Zim was hard at work trying to fix the PAK of the Irken Invader they had discovered on Acrilia. PAK work was never his focus, but he knew a good bit about it from his own attempts at PAK upgrades. Skoodge seemed to think he was best suited for the job; and who was he to argue with Skoodge about his own greatness?
The Captain had not been happy with how everything unfolded back on Acrilia. Zim was pretty sure she was just mad at having lost to him in the water wars, however, once Skoodge had explained everything to her- she seemed more at peace with her defeat. At least, Zim assumed that was what Skoodge was talking to her about. (Honestly, Zim couldn't hear much of the conversation and he was being dragged off by the medics to do PAK work.) One would think with all of the Irkens that Sizz-Lorr had brought, there would be a PAK technician in the group. But there wasn't. It made some degree of sense, Zim supposed. The Control Brains would want to keep the Irkens most capable of fixing PAKs very close. A PAK was an Irken's life and identity- but it was also the Control Brains' access to them.
A knock at the door drew Zim's attention. "You may enter! But only if you have snacks!" He was hungry, after all. The door opened to reveal Vero. He had a half-eaten bag of snacks that he offered to Zim who took it with one if his PAK legs.
"Need any help?"
"Zim does not require help." Zim assured the new Tallest. To be fair, Vero had not had enough time to adjust to realize Zim's amazingness.
"Oh. It's just..." Vero rubbed the back of his neck looking uncertain. "I kind of always wanted to be a PAK technician... so I've looked up a lot on PAK repair... and I did give you snacks..."
"That is fair. You did." Zim had not accounted for the fact that snacks were brought. "Very well, you may assist Zim." It wasn't every day that Zim had a chance to share his knowledge with a Tallest. Even if Vero only got his title because Voel and Therron got themselves killed for political reasons- Vero was still technically a Tallest. The younger Irken joined Zim at examining the parts of the PAK splayed out on the table, hooked into an external power source to keep the Irken attached, alive.
"Wow, you have done a lot." Vero looked impressed as he picked up one of the tools and began replacing one of the fried circuits.
"It's not hard." Zim replied with a shrug. It did seem like Vero knew a thing or two about repair. "Why would a Tallest even waste time with boring PAK stuff?"
"We I wasn't planning to be Tallest for some time. I didn't anticipate the old man and Therron getting involved with a secret conspiracy." Vero shrugged. "I thought I could finish Elite training- because I'm tall so I have to be an Elite- and then I could do what Therron did, and be so colossally obnoxious about deployment that the Control Brains put me somewhere else to get me to shut up. And that somewhere else, would be in PAK repair."
"Is that why you were so obnoxious as a door guard on the Massive?" Zim perked up.
"Partially? Also, I think that may just be my personality. Xia used to say I was made to be a burden on her." Vero laughed, but to Zim, it didn't sound very happy. It just sounded like an empty noise.
"Well, that's stupid and she is stupid if she thinks it's true. They don't make smeets just to annoy other smeets." Zim pointed out the obvious flaw in Xia's logic. "That is a terrible reason for creating smeets. You were made to fill some sort of deficit. Just like every smeet before you."
"Actually, I think Xia and I were more of Red's personal project." He was focused on the work in front of him. "He hasn't ever said it out right, but I know he used to access Xia and my personal files all the time. I saw the logs when we became the Tallest. It's almost like he cared or something."
"Oh Voel cares about you a lot." Zim looked directly at the towering smeet. "If Voel yells at you for doing dangerous stuff, it means he cares. It took me a long time to figure it out too. But that's Voel."
"Oh shit, then he really cares about me." This time, when Vero laughed, it sounded more genuine.
"I should know, I used to be bonded to him- before he became the Tallest."
"I actually knew that." Vero sounded pleased with himself for knowing. "Therron mentioned it one time when they were fighting." The Irken on the table twitched and Zim quickly began fixing the next part of the PAK. Vero was staring, not at him, but at their patient. "Wait... you know who this is, don't you?"
"Who is? Who is Zim supposed to know? You? You're Vero."
"No. I mean, the Irken we're currently piecing back together. I just realized who it is! I didn't recognize him without looking pissed off." Vero was actually excited.
