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: it's crazy, I just realized I've been working on this series for 5 years! Wow time has flown! I never thought this series would be so popular thank you all for reading, and please enjoy!
Yours Truly, RoxieDivine :)
Episode 10: Prisoner of War (Part 2)
(Back with Lar Nard…)
He was more than pleased to hear that Zim was finally on his way. Still, the ex-invader was cutting it close, too close.
"If he is not going to take things seriously, why waste our time?" Razor asked bluntly. The Ancients had gathered to receive Lar Nard's news of Zim impending arrival.
Mia had been lucky that Lar Nard had returned to the Ancients days before for supplies. Or should he say Zim was lucky, if he had he of been off in the mist of battle the Vort may have been unable to inform the elder Irkens in time.
"Razor, I know you are ill that he took so long, but he has other responsibilities." Miz said in Zim's defense.
"If the humans need him that much then his absence could cripple this war." Mucoid the silent one spoke meekly. This was a fearful thought, it was the humans and their strength that had encouraged everyone to fight back. If they showed the slightest weakness now Lar Nard and his troops could lose their edge in this war.
"They are strong." Miz assured him, remembering her transaction with the one named Rachel. "They will feel his lose, but I have no doubt they will adapt quickly."
"I for one am glad we can finally get started." Miha took this chance to speak, as always her words are hopeful. "I cannot wait to see what he is made of."
"What if he does not pass the trials?" It was Tulu who spoke this time.
"Then he is not right for the task." Razor said as if it was obvious.
"No I know that." Tulu said. "I mean what does it mean for us? Do we withdraw from this war? Or do we…try again with a new worthy Smeet?"
It was a valid question. On one hand, Zim and his Irken followers had given them hope that at least some of their people wanted to change. On the other hand, if Zim failed could the universe wait long enough for a new Smeet to raise to the occasion? Would there even be anything left to save by then?
"It matters not if he passes." Lar Nard dared to say.
"Then what is the point?" Razor asked.
"The humans will fight either way, as will the Resistance." Lar Nard explained. "Zim, will still defeat the Tallest and turn Irk over to us. What I am saying is if we do this right weather Zim passes or not we can still end this war."
"Then how do we do it right?" Smoots asked.
"We tell Zim the truth." Lar Nard reasoned.
"Mia has not done so?" Miz asked.
Lar Nar shook his head. "Another "defective" telling him this will not convince him." He reasoned. "He needs to hear it from you."
Razor stood. "No, he needs to hear it from me." He realized.
Miz nodded her agreement. The brains may have used both their DNA to create Zim, but Zim was more similar to the male Irken then herself. Head strong, easily annoyed, overly sure of himself, loud, impulsive, and short tempered. He was basically the definition of defective. Even still, Zim would have to come to terms with the truth on his own. A task they may prove difficult after years of being told he'd never be exceptional.
"When can we expect his arrival?" Miha asked, looking eager.
"He is on the move now." Lar Nar answered. "I expect him to be within reach in a few weeks' time."
"That's if he can get a hold of a ship with hyper speed." Razor noted. "Where would he possibly find one of those?"
"He has some friends in high places." Lar Nard assured him.
"You mean in Zec." Miz stated.
Lar Nard nodded.
"That means if he wanted to he could have attacked the Tallest and finished them already." Smoots pointed out the obvious. "The fact that he waited for our blessing speaks of his devotion to our cause."
"We shall see." Razor said, not fully convinced. It wasn't that he doubted the ex-invader's loyalty, he had just gotten use to hopelessness. "He will be in arms reach of them while retrieving this ship. His inner Amon will want to act impulsively, and strike them while he is near. Resisting will speak volumes about his control."
The other Ancients nodded their agreement, An Amon who couldn't control the change and acted wildly was just as bad as Red and Purple.
"So all we can do is wait?" Smoots asked with a sigh. It was unlike her to be so down, but the rest of them did not blame her. They had spent eons waiting.
"Just a little longer." Miz assured her and the others, as she had always done. She could only hope that this time her words would prove true.
(Back with Zim…)
While take off was graceful enough Tak's ship was becoming less and less reliable the closer they got to Zec. Zim grimaced as some turbulence began to shake the cockpit around them.
"Zim!" Scamooch screamed.
"It'll hold." Zim assured him, only half believing himself. They had managed to emerge out of the water with no trouble despite the several wires and circuit boards still sticking out. Zim had activated the ship's cloaking as soon as they did.
"So this cloaking will make us undetectable as well, yes?" Scamooch asked hopefully.
"That's the idea." Zim said.
"The idea?!" the younger Irken looked alarmed, and rightfully so. If Zec's defenses were able to detect them they would be shot out of the sky before they got with in arms reach.
"Relax they are shooting down anything in the air." Zim assured him. "The fact that nothing is shooting at us yet means we're most likely ok."
"MOST LIKELY!" Scamooch was suddenly regretting putting his life in the ex-invader's hands in the first place. "You're insane!"
Zim smiled. "Yes, yes I am." He agreed as they reached Zec's boarder. "You really think a sane Irken would challenge the entire Irken Empire?"
