Armies and reviewing Zim's tactics.
Enjoy.
Chapter 8
''Secrets Revealed"
Gaz fell asleep on the plane.
She was leaning on Dib in a very brother/sister moment, asleep, still looking like she could jump up and kill you at any minute. Dib glanced down at her before looking out the window. It was a private plane, as all public planes were too crowded by people fleeing the area of the invasion. The news was filled with rumors of the invasion, takeover, and (to Dib's relief) Zim from Skool had been identified as Invader Zim. A part of him was ticked no one had noticed sooner but oh well. At least they'd noticed.
People were being interviewed about how weird he was at Skool, basking in their 15 minutes of fame. And to Dib's shock, someone had remembered that he was the first person to accuse Zim of being an alien.
Yes! Dib shouted in his mind. I'm not the crazy kid anymore! I'm right! I'm right!
Actually, the news had tried to get in touch with Dib and Gaz for exclusive interviews. But upon hearing they were unavailable due to government (as far as they were informed) interference, Gaz and Dib were all over the news as well, being identified as friends of the alien before he turned traitor. Despite this news time, Dib didn't tell Gaz about it, lest she go on a murder spree that she was being called Zim's girlfriend regularly. He knew she couldn't handle that right now and wished that she wasn't eventually going to be forced to.
It was only inevitable that Gaz would be asked about it, despite Dib's recommendation to avoid that topic if they wanted her to cooperate.
In a way Dib knew that it was wrong to try and hide things from not only his idols in the form of the Swollen Eyeball, but the U.S. government as well, but Gaz was his sister. And he was her big brother. So as her big brother, it was his job to protect and watch out for her as much as he possibly could.
Gaz ended up sleeping the whole plane ride. The turbulence of the landing woke her up.
Her eyes opened, sitting up. "We're landing?"
"Yup," Dib replied. It was an afternoon flight, but it was a private plane, so really beside guards, they were the only ones there. However, Dib was aware they had other surrounding planes and felt like the president. Decoy planes so there's would be kept safe. Cool. "Still tired?"
Gaz shook her head. "No. So we're landing . . .?"
"In the president's backyard," A guard answered for Dib. "We couldn't risk exposure at an airport."
Both of them stared at him. They were already meeting the president?
"Um," Dib said, unsure what to say. "O-Okay."
Gaz's hands immediately began running through her hair. It was quite an eventful moment, because Dib could see the nerves that were churning in her stomach mirroring her face.
Dib placed a hand on her shoulder. "Nervous?"
She shrugged it off, shooting him a glare. "No."
He smiled sympathetically at her, "Right."
Gaz was about to give a harsh reply when the plane pulled to a stop. It was a small plane, nothing big, so it was easy to land. The bags began being unloaded and Gaz was assisted to her feet (shooting Dib a look of confusion as to why this was necessary) as well as Dib, both led towards the exit. The two were escorted to and down the stairs, and were met with the awing sight of the back of the White House.
Even from so far back, Gaz could hear press shouting from the front, gated off parts of the White House. Dib wished he'd had the chance to shower off and get clean before meeting the president. He was never a fan of planes and always felt gross after being on one.
But he had to suck it up, as all of the important men from before stood waiting for them. Surrounding the area entirely were the Secret Service. The only thing that made them different from the Swollen Eyeball's own team was that they had their insignia on the front and back of their suits. Gaz noticed Dib eyed these with admiration and smirked at him as she reached the bottom of the stairs, waited for him, and then continued on, walking together.
Dr. Membrane was already pointing to them, obviously bragging about his children. So they probably didn't look as gross as they thought from the plane-ride there.
"Are you okay?" She asked Dib, quietly.
He looked absolutely pale but nodded. "Yeah, just . . . scared, I guess. Never thought I'd be here, you know?"
Gaz looked forward again at his awkward laugh that followed. She couldn't exactly say the same. She'd figured she'd be part of a rebellion, not playing a witness to the government. This changed things, definitely, but how much? To what extent had the plan been altered?
