"Come on. We have to get a lot done before the Morning guards come check everything." It would be a few hours. He stood to his full height and jumped out of the cube, taking a few steps before turning back to look at Zim. "Ready to come out of your prison?"

The sound that flooded the air around Zim was nearly deafening and he loved it. The sound of the machines whirring in the distance was music to the small Irken. Every footstep the human made echoed in the most beautiful way.

He sprang to his feet after Dib and watched the taller male jump into freedom. He stopped at the very edge, looking apprehensive. What if this was a trap? After a moment, he decided that he didn't care; he'd rather be in any other situation than in that damned box.

With a triumphant gleam, Zim hopped out. His boots hit the tile and Zim let out a victorious cackle."Keep me—ZIM—locked up!? I THINK NOT!"

Dib winced and then smirked, straightening up and walking towards the control panel. "Damn, Zim. You're kind of loud." Had he just not noticed it in the cube or was this just a onetime thing, a cry of freedom?

"Okay. So, there are a few alarms to disable in here. Several down the hallway and at least ten in the front entrance…if that's where we'll be escaping from." A new idea popped into Dib's head. "Where did you say your ship was? There are actually less alarms the further up you go in the building. There's only one to open the roof door. Eh."

It would be so much easier. Granted if they could get to the alien's ship from on top. Which seemed impossible. Dib shook his head. Stupid idea. He pushed the alarm button on the control pad, beginning work on disabling them.

"The cruiser is brilliantly hidden nearby." Zim stated rather proudly, ignoring the human's comment. He peeked around him to see what he was working on. "If you can get us to the roof, Zim can take it from there." Using his PAK legs to scale the wall would be effortless. But then again…the human looked sort of heavy.

He shook his head in surprise. Why was he worried about carrying the human? Wasn't he just going to leave him here? That was the plan, anyway. Zim had no need for the Dib-creature after getting out of here, that much was certain.

But yet, Zim couldn't help but mull over the possible uses the human could offer in the future. He seemed to know his way around Earth defenses, which was always useful. Zim muttered thoughtfully to himself, feeling conflicted.

Finally, he settled on crossing that bridge when he got to it, and focusing on the matter at hand."So what kinds of tripping mechanisms are we looking at here? Cameras, pressure plates, lasers?" He had made the mistake of underestimating the labs the first time he was captured, he wasn't about to do that again. He took his place next to the taller male as he watched him work.

Well, that was a plan. Dib glanced sideways at Zim with a half smile. "Everything. On the door here we have cameras outside and all down the hallway there's pressure plates with sensory lasers. And out the front entrance there's all of the above and dart traps, canyons, drop cages and watch dogs." Dib snorted and began shutting down this room's cameras. "None of which actually are what they sound like."

"That doesn't sound…too bad." Zim said with a bit of sarcasm. "Depending on how heavy your big head is, I can maybe get us over the majority of all that." He thought out loud, not taking his eyes off of the human's hands. It was interesting to watch those fingers work; Zim thought having five digits would cause for some poor coordination, but it seemed the Dib-creature was perfectly capable of obtaining some grace with them.

"Zim's gotten out of worse situations, before."

"Really?" Dib raised an eyebrow, typing in the passcode that turned off the outwards cameras. "Like what? Oh and are you going to help me? Or does the Almighty Zim want me to do all the work?" And…wait? What? Big head? Heavy….us. Huh. What was Zim planning? Dib had figured that once he'd gotten Zim out of the building that would be it. Apparently not. And his head wasn't big.

"Almighty Zim is right," Zim scoffed as he reached up and mimicked Dib's actions across the control panel. The technology was rather primitive, but Zim still didn't want to chance messing things up.

"And you wouldn't believe how many times I've had to get myself out of hostile situations, this is nothing, really." He boasted, a smirk forming across his face. "But I am tenacious, see? Nothing can keep this Invader down, not even primitive security systems. I was bested once but oh-ho not again..."

His fingers froze in their place. Well…maybe the human didn't catch it. He chanced a quick glance at Dib to make sure.

"Heh. I see wha—" Invader. Dib's own fingers froze over the screen, as his brain computed. He looked over at Zim who was looking at him with an expression of…fear? A cold feeling dropped into his stomach and his heart stopped. He stared at those magenta eyes. "Invader? What do you mean, Invader?"

