We pan down an empty Meekrob landscape, very little to see on the whole. Then, out of the blue, five darkened figures appear clad in black, blurring into existence suspended in mid-air. They are Invaders El, Groot, Koot, Nen and Slant, kitted out in black-ops gear and they enter into a discussion.
NEN
I got 'nuthin.
SLANT
Me neither.
EL
All this time, if there really was some military build-up we should have spotted something by now.
KOOT
I don't mind the holiday downtime...
GROOT
You're spending it in a Megadoomer.
KOOT
You and I may disagree, but I call that a good time.
NEN
You know, I've always looked forward to riding one of these things.
SLANT
I can remember when they first rolled these out. The engineering corps had to recall them all because they never lasted more than 3 minutes before the batteries went dead.
GROOT
Huh...so how did they get round that one?
SLANT
They utilized a new, compact energy source!
KOOT
And what's that?
SLANT
LIVING SOULS.
Koot plays around with an invisible joystick.
KOOT
Uncanny...
A beep is heard.
EL
Scan complete. Everyone hush and let me report.
El presses an invisible button and speaks in a slightly louder tone.
EL
Finished scouting area 7X. No sign of activity. Shall we proceed to 7Y?
There is static on the radio.
EL
Larb, are you even listening to me?
There's a burst of activity in the radio and Larb can be heard with the many myriad sounds of Zim screeching and things exploding in the back ground.
LARB (O.S
That's COMMANDER Larb, to you! Don't you dare presume your superiors!
KOOT
Ooooh! Busted!
El shoots Koot a glance before speaking into the radio again. The explosions are dying down, but Zim still seems to be pronouncing his greatness in the static.
EL
I apologize, but we sort of need instructions...
LARB (O.S
You're Invaders! Couldn't you go and do things on your own, we're kinda in the middle of something...
GROOT
We'll never find out what the Meekrob are doing at this rate.
LARB (O.S
Okay, hold on...
The radio goes silent as Larb seems to disappear from the radio. Zim continues to screech until a loud thwacking noise is heard. Larb returns to the radio.
LARB (O.S
Okay, you were saying?
SLANT
There's nothing going on out here. No transmissions, no sensors, no nothing. I'm starting to think Tenn was just caught under some rocks or something.
LARB (O.S
The Tallest wouldn't send the cream of the military if it was just an ACCIDENT.
An alarm rings in Nen's cockpit.
NEN
Hold on! I'm picking something up!
LARB (O.S
Patch it through!
INT: INVADER BASE
We see a reflection of Larb in a monitor. Behind him is a tent with a big smouldering hole in the side and Zim twitching in a heap in the corner. The monitor flashes up and a diagram of the planet with a dot approaching the surface slowly. The dot is pulsing, caught in the extremity of a scanner sweep emanating from the surface.
LARB
A ship is entering orbit. It seems to have some kind of advanced stealth technology masking our sensors. Only the Megadoomers could've detected it.
ZIM
Oh, you shall face my wrath...
Larb seems to sigh.
LARB
Not again...
Information appears to emerge from the dot.
LARB
More info...it's Irken! No...wait...it's a highly modified Spittle Runner. An old design, but modified beyond any of our current capabilities. Registry tracks it to a...garbage dump on Planet Dirt. Who is this guy?
ZIM
Zim is not pleased. When the Tallest get wind of this, you will have to face the rats!
Larb turns to Zim.
LARB
Look, I don't want you here! No one wants you here! The Tallest may be scared out of their suits about your mere existence, but I...
An alarm rings out of the display. Larb snaps back.
LARB
An unencoded, open transmission? Is this guy a MORON or something?
The display transforms into a huge, beaming picture of Dib.
DIB
HI EVERYONE! WOW! A REAL WAR! I WANNA HELP OUT! I'LL TAKE YOU ANYTIME IRKEN SCUM!
GAZ
Ugh...
Zim jolts up at Dib's face.
ZIM
ARGH! I can't believe that snivelling human followed Skoodge here!
DIB
Hey, is this thing working? IS THIS THING WORKING?
LARB
Y'know what? It figures that you know this person.
ZIM
He'll ruin everything!
LARB
Maybe if we ignore him, he'll go away?
DIB
I know there's someone out there fighting the Irken Empire! I want to help out! I gotta! I'm going crazy out here!
