Episode 17: Science Camp (Part 1)
(Six days after Gir's malfunction...)
[Location: Storm drain Sub tunnels]
{Time: Midnight}
He was almost certain that this mission would end in failure…
Dib bit his lip as he and the others closed in to their target; the subbasement of the dreaded science camp, which was currently holding his father, and hundreds of other scientist hostage. Their mission: to steal a handful of weapons, and rescue his father and two other scientist; but could they do it?
Dib looked to his left to see Zim walking beside him in silence. So much had happened in this one week, so much that the Irken looked almost unrecognizable. After Gir's little incident, Zim had been more distant than ever. In fact, the two had not spoken since that day, and Dib was beginning to fear that he was losing his old friend to the void of his own mind.
Zim was slipping, he could feel it. The changes had become more noticeable now. They all could see it. Zim's skin had changed to a darker hue, his eyes never stopped glowing that rage filled red. Even the tone of his voice had changed, he didn't sound more like one of Authority, nor did he speak down on you as if you were not of equal ground. No, he spoke as if he was other worldly. As if he was a powerful god addressing his creation, there was compassion, but it was one of a distant kind.
He no longer saw himself as one of them, and that pained Dib. He felt like this was his fault, and in a way it was.
'I should have believed him; I should have stood up for him.' This of course wasn't the first time Dib had thought these very words. 'How could I have been so stupid?' he forced himself to look away from Zim, and focus on the mission at hand.
Zim ran his tongue over his teeth impatiently, he could feel Dib's stare, but he chose to ignore it. After all nothing he said would change what had happened, besides, it was best for him to keep his distance. With him leaving soon said distance would make it that much easier to leave. Yes, he was leaving the resistance. In truth he should have already done so, however there never seemed to be a good time. Not that this was a good time either, no he simply couldn't hold it off any longer.
The final stage of his metamorphoses would be upon him soon and it was best to get it over with, than keep holding it off. He bit his lip slightly, what would they think of him when they notice he had gone. Would they even notice his absence? He highly doubted they'd care, heck he wouldn't be surprised if they preferred him to stay gone forever. Maybe that was for the best, after all the Renegades just might run more smoothly if all their Irken allies were at arm's length, including him. Yes, he was tempted to never come back.
And yet, a part of him still didn't want to leave.
He felt responsible for all of this, and he was. Earth was this way because of him, and he had promised Gaz he would fix this.
Gaz, her name alone made his Squeedlyspooch skip a beat. Would he ever see her again? He'd like to think so, but perhaps it be easier to leave her, if he never saw her at all. The thought alone made feel useless, and cowardly, almost as if he was too afraid to face their goodbye head on; and he was. Oh, he longed for a world where they could be together forever, but it would appear that it wasn't meant to be.
Not that he was surprised, he should have known it would never work out. A human and an Irken, they were just too different; and yet Gaz had taught him that they weren't so different at all.
Was he really going to do this?
Was he really going to leave them forever?
The group of five stopped at the entrance to the Science Camp's storage drain within its subbasement. The Renegades had decided as a whole that a small group would have a better chance getting in and out unnoticed, than a larger one. So naturally the team leaders were chosen to handle this risky operation.
James took out an Irken listening device and hooked it up to the ceiling above him, he then turned it on, and some static came through. This was a good sign, had there been any actual noise it would mean someone was waiting in the subbasement to ambush them. He sighed in relief looking to Rachel as he did.
She avoided eye contact.
James bit his lip, apparently she was serious about this whole break up thing. And James understood her reasoning he really did, but at the same time he didn't. So, what if their dates were sorry at best, but at least he was trying to make it work! Rachel just wanted to throw in the towel, and be done with it. He knew she said she wanted a break from their relationship, but she was acting like they had ended it on a sour note; like he cheated or something.
Rachel wanted to kick him in his rear. All she asked for was a break, she just couldn't keep up with dating, and missions, and school work. She thought James would be a little understanding, but instead he was acting like a child! It wasn't like she dumped him! She just need some space, some time to think about what she wanted in life.
Mark shook his head in disbelief, he had almost been tempted to call off this mission all together. The five of them were so out of sync that the outcome could be catastrophic! However, they really did need those new weapons in order to keep up with the enemy's efforts. So, he reluctantly held his tongue.
