Episode 13-A Shift in Power
Episode Summary– as Jamie's plans continue to run smoothly, Zim, Scamooch, the refugees, and the other Amons are placed in harm's way as Tallest Purple closes in. Meanwhile, Dib and the others start their plan to raid Membrane's labs in hopes of replicating Tak's ship. (Red, enraged by Purple's death and Diaz's betrayal puts up a blockade around Earth) (Zim decides to return to Earth with the rest of the Refugees and Amons in hopes that their combined efforts will help him get through the blockade)
Disclaimers: I Do Not Own Invader Zim
Author's Notes: And we are back with another exciting part of Invader Zim Renegades! Thank you all for all your comments and dedication to this series.
Hope you guys enjoy!
Yours Truly, RoxieDivine :)
Episode 13-A Shift in Power (Part 1)
(Back with Jamie…)
She had not expected to be welcomed among the Irken worshipers so easily, and yet here they were.
"So how do you like your new accommodations?" Megan asked.
Jamie looked to Megan knowingly. This was one of the snakes that had tried to trick her and her friends into revealing their hideout's location back when they had took out the second water tower. She and her group of hooligans had even held a little girl hostage in a cage with them as bait to trick the Renegades into trusting them.
It was funny, not ha, ha funny, but ironically in a way. You see Jamie had forgotten just how cruel humans could be until that day. With the Irkens and their constant cruelty it was easy to believe that every human was innocent. Even now Jamie was reasoning with herself that Megan wasn't really bad, that she only acted this way due to the brain washing that was forced upon her.
Jamie shook her head, she had to remember who the enemy was. She could not let emotion cloud her judgment, not with so many depending on her success. She looked around her new room expectantly, after she and Crystal completed the brainwashing session they had returned to their cells. However, this morning Jamie was treated to the first shower she had gotten since their first day. And the water was actually warm.
Once done Megan had appeared with some of her clothes. Not Megan's clothes, but some of Jamie's own personal items from home. She looked surprised as she slipped on her favorite jeans, and sky blue Aeropostale shirt.
"Compliance has its own rewards." Megan reasoned with her. "Come with me please."
Jamie nodded and followed Megan out.
"Where is Crystal?" Jamie asked hopefully.
"She's being held under observation." Megan explained.
Jamie looks alarmed. "Why is something wrong?"
"Oh no she is fine." Megan assured her. "Cho is just being cautious." She reasoned.
"Cho?" Jamie asked. She vaguely remembered the Japanese girl from the night they first met the worshipers.
"Since Crystal is blind her programing was experimental at best." Megan explained. "So, we have to observe her and make sure it took affect before we trust her."
"Programing?" Jamie asked.
Megan nodded. "Yes, what did you think it was?"
Jamie laughed jokingly. "Well, it seemed more like brainwashing to me at the time." She admitted.
Megan nodded. "Of course, you did, that was before the programing." Megan reasoned. "You see Irkens are born with the Programing in their PAKs, however, we have learned that some humans are actually worthy enough to be accepted by it."
"You mean this is the Irken Program?" Jamie was amazed.
Megan nodded. "Congratulations we are the chosen few."
"Why is that?" Jamie asked.
"The Warden, Sargent Con says it's because we have been left with our defective thoughts for too long." Megan explained. "But not all of us are a lost cause."
Jamie nodded as she decided to take her new surroundings into consideration. The room was spacious, and she noticed that two other beds accompanied her own. "Do I roommates?"
"Yes." Megan answered. "Your sisters are scheduled to be programed today. They will be joining you here after."
"You sound so sure." Jamie said, looking doubtful. "What if it doesn't work on them?"
"Your fear is to be expected." Megan assured her. "But we have found that most family members are just as responsive as the first." She opened up a folder with Jamie's name on it. "You're brain responded well to the program." She showed Jamie the numbers willingly. "They are expected to respond just as well."
Jamie forced herself to look reassured. No doubt Jacob had faked her test results, because there was no way she responded well to the program. If anything, she remembered fighting it every painful second. Or maybe she was brainwashed and didn't even know it…nah! She shook that thought away. "Is it possible that I could be there?" She asked hopefully.
"You are expected to." Megan said. "We find that the subject is more willing if a family member distributes the program."
