Lost Information
He felt like he was floating... everything seemed so far away and hazy.
Someone was talking, and then he felt something touching his arm.
A hand probably? Was he lying down?
The sweet blissful haze lifted, and he was struck by the cold hard reality of... he couldn't remember.
Why did his eyes hurt so much? He blinked a few times to clear his vision. Then he turned his head a little to see who or what exactly was touching him.
It was an Irken.
"Gah!" He bolted up and yanked his arm away. "Who are you what!?" He asked, looking around.
He was in some kind of room... and it didn't seem to have a lot in it... it wasn't really big either... was this a closet?
Why would he be in a closet?
"Laes, calm down," the Irken spoke. "You're safe now."
"You know my name!?" Laes exclaimed in confusion, staring wide-eyed at the Irken. "Who are you!? What is this place!?"
"It's me Laes," the Irken said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's Bandeval. I look like this because my data is operating this body, remember?"
Laes shook his head no. "I don't know anything like that! Just..." He rubbed his aching eyes.
Why were they hurting so much? They were really dry and scratchy feeling. It felt like he had gotten sand in them or something...
Shloot. He shouldn't be yelling this rudely at an Irken... he was probably going to get punched in the face now.
It kind of felt like he'd already been punched in the face...
"I'm going to give you some time to calm down..." the Irken, Bandeval, said as he rose to his feet. He turned away and walked towards the entrance... exit. There was only one door. "I'll have someone check on you in a little while, ok?"
The Irken stepped out of the room, leaving him alone with a barrage of thoughts. His brain was thinking very quickly... if there was an Irken that meant he was probably in their custody... but he was pretty sure he'd been in someone else's custody just a little while ago... so... ah... he gripped his aching head and cringed.
He needed to slow down and focus on one thought at a time.
Did the door just disappear...?
Right now he should be dealing with the most concerning thought... where was he right now...? Since the door was gone he couldn't get up and start wandering around either, not that he would've even if he had the option.
It sounded like the Irken wanted him to wait because someone was going to check on him. Another Irken probably?
The door reappeared, and a Vortian entered the room.
There were Vortians here too? Wait... this place was a silver-ish colour. Maybe he was on Vort then?
The Irkens were occupying it weren't they? So it would make sense both Irkens and Vortians would be here.
"How are you feeling?" The other Vortian asked as he approached.
Laes stared at him. This guy was wearing clothes that definitely looked Vortian, but they were a bit... extreme? Was that the right word? Also he should probably stop staring at him.
Dropping his gaze, Laes decided to take a moment to admire the floor. "Well... um...I'm pretty confused," he admitted.
"Do you remember what happened... or how you got here?"
"Ah... yes..." Laes rubbed the back of his head and offered a rueful smile. "I must have uh..." he couldn't remember what happened no matter how hard he tried to...
This person standing beside his cot did look kind of familiar though... did they go to the same school maybe?
"Done something..." he added lamely when he realized this person was waiting for him to finish his response.
Then someone else came into the room and his mind blanked even more somehow. This person looked a lot like those people who... he held his head again. Cripes. Why did it have to hurt so much?
A lump formed in his throat and his chest constricted. He was scared. Something happened to him but he couldn't remember what it was.
"Laes... can you recognize me?" This person had a soft sounding voice, and they were keeping their distance while also standing in a relaxed and completely non-threatening way.
He let go of his head. "Um... no... but..." he glanced at the other Vortian quickly before looking up at the ceiling then back down at the floor. "You look like... um... I don't know... the um..."
He rubbed his temples. His head was aching worse than before. It felt like he was getting a migraine.
"Laes...?" the other Vortian was talking to him again. "Are you alright?"
Something about those words seemed very familiar...wait! He was pretty sure he used to work with the guy in a lab or something.
What was his name though?
It started with an M or an N probably... or maybe a T? Terri? He kind of looked like a Terri.
"They've disconnected his memories..." the tall greenish blue insect guy commented quietly.
Hopefully someone would say that person's name soon so he could stop thinking of them as 'the insect guy.'
The stranger was a guy right? He sounded like a guy, although some races sometimes had deeper voices than others.
"They did?" Laes questioned, frowning. "But I don't remember... oh."
Of course he wouldn't remember if they got rid of his memories... but what memories were gone exactly...? He wouldn't know unless the people around him told him.
"Veena is currently working on restoring the Irken's PAKs... this includes their memory drives..." the Vortian whose name probably wasn't Terri spoke as he turned to the other person. "With some adjustments, it may be possible to adapt the program... I'll ask the medical team."
"I will assist you in whatever way I can," the insect guy offered.
"Sorry but..." Laes tapped his fingers together. "Can I get your names?"
Both of them stared at him wordlessly for a moment.
Then the other Vortian spoke: "my name is Lard Nar."
"And mine is Sevai," the winged alien said.
