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So, about me lying to myself about updating more often? :P

Hey, everyone! I hope all of you have been doing great! I've been extremely busy/incredibly busy, sorry for not updating this chapter sooner! I can already tell that this is going to be the longest fanfic I will ever do, but I'm hoping to finish before I head off to Boot Camp. This story WILL be finished though; I'm not just going to leave it hanging like some other people do.

Lol clam demeanor, silly last chapter. Maybe one of these chapters I'll actually read over my grammar mistakes and fix them?

Nah. My demeanor is too clam for that.

Reviews, favorites, followers, and more reviews! I love it! All of you are the best, I wish I could explain to you how much everything you guys do for me means to me! :D I'd love to send you all your own defective S.I.R Unit, but sadly, I cannot. :(

Here's another chapter though, that'll be enough, right?

… Right?

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Operation: P.I.G (Without Dying)

…

(Planet Earth, Zim's Base, Top Floor)

…

"How did you get rid of Gir though?!"

"Duh. I threw him in the oven."

Zim glanced away from his improved Voot Cruiser, sneering at the Earthling while watching a wrench at her. She tilted her head back in defiance, sitting comfortably on one of the seats of the ship, legs dangling over the front dashboard. Black armor covered every inch of her body, from her steel toe boots to the metal plates that were attached to her shoulders. She was spinning a laser gun on her index finger by the trigger, holster on her left thigh. By the hostler, a taser, on the other thigh throwing knives, then some weird looking neon green knife that was about six inches long, brass knuckles attached to her gloves, and so forth. Gaz could open a weapon store with all the weapons on her right now.

He really had made sure that she was fully prepared for this mission.

"Zim's oven better not be ruined, Meatbag. That'll be the third one this month."

"You aren't even going to ask about if Gir is alright?"

Dull magenta eyes didn't match the smirk on his face.

"One of that stupid unit's favorite hobbies is exploding. He's fine."

Gaz gave a single nod, fingers trailing along the side of the chair, eyeing the Voot Cruiser that had once been. Zim did an extremely good job with fixing up this ship, no doubt. It ran faster, more weapons were placed into the systems, tracking remarkable- He did a wonderful job. The human glanced away from the panels on the ship's dashboard, making eye contact with Zim. She hissed at the look of annoyance marking his face, leaning upwards to glare at him over the front of the ship.

"What?"

"Why does stubborn Gazling have to come along with the almighty Zim? Why not stay here on Earth with your pathetic brother?"

She shrugged, going back to twirling the laser gun, Purple's vial of blood dangling off her neck next to the skull pendant.

"Dib is stupid, but he'll be fine. His big head will protect him from whatever fall he takes."

"Haha- His head is big, isn't it?"

The two shared at mocking laugh, though laughter ended a few moments later like it had never happened at all. They never broke their gazes from one another, Zim still working on the ship without even needing to look at it.

"Why are you coming along?"

"Why do I have all these weapons?"

"Why didn't you offer your disgusting brother to come along instead?!"

"Why am I the one carrying Purple's blood sample?!"

"Why didn't scary, little Gazling just stay out of this entire situation?!

"Why am I made to wear all this armor when Dib didn't have to?!"

"Your life is worth more than his filthy life, Earthling!"

It was only after his cry that the two realized they were mere centimeters from each other's face. Gaz was completely leaning out of the Voot Cruiser, a single hand holding the window pane to keep her in place. Zim left his position entirely, standing up with his face right up against her own face, rage marking all over his green features. She was no longer angry after his cry, actually looking shocked for the first time in her life at what someone had said. The Irken sneered at the expression on the human's face, raged breaths dying down as he bent downwards to start his work again.

"What?"

"What?"

All that Zim received for his question was silence.

"WHAT?!"

"What you just said."

"What did I just say?"

"What? You just said it!"

"When Zim said what?"

"What? No! The other thing!"

"When I called you scary? Because you really are, Gaz. You scare everyone, including puppies."

"NO. ZIM. The part about my life being more important than Dib's life!"

"Oh. Yeah. What about it?"

He grumbled, twisting his head awkwardly to see under the ship, passing it a look of disgust at a wire that was broken. Stupid ship, took it out one time after its first repairs and it was ruined in all sorts of different places.

"Why me? Why not Dib? …Is this why you're letting me leave with you for this mission?"

