They Corrupt Them
Chapter 9
Dib parked the ship once he was at the Resisty; he pushed a button that would patch him through to the base so Dib could update Zim and see if he was doing alright. Zim picks up immediately his antennae quivering in happiness. "Dib-love you are okay!" He says smiling widely. Dib smiled. "Yeah, I'm alright." He assured. "I met with the Tallest."
"How did it go? Did they have a plan? or idea?"
Dib sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "They aren't sure what to do, and we have to get this done within three Earth weeks. I told them I would see if I could talk the Resisty into helping." Zim hums in thought as he nods. "I have been decoding and recoding things since you left, if I could get a little help from a few other Irkens, I think we can create a virus. I have already launched a small one that will lower their suspicion receptors, so hopefully they will be hard-pressed to find out of the ordinary behavior from the Irkens on board and any subsequent Resisty movements if I can. I think I can even get it to where they can talk openly with the Resisty…but that will be a week at most. When are you coming home?" Zim asks looking at Dib's monitor, already missing his mate dearly after three days but understands this is necessary for their success.
"I'm hoping to come back after I speak with the Resisty, though I have to send the Tallest a message after I finish the meeting to tell them whether or not they agree," Dib said. "I had the virus thought to."
"That's why you are the mighty Zim's mate; he could only have one as smart as himself!" Zim says happily one of the first good things he has said about himself in a while, being healthy bringing some of his confidence back. "And have fun with your meetings! Zim will work on raining doom upon our doomed enemy's heads!" Dib chuckled softly. "Alright, I'll see you when I get home. Love you Space Boy."
"And I love you, big-headed human!" Zim says ending the transmission before Dib can say his head isn't big blowing him a kiss.
Dib rolled his eyes at the comment but smiled as he got out of the ship and headed toward the command center, knowing Lard Nar and a few others would be in there. Sure enough, Lard Nar was tinkering with a small bomb, not precisely stressed at the moment as he thinks of ways to doom the Irkens not exactly up-to-date on the Irken vs. Control Brain revolution brewing. Dib got in the doorway and knocked lightly, not wanting to scare the Vortian, especially with what he noticed he was working on. The last thing they needed was the ship to blow up and him not get back home safely to Zim.
"Eh? Oh hello, Dib" the Vortian greets setting the bomb down carefully, to give the human his full attention. Dib smiled and went in. "Hey Lard Nar." He greeted. "Sorry I hadn't contacted you before coming here...but I was wondering if we could call a meeting because there is something that needs to be brought to all our attention...it especially concerns the Irken race." He said as he walked over to him.
"The Irkens, I hope you found a way to defeat them...I will call a meeting immediately" Lard Nar says; he doesn't hate the Irkens in the Resisty but he thinks of them as more of exceptions to a rule for a bad race than what could be, and having been left out of the loop can't know anything of what has developed recently. He brings up a computer and starts typing out the memo that will broadcast over the ship. Dib sighed "In a way," He said. "But the Irkens aren't the problem, it's the control brains." He told him and waited for everyone to enter as he leaned against the table. "I'll tell you all about it once the meeting starts."
Lard Nar is surprised, but makes himself wait; he despises Irkens but Lard Nar knows judging them without full information would be foolish and Vortians don't do that. Soon the room was packed of the members of the Resisty, Rift and the rest of the Irkens sat down with the rest of the Resisty. Dib pulled out his laptop and stood. "Recently I have come across some information that has and will change other's minds here. I've found out that the Empire isn't our problem, it's the control brains." He said, looking around the room.
"A few days ago, after Zim's computer sent a fake video of his suicide to the Tallest I guess they've started questioning things." His eyes landed on the Irkens. "They contacted me and asked me to look into it because a certain event involving Zim and the deaths of the other Tallest were fuzzier than any other memory they could remember instantly." The Irkens mumbled among themselves as Dib revealed this information.
Tenn speaks up after the Irkens are done. "it's true, the day before and after The tallest, Miyuki and Sporks deaths are fuzzy which should be impossible since Irken memory is generally infallible. What are the control brains hiding though?" She questions after speaking for the Irkens. Dib opened his laptop. "Zim and I hacked into the Control Brains...and we recovered two videos..." He connected the laptop to the big screen and let the first video play.
Everyone watches in rapt attention, especially Lard Nar he had had high hopes for this tallest but she died much too early. "She was the most productive tallest in history made more treaties and alliances than any other in history..." He says absently. Rift nodded and sighed. "And from the sound of it, the control brains don't want us free." He commented before looking at Dib. "What is the next video?" Dib sighed. "It involves Zim and the control brains, they tortured him till he agreed to kill Miyuki before she could give you guys the information."
Everyone gasps in disbelief and Skooge looked down in shame; he was Zim's best friend he should have known...of course he knew there was something wrong with the Irken; he just thought it had been the accident that made him snap. But hearing that his friend was forced into it? It broke his heart and made him furious at the same time, a strange combination for the ordinarily happy passive Irken.
