Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Invader Zim.

Chapter Three: The Attempt at Assassination

Looking out at the rows upon rows of Invader Academy graduates sitting at the other side of the assembly room dressed in their crisp new red uniforms, Tah couldn't help but think back on the day she'd graduated. It hadn't been that long ago, and she felt out of place sitting with all the high officials. All around her were admirals, generals, diplomats, and dignitaries. At least she wasn't alone in her inferiority. There were about twenty people chosen to do something or another to entertain the soldiers before the dancing began. Some of her compatriots were musicians while others were there to demonstrate their skill at one weapon or another. There was even going to be a show of hand-to-hand between two top marauders. They all sat at the very end of the table and mostly talked with eachother about what an honor it was to be there.

Nothing had happened yet since the Tallest hadn't arrived. This was something Tah was especially looking forward to, since she'd never been at one of their assemblies at Conventia. They were known for making a grand appearance and Tah found herself looking about for any sign that they'd be coming. She let out an excited gasp as a voice began to fill the large room. "Ladies and Gentlemen, future elite soldiers of the mighty Irken Empire, this is the moment you've all been waiting for!" The lights dimmed and two laser spheres began to hover to the ceiling. "Wiggle your antennae in salute, because here they come - the all knowing, all powerful, Almighty Tallest!" Everyone saluted and began to cheer wildly as smoke billowed through the room and the lasers began to fascinate the crowd. Tah couldn't help but glance up at the ceiling, half expecting a platform to descend as was the Tallest's usual entrance before she realized this room wasn't equipped for that. Instead, doors on either side of the room hissed open and from each appeared one of the Tallest. They hovered to the center of the room and met at their seats. They waved and waited until the screaming audience calmed down.

Tallest Red was the first to speak. "Mighty Irken soldiers, you have just graduated from the most elite Academy in the Irken Empire! Most of you will become the best of the best, the most respected in your fields, while a very select few of you will become proud Invaders!" He pointed one claw out at them. "Good for you."

Now Tallest Purple addressed them. "Without hard work, dedication, and constant training, you wouldn't be here today! Although you can't dream of being as powerful as us, you still have bright futures ahead of you! Tonight, we celebrate your achievements! Congratulations all!" Both leaders began to wave again and the graduates cheered once more. The Tallest took their seats and another man took the stage. Tah wasn't sure who he was, but he seemed to be announcing all the entertainment. He called the name of one of the people she'd been talking to, a purple-eyed male that was adept at laser sharp-shooting. He stood and everyone watched with appreciation as he blasted small targets that were fired at random. Tah couldn't help but wonder if this exercise was save, but figured if he really was as good as he boasted that there shouldn't be a problem. There were no calamities and the swaggering performer sat back down.

Tah looked down at her lap, where she had a pad that contained the words of the ballad she picked. She'd already committed it to memory, but she wanted to read through it just one more time before she recited it to the crowd. She knew that hardly anyone would understand what she was saying, so although she was determined to say everything correctly, she understood that she had to really work to convey the meaning through her intonation. Certainly she couldn't be as exciting as the sharp-shooter, but she would do her best.

She was eventually called and she stood up. She could already feel her face turning violet as she felt thousands of Irken eyes fixed on her. She strode up to the front of the stage and cleared her voice. "The ballad that I am going to recite tells the story of how this very planet, Divastis, was gloriously conquered by the Irken Empire." She thought it had been an incredibly appropriate piece for the occasion. It was also one of her favorites. "Ga'thra tu la vern, by Fen." She took a great breath and allowed her tongue to wrap itself around the ancient Irken syllables. She tried not the think of the graduates or the nobles behind her, but of the story she was telling. The ballad was really about an Irken soldier who fought the ground battle that eventually won Divastis and how he lost his beloved, his Huk'zat, to the war. It told about how although he was devastated by the battle, he was still proud for his race and would keep fighting on not only for glory, but to honor the memory of the woman he loved. It was a stunning piece of poetry, and as Tah let the final words escape her mouth she could feel her body tremble with success. She allowed herself back into reality and looked about the silent audience before her. Most of them stared off into space, looking as if they were about to fall asleep, while others quietly continued eating their dinner. Some were even carrying out conversations in the back. With a sigh of resignation she went back to her seat.

She reflexively glanced over to the center of the long table where the Tallest sat. Tallest Red was giving a strange look to Tallest Purple, who was blinking out in space. She shook her head, remembering the kooky stories she'd heard about them. However, she had to admit that Purple was fairly sensible - and handsome. She redirected her gaze quickly, not believing she'd just been checking out a Tallest of all people.