"Agent Moth-Man, Little Sister," one of the men said, bowing to them. "It's an honor."
At once the two siblings shared looks of disbelief (surprise as well, on Dib's part). Since when did they become like royalty to the most important people in the country?
"Um, thank you, sir." Dib finally said. "It's an honor to meet you, too."
Gaz offered none of the same sentiments. Instead she kept herself level-headed and unreadable, eying them all nonchalantly.
The president cleared his throat. "We'll need to get inside for immediate discussion. I hope that's alright with you two."
"That's fine," Gaz answered, much to everyone's surprise. She glared at their shocked expressions. "What?"
"Nothing." Dib insisted. "Come on, we should go."
Gaz gave everyone suspicious looks as Dib took her arm and lead her inside. She felt very much like everyone was walking on eggshells around her and she couldn't have that if she was to be an important figure. Gaz had to make herself the ideal informant.
Which meant being willing to talk about her relationship with Zim. And probably talk to the news about it as well.
She sighed. If that was the case, so be it.
They were surrounded by guards the whole way inside. And even inside. In fact the entourage of important people and two well-informed young adults were guarded to whole way into the meeting room.
It was the most secretive place Gaz or Dib had ever seen. For once in her life, Gaz was impressed.
It was large, with a long table, but shorter then they'd expected. It was clear this was only used for the most dire of situations, a few seats for guests other than the immediate party of citizens. Gaz wondered how many times this room had been used. Most of the Secret Service waited outside, as well as the Swollen Eyeball members. Only about three of the Swollen Eyeball members stayed with Dib and Gaz.
"Please, take a seat." The Military-dressed man asked, gesturing to two chairs in the middle of the table.
Dib did so nervously. Gaz didn't think twice about it.
"We've been informed of what you know, but we have more questions." The president began, getting straight to the point.
Gaz calmed herself. "What do you want to know?"
"We're going to get to the point, daughter," Dr. Membrane began. "How close were you to Zim?"
Dib flinched, looking worriedly at his sister. But all he saw was a dejected face, looking down at her hands in her lap.
"We were dating." Gaz said, through gritted teeth. "For two years, ending when this started."
The room was silent, staring at her in disbelief. Her eyes looked up to the surrounding people, answering every question she saw in their eyes.
"Yes, I cared about him. Yes, he cared about me. Yes, I think he tried to consider me a possession at the start but I made it very clear that I wasn't going to be owned by anyone. Yes, I knew he was half-crazy. No, he wouldn't hurt me, but now I'm not sure anymore. It is possible he wants to get rid of his past ties but I don't know if he could get rid of me. Yes, I know why he liked me. It's because I never liked the human race. I think the majority of us give it a bad name. No, I was never under the impression he was starting over in taking over the world. I thought he was too incompetent when we were kids and never realized he was getting smarter. No, he didn't use me. He never asked me about Earth or its weaknesses."
"Gaz wasn't trying to withhold information!" Dib said at once, feeling the need to protect his sister. "She just didn't think it was relevant!"
"Is there anything else you're hiding from us?" A scientist-looking man asked, emotionless.
Gaz glanced at Dib, touching her necklace. He stared at her, warily. She wasn't going to tell them, was she?
She turned away, looking back to the cavalry as her hand dropped from her neck. "Nothing. That's all that happened."
The men at the table eyed each other, including Dr. Membrane. But at the moment Gaz felt as if they were all on the same wavelength, thinking along the same plan. And she didn't like it.
Not in the least.
"You must be tired," One of the kinder-looking (and therefor more suspicious) men in suits said to the two of them. "You should rest."
"We'll speak to you in the morning, children." Dr. Membrane assured them. He motioned for two of the guards. "Take them to their rooms and feed them dinner."
"Yes, sir." The Secret Service said, moving to stand next to Dib and Gaz.
Dib was wary about this abrupt ending to the meeting. As far as they were concerned, Gaz had extreme potential to be a traitor. If she wasn't his sister, he'd be thinking the same thing. Gaz was closer than anyone to Zim. And they didn't know how easy it was for her to break off contact with any being, close to them or not, and put them off as 'no longer important'.
