Episode 10: Prisoner of War

Episode Summary- While Zim and Scamooch leave to find the Ancients; Jamie, Crystal, and the rest of the captured Rebels begin their lives as prisoners of war. Meanwhile, Dib tries to find a way back on Zec.

Disclaimers: I Do Not Own Invader Zim

Author's Notes: Okay guys here we are again, my hope is to finish this season by the end of October! So let's get started.

Hope you guys are staying safe out there, please enjoy!

Yours Truly, RoxieDivine :)

Episode 10: Prisoner of War

(Back with Dib…)

He knew getting in contact with them now could get them caught, especially with the heat so hot; but Zim and Scamooch had to get off world NOW!

"You pick the worst of times human!" Tak growled. "It is a madhouse up here."

"I know." Dib whispered. He wasn't sure why he needed to do so, He, Zim and Scamooch had already reach the Dome safely. Still, he felt the need to whisper. The world had turned into an inferno overnight, Humans riots had hit an all-time high, and most of them were parents! They demanded the release of the children. Screaming that there was no way that they were rebels; that children could not pose as a threat to such superior beings.

The Irken police retaliated with brute force and house arrest. School had been counseled until further notice, and no child was allowed outdoors at all! Luckily, Professor Membrane was able to extract all the family members of those who were caught and brought them here. However, they were not please that their children had been secretly involved with a rebel forced. They were even more disgusted by the fact that they were harboring Irkens.

Dib, of course had tried to explain that the Rebel Irkens were allies, to which Mark's mother replied. "An only good Irken is a dead one!"

Needless to say, said comment had not blown over well, and now the humans and Irkens in the Dome were being kept separate for their own "Protection!"

Dib pushed all that away and tried to focus. "But Zim has to leave, NOW!"

"Can't he wait a couple of days?" Tak asked.

"If he waits any longer the Ancients will not give him their blessing." Dib hissed, 'Plus I need to get back on Zec for the final plan to work!' He had left the last part to himself. Mostly because he didn't want to overwhelm Tak. That and he wasn't sure he should leave the Dome. It wasn't that he didn't trust his fellow leaders to handle things in his absence. It was more because of their parents. Instead of being proud of them for their valiant efforts and sacrifice, Rachel's, Mark's, And James' Parents were furious that they had put themselves in danger in the first place. That because of their recklessness they no longer had a home, a job, income, and were now wanted fugitives!

Dib could understand their worry, his father; Professor Membrane had admitted that he too was initially angry when he had learned of the danger he had gotten himself into. However, after he had time to calm down he realized that he was also very proud.

"Their Parents will feel the same way." He had assured his son late last night. "They have been ripped of their homes, livelihood, and are now on the run. They need time to process this."

Dib knew his father was right, but…to just leave them like this. He just couldn't find the strength to do it.

"We have a ship ready." Tak assured him. "It fits only two, and it's in the loading bay." Tak assured him. "The safety locks have been lifted, taking off will be easy, but…" She pauses. "The heat is too…I can't see you making it without…" She couldn't seem to finish.

"Without getting caught?" Dib stated for her. "It's a risk worth taking."

"You humans are too reckless." Tak growled.

Dib smiled. "Careful, it almost sounds like you care." He joked.

"I do…" Tak admitted honestly.

It was out of character for her to be so openly honest; so…fragile.

"It will be fine…" Dib assured her. "We…I will be fine."

"Okay…" Tak doesn't sound convinced. "I will let Kazar aware of your arrival." She moves to hang up.

"Tak I…" Dib begins, but Tak stops him.

"I know." She states simply.

"You do?" Dib asked. Sure he hadn't exactly been keeping his feelings of the Irken female secret from his fellow renegades, but was he really so obvious that Tak herself had picked up on it?

"Yes." Tak answered simply, and then to his surprise she added. "Me too."

The call ended then, and Dib is stunned. Tak cared for him…loved him even.

