Disclaimers: I Do Not Own Invader Zim
Author's Notes: And we are back with another exciting part of Invader Zim Renegades! Thank you all for all your comments and dedication to this series.
Hope you guys enjoy!
Yours Truly, RoxieDivine :)
Episode 14: Prison Uprising! (Part 2)
(Back with Dib)
[One month after Purple's Death]
It wasn't the prettiest ship he had ever seen, in fact Dib had no doubt that if Zim were here he'd be shouting about how awful it looked and how he would be embarrassed to be seen in it.
Mark must have been thinking the same thing because he joked. "Well, it isn't pretty, but it'll get us to the city."
"Will it?" James asked hopefully.
"Of course." Dib said with complete confidence. "Right Goalit?"
"Well, it has a 99.999 percent chance of getting us there." The Irken Scientist began.
"See it's just-"Rachel began.
"As long as it doesn't blow up in the first 10 seconds." Goalit finished.
"Goalit…" Rachel whispered.
"Not to mention there is always a chance the city's defenses still detect the cloaked ship." Goalit went on.
"Goalit!" They all whispered harshly this time. It wasn't like they were trying to be rude, but with one Irken soldier already dead they knew their parents were starting to feel more nervous about their involvement then they already were.
Goalit seems to understand this. "Right, of course everything is in order." He said, sounding convincing…for the most part.
"Well, I always wanted to die on a Tuesday." Mark joked.
"Really?" Dib asked.
"Just thinking realistically." Mark said.
Dib bit his lip, he supposed it was naïve to think they'd all make it out of this alive, after all they had already lost Jee. "Gather everyone here in the docking bay." He told Goalit. "It's time."
Goalit nodded.
"What about Jamie and the others?" Rachel asked. "How will they know we are ready to attack?"
"We have to have faith that she will be ready for us." Dib told her. "Bek will contact us when the Prison is has been liberated in the meantime all we can do is do our best to get to Zec." Dib knew they'd rather wait until they received word, but Dib feared that the prisoners might need help overthrowing the guards and the worshipers.
Rachel understood his fears, but she feared that their arrival might still be detected somehow and tip the enemy off about the attack. This could have dire consequences for Jamie and the prisoners if the worshipers made the connection.
Either way there was danger in them leaving now, but there was a greater danger if they waited. With no possible way to communicate with any of their allies they were going in blind, but if they could at least get control of the prison it was possible that they could get a call to Zim. Dib knew that Red would have blocked any way of Zim being able to reach them, but all long range communications hubs on Zec should still work fine. Or at least Dib hoped so, after all only Irkens and registered humans were allowed to roam freely on Zec. So surely Red would not see the need and blocking their long range communications with the rest of the Empire.
But again, this wasn't a confirmed plan, ever since Purple died Bek had not given them a report. They had no idea if Jamie was still in the clear, or if the entire mission within the prison had been compromised. They had also not heard from Lard-Nar or their galactic allies which meant they had no idea if Zim was still light-years away, or fighting just above their atmosphere. They were completely and totally blind and that made Dib even more desperate to take the prison.
But would it all be worth it? Should they wait for Zim or Jamie to give them a shout, or should they move forward with their plans?
All of these thoughts were swirling around in Dib's mind as the others entered the docking bay.
The Renegades and their Irken comrades looked beat, it was obvious that no one had really gotten a good night sleep in some time.
Gir was excitingly passing out mugs of coffee and sugary drinks upon request, anything to just keep them going.
Dib climbed the body of the newly build ship his fellow leaders followed. Mia, who had taken a more active role as leader in Zim's absence also joined them. Dib had decided this after Jee's death. Before Zim had left the Irken Rebels always had one of their own in the top tier looking out for them, but now that he was gone there was no one to speak on their behalf. If Zim had been here he would have been prepared for a double cross.
Why?
Because Irkens always play dirty, and Dib should have seen it coming, but he was so focused on freeing his fellow renegades he forgot to look out for his Allies, and in the end one died, and another was wounded protecting a human.
Dib looked at Goalit at the thought. If the Irken scientist had been just seconds slower Mark would be dead right along with Jee. Zim would have told him how impulsive the move was, the dangers that would probably await them.
Having that Irken insight was what made them so successful in the past, and they needed that same success now.
