a door on the left-hand side and punched his access code into the panel. There was a humming noise in the wall. After a moment, the door slid open with a soft "ping!" sound. Both Irkens strode through, the taller one in front. The interior of Jendai's "apartment" was colored in an odd shade of gray-blue, as was the tiled floor. They had entered into a kitchen area and stood before a table with a few chairs shoved roughly against it at odd angles. The standard kitchen equipment was against the far wall to their right. "Go get something out of the fridge if you're hungry," Jendai told his student over his shoulder. He was on his way to the closest thing he could lie down on-the couch. Behind him, he heard the door slide shut and lock as Min moved away.
With a small groan, the blue-eyed Irken flopped down on his couch. His living room contained the standard bookshelves, couch, a few chairs, a large computer terminal for receiving and sending transmissions or for doing things around the apartment and a holovision set. The only thing he'd added was a long table cluttered with various parts and bits of engines, appliances and tools. Piles of electronic sketchpad lay at one end, a few opened to reveal plans for little inventions and the like. Jendai felt more tired than usual today. It was odd. He hadn't done much more than he always did. He felt like sleeping. His eyes closed slowly, allowing him to drift off without the distraction of light.
He awoke sometime later to someone methodically rubbing his slight shoulders. "Hey, Sleepyhead," a feminine voice whispered. "You feeling okay?"
Jendai rolled over. The Irken whom had been sitting on his back pod suddenly found herself perched on his chest. His antennae perked up as he smiled at her. "I'm fine. How long have you been home?"
Leeri Olon blinked her purple-red eyes at him. "An hour. You?"
"I have no idea," he said with a sigh. He grabbed her hands, pulling her down closer. Her antennae twitched back in surprise, but then relaxed almost instantly. Instead of kissing her though, he asked a question. "Did you see who I brought home?"
She sat back abruptly. "Oh no, not Kaml again!"
Jendai chuckled at her reaction. It was true, whenever Kaml had come around, the two were the butt of all of his jokes. Leeri felt the orange-eye needed a female someone other than Lidge around to tone him down a bit. Jendai agreed on occasion. "No, not him," he showed his teeth in a grimace. "Regert assigned me a student today."
Leeri cursed, then covered her mouth. She backed off Jendai's chest so quickly that she fell off the couch... which jarred another curse out of her. The three-foot high chemical researcher glared up at him, curled antennae tilted so far inwards that they brushed each other. "And when exactly were you planning on mentioning this, Jendai Kaalae?" she snapped.
He sat up, swinging his legs over the edge. "Dunno... soon as you were finished I guess..." Blush crept into his face, turning it a darker shade of green.
"Where is he then?" Leeri questioned, putting her hands on her hips. There was a look on her face that told him she didn't quite believe him yet.
"Last I saw he was in the kitchen."
Leeri strode off in that direction, her hands still on her hips. She was muttering something about the idiocy of males. Jendai shook his head and jumped off the couch to follow her. He almost ran straight into her. She'd stopped in the doorway, staring at the little figure seated at Jendai's table drinking juice. Min looked up at them, blinking his wide eyes innocently. "Hello, Teacher Kaalae... ma'am. I hope it's all right that I'm drinking this," he said quietly. "You told me I should find something to eat, but there was nothing so I drank this."
Jendai cleared his suddenly dry throat. "It's fine Min, I need to go shopping anyway, thanks for reminding me." The little gray-eye beamed at the genuine gratitude in his teacher's voice. "This is Leeri Olon," he said, indicating the smaller Irken beside him. "She's my... uh..."
"Close friend," Leeri piped up, saving him from his typical awkwardness. "Very, very close friend." She flashed him a quick smile over her shoulder. He grinned back.
"Ah, I see," Min answered promptly.
"Who's hungry?" Leeri asked the two males, changing the subject abruptly. "Since the Almighty Tallest here decided he'd neglect shopping and mooch off me, he gets to come over and cook something in my kitchen." She reached back and squeezed his hand gently, lessening the impact of her words.
"No problem, Leer," he said in reply. He motioned for Min to follow them out of the kitchen. "Whatcha thinking of?"
"Whatever you feel like making," she said, taking him out of the kitchen. Min followed the pair at a respectful distance, boots tapping against the tiles on the floor. Once in the living room, they moved towards a normal-looking section of wall that suddenly opened into a door leading to another set of rooms. The décor of these were done in a purple-gray, which gave it a womanly feel. Leeri marched into them, pulling Jendai behind her. This was where she lived, after all. Once the pair had decided on living side by side, Jendai had installed the sliding wall panel that joined their two apartments into one. It hadn't been hard and was well worth the effort. They kept it closed whenever there were others around as such frivolities were frowned upon, even in the Student Class. Their society had become far too Soldier-dominated for ones with feelings like Jendai and Leeri had for each other. The smaller female laughed at Jendai's slow gawkiness, proceeding to drag him into the kitchen.
"Oh, Jendai..." Leeri groaned, leaning back in her chair. "Where on Irk did you learn how to do that?" Min nodded his head in agreement.
The blue-eye grinned over his shoulder at them from washing the dishes. "My old Teacher didn't just teach me mechanics," he said. "She taught me the great art of cooking as well." He scratched his head with one of his robotic legs. "If I'm not mistaken, old Daske Kaalae practically taught me everything I know... except for male things..." He blushed again, turning his attention to the sink. There was a scraping of a chair and the sound of footsteps as Min joined him. The little Irken removed his gloves with care, then plunged his small hands into the warm, silver-colored liquid. He giggled softly. Jendai shot him a faint smile before passing him a dish to clean. "Any room for me?" Leeri snickered, sliding up to Jendai's left. She removed her gloves as well and joined in.
