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VINDICATION	By : Florville Category: +G through L > Invader Zim > AU/AR-Alternate Universe-Alternate Reality Views: 29601 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Invader Zim, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Chapter 59: Mixed Emotions

****This chapter is dedicated to XxSilentNightRainxX and Princess Peachy Keen, my new reviewy peeps of DOOM!! Feel honoured, my pig-smellies!!

From what Dib could tell, he had been in the Vortian lab for three days…but he had no idea how long he’d actually been captive before he regained consciousness. They obviously had to have put him under to hook the wires into the device in his skull, seeing as how they’d actually reopened the scar on top of his head to attach them, which is how they had stained his Nailbunny shirt, too. He’d been put into a cell yesterday for monitoring, the wires replaced by a small data transmitter that gave him a violent shock when he tried to remove it and had actually knocked him out for a few minutes. So it was obvious they were still gathering information from him. But what could they possibly want now? Hadn’t they downloaded all the information already? Why would they need to keep monitoring him?

As the time passed and Dib sat in the cell, he began to think about what that Vortian scientist Munin had said about The Massive not changing course. About Irkens caring only for themselves…

Zim had been like that once, yes, but he wasn’t like that any more. Dib rested his chin on his knees, his arms wrapped around them. Zim had told him he loved him. There was no way Zim would just give him up without a fight. Dib was sure of it. But the longer he sat in the cell, the more he began to think. And the more he began to think, the more he began to consider whether or not he really was being naïve. Doubt crept into his mind for a moment before he clenched his teeth and shook it off.

No. He was not going to start doubting Zim. No matter how badly Zim wanted to become Tallest, Dib knew that Zim wouldn’t rest until he found him.

Zim was coming, and these little Vortian bastards were going to pay.

*

Munin looked at the readings on the screen and shook his head. “His mood levels are fluctuating, but not to the degree I expected. He’s harder to break than I thought. I think he needs more proof that his Tallest isn’t going to bother with an insignificant little being like him.”

*

One of the youngest Vortian scientists walked up to the doorway of Dib’s cell, clearing his throat and speaking softly, looking around.

“Are you…Dib?” he asked softly.

Dib lifted his head slowly, scowling at the alien. “I think you know the answer to that question.”

The young Vortian laughed softly. “Not likely. I’m just one of the bottom rungs around here. All I do is clean up the scientific junk and serve food and stuff.” He sighed, then met Dib’s eyes again. “So why are they keeping you here?”

Dib snorted. “Damned if I know. As far as I can see, they’ve already gotten all the information they need from me. I don’t know why they’re still keeping me here. It sure as heck isn’t because they like me.”

The alien nodded. “My name is Lokis. Are they feeding you all right?”

Sighing, Dib nodded. “Yeah, I guess.”

Lokis looked around, lowering his voice. “If you want anything extra, or a snack or something, I can get it for you.”

Dib cocked his head. “Why would you help me?”

Lokis blinked at him as if the question was completely ludicrous. “For what they pay me here, I may as well be a prisoner. I just wanted to help.”

Dib stood, approaching the doorway to the cell. “Lokis…can you do me a favour?”

The Vortian nodded. “I’ll do what I can, yes.”

“Can you find out where the Irken ship, The Massive, is? I was kidnapped from there…I need to know if it’s still going towards Irk.” Dib’s gaze was almost desperate. “Please, Lokis…I need to know.”

Lokis gazed at him for a long time, then sighed softly. “I…I’ll try. Next time I’m sweeping up the lab, I’ll see if I can find out.”

Dib sighed in relief. “Thank you. It…it means a lot to me.”

There was a distracted look in Lokis’ eyes. “I can tell. I should be back tomorrow, maybe before that.” He turned away and walked down the hall.

*

Zim sat in the Tallest Suite, sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. He couldn’t sleep…he’d been trying to for hours. Biologically he didn’t need to, but he was badly in need of escaping from wakefulness for a while. Not knowing where Dib was, not knowing if he was being hurt or tortured…if he was alive or dead…or if he would ever find him…it made him ache. Six months ago, he may not have cared so much, but he truly couldn’t see himself continuing on his mission without Dib…not after they had been through so much. Not after Dib had helped him the way he had.

