Episode 12: Where Loyalties Lie
Episode Summary- While Zim converses with the Ancients, Red continues his downward spiral into madness causing everyone to fear for his remaining sanity and their own lives. Meanwhile, as Jamie continue to find weakness in the Prison on Zec, Dib and the others converge to kidnap their fellow Renegades who are still under house arrest.
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 12: Where Loyalties Lie (Part 2)
(Back with Dib…)
Kidnaping,
He had done a lot of things in his life, but Kidnapping was never one of them. He had chased several people down accusing them of being big foot, an alien, and even a vampire. He had threatened to dissect them, took samples of DNA without permission, and harassed them none stop.
But kidnapping?
That was a new one.
"Are we sure this is a good idea?" Elma voiced her own worries.
At the moment the remaining Renegades, humans and Irkens alike (Including the adults)had divided into several groups and dispersed all over town. Their goal? Retrieve as many of the missing members of the Renegades and their families as possible. Without getting caught! Hat last part was very important, because even though all the Irkens had retreated to Zec, the Streets were still dangerous.
Many lethally armed spy drones were patrolling the streets, there orders? Shoot and kill anyone or anything found outside. All residents were ordered to stay in their homes, if food or supplies was needed a spy drone would deliver it upon request.
Dib was grateful of this information, after their last meeting he had once again updated the members who were currently under house arrest through his communicator. Several answered with reports of what was going on beyond the dome. Like Dib had feared many of them had been questioned and searched. This was due to the fact that they had relations with Josh and Joseph Campbell, who the enemy now knew was secretly Zim and Dib in disguise.
All of them assured Dib that they told the Spy drones nothing, and they found nothing. Still this knowledge made things even more difficult for the awaiting task. The remaining members may be under heavier surveillance.
Still they needed to get all of them now!
So, he informed them that they were coming for them today! They were instructed to have their families ready to move, whether they liked it or not!
Dib shifted uncomfortably, at the moment His team, was gathered in a section of the seward system, just below a man hole. It was shocking to him that the drones did not search the waste tunnels, but Mia informed them that it was most likely due to the Irken's obsession with cleanliness. Irkens couldn't imagine anything wanting to walk around such a disgusting area, so they figured humans, even as low as they are; wouldn't be able to stomach it either.
'Their lose.'
"Do you see any?" Dib asked Tesi.
Tesi was currently using a device to scan for any Spy Drones above. The teams had been divided up evenly into four groups, and all groups had both human and Irken personnel. Dib had done this on purpose, and for good reason. He knew they would have to fight as one when they took Zec, so he saw this mission as a perfect chance to practice.
Elma bites her lip nervously; she has never been out on the field before. She always stayed behind with Goalit and the other scientist. However, with staff so low, the others could not afford her to stay behind. While usually the dome was guarded by at least 5 personnel at all times, at the moment Mia was the only one who remained.
She was there to open the docking bay when they arrived, and man the controls of the dome, just in case they needed to make a quick getaway. Many of the adults felt uneasy leaving an Irken in charge of their only refuge, but Dib assured them that she could be trusted.
Elma sighed, in many ways the human and Irken relations were improving, for example the dome was no longer separated. Irkens were free to move freely once more. Both parties had also agreed to work together for all future missions, including the one they were currently one. Still, it was not a perfect alliance, the humans still feared that the Irkens would double cross them at any moment.
Elma couldn't blame them, after all it was an Irkens MO to gain your trust before double crossing their victims. It was how they had conquered world after world. Elma had even found herself fearing that Goalit would betray them when Dib and Zim had come to their rescue. Of course, she now knew how silly the thought was, and she knew the others would soon come to the same conclusion. Still, such matters took time, and time was not on their side.
Mia had told them that Lar Nard's army would most likely be arriving when Zim returns, which could be any day now. True, they had no way of knowing when Zim would return, but this only made their urgency to be ready all the more important.
"We are all clear." Tesi assured them.
Dib breathed a sigh of relief, luckily they didn't have that many houses to hit. Well, he suppose it was lucky, if you called most of your human personnel being locked up in prison being lucky! Dib shook his head, he could not think of that now, he had to focus. All he could do was worry about what he could control, everything else was in Jamie's hands. He had to trust that they would be ready come invasion day!