Dib then looked at Lard Nar, "I just came from a meeting with the Tallest with his information, they're scared, and the next time the control brains touch their PAKs is in three Earth weeks, we have to stop this and save the rest of the Irkens. I told Red and Purple I would talk to you about this and see if you guys were willing to help."
"Us help the Irken empire?" Lard Nar says, immediately wanting to refuse his hatred for the beings running deep. But from what they have seen it isn't their fault he has noticed that the Irkens that have been disconnected from the control brains are more passive and even more paternal to those around them, by no means where they pushovers though they could still cause havoc if they wished. He too knew about Irken history having studied everything about them, and he knew that there would be significant repercussions if they were to dissolve as an empire and the knowledge got out of their...special talents…
"If the control brains are stopped what will the Irkens do after? Do they still plan on conquering the galaxy? If so it may be better for them to lose two leaders after the PAK evaluation, they would be weak." Lard Nar says, stating one half of the equation. "If we help them who is to say they will not turn on us? Red and Purple have not proven to be the most trustworthy out there..." Lard Nar states these, but he knows both are wrong, letting the Irkens stay slaves to their computers are cruel, but he can't forgive the crimes they have committed. He sighs, "I cannot agree or disagree, I hate them too much, I want to watch most of the species burn…yet I know it is wrong. You all here can vote on it, and I will do whatever you decide." He says finally.
"From what I have noticed about Red and Purple...they were extremely distraught after what Zim's computer made them witness...Zim shared the history of his people, they were practically slaves...I can't promise things will be better after this, but I think you should think about it. They are slaves to the control brains...if you haven't noticed, the Irkens aboard this ship have changed thanks to Rift's working on their PAK's. If we remove the influence of the control brains things should be better...though, I would recommend that things don't go back to the way they were before the Irkens got their independence. What I mean is, we start treating the Irkens as people, not as breeders and sex slaves."
Lard Nar nods. "No, even if we don't help and they gain independence we wouldn't allow that. I am sure you know that was one of the good things that arose from the empire was the abolishing of that particular sect of the slave trade. Fine, I will throw in my vote to help, we can fight them after this menace is dealt with if necessary, but should they change their ways, we will help rebuild them and protect them should they need it." Lard Nar says giving in to his better conscience. "Why did Zim's death make them think though? I thought they hated the guy from what I understood almost everyone did."
"They couldn't remember why they hated him in the first place," Dib said. "Sure; he was different from the rest...but he was never as bad as he had been that night he killed Miyuki and Spork. The Brains were hiding that information from them."
"I see... does anyone have anything to contribute or any dissents they want to make? " Lard Nar asks looking over his organization for anyone's opinion. Rift sat back. "I think this could change things, we've all made mistakes in the past, and honestly I don't want to see my brothers and sisters under the control of these control brains any longer." Skooge nodded. "I agree, it only brings to question what else they are hiding from us, they can no longer trust what had protected us for so long." Ixane sighed from under her hood. "I agree, something should be done, and soon." Shloonktapooxis and Spleenk agreed as well.
Lard Nar nods "Alright we help them, what is the current plan for taking the brains down? Is there one or are we suppose dot come up with one in the three earth weeks given us?"
"Zim came up with the idea of introducing a virus into the control brains system," Dib said. "I think this is a good idea."
"A virus would be the simplest way, and once we have debilitated them we can destroy them...would this cause a backlash in the people though? If the brains find out what is to stop them from trying to deactivate the whole race?" Lard Nar puts out there, realizing they could just as easily take the remaining Irkens to hell with them. "Every free Irken had the connection cut personally, but we can't do that to the whole race that would be impossible." Dib hummed in thought. "Zim said it would finish within the week...as for that I'm not sure, what I can think of is that we send them to Rift one at a time. But I'm afraid this could alarm the control brains."
"It would...dang computers and their need for someone to depend on them, holding an entire race hostage is just insane..." A random person says.
Rift smirked. "What if this virus severs the connection between them and the Irkens PAK's?" He asked.
"That would work...you can get with Zim and work on that may input it into the code he is working on now." Lard Nar grants permission if Rift accepts the task. "Anyone who wants to work on this project goes and follow Dib and Rift, as for the others we must prepare for a possible backlash of this action whether the Irkens stay predator or become we must be prepared." Skooge stood. "I will go with Rift and Dib to help." He said, wanting to see his friend. "Alight I call this meeting over. Everyone, return to your duties, and we begin countermeasures tomorrow." Lard Nar rubs his eyes as everyone files out considering the possibilities of what this all means and how it can change the universe altogether.
Dib put his laptop away. "I'll contact you once Zim, and they are finished." He assured and looked at Lard Nar. "I realize this is a lot to ask for."