Zim quickly looked back down to avoid those dangerous eyes. His gut turned uncomfortably and he forced a nervous laugh. It was dry and humorless.

"Invader? Is that what you heard?" Another dry chuckle. "You speak nonsense." His voice nearly cracked, but he tried to stay casual and forced his fingers to move over the control panel, slowly. "What would an invader be doing on Earth? Earth is useless, it wouldn't prove useful in anyway, heh heh."

It didn't even take a second to think before Dib's hand closed around the alien's wrist to stop him from moving. His throat felt constricted with fear. Zim looked so guilty. "Zim. Invader. Have I been an idiot? Have I been helping the enemy this whole time?"

Please say no. Please say no. For Earth's sake, for Dib's sanity and for Zim's own life. Because he really didn't want Zim dead. There had been no reason for those scientists to cut him open, so he'd been ready to throw his own life down on the line to save another creature's. But, if Zim was…if he was a killer…Dib would be forced to die for his people. Because there was no way that he was letting Earth be destroyed.

Zim yelped in surprise at the sudden, strict contact. Dib's hand clasped tightly around the Irken's small wrist, more out of panic than anything it seemed, and the Irken's breathing stopped for a moment.

He was cornered, once again. And once again, it was his own fault, not that he'd admit to it. What could he do? He still needed the Dib-creature on his side. If it weren't for Dib, he'd be dead, and he still could be if things didn't turn in Zim's favor soon.

"Zim is not the enemy you need to worry about." He admitted, shakily. "I was sent here merely to scope out the defenses, ready the planet if you will." He paused and jerked his hand away from the human's vice grip. Zim had done nothing wrong, but still he felt something in his chest churn and thump spastically. Maybe it was the creature's height, or those smoldering eyes that bored into Zim's tiny frame, seeking the truth.

Zim straightened out his back. "The Armada is coming for Earth. And this planet will not stand a chance…"

"No." All the air left him and Dib's hands fell on top of the control panel. "No. This can't happen…" And suddenly it was as though the fate of everything was on his shoulders. Hyperventilating the human pushed himself away from his seat, from the alien because he was shaking so badly. "When?" Dib paced over to the far end of the lab, fingers pulling at his hair. "Who? What do you mean the Armada? Thi-this…no. No."

And suddenly the fear was gone, replaced with white hot anger and that stubborn determination. Dib spun on his heel to stare at Zim, stonily. "You…you've been an 'Invader' this whole time. Did you not look around and see all the people you would be killing if you did this?"

Dib scoffed and shook his head, disgusted with himself and with Zim. But, mostly Zim. "Oh but, of course you didn't. We're just ants aren't we? Stupid little bugs that have horrible technology and outdated text books and who kill each other and—"
His hands were balled into fists.

Zim found himself taking a few steps back when those amber orbs found their way back to him. What had Zim unleashed, here? The seemingly meek Dib-child had somehow turned into a rage filled beast. Zim had to suppress a smirk. Now he was sure that there really was potential underneath that weak façade.

But first things first; he had to get Dib back on his side.

"Dib-creature, Zim has direct orders from the Tallest. I couldn't possibly defy them. To defy the Tallest would mean a trip out of the airlock, definitely." Although that was only half of it. "But if you get us out of here, there may be a chance to stop it…"

Was there? Dib swallowed his anger though it hovered beneath the surface. He paced back towards the alien, trying to stay as calm as possible and therefore keeping his face blank. Could there be hope? He searched Zim's expression, and finding nothing there to doubt before he scowled and glanced over at the control panel. "Fine. Tell me while I work. Key word: I."

Zim let out the breath he had been holding as Dib turned away to continue his work on the control panel.

"Look, back when Irk was just starting the movement to take over, we were offering treaties left and right to build up our allies and, by extension, power." Zim started, running his hands over his face. "I'm sure that there are still some that are still intact; some sort of loop-hole that can provide protection for Earth…"

And it was true. Zim wasn't aware of any at the moment, but he was certain that there could be some sort of left-over loophole. But was Zim willing to actually give up his mission for this human? No. Not really. But he needed the Dib-creature still.

"You get us out of here, and we can find something." He took a few steps closer to the human. "Either way, I'm the only chance you've got to protect this ball of dirt."

