Disclaimers: I do not own Invader Zim
Author's Notes: Another time jump everyone. I know you want Dib and Zim to talk, as well as Luna, but I promise it's coming. In other news a much beloved and anticipated character is making his debut! Everyone we are about to begin the Invader Dib Arc! I am so excited for this! With that said let's get started.
As always thanks for reading and please review.
(Back With Dib…)
[3 Weeks after Tak's Defeat…]
He wasn't sure where the time had gone, but somehow days had turned into weeks. Dib braced himself as he walked through the halls of the hospital. His father's surgery had been successful with no complications. Still, his arms were beyond repair, and the doctors were forced to amputate.
Seeing numbs where two limbs use to be on his father had mentally scared him more than he had initially thought. Dib had read somewhere that losing a limb was just as traumatic to someone as losing a love one. If that was true, then Dib couldn't imagine what it was like to lose two at once.
However, if Professor Membrane was in morning for his loss, he sure didn't show it. Within days after the operation he was already tackling his new condition. Not even a full week had passed, and Membrane already had blue prints drawn up (with the help of Lard Nar, of course) for his new robotic prosthetic arms. Arms that would be far more efficient than any natural arm could ever hope to become. Dib shook his head, leave it to his father to turn his own suffering into another science project. Still, he had to admire the man, by turning his situation into another problem solvable by science; he had change the world…AGAIN!
Everyone all over the planet wanted to help mass produce this new line of robotic prosthetics. And his father was actually kicking himself for not thinking of it sooner. "Thousands of people have lost limbs, but it takes me loosing mine to see the need!" His father had said. Then he looked to Dib and added. "You'd think I'd learn by now to not be so single minded."
Dib actually smiled at the memory; he couldn't help it. With every passing day he and his father just continued getting closer and closer. It was amazing how just a few secrets coming to light could change an entire relationship between father and son.
Dib took a deep breath as he made it to his father's door. Stopping as he notices Gaz was passed out in the waiting area just outside. She hadn't left the hospital since their father was admitted, neither had their mother. Dib however, found plenty to keep him away, it wasn't that he didn't want to see his dad. It was just out of his control. He couldn't make his father better and he was helpless from keeping him safe.
So rather than obsess over something he couldn't control. Dib decided to focus on what he could. For weeks now he had been tinkering with Tak's ship which was now in one of the many sublevels of the Swollen Eyeballs secret HQ. Thankfully, Lard Nar and his endless knowledge of Irken tech was there to help. Dib honestly wasn't sure what he would have done without him.
He had no doubt he could have hacked into the ship himself eventually, but having a scientist who once helped design the tech was useful. The ship itself was totaled, but with a new power cell and Lard Nar's know how; the ship's online computer was at least up and running. Of course that was where they hit their first snag.
Apparently, Tak's ship had been designed from an old Spittle Runner. An older model of the current day's Voot Cruisers. And here lied the problem, the old Spittle Runner, or Tak Runner as Dib had dubbed it was run by a computerized version of Tak's own mind.
That's right, Tak had downloaded her own personality as the ship's online computer. And said computer was not happy when it came online just to find itself in the hands of the enemy. Dib had considered overriding the ship and replacing Tak's personality with his own, but Lard Nar advised against it. Apparently there was a reason why this ship model was abandoned, Tak's personality was so profound that the ship itself actually believed it was an extension of Tak.
Screaming about how she would make them pay once she got out! The Ship was just as destructive and impulsive as the real Tak. Dib shivered at the thought, he could only imagine the chaos that a Dib ship would cause. The ship would probably accuse him of being a replacement clone made by the enemy. Not to mention if Tak ever got the ship back all the secrets of the Swollen Eyeball from his memories would now be in her possession.
So containing, and hacking it became the end game.
It took several forms of restraints to keep the ship confined still despite its reluctance Dib had managed to hack into the data drives. And boy did he hit the mother lode! Endless blueprints, research, as well as Irken secrets were now at his fingertips. There were volumes upon Volumes of data on Irken History, as well as a backup of Tak's Pak drive. Apparently the Irken female loved to store the most random of knowledge. Dib searched the endless data for days on end and was even able to create a program that translated the Irken text for him into English. Once he did that he was able to navigate the drives quicker where he discovered that a backup of all Tak's memories were storied in her Pak's back up drive.
Dib watched a few, but since his new program only translated text he couldn't understand what was being said. Still, it got him thanking, are all memories storied on Paks? Lard Nar had told him yes, everything they do, is recorded, even test scores from their academy years. Dib suddenly wondered what memories Zim's Pak held. To see the world the way Zim saw it. What must that be like? How did he see them? How did he see Dib?