"No. Who is it?" Zim looked at the Irken but he just looked unconscious. It was hard to tell who he was looking at from the prone position anyway.
"It's Sig! The Academy professor! He trained Xia and I all through our early Elite years. I think he trained dad too, so you must have had him!"
"Sig?" Zim echoed, looking again at the unconscious Irken on the table. Sig had been Zim's teacher even into his Invader training. "No way. Sig's eyes are gold. This Irken's eyes are closed." Zim looked up to see Vero giving him a confused look. "What?"
"Rethink that last sentence."
"Oh." Zim realized on his reflection, that 'closed was not a color and did not actually exclude this Irken from being Sig. "Sorry, that was one of those bad ideas that comes straight from my PAK."
"Wait... what?" Vero tilted his head to the side.
"Sometimes my PAK suggests things that don't make a lot of sense. But the problem is: I am so full of good ideas that I just say whatever is on my mind all the time so sometimes the bad ideas slip through." Zim was happy to explain.
"That explains a lot, actually." Vero seemed almost amused by the revelation.
"I think you're right; I think this is Sig." Zim took a second look, now that his mind was clearer. "Did we get any information out of the Irken CB recoded?"
"Raz?" Vero shook his head. "Not really. She's genuinely confused. Doesn't seem like she remembers the last year and a half."
"Tenn was the same way. " Zim recalled how truly out of it Tenn had been when she first recovered after invading the Syndicate.
"We should get your Control Brain in here; we might be getting close to restoring Sig's PAK enough to wake him up. We'll need to get him properly recoded."
"CB." Zim correct.
"Huh?"
"His name is CB." Zim explained quickly. "And he is very sensitive so calling him Control Brain might make him sad."
"Is CB a name? I thought it was an acronym."
"It can be both. But the point is he likes to be called CB and not Control Brain. Control Brain is what I call him when he is in trouble. Like how the Membrane parental figures will call Dib: Diego. On Earth the longer the name used, the more trouble you are in." It made sense to Zim, that Vero wouldn't know these things. As a former Tallest, he was spoiled. He had no reason to become an expert on Earth the way Zim had done.
"So, what would you call me?"
"Well, your name is Vero. So then if you were in trouble, it would be Veeeeeeero. And if you were in a lot of trouble, it would be Verimothy."
"Oh." Vero looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yeah okay that makes sense I guess."
"It does?" Irkens were not usually smart enough to understand the subtle nuances of Earth culture so easily. Perhaps there was hope for this former Tallest. "I mean obviously it does. I explained it so well." Zim used his PAK legs to lift himself so he could Pat Vero on his upper back, above the PAK. "You're smart. I like you."
"Thanks." He seemed pleased by Zim's response. "Now we really need to get CB in here."
"Yes, of course." Zim cleared his throat, jumping on the table- Vero quickly moving Sig's body out of the way to avoid being stepped on. "CB! YOUR MASTER SUMMONS YOU! HEED TO ZIM!"
" You do not have to yell ." The voice replied very calmly from within the room. " I am an AI. I am in your PAK. I can hear you. "
"CB, did you take over the ship again?" Zim put his hands on his hips. "The Captain said not to do that."
"..." There was a moment of silence.
"CB?" Zim said his name again, more emphatically.
"Negative. I am simply visiting LEO the ship AI who I have told everyone on multiple occasions: is my friend."
" Hello ." A different synthetic voice echoed in the room. This one was far more robotic and had traces of a Tangean accent. "I am LEO. I asked CB to visit. We play Interdimensional Chess together."
"Oh. Well then..." Zim trailed off for a moment. "Going to be honest: I thought CB had taken you offline to be the ship. Or that you were fictional."
" Father !"
"It is what I would have done in the situation. Now come on CB, bring your body. It is time for recoding."
"Affirmative Father." The AI did sound a tad annoyed. " Sorry LEO; this will take a majority of my processing power. Our game will have to wait. "
"That is fine." Came the other voice pleasantly.
"Aww the computers are friends." Vero remarked happily. "I wonder if the computers back on Irk are friends."
"The ones that are actively trying to kill you?" LEO'S automated voice actually managed to sound incredulous.
"Yeah. But are they trying to kill me... together ? As friends ?" Vero asked. Zim squinted up at him (even standing on the table, Vero was still taller.
