More Bureaucracy

Even though Darden had never been on board the ship before, he often found himself in the lead of his supposed captors.

Invaders were a strange colourful looking race. Their large eyes resembled Irken eye implants, only they were black. They had black antennae, but they were on their foreheads rather than on their heads.

They were taller than an average Irken by quite a lot... in fact, they seemed almost Tallest sized.

He stopped when he reached another long hallway filled with many doors. He glanced at the Invader on his left. Neither of them would meet his gaze, but he still needed to know which direction he was suppose to take.

"Why are you following me?" He questioned them, and he flicked his antennae back.

"You are heading in the right direction..." the one on his right responded.

"To answer your question honestly, it's because we don't trust an Irken walking behind us," the other stated, sounding impassive.

So they wanted to keep someone they perceived to be their enemy in their view... He gave a slight nod to show he understood before continuing down the hallway.

"The medical unit is located in the left hall," one of them said.

Darden didn't really care which one was directing him. He was intent on making sure Lard Nar was alright.

It seemed Laes was doing just fine. Somehow that Vortian was able to make friends rather easily despite being weak and not always great at talking.

He knew soldiers who'd had plenty of training. They had been skilled in combat and they knew how to survive in many different environments. Many of them were dead or presumed dead... yet his task had been to protect a Vortian who was useless when it came to surviving on his own.

Laes always depended on the abilities and resources of others to live... the useless Vortian even fainted at the most inopportune times... it was pathetic.

However, he didn't dislike Laes as much as he initially did. Despite the Vortian's obvious faults, Laes was at least loyal to those he cared about, and not everything that came out of the Vortian's mouth was a complete waste of air.

He still had no desire to spend the rest of his life protecting him however, which was why he was currently here.

He didn't expect to make it out of the Invaders' lair completely intact. Whatever they did to him would end his current mission. He was sure of it...

This time the doors didn't open when he approached them. He needed to wait for the small device in the door to scan one of the invaders before it opened.

Was this a medical facility or some kind of laboratory?

Darden's antennae flattened.

There was bubbling purple liquid in a clear holding chamber as well as tall see-through tubes filled with unrecognized substances. Large complicated machines lined the walls. Other devices had been placed on a few nearby shelves.

He couldn't imagine what they might be used for since they looked very different from Vortian and Irken technology.

Then he saw two Vortians lying completely motionless on separate cots a few lengths down.

He strode over to one in order to take a closer look. Its eyes were open. It was staring up at the ceiling. Invader technology was attached to its head and there seemed to be a machine breathing for it.

The small screen attached to the wires had a green line showing no movement. For some reason this unnerved him.

"What is this...?" he questioned, glancing at the Invaders who'd come to stand behind him.

"They were given too much of the paralysis toxin," one of them answered.

"Unfortunately this resulted in both subjects losing all of their brain activity."

"Subjects...?" Darden repeated. His eyes narrowed at the Invader who spoke. "What do you mean by 'subjects?'"

"It was an accident... Vortians are not as resistant to the toxin as we expected. We assumed since they had been exposed to it in the past that they would require a slightly larger dose..." the other Invader explained.

Darden pointed accusingly at the Invader who'd been speaking. "How many of these 'subjects' do you currently have in your possession?"

"Including the two new ones, we have 9."

"And how many of them are in this pathetic state?" Darden questioned, gesturing to the two nearly dead Vortians.

He kept his tone level despite his rising concerns.

"The two new subjects are still responsive. The rest are not."

"Are you telling me you messed up on the toxin seven times?" Darden couldn't keep his voice from rising.

That didn't sound like a couple honest mistakes... that sounded more like pure neglect or at least a lack of consideration.

He was trying to suppress his anger. What if they do the same thing to Laes and Lard Nar...? Were they going to end up unresponsive as well?

Laes looked and sounded fine when he saw him. If the Vortian had been unwell he would have noticed.

"There were other factors involved, but that is none of your concern," the Invader responded, grabbing his shoulder. "Come this way."

Darden shrugged off the Invader's hand. "Don't touch me."