His focus was to liberate Shyann and her family, which included her parents and younger brother, Sammy. He had to keep that his main focus, he could not worry about Gaz, Zim, Jamie and the other prisoners, or even the war that was going on all over the universe. No! For once in his life, Dib would focus on the one thing that mattered. He would not try and mettle with things beyond his grasp like he had done so many times before. They could not afford that now!
"All right team." He said. "We are just across from Shyann's house." He explained. "We jump out, we run, and we go in, the door is unlock. They are waiting for us, right at the door. We close the door, wait to scan for more drones, and run right back here!"
Everyone nodded their agreement, humans and Irkens alike too scared to speak.
Elma fells the dread creep in, they are not ready for this. To be thrown into a mission together, without any training or guidance of any kind! It would be suicidal if they were discovered by a drone! Still it must be done. The order had been given, and the other teams were already at their assigned targets. Mark's team was liberating Keef and his parents while James' went for Gretchen. Finally, Rachel and her team would be going after Daniel, or Jenkins as he was commonly referred to. Jenkins had a total of five member in his family, so naturally, Rachel's team had been given more personnel for protection.
Of course, this only meant the other three teams were smaller, and right now smaller felt a lot like vulnerable and weak.
'Easy Prey.' Tesi pushed the thought from her mind, she had to have faith in her allies, now more than ever. "If we are going to move, it must be now!"
Dib nodded. "On three." He told them and started counting. "One…two…three!"
(Back with Kazar…)
He was like a ticking time bomb, and worse still everyone could see it. From the highest ranking general to the lowest ranking drone. It was obvious that Red was slipping, and everyone was talking about it. Whispering among themselves, many fearing for the future.
Kazar tried to hush those fears the best he could, if Red hears even a wisp of it would only plunge him further into madness. It had become apparent to them all that Purple had been the one keeping him together. His voice of reasoning that broke through the darkness at just the right moment, but without him Red was spiraling out of control at an alarming rate.
Within an hour of Purple's departure, Red had dismissed three of his seven personal drones, accused several others of trying to poison him when they brought his lunch, and dismissed several other castle staff.
This was good for cause after all, the more Irkens Red threw onto the streets of Zec, the less there would be to protect him with in the castle walls. However, the fuss was that Red would be enraged with their absence the moment he needed them.
"Kazar where is my snacks!" Red screamed from his thrown, his eyes were dangerously crimson, and his form looked more beastly then not.
"You've dismissed them all." Kazar realized as he sees even those that were left are now also gone. "Even Tallest Purple's drones have been sent out."
"Of course!" Red hissed. "They belonged to that traitor!"
"Traitor?" Kazar is openly confused. "Tallest Purple is no traitor."
"Isn't he?" Red growled. "He was all so eager to leave, and he has yet to report in. I bet he's conspiring with that wretched defect as we speak."
Originally, Kazar had wanted to create a wedge between his two leaders, but now he was having second thoughts. Red obviously more dependent of Purple then he ever showed on the surface, and without him, Kazar feared none of them would survive his wrath. If Red slipped any further everyone could be dead by his hands before Zim could return.
"My Tallest, if he sends out a transmission now the enemy will be able to detect his approach. He'll lose his element of surprise over Zim."
"DO NOT SAY HIS NAME!" Red screamed. "I never want to hear that wretched name ever again!"
"Of course, my Tallest." Kazar bows apologetically. "I meant no disrespect."
"And yet you wound me so!" Red growled. He suddenly looks around alarmed. "Where is that human female his love pet, I will take my frustrations out on her?"
For a moment fear creeps in, Kazar knows his next response will decide if he walks out of here alive, or is dragged away by who is ever left to tend to Red's wild mood swings. "I am afraid I already disposed of her." He revealed.
"You did what?" Red sounds more shocked then angry.
"I never trusted her." He told him. "She was creating a ruckus among the drones, making them question your authority. Where do you think the rumors of your usability came from?"
"That worm! I knew we should have killed her!" Red growls, buying the ploy, but it only creates a new problem. "Tak! She brought her! She must be in league with the swine, bring her to me!"
