Episode 15- The Last Stand (Part 3)

(Back with Zim…)

They indeed had found a faster way to get Earth, but it hadn't come without a cost.

"How bad is it?" Razor asked Zim wearingly.

Zim growled as he looked down at the ship's diagnostics, which appeared on the pilot's control panel. Naturally, he was the one flying seeing how Scamooch was still a cadet in training and Razor was an Ancient. An Irken from a time when such skills were not needed, nor was it wanted (not by him anyway). Zim was appalled to hear that there was actually an Irken alive that didn't want to know how to pilot the stars.

However, before he could comment on this several warning systems had flared up on his screens. They had been in Hyperspeed for a little over two hours and had covered several light-years of space. To stop now would leave them stranded in a vast void with no hope of escape, and with every passing minute more problems made themselves known. Zim of course was not surprised having found no Hyperspeed modules on the worlds recently liberated from Irk they were forced to improvise. Each module was made by hand and Zim could not make all of them. So, natural he had to trust his fellow rebels to pick up the slack.

He was regretting that now, luckily his leading fighters had reported to him that their fleets were still operational. All ships of the Rebel army were quickly approaching Earth, but like Zim the pilots were in an endless battle to keep the Hyperspeed mods from dying. He typed away at his controls, troubleshooting one problem after another. However, whenever he fixed one several more would pop up. This was quickly turning into an endless battle, and worse still just managing to get them to Earth was only part of their problem.

His efforts to keep the Hyperspeed mods going was starting to take its toll on the ship. If he wasn't careful critical errors could start to occur. Zim was at risk of damaging his navigation systems, disabling his shields, and frying his controls altogether. Such a blow would leave him dead in the water with no weapons for the final assault.

Razor watched Zim move from one part of the controls at an almost mind spinning pace. Part of him wants to suggest they turn back while they still can. He knew the ships had been made too quickly, they all did. The hopes of finally finishing this war and returning home had cloud their judgment. Still, the hurry was necessary, Red's erratic behavior was evident of that. No Leader, Irken or otherwise would abandon occupied world that he had already conquered. No leader would allow their enemies to seize control of their assets.

Not only that, but Tak had taken the liberty of reporting to them that the conditions on Earth were not faring better. With nearly zero Irkens on Zec or the cities below, spy drones had taken over the streets, and any human found outside of their homes was shot on sight. The number of casualties were already in the thousands worldwide. Not to mention they were unable to get in contact with the top twelve within the castle walls.

When Zim had heard this he already knew that the only possible outcome must have finally transpired. A deranged Rogue Red had begun to perceive the other Amons as a threat and attacked. The future hierarchy and backbone of Irk was now in critical danger, and Zim feared they would not make it in time.

"I can make it work." Zim finally answered not even pausing to look up.

Scamooch was in awe at his Taller's valiant effort to keep them charging forward. How he managed to troubleshoot the Modules and pilot the ship was astounding to him. He knew it couldn't be an east feat, and yet Zim looked calm and poised under the pressure of the task.

Again Razor debates whether they should head back. They would be risking everything if the ships were useless by the time they arrived. Still, like Zim, he understood the need to get to Red, this wasn't about taking over Irk anymore. This was about saving a fellow Irken from himself, before his madness destroyed Irk forever. Not only Irk, but Earth too, the Irken occupation of the planet had left its mark. Earth had been in danger of collapse before; over population, deforestation, global warming, and pollution was choking the planet. Add the Irken trash heaps, and the over harvesting of natural resources faster than the planet could keep up with and soon things would past the point of no return.

And with how much the humans had helped them win this war they could not allow Earth to fall. They owed the humans its safe return. So despite his reserves he didn't stop their advancements, somehow, someway this was going to end…

TODAY!

(Back with Dib…)

The fact that he had grown numb to the smell of sewage was a troubling thought to say the least. Dib shook his head as he focused on the task at hand. Having abandoned the Irken Worshippers at the prison, the Renegades and their Irken allies had begun their charge on the castle. The assault had taken hours to plan completely and already night was approaching. With every step the impending doom became more prevalent thanks to the Irkens alongside them.

Something about being this close to Red in his diminishing state was having an effect on them. Rachel had witnessed this back in the school clinic when the rogue Koi was loose. Several Irkens cadets and teachers alike were coming in terribly ill. Goalit had explained that this has to do with Irken's sense of fear. Amons establish dominance through it, and the effect is so powerful on the shrews that it can become lethal.

