Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Invader Zim.
Chapter Six: Day Two on the Massive
Yempt continued to glare at Twaine as he chewed his meal. He never took his eyes off the strange Irken as the other babbled incessantly about trivial matters. "- and then he was sent to Hobo13 for his supposed training." Twaine stifled a giggle. "I'd never seen the Tallest before Clay's party, but I heard they were sore for WEEKS after he survived - even after they tried to send him into that sun!"
"You know," complained Yempt moodily, "I'm only here because I'm hungry!" He indignantly shoved a spoonful into his scowling mouth.
"Of course! That's why I took you here. I took one look at you and I could hear your stomach saying," he tightened his voice to a high-pitched squeal, "feeeeed meeee!"
Yempt glanced away, beginning to feel somewhat uncomfortable around this weirdo. "- You're so stupid."
His companion lifted a hand to his forehead dramatically. "Alas! It is so! That is why, I, Twaine, was not destined to be a mightily smart scholar, but a lowly, humble researcher!" He grappled onto his head as if it were about to explode. "My brain meats just could not handle the knowledge!"
As Yempt looked around he noticed that a few amused onlookers were watching Twaine's behavior. Some giggled and turned back toward their food while others continued to watch, as if it were some kind of show. He frowned - they were apparently used to Twaine's outbursts. He rolled his eyes, not caring what the people in the dining hall thought, and turned back to Twaine. "You're a liar. If you were that dumb, you wouldn't be working on the Massive. Why do you have to be so melodramatic all the time? It doesn't get you anywhere -"
Twaine ignored Yempt's sour attitude. He fluttered his eyes in mock flirtation, "So you think I'm smart then?" He seemed delighted. He leaned forward and asked jokingly, like a star-crossed lover, "Tell me more about myself, Sweet Pea."
A dark green eye twitched at the name. "- Sweat Pea? Sweat PEA! Where do you come up with these names? Why don't you go chase down someone else? Do I look like I'm looking, or are you attracted by hopeless causes? Believe me, it is hopeless."
"That's right!" Twaine now adopted a horrified tone. "I forgot you prefer to be called Love!"
"No I don't!" Yempt shook his head despairingly. "You just don't understand, do you? I - am - not - interested. I - do - not - like - you. I - think - you - are - crazy. I think this love business is a waste of time, anyway. It's merely a pastime for losers and a tool for the manipulative." He crossed his arms and watched Twaine's reaction, feeling the slightest tinge of guilt when his companion's laughing red eyes began to falter. It wasn't long before Twaine was able to rally his spirits again, but Yempt could still see the doubt that now lingered in his expressions.
"Oh, you just need to look on the brighter side of life. Just think of it! You've been taken away from Food Courtia, which you told me you hated the other night, and sent to an interesting ship full of interesting people. You were able to meet the Tallest! You have no responsibilities at the moment, so you can roam around and do what you want!"
"- Go away."
This time Twaine's perpetual smile fell for more than a second. He glanced around for a moment as if trying to think of something to say before grinning again, though not as broadly. "Speaking of responsibilities, I should be getting back to work now. My break is almost over and -" Twaine's voice lingered off as he lifted himself out of his seat and took his tray to the disposal unit. Yempt watched as the black-clad researcher left and began to pick at his food.
########################################################################
Tah secured her training boots and stood up, stretching a bit. She was more than early to meet this instructor Red had lined up for her, but she wanted to do a lot of warming up first. Although she had kept up with her laser and fighting skills, it hadn't been in a rigorous training situation. Also, she had gotten into the habit of looking around for traps and the such whenever she had a preplanned event - she'd been caught in too many 'accidents' as of late. She walked out into the training rooms and glanced about, feeling as if she were back at the Academy again. She smiled as she set to work, examining the floor for inconsistencies and the air ducts for anything strange. She checked under the training mat and examined all the equipment, but nothing turned up. Satisfied, she sat down and began doing her regular stretches. She reached out with her arms, trying to touch the toe of her boot. As she did this she happened to glance up, and for a sheer moment she thought she saw a face peeking from behind the corner - a face of a medium sized man with red eyes. She blinked, not sure whether the face she had seen was an actual person or a specter of her now paranoid imagination. Of course, it wouldn't be odd for someone to be around, that area being a public training area. She shrugged off her suspicion, taking a deep breath. She was tired of looking behind corners all the time.