Mia wasn't sure she could be even half of the leader Zim was, but she was the only one here with leadership experience besides him. So, she had taken Dib's offer, but without Zim's vast knowledge in war and Irken tactics all she had to rely on was her past experiences. Sadly, this mostly involved avoiding capture and liberating defectives from other testing facilities. They had hacked the main control brains once, which was a great feat, but that mission had cost her! She was the only one that had survived the ordeal, and she had barely made it back to the others.
In truth, she was nothing compared to Zim, but she knew that her voice was needed. If nothing else she her presence among the human leaders would assure her fellow Irkens that their safety was a priority.
"Everyone please settle down." Rachel shouted over the crowd, who were chattering loudly over each other.
The docking bay went dead silent almost instantly, even the usually hyperactive Gir had a domineer of focus and seriousness.
Dib exhaled a nervous breath as all eyes fell on him. This was it, the final play. Everything they did from this moment one would start a chain of events that would lead them to the final battle. He looked around; this might be the final time he stood in this dome.
Which was probably for the best considering just how much wear and tear it had endured during their desperate raids for parts. Several panels were missing, and wires hung from the ceiling; yes this hide out had seen better days. Dib could almost hear the rage in Zim's voice when he laid eyes on it again.
He smiled as crazy as it sounded, he couldn't wait to see that maniac again. "Alright guys." He said. "We all know this is risky, and there is a chance the enemy has learned to detect this technology since Zim used it before." He added, after all there was no since in lying. It would do them no good now. "I know you're scared; we all are. But no one said that doing the right thing would be easy. A lot of people both human and Irken are counting on us right now. And we owe it to them and the ones we lost to see this to the end no matter what the outcome maybe."
"For Earth!" James shouted.
"For Earth!" His human comrades bellowed.
"For Irk!" Mia's voice ranged out and her Irken comrades echoed.
"For Irk!"
"For Jee!" Dib said to her knowingly.
Mia smiled and added. "And for the Freedom he wanted us to have."
"For Freedom." Dib and the others screamed and then they were moving, everyone scattering to take their place on the makeshift ship that was made out of scrap metal, an 18 wheeler, and rocket boosters.
"Zec or Bust." James joked taking his seat.
His uncle, Mark's father shot him a look.
Rachel's mother set beside her, fear in her eyes. "Baby girl." She whispered to her.
Rachel sighed, feeling a bit annoyed. "I'm not staying behind while you go alone."
"No." Her mother stopped her. "I don't want to fight; this is your decision and I support it." She forced a smile. "I'm proud of you and I love you."
Tears filled her eyes I love you too mom." She said hugging her.
"Dad." Dib looked up to his own father, knowingly.
Professor Membrane's own face reflexed his expression. The two had never been great in showing their feelings. True they had gotten better, but there was still that gap, from years of arguing, and not seeing eye to eye. But just like he and Zim, Dib and his dad were getting better.
Still, Dib didn't know how to say what was on his mind. To say it now would be to admit that he was afraid of losing him.
"I got your back son." Professor Membrane assuring him that he understood for he felt the same.
Dib smiled. "Let do this." And with those words the Dome rose to the waters surface and the docking bay doors opened as Dib started the ship up.
It started up with ease, and Dib began the launch sequence. "In T-minus 3…2…1…Lift off." And they did. Dib pulled forward on the controls and they shot off into the air, the dome sinking to a water grave below.
Dib didn't even look back, beside Zim probably wouldn't miss it…
Hopefully.
"We are so dead." Mark said the obvious.
Dib forced himself to focus on the matter at hand as he flipped on the cloaking device, and the ship disappeared from view.
Now what was it that Goalit said? If they managed to last 10 seconds they'd be fine?
"10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2.." He held his breath.
ONE!
Nothing happened.
He smiled as everyone began to cheer around him. They had made it; they were on their way to Zec with no complications. Now all they had to do was get in unnoticed and rain down on the prison, once their they would take over and turn it into their new home base.
And with any luck they could use it's communications hub to get in contact with Zim.
But first things first.
They had to get there.
Dib's eyes narrowed as Zec came into view, and the ship grew quiet around him.
"Alright guys." His voice was barley a whisper, but no one had trouble hearing it. "We're going in."
And with those final words they pushed forward into the abyss.