Lard Nar? Wow he'd been really wrong about his name. It was a good thing he didn't try guessing the other guy's.
"Why did your people erase his memories?" Lard Nar asked, turning to Sevai. "What does it accomplish exactly?"
"I cannot say for certain..." Sevai admitted, rubbing his chin. "Delarla has always enjoyed inflicting unnecessary trauma on others..." his words petered out. His expression looked distant for a moment. Then he continued. "It would be a good idea to test him and see which memories are absent."
"Bann is trying to contact his parents... they'll be able to help us."
His parents...? He knew he had parents, but why wasn't he remembering their names or faces or anything about them at all?
He felt the colour drain from his face. There was no way he could forget his own parents... could he?
"Yes, but we can begin asking him questions now..." Sevai's large black eyes met his. "If you're feeling well enough to answer of course."
"Ah, yeah," Laes responded, forcing a smile.
"Then I'll begin..." Sevai spoke offering a much more natural smile. "What is the last thing you can recall?
"Well... I think... I was working on a project in a... prison I think?" Laes responded as he did his best to ignore his pounding headache. "The Irkens took over Vort... I remember that... and I was working on something... a weapon probably..."
"Do you remember your relatives?"
"Uhh..." Laes glanced up at the ceiling. "I know I have parents..." he offered as he looked past Sevai at where the door had been. It was gone again. "I don't remember their names... and... I think my granam is still alive, but I haven't seen her in a long time."
There was some family drama between her and his dad he really didn't want to get in to. He could remember that for some reason...of all things.
"Do you have any siblings?"
Laes frowned. Oh cripes. He clutched his head and whimpered a little. "I don't remember... maybe?"
"Sevai..." Lard Nar spoke; his voice was lower than it was before. He was scowling too. Was he angry?
"I apologize..." Sevai responded, bowing his head.
It was interesting how Sevai's antennae were on his forehead while Irkens had theirs on the back of their heads.
Was he staring? He let go of his head and looked away.
"I guess I've forgotten a lot of stuff, haven't I...?" he questioned unsure.
What else could he remember? The stupid smiley face virus. Why would he remember something like that, but not his own family members?
He managed a smile."It can be fixed right? It's not like all of my memories are gone."
"Fortunately it doesn't seem like the process was completed," Sevai told him, raising his head so his gaze could meet his again. "You should regain some memories on your own... this is likely due to Vortians being more intelligent than we predicted... still, it's a good thing Bandeval took action when he did and forced their hand, otherwise the damage would have been much more severe and likely permanent."
"Can you help him?" Lard Nar asked, and Sevai turned to regard the other Vortian.
"I can try... however I'm not very useful without having access to my peoples' technology... or the knowledge of how to use it..." his expression fell. "Some of my memories were completely removed, so I honestly don't know how much help I will be able to offer..."
"Your memories were erased too?" Laes questioned him wide-eyed. "But... why? You're ah..." And his words were gone. This was going to happen a lot wasn't it?
"Your people call mine 'Invaders," Sevai responded, offering him another smile. "And while mine have been completely removed, it seems most of yours are either blocked or disconnected. It is a less invasive and harmful procedure... in time most of your memories should return on their own."
This guy seemed to smile quite a bit. Maybe he was friendly then. Also... how did Sevai know what was wrong with his brain exactly...? Did he figure it out just by asking those questions?
"And while it's rare that my people erase one of our own's memories... specific situations require it to be done," the Invader concluded.
"Wow, it's no wonder you guys are called Invaders then if you guys are that invasive even to each other," Laes commented.
Then he realized he said that out loud so he covered his mouth and ducked his head in shame.
Where had that come from?
An awkward moment of silence passed before Sevai responded.
"I suppose that's one way of looking at it... but as I said, it's very rare that we erase each other's memories... often the process is reserved for overly hostile beings who wish to cause us harm... in that instance, it's better they forget about us than to fight a war they will ultimately lose."
"Heh," the same Irken from before scoffed. He was standing in the doorway.
Oh. The door was back. Wait... How long had he been there?
"No matter how many memories your people alter, your species is going to get crushed some day," Bandeval stated.
"There is always that possibility," Sevai readily agreed. "This is why we do not make enemies lightly..."
"Well the leader of your current enemies will be dropping by any minute," the Irken stated with a smirk. "He wants you for some reason. The Control Brains only know why."
Sevai stiffened. "Oh... is that so...?"
"This isn't the time for that Bandeval," Lard Nar interjected. He motioned at Laes. "We need Sevai's help to bring back Laes' memories."
"You heard him. His own memories were erased," Bandeval crossed his arms. "He doesn't have any important knowledge anymore." He smirked again. "In fact, I probably have more information about his people's technology and scientific methods than he does." His eyes narrowed at Sevai. "Isn't that right?"
"I do not know what knowledge you have acquired..." Sevai began, but he was cut-off.