When the trio finished their dishes, Jendai took Min into his bedroom while Leeri found something to watch. "Computer," the blue-eye called upon entering his room. "Requesting extra bed added to room. Dimensions..." He paused, sizing Min up. "Four feet by... three feet." There was a beeping sound as his computer acknowledged the change. At the foot of his bed, four posts appeared, growing longer and looping around each other to form the bedframe. Hologram light spread from around the posts, gradually solidifying into Min's bed. Blankets and other necessities appeared soon after. "There ya go, shortie," Jendai said, heading for the door. "I can't fall asleep this early, so, get in bed and I'll see you when we have to go in to work, got me?"
"Yes sir," Min sentence was interrupted with a yawn. "I will sir."
Jendai chuckled. "Food and excitement does that too you. Night, shortie." He turned to leave, but was stopped by a small voice behind him.
"Night, Teacher Kaalae."
For some reason, it didn't bother him so much now.
Leeri was waiting for him on his couch. He flopped down beside her, allowing her to lay her head on him while he snuck his arm around her. "He called me Teacher Kaalae..." he murmured. "Teacher Kaalae... I never thought I would ever hear that phrase again..."
"I know it was bad when she died, Jendai, but that was four years ago," Leeri began gently. "You can't hide forever." She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the light from the HV perfectly. "I, for one, think it's good that Regert gave the little guy to you. You needed it."
"I don't see you being called, Teacher Olon," he teased. Almost instantly, she tensed, her antennae flicking inwards. He knew he'd broached a sensitive subject. "Sorry, Short Stuff. I was just playing."
She sighed, relaxing into him again. "I know, I know." Leeri turned her attention back to the HV set. "This is weird. It's like everything that upsets us is blasting in our faces tonight." Suddenly eager to put her theory to the test, the sometimes-hyper researcher looked back at the mechanic. "Did anyone tell any Red Jokes today?" she asked bluntly.
Jendai winced visibly, antennae falling backwards. "You just HAD to bring that up, huh Leer?"
"Oh 'Dai!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly. "I'm so sorry! They didn't get into a discussion again, did they!?"
He fidgeted nervously. "Yeah, sorta. Min was sitting with us and Lidge had this new joke. She told it and then they had to explain everything to the little guy..." he trailed off, not wishing to continue. Leeri hugged him tighter, trying to reassure him.
"Sing me something happy," the adamant female instructed. "A mechanic song. All of you have such happy music."
After a moment of thought, he sang for her. Kaml had always said there was a reason his throat didn't clog with dirt and become scratchy like everyone else's. He supposed this was it. Softly, in his sweet tenor voice, he sang one of the drinking songs that were always joyful, if not slurred with ahki or vinel.
"Hey pretty thing want join me in a drink?
Sit and drink some ahki
How's life? How's your world?
Mind if I put my hand on your face?"
He paused when she giggled at the last line.
"We can watch the world go by.
Did you fix anything new today?
Do I know you?
What?
No, I'm not drunk. I swear."
Leeri laughed then. He knew she was thinking of all the times he'd accidentally had too much to drink. The thought made him blush.
"Is it too early to say I love you?
Oh, you don't think so.
Wait, is that your hand...
Yep.
It is."
Her hand moved to correspond with the song.
"It isn't too early.
Then...
Then Leeri, I love you."
To add flavor to the dryer version of the song, Jendai kissed her forehead. She looked up, then met his lips with her own. Her slight weight pushed him down on his back, forcing him to look up at her. Again, she sat on his chest, grinning evilly down at him. Methodically, she began rubbing his straight antennae between her fingers, massaging them as hard as she dared. He moaned, the sound having the sincere ring of pleasure. Jendai kissed her again, loving the feel of her tongue wrapping around his. He took his turn rubbing her antennae, straightening the feminine curls, then letting them wrap themselves around his wrists. Leeri slid her hands under him, working out the tenseness in the muscles. She couldn't keep her mouth off his or her hands from under his shirt. Jendai refused to stop rubbing her antennae or returning her kisses. It went on like this for a long time, lit only by the glow from the forgotten holovision set. Eventually, they relaxed; lying cuddled together, Leeri's head resting on her lover's chest. "I'd love to be here with you all night, Leer, but I have to go in early for the shortie tomorrow," he muttered apologetically, giving her forehead a quick peck. "And I'm tired for a reason that's beyond me."
"Go on," she giggled, and pushed him towards his room. "I have some work to catch up on anyway."
"Thanks," he smiled, getting off the couch. The blue-eye made his way off to bed, humming "Not Drunk" to himself.
Chapter 2 coming as soon as I can get it done!
BIG thanks to Invader Bast who beta-read most of this chapter! Want to thank her yourself? Go read her fics!
The gist of this fic is Jendai telling a story, and everything after these "~ ~ ~" little... things is the story he's telling Zim. If it gets confusing, review and tell me and I'll post something that has a brief explanation of the characters that are new.
AFTERMATH
Chapter 1
"Freedom carries sacrifice, remember when this was
my life."
-Three Doors Down, "Life of my own."
The night Jendai Kaalae died was a frigid winter eve in mid January.
It was one of those nights where children huddled under their blankets, wishing for summer or hot cocoa, whichever came first. The smell of snow was in the air, sending memories of winter break through skool goers. Of course, Zim couldn't feel the cold. He had been hard at work all day, perfecting his experiment with the lazer weasels and was now trying to catch a quick nap on the couch. GIR was off in the kitchen, trying to find out where Zim had stashed its cupcake cache and no one had seen Jendai for hours.
