Acknowledgements: Oh My readers, you guys are truly the best. I luv you
all. But you, my reviewers, you hold a special place in my heart. You
brighten a bleak day, and warm a weary soul. I know reviewing is not as
easy as it sounds. I am consistently late with my reviews. DoomDib777, I
wish to thank you for your review. I cannot express my gratitude for
letting me know about chapter 1 and 19. (I am so glad you had fun at
Knott's. And may summer school speed by in a blur.) Thank you, HelgaGP,
Wow! I didn't know this tale had the ability to eat time. I am really glad
that you like this. I hope you find this continually intriguing. Thank
you Maran Zelde, I hope these next few chapters are worth the wait. May
they clarify the mysteries of the past and herald the clouded future.
Warning, the following A/N is long and tedious. It is only to justifying my earlier statements in previous A/Ns at the beginning of other chapters. It is a special A/N to Maran Zelde and probably holds only relevance to her. In other words, feel free to skip this section.
Special A/N note to Maran Zelde: "I'm sorry!" This apology is for somehow leading you to believe that English is a secondary language. I quite embarrassed. I ask that you ignore me when I complain, I am just venting my frustrations. At times, I tend to complain far too much for my own good. In other words, there is nothing to be impressed about, I am sorry if you feel deceived. Please allow me to explain: English is indeed a primary language for me; it is the main language here. (God Bless America!) I was tested for dyslexia when I was younger and was diagnosed with two language centres in my brain. Because of this, they told me, I somehow confuse myself and hence have problems processing both verbal and written languages in general. YAY! I'M DOOMED! Thank God For Computers. I tend to communicate far better with these, though it is still a tedious process. Again I apologies if I have in some way misled you into believing my English is a lesser-known language. In the future, I promise to keep my aggravations in check and not contaminate the story. That said, however, I hope you will continue to enjoy my endeavours.
Geez, I wasted almost a full page on irrelevant conversation trying to clarify something that probably no one really cares about anyway. I will shut up now.
Disclaimer: I do not own IZ.
Dib Yuifa Novekt, nazre trem
Time Unknown.
As the Professor spoke, various scientists strolled in and filled the seats around the table. Dib glanced from his father to each of the scientists. The protective lenses hid their eyes, but the scowls on the faces which shown were enough to make him feel even more uncomfortable.
"First, I suppose I should tell you why you and Zim are here." The professor continued.
That caught Dib's full attention.
Dib watched as his father as he took a seat across from him. Gaz slipped into the seat beside their dad, directly across from Zim.
Dib glanced at Zim.
Zim was sitting at the chair with his eyes squeezed shut, a look of deep concentration in his face. He was slightly shuddering, as if cold. Dib could see his hand clenched in a tight fist.
His dad seemed to have noticed Zim's concentration as well.
"Zim." His dad called in a slightly quiet voice. "There is no way to brake the lock we planted on your pak, so you might as well pay attention, You may want to hear what I have to say, as it concerns your very chance of survival."
Zim let out a hiss and opened his blind eyes and looked towards the sound Dib's dad's voice.
Dib watched as Zim narrowed his eyes.
"Tell me of your disgusting plans. Why have you brought me here." Zim paused for a moment. He turned his head towards Dib for a moment, before turning back towards the Professor. "Why have you brought us here. Tell Zim!"
"I'm glad to see you finally decided to join us Zim." The professor smiled at him before glancing around the table. "Now someone please tape their mouths. I don't want any disruptions while I talk."
With surprising speed, tape was slapped across each mouth, mumming them with great efficiency.
Dib forced his tongue between his sealed lips, hoping the moisture would loosen the tape. No such luck. He didn't like the idea of not being able to talk. What if he had questions? Which he already did.
His dad turned back towards him and Zim.
As if reading his thoughts, his dad answered his unasked question. "You will be able to ask questions later, though I hope what I have to say will be sufficient."
"We are fully aware you know that you are.servants of the collective species known as Neplotn." His dad folded his hands and set them on the table in front of him in a very business like manner. "We do not use the term 'slave' around here. It brings such a negative connotation. It would be closer to the truth to call you members of the collective species known as Neplotn, since neither one of you are genetically pure samples of your 'host' species."
