Chapter 13

Jaz punched some coordinates into the controls and turned back to the group.

"Alright, we're on our way to our home planet. We should be there in 5 days time, unless we come across some trouble." She stated, "Until then, we prepare." She walked back over to them. "We already have part of the plan set. Flik will take care of the Control Brains." Flik nodded proudly in response.

"The rest is still undecided." Jaz admitted.

"From what I understand about Irk, it's basically a prison. Heavily guarded by indestructible Irkens." said Silver, "Yeah, sounds like a piece of cake." He rolled his eyes. Starlet smacked him on the arm.

"But if we take over the Control Brains, we can control the entire Irken Empire!" Jaz retorted, "That is our greatest advantage! But you're right, Irk is a heavily armed planet, as well as the Massive." Her eyes narrowed. "We still need to go there as well." She suddenly started shaking in rage. "So I can KILL the Tallests myself!"

Danny's eyes widened. She wasn't used to seeing this side of Jaz.

Jaz went on. "Those assholes ruined millions of lives, including ours! I will NOT allow them to do it anymore!"

Danny watched her thoughtfully. After a while, she said "I want to help. You can't kill both of them unless you get one alone. And they're NEVER apart." Jaz looked at her and nodded.

"Hey." Said Flik, "This is just a random thought, but doesn't Zim have a friend?" Jaz looked at him, puzzled.

"You know, some Invader named Stool, I think..." Flik said, trying to remember.

Jaz raised an eyebrow, thinking.

"SKOODGE!" Dib blurted out suddenly.

Jaz jumped and looked at him. She then looked at Flik.

"What about Skoodge?"

"It's probably not a good idea, but what if we ask Skoodge to help us?"

"No." Jaz said grimly, "That's a VERY bad idea. He's a Regular, NOT a Defective. He'd report us."

"Okay..." Flik responded with a shrug.

"He may like people, but he's still too loyal to the Empire..." Jaz suddenly gasped. "We also have to set the slaves free! With them out of the prisons and everything being left unoperated, it'll be much easier to bring the Tallests down!"

"Okayokayokay!" Dib butt in, waving his hands. "We can do all that once we have control of the Brains. But HOW are we going to GET to them?" Jaz looked at him.

"I...don't...know. YET! I don't know yet! There IS a way, we just need to find it!"

Danny cleared her throat, drawing attention to herself.

"I have an idea." She gently placed Zim down on the pilot's chair and turned to her Irken companion. "You're forgetting something, Jaz." Jaz stared at her, unable to figure out what she was forgetting.

"What?" She asked.

Danny looked over at her two feline friends, smirking. Then, before anyone could react, she flung her arm violently in Jaz's direction. A blast of purple fire-like energy shot from the palm of her hand and whizzed past Jaz's head, missing it by an inch. It hit the wall behind her and fizzled out, singeing the paint. Jaz didn't even flinch. Instead, a huge smile broke across her face.

"That's it!" She exclaimed, looking at Danny and the two felines. "OF COURSE!" She ran over to Danny and embraced her. "Danny, what would I do without you!"

"You would die. Literally." Danny replied with a smirk.

"Ain't that the truth." Jaz said, laughing.

Danny pulled away and turned to Silver and Starlet. "Well, there you have it. We're going to cut through every Irken Guard that gets in our way." She turned her full attention to Silver. "And you. This is no refereed sparring match. This is real life. No more holding back. We're going to need every ounce of your strength on this mission."

"Sweet." Silver replied, smirking.

Jaz, however, did not share the sentiment. Her expression drooped and she turned her gaze to the floor. Dib noticed and looked at her.

"Something wrong, Jaz?" He asked. Jaz looked up, placing her hands behind her back.

"I'm sorry, please excuse me." She then turned and walked back into the medical bay. Danny watched her go, soon following after her only to discover the door won't open.

"Jaz?" She called. There was no answer.

"Jaz, Come on. Unlock the door."

"Leave your commander in peace!" Jaz snapped from the other room.

Danny was taken aback. Jaz had never spoken to her like that before. Not since they were enemies, anyway. "Well fine!" She snapped back. She turned around in a huff and plopped herself down on the pilot's chair. Flik watched this whole scene unfold and turned to their new comrades.