Ever since the death of Merana Sali, Jendai had been quiet and reclusive. Whenever he had wished to talk, it was of trivial things such as the weather, Zim's latest plot, how stupid humans were, and more things of that nature. And even those conversations were short, clipped by a faraway pain in blue eyes or some outburst of pent-up emotions. He never spoke of their daring venture to the human nation's capital, or of the strange alien whom he had befriended. It was as if, with her death, Merana had completely dropped out of both of their lives. Jendai seemed to wish it that way. He'd moved out of their house, leaving it full of everything that Merana had owned. No "For Sale" sign had been posted. He just packed up, left, and moved in with Zim and GIR. The big Irken had expressed a desire for Zim never to speak of the house, and had sworn never to return; although he did go off on long drives in the old pickup, often returning smelling of human alcohol, though he was rarely drunk. On those atypical situations where he was, Zim had left him to his computer's medical programming, saving both of them from the hassle of dealing with each other.
Zim snorted in his sleep, turning over on the soft couch. He hardly slept anywhere other than his room in the lab, but the couch just felt better tonight. It was warmer in the main house than it was in the lab. His dreams wandered from world domination to nightmares of scientists with machine guns. Somewhere in the background, a fair skinned, human-looking woman with silver blonde hair and amber eyes gazed at him, her image slowly fading...
"Master! Master wake up!" GIR squealed, jolting him awake.
The alien groaned. "What is it now, GIR?" he asked bluntly, sitting up. He hadn't bothered with his disguise. A stray antenna fell in his face, and he irritably forced it back upright. The cold was affecting them strangely. The door was locked, as were the windows. "Can't you find the cupcakes?"
GIR paused. "Nooo... I think..." it said, pondering. "Oh yeah! The big master told me to come and bother you so I'd be out of the way! So I did, and Master where are my cupcakes?"
"Jendai sent you up here?" Zim asked, sliding off the couch. "Where is he?"
"Ummm... down the toilet," GIR replied, cocking its metal head. It hadn't bothered with its disguise either. "Now can I have my cupcake?"
"They're in the freezer," Zim called over his shoulder. He was already on his way to the kitchen. What could Jendai want? He had never called Zim before. Usually, it was the other way around. Zim calling the other Irken for advice on his projects. He climbed on the toilet seat, flushing himself down.
The lab was cold. Freezing in fact. Zim's breath formed clouds of vapor in the air. Why wasn't Jendai up in the house where it was warm, rather than down here where one could freeze to death? "Jendai?" he called experimentally. "Where are you?" He wandered down the rows of tables cluttered with bits and pieces of projects and experiments. Rooms led off into ones similar to the one he was currently in. His rooms came into view, then passed by as he made his way to the quarters he'd created for Jendai.
The blaster was a simple, crude invention of his, but it would serve its purpose well. It was large, cumbersome and probably would backfire. Although, a single blow from it could kill if it hit the right spot. The act would be messy, and most likely extremely painful if he missed, but there was nothing better to use. And he would not miss. Jendai turned it over in his long-fingered hands. He sat, perched on the edge of his bed, useless legs swinging beneath him as his upper body moved, staring at the weapon. He'd known for some time now. Known he couldn't continue. Too much had been taken away from him. He'd barely survived when he'd first come here. Then Merana had saved him... in more ways than the obvious. Now she was gone. Everyone he'd truly cared for was gone. Leeri, Min, Kaml, Lidge, Merana... Kas... everyone. He couldn't take it anymore. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to fire...
"Jendai? Are you in here?"
He froze. Zim. Zim was still alive. But, he was different. He hadn't known him for years. Only months.
Zim poked his head into Jendai's bedroom. His Soldier red eyes widened in shock as he saw the position of the bigger Irken. "You... you aren't... are you?" the tiny Invader's voice was soft with fear. Jendai supposed he'd rarely seen death this close before, which was odd for one of the Soldier class.
Jendai set the blaster down beside him. "Zim... please come here," he said in his soft tenor voice. Zim obediently came forward, keeping his distance from his fellow Irken. "Don't be afraid, Invader," he laughed. "I won't harm you. I don't wish you to die. Only me."
"Why?" he almost whimpered. His antennae were tilted backwards as far as they could go, easily revealing his fear. "Why do you want to die?"
"Sit down, Invader," Jendai replied, motioning to the bed beside him. "You might want to have GIR bring down some food. This could take a while."
"Give me the blaster and I will, Jendai," Zim retorted.
Obediently, Jendai handed over the weapon to Zim. The small Invader shuddered at the sight of it before sliding it under the bed. He then climbed up to sit beside Jendai. The blue-eyed Irken took a deep breath. It was obvious he was apprehensive about the whole thing. "You know how I came to earth, correct?" Zim nodded. "Good, that'll make this whole thing slightly easier on me." Jendai sighed again, and began to tell his story.
~ ~ ~
Things had most likely been going on for longer than he'd thought. But he hadn't known that then. It was a time of political unrest on Irk. Those of the Student Class had long since felt that Soldier Class was getting too important with the growth of the Irken Empire. There were numerous reports of Soldier and Student violence against each other. No murders, as no Irken would intentionally kill another Irken, unless ordered to as punishment for criminal actions against the Tallest or other figures of power. Soldiers began to hold every position of high power that Students had once held for many years. Among the Student Class, morale had soared after one of their own entered a position of high power, giving them a toehold in the growing Empire. Tension between the two Classes had never been stronger. Hatred was a dominating emotion towards the other Class on both sides. Small groups of Students plotted to do away with the Tallest of opposing Class and replace him with a second one of their own.
From his point of view, though, the day everything began was hot. Huge fans had emerged from the ceiling of the West Jihi Workshop, blowing cooler air down on the workers. The sounds of the shop were deafening; clangs, buzzes, whirrs, shouts and even the odd singing voice. Large vehicles stood in various pieces and positions around the spacious floor. Some were being detailed, others repaired, and some even being pieced together from scratch. The twelve workstations were busy, a pair of Irkens working hard at each. They were student-teacher pairings, the student learning everything they could from their mentor. One, station number twelve, only had one Irken working. He had no student to teach his skills to. He didn't care though.