"Zim would leave with or without you, Gaz; preferably without you. You are too stubborn for me and I have no time to fight with you. But since you are here with the ah-so perfect Irken that I am, let me explain it so your little Earthling brain may understand. You're very scary, Gaz, as Zim has said zillions of times to you. You are not just Scary Monkey Show scary, oh no, you are intelligently scary. You terrify every single creature that passes you. If you want revenge, you get revenge. That is a trait that every Irken admires, fear and power is what helps our race to obtain all the planets in the galaxy.

Your brother may be also smart, but he's a whiner. You two may possess better qualities than the race of the idiotic, disgusting human meaties, there's more to you though. Dib wants to save his so-called 'fellow man', you don't do things for anyone, you do them for yourself. Raw power, intelligent, never backing down from any threat- Gazling, you are the only creature that has ever matched the Irken Race, you would have been an invader if you had been born Irken."

She thought she had stopped breathing for a few moments.

"That, and you know how to control Gir. Automatically better. Stupid ship! Why will you not just fix yourself by the wonderful Zim's commands?! TELL ME!"

The Irken began ranting to his unresponsive ship, grunting as he punched it, realizing that he hurt himself more than the ship. Gaz leaned back against the chair, no longer hovering over the side of the ship to gaze at the alien. No one had ever spoken about her scariness as a positive thing. No one had ever told her that she was better than her intelligent, worldly brother, not even dad. No one had actually ever said anything that nice to her. That was probably the best compliment she had ever received her entire life.

There was no way that Zim liked her for her though, could he? Could Zim actually like someone other than himself?

"Hey, Zim?"

"What?"

"We're best friends, right, Zim?"

"Duh."

He paused a few moments after his response, eyes popping wide open when he realized exactly what he had said back.

"No! I mean NO! You are a disgusting Earthling and Zim shall take over your planet one day, Meatbag! I will make your entire race into slaves for the Irken Empire! Muhahaha!"

He tilted his neck upwards when he felt something cold pressed up against the top of his head, the laser gun now pointed between his eyes. Gaz kept a neutral expression on her pale face, a wicked grin tugging at the sides of the alien's mouth. She really would have been a perfect invader if she had been born as an Irken. Perhaps even a Commander. Maybe.

"However, when that day does come for Zim, you will be no slave. Perhaps the Tallests would be willing to have you as a secret agent to infiltrate Earthlings that will try to rise up against the Irken Empire."

"Promise me that I'll never be a slave."

"Zim does not make promises to gross-!"

She cocked the gun.

"I promise you'll never be a slave."

"Good."

A few seconds later Gir came rolling into the room on his back, a white sunhat on the top of his head that wasn't coming off. He stopped rolling when he reached the other two, glancing upwards at the sight of the gun pointed at his master. His eyes flashed scarlet as though he was going into duty mood, but quickly disappeared back to blue when he giggled insanely. Zim sneered, pushing the gun away from him with one hand while lifting himself off the ground with the other.

"What's on your head?!"

"The beaver tried to steal my cupcakes, so I glued a sunhat to my head so he wouldn't get them!"

"How are you going to get your cupcakes with the hat on your head then, Gir?"

The ridiculous look was still plastered to his face until many delayed seconds later, what Gaz said finally kicking in. He began screaming, running towards the flame thrower that was at the other side of the room, apparently the only way to remove the hat from his head. Zim opened his mouth to yell at his unit but simply closed it a moment later, sighing obnoxiously. His Tallests years ago had told him that Gir was an advanced unit, but sometimes he wondered if they were wrong.

Of course they weren't! They were his Tallests!

"Is everything ready for the trip?"

"Blood sample, snacks, weapons, coordinates, medical pack, Game Slaves one through seven are packed, Massive is locked onto the target screen, duck tape incase Gir does something- Yes. Everything is-"

"AHHH! THE PAIN! MY CUPCAKE IS ON FIRE!"

"-In order for Operation: P.I.G, without dying."

"Operation: P.I.G, without dying?"

"Operation: Pilot Into Galaxy, without dying. Zim shall get Gir, get buckled in."

Gaz slipped herself into the seat by the captain's chair, smirking at the sight of Zim chasing Gir around with a fire extinguisher. She had a few minutes to relax to herself until raged breaths were heard, cracking an eye open to see Zim toss Gir into to storage area of the ship. The little unit looked like he was sleeping, chains, duck tape, and bard wire wrapped around his body. The Irken was wiping white foam off his uniform while he slipped into the captain's chair, mumbling Irken curse words under his breath. One eye tugged higher than the other at seeing the Earthling gazing at him, a half smirk on her lips.

"What?"

