Warning: There's some torture in this chapter, just letting you know.
The Fight Lingers On
Red could have sworn he felt a pull when they were all teleporting.
This was likely the reason Bann and Laes weren't currently with him... he expected all of the armed Invaders to be here though.
There had to be at least twelve of them inside this room, pointing their blasters at him while trying to look intimidating.
They didn't have any fighting experience, and it showed. Their stances were open. Their expressions unsure.
Then they vanished. All of them at once. They must be wearing cloaking devices or something.
They shouldn't have given away their positions. That had been a really stupid thing to do.
With his metal-limbs still deployed, he created a force field from his PAK. Then closing his eyes, he perked up his antennae, waiting for the vibrations of their near silent movements.
He wasn't just an Elite soldier... he was the Tallest. Of course he could have kept up with his training a little more, but he'd always naturally excelled at any kind of combat while Purple...
He didn't need to think about Purple right now.
Defeating them was easy... he just needed to land a strike or two to get them to retreat.
They were weak. They couldn't fight. Why were they even trying?
He withdrew his metal appendages back into his PAK and kept a hold on one of the Invaders to keep it from teleporting, and he used this Invader to access the door.
He dropped the frightened creature in the hallway, and it teleported away.
This didn't matter. If he came across another sealed area, he could always slice his way through it since his PAK torches seemed to have no trouble cutting through the walls of the ship.
As soon as he rounded a corner, he stopped. His antennae pressed flat, and his eyes narrowed when he saw a familiar Invader standing further down the hallway.
A door vanished from behind the sickly looking winged creature.
The Invader's gaze lifted as it turned towards the him, and its eyes widened in fear as it recognition who was standing in the hallway.
The Tallest balled his hands into tight fists as raw burning anger settled into the pit of his spooch. If there was one Invader he wanted to kill more than any of the others, it was this one: the one who claimed to be related to the scientists who experimented on his kind. The thing that got him captured and brought to this irritating place.
"Don't move!" he snapped as he strode towards the frightened Invader. "I'll make your death so much worse if you move..." he growled a warning.
The creature flinched, but it didn't try to run. It lowered its head and kept its arms at its sides in what was probably a gesture of surrender.
It didn't look like the Invader was planning to put up a fight. It probably couldn't judging by how pale and tired it looked.
This was the jerk who got him captured... He suffered so much boredom while hanging on that wall inside their ship. There hadn't been any torture or gloating or anything even mildly interesting that happened until Laes found him and failed to get him down.
If it wasn't for Bandeval he'd probably be reprogrammed by now. He ground his teeth together at the thought of it.
He was going to get Invader blood on everything, and he wasn't going to care.
Red snagged one of the creature's arms and jerked it hard, forcing the Invader to spin around. He grabbed the winged creature's other arm before shoving it against the wall which dissipated, revealing the door.
He forced the Invader through the entrance, then let go, causing the alien to land hard on the floor tiles.
"So, here we are," The Tallest said, holding his arms out as he deployed his PAK-legs again. "The current leader of the Irkens, and the spawn of the Invaders who made us."
He crouched down beside the fallen Invader, smirking when the winged creature shuddered.
"Why're you scared? I thought you wanted us to be merciless killing machines."
The end of a sharp metal appendage pierced through one of the Invader's wings.
He continued talking over the creature's screams.
"Don't tell me you only wanted us to kill your enemies! How original is that huh?"
Another metal-appendage tore through the other wing.
"You made us like this, and now you want to destroy us for it. That doesn't seem very fair to me."
The Invader writhed in agony as one of his trembling hands reached back and grasped the metal appendage puncturing his left wing.
"Funny. You were so talkative before," the Tallest rested his chin on his fist as he stared down at the shivering creature that was gasping in pain. "I'll tell you what. If you answer my question, I might make your death a little less painful."
He prodded the Invader with the sharp end of his third PAK-leg. "Are you listening?"
The Invader managed to utter a small "yes..." Its hand lost its grip on the metal limb and dropped to the floor.
Red glowered at the weak and injured creature.
"What did you disgusting Vortian eaters do with Purple?" he questioned through his teeth.