"You ask good questions. No way you got that from Voel."
"I mean, maybe? I got a lot of things from Voel. I got his height, his eyes, his wallet." Vero pulled a small, brown, folded human wallet from his pocket.
"Why does Voel have a wallet?" Zim blinked.
"He thinks they are neat. I dunno. He has like twelve. I just took this one. They are great for storing all of my little things." Vero emptied the wallet to show Zim He had filled it with random trinkets, like a button or a coupon for half off a sandwich at an Acrilian shop.
Great.
Now Zim wanted a wallet. They were great for storing little things.
"I am here in body now." The door swished open and CB's body walked in. " I assume the subject is waking? "
"He's not walking anywhere. He's not even awake yet." Zim shook his head. Surely CB could tell that. He had eyes. Unless...? Under the helmet CB might not have eyes. No wonder he was asking such an obvious question.
" That's not what I- "
"Don't worry CB, we'll get you eyes. Then you can see for yourself." Zim hopped down from the table, grabbing CB by the arm.
"Okay, Father." Zim was unsure about why CB sounded so defeated. Maybe he didn't want eyes.
"I always thought those lights on your helmet were eyes." Vero piped up.
" I have sensors, not eyes. And they are all over ."
"Did Raz give us any information? You recoded her, didn't you." Zim had already decided to give CB eyes later, and thus for him, the conversation was over.
"I did, but like with Tenn, her memories prior to meeting the Control Brains are all warped."
"Is she doing okay?" Vero asked.
"I believe she is in shock still. Tenn has been tending to her."
"Haha." Zim chuckled to himself. "Tenn-ding. I get it. Because it's her name. Very good CB."
"Well, actually it is because she was also controlled by the Control Brains briefly. But yes, I suppose it is also her name." CB approached Sig who was mostly put back together by now. He pressed his hand into the PAK and wires slid from his fingertips into the open electronics. CB could, technically recode from a distance, so long as he was able to get through a PAK's defenses. But this way was quicker and more assured. Sig twitched on the table as the pink lights on his PAK slowly turned to blue. " Memory is damaged on this one too, but all other functions both biological and mechanical seem to be working at optimum efficiency."
"Perfect. Very good, CB." Zim was proud of his creation. CB had come a long way from a modified computer in the basement of his lab.
"Ngh..." the Irken on the table made a noise of discomfort, and CB quickly withdrew his hand and closed the PAK up. "Wha... what happened?" Slowly, the Irken opened his eyes- they were, in fact, gold. This was definitely Sig. It was just difficult to tell when he wasn't getting annoyed at Zim.
"Sig?" Zim poked at him a bit on the table. "Do you know where you are?"
"Hey Professor!" Vero added, leaning in a bit.
"... Zim? Vero?" Sig blinked, still quite disoriented. "Am I being punished for something?"
"Of course not!" Zim scoffed. "Why would you even ask that? You are in the presence of Almighty Tallest V and the universe's best Invadentor, ZIM!"
"Tallest? Vero? Are you sure this isn't some kind of punishment?" He looked Vero up and down. "What happened to Red and Purple?"
"Oh, they're fine. But the Control Brains tried to kill them so they're kind of annoyed about it." Zim explained.
"The Control Brains tried to what !?" Sig sat up looking immediately alarmed. "Are the Tallest alright!?"
"I think they're supposed to be Almighty." Zim corrected, but Sig didn't seem to be listening at all.
"Do they need something? Can I help them!?"
"There is not much you can do for the former Tallests at the moment. You are recovering from your own run in with the Control Brains."
"What the fuck is that thing!?" Sig reeled back as CB spoke, his antennae straight back as his PAK legs sprang forth.
"Oh that's just my Control Brain that I made." Zim pressed his hand to the PAK legs to make them retract back. "He is like the ones back on Irk but better because I made him."
"You made a Control Brain?" It was funny how much Sig's admiration at Zim's brilliance just looked like disbelief and horror.
"We're getting off point here." Vero sat on the floor, looking over to Sig who was sitting up on the lab table. "What is the last thing you remember before waking up here?"
