Episode 14-Danger is Lurking (Part 2)

(Back with Cadet Scamooch…)

[Location: Westville High- Lunch Time]

He just couldn't get those words out of his head.

"You're a voice of the people, how can a leader run an empire without listening to the individuals that make up the empire? How do they know what you need? How do they assure you in times of fear?"

He knew such questions were traitorous, to question your leaders was unspoken of, and one of the greatest taboos in the empire. However, Cadet Scamooch could not stop himself from wondering, these questions were of Human in nature. Ones of equality, and fairness, something the cadet knew nothing of, and yet they made since.

This realization only made his quest for Zim increase in its importance. There had to be some reason why he would go against his own race. No Irken had ever done it before, no matter how bad they were treated, so why?

Why Had Zim left? And why did he dedicate his efforts to fighting them now?

Cadet Scamooch sighed as he sat down alone at an empty table in the cafeteria. He just knew there was a part of the puzzle he was missing, something caused Zim to turn against them. Of course, he had his theory's, reports that he managed to sneak a look at talked about the human girl he had fell in love with. Had she done something to change his views? Then again what could she possibly say to him to make him see things in her favor?

What did she do to him to make him see his people in a harsher light?

Cadet Scamooch was determined to find out!

However, one obstacle stood in his way.

Finding Zim!

He needed to find a way into the resistance, to discover their hide out so he could seek out the Irken in question and ask him these questions. But how? Reports stated the Renegades had the build of human teenagers, based on average human height, and weight. His vice Principal, Mr. Gijon was convinced that some of his very own human classmates were secretly members of the resistance.

Where they?

Mr. Gijon had once tasked him with spying on Joseph and his friends, because their large group was indeed suspicious. However, his efforts had been stopped when he had bumped trays with Josh at lunch. Water splattered all over Cadet Scamooch from the tray; a fight broke out, and the next thing he knew is he's in trouble with Principle Razi.

Cadet Scamooch looked up from his tray to stare out the window, towards the large oak tree in the middle of the School yard. Joseph and his friends were busily eating, and talking, sometimes laughing. The cadet's eyes zeroed in on Josh.

Had the human done it on purpose?

Had he and Joseph planned the whole thing?

At the time of the incident Cadet Scamooch had thought so, but after Joseph had saved his life his suspicions of him being in the resistance faded.

After all, why save him if the boy was in a group that fought to eliminate them?

Then again Zim was in that same group, and he had saved him too! He had chased off those Cadets that had beat him in the rain on that fateful day.

Was it possible?

Had Cadet Scamooch been right about them all along?

He wasn't sure, but one question did jump out at him. If Joseph was a member of the resistance, wouldn't the Computer brain in the courtroom have detected it? After all there was no fooling a brain, at least none that he was aware of.

And just like that Cadet Scamooch found himself second guessing his vice principal's suspicions. Sure, there had been a confirmed sighting of at least 20 members of the resistance, but that didn't mean it was the same 20 kid's that ate around the oak tree. Besides, he had classes with several of them, and none of them striked him as the rebellious type.

All but Josh, who was too obvious to be really a member of the resistance. After all, wouldn't a rebel be less open about his hatred towards them. Wait did he just contradict himself? And if so wouldn't that make Joseph the rebel since he didn't act rebellious at all?

Cadet Scamooch shook his head, and returned his gaze to his lunch, this was all so very confusing. He needed a way in; but what was he supposed to do? Stalk each and every one of his classmates until he had an answer? It wasn't like he had any cool devices to aid him with either. As a cadet, Scamooch didn't even have PAK legs! No, such additions were reserved for invaders, and soldiers, not cadets in training.

He needed to find a way in, and his only sort of effective idea was to wait for the Resistance to strike again. If he hacked into the Irken Police Scanners, he could listen for an attack in progress and sneak out to investigate. Of course, he could get in a lot of trouble if he was caught off Zec after curfew. But what else was he to do, he had to find Zim, he had to know why!

The question burned his insides, with anticipation, as well as anxiety. As An Amon, Zim had everything going right for him, so why? Why give it all up for a girl? Why fight them tooth and nail, to free a planet he had helped conquer, it just didn't make since.