His head jerked up when a knock came at his door, and he sighed, his antennae resting lifelessly against his skull. “Come in.”

One of the technicians stepped into the room, saluting. “My Tallest, we’ve located Lard Nar’s ship. He’s just taken off from a small moon in the Vort system.”

Zim leapt to his feet, pulling his uniform and boots on, running up to the technician. “Show me.”

As Zim stepped onto the Control Deck, all of the officers stood and saluted. The sight made Zim stop in his tracks, looking around at all of them and feeling a surge of pride. “As you were.” He looked up at the main view screen, which showed Lard Nar’s ship about to reach the edge of the Vort System, then leaned against the console, gripping the edge tightly. “Computer, open a line of communication with ship on screen.”

There was a delay of a few minutes before the computer responded again. “Hail has been declined.”

“Computer, OVERRIDE the decline.” Zim growled.

A few seconds later the screen lit up with an image of a very surprised Lard Nar. Zim snarled. “Did you honestly think you could block my transmission, Vortian scum?”

Lard Nar blinked at him in confusion. “Who are you?”

“I am Tallest Zim, and you have trespassed on my ship, entered my private quarters, and stolen something from me.” He scowled darkly. “You will either return him to me now, or I will hunt you down and take him back.”

Lard Nar snickered. “Your own fault that your scanners weren’t capable of picking up my ship on your radar, I’m afraid. And if you’re speaking of the earth-thing, he’s no longer any of your concern.”

Zim’s squeedlyspooch did a flip, and he hissed. “What did you just say?”

The Vortian looked around, clearing his throat. “He’s being looked after. You may as well just—”

“TELL ME WHERE HE IS!!” Zim shouted, slamming his fist down on the console.

Lard Nar shook his head. “That’s classified information.”

Zim clenched his teeth. “I will hunt you down and destroy you, Lard Nar. With or without your assistance, I am coming to take back what is mine.” Zim hit the END TRANSMISSION button and turned to his officers. “Get a lock on his ship and proceed at maximum speed.” He turned back to watch the main view screen, then frowned and pointed to two of the technicians. “You two—go and grab a crate full of sodas for everyone.”

The two soldiers saluted and ran off to do as Zim had ordered. Zim turned back to the screen, his antennae flattening against his skull. “Run as fast as you can, Lard Nar…but we shall have you before morning.”

*

Late into the night, Dib rubbed the back of his neck, sighing harshly. He had been tossing and turning for almost an hour, unable to sleep. Agitated by the bloodstained fabric sticking to his body, he pulled his Nailbunny shirt off and tossed it aside. As he leaned back against the wall, he looked down and ran his fingertips over the Irken military insignia on his chest, sighing and closing his eyes. He could endure whatever these little runt scientists wanted to do…all he wanted was to see Zim again. Holding a hand over the Invader symbol, Dib sighed, closing his eyes and finally drifting off to sleep.

Less than an hour later, he was startled into wakefulness by a hissing sound. He blinked at the doorway of the cell. “Lokis?”

“Yes…I managed to get the information for you,” the Vortian whispered.

Dib jumped to his feet and hurried over to him. “Thank goodness…where is it? Where is The Massive?”

Lokis looked at him for a moment, almost as if he felt guilty for giving him the information. “It…” he looked away and tugged on one of his horns absently, then met Dib’s eyes again. “It’s continuing on its course towards Irk, Dib.” Lokis sighed. “I’m so sorry…but I don’t think your Tallest is coming for you.”

Dib gaped at him for almost a full minute before he slowly backed away, tears brimming in his eyes. Wrapping his arms around himself, he turned away. “Thank you.” Dib murmured. “You…can go now.”

The little Vortian looked at him sadly, his horns drooping a little as he turned away and walked down the corridor towards the lift. What had he done?
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VINDICATION