Irk had become quite hectic as of late. Everyone had a job to do, and everyone was expected to do it perfectly. Given, Irk was always liked that. Had been like that for centuries. But, presently, it was on a whole other level.

The Weapons Division would work double time, building bigger and more powerful weapons. Weapons that would strike fear into the hearts and guts of the rest of the universe. Weapons that would cause complete and utter devastation. Weapons that would anyone, including their current enemies, think twice about messing with them.

The Science Corp, besides occasionally helping the Weapons Division, was working on ways to improve the Irken Armada. Serum's and medical modifications were discovered almost daily, making way for stronger, faster, taller soldier. Though, not too tall, of course. The Tallests couldn't afford anymore threats to their position.

The Smeetery on Irk worked constantly, producing new soldiers to be assigned and trained, ensuring that productivity did not suffer. DNA was chosen carefully. They couldn't not afford any mistakes or weaknesses. They could not afford any more Defects. The Irken Academy had become harsher with its initial training, making certain that only the strongest passed all the rigorous tests. And then only the few best and brightest were sent to Devastis to earn their higher ranks, to become the crew of the Massive, to become Invaders, to become Elite.

Elite Commander Tak was a rarity. Not only because of her unique and enviable position, but because of how she attained it. She had never gotten the chance to go back to Devastis to retake that test, so technically she shouldn't have been able to claim that title. However, she had. She had proven her worth while spying on that hybrid and his Lazurothian mate, while obtaining valuable information for her leaders. While doing whatever it took to serve her home and her people.

Everything Tak did – every step, every word, every breath – it was all for the Empire.

And now she stood above everyone else, answering only to the Tallests themselves.

However, she was not blind. She knew that her orders were not always the Tallests' own. She could tell in the way they told her. It was interesting how she had come to easily read them, how she could tell when it was the Control Brains giving an order through them and not something they had decided on their own.

Tak could also tell that the true nature of the Tallests' relationship went far deeper than partners and co-rulers. She could tell in the way they looked at each other, how they spoke in hushed tones, how their hands often twitched as if they were going to reach for one another. Really, she wondered if the rest of the Empire was just so blind, or if she just found it easy because of how much she worked with them.

However, she didn't really care about any of that. What she cared about was her people, her planet, her home. She cared about ensuring that things were performing impeccably. She cared that as few soldiers as possible died on her watch. She cared that smeets were properly trained and educated before stepping into the cruel, violent world they were created for.

And, of course, she cared about her own welfare. Caring for everything else was how she protected herself, really.

And she most definitely needed to protect herself. It was like a game, how she had to plan her moves so carefully, choose the right words and reactions, make sure no one dug too deep to discover the truth that lied deep beneath Irk's surface. Too many people were already privy to this secret, the one that she and a few others knew about Defects. And, though at first, she had not wanted to believe it, she had Tallest Purple, himself, confirm it. And he certianly had no reason to lie about such a thing.

However, she now had no reason to worry. There was no way anyone would discover the truth about her, or about the Tallests. Her position protected her perfectly. Questioning her was nearly synonymous with question the Tallests. And to question the Tallests was dangerous at best and treasonous at most.

Now Take stood in a room surrounded by maps and schematics, riddled with new information gathered from spies. Strengths and weaknesses of the Galactic Alliance were marked and accounted for, lists of people who could be persuaded (or even forced) to help them were created, and theories of their next moves were concocted. And Tak was tasked with ensuring everything ran smoothly, that there was no room for error, and that everyone else in the room understood that failure was not an option.

"Commander Tak," someone called from the doorway. They saluted her as she turned around, looking the picture of respect. Tak still wasn't used to it, as her squeedlyspooch gave a flutter of excitement. However, she kept her features as impassive as ever.

"Yes, what is it?" She asked in a cold tone. She had been in the middle of double checking the stratagist's so called plans, and her patience was quite thin. She sincerely hoped this interruption was important.

