Disclaimers: I do not own Invader Zim
Author's Notes: Another Chapter complete, with any luck I will be done with Part 2 by next week.
As always thank you for reading and please review.
(Back with Dib)
Dib breathed a sigh of relief as he finished righting the last of the outfits on its designated rack. He would have loved to strike up a conversation with Jim if only to pass the time. However, his Irken wasn't good enough for something as complex as a full-blown conversation. He also doubted Jim knew English, seeing how he had no need for it.
"Finished at last." Jim exclaims happily as he rushes over behind the counter.
Dib watches as he produces two boxes.
"Hurry we don't have much time before they return." He opens a box to reveal some sort of boxed lunch.
Of course, drones had to put their master's needs before their own, this meant they only got to eat when there was a rare moment in between task. Dib rushes over and pulls the other box towards him, he opens it and sees that it's like every other Irken meal. An assortment of junk food greets him, and Dib couldn't be more happy to see the empty carbs. He wolfs down his fries and donut holes, before washing it down with some Irken soda.
He wonders if he should thank the drone, Irkens weren't very polite to those beneath them, but Dib hadn't observed better behavior between any Irkens and their peers ither.
"I figured you were close to starving." Jim said. "You did not come in with a meal so..."
He trails off and Dib decides to go for it. "My thanks." He really botches it up, but Jim beams all the same.
"You really are horrible at speaking; I can see why you avoid it."
Dib gestures to his throat, trying to explain the speech impairment.
"Yes, I knew a female drone with a similar defect." Jim explained. "Only she was practically mute, only could make useless grunting sounds."
Dib smiled; the drone was trying to make him feel welcomed with small talk. No doubt he saw him as a higher ranking smaller since he served the almighty Invader Zim. Smallers were supposed to make their superiors feel...well superior. Dib didn't mind, he was just glad to have the company, he finished his food and put the lid back on the box. "Good." He managed.
"Yes, I made them myself." Jim said as if it should be evident. He clears away their boxes and wipes down the counter.
Dib notices how thorough the drone is at the task, cleanliness was obviously an obsession among the Irken race.
Zim enters the shop with the Tallest in tow and both drones stop what they're doing to bow respectively. "Good, you're done." Zim says. "We are leaving."
Dib gives Jim a slight nod, which the drone returns before he takes his place behind Zim.
"Jim have all of our purchases delivered to the palace before morning." Red ordered.
"Yes, My Tallest, have a good Night My Tallest." Jim bids them farewell.
No one returned the gesture as they left, and Dib notices for the first time just how underappreciated drones are. He knew it was like this for all smallers, but it didn't make it right, size didn't measure a person's worth.
Red hailed a taxi, this one a lot more glamorous than the one Zim had earlier, and in seconds they arrived at the palace.
Dib couldn't help but gawk at the massive gold structure before him. The high towers with small slit like windows towered over them. It was easily taller than any building he had seen up until now. Heck, knowing Irken culture and their opinion about height; it was probably the tallest structure on Irk.
No one challenged their entry, which made sense and soon they had entered the front hall. Dib had never been in a palace before, but he had read about several real castles on Earth. The Irken Palace was as busy as he would expect it to be. Several drones and service bots were working the halls no doubt preparing for the Choosing. Like everything he had seen so far, the place was painfully clean, not a speck was out of place. Dib could almost taste the cleanliness in the air, Zim had often referred to things as filthy and Dib could now see why.
The decor contained a mixture of both the colors red and purple, no doubt to represent the Tallest.
"Well, I'm afraid this is where we leave you." Red said as they stopped at some stairs.
"We trust you remember the way." Purple mused. "I can have someone fetch your drone for you."
"Thank you, My Tallest I will need him briefly before I retire." Zim stated as he began to ascend the stairs. "Good night my Tallest." He stopped, turning to bow, as if almost forgetting.
"Sleep well Zim" Red advised.
"Goodnight." Purple added.
Zim turned to leave, and Dib followed; they spoke not a word as they made their climb. Finally, eighteen floors up they stopped at a door, which open as soon as Zim drew near. "Hurry draw me a bath." Zim instructed, pointing to the adjacent room.
