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Chapter 2 – Horror in the Heavens/Two Jobs of the Clairvoyant
“We need back up! We’re losing men! AGH!” The voice of one of the Resisty officers shouted over the intercom, as he was cut off by the sudden hiss of the static and the roar of the beasts that had now infested the ship. Nar turned it off; he knew it was useless to send another team to that area. The Resisty rightfully stole that ship, but now it seemed the “weapons” aboard it wanted to take over.

Nar pressed another button on his control chair.

“Have you sent out a distress call yet?” He barked into the microphone. The telescreen came on, showing several officers scrambling around.

“Lord Nar, we have, sir,” one of the officers said nervously.

“And?” Nar growled back.

“There are only two signals picking us up,” the officer said, “The first is from Earth’s NASA program saying, ‘Stop talking to us; weather balloons can’t talk,’ and the other is from some private interception line that’s just watching us.” Upon saying that, another officer wandered onto the screen. He fell onto the reporting officer then collapsed on his back on top of the consol.

The prone officer let out a final scream of agony before his chest exploded. Out of the bloody hole came another one of the many creatures that now inhabited the ship.

“Oh Gah! Lets get the hell out of here!” shouted several of the crew members.

“Dammit!” Shouted Nar and turned the telescreen off. He spun around in his chair, only to see one of the beasts standing tall in front of him. There was a moment of terror on his face before the beast lunged for himthiswasavision Gaz was having as she awoke from a restless night.

Gaz lay on the couch in a black tank top and underwear, in a half state of sleep and half state of wanting this nightmarish world to just leave her out of it for the day, with a blanket draped over her. The air conditioner went out the other night, and the repairman was coming tomorrow, but that only increased the agony from the summer’s heat. She had passed out on the couch watching the newest episode of The Venomous Mongoose, a series that was going downhill but still entertained her. It was probably the only television she would ever watch again; generally she hated the very concept, what with all the reality shows producers decided to waste their money on to create. At least it kept her mind off the visions she was getting.

There was a strong thump on the couch.

“Hey, wake up, sleepy head,” was the noise her roommate’s voice made, “You’re going to be late for work if you lay around longer.”

Gaz could clearly see her roommate, Tootie, leaning over her. She blinked for a moment and imagined what Tootie’s head catching on fire would look like, giving her enough motivation to sit up. She could only look at her smiling face staring back at her; Tootie was usually full of pep but something was unusual about it today.

Gaz looked away for a moment, picked up the stereo remote and pressed on; the first thing on the compact disc player was the song “5ive” by the lesser known 1990s band Medicine. She liked Beth Thompson’s voice but it was hard for her to get into Brad’s experimental guitar rifts. Either way, the song made for good wake-up music; it was good to hear something of theirs besides “Time Baby III” repeatedly.

“Guess what?” Tootie squeaked out excitedly, “Timmy’s coming back to town tonight! And he’s coming over! Er, I mean if that’s okay with you.”

Gaz looked at her for a moment, half with irritation, and half with acceptance. “Yes, Tootie, it’s fine.” Gaz rubbed her face, still trying to wake up. She arose and walked to the bathroom, taking staggering steps as she walked. She began brushing her teeth when she got yet another flash of what went on in her dreams. She felt as if something horrible was coming soon, something that, despite whatever struggle she might make against it, would still inevitably find her.

“All we have left to eat in the fridge is pork?” Tootie inquired from the kitchen as the song ended.

“So sue me,” Gaz grumbled back through brushing her teeth, “It’s an acquired taste. Blame my brother.” She walked out of the bathroom and began getting dressed in her black slacks and blue dress shirt, clipping her nametag on the lapel. “Alright, well, I’m off to work. If you really want something else, take money out of the jar and buy you and Timmy some pizza. Just remember, if you buy it at Bloaty’s and don’t leave any for me, I’m sending a nightmare world your way.”

“Okay,” Tootie squeaked with a wide grin. Nothing seemed to frighten this girl; Gaz had to respect her at least for that. It’s not that she didn’t like Tootie; it’s just that Tootie annoyed the ever living crap out of her. She reminded her so much of her brother. In fact, she was hoping to pair them up, perhaps jarring him from his obsessive focus on the stars and into the practicality of getting a real job (to pay for their dad’s nursing home bill). But, as fate would have it, Timmy finally saw the beauty in her and asked her out. Good for them, Gaz had thought, but that doesn’t help my brother at all.