Dib's eyes widened at the mention of this. He wasn't a 'pure genetic sample' of his 'host' species? What did his father mean by 'host' species? Obviously it meant he wasn't pure human, but what did that make him, some type of hybrid?
His father broke his thoughts.
"Dib, have you ever wondered why you are so determined to protect the earth? Despite the hate and rejection that very species you're trying to save spews upon you?" His father leaned towards Dib "You may be surprised to know that even if you consciously didn't want to 'save the earth' you would have no choice but to do so. There is a subroutine incorporated into your brain that would override any negative thoughts and a 'rewards' system to provide an even greater incentive to fulfill your programming."
Dib blinked at this. 'Geez Dad, you talk like I'm some sort of programmable robot.' 'What do you mean by that?' The questions flooded his mind and he found himself pushing his tongue against the tape again, trying to dislodge it. But then his memory flooded back to the time when Zim had sent him and a busload of his obnoxious classmates hurling towards the room with a moose. He remembered vividly their taunts and torments. He could almost still feel the sting of the wedgy. It would have been so easy just to let them face the moose. Sure he would have died in the process, but at least they would have met the moosey fate they so rightly deserved. But his devotion to the safety of Earth outweighed his desire for revenge. When he actually succeeded in saving those ingrates, the feeling of accomplishment, he felt was great. He would have done it all again, saving them, just for that feeling. It was the same feeling he had whenever he defeated Zim. It was exhilarating and intoxicating. It was down right addictive.
"You, Dib, are a genetically engineered defender of one of the greatest strongholds of the Neplotn." His dad said, interrupting his thoughts. "You are a formidable weapon against any species trying to impede upon the safety that earth provides for all wayward travelers."
Wayward travelers? Earth is some sort of a transit station? Dib furrowed his brow in thought.
In his short life, he had seen yeti, chupacabras, vampires, and any number of supernatural creatures wandering the Earth. He never once thought they could have just been aliens passing thru. It was beginning to make sense now, the reason he alone seemed to be able to see all of these supernatural creatures. It was part of his 'programming'. It had to be. No one 'human' ever seemed to notice them. Even his Swollen Eyeball connections didn't really believe him. Not without conclusive evidence. When he saw Bigfoot using his dad's belt sander? He must have been one of the travelers passing thru. His dad probably let him use it. It was the only way the creature would have made it past the house defenses. Dib suppressed a shudder as he processed this new information. It was slightly unnerving to think that so many inhuman things traipsed through the planet on their way to someplace else.
Dib's father continued, "Neplotn have been in charge of inner and trans dimensional travel for several millennia now. Because of this, we are the sole guardians of portal transit stations, inner dimensional and otherwise, and are the keepers of nearly all wormhole ports. These holds provide the Neplotn with vast power and in depth knowledge of most every species of being in the known and somewhat known universes. Many species are jealous of our superior abilities and intelligence. Periodically, a formidable species challenges our superiority and we are forced to defend our strongholds as to keep the natural order of the universes in place."
"In order to protect and defend these valuable strongholds, selected 'advanced' Neplotn are called to engineer a perfect weapon, or in this case two, for each stronghold." At this, his dad motioned towards Dib's sister. "Gaz has the honourable challenge of defending one of the greatest strongholds in the universes. Earth."
Dib's jaw would have dropped in stunned amazement had it not been tapped so securely. He turned towards Gaz in wonder. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zim's eyes widen in surprise.
Gaz merely smiled an evil little smile.
His dad chuckled at his son's stunned look. "Yes, son, Gaz designed you, and Zim too. You two could sort of call her your mother."
This earned the Professor a glare from Gaz. He merely smiled and nodded an apology. "Sorry Gaz. I couldn't resist. Rarely do I have the opportunity to express the irony of this situation."
"You see," He turned his attention back to Zim and Dib. "I was designed by Gaz nearly two hundred years ago. That is fifty years before she completed you, Zim, and one hundred years before she developed you, Dib."
Dib stared at his 'sister' with a mixture of wonder and dread. He could feel a headache brewing in the background. His father was only causing more unanswered questions.
