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Breaking Down The Undead Apocalypse

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SandJosieph Since: Dec, 2009
#1: Oct 9th 2010 at 7:15:39 PM

One of my great fantasies would be turning on the radio or television and listening to initial reports of minor fighting suddenly happening in small pockets all across the globe. Most of the attention would initially be in third world countries where people are more prone to dying until there are more rioters showing up in America.

Interviews would be held with police officials about the necessity of using deadly force on the rioters when reports that SWAT teams were being employed. One caller would probably be asking why more humane methods aren't being used and the only answer the official can give is that these people are just far too aggressive for such methods. There would also be medical experts and psychologists brought in to help analyze the situation and most of them would come to an agreement that this was some sort of rabies like epidemic that allows these people to ignore catastrophic injuries but without any hard evidence this would merely be conjecture. How it managed to spread out worldwide overnight would remain a mystery. Eventually reports from the streets would be had with wounded people talking about how their attackers appeared to be in a state of mindless glee and how anyone who succumbed would reawaken with the same mindset. Several defining traits shared by all the attackers (such as their deathly silence and an almost gleeful mindlessness plastered on their pale faces) would be discussed.

Videos of various attacks start circulating the internet, including some that are just hard to believe and would be declared as faked. Nightmarish stories of people attempting to return home or reach loved ones would start appearing in forums and blogs. One rather sad story of a highschooler trying to calm down his "possessed" prom date ends in tragedy as she beats him seemingly to death, only for him to make some kind of recovery and start attacking other students as well.

As the situation escalates, and more of these crazed attackers start appearing on the street, a public announcement (by FEMA?) would be held in all major cities advising people to stay off the streets and in their homes until further notice. All law enforcement officials would be mobilized immedietely in an attempt to stop the rioters, with limited success. Even worse, those on the force who succumb to the violence or their own wounds would appear to reawaken to go on a killing spree of their own.

Eventually, the nature of the attackers would become evident: These people are dead (I'm not sure who would make the official statement). Some particularly stubborn people may refuse to believe it, thinking these people are merely infected with some sort of viral infection as the "reanimation" time is so short, approximately 1-2 minutes. Others would probably grab guns and start shooting everything in the head, creating more of the monsters. Once headless people start showing up on front lawns across the nation, though, all doubts should be lifted. There would still probably be arguments held over whether or not these undead people can be called "Zombies".

Martial Law gets declared as people out after a certain time will be detained, rather than terminated. All military personnel over seas would be recalled to help the overwhelmed law enforcers. Various facilities (such as the fire department, police station, powerplants, etc.) would be declared as targets of priority for defending and retaking. Numerous "Clean and Sweep" teams would be formed in communities that lacked a sizable police force but with no real way to kill what's already dead only limited success would be had. The president would be moved to a secure location but not before sending congress a package of initiatives and giving a final word to the people. With no cause to be determined, the entire world is declared a hotzone. Even places isolated from the original outbreaks could fall if one person becomes dies, naturally or otherwise.

Countries with a policy of terminating trouble makers would be the first to fall. Inevitably, one country may declare war on another country and nukes could be deployed, creating even more of these undead monsters. A ban on such weapons would than be declared by the United Nations.

Several weeks after the beginning of the end, people have set up a routine to deal with the dead should any of the rotting skeletons ever show up. People of all ages would have been taught to "Aim for the Joints". And whenever a person does die for any number of reason, the joints are damaged to immobilize the person once they revive.

What I was aiming to do here was try to figure out the minor details since the most interesting aspect about most zombie movies for me are the news broadcasts and the interviews that are held as the dead start to walk. So any comments and questions would be helpful. Cheers!

breadloaf Since: Oct, 2010
#2: Oct 9th 2010 at 8:28:15 PM

So what are your zombie rules?

How are they created? How are they killed?

Other than that, how international do you want your story to be? Mainly set in USA?