"No, it is fine. If I let my hatred rule everything I did I would be no better than they are. That is what this is about isn't it, helping them move on from their past?" Lard Nar gets to the heart of the issue, knowing he will have to do the same thing. "It will be a long road I hope you and that Zim know what you all are getting into, memories such as that may not go away quickly."
Dib nodded in reply as he thought about it. "Yeah, I know." He replied, watching as everyone left, Rift and Skooge getting ready. "Grudges don't get us anywhere, and sometimes it's hard to forgive what happened in the past." Lard Nar nods and then leaves, letting Dib and the two Irkens do their thing. The human Then led them to the garage where the other smaller ships were held and got in his own, driving out once Rift and Skooge followed; he sighed and sent a short message to Red and Purple, asking if they were able to speak.
Purple answers opening the link inside a very empty dull grey room, Red nowhere in sight. "Dib-human what is it?" He asks his antennae twitching slightly glancing around every now and then nervously as if waiting for someone to yell at him. "I talked with the Resisty," Dib said. "Lard Nar wasn't sure at first, but we discussed it, and they have decided to help, though he said that after this is all said and done, once this is dealt with they would be willing to help rebuild and protect the Irkens." He bit his lip. "There is a virus in the works right now that will be done within an Earth week that will kill the control brains but sever the connection to the PAK's beforehand."
"Wise idea you…uh…do good on that and stuff…" A knock is heard on the other side, and a muted voice can be heard in Irken; Purple looks relieved and chirps back before turning toward Dib. "Sorry about that, I am kind of avoiding Red right now, but I promise to get the message to him, and we truly are grateful for this. Oh, every Irken on the massive knows, so if the Resisty needs to communicate safely as well with any insiders it might be easier for them to contact a drone to spread news but any major stuff, keep up with Red or me."
Dib nodded. "Alright, I'll contact you when I'm able." He replied. "If there is a change in the control brain schedule just keep me updated."
"Of course our race is on the line...now if you excuse me I have more hiding to do before Red decides to murder me," Purple says looking little ashamed of himself for the kiss. Having made sure to avoid Red since the incident even though he really doesn't want to stay away from the other tallest; he then cuts the connection once they finish speaking. Purple lounges around the food court snacking on some donuts and typing out precisely what Dib told him to send to red to read via drone.
~o~o~
Zim rolls around happily having seen on the radar Dib was coming home; he really missed his mate, and he thinks he is getting somewhere in the coding. His rolling stops however as Gir sets a plate of burritos in front of him he twitches but reminds himself his PAK can handle it now and swallows thickly beginning to eat the burritos with dread, but finds they taste decent. "Gir... why are these burritos not killing Zim?" His antenna perk when he heard the sound of a ship in the attic and went to see his mate. "Dib!" Zim says forgetting the food and going to hug his human nuzzling into his shirt not caring that he was on a ship for three days. "You are home, Zim is so happy!"
Dib smiled and hugged him close. "I missed you." He said and nuzzled his lover happily. Probably not as much as Zim missed you." The Irken says then asks looking up at Dib's face, "So, did you enjoy your first trip to space?" Dib chuckled a little and sat down, pulling the other close. "Yeah, Foodcourtia was interesting."
"Did you get to try any of the snacks? You didn't meet up with Sizzlor did you? if you ever do...don't mention my name ever..." Zim says, knowing he will never set foot on Foodcourtia again for that reason. "I wasn't too concerned with snacking," Dib admitted. "I mainly wanted to discuss what we found with the Tallest. Though it sounds like a human is working where we met." He hummed. "I Bet it's Dwicky...and no I didn't meet Sizzlor."
"Dwicky... Dwicky... oh the counselor that left earth... hmmm, probably not many aliens go anywhere near here, it wasn't even a known planet till Zim found it!" He says, with his chest puffed out proudly. Dib nodded and put his arms around him. "You discovered a planet." He smiled. Zim purrs happily, laying on Dib's chest having sorely missed his mate. There is a knock on the door before computer opens it letting Skooge and Rift in with their stuff. "Skooge!" Zim exclaims running over and hugging the other Irken.
Skooge hugged him back and smiled. "Hey Zim, we're here to help you work on the virus."
"Yes, Zim did need more Irken minds! Dib's mind is good, but he has to waste precious time on translating!" Zim says, running to fetch the computer form the bedroom. Dib nodded and watched them get to work. Rift and Skooge waited for Zim to come back, the taller Irken working on calculations. Zim comes back with the computer a different shape then Dib's own and gets it set up for them. "Here you can look at this and see what Zim has done!" Zim says turning it on and putting his passwords in before taking Dib's hand and tugging toward the direction of their room.