She got into her car and began to drive to the PHONY Gaming industry’s building. She worked as a security detail officer. She wasn’t required to make any immediate contact with intruders, although she had practiced target shooting. Her job was to investigate the room and make sure there was nothing out of the ordinary. It was mostly a night job but they would call her in on some mornings like today.

She also worked as a spirit medium on the side. In addition to getting clairvoyant images, she could also speak to ghosts. She first discovered this gift around the time she was ten; it was kind of a late blooming thing that apparently her mother had (she found out from her dad). Although the image of her mother faded in Gaz’s mind, it still hurt to think about the loss….She turned down an appointment at a troubled man’s apartment because she had to work.

On the way over to her place of employment, her cd playlist consisted of several Skinny Puppy songs, including “Assimilate,” “I’mmortal,” and “Smother Hope,” but then immediately transitioned to the voice of Melissa Fahn’s singing. This was certainly NOT something she normally listened to, but she couldn’t help feeling some unknown, subtle connection with Melissa.

As Gaz walked into the employee lounge to clock in, her manager, Mr. Gethgan, stopped her.

“Hey, Gaz,” he said with some concern, “you don’t look so well.”

“I’m fine,” Gaz said agitatedly, “I can still work, really I can.”

“Well, Gaz,” Mr. Gethgan continued on, “that’s the thing; I think you’re working too hard. You’re one of our best detailers. It’s gotten to the point where you know if any intruders are in without even an inspection.” It was true that Gaz was not looking her best. She had bags under her eyes from loss of sleep, she looked more pail than usual, and she had not been eating in awhile. With so many worries on her mind, it was hard for her to take care of herself. She did not want anyone knowing about this, which is why she pushed herself harder, which would prevent the very inkling of weakness on her part. “I’m giving you orders to take today off.”

If you didn’t want to pay me today, you could have called, she thought. But, she thanked him as politely as she could, and left. This did, however, give her the chance to make that appointment she previously turned down.

“Seriously, I want this guy out,” the ghost of the old man said to Gaz as she stood in the hallway.

“What does it want?” Reggie the hobo said as he cowered behind a curio cabinet.

“It’s a he, and he says you’re the one who had been squatting in his basement before he died,” Gaz stated nonchalantly, “And, apparently, you took advantage of the house once he passed away. And since this place isn’t repossessed, nobody’s bothered you about it, so he thought he would step in and intervene.”

“Oh,” Reggie said as if coming upon some deep revelation and after an awkward momentary pause continued, saying, “But still I have every right to be here.”

“Actually, you don’t,” Gaz bluntly stated, “And I’m required to call the cops if you don’t leave right now.” At that point, Reggie said nothing and bolted for the door. Gaz began walking out the front door, reflecting on how this was yet another day without pay, which means another day she could have raised money for her apartment and her dad.

“Thanks for getting him to leave,” the ghost said as Gaz stepped onto the front porch, “You have no idea about some of the foul behaviors he had. Living with that disgusting hobo made me want to puke ectoplasm.”

“Don’t mention it,” Gaz hissed in annoyance, not at the ghost but at the lack of money. She then walked down the steps of the dilapidated house, got into her car, and drove back to her apartment.

While Gaz was driving back, she got a call from Mandy of all people. Gaz wanted to room with Mandy, but she got married to that irritating moron Billy, destroying that idea.

“Hey, Gaz,” Mandy said in that monotone voice of hers, “Are you free tonight?”

“Actually I was thinking of watching Tootie make out with Timmy the entire night,” Gaz said sarcastically, “But sure I think I’ve got a slot of time free.”

“Olga and I are going to Club DesTruckt tonight. Sound alright?”

“Yeah that’s fine.”

“We called you because we know you’ve been stressed as of late and we wanted to treat you.” Generally one would think this uncharacteristic of Mandy or Olga, but Gaz was one of their own. They had to look out for each other if no one else. “Tonight, you’ll have no worry of those horrid nightmare visions, just as I’ll have no worry of Billy’s stupidness. And do try to pick out something nice this time; you got to make the boys there at least somewhat tortured, knowing they’ll never get with you.”

“I haven’t been able to do laundry yet,” Gaz responded.