"Well as always your timing is terrible." Zim joked as he entered the communications room. The room was were all long range calls were made. It was also the only place they could reach Zec since yesterday's events.

"She says only two will fit in the ship." Dib stated, ignoring the gag at his love life. Sure he was thrilled, but right now they needed to focus.

Zim's eyes widen, this meant one thing. He'd have to leave his most trusted companion behind.

"Master?!" Gir comes rushing in excitingly. "When are we going to SPACE!?"

"Gir…" Zim looks stricken, and rightfully so. The Invader could not remember a time that Gir was not by his side. The Sir Unit had been with him through thick and thin, and now it would appear that Zim would have to continue the journey without him. It made since, after all Sir Units were for Invaders, which Zim was no longer.

"Master?" Gir asked confused.

"I need you to stay Gir…" Zim said as he bent down to his level. "To protect Dib." He added quickly. "Make sure he stays out of trouble." He went on giving Dib a teasing smile.

Dib returned the smile, and to his surprise he feels choked up.

"What?" Zim asked, noticing his distress.

"You're finally leaving and I don't want you to." Dib answered.

Zim laughs openly. "You humans; you never know what you want."

It was true, they really didn't.

"I want to go with you." Dib said.

"I know, and I need you on Zec, but…" Zim began.

"I know, we need to wait for the heat to die down." Dib groaned.

Zim nodded. There was really no point in both of them getting caught.

"But how are we to get up there?" Scamooch asked. "If we go it alone who will help us?" It was a good question. They couldn't just board a shuttle. In fact, all Shuttles to Zec had been stopped for the protection of the Tallest.

"We still have Tak's ship." Zim reasoned. "It has cloaking tech."

"And barely any fuel." Dib remained him. "Which is why we need a ship from Kazar."

"But it's enough fuel to get to Zec." Zim assured Scamooch. "Well land, set the ship to self-destruct, and then we'll use the explosion as a diversion to divert the enemy. Once they are distracted we can head for the docking bay were the ship will be located."

"If Kazar keeps good on his promise." Dib growled.

"Dib we've been over this." Zim reasoned. "We have no choice but to trust him."

"He blindsided us!" Dib yelled.

"WE HAVE NO CHOICE!" Zim screamed.

"We have to go." Scamooch stepped in between them. He knew the two hadn't broke out in a real fight for some time, but Zim had that look in his eye.

Zim took a step back, remembering himself. "We'll be careful." He promised Dib.

Dib nodded, it was getting harder and harder to believe that he once begged for this Irken's end. "Call me when you breach the upper atmosphere."

"Will do." Zim promised. He looked to Scamooch then. "You ready?" He asked the cadet.

No ex-cadet. Scamooch had fully defected now.

Scamooch nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be. Are you?"

He should have been ready for the question, and yet it threw him off. Was he ready? Heck he wasn't even sure this is what he wanted, let alone if he was ready. And yet this was what had to be done. Only he alone could challenge the Tallest. And if he wanted to ensure Irk's future he needed the Ancients to fuel the birth of more Worthy Smeets. This had to be done.

"Yes…" He answered, it's not as confident as he meant for it to sound.

Scamooch ignores it, for now. Zim needs to come to terms on his own.

"Mia." Zim said.

"Yes my Taller." The Irken rebel leader saluted him as she entered the room.

"Tell Lar Nard we are leaving." Zim stated.

It is then that Scamooch remembers a small detail. "Wait we still don't know where to go." It was true, for the safety of the Ancients and the refugees they were harboring they had not disclosed their location.

"Head for Canopus of Alpha Carinae." Mai answered.

"And what?" Scamooch asked. "Wander aimlessly until we find them?"

"No you will not find them." Mia corrected him. "They will find you."

"We'll be in an enemy vessel." Scamooch argued. "What if they shoot us down?"

"Then we will have our answer." Zim reasoned. "Now let's go."

Scamooch wanted to argue, but they had little time.

"Be careful." Dib told them as they left.

