Chapter Six: Soldier

Dib wandered around the small base one more time. The guys had said that this was only a safehouse, and that the larger base was somewhere else. They had told Dib their name and where everything was and everything, but now Dib just didn't bother to remember. Rin had stayed behind in the machine room of the base with a few other members. Dib wasn't too worried, he knew Rin could handle herself, she was a robot after all.

This group, whoever they were, had claimed they were against the Meekrob and the Irkens, and a few others that Dib hadn't known of. He didn't remember it all. He missed Zim, it was all he could think of. He was feeling extremely guilty leaving him all alone in there. But he had Skoodge and Gir there. He'd be alright.

Dib paused to look up at the sky through a broken window. The sky was a deep red this afternoon. No matter what, the sky always seemed to be red. Dib tried to remember what day it was. His heart skipped a beat when he finally remembered. Tomorrow would be his first Christmas with Zim. Well, not first, but the first civil one. He wondered what Zim would do…Zim wasn't known for good holidays. On Thanksgiving while they were together, Zim did okay having a formal dinner with them and Gaz and Gir. Then on Halloween Dib and Zim both hid in the bowels of Zim's base, afraid of what might happen this year. But this was Christmas. Who knew what would happen.

At least Skoodge and Rin were here to make the holiday better. Dib started to head back to the others. Now would be the best time to go fetch Zim.

…

Zim woke up to the sound of metal grinding metal. He rose up grudgingly and looked around. Gir was rubbing his head harshly against the metal walls. "GIR!" Zim yelled hoarsely.

"Yes Master?" Gir asked lazily, not stopping his annoying action.

"Quit that," Zim ordered quietly. Gir stopped, then stood for a moment, then starting doing it again. Zim winced and got up to leave. "Hey…where's Dib…"

"He left…he still not back yet, he promised me a TACO!" Gir shrieked.

"Well…where's Skoodge then…" Zim asked meekly, not caring about the other Irken, merely wanting to exact more revenge. Gir shrugged and seemed to tune Zim out.

The rest of the ship seemed empty, probably because of how big it was. Zim tried to imagine what the ship would be like with Dib in it. Geez, Zim wouldn't even see the ship…not with Dib around. "Hey, Zim, you're up," Skoodge said, coming down the hallway.

Zim turned and glared at him, noticing for the first time how much taller he was now. He towered over Skoodge. "Yeah," he said simply. "Why isn't Dib back yet?"

Skoodge seemed to be frazzled, his shirt was a little more stained than usual, it looked like oil. Skoodge was also looking around awkwardly. "He uh…I don't really know…" Skoodge admitted.

"How long has he been gone?" Zim asked, getting mad that Skoodge was still so useless.

"…" Skoodge didn't respond, he just played with the machinery tool in his hand.

"Skoodge," Zim said sternly, "Tell me."

"Five hours…" Skoodge said under his breath. Zim's eyes widened as he stared at him in shock. Five hours? That was way too long to be scouting.

"Five hours? Skoodge, we need to go look for him!" Zim yelled, doubling over in a coughing fit after.

"No, you aren't going anywhere. Dib said so," Skoodge commanded, standing as tall as he could. Zim, still bent over, squinted at Skoodge. Skoodge peered back at the tool in his hand and tried to pretend he didn't just stand up to Zim.

"Skoodge…"

"Yeah?"

"You're stupid…" Zim wondered what they should do. "Do you have a disguise?"

"No," Skoodge said, finding his tool very interesting.

"You get some sort of transport ready, I'll make your disguise," Zim said, briskly striding away.

"I already," Skoodge looked up just as Zim rounded the corner, "…did." Skoodge stood in the hallway staring at where Zim had been. How did Dib deal with this all the time?

…

The machines and Irken tech hummed in the background. Gaz finished the last of her calls and decided to make one more before leaving. She typed the number into the panel and waited.

"GAZZY!" Gir shrieked happily.

"Calm down Gir!" Gaz ordered, "Someone over there might hear you."

"Yaaaaaaaay!" Gaz whispered excitedly.

"Has Dib come back yet?" Gaz asked, wondering whether Gir would actually know or not.

"Uhhhhh, no! He still out with the taco! They's flyin' over the moon!" Gir chirped. Gaz took it to mean Dib was still out.