They were led to rooms next to each other, rather extravagant rooms. The guards once again stood by the doors, but the rooms were conjoined. A door connected them but allowed privacy, as it could be locked on both sides.
When they'd finished getting settled (finding their bags already in their rooms), Gaz lying on her stomach on the bed and playing her game, there was a knock on the door.
"It's unlocked, Dib." Gaz called, closing her game. She knew he'd want to talk about this.
Dib crept into the room, like a kicked dog. "I'm scared for you, Gaz."
She sighed, motioning for him to sit on the ginormous bed with her. "It's better that I told them now, Dib, before they found out from those stupid kids from Skool. If I look like I'm hiding something, they won't trust me, and I'm the only one who can give an unbiased opinion, you know that. An emotional girl blinded by love wouldn't have been able to find any faults in her boyfriend.
"Good point, but they're grown men. None of them can relate to a teenage girl. They're probably discussing whether or not to hold you as a prisoner right now!" Dib groaned, falling on his back, next to her, on the bed, and turning his head to look at her with a pleading grimace. "You can keep some things about this to yourself, Gaz."
"I know," she insisted, tapping her necklace suggestively. Then she mouthed the word, 'bugged' and jerked her chin towards the room. "Probably didn't think I would figure it out."
Dib stared. He hadn't thought about the room being bugged. But if the statement was ignored, those listening would be suspicious. "Figure what out?"
"That you were worried about me." Gaz insisted, ruffling his hair. A reward of affection for playing along. "You don't need to, Dib. Not unless something happens where worry is just implied."
"Like you being the number one suspect for assisting in treason against America?" Dib questioned, a brow rising.
Gaz laughed, rolling onto her back, mimicking Dib's position. "As hilarious as that would be, I'm not. They'll probably just figure out a way to use our former relationship to their advantage."
Dib scowled at the thought. "Exploiting the weakness of a young girl to get at an alien . . . Sounds like the government."
They both laughed, staring up at the ceiling. They shared a period of silence before Dib spoke up again.
"You know this is going to come down to a fight. You and him."
Gaz turned her head to look at him. "How do you figure?'
"He still wants you, Gaz." Dib said bitterly. "You think that he wants you gone, but if he did, you wouldn't have come home yesterday. We wouldn't be alive right now."
"We? And how do you figure he wants you alive too?"
"I'm still his challenger," Dib pointed out. "Zim always made fun of our government. He thinks they're as stupid as our average classmates. In his mind, no matter what the press or the news says, I'm the best opponent he's got. The Swollen Eyeball and the government might as well be back-up."
"And myself?"
"Like I said, he still wants you. Whether or not you're a possession to him, Gaz, he'll probably find a way to get to you. And unless you fight, he's going to take you." Dib scowled. "I'm over-analyzing this, aren't I?"
Gaz smiled, flicking his the stand of scythe-looking hair on his head. "No. It's a good guess. We know Zim better than anyone on Earth. Gir being the exception."
"Seriously? Gir?"
"Zim said he's unnaturally observant when he decides to be."
"He never pays attention to anything! He's a complete spaz!"
"But he is made of Irken technology." She smirked at Dib. "Just kind of shows their superiority to us, tech-wise. Even their screw ups can prove great."
Dib let out a disbelieving snort. "Unbelievable."
"You think we stand a chance against him?" Gaz asked, casually, frowning.
Dib sighed. "You know, I don't know. But I think that if we find the right weakness and exploit it, he'll come crumbling down."
"According to those charming men in the other room, that would mean putting me in danger and seeing if he took the bait." Gaz pointed out.
"Not an approach I'm willing to take." Dib said at once, turning his head to look at her. "I wouldn't put you in danger."
Gaz snorted and mock-punched him in the shoulder. "Like anything could prove dangerous to me."
"You've been kidnapped. Twice."
"I would point out that both times I willingly went, and so it shouldn't prove as a kidnapping."
