Goddess Rising

"Dib..."
He looked up, seeing nothing but darkness. But that voice... Sounded so close...

"I finally think I understand... Your attachment to Earth."

Zim? Zim! Dib reached out but could grasp nothing.

"Never in my life... Have I ever had anything to care about of my own. My goals were the goals of others. My possessions were but tools, means to an end."

Finally, at the end of that dark tunnel, he saw Zim's eyes. They glowed bright with intelligence and--what else was it?

"But when the end was near... The thought of leaving you behind... I couldn't do it. I would have rather given up everything else just to have you by my side..."

What was he saying? Dib felt a warmth in his chest. It was something so private, so unlike Zim, that he couldn't quite comprehend it.

"This--this 'love' I've heard you speak of. I think--I think I finally understand what it is."

Dib reached desperately for any kind of handhold, any means whatsoever of climbing out of the darkness and joining Zim at the end. What was this?! This was torture! Suddenly those lovely red eyes blinked out and Dib felt cold and alone.

Am I dead? Please, for the love of God, don't let it end like this.

**********


Zim and Dib were thrown into the brig first, as Gaz gave the Irken soldiers a much harder time of inspecting her than the boys did... Dib being unconscious and Zim's spirit being totally broken. Zim looked down on Dib's serene, though pained face and wished things had worked out differently. This would probably the last time they would be together. He wished that Dib were awake to hear what he had to say...

Gaz was shortly thrown into the room and the soldiers gestured toward Zim. "Time to go, Zim..." they hissed, grinning horribly. He stood, going with them willingly, trying hard to appear brave. He was taller than a good portion of the crew on the Massive now, but they still didn't afford him any more respect than before. They prodded him forward with the butts of their rifles, chuckling and speculating on what horrid fate the Almighty Tallest had in store for him.

"I can't believe you defected!" Splik rasped. "We Irkens are destined to rule this universe with the Almighty Tallest at the helm. Did you really think you could oppose us?"

Zim said nothing. What was there to say? Of course he didn't think he could win. He was always earmarked to be a failure... Small, miniscule, pathetic, a disappointment to his race.

He was ushered into the Tallests' chambers and stood before the door in confusion as it closed behind him. The room was dark and completely empty. This wasn't quite what he had expected... A military tribunal, or some sort of horrible, bloodsucking beast, maybe.... Not knowing what exactly to do, he walked further in until he reached the dais... Oh, how many times had he walked up to this pillar of comfort, hoping that maybe this time, THIS TIME, he would be asked to stay?

Climbing the stairs, he looked down on the soft silken linens and touched them with his gloved fingers... How many times had he felt the caress of these coverlets against his skin, wishing he never had to leave them again?

"So, what exactly were you hoping to do, Zim?"

The alien did not turn. He didn't have to, because he knew exactly who was approaching him from behind... And now, after all these years, looking that man face to face, without millions of light years between them and the computer monitors, now.... Looking at him was too much to bear.

"Were you wanting to take the humans and run? Away from us, away from your people?" He was right behind Zim now, at the foot of the dais.

Swallowing hard, Zim whispered, "You... Don't want me around anyway. I didn't think..."

A gentle hand turned him towards his companion. Zim finally looked up at Purple, his antennae laying back in fear. There was kindness in Purple's expression, but behind his eyes there was a wall of ice. "...Didn't think what?" He put his hands on Zim's shoulders. "What is this tripe you speak of, not wanting you around? Tell me, Zimmy."

Stop patronizing me. Stop babying me. Don't call me that NAME. "I know this mission was a lie. I know that you only sent me to Earth to get rid of me." Emotion began to overwhelm him. "I know that you all want to be far, far away from me. I know--"

Purple's finger touched his lips, quieting him. "What are you talking about?! Who told you these--these--horrible lies!?" Those eyes, they were angered. But Zim could tell. He could always tell... Purple was a horrible liar.

Shaking his head, Zim continued, "It doesn't matter. Because I know they're not lies." Rage claiming his sensibilities, Zim pulled back, away from Purple's grasp. "You and Red sent me away, you didn't want me to jeopardize the new mission..." He looked at the floor. "Because... I'm a failure... A disappointment..." Covering his face, he was quiet.

