A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates I ve had personal things that I had to tend to as well as little time to work on this story. All of that is in the past now so I can continue to work on this again. Thanks for sticking around and waiting for so long. Now let's get back to the story.

Chapter 29: Vechs Refueling Station

After few days in space Zim was starting to look worried as a red light was blinking on the ships dashboard. Looks like we don t have any other choice but to stop for fuel. Zim brings up a map to see where the safest place to refuel would be. Dib wakes up from a nap and sees that Zim has changed course heading to a near by space station. Zim what are you doing? Zim smiles and looks to Dib. Relax we are safe here. It s an independent station made for refueling. Besides that would you rather be stuck in space without of fuel? Dib had a grim look on his face as Gaz and Raven start to wake up. Are we there already? Raven asks. No Zim is taking a pit stop to refuel. Zim are you sure about this I see Irken ships in the hanger. Just trust me. This place isn t part of Irken law. Besides I know those ships they belong to other hunted Irkens that have been cast out of the Empire. We have nothing to worry about. Zim lands the ship in one of the hangers and stands up. We might as well stretch our legs while we can its still another three days before we catch up to the Massive. Nny put his hand on Zims shoulder before he could leave the ship. Are you sure that they won t be killed before we show up? Zim looks to Nny and smiles. We have nothing to worry about besides they need them alive or how else would they have gotten us to fallow them. They may think they have us falling into a trap but I know that ship like the back of my hand they won t stand a chance in hell. Nny looks coldly back. You better be right because I can t control what will happen if I find out they where killed. Zim looks over at Dib and sees the look in his eyes. I don t think you re the only one with that in mind.

As they step off the ship and odd looking Irken stands before them. His eyes where a dark blue and had clothes that where unlike what a standard Irken would be dressed in. Zim it s been along time. The Irkens voice was filled with joy to see Zim alive. Shin it s been too long, I m surprised you could keep this place as long as you have. Shin smiles and laughs. They wouldn t take this station away it would violate the treaty that was made by Vechs. And you know what happened the last time they angered him. Zim smiles. How has Vechs been anyways? The others watched Zim and Shin get along as if old friends but one thing they wanted to know was who Vechs was. Oh you know him still alive and keeping this place in shape. We haven t had any problems as of late but I hear that the Tallest are having defects killed off and you re on that list. Zim looks back to his friends then to Shin. Your not going to turn us in are you? Shin laughs and smiles, Hell no they would have to take this place from Vechs and me to get to you and your friends. So what do you need done to your ship?

After a few minutes Zim explains everything and Shin just laughs. You re still crazy but I owe you for getting me out of that mess a few years back so what the hell the fuel is on me. Why don t you show your friends around and take a nap I ll even give the ship a tune up to get to The Massive in half the time. Zim nods, Thanks Shin. Come on guys lets look around until the ship is ready. Raven walks up to Zim. Are you sure we can trust this guy? Zim smiles, Yes, yes he is an old friend and he won t do anything he s even giving me an upgrade for free so we will make it there in less then a day and a half. Yeah we loose 5 hours for the ship to be done but its well worth it. Raven sighs. If you say so I just have a bad feeling about this place. As they walk around to the food court area they could hear an argument taking place. I said fresh you moron this isn t fresh! A planet jacker grabs the food server by the neck and was about to punch the smaller alien in the face. Zim grabs his arm and keeps him from punching him. You know the rule not to hurt anyone on this station. The planet jacker looks back at Zim. You that pesky bug that took my cargo, I can take my anger out on you and turn you in for the bounty. It s looking to be a good day. Raven move to the other side and holds the jacker s other arm back. You re not going to do anything. You re going to leave and not say a word. Shin walks in and sees what was going on. I told him no violence. VECHS! An eye could be seen looking in from a vent. I saw it too let me get rid of this scum for you. A deep booming voice was heard as a huge hand comes out from under the floor and grabs the jacker pulling him into the floor screaming. Penalty for violence is death. Zim smiles as the others had a shocked look. Was that Vechs s hand? Dib askes. Yes he lives deep in this station that s why it s so big. Shin explained, You see he is a rare alien that lives in this part of space that s why the Irken Empire can t take it over the law about killing an almost extinct race is illegal. Vechs controls this space and his word is law here. As for the bounty on your heads well that s also not valid here so anyone trying to collect that bounty will have to deal with Vechs.