Besides, if she was being watched things were going according to her plans. She had to admit to herself that the trail of clues she'd followed to narrow her search to the population of the Massive had been a shaky one. She had no idea whether her leads were right and if they were, exactly who on the Massive her arch nemesis was.
By now, he was her arch nemesis. He'd orchestrated so many things - the worst having been the explosion of the hatcheries, and since she'd begun her search she'd gotten to know his style of crime very well. His operations varied in type, but they were always elegantly performed, meticulously planned, and almost impossible to trace. Tah knew that this nemesis of hers knew her just as well as she did him. He'd teased her almost from the moment she started on his trial - leaving mocking hints for her, doing such petty things as stealing her boots and leaving them near a crime scene months later. Tah was sure that although he was a genius, he must be very weird.
Tah let her mind drift to Yempt, although this could hardly be considered moving to a more pleasant subject. She disliked him, but she still felt sorry for him and could understand if he was going to start becoming a little bitter - more so than he already was. She had taken him away from his home and job with no warning, something that must have been confusing for a long-time waiter. She reached her arm behind her back, pulling on the muscles there. She closed her eyes for a moment and reflected that confusing as it must be, taking him with her was the only way to have kept him safe. She had no time to arrange any other protection for him and she couldn't have brought herself to just leave him to die. However, she didn't like the idea of having him with her, either. Truth to tell, she had nothing for him to do and couldn't give him the attention he probably needed. She imagined him sitting in his room, bored to death but too stubborn to find an amusement. She sighed and began to stretch out the other arm. She had tried to visit him for lunch, but he hadn't been in his room. She'd looked for him but had given up after she'd met Clay in the hall. "Well," she said inwardly to herself, "If he wasn't in his room he must be doing something -" Her guilt at leaving him alone somewhat subsided and her thoughts were distracted when someone entered the training room. She stood from her stretching and took a look at her instructor.
"Don't you have more important matters to attend to, my Tallest?"
"Red! Call me Red!" Her monarch approached her, no longer hovering and dressed in a training outfit. He grinned at her as he shook a playful fist at her - at least, she hoped it was playful. He crossed his arms and tried to look perturbed. "And I can't see anything more important than making sure you've got the skills it takes to protect yourself. I mean, think of me here! I'm not living with Purple if he loses you!"
Tah ignored a blush that crept up her cheeks as she approached her Tallest. "This is a job for a subordinate, Sir."
"Are you trying to tell a Tallest what to do?" He gave her a severe glance.
"N-no, Sir-"
"Red!"
"No, Red. But you can't possibly mean to take time out of your day to do this, can you?"
"Come on! I train every day! Besides, I'm the best in the Empire!" He pointed to himself, dripping with pride. "Who would I have teach you but the best?" He then lowered his stance into a fighting position, flexing his claws. "Now, show me what you have -"
"I'm not fighting a - AHHH!" She jumped out of the way as he attacked her.
########################################################################
Yempt shuffled his feet as he walked down the catacomb halls of the Massive. He was looking for something to do, but couldn't think of anything he'd be interested in. He didn't like to read, so the library was useless. He didn't care to socialize, so the Entertainment Center was out of the question. He had never been talented at physical activity, so he had no wish to visit the training or recreational halls. He even wanted to avoid the observation deck and its bland view of the colorless vastness of space. For the moment he settled with wandering about, watching people as they passed him by.
His walk slowed for a moment when he recognized Twaine's boss. A queasy sensation rose up in his squiggly pooch at the thought of the goofy researcher and the lunch they'd just had. He glanced away from the familiar face, but it was too late. A slow, sleepy voice addressed him, "You're Twaine's friend, aren't you?"
Yempt wasn't sure how to answer the question, so he merely replied with sullen silence. The head researcher didn't seem to notice.
"I hear you're working for our Miss Tah. She once was a researcher under me, you know." He nodded his round head and smiled at the memory before a thought crossed his mind. "Oh, but wait - I haven't introduced myself. Why, you're probably wondering who I am, talking to you as if I know you." He smiled and chuckled to himself.
Yempt crossed his arms and raised one brow. "That's about right, and I don't necessarily 'work' for Tah."
Again the jolly man ignored Yempt's comment. "I'm Twaine's superior, Tzen. I'm between shifts and was going to my quarters to have some tea. Care to join me?"
