Author's Notes: And now we dig into the dark past of Zim! Thank you for reading, and please enjoy Chapter 17!
Defective...
it had many definitions,
Broken, imperfect, wrong, corrupt; but the official definition was this. A defective is anyone, of any race that does not believe in the same ideals as the Irken Empire. Said ideals were preprogramed into every Smeet's PAK the moment they were brought to life, and most smeets never question these ideals. However, a defective will question them. They will see themselves as an individual, instead of one of thousand others. They will believe that they are entitled to an opinion, that they have a right to excel beyond the status that they were born into. They will also see others as equals to themselves, and that is wrong.
All the ideals of a defective are wrong, no smeet, no soldier, no drone has an opinion. Even the Tallest follow laws, and ideas that were already in place before them. They are not individuals, they do not have a say, they will never rise higher than the position that they were coded with at birth, and most importantly no race is above, or equal to the Irken race. To think any differently would label you as a defective.
A disease, a virus...a mistake!
All his life he has known this to be true, and yet it was never that simple for Zim.
He never understood the difference, from one race to the other, or why one Irken moved higher while another was pushed down lower, and lower into the dirt. Of course, to ask for an explanation to these ideals would be suicidal, besides he was programed with the reasoning already in place. he knew what to say if anyone ever asked him why he was better, why they were better. But in his mind those reasons didn't sound very fair.
Fair, it was a word invented by defectives, nothing was fair, nothing was easy, nothing made sense.
And yet acting better than everyone else always left a sour taste in his mouth, of course over the years he had learned the art of self-preservation. he had learned to tune out these thoughts, these defective ideals, and steadily move higher to the position he was always meant to be.
Everyone was coded as a smeet, and each code decided how high you could go in the ranks. There were three codes in all, and they were easy to remember. At the bottom there was the Omegas: this code would include the Food Drones, the Janitor Drones, and the Waste Drones. They were basically the bottom of the food chain and was treated as such. The Betas were the common rank, most soldiers, and all scientist fell under this code. Finally, there was the Alpha code, which was reserved for the higher-ranking soldiers such as the Generals, the Invaders, and of course the Tallest.
It was a simple social pyramid, one that left little room for argument, and questioning. However, their allies questioned it greatly, and fearlessly voiced their opinions about their way of life. This of course, was what led to their down fall. Fearing that their people would revolt against them, the Current Tallest of the time began to plot against their Allies and make an example of them.
And thus, Operation Impending Doom was born.
However, that was only half of the story for you see their Allies had caught on to their plans and plotted to strike first. But they made a mistake, they trusted the wrong person; they had trusted Zim.
But alas we are getting ahead of ourselves, let me take you back to the moment where it all began.
A time not so very long ago, on a small planet known as Vort…
(Back with Zim; 142 Years ago...)
[Location: Planet Vort]
Vort…
Many words came to mind when he first saw the planet…
Small, lacking, useless…these words came from his Irken programing. However, Zim had thought other words too. Words he'd like to keep to himself like, cozy, kind, and warm. Vort was inhabited by the Vortian race, an intelligent race of aliens who have goat-like characteristics including hocks on their legs, and horns on top of their heads.
Most Irkens found them utterly distasteful, but Zim secretly thought they were wise and worthy of learning from.
"I can't believe the Tallest are putting us on this stupid planet!" Cadet Tenn whined with a stomp of her foot.
"Yes, what could the Vortians possibly teach us?" Cadet Red hissed.
"Nothing, I thought that was obvious." Cadet Purple mused, causing Red to give him a sinister look.
"Well it must be something." Cadet Zim said. "Other wise Tallest Myuki and Taller Spork would not have suggested it."
"Suck up." Purple teased.
