RaZr: Romance is a Battlefield 5

Romance is a Battlefield

Chapter 5

For most of the flight, Red and Zim remained in silence as they let the ship go in auto-pilot. Occasionally, Zim would let out a cough, which would catch Red's attention, but nothing much happened in the several minutes.

"What's on your mind?" Red finally asked. He was okay with silence more than anyone else, but he didn't want Zim to be brooding on something. He knew that that would amount to a lot of drama if Zim was withholding some kind of emotion. Especially since Red was so used to Zim talking so much.

"Zim wonders what it will be like to return to the Massive," he finally said. "I have not accomplished much since I've left, and you did say that I was referred to as… annoying by the other irkens. I guess things are a lot more different than I thought they would be."

"You're overthinking it, Zim," Red said, returning his gaze back to the front of the Voot cruiser, looking out into space. "Things are going to be different now that it has been a while since you left, but you'll get used to it. And not everyone thinks you're annoying." That was a lie.

"Why do they think I am annoying?" Zim asked, blinking. "Zim is… amazing. Everything that every irken wants to be! Destructive and powerful. Passionate."

"Don't you think that could be the reason why irkens think you're annoying?" Red asked. "You're over-bearing. You like to show off how destructive and powerful you are, even though there are some weaker irkens who come back shaken, or don't leave their planets at all. Remember the story I just told you about Invader Lik."

"I am nothing like Invader Lik," Zim exclaimed, almost sounding insulted that Red would even suggest such a thing. "Zim doesn't grow attached to any planet except for Irk."

"Then you should be just fine," Red said. "Just don't be too standoffish and please keep what we are doing under wraps." He sighed. "I'm certain you know what we are doing together is a bit… wrong."

"If not illegal," Zim said in a soft voice, almost to the point of Red not hearing him. "I will keep my mouth shut, Red. As an invader, I know how to keep a secret very well."

"That's what I figured," Red said, though he didn't initially trust Zim. However, he was already stuck in this mess since they were so close to the Massive, so there was no point in turning back. "You're just taking a brief hiatus from your assignment. When this visit is over, then you can return and do as much destruction as you want."

"Yes, my Tallest," Zim said. He knew he should've said Red, but it just came out. He was so used to following orders from a leader that he didn't realize that he actually had some kind of boyfriend. He didn't like to think that way, though. Being in a romantic relationship was taboo, after all. "I mean-… yes, Red."

"No, you were right the first time," Red said. "Let's stick with the formalities. I can't have you calling me by name when all of the irkens are calling me by 'My Tallest'." He cleared his throat. "Besides, I missed the term for a little bit. I like to feel dignified, even around you."

"Oh yes, my Tallest," Zim said, smiling. "Very dignified. You make Zim honored to be close with you."

"And you should be," Red said, chuckling a bit. He returned Zim's smile before looking back at the space in front of him.

They could see the Massive directly in front of them. Zim was noticeably nervous, even though he tried his best to hide it. Red sensed this and wondered if Zim would be able to keep it together. But he then thought back to Operation Impending Doom I and how Zim managed things even under the highest of pressure. He had no doubt that he would be able to do the same again.

As they inched closer to the Massive, Red got a transmission. He answered it.

"My Tallest, welcome back to the Massive," a deep male voice said. Most likely one of the elites that led the shuttle bays. "I hope that your travels were well." There was a slight pause, but then he continued. "Though, do not be alarmed, but I am detecting a second lifeform on the ship with you. If I recall, you left the Massive alone."

"I have brought back a guest," Red said. "You will see him in a moment when I dock. Now, Elite… I suggest when you see him come out of my ship, you do not make any negative comments about our… guest. Are we clear?"

There was another pause. Red could tell that the guard was thinking. "Uh… yes, of course, my Tallest. Whoever it is with you, we will welcome them with good intentions."

"Thank you," Red said. He ended the transmission before turning back to Zim. "Ready?"

Zim nodded his head, continuing to look at the Massive in front of him. Red expected him to continue to be nervous, but it looked like he was more determined. Zim wanted to go home back to where he belonged. He had been on Earth for far too long and things have clearly changed since he had left.

"I'll take you to the bridge and make an announcement about your arrival," Red said. "I was serious about some irkens thinking that you're a bit… annoying." He was beginning to hate that word, and so was Zim. "But I'll tell them to respect you."

"I appreciate that," Zim said in a low voice. "But Zim thinks that he should create his own reputation rather than relying on his Tallest to force them to do it." He cleared his throat, quickly looking up at Red. "No disrespect, my Tallest. I didn't mean anything by it. But if many irkens think that I am annoying and want to avoid me, then I'm just going to have to change their mind. Zim is a supreme irken invader, but that doesn't mean I should be… different than everyone else. Zim wants to be thought highly of, not avoided."

"That's probably the most mature thing I've ever heard from you," Red said. "I'd rather just tell them to not mock you, or else they get thrown out into space. It's more fun that way. But… if you'd rather tell them yourself that you are different and are willing to improve your own rapport… then I guess I won't stop you. Just don't do anything stupid, alright? I could easily send you back to Foodcourtia."

Zim shuddered a little as he thought about Foodcourtia and Sizz-Lorr. So much pain. "Please don't do that, my Tallest."

Red chuckled a little. "I won't, but someone else might, so use your better judgement so you don't piss anyone off."

Zim remained silent.

Red flew his Voot Cruiser into the shuttle bay. It was briefly inspected by a few irken engineers for any damages before giving Red the okay to exit. He opened up the pod and stepped out with Zim right behind him.

