Please note that I am only broadcasting this page as far as I can in the city of Malton. I have not outside access to the internet. If and when the power generators are back on, I will run a webserver 24/7 and have links to outside internet sites.
CONTACT: I am not running a mail server on this server. Please contact me on the Citywide Research Channel. (OOC: here)
Table of Contents
In early July, the British city of Malton began to have confirmed reports of the dead ... well, not staying dead. Although NechroTech attempted to conceal their role in this catastrophe, it is well understood that their experiments are the source of the Zombies. Not surpirsingly, they found they could not control their own creation and soon the dead began to devour the living. It has been less than a month and the city is almost completely dead. There are less than 15,000 people left alive and most likely the number is actually much less. However, this page is not to recount the history of Malton's demise.
The MZ-Effect is a term I have created but which I still cannot define technically. I struggle to define it because it is based on observation that is not impartial, passionless, and controlled. Nevertheless, the observed behavior that I describe as the MZ-effect is nothing more or less than the animation of a human host who has undergone the normal "death" process. The MZ-Effect is due to the presence of an, as yet, unknown pathogen.
The MZ-Effect impacts various hosts differently. However, one of the unifying features is the ability to sustain animation in a human host without the pumping of blood, the infusion of oxogen, and (in fact) in the presence of severe tissue damage. The other unifying feature is the ability to quickly convert raw tissue from other living and non-living humans into energy.
Other effects occur in varying frequencies: "most" zombies seem to have lost their previous "self", or consciousness. These zombies appear most irrational and attempt, quite aggressively, to devour the flesh nearest to them.
While such zombies are dangerous, even more dangerous are the zombies who do seem to retain some or all of their previous memories and abilities. It is true that some zombies with "self" in-tact resist the urge to attack other humans, most of what I call "Retentive Cognition Zombies" appear to be capable of hunting specific humans and organizing zombie huting packs. Additionaly, they can bypass security measures and plan tatics for catching their prey.
All Zombies seem unable to experience pain.
The MZ-Effect is the result of an, as yet, unknown pathogen. How, exactly, this pathogen is or how it works is unknown. There are several competeing theories and observations which I have placed on this page.
For simplicity, I use the term "Anima Corpa Eterna" for the name of the pathogen (or just the ACE pathogen). Later scientists, if there is a later, will most certainly name it something else.
There is no cure to the ACE pathogen, and it seems that every person in Malton carries said pathogen in their blood. However, it seems dormant until the natural death of the host (I describe some uncertainty about this later). There are revivification syrums that can stop the ACE pathogen's activity and restore life to move MZ-Effectives (restoring them to a state of MZ-Dormancy). This revivification process seems to have zero impact on the host's skills, knowledge, and capabilities.
I am currently trying to answer the following questions:
4-AUG-2005:
After several discussions with many people, I believe that we are observing the MZ-Effect in the living. Specifically, the living (MZ-Dormants) in this city appear to have better health and recovery then normal. We cannot prove this yet, but it appears to be true. If so, it could be from the ACE-Pathogen.
1-AUG-2005:
I am observing some kind of *symbiotic* (or parasitic?) nature of the zombie pathogens. It actually seems that there is some neural net being created *chemically* between the pathogens in the body. Oddly enough, normal chemical operations of a living host *disrupt* this neural net which may explain why the living do not (or rarely) have symptoms."
But, once a host is dead and chemical processes stop, the chemical net between these things appears to activate!
