Chapter Seven

Break-in, Human Malevolence and Relief At A Great Price

It was dark. That was the main thing one noticed at first. But then, your eyes adjusted rather quickly, and you were blasted senseless by the asinine cold that filled your body with alarming quickness. Patches of melting snow covered the ground, turning it an unnatural, mottled white-brown color. It was odd for snow to be around so early. Most likely it had been an early frost that had blanketed the mountains, only to be partially swept away by warmth in the lower altitudes from the next few days. Wind came up every now and then, sending more chill to numb bodies and minds. Trees blocked out a good view of almost anything around, including the moon or stars to show a path, shrouding the mountain world in shadow.
The shadows served their purpose just fine. It was only the cold that bothered them. Both of them knew where they were going, one could see the lights from the facility glimmering though the dense forest even from their great distance. "Damn cold..." Jendai murmured through chattering teeth. "Damn snow... damn humans..." He acted totally unfazed by the whole ordeal with the human. In fact, he almost seemed amused by it. The only thing bothering him now was the cold of the night. After escaping, they'd driven to the "north hill" and parked the van at its foot-concealed in the thick woods. One hour later, the Irkens were trudging up to the place where Merana was. They hoped they hadn't been deceived again. "You okay back there, Invader?" he called over his shoulder, blue eyes widened to allow enough light to see by into them. His robotic legs prevented his booted feet from freezing in the slush that was increasing in powder-like properties as they pressed on. It kept getting deeper.
"I'll be fine," Zim responded, shivering uncontrollably. Like the mechanic, he'd extended his robotic legs to keep his legs from falling off. His smaller body lost heat faster than Jendai's did. He'd originally thought he could have stood the cold, but now wasn't sure. He reached around, pressing a few buttons that lit up on the side of his pod when his gloved fingers brushed it. The correct sequence was typed in and warmth flooded through his body. Mother of Irk, he loved being an Invader. Invaders got the latest back pod implants that would ensure their survival, and the heat device had been one of them. Since the pods were wired directly into Irken spines, life-supporting necessities, like heating/cooling equipment and nutrition/hydration stores, could be used without the mess of injections. "I'll be fine. We will require weaponry."
"That's a welcome change of subject," Jendai chuckled lowly, as if there were humans around a corner who could hear his words. He was silent for a while, picking his way through the snow. One of his legs snagged on a bush. The tall Irken almost fell flat on his face, but caught himself before his embarrassment could show. "How many did you bring?" he asked. His arms were wrapped tightly around the places where olive-green skin emerged from his shirt.
Zim thought for a while as well. The hike was taxing; he had to admit that. "Four," he said finally. "Two for each of us. We can most likely steal spares from any other humans if we need extras."
"Good thinking," was the quiet reply, muffled by the overpowering snow. "We're screwed over if they know about the water..." There was a soft plop of snow falling from one of the towering trees. "Though, I don't know how they could."
A long silence followed. After hours of stomping through the cold, wet and potentially deadly snow, the light from what they hoped was their goal swelled to a blinding intensity that left the Irkens squinting. Crouched down in the brush, they took note of the level of security. A few guards patrolled the interior perimeter, semi-automatic rifles strapped to their sides, ready to be of service. Some had dogs by their sides. A high, chain-link fence surrounded the place-complete with barbed wire on its top and probably electrified. Insectoid-like binoculars appeared from Zim's pod, sliding over his eyes to show the Invader a closer view of the facility. "Most of the windows have been reinforced with some metal," he reported dutifully. "The doors, the ones on the outside anyway, all have one or more guards. No infrared alarms that I can see... I just do not like the look of those weapons. They look different than normal." The attachment slid away. "Not as difficult as I had anticipated."
Jendai shook his head slightly. "Nope. You got any ideas on how to get in?"
"None."
"So... we go in without a single plan, with lazers blasting and god knows how many humans inside?"
"I suppose..."
"Sounds good to me." He watched the guard disappear around the other side of the building before slowly rising. "Let's go." The mechanic slipped out of the shadows, antennae twitching in all directions. His eyes flicked over the facility before motioning Zim forward. Before he joined the tall one, Zim conducted his own scan of the area, fingering one of his blasters. Slowly, they advanced towards the fence, terribly aware of their visibility. The Invader quickly cut an opening in the fence in the same manner as he had the vent hours ago. It was large enough for him to crawl through, but the process had to be repeated in order for his companion to fit. Once inside the perimeter, they moved with the same, tense lethargy, hoping to whatever forces were on their side that no human would see them. Their antennae swept nervously in perfect circles, twitching frantically when their minds imagined a sound.