Dib grimaced at Zim, fingers flying over the control panel. "Yeah I got that, E.T. Sounds good. It better protect it." The 'or else' hung there. "Now, shut up and let me work since you're no help and I only have an hour to get these things down. Unless of course you want to spend another day in that." A nod towards the cube.

Zim growled. "Listen here, you worm-child!" Zim snapped, his antennae springing forward as he pointed an accusing finger at the human. "We're stuck in this mess together, and if you think Zim is going to sit idly by so you can be the hero, then you've got another thing coming!"

He marched over and elbowed his way into his spot next to the human. "I'm not about to let you mess this up because your poor human feelings got hurt. You know as well as I do that this will work better and faster if we both do it, and I don't want to hear you gripe about it!" He huffed and began his work on the panel, glaring down at his fingers as he did so.

Dib's jaw clenched. "First of all, moron, my feelings are not hurt. I'm pissed because I just found out that my planet might be destroyed. You try being in the best of spirits if you'd heard that. And secondly, fine. I'm through with the cameras in this room, half way done with the pressure sensors and I've only been working for ten minutes. I think I would do just fine. However, if you wish to help work on the front entrance using these passcodes. It will be the hardest part."

Dib hadn't known he could be this...horrible. But, he didn't really feel all that bad. Zim had lied to him from the beginning. Okay. Maybe his feelings were hurt a little bit. These last couple days had been filled with wonder because there had been an alien and there had been new things to learn. And Zim had seemed…a bit crazy but nice. Maybe he was stupid for thinking that anything could've come from him helping Zim. Gratitude, yes. And a friend, maybe.

Maybe it was all those stupid, childhood dreams of having an alien friend, of being something of an ambassador between two planets. Stupid. Really, freaking stupid.

"Gladly!" Zim snapped, bitterly. "And I can do it in HALF the time." He grumbled lowly and set to work. He hated this Dib. He was stubborn and stood up to Zim, which only made things worse. Where was that curious Dib-creature that Zim had seen only moments ago? Maybe he would leave his ass to rot in this dump, after all.

"And it wasn't like I had a choice." Zim mumbled as he put in the passcodes with quick fingers. Although it wasn't like he needed to explain himself. Zim wasn't in the wrong here, of course. He wasn't caging people up to dissect them. And yet the atmosphere seemed to smog around them, urging Zim to clear the air. "And I was lied to, as well, you know. You told me they'd let me go."

Dib slammed his fist down on the control panel and growled. "Well, I told you didn't I? I didn't think they'd do it. I mean who kills something new and wonderful? I could've let you die, but I didn't. You only let me know this because you fucking slipped up!"

A raw stab of pain hit his chest. "You would've let me and my entire planet die!" Another pain, another reason to hit someone for the first time. No. He shoved the anger down, pushed it away because in order to save said planet, he had to calm down. "Look, just…stop talking." He quietly picked at the keys, putting another set of numbers into line, breaking down another barrier.

Zim worked in silence for a while, but couldn't get one thing out of his mind. Dib had been the only tolerable creature on this planet, even if he was nosy and a bit obnoxious. He was still fairly bright, even by Irken standards. Was he really planning on leaving him on Earth to be destroyed? He had a lot of promise. He couldn't ignore this, especially when he had grown up on this pitiful planet. Imagine what he would be capable of with proper training.

"I wasn't going to leave you here." He mumbled, not looking up at the human. He was willing to leave it be, but then something else popped into Zim's head that caused him to look up at the human, not being able to suppress a smirk.

"You think Zim is wonderful?"

Dib scowled, feeling a whole barrage of emotions; anger, excitement, shock and embarrassment. "Once again,...firstly…" Well what did he even say to that? He cracked his neck. "You weren't going to leave me here? What did you plan on doing? Kidnapping me an-and taking me back to your planet?" Gosh that sounded awesome. "And secondly,…yeah." He sighed and fought the urge to bang his head against the panel. "You're an alien. You're filled with knowledge, memories from space and you're awesome looking and were pretty cool until I found out you were a big jerk."

Zim gleamed proudly as he finished up his side of the work, entering the last passcode. "I'm not sure. I just didn't want potential to go to waste." He admitted, a little too honestly for his liking. "But kidnapping would imply you didn't want to go." He shot the human a smug, knowing look. It wasn't hard to tell that Dib was excited about getting off his planet. He had made that very easy to read in those passionate eyes of his.

