Chapter 12 The Silver Bullet
James walked back into the med centre. "Thank goodness for that" he said to Molly "looks like Smurf is well and truly back in the Under Fives"
"Sorry sir?" She said distractedly and looking up from a thin pamphlet she was reading.
"Doesn't matter" said James "What's that?"
She showed him the cover "Advanced Neurosurgery on the Front Line: A Guide for Army Medics" he read aloud.
"Goodness Dawes, I think most of two section are beyond help if that's what your wondering"
"No sir, but I have been thinking" said Molly
"I've told you before about how dangerous that could be" said James
Molly smiled "it's just that this new kind of Zombie changes everything doesn't it sir?"
James frowned "Yes it does Dawes. This new breed doesn't seem to have the same sensitivity to the biological markers so our current attraction measures will not be effective. Their strength, speed and intelligence also means it will be a lot harder to administer the antidote." He admitted.
The medic nodded. "When I was examining Smurf" she said "I noticed these around his neck" Molly took out her phone and flicked to a series of images. They showed a mass of dark tissue just under the skin at the back of the neck with a network of vein like structures radiating out from it.
"I think these markings are a free standing network of neural pathways which link the existing brain up to key organs and muscles in the rest of the body. It takes over the host like a parasite, controlling emotions and motor functions. It's what the antidote attacks and kills when we dunk the victims in the solution"
James raised his eyebrows in surprise "that's brilliant Dawes! I can't make the camera on my phone take any close ups like that. The picture always comes out all blurry. I can't believe you have got these so clear!"
Molly shrugged and went on "what do you think about my theory though sir?. It seems to make sense from what's written in this leaflet" and she picked up the document again and turned to the section entitled 'Invasive Symbiotic Neural Networks and How to Spot Them'
James scanned the leaflet and nodded "Makes sense Dawes but how does it help us?"
Molly shrugged "Well it just occurs to me that if the new zombies won't come to the antidote maybe we can take it to them. If we could get the solution delivered right to the heart of the network" and she pointed to the photo of the large mass on Smurf's neck "then our main problem could be solved"
James ruminated for a time then smiled. "You might just have something there Dawes. We would need to develop some sort of delivery device like a dart or similar projectile"
"Like a silver bullet?" put in Molly.
"Exactly. You are a bloody wonder Dawsey!" said James.
Molly blushed deeply "Just doing my job sir"
James looked into her eyes. "No, this is above and beyond. Is there nothing you cannot do?"
Molly hesitated then shyly looked up at James "I can't get you out of my head boss."
James bit his lip and then let his tongue do a full circuit of his mouth. He moved closer to Molly, eyes smouldering, hands reaching.
"Sir, are you there sir?" Kinders voice sounded from the corridor.
James stopped abruptly and gave Molly an apologetic look
"In here corporal" he called out reluctantly.
Kinders pushed through the door. "Sir, Major Morley on the video phone"
James turned to Molly "Come with me" he said.
They doubled over to the ops tent and James sat down by the monitor which was displaying a grainy image of the American in what appeared to be domestic surroundings.
"Ah Captain, I have just received your report about this mornings incident and thought I better contact you as a matter of urgency"
James nodded "yes sir, the repercussions for our mission appear to be significant"
"Indeed they do Captain. We will have to rethink our whole strategy" said Morley in some annoyance.
Just then a pink clad figure appeared behind the Major.
"Sherman?" It said. "You're not looking at that Whatta Man video again are you? I may start to get jealous!"
"No dear, it is work. I am speaking to Captain James in Afghanistan on a matter of grave importance"
"Ooo, is that Charles!" And the figure approached the screen, quickly resolving itself into the familiar features of Major Beck.
"Charles how are you dear? Oh I do love you with that radio head set on and that dusting of Afghan grime. You're fit to give a girl palpitations."
"For god sake Jonathan, I am trying to take care of business here!" Said Morley irritably.
"Don't worry about him dear" said the former major to James "he's always like a bear with a sore head in the morning. Lack of sleep due to some QS, if you know what I mean" Beck added with a conspiratorial wink.
James smiled fondly at his former comrade "its great to see you sir"
"Oh Jonathan will do fine from now on. Now tell me, how is that lovely medic of yours, Dawes is it? Oh, don't look so shocked Charles, I could see something was going on from a mile off. When you're in love yourself it is easy to spot the signs" and with this Beck threw a fond look over his shoulder to Major Morley who was pacing back and forth impatiently in the background.
James shifted uncomfortably in his seat, thanking his lucky stars that it was only him and Molly in the ops tent.
