Okay, for this chapter, Purple will be called Kas or Kasden because that's how Jendai always knew him and that's how he's going to always think of him. Okay? Onward!
Chapter 4
"You lost yourself, in your search to find
something else to hide behind.
The fearful always preyed upon your confidence
Didn't they see the consequence?
They pushed you around.
The arrogant build kingdoms made of the different ones..."
-Lifehouse, "Simon."
"Where's my bees?" a high-pitched voice interrupted. GIR strode into the room, ignoring the fact it had just walked in on its master and Jendai's conversation. "I want my bees!" It stopped, distracted by the flash of lights hitting Jendai's gin bottle as the tall Irken took a long drink. "Pretty colors, big master!" GIR squealed, leaping onto Jendai and proceeding to purr with happiness. "Do it again, big master!"
This brought a slight smile to the weary face. GIR purred louder, wrapping its arms around Jendai's thin waist. "Sure, GIR," he said quietly. "Watch or you won't see the colors." This got the robot's attention. It looked up instantly, azure eyes wide with interest. Jendai lifted the bottle, being sure to let it flash for a few moments in the light, and took another gulp. The effect made GIR shriek in pleasure before settling down into a purr again, curling into a ball on the blue-eye's lap. "This is a great piece of robot personality you've got here, Zim," Jendai said, his mechanic's eye appraising GIR the whole while. "Maybe it doesn't obey all the time, but its character's something AI-Programmer Students have been trying to work towards for the longest time..."
"Yes, it's an advanced model designed especially for me," Zim answered, beaming. He took a good look at the little robot curled, purring, in Jendai's lap. A moronic smile was pasted to its face, giving GIR an air of absolute contentment as it was patted gently by the tall Irken's hands. "Although sometimes I wonder."
GIR jumped up suddenly. "I'm gonna roll around on the floor for a while, kay?" Without waiting for permission, it proceeded to roll in a circle on the cold floor. After a few moments, it jumped up, shouting, "Leprechauns!" and ran out the door.
"That's advanced...?" Jendai wondered aloud.
"The Tallest told me so, yes," Zim replied. He paused at the strange look in the tall Irken's eyes. "Why do you cringe every time someone mentions them?" When Jendai's antennae drooped, he went on bluntly. "They come into this as well, do they not?"
"Yes... They do..."
~ ~ ~
"Get out," a Soldier's voice snapped as others pushed him from behind. He could hear them muscling Leeri and several other Students Jendai didn't recognize along as well. Everyone was cuffed at the hands and ankles, while their back pods had been disabled with a chip implanted inside. The prisoner transport had taken them directly to the outskirts of the city, about as far away from everything he remembered as they could. It was dark out now, Irk's three moons lighting up the sky almost as well as the sun was able to. Millions of stars still glowed beyond the reach of the three crescents. He turned his face briefly upwards, enjoying the cool caress of the night breeze as it rustled gently through his antennae. Nearly all Irkens were almost innately in love with the stars after the hundreds of years of space exploration behind them. The Soldier behind him saw his slight pause. He shoved the tall Irken roughly from behind. Jendai stumbled forward, nearly falling on his face. It didn't seem to matter to these idiots that he now towered over them. He was a part-however unwilling-of a movement against the Soldiers' commanders, and therefore the enemy.
And enemies must be destroyed.
They continued to bully him and his fellow Students along. He stood out horribly among the other Irkens. His Class looked up at him, as if wanting him to break free of the bonds, liberate them and lead them onto glory against the Soldiers. Jendai looked away. He wasn't a leader and never would be. The students were marched through the lazer secured doors of the penitentiary and into a large elevator. Jendai noticed, with a strange detachment, how heavy the security was. Another thing that struck him was the number of Student prisoners locked away within the heavily bolted and lazer-locked doors. Leeri noticed it too, looking up at him with sorrow in her eyes. The elevator stopped, allowing the Soldiers and the other Students to disembark. They took Leeri with them. She barely had time to glance back at him before the doors closed and Jendai was on his way up once more.
He felt numb. Everything was happening so fast. Leeri was gone forever... everyone was gone. He felt alone. His antennae drooped. This did not go unnoticed by the Soldiers still left guarding him. They snickered. "Afraid, O Tallest?" one sneered. "Does the thought of life imprisonment and possible death frighten you?"
"Maybe he needs his little Student weakling friends around to help," another suggested mockingly. "I bet if all of them got together, they'd actually have a spine."
The insults... the mocking... the hatred... He remembered it all too clearly. Jendai took a deep breath, trying to maintain his calm. He tried not to let his head hang, tried to keep a straight face. This brought a few laughs from the Soldiers, but more glares.
"Stupid, uppity Students!" someone growled, smacking Jendai in the leg with the barrel of his blaster. The tall Student winced, but stayed standing. Only his wrist cuffs prevented him from massaging the soon-to-be bruise. "Too important for their own good."
"If it were up to me," the one who'd called Jendai "Tallest" said. "I'd kill every last one of them. Starting with this one." He aimed his blaster at Jendai's forehead, mimicking firing a blast. "He's a threat anyway, if his height ever got out. Why not just, POW! one through the head?"
"You'll get your pleasure with the short ones," his buddy answered. "Guard Sen said the Tallest want this one alive for questioning." He examined Jendai's frame and his ragged clothing skeptically. "Looks starved. Doubt he'll last a week."
The others agreed, chuckling to themselves.
Finally, the elevator stopped, letting them out. Jendai was hauled forward again, this time with much more force. Whenever he stumbled on the rough floor of the dark cell row, they hit him with their weapons. He wanted to lash out, to slice their ugly Soldier faces open with his robotic legs. But he was at their mercy. The walk was filled with the cries of those imprisoned within the metallic walls. They called to Jendai, cheered and even screamed at him. It was nearly impossible to ignore them. Eventually, they reached an empty cell at the end of the row. One of the Soldiers opened the door with the correct pattern of codes and timing of DNA scans. The doors were double-layered, and crisscrossed with more lazers than he could count. His captors shoved him in, sniggering as his freakishly long legs gave out, sending him reeling to the hard ground. One moved forward, roughly ripping the wrist and ankle cuffs off, but not removing the chip from his back pod. "Welcome to your quarters, Tallest," they snickered. The doors slammed shut, lazers turning themselves on, locking him in.