The voot cruiser he was repairing had been shattered into about ten pieces and needed his full concentration. Whose idea it had been to take the small transport out for a spin truly needed more instructions on driving. A hook-like appendage appeared out of his back pod, reaching up to grasp the piping overhead. It pulled him upwards, allowing him to hang upside-down over the wreckage, giving him a better view of the damage. One of his robotic legs slid out, wrapped around the tool he wanted, and pulled it up to him. He slid goggles over his face, then set to the task of piecing this scrap heap together. Every so often, one of the legs would come back out, select another tool, then retreat back into their position. Time slipped away as he became totally absorbed in the project at hand. Others were climbing up into the same position he was in. Soon, talk drew to a halt as all Irkens in the building settled down to work.
"Tikem!" a loud, rough voice shouted into the workroom. The pair at station six looked up instantly at the sound of their boss's voice. "Hurry it up! General Kak wants his ship in working order by noontime! Get on it!" Tikem and his student nodded and quickly continued. The owner of the shop, Regert Shrig, strode down the stairs, barking at his workers. Regert was on the taller side, about 3'7", making him the boss, but he was also on the stockier side as well. His reddish eyes were screwed up in attentive annoyance. He wore a typical mechanic's outfit, black for his office and red for his eyes. Regert strode up to station twelve, watching the Irken suspended from the ceiling toil over the smashed voot. "Hey, Kaalae," he called.
Jendai looked up. Nervous, he pushed his goggles back to get a better view of his employer. The protective eyewear had left rings around his large, blue eyes. "Yeah?" he inquired, smooth tenor in sharp contrast to Regert's coarse bass.
"I need to see you," Regert said, eyeing what had once been a voot cruiser. "Got your work cut out for you today, eh?" He rubbed his gloved hands together. One of his antennae pricked up with excitement, while the other drooped in his face. According to the boss, an engine casing had fallen on it, disabling any movement. Of course, he could have just had it repaired at a medical center. But Regert felt it made him look more intimidating. "Make me lots of cash, ya hear?"
The blue-eyed Irken chuckled. "I'll do my best, Sir." He released his hold on the pipe, falling lightly to the floor. He stretched, wiping the sweat off his forehead. Jendai was a good-sized Irken, three foot, four inches tall, making him the head mechanic, one of the best in the shop. West Jihi was a strange place. Rather than being a heightocracy as a normal shop-and the rest of Irk-was, status in West Jihi was based on how fast and how well you could repair your assignment. Jendai was the swiftest, and the best, therefore he was head mechanic-second only to Regert. Unfortunately, the position of Boss was still based on height. There were just some things the founder of West Jihi couldn't change. "What'dya need to see me about?"
"Just come on," the boss told him, motioning him to follow. His single antenna was tilted backwards slightly, showing his fearful emotions. Jendai shrugged, trouping after him. They wound their way around stations eight, nine, ten and eleven, heading straight for the stairs that led to Regert's spacious office. For a moment, Jendai stopped outside the door, just looking out at the cluttered workshop that he'd been working in for fourteen years now. He couldn't remember any place other than West Jihi... except for the Nursery he'd left when he was seven. "Kaalae, come on," Regert called from inside.
He slipped into the office, taking note of everyone inside. Instead of only Regert's young student, Wikki, there were two Irkens he'd never seen before. One was an adult female, and the other was a male child. The female wore the uniform of a Nursery worker. Regert moved behind his desk, sinking down into his chair, and motioned Jendai to come stand beside him. The mechanic did so, blushing slightly. He hoped he didn't have oil or grease on his face. Chances were though, he did. The female Irken smiled sweetly at him, deep purple eyes gleaming, before turning her attention to the boss. "Mechanic Regert," she began, her voice soft and gentle. "I have a young Student here who needs instruction. We have come a very great distance to meet with you. I was hoping you would honor this little one with your tutoring."
Regert licked his lips uncomfortably. Fortunately for him, Wikki chose that moment to burst into the room, tears filling her striking yellow eyes. "Teacher!" she squealed, throwing herself into Regert. "Teeeeaaaacher..."
"Please excuse me a moment," Regert sighed, turning his attention to Wikki. "There there, small one," he chuckled, stroking her antennae gently. There were two kinds of this gesture. The light, brush teachers used for their students and the hard, methodical rubs of those who were desperately in love. "You're supposed to be napping. What's the matter?"
Wikki looked up at him. "I... I had a bad dream..." she sniffed. She was a very young Irken, only around five years old and was fairly new to the West Jihi Workshop. Her Nursery was close to the shop, and so she had been sent there at the earliest possible time. "It was scary!" Wikki burst into tears again.
During the whole episode, the two strange Irkens had just stared, the smaller one more with awe than anything. Jendai just stood blushing. He couldn't help being embarrassed by his boss. Finally, Wikki forgot her dream and sat still beside Regert, playing with his dead antenna. "Sorry, about all this," he grinned, blushing himself. "Wikki's just a little thing."
"Is she your...?"
"My student, yes."
The female Irken's hand flew to her mouth. "I-I wasn't aware... oh dear..." she kept muttering to herself, as if she were unaware of her rudeness. "No one told me you had a student already, Regert."
"Wikki is a fairly recent addition to our little shop," Regert said through his teeth. "She came a few months ago." He failed to add that the female should have checked that a student as even on their way before suddenly showing up. The breach in protocol could be overlooked the first time.
"But, but I need someone to teach this young Student!" she exclaimed. "We flew halfway across the planet to come here!"