"We will." Zim answered. "Tell the others I said goodbye." Zim knew Rachel, Mark and James would see him off if they could, but they were busy trying to cool their parents' tempers.

"I will." Dib promised.

And then they left, it's strange, but Dib feels like a part of him is being stripped away. Zim had in every way became like a brother to him, and with Gaz also out of reach…he felt abandon!

Professor Membrane who had walked in moments ago placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "He will be fine." He assured him.

"I know." Dib said and then asked the real question on his mind. "But will we?"

Meanwhile, Zim had lead Scamooch to the hanger where Tak's ship was being stored. It had been here ever since Dib and Gaz had used it to escape their home during Irk's initial invasion of Earth. After their rescue to save Zim had gone awry they had been forced to leave the ship in the enemy's hands.

Thankfully since Tak was not there to claim the ship at the time it was dumped in one of the many scrap heaps that now littered the Earth. Allowing Zim to retrieve it.

Scamooch was openly uneasy about this mode of transportation, and rightfully so. Tak's ship had seen better days. Wires, and circuit boards stuck out in several places. "How much fuel do we have?" He dared to ask.

Zim smiled nervously. "Enough…hopefully."

"I'm beginning to see why you were a terrible invader." Scamooch retorted.

Zim laughed. "I admit my methods are unconventional." He stated. "But we haven't lost."

"Yet." Scamooch said the obvious.

"I know the odds seem hopeless." Zim told him. "But we have face long odds before, and we will make it through. We always do."

Scamooch wants to argue, say this hopeful nature did them no go, that success was achieved through hard work and precious calculations. But he knows that this is not what Zim needs. What he needed was to know he wasn't alone in this.

He needed Scamooch to carry his own weight.

He forced a smile. "Let's do this…Sir."

Zim laughed, the kid had spunk he'd give him that.

"Safe travels my Taller." Goalit told him as they began to board.

"Goodbye Master!" Gir screamed.

"Goodbye Gir." Zim said, only slightly rolling his eyes.

Dib couldn't find his voice so he just waved, man he was such a baby.

Zim started up the ship, and sighed in relief when they didn't blow up. "Here goes nothing."

"Literally." Scamooch added, only half-jokingly.

Zim gave him a look, and then they were off.

Mia, who had stayed behind in the communications room, smiled as Lard Nar appeared on the screen.

"Yes?" He asked.

Mia's smile widen. "He is headed your way…"

(Back with Jamie…)

Terrified, could not even describe the sense of fear that had washed over her. After being hauled away from the school. Jamie and the other captured Renegades had been thrown into a large armored vehicle with several other imprisoned humans. Once loaded up they began their ascend to Zec.

The trip was short, but felt like eons. Once they arrived, they were rushed into a narrow hallway were they were sprayed with something reddish orange. Jamie assumed it was a cleansing agent, meant to eliminate any germs she brought from the "Filthy" World below. After the spray down the girls and boys were separated and lead to the showers. They were ordered to strip and bath until all the orange was gone. It took some real scrubbing too, and the water was ice cold, making things that much harder. Once bathed; they were issued new clothes that resembled a gray prison uniform. After that they were lead to holding cells. Not a single one of them had cell mates of any kind. Jamie figure this was because the enemy didn't want them conspiring against them, or encouraging others to do the same.

She had stayed in the cell for a while now. No food, no water, there wasn't even a rest room or a bed. She just sat in the far corner trying to find ways to keep herself busy. When she was younger, back in the days before the Great War Jamie would spend this time writing stories. Ironically her stories would play out just like this. A great heroin captured by the enemy, with the need to plot a way out. It felt kind of strange to be living it now!

She hadn't expect a visitor, so when he came she wasn't sure how to react.

"You are the leader Yes?" The Irken soldier asked.

Jamie was slow to answer, the Irken looked familiar and wear the uniform of the Irken Guard. She nodded. "You're Bec aren't you?" She asked. Of course, Jamie had been briefed that Bec was her inside man. The one that was supposed to help her and the others escape, and find refuge on Zec.