Dib bit his lip at the thought, because of this, they had planned for the Irken Rebels to be the ones to hack the computer brain. Since they had experience in doing this it should be a simple task, it would also hopefully keep them as far away from Red as possible.

James had suggested that the Irkens stay out of the mission altogether. Especially since just being there was a health risk. Mia and the others however, refused to leave them, it wasn't that they didn't trust the humans to complete the task. They wanted to see it through with them; as a team, and in the end they had chosen to respect their wishes. A decision James was starting to regret now.

"This is it." Mark said, as they reached the hatch leading into the castle. His voice was a low whisper, no doubt he feared the drones above would hear them.

Dib attached the Sonic EMP (a device that look more or less like a landmine) to the hatch above. He presses a button to activate it as the Irkens stay a safe distance away. Dib wasn't sure if the device would affect their PAKs but it was better to be safe than sorry. After a brief pause the electric pulse was released and the Renegades heard a loud clank above them. No doubt it was the drones reacting to the pulse.

Dib waited a few seconds just in case there was some unforeseen variable they hadn't planned for. However, no sound of alarm came from above, so without further delay he opened the hatch and stepped out. His fellow rebels followed closely behind, each of them dividing into their separate groups.

Dib took this moment to switch on his disguise, and soon Taller Zim took his place in the room. "So how do I look?" He asked, standing tall and trying to appear full of himself as Zim would.

"Not bad." Tak said. "But his face is stupider." She admitted, not at all afraid to express her true feelings about her future leader. Yes, it was true her feelings for Zim had changed little, if any. Still he was her future leader so…

"To speak of the Taller in such away." Goalit lectured, even though his tone was more playful than scolding. "For shame."

Dib snickered and Tak nodded.

"There, that's the face!" She exclaimed.

Everyone expressed their agreement full heartedly.

"Is it weird to admit I actually miss the guy?" Dib asked with all honesty.

"We all do." Rachel assured him.

"Not me." Mark joked.

"Hate to ruin the moment, but we are pressed for time." Mia reminded them. She looks a bit sick, and rightfully so. Even the humans can feel it now, there was something thick in the air that spelled out their doom.

Dib nodded, "I lead him to the rondevu point." He said to his team. "All you guys have to do is latch the doors and entry ways closed behind him."

Mark nodded, the throne room was where they had decided to trap Red. It was an ideal location since it already had security measures in place. Measures that were meant to keep dangerous enemies out during an attack. Mark had no doubt that these measures were put in place to keep Zim from getting to the Tallest once he reached his full Amon state. So, naturally if the place was built to keep an Amon out, it should be able to keep one in.

Still, there were factors they could not be ready for, like how long would the room hold him? Not to mention the fact that Red and Purple no doubt had a secret means of escape just in case an enemy ever breached the defenses. But if there was, no blueprints they could find revealed such a possibility.

"All we can do is hope Zim arrives in time." That's what Dib had said when Tak had voiced the problem during their planning. And while many wanted to call Zim and review their plan they found that they could no longer reach him.

This could only mean that Zim was already on his way, since deep space calls were impossible to perform when a ship was in Hyperspeed.

Dib knew Tak had spoken to Zim before he had arrived to the prison, and that she had reported the state Earthy had become in his absence. So naturally, Zim would be racing over here to fix everything, which only proved Mia's point.

They had no time to spare.

The Irken Rebel leader gave one final nod to her human allies before leading her rebels towards the castle's computer brain. The Brain was not located in the throne room as one might expect, instead it was within the royal chambers where Red's and Purple's rooms and private study and dining hall was located. Getting inside without a special key would usually be a problem, however, being a member of the Royal guard Bek had every bypass code they would need.

Mia wondered if the codes would have been changed, Bek had been sent to the prison by General Kazar to be the humans inside man. However, the rest of the Royal guard was noticeably absent from the castle. She knew this thanks to the trackers they had made, the device tracked every Irken within the castle walls and she did not see any of Bek's comrades among their numbers. Her only conclusion was they must be up with the rest of the soldiers, in Earth's orbit, defending the planet from Zim.