Jendai suddenly felt a sinking feeling. Now he knew why Regert had asked to see him. "That's why I brought him!" his boss was already saying proudly. "This shortie is the best we've got! Oh, he's got a good inch or more left in him, but he isn't growing so much right now. Must be the fumes." Regert was a fast talker when he wanted to be. "This," he pushed Jendai forward. "is our head mechanic, Jendai Kaalae. He's got great skill and still doesn't have a Student."
"So... are you saying you wish me to give this brilliant Irken prodigy to..." she paused, trying to find the right words. "this..."
"He's had several personal assignments from the Tallest and can assemble anything from scratch in forty-eight hours flat," Regert said quickly, smiling the whole time. "Currently, he's working on a voot cruiser owned by one of the Elite Guards."
"This wonderful gift to Irk's society!" she smiled back. "It's done."
"Good."
Jendai's antennae tipped inwards in annoyance. How could Regert do this to him? He couldn't work with some little brat wandering around asking him fifty questions a minute. The blue-eyed Irken dug his elbow into his boss, who merely grinned at him. He groaned inwardly, there was no backing out now. He stole a glance over the desk at the child staring at him. Wide gray eyes met his. Strange. Few Irkens had gray eyes. He rose to his tip-toes, trying to see more of the little visitor. The small Irken looked to be around either seven or eight, and was already dressed in mechanic's clothing.
"Thank you for your help, Sir," the female bowed to Regert before exiting his office, leaving the little gray-eye behind. He looked after her longingly, then returned his attention to the two adults. He looked lost.
"I heard your name is Min," Regert smiled warmly. He patted Wikki on her thin shoulder. She giggled and waved at the gray-eye. He smiled at her. "Min, unusual name for someone in the Student class. You sure you aren't a Soldier transfer?"
"Yes..." he murmured to the floor, scuffing the toe of his boot against the ground.
"Well Min, I'll let you and Jendai get to know each other. I have some work to attend to in my office." The boss jumped from his chair, carrying Wikki with him. They made their way into his private quarters, leaving the two alone.
"Come on then," Jendai muttered gruffly. He left the room, not even looking back to see if Min was following or not. His strides were long compared to the youngster's, so Min had to jog to keep up with him. "Hurry it up, I have an entire voot to put back together before I leave here."
"Yes sir," came the eager young voice behind him.
They reached station twelve, taking a moment to prepare. Jendai pulled his goggles on, beginning the explanation. "I have a reputation to uphold here, Shortie. But, I'll break it once so you can learn the ropes. I hope you learn quick because the boss doesn't pay me if the thing's still broken when its owner picks it up." He picked up the tool he'd been using and hoisted himself back up onto the piping. "When I call for something, hand it to me, you hear?"
"Yes sir."
Jendai sighed. It was going to be a long day.
By noontime, the voot had been reduced to five pieces and Jendai was worn-out from explaining everything to Min. He had picked up that the little Irken was smart, as Min had memorized everything he'd been told in a matter of minutes. That would make for an efficient, quick, and skilled mechanic. He just dreaded the continuation of the day.
Someone his size cut ahead of him in the line. Jendai normally just needed something to drink before he got back to work, but today, he had Min to watch out for. "Move aside," he growled, antennae tilted inwards in anger.
"Sorry, Kaalae," the orange-eye murmured, sliding backwards. It was Kaml Tikem, Jendai's closest friend in the shop. His student, a teenage female called Lidge, stood behind him. She was close to moving out on her own, and was proud to show off that fact. "Didn't think you were in line."
"Just getting the shortie something," Jendai replied, allowing Min to slide up in from of him. "And my usual."
"You have a student?" Lidge exclaimed, peering around the two males for a glimpse of Min. "Nice. About time."
Kaml playfully slugged her in the shoulder. She yelped in mock pain, remembering to keep her silence unless spoken too until they were seated. Jendai smiled at her in answer, then turned his attention to Min. He was reaching for one of the gooey deserts. "No, Shortie, you gotta eat something better. It makes you taller."
"You should talk Jendai," Kaml laughed. "Everyone says you're gonna grow, so why haven't ya?"
"Keep yer trap shut before I close it for you permanently," Jendai said, helping Min grab his lunch. He cast a look over his shoulder at Kaml and mimicked a welding torch welding the other Irken's mouth closed. Kaml responded with a pantomime of a lazer firing at Jendai's head. All chatter ceased as they approached the computer cashier. It scanned their items, then totaled them for the foursome. Kaml handed Jendai his half, and the blue-eyed Irken placed the cash in the receiving chute. The monitor flashed him a smiley face, before allowing them to pass on. As the unsaid leader of their group, Jendai scouted out their usual table and led them over to it. The two students plopped themselves down first, scooting over on the hard benches to allow their teachers to slide in beside them. Min dug into his lunch with the usual young gusto while Lidge and Kaml picked at theirs before actually eating anything. Jendai opened his ahki, a weak Irken alcohol, and downed half the contents.
"So..." Lidge tried to start a conversation. "How's the voot coming, Jendai?"
"Do you have to ask?" he groaned. "Whoever assigned that guy to be an Elite Guard needs a head check."
Kaml chuckled. "Red," was all he said.
"Never would have guessed," Lidge teased. A bright look suddenly crossed her face, filling her magenta eyes with excitement. "I heard a new joke today."
Min's antennae perked with interest and Jendai imagined his were doing the opposite. Kaml's were fully upright. "Oh do tell!" the orange-eye practically shouted.
"Okay!" Lidge thought for a moment, then began. "How many Reds does it take to fix a light?" Jokes about the red-eyed Tallest bounced around the Student class at a fantastic rate, not all of them innocent like this.
"Aww... I've heard this one," Kaml complained.
"Shut up," Jendai ordered. "I haven't." He gestured at Lidge with the bottle his drink was in. "Go on, short stuff."