Silence reigned for a few moments. It was obvious that Purple was struggling with words. Finally, he relented, "You're right. We did... We did send you away." He shook his head. "No... I did. I sent you away." Zim's hands fell away from his face, and he stared at the floor. All these years he had held a small, flickering hope in his soul that maybe, just maybe, he had misunderstood and the Almighty Tallest hadn't done what he thought they'd done... Now extinguished, that hope began to immediately fester.

"But Zimmy, I did it to protect you, don't you see?" Grabbing Zim's face and forcing him to look up, Purple continued, "I wanted to keep you safe..." Smiling, he said, "All of the Invaders that have died in the Prexus system? It was a dangerous place. But here, on Earth, you were safe and sound for all this time..."

Stepping away again, Zim cried, "I don't need you to protect me!"

Purple was silent, looking at him with unmoving eyes. This was his "You're being unreasonable" face. Zim HATED that fucking face. Because he was ALWAYS unreasonable.

"I'm not the Zim you used to know," he stated resolutely. "You can't expect me to keep believing your lies anymore..." Turning away, he stared at the wall. What was he playing at this arrogance for? He was at Purple's mercy. But he didn't care.... He had little to live for at this point. There was silence once more, and a hand was placed on his shoulder again.

"You're right, Zim. You're absolutely right."

Zim turned back to him, incredulous.

"I underestimated you. And for that--I'm truly sorry. You are--so much different than you used to be... So much more... Authoritative..." A lazy smile stretched across his face as he approached the inferior Irken, putting soft hands at Zim's sides. Purple leaned down, putting his forehead against Zim's. "Can we start over?"

A reply did not immediately spring to Zim's lips. Years of hatred, regret and embarrassment had already tunneled deep into his soul. The admiration and love he once held for Purple was gone. Taking his silence as encouragement, the Tallest moved even closer, his antennae tangling with Zim's. Their bodies connected in this way, they began to feel eachother's emotions.

Sighing, Zim closed his eyes. He could feel regret in Purple's being. A little love, even. But deeper down, much deeper down, was resentment, fear, and--primarily--lust. He wondered what his companion was seeing in him. Can you feel my hatred, master? My sadness? My pain?

As if answering Zim's unspoken questions, Purple whispered, "I'll make it all better." His hands were between Zim's thighs, exploring. "Don't I always make it all better, Zimmy?"

Yes. You've always protected me, helped me succeed, given me chances when nobody else would. Why? Why, when I was always such a failure? Because I loved you before you were Tallest? When we were almost the same height?

He was removing Zim's clothes now, looking with new appreciation at a body that was much different than before. Zim did not open his eyes even then. If.. If I let you do this... Maybe you'll let me live. Maybe you'll let Dib live.

....Dib.

In the time he had been in the Tallests' chambers, he had already forgotten about the human. What were they planning to do with him? And his sister? Zim knew that they had already taken GIR apart, effectively and officially stripping Zim of his Invader status. As annoying and stupid as the crazy little unit was, he felt sadness at losing the companion he had spent so long with...

The Irkens did not take hostages. Everyone had a place, and if you did not have a place then you were eliminated. It was that simple. So they must have something in mind for Dib and his sister...

"Mm... I've missed your hot little cock SO much." Purple was touching, rubbing, nibbling, but Zim felt nothing. He was not a giving lover, much unlike Dib... Everything The Tallest did was for one purpose: quick fulfillment of his own needs. Luckily, this worked out for Zim in the end, as his companion was already turning him towards the bed, leaning him over. He felt Purple's member pushing inside him, roughly and without consideration. Another aspect of sex that he never saw from Dib... Why did he used to find this so enjoyable?

More horrible pushing. Harder, faster, deeper. "Zim..." he grunted. "Where are your caresses? Stroke me." He reached forward, grabbing Zim's still limp member, pumping it urgently. "Do you feel nothing? Latch onto me."

What could he do? There was nothing there. Did even his body rebel against Purple, the teeth deep inside him not even wanting Purple's touch? Zim tried desperately to think of something, anything, that would make him eager for this. But all that filled his soul was hatred.

Resentment.

Fear.

Pain.

Embarrassment.

Jealousy.

Dib.

Dib...

You'll distract me with your pretty words and empty promises, just like always, and then Dib will be dead. I'll never see him again...