Zim had a point, but Scamooch was not about to agree, besides he had more pressing matters to worry about. For just then the ship entered Zec air space.
The two Irken's waited for the defense system to open fire, but to Scamooch's relief it did not.
"Do you think it will get us close enough to the castle?" Scamooch asked.
"If we land now we'd have better luck of getting close without raising an alarm." Zim insisted. "We can set the ship to self-destruct, which will still give us the diversion we need."
It was a good idea, one that even gave them a head start…still there was one drawback.
"How do we continue on foot?" Our faces are no doubt on every undesirable list all over the galaxy!"
"There is a disguise dial on your communicator." Zim mused. "It supplies more than one disguise."
Scamooch flipped through several disguises, trying to find one that would fit the job. He decided to avoid any human disguise knowing undoubted that even the minions would be carefully monitored. Finally he settled on a blue eyed Irken drone.
Zim smiled. "Aw a drone, well done." He praised and rightfully so. No one ever second guessed a drone. He flipped through his own disguises then and smiled as he turned into none other than General Kazar.
"Seriously?" Scamooch asked.
"What?" Zim asked. "We have to get inside the castle somehow."
"Is Kazar aware?" Scamooch asked.
"No." Zim said simply as they landed behind a tall building 3 miles from the castle.
"Don't you think that could come back to haunt us?" Scamooch asked. "What if he gets in trouble for being outside of the castle?" It was a valid question. Ever since Zim's threat during Scamooch's rescue all high ranking members of the Armada had been ordered to stay in the Castle for their own safety.
Of course, it really was so there would be as many Irken's between Zim and the Tallest as possible, still orders were orders. If Kazar was caught outside the castle it might make him look bad.
Zim smiled as he set the self-destruct for ten minutes from now. "Well maybe next time he'll think twice before keeping me in the dark."
Scamooch almost felt like smacking him. How could he be so childish at a moment like this? The only thing that stopped him was the fact that this was his future Tallest.
The two placed on their own cloaking tech before stepping out of the ship. The tech didn't last long which was why they were also in disguise, just in case it switched off unexpectedly.
"We'll stick to the alleys and back ways." Zim whispered. "There are less likely to be anyone around."
"Okay." Scamooch answered.
And then they were off, moving quickly but silently towards the castle.
(Back with Jamie…)
She knew she was risking everything by doing this! But she knew that Zim and the other leaders expected her to escape with an army! And if she waited to discuss this with Crystal then the worshipers would know she was up to something. However, if she saw them now they wouldn't expect a thing.
Still, she couldn't help the fear that bubbled up inside of her as Bec escorted him to her cell.
"You requested an audience with me?" Jacob said, almost surprised by his own words.
"This surprises you?" Jamie says the obvious.
"I didn't expect you rebels to be so willing, got a plan up your sleeve?" He smiled as if he already knows her game.
However, Jamie is sure that she has this guy figured out. "Look I'm doing this for my sisters." She admitted.
Jacob's brow rose. From what he had been told the two sisters in question, Kathy and Mary had passed their test. The Brain showed no signs of them actually being members of the resistance. They were simply here for "Harboring" a rebel. Many other family members of the rebels would have also have been capture had they of not gone into hiding. Something her sisters could not do since they were already in School.
"Look I only joined the rebels because they helped me support me and my sisters through hard times." Jamie lied. "They got us extra food rations and donated clothes, do you know how hard it is to support yourself and two kids when you are a kid yourself?"
"You could have become a minion." Jacob reasoned. He was smirking in a way that said. "I know this game."
Jamie nodded, her eyes showing shame. "I was too proud." She admitted. "I was afraid that my fellow human would shun me, at first we got by, but as things got harder, I got more desperate. I was considering becoming a minion, when I received a letter saying I had been selected to join the rebels. I snuck out that night. It was pretty straight forward. I join up, and in exchange we got extra." Jamie shook her head. "Look I know what I did was "Wrong". She did air quotes as she said this. "But I did what I thought was right for my family at the time." She said truthfully. "Just as I am doing now. "My sisters don't deserve to be here, they never knew what I was doing! So how can they be blamed for harboring if they had no idea? Seriously you can't tell me you wouldn't do the same!"
Jacob's smirk drops, he looks very serious now, almost torn even. This only goes to prove to her that her suspicions about Jacob are right. "Look I believe." He admitted giving Bec a sideward glace, as if to check if he is ease dropping. "But if you really want to make life better for your sisters then you have to give me something. They will never trust you if you don't."
Jamie nodded. "I will do whatever it takes." She answered. "I may not like them, or their ways, but I love my sisters."
"So you would sell out Zim for your sisters." Jacob asked.
Jamie nodded.
"Prove it." Jacob challenged.
Jamie knew she had to give him something, and Zim had told her to do whatever was necessary to make this happen. "Zim will be attacking the castle today." She said bluntly.
Bec dropped his blaster in shock.
"Are you serious?" Jacob asked.
Jamie nodded. "He will be going for the Tallest."
