Episode 10: Friend or foe (Part 2)

Cadet Scamooch opened his eyes slowly; He didn't expect to wake up to another rising sun ever again. He also didn't expect to see him watching over him; no, he was definitely the last person he expected to be here.

Joseph shot to his feet and was by the Cadet's side in seconds "Oh my god you're okay."

'Is it my imagination? Or does he actually sound relieved?' Scamooch asked himself. His mind was too tired to tell, but he knew it had to be his imagination. After all the Joseph human couldn't be relieved that his daily tormentor was okay…Could he? He tried to get up put the moment he moved a wave of dizziness fell over him.

"You shouldn't move." Joseph hissed.

Scamooch froze; he remembered hearing that same hissing tone when…

"You were there… You…you saved me" Scamooch stammered "You saved me..."

You shouldn't move." Joseph repeated "I'll go get the nurse." he moved to walk away.

"Why, why did you do it?" Scamooch asked. "Why didn't you just leave me there to die?"

Joseph turned around slowly and sighed. "Because what they did was wrong." his voice was straining as if remembering what he had witnessed brought him far more pain then he'd ever know. "Irken or Human; no one deserves to be beaten to death. Besides it's like I said before; it's the humane thing to do."

Cadet Scamooch watched him in disbelief as he walked away.

Why save the enemy? Especially when that enemy had done nothing but take away everything they ever knew and loved. Sure, they had shared a moment of rare peace the other day, but even wars had their moments of peace. Besides The Irken race had taken away his freedom, his rights as a human being; no, they took away his rights as a living thing! And still the human had gone out of his way to save him.

Why?

'Because it was the right thing to do'

Cadet Scamooch couldn't help but cringe at those words; he was alive right now only because this human decided that he should do the right thing no matter what!

If Joseph decided not to care; then he would have taken his anger towards the Irken race out on him and leave him to his fate….

'Then I would be dead…' the thought hit him so hard he found it difficult to breathe. 'Every breath I breathe for now on is because he decided to care! I owe him my life!'

Cadet Scamooch felt like his world was spinning out of control. He had never owed anyone anything in his life, and now he owed a human every single breath he took from this moment on.

A worthless human!

Cadet Scamooch felt his squeedlyspooch cringe at those three words.

Joseph may be human, but he was far from worthless! He could have left him there to die but he didn't! Did this mean that the other humans were not worthless either? After all Joseph couldn't be the only human in the world that felt this way…

Could he?

No, his friends shared that same moment of peace with them, not one of them showed hatred towards him at that moment. So, could it be that they too felt this way?

Was it possible that everything he thought he knew about the human race was wrong?

Did he really know anything about them? No, he knew nothing about them, nothing at all!

How many human lives had his people killed? How many families had they torn apart?

Joseph lost his own parents in the Great War; a war his people started!

"No wonder your parents are dead, they'd rather go off to war then raise a pathetic worm like you."

'How could he stand to save the likes of me when I said that to his brother's face?'

"Oh, I see you're awake." The nurse; Mrs. Peg said as she walked into the room.

Cadet Scamooch watched Joseph reenter the room and lean against the frame of the door.

"You gave us quite the scare Scamooch." Mrs. Peg said as she began to check his vitals.

Cadet Scamooch could see that Joseph was watching the nurse closely as if he suspected her of finishing the job or something. 'So, he did see everything, I wonder how he fought off 6 Irken Cadets?' he wondered. 'Or maybe he just walked up afterwards and didn't witnessed who did. After all I only smelled other Irkens, not any humans.' He thought deeply. 'But if that's true then who was the 7th Irken that had fought them off? And did Joseph see him, or did he walk by afterwards and saw him beaten up on the ground? And if he did, then why would his rescuer go through all the trouble to save him when he was just going to leave him in the rain to die?'

Cadet Scamooch's mind was a mess of questions with no answers. He needed to figure this out, he needed to understand. "What happened?" He asked.