"Three! One to stare at it for an hour, one to forget about it and go find some food, and one to make Purple do it!" Lidge squealed.
Min fell over laughing hysterically, Jendai chuckled good-naturedly and Kaml just hemmed. Noticing Min down on the ground, the blue-eye collected his student by his collar, pulling him back up to the bench in one deft yank. His student hadn't even noticed, he was laughing too hard. The joke hadn't even been that funny. Even Lidge had stopped her laughter to stare at Min. "Does he even know who Red is?" Kaml questioned.
"Not a clue," Jendai responded. "Hey, Shortie?"
Min's laughter cut off abruptly. His gray eyes were wide with questioning. "Yes, sir?" he asked.
"Do you even know who Red is?"
"I... I..."
"Thought not," Jendai smiled sadly. His antennae tilted backwards, betraying his thoughts to the world. The Irken chewed his lip before taking a long swallow of the ahki.
Kaml leaned his head towards him. "I'll handle this, Kaalae, chill out." He sat back, putting his hands behind his head. "Ever heard of the Almighty Tallest, shortie?"
"Yes, sir." Min seemed to like that saying.
"There's two, right?"
"Yes sir."
"Okay, then you know their names, right?"
"No sir."
Kaml groaned. "Red and Purple. Purple is the brains behind the whole Empire bit while Red is a bonehead who just sits around eating junk food." He leaned in to speak to Min directly, as if not wanting anyone else at the table to hear him. "Red's such an idiot cause he was originally a Soldier."
"Really?" Min's eyes widened. "How do you know?"
"Cause only Soldiers are that inept." Kaml nodded as he said this. "And Purple-"
"Excuse me," Jendai growled, leaving abruptly. "The voot needs to be finished by tomorrow." He set his ahki down, walking away with a stiffness of stride unusual for him. His antennae were slicked completely down, a sign of both fretting and unwillingness to talk. Other Irkens scattered out of his way, not wanting a confrontation. He disappeared through the door leading into the workroom, never looking back once.
The rest of the table sighed. "Sir?" Min inquired of Kaml. "Why did my Teacher leave so quickly?"
Kaml squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. His student saved him, butting in as her personality required. "Jendai needs to tell you that on his own. Give him some time and he might just tell you," she advised. "But then again, he might not. Kaml's his best friend around here and he's only just hinted at it to him." Lidge shrugged. "Whatever's eating him, he just needs to have some 'Kaalae Time' before he's normal again."
"Should I attend him?" Min asked quickly. Then added, "Ma'am," as an afterthought.
"Are you Min Kaalae yet?" Kaml answered with a question of his own. "Has he allowed you to take his name?"
"No..." the little gray-eye replied miserably.
"Then you leave him alone to smack the voot cruiser around for a while," Kaml advised. "I swear, he'll be normal-or as normal as Jendai gets-in a few hours. He's an oddball, so everyone kinda stays out of his way or watches out for him, depending on his mood."
Min was about to answer, but the computerized voice instructed them all back to work. Lidge and Kaml Tikem groaned. They ushered Min to their station, promising to give him back to Jendai when they day ended. Personally, they all hoped it would be soon.
With a small groan, Jendai slid into his personal voot runner, more than ready to head home after a long day. His arms ached slightly as they always did. Fortunately, his voot practically flew itself with the modifications he'd made. He almost closed the front hatch when he remembered Min. He stood upright, scanning the roof of the shop that served as a landing pad for the workers' voot runners. A small body dashed through the crowd of Irkens. He waved to it, calling out in an attempt to get Min's attention pointed in his direction. Min finally noticed him and began weaving in and out of voots in various stages of departure, heading in his general area. "What do you do think you're doing?" Jendai demanded. "What's wrong with you! Brain worms?"
"I-I'm sorry, Sir," Min mumbled. "But... what did I do?"
The taller Irken grumbled to himself before answering. "Never run around voot runners like that!" He smacked the side of his for emphasis. "These babies look small and fragile but never forget they're machines that are bigger and stronger than you are." His eyes glazed slightly in thought. "I saw one of these knock over an Irken and bash his skull in once."
"Sorry, Sir," Min replied. "I'll remember that."
"You better," Jendai threatened. "Now, get in. We got a long ride in traffic ahead of us." Min obeyed, hoping inside. His teacher climbed in next to him, shutting the front hatch deftly. At a touch on the control panel, the voot launched off smoothly and merged carefully into the long lines of traffic that criss-crossed Irk's capital city like veins. He directed it across several until he found the correct road that would take him home. Min watched with awe the whole ride. Several drivers wove in and out of the traffic stream, causing jams and confusion. Jendai avoided the tangles with ease. His long, slender fingers glided over the control panel, guiding his small, swift craft along the roadway.
The highway took them deeper into the heart of the big city. Buildings loomed above the transports, standing like guards. Higher streams of traffic cast shadows down on the lower ones, and then upon the streets below. Small transports wove in and out of larger ones in a display of hurried driving shown everyday along the same routes.
Eventually, the buildings shrank in size and importance, offices and factories giving way to living quarters. Jendai let out a sigh of relief. He hated traffic, he always had. It was nerve-wracking, avoiding all the crazed Soldier drivers out there that would like nothing better than to run him off the road to save time. He'd seen enough of those "accidents." Carefully, he maneuvered the voot upwards towards the parking deck located at the top of a smaller sized living building. The little ship responded instantly. Min jolted abruptly beside him. "Sorry," Jendai flashed him an apologetic grin before returning his attention to his driving. The building's windows flashed by at an almost impossible pace as the voot ascended vertically. His fingers danced sideways, moving the ship in the direction they indicated. Slowly, he slid his fingers downwards, dropping the voot gently to the ground. It landed neatly in the circle that marked his space.