He didn't rise from his sprawled position on the floor. It was easier to see everything from this height anyway. His cell had a single, lazer barred window, which shed a pale shaft of moonlight into the darkness. A small bench was pushed up beneath it. In the corner, a curtain hid what was probably all he got for a bathroom. Without a sound, he dragged himself up on the bench, folding his legs under him to enable himself to sit. So, this misery was to be his life now? This was what he would be forced to look at, day after long, boring day? He wondered if it was possible to burn to death with one of the lazers.
He wondered what Leeri was doing. Wondered where she was. Wondered if she was thinking the same thoughts as he. It was easier to accept the fact that he may never see her again than he'd thought. The anger he still harbored towards her probably kept him from feeling too much. What was harder was the prospect of never seeing Min, Kaml or Lidge again. They would probably never know what had happened to him. And poor Min... little Min... with his innocent gray eyes... what would happen to him?
Jendai leaned against the slimy wall, feeling fatigue creep up on him. It was probably the best thing now... sleep. He closed his eyes, giving into his weariness.
Sunlight. Bright, glaring sunlight. Sunlight and the sound of the doors opening. Jendai woke up instantly, slowly uncurling from his cramped position. A Soldier marched in, her purple uniform spotless. She thrust something in a bowl onto the floor and glared at him. Probably envious of his height, no matter that it was wrongly achieved. Tall was tall. "You have one hour to make yourself spotless, Student filth," she snapped at him. "You have the honor of an audience with the Almighty Tallest today." Her antennae twitched inwards. "Hurry it up!" With that, she left, the doors locking behind her.
Spotless? He glowered. "Well, well, well," he muttered sarcastically. "Better get myself cleaned up for the great Tallest." The shirt was the first thing to go. Even after the night imprisoned and the rough handling, he was relatively clean. His pants could stay, but everything else was far too ragged for his audience. The discarded garments and boots were shoved under the bench for whatever use he could get out of them later. Naked to the waist, the muscles of his olive-green chest exposed, he stretched nimbly in the patch of sunlight. The stone felt cool and good against his bare feet. Whatever Leeri had given him had improved his overall feeling immensely. He just hoped it would last a while. One couldn't afford to be sluggish or weak around Soldiers.
Bored now, he decided to go over all the necessary parts to a light battle-cruiser engine system in his head. It took him a matter of seconds. Scratch one idea... To pass the time, he decided he'd work some on his punches, to get his new body used to his fighting. Picking a position in the sun patch, he lined up with his shadow and threw a few swift punches. His other arm blocked the ones his shadow threw. Soon, he was able to picture his shadow as one of the Soldiers he hated so much, and the fists flew stronger, faster and became more frenzied, a tight smile drawn over pale lips.
The doors opened again, breaking him out of his fighting trance. He turned to see his escort entering, weapons drawn. Half of them approached him, holding out the wrist and ankle cuffs. Jendai stood perfectly still, not giving them the satisfaction of a struggle. Soldiers had apparently changed. They liked it when you fought back now, all the more pleasure to win and continue the torture. Once they had him cuffed, they marched him out of his cell and into the elevator. This ride passed without incident. Next, he was escorted out to the penitentiary transport that would be his ride into the heart of the city. He was roughly shoved in back as two Soldiers leapt in behind him. There was a jerk, as the transport started moving towards their destination.
Jendai had never been to the Tallest Complex, only seen pictures of it, or seen the tall spire from one of the windows in his apartment. He had never wanted to go anywhere near that place. And yet, in a cruel fate twist, he was headed there for a confrontation he'd never dreamed of having. Most Irkens always hoped deep in their mind to one day meet with the leaders of their race, the ones that dreamed of universal conquest. All except him. Albeit the fact that he was just their height now. Tall ones got you in trouble. They beat you to a green, bloody pulp. That was how it had always been to the mechanic. He hated himself as he was now. He wanted rip his legs off and return himself to how small he had been. But what would that do? It couldn't return things to how they had been. Everything was different now. Nothing had been left as it was; nothing was left untouched, left sacred. His head hung between his knees of its own accord. The transport hit a few air pockets that the patrols had missed, bouncing the Irkens inside around. The Soldiers cursed, blaming the bad airspace on Jendai. One smacked the side of his face with his blaster, opening a cut. The mechanic merely twitched an eye in response. They growled. The same one hit him again, this time across his back. He fell to the floor of the transport, all the memories of previous beatings and new information coming back to him. He kept still, letting the blows come. Eventually, they stopped, only to drag him out of the transport.
They had pulled into a docking bay on one of the upper levels of the complex. Fifty or so Elite Guards, one with blue-green eyes, heavily guarded it. "Ah," said the one with the mutant eyes. "So, we finally meet one another, Student." He marched up to Jendai, looking up at his bruised and bloodied face and torso. A look of disgust filled his aqua-colored eyes. "Tried to kill yourself, I see," Sen said. "Well, there'll be none of that here. You have the honor of meeting with the leaders of our Empire." Sen's robotic legs emerged, lifting him up to Jendai's height. His face came within an antenna's width of the mechanic's. "And they do so despise blood on their carpet." He motioned to the other Guards, returning to a standing position. "Take him to the Tallest."
The Guards moved around him in formation, shoving him forward. Jendai tried not to limp as he walked. There was a thick carpet on the floor that almost made walking a pleasure. He tried to take his mind off what was about to happen by studying the layout of the complex. High, vaulted ceilings made you feel small while, emphasizing the heights of others. Holo-photos of pervious leaders were towards the ceiling, generated by floating disks. Jendai felt a sudden longing to take one of the things apart to study. His fingers twitched with the feeling, which he curbed. All décor was done in shades of red and purple, as was the custom for the complex. He could barely imagine living in such a grand place-and this was only the hallway. He wondered where the transports were kept... This thought kept him occupied for the rest of the march. The sound of orders barking out snapped him from his reverie. His eyes widened at the sight of the huge doors that had seemingly materialized before him. How big did these architects think the Tallest got? In fact, the tallest leader of Irk in history had only stood six and a half feet. The doors swung open, revealing the room inside.
Half was red, half was purple. There were two of everything; two staircases leading up to two platforms. Windows flooded the large-scale room with light, making everything stand out starkly against the walls. Smaller Irkens, most likely scholars to record the events, ran around, standing at intervals on the staircase and behind the platform's dual podiums with their datapads in hand.