"And Zim is pretty wonderful." He sang as he rested his hands on the panel. He drummed his claws against the metal framing. "Your compliments are very well deserved and I accept them." He grinned.

Glowering, Dib realized that Zim had gotten his work done. And that just pissed him off more. Only to fizzle out entirely for many reasons that he didn't feel proud of. The alien thought he had potential? And how did he know Dib would want to go?

In order to shove away these crazy feelings, he glanced sideways at Zim and tried not to smirk at the moron's smug face. "Did you not hear the jerk part of my compliments? Because you are, Yanno?"

"Are you not done, yet?" Zim blatantly ignored his statement, peering over Dib's hands. "What happened to being able to get it done in ten minutes?" He reached out to move the human's hands away. "Let me do it, we don't have time for your fumbling around."

Dib's smile fell and he glared at the Irken, keeping his hands firmly on the table. "Well, I've been talking to an egotistical moron for one. Oh and just so you know, I really want to punch you." In fact it was a strong urge that he found nearly impossible to subdue. "We have time and I'm nearly done. Besides after we do this we still have to wait till the night guards leave."

Zim nearly slumped over the panel, but managed to hold himself up with a groan. He was growing increasingly impatient with his surroundings; the once welcome buzz of machinery now grinding on his already worn nerves. "If you insist." He grumbled, watching his fingers dance across the panel.

"I do." Dib replied snobbishly, quickly typing and after only a few set backs finished his half of the work and then nearly jumped away from the panel just to get away from Zim. "Okay. We're done with that." He glanced at the clock and shoved his hands into his lab coat pockets. "We have a half an hour until the night shift leaves and then ten minutes to get you the hell out of here."

"Great!" Zim clapped his hands together, eager to get out of the lab. But it was only a few minutes before he was leaning against the panel, his brow furrowed.
"And just what do you suggest we do in the meantime?"

I don't know. Shut up and be quiet? Dib sighed and leaned against the cube, staring down at his feet. "Why don't you tell me more about how I can save my planet?" That was the most important thing and not his hurt feelings or the fact that Zim was incredibly loud.

Zim pressed his fingertips together in thought. There were a few treaties that he was aware of, but none of them were very helpful considering Earth had no precious metals that Irk was in dire need of. He pursed his lips a bit before clicking his tongue and looking back to the human.

"Well, there are very few treaties now that hold up. The only one I can think of is the one we have open with the Planet Jackers. However…."The Irken turned on his heel and paced a bit. It was possible…it was a stretch, but it was possible.

"Considering your position here on Earth as offspring to the most powerful influence on your planet, and my obvious importance as an Invader, it could be possible…" He mumbled to himself a bit, his magenta eyes scanning the room unseeingly.

"Treaties based on union have been known to occur. And I think it's your best bet, honestly."

Dib's eyebrows furrowed and confusion had him in its grasp for a few moments as he fought for comprehension. "Wait…what? Union?" He pushed away from the cube he was leaning on, and towards Zim. "What are you talking about?" A sneaking suspicion had lodged itself in his brain but, that couldn't be right.

Zim snapped his fingers. "What's the human phrase for it?" He struggled for a moment before clicking his tongue. "Marriage! A treaty based on marriage. And given our current positions within our societies, it wouldn't be too bold to say that it could work." He gave the human a proud smirk.

It was an interesting idea to the Irken, of course. But in all honesty, it wouldn't matter. They'd be out of here and off this rock and by then the Armada would already be here.

Although…taking Dib was still something that he was seriously contemplating. But would he go if it meant leaving his precious planet behind? His brow furrows once more as he thought about it. It would be a shame to let him perish…..and as he'd already stated, the human had promise. And drive. Passion. Well…the human had a lot of things.

And... that's what he'd thought Zim had said. "Y-You mean…me and you? Married?" That was insane for so many reasons that Dib wasn't even sure if he could even comprehend. His hands escaped from his pockets and buried themselves in his hair again. Could Zim be serious? Dib hardly thought that he would joke around about it and that scared him. He was only 17. But,…what if this could save Earth? "Are you…serious? That would work?"

Nervously, he searched Zim's face for…something, unsure of what he wanted to see only that his chest felt like it was wrapped with steel bands.