"Okay guys this is it." Dib said nervously. His words were greeted with an awkward silence. He sighed. "Look I know we're starting to get on each other's nerves a little bit, but we need to put that on hold for right now okay? Shyann is counting on us to bring her uncle back, and the others are counting on those weapons."
"And you are going to see your father today." Zim added. "Don't worry Dib, we know how important this is to everyone."
Dib winced, there it was, the attitude; compassion from a distance. If this is what the change did to a worthy one, then no wonder the Tallest were so cold. To separate yourself from everyone; including your own kind…
It was like Zim had placed himself on an island, of course Dib understood what Zim was doing. The Irken had already made it clear that he was leaving with his race. However, the Alien acted as if he was already gone, maybe he hoped this would make saying goodbye easier.
'Well he's wrong…' Dib thought.
"We're all clear." James reported.
"Okay." Dib said opening the hatch that led into the subbasement. "Goalit will be here in two minutes to stow us away to his lab." He said, the others followed his lead.
The basement was empty, all except for five large buckets on a dolly.
"Everyone get in." Zim ordered. "We haven't a moment to lose."
(Back with Goalit…)
It was official…
He was far too old for this much excitement!
Goalit cleared his throat, his Squeedlyspooch felt like it would burst out of his chest at any moment. The anticipation, and anxiety along with an over powering adrenaline rush; was driving him insane.
He must have lost his ever loving mind!
Yes, that was the only explanation, why else would he be going against two of the most sinister beings in the universe? Then again Zim said it himself, you've got to be a little mad to be willing to take on the Irken Race.
The elder Irken walked down to the Sub levels as calmly as possible while fighting the urge to run. If he looked too eager to get there someone might get suspicious. So even though it pained him so, he walked at a slow modern pace.
It was killing him!
Still it seemed to work out in his favor, because he reached the elevator with no incident, and traveled down to the subbasement. Once there he went straight to the awaiting dolly and pushed it along, back into the elevator and up to the ground floor. He would have to walk across the lobby to reach the elevator that allowed you to go up the rest of the way to level 48. Of course, he and the others would have to get on yet another elevator on level 48 to reach the final floor, and the roof top.
Goalit took a deep breath in as the elevator stopped, and the doors opened, and let it out slowly as he began to push the dolly along to the next elevator.
No one seemed to pay him any mind.
'So far so good.' He thought, but of course once the thought entered his mind something went wrong.
"You there halt!"
Goalit froze as one of the guards on duty at the front desk came running to block his way, the elevator stood just behind him now. "Can I help you Sargent?" he asked calmly, as if he was doing something he did everyday instead of plotting against them.
"What are those?" The Sargent asked, pointing to the barrels.
"Rocket fuel." Goalit answered smoothly. "I stored them in the sub level because there was no room for us to store them in the testing room. We're testing the efficiency of some rocket launchers and have discovered the fuel that was added previously was not meant for this design."
"Really we'll that's unfortunate." The Sargent said. "Those Rocket launchers are due to go out tomorrow."
Goalit nodded. "Yes, that's why I'm hoping this new fuel will work, otherwise well have to tell the Tallest we failed, and no one wants that."
"Irk no!" The Sargent agreed. "Please continue with what you are doing, it will take you all night just to switch out the fuel with every single one of the launchers." He opened the elevator for Goalit as he spoke.
Goalit smiled thankfully. "Thank you." He said getting in.
"Sorry for holding you up Sir." The Sargent said, respectively.
"No need, you're just doing your job." Goalit assured him. "One can never be too careful."
The Sargent nodded, and the elevator door slowly closed.
Goalit let out a loud sigh of relief as the elevator began its journey to the 48th floor. "That was a close one." He admitted out loud.
'Too close.' Dib thought with a shiver. 'If we get caught in these we won't have time, nor the space to make a run for it.'
That much was true, of course they all knew the risk. However, this was the only way up to the 48th floor.
"It only gets harder from here." Goalit whispered to them.
Zim nodded his agreement doing his best not to become over whelmed, it wasn't easy. He had no idea the confined space of this barrel would cause him so much distress, but it was. He felt like a caged animal in this thing, but he knew it was for the best, and that he'd be out soon enough.
Goalit gathered his nerves as the elevator door opened once more, now all he had to do was walk down this hallway, and enter the room. The Journey was simple enough (to his utter relief), and soon he was entering the office where he worked. He quickly closed, and locked the door behind him before allowing himself and the other awaiting scientist to open the barrels.