"Continue to the end of the room," the other Invader said.

There was blood on what appeared to be operating tables. Why was there so much blood? His spooch felt heavy as he walked by it, but he wasn't here to make observations about the state of their medical facility. He was here to make sure Lard Nar and Laes weren't being mistreated.

At the end of the room there were three silver doors. There were a thick see-through material in the shape of a square in each one. They were eye level, and they had obviously been put in place so whoever was standing outside could peer in.

Each door also had its own scanner.

Lard Nar was in the far left holding cell. That's what it was... there was no possible way it could be anything else.

One of the Invaders stepped forward and typed in a code. Then they placed their hand on the door. There was a blue light that shone, and the door seemed to melt into thin air.

"We'll come get you when your time is up," the Invader who'd been standing back told him as the other one stood aside to allow him access to the cell.

Darden stepped through the opening without any hesitation. As soon as he was inside the door reappeared.

Lard Nar was wearing a shiny silver outfit. He was sitting on a small bench, curled up with his knees drawn close to his body. His arms were wrapped around his legs, and he was shaking.

He kept his eye fixated on the wall in front of him.

"Lard Nar," Darden said in order to gain the Vortian's attention.

Slowly, the former rebel leader turned to look at him.

"Darden...?" he spoke, sounding confused.

His gaze wasn't focused. He let go of his legs and sat up straight. Then he carefully slid off the bench. He leaned against it to steady himself, but he wouldn't stop trembling.

"Why are you here...?" he mumbled.

Darden moved briskly to Lard Nar's side. He crouched down and grasped the Vortian's shoulders to steady him.

"Are you alright?" Darden asked.

Lard Nar was probably still suffering from the affects of the toxin.

"I... I don't know..." Lard Nar admitted, relaxing a little.

Lard Nar gripped the Irken's shirt and lowered his head to hide his expression. His legs weren't holding him up anymore.

"I know I've been drugged..."

"Are you hurt anywhere?" Darden asked, ducking a little in an attempt to see Lard Nar's face.

He'd never seen the Vortian looking so vulnerable before... it was a bit unnerving.

There were a lot of unnerving things in this place.

"I... I haven't checked... I think so... they did something and I..." Lard Nar sucked in a breath.

"Where is Laes?"

The tremor in his voice vanished and he lifted his head to look Darden in the eyes.

"Is he ok?"

"He's fine," Darden assured him. "He's currently having a drink with one of the scientists... he's in no immediate danger."

Lard Nar let out a sigh. "Good... that's good."

"What about yourself?" Darden questioned, doing little to hide the irritation in his tone.

From what he'd seen Laes' hand had been restored, and whatever was wrong with the Vortian's legs had been fixed.

Lard Nar however was still missing his eye and his fingers... he was also suffering from the toxin...

"You've been drugged and imprisoned."

"That's nothing new..." Lard Nar remarked, and he let go of the Irken and tried to take a step back. His legs were too weak to hold him however, and he ended up falling.

Darden caught him easily and he carefully set the former rebel back down on the bench.

He sat beside Lard Nar, closed his eyes, and titled his head back. This had been a stressful day... at least Lard Nar was still alive.

"Do you know why you're being treated with this kind of hostility?" Darden asked, glancing over at Lard Nar who'd wrapped his arms around his legs and was resting his head on his knees.

"They didn't say," Lard Nar responded. "They're probably being cautious..."

"They were being very hospitable towards Laes..."

Lard Nar looked at him and managed a smile.

"That's good... I'm glad he's alright."

"It's frustrating how he's able to speak easily with those in charge..." Darden muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. "He has no regard for societal hierarchies..."

"Aren't the Invaders reprogramming your people?" Lard Nar suddenly asked; his eyes widening in realization.

He stared at Darden for a moment before speaking, "you shouldn't be here... you'll be reprogrammed just like the other Irkens."

"It's too late to worry about that now," Darden responded.

The look Lard Nar was giving him was making his spooch turn. Why would the former rebel look at him with such concern?