Kazar winced.
"What did you off her too?" Red looks suspicious now. "Or are you hiding them both from me!" He looks ready to pounce up from the throne and slaughter him.
"No, I like you suspected she may be working with her, but she saw me take out the human female and fled." He lied. "The remaining staff and I fear she may have left the castle."
"Then go after her." Red ordered.
"My Tallest if I leave who will protect you?" Kazar asked.
Big mistake.
"Do I look like I need protection!?" He screamed.
Kazar bowed. "No, of course not, I only mean to serve."
"The see that you do, now leave me!" Red hissed. "Just looking at you reminds me of HIM!"
Kazar wastes no time making his leave, and as he left the throne room the remaining ex-commanders stood right before him. They had heard everything, and the fear on their faces was plain as day. "Where is she?"
None of them needed to know who he was referring to, they parted revealing Tak.
Tak looks up at him shakenly, not too long ago he had threaten to kill her. Would he give her up now? As a sacrificial lamb to give Red the satisfaction of tasting blood.
"Leave."
His response shocks her. "What?"
"Leave and find the others, you are no longer safe here."
Tak is still too stunned to respond.
"Go find Bec." Reed told her. "You can aid in the prison break." He instructed, hoping a sense of purpose would get her moving. "GO NOW! THAT'S AN ORDER!"
That does the trick, Tak is moving robotically, she has no time to pack, she only has what's on her, and right now it is all she needs. She reaches for her Communicator, it has been recording everything, she had started the recording to show Zim how bad things had gotten, but now sending a message to Zim could give her position away. Worse still it could blow the whole prison break.
So, she does the next thing, she sends the recording to another communicator as she races through the outer doors of the palace.
The receiver was Dib!
(Back with Jamie…)
She would like to say it was easy, but after hours and hours of mind numbing mind control she felt her resolve slipping.
Jamie grimaced, she tried to think of her inner strength, the reason she got up every morning. Her sisters, they were what she was fighting for. And they were in here, which gave her more reason to fight back, so that she could save them from this.
Crystal was having a harder time, everyone she already loved was already under the Irken's control! What did she have left to fight for? "I can't!" She screamed. "I can't do this! I'm tired of fighting an endless battle, I'm all alone!"
She gasped as Jamie Manages to wrestle her arm free and grasped her bounded one.
Jacob is stunned, he had hoped Crystal would be able to resist since her brainwashing was still in the trail phase, but Jamie was actually persevering. She was proving that his own mind controlling session hadn't been a fluke, others could resist.
But they needed something to fight for, or perhaps someone to fight with.
"You're not!" Jamie screamed. "I'm right here." She told her squeezing tight. She is not sure where the extra surge of energy came from, but she is glad for it. For she finally understands why her leaders chose her in the first place. Her will was strong, so strong that her fighting spirt would never die. She would keep the hope alive with in this prison no matter how grim it got. Better still, one day, hopefully soon; she would use the same strength to lead them beyond these walls and on to the battle field.
Her words light a fire, she thought had died what felt like an eternity before. Before The invasion, she had wanted for so much. She was going to be a dancer, the best blind ballerina that ever hit the stage. She remembered the countless private tutors her parents had thrown money out, fueling her dream. She promised one day, she would repay them tenfold, she'd be so famous she'd have to give the money away because there would be just too much for one bank to hold.
Her parents always laughed it off, saying her happiness was enough, but she knew her disability had been a burden for them. He mother stopped working to take care of her, while her father juggled several jobs to keep her dream alive.
Remembering them now reminded that their strength was also her own. She realized for the first time that they must be here somewhere in the prison. And having them this close after being apart for so long made her realize how much she missed them.
How much she wanted to see them.
They had never given up on her, never tossed her aside because she was broken. They loved her, disability, and all. They stood by her, fought for her, and she would fight for them.
She pushed the dread aside, and focuses on her last true happiest memory.
She is standing center stage of private dance recital at the civic center; the music is a calm slow melody. She glides with the music, as her parents cheer for her over the crowd at the top of her lungs. After years of dedication she had gotten the lead in the opening ballet of the winter festival. Show times were starting as early as the next day.
She was so close to realizing her dream, but they ruined it all.