Jendai allowed the engines to cool off before killing them. You saw enough melted engine casings in his business to appreciate the few extra minutes spent cooling yours off. Min leapt out first, scouting out the rooftop docking-bay before darting back to Jendai's side. The young Irken stood by as if to help Jendai out of his voot. The blue-eye gave him an odd look, jumping lightly to the ground. "I'm not THAT old, shortie," he snapped tartly. "Okay? I don't need help climbing out of a voot runner." Grumpily, he looked Min straight in the eye. "Got it?"
"Yes, Teacher Kaalae."
That rankled Jendai somewhat. His antennae tilted inwards briefly, then returned to their relaxed position as he headed for the door. A protective shield popped up around his voot, protecting it from theft or damage. It would only open again with his access code, eye and blood scan. He stepped up to the door, allowing his weight to trigger the newly installed opening mechanism. It slid open obediently, not giving the mechanic any time to tinker with it mentally. Muttering to himself, he stepped into the elevator, pulling Min in with him. The chute opened beneath them and the elevator dropped down three floors. Jendai's building was small in comparison to others; only about seventeen stories tall.
The elevator door opened, allowing the two Irkens to make their way down the long winding hall. Jendai paused at a door on the left-hand side and punched his access code into the panel. There was a humming noise in the wall. After a moment, the door slid open with a soft "ping!" sound. Both Irkens strode through, the taller one in front. The interior of Jendai's "apartment" was colored in an odd shade of gray-blue, as was the tiled floor. They had entered into a kitchen area and stood before a table with a few chairs shoved roughly against it at odd angles. The standard kitchen equipment was against the far wall to their right. "Go get something out of the fridge if you're hungry," Jendai told his student over his shoulder. He was on his way to the closest thing he could lie down on-the couch. Behind him, he heard the door slide shut and lock as Min moved away.
With a small groan, the blue-eyed Irken flopped down on his couch. His living room contained the standard bookshelves, couch, a few chairs, a large computer terminal for receiving and sending transmissions or for doing things around the apartment and a holovision set. The only thing he'd added was a long table cluttered with various parts and bits of engines, appliances and tools. Piles of electronic sketchpad lay at one end, a few opened to reveal plans for little inventions and the like. Jendai felt more tired than usual today. It was odd. He hadn't done much more than he always did. He felt like sleeping. His eyes closed slowly, allowing him to drift off without the distraction of light.
He awoke sometime later to someone methodically rubbing his slight shoulders. "Hey, Sleepyhead," a feminine voice whispered. "You feeling okay?"
Jendai rolled over. The Irken whom had been sitting on his back pod suddenly found herself perched on his chest. His antennae perked up as he smiled at her. "I'm fine. How long have you been home?"
Leeri Olon blinked her purple-red eyes at him. "An hour. You?"
"I have no idea," he said with a sigh. He grabbed her hands, pulling her down closer. Her antennae twitched back in surprise, but then relaxed almost instantly. Instead of kissing her though, he asked a question. "Did you see who I brought home?"
She sat back abruptly. "Oh no, not Kaml again!"
Jendai chuckled at her reaction. It was true, whenever Kaml had come around, the two were the butt of all of his jokes. Leeri felt the orange-eye needed a female someone other than Lidge around to tone him down a bit. Jendai agreed on occasion. "No, not him," he showed his teeth in a grimace. "Regert assigned me a student today."
Leeri cursed, then covered her mouth. She backed off Jendai's chest so quickly that she fell off the couch... which jarred another curse out of her. The three-foot high chemical researcher glared up at him, curled antennae tilted so far inwards that they brushed each other. "And when exactly were you planning on mentioning this, Jendai Kaalae?" she snapped.
He sat up, swinging his legs over the edge. "Dunno... soon as you were finished I guess..." Blush crept into his face, turning it a darker shade of green.
"Where is he then?" Leeri questioned, putting her hands on her hips. There was a look on her face that told him she didn't quite believe him yet.
"Last I saw he was in the kitchen."
Leeri strode off in that direction, her hands still on her hips. She was muttering something about the idiocy of males. Jendai shook his head and jumped off the couch to follow her. He almost ran straight into her. She'd stopped in the doorway, staring at the little figure seated at Jendai's table drinking juice. Min looked up at them, blinking his wide eyes innocently. "Hello, Teacher Kaalae... ma'am. I hope it's all right that I'm drinking this," he said quietly. "You told me I should find something to eat, but there was nothing so I drank this."
Jendai cleared his suddenly dry throat. "It's fine Min, I need to go shopping anyway, thanks for reminding me." The little gray-eye beamed at the genuine gratitude in his teacher's voice. "This is Leeri Olon," he said, indicating the smaller Irken beside him. "She's my... uh..."
"Close friend," Leeri piped up, saving him from his typical awkwardness. "Very, very close friend." She flashed him a quick smile over her shoulder. He grinned back.
"Ah, I see," Min answered promptly.
"Who's hungry?" Leeri asked the two males, changing the subject abruptly. "Since the Almighty Tallest here decided he'd neglect shopping and mooch off me, he gets to come over and cook something in my kitchen." She reached back and squeezed his hand gently, lessening the impact of her words.
"No problem, Leer," he said in reply. He motioned for Min to follow them out of the kitchen. "Whatcha thinking of?"
"Whatever you feel like making," she said, taking him out of the kitchen. Min followed the pair at a respectful distance, boots tapping against the tiles on the floor. Once in the living room, they moved towards a normal-looking section of wall that suddenly opened into a door leading to another set of rooms. The décor of these were done in a purple-gray, which gave it a womanly feel. Leeri marched into them, pulling Jendai behind her. This was where she lived, after all. Once the pair had decided on living side by side, Jendai had installed the sliding wall panel that joined their two apartments into one. It hadn't been hard and was well worth the effort. They kept it closed whenever there were others around as such frivolities were frowned upon, even in the Student Class. Their society had become far too Soldier-dominated for ones with feelings like Jendai and Leeri had for each other. The smaller female laughed at Jendai's slow gawkiness, proceeding to drag him into the kitchen.
