A.N. I wonder if this can be called pathetic? Writing nearly five chapters in less than two days? Well, they are short after all…. After all… I use that phrase a lot don't I? Well damn! Anyway, here is chapter 3, and once more we visit Dib. Well, project D.I.B…. Bwahah!

Disclaimer: Again, what on god's green earth would make you think that I own anything other than this extremely torqued, idea? I do not own shit! -

Project D.I.B.

Chapter: 03

It was the sound of running that woke him. He hadn't even remembered falling back asleep, and blearily, Dib opened his amber eyes, and blinked a couple of times, trying to recall why he was sitting up on his bed, blanket flopped over his head and wound about his small form, as he sat against the wall.

And why he had his glasses on.

I had a nightmare… the nightmare, again. And then, I was looking at the stars…

Dib gasped jumping into full wakefulness and he tumbled from the sheets, jumping to his feet and scrambling to the door that the sound was coming from.

"Hey! Open up, quickly, there's a ship! A star ship! Hey!" Dib called, pounding his tiny hands against the unmoving white door. The noise was muffled by the outer walling of vinyl-plastic that covered the entirety of his room, and he doubted that he could be heard.

He knew from experience that, unless Gaz was in the monitoring room, jumping in front of the camera would do him no good either.

No one ever listened to him.

For some reason, Dib felt as though he'd already known that for a long time.

Perhaps, he knew it a little more clearly than he should. The feeling of being taunted by stupidity and those who ignored the truth, seemed an old wound in his heart. Something he'd long learned to expect, but that didn't make much sense.

Letting out an annoyed huff, the small white boy moved to his dresser, pulling out a red, long-sleeved, thin black-lined shirt and quickly removed his baby blue sleeping top. Once the shirt was on, he grabbed a larger, dark-blue shirt with a bored looking smiley face on its front and pulled it over top.

The shirt hung to his knees, and the sleeves covered up to his elbows, but he loved that top. Regardless of the small hole in the center of the white face, and the soft red stain that discolored one side of the said face. Gaz had given it to him on his fourteenth birthday, though, when he thought about it, it wasn't really a birthday. He was simply celebrating the day he came to live on the ship. He usually did not get gifts, or even a party. But, Professor Membrane had congratulated him on completing another year of life, and then spent the whole day running tests on him.

Only Gaz ever came to wish him a grudging, "Happy Birthday," and would usually sneak him some cake—one of the only human foods that he could keep down. She'd only given him one gift, in all his years of life, and it was that shirt.

"It's a very important shirt, Dib, so don't you dare wreak it!"

Gaz's threat had held firm, but even if she had said nothing about it, Dib would have treasured it. It was his only gift. Dib ran his hands over the material, and smiled, feeling oddly connected to the shirt, but as he'd done from the moment he'd first put it on, he ignored the strange feelings of déjà vu, and the way Gaz had stumbled over his name, and went about his life.

Dib quickly removed his pajama bottoms and threw them upon his messy bed as well, grabbing his denim shorts and pulling them on, the bottoms quickly vanishing beneath his long shirt.

Dressed, Dib turned and glared at the camera placed in the room. He made a crude gesture he'd seen Gaz use before, hoping that maybe if he aggravated the viewer, that the person would come to throttle him, and he'd have a chance to warn them of the approaching ship.

Of course, no one came.

Oh, yeah, the ship! Dib thought, diving back onto his bed, and peering out through the window. His jaw fell slack and he blinked several times wondering if he was by chance seeing things.

There was nothing there.

"but… but, I saw it! It was coming right at us! It would have had to have crashed into us, or at least boarded…"Dib trailed off, as a new thought entered his mind, and he jumped to his feet on the bed, looking to the door anxiously. "Unless they're all ready here!" Dib jumped from the bed, and circled himself for a moment, trying to think of a place to hide, or a weapon to use against the intruders. "I have to protect myself, if I have any hope of saving the ship!" Dib said aloud.