Reaching the shadow of the facility's wall, they paused, uncertain of what to do next. Indecision was abolished as their sensitive hearing picked up the crunch of snow against human boots. Zim glanced up at Jendai nervously. "Can you jump?" the Invader asked, unsure.
The mechanic gave him a grim look. "How high?" he answered without mirth.
"Top of the wall?"
Jendai only nodded, tensing his robotic legs. The attachments to an Irken back pod were created to give their users above-normal abilities, such as faster running, enhanced vision, things like that. Jumping to the top of a human building was well in the vicinity of what they could do. What Invader pods could do anyway. Zim wasn't sure if a Student pod could carry its owner that high. Hopefully, it would be different for one as tall as Jendai was. The Soldier jumped first, his organic legs scrambling for purchase on the slick roofing of the building. He crouched into position, taking deep breaths to slow his racing pulse. Wait. Where was Jendai? A quick scan of the roof proved fruitless. The Student was nowhere to be seen. He stood, jogging over to the edge, feet making deep imprints in the snow-covered rooftop. The sight almost made him fall off. Jendai hung from the roof by the tips of the upper pair of legs, his face set in grim determination and concentration. A hook slid out of the mechanic's pod, reaching up for Zim. He grabbed it and braced with both robotic and organic legs. Slowly, Jendai pulled himself up to crouch on the snowy roof beside the Invader. His chest was heaving. "God..." he said softly. "You Invaders are strong little things!"
"Yes," Zim agreed. "Should we proceed?"
"See if we can find a skylight," was the answer. Jendai caught his breath quickly, then started off in a random direction, Zim not far behind him.
The duo scanned the roof, their breath coming in puffs of white that stood out for a few moments before dispersing in the black of night. Every inch was searched, the robotic legs tapping down through the power, incase the glass might have been hidden from Irken eyes. An hour passed before they found one. It was small, round, and barely big enough to allow Jendai to slip through if they managed to shatter all the glass. Zim was of use once more, cutting a square hole big enough for both of them. The Invader jumped down first. After catching himself with his robotic legs, he looked around hurriedly, hoping their were no humans around. The corridor he'd landed in was empty. Nodding to Jendai, he moved out of the way and pulled out a blaster. Jendai crashed to the floor, landing none too gracefully; probably injuring his Student pride. When he pushed himself up, his face was cut, rose-colored blood dripping slowly down his olive-green face. "Damn, I'm graceful," he muttered, slowly wiping the blood and bit of glass from a cut above his left eye. He looked up and down the corridor, antennae twitching in the silent air. "Where do you think she is?"
Zim shook his head. "Not sure," he replied. "Can you hear her anywhere?" His own antennae swiveled in response to his question.
"No." Jendai walked off a few feet, twitched his antennae forward, then returned to Zim's side. "We should find a security office," the mechanic decided. "They'll have cameras we can spy with, not to mention disarm some stuff." He started off, blue eyes flicking across the labels on each door they passed. Unfortunately, they were all a jumble of letters and numbers. Now, they paused outside each, listening for anything that could tell them whether they would find humans, Merana or the security room on the other side.
More than once, a group of scientists or guards strolled by; forcing the Irkens to duck into the nearest empty room and pray the humans wouldn't enter. Within one of these rooms was a treasure trove of assault rifles. Grinning devilishly, Zim hefted one of the smaller ones, adjusting the strap over his chest to keep the human weapon out of his way until it was needed. Jendai did the same, only taking two, as his height granted him. He narrowed his eyes at the lack of spare ammunition. Humans never planned right. They would just have to use the blasters they'd brought until a tight situation presented itself. Equipped with their new weapons, the duo ducked back into the hall, keeping their antennae twitching for any sign of the Djemy.