SandJosieph Since: Dec, 2009
#3: Oct 10th 2010 at 1:20:53 PM

This is an international crisis as anybody who dies will "reanimate". No one can determine what causes such an event, something that many people will discuss in various forum and talk-show segments. The best they can come up with is that it has to do with the human skeleton as removal of all other organs appears to have no effect (hence the part where headless people start showing up on front lawns everywhere). Since these people are dead, they will ignore pretty much every form of abuse they encounter. They will chase down their victims as fast as possible, rigor mortis be damned and the only seek to kill as food has no more meaning to them.

Here's one talk-show segment I've got (this is before anybody finds out that these people are in fact dead):

Talk Show Host: (to caller) You say you're down in the midst of the rioting, can you explain the situation to me?

Caller: Yes, I'm currently trapped here in my car with my wife and kids. These people are absolutely violent, almost as though they are possessed by demons.

Talk Show Host: Can you describe these "demons"?

Caller: They look like normal people but they seem to... **sound of glass cracking** ...Oh dear god, somebody get us out of here. I don't think my son can take their mindless glee any longer.

Talk Show Host: "Mindless glee"?

Caller: Yes, their eyes are completely white without any expression what-so-ever but their mouths appear to be locked in a perpetual grin.

**a gunshot is heard followed by the caller screaming in surprise**

Talk Show Host: What just happened?

Caller: One of the demons was shot in the face and I can see part of his brain now. It's...it's...it's horrifying. Honey, cover Ben's eyes! I don't know what the hell is going on. Someone, please help us!

**sound of glass breaking and the screams of those in the car are heard**

I'm not quite sure what the protocol for a caller getting killed mid-call is so if someone could tell me that would be nice.

edited 10th Oct '10 1:21:35 PM by SandJosieph

breadloaf Since: Oct, 2010
#4: Oct 10th 2010 at 6:23:31 PM

Well I just realized i just became pregnant.

Okay, I get it, you want lots of confusion and everything. In that case, I suppose then you would want different interviews and shows showing all sorts of theories to be answering those questions once they realize they are zombies. Then they slowly get more accurate.

Ettina Since: Apr, 2009
#5: Oct 12th 2010 at 7:45:49 AM

"...Oh dear god, somebody get us out of here. I don't think my son can take their mindless glee any longer."

That sounds really fake. Not sure if I can put my finger on it, just that no one would say this. Maybe something like "Oh, god, they seem so happy" (horrified tone).

If I'm asking for advice on a story idea, don't tell me it can't be done.
Ajardoor Since: Jan, 2001
#6: Oct 15th 2010 at 2:43:32 PM

Sounds like the Shitibo from the Forbidden Siren games.

breadloaf Since: Oct, 2010
#8: Oct 16th 2010 at 1:35:38 AM

Well i had a zombie idea myself, I haven't worked on it much beyond that but it's actually a plot point that it happened anyways. The majority of the American population though, who don't know a damn thing about biology, just htink it was perfectly normal for the whole world to be ruined.

The plot runs with Something Man and Immunologist Girl, who's first thing on their list of to-do after escaping a sudden zombie outbreak that over took their entire town is... get to Immunologist Girl's lab. Why? She complains there is zero probability of the spread being this fast, and this far, unless someone spread it on purpose like a bioweapon. Also there's a very long incubation time for my particular variation, somethign along the lines of up to 60 days.

SandJosieph Since: Dec, 2009
#9: Nov 15th 2010 at 3:11:42 PM

Just some flavor text I've thought up. I quite enjoyed thinking up the confusion between various parties and the mixed up information and speculations.

The Internet

"The infection has begun!"
"How's that possible? It's happening worldwide!"
"This is no infection."
"It must be something in the water.

"One of them tried to break into my house! Someone help!"

"The people at the Lancer Chemical Corporation are saying they have nothing to do with this. Yeah, my ass!"

"The army is driving trucks around looking for survivors."

"Just saw some of those Black LCC trucks roll by. I wonder what they're up to."

"These people are too fast to be undead!"
"These people are too resilient to be infected."
"These people are too fucked up to be human!"

"The government is hiding something."
"The government doesn't have a clue as to what's going on either."
"I'm pretty sure the LCC knows what's going on."
"For all I care the LCC can suck my grandmother's dick!"
"..."