Yempt had no particular urge to join this Tzen for anything, but his feet were starting to get tired at so much walking and having tea would mean an excuse to sit down. The suggestion that he might be able to find out more about his strange admirer also fluttered across his mind. He shrugged and began to follow Tzen down the passageway. Once there he looked around at the somewhat large room almost totally engulfed in plants. He frowned, noting in his dismal brain that he didn't like plants. He figured that anything that needed something as wretched as water to survive couldn't be good. He seated himself at the only table in the room as his host disappeared to get the tea things. Yempt contented himself with glaring at the numerous plants until he returned.
"So, how long have you known my researcher?" asked Tzen as he placed a steaming cup on the table.
Yempt stared at him as if he were a complete moron. "This is only my second day here - I met him at the Entertainment Center last night." He rolled his eyes and began to blow on his tea.
Tzen nodded. "Well then, he must have taken a liking to you." He laughed when Yempt shot an angry glare up at him. "Or maybe not.?"
"That's not your business." seethed Yempt contemptuously.
Tzen happily ate a cookie and took a long sip from his tea. "Probably not," he smiled. "Probably not. But," he cocked one eye with amusement, "I have heard rumors of a similar strain about one of our Almighty Tallest, though."
Yempt rolled his eyes, disgusted that he was being used as a source of gossip. "I'm not interested in that sort of thing," he sneered as he glanced away. "I haven't been paying attention!"
Tzen shrugged mildly and took another sip from his tea. "From the sound of it, you haven't known Tah very long. Where did you meet?"
This time Yempt felt more responsive. He made an exasperated sound as he glanced up at the ceiling. "I was a waiter in Food Courtia and she decides to run off with me like some - person who would do that! I don't care what you think about her, but I think she's gone crazy with whatever mission she thinks she has to accomplish. See, there was some death trap waiting for me at my home after I gave her a piece of paper she dropped, and suddenly there were lasers shooting from my cleansing room!" He brought his hand to his chin and began to reluctantly continue, "I suppose she just wants to protect me - but I still don't care for being forcefully dragged off planet like a smeet in training!" He took an angry slurp from his tea and banged the cup down, almost spilling its contents on the table.
Tzen nodded with what seemed to be understanding. "She can get carried away at times - especially recently." The older Irken's eyes misted over with thought for a moment before nodding and returning to the conversation. "Yes, she's been becoming more anxious."
Yempt considered this man and wondered if he knew what the word 'anxious' meant. He narrowed his eyes. "Why's a head researcher care about her? She used to work for you, but she doesn't anymore. Just stupid to worry about her now - a waste of time."
The head researcher turned in his seat and examined Yempt as if he's just seen him for the first time in his life. "Hmmm - you're unoccupied on this ship, aren't you?"
Yempt rolled his dark green eyes. "Duh."
"Well, maybe I can -"
"No. I don't want help from you. I want to figure out what's wrong with everybody on this idiotic ship. The Tallest are a couple of goofballs, Tah's obsessed with finding this 'mastermind' of hers, and -" he pointed at the man across from him, "- I don't trust you."
########################################################################
Tah wobbly walked over to her bed, her eyes caressing its soft surface. She fell upon it and quickly squirmed her way under the covers. The day had been wonderful but exhausting. It felt so good to see her old friends again and to experience some semblance of a normal life, but now her body ached from the exercise Red had forced her through that afternoon. It was true that he was a far better fighter than her, and he had taught her a few tricks, but now she felt like she couldn't move.
Earlier that night she had dined with Purple. She closed her eyes remembering the event. He had greeted her with a dinner laid out on his table. The meal was exquisite and Tah mused that the Massive chefs had really outdone themselves. They hadn't mentioned her case at all, or even much of the last two years, as if that time had never passed. They'd talked and laughed, and then she relaxed in his couch while he played his K'dor for her. When he'd finished he sat with her - each sporting a brainfreezy, of course, and they spoke for a little more before he reminded her what it felt like to be kissed and touched. She cuddled into her pillows and made a contented sound in her throat - she loved him so much...