After all the performances were done the music started and Irkens began to take to the dance floor. Naturally there were two separate dance floors, one for the graduates and the other for the important officials attending. Tah was honored to be allowed to stay with the nobles, but the situation didn't lead itself to a night of dancing. Her and the other guests mostly milled about, none of them worthy to dance with anybody except the other performers. The only male she'd spoken to, the sharp-shooter, was busy showing off his new laser to a group of admirers. Tah was not a socialite by any means, so she wandered outside to join the others who weren't inclined to dance. She looked out at the night sky and let the night air fill her lungs. It was good to be back on Divastis. She leaned against the railing and watched the dark landscape of the training city. There was a mandatory curfew for the students, so there were hardly any lights on and most of what Tah could see was the black outline of the buildings against the starry sky. A light breeze brushed by, causing her curled antennae to quiver and she smiled. It certainly was a breathless night.

The peace was disturbed when someone new stalked onto the balcony. Tah turned around to see Prime Admiral Tark glaring about with his angry orange eyes. She figured he was not the sort of person to enjoy a function such as this and assumed he was going to spend his time outside as well when he fixed his gaze on her. "You!" he said with his sharp voice. "You'll do." He marched over to her and fiercely grabbed her arm.

"What?" she couldn't help but yelp. "What did I do?"

"One of the Tallest is looking for a dance partner, and he instructed me to find somebody. You're as good as anybody else. Come on, I want to finish my dinner." He began to pull her inside, but Tah couldn't help but resist.

"But I'm a researcher!"

"I'm aware of your rank," came a voice from behind. Both she and the admiral turned around to see Tallest Purple. He hovered over and glanced down at Tark's death grip on her arm. "Admiral, could you please not bruise her?" The Prime Admiral let go immediately and wiggled his antennae before marching back to the table. Tallest Purple watched him go before addressing Tah. "I didn't mean for him to be so forceful. I just wanted him to find somebody who didn't have a partner."

Tah was still distracted by the behavior of the Admiral. "Is he always like that?"

Purple nodded. "Yes. He's a good Prime Admiral, though. He grew quickly when he was young, but stopped very early. It was a real disappointment to him." He took Tah's arm and began to lead her to the dance floor. She couldn't refuse a direct invitation from a Tallest, so she followed him. She felt very strange as she placed her left hand on his shoulder hand her right one in his, however this was mostly because all eyes were on her as he gracefully hovered around her. "I enjoyed your ballad," he said after a moment of silence.

"Thank you, Sir. I appreciate it."

"Did you learn the language here?"

She shook her head. "No. I started studying it in the Soldier Academy and continued throughout my education here. It's a beautiful language and is capable of expressing so much more."

"Yes, I agree. It's a shame so few study it. I fear no one will know it in a few generations, and then that part of our culture will be lost." He seemed truly sad at this prediction.

"No, Sir. There will always be historians and enthusiasts. There is too much literature written in the language for it to be completely forgotten." She was about to continue on this tangent when she saw something moving from behind a corner, next to the sharp-shooter. She squinted to try to identify the shadow, and then screamed. "LOOK OUT!" She instinctively lunged herself at a confused Purple, throwing him to the ground as a red laser blast ripped through the air. She felt a sharp pain as it singed the end of one of her antennae. She removed herself from her Tallest and knelt, handling her sensitive wound. She vaguely heard somebody ask if she was alright, but the question was almost lost in the commotion around her. She mumbled that she was fine. There had been just one shot released, which she had taken, so she didn't suspect anyone else had been injured. She quickly looked back to the corner from where the shot had been fired, and she could see the shadow begin to retreat. She tried to run after it, but her path was blocked by a flurry of guards. Everyone surrounded the very surprised and scared male who had been showing off his laser. He'd been standing right where the shadow had been, and Tah could see what was going to happen.

"Put that thing away!" someone yelled. "You let that thing fire off and it almost hit Tallest Purple! You idiot! Why didn't you activate the safety?" The room was full of chatter about the 'accident' while Tah was carried out to be treated.

All that night and morning the only thing Tah could think about was the shadow she'd seen. No one else had seen what she had, but she was sure that someone other than the embarrassed laser-boy had been there. Her mind buzzed with the horrendous idea of assassination. The idea of one Irken killing another due to a power struggle was a foreign idea for her and every other Irken. It was believed that their society had evolved above such petty things, but this couldn't change the fact that she had seen something. She was sure someone had been out to kill one of the Tallest. The only thing was that she didn't know who or why. She dressed in her usual black uniform and made her way to the Information Hive. Hardly any work was done that day, as everybody was talking about what had happened on Divastis. Not only that, but everyone wanted to talk to her. She'd not only had the privilege to actually dance with one of the Tallest, but she'd been injured saving him, as proven by the bandage around her right antenna. She couldn't walk down the hall without hearing somebody talking about her. Luckily her face wasn't well known and only her coworkers and friends were able to identify her.

