Ok, so here is the finale of 'season 2' of Our Zombie Girl, I hope you enjoy it. I am conscious that I have been a bit rubbish at leaving any authors notes or other commentary. The truth is that I have struggled to find time to write the chapters let alone anything else! However, given that this is the last chapter, I thought I would take some time to write a few thoughts. Firstly, many thanks to all of you who have left such kind comments, both here and on the MN OG/CJ thread. I always knew that this was an unlikely crossover story and would not appeal to everyone, but I have been bowled over by the response and it has kept me going on this often madcap journey of the imagination. Secondly many thanks to my various collaborators (you know who you are) who have fed me a stream of hilarious ideas and references which I have managed to weave into the narrative. They have sometimes been quite challenging but I hope they have added a further dimension to the tale. Thirdly, thanks to Tony Grounds and the BBC who have provided us all with a wealth of unforgettable characters who inhabit the OG universe (as it has now become). They obviously remain your sole property but I am hugely grateful that we have been able to play with them for a bit. Finally, a big thanks to my wonderful wife who has shown incredible forbearance while I have told this story - often into the small hours of the morning.
I am not sure if we will see the SZS again. I have some ideas but don't want to impose anymore stories on anyone if there isn't an appetite for them out there. Maybe you could let me know, one way or another! Happy New Year to you all.
Chapter 15 - Final Words
James watched powerless as the two zombies fell towards the ground. Still wrestling with each other they twisted in the air. When the impact came Badrai hit the murky liquid first and disappeared under the surface while Smurf remained partly above the solution as the other zombie broke his fall.
Smurf struggled to his feet dazed and James swung down from the remaining pipe work to join him.
"Are you alright private?" Asked James with some concern. Smurf slowly nodded then started to feel under the surface for Badrai. They both fanned out, groping in the cloudy liquid for some sign of their quarry, turning over a number of floating bodies, but with no success.
Then suddenly Badrai surfaced in a spray of liquid brandishing a piece of broken pipe work. With one powerful thrust he rammed the jagged end of the steel tube through Smurfs neck. The soldier swayed for a moment then fell forwards. James catching him just before he hit the solution.
"Man down, man down!" he cried as Badrai roared in triumph and leapt away from the stricken soldier and onto the dais.
Mansfield Mike came running into the cavern with Molly. On seeing Badrai, the private opened fire with his rifle but the zombie easily evaded the shots through a series of leaps and somersaults.
"Over here" called James and they waded over. "Mansfield" he said, "give me a wand."
The private passed over one of the antidote sticks then gently took Smurf from James and helped Molly drag him away.
James flicked the wand between his fingers in an impressive show of dexterity then aimed carefully and threw the weapon at Badrai's neck. The wand cartwheeled through the air and clattered off the wall some metres to the left of the zombie king.
"Oh bugger" said James "I was always useless at that"
Badrai cackled and started to advance towards James.
He turned to Mansfield Mike "quickly private your rifle, before twinkle toes here starts leaping about again like Rudolf Nureyev"
Mansfield quickly unslung his gun and threw it over to James who caught it and aimed at the zombie who was crouching to attack once more. Again Badrai was able to evade the shots and was soon within a few metres of James.
The zombie advanced on the captain with a diabolical smile on his face. "I think only help from above will save you know" said Badrai with glee and launched himself at the Captain. As he did so a section of the remaining pipe work fell from the ceiling, a projecting tube impaling the zombie through the top of the head as he was in mid leap.
Badrai landed on his feet and staggered forward with the pipe work protruding from his head.
"How ironic" he commented before falling sideways onto the sodden ground. The red glow in his eyes faded to points and then blinked out.
James went over to the figure and prodded it with his foot, he was gone. He then turned to where Molly was treating Smurf whilst Mansfield Mike looked on clearly agitated.
"How is he?" Asked James
"Well" said Molly "he's got a two inch thick length of steel piping through his neck and all his vital signs have flat lined. Now in most cases that would have me unzipping the body bag but, given he was dead before the injury I'm not going to call it yet. The pipe has damaged his neural network though, so I think it's going to be touch and go."
James nodded "well let's call out the MERT team and try and keep him stable until they arrive. I'll send a stretcher down. Mansfield, your with me" and with that James strode away.
Out in the passageway James found Kinders supervising the post immersion care for those former zombies who had survives the transformation.
"How are we doing here Corporal?" Asked James.
"Ok sir, not many to take care of, most were already dead when they transformed. Former Taliban fighters for the most part" said Kinders.
James nodded. "Can you organise a stretcher party for Smurf"
"Yes sir, is he going to be ok?" Asked Kinders with concern
James shook his head and Kinders nodded then signalled to two ANA orderlies.
James turned to Mansfield Mike who was looking downcast "He is in the best hands, private. If anyone can keep him alive Molly can"
The soldier nodded "I know its stupid worrying about him dying when he's already dead but...well he's my mate"
"I understand" said James "now tell me about what happened after the tunnel"
Mansfield Mike took a deep breath and then recounted how he had been knocked unconscious by the slide down the tunnel and was in the process of being dragged away by a zombie when Smurf had come to his aid. He had helped him into a side tunnel but by the time Smurf had finished the rest of the section had been captured and disarmed. They had watched as James was dragged and the others were led away and then followed at a distance until they had entered the main cavern. Mansfield had then hidden in a small side room as Smurf disguised himself and mingled with the crowd by the arena.
