Authors's Note: I would first like to extremely and deeply apologize for hanging you all like this, but writing isn't exactly one of my main hobbies. I like to draw more than write. (dante-d. I am very flattered that so many of you are enjoying my story, considering this is my first fanfic. Your comments are what keeps me going on this story even though I haven't placed a new chapter up for sometime (again, sorry). Thank you all who took the time to read it, fav it and comment on it. It means a lot to me. So, I hope this chapter makes up for my lateness. 3

A Defectives Haven

CHAPTER 10- Occupation Exploration

'There you go, Zim. Your door now only recognizes your bio signature. No one else.'Sayder said happily applying the finishing touches of re-programing Zim's door. He dusted off his hands and turned to the irken beside him. 'I'm glad you decided to stay.'

Zim closed his eyes and folded his arms. 'Yeah well, its not like I had anywhere else to go.' He did his best not to seem pleased about his decision even though he was a bit. After finally deciding to stay. He felt a little more at ease with himself. Not as depressed as he was the day before. Zim now had a new place to make a life for himself. New clothes, new irkens to meet, places to go and explore in Haven. He even enjoyed his evening chat with his new leader, Elder Malk. Its like he actually cared about what Zim had to say and seemed to understand what had happened to him. Irken leaders like the Tallest Red and Purple wouldn't normally even give a second thought about the ones smaller then themselves. But Elder Malk was different. He knew size didn't matter on his ship

'So...what do I do now?' Zim asked Sayder. 'I suppose I might need to get a job.' This just accord to Zim, now that he was no longer an invaderhe'd have to get a job.

Sayder nodded. 'Yes, you'll need to get a job for yourself. Is there anything you have in mind for a job?'

'Anything that doesn't have to do with fast food.' He replied seriously. Sayder just laughed. 'That aside I'm not really sure.' Zim placed his hand on his chin. 'For most of my life all I could think of being was an invader.'

' Well, since your now apart of the ship. Why not have a look around. See what the others do and if something catches your interests come and find me, ok?'

'Yeah. Sure, I guess it couldn't hurt to do that.' Zim replied.

'Then I'll be seeing you later. As for me, I have to get back to my job.' Sayder gave a quick wave and headed off out of the dorm.

Zim hesitated for a while just standing outside his room. He was now free to roam Haven by himself. Where should he go first? Should he just wonder around randomly, hoping to find something that might actually catch his interest? Maybe if he walked around the more he would come to understanding this place bit by bit.

Zim led himself out of the dorms and begin his little journey through Haven to find a job for himself. As he did, he pondered what kind of job he was interested in. Obviously nothing in the food court. He was through serving food to people. Could he be an electrician. Zim loved to play with gadgets and try to fix them. But he might get bored of that after a while.

What else was there for Zim to do. He wanted to do something exciting. Something with some action. He was never able to sit still for anything. Zim lived for danger, adventure, fighting, to- waitཀ That was itཀ Zim stopped himself in the hallway he was walking down. He could work in the defense sector. There was sure to be something interesting he could do there. Yeah, now all he had to do was find it. He remembered himself being told it was near the bottom of the ship. But how to get there?

Zim would probably need to find one of those maps of the ship. Great. To find one thing, he had to find the other. He wished he had thought of this sooner when Sayder was still with him. Then he could just ask him.

What was he thinking? Zim didn't need a baby-sitter He was perfectly capable of finding what he was looking for no problem. Zim puffed out his chest and lifted his head up and proceeded down the hall he was in.

Zim ventured through hall after hall, door through door, up and down every elevator. Passing many irkens but too much in his pride to ask for directions. The more he tried to find what he was looking for, the more he was just getting himself lost. He was beginning to get frustrated. The ship was like a maze.

'Uarghཀ A simple thing like a map and I can't find oneཀ This is ridiculousཀ' Zim stomped his foot and clenched his fists. 'Maybe I should ask someone where it is.' 'Gahཀ Noཀ I do not need help from anyoneཀ' Zim outburst to himself. 'I can find this defense sector with my two eyes closed.'

'Well, make sure you don't run into anything.' A cheerful voice called form behind him.

Zim froze where he stood and quickly turned around. It was Lex. Zim said nothing, mouth hanging opened like when he first saw her.

'Elder Malk had told me you decided to stay. I'm glad to hear that. I guess we'll get to know each other a little better.' Said Lex with a warming smile.

'Uh, yeah. I, uh, guess so.' Zim replied, scratching the back of his head nervously. Why did he feel so weird when talking to this irken? It seemed like he would just fall apart. It made Zim feel uncomfortable.

'So your trying to get to the defense sector?' Asked Lex breaking the odd tension.

'Yeah, I am. I figured I could try and find a job down there, but...'

'But, you can't find it.' Lex said finishing his sentence.

'I never said thatཀ I just...' Zim wasn't about to ask for help. He hated asking for help. It made him feel weak. He crossed his arms and looked away.