She pauses to note Red's location, he is in the south wing. His location is marked by a blood red dot. And is currently surrounded by several others. "The top twelve must still be alive." She voiced a sigh of relief.

"Not all of them." Goalit noted, minus Diaz there should have been eight dots actively trying to keep Red at bay. There were now half that many, which could only mean one thing… "They've lost some." He revealed gravely, eyes falling on Elma.

Her eyes met with him, and for a moment she wonders if she should switch groups and stay by his side. Her feeling for him are still unknown to her, she knows there is something there, but she is unsure of what it is. Were her feelings simply admiration, or was it love? She wish she knew, but having spent most of her youth with her nose in a book she could not say for sure.

Goalit harbors similar struggles, and even though Zim has encouraged him to go for it, he is still unsure. As one of the only active members of his race promoting change; he could not afford such distractions. It was best to leave their relationship as what it was, they were close friends, colleagues even, and that should be enough. Should being the operable word; the Irken scientist offered her one last encouraging smile and forced himself to focus.

Elma returned it, and allowed herself to follow his lead. Right now was not the time for such luxuries, perhaps if they both survived today…No she did not let herself venture to such thoughts, she had more important things to worry about.

"Red is in the opposite direction of his Chambers." Tesi noted. "We should avoid him easily."

Her fellow Rebels surrounded her as they got ready to move. As the only one with the proper training to hack into the brain it was important that she stayed safe.

The Throne Room is also well out of range." Tak added as she too her place by Mia, her role was to protect her left flank with Bek on the right. With Flex and Trill guarding the rear, leaving the rest to surround Tesi in the center.

"Good Red should give you no problems." Dib said knowingly. "This is it everyone." He whispered. "Remember the plan and whatever you do stay out of sight." He added giving the final pep-talk.

"Peace be with you." Mia told them all. It had been decided in advance that they should give their Irken comrades a head start. Sure they knew where the target was, but in Red's state there was no telling what he would do if he managed to cross their path. Even if said path should be far away from where they planned to trap the rogue Amon, no one could predict how he would react once their plan began.

"And to you." Dib answered.

Everyone echoes the phase to a member in the opposite group in front of them. Finally, having said their goodbyes they part ways.

Rachel can't help the fear that builds up as they take their leave. This is the first time the humans and Irkens have actively split their efforts in half in such a way. All other times before the groups would be evenly mixed between the two species. To think that they were going to fight for both of their freedoms today in such a way; was somewhat unsettling.

"We got this." James assured her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Rachel smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks."

James smiled, he'd have returned the gesture with a kiss to her lips had her mother not been staring them down at the moment.

However, before Mrs. Hearting could pounce Jamie took charge of her group. The Humans were diving themselves even further. One group would be luring Red to his cage of a throne room, while the others would make their way to the outside. Once the Brain was hack and it was safe to leave the castle. Jamie's group would become the outer defenses. Once Zim broke past the blockade and reach Zec, the enemy would follow them. Her team's job was to make sure none of them got inside the castle walls.

Her group was small, but once the brain was on their side the spy drones at Tesi's Command would join their numbers. However, her group as small as it was, was still larger than Dib's. Including him there was Rachel, Mark, James, Professor Membrane, Elma, Kathy, Mary, Kornelius and Shyann.

Just 10 humans to trap one dangerous Amon.

Honestly, Jamie wasn't sure if leaving her sisters with Dib was safer or more dangerous than the future fire fight she faced outside. Still, both Kathy and Mary wear a look of determination on their faces. Besides it was too late to change the plan now. All she could do was have faith in them, and show her support.

She gives them one last hug a gesture that all the family members around her are also engaging in. "It's going to be okay." She said, more to herself than them.

"We got this." Kathy assured her.

"See you after." Mary promised.

Jamie nodded. "Promise."

"This is it gang." Dib said as the teams parted. "Next time we see each other, this War will be over."

He stood tall, still looking like Zim. His own words filling him with the strength he needed for the task ahead.

"Peace be with you." Jamie told him.

"You too." He returned the phrase. "And good luck."

And with that the two teams set off to complete their final mission.

None of them knowing that before the night was done this war would be won.

(Following The Irken Rebel's)

The path to the brain was as empty as she had hoped it would be. Still, they could not afford to rush things. So they moved at a snail's pace, rounding every corner with caution expecting to see an obstacle in their path at some point.