Angry, Purple grabbed Zim's shoulders and shoved him roughly down into the bed, crushing his cheek against the cool linens. "LATCH ON TO ME!" the Tallest growled, impaling the smaller alien painfully against him. "Why do you reject me??"

"My Tallest--"

"You don't love me anymore!"

"My Tallest--!"

"You're thinking of that fucking HUMAN, aren't you??!"

"Purple!"

The Tallest withdrew, pushing Zim against the bed and catching him beside the head with his gauntlet. Reeling, Zim fell to his side and looked wildly up at Purple. "YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CALL ME BY THAT NAME. I am your MASTER!"

Danger sharpening his senses, Zim rolled off of the bed and tried to jump to his feet, but he was quickly caught by the more powerful Irken, holding his upper arm in a punishing grip. Panicked, Zim flinched as his Pak produced a wild tentacle, aiming directly for Purple's head.

Purple's Pak reprised, knocking the tentacle away and cutting it off directly down the center. "You DARE to attack your master?!" Purple roared, throwing Zim against the bed again, on his stomach. Before he could lift himself up again, he felt Purple latching onto his Pak, holding his neck down with the other arm. Wincing, Zim felt hundreds of lashes from Purple's Pack, tearing his shirt and his skin to shreds.

"I gave you one last chance, Zimmy. And you SPAT in my face! I'm DONE with you from now on. It's OVER."

Zim howled in pain as his Pak was ripped from his body. Through a swirl of pain he heard it being thrown against the floor. Cool blood began to trickle down his sides as discomfort gave way to numbness.

"So, you want your precious human?" Purple growled. "I'll go FETCH him for you."


*****************


Dib awoke on the floor of a cold room. Before even opening his eyes, he winced as the back of his skull began to throb.

Pain is good. Pain lets you know you're alive. And all the pieces are in working order.

Straining, he finally managed to open his eyes and found himself staring at a metallic ceiling. He heard rushing air and various clicking sounds. Turning his head to the side, he spied Gaz sitting a few feet away from him, in the corner of their small room. She was looking at him, but did nothing to acknowledge that he was awake. Testing the flexibility of his swollen neck, he turned to the other side and examined the room. It was very small, barely 100 square feet in perimeter. There were no obvious doors or windows.

Slowly, cautiously, he sat up. At this point Gaz finally spoke.

"Awake?"

"Seems that way," Dib answered. "Or am I just dreaming I'm awake?"

"You've been hallucinating and screaming in your sleep for hours now," Gaz stated, folding her arms in front of her. "It was really fucking annoying."

Looking around again, Dib asked, "Where... are we?"

"Is it not obvious? We're on the Irken mothership."

Whipping to the side so quickly he winced, Dib cried, "I remember now! Those fucking Invaders--they must have knocked me out and captured all of us--"

"ACTUALLY, I knocked you out," Gaz huffed. "You wouldn't shut the hell up and time was wasting." She rolled her eyes at the ceiling. "So Zim was able to finish fixing up the ship and we jumped in--Unfortunately, Zim made the mistake of linking that stupid fucking robot to the controls... And all of a sudden we turn to find the Purple one holding the thing up by its antenna."

"GIR.... Is he...?"

"Scrap metal? Uh... Yeah." Gaz shook her head bitterly. "Zim's so incompetent. These guys, they're cruel. Nothing like him. It took them no time to raze the planet. It's done for."

Bile rose up in Dib's mouth. His stomach was suddenly at his knees. "Then... This is... it."

"I don't know why they're keeping us shut up in here," Gaz said, chewing her bottom lip. "They took Zim off someplace pretty soon after we got here. I don't know what they have in mind. Maybe they're going to do experiments on us. Or... torture us in front of Zim as punishment for disobeying. Or..."

"You've thought a lot about this, haven't you?" Dib squawked, shifting uncomfortably.

Suddenly, there was a loud whirring noise and the wall to the right of them began to shift. In moments, there was a large, dark doorway before them with a pair of dark purple eyes glowing within. When the door finished opening, Tallest Purple slowly made his way into the room. An army of metallic, rat-like creatures scurried inside and ran along the walls until they found little cracks or holes to hide in.

"Finally decided to join us in the land of the living, I see," he rasped, his eyes narrowing as he looked down on Dib.