"Okay Gir, trace this call and come to my ship. Immediately," Gaz ordered. She didn't think she could last any longer without Gir at her side. Sure, she now had more power than anyone else in the universe, but it meant nothing without her little trash-heap around. Who else would play video games with her?

"Mistress Gaz, have you finished with the phone yet?" One of the Irken tech managers asked. Gaz glared at him for interrupting her thoughts. He was one of the Taller Irkens, still shorter than her though. Shorter than Zim even. He had big green eyes that looked neon compared to his skin. His uniform collar rose halfway up his face. His antennae were lowered so far out of fear that he seemed to not have any. So far, Gaz hated all the Irkens she encountered, they all seemed to be meek and obeying. Normally that was good, excellent. But after being around Zim so much, she expected much more out of this race. They all seemed like vermin.

"Eh…" The techie shivered nervously. "The Tallest are calling for a meeting with you, great mistress."

Gaz nodded and got up. The techie cowered and ran away. Stupid Irken. These beings didn't seem worthy of being around Gaz. Not even The Tallest that she now worked with.

…

Zim looked up from his work. Gir's strange noises of annoying disturbance were gone. He shrugged, he probably found something less noisy to do. Zim held up the small clip he made, it was the perfect disguise. Well, not as perfect as his own, but the handiwork was still amazing. He got up to find Skoodge.

Skoodge was flipping through the TV channels, numerous Christmas programs running and spreading their intoxicating fumes of supposed joy. It made Zim want to throw up…well, being sick made him want to do that, but Christmas was just as toxic.

Skoodge finally noticed Zim standing there and clicked the TV off. "Why aren't you working on transport, Skoodge?" Zim asked venomously.

"Um, because I finished it…" Skoodge said awkwardly. He didn't want to piss Zim off right now. Well, he never did, but especially not now.

"Good," Zim said, beaming with the thought of being ahead of time. Zim sat on the couch and handed Skoodge the clip he made while pulling his own from his pocket. "Here, it's a holographic disguise."

Skoodge took it in his hands and seemed to marvel at it. Yes, marvel you idiot, Zim thought. Despite how mad he was at Skoodge, he still worked hard on the piece of technology. Skoodge stood and put it on, flipping the switch. A holograph covered him and redid his appearance. Zim snickered into his hand. He'd worked so hard on the piece, but he still had revenge to think of too.

Skoodge looked at himself and didn't see too many differences…until he looked into a mirror. "Zim…why do I look like an elf?" Skoodge asked. Sure, he'd changed color to something peachy, not ivory like Zim, but something normal. But still, Skoodge didn't see the reason for the red hat and curved up ears.

"What? I thought you liked Christmas?" Zim said between laughs.

Skoodge sighed, it wasn't a big deal. Plus Zim was actually enjoying himself. Whatever, Skoodge was sure he could bear Zim's tormenting laughing for a while. "Come on, let's get out of here," Skoodge said. Zim stood up and did his own holograph. Zim looked like his normal human self, with some big differences.

Irken bodies are designed so that illness is never seen. Zim looked normal and like himself, but now with his disguise on, it was apparent how sick he was. Zim's normally ivory white skin was pale and deathly, with dark rings under his eyes. Even his posture seemed bad. Skoodge winced and hoped Zim didn't really plan on searching for Dib right now. "Come Skoodge," Zim said, oblivious to the pained look Skoodge was sending as he strode past. Skoodge sighed again and followed along.

…

Dib had managed to talk the team into bringing Zim into their group. They were still undecided about Skoodge, but Dib was sure he could stand his own. Skoodge had been stalking them for years anyway. Rin and Dib led the way, Dib was excited about seeing Zim again. He would apologize for acting the way he had and ask Zim for forgiveness.

They rounded the corner of a building and Dib looked out, expecting to see the ship waiting for them. Instead they saw something completely horrible. "NO!" Dib yelled, taking off running. Rin, just as surprised, ran after him. The others stayed behind, unsure what to do. How could anyone survive the burning wreck of a ship that stood before them?

Dib reached the wreck and observed the damage. It seemed like a bomb or something highly explosive had breached the hull and ripped the ship in half. Most of the wreck was on fire, burning on gasoline. It didn't seem like it would explode now, but Dib wanted to be careful. He made his way under some huge pieces of metal and wood and crawled his way into the wreck. Rin called out to him but he couldn't hear her. He did hear her coming after him though. Whatever, he didn't care what she did right now. He had to find Zim.

