Memory download: Setup

I enter a code on the controls just outside Tak's door and wait as the system pumps the room full of Fog46. Tak's vital signs shift slowly into the typical pattern of deep unconsciousness. When I'm satisfied that she's not gonna come out of it anytime soon, I reverse the command and wait for the gas to drop below safe levels. I have to wait longer than most; what's safe for an average Irken can still make me wobbly.

While the ventilation system does its work, I check over the gear I have on my cart. There's a PAK cover with a connector cable threaded through it, a disk reader (the kind used for training downloads), a training disk switcher that will place the proper disks into the reader according to remote commands, a gear rack, and various tools and hardware. Looks like everything I need. I pull on my safety goggles. The meter is at safe level now.

I check Tak first. She doesn't respond, even when I jab her with my claws. Good. This shouldn't take long enough for the anaesthetic to wear off.

Pulling the cart up to the table, I crawl underneath and work open the latches on the PAK cover. It's difficult to get off, but that fact has saved my life a few times, so I refuse to complain. When I finally remove it, I can't suppress a smile.

I force the main panel on her PAK to open, revealing the various cables and ports inside, as well as her folded spider legs. I'm seriously surprised they left those. Not like she needs them anymore . . .

Pulling out the spider legs adds a few minutes to my time estimate, but I think it's worthwhile. Even if she never knows who did it, the psychological effects of trying to use them and discovering they're gone are well worth the time it takes.

I plug the connector cable into its port and latch the new PAK cover in place. After a little careful thought, I find a good place to bolt the gear rack and mark out the attachment points.

Drilling through metal is one of the worst sounds I can imagine. Even with my antennae flat against my head, it's still almost unbearable. At least I only have to drill two holes.

Finally, the horrible noise is over. I bolt the gear rack on and mount the disk reader and changer to it, then plug the cable from Tak's PAK into the reader. Job done. Now, all I need to do is set up the programming. Seven disks; one per day. Tak may never figure out what's happening, but I sincerely hope she does.

"It's no crying shame. How'd you get so . . . unlucky?" - Starflyer 59

Entry: It's been two days, and she's already getting annoying. I went in there today, and she insisted that she was the most amazing Irken Elite ever and that the Tallest were making a huge mistake. I told her she sounded like she was going defective from the stress of being trapped here. She got mad at me for saying that.

Entry: Day five, changes are subtle but there. I'll leave her until the last upload is done.

Memory download: Corruption complete

I don't think she really realized how she'd changed until I stopped by today.

"So you finally come back? Why do you leave Tak alone? Can you not stand the thought of harming my incredible self?"

She'll never know how much torturing her hurts me; I'm gonna get a real headache if she doesn't shut up soon.

"Answer me!"

"You're cocky for someone strapped to a table, Zim-girl," I snarl as I unlatch her PAK cable from the disk switcher.

"Do not insult ZIM! Uh -- I -- No!"

I can't help but laugh.

She stares at me. I'm not sure whether there's more anger or fear in her expression.

"What did you do to me?" she demands.

"I can't tell you that," I say with a smug look. "It's classified."

"You will pay for this, defective," she growls. "You will not withstand the MIGHTY WRATH of TAK!"

"I find that volume really annoying. Could you tone it down some?"

"Tak will do what Tak wishes!"

"Tak never talks about herself in third-person. Only Zim does that."

"Shut up! I'm not Zim!"

"You're lying to yourself. You're just like him and you know it."

"What did you DO to me!" I wince at the volume of her scream. It had a rough quality; she had to have damaged her vocal cords with that one.

"It's more like what you brought on yourself. You betrayed the Empire, attacked our ships, stole from us, killed innocent Irkens. You are bad for us, just like Zim. Except he's in exile, so he's not an immediate problem. You are, and it's time to remove you. This is just a reminder of why."

I change a few settings on the restraining table. Now, if she yells any more, she'll get a shock five seconds later. It should be interesting to see how long it takes her to figure that one out. She's only got a day before the real fun starts.

"When will I begin my killing spree? Let it begin with you. You don't even know what tomorrow will bring . . . " -S.S. Bountyhunter

A/N: Yes, I know this update took forever. I didn't realize I hadn't posted this yet (thanks to my friend Invader Sideos for bugging me about the lack of updates), and I want to finish the Tak section before I post any more so I can be sure it's internally consistent. Expect a wait of at least a week, maybe two; I have end-of-quarter work explosion going on. But once I get this section done, the real fun begins . . .at least for me. Night's gonna hate it.