Surely the brain, would have some clue that they are coming and try to stop them. It may no longer have any active drones in the castle to take them out, but the castle had other defenses. 3 foot thick walls could drop down, blocking their advance. Unmanned Plasma Blasters could be drawn from their hiding places in the ceiling and walls and take them out like a stealth snipper.

And yet nothing stopped them, nothing stood in their way. This cause Mia to come to the realization that this could be a trap. The Brain wanted them to get close so it could deactivate them all once they were in range. It was definitely something the brain was capable of, but there was a more likely option. If the brain was able to use walls or plasma blasters it would have done so against the rogue Red. If it had the means to stop the Amon then it was programed to do so, which left only one conclusion.

The brain had been blocked out of all the inside defenses, meaning the drones they took out earlier was the only thing it had control of within the castle walls. This was a good thing for them now, but later once they had the Brain on their side this could be a problem. Sure they could let more drones in to help herd Red towards their trap. However, opening a way in also brought the risk of giving a way for Red to get out!

Meaning they could only use what they had inside already; Mia could only hope it was enough. They reached the royal chambers in record timing and Bek began to type the long bypass code into the keypad by the door. For a moment Tak fears Red may have changed them at the last second, as a last ditch effort of protection.

Such fears evaporate as the door slides open.

"Move." Mia orders and they do, as one unit they enter the room, weapons drawn, again expecting some sort of resistance.

They are met with none.

"He even turned off his chambers defenses." Macey said in disbelief.

"This is why Rogue Amons are put down." Goalit told them knowingly. "Imagine if we were a real enemy that wanted to do harm to the Irken race rather than liberate it."

"His selfishness to protect himself has made the most feared Empire a sitting duck." Tak stated the obvious.

"We must work quickly." Tesi stated making her way to the control brain. Its screen was actively flickering from one scene to another. However, like they already guessed it was more focused on the world outside the castle walls. Images of places both on Zec and in the city below displayed before her for seconds at a time.

The world below was like a massacre, many dead still lied in the streets.

"Do what you can." Goalit advised. "And fast, we can't be sure Red is completely out of it. If he catches on we won't be able to hold him back for long." He told her as the rest of them too a defensive position behind her. Forming a wall of soldiers between the only entrance and the only Irken who knew how to operate the brain behind them.

"Understood" Tesi answered before setting to work. Her fingers typing feverishly at the keyboard. Several admin codes had to be place in the proper order to assume command, with a little hacking she could discover all of them. However, she had to be quick if the brain stopped its outside activities long enough to catch on to her intrusion and started changing the codes. She figured she had about five minutes before that happened, and while that might not be enough time to give her full control it would give her a head start.

There were 10 firewalls she needed to break through, and 10 Admin commands she needed to do it with. Luckily once she broke through a firewall no amount of changes to the codes will bring said wall back up. Still the Brain's protocol could log her out altogether if she made to many failed attempts. Tesi wagered she'd have about three attempts at retrieving the admin code for each fire wall before she would be forced out of the main frame.

But even with that she'd be cutting it close.

Her only hope was that everyone would be able to hold out until she was done.

(Back with Kazar…)

He was not sure they could hold out much longer, Kazar, the once great general of the Irken Armada was at the moment hiding from a very dangerous enemy. Yes, that was right, and as shameful as it was, it was perhaps the wisest thing any of them could have done.

They were fools to stand and fight, they all knew that. However, they also knew that it could not be avoided. They had to defend themselves while also keeping the monster within these walls, still it didn't make their losses any easier to bare. Ruby pink blood splattered Kazar's uniform, some of it was his, but most of it was not. As he began to catch his breath he allowed himself to get lost in the events that led him to this spot… if only for a moment.

After the remaining Amons had chosen to fight together they had charged at Red as one, but the monster was not phased. In fact, he barely slowed down as he took out Sleerb and Flog in one slash! Ash had gotten in a pretty good blow with his spear in that moment, and lost an eye in return. Red had clawed him across the face, resulting in its damage. However, thanks to his small size, Ash could weave and dive away from the Taller Amon with ease.

Squab did not share his talent for speed and soon met the same fate Sleerb and Flog. Now there were only four of them left. The decision to run had been an unspoken one, and Kazar was ashamed to admit that he had been the first to dart for safety. Still, no curses came from his fellow Amons, no they followed his lead, scattering around the castle like insects.