Current Hypotheses:
(All of these theories are mine but I look forward to posting
theories from other contributing scientists)
I have also collected the following snippets of research from other scientists:
I feel I should share the results of my research with the rest of you, since it may prove vital to us in the long run - Of course there's also the concern that I may not survive, but the fact that this plague is so pervasive, coupled with our revivification technology, is actually reassuring. While I continue to do research into this zombie-plague, I do have some initial results which mayprove enlightening. Of course perhaps some of you have already theorized this, but I have experimental proof. My research into this affliction indicates that one's brain and vital organs are actually preserved by the zombification process, and that one actually retains one's own mind, at least initially. However a separate zombie intelligence somehow arises in every individual, and grows stronger over time. Further, one's human brain slowly degrades, as one's mind grows weaker and weaker, until, finally, only the zombie consciousness remains. For this reason, it is imperative that zombified individuals be revivified as quickly as possible. [Edited] ...So, now my research is turning more to behavioral observations. As I mentioned in a previous broadcast, zombies seem to exhibit a separate consciousness of their own - the zombie mind is not the human mind, and not a part of it. It seems that individuals of weak willpower are unable to resist the zombie mind. They may remain conscious, but are unable to control their body. Individuals of stronger will can fight and override the zombie mind in its infancy, although they will inevitably fail in time if they are not revivified quickly. I have found signs that the weak-minded are usually still conscious, in that their brainwave patterns are still normal-ish (though traumatized). However, some of the recently undead have brainwave patterns which suggest that they have slipped into a permanent dreamlike state - until their brains die, at least. I fear that were these dreamersto be revivified, they would simply collapse into a coma until starvation or zombie attack returned them to undeath. I have not tried revivifying any of these, for syringes are in short supply and must not be wasted on those who will gain no benefit from them. Furthermore, it is difficult to safely approach. My usual method of brainwave examination is via affixing the monitoring devices directly on a corpse's head. Then I don't have to be anywhere near a live zombie in order to see what there is to see. I just stay up on this roof where I can get a decent signal from whereever the zombies are (in this section of town at any rate).
Reports obtained from PFC Denton:
REPORT #1 Report file of Andrew Cunningham, NecroTech United Kingdom Branch. Today I was airdroped into Malton city, which has recently gone under heavy zombie infestation. The brass didn't bother to tell me if the company had anything to do with it. Anyway, my orders are to retrieve three infected DNA samples, and to head over to the Foreman Building laboratories to recieve file information about Strain 7. Then I am to head over to the Rounds Boulevard Police Department to await airlift from the city. Any research put into Strain 7 while in the PD would be appreciated by the Company. Overview of Strain 7 Virus:I already know the specifics of the Strain 7 virus, but the brass transmitted the information to me anyway so... Contagion Rating: Minimal, works only in 1/10 subjectsBehavioural Anaylsis: Causes the user to retain basic levels of intelligence, while removing the more humane parts of the mind into lesser used echellons of the brain. This makes the subject fairly intelligent, and ultra violent. Mutation Aspects: Defeats the skin deterioation aspect of all infected, a trait most common in the "zombie" mutation. User gains reptalian scales, sporting a greenish blue color. Large curved scthyes grow naturally along the users fingertips, essentially used for cutting and/or evisceration. Hunched hind legs, giving the user leeway to "leap" at prey. DNA Extraction Methods: Subdue target at all costs. Then apply needle anally. Revivification Methods: N/AAllistair OswellNecroTech Viral Research Division [End Report] REPORT #2 Whew! That was a close one. Why am I even writing in this like a diary? I'll have to erase this before I submit it as a report file. The zombies(or, as the company would call them, "infected individuals.") outside have left the area. I was sure that they were gonna try to get in, but it looks like luck is with me today. Anyway, the report. Ahem. Prerogatives for today: Obtain at least three infected individual DNA samples: Check! Put in daily research into Strain 7: Not check, the Foreman building was too heavily barricaded. Will have to enlist the help of local survivors to break it down for me. Procurement of Supplies and weapons: I've only got a DNA extractor, no guns yet. Okay, that's that. Now to fax this to Alfred in Researching. [End Report] REPORT #3: Goddamnit, where the hell is my contact? I've been waiting in this smelly police department for days now, and no one has come. I suppose I should start from the top, though. I managed to enlist the help of a local firefighter a day after writing the last report to help me break down the barricade at the Foreman building, after telling him