Dib rushed to the room and turned on the faucet to fill up the tub.
Zim followed him in, closing the door behind him. "I need you to listen carefully." He hissed lowly.
Dib nodded, not daring to speak.
"The Tallest know about Lard Nar and it won't be long until they figured out who is giving him information." Zim explained.
Trawl, Lard Nar had spoken of his kin to Dib several times over the course of his stay on Earth.
Zim sees the understandment in his eyes. "You are to find him and prepare him for travel, regardless of tomorrow's outcome both of you are leaving this planet."
Dib understood, he was to find Trawl and smuggle him off world, with or without Zim. He nodded and turned off the water at the perfect height. He looked at it and noticed it wasn't really water at all, it was a green liquid, possibly a cleaning solvent of some kind. Dib had seen some of the refugees use something similar when washing their hands and garments.
"Go turn down my bed." Zim ordered as he took off his gloves and boots. "An escort will come for you to show you your bed. Wait for them in the hall."
Dib nodded and made his leave, resisting the urge to look at Zim as he did. As tempting as it was Zim was probably not ready for Dib to see him unclothed. Being naked was to be vulnerable after all, something an Irken would not be keen on. So instead, he sets to work on the ridiculously large bed in the middle of the ruby room. Its round like Zim's was back when his base was a house; and looking around Dib could tell this room was decorated with Zim in mind.
He wondered if this is where Zim stayed when he was home, was he and the Tallest really that close?
He finished turning the velvet bedding down and exited the room. He wasn't even two steps out before another drone appeared.
This one was a female, she was a small little thing with gray eyes, and she looked rather cheerful. A characteristic he had never seen in an Irken female before. Usually, they were bitter towards Irken males but this one seemed happy to greet him. "I am Mal, follow me." She instructed.
Dib nodded and did as he was told. It was a long walk down the stairs; they went down the eighteen floors he had taken to get to Zim's room. They then proceeded to go further down, several floors below the ground floor. It wasn't nice down here; it was drafty and smelled wet like mold and waste. Man, he had no idea how bad drones really had it until now.
Mal stops at a door, "This is the Male quarters." She explained. "I understand as a drone of someone as highly regarded as Invader Zim you are used to much better commendations." Again, Zim's status seemed to be giving him some respect among other drones.
"I will make do." He told her.
Mal nodded and gestured to the door. "I cannot enter; however, the others will be working later tonight. You may choose any bed and a washroom is also available."
Dib nods and enters the crowded space, there are so many beds there is barely a path to the bathroom located in the back. The walls are grey and full of cracks, Dib tries his best not to be disgusted as he makes his way to the bathroom. Just as he feared it is decrepit and all thoughts of taking a shower vanish as he sees the filthy covered tile. He uses the toilet and leaves to choose a bed; he flops down on the nearest one. "Of course, it's hard." He mumbled, he really shouldn't be surprised at this point, not that it mattered.
He needed to get his rest for tomorrow, he had to find Trawl and somehow convince him to leave. All he could hope was that Zim would be joining them. It was his last thought before sleep overtook him.
(Back with Zim...)
[The Next Day]
He woke up before dawn with ease, he hadn't wanted to sleep last night. His worry for Dib and the day to come would have made it impossible. Thankfully he was able to program his PAK to shut down for a couple of hours. It was a trick that came in handy for Zim on many sleepless nights before, and he was glad for it. He had a long and challenging day ahead, and if he was going to stand a chance he had to be as sharp as ever.
Zim gets up and dresses in the mess dress he tried on yesterday, he wanted to check up on Dib. He needed to know if he was okay, but he knew there was no time. His day would be packed with the commencing of the Choosing. He and the other selectees were to gather in the palace's personal court room. It was there that they would confront Lineage and it was there that Zim's right to exist would be tested.
He couldn't let anything distract him; Dib would just have to figure this out on his own. With that in mind Zim finished preparing for the day head, not knowing that Dib was also getting ready for his own mission down below.
(Back with Dib...)