"Jealous much?" Zim mused. Doing his best not to get distracted by his fellow cadets after all this trip to Vort wasn't just for sight seeing. He had had spent four years at the acadamy for this moment. Today would begin the Feilds Test where he and his fellow Cadets took everything they learned in the Academy and put it to practice. For the next several years the cadets would have to practice the skills of Invaders, Generals, and foot soldiers in order to demistrate their strengths and weaknesses. Afterwards their leader, Tallest Myuki would present them with a final exam, thus deciding their fates. Which is why Zim needed to focus; his final score would determine his starting rank as a soldier as well as his position.
"Those three are so full of themselves." Cadet Larb whispered.
"Careful." A meek Cadet Skoodge insisted. "Remember they are most likely to be our leaders one day."
"Yes, though I bet Red and Purple beat Zim to it." Tenn teased. "Especially when Zim finds out how boring the job is."
"Please he finds everything boring!" Larb pointed out.
"How can you two speak so lowly of them?" Skoodge squeaked.
"Because we can." Tenn said. "Might as well do it while we're still able."
"Yes, knowing them they'll climb up the ranks seconds after we graduate, or at least it will feel that way." Larb said as a matter of factly.
"I guess you're right." Skoodge agreed quietly, still too afraid of being heard.
"What are they going on about?" Red hissed, giving the three a crossed look as they whispered among themselves.
"Us." Zim answered, his superior hearing picking up everything. He was currently writing down some notes, not really giving his friends much mind.
"Wow you can hear from this far?" Purple asked.
Zim nodded. "Larb and Tenn are speaking lowly of us, obviously out of jealousy. While Skoodge is trying to discourage them, shaking in his boots."
"No fair your senses always develop faster than the rest of us." Purple whined.
"Yes, too bad his height doesn't follow suit." Red teased, snatching up a journal key pad that Zim had been writing in. The group of Cadets had been waiting to exsit the transport ship for almost an hour now and Red was getting antsy.
"Red!" Zim whaled as he tried to take it back, but since Red was a whole foot taller he just couldn't reach. "Give it back, you know its childish to hold my height against me. You're just jealous cause I'm smarter, and have better senses than you."
"Well of course." Purple laughed. "We've got to take advantage of what we've got." He added as Red threw him the key pad. "What are you writing anyways?"
"It's notes on the enemy." Zim hissed. "It's why we're here, to practice being invaders."
"Wow and you've already started?" Purple seems impressed going over his notes. "So proactive, and you wonder why we're all so jealous."
Zim blushes, showing his obvious admiration for his taller friend. "Please give it back Purple." He says meekly.
"Fine." Purple throws it back to Zim who instantly goes back to writing notes. "You know we only tease cause it's the only way to get you to look up and interact every once in a while." He added.
"Yeah lighten up Zim." Red advised. "Enjoy being young."
"Why? Young people don't get to do anything!" Zim retorted. "Besides we have finals soon, or have you forgotten? Tallest Myuki is watching our every move here, and our actions are a big part of our final scores. So fool around all you like, but I will not finish last."
"Finally, something I can agree to." Tenn cut in.
"Cadets you may now exsit the transport." The ship's Computer announced.
"Let's get started, shall we?" Tenn asked pushing pass them all and heading down the docking bay to greet their Vortian escorts.
"Where does she get the idea that she can be greeted first?" Red hissed.
"She obviously has no regards for our greatness." Purple realized.
"Than let's remind her." Zim suggested as he picks up a softball size stone and aims for the Irken female's feet, and tosses it.
Tenn squeaks as the stone hits her left foot, the blow is strong enough, and sudden enough to throw her off balance. She falls on her face ungracefully in front of their escorts. She growls as laughter erupts from behind her, she knows who's responsible in an instant.
"Please forgive Tenn she's quite clumsy when she's excited." Zim said stepping over her to greet their escorts.
One of the Vortians visibly cringe as he extends a hand to greet them. Of course, its no secret that the allies hated each other. However, both needed the other. The planet Vort was not a waste land like Irk was, which meant the Irkens depended on them for the food they ate. And in exchange the Irkens gave the Vortians their advanced technology for their ships, technology that could only be made on Irk. No one like the arrangement, but it was needed so they all dealt with it.