"Sir, may we sit?" a voice ask breaking him from his thoughts.

Cadet Scamooch looked up to see four brand new cadets looking at him, they looked eager to sit with him, but he wasn't happy about that. "I can't give you a high status." He said. "I'm not an Amon anymore."

"We know." A female with dark green skin and large yellow eyes said. She was a bit shorter than Cadet Scamooch and wore the standard blue cadet Uniform. "My name is Meg, and we don't care, we're just eager to learn." She said honestly.

Cadet Scamooch smiled. If he was being honest to be in a group of other cadets again did sound inviting. "Fine you can follow me around if you wish, but I don't like suck ups!" he warned as the four sat down.

"Then what do you like?" A blue-eyed cadet with almost olive-green skin asked as he sat down to his left side.

"I like people who tell me how it is, no lies, and no sugar coding; just plain and simple." Cadet Scamooch answered him. "What's your name by the way?"

"Sor." The cadet answered. "I'm training for the science division."

"Warb and I are going to work in engineering." Another female cadet with pink eyes and dark green skin said, pointing to the cadet beside her.

The cadet, Warb was a bit shorter than Meg, and her eyes were strangely gray, her skin was also a dark green. "Raki is right." She said. "I want to create new technology for our ships. Make them faster, stronger."

"And I'm going to be an Invader." Meg pipped in. "What are you going to do Sir?"

It was a question that he hadn't given much thought to. As an Amon he always thought he would one day replace General Kazar, but now that his secret of really being a shew was out; Cadet Scamooch had no future. He had to start over, but what else could he do?

He had spent 2 years of his life as General Kazar's pupil, and 15 years training to be something he wasn't; an Amon. And now he was nothing, just another shew, with no idea what he was going to do with his life. "I'm not sure." He admitted. "Now that I'm not an Amon my future is no longer planned out for me."

"You can still be a soldier." Meg pointed out. "You just won't be the General of the Armada."

He knew she was right, But Cadet Scamooch wasn't sure if he really wanted to be a soldier. He was chosen to step in as an Amon before he was born and had not been given a choice of the matter. He also had no say in studying under General Kazar.

This was the first time ever he had a choice; sure, the computer brain might choose something else for them all to be if they didn't measure up. But for now, they each could train for whatever they wanted to be. It was in this moment that Cadet Scamooch understood that this is what it must feel like to be human.

Humans used to make all their own choices; what school to go to, what to wear, and eat. They did what they wanted with their lives and unlike Irkens there was no limits. Anyone could grow up to be the leader, or a soldier, or an engineer; for they were all equal. General Kazar once told him a civilization couldn't last long like that, for no one was born equal. Some were born wealthy, while others poor. Some were born in good health, while other's where born with birth defects. How could they possibly be equal if they were from different classes of the social pyramid? How could they be equal if some where faster than others, or smarter?

However, Cadet Scamooch had witnessed the humans ignore said things about each other and treat each other like they were equal. How they did it without their civilization collapsing was a mystery all in itself. Yes, the humans were an enigma, how they managed to survive for so long was hard to explain, even for the smartest of their scientist. "I suppose I could." He finally agreed.

The bell rings around them, and they all pick up their trays to dump them.

The door to the outside opens, and Joseph and his friends come pouring in to do the same.

"Enjoy your lunch worm?" Cadet Scamooch asked Joseph as he stood beside him.

"Oh, it was as edible as bark Sir." He retorted with a laugh.

The new cadets perk up an eyebrow at his forwardness, Cadet Scamooch notices and laughs as well. "I told you I like the cold harsh truth." He reasoned. "By the way this is Campbell, he's my minion in denial, and you'll be seeing him a lot."

Joseph visibly rolled his eyes. "The day I become your minion is the day pigs fly."

"Pigs don't fly?" Meg pointed out.

"Exactly ma'am." Joseph agreed. "In other words, it's not going to happen."

"We'll see." Cadet Scamooch said with a smirk.

"Who are these guys any ways?" Josh asked cutting in. "Your new posse or something."

"Oh, my Irk is he your clone?!" Raki cut in.

Joseph sighed. "No Ma'am, we're twins." He answered.

"Twins?" Warb asked.