“Well, then steal something of Tootie’s; as irritating as she is to me, she has good taste in clothing.” Mandy thus reminded Gaz of one of the dark pink and black plaid skirts Tootie had. She would steal that one. “We’re meeting at ten.”

“Alright, see you there at ten.” They said their goodbyes and hung up. The combination of hearing what Mandy had brought up and Dillenger Escape Plan on her playlist, if only for a moment, brought her out of concern about her plaguing dreams.

Right when Gaz arrived in her apartment door, she could plainly see that the same couch she had previously slept on now occupied by Timmy and Tootie making out. Gaz quickly looked away; they seemed to pay her no mind anyways. She took this opportunity to sneak into Tootie’s room, purloin the skirt, get dressed, and began to take her GS3 outside to give them privacy, which took up about 45 minutes of her time. And still Tootie and Timmy had not ceased the uncontrollable action left to them. But Gaz turned back.

“I’m wearing one of your skirts, okay?” Gaz asked indignantly. Tootie gave her a thumbs up while in mid kiss, queuing Gaz to leave.

Gaz waited for hours on the steps outside, playing Vampire Piggy Hunter X, wearing the plaid skirt, a black blouse, fishnets, and buckle strap boots. She got several whistles from drive-by frat boys but was quick to ignore them. She was more focused on her game and on her dad’s condition. He was too young to be in a nursing home; he was only in his 50’s. One would think they would have a cure for his mental ailment by 2017, but they obviously did not. Either that or they were lying to her to get her to pay more hospital bills. Did Dib give a damn at all? If he did, he would not be living his false dream of paranormal investigation; he would have gotten a real job by now. And, dammit, she wanted to raise money for the GS4.

Just then, Mandy and Olga drove up in a black and red jeep.

“Hey, woman,” Mandy shouted out to Gaz, “Get in; can’t waste time. My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult is playing soon.” Gaz got up, put the GS3 into her purse, and stepped into the vehicle. Mandy was wearing a leather bondage dress and Olga had on another variation of a Gothic Lolita outfit. “Feeling any better?”

“A bit,” Gaz said somewhat weakly. She was able to let her guard down a little around them.

“Billy’s out gaming tonight, so tonight it’s just us. Besides, I wasn’t about to let you miss a TKK show. Perhaps it’ll perk you up.”

“I thought you might be interested in this,” Olga added, “My sister-in-law is performing in LA next weekend.”

“She still into that dance stuff you’re into?” Mandy inquired rhetorically. At that moment, Gaz’s chest burst open, and a horrid nightmarish creature came out, blood and the beast’s anemic body hitting the floor of Mandy’s jeep.

“Shit,” Olga yelled, “Gaz, are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“Is it chest pain?” Mandy yelled, pulling over. Gaz looked down and noticed nothing out of the ordinary was wrong with her chest. There was a moment of heart race within her ribs before she calmed down. “Are you going to be alright, because we can either take you home or get you to a hospital?”

“I’ll be alright,” Gaz muttered, looking Mandy in the eye, “Promise.”

“Alright, but if you have another attack like that, we’re getting you home.”

They arrived at Club DesTruckt on time. The bouncer had no problem letting the three of them in. The band had just started in with “After the Flesh” as they made their way to the dance floor, which was just behind the mosh pit. Gaz seemed to swallow the song into her dance, letting the music take her. It was as if some external force beyond her comprehension guided her as her body swam with each note in a giant sea of people.

Just then, her pager went off. She looked to check the message. It was from her brother; he said it was urgent that she come see him. Her thoughts immediately turned to dad, that there was something wrong with him. She told Mandy and Olga goodbye, headed out of the club, and took a conveniently placed taxi to Dib’s apartment.

On the way there, her thoughts wandered into something she rarely thought about. A good majority of her friends were either married or had boyfriends. My life is too hectic, she always told herself. But it would have been nice, perhaps, to have someone there who understood, someone to connect with, and someone who could comfort her after she would have nightmare visions. Her thoughts turned to someone who annoyed her when she was younger, someone who fought all the time with Dib, yet someone who shared her darker side.

As Gaz got out of the car, in front of Dib’s apartment, she looked up to the sky, the stars finally showing themselves above the city of San Jose. She reflected on these stars, wondering how Zim was, hoping that all was well in his world.