Rift sat down and started looking over Zim's work with Skooge as Dib followed Zim into their room; he kissed him softly on the lips once he closed the door. Zim wraps his arms around the human extending the kiss, glad he finally got one. "Zim did miss his Dib; he was worried you would get lost or eaten by a black hole, or a wormhole and taken to the room with a moose..." Zim says truthfully. Dib smiled and pet Zim's antenna. "I made sure to follow the coordinates that Computer gave me closely." He replied. "I'm glad to be home though, I missed having you in my arms."
"Zim did not sleep well without you either." Zim begins purring at the gentle touches of his mate. "Zim did learn, however, that Gaz is really nice when she feels like it; she allowed Zim to sleep with her when he had nightmares" Dib nodded and rubbed Zim's back a little, glad his sister was there to help him. "I'm glad you had someone to keep you company while I was away." Zim nods not saying it didn't compare to when Dib held him, but it made him feel safer all the same.
"She said it was in the best interests of her future nieces and nephew that I am kept alive," Zim says, not feeling bad knowing that was the only way Gaz probably knew how to express her care. He pulls Dib to the bed wanting to at least cuddle his mate for a little while knowing it would take at least half an hour for rift and Skooge to read his codes. "Zim wants to do the cuddling" he looks up at Dib in pleading.
Dib smiled and laid on the bed with him. "It's hard to read her at times, but I know she cares." He replied, holding Zim close. Zim's antennae immediately start running over Dib's face to continue mapping out the human's scent thoroughly, having craved it immensely while he was gone. Zim purrs and kisses Dib once, cuddling as much into the human as he could, listening to the teen's steady heartbeat. The human kissed the antenna as they passed his mouth each time; he missed holding Zim in his arms and cuddling with him while he was away, it felt good to have him close.
Zim purrs louder each time, the action sending shivers through the alien's body at the attention; Dib melting his worries and fears, knowing that his human would love him no matter what and he had faith the human would be there for him just as he would be there for his human. Dib kissed his neck lightly, pulling him closer. "I've been thinking...how about after we free the empire from the control brains...we make a family?" He smiled, looking at the other.
"Even if it is before you graduate?" Zim asks; his eyes hopeful and bright. "Zim would love to make a family with the Dib-love. Zim loves you so much" Zim says excitedly covering Dib's face with happy kisses his antennae vibrating in joy at the prospect. Dib chuckled a little and smiled. "Yeah, I don't care if I graduate or not, you mean the world to me and I want to make a family with you." This made the Irken smile brightly, hugging Dib as tightly as he can, a squeak of joy leaving his throat; everything in him from his thoughts to the newly awakened instinct screaming happily.
"You mean worlds to Zim too...Zim will work extra hard on the virus, so maybe it will be done early! Zim wants to make smeets with Dib, and then if we have an egg we can decorate it! if not we can pet it and then name it and take it to the park and eat ice cream and...and!" Zim can't even finish his thought as he hugs Dib tighter his antennae shaking. Dib kissed him softly and chuckled a little as he looked at the other. "Don't rush your work babe, you might miss something, we don't want to make a mistake, especially with the possibility of the three-week window getting smaller."
Zim nods kissing back, he wants to say he doesn't make mistakes but that is a lie, and he didn't want to lie to Dib. "Fine Zim shall take his time..." he says and kisses Dib again. The human kissed him back. "Good." He smiled, holding the Irken close. Zim revels in his mate's touch; he had craved everything that was Dib in the last week or so. Wanted his scent, his voice, his smile, his eyes; he had wanted him, and now he was back the alien was on cloud nine; He knew he should be busy but parting with his human right now just didn't seem optional.
Dib held him close, not letting him go; he enjoyed their closeness and keeping him in his arms. "I can't wait to start a family with you." he smiled, petting his antenna. "Neither can I," Zim says and licks Dib's neck as he relaxes into him purring like a cat. The human moaned softly as Zim licked his neck and he rubbed the Irken's back a little. Zim looks up at Dib curiously and does it again dragging his tongue along it this time and over Dib's pulse point. This earned a moan from the human once again, loving the feeling of Zim's tongue on his neck. Zim's antennae perk as he lowers and kisses the points but snakes his tongue out to lick a circle over it and moves his head to lick a trail up Dib's neck liking the sound very much.
Dib moaned and started petting Zim's antenna lightly. "Mm..." Zim is ecstatic he discovered this and eagerly keeps the movements up adding a nip or sucking gently every now and then on the teen's next his own body growing warm from the sounds and taste of Dib. The human moaned more and tilted his head, letting Zim have more access, loving the feel of the Irken's tongue on his neck. The Irken quickly begins exploring the exposed skin to him loving everything about it he trails nips and kisses up Dib's neck and then jaw before kissing his human on the lips.
"Your neck is like Zim's antennae!" Zim says his observation happily
Dib chuckled softly and hummed. "Not really, it's just sensitive…though, it might be sort of like them." He smiled and kissed him back softly. Zim looks disappointed he was wrong but quickly forgets it as his eyes flutter closed and he puts his hands on Dib's cheeks trailing his tongue on Dib's bottom lips he asks for permission to play with Dib's own. The human's tongue met with Zim's as they kissed; he started petting his antenna, rubbing the base more as they made out a bit.
