Episode 11: Battle Lines Blur (Part 3)

(Back with Dib…)

Cooperation…

It had come at a snail's pace, but finally they were all on the same page. Humans and Irkens alike buzzed around him with activity as they tried to figure out how.

How to get on Zec!

"We could allow ourselves to get captured." Elma suggested.

"Are you mad?" Seth reasoned. "They just might shoot us on the spot!"

"Well no ships are coming down from Zec so we can't just hijack." Kornelius argued in her defense.

And no Irkens are down here so we can't pose as some drones." Goalit added.

Several people, Irkens and humans alike groaned in confusion. Getting on Zec seemed like such an impossible task. The enemy had cut off all ways in and out of the Irken city in hopes of disorienting them.

"What if we did what Zim did?" Rachel asked.

"What do you mean?" Samantha asked.

"Zim used a cloaked ship to get in." Rachel explained.

"But it was Tak's ship." Mark reasoned.

"Yeah, won't they be able to detect an Irken vessel?" James added.

"Not necessarily." Dib went to explain. "Tak created her own ship, using her own cloaking tech. and since we know Zim made it off world safely, the enemy was not able to detect the ship."

"But it was one of a kind." Goalit argued. "And Tak is not with us to build another."

"I've worked on that ship for years." Dib revealed. "It's been in my care since the Tak invasion eight years ago."

"Do you think you can make a similar design?" Membrane asked.

Dib nodded. "But we may need more parts." He pointed out. "If we use anymore of this dome, water will start pouring in."

"And where do you suppose we get that?" Mrs. Hearting asked.

"Yeah it's not like we have supplies stored in some secret base somewhere." Tesi agreed.

Dib's eyes widen. "Hey dad, I think it's time you told me where your secret labs were."

Professor Membrane smiled knowingly, understanding filed him in an instant. If they could get to even one of those labs they would be golden. Supplies, machinery, and many blueprints with unfinished designs awaited them. It was a smorgasbord of opportunity.

Kornelius however shows a look of annoyance. "You old crow, I can't believe you forgot to tell him!"

In all honesty, with the constant weapon making and the near death experiences his son kept having; Professor Membrane just hadn't found the time.

"Wait…wait, you have secret labs?" Seth asked.

Professor Membrane nodded.

"And here we are hurting for supplies!" Elma scowled.

"Are you sure they have not been discovered?" Mia challenged.

"I can't be for certain." Professor Membrane revealed the Irken Rebel's fears. "If they did discovered one and managed to get in then it could be a loss." He said. "All the Documents are littered with my name and signature, and it wouldn't be hard to use the computer from one lab to find the others."

"And once they know it's yours they could rig it as a trap for me." Dib said.

Elma felt her breath caught. It would be the Science Camp all over again, the Tallest had used membrane as bait for his son. Once Dib entered the science camp his DNA, which was identical to his father's (him being his clone and all) was detected and the enemy was altered of their presence.

"It's risky." James pointed out the obvious.

"We can't afford to get caught." Goalit stressed the obvious. "Our numbers are already greatly demolished."

"We could run the mission." Mia offered.

"No, that's suicide." Rachel yelled.

"Why are they more important then you?" James dad asked.

"Because we will be captured." Rachel explained. "They are defective, they will be killed on the spot!"

Silence followed her words.

"We know the costs of war." Mia finally spoke up. "We are Irkens after all."

"I know." Rachel looks torn. "It just doesn't feel right. You were never in league with your leaders, you didn't help them in this war. You shouldn't have to clean up their mess."

Tesi placed a hand on her shoulder. "As Irkens we are all responsible, regardless of the finer details."

"I will not stop you if you want to do this." Professor Membrane said gravely. "Put I must come with you."

"Dad, no!" Dib argued.

"Dib if those labs are undiscovered my DNA is need to gain access." Professor Membrane told him. "Without me it could take them longer to gain access. If that happens they risk getting spotted, where they will be shoot and killed."

"Then I will go." Dib said.