"I'm doing it?" Jamie was floored.
"Yes, that's why Jacob did it for you and Crystal." Megan explained as if it was no big deal. "It helps the subject feel at ease." Megan gives her a concerned look. "Hey, it will be fine, I remember when my sister didn't respond well." She revealed.
"What happened?" Jamie dared to ask.
"Sargent Con allowed me to try again, but she fought it, called me terrible things for forcing her through it again and again. Finally, I had to accept the fact that she was a lost cause."
Dread suddenly feels Jamie. "Megan what happened to your sister?"
"Oh, I no longer have one." Megan said as if it was nothing. "Some of us just can't be helped, but I wouldn't worry that worm is the only one who hasn't accepted the programing."
That…worm…
It was in that moment that Jamie understood 2 things.
1: Megan may look human, but she had the mind of an Irken, and whoever she once was gone. This was what Jacob had been talking about, his family was no longer the same; they were like Megan! That's why Jacob would not let Crystal see them, he didn't want her to see them like this.
So cold and robotic.
The second thing she realized was that Jacob was not like Megan. He still showed care and compassion for Crystal. Which meant he hadn't been lying to them, he did simply want to keep his family safe. They were starving and sick and he did what had to be done to save them.
Was it right, no of course not, but he was a desperate child, he was bound to make a mistake.
At least he was trying to fix it.
Jamie smiled; he was like Zim in that way. "You're right." Jamie said, feeling reassured. "It will all work out; I know they are worthy."
"Perfect." Megan exclaimed. "I'll let you get settled and then I will send for you once they are ready to begin."
"Sounds good." Jamie said.
"Breakfast will be here shortly." Megan said and then she was gone, leaving Jamie alone to her own devices.
(Back with Razor…)
He wasn't feeling particularly good about this, but then again he was the only one suitable for the job. Razor didn't like the odds that were stacked up against him. As the only Ancient who still carried the beast within him he knew he was the only one who was qualified to stand by Zim's side in this new coming era of the Irken Empire.
Still, he knew he wouldn't be much help to Zim in any particular fight. Zim and the current Tallest were young, and their beast were without his lethargy, and fatigue. But perhaps fate had smiled down upon them this day.
"Are you sure?" Razor insisted. "She only mentioned him."
Zim nodded, he and Razor now stood alone on the desolate asteroid. Miz and the others had taken the refugees to the far side of the rock facing away from the enemy ship that was growing ever larger in the horizon. "She only mentioned Purple."
"If Red has allowed him to come alone then he has either lost touch with reality, or he has faith in his partner's abilities." Razor words were spoken gravely, and for good reason.
They already knew the answer.
"If we are to win we must convince him to have his army stand down." Razor continued.
"I doubt there is much left to reason with." Zim argued. He wasn't trying to discredit his new Partner's wisdom, but he knew the Tallest better than anyone. "Red was always the stronger of the two, both mentally and physically. So, if Red has truly snapped…"
Then Purple isn't too far behind." Razor finished for him.
Zim nodded.
"Then we must challenge his pride." Razor concluded, anything to put the odds in our favor.
"They might already be." Zim said.
"What do you mean?" Razor asked.
"Gaz couldn't have gotten on that ship alone, not with Purple on it." Zim voiced openly, this fact alone had been nagging at him ever since she called. "Someone had to of helped her."
"You think she has allies on the ship?" Razor was intrigued by this.
"Tak and Gaz betrayed us a while back, but I later discovered it was a ploy to gain the Tallest's trust." Zim explained. "Soon after their betrayal General Kazar, a member of the Twelve joined our cause, as did Bec and several Irken Rebels. And with Kazar's charisma I have no doubt that others have already converted."
"So, what you're telling me is Purple just very well maybe on a ship full of enemies?" Razor asked.
"Not all of them." Zim said, thinking of Skoodge. "But I know there has to be at least one." He was deep in thought now.
"You're worried about her." It was not a question; Razor could see his worry as plain as day. "You cannot afford a distraction right now."
"It's two against one." Zim argued.
"No if we single him out, then he will single you out." Razor argued.
"How do you know he won't choose you?" Zim challenged.
