"Why are we so different from the others?" Corporal Mariam Ali wondered aloud. The zombified Somali female soldier turned to look askance at her sundered brethren. Until recently, they had all been members of the Somali National Army. Along came disaster in the form of Ayaan, the 'first' of the smart zombies, and existence would never be the same for Mariam and the surviving members of their unit. To say that she disliked her new existence would be an understatement...
"I've been thinking about that, in every group, there are outliers, those that are different, perhaps we are just a variant of the average zombie," said Private Malik Osman. Mariam looked at Malik and shook her head. He still looked mostly human, even though his skin was slowly turning ashen gray. In mortal life, Malik had been a handsome young man. Now he was one of the sentient Undead thanks to a certain Undead bitch that shall not be named...
"It doesn't matter what we are, we have a new existence, we are more durable now, immune to pain, and thirst, and we can only die one way, I say we embrace it," said Captain Mohamed Yusuf. Out of the three zombified former soldiers, the Captain seemed to be the most well-adjusted when it comes to the Undead existence. Captain Yusuf has always been a man on a mission and becoming a zombie hasn't changed who and what he is. The brother is still on a mission, and wholeheartedly embraces the state of being Undead...
"Well said, my friend," Ayaan said, as she seemingly materialized out of nowhere. The zombie leader stood there, hands on her hips, a grotesque smile on her face as she looked at her comrades. Captain Yusuf saluted, as did Malik. Mariam nodded at Ayaan in a way that meant very little. It was an acknowledgement, nothing more and nothing less. Mariam didn't care for Ayaan. The bitch bit her and took away her humanity to replace it with the poison of the Undead existence. Not the sort of thing one could easily forgive or forget.
"We have gathered the troops," Captain Yusuf said crisply, and Ayaan gently touched his shoulder. The four sapient zombies stood on a rocky outcropping, one that overlooked a valley. On the valley floor, hordes upon hordes of zombies awaited. The creatures shuffled along, something they did whenever there were a lot of them and there were no humans around for them to feed on. A certain lull seems to come over the zombies. They walk back and forth over a given area and seem to be in an almost dormant state. Mariam, Malik and Captain Yusuf didn't understand the 'regular' zombies but Ayaan had them wrapped around her little finger.
"Excellent, we will need them when we storm the City of Mogadishu," Ayaan said with a confident smile. Upon hearing that, Mariam and Malik exchanged a look. In the weeks since they got zombified, they had hunted and eaten humans. That's what all zombies do, whether they're mundane zombies or smart zombies. Mariam, Malik and Captain Yusuf retained their intelligence, personalities and power of speech. The smart zombies had mixed feelings about storming the capital of their former nation. Patriotism is a thing, even for Undead soldiers...
"Is that wise, Ayaan? I mean, the bulk of the Somali military will be protecting Mogadishu," Mariam asked. Ayaan looked at Mariam and the two zombie women took each other's measure. Ayaan gave Mariam the kind of smile a serpent would recognize. Mariam stood her ground. As a mortal woman, Mariam has always been tough and determined, proving both men and women wrong when it came to her abilities and skills. As a newly minted smart zombie, Mariam wasn't about to kowtow to the likes of Ayaan.
"Mogadishu will fall, as did the Village of Ham, as did your own military regiment, dear Mariam, for I am the Queen of the Zombies and I will it," Ayaan said sweetly. Mariam glared angrily at Ayaan. Captain Yusuf and Malik exchanged a look. Ayaan looked at the male zombies and shook her head. Malik hesitated, then backed down. Captain Yusuf bowed his head and took a step back. Mortal or Undead, there is always drama and a power struggle when strong-willed females clash. Wise men, whether alive or Undead, stay out of such conflicts.
"You are not my Queen, you're merely the bitch that bit me," Mariam retorted. Ayaan licked her lips and nodded. even though the self-styled Queen of the Zombies no longer breathed, she sighed loudly. Mariam braced herself for a fight. Ayaan suddenly launched herself at her. Fangs bared and claws extended, the zombie Queen went after the zombified female soldier. Malik and Captain Yusuf watched as Mariam and Ayaan tussled furiously on the rocky floor.