"Dib, you are a child!" Mrs. Hearting began.

"No, I am 18." Dib argued. "I am legally an adult, and I can make my own decisions!" He countered.

"Dib…" Professor Membrane looks somewhat defeated.

I know you want to prove to me that you have my back." Dib told him. "That you believe in me. But I just got you back. I thought I lost you, and I am not ready to go through that again."

"And you think I am?" Professor Membrane asked. "Gaz is still out of my reach, but you are here, and safe."

"Dad." Dib is surprised. His father had always backed him up since their reunion.

"I know I've let you go on missions, but that was before." He reasoned. "Before you had Zim, I knew I could count on him to protect you. Take a hit for you, die for you."

Dib nodded, He understood. Still…"I can't sit around and do nothing."

"What if you both go?" Mark offered.

"What?" Dib asked.

"If we hit two labs at once we'll have more than enough." Mark explained. "We can't risk getting caught and only getting to raid one lab."

"He's right." James agreed. "Say you get into one lab and the Spy domes happen to pick up on your activity. They'll try to capture you, but even if you escape they will still have the lab." He reasoned. "And you just said all they need is one to find the others."

"If we need more supplies we may not have the other labs to fall back to." Elma stated the obvious.

Professor Membrane nodded his agreement, going to one lab at a time would be too time consuming, and make the chances of them getting caught greater.

Dib realizes it too; they had no choice. If he was simply making a cloaking device, one lab would be enough. But they had to make a whole ship, one large enough to carry them all up to Zec and withstand possible enemy fire. Not, only that but it needed weapons of its own to increase their chances of success. "There is no way around it." He finally agreed. "We need to split into two teams and get as much supplies as we can."

The adults around them didn't look pleased with the plan, but they didn't have any better ideas. Zim got on Zec which means they knew this would work. To try an entirely different strategy would be time consuming, and it might not even work. Why risk it when they already had a working plan.

"We're going to need all hands on deck for this." Dib said looking to the parents. "That means we'll need you."

"Us?" Mrs. Hearting asked.

Rachel nodded. "Welcome to the resistance mom." She said, only half-jokingly.

"Just tell us what we need to do." Seth said.

"Our kid's need us." Bill agreed. "And if my son is brave enough to fight, then so am I."

Everyone human, and Irken alike shouted their agreement.

Dib nodded looking to Professor Membrane. "Dad tell us, what's the plan?"

Professor Membrane stood pulling out a hand drawn map of the town from one of the many draws in the meeting room. Everyone gathers around looking over it. Professor Membrane begins to circle locations on the map. There are five labs in all, and they are randomly located all over the town.

Dib can already tell that this won't be easy, even though all Irkens were on Zec, their spy drones still patrolled the streets. The humans had been warned that the floating robots were set to kill anyone who left their homes. No one was even allowed to go to the store to buy milk, ever since Zim's escape everything was locked down.

Which brought another fear into light.

How would the other Renegades, the ones who hadn't been captured get to the Dome? Sure, they could try to make a break for it, but they would risk death!

The remaining leaders of the Renegades all shared a look, they were thinking the same thing.

'If we don't get them here, then we won't have enough people to attack Zec!'

(Back with Kazar…)

The news that Reed had shared with him was more than unsettling. The fact that the Tallest had disband them was one thing. But to go their separate was? It was madness, one of their only advantages was the fact that there was only one of Zim, and two of them.

'They have really lost it." Diaz was beside herself.

"No Red has lost it." Reed whispered. The ex-commanders had gathered in the medical wing once more, using Diaz's eye as an excuse. "Purple tried to reason with him that leaving was a bad idea."

"And then he leaves himself?" Ash shook his head.

"It doesn't surprise me." Nerb retorted. "Purple always submits to Red, I wouldn't be surprise if Red hadn't been scheming to get him to go from the start."

"He may be right." Kazar finally spoke. "It's no secret the two have been at each other's throats, and with Zim du to arrive with an army Red cannot risk a fight with Purple. Even if he wins his injures may give Zim an advantage."