"With the alien abduction, you've got me, but Iggins had you under his weird . . . hypnosis . . . thingy!" Dib said, making a rather messy, frustrated emphasis with his hands. "That should still count, since you weren't willingly under hypnosis!"
"Nope, willing both times." Gaz insisted, folding her arms behind her head. "And whoever is the first to kidnap me, friend or otherwise, is going to be in for a serious hurt."
Dib shivered. "A threat from you. Hopefully one not taken lightly."
She eyed him at the insinuation. If their nosy little friends heard their opinion of Gaz being a weakness, they might not hesitate to put her in harm's way and Dib wanted them to know there would be consequences. Gaz smiled at his attempt to keep her safe, however small.
"Right." She yawned, glancing out at the now darkened sky with a slightly child-like, weak expression on her face, rolling back onto her stomach and crossing her arms, laying her chin down on them. "What do you think he's doing, right now, Dib?"
His expression softened, rolling onto his stomach as well. He eyed her slightly dejected but mostly unreadable expression with the sadness only a big brother could feel for his younger sibling. Dib placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Missing you." He said, smiling, hoping that he wasn't putting his foot in his mouth. "And probably trying to get Gir not to blow up all the new shiny toys he has."
Gaz looked at Dib, a full view of her eyes, but it was a mystery what she was thinking. Dib had a feeling that even the greatest face-reader in the world wouldn't be able to see through her lie, if she ever told one. Gaz was just . . . a mystery to everyone, but Dib normally had a general idea of what she was going to do. At least when she was pissed he knew or showing emotion, he could read her like a book. But otherwise, nothing.
She turned away from Dib and said nothing. They spent the night staring at the star-spotted sky until they fell asleep.
Zim smiled at the men, noticing how on edge they looked.
"We won't give in to you, Invader Zim." The president was saying, looking rather smug. "We've got something that you want."
"Something I want? Yes, you do. I want your allegiances to me, your promise of loyalty to the Irken Empire." Zim said, arrogant as always. But something about their manner bothered him greatly. He placed himself subtly on the defensive, muscles tensing slightly under his garb.
The president smirked further. "No, something much more important. A friend of yours."
"Zim has no friends." He said at once, sharply. "Whoever said otherwise is a liar."
"Oh?" The president made a gesture off-screen. A television was rolled next to him, but it wasn't on yet. "Are you telling me she's a liar?"
The screen turned on and at once, Zim saw Gaz, in a room, asleep, next to her brother. They seemed fine, but the very idea that the government had her in their possession, threatening her, even if it was just an insinuation. His eyes were wide as he stared, unmistakable longing and fear in his eye. The idea had formed in his mind that Gaz was both a threat to the mission and its greatest motivation, but still.
At once his eyes narrowed, choosing his words carefully. "I have no idea know what you are talking about. I have never seen that girl in my life. This conversation is over."
"I wouldn't do that," The Vice-President said, quickly, also smug, just before Zim could hang up. "You wouldn't want anything to happen to her, would you?"
The very thought that they would threaten him, the Almighty Zim . . .!
But he wouldn't let them know how frightened he was. Instead he laughed, much to their surprise, and rested his chin on his folded hands. "I very much doubt you have any idea what that girl is capable if you're willing to threaten her well-being."
"I thought you just said you had no idea-."
"Zim is not finished!" He growled, silencing them. They all flinched but pretended they hadn't. "As I was saying, you've no idea what that girl can do. She is a symbol of destruction and should be recognized as such. I warn you inferior worm-babies: Do not threaten her if you value your lives."
"Are you scared of her?" Dr. Membrane demanded, a brow rising.
Zim laughed once more, genuinely this time. He gave them smug looks, his confidence returning. "If you aren't, you should be. Now, since you've amused me, I will give you another day. I will be contacting you around . . . oh, let say I give you two days this time. By then though, I will want an answer. Either you surrender, or I destroy your city and turn your army against you. Be ready by 9 in the morning. Goodbye now."
The transmission cut.
Mm, better chapter for the next.
Hope you liked this one anyways.
Till the next chapter!