"We were hoping you could tell us." Principal Razi said as she walked in.

"ME?" Cadet Scamooch was shocked.

"Well yes, Joseph told me he found you beaten up on the side of the road on his way home from work." Principal Razi told him.

"Oh..." Cadet Scamooch sounded confused, mostly because he was. It didn't make since who saves you then leaves you out in the rain to die!

"Do you remember anything?" Principal Razi didn't want to press him, but she knew that the Irken police would be demanding answers from him the moment he felt well enough to speak with them.

"I…" Cadet Scamooch looked at Joseph his expression almost pleading. He wanted to scream at the human. 'How could you not have seen anything?' But the words would not form; his mind was nothing but a mess of confusion. "I…"

"Perhaps he needs more time to recover." Mrs. Peg suggested.

"Yes" Cadet Scamooch agreed. "I…I need more time."

Principal Razi nodded she understand that the entire ordeal must be traumatizing for him. After all someone did try to kill him; his condition made that very obvious. She eyed Joseph knowingly; she knew he saw something, and his silence only gave her two options. Either Joseph did it or…

Another Cadet was responsible.

The later seemed more likely, after all Cadet Scamooch would have been honest with her if it had been a human. Yes; she could tell while he may be confused about some things the Cadet knew exactly who did this to him. Which would also explain Joseph's silence; it was not a humans place to accuse a Cadet of murder! She suppressed a groan…General Kazar would not be pleased.

"Joseph why don't you go home and get some rest I've already informed your employer's that you will not be going to either of your jobs today."

"Thank you Principal Razi but if it's all the same to you I'd like to stay." Joseph sat down in the seat beside the cadet without waiting to hear her answer.

Principal Razi was taken aback; Joseph had never disagreed with her before. 'He doesn't trust us to be with him alone.' she realized. 'So, it was another Cadet, no Cadets! It would definitely take more than one to take out General Kazar's star pupil.' She gave the nurse a nod. 'No ex-star pupil.' She suddenly realized that those words only furthered her suspicions. Someone did not take yesterday's news very well and they took it out on him.

"Very well.." Mrs. Peg agreed. "Call me if you need anything." She says to Scamooch. "That goes for both of you." She said eyeing Joseph. "I'll be back with some breakfast."

"Thank you." Joseph stood and bowed, respectively.

"Joseph, have you told your brother where you've been." Principal Razi asked as the nurse left the room.

Joseph straightened "No I have not." his eyes widen. Last night was the meeting with the resistance! 'Just my luck...' he shook his head. "I guess with all the excitement I forgot to call him."

He forgot to call him... Cadet Scamooch's eyes widen. 'Does that mean Joseph stayed here all night waiting to see if I was okay?'

"It's alright!" Principal Razi assured him. "I'll call him up to the office as soon as first period begins."

"Thank you..." Joseph bows once more.

"I will return shortly." Principal Razi said before leaving.

Scamooch watched her go the nurse soon followed; once he was sure they had gone he turned to Joseph. "Alright start talking!" he demanded.

"What are you talking about?" Joseph asked trying to appear clueless.

It didn't work.

"Don't play dumb, I know you had to of seen something, and I want to know who the other Irken was." Scamooch snapped.

Principal Razi froze as Scamooch's words echoed down the hall. She crept back to the door of the room she had just left and continued to listen.

"What Irken?" Joseph asked.

"The one that fought off my attackers, there were six of them, they beat me so much I couldn't see, but I could smell him, and I heard him fight them off. Then I heard your voice say, 'You're safe now.' That was seconds later you had to of seen something!'

"I..." Joseph didn't know what to say. If he said the wrong thing now. He gulped the cadet would find out the truth. It would compromise the mission; everything they worked for would be gone. Joseph sighed. "Okay its true there was another, I saw him he was huge much larger than any Irken I'd ever seen. I was walking home when I saw the group of cadets beating you, but before I could react this beast of an Irken charged at them and chased them away. I ran to your aid and rushed you to the nearest shelter."