"I was..." Sig was still eyeing CB suspiciously, but he turned his gaze inward as he tried to recollect. "I was at the Academy... Tenn had gone missing and so had Zar and Raz... So I was going to the Control Brain to ask her if she had any idea what was happening and-" he winced, holding his head- his PAK made a loud whirring sound before starting to spark. CB rushed over, grabbing onto the PAK and stabilizing it again.
"That is enough for now. You need rest."
"You heard CB, take it easy." Zim knew from exploring Tenn's memories that the after effects of the Control Brain's brainwashing took a toll on the PAK. Sig and Raz would need a while to recover. "You're on a Syndicate ship, so you're safe here."
"Syndicate? Why?" Sig looked tired; it wasn't a great look for him at all. He was usually more stone faced and aggressive. "I have so many questions..."
"I'm sure you do." Zim smiled understandingly. "Bye."
"Wait where are you going-" but Zim was already heading out to report back to Voel. Vero and CB could take care of things in there. He returned to the Bridge to see the others all gathered, save for Raz who was probably still resting too.
CB could keep an eye on them.
"Sig is back to normal." Zim reported proudly.
"Good. At least that is two more Invaders that we don't need to worry about running into on Irk." Voel was deep in thought. "Though, I doubt either of them will be recovered enough to help us on Irk."
"No, but we were keeping the landing crew small anyway, weren't we? Even with the Irken reinforcements- we still only have the two Syndicate ships. So, we're spread pretty thin." Skoodge replied.
"At least now we know that CB can fight the Control Brains' stupid, inferior brainwashing and free Irkens." Zim proudly took a cookie off of the snack table. He had earned it.
"Sig, Raz, and Tenn were brainwashed. Yes. But the Irkens on Irk are not going to be just following newly coded orders. They are going to be actual Control Brains." Therron retorted. "The War Protocol is active. That means the ten Brains of Irk are going to be walking around in hundreds of Irken bodies each."
"Ew." Vero had somehow found his way back to the Bridge as well.
"They can't just have a hundred Irken bodies. Irkens are using those." Zim was appalled. "Don't they realize that's rude?"
"I don't think they care, Zim." Voel replied dryly.
"Handling Control Brains themselves will prove more difficult, yes. But I am mostly certain I am more prepared to handle them. " The voice had come from the intercom, CB was still looking after Sig.
"Mostly?" Therron narrowed his eyes.
"Mostly. I am a computer Therron, not a psychic."
"We're doomed-"
"THERRON NO!" all the voices cried out at once. But it was too late. There was a pitter-patter of metallic feet on tile as GIR came running in at full speed- gasping for air he didn't breathe.
"DOOM!? I KNOW A SONG ABOUT THAT!"
"Mothra damn it." Voel slapped his hand to his face.
"Now I hope we die." Vero mused over the sound of excited singing.
"CB! Deal with your brother!" Zim ordered as the robot body ran in and very quickly scooped GIR up off of the floor using his hand gesture to mute the SIR once again.
"No one- and I repeat- NO ONE is allowed to say the 'D' word. Ever." Voel whipped around looking at all of the Irkens (and some of the Syndicate).
"That seems reasonable." Skoodge gave a little shrug. "Makes about as much sense as the Taco Tuesday law."
"That was a good law." Zim liked that law.
"Can we focus?" Voel's antennae flattened against his head and he looked visibly annoyed. "Irk is drawing ever nearer and I need to make sure we all know the plan."
"We are listening." Skoodge replied, surprisingly calm in the face of an annoyed Voel. Then again, nothing seemed to really bother Skoodge. It was probably due to his Invader's spirit- or simply because he was dead and no longer felt fear- Zim wasn't entirely sure.
"Skoodge, Tenn, Therron, Zim, CB, GIR, Zeke, Lard-Nar and myself will be the landing party on Irk. We need to keep it small-"
"Wait!" Vero cut him off. "Why am I not on that list?"
"Because this is a dangerous mission and it requires experience, Vero. You're too much of a liability." Voel remarked, sharply.
"Liability!? I am the Tallest!"
"No." Voel's response was abrupt. "You're not."
"Xia was my tube mate, we share genetic donors. I might be able to reason with her."
"Xia has proven unwilling to listen to reason and will probably kill you on sight."
"Yeah but-"
"No buts, Vero!"