Jendai swallowed heavily before he was pushed onto a small circular platform. Bars came up around the edge, penning him in. The Guards surrounded him, Sen in front. They stood there for a very long time, waiting for the leaders to arrive. Jendai's antennae twitched nervously at every sound, hoping each wasn't the one he was waiting for. The windows suddenly vanished, sending the room into darkness. A light flicked on directly above Sen, focused beam not allowing any stray patches flicker across to illuminate anything else. Some Irken lights were built to illumine only what the Irken who turned them on wished to, it was a fairly recent development that was usually reserved for tall ones. The Elite Guard captain knelt, his antennae falling flat in submission. His forehead brushed the ground, neck stretched out so that if he displeased his superiors, he could be decapitated by a swift flick of a robotic leg. High above them, shrouded in shadows, there was a muted whispering and a hissed order to be quiet. Another grumble came before the first words were directed at them. "Yes, what is it this time Sen?" came a familiar, bored voice. In the dark, Jendai looked up towards the voice's source. Two dark silhouettes were standing on the platform; the only thing different about them was the color of their glowing eyes. He knew that smooth, polished voice. Knew that calm, too-proud stance. Knew those eyes. But the cool aloofness in them stunned him. He kept quiet, shrinking back against the bars and forcing himself to look unafraid, to take deep, calming breaths.
It was almost too much for his tattered mind to bear, seeing those eyes again.
"My Lords Tallest," Sen said, his voice somewhat muffled by both his cloth mask and the floor he was speaking into. "I bring to you the object that the Coalition created to overthrow you and gain control of the Empire."
Faintly, Jendai heard a rougher, deeper voice whisper from above, "What Empire? We only own about six planets so far." He could see the silhouette with the red eyes turn to the other as it spoke. The other glared at it before speaking to Sen. "Show it to us, and make it fast, we have a card game to get back to."
"And I was winning!" cheered the red-eyed Tallest.
Sen seemed to bow lower as the light faded from around him and began to illuminate Jendai. There were gasps from the scholars gathered around the stairs, murmurs of surprise flickering through them. "This, my Tallest," Sen continued from the darkness. "is the Student Irken whom the growth serum was used upon. As you can easily see, he is horribly overgrown for a worthless piece of Student refuse."
The platform Jendai stood on rose into the air, the light following him along. Soon, he was level with the top of the platform the Tallest stood upon. He looked the silhouette on his right straight in its eyes, not even bothering with the other. The purple-eyed Tallest's gaze softened as he recognized Jendai. His look soon changed as he scowled down at Sen.
"You forget, Guard," the purple-eyed Tallest snapped defensively. "that a worthless piece of Student refuse is your superior!"
"I am sorry, my Tallest," Sen gushed hurriedly. He began to try and improve his failing position in the only way a Soldier was taught to. "I will not let it happen again. We guards forget easily that you are a Student. You are such a perfect leader that it is easy for one to do so."
Purple eyes narrowed. "You had better not let it happen again, because-"
"Because he doesn't like you," the red-eyed one added for what he thought was help. "And I don't either. Anyway, why do we have to worry? The Coalition's all squashed now. Let's just execute this clown and get the whole thing over with so we can get back to our card game."
Jendai felt his blood run cold. His eyes pleadingly fell on the purple-eyed Tallest, trying to find some way he could live through this mess. He nodded slightly, the barest flick of an antenna visible. "I'm going to keep this one here for a while, Red," the purple-eyed one said. "You can go back to the card game or your lazers, but I have a few things I need to clear up with this... trash."
There was a few second of silence. Red muttered to himself before replying. "Yeah, sure, whatever," he said. The Soldier Tallest left to attend to business, most of the Guards following him.
"Go on, the rest of you, out," the remaining Tallest ordered. "I doubt he's a threat to me."
Boots scurried against the floor as the remaining Guard and the scholars departed. The light above Jendai vanished, rendering the room black. He felt the platform he stood on sink down to the floor, bars vanishing. It locked back in place as the windows reappeared where they once had been. Light flooded the room, momentarily blinding the mechanic. When his vision cleared, Jendai stood face to face with the purple-eyed Almighty Tallest. The co-leader of the Empire cocked his head as he noticed the bruises and cuts smeared across Jendai's olive-green face. "They beat you?" he asked, a long, claw-like finger reaching out to poke at one of the cuts.
"Didn't you feel it?" Jendai replied curtly. "Or did that change too?"
The purple eyes winced. "Good one," he said. His antennae twitched backwards as the Tallest's head shook. "No, I felt it. I just hoped you fell down the stairs or something."
"Hah, you wish," the blue-eye retorted. "Those idiots who brought me here blamed the bad air patrol on me and decided to take out their frustration." He studied the Irken before him. "What do you want me to call you now? Better yet, what am I supposed to? Tallest? Almighty Purple? What?"
"Please, 'Dai," he spread his arms in a plaintive gesture. "No formalities. It's just us again. No Guards, no none else."
Jendai folded his arms as best he could over his bare chest, frowning slightly. "You don't look like Kas anymore," he said teasingly, his look lightening. "I can hardly recognize you with the dress."
Kasden blushed. "It wasn't my idea," he protested. "It's a Tallest thing, I guess. I seriously miss pants." He fingered the body armor that was the usual dress for a Tallest. "It's weird." His eye caught what remained of his friend's pants. "What's with the cutoff look?"
"I grew," Jendai sighed, spreading his arms. "You heard about the Coalition. This is what they did." He felt weak as he slowly tried to explain. "They invented a growth serum that would only-"
"Hold on," Kasden stopped him. "You look like you're about to faint." He held out an arm for Jendai to lean on. "You can explain everything in my quarters. No one except Red, me and a few Guards are allowed in there unless I say so."
"That's one good thing about power," Jendai mumbled as he leaned heavily on his old friend. "Nobody bothers you."
This earned him a laugh. The two made their slow way out of the audience chamber, earning quick, confused glances from the Guards and Students. The complex's huge scale slowly began to overwhelm Jendai, despite his guide's absolute calm. Once or twice, he stumbled on the thick carpet, his ankle cuffs tripping him up. On these instances, he nearly pulled Kasden down with him. Various Irkens rushed over to help up their leader, ignoring the sprawled blue-eye on the ground. Kasden had to help him up before shouting at the Guards or Students. After many elevator rides and long treks through huge hallways that made even Kasden look small, the duo arrived on the top level of the complex. The thick carpet parted, half of it turning purple, the other half turning red. Both sides led to huge doors, which Jendai guessed led to the different living quarters of the Tallest. Kasden helped him through the purple door. Once inside, the ex-scholar leaned against the door, chuckling and panting to himself. "I forgot how strong you are, 'Dai," he laughed. "You almost pulled my arm out of its socket!"