Like they ruined everything.
Irk had destroyed her dream.
No! It was not destroyed, she smiled as the fire within drowned out the sound all together. Her dream was very much alive, but a newer, and much stronger one had trumped its passion. Now more than everything her dream was getting her life back.
And again, she was so close to that dream, but this time she would not let it pass through her fingers.
NO! This time she would fight like a savage to have this dream.
And nothing would stand in her way!
Jacob smiled as the brainwashing programs for the two girls began to fail to their stronger will. They didn't know it yet, but their will was overwriting the programs. Jacob was the cause of this, it had taken months for him to create the weak link within the tech that allowed this to be done. Basically, it was designed so anyone with a strong enough will, like his could rewrite the system.
He had waited day after day, brain washed one family member after the other, only to be struck with disappointment every time. They had given up the fight a long time ago, even before they were captured. They lived in filth and human waste for crying out loud. They hid from the truth, from the outside world. Only A few like Crystal and her family faced the enemies above them.
Still, they wasted time collecting food for those too weak and scared to fight their own battles.
These people never once made a stand against their invaders
But today that stopped for today marked the beginning of the uprising of the prisoners of Zec.
Crystal smiled as Jamie gave her another squeeze. Today they would conquer the mind controller technology, and tomorrow they would conquer the prison that held them.
It was only a matter of time!
(Back with Gaz…)
She knew rushing this could get her caught, or worse, KILLED!
But with the ships warp speed capabilities, Purple and his army could be upon Zim and the Ancients in a matter of seconds.
So, without much thought for her own safety, Zag got to work.
The ship had left Zec moments after they boarded and was due to reach Zim in a matter of hours, which didn't get her a lot of time.
If she had a communicator like Tak did this would be so much easier, but sadly she did not, and to make matters worse the main Comms were on the bridge.
Of course, this didn't mean her task was impossible. While the main Comms was under the watchful eyes of Tallest Purple and his soldiers there was a small communications hub in the Cargo hold.
"It's mostly used to communicate with the Bridge." Diaz had informed her before they boarded. "But it can make outward calls as long as you know the right frequency.
Gaz knew it well, she had seen Tak dial it in several times when she communicated to the Renegades, it was an eight digit code, followed by a special assigned number. For Dib, that number was 2. Gaz assumed this was because he was number 2 on the undesirable list. So, going by that logic Zim's special assigned number would be 1. Of course, she had no way of knowing if this would get her to Zim, which was why she was so nervous.
The moment she touched the hub in the Cargo bay a silent notification would be sent to the bridge, and once that happened her time limit would begin. She would have to dial the number, call Zim, and leave an informative message about the situation all before a soldier came to investigate. And if she got it wrong, or if she ran out of time she would lose her only chance to warn Zim.
And that wasn't even half of the problem, as a drone she could not simply dismiss herself from her post. If she was caught away from her post she could be killed on the spot. A point that Diaz had made apparent from the beginning; "If you get caught." She said. "I will not come to your rescue."
Gaz understood this, if Diaz was discovered conspiring with the enemy all the ex-commanders could be put under scrutiny, and with nearly all the Castle staff gone they were the only ones that stood between Zim and Red. Meaning if she got caught now their end game would be ruined!
She looked around, from left to right, and then left again, Diaz had posted her in the hall where the cargo bay doors were located. In about two to three minutes the doors would open for the SEO Unit to enter and check circuits on the communications hub. A SOE unit was the Ships Engineering Operating Unit, and its main function was to perform maintenance checks on all parts of the ship. Once it entered it would perform its routine check without mishap and once it left Gaz would slip into the Cargo bay unnoticed. She had to do things this way because she did not have an access card to the cargo bay, there for she would need help getting in. However, once in she just hap to push a button to exit.
Gaz waited as she watched the SEO Unit enter the cargo bay. She looks around again checking to see if the coast was still clear. It is, so without much delay she walks over to the bay doors. They are closed again, but the SEO would leave through once more in a matter of minutes. She crouches lower, she is short in this disguise, but with a race that is ordinarily small she had to make herself even smaller to go unnoticed. Minutes later, the door opens and the SOE zooms through the air and back towards the Bridge to give its report.