She found herself walking down the halls of a deserted alley, seemingly endless with two stained walls closed in on each side. She placed all her effort into walking in the exact middle of the alley so there would be no chance of brushing up against those disgustingly filthy walls. She walked for what seemed to be a long time as mist began to surround her feet. The mist began to rise, and soon it seriously impeded her sight. She squinted, still determined to walk in the center of the passageway. The thought of simply stopping never occurred to her. She walked until she reached a dead end, or rather, a dead end marked with a brilliant, yellow door. A shiver went down her spine as she began to sense danger, although she had no idea where the danger could come from. She wrapped her brown gloved hand around the primitive doorknob of the door and stepped inside a decrepit-looking house. There didn't seem to be a straight edge in the place, everything seemed tilted and askew. She tilted her head to one side, wondering if that would make the room strait. She tilted her head until her neck hurt. When it became apparent that nothing she could to would straitened things, she straitened herself and began to walk about. Her eyes darted about as she looked for evidence - certain that this was a crime scene. All the furniture was either turned on end or ripped apart, but this didn't bother her. She even made a point of tipping over the only chair left standing. As she glanced down at her handiwork her antennae picked up a noise. It was sudden and high pitched, like the cry of something young and helpless. She followed the cry with an impending sense of dread, feeling a cold sweat ooze from her body. She rubbed her forehead, but that didn't help to remove her perspiration. She gave up and continued to follow the noise through the rooms of destruction. Her feet began to feel heavy and her steps became slow and forced. By the time she reached the last room she felt as if she were walking in slow motion. Slowly, she looked up and felt her mouth contort with terror. The crying had stopped, but it had led her to a young girl swinging from the ceiling by a length of rope. The girl was of a different race, one with pure white skin, large black eyes, and hair so light in color it was practically translucent. She didn't seem to notice that she had been hung as she stared back at Tah with her large, round, black eyes. "Daddy -" said the girl in a sad, whimsical voice as she began to shut her eyes for what Tah knew would be the last eternal time.
She woke up standing in the middle of her room, surrounded by chaos. Her pillows had been flung across her room, her single chair and table were tilted on the floor, and everything that had neatly sat atop her dresser had been thrown to one side. She blinked as she shakily began to wipe the sweat from her brow and even her haggard breath.
Yempt turned over in his bed. The screaming from Tah's room next door hand stopped just before he'd decided to see what all the racket was about. He cursed silently before closing his eyes once more and finally falling to sleep.
Chapter Six: Day Two on the Massive
Yempt continued to glare at Twaine as he chewed his meal. He never took his eyes off the strange Irken as the other babbled incessantly about trivial matters. "- and then he was sent to Hobo13 for his supposed training." Twaine stifled a giggle. "I'd never seen the Tallest before Clay's party, but I heard they were sore for WEEKS after he survived - even after they tried to send him into that sun!"
"You know," complained Yempt moodily, "I'm only here because I'm hungry!" He indignantly shoved a spoonful into his scowling mouth.
"Of course! That's why I took you here. I took one look at you and I could hear your stomach saying," he tightened his voice to a high-pitched squeal, "feeeeed meeee!"
Yempt glanced away, beginning to feel somewhat uncomfortable around this weirdo. "- You're so stupid."
His companion lifted a hand to his forehead dramatically. "Alas! It is so! That is why, I, Twaine, was not destined to be a mightily smart scholar, but a lowly, humble researcher!" He grappled onto his head as if it were about to explode. "My brain meats just could not handle the knowledge!"
As Yempt looked around he noticed that a few amused onlookers were watching Twaine's behavior. Some giggled and turned back toward their food while others continued to watch, as if it were some kind of show. He frowned - they were apparently used to Twaine's outbursts. He rolled his eyes, not caring what the people in the dining hall thought, and turned back to Twaine. "You're a liar. If you were that dumb, you wouldn't be working on the Massive. Why do you have to be so melodramatic all the time? It doesn't get you anywhere -"
Twaine ignored Yempt's sour attitude. He fluttered his eyes in mock flirtation, "So you think I'm smart then?" He seemed delighted. He leaned forward and asked jokingly, like a star-crossed lover, "Tell me more about myself, Sweet Pea."
A dark green eye twitched at the name. "- Sweat Pea? Sweat PEA! Where do you come up with these names? Why don't you go chase down someone else? Do I look like I'm looking, or are you attracted by hopeless causes? Believe me, it is hopeless."
"That's right!" Twaine now adopted a horrified tone. "I forgot you prefer to be called Love!"
