-Chapter 10, Defective-
-POV++Zim++POV-
Zim scanned the darkening sky, thousands of them were descending upon the town. Why, why are there so many and why are they so concentrated. Normally Sir units would accompany individual invaders who had some sort of clout, leaders and elite soldiers. Never had he ever heard of them being fielded as a single unit, and never had they come to any planet with such numbers. The Tallest were acting as if this was some sort of personal vengeance, bringing every resource they had to bear against this planet. Some of the Sir units got close enough to open fire, causing Zim to dodge wildly doing his best to avoid their extremely accurate fire. As more of them came into range he threw up his arms, unleashing inaccurate blasts in an attempt to lessen the incoming fire. It didn't work, increasing numbers of lasers skipped off the road around him as he did everything in his power to avoid the green death.
Zims mind was a blur, he stopped firing as it became too difficult to sustain fire while dodging. He was about to reach his limit when he felt arms wrap around his torso, the lasers were being deflected by a shield now enveloping him. Gaz, her arms clasped around his chest and he could feel the kiss of her hair on his neck. Zim couldn't help but smile as he started spraying into the oncoming Sir units, kept safe by Gaz. Damn they're fast, he was firing as fast as his gauntlets could handle but he hadn't scored a single hit. The machines could almost predict where he was aiming and were long gone before his lasers passed through. Time to change tactics, he made fists as his Photon Cannons came forward. Letting them charge Zim scanned for the thickest concentration of Sir units, locating a prime target he fired. The purple balls flew through the air at incredible speeds but the Sir units didn't flinch. They stopped firing at them and began firing on the photon blasts, Zim couldn't believe his eyes as the thousands of Sir units concentrated all of their fire on such a small target.
Barely a hundred meters from the Sir units Zim watched, his heart sinking, as his photon blast exploded. For a moment the sky had a second sun, then slowly as the light faded the Sirs shadows cut through and Zim knew despair. Their fire redoubled, covering Gaz's shield in green energy. The impacts began driving her down, energy in such excess exerted physical force. Zim turned around, helping her stand against the downward pressure. He kissed her cheek, content with death knowing that his last moments alive were with his Gaz. She held him tightly, seeming to understand what was about to happen, and their world became a blur of green light. Zim closed his eyes and kissed her lips, the impacts of the lasers feeling like raindrops to his antenna. Zim heard something, it was hard to make out over the noise surrounding them. It sounded like a high pitched whistle, Zim opened his eyes and scanned the sky. He could barely see through the light, but something was flying towards the Sir units.
-POV++Gir++POV-
Gir "WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE." Friends, Gir had found friends like him! Now he could play with them all day long. First he had found master Zim's toys, and they are oh so much fun! Now he had new shiny playmates, the day could only get better! Gir's thrusters kicked into overdrive. Dozens of new parts were connected around his metallic body, patches of green fur still stuck out from his original shell. His legs had been beefed up now they had massive thrusters and armor plating, on his back was a guidance system and several small turrets. His chest held a large blue power core, encased in a see through hexagonal shell, which powered an impressive shielding system along with his new upgrades. On each arm was a myriad of weapons, everything from lasers and cannons to rocket pods and energy blades were tucked away into the robotic shell. His head was covered by a thick reinforced helmet, its visor system giving Gir enhanced vision and sensors. Over the helmet was the head of a green doggy costume, it was torn, stretched and secured with duct tape.
Gir sped towards the Nearest Sir unit, attempting to wrap it in a hug. The sir unit darted out of Girs range and continued firing at the ground, Gir narrowed his eyes. Tag it is then, slippery sausage. Gir bust forward, flailing his arms wildly, trying to touch the illusive Sir unit. Gir was getting closer and closer each time, until the Sir finally stopped firing at the ground. Gir latched onto him "AHA you owe me peanut butter!" The Sir unit wrapped its arms around Girs helmet in an attempt to crush it. Gir "Hugs? YAY HUGS!" With his enhancements Gir simply popped the Sir unit like a grape, its arms and legs shooting off in random directions while pieces of its head and torso fell lazily to toward the ground. The Sir units stopped firing, all turning to Gir they unleashed the fury of their lasers. Surrounded by the light of impacts on his shield Girs eyes widened "Ooohh, dance party!" He flexed his arms and dozens of weapons burst forth. Adding his own 'lights' to the mix, Gir spun around in odd patterns flailing his arms and legs wildly. Explosions erupted around him as his lasers struck dozens of targets, the Sir's advanced programming unable to cope with Gir's complete lack of logical action.
-POV++Zim++POV-
The lasers had stopped, and Zim stared at the sky in utter shock. Gir is… helping? He couldn't help but laugh as the realization dawned on him. Explosions began ripping through the tightly grouped Sir units, Zim lifted Gaz up and spun her around. The two of them bursting into laughter as relief flooded through them. Pieces of destroyed Sir units fell around them, Zim held onto Gaz's hand while leading her to a nearby overhang. Gaz "what's going on, what saved us?" Zim "Gir! He must have found the upgrades I told him to get…" Zim hit the side of his goggles, bringing up a display with the current time "… five hours ago." Gaz looked confused "you told him to get upgrades?" Zim shook his head "His 'toys' you can't reach Gir with normal things, you have to tell him in a way that makes him want to do what you want him to." Gaz nodded "I get it, he's like a guy." Zim started to nod before he realized what she said, "What?" Gaz giggled "nothing Zim, so what's the plan now? When Irken invade what's the next step?"