If she created him, if she was his 'mother', Zim's mother, then who was their 'father'.
The words of his father sank in even further. He was HOW OLD? How could he be that old and not even know it? And Zim was a hundred and fifty? His 'dad' was two hundred? Then how old was Gaz? A thousand?
Dib closed his eyes, trying to assimilate what he was hearing. Dib had no idea how Zim was taking this, but he knew he wasn't taking in very well.
He opened one eye and glanced at Zim. Zim's eyes were squeezed shut. His antennae lay flat against his slightly damp skull. Zim was sweating profusely.
'Nope,' Dib concluded. Zim wasn't taking this very well either.
"You see Dib," His 'Dad" continued talking, "you were based on my DNA, so in a way, I am indeed your father."
He opened both eyes and glanced at his dad. Finally! A connection that his tormented brain could cling too. It didn't last very long.
"You, Zim," His dad started, causing Zim to open his unseeing eyes and raise his antennae, "Are the only surviving genetically engineered host able to successfully carry and contain the greatest creation the Neplotn have ever developed."
The Professor paused dramatically for a moment, creating a ridiculous pose, his finger pointing to the air.
"The chaotic probability enhancer." He concluded in a showman's tone.
He pause for a second, looking deeply at Zim with an expression Dib couldn't quite place.
"With all initial tests and even a few unexpected ones," His father continued, "you have performed your functions with exemplary success."
Dib felt Zim shudder beside him.
Dib glanced over at Zim, confused and concerned.
Zim started to shake his head back and forth in an odd swinging motion as if to say 'no'.
"Shortly after we developed Dib, we heard rumours of a new and powerful threat against the Neplotn," The Professor continued, ignoring Zim's head movement. "After loosing one of our best defenders yet created, we realized that even the greatest defender developed would need assistance. So you were sent to earth to assist Dib in defending our most valued stronghold, Earth."
The professor paused for a moment, glancing around the table, before returning his focus towards Dib and Zim.
"We were planning to ease you both into your fates in a more subtle fashion, but several unexpected developments have caused us to hasten you towards your destined paths. In a few moments, you will be shown the transmission that has caused us to change our original plan. Then we shall explain what is expected of you. After this time you will be free to ask any questions you may have."
A/N: At this time I would like to invite you to ask any questions about the Neplotn you may have. I will do my best to answer them in chapter 22. ^-^ (HEHE! AUDIENCE PARTICIPAITON ROCKS!)
Warning, the following A/N is long and tedious. It is only to justifying my earlier statements in previous A/Ns at the beginning of other chapters. It is a special A/N to Maran Zelde and probably holds only relevance to her. In other words, feel free to skip this section.
Special A/N note to Maran Zelde: "I'm sorry!" This apology is for somehow leading you to believe that English is a secondary language. I quite embarrassed. I ask that you ignore me when I complain, I am just venting my frustrations. At times, I tend to complain far too much for my own good. In other words, there is nothing to be impressed about, I am sorry if you feel deceived. Please allow me to explain: English is indeed a primary language for me; it is the main language here. (God Bless America!) I was tested for dyslexia when I was younger and was diagnosed with two language centres in my brain. Because of this, they told me, I somehow confuse myself and hence have problems processing both verbal and written languages in general. YAY! I'M DOOMED! Thank God For Computers. I tend to communicate far better with these, though it is still a tedious process. Again I apologies if I have in some way misled you into believing my English is a lesser-known language. In the future, I promise to keep my aggravations in check and not contaminate the story. That said, however, I hope you will continue to enjoy my endeavours.
Geez, I wasted almost a full page on irrelevant conversation trying to clarify something that probably no one really cares about anyway. I will shut up now.
Disclaimer: I do not own IZ.
Dib Yuifa Novekt, nazre trem
Time Unknown.
As the Professor spoke, various scientists strolled in and filled the seats around the table. Dib glanced from his father to each of the scientists. The protective lenses hid their eyes, but the scowls on the faces which shown were enough to make him feel even more uncomfortable.
"First, I suppose I should tell you why you and Zim are here." The professor continued.
That caught Dib's full attention.