Description
Chapter 2 – Horror in the Heavens/Two Jobs of the Clairvoyant
“We need back up! We’re losing men! AGH!” The voice of one of the Resisty officers shouted over the intercom, as he was cut off by the sudden hiss of the static and the roar of the beasts that had now infested the ship. Nar turned it off; he knew it was useless to send another team to that area. The Resisty rightfully stole that ship, but now it seemed the “weapons” aboard it wanted to take over.

Nar pressed another button on his control chair.

“Have you sent out a distress call yet?” He barked into the microphone. The telescreen came on, showing several officers scrambling around.

“Lord Nar, we have, sir,” one of the officers said nervously.

“And?” Nar growled back.

“There are only two signals picking us up,” the officer said, “The first is from Earth’s NASA program saying, ‘Stop talking to us; weather balloons can’t talk,’ and the other is from some private interception line that’s just watching us.” Upon saying that, another officer wandered onto the screen. He fell onto the reporting officer then collapsed on his back on top of the consol.

The prone officer let out a final scream of agony before his chest exploded. Out of the bloody hole came another one of the many creatures that now inhabited the ship.

“Oh Gah! Lets get the hell out of here!” shouted several of the crew members.

“Dammit!” Shouted Nar and turned the telescreen off. He spun around in his chair, only to see one of the beasts standing tall in front of him. There was a moment of terror on his face before the beast lunged for himthiswasavision Gaz was having as she awoke from a restless night.

Gaz lay on the couch in a black tank top and underwear, in a half state of sleep and half state of wanting this nightmarish world to just leave her out of it for the day, with a blanket draped over her. The air conditioner went out the other night, and the repairman was coming tomorrow, but that only increased the agony from the summer’s heat. She had passed out on the couch watching the newest episode of The Venomous Mongoose, a series that was going downhill but still entertained her. It was probably the only television she would ever watch again; generally she hated the very concept, what with all the reality shows producers decided to waste their money on to create. At least it kept her mind off the visions she was getting.

There was a strong thump on the couch.

“Hey, wake up, sleepy head,” was the noise her roommate’s voice made, “You’re going to be late for work if you lay around longer.”

Gaz could clearly see her roommate, Tootie, leaning over her. She blinked for a moment and imagined what Tootie’s head catching on fire would look like, giving her enough motivation to sit up. She could only look at her smiling face staring back at her; Tootie was usually full of pep but something was unusual about it today.

Gaz looked away for a moment, picked up the stereo remote and pressed on; the first thing on the compact disc player was the song “5ive” by the lesser known 1990s band Medicine. She liked Beth Thompson’s voice but it was hard for her to get into Brad’s experimental guitar rifts. Either way, the song made for good wake-up music; it was good to hear something of theirs besides “Time Baby III” repeatedly.

“Guess what?” Tootie squeaked out excitedly, “Timmy’s coming back to town tonight! And he’s coming over! Er, I mean if that’s okay with you.”

Gaz looked at her for a moment, half with irritation, and half with acceptance. “Yes, Tootie, it’s fine.” Gaz rubbed her face, still trying to wake up. She arose and walked to the bathroom, taking staggering steps as she walked. She began brushing her teeth when she got yet another flash of what went on in her dreams. She felt as if something horrible was coming soon, something that, despite whatever struggle she might make against it, would still inevitably find her.

“All we have left to eat in the fridge is pork?” Tootie inquired from the kitchen as the song ended.

“So sue me,” Gaz grumbled back through brushing her teeth, “It’s an acquired taste. Blame my brother.” She walked out of the bathroom and began getting dressed in her black slacks and blue dress shirt, clipping her nametag on the lapel. “Alright, well, I’m off to work. If you really want something else, take money out of the jar and buy you and Timmy some pizza. Just remember, if you buy it at Bloaty’s and don’t leave any for me, I’m sending a nightmare world your way.”

“Okay,” Tootie squeaked with a wide grin. Nothing seemed to frighten this girl; Gaz had to respect her at least for that. It’s not that she didn’t like Tootie; it’s just that Tootie annoyed the ever living crap out of her. She reminded her so much of her brother. In fact, she was hoping to pair them up, perhaps jarring him from his obsessive focus on the stars and into the practicality of getting a real job (to pay for their dad’s nursing home bill). But, as fate would have it, Timmy finally saw the beauty in her and asked her out. Good for them, Gaz had thought, but that doesn’t help my brother at all.