At long last, their hopes were answered. Jendai froze suddenly. His antennae jerked so frantically Zim thought they would probably fall off. He darted over to a door, listening intently to what was happening on the other side. Zim heard it too, soft, beseeching and musical. He couldn't make out what it was saying; yet it made his pulse race nonetheless. "Stay here," Jendai whispered vehemently. "Defend hallway. Don't come in, whatever you do. That's an order. Break down doors for a blockade. I'll throw some stuff out there if I can." He tested the lock before cracking the door open and slipping inside. His eyes adjusted to the blackness, antennae focusing on the tiny point of light about five feet in front of him. The mechanic's Irken senses decided he was in a fairly large room, with one other breathing life form. Of their own accord, his antennae pricked forward, focusing on the softly chanting voice. She didn't know he was here. Only now was he able to hear what she was saying clearly. Only now was he able to distinguish what she had been trying to tell him through the door.
"Don't come in, 'Dai. They're waiting... Don't come in, 'Dai. They're waiting. They're here... Don't come in, don't come in... They know..."
Only now it was too late.
The lights flicked on, showing him a room bare of anything save a couple of tables and two doors, as an alarm started shrieking above him. His gloved hands gripped the sides of his head in pain. He'd been deceived. Now he could see Merana. She lay on a metal table, hands tied tightly to it, her shattered legs stretched out beneath her dirty skirt. Her face was pale, contorted with pain, her amber eyes dull. She stared at him numbly. All her jewelry, save her pendant, was gone. "No..." the Djemy murmured in quiet protest to his appearance. "No..." Before anything else could happen, humans filed quickly into the white, too-clean room, aiming guns at both aliens. "Set your weapons down!" one ordered, his aim unwavering. "Do it or she dies!"
Defeated, Jendai dropped his rifles and blaster. He couldn't even look at Merana, even as she cried out his name in denial as the humans grabbed him, forcing him down to his knees. His body hung, suspended in their firm grasp. He had no power to keep his knees beneath him now. If he tried, they would only give out, sending him flat on his face. One of them stayed to hold his gun over the Djemy as a threat. A familiar face strode in, grinning insanely. "Hello, Kaalae," Frank purred. "Congratulations. You found Merana Sali."
"Bastard," Jendai spat. His face contorted into an unconscious snarl. "Son of a bitch."
The human fired, angered by the curses. The Irken's body recoiled, wrenching itself from the grasp of his captors. Silence descended on the room. A laugh crackled unexpectedly from his throat. "A nice idea human," Jendai smirked, his voice unaltered by pain. The humans were stunned. Each one had seen the shot, witnessed the impact and now watched the sliver-pink blood run from the circular hole in the Irken's leg to the sterile, white floor. "Unfortunately you have much to learn about my condition. Once you so generously shoved your bullet through my spine, you paralyzed me. I suppose you don't know what that means." His even, cool tone mocked the human more than Jendai's curses could. "I'll tell you, seeing as you're so ignorant of my physiology. It means, you stupid bastard, that no matter what you do to any part of my body below the waist... I can't feel it. Not at all." Noticing his sudden freedom, the back pod's legs slid out, ready to propel him forward. The humans dived on him while the one guarding Merana abruptly shoved the gun closer to her head. She stayed quiet.
Frank approached, narrowing his gray eyes dangerously. "So... You say your legs cannot be harmed, eh?" He came closer, motioning one of the humans away to step behind Jendai. The Irken shuddered at his closeness. "But, what would happen if I were to do something to..." One hand searched below Jendai's back pod. Nauseated by the touch, yet unable to stop it, the mechanic could do no more than hold back his whimpers and try to keep himself from hyperventilating in sheer horror. "oh say, your back?" To illustrate his point, the human shoved his hand roughly against the place where the bullet was lodged. Jendai screamed and went limp. His blue eyes glazed over with pain. The humans dropped him, backing away when they realized the mechanic was in too much agony to be a threat right then. They left their boss to work him over. Frank advanced on Jendai, his fists prepared for his vengeance.
For his living punching bag, it was Irk all over again. He remembered to keep quiet, not to struggle, to let the blows come and bite his lip against the pain. You couldn't let them have the satisfaction of knowing how badly you wanted to scream, to cry out to make them stop the torture. That only made them beat you worse. The Soldiers would stop soon. They always did. Eventually, they would always get bored with a still target and leave. If you put up a fight, they laughed and either took out their weapons or kept at it until you passed out. No matter how hard he tried, the memories of earlier beatings kept surfacing.
