Okay, something is going on with this chapter. I can't get the dashes that indicate a transition between past and present to come back so it all kinda flows together. But you can probably guess where a flashback begins and ends. I'll try to fix it, but for now I thought I'd just give you a heads up.


Len awoke to find four pairs of cloudy blue eyes staring down at him. He sat up, alarmed. The four creatures standing around him watched curiously. He didn't recognize what species they were. Their bodies were similar to a bipedal reptile. Their skin was a smoky gray and a curved crest ran along the top of their heads and partially down their long necks. Two ivory horns jutted out behind the eyes. They didn't speak or move. They just stared at him, their milky blue eyes blinking every few seconds.

"Who are you?" Len asked nervously in a shaky voice.

We're called Torians. Len jumped. Their mouths didn't move but he heard one of them speak. He realized it was more of a thought, a feeling in his mind.

Not quite sure how to talk back in the same manner, he spoke the way he knew. "Why am I here? Wherever here is…"

We took you before the enemy could. You're safe with us. It was a different one talking to him. The voice was softer and sounded feminine.

"So you're not the Tulok?"

No. The Tulok are our enemy as well as yours.

Len felt a wave of relief wash over him. These creatures didn't seem to want to harm him. "So what will happen to me now?"

We are taking you back to your own people. We are taking you to the nearest Irken occupied planet in this area. You cannot stay with us. You do not belong here.

The feeling Len was getting from them wasn't rude or bad. He did not know how but he understood their thought. He couldn't stay with them, he knew there was something he needed to do. If only he knew what it was.

Len was lead to a different room where he found food and a bed. The Torian creatures left him alone. As soon as they were gone, Len suddenly remembered his situation. He didn't understand it, but those aliens had made him feel relaxed and calm. Now that they were no longer around, he once again felt sad and afraid. He was wishing none of this had ever happened.

His father's death was still fresh in his mind. When walked in the room, the sight of the food made him think he was starving. He didn't feel hungry anymore. He sat on the bed and placed his head in his hands. He was slipping into another nightmare again, where everyone he knew and loved would disappear from his life. But something told him it wasn't so. There was some new strength that had slowly been forming inside him. He picked his head up and stared at his palms.'

You do not belong here,' the aliens had said. Maybe there was something else waiting for him out there. Tallest Silu had taught him to be strong and brave no matter what kind of situation he found himself in. Silu had saved him by launching the escape pod. If Len had had his way, he wouldn't have let his father do it. He would have remained there with him and most likely wouldn't be where he was now. Len understood he may have to make those kind of choices someday. He told himself he would be strong, just as his father and brother had been, and he'd make them proud, wherever they were.

Purple saw the bleak, abandoned sphere of rock that was called the Still Moon. Close by was Laron's personal ship, the Bloodstone, waiting for them. It was similar in size to the Massive but had a completely different design. It was long and narrow with a fish-like shape. Four long tails jutted out the back. Its name came from its color, a dark blood red with tan, green, and violet highlights. It waited patiently near the moon.

The Massive's computer alerted that Laron was hailing them. Tallest Red waved his hand, giving the order to receive. Laron's image appeared on the view screen.

"Are you ready to proceed?" the Sirian leader asked.

"Lead the way," Red responded. Laron smiled and the screen went black. Outside, the Bloodstone turned and headed past the Still Moon. The Massive followed.

The planet Siria was a ball of blue, green, and white. The Massive settled at the cliff docks, high precipices of rock overlooking a wide green valley surrounded by a thick mountain range.. The Tallest were brought to Laron's palace in the foothills.

Tallest Purple stared out over the blue lake from the balcony of the guest room. It was all still exactly as he remembered it. He felt Red walking up behind him. He tried to tell himself to stop being so tense.

"So are you ready for this?" Red started.

Purple looked at him. "What do you mean?" he asked curiously.

"You've just been acting strange lately. I get the feeling you don't want to be here," Red grinned.

"Is it that obvious?" Purple sneered sarcastically. He turned back to the view of water glistening in the sunlight. "I'll be fine. Just forget about it."

"Whatever you say." Red went back inside.

