Human Relations

**Six months later**

As Baka sat in her Voot Runner targeted for Earth, she found her mind wondering in several directions. Hey, Ruki? Do you think we'll ever get to go home again? Ruki, unable to say anything to truly comfort her, said the only thing she possibly could. I don't know, Baka. The chances are slim of that happening, and even if we could go back, there's no telling-- Ruki cut herself short as she picked up on Baka's sudden downward swing of moods. I really miss Electro and Sobek. You think they're all right? I can't say for sure, Baka. But they've proven to be tough fighters in the past.

Yeah, I guess you're right. Homesick and lonely, Baka didn't hear the warning of the approaching planet as her Voot Runner crash landed in one of the worst places possible: Dib's front yard. Crawling out of the vehicle, Baka grabbed hold of what senses she had left and approached the house in front of her, completely clueless as to what she was getting herself into.

Inside, Dib was watching his usual programming when he heard the crash of the ship outside. was about the only thing he could muster to say at the approaching Irken. Oh, no. Not another invasion.' I'm gunna put a stop to this one too! Dib ran from the window and out the door where he met the travel weary invader. Stop right there! I'm onto you! Dib shouted. What? I don't know what you're talking about! You're just crazy! Baka replied. Don't play dumb with me! I know you're here to destroy Earth! I'm not going to let you succeed!! Ok, now I KNOW you're crazy. I'm not here to destroy any hunk of rock. I'm just here to hide away for awhile till-- Ha! I don't believe you, alien scum!

I don't know who you are, Crazy Child with the Huge Head, but I promise you, I'm NOT going to destroy your stupid piece of rock! Oh, and I advise against you calling me alien scum' again. I don't take kindly to insults. Baka and Dib stared each other down for a few minutes before Ruki broke the silence. Baka, Crazy Child, this rivalry is, at the moment, rather small compared to our current situation. QUIT CALLING ME CRAZY CHILD!!!! Dib screamed at the top of his lungs, only to be whacked upside the head by a pillow. Shut up, Dib! Don't you know no one wants to hear you, much less look at you?! screamed Gaz. But, Ga-- he started before being interrupted by yet another pillow. I said SHUT UP!!!! she screamed back. As Dib recollected his thoughts and senses, Baka and Ruki were busy fixing the propulsion systems on the cruiser.

Uh, what exactly are you here for if you're not planning on destroying the planet? Looking up from her work, Baka replied, didn't hear me the first time? Let me start over then. Baka leaned in close to Dib's face, twisted his head so she was looking at his ear, and screamed, I'M HERE TO HIDE!!!!!! Dib staggered backwards, momentarily deaf in his left ear. Ow, geez. Did you have to yell?! Evidently, you didn't hear me when I was speaking normally. Did you catch that this time? she snidely replied. Yes, yes I did. But I think I'm deaf now, no thanks to you. That's your problem, not mine. Satisfied that Dib had his answers, Baka returned to work in hopes of getting her cruiser running again.

What're you hiding from, if you don't mind my asking? Agitated, Baka looked up once more from her work. Yes, I mind you asking, and I'm hiding from a bunch of revolutionaries who want me dead. Don't you ever go away? Baka turned her attention once again to the cruiser, Dib watching from a safe distance to avoid becoming deaf in his other ear. There, that should do it. Ruki, try and start the engines, will ya? she commanded of the small droid. Right away, Mistress. Obediently, Ruki climbed into the cockpit of the Voot Runner and pressed a few buttons, starting up the engines of the small ship. That'll do. Thanks, Ruki. You can shut er down now. Once again, the small droid did as she was commanded and shut off the engines.

That's incredible! But you're still gunna make me famous, Dib called out as he cautiously approached the ship and its pilot. Hey now, back off little boy. I don't need any trouble from you, came Baka's reply as she slowly backed away from her adversary. Who's gunna give you trouble? If you cooperate with me and just let me show you to the neighborhood scientists, no one will get hurt. Dib leapt at Baka, bearly missing her as she stepped out of the way. Except maybe idiots like you. C'mon, Ruki! Fire up the engines and let's get outta here! Ruki silently went to work as the engines on the Voot Runner kicked in and roared to life, smoking Dib like a steak on an open flame. See ya later, chump! Baka called back as the ship took off.

I will get you!! Sometime....maybe. Anyway... Defeated, Dib walked back inside the house to a familiar face. ZIM?! How....did you get in?! Through the door, duh, Zim retorted. I thought I was rid of you! Why....how.....oh nevermind. Well, it's not like I really wanna be back. Oh, really, Zim? Then why are you? Because.....uhh....just because. Uh...I gotta go. Quicker than lighting, Zim jumped up from the sofa where he sat and darted right out of the house, inadvertently slamming the door behind him.

Amazingly, Zim was able to recreate his base just as quickly as when he had originally done so. Ahhh....home sweet ho--what the?! Zim's eyes had found a rather disturbing sight. Instead of an Irken welcoming committee, Zim found a smashed and beaten SIR unit with flickering purple lights, and about to shut off. What happened to you?! Slowly, the droid turned it's head towards Zim and softly spoke. before the droid could finish its statement, the last drops of its energy reserve kicked out, and it went off line.