However, one Vortian showed no distain what so ever. He was taller than the other five Vortians with him. His skin was also a lighter purple as well, and his green eyes showed kindness, and admiration. "Yes, we too are excited." He said. "So we can understand her clumsiness." He reaches out a hand, but not to Zim, but to Tenn who is still on the ground.
Tenn allows the Vortian to help her to her feet, but she is obviously offended.
"Please forgive me I forget you are a prideful race." The Vortian apologizes to her, "Though I appreciate that you allowed me to show you kindness."
Red openly rolls his eyes, while Purple openly showed his need to barf. However, Zim watches in awe, this Vortian is openly treating them kindly, and his peers are not looking down on him. He gets to choose to be kind while the first gets to wince openly, he has never known such freedom in all his life.
"Awe yes how rude of me." The Vortian goes to shake Zim's hand which is still outstretched to greet him. "I apologize to you as well, but those in need come first; you understand of course." He added as they shook hands.
No he did not understand. Those who found their face in the dirt deserved to stay there, or at least that was what his Irken programing was telling him. However, Zim looked at the Vortian before him like he just found the first true wonder in all the universe. Finally, all this time he thought he was the only one who felt this way, but it would seem freedom was possible…at least for some people.
"My name is Lard Nar." The Vortian said as their hands part. "And if my memory serves me well you are the Irken invader trainee known as Zim, am I correct?"
"Yes, that's right, and he demands your respect!" Red insisted. "Honestly where do you get the idea to touch an Alpha!"
"of course my mistake." Lard Nar says, though he doesn't really look sorry at all. "Please allow me to introduce the others." He insisted. "This is Emeka." He said gesturing to a female beside him.
She looks no different to Lard Nar, then again to the Irkens all Vortians look the same. However, she is a whole shade darker than he is, she also has no horns, no female Vortians had horns after all; it was a male thing. "Greetings Irkens we have been instructed to escort you, one of you will be assigned to one of us and will stay in view of your chosen escort at all times."
"What for?" Purple asked. "You're not hiding anything from us, are you?"
"Of course not." Lard Nar insisted. "The youths such as yourselves are not allowed to wonder." He answered simply.
"We understand." Zim assured. "Besides Tallest Myuki warned us to be on our best behavior." He said giving Red the look.
Red scowled at his shorter friend, and Zim rolled his eyes. Honestly if Red could not learn to butter up the enemy than he was going to be one lousy invader.
"We appreciate that." Emeka states.
"And to my right here is Whis one of our most trusted advisors of the court." Lard Nar said, continuing with the introductions like nothing happened.
Whis was about a foot shorter than Lard Nar, but his skin was several shades paler, and his horns were facing the wrong way. "Yes, greetings young ones we look forward to your stay, to my right here is my son Chu."
His son had been the one to flinch at Zim earlier, and he looks much like his father, only his horns are not full grown yet. He hides behind his father, obviously not liking this situation one bit.
"You'll have to forgive him." Whis insisted. "He has heard stories of your people and it scares him. However, as a future advisor of our people mingling with other races is a crucial part of his training, so he will escort one of you."
"Well at least our reputation proceeds us." Purple chuckled, making Chu visibly shake.
"Oh please don't mind him, his bark is far bigger than his bite." Zim teased giving Purple an obvious look of disappointment. Sure they hated them, but they were supposed to be practicing their invader skills here. And who would trust them with that attitude?
Lard Nar shows visible admiration for Zim's effort to comfort the child, and the other Irkens seem to get that his efforts are fruitful because they start following suit. Or at least they try to, however the other five Irkens are not great actors and its obvious they clearly don't like their allies at all.
"Yes, please do forgive us." Purple added. "We are young."
"Yes, and obviously stupid." Tenn mused, taking the opportunity to insult Purple. Zim rolls his eyes, why was he the only one getting this?