"No I don't!" Yempt shook his head despairingly. "You just don't understand, do you? I - am - not - interested. I - do - not - like - you. I - think - you - are - crazy. I think this love business is a waste of time, anyway. It's merely a pastime for losers and a tool for the manipulative." He crossed his arms and watched Twaine's reaction, feeling the slightest tinge of guilt when his companion's laughing red eyes began to falter. It wasn't long before Twaine was able to rally his spirits again, but Yempt could still see the doubt that now lingered in his expressions.
"Oh, you just need to look on the brighter side of life. Just think of it! You've been taken away from Food Courtia, which you told me you hated the other night, and sent to an interesting ship full of interesting people. You were able to meet the Tallest! You have no responsibilities at the moment, so you can roam around and do what you want!"
"- Go away."
This time Twaine's perpetual smile fell for more than a second. He glanced around for a moment as if trying to think of something to say before grinning again, though not as broadly. "Speaking of responsibilities, I should be getting back to work now. My break is almost over and -" Twaine's voice lingered off as he lifted himself out of his seat and took his tray to the disposal unit. Yempt watched as the black-clad researcher left and began to pick at his food.
########################################################################
Tah secured her training boots and stood up, stretching a bit. She was more than early to meet this instructor Red had lined up for her, but she wanted to do a lot of warming up first. Although she had kept up with her laser and fighting skills, it hadn't been in a rigorous training situation. Also, she had gotten into the habit of looking around for traps and the such whenever she had a preplanned event - she'd been caught in too many 'accidents' as of late. She walked out into the training rooms and glanced about, feeling as if she were back at the Academy again. She smiled as she set to work, examining the floor for inconsistencies and the air ducts for anything strange. She checked under the training mat and examined all the equipment, but nothing turned up. Satisfied, she sat down and began doing her regular stretches. She reached out with her arms, trying to touch the toe of her boot. As she did this she happened to glance up, and for a sheer moment she thought she saw a face peeking from behind the corner - a face of a medium sized man with red eyes. She blinked, not sure whether the face she had seen was an actual person or a specter of her now paranoid imagination. Of course, it wouldn't be odd for someone to be around, that area being a public training area. She shrugged off her suspicion, taking a deep breath. She was tired of looking behind corners all the time.
Besides, if she was being watched things were going according to her plans. She had to admit to herself that the trail of clues she'd followed to narrow her search to the population of the Massive had been a shaky one. She had no idea whether her leads were right and if they were, exactly who on the Massive her arch nemesis was.
By now, he was her arch nemesis. He'd orchestrated so many things - the worst having been the explosion of the hatcheries, and since she'd begun her search she'd gotten to know his style of crime very well. His operations varied in type, but they were always elegantly performed, meticulously planned, and almost impossible to trace. Tah knew that this nemesis of hers knew her just as well as she did him. He'd teased her almost from the moment she started on his trial - leaving mocking hints for her, doing such petty things as stealing her boots and leaving them near a crime scene months later. Tah was sure that although he was a genius, he must be very weird.
Tah let her mind drift to Yempt, although this could hardly be considered moving to a more pleasant subject. She disliked him, but she still felt sorry for him and could understand if he was going to start becoming a little bitter - more so than he already was. She had taken him away from his home and job with no warning, something that must have been confusing for a long-time waiter. She reached her arm behind her back, pulling on the muscles there. She closed her eyes for a moment and reflected that confusing as it must be, taking him with her was the only way to have kept him safe. She had no time to arrange any other protection for him and she couldn't have brought herself to just leave him to die. However, she didn't like the idea of having him with her, either. Truth to tell, she had nothing for him to do and couldn't give him the attention he probably needed. She imagined him sitting in his room, bored to death but too stubborn to find an amusement. She sighed and began to stretch out the other arm. She had tried to visit him for lunch, but he hadn't been in his room. She'd looked for him but had given up after she'd met Clay in the hall. "Well," she said inwardly to herself, "If he wasn't in his room he must be doing something -" Her guilt at leaving him alone somewhat subsided and her thoughts were distracted when someone entered the training room. She stood from her stretching and took a look at her instructor.
"Don't you have more important matters to attend to, my Tallest?"
"Red! Call me Red!" Her monarch approached her, no longer hovering and dressed in a training outfit. He grinned at her as he shook a playful fist at her - at least, she hoped it was playful. He crossed his arms and tried to look perturbed. "And I can't see anything more important than making sure you've got the skills it takes to protect yourself. I mean, think of me here! I'm not living with Purple if he loses you!"