Gaz dives in just before the doors close again, she looks around and sees that the bay is mostly empty. She smiles as the hub comes into view, it looks simple enough and thanks to her months of Zec the once alien text is easy to translate. Thanks to Tak she knew the basic numbers system of Zim's native tongue like the back of her own hand. She takes the receiver in her hand and dials with the other.
120-82-020-1
For a moment there is nothing, and she fears that she has ruined her chance. It is only now occurring to her that Zim may not answer a call from an unknown source, and if he didn't answer soon she would have to give up.
"Hello?"
His voice almost makes faint with relief despite herself.
"Zim, it's me."
"Gaz!" He sounds alarmed. "Where are you? Why are you calling from-?"
"Look I don't have a lot of time." Gaz said. "Purple is on a ship and he is heading your way."
"How-"
Again, she cuts him off. "They tracked the ship you stole. It gave off a silent signal and they know where you are." She explained. "Purple is coming and he has a small army at the ready."
For a moment he doesn't respond.
"Zim did you hear me?" Gaz asked. "Zim..."
Suddenly the sound of the bay doors opening fills the room and she bolts hiding behind the only piece of cargo. It's a large crate, no doubt it stored several weapons for the pending assault. She peaks over it and curses as she sees Skoodge enter.
"Gaz? Gaz are you there?"
Her blood freezes as she hears Zim's voice she never hung up.
Skoodge smiles at the receiver, its hanging, dangling beside the wall connected to the hub. He picks it up sarcasm dripping in his voice. "Well, well, well if it isn't the Irken traitor Zim!"
"Skoodge!" Zim's voice is like venom. "I swear if you hurt her-" He began.
"What's this?" Skoodge interrupted. "Little Gaz is on the ship?" He laughs wickedly. "So, you're telling me I get to take her away from you all over again?"
Gaz feels along the crate trying to pry it open without being noticed, it's no easy task, but she manages, pulling out a laser pistol and some ammo she bolts for the door while the enemy is distracted.
"Touch her and you're dead!" Zim warned.
It was the last words she heard before she presses the button on the wall, the door opens with a loud whoosh!
Skoodge turns towards the door, but whatever or whoever was over there is nowhere to be seen. "I will find her Zim, and this time I will not be taking prisoners!"
(Back with Zim...)
"What's going on?" Scamooch asked as the line went dead.
For a moment Zim cannot find the words.
"Taller Zim?" Miz looks equality concern. "What is it?"
"It's Purple." Zim manages to say. "He's coming and he has an army."
Suddenly an alarm blares all around them.
"Smoots." Razor is almost breathless.
"The look out, someone must see them coming!" Smooths gasped.
"They're that close already?" Scamooch looks fearful, they all do.
"It's alright." Zim tries to sound as if he is in control. "Surely you've prepared for this possibility."
"We have." Razor answered. "But that was before."
"Before what?" Scamooch asked.
"Most of the refugees here are old or harbor crippling injuries they acquired from escaping their home worlds during the purge. All those who can fight are off freeing other worlds." Tulu explained.
"So, Lard Nar is not here?" Zim asked.
"No, He sent us a warning that you were coming through a transmission." Miha informed him.
"So, you left yourselves entirely defenseless!" Scamooch sounds enraged, mostly because he is. "What idiot-"
"Hold your tongue!" Zim whaps him on the side of the head. "Don't you see we are the cause of this?" He hissed.
"What? US!" Scamooch growled, cradling his sore head.
"There must have been a tracking beacon on the ship." Zim explained.
"They followed us here." Scamooch realized then. "How could we be so careless? We should have-"
"It's in the past now." Zim said, getting ready. "Besides not all is lost." He reasoned. "Gaz said the army was small and I doubt they are all on Purple side."
"What do you mean?" Miz asked.
"Someone must have helped Gaz get on the ship so she could warn me." Zim reasoned.
"And you are sure she only said him?" Scamooch asked.
"Yes, She said Purple is coming, not them, not the Tallest, just Purple." Zim assured them.
Understanding seems to fill Miz's eyes. "Then this is what you need to do..."
Episode 12: Where Loyalties Lie (Part 2)END!