An irken elite, whose height was between Zim's and Red's, swiftly approached them and saluted to Red. "Welcome back, my Tallest. I hope your travels went well."

"They did," Red said. He referred his hand over to Zim and said, "You remember Zim, right?"

The elite gulped. He had heard from one of his personal coworkers about the precautions to treat their guest with respect. He just had no idea that it would be the famous banished invader: Zim. "Uh… yes, of course, my Tallest. It's a pleasure to see you, Invader Zim." He paused for a moment. "I hope your mission on Earth has been successful so far."

Zim proudly stood up straight and smiled. "Yes, Elite. The filthy humans have no idea of the pain that they will be inflicted with when I return."

"I'm sure," he said, a hint of sarcasm to his voice. He turned back to Red and said, "My Tallest, Tallest Purple is currently on the bridge. Would you like me to escort you there?"

Red shook his head. "It's my own blasted ship, I should be able to find my way around without getting lost." He cleared his throat. "Come on, Zim. Let's go."

"Yes, my Tallest," Zim said as he went to Red's side and walked alongside him out of the shuttle bay. Though, he turned back once right before he left. He got strange looks from the engineers and the elites as the both of them left. Zim expected this, but he was wondering why it was so bad for him. He felt that his welcome would be far more… welcoming.

Red led him over to the bridge, passing by several irkens in the process. Each one had the same reaction. They welcomed Red back to the Massive, but then they would give an odd stare to Zim, curious as to why he would be returning so soon.

Zim, in retaliation, eventually snapped at one of the irkens, giving him an angry look to show that he was fed-up with the bad treatment that he was getting.

Red looked back at Zim and dragged him away from the irken, who was a bit shaken by Zim. "I told you that it was going to be this way, Zim. You've built up bad a rapport after your affiliation with Operation Impending Doom I and the destruction of many facilities and homes. Irkens are just going to give you problems until you build up their trust again."

"It's just so frustrating," Zim said, crossing his arms. "I've only been here a few moments, and I haven't seen a single irken who is willing to give me a bit of respect for what I've actually done."

Red knew that was his fault. A whole year of laughing and putting him down was definitely resonating with the rest of his crew. But he was of course not going to admit that. "I can still force them to treat you with respect, Zim. You just have to stop being stubborn and accept the offer. Otherwise, I'll be more than happy to just ignore it."

"No, no… I'll fix this myself," Zim said. "Zim is confident that he will be one of the greatest irkens on this ship by the time that I am gone." He paused for a moment. "A great irken below you of course, my Tallest. I'll be able to prove my worth that way."

Red smiled. "You've already proven your worth to me, Zim. At least so far you have." They walked all the way down to the bridge and entered. Everything was the same and everyone was firmly working to keep everything running smoothly. Red stepped to the top of the bridge and went over to where Purple was sitting. He gestured for Zim to step back a bit. Zim did so. "I think we need to talk."

Purple turned his head back to Red, surprised that he was back so soon. He was clearly still upset with him, and of course upset with himself, but he had to suck it up for a moment. "What do you need to talk about?"

Red stepped to the side so that he could get a clean view of Zim, who was looking intently at one of the service drones who was handing out a huge bag of cupcakes. "I think you know the answer to that question."

Purple quickly stepped up and floated over to Red. "Oh, yeah. We do have a lot to talk about." He grimaced at Red. "Right now. In private."

Red nodded. "Zim, Purple and I are going to talk in private for a moment. Please don't blow anything up while we're gone. And don't hurt any of my crewmembers… I need them. Though, feel free to smack them if they act all high and mighty around you. They tend to do that…"

Zim nodded. "Yes, my Tallest."

Red went over to the back room and Purple followed closely behind him. They entered and shut the door behind themselves. Red turned on the lights and noticed Purple's glare more vividly. He sighed.

"Is this really necessary, Red?" Purple asked, keeping his arms crossed. "After the discussion that we had, you thought that it was just okay to bring Zim back to the Massive? Do you realize how unbelievably stupid of a plan that is?"

Red gestured for Purple to calm down with his hands. "I don't have the details planned out, but we could easily have Zim here without irkens figuring out what is actually going on. And plus, he could attempt to get a better reputation while he's on the ship."

"Or better yet, a worse one," Purple said, rolling his eyes.

"Have a little bit of faith, okay?" Red asked. "Besides, don't you think he at least deserves some kind of second chance?"

Purple's jaw sunk. "Of course not!"

Red groaned. "I thought you liked him, Purple. What, now that you know that you won't get him from me, you suddenly thinks that he should get the cold shoulder?"

Purple growled. "You don't get it, Red. I do like Zim, in the sense that we had developed something in the Academy, and I like his sense of destruction and wit. That's not going to change. But the fact of the matter is that we're Tallest, and we have a duty to make sure that banished irkens stay banished."

Red shook his head. "You don't really believe that. If you were in my shoes, then you wouldn't be saying that. Besides, I'm already doing something bad by courting with him. What's the issue?"

"The issue is that you brought the plague with you," Purple said. "And you didn't bother even telling me about it to see how I felt. Some partner you are. You don't even care what I think anymore, do you?"

"Of course I do, Purple," Red said. "But I had to make a choice. I either leave him for good, just allowing our little "courtship" be some experiment that I tried and failed; constantly go back and forth between the Massive and Earth; or bring him here. I didn't want Option 1, Option 2 would be impossible, so I was left with one decision. It's as simple as that."

Purple's glare didn't let up. "Well… you better hope that you made the right decision. Because right now… it's wrong to me."

"Purple, come on."

Purple raised his hand to silence Red. "Don't talk to me until you're thinking clearly," Purple said, leaving the back room.