Tah ignored a blush that crept up her cheeks as she approached her Tallest. "This is a job for a subordinate, Sir."
"Are you trying to tell a Tallest what to do?" He gave her a severe glance.
"N-no, Sir-"
"Red!"
"No, Red. But you can't possibly mean to take time out of your day to do this, can you?"
"Come on! I train every day! Besides, I'm the best in the Empire!" He pointed to himself, dripping with pride. "Who would I have teach you but the best?" He then lowered his stance into a fighting position, flexing his claws. "Now, show me what you have -"
"I'm not fighting a - AHHH!" She jumped out of the way as he attacked her.
########################################################################
Yempt shuffled his feet as he walked down the catacomb halls of the Massive. He was looking for something to do, but couldn't think of anything he'd be interested in. He didn't like to read, so the library was useless. He didn't care to socialize, so the Entertainment Center was out of the question. He had never been talented at physical activity, so he had no wish to visit the training or recreational halls. He even wanted to avoid the observation deck and its bland view of the colorless vastness of space. For the moment he settled with wandering about, watching people as they passed him by.
His walk slowed for a moment when he recognized Twaine's boss. A queasy sensation rose up in his squiggly pooch at the thought of the goofy researcher and the lunch they'd just had. He glanced away from the familiar face, but it was too late. A slow, sleepy voice addressed him, "You're Twaine's friend, aren't you?"
Yempt wasn't sure how to answer the question, so he merely replied with sullen silence. The head researcher didn't seem to notice.
"I hear you're working for our Miss Tah. She once was a researcher under me, you know." He nodded his round head and smiled at the memory before a thought crossed his mind. "Oh, but wait - I haven't introduced myself. Why, you're probably wondering who I am, talking to you as if I know you." He smiled and chuckled to himself.
Yempt crossed his arms and raised one brow. "That's about right, and I don't necessarily 'work' for Tah."
Again the jolly man ignored Yempt's comment. "I'm Twaine's superior, Tzen. I'm between shifts and was going to my quarters to have some tea. Care to join me?"
Yempt had no particular urge to join this Tzen for anything, but his feet were starting to get tired at so much walking and having tea would mean an excuse to sit down. The suggestion that he might be able to find out more about his strange admirer also fluttered across his mind. He shrugged and began to follow Tzen down the passageway. Once there he looked around at the somewhat large room almost totally engulfed in plants. He frowned, noting in his dismal brain that he didn't like plants. He figured that anything that needed something as wretched as water to survive couldn't be good. He seated himself at the only table in the room as his host disappeared to get the tea things. Yempt contented himself with glaring at the numerous plants until he returned.
"So, how long have you known my researcher?" asked Tzen as he placed a steaming cup on the table.
Yempt stared at him as if he were a complete moron. "This is only my second day here - I met him at the Entertainment Center last night." He rolled his eyes and began to blow on his tea.
Tzen nodded. "Well then, he must have taken a liking to you." He laughed when Yempt shot an angry glare up at him. "Or maybe not.?"
"That's not your business." seethed Yempt contemptuously.
Tzen happily ate a cookie and took a long sip from his tea. "Probably not," he smiled. "Probably not. But," he cocked one eye with amusement, "I have heard rumors of a similar strain about one of our Almighty Tallest, though."
Yempt rolled his eyes, disgusted that he was being used as a source of gossip. "I'm not interested in that sort of thing," he sneered as he glanced away. "I haven't been paying attention!"
Tzen shrugged mildly and took another sip from his tea. "From the sound of it, you haven't known Tah very long. Where did you meet?"
This time Yempt felt more responsive. He made an exasperated sound as he glanced up at the ceiling. "I was a waiter in Food Courtia and she decides to run off with me like some - person who would do that! I don't care what you think about her, but I think she's gone crazy with whatever mission she thinks she has to accomplish. See, there was some death trap waiting for me at my home after I gave her a piece of paper she dropped, and suddenly there were lasers shooting from my cleansing room!" He brought his hand to his chin and began to reluctantly continue, "I suppose she just wants to protect me - but I still don't care for being forcefully dragged off planet like a smeet in training!" He took an angry slurp from his tea and banged the cup down, almost spilling its contents on the table.