Len gazed out the Torians' viewing window. He saw a small dark green planet. Numerous Irken ships came and went from the planet's surface.

"What planet is that?" Len asked. It looked dark and dreary, not a very inviting place.

It is Planet Devastis, one of the Torians answered. This is the closest Irken world that we could bring you to.

"Devastis? But this is a military planet," Len said turning to the alien. He was slightly unnerved.

Though we have common enemies, we prefer to remain outside the Irken Empire.

Len frowned down upon the planet. Devastis was far from the center of the empire. It was meant to keep new Irken soldiers away from familiar faces so they would become unattached. He doubted anyone down there would recognize him, much less know that Tallest Silu had a son. Once he was on the surface, it would be difficult to get off the planet.

Devastis edged closer and closer as the Torian ship approached. Len bit his lip. He was hoping to be dropped off on a more welcoming planet.

There was something about that place that Len didn't like. Everyone seemed so tense. Those that walked passed him as he made he was to the command center didn't even seem to acknowledge his presence or his height. Their eyes looked incredibly focused on where they were going. Len quickened his pace. He reached the steps and stared up at the enormous central command building. He nervously stepped up to the door and slowly went inside.

The Torians left him with no clue as to who to approach. All they said was to look for the command building and they beamed him down to the planet surface before he could ask anything. So there he was, at the right location but not in the right place as far as he could tell. Several hallways disappeared into different directions. They were too dark and too long to tell where they ended. Len stood there with no idea where to go or what to do.

"If you're looking for recruitment, you have to go to the left," a voice said from somewhere above him. Len jumped slightly and looked skyward. On the upper level balcony behind him was another Irken watching from his perch in the shadows. Len narrowed his eyes to try to focus on him.

"If you need help I'll be right there," the stranger said and he disappeared for a moment. Len heard footsteps off to the side and he saw the other Irken come to greet him from the staircase.

The stranger was just somewhat shorter than Len. Len guessed he must work in the command center judging by his clothing. Unlike the Irkens outside though, his bright magenta eyes were kind and helpful. "You are?" he asked.

"Len."

"I'm Elir. So what do you need?" Elir asked, smiling.

Len shifted his weight nervously. "I really don't know," he said slowly. "I'm not really supposed to be here. I was dropped off by these aliens and I was hoping to get back to Irk somehow."

Elir looked interested. "Aliens? Who were they? Why did they bring you here?"

"They were called Torians. They said this was the closest planet they could bring me to. I don't think they wanted to stay within the empire very long."

"Torians huh? I've never heard of them," Elir said, his eyes gazing up as he searched his memory for the name. "So then you just need a ride off this place? I hate to tell you the bad news but the planet has just shut down its transportation stations for the new training season. No one is allowed to leave. I think you're stuck here."

"…So now what do I do?" It was one thing after another. Len was wondering why the universe was keen to pick on him.

"Why don't you come with me and we'll get you registered. Maybe the head officer will get you a job or something while you're here." Len followed Elir down one of the dim hallways.

"What do you do here?" Len asked.

"I work in the command center. I'm an assistant to some of the top officers." Elir replied happily. Len was glad to have found him. Elir seemed to have a bright spirit compared to the dark atmosphere of this planet.

As they reached the head officer's door, several Irkens stepped out of the room. Len thought they looked similar to royal advisors. Elir waited until they were gone, then peered inside.

"Come in Elir," Len heard a voice say from within the room. The two entered.

"Commander Blue," Elir nodded his head respectfully at the Irken sitting in the desk in front of them. Len tried to keep his eyes from staring at the commander's mangled antennae. The one on the right was whole, but only half remained of the left one. There was a scar across his temple.

"Commander, this is Len. He's been stranded here accidentally. Maybe you could help him somehow," Elir said. Blue set his eyes on Len who looked away nervously.

"Len?" Blue said. "How did he get here?"

"Uh, he said he was dropped off by some aliens."

"Really?" Blue looked interested. "You can go now Elir. I'd like to speak to Len alone."

"Yes sir." Elir nodded at Blue and smiled at Len as he left.

"You've grown a lot, Len," Blue said once Elir was gone.

