Dead Like Me

The H125 - Airbus arrived at the prepared LZ quickly compared to the long drive Cally had made that meandered up the coast. Hal and Eagle had prepared the LZ to the open west side of the field bordering on the sandy beach. In preparation the two had marked a 100 foot X 100 foot area to

accommodate rotor of the chopper. It had minimal slope and was as flat as possible. They had cleaned the surface area and removed all the debris.

On the approach the occupants of the chopper could easily see the bright blue tarps in the center of the field. It had mostly been a silent trip but with this view the silence became oppressive. On landing Marcus stepped out first followed by Renard. Marcus threw out his arm blocking Renard from charging over to the bodies. "Mr. President we need to put on protective gear before approaching the bodies." This was said with perfect calm. Renard was not facing Marcus so he did not see the storm in his eyes.

"Why? We will not catch anything! There is no..." Marcus retracted his arm, "Because you don't want to be covered in her blood. Do you?" Renard stumbled in his thinking, "No, no I don't. Thank you Marcus." The security detail disembarked and took up their positions for a clean line of fire should any need arise. The pilot stayed in his seat for quick evac. Marcus went to a side compartment and removed the protective coveralls for Renard and himself. Hal and Eagle jogged over as the rotors were slowing down.

"Boss, this is the biggest damn SNAFU I've ever had. Eagle then trained his disturbed face on Renard, "Mr. President, Sir, I have no excuse. The Wotan girl moved a split second before it hit my target. I should have fired sooner or been better prepared to anticipate she might move out of fear. That Ivar was half changed and was moving wicked fast." Marcus and Renard were silent as they dressed. Marcus looked at the sniper, this was the longest speech he had ever heard from Eagle. With the coverall on both men turned and gave Eagle and Hal short nods, indicated they had heard and understood.

Marcus started walking towards the blue tarps with Renard close beside. Renard was uncharacteristically silent. There was a huge amount of blood surrounding the bodies. The tarps couldn't cover it all. Approaching Cally, Marcus assumed a half kneeling position beside her. Her boots were not covered. It was easy to see which was which. He was breathing through his mouth as much as possible. He didn't want her scent in his head. Pulling back the tarp he looked at her face. Just her face. Her beautiful honey colored hair was lying in a slurry of mud and blood. But her face looked so tranquil with just a few blood splatters. The blood was a fresh bright red and glistening in the morning light that had yet to fully crest the rainforest. Renard standing to the side said anxiously, " Marcus, is she?"

Marcus stood and covered her face back up. "She's not breathing. I don't hear her heart beating." Renard stood there shaking his head, "No it's not possible. No I refuse to believe something so ridiculous. She just needs a few minutes to recover. That's all." Marcus took a few steps away. "Renard listen to yourself." Renard looked at him angrily, " I know what I am saying but you are not listening!" Marcus walked to Ivar's corpse and threw back the tarp. It was bloody mess. The head was completely gone. Exploding like a watermelon after being shot. The distorted limbs were still in the process of shifting back to fully human. Missing parts of the brain stem slowed down the process.

It was at this moment that they all heard a loud sneeze. Followed by, "Ah Jeez!" Shocked, everyone in the field turned to the source. Cally was struggling to sit up. Shaking her head madly, she sneezed again. "Oh that is rank!" Oblivious to everyone Cally began to pick her nose.

Cally had just started to become aware as Marcus had approached. There was such a beautiful blue color that she could see with her eyes closed. Thinking,'I hear Marcus. Why am I so uncomfortable? Ah I smell Marcus. Crap I have to SNEEZE!' "Achoo!" Shaking her head madly she gagged and snorted repeatedly. Finally another sneeze and she blew out a small chunk of bone.

Looking around at everyone, thinking carefully, she then looked down at her sorry state. "Crap!" She then covered herself back up with the tarp. Marcus and Renard quickly knelt beside her and tried to pull back the tarp but she wouldn't let go and hid under its cover. "Cally are you alright? What are you doing? " Renard looked at Marcus, "See I told you this she just needed wake up." Marcus kept tugging at the Tarp, "Cally let go. What are you doing?"

"Go away. I'm uh, sleepy. Yeah I need a nap! Go way!" Marcus sat back on his heels. He looked at Renard who simply shrugged. He didn't understand. Marcus looked at the shell shocked Hal and Eagle. "Cally is this some sort of game?" "No, go way." "Cally unless you explain what's happening; we aren't leaving."

Thinking carefully. 'No he wouldn't leave. He probably wouldn't move and inch. Jeez I feel another sneeze coming!' Sitting up she said, "Move back! a a ACHOO!" Renard, not being fast enough was glad of the protective suit when she sprayed him with black blood, snot, and someone's canine tooth. "You guys, I am disgusting and you want details? I have sand down my butt! Leave me alone!" With that she covered her head back up and laid down again.