Episode 11 Inner Demons (Part3)

(Back with Cadet Scamooch…)

Guilt…

It was all he was able to feel!

How could he?

How could he betray a person who had saved him, not once; but twice now!

'I did the right thing!' He assured himself.

And yet…

Cadet Scamooch sighed as he exited the grand courthouse upon Zec, here he was a free Irken; but four of his peers were now dead. While worse still his protector now stood alone to defend his own name. Cadet Scamooch was sure that Joseph would be found innocent, after all if he wasn't that could anger the humans who all undoubtingly saw the boy as the victim in the situation.

Then again the computer brain might find him guilty of his actions.

True the computer might want to hold him responsible for assaulting him, but the Tallest would pardon him in hopes of extinguishing the fire of the humans' outrage. Yes, Cadet Scamooch was sure of this. Even still, those small words of comfort did nothing to rid him of his guilt.

He owed the boy his life!

And he repaid him with betrayal!

Cadet Scamooch felt lower than dirt, he felt like a worm!

And such feelings made his mind wonder dangerous things, like why did he have to support his own race when he knows they are wrong? What Rene and the others did was wrong, and yet by law he is forced to take the side of his fellow Irken over any other race.

Why was that?

Why couldn't his people admit that one of their own was wrong?

Why did they leave it to the Brains to point out the obvious?

Were they really that conceded?

Cadet Scamooch knew these were very dangerous thoughts indeed, to be caught pointing out the flaws of his people would be labeled as treason; he would be sentenced to death! And yet he can't help but wonder that maybe Zim wasn't entirely wrong, maybe the Irkens did need to change in some ways.

But Cadet Scamooch knew that Zim's hatred for the Tallest ran deeper than something as silly as weather his race was really right all the time. However, as far as what that was the cadet couldn't say, and it wasn't from lack of trying to find out either. He had once gathered up the nerve to ask Koi about him.

Koi told him that Zim was once a student of General Kazar's, they both were. He said Zim was an Amon but was too small to survive; he finally got tired of never measuring up and stepped down as a Shew. He then went to the academy and graduated as an Invader.

And that was all he was told…

However, Cadet Scamooch knew there had to be more! Something must have happened to cause such a brilliant mind to turn on his people. Yes, Scamooch knew he was brilliant the several scattered and forgotten blueprints that littered the floor of his old room was testament to that. And the cadet could tell from the pages that a lot of hard work and devotion had been put into each one.

So where had that passion gone?

What had his fellow Irkens done to cause such a fire to burn out?

Cadet Scamooch wish he knew, he was so confused. He knew the beast Joseph described, the one that had come to his rescue had to be Zim; he was the only other Amon left now.

'But why Kill Koi and save me?' It was a troubling question, of course there was one possible answer. Cadet Scamooch entered the dorm unit with another deep sigh. Now that he was a shew he lived in the dorms with the rest of the cadets. He entered the large building and rode the elevator to his floor. He then exited the elevator and walked down the hall to his room.

Room 114.

Cadet Scamooch walked through the door and threw himself on his bed, staring up at the celling. Several empty beds lined the walls of the dormitory, thankfully the rest of his peers were still in the courthouse; giving him some time to think freely.

One reason Zim would kill Koi is if he had justification that Koi was going rogue. However, Cadet Scamooch had known Koi for two years now, and he never appeared rogue to him. Then again he heard that Amons could hide it if they were rogue, after all rogues weren't really mindless beast! No Rogues were Amon's that had, had some kind of psychotic break due to the stress of the change. And while some went berserk and mad, most of them were cold and calculated. They had the knowhow, and ability to appear, and even act normal, it was these Amons that scared the Shew population the most.

The kind that looked, and acted like they could be trusted, only to swallow you whole later.

Yes, it was possible that Koi had lost his grip once the final transformation was complete, in fact it happened more often than not. Still if Koi was rogue the Tallest should have noticed the signs…Right?