Before, Dib thought it was foolish that the Irkens worshipped these creatures because they were the tallest of the species. But after seeing Purple face-to-face, he realized the guy was really fucking scary. Dib was tall for a human, but he was still dwarfed in comparison by almost a full foot. Cruelly, the Irken reached down and twined spindly fingers through Dib's hair, pulling him up and off of his feet. Wracked with pain and scared to death, Dib dangled helplessly in the air.

Purple reached forward and pulled out the hem of Dib's pants, looking inside. "I don't see what's so special about it," he coughed, snapping his finger out and backing away towards the door. "Enjoy my pets, little girl," he called out to Gaz as the door closed behind them. Out of the corner of his eyes, Dib could see the rat-like creatures approaching her.

"This is it? You've gotta be kidding me," Dib heard Gaz chuckle as they made their way down the hall. After the floated a few feet, Purple lowered him so that his feet could touch the floor. He stumbled a step behind, trying hard to keep up as the alien pulled him mercilessly onward.

As they made their way down the long hallway, Dib spied a few smaller Irkens lurking about. They instantly jumped to the side as the Tallest passed and averted their eyes. It was almost as if they weren't allowed to look at Dib. Though his memory was foggy, he saw that they were pretty tall compared to Zim when he first arrived on the planet. Even as such high-ranking soldiers, they were scared to death of Purple.

After a few moments of agony, Purple stopped at the end of the hallway before a large golden door that must have been about fifteen feet tall. It was adorned with a number of beautiful alien designs and strange sparkling jewels. He snapped his fingers and it quickly opened. Pushing Dib ahead of him with a continued death grip on his hair, the Tallest floated into the room as the door closed quickly behind him.

Dib couldn't help but look about in fascination as they walked further into the chamber. It narrowed at the door and got wider as they walked further in. The ceiling was impossibly high, and the walls were lined with thousands of glass display cases containing all kinds of strange flora and many unique animals. There was little on the floor save for a few strange-looking trinkets here and there that were obviously only for decoration. After a few hundred feet, the room finally opened up into a large cove with a dais in the center. Atop it was a large, pink piece of furniture that looked like it was meant to be used as a bed or someplace for lounging.

Laying prostrate atop this was Zim, clinging weakly to a pile of blood-stained linens. His clothes were horribly ripped, and his back was torn apart beyond almost all recognition. His pod had clearly been ripped out forcefully, and was laying on the floor beside him, wires still twitching periodically as if it were trying to figure out where its master went.

"Zim!" Dib cried, choking on emotion. He reached out in desperation, though he knew Purple had an unbreakable grip.

"Go to him," Purple spat mockingly, throwing Dib harshly to the floor. Without hesitation, Dib jumped to his feet and ran to the Zim's side, climbing on top of the bed and pulling the little alien gently into his lap.

"Zim! Are you--How bad is it?"

His eyes opened slightly and he tried to raise up to look at Dib, but he couldn't.

"Don't worry, little stinkbeast," Purple called out. "He won't die... It wouldn't be as fun if I killed him right off the bat."

"Please..." Zim coughed, trying to raise his voice. He looked in Purple's direction. "Don't--do this. I swear I'll--do whatever you want me to!"

"I want to see what's so special about this human," Purple growled as he approached the Dais. "I want to know what makes him so special that you can't get it up for ME anymore."

Zim closed his eyes and let out what almost sounded like a whimper. "I swear, My Tallest! It wasn't--we didn't--This human is nothing to me."

Looking skeptically at the two of them, as the alien lay docile in Dib's lap, Purple stated, "It doesn't appear that way to me." Before Zim could argue, Purple continued. "You think that we don't keep track of you when that console is turned off? We see EVERYTHING, Zim. And that includes your little tryst with that skinbag a few weeks ago. We've heard everything you said about us, too." He crossed his hefty arms over his large, armored chest. "We are not pleased."

Dib swallowed hard. This didn't look good.

"So? I want you two to fuck right here. I want to PERSONALLY see what makes this human so good." He smiled ferociously, baring sharp teeth. "If he impresses me, I might decide to keep him for a while."

Whimpering again, Zim pulled away from Dib and looked directly at Purple. "Please, My Tallest--"

"Fuck for me or the stinkbeast dies. In the slowest and most painful way possible."