" 'Dai! Help!"
"Where are you Kas? What's wrong!"
"Jendai help me! Please! Des is-ah! Stop it! Stop it! Please!"
"Kas! I can't find you! Where are you?"
"Help! No, please! Leave me alone!"
"I'm coming Kas!"
Silence.
"...Kas? Kasden! Where are you!? Kas!"
Purple eyes swollen, half-closed and filled with pain.
"Kas... Can you hear me?"
More silence. Not even the soft sound of breath or the faint thud of a pulse.
"Kas...? Kas, come on. Wake up."
Still nothing. Fear, sorrow, denial.
"St-stop playin K-Kas... C'm-mon. Let's... Let's go play with the books... Please wake up Kas! You're scaring me!"
No response.
"Kas..."
A flicker of movement, of Soldier-red eyes.
"Des! Get out here! What did Kas ever do to you?!"
Silence... overwhelming silence as purple eyes slid closed and blue ones filled with hate...
Damn the memories. Damn them to hell. He closed his eyes, forced his aching body relax, and prayed that Zim was holding his own out in the hall.

From the moment the alarm went off, Zim had his hands fuller than any battle in any war he'd ever fought in. Humans came racing in. The Invader hurriedly ducked into an open doorway and fired his blaster from what cover it provided. After a few moments of fire and return fire, he got the door off its hinges. With this to shield him, Zim ripped into the human ranks with the Irken weapon. Most were down before they could even fire off a shot in his direction. This kept damage to his shield to a minimum.
Standard Soldier combat style. Keep yourself alive and anyone else around you. Slaughter the enemy without mercy and without prejudice. A Soldier may be unfeeling in battle, but they were not without judgment. Young members of the enemy were left alive, as they could be reeducated to the Irken side. These humans were a threat to Zim and a fellow Irken and therefore had to be executed no matter what.
Not to mention they were trying to stop his mission.
The humans kept coming! There seemed to be an endless supply of humans willing to die for their planet. But, humans learned. They learned quickly. After the first dozen died, they took to firing from behind corners to get at him, forcing Zim to peer over the door to shoot. The constant fire from the humans was quickly wearing the door away. An idea formed in his Irken mind. Ducking down behind the door once more, he took the assault rifle from his shoulder and emptied the round into the ceiling. Zim's body was pressed hard against the floor with the force of the weapon's shots. He was unused to such force. Soldiers' weapons were formed perfectly for their body sizes. No matter how powerful they were, the kick never had the power to knock a Soldier down. Tiles and other debris crashed to the floor. Zim slowly climbed to his feet, throwing the now-useless weapon aside. This would serve as a most useful barrier.
Cautiously, he ducked behind this new barricade. There were several small holes he could fire from and be almost totally protected by. He made use of them efficiently. The humans who had not almost been crushed by the rain of debris did their best to obliterate the new cover, and were felled by easy shots from Zim's blaster. Their armor wasn't suited to the lazer fire.
The Invader peered through a larger hole, cautious of the projectiles bouncing around his body. He was able to get off a few rapid shots before one of the things managed to hit him. Suppressing a cry, Zim fell back, clutching his shoulder in horror. The thing burned... Burned like... like water! He hid in a recess of the barricade and removed his hand from the wound. A sigh of relief escaped him. The projectile had only grazed the flesh, becoming caught in the torn fabric of his Soldier uniform. He hissed as he pulled it out. The burn had transferred to his fingers, going through the glove to the tender skin beneath it. Frowning, Zim peered closer at the cylindrical object. Several open holes oozed drops of clear liquid like pores. Water...? These human projectiles now were infested with water!? Zim swore, tearing a few strips from his uniform to bind the wound.
"Hear me now, hUUUman stink!" the little Invader shouted over the crack of guns. "You will not survive this meeting with the INVINCIBLE ZIM!"
It was then his antennae pricked at the sound of Irken cries. Irken cries that were familiar and stabbed fear into his mind. Jendai's cries. The humans must have captured him! Zim shuddered in horror at the thought of what might be happening to his ally. He desperately wanted to help the mechanic, yet the warning of not to leave the hallway entered his mind. And there were far too many humans to leave his post safely. Zim growled in frustration.
This was proving more difficult than he'd originally thought.