Zim moans from the pleasant sensations, moving his arms from Dib's face, around his neck dragging his claws lightly over the flesh not enough to scratch but enough to cause a little pressure in the tips. Dib moaned into the kiss and pulled him close. Zim shivers lightly the rise in Dib's pheromones hitting his antennae, makes him feel good, makes him feel special, never has he smelled this on Dib with anyone else. The human moved, so he was on top of Zim and kissed him deeply. Zim shivers under Dib his body submitting easily to the human; he moans into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Dib, glad his bed was meant to conform to the shape of his Pak
Dib kissed down to his neck and nipped at the skin a little, marking his skin a bit. Zim gasps his hands flying to Dib's shoulders his eyes wide, the feeling going straight through his Spooch and pooling into his belly area. "Dib" he gasps as the human kissed him all over and started petting his antenna. The Irken purrs loudly running his claws through Dib's hair lightly scratching the scalp as he does, eyes closed as he feels all of Dib's kisses on his body. Dib kissed him lightly and sighed as Rift knocked at the door. "Sorry to interrupt." He said from behind the door.
Zim jumps slightly remembering he had a job to do. He turns bright blue both from embarrassment and shame for being such a rude host. "Uh...it's alright um what did you need?" Zim stutters out trying to crawl off the bed and falls hitting the ground with a thud. "Ouch," He says standing up. Dib tried to help Zim up; he kissed him softly. "There you go." Rift leaned against the wall outside. "I've read over your codes, I added an extra of my own to sever the connection to the PAKs so that the possibility of the control brains trying to take the others down with them doesn't happen."
"Excellent!" Zim says hugging Dib quickly and rushing out the door his embarrassment still coloring his cheeks blue. "I am sorry about that... I..." Zim says wringing his hands as he walks back to the living room to see the new codes. Rift shook his head. "Don't worry about it." He smiled. "I understand; you were away from your mate for a few days." The blue-eyed Irken said as he walked with him. Zim wonders vaguely if this was why mating was forbidden the more he thinks about it the worst he feels; he has already ignored his duties twice in favor of spending time with Dib... was that really a good thing? His cardiac spooch hurts in warning of the deceitful thoughts, but the soldier in him is wondering if he is making a mistake in giving so much of his time for Dib. These thoughts hurt Zim as he resigns himself to his work. To check the codes and take the control brains down. "It was just a few days...Zim should have done better." He says bitterly."
"You did good in the amount of time you had." Rift said, sitting beside Skooge. "I'll admit that I didn't get much work done when my mate and I were first together." The blue-eyed Irken said as he looked over his mess of codes. "You have a mate?" Zim asks looking over the code firmly resolved to punish himself later despite Rift's assurance it was normal; he should have done better; this was no time to think of himself he was supposed to be focusing on the mission. His thoughts are soon quietened as the numbers fly by his eye and he is analyzing the codes carefully.
Rift nodded and sighed. "Mhm." He looked as well, making sure there were no mistakes, so far he found none. "You are doing great, don't doubt yourself."
"Zim never doubts himself," Zim says not really paying attention to the words spoken his body instinctively lying, a lie he has internalized ever since the incident though he doesn't remember it. "This code is perfect. It should work. Now we need to figure out a way to complete it and get it on the massive. The small viruses I sent over the past few days were able to be sent wirelessly, but this one will be needed to be directly loaded into the control brains on Irk or the control liaison in the Massive. But what other codes can we add?"
Skooge thought for a moment, trying to figure out what else they should do to the virus. "So one of us will have to board the Massive and insert it into the control brains." Rift hummed.
"In essence yes. it will have to be a deactivated Irken so the control brains can't sense its approach." Zim says thinking about it. Despite growing a little, he was still the smallest Irken out there making it easy for him to sneak. "And they can't be seen by any active Irkens since a PAK would immediately alter the Brains themselves..." Zim narrows his eyes upset at the possibilities that are laid before him. "Zim will have to..." Zim hates this thought; he was probably the only Irken they actually thought was dead at this point, it sickened him to think of going back near the monsters that ripped away from his sanity but it is for the mission, and the mission takes precedence over EVERYTHING else.
Again his inner soldier wonders how good these feeling are so far they seem to be causing him trouble how dare he is so selfish when so many lives are on the line. "Zim can do it." he then says trying to breathe a little even though his PAK isn't shutting down anymore he has found breathe helps. "They think the lot of us are dead...but I'll admit a smaller Irken could get through easier...are you sure you want to do it?" Rift asked. Skooge watched Zim worriedly and bit his lip; he hated the fact that Zim had to go by himself on this mission.