Bec nodded. "There is a seward system here on Zec." Bec stated wasting no time as he handed her a tray of food. "Once free you will head west of her towards a reservoir. There is an entrance there."

"Won't they look for us there?" Jamie asked.

"The opening is sealed by bars, no gaps for squeezing through, but if you dive under the waste there is a small opening." He advised. "Big enough for humans to fit through."

Jamie couldn't help but recoil. She knew the seward was where the waste went, but since Zec was high above the clouds, it didn't rain. So there was nothing to dilute the waste that they would be forced to live in for who knew how long. She knew this was how Crystal and her people had lived since the end of the Great War, but she couldn't imagine doing it herself.

Regardless she nodded.

"Escaping will not be easy." Bec went on, talking fast. "The Irken Worshiper's are pretending to be prisoners, while others will be watching your every move as guards. They will try to catch you in the act. Some may even trick you into forming an escape with them. Do not trust anyone!"

"But Crystal's family." Jamie insisted.

"They have been here too long." Bec warned. "Humans, they change here."

"I don't understand." Jamie said.

"This is where they mold new followers." Bec explained.

Jamie's eyes widen. NEW FOLLOWERS! This prison wasn't just a jail it was a reformatory!

"They brainwash them." Bec confirmed her fears. "And they will start doing it to you, turn you into little sleeper agents ready to give up Zim at a seconds notice."

This news made one thing very clear to Jamie, they had to get out, and they had to get out now!

"But we need their numbers." Jamie stated. "To storm the castle."

"If you waste time trying to save them, I can't help you if you get caught." Bec warned.

Jamie knew he was right, but if she allowed people to continue being brainwashed who knows what it would do to their minds. What would happen if they won this war, those brain washed my stay that way forever! Fighting for a war long over, destroying what lives they had before they could even start living again. "I have to try." Jamie said. "Will you help me?"

Bec thinks for a moment and then nods. "Your freedom is a gift." He says. "And that gift is yours to give away not theirs. I will try to help, but I cannot expose myself as an ally or we lose our way out of here."

Jamie understood, Bec would do what he could, but Jamie would be mostly on her own. "When will I get to see the others?"

"Soon." Bec promised.

"Do they know?" Jamie asked. "What you've told me?"

Bec shook his head. "If I requested to see all of you it might look suspicious. I was assigned to you by Kazar. Since they think you are in charge it makes since to have a member of the Royal Guard watching your every move."

Jamie nodded. "Thank you for the food." She said.

"It is old, stale, and most likely expired." Bec revealed.

Jamie laughed, of course! Why would they want her to keep up her strength. "Anything else we do besides brainwashing class?"

"You work in the factories here on Zec, making supply items." Bec stated. "Snacks, uniforms..."

"What about weapons?" Jamie asked.

"Only converted prisoners and trust worthy Irken Worshipers get to be a part of that supply line." Bec answered.

"Of course." Jamie groaned. She stopped realizing something. "So you become an Irken Worshiper you get more freedom?"

Bec nodded. "You even get to leave the prison at times." He revealed.

Jamie remembered how Jacob and his team had formed together to trap them. "To hunt down undesirables? Right?"

Bec nodded.

"Bec was Jacob brainwashed?"

Yes, all went through the course as a safety percussion, but several volunteered willingly. He was one of them." Bec revealed. "Why?"

Jamie remembered how Jacob had betrayed them. His reasoning was for better living conditions. So that his people could have a life, go to school, not have to fight for survival. He basically did it for the life Jamie had.

Never once did he justify his actions for the Will of Irk!

"Call me crazy but I don't think they're the enemy." She revealed. "They're just looking out for their own."

"You think we can trust them?" Bec dared to ask.

"Yes." Jamie said, without a doubt in her mind. "Yes I Do!"

-To Be Continued