"Oh, Jendai..." Leeri groaned, leaning back in her chair. "Where on Irk did you learn how to do that?" Min nodded his head in agreement.
The blue-eye grinned over his shoulder at them from washing the dishes. "My old Teacher didn't just teach me mechanics," he said. "She taught me the great art of cooking as well." He scratched his head with one of his robotic legs. "If I'm not mistaken, old Daske Kaalae practically taught me everything I know... except for male things..." He blushed again, turning his attention to the sink. There was a scraping of a chair and the sound of footsteps as Min joined him. The little Irken removed his gloves with care, then plunged his small hands into the warm, silver-colored liquid. He giggled softly. Jendai shot him a faint smile before passing him a dish to clean. "Any room for me?" Leeri snickered, sliding up to Jendai's left. She removed her gloves as well and joined in.
When the trio finished their dishes, Jendai took Min into his bedroom while Leeri found something to watch. "Computer," the blue-eye called upon entering his room. "Requesting extra bed added to room. Dimensions..." He paused, sizing Min up. "Four feet by... three feet." There was a beeping sound as his computer acknowledged the change. At the foot of his bed, four posts appeared, growing longer and looping around each other to form the bedframe. Hologram light spread from around the posts, gradually solidifying into Min's bed. Blankets and other necessities appeared soon after. "There ya go, shortie," Jendai said, heading for the door. "I can't fall asleep this early, so, get in bed and I'll see you when we have to go in to work, got me?"
"Yes sir," Min sentence was interrupted with a yawn. "I will sir."
Jendai chuckled. "Food and excitement does that too you. Night, shortie." He turned to leave, but was stopped by a small voice behind him.
"Night, Teacher Kaalae."
For some reason, it didn't bother him so much now.
Leeri was waiting for him on his couch. He flopped down beside her, allowing her to lay her head on him while he snuck his arm around her. "He called me Teacher Kaalae..." he murmured. "Teacher Kaalae... I never thought I would ever hear that phrase again..."
"I know it was bad when she died, Jendai, but that was four years ago," Leeri began gently. "You can't hide forever." She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the light from the HV perfectly. "I, for one, think it's good that Regert gave the little guy to you. You needed it."
"I don't see you being called, Teacher Olon," he teased. Almost instantly, she tensed, her antennae flicking inwards. He knew he'd broached a sensitive subject. "Sorry, Short Stuff. I was just playing."
She sighed, relaxing into him again. "I know, I know." Leeri turned her attention back to the HV set. "This is weird. It's like everything that upsets us is blasting in our faces tonight." Suddenly eager to put her theory to the test, the sometimes-hyper researcher looked back at the mechanic. "Did anyone tell any Red Jokes today?" she asked bluntly.
Jendai winced visibly, antennae falling backwards. "You just HAD to bring that up, huh Leer?"
"Oh 'Dai!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly. "I'm so sorry! They didn't get into a discussion again, did they!?"
He fidgeted nervously. "Yeah, sorta. Min was sitting with us and Lidge had this new joke. She told it and then they had to explain everything to the little guy..." he trailed off, not wishing to continue. Leeri hugged him tighter, trying to reassure him.
"Sing me something happy," the adamant female instructed. "A mechanic song. All of you have such happy music."
After a moment of thought, he sang for her. Kaml had always said there was a reason his throat didn't clog with dirt and become scratchy like everyone else's. He supposed this was it. Softly, in his sweet tenor voice, he sang one of the drinking songs that were always joyful, if not slurred with ahki or vinel.
"Hey pretty thing want join me in a drink?
Sit and drink some ahki
How's life? How's your world?
Mind if I put my hand on your face?"
He paused when she giggled at the last line.
"We can watch the world go by.
Did you fix anything new today?
Do I know you?
What?
No, I'm not drunk. I swear."
Leeri laughed then. He knew she was thinking of all the times he'd accidentally had too much to drink. The thought made him blush.
"Is it too early to say I love you?
Oh, you don't think so.
Wait, is that your hand...
Yep.
It is."
Her hand moved to correspond with the song.
"It isn't too early.
Then...
Then Leeri, I love you."
To add flavor to the dryer version of the song, Jendai kissed her forehead. She looked up, then met his lips with her own. Her slight weight pushed him down on his back, forcing him to look up at her. Again, she sat on his chest, grinning evilly down at him. Methodically, she began rubbing his straight antennae between her fingers, massaging them as hard as she dared. He moaned, the sound having the sincere ring of pleasure. Jendai kissed her again, loving the feel of her tongue wrapping around his. He took his turn rubbing her antennae, straightening the feminine curls, then letting them wrap themselves around his wrists. Leeri slid her hands under him, working out the tenseness in the muscles. She couldn't keep her mouth off his or her hands from under his shirt. Jendai refused to stop rubbing her antennae or returning her kisses. It went on like this for a long time, lit only by the glow from the forgotten holovision set. Eventually, they relaxed; lying cuddled together, Leeri's head resting on her lover's chest. "I'd love to be here with you all night, Leer, but I have to go in early for the shortie tomorrow," he muttered apologetically, giving her forehead a quick peck. "And I'm tired for a reason that's beyond me."
"Go on," she giggled, and pushed him towards his room. "I have some work to catch up on anyway."
"Thanks," he smiled, getting off the couch. The blue-eye made his way off to bed, humming "Not Drunk" to himself.
Chapter 2 coming as soon as I can get it done!