"This was my choice. I don't have any regrets," he insisted.

"I see..." Lard Nar rested his forehead against his knees and breathed a sigh. "You're the only Irken I was ever able to talk to normally... I'm glad you decided not to self-destruct..."

"You realize I'm not currently dying," Darden responded. The corner of his mouth twitched into a half-smile."Don't start getting sentimental. It's not necessary."

There was a tap at the door, and Darden's antennae rose a little. It slowly faded to nothing, and one of the Invaders looked in.

"Your time is done."

Darden stood up and approached the Invader who was standing in the doorway. He turned to give Lard Nar a parting look before allowing himself to be led out of the holding cell.

Laes and Lard Nar were both ok for now, but for how long?

His eyes narrowed at the Invaders. There were three of them now.

"I hope you continue to give us your full cooperation," one of them said as the door to the cell materialize.

He looked down at his wrists. He still wasn't sure what the black bands did since he hadn't tried to resist, but he figured it wouldn't be something pleasant.

"It's not like I have much of a choice," Darden began, and his antennae flattened. "But if anything happens to your two 'subjects,' I will immediately stop being cooperative."

–

"My name is Kosiker," the Invader who'd just entered into the room said as he stepped past Laes.

It sounded like he was a male, and his colours weren't as bright as Delarla's had been, so he probably was.

He also wasn't carrying any kind of writing utensils with him.

"Kosiker?" Laes repeated, watching as the door became solid again.

He thought he'd been waiting to speak to Kachori. He was also hoping to stay near the door so he could leave as soon as he could.

"Yes, you pronounced it correctly," Kosiker spoke as he took a seat at the opposite end of the table. He gestured to the chair Laes had been sitting in before. "Have a seat."

Laes stared a the door for a moment before sighing and letting his shoulders droop.

"Yeah... ok..." he replied as he slowly returned to his seat.

Hopefully they wouldn't keep him in here answering questions for too much longer.

"It seems you answered all of the questions Sevai asked you."

"Uh... yes. To the best of my ability," Laes responded, clasping his hands and resting them on the table.

"I hope you don't mind if we go over them all again."

"I uh... no... I guess not... but I have friends..." he gestured towards the door. "Out there... and I was kind of hoping to see them."

"If Sevai had done things correctly then Kachori would have already spoken with you, however, he insisted on writing down the contents of your conversation rather than recording it..."

Kosiker tapped a piece of invisible technology on the side of his head.

"The rest of our conversation will be recorded. Keep that in mind while answering the questions I ask you."

"Ok.." Laes responded, sinking a little in his chair.

This Invader didn't seem very friendly... Kosiker's voice sounded stern. His antennae were raised higher, and he was keeping his shoulders squared.

In comparison, Sevai had been much more relaxed. He also smiled more.

"How are you currently feeling?"

Impatient. Scared. Wanting to leave. He couldn't say any of that...

"I'm fine..." Laes responded, making sure to avoid meeting Kosiker's intense gaze.

"Are you experiencing any pain?"

"No... I'm good," Laes replied.

"Do you have any concerns about the treatment?"

"Yes... lots actually..."

"List them for me."

"The uh paralysis... the um...mind reading... and uh... the not being given a choice... the um... lack of communication..."

There was a short pause before Kosiker continued. He really wasn't going to offer to chat a little bit was he?

Sevai had been a lot more open about his own thoughts and feelings. The other Invader had even listened to his complaints and concerns... but this guy seemed interested in the answers only.

"During the procedure it was determined you have a connection with the Tallest," Kosiker stated, and his eyes narrowed. "What is your relationship with Irk's current leader?"

"Punching bag?" Laes suggested with a small uneasy smile.

"That seems highly doubtful considering your most recent contact with him."

"Well..." Laes unfolded his hands. "I guess... I mean I don't know what Irk's leader would say but... I kind of thought we were kind of like..." He dragged a hand down his face. "Unfortunate accidental acquaintances probably?"

"Do you know his current location?"

Laes shrugged helplessly.