Dib watched as his father as he took a seat across from him. Gaz slipped into the seat beside their dad, directly across from Zim.
Dib glanced at Zim.
Zim was sitting at the chair with his eyes squeezed shut, a look of deep concentration in his face. He was slightly shuddering, as if cold. Dib could see his hand clenched in a tight fist.
His dad seemed to have noticed Zim's concentration as well.
"Zim." His dad called in a slightly quiet voice. "There is no way to brake the lock we planted on your pak, so you might as well pay attention, You may want to hear what I have to say, as it concerns your very chance of survival."
Zim let out a hiss and opened his blind eyes and looked towards the sound Dib's dad's voice.
Dib watched as Zim narrowed his eyes.
"Tell me of your disgusting plans. Why have you brought me here." Zim paused for a moment. He turned his head towards Dib for a moment, before turning back towards the Professor. "Why have you brought us here. Tell Zim!"
"I'm glad to see you finally decided to join us Zim." The professor smiled at him before glancing around the table. "Now someone please tape their mouths. I don't want any disruptions while I talk."
With surprising speed, tape was slapped across each mouth, mumming them with great efficiency.
Dib forced his tongue between his sealed lips, hoping the moisture would loosen the tape. No such luck. He didn't like the idea of not being able to talk. What if he had questions? Which he already did.
His dad turned back towards him and Zim.
As if reading his thoughts, his dad answered his unasked question. "You will be able to ask questions later, though I hope what I have to say will be sufficient."
"We are fully aware you know that you are.servants of the collective species known as Neplotn." His dad folded his hands and set them on the table in front of him in a very business like manner. "We do not use the term 'slave' around here. It brings such a negative connotation. It would be closer to the truth to call you members of the collective species known as Neplotn, since neither one of you are genetically pure samples of your 'host' species."
Dib's eyes widened at the mention of this. He wasn't a 'pure genetic sample' of his 'host' species? What did his father mean by 'host' species? Obviously it meant he wasn't pure human, but what did that make him, some type of hybrid?
His father broke his thoughts.
"Dib, have you ever wondered why you are so determined to protect the earth? Despite the hate and rejection that very species you're trying to save spews upon you?" His father leaned towards Dib "You may be surprised to know that even if you consciously didn't want to 'save the earth' you would have no choice but to do so. There is a subroutine incorporated into your brain that would override any negative thoughts and a 'rewards' system to provide an even greater incentive to fulfill your programming."
Dib blinked at this. 'Geez Dad, you talk like I'm some sort of programmable robot.' 'What do you mean by that?' The questions flooded his mind and he found himself pushing his tongue against the tape again, trying to dislodge it. But then his memory flooded back to the time when Zim had sent him and a busload of his obnoxious classmates hurling towards the room with a moose. He remembered vividly their taunts and torments. He could almost still feel the sting of the wedgy. It would have been so easy just to let them face the moose. Sure he would have died in the process, but at least they would have met the moosey fate they so rightly deserved. But his devotion to the safety of Earth outweighed his desire for revenge. When he actually succeeded in saving those ingrates, the feeling of accomplishment, he felt was great. He would have done it all again, saving them, just for that feeling. It was the same feeling he had whenever he defeated Zim. It was exhilarating and intoxicating. It was down right addictive.
"You, Dib, are a genetically engineered defender of one of the greatest strongholds of the Neplotn." His dad said, interrupting his thoughts. "You are a formidable weapon against any species trying to impede upon the safety that earth provides for all wayward travelers."
Wayward travelers? Earth is some sort of a transit station? Dib furrowed his brow in thought.
In his short life, he had seen yeti, chupacabras, vampires, and any number of supernatural creatures wandering the Earth. He never once thought they could have just been aliens passing thru. It was beginning to make sense now, the reason he alone seemed to be able to see all of these supernatural creatures. It was part of his 'programming'. It had to be. No one 'human' ever seemed to notice them. Even his Swollen Eyeball connections didn't really believe him. Not without conclusive evidence. When he saw Bigfoot using his dad's belt sander? He must have been one of the travelers passing thru. His dad probably let him use it. It was the only way the creature would have made it past the house defenses. Dib suppressed a shudder as he processed this new information. It was slightly unnerving to think that so many inhuman things traipsed through the planet on their way to someplace else.