Jendai didn't answer. The scale of Kasden's new home dazed him. The wall before him was one long window, showing the skyline of the southern part of the city. High quality armchairs and tables sat in a sunken semi-circle that was opened towards the view. Lights were placed at the best intervals to help the occupant see best. To his left was a huge wall of books and piles of disks, evidence of Kasden's scholar learning. On his right, stairs led up to the upper levels of the quarters. Rich, luxurious rugs covered most of a purple-swirled marble tiled floor. Everything was elegant and perfectly suited for a Tallest. It was stunning. He stumbled over to the window, pressing his face against the glass-like substance. Distant hills were dark against the light, mid-morning sky. Far below him, buildings shimmered like heat waves, transports weaving through them on their routes. "Beautiful isn't it?" Kasden asked from behind him. Jendai turned his head to see the Tallest sinking into an armchair. He sighed, leaning his chin on his wrist guard, his fingers gently drumming against his chin. "You should see it at night." His free hand gestured at the empty seat opposite him. "Sit down, 'Dai," he commanded. "You look like you're about to faint."
He did so, sinking gratefully into the soft chair. "Um, Kas?" Jendai asked, holding out his cuffed wrists and ankles. "Help?"
"Huh? Oh sure thing." A leg slid out of Kasden's back pod as he sat up, unlocking both cuffs with relative ease. Jendai sighed, rubbing his sore wrists. "I thought you guys didn't get to keep those," the mechanic muttered.
"I'm a Tallest. I get whatever I want." He waved his hand, signaling in the air. A bottle of some liquor was handed to him by a robotic arm, along with two lavishly sculpted crystal glasses. "Amrinae," he grinned. "Real rare nowdays." He nodded to the arm, which gave a glass to each Irken before pouring the green-tinted beverage into each. It retracted into the ceiling, leaving them alone. Jendai took a small sip, savoring the flavor. "Tastes familiar, doesn't it?" Kasden chuckled.
"That time behind the garbage unit?" Jendai asked suspiciously. The two of them had gotten into a lot of trouble for their quest to taste alcohol before they came of age.
Kasden shook his head. "That was ahki," he grinned.
"Must be where I got my taste for the stuff..." the mechanic mused. "When was this? My memory fails me."
"I can't believe you don't remember this one!" Kasden laughed. "Here, I'll give you a hint. Last day in the Nursery..."
Jendai groaned. "Oh sweet Irk," he mumbled, taking another sip. "Now I remember... But I wish I didn't."
"This is great, 'Dai," his friend grinned. "I thought I'd never hear from you again, and now you end up tall like me." Kasden raised his glass triumphantly. "By the First Tallest, you don't know how great it is to see you again."
He was quiet for a moment. "It's good to see you too, Kas. But, you act different now. More not Student-ish... more... I dunno... More like a Soldier."
The Tallest choked on his drink. Now it was his turn to look saddened. "You're right, Jendai. I'm not sure what happened when I became a Tallest..." he muttered, tracing the design of the glass. "Everyone was bowing and waiting on me hand and foot... It was strange. Took forever to get used to it, and by the time I had," he paused, frowning. "I wasn't Kasden Aman anymore. I was Purple. Things changed so fast... Once you become adapted to living one way, it's hard to go back to who you were... I suppose. Not to mention Red's idiocy rubs off on you easier than you think."
"I can understand that," Jendai chuckled with a real grin.
They drank in silence for a while, savoring both flavors and old memories of the times before things changed. Bars of sunlight moved slowly across the floor. Finally, Kasden set aside his empty glass, stretching. "All right, 'Dai," he said slowly. "How in the name of the First Tallest did this happen to you?"
Jendai took a long breath, downed the last of his drink, then told his story. Throughout the retelling, Kasden's eyes and antennae displayed more emotions than Jendai had ever seen depicted on a Tallest. He himself tried to keep a straight, bland expression the whole while. Kasden made an impressed sound once he'd finished. "That's amazing..." he muttered. His long, claw-like fingers drummed on the edges of his chair. They still had that strange, delicate shape to them. "You told me about Leeri while you and I were still... on speaking terms." He stopped again, still trying to let Jendai's story sink all the way in. "I can't believe... by the First Tallest... she actually-it was her? Are you sure?"
"Yes... I am. She admitted it to my face, Kas..." Jendai moaned, burying his face in his hands. He held back a few tears and got himself under control again. When he looked back up to answer any more questions, Kasden had moved over to perch on the armrest of his chair and was leaning over him with sympathy. "It's just me, Jendai," he said. "Used to be your best friend. I wouldn't care if you started running around flapping your arms and screaming like you were insane. So, I certainly wouldn't mind a few tears."
The mechanic shook his head. "I've been doing that far too much these days," he muttered. "What we should be doing is figuring out how you're going to cover me up."
"Mmm..." Kasden murmured distractedly. "Yes... how am I going to get you out of this mess?" Again, his fingers drummed an old rhythm against the chair. "Maybe I could arrange for-"
The doors opened, interrupting their conversation. "Okay, how do you expect me to play a card game when there is NO one around to play AGAINST?" came an irritated shout. The two turned in the voice's direction, startled. Almighty Tallest Red stormed into the room. He radiated a completely different feel into the other Tallest's chamber than the one his co-leader did. This was a true Soldier, one that was written about in history texts, one that had risen to fame very quickly. A powerfully built Irken who moved with an easy, oiled grace that showed his prowess simply in his strides. You only had to take a single look to know how dangerous this Tallest could be. Red angrily approached them, folding his arms over his chest. "I have been waiting patiently to finish this game for two hours, an evil paperclip staring me in the face the whole time, and you've been here sitting and drinking with the prisoner!"
Jendai's antennae drooped.
"We're just finishing here," Kasden said quickly, covering for the both of them. "Bring in some of your guards with their lazers and he can go."
Moments later, Jendai was once again cuffed and being hauled out the door. The Guards bowed deeply to their Tallests before leaving. Kasden stopped them to have a brief parting word with his friend. "Listen to me," he hissed. "One way or another, I'll get you out of this. I swear by the First Tallest."
"If you say so." He allowed the Guard to lead him away by the wrist cuffs. "By the way, Kas," Jendai called over his shoulder. "what was this first Tallest you're so fond of swearing by called anyway?"
Kasden looked away. "Blue," he muttered, a thoughtful look on his face. He had an idea. "His eyes were blue."
The doors closed behind the prisoner.
