The ship entered the black hole with a jolt. Dib grabbed onto the edge of his seat and clutched it as the ship shook violently.
"Have you done this before?" he asked. It was completely dark; he could not even see his own nose.
"0f course. The Irkens use black holes for travel all the time."
Dib nodded and sat back, still clutching the bottom of his seat for dear life.
They emerged from the darkness several moments later.
Dib sighed and looked around. Zim stopped the ship and examined the surrounding stars. He started driving again when he identified a few familiar patterns.
"Where are we?" Dib asked.
"The outer limits of the Irken Empire. Irk is several hours away still."
Dib nodded and looked at something shining in the distance.
"What's that?"
"Irken sun. Now stop bothering me, I'm driving."
The human nodded again and settled back to nap.
Several hours later, Zim smiled when his planet came into sight. He slowed the ship and gave Dib a push.
"Wake up. We are nearly there."
Dib looked up and blinked slowly. His eyes widened and he leaned forward as he saw Irk.
"Wow.." he breathed, amazed by its beauty. He loved space.
Zim drove the ship to the Irken Invader landing.
They both climbed out when he parked the ship and Zim looked around. Few things had changed since he left.
Dib was staring around at everything, and all the Irken who were around were staring at him.
"What is this being doing here?" a security guard approached them and asked Zim.
"His planet has turned against him. I am giving him sanctuary for a short time. He will be under my supervision throughout his stay." Zim replied.
Dib glanced up at the guard. He was taller than Zim.
The security guard nodded and walked back to his post.
"Come, Dib. Stay close to me." Zim began walking out of the station.
Dib followed him, tripping and stumbling over things as he walked. He was amazed and dumbfounded by everything he saw.
Zim took him to the Irken command center. He presented his ID to two security guards and asked to see the Tallest, as he had an emergency situation.
The guards, after some convincing, let him into a waiting area where several other invaders and even a few other alien species were waiting.
Dib stared at them in disbelief.
"Why aren't any of these other aliens attacking Earth?" he asked quietly.
"Because I am," Zim replied, crossing his arms and leaning back.
They waited several hours before they were finally called.
"Invader Zim and alien," a voice called over the loudspeaker.
"I'm not an alien.." Dib protested.
"You are on my planet now," Zim replied. "You are an alien here."
Dib frowned and followed him into the large room.
Zim stepped up to a large desk and bowed.
"My Tallest.."
Dib looked up at the two larger aliens seated at the desk and glanced at Zim. He decided he should be polite too, since this was their planet. He bowed as well, but remained silent.
"Zim.. What are you doing here?" Tallest Red asked, sounding irritated.
"Yeah, and what is that?" Tallest Purple peered at Dib.
"My home base has been destroyed and overrun by native officers," Zim replied, folding his hands behind his back. "And this," he nodded at Dib, "Is a human who assisted me in evading the Earthen security."
Tallest Red raised an eyebrow.
"So.. why did you bring him here?"
"His own race has turned against him."
"I see.. And what do you want?"
"I have come seeking safety and to request another house kit. Also.. another SIR unit." Zim frowned as he remembered GIR. He swallowed hard.
"Why? What happened to the one we made you?" Tallest Purple asked.
"The humans.. destroyed him. And captured his body." Zim lifted his head to hold his composure.
"I see." Tallest Red rubbed his chin and whispered something to Purple.
They both looked at Dib after a moment and said, "Please leave us to talk to Zim in private."
Dib nodded and backed away, then turned and quickly stepped back out into the waiting area.
"Now," the Tallest turned to Zim. "Let us talk.."