"It means they were born together and look similar because they split from the same fetus." Cadet Scamooch explained.

Josh rolled his eyes, why did they have to explain this to every Irken they met? Did the Irkens not have twins? He looked to his brother as if his eyes held the answer. They probably did, but unfortunately Josh was no mind reader.

"Oh." Raki said, even though her face clearly showed that she still didn't get it.

Josh rolled his eyes again; it was a wonder that the Irkens hadn't stuffed all the twins into some lab to experiment on.

Joseph smiled, thinking the same thing. "Anyways got to get to class."

"No, you're still my book slave!" Cadet Scamooch reminded him.

"Question." Josh said. "Why is he your book slave, I mean he doesn't owe you?"

"Oh, but he does." Cadet Scamooch corrected him.

"I do?" Joseph asked.

"Yep if you had listened to me and stayed out of my business you wouldn't have ended up in court." Cadet Scamooch reasoned. "So now you have to practice listening to me."

"Of course, I do." Joseph said sarcastically and began to follow Cadet Scamooch out of the lunchroom and towards his locker, so he could carry his books. "And for how long will I endure this lesson?" he asked.

"Until I think you've learned something." Cadet Scamooch sneered.

Joseph smiled, knowing he had been out done. "Well played sir." He admitted.

"Yes, I'm amazing I know." Cadet Scamooch bragged, giving himself a pat on the back.

"But I do have my Community service hours after school, and every weekend for the next month." Joseph advised him.

"That's it?" Cadet Scamooch was stunned. "They let you off easy in my book."

Joseph nodded. "Which I am grateful." He admitted. "I thought I was a goner."

"Nonsense." Cadet Scamooch disagreed, as they stopped at his locker. "A goody good two shoes like you doesn't belong behind bars." He said, opening his locker, and handing Joseph a stack of books. "Besides, I need you here to carry my books."

Joseph forced a smile and tried to fight the urge to deck the cadet right there. The overgrown Smeet had no right to treat him this way, then again the child had no idea who he was really talking to, or what. To his surprise the beast within does not grow angry by his antics. In fact, it hasn't given him a problem since he spoke with Tak, and Goalit the night before.

Something about knowing he had his Ancestors blessing, despite his flaws seemed to put his entire being at peace. And for the first time in a long time, there is a since of belonging, he feels…whole!

Josh smiled as he followed his brother and the cadets down the hall towards their next class, he was thinking the same thing, Joseph was doing better today than the day before, and he was openly grateful.

It was one less problem to worry about, or so he thought!

(Back with Goalit…)

[Location: Human Science Camp]

{One Week Later…}

Routine,

There was just something about it that always felt wrong to him, and yet Goalit had come to learn that humans were the very definition of routine. Their whole lives ran like clockwork, from the time they woke up, to the time they laid their heads down for bed; everything was preplanned.

It was all very nerve racking to him, to say the least; and yet strangely it didn't take him long to adopt such dangerous habits. For example, every day was the same here at the encampment. The robotics division started their mornings with coffee in the meeting room where they discussed the day's priorities and their goals for the next week, or weeks to come. After that Kornelius would set work on designing and/or repairing the robot dummies. While Elma, and the Professor went down a list of weapons and tested them in the target room of their unit.

Then once lunch came around, they'd find a stopping point, and go back to the meeting room. Where they would eat a prepared lunch and discuss their progress so far; while adjusting the schedule if they saw the need. Once lunch was finished Kornelius, went back to the robots, and Elma and The Professor continued down the list of weapons, and this continued until it was time to clock out for the day.

When the workday was over, the team would clean up, log their progress, and then lock up the shop. Once that was done they had precisely four hours to eat dinner and have some time of leisure before lights out. And this was their entire schedule from dawn to dusk, all week long; for 365 days out of the year.

And in a matter of minutes Goalit found himself following their routine perfectly, he even increased their output by repairing, or remodifying the weapons that turn out defective. Saving them a trip downstairs where they would have to wait for the repair unit to get around to it.

"You're really good at this." Elma said as she watched him repair the targeting system on an automatic laser blaster.