"I must insist you respond with words."

"I have no idea where the Tallest is right now..." Laes answered him truthfully.

It really was the honest truth... he had no idea where the Tallest was planning to go after he abandoned Irk.

"Your answer registered as truthful," Kosiker informed him.

Hold on... was there some kind of truth scanners somewhere in the room? Laes glanced up at the ceiling before looking at the walls. He couldn't see anything like that here.

Then his gaze fell on Kosiker again. Invaders were always wearing a bunch of different hidden technology... maybe he was wearing one somewhere on his person... but where?

"I need you to focus." Kosiker spoke, and Laes stopped looking the Invader up and down.

He sat up straight in his seat and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry... your technology is very interesting... I did a lot of research when I was engineering stuff... so... yeah... I guess I'm a bit curious."

"You will need to keep that curiosity to yourself," Kosiker stated in a very strong and no-nonsense tone of voice.

"Y-yes... ok..." Laes stammered, rubbing his formerly bad arm nervously.

"How was your health prior to treatment?"

"Average I guess... I hadn't gotten sick in a while... well... until the jungle planet a little while ago... I think I got some kind of jungle fever, and it was pretty bad, but I almost forgot about it because I was unconscious when I had it..." he was rambling... he always rambled on and on when he was nervous.

"Answer the questions as directly as possible," Kosiker told him, sounding annoyed. "I don't want to be in here all day with you."

"Oh yeah... sure... that sounds fine..." Laes mumbled, dipping his head and closing his eyes.

Maybe if he focused on breathing for a second his thoughts would calm down and he could stop saying useless things.

"Have you ever experienced any anomalies with your health?"

"I faint at the sight of blood...but I'm ok with it now..." he replied, opening his eyes.

He decided to stare at the table for a bit since his thoughts were still a bit jumbled.

"What stage of life are you in?"

"Working..." Laes responded.

He was trying to remember the stages the Invaders used but he couldn't.

"That is not a recognized stage," Kosiker informed him.

"Ah..."

"Sevai did go over these questions with you, did he not?"

"He did..." Laes was gripping his arm pretty tight. He chewed his lower lip. "We talked about other stuff a lot too, but I answered all of his questions..."

Kosiker let out an annoyed sigh.

"Of course he would go off topic... that is probably the reason he chose not to record your session." He rubbed the side of his head. "Are you old enough to reproduce?"

Laes stared at him, unable or unwilling to produce an answer due to shock.

"Yes or no Vortian."

"Yes," he said, and he dipped his head.

His face was warm and it was probably a lot pinker than it was before.

"Are your parents alive?"

"Y-Yes..."

"Are they near death?"

"No..."

"Can they reproduce?"

"Oh ganre why...?" Laes responded, covering his face with his hands.

That was the last thing he wanted to imagine.

"Answer the question."

"Probably yes..." He didn't want to think about it.

"Then you will be considered a young adult..."

Why couldn't his brain remember that from before? It would have saved him from all of these mentally scarring questions... he would never forget that term again though that's for sure.

"Have you ever had any kind of medicinal dependencies or addictions?"

Laes lowered his hands. "No... well... in school probably but not now."

"Are you currently using any addictive substances?"

"No. Uh, well, just for pain a little, yeah."

"Are you aware of any medical problems being past down through your family's genes?"

"Not as far as I know..."

"How many members are in your family unit?"

"It's just me and my parents..." Laes responded, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"And Sevai informed you that your organs are damaged?"

"Yeah... he did."

"Good," Kosiker said as he stood up from the table. He started walking towards the door.

"Kachori will speak with you next."

"Is she coming right away or...?" Did he have time to take a quick nap maybe?

"Stay in your chair," Kosiker insisted as the door dematerialized.

As soon as the Invader was in the hallway, the door returned.

Some Notes: It's like the DMC. But really, don't you just hate it when you're filling out some kind of government form, and you miss one little thing, so you have to go back and do everything all over again?

That's pretty much what happened, except Laes didn't even miss anything. It was Sevai who did it incorrectly.