"If he is in his right mind, he will." Razor seemed to agree. "My Beast barely holds o0n by a thread." He reasoned. It was true, he wasn't even completely sure he could still shift into his beastly form. As a young and fully realized Amon, Razor would be an easy kill for him if the elder Amon found he could not change. "But as you already pointed out, the chances of him still being sane are slim to none. His pride, and hatred for you will blind him of all reason."
Zim knew he was right; the chances of this becoming Razor's fight was too small to even consider. Still, he couldn't help but worry about her. To know that she was so close was eating at his insides, and the fact that he couldn't help her was making matters even worse.
"She is strong yes?" Razor asked.
"Very." Zim answered with a smile.
"Then what are you worried about?" Razor's question caught him off guard. What was he worried about? Skoodge was even more of a screw up then he was, there was no way he could stand a chance. Then again Skoodge had captured Gaz before, and Zim knew the plump Invader didn't plan on taking prisoners, not today.
"You could never understand." Zim said.
Razor actually laughed. "You think you're the only Irken who has ever fallen for another?"
Zim gives him a puzzled look.
"It happens more often than you think." Razor revealed.
Zim scoffed. "If it's so common how come I'm treated like the social outcast?"
"Well, your taste in mates is questionable no doubt." Razor teased.
"Oh, and I suppose yours is better?" Zim challenged.
Razor smiled openly. "Well, no I suppose mine is worse." He admitted.
Zim gave him a look. "What's worse than falling for human?"
"Falling for an Irken female." Razor said.
Zim laughed openly at the joke, only to realize that Razor is not laughing. He stops. "Wait, you're serious?"
Razor nodded.
"Who?" Zim asked.
Razor gave him a look. "Are you always this clueless?"
Zim looked thoughtful. "Well, I know it's not Miha, are Smoots." he said openly, "So that only leaves…" He pauses. "No."
Razor nodded. "It started off as a deep since of admiration, but some way or another it became more."
"Have you told her?" Zim asked.
"Are you daft?" Razor scolded.
Zim smiled. "Take it from someone who knows." Zim said. "If you don't tell her, it will become your greatest regret."
"She'd probably laugh." Razor reasoned.
"Of course, she will, she's a female, they are vile and devious and you're crazy to think otherwise." Zim said.
"Oh, I know she is." Razor said. "That's what like about her."
Zim laughed openly. "That's the most Irken thing I think I've heard any of you say."
Razor laughs as well; he can already feel the tension between them fading. He had feared that their partnership would feel too forced, but Zim had quickly chased those feelings away. He had bragged about Kazar's charisma, but the elder Amon was beginning to see that the younger was blind to his own influence. Zim had managed to turn the tides in a war that had been raging for nearly a millennium, and yet he has never once given himself the credit.
Zim gives him a look. "What?"
"Nothing." Razor says as he realizes Zim's curious look. "I was just think that perhaps this will work out."
Zim smiled. "I'm surprised Miz didn't choose to do so herself." He admitted.
"We must adhere to tradition. "Razor reasoned. "Only those with a beastly form may challenge the current Tallest."
"Of course, you would side with her." Zim teased. "But may I point out that by that same logic we cannot rightfully challenge Purple without Red also being present."
"No, we cannot." Razor agreed. "Which means even if we win this day, Red will still be recognized as the Tallest."
"If Purple falls the rest of his sanity will go with him." Zim said the obvious.
"I know, and yet…" Razor looks troubled. "I doubt Purple will listen to reason."
"And if he does?" Zim asked.
"You would give him the benefit of the doubt." Razor asked.
"No." Zim answered. "If Purple is still somewhat sane then he is even more guilty then Red. As his partner he should have forced Red to step down the moment he showed signs of going rogue. He ignored his duty as our Tallest and for that he will lose the title of Tallest. Whether he does so willingly is entirely up to him, but yes I do plan to give him the chance."
Razor nodded his agreement. By choosing to give Purple a chance to walk away from this peacefully Zim was proving that he had it in him to be a merciful and just leader. "Can I be honest?" He asked.
Zim nodded.
"I was afraid that you would be just like them." Razor admitted.
"I use to be." Zim admitted. "But I recently got a reality check curtesy of a mud ball of a planet and its annoying yet somehow enduring inhabitance."