Jendai is mine. I only own the name Kasden Aman, not the character. Oh, Sen's mine, but I don't care if you use him. I don't like him.
Chapter 4
"You lost yourself, in your search to find
something else to hide behind.
The fearful always preyed upon your confidence
Didn't they see the consequence?
They pushed you around.
The arrogant build kingdoms made of the different ones..."
-Lifehouse, "Simon."
"Where's my bees?" a high-pitched voice interrupted. GIR strode into the room, ignoring the fact it had just walked in on its master and Jendai's conversation. "I want my bees!" It stopped, distracted by the flash of lights hitting Jendai's gin bottle as the tall Irken took a long drink. "Pretty colors, big master!" GIR squealed, leaping onto Jendai and proceeding to purr with happiness. "Do it again, big master!"
This brought a slight smile to the weary face. GIR purred louder, wrapping its arms around Jendai's thin waist. "Sure, GIR," he said quietly. "Watch or you won't see the colors." This got the robot's attention. It looked up instantly, azure eyes wide with interest. Jendai lifted the bottle, being sure to let it flash for a few moments in the light, and took another gulp. The effect made GIR shriek in pleasure before settling down into a purr again, curling into a ball on the blue-eye's lap. "This is a great piece of robot personality you've got here, Zim," Jendai said, his mechanic's eye appraising GIR the whole while. "Maybe it doesn't obey all the time, but its character's something AI-Programmer Students have been trying to work towards for the longest time..."
"Yes, it's an advanced model designed especially for me," Zim answered, beaming. He took a good look at the little robot curled, purring, in Jendai's lap. A moronic smile was pasted to its face, giving GIR an air of absolute contentment as it was patted gently by the tall Irken's hands. "Although sometimes I wonder."
GIR jumped up suddenly. "I'm gonna roll around on the floor for a while, kay?" Without waiting for permission, it proceeded to roll in a circle on the cold floor. After a few moments, it jumped up, shouting, "Leprechauns!" and ran out the door.
"That's advanced...?" Jendai wondered aloud.
"The Tallest told me so, yes," Zim replied. He paused at the strange look in the tall Irken's eyes. "Why do you cringe every time someone mentions them?" When Jendai's antennae drooped, he went on bluntly. "They come into this as well, do they not?"
"Yes... They do..."
~ ~ ~
"Get out," a Soldier's voice snapped as others pushed him from behind. He could hear them muscling Leeri and several other Students Jendai didn't recognize along as well. Everyone was cuffed at the hands and ankles, while their back pods had been disabled with a chip implanted inside. The prisoner transport had taken them directly to the outskirts of the city, about as far away from everything he remembered as they could. It was dark out now, Irk's three moons lighting up the sky almost as well as the sun was able to. Millions of stars still glowed beyond the reach of the three crescents. He turned his face briefly upwards, enjoying the cool caress of the night breeze as it rustled gently through his antennae. Nearly all Irkens were almost innately in love with the stars after the hundreds of years of space exploration behind them. The Soldier behind him saw his slight pause. He shoved the tall Irken roughly from behind. Jendai stumbled forward, nearly falling on his face. It didn't seem to matter to these idiots that he now towered over them. He was a part-however unwilling-of a movement against the Soldiers' commanders, and therefore the enemy.
And enemies must be destroyed.
They continued to bully him and his fellow Students along. He stood out horribly among the other Irkens. His Class looked up at him, as if wanting him to break free of the bonds, liberate them and lead them onto glory against the Soldiers. Jendai looked away. He wasn't a leader and never would be. The students were marched through the lazer secured doors of the penitentiary and into a large elevator. Jendai noticed, with a strange detachment, how heavy the security was. Another thing that struck him was the number of Student prisoners locked away within the heavily bolted and lazer-locked doors. Leeri noticed it too, looking up at him with sorrow in her eyes. The elevator stopped, allowing the Soldiers and the other Students to disembark. They took Leeri with them. She barely had time to glance back at him before the doors closed and Jendai was on his way up once more.
He felt numb. Everything was happening so fast. Leeri was gone forever... everyone was gone. He felt alone. His antennae drooped. This did not go unnoticed by the Soldiers still left guarding him. They snickered. "Afraid, O Tallest?" one sneered. "Does the thought of life imprisonment and possible death frighten you?"
"Maybe he needs his little Student weakling friends around to help," another suggested mockingly. "I bet if all of them got together, they'd actually have a spine."
The insults... the mocking... the hatred... He remembered it all too clearly. Jendai took a deep breath, trying to maintain his calm. He tried not to let his head hang, tried to keep a straight face. This brought a few laughs from the Soldiers, but more glares.
"Stupid, uppity Students!" someone growled, smacking Jendai in the leg with the barrel of his blaster. The tall Student winced, but stayed standing. Only his wrist cuffs prevented him from massaging the soon-to-be bruise. "Too important for their own good."
"If it were up to me," the one who'd called Jendai "Tallest" said. "I'd kill every last one of them. Starting with this one." He aimed his blaster at Jendai's forehead, mimicking firing a blast. "He's a threat anyway, if his height ever got out. Why not just, POW! one through the head?"
"You'll get your pleasure with the short ones," his buddy answered. "Guard Sen said the Tallest want this one alive for questioning." He examined Jendai's frame and his ragged clothing skeptically. "Looks starved. Doubt he'll last a week."
The others agreed, chuckling to themselves.
Finally, the elevator stopped, letting them out. Jendai was hauled forward again, this time with much more force. Whenever he stumbled on the rough floor of the dark cell row, they hit him with their weapons. He wanted to lash out, to slice their ugly Soldier faces open with his robotic legs. But he was at their mercy. The walk was filled with the cries of those imprisoned within the metallic walls. They called to Jendai, cheered and even screamed at him. It was nearly impossible to ignore them. Eventually, they reached an empty cell at the end of the row. One of the Soldiers opened the door with the correct pattern of codes and timing of DNA scans. The doors were double-layered, and crisscrossed with more lazers than he could count. His captors shoved him in, sniggering as his freakishly long legs gave out, sending him reeling to the hard ground. One moved forward, roughly ripping the wrist and ankle cuffs off, but not removing the chip from his back pod. "Welcome to your quarters, Tallest," they snickered. The doors slammed shut, lazers turning themselves on, locking him in.
He didn't rise from his sprawled position on the floor. It was easier to see everything from this height anyway. His cell had a single, lazer barred window, which shed a pale shaft of moonlight into the darkness. A small bench was pushed up beneath it. In the corner, a curtain hid what was probably all he got for a bathroom. Without a sound, he dragged himself up on the bench, folding his legs under him to enable himself to sit. So, this misery was to be his life now? This was what he would be forced to look at, day after long, boring day? He wondered if it was possible to burn to death with one of the lazers.