He found plastic screwdriver, something from one of the asinine tests, and grabbed it before hiding beneath his bed, to wait out his capture.

He didn't have to wait long.

With a low sound, the door eased open, and Dib swallowed back a cry, as dark legs moved into the room. They paused, obviously thrown by the lack of presence in the room, and moved toward the bed.

With a battle cry Dib drove his weapon into the foot, hard, and heard a muffled yelp as he dashed between the legs of his captor and darted toward the still open door.

"Dib!"

The unexpected shout of his name, made the small boy turn his head, and he collided painfully into someone.

"Ouch!" Dib cried out as the impact tossed him to the floor. He closed his eyes tight at the pain, but quickly opened them when he realized that he'd been caught. Horrified he looked up to his captors and found…

"Gaz?" Amber eyes blinked curiously up at the tall, glaring, woman, still trying to figure out what had happened, when the person he'd attacked spoke his name again, in a low rumbling voice.

"Dib, what were you doing just now?"

Turing around, Dib swallowed in embarrassment, finding himself staring at none other than Professor Membrane. "… dad?" Dib whispered shakily, afraid that he was going to be punished for stabbing his adoptive father with a plastic screw driver. But when no immediate punishment followed, Dib, looked up and into the covered face of a man he'd known all his life, yet, never known at all.

"Well, Dib?" Membrane asked, referring to his other question, and Dib jumped to his feet running over to the man and fisting his tiny hands before his chest, his explanation tumbling from his lips with uncanny, practiced ease.

"I saw an alien space ship approaching! I swear it! Last night, it was coming right at us! You have to believe me! It was alien's dad alie—"

"I'm not making this up, and I am not crazy, dad! Zim is an ALIEN! He's planning to take over the world damn it! Listen to me!"

All the air seemed to leave Dib's lungs as a memory flooded through his mind.

But it wasn't his own.

Yes, it was… I remember, I was in the kitchen with Dad's monitor, and Gaz was playing her Game Slave 2 at the table… Dib blinked in confusion. Wait… what's a Game Slave? And… I'm not allowed in the kitchens… Dib, quickly shoved the scared feeling that was growing inside of him, away, and concentrated on the argument taking place at the moment.

"I know, son." Membrane said with pride, and Dib's head shot up in shock.

"You do?" Dib asked, before placing his hand to his mouth.

Why am I questioning him? Dib, looked up at the smiling man, feeling a great happiness inside. Somehow, he had the feeling that the professor should not believe him, and for some odd reason, Dib had expected to be called crazy. … on top of that, why did I call it an Alien space ship? I'm practically an alien… and of course it's a spaceship. Hell, we're on a spaceship!

"Of course I believe you son!" Membrane said, his voice sounding off, almost choked, and dream-like. But then again, the professor was always like that when he spoke with Dib. "After all, we caught them."

Dib felt his heart flutter slightly, and knew that somehow, he should be a little more excited than he was. "You did?"

"Yes. It looks like it was a patrol ship, full of the little buggers." Membrane said, standing taller as if proud of himself. Dib grinned in return desperately wanting to see the aliens, but knew that a request like that would not be taken with joy.

Dib turned to Gaz, still smiling, hoping that maybe she'd sneak him by later, and stilled feeling his insides twist. Gaz was glaring at her father with something close to hatred. The look made Dib's blood run cold. Confused, he reached out to gain her attention, and stilled once again when he found her hands fisted by her side.

Gaz's eyes were always squinted, and you hardly ever saw her eyes under her perpetual scowl, but this time, Dib could see the angered brown. Gaz's eyes were extremely easy to read, which was probably why she scowled all the time, to hide them, and right now it was very clear to Dib, that Gaz was not only angry but hurt.

Betrayed.

"Come see them Dib. I know you must be dying to." Said Membrane with a sudden joyous note, his hand moving down to usher Dib out. Elation swelled inside at the loving gesture and Dib grinned nodding his head, just as he father's hand came into contact with it.