Lex just silently shook her head with a smile. 'I'm heading down there right now Zim. Why don't you join me.'

Zim turned to her and stared. 'I, well...um.' Its not like he had a choice. In any case, he wasn't really asking for help. She was offering.

When Zim didn't answer her Lex gently grabbed his arm and pulled him forwards with her. 'Come on.' She said simply

'Geh?' Was all Zim could say stupidly in response. Her hand was warm on his arm, and it sent shivers up his spine. He was close enough to smell her alluring scent. It made him feel light in his chest and his face began to heat up.

Lex led Zim into an elevator shaft. They both entered not saying a word to each other as Lex pressed a button for it to go down. The awkward silence was killing him. Should he say something to her? What would he say? Zim found it to be a nice time to fiddle with his shirt.

'So your interested in finding a job in the defense of Haven are you?' The elevator came to a stop and both got out. 'What kind of position are you willing to apply for?'

'Uh, I don't know. What kind of positions are there in this defense sector?'

Lex looked up as she walked, thinking to herself. 'Hmm... well, there is the technical defense where irkens make sure everything from our shields, cloaking devices and our ship's weaponry are all operational and functional.'

'Egh.' Zim didn't feel enthusiastic about doing that and by his reaction, Lex knew it to.

'I see, you want a job with excitement and action. Well, there is the fighter pilot position. Its obvious what they do.' They turned a corner. 'There is the trooper occupation, which is just the same as being a soldier. And of course there is the most well known and most popular position in the defense sector and throughout the ship.'

Zim stopped walking and looked at her. 'What?'

Lex looked back. 'The Champions.'

Zim's antennas perked. 'Whats that?' This sounded interesting.

'The position of a Champion is higher in rank than a soldier. They are in charge of the platoon of soldiers that are assigned to them. Only a few are picked to be a Champion. They have to have a well knowledge of combat, leadership, and battle tactic skills. Unable to lose a cool in a fight and are trained not to bend under extreme pressure.'

Zim was very interested in this position. 'So, its kind of like being an invader?'

Lex continued to walk, Zim followed her. Interested to hear more. 'Not exactly. Invaders are trained to work as a single, minus their SIR units.' Zim twitched at the mention. 'They work with stealth, infiltrating and to retrieve information. If you ask me, I think an invader is nothing more then, well, a SIR unit to their leaders.'

This struck Zim as something new. 'Hm. I never actually looked at it that way before. But an invader isn't just that. They are also trained in combat and need tactics to stay hidden from the enemy and can work under extreme pressure just like any of your "Champions". I mean, nothing is more stressful then being the only one of your kind on an alien planet.' He explained.

'A respectful argument Zim.' Lex grinned. 'As an Invader and a Champion do have similar traits, there are slight differences. To hold the position of Champion you must always stay with your platoon. You are responsible for the fate of each one. If something happens to that platoon or the mission they are engaging in, it's fault goes to the Champion. Its all about leadership and responsibility. To be an Invader, that just includes one.'

Lex and Zim passed in a corridor with windows for walls. Zim looked in and noticed many irkens working at table and machines. Zim stopped to watch.

'Our top scientists.' Their job is to invent and find ways to improve the living here on Haven. Lex continued her way down the hall.

'I used to be a military scientist on Vort once.' Zim replied while watching the others.

'Really.' Lex watched with him. 'But you didn't like that job I take it.'

Zim was still looking forward but wasn't staring at the irkens inside the rooms. He instead was looking at his own reflection. He remembered that he had created a infinite absorbing energy creature that accidently killed Tallest Miyuki. 'It just...wasn't my thing.'

Zim and Lex continued their way to the defense sec. It seemed like forever to get there. He knew Haven was big but this was ridiculous. 'Why does it take so long to get there?' He asked impatiently. If Haven was under attack it would lose the fight before it even started. None of your troops would get to the defense sector in time if it takes this long.' He grumbled.

'True, but most percentage of our defense is in our cloaking. Our ship has the ability to hide from almost any scanner or sense rays. Even the irken armada's who would love to get their hands on us.' Lex explained. 'And most of our troops and almost every Champion spends most of their time down there anyway. Always training and improving.'

'You sure know a lot about this place. Even more than Sayder.' Zim noticed Lex had full knowledge of Haven's capabilities. He continued to look around while the walked.

She gave a slight chuckle. "Well, I've been here longer than Sayder has.'

' How longer? And exactly how did all of this get started anyway? How old is Haven itself?' Zim wonder of Haven's origins. It was like learning of a whole new race of irkens.

'Oh, uh, easy on the questions Zim. Eh heh. Besides, I thought you were interested in the defense sec. So lets just focus on getting there, alright?' Again Zim noticed that fake smile on her face. She wasn't telling him something.