It was a thought that plagued his mind with every passing day. Still, with so much new knowledge at his fingertips Dib had little time to dwell on it for long. He spent his time studying Irken culture and laws. Trying to see the world through the enemy's eyes, to understand why they felt justified in their cause. It was in this moment that he understood what it felt like to be the enemy.
This was what the invaders must do to prepare for a mission, what Zim must have done to prepare for his. In between his studies of Irk, Dib studied a few of Tak's blueprints and even created a few of the ones he already knew a good deal about. Which led to his reason for coming by.
Okay, he was really here to see his dad, something he had taken the time to do every day regardless of his work load. His mother hated that he would dive out after only staying for 20 minutes. Membrane, however, wouldn't complain; he'd simply say "Genius stops for no one."
Justifying his own past behavior as well as his son's current one in five words.
Talk about poetic justice!
Dib took one last look at his sister before entering. What he saw nearly gave him a heart attack.
His father was demonstrating his new arm cannons. The robotic hands where firing off a small beam of energy that disintegrated a nearby soda can.
"Now imagine that on a larger scale." He was telling his mother. "Taking out an army! Injured soldiers can now continue serving their country and be a hundred times more effective. "
"That's nice dear, but do you really need to have a cannon feature?" Annabel asked with a look of concern.
"And have someone else have better arms them me?" Professor Membrane laughed. "Darling haven't I told you. A good inventor keeps the best stuff for himself."
"Well I think it's pretty cool dad." Dib said as he closed the door behind him.
"Dib my boy you're here!" Membrane exclaimed. "Come see the new additions!" He pleaded.
"They look great." Dib told him looking the arms over. The robotics was beyond anything Dib had ever sceen. Looking more like something straight out of an anime than actual reality. "You know I saw this one movie where the arm actually-"
"Please don't encourage him." Annabel asked her son, than stopped. "Dib sweetie are you getting enough to eat? You're looking a little thin."
"Yeah I've been a bit busy mom." He told her. "But I finally did it!" he holds up his wrist showing off a device similar to the ones Lard Nar and the other alien refugees wore.
"Is that a "blending in" device?" Annabel exclaimed.
"Yep I found a blueprint in the drives of Tak's ship." He explained.
"Does it work?" Professor Membrane exclaimed; his robotic arms completely forgotten.
"Yep!" Dib exclaimed happily. "Lard Nar even helped me design a fiew disguises, I only have one downloaded at the moment."
"Well don't leave me in suspense." Membrane exclaimed.
Dib took a deep breath and flipped the nob. And in a flash where Dib once stood was an olive skinned Irken with blue eyes covered by futuristic goggles, wearing the standard Irken scientist uniform. "Science drone 342-O reporting for duty!"
Annabel actually let out a little squeak of alarm. "Dib!"
"Pretty cool hu?" Dib aske flipping the dial once more, looking like his old self again much to his mother's relief.
"Out of all the things to choose." She said shaking her head.
"Well I thought if we used their own tactics against them." Dib began to explain. "Maybe we could actually bring an end to this war. Without…"
"Without blowing up the whole race?" Luna asked.
Dib jumped at the sound of her voice; he had been so caught up in his new invention he hadn't seen her lying there.
At the moment Luna had been curled up in the corner of the room, laying across a bench. Like Gaz, Luna had spent most of her time at the hospital only leaving to walk Moon to school and pick up the assignments from all of their teachers. She knew some might think it wasn't her place to be by Professor Membrane's side at his time of need, but she couldn't help it. Annabel had filled the role of a mother so perfectly, that it was only natural to see Membrane as a father.
And he was like a father, He would come home from a long day of work with stories about the day. He'd embrace each of them as he entered, and sometimes brought gifts. In the few months she been here, Luna's once empty room was now full of Books, posters, Clothes, and stuff animals. Membrane had even purchased her a Laptop and a phone. Of course, she was grateful for the gifts, but they were nothing compared to the greatest gift she had. The one the entire membrane family had given her and Moon without hesitation….A family.
In the beginning Luna had secretly been afraid, Annabel had often spoke of her children. And Luna had always feared that Dib and Gaz would hate her for stealing their mother away. But Dib and Gaz never once showed any distain, they welcomed her and Moon into the family without question. Moon had even started calling Dib brother; something that brought a smile to the teen's face every time he heard it.
Yes, the Membrane family had given her something she never thought she would have again. A sense of belonging, for the first time in years Luna felt like a normal teen. With most of the refugees away, looking for the last piece of the weapon. Luna had little time where she was acting as the leader of the rebels. For once she was an average girl with nothing to worry about but studies and fitting in in school. Back on Rhapsodize, Luna had hated such trivial things. Now she clung to them with all her might. For they symbolized the return of something she never thought her or Moon would ever have.