"I'm glad we're best friends, Zim, whether you like it or not. No other alien I'd want to be friends with."

All the alien did was smirk.

"I know. If Zim had to make an Earthling companion- I'm glad it was scary you."

…

(Planet Earth, Zim's Base, Lab)

…

"You're insane."

"We have to do this."

"The Tallest doesn't have to do anything! How dare Zim suggest something as idiotic as this?!"

"This isn't my fault, Tak! Come on, it's the only way! Zim said this will work perfectly!"

"You're crazy."

"He is insane, my Tallest! Completely insane and more of a fool than I thought! And what is this doesn't work, huh, Dib? What is this somehow completely ruins the Tallest's Pak? What if he comes out damaged because of this? How can you just think that I'll just sit here and watch you do this to him?!"

"God, Tak! This isn't my fault! Please, this is the only way we can look into his memories, Zim's scared to connect him to the base computer incase enemies are watching right now! I'm only going in to see the memories that we need too, nothing else!"

"Those are HIS memories, not yours, human!"

"You're crazy."

"You already said that."

"No, you're really crazy. Incredibly crazy. Insane. Psycho. More crazy than Zim quitting banishment, more crazy than that stupid unit Zim has, more crazy than Lard Nar picking the name 'Resisty' for his ship. You're so insane that-"

Silence lingered for a few seconds until Dib barley heard above a whisper-

"That even Zim would be jealous of how crazy you are."

"I'm not that crazy! I'll never be THAT crazy! Me being as insane as Zim would be like my head being big!"

Dib glanced over his shoulder after his shrill cry, eyes narrowing at the mocking looks on both Tak and Tallest Purple's face, frowning slightly.

"Which it's not."

"Whatever, Big-head."

"Dib, out of all the humans on this filthy planet, I at least have some ounce of respect for you. You know that I can't let you do this to the Tallest."

"It's the only way, Tak; I wouldn't do this if this wasn't our only option. It's simple enough, all I have to do is put this around my head…"

As he said the words Dib's hands gripped the circular, metal band, mouth twisting into a slightly frown at the object. There were four sharp points sticking out from each side of the circle, they were access points that would go through his head to open a passage way into his skull. That wasn't what scared him; it was the blue wires imbedded into the device that terrified him. Zim had already told him it was going to feel like he was going to be electrocuted by 1000 watts of energy before he started laughing like the manic he was.

Yeah, what a great friend he was.

"The… Ahem- The entry points will go through the top of my head, where I will have my brain started up with an electrical current. This cord…"

With his other free hand he tugged the cord that was connected in the Tallest's Pak, Purple grunting at the slight pain at the tug. Annoying meatbag.

"Will start up when there is enough energy going through my brain that it activates my brain waves to match Purple's energy level in his Pak. What should happen is that when our levels hit the matching point my thoughts will be able to enter Purple's through this power line. Zim said that your Pak is pretty much like a computer, if you can watch videos on a computer, you should be able to with your Pak. He said it's just simple technology is all.

You're going to be put to sleep in order to start up your memories for me to enter them. You won't be awake for this process and it should be completely painless for you. Since you'll be sleeping longer than usual, maybe we'll be able to see enough information to realize just what the problem is."

"So, yeah, I got a question."

Purple sneered, leaning forward on his knees that were propped up on the medical table, looking smaller than he really was. Pfft- He was Tallest, it wasn't like he had to look taller, 'cuz, you know, he was the tallest one around. Other than Red, but he didn't count right now. Brown eyes glanced around from the band within his hand, blinking his eyes a few times in confusion.

"Yes?"

"The energy has to match the level of my Pak, right?"

"Right."

"Uh-huh, yeah, okay. And what if it doesn't? What if it goes over the limit? Do you have to take off the band and redo everything? I kind of want you to poke yourself with those sharp ends twice is all. I think it'll be funny. Ha!"

The mocking expression was quickly wiped off his face when the human didn't even crack a smile, hands paling at how tightly he was gripping the band. The female Irken frowned herself; curious over why Dib didn't even give a fake laugh. He would at least pretend to find the Tallest funny just to please Purple.

"I was kidding! Jeez- What alien crawled into your meaty organs and died there?"

"I knew that you were kidding, sorry, Tallest Purple! I wasn't trying to be mean-"

"So, what happens when the level accidentally goes over, Big-head?"

"It's nothing-"

"Dib."