"Purple...?" the Invader repeated in a soft whimper. "Who...?"
"You know who I'm talking about!" Red snapped angrily.
Two of his metal limbs pulled away from the Invader's wings while the other rolled the creature onto its back. Then he jabbed one of the sharp points into the same spot the Invader had been stabbed in the chest before.
"He's the other Tallest; the one who looks just like me!"
"He was dead..." the Invader replied through clenched teeth. "His PAK had... no information..." It squeezed its eyes shut and sucked in a breath. "His body contained... No life signs..."
"What did you do with him...?" Red repeated; his voice low and threatening. He could imagine all of the disgusting experiments those parasites did on their victims.
If they'd done anything like that to Purple...
All of the rage he was feeling right now was making him tremble. He wanted so badly to make all of the Invaders suffer right now, but there was only one here.
One would have to be enough for now. Beating this guy to a bloody pulp should ease his anger a bit.
"The PAK was... deconstructed... the body... disposed..." the Invader let out a whimper when the point of the metal limb pressed harder into its chest. "I-I'm sorry..."
That was it then... suddenly all of the rage he was feeling turned to something else... something less familiar.
Purple was gone.
He felt a heaviness settle in the pit of his spooch, and his antennae drooped.
Purple was dead... his constant companion through smeethood, training, Elite training, and everything else was really dead.
At least it sounded like the Invaders weren't experimenting on the other Tallest's corpse...
His eyesight was blurring for some reason. He blinked to clear it.
Now he recognized what he was feeling. The emotions of sadness and loss should be suppressed, so why was he feeling this way...?
He flinched when he felt something touch his arm. With an irritated scowl, he grabbed the Invader's hand, intent on breaking it at the wrist, but he didn't... those large black eyes staring back at him were wide and frightened, and for some reason torturing this guy had already lost most of its appeal.
There was no longer any reason to prolong the Invader's suffering. He let go of the thing's wrist.
Decapitating him would be easy enough.
"One more question..." Red decided.
He was hesitating to kill this thing. Why the flurk was he hesitating?
"Yes...?" the Invader responded softly.
"Why do you want to reprogram us so badly anyway?"
Stupid! What was he doing?
These people had altered his kind then ran off when things didn't work-out for them, when their own creations began fighting back.
Despite this, Irkens had found a way to survive. They figured things out and adapted on their own.
Really it would be easier for the Invaders to just vaporize his people, wouldn't it? Didn't they have the power and technology to do that?
Why were they intent on not liquefying all of his kind into goo?
The answer to this question wasn't really important, but for some reason he wanted to hear it anyway.
"My people cannot control you..." the Invader answered him. "At least... not the way we would like... but most of us are stubborn. We wish to try."
It would be too easy to kill this Invader, Sevai. That's what this guy called himself.
He smirked. There was a reason these creatures didn't like to have their antennae touched. Maybe it was time to find out why.
The Tallest reached for the Invader's antennae.
Sevai's whole body stiffened, and he squeezed his eyes shut as he craned his neck and turned his face away.
"Please Tallest... please..." Sevai begged, sounding much more frightened than he did before. "Not my antennae... please..."
Invaders were weak and pathetic. It was no wonder they needed a stronger more durable race to protect them.
"Quit sniveling," Red insisted as he rose to his feet. "It's gross."
The Invader's eyes opened, and he stared up at the Tallest. "I-I apologize..."
"Are your antennae touchy or something?" Red asked, ignoring the Invader's apology since it was annoying.
"I cannot say..."
"Well. Whatever," Red spoke, crossing his arms. "You're acting like you'll be crippled for life or something if I wreck them, so I'll just assume that's what happens."
The Invader was quiet for a few moments. "You are not incorrect in thinking that..." Then he asked: "may I sit...?"
"Go ahead."
Wincing, the Invader slowly dragged himself into a sitting position, making sure to mind his injured wings.
"Thank you..."
Red took a moment to study the Invader. Since he'd been so focused on causing bodily injury to the guy, he hadn't taken the time to really look at him.
There were black bands around the Invader's wrists, and one was also around his neck. The Invader's antennae were attached to his forehead and they didn't seem to move around very much.