Of course, there could be another reason why Zim killed Koi, Zim wanted to replace the Tallest and Koi wouldn't buy into his ideas. Koi defended the Tallest and Zim saw he wasn't going to get anywhere with him, so he eliminated the threat!

'Then why save me? I got in his way too!' it was true, on the day the renegades raided the school to save that blind girl Cadet Scamooch had gotten in the way! So why hadn't Zim struck him down then? Were the humans to blame? Cadet Scamooch remembered how disgusted they were with the idea of hurting the cadets as they plowed through them. Perhaps, but that didn't explain why Zim would save him from the brutality of his fellow cadets. According to Joseph no one else was around then.

Cadet Scamooch groaned; he was so confused!

And the more he thought about it the more confused he became. Finally, one very dangerous thought came to mind.

'I have to find Zim; I need to know why!' He declared. 'Why save me? Why betray your own kind? What was so great about the humans? How did they get you to turn against your own race?'

These questions had haunted Cadet Scamooch ever since he had first heard of Zim. It was his first year under General Kazar's teachings when Earth had been taken over, and Cadet Scamooch like most of the cadets was busy learning on their home world; Irk! But Zim's betrayal was broadcast all over the Irken Empire, everyone knew what he had done…

He had fallen in love with a human girl, and had exposed his true Irken self to her, as well as taught her how to work an Irken aircraft!

Cadet Scamooch knew these crimes were unforgiveable, what he couldn't understand was why Zim would throw it all away for some human female. He was an Irken invader, the most respected, and sought after job among the Shews! He had everything going right for him, and he ruined it!

All for her!

Why?

Cadet Scamooch was determined to find out! Of course, he had his own personal reasons of why, reasons he'd never share with anyone.

Fore you see Cadet Scamooch often found himself realizing that he and this Zim had a lot in common, and not just in appearance, but personality as well.

Cadet Scamooch was loud, overzealous, and full of himself! These three words had often been used to describe Zim as well. And Cadet Scamooch couldn't help but wonder if they had been created from the same strand of DNA. Was it possible that he had Zim were both clones of the same DNA strand? Sure, it was, and that thought scared him.

After all the Irkens believed betrayal was in the genes, they believed this so strongly that all strands of similar DNA to traitors were destroyed, at least they were supposed to be! Cadet Scamooch wondered if they were right; was betrayal in the genes? And was Cadet Scamooch and Zim really born of the same strand?

Since Zim was an Amon the likely hood was low, but not unheard of. Cloning caused strands of DNA to lose their integrity making the Amon genes to form as recessive then dominate. This explained why the Ancients would have to make new Amon strands every few centuries or so. So, while unlikely it was entirely possible that Scamooch was cloned from Zim's DNA!

But if so, did that mean Cadet Scamooch would soon betray his people too?

NO! He wanted to scream those words to the heavens, but how could he be sure. Zim once showed the same devotion, and selfless service he did now; and he betrayed them all.

'I must know why!' Cadet Scamooch thought more determined now. 'I have to find him!'

Yes, he had made up his mind.

There was just one problem,

He had no idea where to look!

Cadet Scamooch growled in annoyance this was an impossible mission, and yet he couldn't help it! He was compelled to find Zim and question him!

And he would, one way or another…

(Back with Tak…)

She knew this could get her in trouble, and yet she knew it had to be done!

Tak took a deep breath as she dialed a number into her computer, it was a number for a science lab on the planet Vort!

She knew he would be reluctant to believe her, but Tak knew that she and Zim could not do this alone. Earth was only one battle, the war would continue in space, she and Zim would not stop until all of the Irken Empire surrendered. And even if Zim managed to kill the Tallest on Earth Tak knew that since Zim was labeled a traitor that the other Irkens may be reluctant to bow to him as their new Tallest.

They would need some convincing!

And she knew he could help the others see the light, but would he believe her?

Her computer screen flickered, and then revealed a much older Irken scientist.