He knew finding Trawl would be no easy task. He also knew he couldn't ask anyone where to look. Dib made the bed as he tried to get his thoughts together. The other Drones had already left to start their task not that it was any of his concern. Besides, he was here with Zim so if he started asking questions about a potential mole that was about to go missing...well it wouldn't look good for Zim.
So somehow Dib had to find Trawl without help and sneak him onto the ship without being seen. Of course, if the ship wasn't fixed, he'd have no place to hide Trawl at all. He tried not to panic as he left the dorm. No one stopped him in the halls or challenged him as he walked by, not that it mattered he had no place to start his search. He notices two drones speaking in the halls, they are gathering linens from the rooms.
"Another stupid waste of a load." A male drone with orange eyes complained. "If no one sleeps in them why wash them?"
"To keep us busy." His companion, a female with blue eyes growled. "obviously."
"Oh, it's you." The male says as Dib walks by.
Dib stops. "Good Morning." He says in Irken.
"Irk you've voice is offensive." The female hissed.
"Sorry..." Dib mutters. This female was not as nice as Mal.
"This is the new guy who came in with Invader Zim." The male said giving the female a cross look.
The female straitens up at once. "My apologies had I of known-" she began.
Dib rolled his eyes, man Irkens were such suck ups.
"Please, she's known to be stupid." The male said. "I am Lark, and this idiot is Dea." He gestures to her. "Do you need some assistance?"
Dib is about to turn down the offer when he gets an idea. "Master Zim's Ship needs rare parts in order to be repaired." He stated.
His Irken must have been getting better because Dea doesn't hesitate. "That makes sense, his Voot Runner is a 1900's model."
"You can use the Drone Computer station to locate a local parts store." Lark informed him. "It's down the hall to the right. Hopefully somewhere close has what you Master needs."
"Thank you." Dib says and heads in the direction he has been instructed. He could use the computer to locate Trawl and maybe study a blueprint of where he is being held. He'd come up with a plan before he left. With any luck the Vort would be close by, he could only hope he could convince him to listen to him.
(Back with Tak)
[Location: Earth]
Operation Purple was going slower than she would have liked. However, she was making more progress than she had previously predicted. Tak allowed her eyes to sweep over the rows and rows of children before her.
She had taken refuge in a local Orphanage; The Laurance's Home for Youths, where she had set her new plan into action. Using the sample of Project Purple, Keef had provided, Tak had updated her own mind control tech, now it was so strong that she could command several humans at once. Even still she stayed in command no matter the distance or the time spent apart.
She even revealed to them that she was an Alien and that she was controlling them. These realizations did not break the spell. Breaking Zim's spell on Keef had been just as hard, in the end though she discovered the only solution was to remove the eyes Zim had given him. To her surprise Keef was more willing to help her once she freed him.
"So, Zim is an alien, like you?" Keef had asked. "That's why he's so freakishly strong."
Tak had learned from talking with Keef that like her, Zim had gotten in his way of what he wanted. All he wanted was his Dib back, and he would gladly help Tak take Zim down, no mind control required. All he asked in return was that Dib be spared, to which Tak agreed, after all she didn't need to hurt him for this plan to work.
"Zim has mess with your friends brain." Tak lied to Keef. "I can use my Tech to fix him, he will adore you again, just like he always did before."
Keef was thrilled and Tak even replaced his eyes, they were still implants, but these ones left him in control. Keef had since recovered and was now the general of her new army of human slaves. He salutes her as she stops in front of him. "Master, I have recruited 10 more." Keef had been kidnapping kids off the street to fill her ranks. The Orphanage wasn't empty per say, but she could use all the troops she could take, so she wasn't complaining.
"Excellent!" Tak praised. "Once the Dib returns, we will put our plans into motion." She cackled. "With Zim gone we can take this planet for ourselves."
"And Dib will be mine?" Keef asked.
"Yes, he will be all yours." Tak assured him.
Keef squealed happily; when Master Tak fixed Dib he'd be his old self again. Back before Zim and Dib's stupid family put those lies in his head. With them gone they would be happy, together, just as they were always meant to be. It was only a matter of time.