Both Irken and human paused at the sound of the Tallest's tone, never in his life had Dib heard his name be spoken with such command. Such power. Tak herself even looked shocked, quickly fixing her bearing that all of her years of training had taught her to maintain. With no training however, Dib was helpless, having no idea how to verbally respond to the Tallest. Without realizing it his back straightened, shoulders wide apart, and posture completely perfect to the eye of any Captain. Or Tallest.

'This is the first time you've actually called him by his real name, you know.'

'I've called the meatbag by his name tons of times!'

'No, I called him by his name countless times, not you. You get more respect when you give respect, you know.'

'Shut up.'

"Hey, useless hyu-man thing, explain to the Tallest what happens when the level thingy goes over!"

'Good job with that respect thing. Very nice.'

'Shut up!'

"It's nothing, really. It won't happen; Zim said there's a low chance of it happening. If the level doesn't match with yours and goes over to quickly, I'll just- Go into shock is all. And if my body can't handle the shock or fix itself in time, I'll…"

Purple didn't need to know the rest of his sentence to know to consequence.

I'll die.

He would die just to get into the memories of the Tallest. Not for his own greed, but to help out with the situation. He would die to show that, yes, something was wrong with the Control Brains. Purple knew that Dib didn't fully believe him, that maybe these weren't memories, but dreams. The teenager didn't know what they were, but he would try anything he could to help out.

I'll die.

This Earthling would die for the Irken race.

"You'd die just to help out the Irken race?"

Purple felt uncomfortable in his own skin, an unknown emotion bubbling deep within his squeedily spooch that he didn't feel often- Admiration? Is that what he felt? It wouldn't surprise him, there weren't many times he admired people. And why should he? He was Tallest; he was the one that should be admired, not other people!

"I promised Zim awhile back that I'd help out any way I can, no matter what. If this is what I have to do to help out, I will. Besides, what human can say that they helped out the Irken race? Tak, you have control over everything, when it's all in place press the switch on the keyboard. If something seems to be going wrong with Tallest Purple just turn it off completely, alright? Yeah. So, ready to start?"

Words had been rushed and hands shook as he was messing with all the equipment, making sure everything was alright before he started. Tallest Purple just stared at him, never blinking, gaze never wavering away. Just staring. Like he grew another head or something in the last five seconds. Dib stopped moving around frantically to cast his sight directly at Purple's face, neither one breaking eye contact. Tak stood there awkwardly, having not even the slightest idea on what to do right now. What were they doing?

"You know, for a filthy hyu-man, you aren't that bad... Dib."

Tallest Purple would never know just how much the comment blew Dib away.

"... Thanks. Let's get started. For this to work we need to, uhh- Well, you know, activate the other side of you."

The eyebrow shot upwards on the Tallest's face.

"Other side of me?"

'He means the better side- Me.'

'Oh, yeah, okay. Because YOU'RE the Tallest part. Mmhmm, sure.'

'Now you want us to be two different people, huh?'

'… Shut up.'

"I didn't mean it like that, I just-"

"By Tallest Miyuki! You think that I can just switch from one side to the other?! That is so stoopid that you made my head hurt! I'mma make you hurt real- Just kidding! Let's see if I can do this, I've done it before."

'Ready?'

'Of course, my TALLEST.'

'Sarcasm doesn't suit you well.'

His neck twitched, no longer feeling any pain that he usually felt with the switch.

"Ready. Are you sure you're willing to do this, Dib? You can still back out."

"No… No. Everything will be fine, this is the best option. With the information from your memories and when Zim gets Miyuki's Pak it'll put all the pieces together. I'm going to help you out any way I can. I promised."

Purple nodded, inspecting the mask within Tak's hand that would need to be pressed against his face. No words were spoken as the Tallest laid down on the medical table, eyes closing. He ignored his flexing muscles when the plastic of the mask touched his face, feeling the gas run along the sides of his cheeks and frowning lips. That Earthling needed to make out of this situation alright, he would never forgive himself for his death. He kinda liked how annoying he was. He was a smart human, no doubt, and-

Whoa, why were the lights flashing and then dimming? Where were his hands?! His hands! Where did they go?! Oh, pfft- Right there, duh, stupid. Haha. Stupid. Dummy, fool, moron, idiot, thick-headed, Zim, wait- He didn't belong there. Or did he? Was that Red floating with a can of soda?! Give me some soda, Red! Right here, 'ya know?! That just wasn't-

The Tallest was in a deep slumber in a matter of minutes.

"Breathing regulated, brain pattern neutral, Pak settings not at max levels- He's sleeping."