She got into her car and began to drive to the PHONY Gaming industry’s building. She worked as a security detail officer. She wasn’t required to make any immediate contact with intruders, although she had practiced target shooting. Her job was to investigate the room and make sure there was nothing out of the ordinary. It was mostly a night job but they would call her in on some mornings like today.

She also worked as a spirit medium on the side. In addition to getting clairvoyant images, she could also speak to ghosts. She first discovered this gift around the time she was ten; it was kind of a late blooming thing that apparently her mother had (she found out from her dad). Although the image of her mother faded in Gaz’s mind, it still hurt to think about the loss….She turned down an appointment at a troubled man’s apartment because she had to work.

On the way over to her place of employment, her cd playlist consisted of several Skinny Puppy songs, including “Assimilate,” “I’mmortal,” and “Smother Hope,” but then immediately transitioned to the voice of Melissa Fahn’s singing. This was certainly NOT something she normally listened to, but she couldn’t help feeling some unknown, subtle connection with Melissa.

As Gaz walked into the employee lounge to clock in, her manager, Mr. Gethgan, stopped her.

“Hey, Gaz,” he said with some concern, “you don’t look so well.”

“I’m fine,” Gaz said agitatedly, “I can still work, really I can.”

“Well, Gaz,” Mr. Gethgan continued on, “that’s the thing; I think you’re working too hard. You’re one of our best detailers. It’s gotten to the point where you know if any intruders are in without even an inspection.” It was true that Gaz was not looking her best. She had bags under her eyes from loss of sleep, she looked more pail than usual, and she had not been eating in awhile. With so many worries on her mind, it was hard for her to take care of herself. She did not want anyone knowing about this, which is why she pushed herself harder, which would prevent the very inkling of weakness on her part. “I’m giving you orders to take today off.”

If you didn’t want to pay me today, you could have called, she thought. But, she thanked him as politely as she could, and left. This did, however, give her the chance to make that appointment she previously turned down.

“Seriously, I want this guy out,” the ghost of the old man said to Gaz as she stood in the hallway.

“What does it want?” Reggie the hobo said as he cowered behind a curio cabinet.

“It’s a he, and he says you’re the one who had been squatting in his basement before he died,” Gaz stated nonchalantly, “And, apparently, you took advantage of the house once he passed away. And since this place isn’t repossessed, nobody’s bothered you about it, so he thought he would step in and intervene.”

“Oh,” Reggie said as if coming upon some deep revelation and after an awkward momentary pause continued, saying, “But still I have every right to be here.”

“Actually, you don’t,” Gaz bluntly stated, “And I’m required to call the cops if you don’t leave right now.” At that point, Reggie said nothing and bolted for the door. Gaz began walking out the front door, reflecting on how this was yet another day without pay, which means another day she could have raised money for her apartment and her dad.

“Thanks for getting him to leave,” the ghost said as Gaz stepped onto the front porch, “You have no idea about some of the foul behaviors he had. Living with that disgusting hobo made me want to puke ectoplasm.”

“Don’t mention it,” Gaz hissed in annoyance, not at the ghost but at the lack of money. She then walked down the steps of the dilapidated house, got into her car, and drove back to her apartment.

While Gaz was driving back, she got a call from Mandy of all people. Gaz wanted to room with Mandy, but she got married to that irritating moron Billy, destroying that idea.

“Hey, Gaz,” Mandy said in that monotone voice of hers, “Are you free tonight?”

“Actually I was thinking of watching Tootie make out with Timmy the entire night,” Gaz said sarcastically, “But sure I think I’ve got a slot of time free.”

“Olga and I are going to Club DesTruckt tonight. Sound alright?”

“Yeah that’s fine.”

“We called you because we know you’ve been stressed as of late and we wanted to treat you.” Generally one would think this uncharacteristic of Mandy or Olga, but Gaz was one of their own. They had to look out for each other if no one else. “Tonight, you’ll have no worry of those horrid nightmare visions, just as I’ll have no worry of Billy’s stupidness. And do try to pick out something nice this time; you got to make the boys there at least somewhat tortured, knowing they’ll never get with you.”

“I haven’t been able to do laundry yet,” Gaz responded.