Tak couldn't agree more, soon she would use her new tech to make the whole world bow before her. Then she would use her new power to exact her revenge on Zim, yes it was only a matter of time.
(Back with Dib...)
[Location: Irk]
It took him longer to find Trawl then he would have preferred. Dib had been able to find the computer station easy enough and was thrilled to see he had the room to himself. However, even though he was able to work it much like Tak's ship he was having little luck. If Trawl was Irk's prisoner, his name was not in any systems, he could activate. So, he switched gears instead looking for any news on Vorts or their home world. He sees the announcement of Invader Larb successfully conquering Vort, the article stated that the Vorts were no longer allies and would be treated as slaves. Most of them would remain on Vort, however Dib saw that a handful were chosen for special duties on Irk.
There was another article briefly stating the possibility of the resistance being led by a Vort. He switches gears again and types the words 'Special Duties'. Several results come up; he chooses the first one.
Special Duties- Task given to privileged drones and a chosen few slaves.
Need a special Duty fulfilled? Report to the Services Center where we will find the best worker to fit your needs.
The Service Center! He could start there; Trawl might be assigned somewhere else on Irk but at least there might be some records of where. All he needed was a way to search the Service Center's data banks.
He knew a way, it would be risky, but if he chooses the right target, he would be fine.
He gets up and deletes his search history before taking his leave. He could not discredit Zim in anyway, he would have to go about everything very carefully.
Nothing could be left to chance.
(Back with Zim...)
He wasn't sure how he had managed a meal, but Zim knew he would need his energy. He hadn't seen the Tallest yet this morning but figured that was to be expected. He finished his meal and tried to fight off the urge to run as he made his way to the Palace's courtroom. Having attend several trials at the palace before; Zim knew where to go. It was true most trials took place on Judgementia, the planet of Judgment. However, some trials deserved a more private audience; crimes committed on the palace grounds were handled inhouse. While most trials were carried out before the entire collective the Tallest like to keep their own affairs private.
This was why the Choosing was also held within the safety of the palace walls. One of the three candidates presented today could very well be announced as their successor in a few weeks' time. It was in the best interest of the Tallest and the Empire that the candidates be protected at all cost.
Several soldiers littered the grounds prepare to handle any possible attack. S.I.R Units in full attack mode doubled their efforts.
Security tightened as the other two candidates arrived and were escorted through the palace.
General Kazar sneered as he entered the halls, He had no doubt how things would turn out today. He looks to the Irken to his left.
Commander Muka was a strong soldier, as head in command of the royal guard he was highly respected. He was known for his strict command and poise under pressure. He was tasked with the protection of the Tallest and he was more than successful. Still, Muka with all his strengths was still very new in his role as the Commander of the Royal Guard. He wasn't really needed when his Leaders were on Irk and was usually task to protect them when they were traveling aboard the Massive or visiting other worlds.
Red and Purple had been on Irk since the take over a Vort and Muka himself was not needed. Soldiers under his command were taking arms around the palace now for the Choosing. He however was not one of them, in short Muka had, had few chances to prove he was successful in his new position. This meant his odds were not in good favor.
General Kazar's own odds were better, he had a spotless record, but Zim had been right. He was obsessed with his new position as top general of the Armada. He had worked hard for this new role and was not looking to give it up. None the less, Zim was fooling himself if he thought this was going to be an easy win for him. No Kazar would not make it easy for his pupil, he had never allowed anything to be just handed to him. He had taught Zim that nothing came easy, success and great fortune came to the ruthless and hard working.
He had no doubt Zim would come out on top; he had proven time and time again that he was a worthy legacy. Not just for Kazar, but Tallest Zorn as well. Yes, despite his initial misgivings about the defective, Zim had proved his worth and now they had reached the moment of truth. Today they would see if it was worth it. Could a defective really become Taller? If Zim survived today, he would prove everything they had known to be wrong.