(Back with Kazar…)
It was bound to happen…
Yes, surely they were foolish to think that things could keep going on this way. That they could keep back a monster's thirst for blood shed back with looming palace walls and a dwindling snack pile. No, sooner or later the hunger to spill blood would be come so great that Red would kill everything in his path.
Deep down they knew this, and yet, none of them saw it coming until the end was right upon them.
Kazar was the first to sense the danger in the air. It was hard to explain, but something had shifted, some invisible force that told him they were all most likely done for. He wasn't sure why he noticed, maybe it was because he was closer to being fully developed then the others. Still, it did him little good in the end.
The ex-commanders were doing their usual rounds around the empty halls, spears low to the ground. When suddenly a blurred being burst towards them. Kazar darts to the left, sensing the danger first, he pushes Reed down as he goes.
Long claws barely miss the both of them.
Everyone ran for cover, hoping to stay out of sight all but the two who were still on the floor.
"Oh Irk." Ash gasped as a shadowy figure stood up from all fours, towering over them with eyes glowing blood red.
Kazar didn't dare to move, and Reed was wise enough to follow his lead, however one of them was not as bright.
Nerb, who had dropped his spear in the scramble ran for it in a blind fit of desperation.
"No, you fool!" Kazar yelled.
IT WAS TOO LATE!
Red sees him going for the weapon, and in a fit of rage, no doubt from filling challenged; he pounces.
Nerb's only hope is that he reaches the spear first!
Reed knows the outcome before it reaches them, Nerb is nibble, but alas he is too slow.
Protracted, lethal claws slash lout at him, aiming for the throat, and find it's mark…
Nerb's throat is now missing from his body, he's dead before he drops to the floor…
Red screeches in victory and the remaining Amons bow their head at the loss of a comrades.
Kazar wants to move, to get away from her before Red decides he would like to do the same to the rest of them, but he knows the truth. As the strongest of them, Red would have seen him as a threat. That initial attack had been meant for him, and he owed his extra seconds of life to Nerb's stupidity.
If he moved now he was surely to be next.
Red had forgotten him, for now, but once his new meal was completely consumed his attention would be back on him. His best bet was to risk it and run, but he remained, only risking to move into a more defensive crouch.
"You must get out of here." Reed whispered to him, no doubt coming to the same conclusion he had. "You'll be next for sure."
"Can't." Kazar told him. "I am the only strong enough to hold him here." He reasoned.
"You'll Die." Dalk told him.
"Then I die." Kazar said bluntly His eyes now glowing a pale orange. "No matter what, he cannot leave this castle."
Reed's eyes narrowed on Red who is now crouched over the fallen Nerb. "No matter what." He agreed.
And with that the remaining Amons prepared themselves for battle, as the monster in the room began to feed.
(Back with Cho…)
She was not surprised by the move; in fact, she was only shock that it had taken Jacob this long to attack.
The attack had happened where she had expected it to, the mess hall. It was the only place that they were all together. One moment she was eating her evening meal when suddenly she found herself being forced to the floor. He attacker practically making her kiss it with how much force he used to bring her down.
"What the-!" Freddy declared as he too was forced down.
Cho watched as Kathy tackled Megan, forcing her down as well.
Mary goes after David, who is shockingly the smallest of the Worshipers.
But who goes down next does surprise her.
Crystal throws Jamie to the floor and bounds her hands behind her.
"You savages!" Jamie yelled, obviously outraged. "I knew something was wrong with you!"
"Wrong?" Kathy looks hurt, Jamie can't you see we're trying to save you? These monsters have messed up your mind."
"Save it!" Jacob said, still holding Cho down. "She's not one of us anymore!"
Cho laughed despite her situation.
"What's so funny?" Jacob growled.
"You." Cho mused. "I always knew there was something off about you. I Know a defective when I see one!"
"You freed everyone!" Freddy said as the prisoners surrounded them all in a circle. "How?"
"They must have Crystal to rewrite the program." Cho reasoned. "I knew she was beyond repair; blindness is a permanent imperfection."
"No one talks about her like that." Jacob yelled slamming Cho's face into the floor.
Blood tricked from her nose but still she laughed.
Crystal felt a sinking feeling of dread in her gut at the sound.
"You guys really think we don't have a contingency plan for a prison take over?" Cho reasoned.
Freddy was smiling now too. "No, I don't think they did."
"Big mistake!" Megan retorted.
And with those words the mess all flooded with drones!
To Be Continued