"Haha, butts." Vero chuckled a bit. Zim laughed too. Butts were funny.
"See Vero! This is exactly why you can't come along!" Voel looked frustrated, despite the mention of butts. "You are an immature smeet."
" I'm an adult, old man." Vero straightened his posture, meeting Voel's gaze with his own, narrowed crimson eyes. Zim realized now, how much Vero really resembled Voel. There was no denying their genetic similarities.
"Barely." Voel countered. "You may be technically an adult, but you're still my smeet."
" Your smeet?" Vero repeated the words. "We don't have family units. I don't have to listen to you. I was ready to lead a planet before Xia tried to have me killed!"
"And she almost succeeded, Vero!" Voel spat back with surprising emotion in his voice. If Zim didn't know better, he would have thought the disgraced leader's eyes were watering. "You got careless and I thought she had killed you! I... I can't handle that again..." Vero hesitated, his expression softened slightly.
"You're the idiot that forgot the pass. phrase."
"You dropped your secret communicator!" Voel shot back.
"This is stupid, Voel we need him." Therron finally stepped in. "For one, hid records indicate he is a pretty good fighter, he was almost top of his class behind Xia and aside from you, Skoodge, and Tenn we don't have a lot of combat."
"I can fight ."
"As can I, I taught CB everything he knows." Zim added helpfully. Therron looked to them both before turning back to Voel.
"I rest my case."
"Also having Almighty Tallest V might be beneficial if we find Irkens that aren't recoded yet." Skoodge pointed out.
"First of all, don't fucking call him that." Voel made a face of disgust at Vero's title. "Secondly, why would they listen to him over Therron and myself? We're Almighty Tallests Red and Purple! We're beloved !"
"I mean..." Skoodge looked away for a moment, "matter of opinion, I suppose. But I can speak from experience when it comes to being registered in the Collective as dead. No matter how many times you say something, everyone just talks about being sorry for your loss. We will probably need Vero."
"No. He can't come. I'm his genetic donor and I forbid it."
"That holds no clout and you know that. Don't let paternal instinct get in the way of your logic, Voel." Skoodge was firm in his stance. "And if you don't trust logic, then trust me as your general."
"..." Voel looked back to Vero for a moment before sighing in frustration. "Fine." He grabbed Vero by the arm. "But you will listen to every order without question. Is that clear? No snide comments, no lazy excuses, just listen. And stick close to me."
"Yeah ok." The similarities to Voel dissipated with Vero's agreeable little smile. It was clear why Vero thought he was Skoodge's smeet. (Though Voel insisted that this was wrong.)
"Glad it's settled because," the Captain walked over to the group, looking rather serious. "We're here."
All at once the room was quiet. Zim ran up onto the bridge so he could see better as the red, bronze undertones of Irk were reflected before him in the light of its two suns. Never before did he imagine that the sight of home could fill his squeedleyspooch with a feeling of great unease. Usually, the space around them would be filled with hips flying in and out, doing business as usual with surrounding planets. However, now the Nova, Solar, and ships of the Irken Resistance felt isolated in an uneasy stillness.
"So that's your home planet..." Dib had his arms folded over his chest as he had joined Zim in gazing at Irk's beauty. "Looks like the photos."
"But better," Zim corrected, "because it is here, and not in a photo."
"I think it'll be better once you fix those stupid, evil Control Brains." Dib looked over at him, grinning. "I mean we humans took out an evil AI already. If we did it, the Irkens obviously can do it too. Right?"
"You had one evil computer and we have ten." Zim pointed out the obvious difference. "However, when you calculate in the innate awesomeness of the Irkens: it basically is the same scenario."
"Good. You don't wanna be out done by a bunch of humans." Dib was using humor to lighten an otherwise Grim scenario- and Zim appreciated it. After all, comparing Irkens to humans was hilarious in and of itself since Irkens were so obviously better.
"Don't worry. We won't be." Zim mimicked Dib's stance to the best of his ability. "And I suppose since you are here, the Syndicate stand some chance at holding their own against the Irken Might."
"Aww, a compliment. I'll take it." Dib laughed.
"Well, it is only because you and your family have introduced the Syndicate to brilliant human weapons like the cobra Canon."
