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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.

Chapter List
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Chapter 79: A Familiar Face

“Irk damn it…” Zim panted as they ran, “…the ship’s still in lockdown, we have limited energy to put towards the main systems—“ A powerful shudder rocked the entire ship, causing the lights to flicker as it heaved to one side, sending Zim, Dib and the technicians behind them careening into the wall of the corridor.

Dazed, Zim shook his head, his antennae pricking forward when his communicator activated with an emergency message.

“Zim here, what is it??” He barked, getting to his feet again and helping Dib up.

The panicked tech on the other end of the transmission looked around frantically, then focused on the screen again. “Sir, my Tallest, one of the snack pods has ruptured, it’s taken a direct hit—“

Zim cursed, his antennae flattening against his skull as another loud rumble coursed through the ship, causing it to shudder again. Clenching one of his fists, he searched his mind frantically for a possible solution. He couldn’t send crew members to repair it, there wasn’t enough time, and it was too dangerous. He didn’t have the lack of consideration for Irken life that Red and Purple had harboured. Unable to debate the decision any longer, he gave his order.

“Seal the damned thing off and jettison it.”

“Sir??” The Tech gaped at him.

“I will not risk the lives of my crew! You have your orders, execute them! And report to me as soon as it’s done.” Closing the line of communication, Zim began jogging towards the Control Deck with Dib and the group of officers.

*

Taking his place at the helm as another violent shudder rocked the Massive, Zim called over his shoulder to the Master Tech Wir, “We need something, and we need it fast—what can we do on the existing energy we have?”

“I can give you communications or shields, my Tallest…” Wir replied from her console.

“Whichever you can get up fastest--”

Wir started working as Dib ran up behind Zim and stood on the platform behind his partner.

“What’s going on?” Dib gazed up at the blank view screen, then back at Zim.

“We’re being attacked by someone.” Zim growled, his fists clenched.

“Attacked?” Dib gaped. “But who would—“

“My Tallest, the damaged snack pod has been jettisoned and communications are back on line-“

“Hail them!” Zim slammed his fist down on the panel in front of him. “Hail them NOW!”

The blows seemed to stop as the main screen activated, providing a view of the interior of the aggressor ship.

A pale blue crystalline female regarded Zim, quirking a brow for a moment, then grinning, her dark sapphire eyes narrowing. “Well, if it isn’t the great leader, Irken Zim.” She rose from where she was sitting at the helm. “You dared to insult me by wishing me better luck in the future, but now that we meet again, it seems that perhaps your wish came true.”

“Crystal.” Zim growled, his fists clenching.

Advisor Kha, standing at Zim’s side, frowned in confusion. “You know her?”

“She was eliminated from a military training exercise on Hobo 13,” he hissed, “and now it seems she would exact her petty revenge upon our ship.”

Crystal laughed. “You think this is revenge against you??” She shook her head. “No, Zim. This is our strike against your precious Empire, which we will soon bring to its knees once we have destroyed your ship.”

Zim lowered his voice so that only Kha could hear him. “Take Wir and 777, go down into the heart of the ship and stop the lockdown, Kha. Do it quickly, or the Armada will find nothing but scrap when they get here.”

Kha nodded, turning and disappearing through one of the exits in a billow of flowing robes.

Raising his voice, Zim scowled defiantly at the female on the view screen. “You think that our mighty Empire will fall just because it has lost a command ship? You obviously underestimate the power of the Irken Elite.”

“Empty words from a pathetic excuse for a soldier.” Crystal waved dismissively.

Zim snorted. “From someone who has joined a faction that the Armada has defeated several times, your insults aren’t worth very much.”

“I haven’t joined the Resisty, Zim,” she purred, “I am leading it.” She turned to someone off screen, about to give an order when someone on the Massive’s Control Deck snickered. She turned hateful blue eyes on Zim. “And what exactly is funny, Zim? You’re too much of a coward to laugh in the face of death.”

Zim snarled. “Coward? You dare—”

“I was the one who laughed,” Dib stepped up to the helm, crossing his arms over his chest.

Crystal’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And what are you supposed to be?”

“I am human,” he bowed with a flourish.

“Human. And what deludes you enough to make you laugh in the face of your impending annihilation?”

Dib chuckled again, shaking his head. “Deluded? You obviously don’t remember what the Armada did to your last ship.”

She scowled. “You’ve obviously been reading those egotistical Irken battle reports. We lost no such ship.”

“What was it that came crashing down onto my planet a little over ten years ago, then?” He sneered. “An escape pod?”

There were a few murmurs behind Crystal on the main deck of the Resisty ship, and the blue alien snapped at her soldiers to be silent. Turning back to glare at Dib, she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.” She turned to someone off screen. “Charge the main cannon—”

Dib laughed again, mockingly this time, and the sapphire creature snarled at him. “What’s so funny?!”

Waving a hand dismissively, Dib smirked, then chuckled again.

“Your life is in our hands, wretched human! WHAT’S SO FUNNY?!?”

Straightening, Dib leaned against Zim, who was looking at him as if he was insane.

“Sorry, but that’s priceless…” he snickered again. “It’s no wonder you got your ass kicked in that military exercise.”

Crystal gaped at him, then bared her diamond-like teeth. “I failed because of your so-called leader’s incompetence and treachery.”

Dib was still grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “You wouldn’t have led any better. Look at you!”

“And what authority would you have to make that observation? I saw none of your race on Hobo 13.” She bristled.

Suddenly standing straight, Dib’s eyes grew cold. “You have nothing to back up your threats. Isn’t there something you ought to admit to your soldiers?”

Again, there was murmuring on the main deck of the Resisty ship, and Crystal turned, snarling at her soldiers to be quiet. Enraged, she turned on Dib. “You make false accusations, human-thing.”

Dib’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Then why are you starting to break under the pressure? What leader gets riled up when an enemy questions her ability to lead, unless she’s hiding something? Your soldiers are already beginning to doubt your capability, and for good reasons.”

“YOU LIE!!” She screamed.

“What do I have to gain from lying when your faction holds my existence in the balance?” Dib spread his hands and shrugged.

The murmurs were louder now, and a few doubtful gazes were cast in Crystal’s direction.

Dib grinned condescendingly. “Go on, fearless leader. Tell your soldiers exactly why you failed on Hobo 13. We have better things to do than listen to your tantrums.” He turned to Zim and hissed. “Cut the transmission.”

Zim motioned to one of the Techs, and the screen went dark.

“Come on—we don’t have much time.” Dib grabbed Zim’s arm, pulling him towards one of the exits leading from the Control Deck.

Running behind him, Zim’s antennae twitched in confusion. “What are you doing??”

“I may have bought us a little time,” he panted, “we have to get the ship out of lockdown mode, or at least get the weapons or the shields back on line.”
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VINDICATION