He knew it was nothing to be ashamed of, any Irken's internal instinct would have told them to run in that moment. Kazar, however, would not allow himself to be forgiven so easily. He was perhaps the closes Amon among the top twelve that had reached the final stage of the change. This meant he was the strongest after Red and Purple, which meant putting them down had been his responsibility. He should have forced both of the Tallest to stand down ages ago, he saw the sings. He knew they were slipping into madness. However, he did nothing, because he liked his position, he liked his power, the Tallest had been wised to keep him happy. He was the general of the most feared Armada in the cosmos. He was on the winning side of a never ending war, where he got to lead his own subordinates into battle.

Why would be risk that by challenging them? Especially when all common sense told him that it was a fight he could not win!

And today had been proof that he was right. He was not going to win against Red, he was going to die today that much was certain. Kazar was just stalling the inevitable…

"Found you!"

Kazar ducked just in time to dodge Red's slashing claws. How could he have been so stupid to allow the monster time to catch up? He should have kept moving, but for some unknown reason he found himself stopping hear. Perhaps he was simply just too tired to keep going…no that wasn't right. Kazar was barely injured, and yet his strength was spent. Something he found quiet odd, after all as a the top ranking soldier of the Irken Armada he should have far more endurance then a dictator who sat and ate doughnuts all day.

And yet here he was…standing before the monster as if he no longer had anything to fear. Yes, a strange since of calm had washed over him. Why? He couldn't explain it, it was almost as if something in the air was telling him that it was okay. That he had done his part, and now it was time to just let go.

"Finally giving up are we?" Red snickered as he closed in for the final kill. "What a shame, I expected more…" He freezes as if suddenly sensing something. It's a pungent smell, a sent he knows better than anything else. One that is associated with hatred and vile, one that grew in intensity with every passing moment of his existence. "No it can't be…"

Kazar smiled, as he too began to realize what was going on. He never quiet understood why he could sense things like this before they happened. But for some reason the same six sense that always told him of the impending doom also told him the complete opposite. Back when Red had fist attacked he felt the monster's intentions to kill before the others even knew the danger was there.

And now for the same reason Kazar could feel that he was no longer in real danger, and the reason why soon comes around the corner.

"Well, well, well." A familiar voice chuckles at the sight of them. "Somehow I always knew you'd end up this way."

Red hisses loudly as the source of his greatest loathing steps out of the shadows before them.

"Zim!"

(Back with Dib…)

Before he could let out another taunt, Red was on him!

Dib barely had enough speed to dodge as the rogue Amon lashes out at him with such venom he was like a striking cobra, determined to make the kill.

"How dare you show your face here!" Red roared and he slashed out once more.

Dib weaves out of the way, his years of fighting Zim and dodging PAK arms are now starting to payoff more than ever. "What's the matter Red angry about Purple?" He dared to taunt. He knew it was most likely foolish to kick the hornets' nest that was Tallest Red! Still, he needed the Amon to chase him blindly into their trap. A task that was not going to be as easy as he had hoped, turns out Red was not as mindless as they had imagined.

Dib had thought he'd be like a rabid animal, but he was more like a deranged psychopath who had finally lost his grip on reality than some diseased dog. "Perhaps if you hadn't hid away and joined him he'd be alive and not me!"

Kazar watched as Red lurched for Zim again, and to his astonishment Zim dodged yet again and then…

Ran away?

That certainly wasn't the behavior of a fully realized Amon, especially one that had already fought a rouge Amon and won.

Red however, doesn't take notice. He is so consumed by rage that he gives chase without hesitation.

Kazar slid down the wall and sat on the floor in a confused heap. Something wasn't right here, He smelt Zim sent in the air, but as strong as it was it was stale, old even. Coupling that realization with Zim's strange behavior and there was really only one conclusion…

Suddenly a tap to his shoulder makes him jolt.

He looks up to see a girl, he recognizes her as one of the leaders of the Renegades. He vaguely remembered hearing her name…

"We have to move!" Rachel urged, looking around franticly.

Kazar sighed as she tries to force him to his feet. "That's not Zim…is it?" He asked, though he already knows the answer.

"No it's Dib." Rachel finally confirmed. "And if you and the others don't help us; then he's going to die!"

-To Be Continued