Tzen nodded with what seemed to be understanding. "She can get carried away at times - especially recently." The older Irken's eyes misted over with thought for a moment before nodding and returning to the conversation. "Yes, she's been becoming more anxious."
Yempt considered this man and wondered if he knew what the word 'anxious' meant. He narrowed his eyes. "Why's a head researcher care about her? She used to work for you, but she doesn't anymore. Just stupid to worry about her now - a waste of time."
The head researcher turned in his seat and examined Yempt as if he's just seen him for the first time in his life. "Hmmm - you're unoccupied on this ship, aren't you?"
Yempt rolled his dark green eyes. "Duh."
"Well, maybe I can -"
"No. I don't want help from you. I want to figure out what's wrong with everybody on this idiotic ship. The Tallest are a couple of goofballs, Tah's obsessed with finding this 'mastermind' of hers, and -" he pointed at the man across from him, "- I don't trust you."
########################################################################
Tah wobbly walked over to her bed, her eyes caressing its soft surface. She fell upon it and quickly squirmed her way under the covers. The day had been wonderful but exhausting. It felt so good to see her old friends again and to experience some semblance of a normal life, but now her body ached from the exercise Red had forced her through that afternoon. It was true that he was a far better fighter than her, and he had taught her a few tricks, but now she felt like she couldn't move.
Earlier that night she had dined with Purple. She closed her eyes remembering the event. He had greeted her with a dinner laid out on his table. The meal was exquisite and Tah mused that the Massive chefs had really outdone themselves. They hadn't mentioned her case at all, or even much of the last two years, as if that time had never passed. They'd talked and laughed, and then she relaxed in his couch while he played his K'dor for her. When he'd finished he sat with her - each sporting a brainfreezy, of course, and they spoke for a little more before he reminded her what it felt like to be kissed and touched. She cuddled into her pillows and made a contented sound in her throat - she loved him so much...
She found herself walking down the halls of a deserted alley, seemingly endless with two stained walls closed in on each side. She placed all her effort into walking in the exact middle of the alley so there would be no chance of brushing up against those disgustingly filthy walls. She walked for what seemed to be a long time as mist began to surround her feet. The mist began to rise, and soon it seriously impeded her sight. She squinted, still determined to walk in the center of the passageway. The thought of simply stopping never occurred to her. She walked until she reached a dead end, or rather, a dead end marked with a brilliant, yellow door. A shiver went down her spine as she began to sense danger, although she had no idea where the danger could come from. She wrapped her brown gloved hand around the primitive doorknob of the door and stepped inside a decrepit-looking house. There didn't seem to be a straight edge in the place, everything seemed tilted and askew. She tilted her head to one side, wondering if that would make the room strait. She tilted her head until her neck hurt. When it became apparent that nothing she could to would straitened things, she straitened herself and began to walk about. Her eyes darted about as she looked for evidence - certain that this was a crime scene. All the furniture was either turned on end or ripped apart, but this didn't bother her. She even made a point of tipping over the only chair left standing. As she glanced down at her handiwork her antennae picked up a noise. It was sudden and high pitched, like the cry of something young and helpless. She followed the cry with an impending sense of dread, feeling a cold sweat ooze from her body. She rubbed her forehead, but that didn't help to remove her perspiration. She gave up and continued to follow the noise through the rooms of destruction. Her feet began to feel heavy and her steps became slow and forced. By the time she reached the last room she felt as if she were walking in slow motion. Slowly, she looked up and felt her mouth contort with terror. The crying had stopped, but it had led her to a young girl swinging from the ceiling by a length of rope. The girl was of a different race, one with pure white skin, large black eyes, and hair so light in color it was practically translucent. She didn't seem to notice that she had been hung as she stared back at Tah with her large, round, black eyes. "Daddy -" said the girl in a sad, whimsical voice as she began to shut her eyes for what Tah knew would be the last eternal time.
She woke up standing in the middle of her room, surrounded by chaos. Her pillows had been flung across her room, her single chair and table were tilted on the floor, and everything that had neatly sat atop her dresser had been thrown to one side. She blinked as she shakily began to wipe the sweat from her brow and even her haggard breath.
Yempt turned over in his bed. The screaming from Tah's room next door hand stopped just before he'd decided to see what all the racket was about. He cursed silently before closing his eyes once more and finally falling to sleep.