There had to be some way to stop the flow of humans long enough to go to Jendai's aid. His large eyes fell on the yellow lights flashing on the side of the blaster. Barely enough to stay alive, he decided. The Irken's gaze now reverted to the ceiling over the place where the humans were coming from, a sharp corner heading off to the left. If he could perform the same maneuver there... Zim decided to risk it.
He poured all the power the lazer had left into that ceiling, an insane urge to destroy things flooding his reasoning and overpowering it. The tiled, too-clean ceiling caved in, burying any humans and rendering their mode of entrance vanished. As silence descended on the hallway, Zim made his way to the door, choking on the dust that had begun to fill the room. He jumped in his attempt to reach the doorknob. Cursing the humans once more, he backed up, preparing to charge the door.

The blows finally stopped. His right arm was broken, he could tell that from the agony emanating from it. The arm was by far the worst injury. Although he was sure one or two of his ribs suffered the same fate. Other than a few cuts and a large, very tender, bruise on his temple, the rest of his body felt sore, but otherwise fine. Something felt wrong with his leg though... but, due to the paralysis of the limb, he couldn't be sure. His lip was cut and he could taste blood in his mouth.
Jendai took a few, shallow, shaky breaths, not daring to move. Was this human really finished...? Was the beating truly over? Or was it some twisted joke on his sanity? He clutched the broken arm to his chest as best he could, to protect it. "You've been most fun, Kaalae," Frank gave that sardonic, overconfident smile of one who knows they've beaten their opponent in more ways than the loser could ever dream of. "And so has the little Djemy." He moved to the table, waving away the human holding the gun to Merana's head. The human with the gun walked over to Jendai, guarding him now. A syringe was plucked from a smaller table. "But I'm afraid it's time to stop playing, however enjoyable it was."
"What are you going to do, now that your thirst for 'fun' has ended?" Jendai hissed, his painful arm not allowing him to speak much louder.
The human looked as if he were deep in thought, running a stubby finger down the side of his face, grazing the premature beard growing there. In his other hand, the clear fluid in the syringe sloshed as it was tapped against the table with absent gentleness. Jendai's eyes focused intently on it. "Kill you," Frank said finally, staring coolly into the intense blue gaze. "But not you first, Kaalae, you're far too much fun to torment." He watched the stiff antennae prick forward nervously. Those were a part of the alien's anatomy that would be the most fun to study. Perhaps he could even keep them, as souvenirs of the project of course. A slow smirk traversed his face as he saw how hard Jendai Kaalae was struggling to keep a poker face.
"And by that you mean...?" the alien asked finally, his voice filled with pain.
"By that I mean," he picked up a lock of the Djemy's silver-blonde hair, running it through his fingers. Again, the struggle not to show emotion, not to attack. God he was enjoying this! "I have seen how much you care for her, Kaalae," Frank said evenly. "I saw how you protected her every time I came to your door. Don't think I didn't notice your face when you touched her." He dropped the hair. "I know how you feel for her. How sweet. An alien bastard loving an alien slut that isn't even his own species." He almost laughed at the anger breaking through the overly calm exterior. "Why do you care for her so? Is it because she stopped you from dying fourteen years ago? Or do you simply love her body?" The green skin darkened to nearly black. "Ah, I can see it isn't. No male, human or otherwise, would react to the truth that way."
The lips parted in a snarl. "Get to the point human."
Frank laughed this time, a mirthless sound that filled the room and caused the other humans to smirk. "Such defiance is useless," he snapped, calming. "yet so very classic of you." He held up the syringe. "I will heartily enjoy your reaction to this. My point is, that I will watch your proud face fill with anguish as Merana Sali dies at my hands."
Jendai struggled into a sitting position, but was unable to rise. His guards kept him down, both with guns to his head and a tight grip on his arms. "Bastard!" the Irken shouted, olive-green skin paling with both fear and rage. "She hasn't done anything!" He fought his captors' holds, only to cry out and fall limp when they gripped his broken arm. "Damn you!" he choked out around the pain. "Damn you..."
"Wonderful show," Frank chuckled, applauding. "Your performance is exactly as I'd hoped. It is unfortunate that it is unable to sway my decision." He stopped when something heavy crashed against the door, bounced off and rolled away. "What the hell?" was all Frank had time to say before the tiny body launched itself into the hellhole.