"You're curious..." Sevai noted, offering a small weary smile. "What we need is time... time to talk... and perhaps even understand each other..." He sighed as he dipped his head. "But time isn't something we have..."
The Invader shifted his legs underneath him and attempted to rise to his feet.
This movement caused Sevai's injured wings to brush against the floor. He cringed and bit his lip.
Once he was standing he sucked in a breath and then he slowly picked his way over to some machinery sitting nearby.
The large cylinder thing he was reaching for looked smooth. It was a light grey color with blue light shining from some places.
"I have something I wish to give you... I am unable to show them to you using our technology... but they will likely be compatible with Vortian or Irken devices," the Invader spoke.
Sevai reached into the machine, and his hand passed through it as though it were liquid even though it appeared completely solid. He pulled out a few disks that resembled the ones the Irkens had found in their own archives.
"You realize I just stabbed you," Red reminded him. "Three times." The Tallest frowned. "Four times actually if you include the time we first met."
"Yes..." Sevai glanced over his shoulder at the holes in his wings before returning his attention to the Tallest. "The damage you inflicted was reasonable considering I lied to you... I hope you can forgive me for my role in bringing you here."
The Invader held the disks out.
"I want you to have these... they are records of your history."
Red's eyes narrowed as he looked down at the disks Sevai was offering. He took a step closer.
"You're giving me these?"
"That's correct."
The Tallest's antennae flicked forward then lowered again."Why?"
"Because my relatives were the ones responsible for altering your people... and I no longer have a use for the knowledge on these disks."
Red took them. He looked them over before placing the disks inside a storage compartment in the bands of his armour.
"We showed your kind nothing but cruelty and contempt..." Sevai spoke; his voice growing soft. He swayed a little and held his head. "Perhaps if we had shown the Irkens some compassion... your people would have learned compassion in return."
Red felt a familiar tinge of emotion. It was the same brief feeling he had when he was first activated and he so desperately sought something... some kind of authority figure maybe?
He didn't understand what it was at the time, and he didn't understand it now either.
Whatever this feeling was, it needed to be buried fast.
He crossed his arms and his antennae fell flat.
"There's no point in thinking about what could have happened..." Red decided. "The past is done... and time travel isn't really a thing."
"The consequences of doing such a thing could be catastrophic, so it is forbidden."
Red's antennae perked up. "You have a way to properly and accurately travel back in time?"
"Yes, assuming it isn't thousands of years into the past..." Sevai answered before repeating, "but it is forbidden."
"So... the reason you guys don't go back in time to kill us all off is because time travel is forbidden for you?"
"If you witnessed what happened the last time we attempted to travel back in time, then perhaps you would better understand... but to answer your question simply, yes."
The Invader obviously wasn't going to offer up anymore information about the topic.
Was the ship still moving? He couldn't feel any movement from it at all.
"Where is this ship headed right now?" Red asked.
If he could figure out their position, then maybe he would be able to call for some backup.
There were some Irkens who managed to escape being captured by the Invaders. They were still out there somewhere. He knew where at least one group of them were, but he was trying not to think about it just in case Sevai was using something to read his mind.
"It is currently on route to our prison planet," the Invader answered as he took a few careful steps towards the place the entrance had been. It reappeared when he drew close to it.
"You guys have a prison planet too?" Red questioned.
There were a lot of things he didn't know about the Invaders... he hadn't cared to know before. As far as his people and the Empire were concerned, the Invaders were their enemies.
He felt the same way, but Invaders were smart and had advanced technology, so it also wouldn't hurt to learn a little more about them.
"You need to leave before this ship reaches its destination," the Invader insisted. "Once it docks, you will not be able to escape any longer."
"Hold on."
Red took a quick look around the room before stepping past Sevai into the hallway. He looked in both directions; his antennae flicking forward to listen for any approaching footsteps.
There were none.
His antennae stood upright, then flattened, and his eyes narrowed. Why couldn't he hear anything?
"We've been talking for a while. Those guards or whatever should have found me by now... so where are they?"
"They were holograms..." Sevai explained as he stepped into the hallway. He leaned against the wall for support.
"I felt them," Red stated, raising a fist. He was sure he felt his punches connect.
