The Enforcer's ship opened and four Irkens sprang out, each adopting a combat stance, weapons raised.
"Identify yourselves!" The tallest of the quartet barked.
Dib barely heard her, his attention captured by the sleek glowing guns pointed at him. The Irkens in front of him were all significantly shorter than him, but even the smallest was taller than Zim. Their faces were stoic, their aim steady.
"I am ZIM!" Zim responded, just as loudly. "This is my human slave, Dib!"
"Zim?" The shorter member of the group echoed, his eyes widening and face turning pale.
"Be silent," hissed the tallest, who appeared to be the group's leader. "Remember your training." Turning her eyes back to the pair, she tapped a small device attached to her uniform at the neck. "Requesting backup, code Zeta Iota Mu."
"Code ZIM?" Dib couldn't help interjecting. "Is it normal for Irkens to have their own codes?"
The shortest Enforcer whimpered, moving to hide behind one of his partners.
Zim grinned, oblivious to the fear around him. "Of course not! They must have made a special code to celebrate my return! I told you I'm famous, Earth-stink."
The leader's eyes narrowed for a moment before she schooled her expression. "You are in violation of Irken Law #58443581 – flying in a restricted zone without proper clearance. You will be taken to the Tallests immediately for punishment."
"Ah yes, the Tallests must be eager to see me," Zim responded cheerfully. "I'm their favourite Invader," he added to Dib.
"Sure you are," Dib sighed. He'd spied on many transmissions between Zim and his Tallests. It was pretty clear to anyone how they felt about him. At least, to everyone but Zim.
"You will accompany us in our ship. Board now."
"Hurry, Dib-filth! We can't keep my Tallests waiting!" Zim pushed Dib forward, a spring in his step.
Dib reluctantly complied. It wasn't as if he had much choice; the other Irkens hadn't lowered their weapons and he didn't want to find out how deadly their shots would be. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with Irken air. It tasted somewhat metallic, but it wasn't unpleasant. He hadn't seen anything remotely plant-like yet, and he hoped he'd have a chance to learn why Irk still had a breathable atmosphere.
They boarded the ship, Dib sitting in the back between the two shorter Enforcers, who stole curious glances at him when they thought he wasn't looking. Zim was between the taller two – the leader piloting the ship and the other openly glaring at him.
The ship took off, the pilot flying slower and smoother than Zim. A small group of similar ships soon joined them, flying just behind. Dib leaned back, trying to get comfortable, hoping the punishment wasn't execution.
Zim was chatting excitedly, not caring that no one else was paying attention. Until…
"Look, Dib-filth! It's the citadel! That's where my Tallests are!"
Dib's mouth fell open. The citadel was enormous, at least as wide as five city blocks on Earth and towered above the other massive structures. But unlike Irk's other buildings, its visage wasn't broken up by any windows. It was entirely dark magenta metal, an imposing, impenetrable mass.
They docked and left the ship, Enforcers still at their sides with grim expressions.
"Zim!" Dib hissed, aware of how the other Irkens twitched their antenna, listening in. "Just how much trouble are we in?"
Zim just turned to look back at him, an unconcerned smile on his face as they were lead through the building's doors. Dib was not reassured in the slightest.
Dib's mouth fell open as they entered the citadel. It was not remotely what he was expecting. Everything he'd seen of Irk so far was sleek and metal and modern, but here was intricately carved stone-like material, mostly a dusty pink with bright magenta streaks running through it. Above him he could see ornate staircases, winding their way to higher floors, fading into the darkness of the upper levels.
He stopped, staring for several moments.
An Enforcer gave him a shove. "We are not to keep the Tallests waiting," scowled the Irken.
"What…" Dib blinked and quickened his step to catch up with Zim. "Why is this place so different?" He asked.
Zim looked around and made a face. "It's one of the last remaining pieces of ancient Irk. Back when we were a more… primitive species. Still not as primitive and pathetic as you humans however! It's an important headquarters for the Tallests, which is why it's only been added to, not destroyed and rebuilt."
"Ancient Irk…" Dib murmured to himself. He wondered how long ago that was, but he didn't have time to ask. A set of doors were opened and he was pushed through.
They entered a large room, the Tallests sat on cushy seats on a raised dais, half-listening to an Irken displayed on a large screen against the far wall. Tallest Purple was drinking from a cup with a straw and Tallest Red had a hand in a brightly coloured crinkly bag. They glanced at the newcomers, their faces neutral until their eyes landed on Zim.
The cup went crashing to the floor, bright blue liquid flying everywhere. Tallest Red started choking.
"Zim? What are you doing here?" Tallest Purple gaped at them.
"They-" An Enforcer began.
"Greetings my Tallests!" Zim interrupted, raising a hand in salute. "I received the broadcast for all Irkens to return to Irk for a pak update."
"That signal shouldn't have reached past the Fornax Cluster!" Tallest Red managed to stop choking long enough to sputter out.
"I've upgraded my receiving system! Since we had so many issues with your signal when I sent my reports, I sent out some satellites to improve it. As you can expect from your greatest Invader!"
"Of course you did," Tallest Red sighed. "Enforcer – why did you bring him here?"
"This Irken violated Law #58443581, he has been brought here for punishment," the Enforcer replied, bowing to the Tallests.
"Mmm, law 58… um…" Purple trailed off.
"It's flying in restricted airspace, my Tallests," said the Enforcer.
"Oh, yes, of course!" Purple straightened up. "What was the punishment for that, Red?"
"I believe it's death," Red replied with a grin.
Zim's eyes widened. "My Tallests?"
"No no no no," Dib started muttering under his breath, glancing back at the exit. He felt one of the Enforcers clamp a firm hand on his arm.
Purple gestured to the Enforcers, "Put them in a cell for now. We'll have an official decommissioning and execution this evening."
"W-wait, my Tallests! Give Zim another chance, I've almost conquered Earth- hey, get your hands off of me!" Zim struggled in the grip of the other Irkens.
A light flashed, blinding Dib temporarily. When his vision cleared, he could see Zim's pak shining brightly for a moment before dimming to a faint glow.
"Hey! What did you do to my pak? Stop that! Mmmpphh!" Zim was gagged and cuffed and then they were roughly forced to walk. Dib struggled, but the small Irkens had an iron grip on him. They were practically dragged into an elevator, which quickly brought them down… and down…
Eventually, when Dib was genuinely starting to wonder if the elevator went straight through Irk and would deposit them on the other side, they stopped.
The doors opened to reveal a nondescript hallway, no marking marring the dark pink walls. An Enforcer's pak opened and connected to a wall, which opened into a small room.
They were thrown inside, the door was sealed, and their captors departed.