…

"That was close…" Skoodge sighed. Steering the small vessel further away from their previous location.

Zim was still on his knees in his seat, peering out the window with his face pressed to the glass, trying to observe the ship. They were too far away to see it now though. But Skoodge wasn't going to mention it. "Who the hell sent that explosion on us?" Zim asked, squinting.

"…I…don't know," Skoodge lied. It was probably Gaz, but better that Zim hear that from Gaz herself. Skoodge didn't feel like being murdered while flying a ship today.

"We need to find Dib," Zim ordered coldly.

"I know," Skoodge sighed. Zim whipped around in his seat to face Skoodge directly.

"Turn this vessel around, right now Skoodge!" Zim yelled, barely having the energy for it.

"Zim…we just got bombed…we're not going back there," Skoodge told him.

Anger overtook Zim that moment as he reached hastily for the control. "NO, ZIM!" Skoodge yelled, trying to throw Zim off. He did his best not to crash while fending off the crazed Irken.

…

"ZIM!" Dib yelled through the mess.

"My radar isn't picking up any bodies, Dib," Rin called to him. Dib ignored her. Zim had to be in here somewhere. He had to be. Where else would he be? "He's not here, Dib, he's gone!"

Dib turned around to face Rin's worried face. The white bow on her head was dirty from the gasoline smoke and her white and yellow uniform was turning gray. "He is here Rin, he has to be!" Dib screamed in her face. Rin took hold of Dib's arms.

"We have to go, this place is dangerous. Please Dib, let's just go…" Rin pleaded. Dib shook her off and kept going, calling Zim's name all the while. "Dib, it's useless! He's not here! Trust me!"

Dib tried his best to ignore her, shaking off her words. But she was right…Zim wasn't here. He hadn't checked the whole ship yet, but her scanner had already proven correct before. He turned around to apologize. "Rin…you're right…" He looked up to see Rin smiling sadly, happy that Dib was believing her. Dib felt something on his face and reached up to touch it. He was crying. He dumbly thought back and realized he'd been crying this whole time. "Rin…let's go," He whispered.

Rin nodded and waited for Dib to walk back to her. They both hear a loud shriek, metal on metal. A huge metallic support beam came down and Dib watched in horror and it struck Rin right through her middle. She landed back in a pile with a thud. Dib rushed to her side, freaking out even more than he already was.

"RIN!" Dib cried, "NO!" He looked at the damage. He wasn't sure if a robot could handle this. Her middle and waist was severely damaged and a red-ish brown substance was leaking out quickly. "Oh god, Rin, don't go…don't do this…" Tears came even faster out of Dib now. Rin looked at him with a tired, lonely expression.

"Don't worry Dib…" She whispered, "You'll find him…"

"But…no. You…you can't die, not now!" He cried. He looked into her mechanical eyes and saw more than just technology in them, he saw life. And he couldn't let this life slip away. Not when so much was going wrong now. Not when he needed her.

"It's okay Dib, it's my time now…I have to go," She whispered tiredly, her eyes closing halfway. She seemed at peace, despite the pain that showed in her expression.

"It's not okay, Rin…it's not…I can't loose you, not like this…" Dib choked out. Rin raised a hand to Dib's face, wiping away a few tears.

"Dib…did I ever tell you…the name of the man…who made me," Rin said, struggling to speak now. Dib shook his head, closing his eyes and leaning into Rin's hand, wishing this wasn't happening. "His name was…Professor Membrane…"

Dib's eyes flew open as he stared at Rin in shock. He couldn't breath and simply stared at Rin. "My…my father…" Dib managed to whisper.

"Yes…he made me…to sing to you…" Rin said quietly. "You were just a little baby…without a mother…so I…sang you to sleep…" Dib cried even more now, so afraid of loosing Rin like this, she was practically his mother now, and he was loosing her.

"Please Rin…please mom…don't go…" Dib begged. He leaned in and hugged Rin, hoping the contact would make her stay. Rin wrapper her weak arms around Dib and held him.

