"Well we're on our way. Any ideas?" Red looked over at his co-ruler. Purple seemed calm, as if he had everything figured out in his head.
"We're going to contact Zim," he said. "If we're lucky the Tulok haven't arrived yet."
Red frowned. "And?"
"We tell Zim to track down the person they're looking for and leave the planet to meet us."
"Is he capable of such a thing?"
Purple didn't answer right away. "Let's try to have faith in him."
Red could hear the doubt in his voice. They were traveling at full power. The Tulok may already have a head-start but speed was part of the Massive's main design, even though it wasn't usually required. Most likely they would reach Earth at the same time the Tulok do. Plus they had contacted Blue, who was out running supplies to a few Invaders, and he had also set a course for Earth. The ship he commanded, the Os'solis, the Irken word for 'Lightning Storm,' was one of the best combat vessels in the fleet. Hopefully he would be the one to get there first.
The monitor displayed static for several seconds before the link was established. Red and Purple saw Zim's face appear on the screen. His insane little robot was waving and smiling at something off screen. Zim looked irritated and slightly nervous.
"Greetings MY Tallest!" What an honor it is to see you again!"
They waited as Zim saluted them, then Red spoke up.
"Zim, we have a very important mission for you."
Zim's eyes lit up. "Another mission? What is it you require of sirs?" he asked, standing straight and proud, nearly overly excited.
Red looked nervously at Purple, who addressed the tiny Irken on the screen. "Zim, we believe there is another Irken on your planet. We need you to find him and bring him to us as quickly as possible."
Zim suddenly lost his proud stance. He glanced nervously off screen. "Um, yes, well, about that…Forgive me, My Tallest, but I think he may have found me first."
"What?"
"As a matter of fact, he's trying to get past the shield blocking the doorway into this room."
"Why would he be doing that?" Red asked curiously.
"He was getting in the way while I was working on another brilliant plan! I couldn't have him disturbing me!"
"Did he tell you who he was Zim?" Purple asked.
Zim glared in the direction of the doorway on his side of the transmission. "He calls himself Indigo. He says he needs to use my Vootcruiser but I'm concerned he won't be bringing it back."
Purple mentally sighed in relief. It wasn't Grey, maybe they still had time. "Zim, listen, you have to bring him to us. I'm afraid you might be in danger." Zim looked at him questioningly before glancing off screen again. Purple sighed. "Not from him, Zim."
"Oh."
"Commander Blue is already on his way to Earth Zim," Red broke in. "You can rendezvous with him until we get there."
"Yes sir!" Zim was back to his usual self. "No need to worry My Tallest, I have everything under control! Zim out!"
The screen went black. "Hopefully he knows what he's doing this time," Red said. "I never thought we'd ask him to do a real mission. Do you think that guy he was talking about was really the one we're looking for?"
"I hope. Who else would it be?" Purple stated. Indigo, he thought to himself. My father's name…my real father.
>>>
Zim drew in a long sigh and stared at the shielded entrance. There on the other side stood a fairly tall Irken boy, glaring back at Zim through the red energy beams. Zim reached his hand over the computer panel in front of him and pressed a button, not taking his eyes off the person in the doorway. The beams shut off and Indigo cautiously stuck his hand out to make sure they were deactivated before entering.
"HI!" Gir squealed as the violet eyed Irken stepped in. He stared at the little Sir unit sitting on the floor and smiling endlessly at him.
"Who are you Indigo? Why do the Tallest want you?" Zim glared at him.
Indigo turned to him. "I don't know. I told you, I've never been off this planet before. I just need you help. I have to leave here."
Zim growled, scowling. "Fine. I'll take you into space, but we're going to meet the general of the Irken fleet."
"That's alright, as long as I'm away from Earth."
Zim looked at him curiously. "Why is it that you want to leave Earth so badly?"
Indigo frowned and crossed his arms. "I can't really explain. I just have this overwhelming, terrible feeling that something bad will happen if I stay. You're the only one who can help me Zim."
"Come on," Zim muttered, not really paying attention to him. "We'll leave right away."
>>>
Purple entered one of the small viewing rooms built along the side of the Massive. The stars floated by silently, disappearing for a few seconds behind the silhouette of a figure near the window.
"I know I'd find you in here," Purple greeted, smiling. Garnet turned to him and grinned. Purple went and stood by her side. "You always wanted to go into space," he said, remembering the few years of childhood he spent with her. Her work in the medical field kept her based on Irk, until now. Purple secured her a position among the higher ranking medics for the palace and the Massive. Mostly he didn't want to let her out of his sight and lose her again, letting her slip away for years. He knew she would be very capable of managing such a position, she was very intelligent, and he wanted to keep her close.
"It was really kind of you to bring me along," Garnet said. Then she smiled. "I probably wouldn't have let you go alone anyway." She stepped closer to him and rested her head in the crook of his neck. "I'm just glad you're back."
Purple automatically put his arm around her and gazed out the window. She was close enough so that her scent drowned out the dank air of the room around him. Something was burning in his chest. He drew in a deep silent breath and eased the burn in a sigh. Garnet was a part of him. She had appeared in his dreams, even years after they had first said goodbye. He was on the verge of saying he loved her. He only wondered if she was feeling the same.
Garnet lifted her head and turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his midsection and laying against his shoulder. "I don't want to lose you again Len," she said softly.
Purple held her close, whispering into her antennae. "I'm not going to leave you Garnet, not anymore, not ever." I love you, he added to himself silently.