"They were physical holograms."
Red uncurled his fingers and lowered his hand. "How does that work?"
Sevai sighed. The arm he was using to support himself was shaking.
"I would show you... but I am unable to use the technology on board this ship..."
His antennae were limp, and his shoulders sagged wearily.
"We are within scanning range of the prison. You must leave... I will show you the way out. Just be careful. I do not have any control over this ship, including its defense mechanisms."
Using the wall as a support, Sevai began to take slow deliberate steps forward while Red fell into step beside him.
The Invader's wings were still dragging on the ground. It looked like he didn't have any energy to hold them up properly.
There was a clear liquid dripping from the two puncture wounds. It was probably blood.
"Shouldn't you bandage your wings or something?" Red asked.
"I can move with these injuries," Sevai responded dismissively.
"Yeah sure, but you're moving like an outdated SIR prototype."
"When this ship docks, I will no longer have any use for these wings..." Sevai said, and he nearly missed a step.
He stopped and gripped the side of his head for a few moments. Then he began walking slowly again, making sure to take every step with care.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Please focus on the task at hand..."
"Says the slow guy," Red retorted, crossing his arms. "What are your wings even for?"
"They cannot be used for flight," Sevai told him. He was quiet for a little while. Then he continued, "they are used for balance and for gaining someone's attention."
"That was a disappointing explanation," Red immediately commented.
"May I ask what you were you expecting...?"
"Some kind of space flight. Propulsion to help you jump higher. Intimidation. Extra appendages for fighting with."
"I can understand why you are disappointed... however, the only other use I can think of is for temperature regulation purposes..."
Did he mean his wings could be used as a fan and or something?
That really didn't sound very impressive.
They came to a dead end, but when Sevai continued forward it transformed into another hallway, so they continued.
Sevai froze, then he turned to the Tallest.
"There are traps up ahead."
Red deployed his metal limbs and surrounded himself with his force field.
"I'll take care of it."
The only thing that he could trust to fight Invader technology was Invader technology... fortunately for him, Irken PAKs were exactly that.
There were hundreds of lasers, or things that looked like lasers. He was going to call them lasers regardless of what they actually were. There were also more hologram fighting things.
He was able to pass through everything and destroy what he could without too much difficulty, although he did end up losing power to his force field.
He looked around at the smashed up machine parts lying scattered on the ground.
One of his antennae felt like it was burning. He stuck two fingers into his mouth and used his saliva to put out the smouldering antennae. A laser must have grazed it.
"Are you alright?" Sevai questioned; his voice rising in concern. The Invader was leaning heavily against the wall, but he pushed himself away and stumbled towards the Tallest.
"Yeah," Red responded, placing a hand on his hip. "The lasers overwhelmed my force field though. Guess I shouldn't have attacked those machines directly."
He could have used one of the small missile launchers in his PAK. That could have worked since he doubted their ships were very fragile.
"You've injured your antenna.." Sevai noted; his glazed black eyes managed to focus on the Tallest's injured antenna.
Red touched it lightly. He winced. It was definitely burnt.
"Yeah, well, I'm not as fast as I used to be when I was when I was shorter."
"I apologize..." Sevai visibly deflated. "I wasn't of any help to you..."
"I didn't expect you to help," Red stated, bending his antenna back with one of his hands before flicking it forward and back. There was nothing wrong with its movement. "I stabbed you multiple times, remember?"
Even if this Invader wasn't injured, he doubted Sevai would be of much help. Holograms or not, none of the other Invaders had been able to properly defend themselves.
"...Then... if you are able... let's continue," Sevai said as he pressed on while avoiding stepping on the smashed devices in the hallway.
The Invader turned and entered a large room filled with interesting looking technology.
Red glanced at a few things as he entered: a big glowing somewhat round metal thing, a large empty slot attached to a base which was connected to a silvery white mechanical arm. This was linked to a tall cylinder thing. There were fleshy looking sacks hanging from the ceiling, and in the center of the room were some see-through tanks filled with a green liquid of some kind.
The rest of the technology melded together in his mind.
Sevai was walking towards a control panel which was next to a small platform. He stopped in front of it and began typing.