"The Almighty Tallests have sent for you," said the messenger, his tone indicating urgency. Tak's mouth became a thin line. It would have been easy for the Tallest to simply speak to her over the communicator. The fact that they had sent someone to ensure she came was indication enough that her presence was required.

Tak nodded curtly, turning to the others in the room. "Fix that disgust gap in those plan, immediately. We need to plan for every attack and counterattack. Remember, if we lose, it is on you. And your life is only worth what you give to the Empire."

The other's in room jumped into salute. "Yes, Commander."

Tak couldn't help the derisive scoff that escaped her. What stupid drones. She has just told them they were basically worthless, replaceable, and still they were so eager to please. It almost reminded her of Zim, when he was so insistant that his mission wasn't a fake, that he wasn't exiled. Oh, but he was so, disgustingly Defective. The worst kind, since he didn't simply accept it and then choose a side to listen to.

Well, before he hadn't. It was quite obvious now that Zim had chosen to go with his own thoughts, his feelings. And Tak wasn't blind. She was extremely good at obvserving others. She could tell from just that night in the graveyard what motivated Zim: an equally stupid, tall human with startling gold eyes.

Tak felt irritation rise at thinking about those two. At this point, she didn't really care what happened to them. Killing them was no longer her top priority. After all, she had other responsibilities now, and far more power than either of them would ever have. She didn't need to kill either of them, but since they were on the other side, well, it was probably inevitable. It was business now, and no longer personal.

Didn't mean she hated them any less, however.

The room she normally met the Tallests in was huge. The walls were a shiny crimson, punctuated with the proud Irken sigil every few meters. The floor was metallic, charcoal in color, empty except for some guards and various, strange plants. A carpet divided the room in half, it's color matching the walls, leading to the platform where her leaders sat in wait.

"My Tallests," she greeted, bending down on one knee and putting a fist over her chest, antennae dancing in perfect salute.

"Rise, Commander Tak," said Red. His tone was always calmer than his counter-parts, more authoritative. As if from the moment he was hatched he was destined to rule the Irken Race.

Tak obeyed, getting to her feet, standing at attention. "I was told you required my presence, My Tallests?"

"That is correct," Red replied. "First of all, we would like to say that we are very impressed with everything you have done here on Irk. Things are running at an amazing pace and we couldn't be more proud."

Tak could sense it. The dreaded 'but', or something similar. The Tallest did not just randomly praise people. It simply was not done. However, did nothing to show her sudden anxiety. "Thank you, My Tallest. Everything I do is for the good of the Empire."

"We know," Purple said almost cheerfully. "And we greatly appreciate having such a competent and loyal soldier."

"Which is why," Red added, lacing his fingers in front of them, "we are reassigning you."

Tak forced herself to keep a stolid expression. She had to play this close to the vest, as she always did. The tiniest slip could mean her doom. "I see. May I ask where, My Tallests?"

"See? This is what we like about you!" Purple said brightly. "No questioning, no begging to stay where you are. You simply follow orders! I must say it's such a relief."

"Of course, My Tallest," Tak said neutrally. She had to be compliant. To not be was just asking to be thrown out an airlock. She had already come so far. She would not let it be a waste.

"As for where," explained Red, "we will be sending you to Judgementia. We need the Enforcers to be whipped into shape, so to speak. We know it won't be long before Team Nebula and the Resisty make a move against us. It's only a matter of time. And we will be ready."

Tak couldn't help the furrow of her brow, but she quickly recovered. She could show no sign of reluctance or being unappreciative. Her life depended on it. "Of course, My Tallests. I will do what must be done. Thank you for this grand opportunity."

Red smirked. "You have come so far, soldier. You are a remarkable example of what every Irken should strive to be." Then, he scowled, nearly glaring at Tak. She resisted the urge to look away, knowing that showing weakness would not help her here. Those scarlet eyes were burning into her, as if trying to see into her very soul. "Do not disappoint us now, Commander."