Dalk had also been thinking this. "Is it possible we could talk Purple down?" He wagered.

"What do you mean?" Flog asked.

"Think about it. Tallest Purple always submits, but maybe without Tallest Red…"

"He'll actually start thinking for himself." Sleerb finished.

"It's worth a try." Reed agreed. "After all Purple's only crime is allowing Red to misguide him."

"He has consumed Irken flesh." Diaz argued.

"But he didn't go berserk." Squab challenged. "A Rouge leader can be put back on the right path."

"Do you doubt Zim's ability?" Kazar challenged.

"No, it's just Purple has more experience, and usually Amons spend time as Tallers before they become the Tallest." Dalk reasoned.

"He is right." Reed agreed. "Zim could greatly benefit from Purple's guidance, and since he's use to submitting to Red…"

"You think he'll have no problem submitting to Zim?" Kazar concluded.

"I know it's a long shot." Reed spoke what Kazar was thinking. "But for the sake of Irk we at least have to try."

Kazar nodded, he knew it was a long shot, sure Purple may agree to work with Zim when they are alone, but the moment they face off Red he could easily convert back. However, he did not dwell on the idea, for it was not his call. Trusting Purple was Zim's decision, and in his eyes doing nothing to stop Red might make Purple just as guilty, besides forgiveness was never Zim's strong suit.

Not to mention the ancients would also need convincing…

"All we can do now is try to warn Zim he is coming." Kazar answered.

"And how do you suppose we do that?" Ash asked.

"It's going to have to be me." Gaz said. Shwa and Tak had been sitting quietly against the far wall.

"You?" Diaz asked.

Gaz nodded. "As long as I am here Red can use me as an advantage." Gaz reasoned. "I would have snuck away with Zim, but I knew he would har none of it." She revealed.

"And how do you plan to get there?" Kazar challenged. "One stolen ship is suspicious enough, but two in less than 24 hours. It's like you're trying to get us caught."

"I'll stole away on the ship with Purple." Gaz suggested.

Tak didn't like the idea of Gaz going out there or anywhere for that matter, especially on her own. Here Tak could keep her promise to Dib, to Zim and keep her safe. Out there, out of her reach, anything could happen.

Still, the facts could not be over looked, if Gaz stayed much longer Red would use her as a shield against Zim.

"it can' be avoided." Tak reluctantly agreed. "She has to get out of dodge."

"Agreed." Kazar voiced, the others nodded. They did not understand this love Gaz and Zim had, none of them did, but it was a variable they could not ignore.

"Will you be able to managed the rest of the plan without me?" Gaz asked.

Tak shook her head. "I'm going." She said.

"It will me much harder for you both to stow away." Kazar reasoned. "Besides if you both go missing Red will lose it all together."

"If you are here, you can at least make appearances for me." Gaz added.

Tak growled, she didn't like it. If something happened to Gaz she would noy hear the end of it.

"I will go." Reed voiced. "Purple has already asked Red for mu presence I'm sure I can convince him of my worth."

"No, I am more likely to win his favor." Diaz argued.

No one challenged her.

Tak reluctantly nodded her agreement. "Fine but if you betray Zim!" She warned.

"I admit I do not like his views." Diaz voiced openly, "But the Tallest are crumbling and I have no other option but Zim."

"Then we are all in agreement?" Reed asked.

Everyone in the room slowly nodded their approval.

"The we must make haste." Diaz said. "Come Tak we haven't a moment to lose."

Gaz followed Her without hesitation. She would sneak a call to Zim once thy had managed to get off world. Hopefully, that would give him enough time to prepare.

Tak watched her go anxiously, until she was out the door, and out of sight. She hoped she didn't just make a big mistake.

(Back with Zim…)

He was finding it hard to breathe…

Had he heard right?

Did they just tell that being defective was…

"A lie?" Scamooch manages to express the outrage, that Zim is took shocked to feel. "But how is that possible?"