that there were stranded survivors in there. After entering the lobby, we killed some of the zombies who were in there, myself using a gun I had finally located in the Rounds Boulevard armoury. This task complete, I told him to delve deeper into the building to search for survivors. The entrance was, of course, hidden behind the receptionists desk. The basement lab was relatively clear, no zombies at all. The Strain 7 test subjects are still in suspended animation, towards the back of the complex. I've placed a GPS transmitter inside the room for later extraction of the subjects. I then procedded into the Archive, and managed to find the late Director Langleys office, which, as you know, if well concealed. I'm sure you already know the way in. Anyway, I found four of the five Strain 7 file reports. The remaining file was no where to be found. I then returned to the Rounds Boulevard PD, and will now fax this file to headquarters. Please, I'm begging you, send that contact. I cannot stand it in here. [End Report] REPORT #4: Diary of Andrew Cunningham, Malton. My supposed "contact" turned out to be a hired assassin sent to kill me! I can't believe my luck. He only managed to clip me in the arm, and I shot the ****er in the head without hesitation. They're certainly not getting their files now. I'll burn them up! [Later...] Okay...I've managed to calm down a bit. That wound hurts like hell...anyway, I trashed the reports concerning their miracle virus Strain 7. Burnt em' up and tossed them in the street. Let a zombie munch on them for all I care. This, however, means that I'm not getting out of here, and that the Company had no intention of letting me come back in the first place, which explains the assassin. I guess I'm...stuck here, with all the other putrid survivors that I'm surronded by. I don't even have a radio, DAMNIT. [the next day.] unbelievable. some zombie managed to sneak into the building while i was sleeping. bit me in the arm and i still see a chunk of it missing. damnit, i didnt want this to happen. [later] its over for me. they snuck in during the night, or maybe they've been here all along. the strain 7 test subjects...some of them got loose. they must have seen me when i walked into the freezing chamber. they followed me all the way back to this god awful building. i managed to get away from them, and they've got me cornered in the cheifs office. i have a single firearm. i'm gonna try to sort this all out in a bit, provided im still alive. they chased me. so many of them, i'll never forget. my arm hurts like hell, and im headed to the armoury. i want to end my life without them killing me. i dont want to become one of them, 1/10 chance or not. goodbye world. [End Report]
[FIRST MESSAGE]
While on the interim of fraggin' some cold-bloods, i'd like to share with you some of Kurtz's own research. I can see the look on your face now, "Kurtz is a techy geek like me?" No, son, but tearing parts off o' coldies all day long lends itself to a little bit of... ahem... anatomical research, to say the least, and ol' Kurtz has got a few theories Mister Knight night might be interested in. So let's break down for the fans of ol' Kurtz who might be listening, but haven't quite figured things out. Item one: What happens when a coldie kills a warmie? Warmie goes cold. Item two: What happens when a coldie bites a warmier, but warmie isn't ghosted? Warmie stays warm. Item three: What happens when a warmie ghosts himself? Warmie turns cold, even if he's had no contact with a cold-blood. Coldie is spreading his germs to us boys and girls, and he doesnt even need get cozy with us to do it. It's in the air, or in the water. Maybe in the food. The geeks know about it, so if you come up on one, tell him Kurtz has some questions for him. But hey, don't worry about Kurtz, because he doesnt test on animals like the geeks do. When Kurtz has a theory he sticks to his guns, and he's got the frosty bite scars to prove it. At the IS, we like to do what the geeks call a double-blinder, to make sure our research is on the up-and-up. So... Kurtz ate a zombie. Not one of those old ones with the gamey flesh, this was a fresh one. Just cold. Looked like she'd been strangled because she didn't have a mark on her but some mitt-marks on the neck. Interesting don't you think? Coldies don't strangle, coldies eat. This girl was killed by a warm-blood. Probably raped her too. Anyhow, Kurtz cooked some up, rare just like he likes it. You know how it is, the fridges have gone warm since the power went off, and the beef the IS finds in people's homes is a little gamey. It's ironic really, the city gets warmer and the warmies can't eat. Well, as it turns out, the fresh coldies are a good post workout meal. Fuels the muscles and all that. And not a single side-effect from ACE, and we know its either ingested or inhaled. looks like the geeks have their work cut out for them, because we've all got it bad. You and me both.
[SECOND MESSAGE]
Got some more research for you. The farther away you put the coldie parts, the harder it is for them to cause so much trouble. Just today a punted a leg down the road, and coldie took nearly an hour to get himself together again. Of course... it's a little confusing as to how they get the leg back on there, but by-jesus if they don't get that thing workin' again!
[THIRD MESSAGE]
On a related note, the same re-membering of the coldie parts is greatly reduced upon digestion.