"Do you want me to go through it all right now?" Bandeval questioned him strongly.
The Irken sounded aggravated. He strode towards the Invader with his antennae lowered and his hands clenched.
"The more people who know about your kind's disgusting experiments the better."
Lard Nar stepped in between them, facing the angry Irken.
"What are you doing?" he asked with a scowl. "Laes is sitting right there."
"Um... yes... I'm still here..." Laes offered, giving a small wave.
He wasn't sure why that mattered, but he really hoped he wouldn't have to see any violence right now since he was still trying to piece everything together. He definitely knew Lard Nar from work, but the other two... he had no recollection of them at all.
"A random Irken is going to punch a random alien in the face, that's all this is to him," Bandeval practically growled. He glanced at Laes who was staring at him. "Or can you say you remember me?"
"No, sorry..." Laes admitted fidgeting with the blanket. "But I still don't like the idea of anyone punching anyone in the face..."
"If you wish to strike me... then perhaps we should step out into the hallway..." Sevai suggested, keeping his head lowered and his voice quiet.
Why would anyone offer to let someone punch them in the face?
Laes buried his face in his hands.
"See? You're upsetting him," Lard Nar stated. He let out a sigh. "I know you're angry... I'm not happy about this situation either... but what happened to Laes isn't Sevai's fault."
"Yeah maybe, but he sure wasn't a whole lot of help either."
Clack clack clack
Bandeval's boot steps through the hallway sounded really familiar...
Laes tensed when he heard that sound. The guards boot-steps all sounded like that... was Bandeval an Irken a guard maybe?
Was he supposed to know Bandeval? He really couldn't remember... maybe he wasn't trying hard enough?
He lowered his hands and looked at Sevai.
The Invader was holding the side of his head and looking down at the floor with a troubled expression on his face.
"Were you really going to let him hit you...?" he asked, and the Invader's eyes lifted.
"Yes," Sevai answered.
"Why?"
"Because it would have been the quickest way to appease his anger."
"Oh."
"You don't need to tolerate his behaviour," Lard Nar told Sevai. "You're not the enemy."
Sevai continued smiling.
"Thank you for your kind words... but it's fine... Bandeval is just upset by the current situation... his elevated emotions are to be expected."
"Yeah, the guy's gotten a lot more hot-headed since he became a computer virus," someone spoke from the hallway.
That's funny... there hadn't been any other footstep sounds.
A different Irken entered the room. He was floating. Also he was wearing red and black armour that kind of resembled Tallest Miyuki's armour except hers had been a deep purple colour.
Were those spikes on his shoulder plates?
This must be the new Tallest! Well...newer... he'd probably been the Tallest for a while already.
Irk's current leader was likely the one who captured Vort and enslaved everyone too.
Oh cripes... he was shaking for some reason... why was he doing that...?
His breathing stopped. He looked at Sevai and Lard Nar for direction. Both of them seemed tense which really wasn't helping his anxiety at all.
This Tallest was probably dangerous then, but he couldn't hide now... the Tallest already knew he was here.
"Even I don't know what to do with him," the Irken's leader shrugged.
The Tallest's crimson eyes fell on Laes who felt like crawling under the blanket, but it was already too late to hide. He kept telling himself that, but it wasn't stopping him from wanting to hide anyway...
At least Irk's ruler didn't look angry, so maybe he wouldn't enslave or injure anyone right now.
Laes swallowed the lump in his throat before remembering to breathe again. His stomach was in knots. Why was he reacting like this?
"I'm impressed you're still alive after being taken by the Invaders," The Tallest narrowed an eye at him. "Did they do anything weird to you?"
"Uh... m-memory loss?" Laes managed to respond. He was trying really hard not to cower.
"Eh. That's not too bad."
Laes felt very relieved but also kind of guilty when the Tallest's attention turned to Sevai. "You're coming with me by the way, and no, you don't have a choice."
"I understand..." Sevai replied, keeping his head lowered.
"Oh, and before I forget," the Tallest looked down at Lard Nar who was watching him intently. "I still don't like you very much, but I thought you'd want to know that I saw one of your resistance ships flying around the Quinel district."
"If you saw it, then it wasn't theirs," Lard Nar stated, locking eyes with the Tallest.
"Believe whatever you want," Irk's leader shrugged and turned away. "It doesn't matter to me."
The Tallest left the room with Sevai following obediently behind him.
Resistance...? Laes stared at Lard Nar.
This guy was his coworker right...? What did the Tallest mean by resistance?
Wait... was he apart of that kind of thing too? Was that why he was in prison before? Was that also why he was terrified of the Empire's current leader?
Laes stared intently at Lard Nar who sighed.
"You're not involved in anything illegal..." his former coworker assured him.
Laes faltered. How did Lard Nar know what he was thinking?
Notes: Lard Nar doesn't really trust the Tallest about anything to do with the Resisty, which is why that conversation understandably went nowhere.