GAZ
GOING crazy?
DIB
Just give me a sign!
An alarm sounds, this time with several red flashing lights, and into the tent, Invader Chin rushes in, gasping.
CHIN
Commander!
Chin pauses to catch his breath. Larb and Zim look on whimsically.
LARB
The monitoring station is only a few metres away, Chin. You must REALLY be out of shape.
CHIN
A missile's been launched from the planet's surface!
LARB
WHAT?
All heads spin towards the monitor, where the interior of Tak's ship has lit up with all kinds of flashing lights and Dib's entering panic mode.
TAK'S SHIP
Impact imminent! Evasive action recommended!
Gaz stares out of the cockpit wide-eyed then disappears under the seat. Dib just keeps trying to fiddle with controls.
DIB
What? What's going on?
GAZ
DIB! DUCK!
DIB
Awww...it's nice to know you care...ARGH!
The monitor erupts into static and returns to the display screen with Larb, Zim and Chin reflected. The display shows Tak's ship, now flashing red, plummeting to the planet's surface. Its trajectory has a white streak heading into it. Zim heads outside in a rush, but Larb doesn't notice, concentrating on the display. The comms come back into play.
EL (O.S
What's happening, Commander?
LARB
Something's come up.
EXT: MEEKROB, NIGHT
The five are still huddled in mid-air.
LARB (O.S
You're to return to base camp immediately.
EL
Affirmed.
Around the five figures, Megadoomers emerge out of cloak. They turn towards the South, crouch, then rocket along the ground back towards base camp.
EXT: BASE CAMP
Invaders are still piecing things back together from the wreckage, but enough is working to still retain some semblance of organisation. Zim storms out of the main tent and yells at the monitoring station nearby, manned by Invader Kim.
ZIM
Where'd that missile come from?
KIM
Who put you in charge?
ZIM
DO NOT QUESTION ZIM!
KIM
OKAY! We've tracked the trajectory to sector 14Q!
ZIM
EXCELLENT! GIR! MINIMOOSE!
GIR jumps in red mode towards Zim and salutes, while Minimoose impacts into the back of GIR's head and screams in the affirmative.
GIR
YES SIR!
MINIMOOSE
PEEEEEEEEP!
ZIM
We shall rescue Tenn from this slime and destroy all they hold dear! Nothing shall stand in our way!
GIR
I LOVE YOU, PAAAAAA!
ZIM
FORWARD TO VICTO-
LARB
STOP!
Zim is interrupted in his rant and turns angrily round to Commander Larb, who's tired himself from shouting so loud.
LARB
Thank you! I cannot authorise your mission, Zim. We need to hold back and find out exactly what we're dealing with here. If we play our cards too early, we'll be wiped from the face of this planet!
ZIM
Pah! Zim needs no orders!
Zim starts wandering off.
LARB
I'm the Commander of this mission! The Tallest said explicitly that you were to do exactly what I say!
Zim waves Larb off.
ZIM
Yeeeaaah...suuure they did...
Skoodge abruptly jumps into the picture.
SKOODGE
Can I come too?
ZIM
ZIM NEEDS NO HELP!
Skoodge continues to grin vacantly, expecting confirmation to come any moment now.
ZIM
Ugh...if you really WANT to...
Skoodge waves his arms in joy and follows him. Zim continues to glare at Larb. Larb seems to remain sceptical.
LARB
If you go now, you'll probably end up dead before the day's out.
Zim nods enthusiastically, as we see the four of them line up. At this prospect, Larb changes his mind.
LARB
Okay, you can go.
Zim wavers for a moment, then salutes. He goes over to GIR.
ZIM
Ready your thrusters, GIR! Destination Sector 14Q!
GIR levitates himself and lets Zim and Skoodge sit on his back.
GIR
This feels nice.
ZIM
ONWARD TO VICTORY!
GIR's motors start, and the group rockets off into the distance, with Minimoose squeaking behind them in overdrive. Larb witnesses them disappear into the distance, then turns back.
LARB
Goodbye and good riddance...
INT: SECRET CAVERNS
Dib slowly opens his eyes, having been knocked unconscious by the missile hit. Apart from a gash over his right eye, he's in pretty okay shape, just lying flat on his back in what seems to be a kind of cavern. It's dark, so he looks around timidly and walks towards what appears to be a corridor. It's lighter out here, but he takes the time to lean against a wall and rub his head.
