Anno Zombus Year 1 (Book 9): September by Dave Rowlands

and soon, but Apocalypse Girl had no idea what it might be.
     
    The final approach to AR-18 was more or less easily accomplished, there were a few Dead swarming around the base of our transport, easily dispatched by our gunners.  As we neared our destination, Stutter and Nutter asked me to follow them to the escalator, which they raised to its highest point, amazingly just high enough for us to step neatly onto the top of Ayer’s Rock itself, mere metres away from an awaiting Apocalypse Mum, her beautiful daughter forcing her way past to rush into my arms, while Apocalypse Dog barked his greetings.
     
    noon
    German Doctor was fascinated by the small sample of Terraformer liquid that we had managed to acquire before washing it out of Soldier’s wounds with beer, but when she saw the identical Dead heads in their jars she practically wet herself.  Foisting the alien sample on a subordinate, she immediately took samples of the flesh and disappeared into her personal laboratory, declaring that nobody should disturb her until she is done, no matter what.
     
    The Mech-Techs, for the most part, were not allowed into the main part of the base, though Stutter, Nutter and Static were permitted, with Viking’s endorsement.  Valkyrie greeted the three of them almost with as much enthusiasm as with her husband, she disappeared with Viking into the living quarters soon after we returned.
     
    Static followed Soldier into the medical area, keeping him company while his injuries were attended to by professionals, leaving Stutter and Nutter with nothing to do, nobody to talk to.  I told the pair of them to follow Apocalypse Girl and myself, then led them to the technician’s area.  The two techs were in the laboratory that they shared with several others, though arguing quietly between themselves in a corner.  The nearest desk was covered in pieces of paper bearing various diagrams and sketches, mathematical formulae and the like.  One of the techs blushed furiously and began to attempt to straighten out his clutter as soon as he saw the four of us.
     
    The other began to quietly offer apologies, then introduced himself and his partner to Stutter and Nutter.  “P-pp-pleased to mm-meet you guys,” Stutter managed, Nutter looking in every direction but at his two new acquaintances.  Clutter and Mutter looked at the mildly loopy Mech-Tech strangely as he observed the room.
     
    “Pretty sure I’ve been here before, you know.  Or dreamed it, maybe, who knows.”  Absent-mindedly shaking the two hands offered to him, he sat at the desk as if it belonged to him, found a pencil and fresh sheet of paper and set to work.  “This is going to take a while, guys.  I don’t know if you’ll be able to get the parts for it, either.”  Stutter watched, offering the occasional tip that Nutter automatically incorporated into his design.  After a couple of minutes, Clutter opened a large cabinet on the wall, revealing a blackboard covered in chalk markings.  Casting his eyes about for an eraser of some kind, he sighed and started wiped it all off with his sleeve.  An instant later, Nutter tossed him the required eraser, having immediately found it among the mess on the desk.  He then rummaged around for a piece of chalk, then began attacking the blackboard in earnest.  Leaving the four geniuses alone, Apocalypse Girl and I finally found ourselves able to retire to our own quarters.
     
    evening
    Thankfully The Boss allowed us our solitude, at least until dinner time.  She invited the two of us to dine with her and The Brigadier, as well as Viking and Valkyrie.  It was worded politely, the invitation delivered with a smile, but I was certain that she would not have taken a refusal well.  Knowing Apocalypse Mum, it was going to be all business.  Not that the world allowed for anything else these days…
     
    Sure enough, The Boss wanted to know everything that had happened out there.  She was more interested in details about