Principal Razi eyes widen at his words. 'A beast of an Irken,' Taller than one he had ever seen? That sounded like a worthy one going through the change! But that couldn't be right a worthy one hadn't been born in over fifty years! In fact, a new sample of DNA had just been delivered.'

Cadet Scamooch was also shocked, but for other reasons, Koi was dead so there was only one other Amon he knew going through the change right now. 'Zim, the traitor saved me!'

But why? Why had he saved him?

"Your leaders are the true traitors! Killing Other Amons just so they can stay in power. -"

Was it possible?

Was it possible that Zim wasn't the enemy at all, and he was right about the Tallest?

No of course not!

'So why save me!' Scamooch shook from the confusion, he wasn't sure what to believe anymore. "So, you left with me before he could return?" he asked Joseph.

"Yes..." Joseph spoke shakenly. "I was so terrified; did you know him?"

"No" Scamooch lied. "I don't think so; his sent was unfamiliar to me."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell Principal Razi I didn't feel like it was my place…" Joseph admitted.

Scamooch smiled. "It's okay I can understand your fears you have a brother to look after." His smile formed into a sly smirk. "Speaking of, don't think this ordeal changes anything, I will have you as my servant one way are another." He vowed.

Joseph smiled back. "Fair enough, but I say it's only fair that you owe me a freebee. After all I did save your life." He pointed out the obvious.

"Fine that seems fair. One freebee, I'll even let you choose when you want to use it but choose wisely cause you only get one." Cadet Scamooch snickered.

Joseph smiled back. He had to admit that he was glad nothing would change between them. True he'd love to have the Irken Cadet off his case, but at the same time he couldn't afford to form a friendship with a possible enemy. The war between the Tallest and the Resistance could last several years, and Scamooch would be a soldier one day, maybe a very important one if he played his cards right. The truth of the matter was that the Cadet was destined to be the enemy, and until this war was over he needed to treat him as such. At least that's what the Human Joseph was telling him to do, but the Irken Zim couldn't help but want to reach out. When was the last time he had talked one on one with someone of his own race? Zim couldn't help but long for the companionship of his own people. Then it suddenly clicked why couldn't he do both?

Zim remembered how Gaz had chosen to show him the error of his ways. She chose to become an ally and show him a better way; the correct way. A way were Irkens, and humans could live in peace. He knew it could be done, and he was determined to keep his promise to protect his people. 'I will not fail this time.' He vowed.

Principal Razi backed away from the door slowly as the bell for first period sounded off. She needed to let Joshua know his brother was alright. So, for now she'd have to look into this matter later.

(Somewhere in the Hall...)

Fear could not even begin to describe the feeling that was coursing through Joshua's veins...

His brother didn't come home last night. It was as if his worse fear had just been realized and it was eating him alive! What had happened to Zim! Had he been captured? Was he awaiting his own execution at this very moment?

Josh wasn't sure he wanted to know, and when he saw Rachel he couldn't help but run into her arms.

"Josh?" Rachel was shocked, she held him close as their books fell all over the floor.

Dib couldn't help it; he had already lost the Earth, he lost Gaz, and his Dad, and now Zim! He couldn't take it any longer he burst into tears. Zim was like family to him now, and in the past year that they had lived together under the same roof. Dib couldn't help but feel like he and Zim were truly brothers. How many times had they fought for each other, bleed for each other, he had lost count! Zim was all he had left in the world and now he was gone without a trace, it was more than his heart could take.

"Josh?" Rachel watched as every human in the hall circled around them, many members of the resistance were among them including James and Mark. "What's wrong." It was the only words that would come out of her mouth, and she feared the answer that they would bring.

"It's Joseph he never came home last night something bad has happened I can feel it. He's in trouble Rach."