"Zim..." Dib whispered, reaching with the tenderest touch.

Struggling to get on his knees, Zim turned his head towards Dib. "Don't worry about me. If... you can live for a while longer... I might--be able to convince him--" he winced, and braced himself on hands and knees. "--to let you go somewhere..."

It began to dawn on him that this was no ordinary cruelty. Zim and Purple obviously had some sort of especially close relationship. Did that mean that Purple was jealous of Dib? Or were all Irken soldiers sworn to chastity? Unable to think of another course of action, Dib positioned himself behind Zim and began to unzip his pants. If Purple were indeed jealous, what exactly should Dib do? Should he do a good job to show that Zim had betrayed Purple only for the pleasure? Or perhaps he should fail miserably so that the Tallest felt superior. But then, Dib would be deemed useless and most likely killed.

Dib couldn't even consider sex at the moment. Zim looked pitiful; the blood was congealing on his back. Horrid black bruises were forming all over his body. He was in a considerable amount of pain. Gently grabbing Zim's shaking hips, Dib whispered, "I can't do this... Not while you're like this."

"I told you not to worry about me," Zim hissed harshly. "This is nothing--compared to the pain I'll feel--if you die."

Zim said it so nonchalantly that Dib wondered if he realized what an admission that was. Zim really was attached to him. He wanted him to live, despite the pain he had to experience because of it. Tears began to well up in Dib's eyes. He would do what he had to... He would do what Zim said. This is nothing compared to what he had to go through...

I just have to pretend this isn't happening... I have to think of something arousing... I have to...

"Are you going to fuck or not? I'm a busy Tallest, you know."

Stupid fucking asshole. You probably have a small prick.

Dib thought of how impressed Zim was when he first saw his cock. He probably makes Purple look like a toothpick. Dwell on that... Dib thought of the first time they were together, of Zim's probing touch, of how curious and amazed he was. How earnest. When Zim dropped his guard, stopped trying to be a badass all the time...

He was so cute.

Pushing himself against Zim's prone entrance, he felt desire finally cause him to harden. In moments he was erect enough to push himself slightly inside. Zim let out a long breath and his anus moved a bit, caressing Dib's cock-head. Even in all this pain, Zim still welcomed him inside... Almost overwhelmed with emotion, Dib quickly became fully erect.

"Zim..." he breathed, pushing gently inside. At first they moved in harmony with one another, but when Dib tried to pull back out, the spikes inside Zim grabbed him with punishing force.

"AAAH!" Dib cried, grabbing Zim's hips in desperation. He was going to be mangled! Crying out, the alien's arms collapsed and he fell on his face, breath coming in rapid gasps.

Dib frantically tried to retreat, but Zim's body wouldn't let him. The alien tried to stay hoisted in the air for fear of hurting Dib more, but he could barely handle it. The more Zim's body shook, the tighter his ass became, until bitter tears were streaming down Dib's face. "God--Oh God--Make it stop--!!"

The room reverberated with Dib's sobs and Purple's hysterical laughter. "Can't handle it, can you?!" he howled. "I guess your hardware just isn't compatible!!"

"PURPLE!!"

The Tallest turned in alarm as Red quickly came into the room. His face was distorted in anger. "What the hell are you doing, you twisted fuck?!"

In seconds Red was before Purple, and there was a resounding "clang" as he caught the surprised alien broadside across the face with his gauntlet. Dib was so surprised to see this that he almost forgot his horrific pain. Zim grunted as Dib let go of his hips slightly, and his body relaxed.

"Red--!! I thought you were--preparing for the ceremony..."

Hitting his partner in the face again, Red bellowed, "I thought you were as well! Yet here I see you playing with these little worms--I thought I told you to kill them!"

The situation was going from bad to worse. Dib's manhood softened, and Zim's body, no longer feeling threatened, let him go. Zim finally collapsed onto the linens and Dib fell beside him, his legs weak from pain. He inspected himself and found that, though he was swollen and stinging, there were no puncture wounds.

"Your fondness for that little ass has cost us years worth of work!" Red screamed, his fists shaking. "Why, why, WHY didn't I just kill him myself when he DESTROYED Irk during the first invasion?!"