Membrane jerked, and Dib blinked up confused. For a moment, no one moved, then, Membrane laughed, pulled his hand back and began to lead the way. "This way son!"

Dib felt cold again. Somehow, he knew the laugh shouldn't be there, but like most everything else, he didn't know why, so he didn't dwell on it. Looking back at Gaz, Dib found her scowling once more, and felt it safe enough to ask her.

"Gaz…" Dib had the urge to reach out and hold her hand, but didn't want her to get angry with him, so he twisted his fingers together in front of him instead.

Gaz was now turned to him, a sign that meant he had her attention. "Gaz, what's wrong?" Dib's small question seemed to have a negative effect on her, as she snarled and walked passed him quickly.

"You coming or not?" She called back, and Dib ran to catch up.

The door slid shut with the same rush of air, and Dib fell into place next to Gaz, his legs moving quickly to keep up with her long strides. He could hear Gaz muttering under her breath, and listened, while watching his feet making sure not to trip on the ridges.

"Trying to make it up to him… to bring him back… bastard… replacing him… won't do a damn bit of good." There were several more curses before she fell silent and Dib found himself before the observation room.

"I get to go behind there?" Dib asked, awed that for once he was not going to be the one observed. Membrane was already there, and he chuckled, punching in a code and opened the door.

"Of course, Dib."

Gaz flinched.

Inside, there were lots of chairs and computers set before a wall of glass that served as a one-way window. Dib blinked and adjusted his glasses as they slipped. He'd never seen anything quiet like it. It was both unnerving and exciting to know that the room existed. He'd been the one observed inside before now, but, he wasn't being so at the moment.

A shattering cry made Dib jump, and his insides quivered and tensed. Ice slithered down his spine and made his mouth turn dry. His temples throbbed as he broke into a sheen of sweat.

It was a cry that told him to run, and Dib felt his head hum with the echoed pain from the being that released it. Cautiously, he turned, facing the glass, Membrane's voice trailing off as he moved to stand beside one of the other doctors, sounding pleased, and joyous, as though the screams were funny.

Hot tears stung the backs of Dib's eyes and he choked on vomit as amber met the horror that was taking place beyond. The alien's, were small, only slightly bigger then he was. Their skin a green color, with large pupil-less eyes with different shades of red and purple. They had some sort of shell on their backs, though the one who had screamed had just had his ripped forcefully from his back, and now thick blue blood poured from his torn flesh, and dribbled from his open mouth, his eyes blank, void of life.

Dib was shaking uncontrollably, eyes darting toward another scream as water fell upon him from a jet hidden in the wall. He cried out in agony as the acid ate away at his skin, doubling him up, his skin smoking.

Several doctor's laughed, and Dib felt horrified, and desperately guilty for doing the same once.

Huh, doing the same… how could I? I am burned by water too… so how could I find that funny?

"Shall we take one for an autopsy?" A doctor questioned, and Dib's world collapsed around him.

Intense guilt, and sorrow filled him, and he shakily moved toward the glass. This wasn't right, he had to stop it, he had to save them. Some how, he had to save… him.

How can they do this? They're… like me… so why are they, doing such horrible things? Why!

Dib's hand fisted by his side, shaking with a hurt rage. He turned swiftly to the laughing men, a snarl on his face. His eyes flashed red, with hate, and he felt his fists open, fingers curling into claw-like weapons.

I have to save them…

The ship rocked violently to the side, throwing Dib to the ground painfully, as everyone in the room cried out and grabbed on to something to keep themselves standing.

A loud explosion sounded through the halls, and the lights flickered several times. Dib blinked amber eyes in fearful confusion, all the rage from before, mysteriously gone.

"What's going on?" He asked, when several doctors started to panic and scream that 'they're here!' Another lurch of the ship, and the emergency lighting came on.