"Actually she is just here" said James
Molly shifted into shot and gave an embarrassed little wave.
"Oh there you are. Gorgeous! Now James don't you dare drop the ball with that one!"
"No...err Jonathan I won't" said James
"Will you let me speak to them now?" Said Morley approaching the screen again.
"Ok, ok." Said Beck rolling his eyes. "Lovely to see you both again. Cheerio! "
Morley then filled the screen. "Now where were we?" Said Morley.
"We were just discussing the need for a new strategy sir" said James "and on that matter Private Dawes may have stumbled onto something"
"Indeed Private, out with it then" ordered the Major.
Molly outlined her discovery and resulting idea. Morley listened carefully then was silent for a time after Molly had finished.
"The problem will be to find a delivery mechanism which is effective at range whilst not causing serious injury to the subject...We have been working on a new munitions material which may be applicable to this. Let me talk to a my people. Give me a few hours."
"Yes sir." Said James, and with that they signed off.
James took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Molly looked across at him. "What now sir?" She asked
James gave her a searching look "with the mission or with us?" He asked carefully
"Both" she said simply.
"Well, we wait...and in the meantime we eat. Can we have another go at dinner?"said James
"Are you asking me out on a date sir?" asked Molly smiling
"Only if you want to" said James nervously.
Molly nodded "Ok, but there's nowhere to go here" said Molly.
"Ah now that's where you are wrong" said James. "I know of a particularly nice roof terrace just above the wash block where we can dine under the stars and the finest pizza is delivered to your table...by bike"
Molly laughed "sounds nice, but I'm choosing the topping"
That evening James sat on the corrugated roof nervously drumming his fingers. Above him the Afghan night presented a canopy of glittering stars. Soft music drifted from one of two sections Karaoke machines a little distance away:
"When your legs don't work like they used to before,
And I can't sweep you off of your feet"
Molly appeared, clambering over the edge of the building, hair down, T-shirt and combat trousers.
James gave her a hand up. "You look beautiful" he said
"You don't look too shabby yourself" she responded, then looking around "I can see its a nice place"
"What the roof?" he asked
"No the bath house and that" said Molly.
"Yeah...yes it is" confirmed James.
They sat down and James offered her a drink.
"Sorry the foods a bit makeshift. Next time I'll make sure it's better"
Molly smiled "bit previous there weren't you?"
"It's probably the fumes from the cleaning chemicals" said James
"I failed chemistry" responded Molly
The music played on
"..take me into your loving arms,
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars"
They leaned in towards each other...
"Sir,...sir are you there?" Called Kinders
"Hell's teeth!" Exclaimed James in frustration. "Is there some sort of intimacy alarm that goes off somewhere?"
"Let me go and see what he wants" James said to Molly irritably. He jumped off the edge of the roof and walked a short distance away. There then followed a mumbled conversation and the sound of Kinders retreating footsteps. James' head then reappeared above the edge if the roof.
"Its Morley on the videophone. Let's hope he has some good news." said James. He gestured for her to follow and they both walked to the ops tent.
"Captain" said Morley "I have now managed to speak to some people at our ammunition development unit and we think that we have a solution. We have been testing a new type of bullet which can withstand high velocities but disintegrates easily on impact. Absolutely useless for inflicting any serious injury but potentially very good at delivering a small quantity of liquid just below the skin"
"That's good news sir, when will it be available?" Asked James
"We are expediting development and manufacture but it is going to be at least a week before we can ship any out to you. In the meantime I need you to augment your training with shooting practice."
"Of course sir" confirmed James
"We also have some intelligence regarding the production of these super zombies. It seems as if activity it is concentrated in one location. A secret Taliban base under a disused compound near to an ANA checkpoint over a river in the mountains. I understand you may be familiar with the location.
James turned pale and looked at Molly "yes we know the place sir"
"Good" said Morley, "because we are planning to take it out and your people are likely to be key to the operation"
James nodded.
"I will be in touch in due course with further instructions. In the meantime Captain we need you to find your best marksmen and make them better"
"Will do" said James and signed off. He then turned to Molly, deep emotion on his face.
Molly looked at him with concern. "I don't understand, it's like history repeating itself. First Badrai, now the same army checkpoint. It's all too weird" she said shuddering.
James slowly breathed out. "It's like whoever is pulling the strings around here needs to continually self reference. They are either incredibly lazy or obsessed with a particular series of events and characters."
Molly nodded thoughtfully.
"Whatever the reason" continued James "it is clear that we will need to prepare to return to the site of our last combat mission and face Badrai again...and this time things are going to be very different"