He wondered what Leeri was doing. Wondered where she was. Wondered if she was thinking the same thoughts as he. It was easier to accept the fact that he may never see her again than he'd thought. The anger he still harbored towards her probably kept him from feeling too much. What was harder was the prospect of never seeing Min, Kaml or Lidge again. They would probably never know what had happened to him. And poor Min... little Min... with his innocent gray eyes... what would happen to him?
Jendai leaned against the slimy wall, feeling fatigue creep up on him. It was probably the best thing now... sleep. He closed his eyes, giving into his weariness.
Sunlight. Bright, glaring sunlight. Sunlight and the sound of the doors opening. Jendai woke up instantly, slowly uncurling from his cramped position. A Soldier marched in, her purple uniform spotless. She thrust something in a bowl onto the floor and glared at him. Probably envious of his height, no matter that it was wrongly achieved. Tall was tall. "You have one hour to make yourself spotless, Student filth," she snapped at him. "You have the honor of an audience with the Almighty Tallest today." Her antennae twitched inwards. "Hurry it up!" With that, she left, the doors locking behind her.
Spotless? He glowered. "Well, well, well," he muttered sarcastically. "Better get myself cleaned up for the great Tallest." The shirt was the first thing to go. Even after the night imprisoned and the rough handling, he was relatively clean. His pants could stay, but everything else was far too ragged for his audience. The discarded garments and boots were shoved under the bench for whatever use he could get out of them later. Naked to the waist, the muscles of his olive-green chest exposed, he stretched nimbly in the patch of sunlight. The stone felt cool and good against his bare feet. Whatever Leeri had given him had improved his overall feeling immensely. He just hoped it would last a while. One couldn't afford to be sluggish or weak around Soldiers.
Bored now, he decided to go over all the necessary parts to a light battle-cruiser engine system in his head. It took him a matter of seconds. Scratch one idea... To pass the time, he decided he'd work some on his punches, to get his new body used to his fighting. Picking a position in the sun patch, he lined up with his shadow and threw a few swift punches. His other arm blocked the ones his shadow threw. Soon, he was able to picture his shadow as one of the Soldiers he hated so much, and the fists flew stronger, faster and became more frenzied, a tight smile drawn over pale lips.
The doors opened again, breaking him out of his fighting trance. He turned to see his escort entering, weapons drawn. Half of them approached him, holding out the wrist and ankle cuffs. Jendai stood perfectly still, not giving them the satisfaction of a struggle. Soldiers had apparently changed. They liked it when you fought back now, all the more pleasure to win and continue the torture. Once they had him cuffed, they marched him out of his cell and into the elevator. This ride passed without incident. Next, he was escorted out to the penitentiary transport that would be his ride into the heart of the city. He was roughly shoved in back as two Soldiers leapt in behind him. There was a jerk, as the transport started moving towards their destination.
Jendai had never been to the Tallest Complex, only seen pictures of it, or seen the tall spire from one of the windows in his apartment. He had never wanted to go anywhere near that place. And yet, in a cruel fate twist, he was headed there for a confrontation he'd never dreamed of having. Most Irkens always hoped deep in their mind to one day meet with the leaders of their race, the ones that dreamed of universal conquest. All except him. Albeit the fact that he was just their height now. Tall ones got you in trouble. They beat you to a green, bloody pulp. That was how it had always been to the mechanic. He hated himself as he was now. He wanted rip his legs off and return himself to how small he had been. But what would that do? It couldn't return things to how they had been. Everything was different now. Nothing had been left as it was; nothing was left untouched, left sacred. His head hung between his knees of its own accord. The transport hit a few air pockets that the patrols had missed, bouncing the Irkens inside around. The Soldiers cursed, blaming the bad airspace on Jendai. One smacked the side of his face with his blaster, opening a cut. The mechanic merely twitched an eye in response. They growled. The same one hit him again, this time across his back. He fell to the floor of the transport, all the memories of previous beatings and new information coming back to him. He kept still, letting the blows come. Eventually, they stopped, only to drag him out of the transport.
They had pulled into a docking bay on one of the upper levels of the complex. Fifty or so Elite Guards, one with blue-green eyes, heavily guarded it. "Ah," said the one with the mutant eyes. "So, we finally meet one another, Student." He marched up to Jendai, looking up at his bruised and bloodied face and torso. A look of disgust filled his aqua-colored eyes. "Tried to kill yourself, I see," Sen said. "Well, there'll be none of that here. You have the honor of meeting with the leaders of our Empire." Sen's robotic legs emerged, lifting him up to Jendai's height. His face came within an antenna's width of the mechanic's. "And they do so despise blood on their carpet." He motioned to the other Guards, returning to a standing position. "Take him to the Tallest."
The Guards moved around him in formation, shoving him forward. Jendai tried not to limp as he walked. There was a thick carpet on the floor that almost made walking a pleasure. He tried to take his mind off what was about to happen by studying the layout of the complex. High, vaulted ceilings made you feel small while, emphasizing the heights of others. Holo-photos of pervious leaders were towards the ceiling, generated by floating disks. Jendai felt a sudden longing to take one of the things apart to study. His fingers twitched with the feeling, which he curbed. All décor was done in shades of red and purple, as was the custom for the complex. He could barely imagine living in such a grand place-and this was only the hallway. He wondered where the transports were kept... This thought kept him occupied for the rest of the march. The sound of orders barking out snapped him from his reverie. His eyes widened at the sight of the huge doors that had seemingly materialized before him. How big did these architects think the Tallest got? In fact, the tallest leader of Irk in history had only stood six and a half feet. The doors swung open, revealing the room inside.
Half was red, half was purple. There were two of everything; two staircases leading up to two platforms. Windows flooded the large-scale room with light, making everything stand out starkly against the walls. Smaller Irkens, most likely scholars to record the events, ran around, standing at intervals on the staircase and behind the platform's dual podiums with their datapads in hand.