Dib's father continued, "Neplotn have been in charge of inner and trans dimensional travel for several millennia now. Because of this, we are the sole guardians of portal transit stations, inner dimensional and otherwise, and are the keepers of nearly all wormhole ports. These holds provide the Neplotn with vast power and in depth knowledge of most every species of being in the known and somewhat known universes. Many species are jealous of our superior abilities and intelligence. Periodically, a formidable species challenges our superiority and we are forced to defend our strongholds as to keep the natural order of the universes in place."
"In order to protect and defend these valuable strongholds, selected 'advanced' Neplotn are called to engineer a perfect weapon, or in this case two, for each stronghold." At this, his dad motioned towards Dib's sister. "Gaz has the honourable challenge of defending one of the greatest strongholds in the universes. Earth."
Dib's jaw would have dropped in stunned amazement had it not been tapped so securely. He turned towards Gaz in wonder. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zim's eyes widen in surprise.
Gaz merely smiled an evil little smile.
His dad chuckled at his son's stunned look. "Yes, son, Gaz designed you, and Zim too. You two could sort of call her your mother."
This earned the Professor a glare from Gaz. He merely smiled and nodded an apology. "Sorry Gaz. I couldn't resist. Rarely do I have the opportunity to express the irony of this situation."
"You see," He turned his attention back to Zim and Dib. "I was designed by Gaz nearly two hundred years ago. That is fifty years before she completed you, Zim, and one hundred years before she developed you, Dib."
Dib stared at his 'sister' with a mixture of wonder and dread. He could feel a headache brewing in the background. His father was only causing more unanswered questions.
If she created him, if she was his 'mother', Zim's mother, then who was their 'father'.
The words of his father sank in even further. He was HOW OLD? How could he be that old and not even know it? And Zim was a hundred and fifty? His 'dad' was two hundred? Then how old was Gaz? A thousand?
Dib closed his eyes, trying to assimilate what he was hearing. Dib had no idea how Zim was taking this, but he knew he wasn't taking in very well.
He opened one eye and glanced at Zim. Zim's eyes were squeezed shut. His antennae lay flat against his slightly damp skull. Zim was sweating profusely.
'Nope,' Dib concluded. Zim wasn't taking this very well either.
"You see Dib," His 'Dad" continued talking, "you were based on my DNA, so in a way, I am indeed your father."
He opened both eyes and glanced at his dad. Finally! A connection that his tormented brain could cling too. It didn't last very long.
"You, Zim," His dad started, causing Zim to open his unseeing eyes and raise his antennae, "Are the only surviving genetically engineered host able to successfully carry and contain the greatest creation the Neplotn have ever developed."
The Professor paused dramatically for a moment, creating a ridiculous pose, his finger pointing to the air.
"The chaotic probability enhancer." He concluded in a showman's tone.
He pause for a second, looking deeply at Zim with an expression Dib couldn't quite place.
"With all initial tests and even a few unexpected ones," His father continued, "you have performed your functions with exemplary success."
Dib felt Zim shudder beside him.
Dib glanced over at Zim, confused and concerned.
Zim started to shake his head back and forth in an odd swinging motion as if to say 'no'.
"Shortly after we developed Dib, we heard rumours of a new and powerful threat against the Neplotn," The Professor continued, ignoring Zim's head movement. "After loosing one of our best defenders yet created, we realized that even the greatest defender developed would need assistance. So you were sent to earth to assist Dib in defending our most valued stronghold, Earth."
The professor paused for a moment, glancing around the table, before returning his focus towards Dib and Zim.
"We were planning to ease you both into your fates in a more subtle fashion, but several unexpected developments have caused us to hasten you towards your destined paths. In a few moments, you will be shown the transmission that has caused us to change our original plan. Then we shall explain what is expected of you. After this time you will be free to ask any questions you may have."
A/N: At this time I would like to invite you to ask any questions about the Neplotn you may have. I will do my best to answer them in chapter 22. ^-^ (HEHE! AUDIENCE PARTICIPAITON ROCKS!)