Rachel's heart skipped a beat. If Zim had been captured this whole time then she would never forgive herself. 'I ordered a trial against him for treason, and never once did I think his absence could be the result of him being in danger!' she could have kicked herself.

And she wasn't the only one feeling the guilt.

It was eating at James' insides with every passing second.

The other members of the resistance looked down at the ground in shame.

Even Mark felt guilty after all without Zim, they had no chance in this war.

The tardy bell sounded and all the 'none members' of the resistance raced off to class.

"What do we do?" Kathy asked her voice cut through them all like knives.

"He would want us to carry on." James said the obvious "To press on like soldiers."

Dib knew he was right, after all Zim was a soldier and Dib knew that he would want to be remembered as one. He stood tall and wiped the tears from his face, Zim wouldn't want him to cry for him, he would want him to carry on, to fight, for Earth for their freedom, for Gaz! And he would!

"Would Joshua Campbell please come to the Nurse's Office? I repeat Joshua Campbell please come to the Nurse's Office?"

Everyone eyed him with a deep since of worry and fear as the words sounded from the intercom.

"It's okay I'll be fine, just carry on with your day." Dib assured them.

"Be careful" Rachel warned "I have your books just go."

Dib nodded and ran for the Nurse's Office leaving his friends behind him, And moments later he reached his destination, and ran into the Nurse's Office at full speed. Only to stop dead in his tracks when he saw Joseph sitting in a chair by an injured Cadet.

Cadet Scamooch cringed as he saw Josh's face twist into a mixture of pain and relief.

The brothers run into each other's arms and they embrace.

"You scared me half to death." Josh said through tears.

"I'm so sorry for worrying you, I got…um… caught up." Joseph gestured to Cadet Scamooch as he spoke.

"Oh my god what happened to you?" Josh gasped as he realized the cadet was covered in bruises.

"Cadet Rene and his posse, they did this." Joseph snapped. "Can you believe it; I saw it with my own eyes."

Josh looked at Cadet Scamooch in shock. "I don't understand why a cadet would attack another cadet?" he asked.

"It's none of your business!" Cadet Scamooch said bluntly as if it was completely normal and expected. "What do you care anyway?" he snapped. He didn't like the fact that Josh was seeing him this way. It was different with Joseph; he had saved his life; Josh on the other hand had not.

"Because it's sickening." Joseph snapped. "They nearly killed you; I don't know what you Irkens call that, but here on Earth it's called attempted murder!"

Cadet Scamooch flinched at his words. He knew Joseph was angry about what happened to him, but this angry? Why care about an Irken when he was not?

Joshua nodded his agreement. "He's right a true soldier respects their brethren not kill them. That's mutiny and it's just plain wrong!"

Cadet Scamooch couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I bully you; I nearly drowned you in a toilet." He admitted.

"That doesn't matter no one deserves to die." Josh snapped back.

"He's right" Joseph said more softly. "You should tell Principal Razi the truth."

"I can't if I do that I will be forever shamed as a snitch." Cadet Scamooch bowed his head knowingly.

"And if you don't they will be free to try again!" Joseph yelled.

Cadet Scamooch knew he was right, but he refused to give in. "I don't care."

"Fine" Joseph sighed. "Just promise me you'll be careful, and you won't put yourself in a bad situation." He asked.

"I don't need you to tell me what to do!" Cadet Scamooch snapped.

Joseph cringed as he realized that he had just wounded the cadet's pride with his words. "I'm sorry..." he bowed his head, respectively. "I just can't stand to see a person in this kind of pain." He said as he looked up into the cadet's eyes.

'A Person?' Cadet Scamooch squeedlyspooch cringed. He called him a person, not a thing, or an Irken; but a person. 'What have I ever done to be seen as an equal in your eyes?' he asked himself to wonder, searching Joseph's eyes for answers; but he found nothing but pain there…

pain and regret!

-To Be Continued