LARD NAR
Don't provoke her!
SPLEENK
I'm not provoking her!
This exchange jolt's Dib's attention and he stares down the corridor at the Resisty aliens surrounding Gaz, who's fending off them by waving around Shloonktaplooxis as if he was a weapon. The Resisty seem cowed, Gaz determined, and Shloonktaplooxis on the verge of hysterics.
SHLOONKTAPLOOXIS
HELP ME! HELP ME! I WANNA LIIIVE!
DIB
Gaz?
Lard Nar spins round.
LARD NAR
Oh no! Not another one!
DIB
What's going on?
GAZ
They shot at us down!
LARD NAR
I've said sorry for that already, haven't I?
DIB
Who are you?
Lard Nar feels his ego swelling. Behind him, a Resisty member tries to get close to Gaz, who promptly throws Shloonktaplooxis at him.
LARD NAR
Ah! I see you've heard of us!
DIB
Nooooo...I just asked who you were-
LARD NAR
We are the Resisty! The forefront of the rebellion against Operation Impending Doom 2!
Dib's eyes widen.
DIB
You're the ones fighting the Irkens?
LARD NAR
The one and only...
DIB
Well...no offence...but couldn't you have picked a better name?
Lard Nar just glares.
LARD NAR
IT WAS A MINORITY DECISION!
GAZ
Dib, this is boring. Can we go now?
DIB
Wait...I want to fight the Irkens as well! That's why I came!
LARD NAR
An excellent choice! The Resisty's ranks have swelled since our first actions a year ago! You would be a fine addition to an unstoppable team!
Dib looks around at the frankly pathetic conglomeration of creatures surrounding him.
DIB
Is this it?
LARD NAR
Well, my second-in-command is currently interrogating the prisoner. Apart from that, there's those two guys over there...
RESISTY GUY
Uh...sorry. We just didn't manage the invite first time round.
LARD NAR
Oh...uh...
There's a few rather embarrassing seconds before Lard Nar has the urge to speak again.
LARD NAR
Well we have ONE new member at least! My second-in-command, and our first Irken member! Without her, I'd never be able to get anything out of this pathetic bunch of saps.
SPLEENK
Hey!
SHLOONKTAPLOOXIS
The pain...
A beep is heard at the door. They all turn to look, and a broad smile crosses Lard Nar's face for the first time.
LARD NAR
That'll be her now! The prisoner must finally be answering her questions. I'm sure you'll get along just fine, but she has a way with people she doesn't like...
The door opens to reveal Tak and Mimi. Tak is wiping some green stuff off her hands and is especially surprised to see Dib in front of her, and vice versa. Immediately the three of them spring into defensive mode, with Tak and Dib jumping into position, ready to fight. Tak promptly springs her spider legs and dominates Dib, who limply forfeits as Mimi takes up position behind him.
DIB
Okay, you win.
GAZ
Pfft. Show-off.
Lard Nar jumps in to seperate the two.
LARD NAR
Hey! Hey! Calm down! We're both on the same side!
DIB
We are?
Tak retracts her spider legs, much to Dib's relief, but still dominates him to a certain extent.
TAK
I should have anticipated this. I'm not going to enjoy working with you, Dib, so don't expect any camaraderie to develop.
DIB
Who said we were working together? What's going on?
LARD NAR
This is Tak, though I'm going to assume you've met before. She's the newest member of the Resisty!
DIB
You'd rebel against your own kind?
TAK
Pfft. I never liked it very much to begin with. The more I think about Zim's success, the less I think of it as a fluke. A stupid society gives rise to a stupid Invader, that's all there is to it! How he managed to defeat me three times now is something of a mystery.
DIB
Heh...I did have a hand in one of those...
TAK
And don't think I'll forget it! Wait...how did you get here?
DIB
Well, I just used...(realizes)...uh...my own ingenious ship-building skills! Yeah, that's probably it...
Tak gazes over to Gaz, who points to an alcove. Tak runs over to see her ship, slightly smouldering, parked inside.
TAK
Is that my ship?
DIB
What? Nooo! I'm sure there's loads of ships out there that look like yours...heh...
Tak runs to her ship.
TAK
Ship! System status!