She was eventually able to convince everybody to get back to work, with the assistance of Tzen's sleepy reminders to keep vigilant. However, when she was able to work she realized not much information was being requested. She shuddered as she thought of the entire population of the Massive doing nothing but gossiping about the accident that she knew was no accident. Her mind reeled with questions of what she should do. Everybody believed that it was a freak accident that had almost killed Purple, and assassination was not even considered. Certainly there were safety precautions in place to protect the Tallest should something happen, but no one would suspect that another Irken would intentionally kill them.

Tah knew that it had to be another Irken because only Irkens were allowed access on their most advanced training planet. She also knew it had to be one of the people approved to be up on the stage with the nobles, since that angle could not have been achieved from the graduate's dance area. Tah leaned back in her chair and thought to herself. If she told anybody what she saw, no one would believe her. Of course there would be an investigation, but she highly doubted the shadow had left any evidence. Then an idea began to swell in her mind. What if she tried to investigate the assassination attempt? She knew that the laser shot hadn't been the result of a freak accident, and if she could uncover who had done this thing, maybe she could prevent something like that happening again. There was a certain primal anger that burned within her at the thought that any Irken would dare try to kill either one of the Tallest. Plus, she thought she could see a fairly friendly person behind Tallest Purple's regalia and she didn't want to see that person die. With fresh determination Tah quickly addressed her monitor and began a list. She started looking up all the people who had the authorization to be on the stage that night and their personal histories, making a rough list of possible motives. She wasn't sure how she was going to narrow down the list of suspects, but she figured she'd be better off if she had a list in front of her. There were quite a few people who had been there, including the twenty or so guests who were not important figures, and it took her a long time to compile her data. She continued to work past her shift, which earned her strange glances from her coworkers, but she was enthused that she was almost through. However, everything came to a stop when she tried to bring up the history of Admiral Queue. Detailed information on him was restricted, only available with personal approval by the Prime Admiral. Tah dreaded the thought of asking Tark for the authorization, but she couldn't see another way of getting the data. She stood up from her work station and wondered what she was going to tell him. He'd more than likely want a reason of why she'd want the clearance. She was considering this matter when something ran into her boot. She looked down. "Dak? What are you doing? Why are you running like that? Why do you look so frightened?"

Dak practically ran in circles as he frantically tried to explain. "She's after me again! She's after me! I hope your antenna is fine, Tah, she's going to get me! I've got to run!" His little legs began to carry him down the hall, and Clay was soon to follow. She didn't notice Tah as she yelled and screamed after him.

"Get back here!" she shouted. "Get back here and let me get a hold of you!"

As Tah watched them run off, she wondered if she should follow. Clay didn't have any weapons on her, and despite her anger she didn't seem to have any dangerous intent. There were plenty of people in the halls, and Tah figured that if something serious happened that something would be done. Rather, she had more important things to do. She made her way to the restricted area and was almost confident about approaching the Prime Admiral when something hard slammed against her, throwing her against the wall. She pulled herself from the floor and looked Mim strait in the eye. "Why are you here?" ordered her hostile roommate.

"Damnit, Mim! I have the clearance to come here!" She rummaged through her pockets and pulled out her authorization card.

"Why are you here?" demanded the guard again in her thick, husky voice.

Tah stomped her foot in anger. "That's none of your business! I have a right to be here and I don't want you whacking me every time I walk by. You almost hurt me that time!" She threw her hands up in the air and marched to Admiral Tark's quarters.

She hesitated once before the Prime Admiral's door. She still didn't have a good explanation as to why she wanted the authorization for Queue's file and she was not anxious to meet with his intimidating manner. However, she knew she couldn't just stand there forever while she tried to think of something to say. Taking a big breath, bringing herself to her full height, she pressed the sensor. She heard somebody moving and the door opened. Admiral Tark looked up at her with his orange eyes and a frown on his mouth. His antennae were somewhat disheveled and Tah wondered if he'd been taking a nap. "What is it?" he demanded.

"I was wondering if I could have the authorization to access Admiral Queue's personal files." She said the words as quickly as possible, hoping that he'd just give her the permission and go back to bed.