It would mean without a doubt that Zim was successful at his core purpose. Even if he wasn't chosen it would prove that as a defective, he was useful to the Empire. Kazar was one of the few that remembered what his people had been like before the Irken programming. As a fully programed Irken himself he cared not for the defective world, his true loyalty was only to Irk. Still, he couldn't help but wonder who was correct: Tallest Myuki or Tallest Zorn. Both leaders had brought Irk into a new age under their rule and Irk was strong due to both of them. Therefor Kazar knew that Zim would be even better, he was after all a product of Zorn and was raised with Myuki's ideals. Coupled with Kazar's teachings Zim should be the next step in their ascend to glory.
Yes, that was the goal, glory for himself as the mentor of the future Tallest and for Irk as a whole.
They reached the hall just outside the courtroom where Zim was waiting. No one was allowed to enter until instructed. They would be escorted in one at a time to face Lineage alone, even the Tallest would not see what transpired. This process was one of the most sacred rituals of their people, the three of them would never be able to discuss what they would experience today. In fact, all three of them would forget moments after they were done. Leaving only the new Taller to remember what transpired weeks later. And of course, he could never speak of it to no one, not even the Tallest.
This was how they protected the future of their people. If candidates learned how to cheat the system, the Choosing would no longer be fair. Irk could be robbed of a leader it truly deserved and the collective could pay heavily for it.
"General Kazar, Commander Muka, greetings Sirs." Zim greeted both Irken officers with a swift salute.
Kazar smiled, Zim was obviously nervous, but showed great control and poise. Of course, he had all rights to be fearful. Lineage could very well decide to kill him if she found his defective nature to be a threat to the collective. Kazar knew Zim had been evaluated by the Computer brain Veraicon several times. Either Zim was very good at hiding his defective nature or the brain did not care ither way. The Invader always passed his evaluations with ease, and even if Veraicon was oblivious to Zim's true nature Lineage would have known from the beginning.
When Zim was presented to her as a Smeet she should have seen it then. As a child Zim wouldn't be able to hide his true nature. So why had she spared him? The computer brains were made after Zorn's passing so they held no loyalty to him. So why spare the obvious defect?
Zim was thinking the same thing, surely Lineage knew all along what he was. He should have never been allowed to live in the first place. A speech impairment was one thing, a minor defect that could be overlooked. But Zim wasn't a minor defect, his Pak never fully accepted the Irken programming, he was flawed and yet still here.
Why?
Perhaps today he would find out.
"Someone cut it close." Muka scoffed at his greeting. "I heard you had only come in last night, no doubt the Tallest showered you with gifts."
Zim suppressed a growl at his superiors' distain. Muka had never been shy about his hatred for Zim's special treatment. Still, he could hardly blame him, the Tallest flaunted their friendship around like they didn't care who knew. It was easy to assume Zim was only successful because of them, in fact very few knew that it was thanks to Zim that they rose in power at all. No one would know that it was Zim that had not just finished his own work in the academy, but theirs as well. No one would know that it was Zim's excellent mind that got all three of them to their final evaluation on Vort. Without Zim's devotion Red and Purple would not have been with him the day he met Lard Nar and the other escorts for the first time.
Without Zim, they would have most likely stayed common soldiers, never rising to command.
Muka fixes the invader with an accusing glare. He had no doubt this Choosing was already rigged. The Tallest would make sure their precious pet was chosen. It was obvious they had spent years grooming him for the role. Zim was given the best missions, and his success was always publicly announced to the collective. While other better and more deserving soldiers went unrecognized, even Kazar had groomed his pupil for this next step in his career. Yes, Zim's success was guaranteed, still Muka had no choice but to report in. Sure, he could turn this opportunity down, but Irk deserved an honest voting, he would make Lineage aware of the obvious conspiracy during his own evaluation.
Kazar chuckled, someone was on the defensive. "Come now Muka what is the harm in old friends catching up?" He challenged. He gave Zim a playful smirk, he always loved seeing him rise above the obvious accusations. Muka had no idea just how dangerous accusing Zim of such things could be, a lesson Kazar's late pupil Spleen had learn the hard way. If Zim felt threatened in any way, he eliminated the threat at all cost. Even going as far as sabotaging a fellow invader's track record and aiding the enemy in their efforts against the collective. Zim was not one to let such things go unpunished and Kazar himself would never cross him.