Jendai swallowed heavily before he was pushed onto a small circular platform. Bars came up around the edge, penning him in. The Guards surrounded him, Sen in front. They stood there for a very long time, waiting for the leaders to arrive. Jendai's antennae twitched nervously at every sound, hoping each wasn't the one he was waiting for. The windows suddenly vanished, sending the room into darkness. A light flicked on directly above Sen, focused beam not allowing any stray patches flicker across to illuminate anything else. Some Irken lights were built to illumine only what the Irken who turned them on wished to, it was a fairly recent development that was usually reserved for tall ones. The Elite Guard captain knelt, his antennae falling flat in submission. His forehead brushed the ground, neck stretched out so that if he displeased his superiors, he could be decapitated by a swift flick of a robotic leg. High above them, shrouded in shadows, there was a muted whispering and a hissed order to be quiet. Another grumble came before the first words were directed at them. "Yes, what is it this time Sen?" came a familiar, bored voice. In the dark, Jendai looked up towards the voice's source. Two dark silhouettes were standing on the platform; the only thing different about them was the color of their glowing eyes. He knew that smooth, polished voice. Knew that calm, too-proud stance. Knew those eyes. But the cool aloofness in them stunned him. He kept quiet, shrinking back against the bars and forcing himself to look unafraid, to take deep, calming breaths.
It was almost too much for his tattered mind to bear, seeing those eyes again.
"My Lords Tallest," Sen said, his voice somewhat muffled by both his cloth mask and the floor he was speaking into. "I bring to you the object that the Coalition created to overthrow you and gain control of the Empire."
Faintly, Jendai heard a rougher, deeper voice whisper from above, "What Empire? We only own about six planets so far." He could see the silhouette with the red eyes turn to the other as it spoke. The other glared at it before speaking to Sen. "Show it to us, and make it fast, we have a card game to get back to."
"And I was winning!" cheered the red-eyed Tallest.
Sen seemed to bow lower as the light faded from around him and began to illuminate Jendai. There were gasps from the scholars gathered around the stairs, murmurs of surprise flickering through them. "This, my Tallest," Sen continued from the darkness. "is the Student Irken whom the growth serum was used upon. As you can easily see, he is horribly overgrown for a worthless piece of Student refuse."
The platform Jendai stood on rose into the air, the light following him along. Soon, he was level with the top of the platform the Tallest stood upon. He looked the silhouette on his right straight in its eyes, not even bothering with the other. The purple-eyed Tallest's gaze softened as he recognized Jendai. His look soon changed as he scowled down at Sen.
"You forget, Guard," the purple-eyed Tallest snapped defensively. "that a worthless piece of Student refuse is your superior!"
"I am sorry, my Tallest," Sen gushed hurriedly. He began to try and improve his failing position in the only way a Soldier was taught to. "I will not let it happen again. We guards forget easily that you are a Student. You are such a perfect leader that it is easy for one to do so."
Purple eyes narrowed. "You had better not let it happen again, because-"
"Because he doesn't like you," the red-eyed one added for what he thought was help. "And I don't either. Anyway, why do we have to worry? The Coalition's all squashed now. Let's just execute this clown and get the whole thing over with so we can get back to our card game."
Jendai felt his blood run cold. His eyes pleadingly fell on the purple-eyed Tallest, trying to find some way he could live through this mess. He nodded slightly, the barest flick of an antenna visible. "I'm going to keep this one here for a while, Red," the purple-eyed one said. "You can go back to the card game or your lazers, but I have a few things I need to clear up with this... trash."
There was a few second of silence. Red muttered to himself before replying. "Yeah, sure, whatever," he said. The Soldier Tallest left to attend to business, most of the Guards following him.
"Go on, the rest of you, out," the remaining Tallest ordered. "I doubt he's a threat to me."
Boots scurried against the floor as the remaining Guard and the scholars departed. The light above Jendai vanished, rendering the room black. He felt the platform he stood on sink down to the floor, bars vanishing. It locked back in place as the windows reappeared where they once had been. Light flooded the room, momentarily blinding the mechanic. When his vision cleared, Jendai stood face to face with the purple-eyed Almighty Tallest. The co-leader of the Empire cocked his head as he noticed the bruises and cuts smeared across Jendai's olive-green face. "They beat you?" he asked, a long, claw-like finger reaching out to poke at one of the cuts.
"Didn't you feel it?" Jendai replied curtly. "Or did that change too?"
The purple eyes winced. "Good one," he said. His antennae twitched backwards as the Tallest's head shook. "No, I felt it. I just hoped you fell down the stairs or something."
"Hah, you wish," the blue-eye retorted. "Those idiots who brought me here blamed the bad air patrol on me and decided to take out their frustration." He studied the Irken before him. "What do you want me to call you now? Better yet, what am I supposed to? Tallest? Almighty Purple? What?"
"Please, 'Dai," he spread his arms in a plaintive gesture. "No formalities. It's just us again. No Guards, no none else."
Jendai folded his arms as best he could over his bare chest, frowning slightly. "You don't look like Kas anymore," he said teasingly, his look lightening. "I can hardly recognize you with the dress."
Kasden blushed. "It wasn't my idea," he protested. "It's a Tallest thing, I guess. I seriously miss pants." He fingered the body armor that was the usual dress for a Tallest. "It's weird." His eye caught what remained of his friend's pants. "What's with the cutoff look?"
"I grew," Jendai sighed, spreading his arms. "You heard about the Coalition. This is what they did." He felt weak as he slowly tried to explain. "They invented a growth serum that would only-"
"Hold on," Kasden stopped him. "You look like you're about to faint." He held out an arm for Jendai to lean on. "You can explain everything in my quarters. No one except Red, me and a few Guards are allowed in there unless I say so."
"That's one good thing about power," Jendai mumbled as he leaned heavily on his old friend. "Nobody bothers you."
This earned him a laugh. The two made their slow way out of the audience chamber, earning quick, confused glances from the Guards and Students. The complex's huge scale slowly began to overwhelm Jendai, despite his guide's absolute calm. Once or twice, he stumbled on the thick carpet, his ankle cuffs tripping him up. On these instances, he nearly pulled Kasden down with him. Various Irkens rushed over to help up their leader, ignoring the sprawled blue-eye on the ground. Kasden had to help him up before shouting at the Guards or Students. After many elevator rides and long treks through huge hallways that made even Kasden look small, the duo arrived on the top level of the complex. The thick carpet parted, half of it turning purple, the other half turning red. Both sides led to huge doors, which Jendai guessed led to the different living quarters of the Tallest. Kasden helped him through the purple door. Once inside, the ex-scholar leaned against the door, chuckling and panting to himself. "I forgot how strong you are, 'Dai," he laughed. "You almost pulled my arm out of its socket!"