"Jaz doesn't usually act like this." He explained, trying to defend his master. He then turned to Dib, who was fixated on the door, not seeming to notice him. After some contemplation, Flik looked away, pouting, and went to go sit with Danny. Dib, unaware of Flik's mini tantrum, walked to the door of the medical bay and knocked gently.

"Jaz?" Receiving no answer, he tried again. "Jaz, please. Talk to me."

Jaz's muffled voice sounded through the door.

"What do you want?"

"I just wanna talk." Dib responded gently. "Please unlock the door."

Flik was now watching Dib over the back of the chair.

There was a moment of silence, but soon, the door clicked. Dib hesitated.

"Can I come in?"

"I unlocked the door, didn't I?"

Dib opened the door and stepped inside. "Jaz?"

Flik's antennae shot up in surprise. He watched the door close again and turned around, crossing his arms, more angry than before.

Dib stood at the entrance, watching Jaz who was sitting on the floor against the wall, hugging her legs.

"Jaz, what's wrong?"

Jaz made no effort to show she heard him. Dib walked over and sat down next to her.

"Jaz...please...tell me what's wrong."

Jaz closed her eyes and dropped her head into her arms.

"I hate this." She finally said. "I hate my emotions. I love the thought of killing, and then I hate it." There was another moment of silence before she lifted her head and rested it against the wall behind her and added "I hate being an Irken."

"Hey..." Dib said, trying to comfort her. "There's nothing wrong with having emotions. In fact, it's your greatest strength."

"But they mess with everything!" Jaz cried. "I can almost never think clearly! And I don't even know what's clear and what isn't!" She dropped her face into her hands. "Honestly, I have it worse than most Defectives, I think. I'm not trying to sound selfish or anything, but...UGH!" In a fit of rage, she jumped up, walking away and crossing her arms.

Dib looked up at her. "But it's those emotions that make you who you ARE. They're what are driving you to do this. You're saving the entire Universe."

Jaz hung her head. "But I'm killing people..."

"That's a price that comes with every war..." Dib said after a short pause. "Not to mention you're saving millions of lives" Jaz thought on Dib's words and then turned to him.

"I just wish no one had to die...But that's not really possible..." She looked away, adding hopelessly "...is it?"

Dib watched her, thinking.

"It doesn't seem to be..." He admitted. Jaz let out a sad sigh, sitting down on one of the platforms.

"I'm a leader. I'm supposed to be strong. At least stronger than this..."

Dib got to his feet and walked over to sit by her side again. Jaz looked down at the ground.

"What must one do to remain sane? Especially in a time of war?"

"Just focus on the goal. And all the people you're helping."

Jaz looked at him then down at his hand, taking it into hers and stroked it with her thumb.

"I'm really glad you came." She stopped stroking his hand and just held it, looking back down at the ground. Dib reached his free hand over and turned her to face him.

"I'm glad I came too..." He said with a smile. Then, without warning, he leaned over and pressed his lips to her.

Jaz's antennae sprung up and her sapphire eyes grew huge. Her skin turned a darker shade of green.

Dib pulled away and sat up straight again, smiling at her. Jaz could only stare at him with the same expression.

"You..." She stammered, holding a hand up to her mouth. "...you kissed me on the lips..."

Dib's smile faded and his expression became dumbfounded, suddenly realizing the gravity of what he had just done.

"Yeah...I did..." He murmured, sounding out of breath.

Without warning, Jaz suddenly leapt at him, throwing her arms around his neck, and planted a kiss on his lips. She pulled back and looked at him, smiling sweetly.

"I think I'm going to love Earth."

Dib just stared at her for a moment, stunned. When he pulled himself together, he smiled back at her. Jaz then embraced him, wrapping her arms around him even tighter. Dib returned the gesture, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Their tender moment was soon interrupted by a loud banging at the door.

"HEY!" Flik's high-pitched voice rang at them. "Jaz, are you and your BOYFRIEND coming out, or what!?" He demanded angrily. Jaz and Dib looked at the door then at each other.

"Maybe we should get out there." Dib suggested.

Jaz nodded in response, releasing Dib and standing up. She held out a hand to him, which he took, and they walked out together.

When Flik saw them, he immediately slapped their hands apart.

"Hey!" Jaz retorted. Flik ignored her as robotic spider legs popped out his PAK, lifting him up to eye-level with Dib.