Why?
Because, Kazar himself never lost, and as a perfect prodigy neither did Zim. Zim never allowed anything to get in the way of victory, and if Kazar was forced to choose. If he was forced to decide between the Tallest and Zim, he'd choose Zim without hesitation.
There was simply no doubt in his mind his legacy would prevail.
Zim doesn't even bat an eye; he was use to this treatment when it came to those jealous of his relationship with their leaders. "As grateful as I am for their time, I would rather be anywhere else." He admitted. "My current mission needs my full attention."
"Yes, I heard the defective filth had given you trouble." Kazar cut in. "Did you handle her properly this time?"
Zim was about to say yes but knowing what he knew now that was a lie. Tak was alive, he had seen as much when he was in the future. Somehow against all odds she had made it, and she was causing trouble right now. He knew she would not let his absents go unchallenged, she would take advantage of it. "I have yet to find a body." He admitted. "Until I do Sir, I will treat the situation like she is still alive." Yes, he would not make the same mistake again. Tak maybe an ally in the future, but right now in the present day, she was still very much the enemy.
And a dangerous one at that.
"A wise tactic don't you think Commander?" Kazar taunted. He may give Zim a hard time, but he was his legacy and Kazar would have his back when it came to any discord.
Muka grunted his disapproval, Zim may have powerful connections, but Muka knew he wasn't really as amazing as they say. When victory was handed to you on a golden platter by your leaders not even the most incapable and stupidest drone could mess that up. Zim had never had to work for anything in his life.
He could not be more wrong, there was once a time when Zim thought he'd never see the following day. His earlier years of life had been a fight for survival. He had to fight tooth and nail just to make it out alive, and in the end, he had needed help.
Suddenly the door opens and the Tallest appear.
The candidates bow before their leaders.
"It is time." Red said, all professional, he didn't even glance at Zim. No surprise there, there could be no favoritism or special treatment today.
"Commander Muka you are up." Purple states.
"Yes, My Tallest." Muka allows Purple to lead him in.
Purple returns again moments later. "It has begun." He said.
No one else spoke, it was not allowed, they could no longer joke or commence in small talk. It would be seen as cheating. Not that there was anything else to say, the Choosing had begun after all.
And now there was no more chances to run.
They would see this through to the bitter end.
(Back with Dib...)
He had hailed a cab and took it to the Service Center where he once again got lucky. Even though the Article had stated help would be provided. Dib found there were more computer stations that he could use to conduct his own search.
He took a seat at an empty cubicle and did a quick search for 'Vort Scientist.'
The search came up empty. Odd He thought all Vorts were scientist, maybe Trawl had a different occupation now that he worked for the Empire. He took out 'scientist' and searched 'Vort prisoner' and struct gold. Prisoner 777, was assigned to the Information's Division of Irk's Intelligence Corp. That made sense to Dib, this position must be why Trawl was able to access the information he gave to the rebels.
He searched for the schematics of Irk's Intelligence Corp (Intel Corp for short) and found something that looked outdated. Still, it would have to do. Prisoners were held in cells on location and from what Dib could tell a prisoner's number corresponded to what floor they worked on. This meant Trawl or Prisoner 777 worked on the seventh floor, and since it was duty hours that is where Dib would find him. He would arrive at Intel Corp within the hour, and he would get to Trawl.
It shouldn't be too hard, all he would need to do is change his disguise, and Dib knew exactly how to do it. He gets up and leaves the Service Center, again he erases his search history before he leaves. He hails another cab towards his destination. He could hardly contain his excitement; he was doing it. Dib was putting steps in motion that would save a fellow rebel. Not only that, Trawl no doubt knew many of Irk's secrets; therefor the cause would benefit just as greatly with him on Earth.
Thanks to Irk's lack of driving safety they arrived at Intel Corp in half an hour, and just as Dib figured the place was well guarded. He didn't panic though; A couple of tables belonging to a diner were just across the street and he set up post there. As a drone he could not order any service, but he could sit here for a moment as he waited for fate to play her hand.