Zim shook his head at her "I honestly don't know, this isn't like any invasion I have ever heard of. They never start by attacking major cities from orbit, nor do they ever send so many Sir units for a single objective. By now they should have landed massive walkers to intimidate the populace, usually conquering a planet means leaving a large portion of the populace alive to work for the Irken. This is more like a personal vendetta, I don't think they want anyone to live through the day." Gaz's face hardened and Zim felt bad for having said anything, until she said "if the Human race is going to end today, then we need to make sure that the same happens to the Irken." Zim smiled "anything for my Gaz-Mate" and he bent forward, kissing her lightly. Gaz smiled but suddenly her attention shifted behind him. Her eyes widened "Zim, are those the walkers you were talking about?" Zim followed her gaze, falling from the atmosphere were dozens of massive walkers. Landing thrusters blazed as they slowed before slamming into the ground with earth shattering force.
One in particular stood out to Zim, it was larger than the others by several stories, gold and black plating covered much of its outer surface. Huge swaths of crimson fabric fell from banners, their images recounting countless victories and remorseless brutality. Zim knew at once who was in that machine, the 'almighty' tallest. They had come personally, now he knew it was no ordinary invasion and he only knew one reason that they would land here. They want to kill me personally, he stood clenching his fists, a cold fury spreading from his core. Zim "Gaz, their leaders are in that walker." Gaz looked at him incredulously "how can you tell?" A wicked grin spread slowly across his face "only the almighty tallest are allowed to command that walker, it is their own personal machine of war." Gaz shrugged "ok, fair enough. So what's the plan then?" Zim "the plan is that I'm going to fly over to that walker, if I can kill the tallest it might put the fleet into disarray, giving us a shot at winning this thing."
Gaz scowled at him "oh and what am I supposed to do while your off fighting a giant metal death machine? No, I don't like this plan, I'm coming with you." Zim knew it wasn't fair to her, but there was really no option "Gaz-mate" he put his hands on her arms, pulling her close. Zim "I wish you could, but it isn't something I control. My thrusters aren't strong enough to lift both of us while being able to dodge, if you come with me then we will both die. Before you say anything the only way to get inside is flying, what you need to do is find some living humans. Find your brother he probably needs your help." She softened as his words sunk in, at the mention of Dib her scowl returned. Gaz "He deserves whatever he gets Zim, this is entirely his fault! He lied to us, stole from you and broke into your computer and in doing so essentially doomed the earth. No I don't want to help him." Zim could tell she was lying to herself and he kissed her forehead "Gaz-Mate, you care for your human family. Zim knows this and Gaz knows this, forgive him he just wanted to help your people."
Gaz's scowl melted and tears returned to her eyes, Zim gently wiped them away. Gaz "fine you damn alien" she wrapped her arms tightly around him "but if you die I'm going to kill you." Zim returned her embrace "never will I leave you Gaz-Mate, you are mine forever and even death would not dare take you away from Zim." They kissed, both unwilling to admit that this could be the last time they saw each other. Zim took a few steps back, slowly he braced his body then leapt skyward. Kicking in his thrusters at the Zenith of his jump, launching skyward he had to empty his mind. The coming conflict would test his will and he meant to be the victor. Buildings flew past with increasing speed as Zim maxed out his jets, desperate to inflict his vengeance upon the Tallest.
-POV++Gir++POV-
His new friends had all the best games, they played tag and tickled each other. He hugged so many of them and danced all over the sky, Today is the BEST day EVER! The Sir units were retreating, their numbers severely depleted. Gir blasted after them, flying in circles around the stragglers while they fired lasers ineffectually at him. Gir "ground control this is green mambo, tee minus fifteen seconds to ASTRONAUT!" They were flying towards their ship, which was leaving earth's atmosphere, as Gir got closer the landing bay doors began to close. Dozens of Irken workers skittered around in the bay, screams of fear ringing throughout the massive room. Gir increased his speed, burning past several Sir units as he shot for the opening. The Sirs in front of him spun around, slamming into him they pushed with all their thrust against his body. Girs momentum held out for a few seconds before he started to slow, more and more Sir units joined the metallic tug-o-war causing Gir to slow dramatically.
Nobody stops Gir, his eyes narrowed turning red. Gir launched several grappling hooks that wrapped themselves around the cluster of robots, then Gir swung the group of them around spinning faster and faster until they were a colored blur. Releasing them so they would scatter down towards earth, Gir powered up his lasers. He began firing wildly at them "Muahahaa-" several exploded sending shrapnel flying "-Hahahaha-" more met their doom to Girs psychotic laughter "-hahahahaha!" He spun back towards his objective, the door was almost closed. Putting every ounce of power he could muster into his jets he careened towards the cracked hangar doors. Inside several of the workers cowered in fear at the far end of the bay, forcing themselves to stare down the raging Sir unit that was heading their way. Gir was too slow, the doors hissed closed while he was still several hundred meters away.