Tak held his intense gaze, unwilling to show an sign of fear. She couldn't afford that now. She would show only her strength, her intelligence and her capability for cruelty. Being close to the Tallests was just as dangerous as it was fulfilling. Any wrong move, and tiny slip, and suddenly you were no longer an ally. You were a threat.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Tak said, letting a confident grin appear on her face. She knelt once more to salute her leaders again. "I shall leave immediately, My Tallests."

Red's expression let up, becoming stoic once more. "Good. Please report once you have made it there."

"Of course, My Tallests."

Tak waited to be dismissed, like the good subordinate she was, before striding out of the room and down the corridor. She made her way to her quarters, intent on packing her necessities immediately. As soon as she entered, she found some lower soldiers already there, assessing and packing her things. Apparently the Tallest wanted to make absolutely sure she left as soon as possible.

"Commander Tak," said the tallest of the group, who still barely came to her chest, saluting enthusiastically, "we are here to help you prepare for your journey to Judgementia!"

Tak nodded. "Yes, well, get my things to my ship as soon as possible. We do not have time for dawdling."

"Yes, Commander," the small supervisor replied as Tak crossed the room to her rest area. "But, er, where are you going?"

Tak fixed her with a terrifying glare. "I must check some things before I leave. Do not disturb me. I expect everything to be ready by the time I am done. Is that understood?"

The supervisor trembled. "Y-yes, Commander."

Tak tutted, turning on her heel and entering a door on the right. She shut it and lock it up, then made sure that the room's scrambling capabilities were secure. She could afford no eavesdropping.

A single click of her monitor in the corner, and the room was bathed in deep, purple light. Tak touched a few buttons on her monitor, bringing up her message box. It was mostly empty, only progress reports and a few short messages between her and her leaders. She went through deleting almost all of them, before a mailbox made a sharp beeping sound. She looked to see she had a new message.

Just what she had been waiting for.

After securing her network to keep out anyone who may try to hack it, she opened the message. It was rather short this time, right to the point. He never was one for being formal or fancy.

Congratulations on securing your new position. I will send further instruction once you have arrived at Judgmentia. Until then, you know what to do.

Byzantium

Tak frowned, sending in a code to complete obliterate the message, making it as if it never existed. One of these days signing his name like that was going to get him caught or killed. Of course, Tak already knew the true identity of Byzantium (she was, perhaps, the only one), a discovery made completely on accident. However, it had worked for her benefit. And hopefully, eventually, the Empire would benefit as well.

After all, her loyalties were not easily swayed, but Byzantium's argument had made sense. With the Control Brains in power, no one could truly achieve what they wanted. There was so many of those drones to brainwashed to even attempt to see their potential. If the Empire was to survive, to grow inside and out, the limitations must be taken away. The Control Brains had been in power for too long. It was time for Irk to stand on its own. Then again, perhaps her loyalty wasn't swayed, at all. She was still doing her part for the Empire, in a way.

Also, it did help that it was a Control Brain that refused to give her another chance at taking the Invaders Exam.

Tak smirked. It was always nice that, even when working toward a much greater goal, she still managed to get what she wanted in the end.

For the good of the Empire, she told herself, shutting her monitor down

000000000000000000000

"It seems your crew has made themselves right at home," remarked Lard Nar cheerfully.

Adalet gave a nod, smiling as she brought her glass of Limasian wine to her lips. She was quite proud of her subordinates. They had adapted beautifully to Fort Antares, all pitching in to do their part, while getting along splendidly with the members of the Resisty. Even Zim (the one she had been most concerned about) had been on his best behavior (though, according to Krugg, it still wasn't good enough). 777 seemed to thoroughly enjoy working with him, and Tenn and Skoodge only said teasing things. Though, they had perhaps known Zim the longest.

The others she hadn't been to worried about, but none the less they also found their rhythms. Dek, Dib and Yara were training new recruits (which the human seemed quite excited about). E.J. was helping making new modifications to the ships. Matsuri was busy showing off her second talent, making and altering uniforms for the Resisty. Milgor worked in a more chemistry based part of the labs. And Midge was busy getting the infirmary on the right track.