Everyone was a lot more relaxed knowing that the laws on the station would keep them safe. It seams that we are under a form of sanctuary here as long as we don t do anything wrong we won t end up like that jacker. Dib said with a sigh of relief. Zim nods. Well that s not the only rule that you need to know so I ll explain it to you. As you know no violence or bounty hunting, but the other rules are simple no stealing, and no going into restricted areas unless asked. As long as we obey the rules we have nothing to worry about. You see I ve already been in the restricted area once but that was because I helped Vechs out with some problems on the station. Most of the restricted areas have to deal with major functions to this station but the other areas I m not allowed to say as long as we are on this station. Gaz looks to Zim. I m guessing it has to do with Vechs but I won t push it anymore then that. Zim nods.

Everyone was off exploring the ship as Dib decided to sit in the bio garden to try and keep it together. He thought of how he had failed at trying to save his friends and was concerned that Zita was still out when he last saw her, and hoped that she was okay. Dib lets out a sigh as he looks down to the ground. Dib I know you re worried but she will be okay. In fact I know she is okay. I haven t heard of any reports of her death yet let alone our friends. Raven sat next to Dib. I know this must be hard on you Dib but you have to it together. And what would you know about how I feel you re a reaper for all I know you can t feel anything. Dib snapped back.

Raven looks away. I do know Dib because I go feel I have feelings well I should say grown to have them. If I didn t care I would have just left you and your friends alone but I didn t I stuck by you and helped you even now I m helping you. Beside there is some one I care about that would make me feel the way you do if something were to happen. Dib looks to Raven. Who? Raven shakes his head and smiles. Now, now that s for me to know and you to find out later. I think its Gaz you have been spending a lot of time with her. Dib smiles. Hay I never said anything about Gaz or any name for that matter and I would thank you for not bringing it up again! Raven yells, What are you talking about? Raven and Dib look up to see Gaz. I was just trying to make Dib feel better that s all. Gaz just sighs and slaps Dib in the back of the head. I would like it better if you left my name out of your conversations from now on. She crosses her arms and walks off.

Nny and Zim where walking around each enjoy a space frosty from the food court. So Nny just who is that human woman that seams to know you. You never told us who she was let alone how you know her. Nny takes too big of a sip and starts to choke for a second. He was silent for a moment after he stops coughing then sighs as he see that Zim wouldn t let him off the hook. If you must know her name is Devi we use to date but things ended badly. I can t make up for what I did but I don t want someone to hurt her either. I kind of stalked her for a bit but then left to get myself together. I thought that if I could stop feeling something I could kill her but I soon realized that my feeling have more power then to not feel anything. Anyways I ran back into her at the fight I had at the book store. You now know the rest. Zim nods. Sounds to me like you still care about her more then you re letting on. I m sure after we save her she will forgive you maybe even Silence! You have no idea how much I wish I could hurt you right now, but for many reasons I won t. So just drop it and let it be Zim. Nny walks off in anger

The five hours had finally passed and everyone met back at the ship. Thanks again Shin I ll still say I need to repay you some how but I know you won t let me. Shin smiles and laughs. Now come on Zim you know me. I can t have you pay me back but I can ask that you stay alive and that you take down the Irken Empire. My station is starting to get full of Irkens looking for this as a hiding spot and it won t be long before the Tallest call in some assassins to take care of them. We can t have fights here or it would do too much damage to the place let alone hurt the business. Zim nods. Don t worry I won t let this place come to that. You take care of this place and take care of Vechs. After the parting words everyone got back on the ship ready to head out to the Massive.

TBC