"What is it!" the male Irken narrowed his yellowish-brown eyes with obvious annoyance, than realizing the identity of his caller his eyes widen. "TAK how dare you call me at a time like this!" The abnormally tall slink Shew was definitely not pleased to see her.

"Sargent Goalit sir you are looking well." Tak forced a nervous smile; this was already going to the dumps.

"Oh, Irk please tell me you did not just call to chat!" Goalit screeched.

"No, I bring grave news." Tak whispered. "It's of great importance." She assured him.

"Go on." Goalit told her no doubt sensing her despair.

"Are you alone?" Tak asked.

"Yes."

"Is anyone listening to this line?"

Now that question got his attention. "Tak what is going on?" Goalit pressed.

"Sir as one of your most trusted and well-rounded students I know you would want me to inform you of this." Tak took a deep breath. Sargent Goalit had been her science tech instructor during her ninth year of the academy. The two had developed a special bond, Goalit was the mentor Tak had never thought she'd have the honor of having. To gain a mentor as a shew was rare most shew instructors never cared to give the extra time. However, Goalit was different, he took pride in his teaching, and was thrilled when a cadet took interest in their studies.

He would drop everything to teach a cadet something new, something he swore would be life changing. He had such devotion to them, after all the cadets were the future of the Irken Empire, and bright cadets meant a bright future, or at least that's what Goalit believed.

"Tak please I promise what you say will stay between us." Goalit assured her. No doubt he could feel her hesitation.

"I have witness a terrible crime." Tak whispered fearfully, as she hook her Pak up to the computer.

"Tak what did you see?" Goalit asked.

"It's too horrible to speak of." She whispered. "So, I will show you what I saw." Tak took a deep breath as her memories of said crime was loaded from her Pak and on the computer screen.

The screen soon shows Tak cutting through the birth chambers after her banishment, only to stop dead in her tracks as she sees thousands of worthy Smeets…dead.

"Oh, my Irk who could have done this?" Goalit asked breathlessly.

"Sir it was them." Tak whispered. "The Tallest did this."

"You hold your tongue girl!" Goalit screamed. "The Tallest would never-"

"Who else would have the power to stop mass production of Worthy Smeets?" Tak snapped. "You and I both know that only the Tallest can shut down the production of the Smeets; both Shew, and Amons alike. No one else could have done it!"

Goalit looks torn, of course he knows she is right, no one else can give the order. "No…they wouldn't…it can't be…"

"Please sir!" Tak begged. "Please tell me what to do!"

"Do?" Goalit was stunned. "You want me to tell you what to do? Am I supposed to believe you have done nothing up to this point?"

"No…" Tak admitted.

"Then tell me what you have done?" Goalit demanded.

"I…" Tak gulped. This was the moment that might get her killed. "I joined the resistance."

"The human resistance Tak are you mad!" Goalit screamed.

"The Tallest know." Tak assured him. "I am acting as a spy for them."

"Acting as in your not really spying on them." Goalit gasped. "You're in league with them! Why?"

"I have my reasons." Tak told him.

"Reasons?" Goalit yelled. "I understand wanting to get back at the Tallest for this, what they've done cannot be ignored, but to turn against the whole Irken Empire I taught you better!"

"Like I said I have my reasons." Tak repeated.

"And what reason could that be?" Goalit growled. "What good reason could you have for turning against your race?"

"It's Zim." Tak told him. "You remember him don't you?"

"Oh yes Zim, brilliant Cadet, top of his class. He's also a big traitor whose wanted for treason!" Goalit exclaimed.

"Sir Zim is an Amon!" Tak suddenly blurted out.

Goalit froze, he was clearly shocked by her claims.

"I know what you're thinking, but I can prove it to you." Tak entered a skin sample from Zim into the computer's data scanner and send the results to Goalit.

Goalit takes the scan out of the copier, and his eyes widen as her claims are confirmed. "But how?" He asked stunned. "He was in the Academy."

"I managed to hack into his life history files through one of the mother brains." Tak began to explain.