"There's no reason why it wouldn't." Zim answered simply. He watched Dib, curiously. He knew he was new to earth customs, but Dib's reaction confused him a little. Shouldn't he be happy that there was a chance this miserable little spit-ball of a planet could be spared? "You don't seem too happy about that." Zim noted.

Some sort of noise gathered in the back of his throat. "Ugh. I-I don't know. I mean, it's not even freaking legal for me to marry, yet. And I've known you for like three days. On Earth, marriage is kind of huge…"

A deep breathe in through your nose, Dib. Deep breaths. "B-But…if you're sure this can save my planet...then okay. " Another deep breath before he stood up straight and lifted his chin. "Let's get married."

The thought made Zim snicker a bit or maybe it was the way the human had said it. "Don't worry about your planet's laws on union; they don't apply in a galactic setting, as it were." Zim said through his smirk. He had to admit, the human's dedication to his planet was sort of cute, in an obnoxious sort of way.

"I like your enthusiasm, but let's get out of here first."

Dib rolled his eyes, suddenly feeling like a child. It was because of Zim's tone of voice or something. "Well,"He checked the clock. "They should be leaving in a few minutes. Are you ready to get off my planet?"

'More than you even know.'

Zim's face straightened out and he met Dib's gaze. "Are you prepared to come with me?"

Dib blinked. "C-Come with you? Right now?" That was insane, that couldn't be right. It couldn't be right. Right? Right. It was one thing to be prepared for something in the future, like getting married to an alien in order to save the world. But…leaving the Earth, his home? A shiver of excitement ran up his spine. The stars and nebulas, seeing it all with an alien. It was like a dream. It could not happen.

"Well, yes, of course. If you want to save your precious little planet, then we need to make preparations." Zim waved a hand through the air. "Did you assume everything was just going to fall into place?" He scoffed and looked at the clock. "Are you ready? The time to make your decision is now."

Zim half hoped that the human would go yellow belly. Maybe he would chicken out, and Zim wouldn't have to worry about him. But what about the other half? Zim was planning on destroying Earth, one way or the other.

But he had already decided that letting Dib perish would be too much of a waste of good resources and..well….Zim admired his drive. If he could apply it to something useful, then there was no telling what the two of them could accomplish.

Zim would take Dib back to the Armada, and from there would be unable to interfere with the destruction of mankind.

Presumably.

"Coming with Zim would mean no turning back, Dib-creature."

Dib's breath caught in his throat, another glance at the clock that proved they only had a few minutes till the guards left. For some reason it felt like that clock was counting down his time to make his choice. Dib pulled really hard at his hair before dropping his hands to his sides.

No turning back. It was like something from a story, a story about someone else who had to make these decisions. Would this mean never seeing his father or sister again? Never walking these streets or going to skool? Would he never graduate? Dib bit his bottom lip as the seconds ticked by.

Graduate and do what? His thumb stroked the fabric of his lab coat. Cheap, stiff fabric that smelled like chemicals, rot and repression. Dib could stay here and become a scientist just like his dad, rule the Empire and wait until the Armada destroyed his planet. Or he could do what he'd always wanted to do; explore space, learn those mysteries, discover something…and he could save his people. Who would miss him really? No one. But, he would be the greatest man to ever live.

Dib released his lip and tried to fight back a smile. "Okay." With relish, he yanked off his lab coat and threw it on the ground. "But, we have to stop by my house first. I have to get some things."

Zim was surprised. He was certain that the Dib-thing would have had second thoughts, but he seemed….eager. Why did this throw Zim off so much? And more importantly, why was he…thrilled?

"Smart decision, worm-baby." Zim smirked. He eyed the clock a bit before looking back at the human. "Your human supplies better be important, otherwise it will be a colossal waste of time that we do not have." Zim gave a quick peek at the clock, once more, before marching past the human and to the large, inviting exit doors. "Let's hurry this up."

"They're important to me at least, Space-Boy. Now, you better hold up or you'll get lost and set off alarms that we didn't take down." Dib scurried to catch up with Zim's strides, even though they aren't long ones, considering the alien's legs were pretty short.

Zim was pretty short in general. He shoved the door open for the both of them and waited for his partner to pass through before glancing back at the place where he'd seen many creatures captured and taken to death, where he'd made the decision that would make his life incredible.