"The word defective is misused." Miz explained. "The Tallest see anything that doesn't fit their definition of perfect as defective."

"It's an opinion." Razor revealed. "There's nothing physically wrong with them, nothing to warrant the amount of oppression that the Tallest have given."

"We studied the "Defective Problem ourselves." Smoots explained. "Back when Tallest Myuki first introduced it. We saw nothing wrong with them. Nothing that would justify immediate termination!"

Zim's head was reeling, it just couldn't comprehend the words.

All those years, all that time, all those days thinking that something was wrong with him…but NOTHING! Nothing was wrong with him! Life times had been wasted, searching, trying to comprehend, to understand why? When in all reality he wasn't the one with the problem, THEY WERE!

The Tallest were the real disease! They were the ones that needed to be snuffed out! They were like a destructive plague annihilating everything in sight.

"Zim I understand that this must be a lot for you to take in." Miz began.

Oh no she didn't, she did not just say that she understood.

"How could you possibly understand?" Zim's tone is low, but threatening, Eyes glowing. "Do you know what it's like to be treated lower than dirt? To try your hardest, but no matter what it's never enough? Do you know how it feels to look at yourself and wonder why? Why me? I have suffered for them, done everything to please them, forgave them countless of times. Thinking, it's not there fault, I'm the one whose messed up! And now you're telling me that there is nothing wrong with me!" He gasped for air. "How could you possible understand how I feel?"

Scamooch was floored, he had never seen Zim blow up in such a way. The elder Irken was always self-composed, always in control. Still, even the strongest of walls begin to crack at some point.

Miz nods understanding this as well. "Zim I cannot begin to know your pain, but I understand your suffering." She assured him. "We once stood with our children, and we once swore to do anything for them. We guided them, protected them. It was a thankless task, and our children, especially the Tallest slowly started taking advantage of our ever forgiving ways. They took what they needed and then they held no regard to how we would feel. For life times we watched as they ruined the cosmos, until finally we has enough, we could take it no longer…"

Razor stepped forwards then. "What she is saying is this young one. We gave up on them, on hoping they would change. And we understand if you want to do the same."

"What?" Scamooch looks betrayed, but no one is paying attention to him.

"You can stay here, with us." Tulu suggested. "You are one of us after all."

"Here you can finally be at peace, finally belong." Smoots added.

Belong,

It was a tempting offer, Zim would be lying if he said it wasn't. To finally be among beings who understood his pain. Who were like him in every way. No, longer would he be the outcast, the one shunned for his differences. For the first time in forever Zim's life could be easy. His life could be something else besides suffering. No more trying to impress people who didn't want you around, no more trying to save people who didn't want to be saved.

No more wasting time on some alien planet where you would never belong, where he would never be loved and never be wanted.

Except, that was a lie…

He was loved, Gaz loved him, and his friends…

Dib, James, Rachel, and even Mark wanted him around.

The Renegades valued his knowledge in Irken war tactics and ingenuity. Sure, their relationship had been a rocky start, but they were a team now. And the Irken Rebels did want him, they looked up to him. He was the leader that they not only wanted, but desperately needed.

Zim looked to Scamooch, and the cadet's eyes said it all.

He needed him, to be the example of what an Irken was supposed to be. Not selfish, destructive, rampaging monsters, but a unified people who believed in equality, and prosperity for all; Whether they be Irken or not.

No more allowing the polluting thoughts that one race was better than the other, no more holding up this pedestal of lies while others suffered at his feet. For too long he had ignored their cries, choosing to step down and join them when he could have stood up and saved them over a century ago.

He looks back to that day, the day he had stepped down as an Amon.

"You will regret this decision someday."

Kazar had really hit the nail on the head with that one, but there was still time.

He could still make this right.

He gave Scamooch a nod and looked to the other Amons knowingly.

"I made a promise to fix this." He said. "And I will."

Miz nodded, a smile slipping onto her face. "Then let's get started…"

Episode 11: Battle Lines Blur (Part 3) END!