Episode 4: Double Life (Part 3)

(Lunch Time at Westville High)

Suspicion did not even begin to describe the way he felt towards the group of children that spent their lunches surrounding the Great big Oak Tree.

Mr. Gijon's eye's narrowed as he watched the 20 something students that surrounded the tree through the window of the school cafeteria. If anyone looked suspicious it was them, and the fact that there was 25 of them instead of five was the only reason why he had not questioned the students further. Any one of them could be one of the five, but if he went around convicting innocent humans it could enrage the rest of the human population. Which would only give the real rebels the support they needed to turn the tables on their enemies.

No, he had to be smart about this, but he himself would never be able to get close enough to hear a single word that the group could be saying. He needed a snitch; someone who already had an axe to grind with the group.

The answer to his little problem sat down at the table just to his right; it was Cadet Scamooch!

Mr. Gijon smiled as the plan formed perfectly in his mind. Cadet Scamooch had been trying to get enough dirt on a certain human boy since they day they crossed paths, and said boy was making his way towards the great Oak at that very moment.

Joseph Campbell, Mr. Gijon always knew that the boy was too perfect to not be guilty of something!

"Cadet Scamooch come and join me would you?" Mr. Gijon not taking his eyes off the target.

Cadet Scamooch got up from his seat at once and turned to see who had addressed him. It was vice Principle Gijon. 'Now what could he want with me?' The Cadet asked himself, but obeyed none the less. "Yes sir?" he asked bowing respectfully to his superior.

"How much do you know about the human resistance?" Mr. Gijon asked.

"Only what I've heard from rumors sir." Cadet Scamooch answered. Which was true his mentor General Kazar did not share such things with him.

"Like?" Mr. Gijon urged.

"Well I heard you questioned some of the human students." Cadet Scamooch went on. "Do you really think one of these worm babies are really capable of that much destruction?"

It was a fair question.

"I don't know you tell me?" Mr. Gijon gestured towards the group surrounding the tree. "Do you ever wonder what Mr. Campbell and his friends talk about over at the big tree?"

Cadet Scamooch watched as Joseph joined the group and a smile slowly found its way onto his face. "No," he admitted. "But I do now."

Mr. Gijon smiled. "Then why don't you go find out?"

Scamooch snickered. "Sir yes Sir!"

(Back with Josh)

The Anger…

He had never been so angry in his life! Josh stomped towards his brother in a fit of rage.

"Where have you been; I've been worried sick?!"

Joseph flinched at his brother's words; even though he knew all too well that this was coming.

"Well aren't you going to explain yourself?" Mark asked.

Joseph watched as all the members of the resistance surrounded him and the Great oak tree.

"Well what do you have to say for yourself?"

Joseph sighed. "I passed out last night while going over the food inventory and when I woke up it was almost time for me to be at work." He explained, of course it wasn't a total lie.

"And why weren't you home for breakfast?" Josh snapped.

"I had to work late this morning" Joseph explained, again it wasn't a total lie.

"Why didn't you call?" Josh yelled punching his shoulder. "You had me worried sick!"

"You had us all worried" Rachel exclaimed. "With all these soldiers marching around we thought you had been caught!"

"Well we're waiting Joey!" James snapped.

"Don't you see this is what they want?!" Joseph snapped. "We could be being watched right now!" he pointed out the obvious.

The group began to look around franticly for any sign of them being watched, but the coast seemed clear; even Joseph's words still stuck like glue.

"Joey's right we need to pretend that this gathering is nothing more than a bunch of humans trying to motivate each other to get through this crazy life." Josh was the first to agree.

"We can't deny the fact that our large group has already attracted enough attention as it is!" Joseph continued and to his surprise the group nodded their agreement.

"Fine we agree with you, but your still keeping something from us." Mark pointed out the obvious.

Joseph sighed "Fine I'll tell you, but only because you'll see the truth soon enough." And it was true they would see the truth eventually.

"So what is it?" James dared to ask.

"I've grown a few more inches." Joseph whispered. "You can't tell because of the disguise, but I'm now a good head taller than Dib."

Everyone blinked at him in disbelief.