"And?"

"According to the files Zim was raise as an Amon, General Kazar took him in as his pupil but at about age 14 he decided to step down."

"Why?" Goalit demanded.

"He was the smallest Irken in history, and while the other four surviving Amons showed promise Zim was not showing any signs of development. He feared he had already stopped growing and that he would never develop any of his Amon traits, so he stepped down." Tak sighed. "He wanted to serve his people and he felt he couldn't do that as a powerless, tiny Amon; so, he decide he could better serve as a soldier."

"All this time I thought he was just unusually bright." Goalit was in awe. "I should have known."

"Listen I may not believe in all of Zim's goals." Tak admitted. "Zim wants us to stop invading other planets, he wants us to change everything that makes us Irken." She explained. "But if we're not invaders what will we do?"

"There was once a time our race was very different." Goalit told her.

"Yeah I know you've only told me the story about how we became invaders a thousand times." Tak exclaimed. "And who's to say it won't happen again? We became invaders because our main trading partners turned our technology against us and tried to enslave us. We returned the favor!"

"And we've made a universe full of enemies because of it!" Goalit reminded her.

"So, you're saying Tallest Miyuki was wrong to retaliate?" Tak screamed.

"No, she was right to put them in their place, but to make the whole universe pay for it..."

Tak stopped; she hadn't thought of it that way.

"Listen Tak I know you don't believe in Zim's vision for our people, but you were right to side with him." Goalit assured him. "What the Tallest have done is an unforgiveable act, and now that Koi is gone, Zim is our only salvation. He is the only Amon left thanks to the Tallest, and any other they try to make with their rogue DNA will be discontinued once order is restored."

"But how will we get the numbers back up?" Tak asked. "If we wait for Zim to take over it could be decades later. What if he dies in battle?"

"You are right we must do something about this." Goalit agreed.

"If only we could find our own production facilities." Tak mumbled.

"Tak that's it!" Goalit exclaimed.

"What do you mean?" Tak asked not getting it.

"Who do we know of who has the same know how and ability to create Amons?" Goalit asked.

At first Tak appears lost, than it clicks. "The Ancients!"

"Yes, if we can find them-" Goalit began.

"They abandoned us long ago, because of what Tallest Miyuki did. They did not approve of her tactics." Tak told him.

"Yes, and you just told me Zim agrees with them." Goalit reminded her. "If we find them, and explain the crimes of the Tallest, and tell them of Zim's vision they may be willing to help."

"Okay let's say this is a good plan, let's say it will work." Tak thought out loud. "How will we find them?"

"I once heard rumor that the Ancients were taking in refugees from the worlds our armies had destroyed." Goalit answered.

"Really where are they harboring them?" Tak exclaimed.

"I'm not sure, but I know they must be with the refugees." Goalit said half to himself. "Perhaps I could ask the Vorts here. They still trust me despite the takeover, and some of them did indeed disappear during the final battle."

"You think it's possible that they escaped to this place of refuge with the Ancients?" Tak asked.

"I know it's a stretch but it's all we have to go on, besides either way we have to find them." Goalit exclaimed. "If Zim is really serious about taking us back to our roots than he will need to be blessed by the Ancients as so many of The Tallest had been before they left us."

"You're right, either way we must find then, and soon." Tak agreed.

"Thank you Tak for sharing this with me." Goalit spoke truthfully.

"I know it is not the news you want to hear; you love the ways of our people." Tak said sorrowfully.

"Yes. I do." Goalit agreed. "But change is never easy, however it is rarely a bad thing either." He assured her. "Our roots were good, pure, and full of peace; and after almost two centuries of nothing but one war after another those ideas can't help but sound tantalizing."

Tak couldn't help but agree, it was a tempting thought.

No more War, you could be whatever you wanted to be, do what you wanted to do.

Amons, and Shew standing together, not worlds apart!

Yes, it was tantalizing…

"When can we speak again?" Tak asked.

