Invader Pib

Enemies and Friends

Doors flew open as I ran into the abandoned shoe shop, out of breath. I pressed myself against them as if someone wanted to get in. My feet slid out from underneath me as I let out a sigh of relief.

Feeling depressed and drained, I slowly walked to the back to pull the lever to my lab. I was immediately greeted by Bug.

"Hi master! Did yo-" she began, but I cut her off.

"Not now, Bug." I said wearily as I walked solemnly past. She gave me a worried glimpse, then scurried off.

I sat there at the computer, thinking. A sudden thought ran through my mind that maybe I should call Gim and spill out all of my problems on her. She was always very reliable to me and usually cheered me up.

But then, what if I bothered her when she was busy with her mission, or when she was being attacked. My hand drew back from the call button as I became confused on what to do now.

Maybe a little walk will get my mind off what happened today. I transformed into my disguise and went to find Bug. She was sitting on the display in the shoe shop in her disguise. People looked at her curiously as they passed by.

Her leash dangled from my hand as I walked up to her.

"Come on, Bug. Let's go for a walk." I said more wearily than I intended. She hopped down and let me put on her leash as we walked out of the shoe shop. I thought I was lost until I saw a particular house.

My feet had lead me to Dib's house. Bug was staring up at me in horror.

"What are you doing here, Pib?" Dib's voice came from behind me. I started to sweat as I tried to come up with an excuse.

"I- I- I- I was just passing by! Hehehe..." I stuttered nervously.

Dib narrowed his eyes suspiciously, then opened the door into his house.

"Well, I'll see you at Skool tomorrow." he called to me as he closed the door.

"Yeah! Hehe... Of course!" I yelled back.

Bug snarled at me when Dib closed the door.

"What do you think your doing with that, that human!?" she hissed. I knew she was just worried about me, but I couldn't help but wince at the resentment in her tone.

"I can't help it!" I cried to her silently.

Her fur was bristling like a wild cat's, but it lay flat a few seconds later.

We walked back into the base. I transformed back into my Irken form the minute I stepped inside. I slumped into a chair in the shop. My head was aching. Thoughts bounced around in my mind and my antennae twitched madly with uncertainty. Bug had wandered off to the base, leaving me alone in the shoe shop.

I had realized how tired I was. Maybe I could take a small nap? No... A true invader never sleeps; but was I a true invader?

"More like a defect..." I muttered to myself silently.

I never thought I would, or even could, even come close to being a defect. I sighed, then closed my eyes in frustration.