"So you went straight to work from the dome because you grew a couple of inches?" Mark asked still unconvinced.

"For my people, such heights are a big deal." Joseph whispered.

"Why is that exactly?" Rachel suddenly asked.

Joseph opened his mouth to answer when Keef suddenly interrupted them.

"Uh guys we've got an admirer." Keef did a slight jerk towards said admirer.

Joseph looked up and his eyes instantly came in contact with two pink ruby orbs. "Scamooch" he growled his name in a low whisper.

"How impressive do think his hearing is?" James asked.

"He is young, 17 Earth years." Joseph answered with a low whisper. "His hearing isn't fully developed so he won't be able to hear anything, but our secretive behavior cannot be overlooked."

"If he gets this to the vice principle we'll spend the rest of our school years with soldiers watching our every move." Mary exclaimed.

"We have to discredit him somehow." Mark rasped his heart hammering in his chest.

"But how?" James asked. "There isn't an Irken here that is brave enough to discredit that spoiled brat."

A smile slowly formed on Joseph's face. "Actually I do know one Irken female who is sick and tired of his antics." He whispered.

"Who?" Rachel asked curiously, but Joseph didn't answer her.

Instead he turned to his brother, "Hey bro when was last time you got in serious enough trouble to be sent to Principle Razi's office."

A small smile slowly formed on Josh's face. "Not since she threatened to throw us into the exchange program." He answered.

"Perfect," Joseph mused his eyes never leaving Scamooch. "Just leave him to us."

(Back to Cadet Scamooch)

Cadet Scamooch watched from his post beside the courtyard trash can intensively. Never in his time of knowing him had Scamooch ever suspected that Joseph could be a member of the resistance; and even now he was having a hard time wrapping his mind around the idea.

The boy was what every other human should strive towards, and no other human acted this way. Now if four other students acted as perfect as he did then Scamooch would be convinced. After all wouldn't Josh and his miss behavior bring more than enough unwanted attention? Sure he himself was the main reason why Josh found trouble, but surely if Joseph was a member of the resistance his brother would be too.

In fact Scamooch had an easier time believing that Josh was a member over Joseph. After all the boy made no attempt to try and hide his hatred towards his Irken classmates. Scamooch stiffened as said human made his way towards him his empty tray in hand.

'Well speak of the worm and-'

He never got to finish the thought before Josh tripped over his own feet. It turned out his tray wasn't as empty as the cadet had previously thought, because a half full glass of water became air born and spilled all over him.

The young cadet screams in obvious agony.

"Oh my god I am so sorry!" Josh exclaims taking some fallen tissue from his tray and did his best to help dry the cadet.

"Don't touch me worm!" Scamooch screeched punching the boy in the face.

Josh falls back stunned, but the cadet doesn't stop there.

He tackles the boy and delivers several more blows; after all the boy has just publicly offended him, he refuses to let that stand.

Josh curls up in a ball trying his best to block the blows as a group of cadets surround them cheering Scamooch on.

Scamooch allowed there cheers to fuel his rage as he continued his assault, until someone grabs his fist stopping him.

A loud chorus of gasp fill the air.

Joseph's grip tightens on Scamooch's wrist. "This is the last time you will harm my brother." He warned.

"Oh and what are you going to do about it?" Scamooch challenged.

Joseph let go of the cadet and grabbed his brother forcing him to his feet. He then gestured to the bruises that were already forming on his brother's arms and face. "I don't have to do or say anything these bruises are all I need." He then begins to lead his brother out of the crowd. "Come on Josh we're going to have a word with Principle Razi!"

Another loud chorus of gasp fill the air.

"You wouldn't!" Scamooch growled his eyes meeting with Joseph's.

"Watch me!" Joseph warned and smiled despite the situation he and his brother where in.

It was then, and then that Scamooch had realized his mistake, unfortunately it was already too late. And despite the trouble he knew that he was in, Scamooch couldn't help the smile that found its way onto his own face. "Well played Joseph," he said as his eyes narrowed. "Well played."

(Later…)

Mad could not even describe what she was at that moment…

NO, more like Rabid Mad; and even that description was quit justifying enough. Never in her life as an Irken soldier had she seen such a lack of discipline in one of her own kind. Of course she could not let him get away with this public abuse; future general, or not!