TAK'S SHIP
Command voice not recognized. Though it sounds weirdly familiar.
TAK
THAT IS MY SHIP! LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO IT!
DIB
I...made some improvements...
TAK
My calibrations...my engine design...
DIB
If you think I could've done better in a few areas...
Tak breaks down sobbing.
TAK
It was a work of art! Wait...
Tak perks up.
TAK
You piloted it into orbit and sent that stupid signal!
Tak spins around accusingly.
TAK
YOU MADE ME SHOOT DOWN MY OWN SHIP!
DIB
Hey! You were trying to destroy my world! I think I've got the moral high-ground here!
TAK
Moral high-ground...it's easy for a kid like you to talk about a moral high-ground! This is the first place I've managed to fit into in my entire existence!
Dib looks once again at the Resisty aliens.
DIB
Amongst this bunch of half-wits?
SPLEENK
Why do they keep insulting us?
TAK
Half-wits they may be...
SPLEENK
Again with the insulting...
TAK
But I'm not going back to the Tallest! Not for Irk, not for anything!
LARD NAR
THAT'S the spirit! Now if we can just stop yelling at each other and get to the task at hand...
GAZ
Finally...
LARD NAR
What have you come to report?
TAK
I've finally persuaded her to answer my questions, but I don't think she really knows anything important. At least, anything I don't know about. She's as much of a pawn as the rest of her species.
LARD NAR
Well then, I suppose we should introduce our newest members to our real purpose here.
DIB
Which is what?
LARD NAR
Defeating the Armada, of course! Follow me!
The lot of them leave through the door, with Dib and Gaz following suit. We retreat through the catacombs above until a small, dark corner of the complex is visible, sandwiched between two rocky edifices. Through the ceiling of pure granite, rocks come flying everywhere and Zim, Skoodge and GIR fall through the hole created, as they get to their feet, groaning in pain, GIR just claps his hands in glee. Zim remonstrates.
ZIM
What was that for?
GIR
LEMONADE!
Minimoose flies into the back of Skoodge's head and Zim looks around.
ZIM
This looks like the area Tenn was captured in.
SKOODGE
Wouldn't that make us in enemy territory?
A moment passes, and Zim immediately transforms from standing there looking bemused into full faux-commando mode, clinging to the floor and peering around all paranoid.
ZIM
WE MUST BE ALERT! To be discovered would mean our doom...
GIR
Lemon!
ZIM
In order to get through this situation alive...YOU MUST DO WHATEVER ZIM COMMANDS!
At this outburst, Skoodge just shrugs.
SKOOGDE
Fine by me.
ZIM
EXCELLENT!
Zim looks around and squints s'more.
ZIM
Follow me...
Zim crawls all crab-like to a nearby opening, while Skoodge creeps behind warily, Minimoose floats, and GIR, as always, remains in his own personal dream-world.
GIR
Lemons are niiiiice...
INT: CATACOMBS
We now cut to a camera display, periodically jumping and flickering as cameras do, while partially hidden behind a ridge in the rock as Lard Nar and the rest of the Resisty make their way down a corridor with Dib and Gaz in tow. Lard Nar has this air of self-confidence around him, while Dib seems to be marvelling at the organisation at work.
DIB
So, we get to shoot things?
LARD NAR
After a fashion.
DIB
And save the universe and blow stuff up and things like that?
LARD NAR
Eventually.
DIB
Will we get to see ninjas?
LARD NAR
What? No!
Most of the Resisty pass by the camera's view, until we see Tak and Mimi bring up the rear. Tak pauses briefly and looks up suspiciously in the direction of the camera, at which point our view streaks and we see Zim holding Minimoose like a pair of binoculars quickly hiding behind a rock, briefly flabberghasted. Skoodge perks up in interest.
ZIM
Dib and Tak! Working together! Ugh...of all my worst nightmares!
SKOODGE
Ooh! Ooh! Can I look?
ZIM
No! Course you can't! Only Zim shall be allowed to look through the Moose of Evilness!
MINIMOOSE
SQUEAK!
ZIM
Yes! You are evil! It says so in the manual!
SKOODGE
So what's going on?
ZIM
Uh...I dunno! Let's take a look!
Zim peers round the rock. Tak looks over her shoulder suspiciously then moves to join the group. The situation hasn't changed much. They seem to be approaching an obelisk of some kind.
