The Massive, a once proud and noble ship of the Irkens now drifted motionless along with the rubble and debris from the countless ships that were caught in the destructive rampage that befell the ship as it was bombarded with artillery fire, a shadow drifted over its once magnificent hull, the shadow belonging to the very ship responsible for its condition.

Inside a few hundred of the thousands of Irkens that were on the vessel, sat in locked cages made from a strange plasmic energy beam, a four legged creature scampered along the metal flooring as it gazed at each of them, the creature stood a few feet taller than all of them, organic components were within its metal body as its blue eye continued observing them, the metal piece which was attached to its mouth moved up and down as it said," I am Gelst of the Balrine Empire, our ruler and commander of the new order, has given you lucky few the chance at redemption, you have been saved from the death that has befallen the others of your race and that will continue as our ruler sees fit, praise now, he who has given you your life as to allow you the opportunity to continue you existence."

The robot clasped its two arms together waiting for the Irkens to do the same, one of the Irkens shouts," We will never degrade ourselves to such a vulgar and disgraceful act against our Tallest, such thing has never been heard of or been conceived as a choice!" The robot buzzed as it said," But our ruler has granted you your life, is it not that which you care most for in the universe?"

The Irken says," Of course not, we of the Irken Race, serve our Tallest to our dying breath, there should be none that would degrade themselves to following this leader of yours, our leaders will send for us and kill you all for defying the Irkens there rightful rule!" the robot slammed its fists against the ground as it shouts," you disgraceful little worms, our ruler has given you your life and this is how you repay him, such an act of vile blasphemy shall not be taken lightly!"

A plasma whip appeared from its hand as it walked towards the Irken who spoke out, a few of the other Irkens backed away as he approached him. Gelst says," I will give you one final chance to redeem your rude behavior and save yourself from the fate of the rest of your kind!" The Irken turned his head as he says," I would rather have been blown apart then to have been kept alive."

The robot turned a bright red color, it's once blue color completely gone, as it shouts," You will not denounce out leader in such a foul way and be kept at breath to continue such a rant!" The whip would have collided with them Irken until a hand grabbed the plasma whip absorbing it, the alien robot Gelst turned, instantly bowing as his eyes laid rest upon his leader.

Gelst says as his leader gestures for him to rise," Your highness, this alien waste has denied your most generous and kind notion to become a follower and to continue its existence, he clearly deserves your highest punishment that I can bestow upon his sorrowful soul and body." The alien glared at the Irken, the Irken glaring right back at him.

The leader began to chuckle, which soon broke out into an insane like laughter, the alien robot Gelst backed away horrified as he hid behind several of the Irkens who had already alleged themselves. The leader bent down as his laughter instantly stopped, he unlocked the cage before looking at the Irken, his cold black eyes gazed at the Irken who was shivering from the chill that was sent down his spine.

The leader said with acid in his voice," You would deny me your allegiance merely because of some oath you took to your leaders, as my young friend has said here, I have given you your life, right now in your hands you hold life and death within your grasp, your choice now will decide your fate in my universe." The Irken said after shaking for a few minutes," It's like you say then, I hold life and death in my hands, too bad for you however, is that your right."

The Irken pulled from his pack a Laser like tool, he pierced it straight through the leaders chest as the end of the device sent a shockwave into his body before launching the leader backwards, black blood managed to hit the Irken and even a few of the other caged aliens, the robot alien snatched the Irken by the neck as he slams him up to the cage, pulling out a long dagger he shouts," May no mercy come to you in your after life!"

"NO!" The robot instantly stopped his dagger before it made contact, approaching again the leader, who still had the weapon pierced through his chest, said," No…. I like this one….." The leader chuckles as he removes the weapon from his chest, the wound instantly healing as he throws the item to the Irken, catching it as the leader walks by, turning slightly he says," Bring him to the control center in exactly three hours understood?" Gelst replies quickly," Of course sir like always."

Gelst quickly placed all the Irkens back into the cages to be evaluated, two however followed the leader, as they enter the control room the leader says," Now then, I believe you already know who I am since you are the main control men of that ship, but just in case you have forgotten who I am, I am Lord Maldrek, I am of need of men who can work with the control systems as well as intercept transmissions, the ship you are in now is called the Devastator, I constructed it to conceal some of the most deadly weapons known to the universe, but such a large ship also required intelligent followers, I have several grand followers but there is countless more I will need for the main goal in mind, I want you two posted on the two leveled platforms above me an keep an eye on the readings, understood correct?"

The two Irkens glanced to each other, turning back they each say," Yes Lord Maldrek!" Each used a silver pad to float onto the platforms above, as they began to scan over there controls, they became surrounded by a field of plasma energy, the leader says before they overreacted," Calm yourselves, it is simply the shielding system that prevents outside interference, without your safety who would be able to control the most important aspect of this ship?"

The two Irkens glanced to each other again, they didn't recall such a thing on there ship, what was the point of it, one of them asks," Why do we need them?" Lord Maldrek says as he sits upon his throne," simple really, I provide the most excellent care and devotion to the safety of all my followers, the simple request in return is that you do as I say, you are just as valuable of an asset to this goal at hand as I am, we are as equals, I only oversee the process, but in time we will all benefit…."