Speaking of Midge, the last time Adalet had seen her, she noticed that her Team Nebula uniform top was riding up. She meant to say something, but had decided to stay silent when she realized why that was happening. It wasn't much. You still had to look for it to see it. But, once you knew what to search for, there was no denying the tiny bulge beginning to form on her lower abdomen.

"I hope you don't mind if we stay a while," Adalet suggested. "Besides the fact that I believe we can help each other greatly, I'd rather not have to move Midge again until after her smeet is born. She's in a delicate state, though she likes to pretend she's not."

Lard Nar chuckled. "If you recall, Nazo was very much the same when she was pregnant with Dek." He immediately sobered, swirling his own drink in his glass. "I don't think you and Dek have anything to worry about. Nazo...Nazo was older. There were quite a few factors involved in her death. I think Midge will be fine."

Adalet continued to frown. "Well, regardless, she doesn't need anymore stress. She really shouldn't be under the stress she is, now."

"Should I...reassign her?" Lard Nar asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

"No," Adalet answered immediately. "She will insist on being as involved as possible no matter what we do. She is a very stubborn young woman." She sighed, taking another sip of her wine.

"She's not a very good patient either, for what I hear," Lard Nar mentioned, refering to the appointment Midge had had with Tenn. She really hadn't been all that cooperative, and Tenn had been concerned about how much information Midge had actually retained. Adalet wasn't really sure about any of this, she merely heard what other told her.

However, she knew Midge. And Midge was perhap the most hard-headed person alive (though it was a close game between her and her chosen companions.)

"Doctors do make the worst patients," said Adalet. "However, I am still her boss. And as I must think about her welfare."

"And it had nothing to do with that smeet being your little grandchild?" Lard Nar teased jokingly. He then tapped his chin. "Grand-godchild? What would you be to them?"

"I don't mind being called their grandmother," Adalet admitted. "I will perhaps be the closest thing they will have to a grandparent, after all."

Lard Nar frowned sadly, fiddling with the edge of his glass. "Nazo and Zon would've been so happy," he mused aloud. "And so proud. Dek has come such a long way. And I could only imagine how excited the two of them would be about having a grandchild."

Adalet nodded. "He would be beside himself," she said absently.

There was a long pause. Adalet continued to nurse her drink before Lard Nar suddenly drank his down. Adalet's brow furrowed in concern. She suddenly realized she still hadn't asked why he had invited her here. Why he had wanted to speak with her so urgently. "Are you going to tell me what is going on, Lard Nar?"

Lard Nar looked up for merely a second and then looked back down at the table. His brow was furrowed, and his entire demeanor looked stiff. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Meekrob has left the Galactic Alliance."

Adalet's eyes widened in shock. "Have they?" She asked. "Why have I not heard of this?"

"The official announcement has not been made," he answered. "But I have a friend who works under Councilperson Glaw. They told me they've already signed the necessary documents. They say they simply cannot trust Ra'ask to do the right thing."

Adalet scoffed in disgust. "I can't say I blame them. Ra'ask only cares about his constituency. And unfortunately, his constituency consists of people just as hateful as he is."

"I'm still baffled how he got elected," remarked Lard Nar. "Are we...certain there was no tampering with the votes?"

"In all honesty, who knows?" Adalet said bitterly. "It was heavily rumored that he orchestrated a scandel so the former Oraistan Councilperson would be forced to step down, but he made certain to crush all that once he took over." Adalet paused, a thought striking her. Why had it not occurred to anyone else before. "Come to think of it, he seemed to just...appear, did he not?"

Lard Nar shrugged. "Aren't the worst ones like that, though? They come out of the woodwork at the worst possible times only to feed the fear that turns people against each other."

