Four weeks passed quickly. Dib had not heard from or seen Zim and he was concerned. "What's he up to?" He muttered. His only companion was GIR, the only reason Dib hadn't slid into mental collapse.
………………………………………………………..
"Wheeeeeee, Big-Head, whatcha in the corner for? I got squirrels!"
"Go away, GIR."
"Awwww, some-body needs a huu-uug!"
"Get off me, GIR."
GIR, administer medication to Dib. Dib will not allow me near him.
"Okee dokee. Di-ib, computer says you gotta drink this icky stuff."
"Let me die, GIR."
"Awww, that's not fun. Now drink up! I'll give you your very own parakeet when you're done! Wheeeeeee!" GIR spun in circles on the floor, faster and faster. Dib glanced up from the corner, and at that instant GIR pulled out of the spin and launched a spoonful of vile, purple liquid down his throat. Dib spluttered and gagged in surprise. GIR grinned. "Gotcha! I go get a parakeet, woohoo!"
………………………………………………………..
Dib smiled. He had regained the use of his legs and could take short walks around his new prison cell, but he still had to be careful of his torso. Frowning, he yelled, "GIR, where's Zim?"
"Awww, Master's been reeeeel cranky lately. Says we gonna go home."
Confused, Dib asked, "What are you talking about? When did he say that?"
"Uhhhh, lotsa weeks ago."
"But it only took a day to get into earth's orbit… he's not taking me back to earth." His head snapped up. "GIR! Where are we going?"
"Home! Home home home home!" Shrieked GIR, giggling madly.
Dib groaned. "Stupid me, Zim's home. He's taking me to Irk."
………………………………………………………..
Zim relaxed in his control chair. He had practiced his docking maneuvers since Irkin Academy and could dock in his sleep. Casually he pressed a button and eased back on a lever, bringing them in to the docking bay.
Stretching mightily, he cracked his knuckles and declared, "Another perfect landing for ZIM!"
The ship's bay doors swung open with a crack. Glaring, Zim launched from his chair, yelling, "Who crack's Zim's doors? If so much as one scratch is found on them, I shall wreak such doom… oh, my Tallest! Welcome to my humble Voot Cruiser." He wiggled his antennae reverently.
Tallest Purple floated forward, an eager, hungry expression on his face. "Bring us to this half-breed creature."
"Immediately, my Tallest." He clicked his boots and led them down into the bowels of the ship.
………………………………………………………..
"Dib-freak, stand and salute the Tallest!" Dib stood slowly.
"So," he murmured, "These are the Tallest you were always ranting about."
Zim unlocked the cell door and stomped in, followed by two hovering aliens. "I said SALUTE THE TALLEST!"
"Why should I? They're not my 'Tallest'."
He was flung against the wall so quickly he didn't know which alien had thrown him. His cheek burned. Reaching up a hand to cover it, he felt deep gouges and wetness.
"As I have said, he is quite an insolent… creature. I apologize for his behavior, but you know lower life forms." Zim shrugged.
"Indeed." Tallest Red hummed to himself. "Well, have him taken to our Maximum Security cell until the trial. It will convene in three hours. That will be all. Oh, one more thing, what was the name of the criminal Invader who did this?"
"Stok, sirs. Invader Stok."
Purple's mouth formed an "o" and Red's eyes became slits. "Very good, Zim. Since you know this… thing… we have assigned you to keep watch on him until it is decided what is to be done with him. We may even allow you to carry out the sentence."
Zim chuckled evilly.
"What sentence? I haven't done any—Aaaugh!" Electricity shot through Dib's body. Zim resheathed his stun gun and saluted the Tallest as they left. Sighing annoyedly, he latched a set of strange-looking handcuffs on Dib and marched him out of the Cruiser.
Dib took in his surroundings at a glance. No trees. No grass. No animals. The only living things he could see were the crowds of Irkins bustling about. Sheets of dull metallic substances paved the ground beneath him and shiny silver buildings and towers stretched to the horizon.
"Where are your other life-forms?" he asked, sadly.
"We had no need of them." Zim sniffed coldly. "Anything even slightly inferior is instantly destroyed." Dib shuddered.
Zim continued to drag him along. Soon Dib refused to look at anything but the ground in front of him.
The planet is so… dead. No beauty. No wonder they can't feel.
………………………………………………………..
A brusque Irkin ran up to the pair, gesturing for them to stop. "Zim! Over here, Zim!"
"Invader Skoodge? What are you doing back on Irk?" Zim questioned.
Skoodge grinned idiotically. "I got pulled back, they said they was going to reassign me to a nice place called, uh, Exeetermee-nation. I always wanted myself a nation, and now I get to invade one!" He beamed with pride.
Zim smirked. "Very nice, Skoodge. Now if you'll excuse me, I must reach the jail with this thing."
Skoodge's face clouded over. "Oh, no Zim. Tallest sent me with a message to you. They said council's meeting right now for the trial and to get over there as quickly as possible."
"Thank you, Skoodge. You've been most helpful." Zim sighed. He pulled a microphone from his PAK. "GIR, get over here." Just over two minutes later, GIR zoomed into view.
"Hiya, Master! Want some taco? I made it myself!"
"Later, GIR. Right now I need you to transport Dib and I to the council headquarters, our presence is required."
"Yay! Do I get some presents?"
"Just go GIR."
GIR's eyes flared red. "I hear and obey, Master!" Grabbing Zim and Dib, he rocketed down the street, leaving a trail of dazed Irkins in his wake.
The smell, of that… CHEESE! It sickens. And your lippy… smacky noises… aren't helping.