"You would like the cobra Canon. " Dib narrowed his eyes. "It's just amazing GIR didn't break it."
"Yes, well it is a good thing too. I plan on taking it with me to Irk. That and the explody-unicorn gun."
"You know, you could thank Lor for gathering up all those machete-cobras for you back on Acrilia."
"I could . I suppose. But I won't." Zim shrugged. It wasn't that he particularly had anything against Lor. But more of an aversion to the Syndicate in general that was only recently starting to fade into begrudging respect. "It is his job after all."
"His job ," Dib reiterated, "is doctor ."
"And doctors often collect snakes. Honestly it is not my job to explain to you the subtle nuances of medicine." Zim waved his hand dismissively. "You should already know this seeing as your dad is also a doctor."
"Different kind of doctor, but dad does spend an unnatural amount of time collecting snakes; so, I am willing to give you this one." Dib actually laughed. "Abd I'm willing to give you my family's best tech. Just... promise me you'll be careful on Irk."
"You need not worry your unnaturally ginormous head about me, filthy human. I am an expert Invader and am already steps ahead of the Control Brains." It was sweet of Dib to be concerned. But he need only concern himself with his own safety. Zim was not willing to part with his human any time soon. "Your focus needs to be on demonstrating to the Syndicate the proper way to fend off an Invasion. You singlehandedly stopped me-a top Invader- for years. It makes you the expert." The smile on Dib's face widened immensely.
"Thanks... that actually means a lot."
"Father?" Zim was approached by the body of his computerized youngest son. " I am leaving to Irk to set up the transportation beacons so that you and the others can teleport onto the surface ."
"Very good CB. Take GIR with you."
"But this seems like a sensitive mission-"
"If you are going out, take your brother."
"Ughhhh" CB made a groaning sound as he gathered up GIR in his arms and met back up with the Captain. Dib was giving Zim a strange look.
"You're making him take GIR?"
"Of course. The chaos of GIR's thoughts will perfectly mask the landing if the Control Brains do, somehow, sense their entrance. GIR is so unpredictable, it'll register as a glitch." Zim was always having to explain his brilliance, but he couldn't expect a human, even one as clever as Dib, to keep up.
"Shit, you really did think this through." Dib had his hands in his pockets as he looked down at Zim.
"Of course. Zim thinks everything through." He wasn't sure why everyone was acting so surprised. While he was still dealing with the issues in his PAK, his thoughts had slowly become clearer since creating CB. It was a very slow change, but his brain had become less clouded. "Now you just have to do your job."
"Between my family, your rebels, and the Syndicate: I think we have this covered. No ships will get past us." Dib assured him. "Between you and I: dad and mom are a little too excited for the fight. Especially when they learned that shooting Irkens in the head doesn't kill them."
"Just promise Zim you will be here when I get back. You must listen I wonder to all of my amazing feats on Irk. In fact! Once we finish," Zim was getting excited. "You can land on Irk and I will show you around. Of course, you will probably be overwhelmed by her beauty, but Zim will be a perfect guide."
"That sounds like a plan." Dib gave him a firm nod. "I look forward to it."
" Father, I have landed in the drop zone. I do not detect Irken activity nearby ." CB's voice echoed on Zim's PAK. " I am setting up the beacon now. "
"CB is in position!" Zim announced, jumping down from the elevated platform of the bridge before looking back to Dib. "See you soon!"
"See you soon, Zim."
"And... Zim is still Dib's best friend, right? Don't worry, I won't tell CB."
"Yeah, we're still best friends."
" I can hear you; you know that right? "
"Silence and set up your beacon!" Zim commanded.
"All right, Irkens- and technically also Lard-Nar, but he is on the other ship and can't hear this- we are about to return home." Voel was pacing again. Zim could tell he was nervous. Voel always paced when he got nervous. "The Wilds of Irk are a- big unknown thingy for all of us."
"Enigma." Therron helpfully added.
"One of those. Yes." Voel nodded to his fellow disgraced leader.
"I mean not really for me." Zeke pointed out. "I am a farmer, after all."
"Okay. Fine." Voel threw up his hands a bit in frustration. "The wilds of Irk are an enigma ," he emphasized the word looking at Therron, "for all us us except Zeke whose sole testament to our mission: is an ability to avoid getting devoured alive. Is that better?"