Jendai didn't answer. The scale of Kasden's new home dazed him. The wall before him was one long window, showing the skyline of the southern part of the city. High quality armchairs and tables sat in a sunken semi-circle that was opened towards the view. Lights were placed at the best intervals to help the occupant see best. To his left was a huge wall of books and piles of disks, evidence of Kasden's scholar learning. On his right, stairs led up to the upper levels of the quarters. Rich, luxurious rugs covered most of a purple-swirled marble tiled floor. Everything was elegant and perfectly suited for a Tallest. It was stunning. He stumbled over to the window, pressing his face against the glass-like substance. Distant hills were dark against the light, mid-morning sky. Far below him, buildings shimmered like heat waves, transports weaving through them on their routes. "Beautiful isn't it?" Kasden asked from behind him. Jendai turned his head to see the Tallest sinking into an armchair. He sighed, leaning his chin on his wrist guard, his fingers gently drumming against his chin. "You should see it at night." His free hand gestured at the empty seat opposite him. "Sit down, 'Dai," he commanded. "You look like you're about to faint."
He did so, sinking gratefully into the soft chair. "Um, Kas?" Jendai asked, holding out his cuffed wrists and ankles. "Help?"
"Huh? Oh sure thing." A leg slid out of Kasden's back pod as he sat up, unlocking both cuffs with relative ease. Jendai sighed, rubbing his sore wrists. "I thought you guys didn't get to keep those," the mechanic muttered.
"I'm a Tallest. I get whatever I want." He waved his hand, signaling in the air. A bottle of some liquor was handed to him by a robotic arm, along with two lavishly sculpted crystal glasses. "Amrinae," he grinned. "Real rare nowdays." He nodded to the arm, which gave a glass to each Irken before pouring the green-tinted beverage into each. It retracted into the ceiling, leaving them alone. Jendai took a small sip, savoring the flavor. "Tastes familiar, doesn't it?" Kasden chuckled.
"That time behind the garbage unit?" Jendai asked suspiciously. The two of them had gotten into a lot of trouble for their quest to taste alcohol before they came of age.
Kasden shook his head. "That was ahki," he grinned.
"Must be where I got my taste for the stuff..." the mechanic mused. "When was this? My memory fails me."
"I can't believe you don't remember this one!" Kasden laughed. "Here, I'll give you a hint. Last day in the Nursery..."
Jendai groaned. "Oh sweet Irk," he mumbled, taking another sip. "Now I remember... But I wish I didn't."
"This is great, 'Dai," his friend grinned. "I thought I'd never hear from you again, and now you end up tall like me." Kasden raised his glass triumphantly. "By the First Tallest, you don't know how great it is to see you again."
He was quiet for a moment. "It's good to see you too, Kas. But, you act different now. More not Student-ish... more... I dunno... More like a Soldier."
The Tallest choked on his drink. Now it was his turn to look saddened. "You're right, Jendai. I'm not sure what happened when I became a Tallest..." he muttered, tracing the design of the glass. "Everyone was bowing and waiting on me hand and foot... It was strange. Took forever to get used to it, and by the time I had," he paused, frowning. "I wasn't Kasden Aman anymore. I was Purple. Things changed so fast... Once you become adapted to living one way, it's hard to go back to who you were... I suppose. Not to mention Red's idiocy rubs off on you easier than you think."
"I can understand that," Jendai chuckled with a real grin.
They drank in silence for a while, savoring both flavors and old memories of the times before things changed. Bars of sunlight moved slowly across the floor. Finally, Kasden set aside his empty glass, stretching. "All right, 'Dai," he said slowly. "How in the name of the First Tallest did this happen to you?"
Jendai took a long breath, downed the last of his drink, then told his story. Throughout the retelling, Kasden's eyes and antennae displayed more emotions than Jendai had ever seen depicted on a Tallest. He himself tried to keep a straight, bland expression the whole while. Kasden made an impressed sound once he'd finished. "That's amazing..." he muttered. His long, claw-like fingers drummed on the edges of his chair. They still had that strange, delicate shape to them. "You told me about Leeri while you and I were still... on speaking terms." He stopped again, still trying to let Jendai's story sink all the way in. "I can't believe... by the First Tallest... she actually-it was her? Are you sure?"
"Yes... I am. She admitted it to my face, Kas..." Jendai moaned, burying his face in his hands. He held back a few tears and got himself under control again. When he looked back up to answer any more questions, Kasden had moved over to perch on the armrest of his chair and was leaning over him with sympathy. "It's just me, Jendai," he said. "Used to be your best friend. I wouldn't care if you started running around flapping your arms and screaming like you were insane. So, I certainly wouldn't mind a few tears."
The mechanic shook his head. "I've been doing that far too much these days," he muttered. "What we should be doing is figuring out how you're going to cover me up."
"Mmm..." Kasden murmured distractedly. "Yes... how am I going to get you out of this mess?" Again, his fingers drummed an old rhythm against the chair. "Maybe I could arrange for-"
The doors opened, interrupting their conversation. "Okay, how do you expect me to play a card game when there is NO one around to play AGAINST?" came an irritated shout. The two turned in the voice's direction, startled. Almighty Tallest Red stormed into the room. He radiated a completely different feel into the other Tallest's chamber than the one his co-leader did. This was a true Soldier, one that was written about in history texts, one that had risen to fame very quickly. A powerfully built Irken who moved with an easy, oiled grace that showed his prowess simply in his strides. You only had to take a single look to know how dangerous this Tallest could be. Red angrily approached them, folding his arms over his chest. "I have been waiting patiently to finish this game for two hours, an evil paperclip staring me in the face the whole time, and you've been here sitting and drinking with the prisoner!"
Jendai's antennae drooped.
"We're just finishing here," Kasden said quickly, covering for the both of them. "Bring in some of your guards with their lazers and he can go."
Moments later, Jendai was once again cuffed and being hauled out the door. The Guards bowed deeply to their Tallests before leaving. Kasden stopped them to have a brief parting word with his friend. "Listen to me," he hissed. "One way or another, I'll get you out of this. I swear by the First Tallest."
"If you say so." He allowed the Guard to lead him away by the wrist cuffs. "By the way, Kas," Jendai called over his shoulder. "what was this first Tallest you're so fond of swearing by called anyway?"
Kasden looked away. "Blue," he muttered, a thoughtful look on his face. He had an idea. "His eyes were blue."
The doors closed behind the prisoner.
Jendai is mine. I only own the name Kasden Aman, not the character. Oh, Sen's mine, but I don't care if you use him. I don't like him.