"Goodnight…demon slayer, goodnight," Rin sang softly, "Now it's time…to close your tired eyes. There are devils to slay…and dragons to ride…if they see you coming…hell they better hide." Dib shook as he cried, Rin's voice was beautiful and it rang in his mind.

"Goodnight…goodnight…goodnight. Goodnight…my little slayer…goodnight," Rin sang with sincerity. "I won't tell you…there's nothing neath your bead. I won't tell you…that it's all in your head. This world of ours…is not as it seems. The monsters are real…but not in your dreams. Learn what you can…from the beasts you defeat…you'll need it…for some of the people you meet." Rin lessened her grasp on Dib and he could feel her slipping away.

"Goodnight…demon slayer…goodnight. Now it's time…to close your…tired eyes…there are devils…to slay…and dragons…to ride," Rin struggled to keep singing. As tired as she was, her voice sang perfectly. "If they…see you coming…hell they…better hide."

"Goodnight…goodnight…goodnight…" Rin sang, "Goodnight…my little slayer…goodnight." The room was suddenly eerily quiet. Dib hugged Rin tighter, even though he felt no pressure back. He tried to make her words stick and echo in his mind. He didn't ever want to forget her voice. It was so pure and so good, how could her voice leave. How could this be taken away from him.

He sat up and looked at Rin, she was beautiful. She had the most perfect, serene smile. Singing to him had truly made her happy. Dib took her white bow and shoved it in his pocket, in case he forgot about her, for even a moment.

Dib got up and started to wander around. There was just enough room to make it into the living room of the ship. It looked pretty bad. Dib noticed something bright yellow on the coffee table. It was a sticky note and in Gir's scribbly writing were the words 'Gaz called'. It even had contact info. Dib rushed to the TV/phone/whatever it was and entered the info into it's touch screen.

He sat on the coffee table and waited anxiously, tapping on the table and trying not to explode. If Gaz was okay then maybe not all was lost. "Yes," Came Gaz's voice. Dib looked up and stared at the screen. It really was her. And she was in one piece! She looked great and healthy. She even had Gir sitting on her lap. She looked happy, amused even.

"Gaz!" Dib yelled with relief, "You're okay!"

"Yes, of course I'm okay," She said, slightly annoyed. Dib ignored the edge in her voice. "What about Zim? And Skoodge, are they there?" Gaz asked, looking around the room.

"…no…" Dib said, looking down. He hadn't even given Skoodge a thought. "I think…I think they're…dead…" He said, his voice hollow and emotionless. He thought of Rin, all these people…dying for him.

Dib was looking down and so didn't notice the satisfied look on Gaz's face. "And you Dib, are you okay?"

"I…I don't know…" Dib said. He looked up at the screen at Gaz's worried face. If he'd been in a better state he would've seen how fake it was.

"I'm so sorry Dib. I'm sorry for all of this…I think it was The Tallest who did this…you know?" Gaz said. Dib nodded. "If I ever get the chance, Dib, I will exact revenge for you, for them killing Zim." Dib nodded. He was too tired now to want revenge. But if Gaz was willing to help him, then he wasn't about to stop her. "I'm pretty sure Skoodge helped them out…I have information that says he was a spy for The Tallest."

"What?" Dib asked, looking up at her in shock. Skoodge was a traitor? He always seemed so loyal before now.

"Yes Dib…and I also have word that he escaped the wreckage, leaving Zim to die," Gaz said sadly.

Dib burned with anger inside. Now he knew what had happened. Gaz was right, there needed to be revenge. "Thanks Gaz," Dib said coldly, leaving the room to go back to the group of people still waiting for him.

As Dib left the room, Gaz grinned evilly, watching him leave.

…

"I love how well you did that," Tallest Red commented. Gaz waved him off.

"I'm probably the best liar on Earth, but you, whatever," Gaz said, she couldn't help but grin at them.

"Yeah, definitely!" Tallest Purple burst out. Both of them looked pleased at Gaz's work. And of course they were, Gaz had already convinced the two of them that they needed her, that for the good of Irk they needed her to right their plans. It was a basket full of lies, of course, but they believed her. The Irkens were so simple minded and honest that they believed anything she said these days. She had them eating out of her hand, metaphorically of course, she would never let them eat out of her hand.