"When Smurf came out with your orders I radioed Captain Azizi to get the antidote into the pipe system. They found the holding tank in the compound pretty easily but had some trouble getting the old pump to work. Luckily old Aasif is a bit of a dab hand at machinery and got it going. Then i heard the hubbub in the main arena, saw you were in some strife and went in shooting. You know the rest" said Mansfield Mike with a shrug.
"Well it was excellent work private" said James.
"Oh, there's just one more thing sir" said the private "when I was hiding out in the little room I noticed this on the wall" The soldier dived into one of his large trouser pockets and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
James took it and opened it out to reveal a large map of Afghanistan marked with a number of red Zs and annotated copiously in what James assumed was Pashto script.
"Don't know if its of any interest" offered Mansfield Mike
"Oh, I think it may be of great interest" said James with a smile.
Just then Molly's voice was heard as she emerged from the cavern jogging alongside the stretcher bearing Smurf to the surface.
"We're losing him. Let's put him down. Come on Smurf stay with me!"
James could see the figure on the stretcher had started to spasm uncontrollably.
Mansfield Mike looked at James pleadingly
"Go" said the Captain and the private nodded and doubled away to join Molly who was working furiously to stabilise the patient. After a time the twitching seemed to ease and Mansfield Mike could be seen leaning in to Smurf's face as if trying to catch a whisper.
Molly put a supporting arm around the soldier then nodded to the stretcher bearers who lifted Smurf up once more and carried him towards the stairway leading to the surface and the waiting helicopter.
James walked over to the two of them. Mansfield Mike had tears in his eyes.
"What did he say private?" Asked James.
"Las Vegas" said Mansfield Mike and slowly walked away...
The Royal Crescent stretched in a majestic curve into the distance. A couple walked arm in arm along its length, seemingly ignoring its Palladian splendour, too engrossed in each other's company. A close observer may have detected a military bearing in the set of the shoulders and gait of one of the figures whilst the other wore a flowing black and white flower print dress under a short silk jacket and occasionally gazed at the other with undisguised adoration. The couple reached a large white door set into the bath stone frontage and the military figure knocked firmly. After a short pause the door opened to reveal Charles James in jacket and shirt.
"Hello Charles" said Major Beck "you look good enough to eat dear"
"You know I'm standing right here don't you?" Said Major Morley to his companion.
"Oh you know I can't help myself" said Major Beck
"Come in" said James "Molly is just getting ready, she should be down any minute"
The couple crossed the threshold and Major Beck glanced up the stairs "Oh what a lovely house. Although the stairs look a bit scary dear"
James took their coats and showed them into the living room which was dominated by a large Christmas tree. "Dinner should be ready in about 10 minutes" he said "can I offer you a drink?"
At that moment Molly walked into the room and greeted their guests.
"Oh I've got a dress just like that" she said to Beck.
"I know dear, I saw you wearing it in episode 5 and I said to Sherman 'I simply must have something the same'!"
"Anyway" continued Major Beck "I have got something for you, well actually it's for both of you" and so saying the former major produced a package from his handbag.
"Just a little something from my new range. Its a bit experimental but I'm sure you'll both have fun with it"
Molly unwrapped the package and pulled out some very revealing underwear.
"Blimey, there's not much to it is there?" said Molly.
James came over to Molly and stared at the garment.
"Um... are those fairy lights?" he asked uncertainly
"Oh yes, glad you noticed those. You can set them to flash at whatever speed you want, depending on your preferred...tempo"
"And is that...confectionary of some kind?" Continued James in bewilderment
"Just in case you need to boost your energy levels at some point" said Beck with a knowing smile "it really is enormous fun and has been thoroughly product tested hasn't it Sherman?"
Morley rolled his eyes and looked at James pleadingly. "Do you need any help in the kitchen?" he asked.
James smiled and nodded him through to the adjacent room.
"Heard from my ANA contact today." Began Morley as James busied himself preparing the food "They have mopped up the last of the zombie centres. That map you guys found has proven invaluable in smashing the production and transformation network."
"I am glad we could be of help" said James modestly
Morley cleared his throat "I have managed to persuade your government that the SZS needs to be maintained and increased to a full company"
James looked at the Major in surprise.
"There are still some real threats out their." Explained Morley "The Taliban are down but not out. I am sure they will be back. We also have intel that North Korea have initiated their own zombie programme and that Islamic State have been trying to source the relevant materials. Who knows what other terrorist groups and rouge states are trying to do the same thing"
James nodded but remained silent
"A full company will need a major to command it" said Morley looking steadily at James "it's yours if you want it"
James took a deep breath and let it out slowly "let me think about it and talk to Molly, ok?"
Morley nodded "ok"
"Charles" called Molly excitedly from the other room "look, they have arrived!"
Molly came into the kitchen brandishing her mobile phone and followed by a smiling Major Beck.
James took the phone from her and looked at the screen. The display was filled with a photograph of two section lined up outside the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas dressed in sharp suits, Rat Pack style. In the centre stood Smurf, red eyes shining, with the hint of a smile on his lips...
The End