A childhood.
"Well yeah." Dib said softly bringing her out of her thoughts.
"I think it's a more humane idea." Luna said thoughtfully. "If we could gain access to the main control brains we could erase the Irken programing all together. With no programing to follow the Irken race would be thrown into chaos."
"You will do no such thing." Annabel cut in.
"It doesn't have to be me, mom." Dib assured her. "Besides it doesn't even have to be at such a large scale. With disguises like this we could sneak past Irken blockades, liberate more refugees from enslaved worlds. All while being right under the enemies noses, and they would never see it coming!"
Annabel had to admit it was a good plan, and maybe three weeks ago she would have supported it. But now…Annabel looked at her husband fearfully. She had nearly lost him, and of course Dibson was more worried about other things.
"Now if anyone ask I lost my arms while battling a giant shark!" Membrane began to lecture, not even acknowledging any plans to infiltrate Irk.
Dib stiffened a snort, even after all this time his dad wanted to only be seen as a REAL Scientist. Figures, but perhaps he was silly to think that everything had changed. "Well I've got more work to do." He said looking at the time. That of course was a lie, he had no work left to speak of at the moment. This was because it took his program hours to translate the Irken text provided in the Ship's data. And since he was always ahead in school he didn't have any class assignments to finish either. Sure, there was several inventions he could continue to tinker with, but he had more pressing matters to deal with.
He had tried but failed to get it out of his mind. For weeks now, no matter how busy he was, or worried he was for his dad. Dib's thoughts kept going back to Zim, the Irken who had tricked him into falling in love with him. The Irken whose sole purpose was to bring his planet to their knees. Invader Zim was a monster, a scourge of nine galaxies and Dib should feel nothing for him, just like Zim felt nothing for him.
But that was a lie, Zim was fuming when he found out Tak had told the Tallest about Dib. By not telling his leaders about the rebels arrival on Earth, he had defended his family. And he had stood beside Dib in their quest to take down Tak. If Zim didn't care for him why would he be so angry when the Tallest had threatened him? Why would he allow Dib a chance to defend his mother and face Tak? Why did he look so torn the day Dib had broken up with Miz?
Why even bother saving Dib's life, if the Irken didn't care?
Dib didn't know, but he would soon, he would find Zim today, and they would talk about this.
Weather the Irken wanted to or not, Zim owed him this much.
"Dib, you just got here." Annabel began.
"It's alright sweetheart." Membrane assured his wife. "I'm getting discharged this evening, beside Dib's work is important to us all."
Dib couldn't help the pride that swelled in his chest, His father had his back. He knew full well what kind of "work" Dib had in mind. For years Professor Membrane had watched his son race out of the house with the same look he wore on his face now. It was the face he wore right before he went after the latest monster sighting. Yes, the only work he had in mind was getting that Alien!
"Just be back in time to help your father settle, please." Annabel said, seeing the truth as well. "And take Luna."
"But Mom!" Dib whined halfheartedly. It wasn't that he didn't like Luna. No he had nothing against the princess, and he adored little Moon. Not to mention after their last battle with Tak the two of them had gained a new understanding. Luna now saw why Zim was worth saving, for she now saw the goodness in him that Dib had always sworn was there. Still, how was he supposed to clear the air with his ex-boyfriend with her there?
Luna gave him a knowing look that said, "I know what you're up too, and I deserve a little chit chat with him just as much as you."
"Fine, okay." Dib sighed, knowing she was right. She and Zim had just as much to talk about as he and Dib did. "Let's go Luna." He urged, trying to get away before Gaz tried to tag along too.
Luna smiled and got up, following him out.
"Be home by 7." Annabel called after them.
"You guys going to find Zim?" Gaz asked in a grumpy voice from where she laid.
Dib visibly deflated as he looked at his sister.
"Look I get it." She said, not bothering to get up. "You guys need answers." She reasoned. Of course Luna had told them all what she and Annabel had witnessed about what really happened to her home world. And more importantly how Zim was the only reason why she was alive. "Peg will be here any minute with my Coffee." She went on. "We'll keep mom and Dad oblivious for you." She promised.
"Thanks Gaz." Dib said, looking relieved.
"But how are we going to find him?" Luna asked as they started on their way once more. "There's no way he's in the same spot as last time.
Dib smiled and pulled out the tracker they had used to find Zim before. They had used Gir's discarded part and used it to find the Sir Unit and more importantly Zim.
"Think it still works?" Luna asked.
"Only one way to find out." Dib said, switching the device on. The screen comes to light with a blinking red dot on its display. "Bingo."
The teens raced off towards the blinking light, finally ready to face Zim and the answers he held.
-To Be Continued