Razor chuckled; there he was giving the credit to someone else.
"They're close." Zim said, and it was true the enemy ship was close enough to land now.
"Are you ready?" Razor asked.
"No." Zim admitted. "I think you could ask me that 100 years from now and I still wouldn't be." He admitted.
Razor smiled. "That is because no one truly is."
"Then why ask?" Zim argued.
"Call it a test of character." Razor answered. "Unlike Purple I plan to keep my partner in check."
Zim smiled. "So, you don't think that we'll end up like them?" he asked. "After all there has never been two Tallest before them."
"Depending on another is not wrong." Razor reasoned. "But they became too dependent, if a partner does their job, and actually looks out for the interest of his people as well as his partner's wellbeing it should work out. This could all have been avoided, Red could have been saved from going mad had Purple forced him to step down the moment he started showing signs of slipping."
Zim shook his head. "They were doomed from the start." He reasoned.
"What makes you so certain?" Razor asked.
"Because Red was never sane." Zim said, looking back on it all. To all those times that the Tallest tried to have him killed or sabotage his efforts of becoming a good invader. "He was always mad with power." He revealed. "Purple's only mistake is that he didn't kill him when he had the chance."
Razor nodded his understandment. "And even while knowing this you plan to give Purple the benefit of the doubt" He asked.
"You said it yourself, he is too dependent, but now that Red is out of reach he has the chance to make a decision on his own. Therefore, he has the chance to prove to me that he is capable of making the right choice." Zim reasoned.
"Well for his sake I hope he does." Razor admitted. "To be honest I am not looking forward to bloodshed of any kind."
"Don't worry." Zim assured him. "If it comes to that I will end it." There is no hesitation in his voice.
Razor gives a worried sideward glace, Zim's voice is full of malice, but Razor is put at ease the moment their eyes meet.
"What?" Zim asked, his eyes are as ruby as ever.
"Nothing." Razor lies.
Zim scoffed. "You are a terrible liar." he says, but there is laughter in his eyes.
Razor smiles, his fears evaporate once more, for Zim's eyes are still not glowing.
His beast is at peace.
(Back with Gaz…)
She had been hiding in this craped space for far too long.
Gaz growled silently as she tried to wiggle her legs back to life in the confined spaced. After she had escaped the cargo bay she had opened up the nearest ventilation shaft and squeezed herself in before closing it behind her. It wasn't because she was afraid of the smaller invader, but mostly because she didn't have a plan.
Sure, she could face Skoodge, and probably kill him if it came down to it, but then what? What if Skoodge had sound the alarm? One Irken was manageable, but there was at least 15 soldiers on board, and only one was on her side. And to make matters worse Diaz had told her she would be on her own if she got caught.
Therefore, while Diaz wouldn't kill her, she wouldn't help her either.
So, Gaz had no choice but to hang tight and wait, once the ship landed the soldiers would confront Zim, and that was when Gaz would make her escape. Even If Skoodge stayed behind to look for her at least she would only have him to worry about.
"I know you are here little Gaz."
Gaz stiffened as Skoodge's voice ranged out from the hall just outside her hiding spot. The invader had been relentless in his search, and she knew it was only a matter of time before he thought about the vents.
"I will find you." He vowed. "And when I do I will enjoy killing you in front of that worthless traitor."
Gaz held her breath as his shadow cast over the vent.
Skoodge lingered there, listening, his antennas twitched from side to side.
Gaz could feel herself getting light headed, she knew she would have to breathe soon.
Finally, with a grunt of displeasure Skoodge stomped off.
Gaz waited a little longer before letting out a gasped of air and sucking it back I loudly. She knows that she was probably too loud just then, but too weak to care.
"Attention Irken personnel we are approaching our destination and will be landing in T minus 90 seconds." Diaz voice sounded off on the intercom.
Gaz gave a sigh of relief they would be landing soon. She figured it would take a good 10 minutes after that before the soldiers left the ship to confront Zim.
Then all she have to do was get by Skoodge.
Suddenly the vent door was forced open and Gaz screamed as someone reached in and grabbed her by the hair faster than she could react.
Skoodge smiled as he pulled out his prize. "Got you!"
Episode 13-A Shift in Power (Part 1) END!