"I cannot even begin to emphasize my fury towards you!" Principle Razi spat at Cadet Scamooch with such fury that the young cadet couldn't help but shake in fear.

Scamooch stood at perfect attention as Principle Razi circled him like a hungry shark. It didn't matter that he had been played, and it didn't matter if his mentor was the leading officer of the Entire Armada. No what matter was; that his public outburst just gave the humans another reason to raise arms against them.

"Do you realize the consequences your actions could have?" Principle Razi continued her verbal assault, "You should be ashamed of yourself! As a future general you are supposed to know discipline and character; but today you acted like a mindless savage."

Scamooch clenched his fist in pure rage, oh how he would make Joseph pay! He had no doubt in his mind that the human boy planned this. What he wasn't sure was why?

Was it because the boy really was a member of the resistance?

Or was it because he finally saw the perfect opportunity to get back at him for tormenting his brother?

Cadet Scamooch couldn't help but be convinced the second choice was more likely. After all this wasn't the first time the boy had stood up to him, there was that time in the gym just days ago. Then of course there was the day they first met, the day that caused Scamooch to set his sights on the boy in the first place.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?!" Principle Razi asked, snapping the cadet out of his train of thought.

"No ma'am" The cadet answered softly knowing all too well that General Kazar would be giving him quite the antenna full when he returned to Zec that afternoon.

"Just get out of my sight!" Principle Razi ordered.

Scamooch bowed respectfully and left the room. He wasn't surprised to see Joseph and Josh sitting in the waiting room waiting for Principle Razi to call them in. He walked up to them his eyes narrowed.

"Well done Campbell it would appear I have underestimated you." He praised me with a smirk.

Joseph gave him a puzzled look. "Sorry but I have no Idea what you're talking about. I simply got tired of you bullying my brother." The boy said, confirming the cadet's suspicions.

"Well I hope you enjoyed your morning shifts at Snack Central." Scamooch waited for the boy to flinch at his words. Snack Central was an Irken store that Joseph worked at as his morning job. "I wonder if you even managed to get a new job after your brother took a swing at me."

He hadn't, but as usual Joseph refused to give the cadet an inch. "I didn't like that job anyways." He replied coldly.

Cadet Scamooch smiled "Well consider it gone, and if you think for one second this is over you've got another thing coming Campbell. I already told you; I always get what I want!"

Josh and Joseph watched as the cadet did an about face and marched away.

"What are we going to do about him?" Josh whispered.

"We'll do what we always do." Joseph told him. "We'll endure, besides after today no one will ever take anything Scamooch has to say about us, or our friends seriously ever again."

"It doesn't solve our food problem." Josh pointed out.

"Don't worry I'm sending a message to Gir right now to pass out any of the good food and to get rid of the rest." Joseph whispered as he typed the message to Gir on his watch.

"Joseph, I am pleased that you made the right decision and came to me with this problem" Principle Razi spoke as she stepped out of her office to address them.

Joseph and Josh stood and bowed respectively.

"Thank you Principle Razi" Joseph answered as he and his brother came to attention.

"Joshua," Principle Razi said turning to the bruised boy.

"Yes ma'am?" he asked holding his breath.

"You surprised me today; I was shocked and pleased to find out that you did not throw a single punch. Maybe there's hope for you yet." Principle Razi praise.

Josh breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you Principle Razi."

"You'll both be happy to hear that I've decided an exchange will not be necessary. You both prove to me today that Joseph is doing just fine on his own." Principle Razi continued.

It was Joseph's turn to breathe a sigh of relief.

"But I believe you'll need to find some more work soon." Principle Razi pointed out the obvious.

"Yes ma'am." Joseph answered her confidently.

"Very well you are both dismissed." Principle Razi dismissed them.

The boys bowed before turning to leave, both relishing their success knowing that even though it was a small one, it was victory none the less.

