The glass was surprisingly thick as he slammed the butt of the gun down upon it again, this time with a satisfying crack but no break. The pinkish orbs on the alien machine swirled blinkingly, slower and weaker with each pulse. He paused, then brought the gun down harder, feeling the strain in his shoulders and stepping back when the glass gave. Dib reached into the box and picked up the light-weight machine, marveling at it and turning to the alien.
Zim heard the thump and opened his eyes slightly, looking at the dark-clad being striking at the case enclosing his PAK. Odd. He let the darkness take him.
Dib glanced at the sliding glass door leading into the lab room. He'd keyed in an emergency lock-down for this section, and knew the security guards and other agents would be busy handling the little emergency stirr he'd caused in another section of the building remotely. It wouldn't be long until they came running. He turned to the alien and set the gun down to release his restraints with the flip of a switch. Dib rolled it onto it's side and looked at the PAK in his hand wonderingly. What is he doing? He doesn't know the faintest thing about this creature or it's workings. Before he can do anything else wires drop from ports on the bottom of the PAK, dangling for a moment before reaching out like groping fingers. He moves it closer to the alien and they feel over his back, finding their designated spots and connecting themselves, worming into his body in a way that makes Dib's stomach clench, revolted. The PAK pulls from his hand and snaps snug against the alien's back. Silence ensues for a long moment, followed by a whirring sound. The orbs pulse brighter, faster, and the alien curls suddenly, a violent shiver racking his naked body. He shifts and lurches, falling off the edge of the table before Dib can grab him.
Dib circles the table and crouches, watching as the being dry retches and pushes himself up on shaking arms. Sharp crimson eyes lift to him and the creature is atop him in an instant, claws digging into the side of his neck as it pins him to the floor on his back. Human and alien stare at each other for a heartbeat, the Irken poised to rip his throat out. Shouts come from outside the door and Zim looks up. An agent stares at them as a security guard hastily keys in his override code. Zim shrinks off the human and stands quickly, eyes darting. Dib gets to his feet, still somewhat dazed by all of this. He picks up the shotgun and turns it on the agent and the guard as the door slides open. The security personnel slowly holds out his own weapon and Dib order them back. They obediently step back from the door, moving into the hallway as Dib steps towards the door. Zim follows behind him, eyes narrowed to slits as he watches the humans.
"Agent Dib, why are you doing this?" the other agent asks, eyes on the alien.
"Stay back," he growls, moving out of the room and backing down the hall. The agent steps forward and he tightens his finger on the trigger, stopping him in his place. Zim stays behind Dib, moving on silent bare feet.
Once they round the corner at the end, Dib turns and starts running, boots echoing loudly. Zim follows him, antennae tuned to the shouts behind them.
Dib's grip tightens on the weapon as he maps out the building in his mind. Two more turns, three more hallways and they'll be at the exit. He feels the shot before he hears it and it takes him by surprise when he stumbles, knees buckling suddenly and spilling him to the floor. The gun skids away as he puts his hands down to keep from faceplanting. He blinks, frowning, and looks up. The alien keeps going to the next corner then stops and looks back at him. It's eyes lift to the coming footsteps behind Dib and then it's gone, turning the corner. Dib tries to get up but a weight has settled in his back and his brow furrows, confused. His shirt quickly becomes damp, then wet as blood soaks into it. The agent and security catch up to him and the guard plants a foot in his back, pushing him down to the floor with an order to remain still.
"Go get the subject! I'll handle this," the agent orders and the guard nods, jogging ahead and around the corner. The agent steps over to the shotgun and picks it up, turning back to Dib as he tries pushing himself up again.
"Why did you do that, Agent Dib?" he asks, looking at the weapon. Dib tries to speak but the agent swiftly kicks him in the ribs, sending him onto his side against the wall. "That wasn't very smart."
Dib coughs and curls slightly, pain like fire spreading through him as he slowly grasps his situation. He looks up and watches as Agent Kens stands over him and aims the weapon at his face.
"You were set to move up to clearance three, you know. Next week, in fact." Kens shakes his head. "Shame, too, you could have been so good in the field." He wraps a finger delicately around the trigger, then lifts the gun and brings the butt down on Dib's face. The crack of bone resounds sickeningly in his head as his right orbital socket shatters. He screams, hand going to his face as his eyes swells shut almost instantly.
Agent Kens lifts a radio from his belt as it crackles. "Agent Membrane has been fatally injured," he reports. "Status of the subject?"
"Copy. Unrecovered," a voice responds. "Orders?"
"Keep looking. It can't get out without a print, even if it has a passcode. And send someone to clean this mess up." Kens turns the radio off and draws a handgun.
"Agent Dib was involved with a security breach. He was unfortunately struck down during a deadly confrontation with the subject." Kens smiles as he thumbs back the hammer. "No shame on your family, right? Just a big tragic mishap. Nobody has to look bad here."
Dib lifts a shaking hand, a begging gesture for life, but turns his face away as he knows it won't be honored. He flinches involuntarily at a metallic grating sound and looks up to see the alien drop down from a vent in the ceiling, suspended by two extensions from his PAK. Zim swings his feet forward, connecting with the back of Agent Kens' head, sending him forward into the wall beside Dib and unconsciousness. The Irken drops down, extensions disappearing, and looks at Dib. Dib looks back, dumbfounded. The alien glances up the hallway, then steps forward to scoop the human up quickly. Dib gasps in pain but doesn't protest, vision swimming with bright spots.
Zim pads down the hall swiftly, antennae poised for other humans though it's hard to hear over Dib's noises as his heart pounds and his breathing wheezes wetly in and out of his throat. His blood burns Zim's skin slightly, being made up of mostly water, but the alien ignores it as he carries him quickly down the last hallway towards the exit door.
Shouts echo down the halls, he doesn't have much time. Zim quickly puts the human down on his feet but he sinks to his knees. The alien looks in the direction they came from and then quickly slaps the human. Dib cries out as the pain in his face flares blindingly. He lifts a shaking hand and enters the code for the door. An agonizing moment passes, then a beep indicates acceptance of the code but the door does not unlock. Zim looks up again anxiously, footsteps drawing closer. He picks up the human's hand and presses it against the scanner above the keypad. Another long moment and a green light approves the scan and unlocks the door. Zim drops the human and opens the door, slipping out.
Dib tries to push himself up and watches as the alien moves several feet out into the night. The cool air feels good on his face and he smiles slightly.
Zim hesitates and looks back, eyes glaring. Guards are approaching, in sight now, armed and ready to kill. They shout at Zim to stop. As if. He looks back down at Dib and clicks his teeth together angrily. Damnit.