"Don't--be upset, My Red," Purple pleaded, using a forced tone of calm. "I was just toying with him... I swear I was going to kill him after I was done--"

Another clap to the side of the head. Dib noticed that Purple made no attempt to retaliate... He knew who was in charge in this relationship. "Kill them now. NOW."

"I love you, My Red..." Purple croaked, his posture slumping a little. "May I please... Finish?"

So Irkens knew about love after all. Or did they? Was it just an empty manipulation? Purple really was a twisted fuck.

"Aren't I enough for you?!" Red cried, collapsing into exaggerated tears. He covered his face and cried, "I'm taller than anyone else on Irk! And yet you still pine for this--this ZIM!"

Turning hesitantly toward them, Purple ascended the dais and reached for Dib's hair. Pulling him painfully to his knees, he groaned, "I guess this is it, worm-baby." He looked at Zim. "You're so tall now. If only--" Glaring at Dib, he spat, "I have things to do. This is it."

Then there was blinding pain as electricity coursed through his body from the palm of Purple's hand. In seconds he felt his senses leaving him. Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard Zim screaming out his name--or did he? Just a dying hallucination?

Suddenly, Purple let go of Dib and he fell limply to the floor. For a second he had absolutely no cognizance... He heard screams of panic in the background and it seemed as if the world was flashing around him. He tried hard to focus. What was happening? Was he dying? Of course Purple wouldn't just kill him right away, would he? No, he'd drop him on the floor and let him suffer.

"What are you doing in here?! This chamber is only for The Tallest!"

"I'm sorry, sir--bu--but..." Another sound of the gauntlet smacking an Irken face. Red was pretty liberal with that thing.

Dib's eyes bled into focus, and he saw that the world was indeed flashing... There were also sirens going off, and the ship was shaking.

"Dib... Dib..." Zim reached meekly over the edge of the bed and pulled himself up. He looked down on the human with concern written all over his face. "Dib...!"

"Zim..." Dib coughed. "I'm--okay. I think."

"The Destroyer! She's here!" the little Irken cried, gesturing wildly.

Purple snorted. "The Destroyer is a stupid myth from the Old Days," he cried. "This is some kind of hoax! When I find out who did this--they'll be severely punished--"

The soldier shrank back in fear, but everyone in the chamber jumped when something heavy hit the golden door.

"What's the Destroyer?" Dib whispered, pulling himself, with difficulty, to a sitting position.

"Cyborg..." Zim replied. "Don't know where she came from... Laid waste to a whole fleet..."

There was an explosion and the door was blown from the wall. It landed a mere yard away from where the Tallest were standing; they would have been crushed. Squinting, Dib tried to see what was standing in the doorway.

It had a slight frame but it stood with authority, a large metallic arm outstretched. Its hand was glowing as if it had just released a burst of energy. The creature looked to be human in stature, but there was some sort of thick alloy covering its head, arms, legs, and most of its torso. It had dark purple eyes that glowed menacingly.

"HOLY SHIT!" Red cried, grabbing Purple in fear. "What is that?! Where did it come from!? Oh my God, it can't be true!"

"Run or die," the machine ordered them. The voice was slightly familiar...

Of course, the Irkens chose to run. It stepped aside as they made their way out of the door, and turned its head to look straight and Zim and Dib.

With effort, Dib was able to stand and put himself between Zim and the creature. Feeling foolish, he quickly zipped up his pants as it approached.

"Thank God," the creature sighed. "That was something I did NOT want to see anymore."

Tilting his head somewhat painfully, Dib said, "....Gaz?"

"The DESTROYER," she replied in exhasperation. "Let's get the hell out of here before they figure out I'm just a lousy human."

Dib tried to take a step but stumbled. Sighing again, Gaz reached out and took him easily beneath her arm. Looking at Zim's pitiful figure with a bit of surprise, she swooped him up into her arms as well.

"My... Pak..." Zim moaned, reaching for the twitching pod a few steps away.

Gaz walked up to it and Dib reached down to grab it. "Sure are demanding for such a sorry-looking Irken." She turned and began to make her way out of the chamber.

"Where are we going?" Dib asked, feeling even more foolish being toted along by his little sister.