DIB
Well, if you don't have any ninjas, then how do you expect to fight the Armada?
LARD NAR
Are you always this annoying?
GAZ
Yes.
LARD NAR
If you must have an answer, I'll introduce you to this planet's denizens.
Lard Nar turns towards the obelisk and bows his head in respect. He then raises his head towards the top of the obelisk and stretches his arms, chanting the holy rite of prayer.
LARD NAR
COME OUT HERE, YOU LAZY BLOBS!
A light beams off the top of the obelisk and the Meekrob appear from above, briefly appearing as aliens before turning into...string-ball rackets.
MEEKROB
We shall allow this audience, as we are grateful for your presence during these dark times, but do hurry, we're about to play croquet.
In the background, Zim peers closely with intent.
ZIM
The enemy have revealed themselves! Time to gather data. MINIMOOSE! RECORD!
MINIMOOSE
SQUEAK!
Minimoose turns towards the Resisty and closes his irises as if in concentration. A buzz is heard while this is going on. In the meantime, Dib is watching the aliens agape, while Gaz almost ignores them.
LARD NAR
Recruits! I would like you to meet the Meekrob! Beings of pure energy who've had a lot of trouble with the Irkens this past year.
DIB
I remember you!
The Meekrob look at each other then back to Dib.
MEEKROB
If we had dealings with corporeal beings with big heads, we're sure we would have remembered it.
DIB
Uh...long story. How did you guys meet up?
MEEKROB
Normally, we would not have dealings with corporeal species, being on a higher plane of existence don'tcha know, but these pesky Irkens have proven irritably harmful to us as a race. We are not equipped to handle beings of this nature, and we were losing fast.
LARD NAR
And so, we offered our services! Normally, such a situation like this would be a lost cause, as it's been for our own planets. But, we've discovered something that may just tip the balance in our favour! Tak! If you would do the honours...
Lard Nar grins triumphantly while Tak just glares whimsically.
TAK
You're loving this far too much...
Tak looks up at a gem embedded in the wall behind the obelisk and flashes her eyes. The gem glows then seperates, taking a vast section of the wall with it. The entire stone edifice seperates into three doors that slowly slide apart seismically, light penetrates into a vast black chasm that Dib slowly and timidly wanders into. Zim peers closely. Dib is feeling his way into the darkness, looking around and wondering what he's supposed to be looking at, until a number of lights flash up to illuminate THE BIGGEST ARSENAL OF HEAVY WEAPONRY THE UNIVERSE HAS EVER SEEN! Dib is utterly amazed at this sight, Lard Nar grins mischeviously, and even Gaz opens her eyes in shock. Zim stares open-mouthed.
ZIM
SWEET ARBITER OF PLASMA BURNS!
Tak spins around suddenly as Zim ducks out of sight a second time. Tak remains glaring for a few moments, then signals to Mimi to keep an eye out and follows Lard Nar, who has caught up with Dib and Gaz in the meantime. The weaponry surrounding them is silver and metallic, using jets, tires and caterpillar tracks for movement, bristling with conventional ballistic weaponry, but in vast, dangerous amounts. Lard Nar looks smug as he presses Gaz's attention for a few moments. Eventually, Gaz relents.
GAZ
ALRIGHT! I'M IMPRESSED! YOU HAPPY?
DIB
This is incredible! I don't think I've ever seen so many guns!
LARD NAR
That's not even the best part! It's all fully-automated! A small team of operators can handle an entire war!
DIB
How did you get all this stuff?
MEEKROB
Shortly before our evolution, we concentrated our resources into building immense war machines to fight our battles. This is what remains of that era.
DIB
Why did you get rid of it?
MEEKROB
After a while, we started thinking...what's the point?
Gaz gives out a snort of disapproval. Dib procrastinates further.
DIB
How're you planning to use all this?
LARD NAR
We can't do anything with it while the Irkens are out destroying the galaxy, so we plan to take on the Armada here. Tak here managed to hold one of their Invaders hostage for that purpose.
DIB
Oh yeah! That's why we came! The Tallest have sent all their Invaders here to get the Invader back!
LARD NAR
Just the Invaders? Looks like we'll have to try harder, then.
Tak has managed to reach Lard Nar and whispers some news into his ear. He starts sporting a mischevious grin again.