Goalit couldn't help but smile as he poured over his work. He had never really been praised before. Irkens were expected to do their job well and was never praised by their superiors for doing well at something they should already know how to do. Even the Vorts, while very friendly to him, didn't do so; for they too believed such things were unnecessary. However, the humans seemed to hand out praises to each other for just about everything, and said praises seemed to motivate them to do even better.

Humans were so strange to him, everything about them was so different; so, alien.

"There, try it now Professor." Goalit advised as he handed the repaired weapon to Professor Membrane.

Professor Membrane gladly takes the weapon and aims it at the robot in front of the bullseye. "Newton, activate evasive maneuver sequence." He ordered.

Kornelius nods, and by pressing a button on a tablet, activates the sequence, ordering the robot to move back and forth in front of the bullseye, trying to avoid the weapon's blast. However, if the weapons targeting system is working, the blast should have no problem hitting its target.

Professor Membrane aims, fires, and the weapon's blast finds its target with ease; it's a direct hit!

The scientists cheer at his success.

"Well I can see why they placed you with us." Kornelius said. "Our last supervisor didn't lift a finger, and we were so behind. However, with you, we should catch up in no time. What do you think Elma?"

Elma pulls out the schedule, looking at it thoughtfully. "We'd have to come in an hour earlier and say two hours later." She answered doing all the math in her head. "Do that for about two weeks, and we should be caught up."

"Perfect." Goalit cut in. "Our superiors will be pleased to hear how much our work ethics have improved in the span of just one week."

"Great." Elma exclaimed. "Are we ready to move on to the next one on the list?"

"It needs a few more modifications." Goalit admitted as he looked over the blueprints for the next weapon.

Elma stands beside him, watching as he works.

"Well I'm going for a coffee and doughnut run." Professor Membrane said. "Anyone want anything?"

"I'll have my usual." Kornelius said, from his office where he was busily repairing the robot that was just fired by the laser.

"Me too." Elma agreed. "But get chocolate doughnuts this time." She said. "I know I'm not usually fond of them, but I'm in the mood for chocolate."

"Will do." Professor Membrane assured her, than looking to Goalit he said. "And you Sir?"

Goalit was taken aback for a moment, and for good reason. Did they actually care enough to bring him a late afternoon snack? Usually he noticed that the Irken soldiers would have to get their own snacks or order a human to do it for them. However, the professor asked him politely, and his peers weren't angered by it. "Uh I like ones with filling myself." He admitted. "Maybe some Irken doughnut holes with some blurpleberry filling."

"Alright, anything to drink?" Professor Membrane asked.

"Just an Irken soda will do." He said, and then added. "Thank you."

Professor Membrane simply nods and sets off to fill the order.

Goalit remains stunned, and Elma catches on. "Is something the matter?" she asked.

"No." Goalit said, and then thinking better of it he added. "It's just-I didn't expect you all to be so kind to me."

"Why wouldn't we?" Elma asked.

"We took over your planet." Goalit pointed out.

"Yes, you did." Elma agreed. "And I'll admit that still to this day; I do feel pretty bitter about it. However, being angry about it, and giving you a hard time is certainly not going to make it any easier for either of us." She explained. "Besides, you're not like the rest of them."

"How can you tell?" Goalit asked.

"What kind of Irken says thank you?" Elma teased.

Goalit smiled, she got him there. "You've made your point." He said as he continued to work, only to stop as he noticed how eagerly she was watching. "Would you like to learn how?" he asked.

"Really?" She asked.

"It'll move even faster if two of us are working the repairs." He reasoned.

"And you'd teach me?" She said, not believing her ears.

"Of course, we're on the same team aren't we?" he asked.

Elma smiled, pulled out a notebook and sat down beside him.

Goalit beamed, and began explaining various parts of the weapon, as Elma took notes feverishly. This was what he was meant to do, teach, it was what he long to do as well. And it had been a very long time since he had met such a bright and well-rounded pupil. In fact, he believed his last one was Zim himself.

He could get use to this; however, he knew pretty soon he'd have to leave to join the resistance.

However, who's to say he had to go alone?

-To Be Continued

Author's Notes: it looks like Goalit may have just found some possible new recruits for the resistance. But will they agree to go with him?

Find out Next week in Danger is Lurking: Part 3.

Yours Truly, RoxieDivine