Evening all! Not been about because I was putting the finishing touches to this. Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 2
James opened his eyes and looked across at the members of two section sitting in a line along the bulkhead of the Hercules transporter. Kinders met his gaze and James nodded and half smiled in acknowledgement.
They were nearing the end of their flight to Camp Bastion and James was still reeling mentally from the events which had unfolded over the last 24 hours. He could not believe that the morning before he had been at home in his lumberjack shirt and riggers gloves trying to unblock that troublesome downstairs toilet and now he was back in the army, on his way to Afghanistan and charged with a critical mission. More than any of that though he could not believe that in a few short hours he would be seeing Molly again.
To say the intervening events had verged on the surreal would be an understatement. After Major Morley had left him he had fixed himself a snack and sat down to read his orders. The situation in theatre was much as Morley had described in their brief interview and it was clear that something needed to be done.
His specific orders had, however, nearly made him spit out the Coco Pops he had been munching. It was a typical army response to the chaos of that frantic night at Bastion. Their hair-brained scheme to deal with the zombies then had been turned into a series of regulations and processes, standard orders and specifications. His paddling pool was now a 'Type 1 Portable Rubber Subject Immersion Tank' whilst his lounging position in the water had become the 'Standard Hostile Attraction Attitude' (which had, unfortunately, been shortened to SHAAtt in the instructions).
This suite of instructions would now form the curriculum for their training mission with the ANA, complete with flow charts, diagrams and exercises. Mansfield Mike had already started calling it 'Zombie Studies 101'.
Once he had completed reading his orders James had spent some time planning his approach to the mission. He then grabbed some dinner and had an early night.
The next morning he had woken early, packed a bag and left a vague note for his parents who were away visiting friends. He then headed for the rail station and caught the first train to Aldershot for his appointment with the regimental outfitters.
He had expected a short visit to the outfitters, but was not anticipating a rather thorough measuring session by two giggling female assistants wielding soft measuring tapes. They appeared to be particularly keen on the accuracy if his inside leg and seat dimensions and to ensure his combat trousers 'fitted just right' which turned out to mean on the very low slung side. He feared he may have some difficulty keeping his trousers up unless he stood legs akimbo for most of the tour. Strangest of all, however, was the fact that the shop manager denied having two female assistants working that day when James raised the incident with him.
Once he had the bare necessities of his kit sorted out it was up to Brize Norton to meet two section and prepare for departure. James was keen to see the lads again. They had been very kind in trying to persuade him not to leave the army and understanding and supportive when he had confirmed his final decision.
As he had walked into the departure lounge he was met by Major Morley who indicated that he should follow him into a side room. On entering he was confronted by the very last person he expected to see, Mrs Smith.
James hesitated and looked at Major Morley questioningly. The American nodded "it's Ok Captain, I have asked Mrs Smith here today to discuss a particularly ......delicate aspect of the mission"
James grew even more confused and asked "what aspect?"
Morley turned to Mrs Smith and nodded. She then looked directly at James and began "last time we met Captain was at Dylan's funeral.....I was very upset and said some harsh things"
James shook his head "not at all Mrs Smith, it was a very difficult time for you, I completely understand"
Mrs Smith had nodded and continued "my boys meant everything to me and loosing Dylan seemed like the end. The worst bit was that it all seemed so meaningless, a tiny bleed and gone..."
James pursed his lips "it was a terrible and unexpected tragedy"
Mrs Smith swallowed and looked at Morley "then the Major here came to see me and said that there was a way that Dylan's death could be turned to some good....."
At that point the door to the room had slowly opened and someone came shuffling in slowly. James looked around and started up in horror as a pair of red eyes glared at him from a mucus covered face"
James grabbed a chair and shouted " get behind me both of you. Let me get this seat off and I'll give this monster a new set of antlers!"
Mrs Smith held up her hand "no Captain, look its our Dylan come to help you in Afghan"
James stared in disbelief then slowly lowered the chair. "What have you done Morley. This is monstrous"
"We need to pursue every opportunity to understand and undermine the enemy Captain." Explained the American "We also need to be able to give the ANA the best possible training. What better way than to have a zombie as part of the training detachment"
Mrs Smith had reached out and touched James arm "don't be angry Captain. I gave my agreement because I knew that Dylan would have wanted to serve his country again and stick it to the Taliban. It's also lovely to have a man about the house again, he's no trouble, keeps his room nice and tidy and, because he likes his meat raw, I hardly have to do any extra cooking"
James looked at her and said gently "but look at him....."
"Oh I don't mind that." Smiled Mrs Smith "He always was a bit of a snotty boy and red around the eyes after a good night out"
James had then looked at Morley "but surely he is a danger...."
"No" said the Major "We have been able to modify the pathogen to avoid the more .....challenging behaviours"
James took a long breath, shook his head then shrugged. "Ok but I don't know how I am going to tell the rest of the section or how they are going to react"
"That is something I will leave to you to deal with Captain" said the Major with a smile.
"Thanks a bunch" thought James
James looked at Smurf, or what used to be Smurf. "Say your goodbyes.....private, then join the rest of the section in the departure lounge." He had then nodded to Major Morley and Mrs Smith and walked out.
In the small departure lounge he spotted the group of familiar figures and strode towards them.
Kinders spotted the advancing figure and called the lads to attention. James could not resist a smile and an "at ease you massive cockwombles!"
As they relaxed his smile was returned from every face in the section.
"We knew you wouldn't be able to keep away sir" said Kinders
"One last mission Corporal and I am done" said James
"If you say so sir" returned Kinders with a grin.
Mansfield Mike had then bowled over and shook James' hand. "Would you believe it sir, me part of a crack unit being sent on a special mission"
"Must be an admin error" put in Brains "Regimental clerk thought it said crap unit and put you at the top of the list!"
"Alright you lot" said Kinders "let's get our kit together and....." He had tailed off as he noticed the rest of two section turning as one towards the entrance to the departure lounge and staring open mouthed at the latest arrival.
James had glanced over his shoulder, bit his lip and then cleared his throat. "Two section, we will be joined on this mission by Private Dylan Smith as a um....special adviser. He is one of the team and will be treated as such....that is an order. Carry on Corporal"
Kinders had snapped out of his trance and harried the section out onto the tarmac and into the waiting plain.
Now as they started their decent towards Camp Bastion James' mind was filled with doubts and concerns. Could he ensure the success of the mission, how would the section react to a zombie in their ranks and most of all what in the world was he going to say to Molly?