Family Matters

Dib fidgeted with his clothes and hair. He was going to talk to his mother. A person he hadn't seen, much less heard talk of, in several years.
His father turned on a device about the size of a toaster. It looked like a TV and a Circular saw had been slammed together.
The screen came to life and a face came into view.
Dibs' stomach tightened.
She was green with solid amber eyes. Her antenna curled back but twitched a bit when she saw him.
"Dib!" She squealed. "Membrane, what's going on?"
"Dib's found out." The Prof. said.
"Oh." She paused. "Well then. Hello Dib." She smiled at her son.
"Mom?" Was all he could manage. "You're, you're." He fell silent.
"Oh baby-kins, I know it's hard but it's true. You're half Irken. You should be proud of what you are."
"But I'm a freak!" Dib almost exploded at his mother. "I've been looking for aliens my whole life! Then I find out I have one in my school." He started pacing. "Now I find out I'm a half-breed!" He turned back to her. "What am I supposed to do now?"
"You're programming should tell you that." Mera said.
"What is my programming anyway?" Dib asked. He cast a look to his father who had remained silent.
"A defender is supposed to protect the planet or area they are born on or in." His mother said sounding like she was merely quoting a book. "See? That's why you fight Zim."
"So, you're telling me the only reason I notice that Zim is an alien is because I'm supposed to?" He asked.
"Yes."
He blinked. "Okay..."
"Don't you worry my little baby-kins. Everything will be fine." Mera said with a sort of giggle in her voice.
"But what about the invasion?"
"Oh, don't worry about that." She waved her hand. "Everything is fine on that end. You should probably still keep at Zim though. He's a voracious little thing at times."
Dib nodded and kicked at the floor. "Mom?"
"Yes Dibby?" She asked.
"Why did you leave?" He looked up at the screen.
She sat back in her chair. "Dib, I'm an Invader. I follow the orders given to me by my leaders. I had no choice but to return when they called for me."
"Oh."
"Come on my little Defender-wender. Perk up! It's not so bad! I still love you." She smiled in a half-manic way.
Dib silently wondered if any of her personality was in him.
A frown crossed her face. "Oops, gotta run. I'll talk to you later baby-kins! By Memie-baby!" She waved at Membrane.
"By Sugar-lump." He responded before the screen turned off.
Dib sighed and left the lab half-heartedly making his way to his room.
* * *
Zim watched Dib from his side of the classroom. The Human had been giving him curious looks all day but had yet to antagonize him.
So, Dib believed him. Good.
At Lunch Zim sat at his table as always but was surprised when Dib joined him.
"Don't say anything Zim. I'm only here to know why." He looked up from the disgusting excuse for food on his plate. "Why did you tell me?"
Zim smirked. "Just to see your reaction. Dib."
"Is that the only reason?"
Zim paused. "I doubt this will count for anything but I am ordered to re-claim any lost members to the Irken Empire I come across during a mission. Though seeing you like that. It was priceless." He grinned maniacally.
Dib picked at his food. "So. I suppose you were programmed to be an Invader. Right?"
Zim coughed. "You know of that?"
Dib nodded solemly "My mother, I spoke with her. She said I was a 'Defender'."
Zims' eyes got unusually large, even for him. "Was that female insane?" He demanded in a high voice.
By now some of the other kids had noticed his rant but chose to ignore him.
"What? She just said I was made to try and."
"Defender programming was made illegal before even the Tallest were born!" Zim screeched. A sudden look of fear crossed his face. "And you were given it." He slowly slid out of his seat and took a hold of his tray. He paused keeping his eyes on Dib before running away faster than Dib had ever seen the little alien menace go.
Dib, now alone, blinked and sighed.
That wasn't exactly a good sign.