Gaz knew that Zim wasn't dead, Skoodge either. But now she had full control over Dib. And Skoodge was mindless, so she had him as well. Zim, well, he was dying anyway, so what did it matter? She knew Zim could never be controlled, not even by her. But that little unauthorized punishment that the soldiers had used on Zim was working to her advantage.

Now the Meekrob, humans, and Irkens were all still warring. But she controlled all their movements. It was like playing a video game, really. Like playing with toy soldiers. One side would win, but you always won because both sides belonged to you. It was genius.

Tallest Purple offered her some Irken donuts. She was disgusted by it, but took it anyway, might as well make them happy for now. Soon they wouldn't feel anything at all. She grinned maniacally, her malice going unnoticed by the idiots she sat with.

"So…Princess Gaz, what should we do about this war?" Red asked, motioning out the window at Earth.

Gaz thought about how to answer. She hadn't really decided what she wanted to do with Earth yet. It's resources were always being used up and it had no strategically advanced points to it. And most of her armies were on Earth now. "Let's blow it up," Gaz said slowly.

Both Irkens cheered wildly. She grinned, they were so easy to please.

…

"I hate you…" Zim mumbled. Zim was strapped lightly to his seat as they flew. He had promised not to try and take control again, but Skoodge didn't trust him.

"I know, Zim," Skoodge sighed. They were making good progress on flying to the other side of the country.

"We still need to get Dib…" Zim said quietly, pouting now.

"Zim…we need to discuss this," Skoodge said slowly. He put the small vessel into idle as they floated in the air. He didn't worry about people seeing them, they were in the mountains now anyway.

"Yes, we do," Zim said angrily. He'd been trying to discuss it this whole time. "And we're flying the in the wrong direction."

"Zim…I'm pretty sure…that Dib's dead now," Skoodge told him quietly. There was a dead, eerie silence for a moment.

"…no…" Zim whispered.

"You need to face it…Dib's gone…we can't get him back now," Skoodge said, urging Zim to face reality.

"NO!" Zim yelled, pulling against the restraints. "HE'S NOT! HE CAN'T!"

"Zim…" Skoodge whispered, watching Zim fall apart. It was terrible. For as long as he'd known him, Skoodge always saw Zim as the strong leader who never felt soft emotions like love or sadness, only anger and pride. But now, right before him, Zim was hurting more than he could imagine. It was scary and touching at the same time.

Zim stopped moving and Skoodge could see the tears that Zim cried, which was strange, because Skoodge didn't know Zim could cry. Zim's black, pointy hair covered his eyes as he hung his head low, as low as the restraints allowed. "Now what…?" Zim asked in a whisper. Skoodge shrugged. Zim always made the decisions for him, Zim was the leader…not Skoodge. It scared him to think that Zim wasn't leading him right now.

"We could…find someplace on Earth…someplace to hide," Skoodge suggested. Zim shrugged as a way of agreeing. Skoodge leaned over to untie Zim.

"Don't," Zim warned.

"W-why?" Skoodge asked.

"Because…" Zim whispered, "If you untied me right now," He looked up to glare straight into Skoodge's eyes and hissed his last words, "I'd kill you." Skoodge shivered. He'd never seen so much malice, grief and pain in a stare like Zim's right now. His tear filled eyes didn't stop glaring until after Skoodge started the vessel up again and was flying steadily. Zim slumped back and leaned his head on the window.

Skoodge watched him for a minute. This was going to be a long flight.

…

…

…

I don't have too much to say about this one. Sorry this one is a bit shorter than usual.

The song Rin sang was 'Goodnight Demon Slayer' by Voltaire. Which reminds me of Dib, hee hee. For most of the chapter I was listening to 'Almost Human' by Voltaire, which perfectly describes Zim, I think. :)

What do you guys think about Gaz? I thought she was getting too Mary-Sue with her actions. But I think she's still a bit Mary-Sue…darn it.

NNN, I almost cried writing Rin's scene. I bet if I re-read it I would cry. I had to take a break during that scene a calm down before I wrote the rest. :( Poor Dib's mommy. She not his mommy, but she is metaphorically, and we love metaphors on FF.N

:) As always, I love you guys so much for reviewing and favoriting me and everything. It makes little fluff clouds form in my head and makes me update faster. I think I might actually be getting the hang of this 'writing' thing people talk about.