VINDICATION

Chapter 14: Test Subject


As the first reports regarding Dr. Membrane’s disappearance began to pop up, Dib worked diligently in Zim’s lab. Wearing a protective face mask and a full-body protective suit that Zim had created, he began to fill a modified oxygen tank with the first culture of bacteria.

Zim walked into the lab and stopped in the doorway. “What are you doing?”

“First culture…it probably won’t affect you, but you might want to put some safety gear on just in case.”

Zim scowled. “You dare tell me what I already know?”

Dib just smiled beneath the mask and looked at the gauge.

Zim stomped out, returning ten minutes later in a full Irken biohazard suit. He took the newly cultured and sealed oxygen canister from Dib, inspecting it. “How will this be used?”

Dib removed his mask, starting to strip out of his protective suit, having already sterilized the entire lab (with the computer’s help, of course). He grinned wickedly. “We’re gonna test it tonight. And I know the perfect place to try it out.”


Just after midnight, Zim and Dib left the base in their biohazard suits and headed to their destination, carrying the canister with them. Once inside the house, they crept up the stairs and down the hall, stopping in front of one of the bedroom doors. Dib opened it carefully, checking to make sure the occupant was inside.

“She’s in there. Masks.” Dib whispered. He pulled his mask up over his face, looking back at Zim, who already had his mask on and was scowling at the human for daring to tell him what to do. Dib opened the valve, and the cultured oxygen began to leak into the room.

Zim watched, looking around before leaning forward to try and see. He hissed softly. “Who’s in there, anyway?”

Dib leered. “My sister.”