Len turned to him. "What?"

Blue smiled. "I'm probably the only one here who recognizes you."

"You know me?"

"Yes." Blue frowned. "I was just informed of what has happened. It is a terrible loss, Len. Silu was a very close friend of mine and he was loved by many. Soon the rest of the empire will know. Then a new Tallest must be chosen."

"I've never seen you before," Len said, observing Blue and his scars.

Blue smiled. "When he took you in, Tallest Silu came to me and asked that if anything should happen to him, I would place you under my care."

"He did?"

The commander nodded.

"Then, does this mean I will be staying with you now?" Len asked.

"I know it must be hard for you Len," Blue said, standing up. Len didn't realize before how tall he was. "I'm keeping my word to Silu. You're welcome in my family Len." Blue smiled. He stood in front of Len and placed his hand on his shoulder. Len looked up at him. He was reminded of his father. Blue towered over him in the same protective, majestic way. Len stared into his eyes.

"Are you going to be Tallest now?"

A soft smile curled Blue's lips. "No. That responsibility will be given to someone else."

Len looked at him curiously. "Why? You're almost as tall as my father. Don't you want to be leader?"

"It isn't a question of whether I want it or not. There's another reason."

"What's that?"

"It's just that I'm not allowed to take up the candidacy."

"What?" Len was confused.

"We'll talk about it later. Right now, I need to take care of something. You can wait for me in there," Blue motioned towards a side door. "I'll be back."

Blue left the office. Len went into the side room which resembled a small lounge. He saw another doorway on the opposite wall. He sat down on one of the couches and waited. Maybe things would turn out alright after a while. Blue seemed friendly enough and he said he'd fulfill his promise to Silu. Though Len thought it was strange that he had never met Blue before.

He lifted his head up as he heard the door open, but it wasn't the door that led to Blue's office. Len looked at the young Irken that came in. He was staring at Len.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm Len."

"What are you doing here?" It was as if Len had trespassed on personal ground.

"I was told to wait here."

"By who?"

"Commander Blue."

Red eyes flashed. "Really?" the other sneered. He strode over to the sofa across from Len and sat down, gazing daggers at him. Len could tell that he was no taller than him.

Len felt uncomfortable. He tried to make conversation with the fiery Irken. "So, who are you?"

The other's eyes narrowed. "I'm Rusil. People call me Red though. So what does Blue want with you?"

"It's kind of hard to explain."

"How so? My brother does very important work you know."

"Your brother?" Len got a feeling this wasn't going to end well. Fortunately for him, the door to Blue's office opened and the commander stepped in the room.

"Hello Red. I see you've met Len," Blue said, grinning.

"Yep."

Blue turned to Len. "He's not bothering you, is he? My little brother has a habit of trying to intimidate everyone he meets. I should have warned you about him earlier." He smirked in Red's direction. Red glared at him.

"We're fine," Len said, nervously looking at Red.

"Good. Well Red, you'll be happy to know that Len is going to be staying with us for awhile."

"What?" Len flinched at Red's reaction. "Blue, why? How can he just walk in here and move in with us?"

"Red…" Blue sighed. "I've talked to you about this before. Don't you remember?"

Red glared Len. "Why now though?"

"Because it was just time Red," Blue's voice was raised slightly louder. Len looked over at Red who seemed to take the hint.

"Fine," Red growled. He walked out of the room through the door he entered from. Blue turned to Len and smiled.

"Just give him time. He likes to be difficult."

"Why?" Len asked.

"It's just the way he is now. Ever since Grey disappeared, I think he's felt like something very important was ripped from his life."

"Grey?"

"His twin brother. They were very close. He's been able to get along fine without him, but sometimes I think the memories come back to haunt him." Blue looked at Len. "He'll be alright once he cools down a little. I think he'll get used to having you here. It's been awhile since he's been around someone else his age or his height. Come on, I'll show you where you'll be staying."

Len got up and followed Blue through the door Red had used. As they made their way through the living quarters of the command center, Blue turned to Len. "If Red ever bothers you or if you ever need anything, just come to me. I'll do what I can to make you comfortable here."