It didn't take long, just as Dib figured one of the guards soon got thirsty and walked over. Dib scanned the Irken with his watch as he walked by. The Soldier was taller than his current disguise but shorter that Dib's true height. He had orange eyes and was dressed in the standard soldiers uniform; Dib took his leave moments after. He had what he needed and slipped behind an alley way to switch his disguise before heading around to the back of Intel Corp.
There was no Irken Guards here, just a S.I.R Unit.
"Back entry is only allowed for emergencies." The S.I.R Unit stated.
Dib knew he had to be careful here, this S.I.R Unit was nothing like Gir, luckily, he had added a feature to his watch in case of such an emergency. He swiftly presses the red button and with a beep it sends out an electromagnetic pulse. A burst of electromagnetic energy explodes around them, and the S.I.R Unit shuts down.
Dib had added this feature due to his father's injury. Tak's S.I.R Unit had nearly killed his father, and Dib would never be ill prepared again. Besides, since the Irken race was controlled mostly by machines, it seemed like the most useful weapon. He couldn't wait to tell Lard Nar about the successful field test when he got back.
The pulse had also caused the locking mechanisms in the back door to malfunction causing it to open. "Yes!" Dib whispered and swiftly ducked inside, dragging the S.I.R Unit in as he went. He had learned thanks again to Tak's ship that S.I.R Units were useless without their drive, so he removed it from the one he had and hides it in a trash can nearby. Hopefully, no service drones would empty the trash until he and Trawl were long gone.
He takes the steps up one floor at a time, the back stairwell was empty, and no one challenged him. Still, he had to be careful about this. He had no idea if the soldiers posted outside even had clearance to come in. He could get in a lot of trouble if he was caught, however he makes it to the seventh floor and tries to look casual as he enters the hall to the Information's Division.
A few S.I.R Units patrol the halls, and one addresses him as he approached. "You are making your rounds early." It said.
Dib thought fast. "Can't be helped, we're low staff." He lied.
The S.I.R Unit nodded. "All Prisoners are accounted for Sir." He reported.
"Good, I am looking for one imparticular." Dib was sure his Irken was elementary at best, but thankfully there were different dialects, and it was not uncommon for them to be mixed together.
The S.I.R Units must be programed to understand even the worse of Irken because the second one says. "What is their prison Number?"
"777." Dib answered.
"Understood, He is at the end of the hall Sir." The first said. "Cubicle number 7."
Dib nodded and tried not to appear nervous as he went on his way. Neither of the S.I.R Units asked him to show any proof that he had a right to be hear. They had recognized him as one of the Irkens on shift. As for why he was inside, Dib had read back at the service center that Guards did routine inside and outside perimeter checks. They were also tasked with challenging several prisoners on their task completion throughout the day.
Dib maybe doing his rounds early, but he figured the Choosing would cause the soldiers to be short of staff. Whether or not that was true, the S.I.R Units had bought the lie, and, in their eyes, operations were proceeding as normal. Dib makes it down the hall and opens the door, he doesn't look back at the S.I.R Units as he enters.
Once inside he is greeted with a large room overcrowded with cubicles, each one housed a prisoner. Dib fakes confidence as he walks through them, pretending to check on the prisoners. To anyone looking he was a soldier making sure the slaves were working and not slacking off. There must be hundreds of cubicles, but Dib knew where Trawl was. He was Prisoner number 777, meaning he worked on the Seventh floor, within the seventh cubicle of the seventh room. Dib tried to appear in no hurry as he walks the short distance. Finally, he makes it; There sitting before him was a Vort with bluish skin and horns.
"Prisoner 777?" He asked.
Trawl turns, "Yes?" He tries not to look panicked. A Soldier had never came to him before. Selling out his leaders had given him special privileges his fellow prisoners did not have. If one was seeing him now than...they must have found out about Lard Nar. This soldier was here to get information out of him, painfully if necessary. He always knew this day would come, that eventually the game would be over.
That sooner or later his betrayal to the Empire would be found out, and with four additional words the Soldier confirmed his fears.
"You're coming with me."
-To Be Continued