Inside the workers let out a cheer of victory, laughing and jumping about. Silence fell over the jubilant crowd as they heard metal scraping against metal from behind the door. They watched in horror as the center of the door began turning red and yellow, molten metal burst forth killing several where they stood stunned. Gir landed inside the hangar, slag covering the floor around him and his barrels glowing a dull crimson. Gir asked "so, who wants a Cinnibun?" while firing indiscriminately into the crowd of Irken. He popped out the missile pods in his shoulders and launched the small explosives in hundreds of directions. Skipping past the massive pieces of debris from the door, Gir headed down a nearby hallway as explosions rippled through the docking bay. Whistling the tune from the Brady Bunch he made his way to the center of the ship, slaughtering soldiers and workers alike.
-POV++Zim++POV-
The walker's massive cannons blaster super-heated death all around Zim. Maxing out his thrusters and zigzagging was barely keeping him alive, still he pressed forward, time to pay for my pain Tallest. He flew close to several smaller walkers, betting that even the tallest wouldn't fire upon their own. He was wrong, huge explosions erupted all around him sending smoke and debris everywhere. If he hadn't been going so fast Zim would have been caught and probably killed in that blast. The shockwave sent him tumbling through the air then crashing through the window of a nearby office building and rolling across the floor. He took a moment to shake his head and get back on his feet before sprinting through the building and flying through the far window. Leaving the building just in time as another titanic blast tore the structure to pieces. The Tallest's walker fired at Zim without a single consideration of what was around him, he decided to use this to his advantage and began zipping behind buildings.
Every building Zim used to hide the walker destroyed, soon there was so much rubble and dust in the air that he could barely see the gauntlet in front of his face. Perfect, Zim closed his eyes, using his antenna to sense the world around him. Dust appeared as tiny motes of light, glistening around larger objects. The world became light and dark to Zim, white light was open space while black was impassable. Zim flew along his lit pathways, chunks of darkness falling all around him. He could easily tell the massive legs of the Walker, their slow lumbering motions sent cascades of darkness in every direction.
He flew towards them, increasing his speed as he felt the dust begin to settle. Only a little more, lower and lower he flew as his cover quickly dissolved. His body mere inches from the ground Zim kicked his jets as high as they would go, but it wasn't enough. Zim opened his eyes just in time to see the dust dissolve around him, glancing up to the Walker all Zim saw was the barrel of the largest laser he had ever seen and it was pointed straight at him. His body reacted before he had even register that the laser fired, time seemed to crawl as Zim spun madly to the left. His arms and legs spreading out making his body as flat as possible, the laser was too bright forcing Zim to close his eyes. It burned his vision through his eyelids, Zim could feel the oppressive heat trying to sear him alive. It felt like an eternity in fire and Zim was sure he was dying. Then it was over, a cool rush of air brushed past his skin and he opened his eyes once more.
His vision was blurred but returning quickly, which was lucky for him as he was meters from the outer hull of the Walker. Zim spun around his jets fighting to slow his body, he hit the metal hard scraping across the smooth surface until he managed to regain control. Ok Zim, that was pretty pathetic, let's try to at least make a cool entrance. He flew upward, the giant robotic body seemed to stretch for miles, until he saw the one major flaw in every Irken Walker ever made. The giant glass observation window, he stopped in front of it scanning it for an easy way in. There were no obvious weaknesses in the structure, but it didn't seem to be shielded or otherwise protected from lasers. Zim shrugged and began firing at the glass, he made a giant circular pattern in the center. Then boosting forward in an attempt to crash through the glass Zim slammed into it, bouncing off quite harmlessly. He growled in frustration and flew backwards before looping in the air to gain speed, thrusters working at maximum he crashed through the glass barrier. Sliding across the metal floor on one knee with his arms extended out for balance while glass skittered around the room Zim came to a halt.
He stared straight ahead, two thrones were inlaid into the far wall; one a rich crimson with gold patterns woven throughout and the other a brilliant violet with bright green designs sewn in. On their respective thrones sat the Almighty Tallest, fully decked out in their finery. The scowls on their faces told Zim volumes about how badly they despised him, and he was glad. Zim "oh damn, and that was my only chance to make a cool entrance." He rose to his feet, lasers primed as dozens of Guards came rushing in with their weapons aimed and ready. Silence followed, sweat began running down Zims face and he suddenly realized just how much he had been exerting his body. The guards seemed to be waiting on the word from the Almighty Tallest before they moved to engage Zim. Red's face slowly changed from a scowl to a look of superiority, he slowly raised his finger and the guards fired.
-END of Chapter 10-
Notes: wow, my apologies for taking longer than usual with this chapter and probably with the quality of the chapter itself, it was much harder to get a good flow with this as opposed to every other chapter. Read enjoy (or hate, its allowed) and please review.