Zim stands and starts walking toward his elevator shoulders tense back straight. "Zim can and will succeed; he will not fail" he says stepping into the elevator punching a code and disappearing quickly unable to hold in these wretched emotions any longer, how dare he feel fear, no one else could pull it off and here he was daring to be afraid; he would just have to punish himself for it. He always did better after he hurt himself.
"Sir what are you doing they are going to be-" computer tries to dissuade Zim knowing from experience what was coming next but tried to stop Zim who cut him off. "Get me three glasses of water, and I don't want you letting ANYONE in Zim's lab; he isn't fit for the company," Zim says darkly, fists clenched so hard his palm is bleeding even as tears prick his eyes. He hadn't done this in so long it was overdue; he was letting his work suffer because of his own brokenness, well he would straighten that out right now. "Sir please-" Zim then barks out a series of coded numbers that would force computer to obey him, he immediately feels guilt.
"Please forgive Zim...make it four glasses..."
Dib watched him leave and was starting to worry, something wasn't right with Zim; he bit his lip. "Computer, what's going on?" He asked, suddenly worried Zim was going to hurt himself. The computer stays silent, but it isn't the same silence that goes with him ignoring or being in sleep mode it is a telling silence. "Zim said... he doesn't want company right now..." It sounds subdued, if it had a body, it would be crying. "He isn't fit for the company..."
Dib frowned. "Computer, open the door." He banged on the door. "Zim, please don't do anything! Please don't hurt yourself!"
"He overrode my systems..." Computer says "I can't override it..."
In the room Zim is ignorant of the banging, already having drunk his first glass his world is spinning and everything burns as if someone set him on fire from the inside, he collapses onto the ground glad he thought far enough ahead to fix the other three on the floor for him. Tears stream down his face and he so desperately doesn't want to do this, but he knows he has to. "you are broken worthless, you deserve this, you are endangering everyone around you." He mutters reaching for the second glass barely forcing it down this one causing his body to seize and jerk choking and coughing up blood. "Sir please let me open the door! Dib is worried he wants to help! You have suffered enough-" computer tries to get Zim's attention, but Zim waves him off, even as he curls up vomiting more blood; he knew he wouldn't die, it would take six cups for that but four would hurt a lot, and he was ready to pass out at two…how pathetic.
Skooge jumps up and begins hacking into computer. "I will get that door open." the normally jovial Irken is serious as he does his hacking. Dib nodded, a few tears started to leave his eyes as he thought of how Zim was hurting himself. "We shouldn't be putting this task on Zim." Rift said, worried about the smaller Irken. "He's not in the right state of mind to be doing this." Dib ignored them as he tried kicking the door in with his steel toe boots. "Zim please!"
Zim has crawled over to sit up against the table his blood leaning against the counter as he tries to breathe. Three glasses sit empty before him, and he only has one to go he reaches for it as if it could offer him salvation brought on by baptizing him in pain. He stops, hearing the banging outside and for the first time since the negative thoughts had entered his mind he thought of Dib's feelings, his mate, he vomits a bit more blood it running down his face along with his tears. Dib will be devastated, he was supposed to be a good mate, and now he has screwed that up as well; he grips the fourth glass bringing it shakily up looking at the clear liquid the pounding outside prevents him from drinking it, even though the other voices keep telling him too. His eyes widen as the glass slips between his bloody fingers shattering onto the ground into thousands of little shards, the water spilling outward across the floor sizzling where it meets his blood, and he just stares at it. He looks to his hand that had dropped the glass fixated even as is mouth speaks in a hoarse voice. "Open the door."
Dib continued to kick the door, knowing that he probably wasn't doing any damage due to how secure the Irken's technology was and how strong the door seemed; he growled as he made for one more kick only to miss because the door suddenly opened the human hit the ground and he looked over at Zim. His heart skipped a beat as he stared at the state Zim was in and let out a shaky breath as he went over to him and picked him up, tears falling from his eyes as he carried him to the medical table. "Computer... make sure Zim can never get another glass of water." He commanded as Rift went to Zim and took care of his hand.
Zim doesn't respond to any of them still fixated on the hand that had dropped the glass even as Rift covers it in gauze. "Why? Why does Zim deserve this? Why is it his fault?" He rambles as his body is already beginning the healing process since no more poison was ingested. The voices in Zim's head are muted as he seems to come back to reality his internal bleeding is slowing down but he still needs to get rid of what's inside, so he turns and vomits blood and ruined tissue the agony shooting through him with every heave. He vaguely hears computers voice. "Never again..."