"Okay… Okay. I'm going in, Tak, if anything looks wrong with Tallest Purple, shut down the mission. Make sure he's alright, okay?"

"And what about you?"

For the first time in days the two made eye contact, a crease in-between Tak's glaring eyes, clearly irritated by this situation. Dib sighed, tugging the metal band in his hands to open it wider to fit over his 'normal-sized' head. His stomach knotted as the band went over the top of his head, feeling all four sharp tips big into the first layer of his skin. He wasn't scared. He was utterly terrified, he couldn't do this! Why was he going to put himself through this much pain just for Zim's dumb planet?! He should let them suffer! He should-

Keep his promise.

"Nothing. Let whatever happens to me happen. It's going to be fine. Be ready to press the button as soon as the sensors go through, Tak. I'll be fine, really."

Was he trying to convince Tak or himself about being alright?

As soon as he let go the band it instantly shrunk, points going all the way, the teenager sickened at the sound of his own bone's crunching noise. There was a severe ache, but not something that he couldn't live through. He would heal, this was fine. God, Dib, stop your eyes from watering! You're fine, this is fine! Zim told you that the Tallests have to cut off their own thumbs to become the leaders of Irk! You can take a few sharp points and electrical shocks!

Oh, no… No, no, no… Not the currents, he was so scared already, there was so much pain already. He felt his own blood traveling down his cheeks, hands trying to get the blood off his face, but only staining his palms. He couldn't do this- He couldn't do this!

"Come on, Tak, press the button!"

With eyes slammed shut she switched the button on.

At first nothing happened, all the points inside his head were only warming up. This is fine, Dib, see? Just fine. Warm become all too hot for his liking, but it was still fine, he could handle this. His eyes that were closed tightly flew open when he felt something shock the back of his brain. Oh, no, was it already done heating up? Didn't it need more time?! The currents began starting up, stinging so much that the human bit his own lip, drawing blood in a matter of seconds. Think of something else, Dib! Anything! Umm- Tacos, aliens, fat homeless guy down the street that thought his rat was a dog! The ice cream man who was secretly the whale that was genetically mutated into a man! Hotdogs, Santa scared his dad, the burning of wood- Burn. Agony. Hurt. The pain! This was torture!

He shouldn't have to go through this torture from Zim's race when he wouldn't do it for his own!

Tak was trying to figure out if there was anything she could do for Dib, nothing seemed to work. She grit her teeth as his tears burned like acid on her hands, desperately trying to rewire the band so the currents wouldn't be so strong. Water! The worst substance known to the Irken race! He was only a little bit away from the power level that the Tallest's Pak was at, but his body was going through severe pain. It was going to shut down if she didn't do something! Burns crawled around the tips of her fingers and the edges of her hands, ignoring the screams of agony leaving Dib's lips.

"Transaction completed."

As soon as the computer spoke the human fell forward into Tak's arms, her face paling at the lack of movement.

"Computer, explain!"

"Why do I always have to work around here?"

"COMPUTER!"

"Fine. Stop yelling. Tallest Purple's vitals are completely normal, still in the rest mode. Dib is a different case. He is suffering with second and third degree burns on the outside; I am currently pulling up medical reports to see how to fix internal fourth degree burns. Some of the muscle tissues are torn, they will be fixed shortly. Bones were broken through, but the bone structure is not damaged. If properly fixed, he'll be healed in a few weeks. Body is in a resting state and breathing is also regulated. He will need to be wrapped up and cleaned up as soon as the mission is completed."

"Can't I just do it now?"

"And if he wakes up? You know that the mission-"

"-Comes first. Doesn't it always? No matter what the cost is or what needs to be done now, the mission still always comes first. Irk before Irken. Every other creature after Irken. And pain never taken into account."

She softly hissed, laying Dib down onto the table that his body was resting on. Lips locked at the sight blood marked all over his face and neck, some blood even staining his white, button up long sleeved shirt. This was ridiculous. Human or not, he shouldn't be made to lay there in terrible agony, even if he was sleeping! Dark purple eyes glanced downwards at her hands, instantly snapping her head to the side at the sight of his blood smeared all over her palms and burns at every inch.

"I'd take a seat if I was you, you're gonna be here a while."

"… Yes, of course."

And took a seat she did.

All she could do now was wait.

…To Be Continued…

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Ohh~ The next few chapters are gonna be so fun to type out, so fun~!

They. Will. Be. Awesome.

So, review and such! Tell me what was liked/disliked, all that jazz! Hopefully I update soon! :P

See you guys (hopefully) soon!

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