'Very well.' Zim looked blankly forward. Expressionless. They walked a while in silence, But every now and then he felt Lex's eyes stray on him. He did his best not to noticed. This irken seemed to have a certain effect on him. Usually he would feel normal standing near any other irken. But Lex seemed to have a strange effect on him. He felt nervous of doing or saying something stupid. Her smile seemed to change his hard expression and soften him up. His insides would turn on the strange scent that lingered off of her everytime he breathed it in. Zim knew that these things weren't normal. At least not to him. But...in a strange way, he didn't hate it either.

As the two irkens proceeded there way, to what Zim hoped would be his new job. He could see that the halls were getting wider. The walls were now steel and the floor they walked on changed to metal. They must have been getting closer. Zim noticed there were security cameras hanging from the ceiling. The surroundings were becoming more military. The lights were dimming as well.

'We're almost there Zi-Whoa! Not so fast there!'

It all happened so fast Zim didn't even see it happen. In a blink of an eye Lex had the back of a tiny smeet's shirt in her grip. He dangled as she held him up.

He was small with red eyes just like Zim's. 'Another smeet? How is this possible?' Zim remembered just barely seeing one pass him in the market on his way to Prique's shop.

'And where do you think your going?' Lex said with her other hand on her hip.

'Oh! Uh, hi Lex. Ma'am. Eh heh, heh.' He said trying to look innocent but Lex wasn't buying it.

'Kuy, You know your not allowed to be this far down in the ship. You're to-'

'-To young, I know.' The smeet interrupted.

Lex gave him a strict look Zim had seen a mother on Earth do to her kid when he argued with her. The smeet known as Kuy quickly recoiled from his remark.

'S-sorry. Hey! Who's he?' Pointing to Zim, trying to change the subject. Zim cocked his eye and folded his arms.

'Kuy, its not polite to point.' The smeet put his arm down. 'This is Zim. He's new. Zim, this is Kuy.' Lex smiled.

'Hi.' Kuy greeted simply. Zim just continued to examine the little irken. 'Are you gonna join the defense sector? What are you gonna be? A trooper? A fighter pilot? You can't just to for the Champion position ya'know. I've been told you gotta earn that title. Through bravery and strong leadership.'

'Uh...' Zim didn't know how to respond. Even though he was a smeet, he talked with a street smart attitude.

'You know Lex is the-'

'Thats enough Kuy.' Lex interrupted. 'Now you wanna tell me what your doing all the way down here? ' Lex lifted him so they were eye to eye.

'I-I just wanted to watch the soldiers do their training. Thats all.' Kuy whined. 'If I'm to be a Champion when I'm older I gotta learn as much as I can now. If I do that, I'll be incredible and better than any other irken!' Even hanging in the air he puffed out his chest and narrowed his eyes. Its like Zim was seeing a younger version of himself.

'I admire your desire and determination Kuy,' Lex said gently but sternly. 'but you still can't be down here. You'll get into major trouble.'

'But-'

'Do you want me to tell your mother?' At the same time. Both Kuy and Zim's jaw dropped in shock.

'Mother?! This smeet has a mother? Whats going on here?!' Just when Zim thought nothing more could surprise him on this ship.

'No! No! Please! She'll kill me!' Kuy pleaded.

Lex brought his face a little closer to hers. 'Better her than me if I should catch you down here again. Understand?' Zim could tell Lex's little threat was completely fake but the smeet still nodded his head viscously.

'Yes ma'am.' He responded quietly. Antennas drooped.

Lex set Kuy down gently and released him from her grip. She then gave a warm comforting smile and then, even though he didn't have hair, ruffled his head. 'Go on then. Get outta here.'

Kuy gave a small smile back and nodded. He began to leave but before he did he turned around and looked back at Zim. 'It was nice to meet you Mr. Zim! Bye Lex!' Then continued his way down the hall.

'Mr?' Zim's eye still cocked. Lex waved until Kuy was out of sight then turned to Zim who stared back at her hard. His expression hadn't changed. Lex knew what he was going to ask her.

'I'll explain about that later. Right now, why don't we just get to the defense sector. Okay?' Lex placed her hand on his back, pushing him forward.

Zim's heart gave a slight hard pound in his chest when she placed his hand on him. Like it was punching his insides wanting to get out.

'Come on.' She said. Zim said nothing. Just once again followed her to the defense sector.

Something suddenly occurred to Zim. 'Hey, what was that smeet going to say about you? Sayder told me you had many jobs on this ship, and since you know so much about the defense sec. you must have a job there as well.'

Lex just smiled to herself without looking at Zim. 'Yes. I do.'

'What is it?' He asked curiously.

She continued to smile as they approached large metal door. It was outstandingly big. The outer edges were gleaming with silver chain trimmings that shimmered brightly. Zim looked up, open mouthed. In the middle of the door laid the irken emblem, but it wasn't like the irken armada's. It was slightly different. It was made of what seemed to be blue gold. The antennas... the right one was straight like the male irken's. The left, like a female's. Behind the emblem, were two beautiful circular patterns. They were thick at the top and got thinner at the bottom taking the shape of pincers.

Zim turned to Lex. 'You'll find out.'

The door began to open and the light coming from inside blinded him...