VINDICATION

Chapter 8: Armageddon Clock


Zim stormed into the lab and wrenched Dib’s cage door open, grabbing him by the neck and hauling him out. He slammed him against the wall, his grip tightening on Dib’s throat.

Dib’s eyes were wide with shock, but he was more unnerved by the vacant look of hatred in Zim’s eyes…a look that wasn’t really directed at him. He held Zim’s wrists, gasping for breath.

Zim let go with one gloved hand, bringing it back and balling it into a fist. But before he could bring it down, Dib rested a hand gently on his shoulder, lightly holding the fabric of Zim’s uniform shirt between his fingers. Zim clenched his teeth, his fist starting to tremble. No…he could do this. He could do whatever he wanted to Dib, including using him for a punching bag. But…there was something in Dib’s touch that weakened his resolve…

“Zim…please…” Dib rasped, gritting his teeth, fully expecting Zim to let loose and hit him.

The fist quivered for a few more seconds before it landed on Dib’s chest with barely any force, and Zim stepped back.

Dib slid to the ground, coughing and gasping for breath, holding his throat with one hand. He blinked up at Zim in utter confusion.

Zim clenched his fists angrily, not meeting his gaze.

“They never listen.” Zim’s antennae drooped slightly.

Dib automatically knew whom Zim was referring to. He swallowed a couple of times before speaking, his voice still a little hoarse. “That’ll change, Zim…”

Zim whirled on him, snarling. “How would you know, slave-beast??”

Dib stood shakily, managing to hold himself up straight. “Once you’ve conquered the planet, things will change.”

The Irken sighed heavily. “No. I could conquer a solar system and they wouldn’t care.”

Wait, why was he confessing this? He was making himself look weak in front of this wretched human!! Zim’s eyes narrowed angrily and he grabbed Dib by the metal collar around his neck, dragging him into the elevator.

“Computer. Ground level.” Zim pulled out an odd little device, starting to fiddle with it. When the elevator reached the ground floor, the doors opened and Zim pulled Dib along by the collar again. “I have just programmed your collar, slave. You have twenty-four hours until it issues you a lethal dose of toxins, and you must return to me before that time or you will die. And don’t bother tampering with it.” Zim pulled the front door open and shoved Dib out, his voice a low growl.

“You have twenty four hours to gather my information for me. I want the locations of every single earth defense base, when and how they are used, their capabilities and strategies; I want to know all about the weapons of this planet, what they do and what they are capable of. Twenty four hours. Do not disappoint me.”

Zim slammed the door, leaning back against it, his head hanging low. When he finally straightened, he looked at the clock on the wall, set to match the time ticking away on the release mechanisms of Dib’s metal collar.

The clock ticked quietly away, counting down the seconds until the beginning of the end.



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Yeah, I know, I know, I named this chapter after a Magic: The Gathering card. Heh. Such a cool card, though. Anyways...thanks so much to all who reviewed, and for all the wonderful feedback. I'm very glad you're enjoying this.