Adalet couldn't help but feel it went far deeper than that, but, she could not risk any sort of investigation, even a covert one. Ra'ask apparently had his own little spies, even in the Resisty. And with the recent threat toward her position, she honestly could not afford such an endevour. Ra'ask definitely seemed the type to try her for treason should she be caught.

Perhaps she was thinking too deep into this. It wouldn't surprise her. She had analyzed strategies to death more times than she could count. Zon used to tease her about it, commenting that it was action that won battles, not thoughts.

"I do not blame Meekrob for their decision," Adalet said as she finished her wine. "But I do hope other planets do not follow their lead."

Lard Nar looked confused. "Why? Wouldn't that send quite the message?"

"Yes, but it will not help our situation," she replied. "The Galactic Alliance needs to display a strong, united front. They need to speak out against Ra'ask's deplorable beliefs, forcing their representatives in the Council to speak up. Ra'ask is a parasite. He cannot be reasoned with or persuaded, and therefore the only option is to take his power away. If we let him, he will destroy everything the Galactic Alliance is supposed to stand for."

After another long pause, Lard Nar nodded slowly. Adalet often wished that Zon and Nazo were still alive, but sometimes she was glad that she wasn't. Even with Vort being free and becoming a much-needed ally, it still felt like things were falling apart. If she were honest, she feared for the future. For Irk. For Vort. For the Galactic Alliance. For...everyone.

Adalet sighed once more. They were not going to find a solution to all the universes problems tonight. "I'm afraid I must retire, Lard Nar," she told him as she rose from her seat. "I feel I have stayed far too late as it is."

Lard Nar smirked. "Old age getting to you, Director?"

"Do not make me throw you out of your chair, you incorrigible gremlin," she warned him, but her words were light and teasing.

Lard Nar chuckled. "We Vortians are small, but we are exceptionally fast. I'd be out of this room by the time you got over her."

"I would think you would know better than to underestimate me," she told him, turning on her heel to exit the room. "Goodnight, Lard Nar."

"Goodnight," he called back.

The small smile on Adalet's face slipped off as she made her way to her quarters. It was difficult not to worry, especially when there was so much to worry about. The youngest of her Team was nowhere near durable enough to be as reckless as he was. Said human's mate was scrambling about trying to remedy the problem (she found it so funny how her subordinates thought her so blind. It wasn't hard to figure out what was going on with clues here and there from others who were around.) Then there was her godson, who had been forced to grow up so early, and now not only had the responsibility of his crew, but also the new family he was making with his mate. And, of course, Midge, who Adalet desperately wish she could convince to just sit this out for a while. She trusted Midge's knowledge as a doctor, trusted her judgement. But...she couldn't help but be concerned.

Midge and Dek's smeet was the future. It was terrifying that such a small, innocent thing would be brought into a universe torn by uncertainty and war, but...Adalet also felt a bit of hope buried underneath. It was good to know that life still went on, that it would always move on. That there was always a chance for love and justice to prevail.

Adalet was deep in thought as she entered her quarters, barely paying attention to her surroundings as she closed and locked the door behind her. She reached for the button that would turn on the lights, only to realize far too late that she was not alone.

There had been no warning before the sudden tackle, throwing Adalet to the floor with a loud thud. She began to struggle against the assailant, opening her mouth to yell, but was cut off by the sharp sting of a needle in her neck. She grunted in pain, managing to toss the attacker away from her. She tried to get to her feet, but they immediately collapsed beneath her. She suddenly found it very hard to breath, panting, gasping for air. The minimal shapes she could see in the dark swirled and blurred, before beginning to fade in and out. Her chest hurt, like something was constricting her organs there.

She reached out, desperate to find some way fight, only able to see the faintest silhoette of her attacker. The entire world around her began to slow down, pulsing in and out of focus. She collapsed, choking and shaking, clawing at the carpet on the floor.

As Adalet finally succumbed to her fate, vision going black, she could hear an echoing voice speak above her.

"The High Chancellor sends his regards."

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I need to stop watching Game of Thrones...