As the small droid shut down, Zim bent down, picked it up, and carried it inside. With the amount of damage the little droid took on, timing is of the essence if the memory banks had any chance of being totally restored. No sooner had Zim began work on the little robot, that the doorbell rang. GIR!! Answer the door!! Zim called out to his own droid. OKIE DOKIE!!!! came the response. Unfortunately, however, the insane little droid let in the surprise visitor.

Something's not right. I can feel it. Zim looked up from his work on the little, battle bashed SIR towards the main floor of the house. Nervously, Zim continued his work knowing that if he didn't finish soon, the robot's memory may be erased completely. Suddenly, sounds of a fight broke out upstairs, which forced Zim to put his work aside and defend his base. Making a bee-line for the elevator tube, Zim rushed up to the main floor, only to find GIR hanging from the ceiling by his antenna and a mess of broken objects scattered across the floor.

GIR! Get down here now! Zim shouted up at him. GIR playfully called back. Well, okay, came his final response as he dropped from the ceiling and landed on his feet in front of Zim and immediately fell on his face. GIR, get up, Zim ordered of the droid, agitation evident in his voice. Awwww.....but the floor's pretty! Okay! came GIR's response followed by a sudden snap to attention.
GIR, can I trust you to make absolutely SURE no one else gets in and makes an even BIGGER mess? Besides, who was here anyway? GIR just stood there and stared at Zim with his round, emotionless, turquoise coloured eyes. Nevermind....just clean up this mess. Tired and agitated, Zim retreats to his lab to finish the repairs on the purple SIR unit while GIR starts cleaning up.

Hello, Zim! Alarmed at the intrusion in his lab, Zim spun around searching for the source of the voice. Hehe. You won't find me, Zim! That voice....DIB!!! SHOW YOURSELF!!! Dib crashed to the floor with a loud thud as Zim focused on the shadowy corner Dib was hiding in. Come on, Dib. What do you want this time? I know what you're up to, Zim! I'm onto you! I have no idea what you're talking about. You're crazy.

The two former enemies stared each other down, as GIR skipped his way down to the lab. HI, ZIM!!! HI, DIB!!! he shouted as he waved from the opening of one of the elevator tubes. The two stopped their arguing and turned to look at the half dressed GIR. Behind him stood a shy, Irken with a gold nose and eyebrow ring, light purple spiked and gold bands on each of her antennae. She glared at Zim, still angry at the hoopla he created back on Irk.

I don't know what you want here, Zim, but you better not be here to make a fool of me twice. Zim stood there and glared coldly back at her as Dib stood staring at the two of them from his spot near the main computer controls. I don't know what you're talking about, Zim sneered, always willing to chance getting a good beating. Cut the crap, Zim. You know what you did, and if you don't watch your tongue, I swear I'm gunna kick your ass into next week. Once again, Baka's sapphire blue eyes met the gaze of Zim's strawberry red eyes, squinting as if threatening his existence.

Dib, risking a hefty beating, spoke up, ending the cold war. Ummm, if you guys are busy, I could always-- You could always what, turn me in? Capture me for your own disgusting tests? You won't come close to touching me this time, Dib! Zim snapped over his shoulder. Ooook. I'll just stand here then, came Dib's reply as Baka performed a sharp and extremely accurate about face. Turning back over her shoulder, Baka called back to Zim before walking out, Oh, and one more thing Zim, if you do ANYTHING and I do mean ANYTHING to humiliate me here, I'm going to see to it that you die a slow, painful, and very humiliating death. With that, she began her march towards the elevator. Humiliating? Pah! She couldn't humiliate me to save her life, Zim chortled as he returned to work, forgetting completely about his unfinished argument with Dib.

Well then. I'm just gunna-- Dib!! What're you still doing here?! Uhh...well....you see-- Zim ordered, his pale green skin and strawberry eyes darkening with shadows from the lighting in the room. Dib didn't waste any time in getting out while he still had his head on his shoulders. Finally rid of his distractions, Zim returned to work on the battered droid with hopes that its precious memory still exists.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Walking along the crowded streets, a lonely Irken was accompanied by her purple cat following close to her side. Ruki, where did I go wrong? Are the Tallest angry at me for some reason? Baka queried of her Ruki, being disguised and in public, simply looked up at Baka; her round, red, robotic eyes trying to comfort her master. I just don't get it. I was, am, loyal to the Tallest. I was merely missions away from being promoted and privileged enough to serve them one on one. I just don't know what went wrong. Unable to speak, Ruki simply replied with a soft and circled around Baka as she walked, rubbing her side against Baka's legs when she could.

Sadly, Baka looked down at the robotic purple cat trying to comfort her. You know what, Ruki? If we befriend this...Dib...thingie, we may have a chance of getting back at Zim. Ruki just jumped up into Baka's arms and purred softly as Baka petted her and resumed walking. I see the beginning of a beautiful retaliation. After a few hours of walking through the heart of the city, Baka and Ruki returned to their home on the outskirts of town, ready to settle down for the evening.