The disclaimer's in the previous chapters if you really want to read it.


Len and Garnet walked happily out of the auditorium. The rumors that had been spreading throughout the school turned out true. Tallest Silu was visiting the academy, observing the new generations of Irken soldiers and civilians to come.

Len felt somewhat unnerved. He could have sworn that while the Tallest was delivering his speech, the misty silver eyes had stolen a few glances directly in Len's direction. Len couldn't help but feel that the leader was looking straight at him.

It was late in the evening. The sun had already gone down and Irk's twin moons were shining their eerie, dim glow. Len could see the doorway to his room. It was then that he noticed Garnet had not bothered turning down the intersecting hallway behind them like she always did, where her own room was located. He fixed his eyes on her as they reached his door.

"Good night, Len," she said, smiling. He was caught off guard as she kissed him gently on the cheek. She turned away and walked back the way they came, turning right and disappearing behind the stone walls. Len realized he was still in the hallway, staring blankly at nothing. He opened the door and entered his room.

He didn't turn the light on. It was late and he could feel a wave of deep sleep coming on. He collapsed on his bed, not bothering to change into his night clothes. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep with the image of Garnet, her ruby eyes and perfectly curled antennae, swirling in his head.

-

Tallest Purple hovered down the long corridors of the Massive. He passed by several officers who saluted him but he kept his eyes on the floor as he went. He entered the control room where he saw Tallest Red was seated above the working stations. Purple sighed and went over to him. He hadn't seen his co-lord all day. He figured maybe Red would do something to take his past memories off of his mind.

Purple took his place next to Red with a simple "Hello." He remained quiet until Red broke the strange silence that had settled over the room.

"Where have you been?" Red started. "You haven't been around all day." Red sounded irritated. Purple knew Red could have a limited amount of patience at times.

"I've been in my room," Purple said flatly. "I was reading."

"You always find something to read and when you do, it's like you become shut away from the rest of the world." Red smirked. He was deliberately trying to get on his friend's nerves. Bugging the worker drones all day just wasn't enough. However, his smirk faded from his face when he looked closer at the other. Purple's half-lidded eyes were staring at the floor, his shoulders were slumped at his sides, and his antennae were beginning to sag.

"Is something wrong?" Red asked.

"No."

"Liar. I've known you for a long time Pur, I know when something's wrong with you."

Purple closed his eyes as he sighed. "I came across Tallest Silu's personal data journal."

"So?"

Purple leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. "There were things in it about me."

"Why would he write about you? How could he have known who you were? I think he would have never even known or cared you were alive."

Something deep inside Purple flared up into his chest. His eyes narrowed and his hand curled into a fist. He relaxed again, reminding himself that Red never knew about his relationship to Tallest Silu.

Now that he was thinking, Red didn't know much at all about where Purple came from. Purple wondered why this was. It must have been because Red never really asked him. In addition, Purple didn't like bringing those things up. The memories had been locked away in his mind until just that morning.

-

It was another warm day. Len stepped out into the courtyard of the school. No one had classes today and many were out and about, enjoying the sun and fresh air the spring season had to offer. Len spotted the familiar form of Garnet sitting at the fountains. Len made his way to her and smiled when she caught sight of him.

"Good morning," he said and he sat across from her. The mist from the fountains felt cool and refreshing. The water that spouted upward was formed on Irk and was unlike that found on other planets, which would burn them if it touched their skin.

"Hi," Garnet answered, smiling. "So what do you want to do today?"

"I don't know. I thought maybe we could…"

"May I join you two?"

Len was snapped out of his thoughts and stared at the newcomer. At first, he had no idea what to say, his body rigid and perfectly still. Then he realized just who it was standing before them. "Tallest Silu…uh, o-of course you can."

The silver-eyed leader grinned at sat on the other side of Garnet. The girl blushed slightly but nodded respectfully. Even though he was sitting, the two children still had to crane their necks to look up at the leader.

"Um, Sir, what are you doing here? I thought you would have gone back to the palace by now," Len asked carefully. Silu was the most powerful person in the empire. He didn't want to upset him.

The Tallest smiled at the young Irken. "I'm just visiting. Besides, it's a nice day. I don't want to be stuck indoors looking over paperwork."

Silu watched them. Len smiled weakly and Garnet was keeping her eyes on the ground, seeming to find the grass very interesting.

"There's no need to be nervous, you two," Silu said softly. "I'm really just another Irken like you are."

Garnet finally looked up somewhat. "Why did you come to see us?" she asked, perhaps a little bit louder than she wanted.

"Actually, I'm here to see you, Len."

Len snapped his head up. The color faded from his face. "W-Why? How did you know my name?"

"I asked one of your instructors," Silu answered, grinning. "They said you're very bright, Len."

Len didn't know what to say.

"I'm here to offer you a chance to work in the palace. Actually, more than that. I'm asking if you would like to serve directly with my service guard. It doesn't mean that you'll be put on guard duty. You're very intelligent from what I hear. You could work with the scientists and technicians. Both in the palace and on my command ship. You may also study what ever subject pleases you."

"I…I don't know…"

The Tallest watched him carefully. "I'm not pressuring you, Len. The decision will be all your own."

Len looked at Garnet. She only turned her eyes back on the ground. Len thought she looked bothered.

"Go Len." Garnet turned her head back up at him. "You need to go. It's the chance of a lifetime for you."

"But Garnet…I don't want to leave you here by yourself," Len didn't want to see her sad and he didn't want to be without her.

Garnet smiled though. "I'll be fine. You are very smart Len. You'll do well out there. I still have a lot to learn here." With that, she stood up and walked some distance away from the fountains. Len wanted to go after her, but for some reason, he couldn't make his legs move.

"Len," Len turned towards the silver Tallest. "You don't have to accept," Silu said softly.

Len found himself thinking about what his brother would do. Mek was always proud and striving to do the best that he could for his younger sibling. Len didn't want to disappoint him.

"I'll go with you."