“Well, then steal something of Tootie’s; as irritating as she is to me, she has good taste in clothing.” Mandy thus reminded Gaz of one of the dark pink and black plaid skirts Tootie had. She would steal that one. “We’re meeting at ten.”

“Alright, see you there at ten.” They said their goodbyes and hung up. The combination of hearing what Mandy had brought up and Dillenger Escape Plan on her playlist, if only for a moment, brought her out of concern about her plaguing dreams.

Right when Gaz arrived in her apartment door, she could plainly see that the same couch she had previously slept on now occupied by Timmy and Tootie making out. Gaz quickly looked away; they seemed to pay her no mind anyways. She took this opportunity to sneak into Tootie’s room, purloin the skirt, get dressed, and began to take her GS3 outside to give them privacy, which took up about 45 minutes of her time. And still Tootie and Timmy had not ceased the uncontrollable action left to them. But Gaz turned back.

“I’m wearing one of your skirts, okay?” Gaz asked indignantly. Tootie gave her a thumbs up while in mid kiss, queuing Gaz to leave.

Gaz waited for hours on the steps outside, playing Vampire Piggy Hunter X, wearing the plaid skirt, a black blouse, fishnets, and buckle strap boots. She got several whistles from drive-by frat boys but was quick to ignore them. She was more focused on her game and on her dad’s condition. He was too young to be in a nursing home; he was only in his 50’s. One would think they would have a cure for his mental ailment by 2017, but they obviously did not. Either that or they were lying to her to get her to pay more hospital bills. Did Dib give a damn at all? If he did, he would not be living his false dream of paranormal investigation; he would have gotten a real job by now. And, dammit, she wanted to raise money for the GS4.

Just then, Mandy and Olga drove up in a black and red jeep.

“Hey, woman,” Mandy shouted out to Gaz, “Get in; can’t waste time. My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult is playing soon.” Gaz got up, put the GS3 into her purse, and stepped into the vehicle. Mandy was wearing a leather bondage dress and Olga had on another variation of a Gothic Lolita outfit. “Feeling any better?”

“A bit,” Gaz said somewhat weakly. She was able to let her guard down a little around them.

“Billy’s out gaming tonight, so tonight it’s just us. Besides, I wasn’t about to let you miss a TKK show. Perhaps it’ll perk you up.”

“I thought you might be interested in this,” Olga added, “My sister-in-law is performing in LA next weekend.”

“She still into that dance stuff you’re into?” Mandy inquired rhetorically. At that moment, Gaz’s chest burst open, and a horrid nightmarish creature came out, blood and the beast’s anemic body hitting the floor of Mandy’s jeep.

“Shit,” Olga yelled, “Gaz, are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“Is it chest pain?” Mandy yelled, pulling over. Gaz looked down and noticed nothing out of the ordinary was wrong with her chest. There was a moment of heart race within her ribs before she calmed down. “Are you going to be alright, because we can either take you home or get you to a hospital?”

“I’ll be alright,” Gaz muttered, looking Mandy in the eye, “Promise.”

“Alright, but if you have another attack like that, we’re getting you home.”

They arrived at Club DesTruckt on time. The bouncer had no problem letting the three of them in. The band had just started in with “After the Flesh” as they made their way to the dance floor, which was just behind the mosh pit. Gaz seemed to swallow the song into her dance, letting the music take her. It was as if some external force beyond her comprehension guided her as her body swam with each note in a giant sea of people.

Just then, her pager went off. She looked to check the message. It was from her brother; he said it was urgent that she come see him. Her thoughts immediately turned to dad, that there was something wrong with him. She told Mandy and Olga goodbye, headed out of the club, and took a conveniently placed taxi to Dib’s apartment.

On the way there, her thoughts wandered into something she rarely thought about. A good majority of her friends were either married or had boyfriends. My life is too hectic, she always told herself. But it would have been nice, perhaps, to have someone there who understood, someone to connect with, and someone who could comfort her after she would have nightmare visions. Her thoughts turned to someone who annoyed her when she was younger, someone who fought all the time with Dib, yet someone who shared her darker side.

As Gaz got out of the car, in front of Dib’s apartment, she looked up to the sky, the stars finally showing themselves above the city of San Jose. She reflected on these stars, wondering how Zim was, hoping that all was well in his world.