"Soon." Goalit assured her. "Once I've made contact with the Ancients I will try to get transferred to Earth. Zim will need all the Irken support he can get on the inside if he's going to win us all over once he takes out the Tallest."

"You mean form a resistance of Irkens?!" Tak screeched in disbelief.

"Tak the Tallest have failed us all, we must help promote Zim as our new leader, besides, we have a duty to our people." Goalit reminded her. "They have a right to know the truth about the Worthy Smeets."

"You're right." Tak agreed. "I only hope they'll believe us."

"Don't worry we will decide how to cross that bridge when we get there." Goalit assured her.

"Then I will wait for your call." Tak told him.

Goalit nodded and ended the call.

Tak sighed she hoped that she didn't just make the biggest mistake of her life!

(With Goalit on Vort…)

Goalit sighed he didn't want to believe it, but Tak's evidence was undeniable, the Tallest had betrayed them, and now Zim was their only hope. They had to get him to the Ancients, and Goalit had a feeling he knew just the person to ask about their location. He entered a number to a nearby prison planet and held his breath as he waited for his old friend to appear on screen.

Moments later a Vortian appeared on the screen. "Goalit you look well." He said.

"Lard Nar my old friend we must talk." Goalit sighed.

Lard Nar can tell his old friend is in despair. "Goalit what's wrong? What happened?"

"It's the Tallest they have doomed us all!" Goalit could feel the tears forming in his eyes.

"What have they done?!" Lard Nar is on high alert now.

"They have murdered all of our future leaders." Goalit informed him. "I have proof."

"Goalit as a friend of course I am concerned for you, but why share this with me?" Lard Nar asked.

"Listen I know you're the leader of The Resisty." Goalit whispered.

Lard Nar's eyes widen, and then his expression grows stern. "This conversation is over!" He moves to hang up.

"NO PLEASE MY FRIEND!" Goalit exclaims.

Lard Nar stops. "Why should I listen to what you have to say?" He asked.

"I have known about your treason for some time now, but I never ratted you out!" Goalit told him.

"But why?" Lard Nar asked.

"I know you, and though I stand by my people I know what we did to you; our most trusted allies was wrong. I was surprised that you all still embraced my company. And even though I'm Irken I've spent more time on Vort with you then my own kind."

"What do you want my old friend?" Lard Nar asked.

"I know as the leader of the Resisty you have connections with enemies of the Tallest." Goalit whispered.

"You wish to revolt?" Lard Nar was amazed.

"In time, Earth is a strong chess piece for the Tallest we need to free the Earth first." Goalit told him.

"Then what will you have me do?"

"The Ancients, Lard Nar please tell me you know where they are." Goalit pleaded.

Lard Nar sighed. "As a matter of fact, I do, but they will not be wanting to speak to an Irken of the Empire." He warned him.

"Then speak to them for me please! They must know all of my findings." Goalit begged.

"Findings?" Lard Nar asked.

"There is an Amon revolting against the Tallest, Zim. He wants the Irkens to go back to the way they were, back to their roots." Goalit explained.

Lard Nar's eyes lit up. "If what you say is true than they will want to speak to you right away!" he exclaimed. "Send me everything and I will get it to them, if they are convinced they will contact you." He assured him.

"Thank you my friend you will not be sorry." Goalit vowed, as he sent the data over.

"Don't thank me yet this may get us both killed." Lard Nar warned before hanging up.

Goalit sat in silence for a long time after the call, for he knew his old friend was right. This could make them or break them.

And which one that would be...well, only time would tell…

Episode 11 Inner Demons (Part3) END!

Author's Notes:

OH Shoot! The Tallest have just murdered four cadets, it would appear they will stop at nothing to keep their power. Even Still Tak is determined to stop them, but what will she do once she finds out Zim has given up on their people!

Tune in next time to find out!

Shout-out(s): I would love to dedicate this shout out to Kebarton, for her amazing addition to this series!

As always I thank you all for reading and please review