"Why do you want that?" he snarled.

Tah squirmed. "It was on my research list, Sir," she lied.

"Well, anyone who wants that information can ask me personally. He shouldn't have to ask some Hive drone to go looking it up for him. Damn anonymous asses!" He made a fist and shut the door in Tah's unprepared face. She stood there for a moment before she began to wander slowly back to her area of the ship. She pulled out an electronic pad and looked over her information. She supposed she could skip Admiral Queue for the moment, but it left a large hole in her list. She pursed her mouth in concentration and didn't notice that someone was standing right in front of her until her head slammed into his chest. She heard a chuckle as she began to reorient herself. She looked up and paled.

"I'm so sorry, Tallest Red. I didn't know you were there. I wasn't looking!"

"I know. I was curious if you'd notice my presence before you ran into me." His arrogant mouth smiled down at her, and for a moment he reminded her of Clay. "I saw you and wanted to say that I'm glad you pushed Purple down. If you hadn't he might not be here, and I don't know what I'd do without him."

"Yes, Sir. I did what I could, Sir." She nodded her head at him, honored at being thanked by a Tallest but still distracted by the problem of Queue's information, and began to leave. She would have left hand Red not pulled her back.

"I'm not done with you! Purple's been looking around for you. He wants you to see him in his quarters."

Tah's eyes widened. "What! I mean, pardon, Sir?"

Red nodded. "Well, you DID save his life, you know! Get a move on, soldier! Don't question your Tallest!" He motioned down the hall and Tah had no choice but to change her direction and head to Tallest Purple's room. She slowed as she heard the harped music again, and she knew he was playing the K'dor. She peeked her head in his doorway, and indeed his back was turned as he played the instrument. She stepped into the room and tried to wait silently until he was finished, but he must have felt someone enter because he unwrapped his arms from around the instrument and turned around. He stood and approached Tah.

"Tah, I see you've received the message to come. Please, close the door and sit." He motioned toward the large cough that occupied one side of the room. She obeyed and watched with curiosity as he hovered over and sat on its opposite side. "Good. Do you know why you're here?" She shook her head. "Well, you've proven yourself in more ways then one. You saved my life, and I'd like to thank you. I know that laser would have shot strait through my head." He pointed one long claw at the center of his forehead.

She twisted in her seat with embarrassment. "Anyone would have done the same, Sir."

Purple shook his head. "You've done very well and proven yourself as an Irken with character."

Tah could feel herself turning violet. "I was trained at the Academy," she said in a more timid voice then she would have liked. "I did what I was trained to do."

Purple smiled faintly and glanced away. "You've done much more than that. Before you saved me I could tell you were someone of character and class. Someone worth knowing." He paused for a moment. "May I," he cleared his throat, "May I touch you?"

Tah snapped to attention, wondering if she'd misheard her Tallest. Touching was a rare thing for Irkens, and therefore something special. Only close friends touched eachother, and for the first time permission must be asked. The only person she'd ever touched was Dak, and she had known him since they were hatchlings. Now one of the two most important people in the Irken Empire was asking to touch her, in essence, asking for her close, personal friendship. "I..." she said, her voice giving out.

"You don't have to," he hastened to remind.

Tah looked at Tallest Purple and considered him for a moment. He'd been very kind to her, and he really was the only person other then Dak who seemed to appreciate her. As he waited for a response, Tah thought that she really would like to get to know her Tallest better. "You may, my Tallest."

She watched with anticipation as Tallest Purple unfastened one of his hand guards. He wiggled and stretched the thumb that had been confined all day. "If I'm going to do this, you'll have to just call me Purple when we're alone."

"Purple," she corrected.

He placed the hand guard aside and positioned himself a little closer to her. She tilted her head forward a bit as he lifted his hand and let his palm rest on her cheek. They both closed their eyes when they experienced the feeling of flesh on flesh, savoring the sensation. Purple held his hand there for a moment before he reluctantly pulled it away. He refastened his hand guard, clicking it shut before turning toward her. "Thank you," he said.

She stood and he followed suit. "Thank you," she repeated. She had no idea how she was going to tell anybody about what had just happened. She could still feel the soft, warm feeling of his hand touching her, and she realized that from this day forward Tallest Purple would consider her a friend.

"Are you leaving?" he asked, hinting that she didn't have to.

"Yes," she said after a moment of indecision. She needed time to think about this new friendship of hers and she wondered if she should tell Purple about her theories as to an assassination plot. She doubted he'd believe her, but then again he had touched her. He escorted her to the door and she bowed her head, leaving.