TPOV
Whap whap whap
A tiny noise had Tally's ears on hyperalert. It came from the large hilly terrain in the distance. It was still a ways away but Tally's Special ears could almost make out the sound of Helicopter blades savagely cutting through the air.
"David. Stop breathing for a moment." She commanded. It was hard to tell what with him panting like a horse.
"Why?" He asked.
Tally just looked at him. He took a gulp of air and held his breath.
Whap whap whap
The sound was getting louder and louder. Tally was almost positive it was helicopter blades now. She listened more closely, straining every muscle she had.
WHAP WHAP WHAP
Definately.
"They're coming David. Get ready."
David mumbled under his breath, "how the hell does she do that?"
Tally snorted. "If I can hear a Chopper nearly a hundred yards away you think I can't hear you muttering to yourself right in front of me?"
"Mnghh" was all David said.
Soon the whole Helicopter was visible over the hilly backdrop. It's massive blades chopped through the air crazily. Tally remembered how close she had been to being cut right through with those blades and winced. She was going to have to be more careful this time so as not to come that close again.
The Chopper almost looked like a bug to her. The front windows looked just like huge bug eyes, the blades could be the wings and the long bit at the end would be the abdomen. She thought of the Rangers. Bugs sitting in bugs.
As the Helicopter got closer and closer David became more and more tense. His breath quickened and his muscles twisted themselves into an attack-ready position. He was braced for the worst. And it might be. For him at least. But Tally knew she could do this.
In Tally's mind she imagined an old black school clock like the ones they used to have when she was an ugly. She imagined that second hand ticking just as slowly as it had done just before final bell.
Ten...
Nine...
Eight...
The Helicopter was almost at the landing pad. It was just crossing the dry field Tally and David had just come on.
Seven...
Six...
The helicopter was descending rapidly. Dust was flying up all around them and little pebbles and stones bounced off of their sneak suits.
Five...
Four...
The Helicopter was right above them now, its giant underside like a monster coming down upon her head.
Three...
It was coming down now, that giant monster was going to crush them, it was just too big.
Two...
There was no way to turn back.
One
The Helicopter landed.
The Rangers jumped out of the huge machine and moved quickly to the one Tally and David crouched unseen under. Tally hadn't known about this before, but David informed her that so as not to waste time on the war against the weeds the Rangers would, instead of refuelling, just switch Choppers. Other Rangers would come when they were out and fill up the discarded Chopper for the Rangers to pick up when they finished.
One of the Rangers did a quick check of the Helicopter before jumping in. He came right in front of where Tally and David were crouched.
Tally had to admit, even with her Special mind frame, this was very tense-making. Flashbacks of her last time Helicopter jumping came swimming back to her. She imagined those blades coming closer and closer, ready to cut her to ribbons. She could even remember the taste of fear in her mouth as she realized what might happen.
The blades began spinning. Slowly at first but then faster, faster, faster, faster, until they were going full speed. With sickening slowness the huge beast rose into the air.
"Here we go." David said shakily as the helicopter lifted into the great sky.
She realized that his whole body was shaking. He was just as frightened as she was. Even more so. For once his easily noticeable fear gave her strength instead of a small pang of pity and disgust.
She was not alone.