"You stay away from my master, HUMAN!" He growled.

"FLIK!" Jaz shouted. "What are you doing!? That's enough!" She grabbed the tiny smeet and forced him to look at her. Flik's spider legs retracted, but he didn't meet Jaz's eyes. Instead, he kept them glued on Dib.

"Flik, what is your problem!?" Jaz demanded, setting him down.

Flik merely glared at Dib, then turned around and stomped off. Jaz watched him go then turned to Dib.

"I'm sorry about that. He's never done that to anyone before." She whispered.

"It's okay." Dib whispered back.

"Are you two lovebirds going to stop whispering sweet nothings anytime soon?"

Jaz turned to see Danny in the pilot's seat, still disguised as a Zeikranian fox.

"Butt out, Danny." Jaz spat at her, only to have Danny roll her eyes in response. "I could very well say the same to YOU if Zim was up and running."

Dib looked at Jaz nervously. Even he knew that was crossing a line.

He was right. Danny whirled around, now kneeling on the pilot's chair, gripping the back with her claws.

"WHAT!?" She shrieked.

"You heard me!" Jaz hissed. Danny leapt over the back of the chair and marched toward them. She shoved Dib aside and forced Jaz back into the medical bay.

"WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM!?"

"You wanting everyone in this war to DIE!" Jaz shouted. "THAT'S my problem!" Danny froze in her tracks.

"WHAT are TALKING about!?"

"Oh sure," Jaz said sarcastically, "let your new friends kill all of our people just for the hell of it! Because they got SO much power!"

"I never said—"

"Don't tell me what I heard or didn't hear!" Jaz yelled, shoving Danny back.

"I NEVER told them to kill everyone!"

Jaz held up her antennae, bending them back to look like fox ears.

"Oh, Silver!" She said in a mocking tone, "For once, you DON'T have to tone it down. I WANT you to unleash full power." She released her antennae and crossed her arms, glaring at Danny.

"Wha—I..." Danny stammered, confused. "I said that because EVERY Irken we meet will be an INDESTRUCTIBLE Regular! Silver's power level is ACTUALLY high enough to take down a fully grown normally functioning Irken."

"You don't know if some of those Irkens might actually be DEFECTIVES!" Jaz shouted. "Did you ever think of THAT!? HUH!?"

"OF COURSE I HAVE!" Danny spat. "But THINK about it. All the GUARDS that try to KILL us and STOP us from getting to the BRAIN will be REGULARS!"

"You STILL don't know if they're all Regulars or NOT! You can't just judge!"

"Jaz, would a DEFECTIVE REALLY have a position as important as a guard!?"

"Hey, Zim is a Defective, and he's had a BILLION positions! And so have I! AND so have YOU!"

"I HAVE NOT! I RAN AWAY REMEMBER!?"

"You've done more than most Irkens would ever DARE to do! You became the member of a brand new nation the Tallests haven't been able to take over yet!"

"I was NOT assigned to DO that!"

"But you still did it! WITHOUT order! AND without getting caught!"

"EXACTLY!" Danny shrieked, nearing the end of her rope. "All the important positions are ASSIGNED! BY THE TALLESTS!"

"But don't you understand my point!?" Jaz inquired, "It could be entirely possible that more than half of those Irkens are Defectives and we don't even know it! YOU CAN'T JUST GO AROUND KILLING WHOEVER THE HELL YOU WANT, JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT YOUR BOYFRIEND BACK!"

That was the last straw. Danny snapped under all the hysteria and lunged at Jaz. Her fox disguise fizzled and disappeared.

Jaz was pinned to the ground. She struggled against the taller Irken but to no avail. Her spider legs popped out of her PAK and pushed Danny off. She crawled up to the ceiling, out of harm's way.

"Do you think it's RIGHT to kill anyone you want!?" She screamed. "Do you think it's OKAY to think the same way a Regular does!?"

Danny's spider legs popped out of her PAK.

"I think it's NECESSARY to cut down anyone who gets in the way of our GOAL!" She screamed back.

"NECESSARY!?" Jaz shrieked.

"YES!"

"KILLING is NOT going to save Zim!"

"It is if the people we kill are GETTING IN THE WAY!"

"Are you even LISTENING to yourself!?" Jaz cried, "You're talking just like a Regular!"