"Yes." Zeke replied, unphased by Voel's clear annoyance. "Much better."
"We don't know what we're up against," Voel continued. Zeke opened his mouth but before he could speak Voel whirled around, pointing directly at him: "except fucking Zeke apparently. So, the idea is that we must be ready for anything."
"Should we be ready for a boat that has gained sentience and a thirst for orange Poop Cola?" Zim asked uncertainly.
"A... boat? What?" Voel blinked at him.
"You said to be ready for anything. A boat with insatiable thirst is a thing, isn't it?" Zim pointed out.
"I mean... okay. I guess we can be ready for that too. I meant like gniders and verignerexian swarms." Voel pinched the bridge of skin between his eyes.
"We can be ready for those too, I guess." Zim was only vaguely familiar with Irken wildlife. He, like most Irkens, was raised in the cities, surrounded by buildings and drones. He knew vaguely of the outskirts, he had heard the stories and at one point, he and Skoodge had discussed exploring the Wilds to maybe visit the Mothra Elite as just a trip to do together. It wasn't a bad thing to have Zeke along because he was the most experienced with the fauna that awaited them.
"Good luck Irkens," Captain Rose sounded surprisingly sincere (since most times Zim heard her speak, she just sounded angry). "I know Mothra is watching over you all."
"A tragic goodbye isn't going to win my heart, Captain," Therron shook his head, "but I appreciate it nonetheless."
"We will be able to communicate with you relatively easily." The Captain must not have heard Therron because she didn't respond to him. "So long as the signal from Irk remains clear."
"Good, we might have further instruction from you once we land." Voel gave her a firm nod. "Thank you, Syndicate. Your actions throughout this ordeal will not be forgotten."
"Invade and Conquer, Irkens." She bowed her head in respect.
"Be free, be proud, be unified, Syndicate." Voel replied with surprising poise and respect. (Zim was shocked Voel remembered the Syndicate's little slogan. Zim never remembered it. He also assumed it would mention something about doing paper work, and that fact that it didn't astounded him.)
"I have affixed the beacon." The voice of CB in Zim's PAK made his cardiac-spooch pump faster in anticipation.
"CB is ready!" Zim quickly relayed the message. Therron made a motion as if rolling his eyes.
"We can all hear him, Zim. We're in a Collective now."
"Is everyone ready?" Voel stood straight, looking to the rest of the landing party. The best of the best of Irken kind (and Therron).
"I think so." Tenn grabbed a few extra guns that she shoved into her bag she was bringing.
"Is Lard-Nar ready?" Skoodge asked.
"I mean, do we care?" Therron asked uncertainly.
"Not... really? But he is our security specialist." Skoodge gave a shrug.
"He's ready enough, I'm sure." Voel dismissed the conversation quickly. "Zim?"
"CB, we're ready!" Zim spoke out loud, but the information still reached CB on the ground.
"Good luck, Zim!" Dib called to him as Zim felt his body tingle with warmth. The last thing on the Nova he saw, was Dib waving to him? His family and the Kryptonian medic at his side. Zim knew he'd see Dib again, for the tour- but for some reason the image made his squeedleyspooch turn.
Zim reappeared standing on pale purple grass. The atmosphere was comfortably frigid. He saw CB, kneeling beside the beacon, making certain everything was operating as it should. The others had all made it without issue, though Lard-Nar looked a tad confused and was holding hand of a sandwich. There was an abandoned looking building to his left, to his right trees were sprouting up taller than any Tallest. The rusty sky shone with the burning red sun high in the sky with the yellow sun partially setting.
"We did it." Zim took the cobra Canon from his bag, looking around at the surprisingly still scenery. It didn't look like anyone was nearby, there was abandoned equipment lying in the field beside the building. The door was partially open, swing open and closed in the frigid winds.
"We're home."
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
The Q&A is now open!
Please leave any questions you have for me (or for any of the characters- if you prefer!) And there will be Answers at the end of next week's chapter!
(Maybe even some sketches and drawn out replies!)
I can't believe we've reached an entire year of updates! Thank you all for sticking with me for so long!
You are all amazing and I am so happy to share this fan fiction with you!
Please enjoy these pictures I made to celebrate!
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