Author Note: I'd like to take a moment to clarify a few things before hand: Later in the story, I will be including canon characters where for the time being I will not yet add those names to the story description, for spoiler-defense purposes. Also, whenever a new character is introduced, (for example, chapters 1-4) those chapters will be shorter for introductory purposes, but will lengthen over time.
Thank you for your time, and thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy my first tale of intrigue.
See you on the other side~
DISCLAIMER: I do not own or claim to own Invader Zim in any way, the copyright goes to Jhonen Vasquez and Nickelodeon
Also, I'd like to say in advance that in this story I have altered many aspects of the IZ universe to support it
2176
The Outer Edge, Designate: Etherium
Planetary time: 1600 hours
The standard protocols for re-entry in the ship sprang to life as gravity returned, waking Chronos from his chemical and cryo induced coma in the process. Like all Irken, Chronos did not sleep, so attaining a state of unconsciousness was very difficult. Coupling this with the theoretical life-spans of Irken, (theoretical at best, after all, how do you gauge the life span of a life form unaffected by time?) it made sub-light-speed travel agonizingly boring. So why not catch some artificial Z's on the flight?
Trying to Shrug off the grogginess of his faux slumber, Chronos removed the straps binding him to the bunk. Attempting to stand while using a nearby hand brace for stability, he failed as his efforts were met by gravity, followed by anger, then followed by an acute awareness of his throbbing headache. He hated how inefficient the cryogenic system in his PAK was, outdated as it was.
Eventually making his way to the bridge of the small stealth cruiser, Chronos checked the readout on the observation deck. The data streaming across the screen told him what he already knew: he was on an approach vector for Etherium, a planet near the outer reaches of the Irken Empire.
Etherium had once been an oasis, a pale blue orb of sanctuary, and serenity. Chronos had only been here once before, and would call Etherium a paradise to behold. The world was perfectly temperate to allow a kaleidoscope of plant, animal, and insect life to thrive. The planet was colonized and settled millennia ago by a coalition of alien races who then called Etherium home, without tampering with the delicate ecosystem and molding the world into a multicultural hub.
In recent years however, as the war machine of the Irken Empire accelerated into Operation Impending Doom III, Etherium has fallen into the strife of the Empire and its conflicts. Operation Impending Doom enlists the best of the best Irken soldiers in the Great Assigning to infiltrate enemy worlds and bring them down from the inside, nearly single handedly. After Operation Impending Doom II and the cataclysm known as The Purge, the Empire can no longer afford to wait for invaders to conquer civilizations from the inside. For the first time since the contact wars, the Armada engaged in frontline naval combat, leveling most opposition unwilling, or unwise enough to get out of the way.
It's been three years since Etherium came under fire. Three long years since Etherium burned.
Approaching Etherium allowed the onboard cameras to send images of the glowing sphere to the purple tinted screens in front of Chronos. He assumed an iron like visage at the pitiful sight as a once beautiful world now maintained a hellish orange-red fluorescence outlining glassed continents. Don't get caught in the sight of it, remember why you're here, he thought to himself.
He had requested deployment to Etherium to keep tabs on his team: Hades First Descent. First Descent fire teams were the answer to invaders. The Hades corps was legendary, as well being commanded by none other than Chronos.
These fire teams did not infiltrate to blend in with a target civilization, they took key regions by force overnight allowing for a full scale occupation by the Armada. It was quick, dirty, and underhanded, but someone had to do it. At least, that's what they had been ordered to do.
Red caution lights flared to life. "Alert. Atmospheric re-entry in ten minutes," the artificial intelligence bellowed over the intercom. The female voice startled Chronos, as the ship was originally equipped with a male AI. Chronos decided to ask Gidget about any other changes to his personal cruiser later.
He started putting on the prototype stealth armor stowed away in the armory. As the hull of the vessel started shaking more and more, he realized he didn't have enough time. "Alter descent vector by fifteen degrees," he said in no particular direction, knowing she would hear.
"Confirmed," the AI responded as expected, "Re-entry in twenty minutes."
Something was bothering him, "Where is the signature dampener for my armor?" he asked, and realized his helmet was also missing.
"There is no personnel signature dampener onboard," she answered.
Chronos stopped in his tracks, confused. "What?"
"Repeat, there is no signature dampener onboard this vessel. Although I did find a rather strange entity in the cargo bay," she responded in a somewhat curious tone.
Curiosity in an AI usually never bode well. "What is in the cargo bay that's so special?" hoping it was nothing, he moved to the rear of the ship.
"I don't know."
He stopped in his tracks again, "What?"
"All I can find is empty space, which on a pressurized vessel is pretty damn hard to do."
Dammit Gidget, what kind of broken AI have you given me? And what's with that casual tone? he thought to himself. Grabbing an anti-material ballistic rifle on the way, Chronos rushed to the back of the cruiser. Hefting the automatic rifle to his shoulder and scanning the room, he lowered the rifle and thought, If it were a spider, it would have bit me. Out loud he spoke, "How did this get onboard?" as he looked down to a small black box.
"I'm still flying blind here, I don't even know what you're looking at. All of the cameras in the cargo bay are offline, I've been trying to sort that out since you woke up."
Reluctantly, Chronos walked closer to the box and released the latch. Shouldering the rifle in one arm and reaching for the door on one side of the box, he opened it. Inside he found his helmet, the dampener and a data pad. Sitting the rifle aside, he reached for the data pad and felt a large wave ripple through the hull. "Another time," he whispered. Scooping up the helmet and dampener, he jogged back to the bridge. He had to finish armoring up and get ready for re-entry.
"What was in the cargo bay?" the AI asked anxiously.
"I'll bring you up to speed later," he probably wouldn't. There's something going on, and he knew Gidget had some answers. But for now, he sat at the controls to bring the ship safely into Etherium's atmosphere. "We've got more important things look into right now."