"I can only use this code once... so think very clearly about where you want to go."
"I already know where I'm going," Red told him.
He needed to be where his people were. Fortunately he knew where a group of them were gathering.
"Good... then please step onto the teleportation pad."
"That's all I need to do?" Red questioned, eyeing the Invader skeptically.
"I will type in the code... after this you will need to will yourself to your destination."
Why did it sound like this guy wasn't planning on escaping at all?
"Are you coming with me or what?" Red questioned.
Sevai flinched and lowered his head. "I cannot..."
"What if I said you wouldn't have to worry about me killing you?" he asked, raising his uninjured antenna.
"There is no time for an explanation..." Sevai responded.
Red sighed and rubbed his temples. Of course there wasn't any time. The Invader had been saying they didn't have any time for a while now.
He stepped onto the platform which was now glowing a faded blue colour, and he turned to face Sevai. Then a bunch of jagged blue and white lines of light formed a sphere around him.
"Thank you for trusting me..." Sevai spoke as he lifted his face and met the Tallest's impassive gaze. "I wish we had more time to talk. I really do."
Red shrugged. This was Invader technology, so he assumed Sevai knew what he was doing.
"This is goodbye," Sevai said as he leaned forward to flip a switch.
Red wasn't sure why he did what he did just then, but he had a sinking feeling he'd regret it if he didn't do it.
A cable sprang from his PAK and coiled around the Invader's midsection just as the teleporter was activated. Then he forcibly pulled Sevai into the sphere.
Perhaps it was simply a survival tactic. If this was another trap, Sevai would be forced to face it with him. That must be the reason.
Everything vanished in a bright flash of light.
When the Tallest opened his eyes, he was standing among his own people.
"My Tallest!" One of the nearby Irkens exclaimed.
"My Tallest!" Another one shouted.
This triggered a chain reaction, and soon every Irken in the vicinity was crowded around him.
Sevai really hadn't been lying.
"Yeah yeah, I'm back, so give me some good news," the Tallest spoke as he regarded a small group of Irk's Elite soldiers. His cable automatically withdrew back into his PAK."What are our numbers?"
"Invader Larb is leading a group of twenty-seven soldiers towards the outskirts of sector 23," one of the elite replied. "Grapa has fifteen civilians with him and is trying to reestablish communications with any surviving Jackers. Invader Flobee, Pesto, and Kim took thirty-one soldiers to the hive of Lorikks in order to secure a base there; we haven't been updated on their progress yet.
Invader Slacks managed to infiltrate Foodcourtia to rescue the Fry Lord, two of his employees and five others. Invader Stink and Invader Ei rescued 53 trainees from Devastis. They are currently with the surviving Plookesians who were camping near the Plookesian district. Invader Dooky and Sneakyonfoota secured 28 trainees off planet and were able to join the only surviving part of the Armada which still has roughly 100 soldiers, in hiding of course. Invader Chin got possession of Devastis' Control Brain, and he led another 22 trainees to safety.
Adviser Rarl Kove has taken several drones and a few other advisers underground on an unspecified moon near Boodie Nen. We are waiting for and update to confirm their exact location and numbers."
Another Irken invader continued: "Twelve guards from the conveyor belt planet are alive and are currently on the move. They said they will update us again as soon as they have a secure position. The guards positioned on the Empire's recently conquered planets are gathering near Bludon. When they checked in they numbered 20. There are also thirty of us here, and 11 drones from planet Dirt and other surrounding dirt planets are on route."
"We've cleared this area of all hostile lifeforms and set up an amplifier on that mountain over there," a different Irken that probably wasn't an elite said, and he pointed at the large amplifier sitting on top of a nearby mountain.
"And what's the number of ships remaining?" The Tallest questioned them.
"We have an estimated forty one of those left sir... most of them are Spittle Runners, but we also have a couple Shuuvers," the first elite soldier to speak answered. "We did collect the Big off planet Dirt like you asked... it's going to take a while to get the stink off of it though."
Their numbers were lower than what he' was hoping for...he rubbed his chin and frowned in thought. There had been several hundred Irkens on board the Invader's vessel, but they were all in the process of being reprogrammed.