Looking down the hallways to make sure the coast was clear, Gaz replied, "GIR knows the way to the launchdeck. We can hijack a ship from there."

"GIR...??" They ran down the hallway and turned left at the first junction. There were a few soldiers scattered here and there, but they were quick to disappear the minute they saw Gaz barrelling down the corridor. In mere moments they were at the doors of the launch bay.

Blowing it open, Gaz sat both of her companions on the floor and fired a few warning shots into the air. Various Irkens that were either trying to hide or escape in Voots froze in their steps.

"Get out of here now or I blow up the ship!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, shooting a few more shots and blowing up a couple of ships. One soldier, his back on fire, cried out in pain and ran for the door. The others followed him like panicked sheep.

"Fucking pussies," Gaz muttered under her breath as she looked around at the empty deck. "Hmm, which one should we choose?"

Towards the back of the room, a few hundred feet away, was a large pink ship that looked to be a ceremonial escort. It was huge, the size of 10 Voots at least. "Ugh..." she moaned. "That's hideous. Why that one?" She stooped down and picked Zim up again, leaving Dib to fend for himself. With a little effort, he got to his feet and followed her. As they rounded the back of the ship they saw something alien written on the back in fruity letters.

"The Goddess," Gaz read aloud. "Oh my God, this is disgusting."

"Red's personal ship..." Zim murmered, more to himself than anyone else. "It's--outfitted with all the amenities..."

"I guess it'll have to do." Gaz pressed her hand onto the keypad and the door instantly slid open. "Pretty good hacking skills... I'll give you that." She stepped inside, but Dib hesitated. "What's wrong, LoverBoy? I thought you always wanted to hijack an awesome setup like this."

Dib shook his head somewhat feebly. "I don't--know if we should trust it."

"MY SHIP!"

They turned to see Red and Purple frantically making their way across the deck, soldiers in tow. "We know you're the human girl!" Purple bellowed, pointing an accusing finger. "The charade is over! Get away from that ship!"

Without hesitation, Gaz reached out and fired another beam from her hand. There was a flash of light and Purple's arm was instantly in the floor. He screamed and grabbed the bleeding hole in his armor.

"PURPLE! PURPLE!" Red sobbed, backing away in horror.

Gaz grabbed Dib and pulled him into the ship, quickly closing the door behind her. "They can't fire through the hull of this thing. Launch. Launch!!"

They ran into the cockpit as the main screen turned on and buttons on the foremost panel began to flash. Gingerly sitting Zim in the pilot's seat, Gaz said, "Can you run this thing?"

She took a step back and the metal around her head began to recede. In seconds it had entirely retreated from her body into a little mass on her back. It twitched a couple of times and a head finally popped up.

"Master!" GIR cried, jumping off of Gaz's back onto the arm of the chair. "Are you dead?"

Zim looked quizzically at the little robot and leaned forward. "Not quite," he replied, beginning to tap some buttons on the control panel. The ship jarred into motion, floating away from the deck it was attached to and breaking all of the docking mechanisms. They felt and heard the Irken lasers hitting the hull as all of the soldiers fired at once.

"Can I talk to them outside, like over an intercom or something?" Gaz asked Zim. He tapped a button and a picture of the small crew outside popped up.

"Talk."

Grinning evilly, Gaz cried, "I suggest you quit firing and run!" They all stopped and looked at the ship in fear; there was obviously a projection of her before them. "Once we blow the door to the launch pad open, you'll all be sucked into outer space!"

They all looked at eachother in confusion, conferred for a moment, then turned tail and ran.

"Idiots," Gaz laughed. She turned to Dib and pulled him into the co-pilot's chair. "You look like shit."

Zim tapped a few buttons and the door to the launch pad opened. "They're not trying to interfere yet..." A few more key combinations, and he announced, "I've blocked the transmission signal... They can't order any pursuit until..." He winced and leaned forward in the chair.

"Zim...?" Dib whispered in concern.

"GIR..." Zim grunted. "Set a course... For... Kharna..."

The little robot's eyes went red and he saluted. He extended a wire out of his stomach and attached it to the control panel. "Khaaaarrrrrrna. That's a funny name!"

"So... are we safe now?" Dib asked, looking over to Zim.

Zim had passed out on the control panel, his arm dangling limply at his side.

END CHAPTER 4