"Intruders on board. Intruders on board, cell block B." the computerized voice echoed through the halls and suddenly, everyone was moving at once. Dib whimpered, dodging feet and white clothed bodies.

Someone snatched him up by the arm, and he screamed, as he was lifted from the ground before recognizing the sterilized smell of his surrogate father. Dad, why do you do this… why care for me when you… kill things that look like me? Dib placed his head against his father, hearing the rapid beat in his ear spot. It was soothing, and yet saddening to hear it.

He was quickly dumped into the arms of another person, and he let out a startled sound, turning and wrapping his arms around their neck, fearful of falling. Purple surrounded him.

Gaz…

"Take him to his room, whatever you do, do not let them find him!" The professor was yelling, as he ran past them, toward the head of the ship. Dib watched him go, from over Gaz's shoulder, his own heart pounding harshly in fear.

We're under attack? By who? Dib had the feeling that he should know that, but wasn't able to ponder on it for long, as Gaz began to shake.

"Gaz?" Dib slowly let go of her, fearful that she was angry, and nearly screamed when he saw her laughing.

"… he's come back."

"Gaz?" Dib tried again, but was forced to hold onto Gaz as she sharply turned and quickly walked back to his room. Dib's head was swimming in confusion as he was suddenly dumped on his bed.

"Gaz!" Dib cried out, pushing himself up, intending to follow. He couldn't just sit there in hiding! He had to… to..

To what? What can I do?

Dib was stopped by a surprisingly gentle hand that covered his shoulder. Looking up, he was shocked to find Gaz smiling at him gently, though not necessarily, kindly. "Listen you idiot, you have to take care of yourself, and be happy. You hear? I won't let Dib die unhappily again, you hear me?"

"What? But, I'm Dib—" Dib's complaint was cut short as Gaz rubbed his head as though he had hair to mess up.

"Yes, I know. You're Project D.I.B. An acronym." Gaz said, and Dib pushed her hand off his head and nodded emphatically, about to remind her yet again, when she spoke a final time, her words making him even more confused, and frightened. "I'm talking about Dib, my older brother. My dead older brother."

The words paralyzed him, and Dib blinked, suddenly seeing in his mind, a boy with pale skin, and golden eyes framed by thick glasses. Black hair messily sitting on his head, matching his black attire and bored smiley shirt. He was rambling about something, so full of life, but the image was tainted with Gaz's sadness, and regret.

Gaz pulled away.

The image vanished.

"Stay here, stupid." Gaz said, walking from the room. Dib was freed from his paralysis by her movement, and leaped to his feet running after his sister.

"Gaz! Wait, stop, you can't—" But the door had already slid shut. "Gaz!" Dib shouted pounding on the door with his fists, when he heard the muffled sound of her voice through the door.

"Just like him… you are. I'm sure Zim will think so as well." She was silent, and Dib could hear the echoing tap of her shoes on the ground signaling her retreat.

"Gaz!" Dib cried out, ready to start throwing a fit, when the lights cut out, plunging the room into darkness. Dib let out a startled cry, fear immediately engulfing his mind. "They cut the power… how can I… how can I get out now?" Dib whimpered, and after several minutes of pounding on his door, with no response, quickly crawled to his bed, pulling the blankets around him as he curled up in the center of the bed, shaking. "Some one… save me…"

Dib swallowed hard, looking down at his shirt, finger tracing the tiny hole sadly. "I don't… understand you… Gaz."

"He's an alien! Why can't you see it Gaz! God, I don't understand you!"

Dib let out a whimper, a lick, saline-like, liquid escaping his eyes like tears. "I… I don't understand… myself."

Dib curled into a ball, and sobbed.

A.N. Well, sorry for the crappy cliff-hanger, if you can even call it that. I might re-write this chapter, but for now, it is finished! Guess this isn't so much of an alternate universe now… oh well! - Please drop a review and I will return shortly with the next installment.