LARD NAR
Would you like a demonstration?
DIB
Ooh! Ooh! Please!
Lard Nar reaches into his pocket and pulls out a remote control. He beeps a few commands and what seems like a bog-standard security bot wheels out to the side of the two, pausing for a moment before snapping out a couple of REALLY BIG chain-guns.
ROBOT
AUTO-ELIMINATE COMMAND ACTIVATED!
Peering through the robot's camera view, we see the Resisty outlined by green boxes, so obviously the robot's been subject to quite a bit of re-programming. "Friendly" appears next to their boxes, but pauses on Tak for a few moments while her own box flashes between green and red. Tak presses a button on her wrist that transforms her into her human form. The box turns fully green. The camera swings round to the cavern's opening, and past everyone else towards an outcrop of rock in the wall on the other side. The camera x-rays through the rock to reveal Zim, Skoodge, Minimoose and GIR (waving eagerly in recognition) with their boxes outlined in red. Zim turns in response to the sound made by the robot.
ROBOT
ENEMY LOCATED! ELIMINATION IN PROGRESS!
A target lock appears round the group while Zim seems a bit shell-shocked.
ZIM
Eep.
The cavern shakes as the bot lets loose a volley of heavy machine-gun fire. The firepower is such that anyone nearby shields themselves from the force, and Dib ducks to the ground, screaming. A huge section of the wall is blasted into oblivion until all we can see is a huge cloud of smoke. The gun-fire stops and after a moment Skoodge comes falling out of the cloud screaming his head off. On the other side of the cloud, the passageway is shot to pieces, and Zim runs screaming with GIR and Minimoose in tow.
GIR
THAT WAS FUUUUUUN!
Skoodge is cowering in a fetal position, but recovers as members of the Resisty crowd over him with murderous intent in their eyes. Skoodge grins in the only way Skoodge can.
SKOODGE
Uh...how're ya doing? Erk.
Skoodge is grabbed by the collar, while Dib is still cowering from the gunfire with Gaz on the floor beside him. Dib looks up at Skoodge, who's gone back to screaming and shouting "ow" repeatedly, as the robot above powers down and leaves.
DIB
I'm not so sure about this anymore...
GAZ
Ugh...this whole thing starts to get interesting and NOW you start complaining? Give me a break...
INT: INTERROGATION ROOM
We're peering around inside a darkened room, with little or no illumination. A darkened figure is strapped to a chair, but it's impossible to make out its features. A light shines in as a door opens, revealing the figure to be Irken, but nothing more, with green blotches all over its uniform. Tak (back in Irken form) is holding Skoodge at the entrance.
TAK
Now, you'd better co-operate unless you want to end up like your friend Tenn here...
Tak flicks on a light to reveal Tenn strapped to a chair. However, despite being horribly bruised, she actually seems perfectly happy. She even makes a happy-happy-joy-joy face when Skoodge appears.
TENN
Ooh! A friend to play with!
Skoodge looks up at Tak timidly.
SKOODGE
Looks fine to me.
Tak shakes her head.
TAK
How you people manage to conquer the universe I'll never know. JUST GET IN THERE!
Tak throws Skoodge in and locks the door behind him. Skoodge sits up and makes a lop-sided grin.
SKOODGE
You seem swell!
TENN
Well, life has its ups and downs. Hey! You wanna play I-spy!
SKOODGE
Do I?
TENN
Okay, I spy with my little eye something beginning with "R".
SKOODGE
ROCK?
TENN
Ha ha! ROCKS!
SKOODGE
Awwww...you were always too clever for me!
Tenn giggles.
EXT: IRKEN BASE CAMP
Larb is sending a communication to the Tallest. Larb seems exacberated while the Tallest just seem annoyed.
LARB
You've gotta get me some reinforcements! I can't handle this with just 30 people!
RED
What part of "subtle" don't you understand?
LARB
Why play it so safe? Don't you trust my judgement?
PURPLE
You may command the Third Fleet, but that doesn't make you Tallest! Don't think you can escape another pummeling!
RED
We put you in command to follow our orders to the letter! Don't get any funny ideas!
The transmission bleeps out, and Larb, irritated, kicks Sneakyonfoota in the behind.
SNEAKYONFOOTA
Thank you sir!
Larb remains steaming as we fade to black.
TO BE CONTINUED...