Rift finished fixing up his hand, and Dib held Zim in his arms tightly, afraid to let him go. "Please don't do that again Zim...please..." He whispered into his antenna. Zim's eyes fixate on Dib, still not entirely there, but enough to respond in what he feels is correct or at least truthfully. "Zim was scared; he was terrified, he had to make it go away... he cannot succeed if he is scared. When Zim is scared or lets himself get in the way the mission suffers don't you see? It happened so many times... Miyuki would have had a much more peaceful death had I not been so adamant in protecting her. I would have taken over earth if I weren't so fixated on you. Spork would never have lived to see the tallest rank, all because Zim got in the way...now Zim is getting in the way again, always in the way..." He says no longer himself speaking, but the days of torture and propaganda the control brains had assaulted him within making him kill Miyuki all of it coming out in this self-punishing mentality.
Dib kept his arms around him. "Zim...there is still a lot of good you have done, if you hadn't come to Earth, we would have never met." He said. "I'm glad we met. You are not getting in the way." Zim lays his head on Dib's shoulder he is tired, but he listens to the teen's words. He isn't in the way? Zim begins crying wrapping his arms tight around Dib digging his claws in a little, he knows he isn't okay he knows he may never be okay, but he thinks he can get better someday because Dib was here, Dib would never fail him.
He needed to trust Dib, because Dib was glad they had met none else had ever said that for him, "Zim will try for the Dib he promises... soon this will be over Zim knows it...he will succeed he won't fail...he can't fail...Zim has to live long enough to be the mate you deserve...and the parent our smeet deserve...Zim swears he will be okay for them...he has to be" Zim says; he is still terrified of facing the control brains but he just has to remember there will be someone waiting for him to comeback someone who believes in him, he can do it if he keeps that in mind...
Dib kissed him softly. "I know you can..." He said. "I believe in you, Zim." The Irken cried into Dib's shirt a little longer before his PAK forces him into sleep mode to complete the healing as soon as he is out computer begins cleaning everything not saying a word. Dib sighed and carried Zim to the bedroom; he laid him on the bed and kissed his forehead before laying down beside him and holding him close, soothingly petting his antenna. "It's going to be okay..." He whispered. Zim curls into Dib still covered in blood but no longer bleeding as he clutches onto Dib for comfort. In the other room, Skooge just stands to watch as the computer cleans up Zim's insides disposing of the glasses as Dib had ordered.
Rift sighed as he watched as well, a little upset at what he had witnessed thought it was expected after everything Zim had been through. "We should continue on with the virus..." He told Skooge. "How long do you think he has been doing that?" Skooge asks numbly, heading back to the computer. The images assaulting his mind, it was worse than the suicide video; he had gotten ahold of it from one of the informants that had destroyed him. But he felt safe in the knowledge it didn't happen, but now he knows that it has happened multiple times and it hurts him deeply to remember his friend has been suffering so long.
"I would say since he found out his mission was a lie." Rift said antenna wilted a bit. "From what I understand that was a few months ago…" Skooge shivers looking down at the computer with the virus and feeling a little vindictive. "We should make them pay...make them go through at least a fraction of the agony they have caused" Rift set his hand on Skooge's shoulder. "Revenge is not a way we should be going, my friend...I understand you are angry but don't you think they are punishing themselves a little after realizing the truths that were hidden from them? Along with the video all the massive has witnessed, I believe that is torture enough.."
"I was talking about the control brains, I can see Red and Purple's suffering, I don't need more of that, but the brains themselves...I was going over some Irken history on the way here, there have been other tallest that was suddenly assassinated or disappear entirely I don't think this is the first time the brains have had to stop us from being free. But it will be the last after what they have done to Zim, they can't win...they just can't." Skooge wishes Tenn was here; she was good at emotional stuff, Skooge only dealt with optimism, the feelings of revenge were new, but he knew he needed to calm down; he and Rift had to make sure this virus would be up and running soon they couldn't fail Zim again.
Rift nodded. "The virus, perhaps we could make their death slow and painful." He suggested. "Yes, we should." Skooge agrees to start the prototype some code to be added if it seems workable. Rift helped him work on the codes and the virus, this was for all the past leaders...the past Irkens who were deemed defective because of it and killed. "It ends now."
As Skooge and Rift work on the code, Zim begins waking up healed but feeling lots of residual pain as his body is still inflamed on the inside. His mind immediately connects what happened so he expects to be on his lab floor with Gir curled in his arms but instead he is held in strong arms on a sofa bed. His eyes snap open, and his mind begins remembering the details of this time's self-punishment session, he wonders if Dib will yell at him now for being so defective, he starts shaking slightly unable to stand the thought of Dib hating him. He tries to put it away but he knows what he had done had hurt Dib as well.
Dib kept his arms around Zim and saw he was starting to wake up; he sighed softly as he could tell Zim was afraid because he was shaking a bit, the human pulled him closer and kissed the top of his head. "It's okay, it's going to be okay." He said softly and pets his antenna soothingly. "You aren't mad at Zim?" the alien asks thinking Dib would be for not considering his feelings. "Zim is sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you as well..."