Blaster gripped tightly in his gloved hands, Invader Zim crouched like some green avenging angel, aiming at the nearest human. He was breathing heavily with bloodstains on his otherwise immaculate uniform, a wound seeping the fluid onto the rest of his body, but unharmed in any other way. Crimson eyes were fiery with hate and anger, his antennae flicking between fury and aggression. All activity in the room halted. "Let my allies go free, wormbeasts," he ordered, panting voice holding more power than his stance. He spoke with the exalted tone of one who had been obeyed before, and expected the same treatment once more. No human dared to move. "Now!" Zim shouted, finger tightening over the trigger. The shot rang out as the lazer blast caught one of Jendai's guards full in his chest. He fell, unmoving, to the cold floor. The other three stared in horror. Frank was the first to move. He hurriedly jabbed the needle into Merana's arm, pushing the plunger before Zim could swivel his aim and fire once more. The other humans needed no further persuasion to flee; tearing out of the room as if the devil were behind them. The Invader let them go... then sank to the floor, clutching his shoulder and gasping with fear. His little chest heaved.
For a long while, nobody moved. The reality of their failure took time to sink in.
Jendai was the first to get up. His robotic legs moved him weakly forward, as if their master's beating injured them as well. Horror filled him. How could he let this happen...? He slowly approached the table, blue eyes pained with more than physical wounds. Zim stayed silent, respecting Jendai's right to grieve in peace. He watched as one gloved hand slid under Merana's neck, lifting her up a fraction from the steel table. The broken arm's hand draped feebly over her waist. The Invader looked away.
"Mer..." Jendai whispered hoarsely. "Oh god... oh god, Mer... I'm so-" Tears choked the tall mechanic's throat. "I'm sorry..."
"Do you remember the last CD I gave you...?" a voice he never thought he'd hear again asked, so quiet even he could barely hear it. "The... 'The Calling'?"
He looked at the amber eyes, eyes that were barely open. Her breath came sharply and raggedly. "Yeah," he said, trying to keep the Irken tears from hitting her face and chest. "I do. I listen to it still."
"How does... track eleven go?"
"Of course I do," Jendai murmured. Softly, to keep her happy, he began to sing, covering the silence with the words.
"If I give up on you I give up on me
If we fight what's true, will we ever be
Even God himself and the faith I knew
Shouldn't hold me back, shouldn't keep me from you

Tease me, by holding out your hand
Then leave me, or take me as I am
And live our lives, stigmatized..."
He stopped, waiting to see if he should continue. Merana gave a subtle nod. Jendai leaned in closer, the look on his face telling the room he believed every word of what he said.

"I can feel the blood rushing though my veins
When I hear your voice, driving me insane
Hour after hour day after day
Every lonely night that I sit and pray."
Sensing her time was coming to an end, Jendai skipped the next verse, going straight to the finale of the heartfelt song.

"I believe in you
Even if no one understands
I believe in you, and I don't really give a damn
If we're stigmatized
We live our lives on different sides
But we keep together you and I
We live our lives on different sides

We gotta live our lives
Gotta live our lives
We're gonna live our lives..."
With a last bit of strength, Merana raised her head, her pale and trembling lips touching the Irken's, just barely. He held her up, allowing kiss to deepen. Tears came from both eyes now. They both knew. They finally knew how much the other cared for them, that they hadn't been wrong, not once. They finally knew that they loved each other. When the kiss broke, Merana looked up at him. "I knew it," she whispered almost silently to him. "You..."
"How could I not?" he stammered around the lump in his throat. "You saved me... I... I always loved you."
A soft smile covered her face. Then, the amber eyes closed, taking the Djemy away from him.
Jendai held her for a long time after she left. His shoulders shook. The bitter pain, so obvious in his face, overpowered him. He sobbed hysterically. "Oh god... god no!" he cried, still refusing to let his tears fall on the body. "Mer... it's my fault... Merana!" The Irken buried his face in her hair, cries echoing through the room.
From his position beside the door, Zim also wept. Never before had he shed tears for another life, not once in his long Soldier career. It was a relief to finally be able to do so. Yet, he never thought such relief would come at such a great price. He sat, his head in hi hands, weeping silently and watching the death of true love.