"SO WHAT IF I AM!?" Danny shot back.

That was it. She had done it now. Jaz screamed and launched herself at Danny, tackling her to the ground. The two of them rolled straight into the door with a loud 'THUD'.

In the other room, Dib rushed to the door and opened it, allowing the two Irkens to spill into the room. They continued to struggle against each other and roll around, not noticing the change in scenery or their new audience. Eventually, however, Danny managed to grab a hold of one of Jaz's antennae and bit down on it with all her strength.

Jaz's ear-piercing shriek filled the air.

"STOP IT!" She begged, tears streaming down her face.

Danny's eyes popped open and she released Jaz, who lies on the ground, trembling as tears soak her face.

"JAZ!" Dib and Flik called out in unison, running over to her.

"Are you okay!?" Dib cried, kneeling down to her.

Jaz, unable to respond due to the incredible pain, just trembled and grit her teeth. Flik shot a nasty glare at Danny.

"WHY THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT!?" He shouted.

"I...I..." Was all Danny managed to choke out. She didn't notice her two feline friends staring at her in shock and horror. Flik marched up to her.

"YOU FILTHY ASSHOLE!" He screamed. "YOU ATTACKED OUR COMMANDER!"

"I...I..." Danny stammered. "I'M SORRY!" She shouted, more to Jaz than to Flik.

"Get away from her!" A ray gun popped out of Flik's PAK and pointed at Danny threateningly.

Danny quickly scrambled backwards and stood up. Flik didn't retract his weapon.

"I'll KILL you if you hurt her again!" He threatened before turning back to Jaz.

Danny just watched them, trembling. Then, a thought occurred to her and a cold chill ran down her spine. She looked down at herself, seeing that her disguise was gone. She slowly turned around.

Silver was glaring at her and standing in front of Starlet.

"You've been lying to us this entire time!?" He shouted angrily.

"No...I..." Danny began.

"Let me guess." He said coldly, a green glow forming around his hands. "You don't give a DAMN about us, do you!? You just want us to do the dirty work!" He advanced on her.

"No!" Danny insisted, backing away. "That's not true!" She could feel tears welling up in her eyes.

Silver lunged at her, pinning her to the wall by her throat.

"Or MAYBE" He spat, "you're just going to hand us over to your precious "Tallests"!"

"No!" Danny was pleading now. "Silver, please! I—"

"ENOUGH!" Silver roared. He brought his free hand up as if to punch her, but instead, a green flame erupts in his palm and engulfs his entire hand. "You don't deserve to live." He growled.

"SILVER!"

Silver whipped his head around to look at the owner of the voice.

"Stop it!" Starlet snapped at him. Her hands were clenched into fists and pinned to her sides as she stood tall.

"But she—"

Starlet's blue eyes narrowed.

Silver stared at her for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, the flame went out and he released Danny, allowing her to fall to the floor. She promptly broke into a fit of sobs, hunching over and hugging herself. Flik, having watched this whole ordeal, walked up to Silver calmly.

"We didn't bring you here to betray you." He said bravely. "If we wanted to do that, we would have killed you already."

Silver glared down at him. Starlet walked over, watching Flik calmly.

"My HOME is the reason you and everyone else think Irkens are nothing but filthy sons of bitches!"

Silver crossed his arms and snorted scornfully, looking away. Starlet shot him a nasty look then turned her gaze back to Flik.

"We were BRAINWASHED to think only for ourselves! This lifestyle wasn't given to us by choice! We're all PRISONERS of our own creations! You have no right to decide whether we should live or not!" The young Irken looked at Danny. "Even I don't..."

"Those are big words coming from a CHILD" Silver spat.

"A child who has faced more bloodshed than YOU ever will!" Flik shouted in response.

Silver started to advance on the little Irken, but Starlet held out an arm to stop him.

"Do you really think an Irken child would even THINK of saying all that if I didn't care about you?" Flik asked.

"No. We don't." Starlet replied before Silver could shoot out another wise-crack. Flik studied them both for a moment.

"Good." He said. He then turned and ran off to the medical bay, where Dib had carried Jaz.

Danny was now curled up in a ball on the floor, shaking and crying. Silver eyed her through the corner of his eye while Starlet watched him cautiously.