Hello, fellow Humans! How are you doing? Personally, I'm not really at my best. Caught a cold and spent my week dealing with sore throats and headaches.

That's the main reason this chapter is so horribly short. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry and so ashamed that I couldn't get it any longer. I hope you enjoy it anyway.

I also think I've forgotten to reply to someone's review. I that's the case, I'm sorry, I love you anyway.

Chapter 4:

Year 2024, January 25th, Thursday, 04:00, Planet Vort, The royal castle, The official announcement room

Vort's Queen stood proudly before the thousands of thousands of Vortians that had come to listen to her announcement. And more people were watching; this announcement aired all over both Vort and Earth. A genuine smile played on her lips at the expectant faces of the crowd.

She was loved. Each and every one of her subjects would willingly follow every order she threw at them. Not that she would selfishly take advantage of them, off course, she wasn't that kind of ruler. Rather, she was grateful for their loyalty and wanted to make more places across the Universe to be as good place as Vort was.

"Greetings, Vortian citizens!" she started, gesturing towards the audience," I'm certain you all know of our new treaty with the Human race." The crowd cheered and clapped their hands," you probably also know that this is the beginning of Operation Impending Peace. For every new treaty we make, we make a new friend. In the end of this operation, I hope for a new era of peace to prevail." She stopped to take a breath and let the cheers die down.

"However, we need to work hard for this. Our allies need our help. I have traveled to their planet, and I've seen the poor shape it's in. As it is today, the Humans can barely survive under the circumstances given to them. We must take action!" She didn't mention that the Humans were mostly paying for their own foolish actions.

"The Humans themselves have already started looking for a new place to live. When they signed out treaty, they already had a patrol on planet Irk." A few surprised mumbles spread through the crowd." While I admire their motivation, I worry that they'll get into trouble with the natives, but as nothing has happened yet, and we have more urgent things to take care of, there's nothing I can do about that for the time being.

"Our allies don't have any organized defense against attacking species yet, which is why I have put my most talented scientists to cooperate to create a super-soldier to defend Earth, and if they succeed, this will be the defense we offer to all of our future allies. Now, if scientist Sev En would be so nice to step up here for a while?" Sev En, the 777th Vortian born year 777, entered the stage proudly, while the crowd cheered at him. He stopped and bowed for the Queen.

"Thank you, my Queen! Yes, I'm one of the scientists working on this project, and I must say that it's an honor to stand here today! I assure you, that our research is going forward at a steady pace. Official updates are available every week in both Human and Vortian for everyone to read. Anyone interested will have the rights to keep up to date with our work!" he said. Talking to audiences had never been Sev En's strength, but he thought it hadn't turned out all-too bad! He bowed to the queen again and walked down from the stage.

"Thank you, scientist Sev En", the Queen said," now, about the situation on Earth. Vortian and Human scientists are currently working on improving ..."

The announcement went on, but as to not bore your minds out, let's head over to something else instead.

Year 2024, January 27th, Saturday, 09:45am, Planet Irk, Aboard the Piggie

"Wow", Zita breathed as she skimmed though the last article about Irkens," and this creature has watched us this whole time?"

"Yes! Zim lives really nearby! He's the one who stole out bucket! ... And my flashlight", Dib added sheepishly. Gaz glared at him.

"When did he steal your flashlight?" she asked. Dib tensed. Oops, he couldn't tell them he had been outside after bedtime!

"Uh ... don't mind that! I actually think we can communicate with Zim. He's able to make human sounds, all we have to do is teach him!" he grinned.

"Easier said than done", Zita sighed.

"Well, since Dib is so enthusiastic, he will be in charge for communicating and studying the Irken", Sergeant Mayor Bitters said.

"Cool", Dib grinned again. Finally, things were going his way! It took his entire lifetime, but he finally got to study a real alien! "I'll get to that right no-"

"No, you won't. You still have today left of your house arrest! Go get something done!" Bitters snarled. Dib slumped and let out and agonizing groan.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Good. Tomorrow you'll start with your work on the Irken", Bitters said and left Dib's lab.

"I believe in you, Dib! Sometimes you speak total nonsense, but I'm with you in this! If you ever need anything, just ask me!" Keef said. Dib didn't particularly want Keef's help. Keef was creepy.

"Thank you", he said anyway. Keef gave Dib a bright smile before leaving. A short, awkward silence hung after he had left.

"How will you do it?" Zita asked," I mean, even if it's able to learn English, how will you teach it?"

"I think Zim's a 'he'. And don't worry, I'll figure something out", Dib waved his had dismissively. Zita shrugged.

"Well, good luck, I guess", she said and left the lab. Too late, Dib realized he should have teased her with 'I told you so', but the fun of that had already faded. Well, dammit.

Those thought were quickly gone, though, as the only other being left in the lab leaned forward and glared daggers into him. Gaz's eyes were the same yellowish brown as Dib's, but could be far more threatening.

"If Zim hurts you, I will rip out his organs and replace them with poisonous snakes, then I'll do the same with you", she said. Dib had gotten used to her threats, but couldn't help gulping.

"I'll be careful, Gaz, promise", he assured her. She growled but pulled away.

"You better be", she said and left him alone.

Dib smiled slightly. His little sister wanted to appear unemotional all the time, but he could sense when she worried for him. That was the closest thing to love Gaz would ever show him, and he felt touched by it. After all, Gaz was the only family he had left.

Year 2024, January 28th, Sunday, 20:12pm, Planet Irk

Zim hadn't seen the Dib in three days! What could happen inside that handmade bird that was so exciting so the stupid Dib-thing couldn't afford to leave it?! Zim had grown restless, and was now in a pretty bad mood.

If it hadn't been eaten by his comrades, of course. Though, the Dib was taller than most of the creatures, and probably the smartest, too. It wasn't very likely. Zim huffed and crossed his legs. He had purposely been less careful around the creatures, to hint the Dib's comrades that he was there, but he still hadn't been noticed.

This was growing boring. Obviously, the Dib wouldn't come out any time soon, so Zim might as well go inside and get him. He doubted it was a good idea, but the Dib simply took too long!

There was nobody outside at this moment, so Zim approached the handmade bird cautiously. Mimicking the creatures, he stood in front of the opening, but nothing happened.

"Hey! Zim demands entrance to your nest! Open, as you're supposed to!" he shouted at the opening, but it remained stubbornly closed. Weird, it had opened by itself every time one of these creatures walked in front of it."Then don't, you filthy piece of Deugian poop!"

Angrily, Zim stomped away. Stupid creatures, stupid opening. Why did it have to close, anyway? Did these creatures have to be completely isolated to survive, anyway? Zim could bet that their handmade bird provided perfect shelter even without a closable opening! Conclusion: Dib was stupid and somehow everything was its fault.

Using his claws, Zim easily climbed up a tree. Up here, he felt much more at ease. Especially, now, as he yesterday had picked up the smell of another Irken. He hadn't seen it yet, but it was alone, so probably not someone tall and thus Zim could chase it off if it interfered.

Or maybe Zim should kill it. He hadn't caught any meat for a long time and he was starting to feel a need for the rare delicacy. Not that his body needed any meat to go on; he simply enjoyed the taste, but also the fight his prey would put up. The adrenaline certainly made his need for meat so much greater.

Zim grinned and disappeared into the forest.

TBC

As I said, sorry for the shortness! Next chapter will be longer, promise :)

I spent a bit more time editing than usual, I hope it shows.

What do think? Is this taking an interesting turn? Is there anything you think could be better? Please leave your thoughts and questions, they always make me happy!

/Saga