"Yes, of course, we also have Tec, and Tally." Lard Nar said introducing the last 2 Vortians. Tec's skin was a bruise purple color, and his horns were strangely more yellow than white.
And Tally wasn't even purple at all, her skin was blue, and if Zim remembered correctly this blue tent of hers was a rare birth defect where the skin pigment was slightly altered due to their eggs being exposed to too much cold weather.
"Now that we know everyone." Lard Nar chimed happily. "Tally you will be with cadet Tenn, Chu you're with Cadet Skoodge, Whis will be with Cadet Lab and Tec you have Cadet Red while Emeka will be with Cadet Purple."
"I guess that means you and I are stuck with each other." Zim mused.
"Yes, though I am sure we will have plenty to discuss." Lard Nar insisted.
"I look forward to it." Zim said honestly, though he is not quite sure what he means.
"As do I." Lard Nar agreed, and for a moment he can see it.
A mischievous look in the older Vortians eyes, but it is gone in seconds, causing Zim to question whether he saw it or not.
'Somethings going on here.' He's almost sure of it. 'And I'm going to find out…'
"Now let's get you young ones settled." Lard Nar insisted. "Come your escorts will show you to your rooms."
Zim allowed Lard Nar to lead him away from the others to what was supposed to be his room.
"You know you're a lot different than any Irken I've ever met." Lard Nar said suddenly.
Zim looks cautiously over his shoulder, to his relief his peers are already too far away to hear. "I was just following orders." He insisted.
"Really cause the others were too, at least towards the end." Lard Nar mused.
"Your point?" Zim asked.
"True kindness can not be faked, not by your people at least." Lard Nar answered freely.
"You'd be wise not to speak of my people so lowly." Zim hissed, his voice dripping with venom, but Lard Nar only laughs.
"Wow you're almost convincing." Lard Nar giggles.
"Almost! I am very serious!" Zim yells. "Do you know who you are speaking to!"
"Yes, I am speaking to a child who is a very good actor." Lard Nar said as a matter of factly. "Only he has one flaw."
"Oh and what would that be?" Zim challenged.
"Your eyes." Lard Nar answers as if it's easy.
"My what?" Zim asked.
"Your true emotions reflect in your eyes." Lard Nar specified. "You should work on that."
Zim is frozen on the spot, obviously stunned that the old monk could read him so easily. "How-" he stuttered.
"You know it's not criminal to be an individual." Lard Nar told him.
"Easy for you to say." Zim mumbled. "You're a Vortian and I'm…" His voice trails off.
"How about we make a deal." Lard Nar insisted. "I won't tell your friends about your obvious feelings for your silly rules, and you in return will actually be yourself around me. Deal?"
Zim blinks stunned, and at first, he is drawn to scream insults at his face, but he stops. He's obviously earned the Vortians trust, or at least his amusement. If Zim could continue to earn his trust he could
find out what they were hiding. Imagine if he actually found something worth reporting, Tallest Myuki would be so impressed.
Plus he'd actually get to be himself for a change it was a win, win for him. "Okay…I mean I guess it wouldn't hurt." Zim agreed.
"Excellent." Lard Nar said. "Let us continue on our way then."
Zim smiled wickedly as the Vortian turned away from him. 'Yes that's right go head and think you can convert me.' Oh he saw what was going on, this worm was trying to make him stray, but he was wrong. And the feelings Zim had were wrong, it was criminal to be an individual. His Irken programing said so, and all programing was right! 'You will not infect me with your disease.'
However, Zim and Lard Nar both know that his influence will not be necessary, because Zim is already infected. It was his most well-kept secret. For you see the Irken Zim was a defective and this one small decision to act himself was about to cost him more then he could ever imagine.
Author's Notes: Ha! Plot twist! He's still a defective! He's just less stupid! LOL Anyway thanks for reading and please review. Honestly your feedback is what has made this story so great. I thank you for that!
Well until next time this is Emily signing off 😊