"What would you like us to do with the Invader you captured sir?" One of the Irken soldiers asked as he prodded the Invader with his boot.
Sevai was lying face down on the barren rocky ground. He was probably unconscious since his eyes were closed and he wasn't moving at all.
If he stayed there he would probably burn to death in the sun.
The Tallest squared his shoulders as he looked over the small crowd who were pressing in for a closer look.
None of them had seen an Invader before. They were curious.
It was possible that being in close proximity like this would change their PAKs' programming, so they should be keeping their distance.
"I don't want any of you near him," the Tallest told his followers in a stern tone.
The elites and the regular soldiers all backed away from the injured Invader. Their loyalty was still with him... good. It probably took some time for their programming to change, though he still wasn't sure how it did that.
He summoned his PAK-legs when he saw Sevai beginning to stir.
The ground was too hot for anything to lie on for very long.
He moved closer until his shadow fell over the collapsed Invader.
Sevai's eyes opened half-way, and he immediately tried to prop himself up. His arms shook as he managed to turn his head a little.
"What did you do...?" he asked as his gaze lifted to the Tallest's face.
"I brought you with me," Red answered as a matter of fact.
"You shouldn't have done that..." Sevai spoke. He seemed to be struggling to keep himself from collapsing again. "My people will not react well to this breach of security."
Red laughed. He couldn't help it. Did Sevai even think about their situation before he spoke?
"They'll react badly?" he mocked. "Really? And what's that gunna look like exactly?"
He motioned towards his people who were standing nearby. They were looking at each other then their leader, confused about how they were supposed to respond.
"Are we going to be hunted down? Killed? Reprogrammed? Oh wait." He glared down at the Invader and pointed an accusing finger at him. "Your people are already doing that, and for some bizarre reason I can't imagine anything worse."
Sevai shrank under the Tallest's accusations.
"It will happen more quickly... they will send more people.. more ships..."
Red's metal limbs extended towards the Invader who immediately noticed this movement and braced himself.
Sevai's eyes shut tight and his body became rigid as the pointed tips pressed into his back and torso.
If he moved the sharp appendages would dig in deeper, though Red really had no interest in tormenting the guy at the moment.
"There's nothing I can do," Sevai's worried voice quieted even more as he was lifted off the ground.
"They will not listen... I'm sorry you went through the trouble of capturing me, but I cannot help you..."
"You aren't exactly well liked are you?" Red asked as he began to walk in the direction of a large building off in the distance. The Invader didn't respond, so he continued: "Your people have a whole bunch of technology, so I figured the stab wound I gave you earlier would have been healed already, but you still have it."
"How did you...?"
"I can tell because of how badly you've been moving around," Red answered before Sevai could finish asking his question.
Red turned back when he realized his people were following him.
"All of you stay here!" he commanded. "I'll speak with Sergeant what's-his-name and let you know what our next course of action will be."
His antennae flicked back.
"Right now I need a perimeter around the Fortress of Pain. Understood?"
His people responded enthusiastically.
"Yes sir!" "Right away my Tallest!" "Whatever you say sir!"
He started walking again. It was only when they were out of hearing range of the other Irkens that the Invader decided to speak.
"I no longer am worth anything to them... They will be insulted that I was captured, but they have no concern for my well-being... they will not care if you torture or kill me..."
"Don't act so short Invader. You're obviously worth something to whoever gave you that code you used."
"You noticed..." he inhaled deeply. "The sentiments of one will not matter to the counsel... but I understand if torturing me will help you alleviate your negative feelings..."
It sounded like this Invader was resigning himself to die a slow and painful death. As if he could be bothered to do that right now.
The Fortress of Pain was a pale dingy yellow-green colour that matched the dry rocky landscape surrounding it. The doors were tall, and both the front and sides of the building had long spikes sticking out of the walls. There was a single long window above the door, glowing red, and above that was another layer that had more spikes.
He'd never noticed it before, but the Fortress of Pain looked like a guy wearing armour and a helmet. Had it always been like that?
Red pushed on the doors. They were stuck. He shoved them a little harder and they opened.