The two Irkens once again glanced towards each other, the same Irken asks," Why is that, we can be replaced if that is required, all of the Tallest have replaced countless numbers of Irkens who have fallen because of battle." Lord Maldrek replies," Well I'm not a Tallest now am I, they may not have the same consideration for a worthy member as I do, I seem cold hearted for a reason, because the universe has wronged me for so many of a millennia, it almost brings a tear to one's eye…. But not mine….."

The two Irkens nodded towards each other before accessing them main terminals and preparing the ships main fuel lines for their energy reserves. As the two continued their work Lord Maldrek asks," What are your names?" the two looked up at him, as he was now facing them, the one on the right says," I am Kiege sir." The one on the left says," I am Tarn." Lord Maldrek waves his hand as he says," Alright Tarn and Kiege you two are now head of all technical matters, you control all of the main systems and the people who will be assigned under you, is that alright with you two?"

The two nodded as Kiege says," Yes we understand, and thank you for the positions." Tarn replies," Yes truly we both thank you for allowing us to continue our regular jobs from the Massive on this ship." Lord Maldrek responds," It is my pleasure." His eye flashed slightly as the two went back to work, rising from his throne he walks into another section of the room, a card slot appeared as he quickly entered.

"The nerve of that pig human and her insistent craving to prove the Mighty ZIM wrong, I will have the last laugh when the time is right, oh the sweetness of the laugh which ZIM will have!" Zim continued his rant as he marched through the blinding snow which had grown far worse than the night's previous storm, as h marched up to his door he could hear three voices within, strange he only knew that the Tallest were there, and GIR would never raise his voice to such an extent.

Opening the door Zim was surprised to see his Tallest who were glaring at the man in white who almost ranged to their height, Zim knew exactly who it was because of the zigzag hair he had, Tallest Red (disguised as a human) shouts," How dare you suggest that I lack the proper knowledge of how to lead ones nation!" Professor Membrane says," You do lack it if your idea of ruling others, is simply bossing them around, that will get you nowhere, if you want to rule you have to build up your system and create an Empire that you rule altogether, any other action will prove ineffective against any man on Earth!"

Purple says nearby," But if you force them to listen, then there not truly on your side and will rebel against you, you have to make them side with you, otherwise your leadership will crumble?" Professor Membrane counters," AH HA, but if you insinuate that you are as they are, then that leaves for debate of who should rule, even though you suggest you should rule, the idea you planted in their brains that they are skilled and able to rule themselves will cause a war among them all, causing a worldwide pandemic and eventual collapse of all systems!"

Red and Purple both shook from anger, this man was so tricky to work around! Zim clears his throat as he says," Dib beast father unit, what are you doing presenting yourself in Zim's home?" The three turned to look at him, Professor Membrane says, his voice much calmer," Hello there um…. Zim, I was merely discussing with your uncles here different forms of control, I must admit they almost had me for a second, but how can one not love such an engaging battle of the mind!"

Red says," Indeed, I must admit myself this human here is very difficult to work around, his takeover theories rival the top strategies of our people." Professor Membrane says," Now as to why I am here, you might want to know that someone left this on my door this morning, not sure the total relevance and all but I thought it might interest you more." Professor Membrane walked by Zim, as he handed it to him, he leans down and says," Might want to keep these away from Dib's eyes." He chuckles before leaving.

Zim confused looks at the object his eyes widening slightly in surprise, someone had taken a picture of him and Gaz kissing, his eyes shook as he says barely audible," Zim doesn't like where this could possibly lead….. Nah whatever won't cause any problems for me in the long run anyway." Tossing the picture it fluttered away into the breeze as he whistled walking towards the Tallest.

Red says pulling a bag of chips from the table," Now tell us Zim did you find anything useful to help us or do we need to waste more time here then necessary before getting back to the Massive?" Zim rubbed the back of his head as he says," Yes well the Amazing Zim, has found that the Massive is… well not in primal conditions, it was harmed very badly."

Red snapped his eyes towards Zim as he says," What, that ship is the pride of the Irken technology, it is the Tallest's main war machine and meant for any combat, I suppose it can be fixed up though, I guess a job well done is in order this time, now then Zim, could you please go into your lab and begin to set up your computer to register to our voices and commands." Zim nodded before rushing into the elevator nearby.

As Zim entered his lab he heard a sigh as his computer asks," Let me guess, something else went wrong didn't it?" Zim shakes his head, the computer beeps a few times before saying," GIR blew something up?" He shakes his head again, the computer beeps a few more times before saying," the Tallest asked you to upgrade my system to respond to them?" Zim nods as he says," And also try to add some more data into your system about an alien known as Lord Maldrek, it may be useful to the mighty Zim's plans." The computer beeped as it said," Affirmative sir, I will call you when the upgrade is complete."

Zim walked into another section of his base as he began to type on his computer, although Zim hated to admit it, the Gaz girl had given him a good idea, if he were to train with the Tallest then all of them could possibly take down the threat altogether, although he knew that the much outranking and overpowering Tallest would probably deny him the request, he already had a fool proof plan to make sure they would accept the training, it was quite possibly his most brilliant plan yet, smiling to himself he says," And I shall concur the planet in the glorious name of the Tallest and Zim will be rewarded with great praise!"