Dib looked into Zim's eyes. "Zim...you scared the hell out of me...I'm not mad, just really concerned." He sighed. "You could have died, and I don't want to lose you, Zim, I love you." Zim shakes his head. "Zim wouldn't have died it takes six glasses of water, Zim has only ever been able to take five without-" he cuts himself off realizing that is exactly NOT what Dib needs to be hearing about. After cutting himself off, he buries his face in Dib's neck. "What Zim means is... he was fine he didn't mean to scare you..." he tries to say he won't do it again, wants so badly to say it but deep inside he feels he would be lying. "Zim will get better...you won't ever see that again." He can at least promise that much.
"I know I won't...I asked computer to not let you have water again…" Dib admitted, petting his antenna lightly, not wanting to hear how many cups of water it would take to kill the Irken, that just upset him, and he didn't want to think about it. "I wouldn't call that fine Zim...I've been in your position before, only with cutting a couple years ago."
Zim looks up at Dib surprised as far as he knew Dib had not deserved punishment. "Why?" it wasn't judgmental he just wanted to know. "You never needed punishment as far as Zim knows..." At the time Zim would have wanted to hurt Dib himself, but that wasn't the same thing.
"There were a few days I wanted to die...though keeping the Earth safe from alien invaders kept me going." He smiled a little and kissed him. "At that time I was fighting with my dad almost constantly; he wanted me to follow in his footsteps, and I just couldn't take it along with trying to defend the Earth and all that." He sighed. "A few months later Gaz walked in on me, and she looked...hurt. I decided to seek help after a while, talk to a therapist...and I feel better about myself."
Zim frowns at himself he was unknowingly a source of Dib's pain but also part of the reasons he kept going. This confuses him, but he is glad Dib said he stopped he didn't deserve it like he did. "Zim is happy you got help, you didn't deserve it," Zim says kissing him back though he wonders why the Dib's father was so hateful, even though they were enemies, Zim had always seen Dib as worthy. The human sighed. "You don't either Zim, you don't deserve any of this." He said, pulling him closer.
The Irken thinks about Dib's words everyone says Zim doesn't deserve it but can't they see how terrible he is? Maybe he isn't as horrible as he feels? Dib insists he is good.
Skooge and Rift have worked hard to make him healthy and happy respectively. Would they go so far to help someone who didn't deserve it? He has heard of the concept of mercy, the act of being kind to those who don't deserve it...does he fall into that category?
He pulls one of his antennae as he thinks; these thoughts are not new; he has had them many times before…they want him to stop hurting himself. They usually pass, but this time being held in Dib's arms so lovingly, the firm but gentle eyes so honest, the human is Gazing at him with all but pleading he stop. It drives the thoughts closer to home.
Zim knows he doesn't want to hurt; he never did but if he stays…what if he messes up again? What will he do? If he can't cause himself pain how does he apologize for all his wrongs? Dib had said he took the water away maybe that would help...maybe if Dib keeps assisting, he can do it. His mate was strong he would help Zim he knew. Zim looks up into Dib's eyes finding strength in the golden orbs. "Zim won't do it again...he won't."
Dib nodded and sighed, petting his antenna lightly. "I think after all this is over we should find a therapist for you." He suggested. "It makes it easier if you can talk to someone." Zim frowns, not exactly knowing what a therapist was; he knew of counselors such as Dwicky, but they seemed fickle and untrustworthy, and he knew the Irken army didn't have therapists. If you were distressed your PAK would take care of it, or you would be deactivated if you couldn't control yourself. "What is a therapist? How will talking to it help Zim? And won't it try to expose Zim?"
Dib hummed. "I thought we could find a therapist out there, that way we don't have to worry about that." He said, referring to space. "Oh... if the Dib thinks it will help than Zim shall do his best with this therapist," Zim says before noticing he is still covered in blood he doesn't understand how Dib could tolerate being near him he was so filthy! Zim tries to wiggle out of Dib's hold and crawl off the bed, he needed a gel bath now.
This made Dib frown, and he let him go. "Where are you going?" He asked, worried about letting him go and fearing for Zim's safety. "Zim is disgusting! And probably covered in filthy GERMS" Zim shivers. "Computer run a gel bath and change all the night clothes and cleanse Dib of the GERMS! PUTRID EVIL GERMS!" Zim says having never entirely gotten over his germ paranoia though he manages it most of the time. Dib sighed as he watched Zim leave before changing out of his clothes and grabbing a new T-shirt and jeans.
The computer takes them all with his robot arms. "Do you want any of this back? Otherwise, I am incinerating it..." the computer says in its normal bored tone. In a softer tone, it continues on. "Thank you...for trying to help him, me and Gir just couldn't do it ourselves." Dib sighed as he leaned against the dresser. "I'm fine with you getting rid of it." He assured and looked up; he nodded and listened to the other. "I know...and I'm going to do my best to help him…"