"Dad!" Dib jumped out and embraced his father.
Professor Membrane held him close, tears spilled from both their eyes. "Son I am so sorry." He said. "I'll never doubt you again I promise."
"It's okay Dad." Dib assured him.
"No, it's not, all those years I neglected you and your sister." Professor Membrane said. "Drowning myself in my work so I wouldn't have time to remember my pain. I was so determined to keep the pain of your mother's death out of my mind that I pushed you both away. I…I could have lost you, and now your sister-"
"We'll get her back." Dib assured him once more.
"Yes, I'll make sure of it." Zim said as he climbed out of his own barrel. His eyes met with Professor Membrane's for a moment, and the scientist gave him a curt nod.
"So, you're Zim?" Elma asked.
"Yes." Zim answered smoothly.
Elma made a face.
"Not what you expected?" Zim asked, registering her look as one of disappointment.
"No, it's just you're so Tall, what is it with you guys and height? Why can't you all get this tall?" Elma exclaimed.
"You'll have to forgive her Sir." Goalit laughed. "Elma has a habit of ambushing everyone with questions."
"I just simply wish to understand." Elma said.
"Now is not the time." Zim said. "But perhaps one day I will tell you all."
Elma sighed. "Very well, so what's next?"
"I was about to ask the same thing." Kornelius cut in. "How are we going to fit them in with the weapons?"
"We only need 25." Dib said.
"That's all?" Elma asked. "No more?"
"We can't risk taking anymore." Zim explained. "The air ship taking these weapons out is not meant to hold passengers and weapons. There is not enough room for both. Well take enough for every renegade to have one, leaving us room to fit in the back." He turned to Goalit. "How long has it been since you flown an air ship Sir?"
"I'm afraid too long." Goalit answered. "And please it is I that should be calling you Sir."
Zim shook his head, he'd never get use to this whole respect thing that Goalit was displaying. Sure, he appreciated it, but Goalit was much older, and much wiser than he. So, in Zim's mind he was the one that deserved respect, not himself.
Not Zim the defective!
"You'll get used to it soon enough." Goalit assured him, as if reading his mind.
Zim shook his head once more. "Right then, it looks like I'll be flying the air ship then."
"I'll choose the weapons." Dib said. "Dad help me out would you?"
Professor Membrane nodded, and father, and son set to work choosing from the several completed weapons.
"Once we pick enough." Zim went on. "Well place them on the weapons cart, where the five of us will stow away on the bottom shelf."
"Won't you be seen?" Kornelius asked.
"It's ok." Rachel assured him. "Our communicators have a cloaking option." She held her wrist up to show him.
"Fascinating." Professor Membrane said, stopping to take a closer look. "Wait…Dib aren't these mine?"
"Yeah I kind a stole a lot of your stuff during the first invasion wave." Dib admitted. "I wanted to get more, but the Irkens had over ran the house in seconds. Sorry dad…"
"That's all right." Professor Membrane assured him. "I have a few secret labs all over town, I'll show you where later."
"Wow dad that's great, but why?" Dib looked confused.
"Oh, you know a scientist can never have too many labs." Professor Membrane laughed.
Dib smiled, as he chose the last weapon. "Okay I think we're ready." He said, loading the top shelf of the weapons cart.
"Alright everyone get on." Mark said.
"Going to be a tight squeeze." James pointed out, and he was right. It took the five renegades several minutes to get situated, but they managed.
"Okay let's get a move one." Goalit said as he began to pull the cart out the office, and into the hall.
The human scientist followed him awkwardly.
"Won't they be suspicious that there's nothing on the bottom of this cart?" Elma whispered.
"Maybe." Goalit admitted. "But it's okay they'll be knocked out before they can cause us any trouble." He assured her.
"I think I'm going to be sick." Elma admitted. "Are they always this reckless?"
Goalit smiled. "Yes, yes they are."
The scientists, both humans and Irken alike made it to the elevator that would send them up to the 49th floor with no trouble at all. No one stopped to question them, and why would they? Shipments went out every day at this time, and they were with a trusted Irken scientist.
No one would doubt their word.
They all breathed a sigh of relief as the elevator door closed, and their journey up begin.
However, it was shortly lived, for moments later the doors opened again revealing the two guards they had been expecting.
Goalit gulped, this was it.
This was when the hard part truly began.
Episode 17: Science Camp (Part 1)END!