Disclaimer (Don'tcha love these?): Invader Zim belongs to the Almighty Thinnest Jhonen Vasquez,
and his army of doom-sporks, and the sentient dust-bunnies at Nickelodeon. Aw, aren't they cute?
I do this only out of the deepest respect for the characters and the great, great mind that created
them. I mean it. Vasquez, if you're reading...damn you're a genius.

Oh, Dev and Zey, and any other characters NOT from Invader Zim, are mine. If Vasquez wanted to
use them he could, but you guys aren't Vasquez, so ask first, please.

Any reviews you give to me will pleeeee-ase Pustulio! Flames will be treated with the same loving
care you would expect from Nny, and any survivors will be fed to my pet Velociraptor.

_________

When the World Ends
_________

-It starts with you
One thing, I don't know why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try
Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme to explain in due time
All I know-

-Chapter One: Dib-Preparation-

Of course the lab was the first place I'd go, when I saw the ships. The ride there was more than a
little surreal. Early morning activity was non-existent. An unnatural quiet pressed down on the city,
not a soul moving on the streets, not a single car. No one knew yet, they couldn't possibly. Even
knowing what to look for, the ships were all but invisible to my eye, and the news that played as I'd
left the house didn't say a word about them. Yet the eerie silence persisted.

I'd called Dev from the house and he's waiting as I pull up, his cheeks flushed from the cold. He runs
up before the car even pulls to a halt, excitement vying with fear on his face.

"Dib! You were right, boss! The military's already spotted them. It looks like they've split the fleet up.
Two groups, one on each side of the planet, small but presumably well-armed."

The lab is a flurry of activity as we enter, and the guard detail around the front entrance has been
tripled. Good old Dev, on top of everything, as usual. "What do they propose to do about it?"

"Who knows. They've begun conferences between the leaders of every major country, but everyone
seems to be looking to us for guidance. After all, we're the ones who saw it coming." We reach the
lab's communications room, which is even busier than the halls. A soft blue glow lights the room,
flickering in the darkness, radiating from the computer screens in front of us and the televisions along
the far wall. The TVs display news shows from twenty major countries, the computers scroll with
information, sightings, numbers of ships, potential weaponry. Several printers spill readouts onto the
floor to be trampled by guards and people in labcoats.

"The news crews haven't caught wind of it yet?" Traffic reports and weekend event schedules fill the
news from the local stations, and I can only guess it's the same for most of the other countries.

"No, but they know something big is up. They've been hounding every government spokesman they
can find, and it's only a matter of time. Which is why..." he rubs the back of his neck, suddenly sheepish.

"Why what?"

His smile is goofy as usual, but still apologetic. "Why they're moving us out. Now."

I feel a migraine coming on, and growl as I rub my temples. "I should've expected that. We'll have to
organize crews. Get some of the guards to see to the equipment, and find someone to handle the data
transfers. Oh, and someone to deal with the hard copies...are we receiving any assistance for this or
do we get to fend for ourselves?"

That brightens his spirits. "They said they'd send the necessary teams over within the hour. Transport
and a clean-up crew, and some extra manpower, as long as we can have everything ready the move
shouldn't be a problem. Suddenly we're a top priority."

"I wonder why." Wonder when I became so sarcastic. "Where the hell is Zey, anyway? You contacted
her, right?"

He snorts, and if I'd really expected her here I'd be disappointed right now. "I couldn't get ahold of her.
No answer at her place or her cellphone, even her beeper's turned off. Thankfully we don't really need
her for this. She'll either show up before we leave and pretend to work, or we'll head out and send one
of the military guys after her." Mischief gleams in his eye. "Or maybe the aliens will do us all a favor
and blast the 24/7 while she's getting one of those disgusting freeze-things."

I resist the urge to agree with that. "I've got to oversee the transfer of the subject." Turning down one of
the halls, I'm stopped by his firm grip on my wrist.

"One more thing, boss. The military brass, they said they want you there when the aliens make
contact." His tone makes the 'if' of the statement obvious. 'If' the aliens decide to talk to
us before blowing us to kingdom come.

"Tell them I'll give them what support I can." He seems uncertain, about to say something, but a guard
comes rushing up the corridor towards us.

"Professor Membrane, sir. The transports are here. They're asking for you, said you need to get the
alien out of here quickly as possible." Panting, he pauses to catch his breath. "They said the aliens
are calling for the world's leaders. There's gonna be some sorta conference, the army guys want our
alien there, and you with it."
__________

The corridor is dark as usual. No shouts or screams this time, either. I pass by the bulletproof glass of
the Cage's window, five well-armed men behind me, the last pulling the bed and restraints. The
subject's curled up on the floor, sleeping, but his eyes fly open as we enter, and he scurries away
from the door, his back to the wall, till the cuffs around his wrists pull him up short. Most of the
hatred is gone from his gaze, and what's there is overshadowed by fear and uncertainty. I've changed
the routine on him, and he doesn't like it.

His eyes dart about the room, focusing on every movement; a longing glance over his shoulder, and I
can almost see the thought running through his head, the wishing that his backpack still worked.
I'm not at all surprised that he struggles stubbornly when the guards grab his arms. By the time
I've unlocked the chains attached to the cuffs he's tired himself out, and hangs limp, a tiny
figure dwarfed by the men on each side.

As they strap him down to the bed his gaze follows me. He doesn't say a word, but the question is
written all over his face. I'm not feeling generous enough to answer.
___________________

(1) When the World Ends, words and music by Dave Matthews and Glen Ballard, performed by Dave
Matthews Band, album Everyday, copyright 2000 Golden Grey Ltd./Universal MCA Publishing. I suggest
you all go out and get the album, you won't be disappointed! It's absolutely beautiful and totally
unique music. If you've heard 'The Space Between' on the radio (Zim/Dib anyone?) you'll know what
I'm talkin' about ^_~.

(2) All quotes taken from 'In the End' by Linkin Park. Album, Hybrid Theory. Unfortunately I don't have
the copyright information and such. Please don't sue me. For the most part the lyrics were added AFTER
I wrote the chapters. It's almost eerie how closely they fit to the overall theme. Thank goodness for
that epiphany, which came at work. It's nice working at a place I can listen to the radio. If you
haven't heard this one yet, or 'Crawling', which has also been getting alot of play, you're missing
out. It's truly spectacular music, especially if you like it angsty ^_^. Pick up the CD, won't you?