He stepped inside hoping the Sergeant would be here, but he didn't seem to be around.
There was only a large hallway with a few supporting red pillars. The end of this hall opened up a little, and in the middle of this section was a circle in the floor surrounded by grey beams that were lined from top to bottom with spikes.
The fortress definitely wasn't the most welcoming place, but it did provide a slight bit of relief from the heat. If anything there was shade in here.
Carefully Red lowered the Invader onto the floor. Then he knelt down and used the pointed end of one of his metal limbs to tear a line through Sevai's shirt. He peeled the fabric away from the stab wound in the Invader's chest.
It was covered with bandages that were drenched in pale green blood.
Red's good antennae twitched. "If I stabbed you any harder, you'd be extremely dead right now."
The Invader needed new bandages. Well... that was the least Sevai needed anyway.
He would get his followers to find some later.
His attention switched to Sevai's nearest wing. It was bent, so he grabbed the edge of it and pulled to straighten it out.
Sevai winced and sucked in a breath.
"I have received enough medical aide to keep me alive..." the Invader murmured.
"To keep you alive in prison," Red concluded. "That's where you were headed."
"Yes..."
"What would've happened if I let you go there?" He asked.
He wanted to know if his seemingly impulsive decision to bring Sevai with him had been the right move.
The Invader became quiet for a few moments.
"I cannot..." Sevai trailed off quickly.
Red dragged a hand down his face.
"If you say you "cannot say,"or any variation of that, I'll smack you," he warned the Invader. "It's not like I'm asking you where it is or how to deal with the security or anything. I'm asking you a personal question."
"Then... to answer your question honestly... I would have had my wings removed and I would have kept all the injuries I sustained breaking our laws..."
Sevai shifted uncomfortably as he stared up at the ceiling.
"I would have been imprisoned for the rest of my life... and perhaps in the near future I would contribute to my society as an experiment to further their more morally obscure projects."
"That makes a lot more sense than just throwing you into a star," Red spoke, rubbing his chin.
There was no point in wasting resources. Prisoners were worth more alive than they were dead if they were still able to contribute something.
"We have more time now, so you can explain," he pointed to a black band on one of the Invader's wrists. "What's that thing?"
Sevai slowly lifted the arm the Tallest was indicating.
"These devices keep me from making any movements that could be deemed hostile or violent in nature."
Red grabbed the guy's wrist, and Sevai's eyes widened and he let out a startled gasp.
"Please... don't..." the Invader whimpered as he tried uselessly to pull his hand from the Tallest's grip. "It will harm us both if you try to remove it..."
Red let go, and the Invader drew both of his hands close to his body.
"You can't defend yourself at all right now, can you?" the Tallest questioned.
"Yes... That is correct..."
Should he try provoking the guy a bit to see if he was telling the truth? He studied the Invader for a few moments. Sevai really didn't look well enough to fight back, even without those move hindering devices.
Red stood up and stretched his arms behind his back. There was no point in testing the Invader's words right now. He'd have plenty of time to do that later.
"I'll go see if I can find you some bandages."
The Tallest headed for the entrance at a slow pace. He paused in the doorway and glanced over his shoulder.
"Do you want anything else?" he asked.
"Will you be long...?" Sevai mumbled,keeping his eyes adverted.
"Since it looks like all of the crazy violent creatures around here are gone, it shouldn't take me very long."
Red stepped out into the hot sun and looked around at the barren landscape. His followers had killed many of the dangerous lifeforms living here... even so, there was always a chance something could crawl up out of the ground and attack Sevai while he was away.
That's why he pushed the large solid doors closed.
Author's Notes: Sevai got his wish, so why doesn't he seem more excited about it?
Also I crunched the numbers and there seems to be 369 Irkens and counting that haven't been captured or altered. That's not really a lot, but they were able to evacuate a couple of the Control Brains too so they're not completely decimated.
After this chapter there's a shift in perspective and probably the tone, and even though I originally meant to end this fic a long time ago, it just keeps going. Help me. Anyway, there will be a small hiatus while I try to fix up the next installment: "Understandings." That should be the final one, but then I also said the same thing about "Misunderstood" and just look what happened to it... whoops.