Bec picks up his blaster, forcing himself to calm down. It was true, Zim was going to the Castle today, but it was to steal a ship to get off world; not to attack the Tallest. By telling the enemy this Jamie has beefed up security sure, but everyone will be focusing their efforts of those trying to get close to the Tallest. With the ship hanger being on the opposite end of the castle the guards would be fewer in that area.
Meaning she has just made it easier for Zim to slip in and steal his awaiting ship. He managed to sneak Zim a warning message with his communicator as she kept the boy busy.
"If you are lying…" Jacob began.
"He is there right now." Jamie spoke gravely. "If you are quick you might be able to stop him."
Jacob nodded, he could tell the girl was serious. "If you are right I will make sure your sisters are looked after." He assured her as he began to walk away.
"And my entry into the followers?" Jamie dared to ask.
Jacob paused as if thinking it over, and turned back to face her. What he said next confirmed that she had made the right decision. "If you want your family to be safe then you have to help me keep mine safe."
"Your family is safe." Jamie told him. It was true, sure Crystal's people were captured, but from what Bec had told her, they were doing fine as conformed prisoners. They even had special privileges.
"Not all of them." Jacob said gravely.
Jamie's eyes widen. "Crystal." She whispered.
"Convince her." He said. "And then we'll talk."
Jamie nodded and watched as he ran out, no doubt to call and warn the Tallest.
"That was reckless." Bec growled.
Jamie nodded. "I know." She whispered. "Were you able to warn Zim?" She had noticed the soldier had fumbled with his communicator as he picked up his gun.
Bec nodded. "I told him to make it look like good, for your sake."
"I appreciate that." Jamie admitted. "When do I get to see Crystal?"
"Soon." Bec answered. "Now what is the rest of the plan?"
"We need to take over the mind controlling variable, is that possible?"
Bec thought for a moment and nodded. "I think I have just the thing."
(Back with Dib…)
His efforts to find a way back on Zec was almost no existent.
Of course, this was probably due to the fact that he was the only one trying to figure this out.
"Young Lady, do not walk away from me while I am talking!" Mrs. Hearting's voice could be heard from down the hall.
"Angry lady getting closer." Gir said, hiding behind Dib's legs.
Dib shook his head, he was beginning to get a little annoyed with the Parents at this rate. He had already had to break up two near fights since Zim had left only over an hour ago. The latest one was how Dib, Rachel, Mark, and James would not be leaving with the Irken Rebel's and Goalit to invade Zec.
"This is not your fight!" Rachel's mother continued to scream.
"NO it's yours!" Rachel yelled back. "But you never do anything but conform! It's like you like being oppressed! Well I don't!"
Dib winced, that one was a little harsh. Still, she was right.
"We are not soldiers." Rachel's mother yelled.
"No they killed all the soldiers!" Rachel screamed.
"And that is what will happen to you!" Her mother yelled back. "Is that what you want?"
"At least I would have tried mother!" Rachel march in the conference room moments later.
Her mother followed, she sees Dib, and changes to yelling at him. "This is your fault, you and that Irken have filled my daughter with these notions. She's going to get herself killed."
"His name is Zim!" Rachel yelled at her.
"What?" Her mother asked.
"You said that Irken." Rachel said. "He has a name and it is Zim, he is not a thing he is a person, and if you ever want me to talk to you again you will treat him as such!"
Mrs. Hearting goes to speak, but Dib cuts in.
"Mrs. Hearting." Dib began. "I know you're angry, you have every right to be, but we have been doing this since day one. All those attacks you hear about we did them, we can do this. If you just sit here and watch us you'll see that we are more than capable."
Tears are starting to spill from Mrs. Hearting's eyes. "I just don't want to lose her." She cried. "Her father is already…" She couldn't finished. The Great War had ended in several deaths, not all of them were soldiers. Rachel's dad was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Rachel soften. "I do this for him." She said. "And so that it doesn't happened to anyone else."
Mrs. Hearting nodded. "I know sweetie, this just isn't the life I wanted for you."
Rachel forced a smile. "I know, please just watch us work, let us at least prove we can do this, heck you can even help…it you want." She added softly.
Mrs. Hearting paused, as if thanking it over and nodded. "Perhaps I have allowed fear to control me." She admitted.
"Great, then can you help me convince Mark's parents to let him in James out of house arrest.
Mark's and James' parents had grounded both of the boys and sentenced them to their rooms. Dib knew that the parents were just desperate to protect them, but they didn't have time for this and it wasn't like they were stepping up to take their place.
"I will try." Mrs. Hearting said. "As for fighting…"
Rachel hugged her. "I know you're against violence." She said. "It wasn't fair of me to say that."
Mrs. Hearting hugged her back. "It's okay, we both said somethings, but what matters now is that we try to see eye to eye. After all this is our life now."
"It doesn't have to stay this way for long." Dib assured him. "The Irkens will leave if Zim wins."
"I want to believe that." Mrs. Hearting said. "It's just had to trust…them." She said correcting herself before she said something insensitive.
"The trust me mom." Rachel begged.
Mrs. Hearting nodded. "I do."
Dib sighed in relief, finally they were getting somewhere. He could only hope the other parents would be just as will to help.
-To Be Continued