(Elsewhere)

Gir's red eye's narrowed as he raced across the streets of Dib's hometown as fast as he could manage with a large sack of food slung over his shoulder. He knew getting caught doing this was almost definite, but if he pulled this off at a quick enough pace no one would ever believe that the damaged, rusty S.I.R. unit could ever do it on his own.

Would it cause the Irkens to look elsewhere for the resistance?

Probably not, but it would cause them to second guess themselves. Which could buy them more time to train the new recruits.

Gir comes to a screeching halt as a spy drone stops in front of him. The drone scans him, and Gir waits for it to respond.

"Rogue S.I.R. unit identified!" the Spy drone started before sounding its siren.

Gir dunk under the drone and took off running again throwing food at houses as he went, sticking to his orders. He had to get rid of this food at all cost!

The drone continues the chase, but soon loses its target. Gir smiles as he jumps down into an open sewer shaft. Phase one of his mission was complete, he had been seen as instructed, and now as far as the Tallest were concerned the entire resistance was once again on the move.

(Back with Gaz)

It was late, far too late into the afternoon for someone to be opening her cage, no not at this hour. Gaz stiffened as she heard the cage door creak open. She tried to breathe evenly as she pretended to still be asleep, though she hadn't been for most of the night. The palace was on high alert, something about a Gir sighting? A shadow cast over her, and she could help but shiver in fear.

Was this it, was this the day they killed her?

'Well if it is, then I'm not going down without a fight!' she vowed; and then turned on her attacker.

"Gaz stop it's me!" Her attacker whisper harshly as she tried to block off Gaz's blows with her PAK's mechanical arms.

"Tak?" Gaz was shocked to see her. "What are you doing here?"

The Irken Female retracked her mechanical arms and looked around to see if they were alone once satisfied she spoke. "Listen we don't have much time I don't know how long this will distract everyone." She looked around to make sure it was safe then continued. "Your brother sent me on the inside to watch out for you and to spy on the Tallest."

"Are you going to help me escape?" Gaz asked.

"Yes, but now it's too risky. I have a plan," She assured Gaz as she presented her with a plate of food.

"Well so do I!" Gaz said in frustration. "Now move out of my way."

"NO you have to listen, if you want to get out of this cage you have to trust me." Tak urged.

Gaz thought for a moment, she didn't trust this Irken Female, but Dib had sent her, she was sure that at least that much was true. "Give me a reason to trust you." she demanded "Then maybe we'll do this your way."

"Listen If you want to get out of here then we have to work together." Tak urged. "If you want out of this cage you've got to gain the trust of the Tallest."

"They'll never trust me not when they know I'm loyal to Dib, and Zim" Gaz told her the obvious.

"Listen I have a plan that will win them over," Tak assured her once more. "But it will take a lot of role play, from both of us, and in order for it to work everyone has to believe it, including Zim and Dib. Can you manage it?"

Gaz stopped for a moment to really consider what Tak was suggesting, this could work, but only if they played their cards just right. "Okay I'm in." Gaz answered as she sat back down "When?"

"We'll have to wait until this new attack blows over." Tak told her as she looked over her shoulder to make sure they were sill alone. "Once I have the Tallest's full trust, I will come for you, just be patient. "

"Why are you doing this Tak?" Gaz Asked "Why are you helping us? What have the Tallest ever done to you?"

"It's not just me." Tak answered, "The Tallest are responsible for the death of thousands of my Irken brothers and sisters."

"There killing other Irkens" Gaz couldn't believe it "Why?"

"Because they were a threat to their position of power, as Zim is now!" Tak answered gravely. "And if we don't stop them soon more will be born, and more will die."

"More what?" Gaz asked.

"Worthy ones..." Tak answered "They are killing them all!"

Episode 4: Double Life (Part 3) END!

Author's Notes: Oh No! The Tallest are killing their own people! But will this new information be much help for the Resistance? And will it cause Zim to rethink his position as a bystander? And what exactly is Tak planning?

Tune in next time to find out!

Shout-out(s): I would love to give a shout out to Invader Johnny who has been a loyal reader since day 1. So loyal that he was the first to read and review this episode after a month of waiting. Thank you so much Invader Johnny, it's your loyalty that motivates me to continue my work.

As always I thank you for reading and ask that you please review.