"NO ZOMBIE IS SAFE FROM CHICAGO TED"

"I just smashed in one of their faces. He's currently at the back door, trying to break in."

"How did the infection get past the quarantine?"
"Possibly the incubation period is far longer than expected."
"Doesn't explain how this managed to crop up worldwide overnight, though."

"The army has advised us to arm ourselves for our own protection. I LOVE the army! - Francis"

"There are headless people wandering around the streets!"

Graffiti on Walls

"God is DEAD"

"How did it spread so fast?"

"Where are all the bodies?"

"Maria, I'm headed for the old church. Meet me there. - John"

"There's no end in sight!"

"Not Airborne"

"This madness is worse than Sparta!"

"Cynthia, we found Waldo! But we were too late. - Jim"

"These zombies aren't playing fair at all! - Zoey"

"Evac center overrun."

"Beware the limbs!"

"The quarantine was useless!"

"Why won't they die?"

"Death and violence everywhere but not a corpse in sight."
"That's because they're all up and walking!"

"This is no virus."

"Dead people don't die when they are killed"

"R.I.P. James, we will miss."

"Chicago Ted is DEAD!"

"Can't hold out much longer...(blood smear)"

"This sucks, no one is immune to DEATH."

"They're shooting back!" Pending...

Medical Reports

"Patient suffered cardiac arrest. Minutes later, he was up and attacking my nurses. He was eventually restrained but not before he beat one of my nurses into submission. Moments later, she too was up and attacking and had to be restrained. Obtaining blood samples for testing has proven difficult."

"Bites from the patients appear to be nonfatal but still highly ill-advised. No explanation as to how they are moving with no vital signs of life apparent."

"The severed limb began to move of its own accord..." Pending...

News Reports

"'Caller, what are your thoughts on the use of deadly force against these people?' - talk show host
'It's unwarranted. The police haven't even issued a statement as to the motives behind these attacks.' - caller
'And what if there was no a motive, how would that change things?' - talk show host
'There is always a motive,' - caller"

"The casualties are staggering and the paramedics are being overwhelmed..."

"The following evac stations have now been compromised..."

"Governments around the world have begun closing their borders..."

"Representatives from the Lancer Chemical Corporation have since refuted all claims that their company is behind the phenomena."

"It has been confirmed that this is neither viral nor chemical."

"The president has declared martial law and anyone caught outside after 8 PM as of this day will be quarantined."

Survivor Logs

"There are people in the alleys. Can't risk getting supplies for today."

"Hospital under seige, can't hold out much longer."

"October 2ND Johnny killed 3 of them with his bare hands"
"October 4TH Johnny was killed by friendly fire"
"October 5TH Johnny killed 12 of us with his bare hands"

"Disease is running rampant and we're almost out of food."

"I would be happier if they would DIE when I shoot them."

edited 24th Nov '10 2:32:52 AM by SandJosieph

Icalasari Warble from Alberta, Canada Since: Jan, 2001
Warble
#10: Nov 15th 2010 at 11:32:43 PM

Wouldn't people adopt a system of cremation to deal with it? Kind of hard to move when you are ash...

I wonder what a strip tease from a creature made of souls would be like?
SandJosieph Since: Dec, 2009
#11: Nov 15th 2010 at 11:37:43 PM

The reanimation time is 1-2 minutes. There's no time to cremate. You probably could take the time to chop up all the limbs of a recently deceased person, provided you had the right equipment.

edited 15th Nov '10 11:38:25 PM by SandJosieph

Diamonnes In Riastrad from Ulster Since: Nov, 2009
In Riastrad
#12: Nov 24th 2010 at 12:42:46 AM

"They're Shooting back" "The limbs are moving of their own accord" What? WHAT? Like the suspense and the Left 4 Dead reference, but those two statements make no sense.

My name is Cu Chulainn. Beside the raging sea I am left to moan. Sorrow I am, for I brought down my only son.
SandJosieph Since: Dec, 2009
#13: Nov 24th 2010 at 2:18:13 AM

The basic foundation of this apocalypse is that there is no virus creating these zombies and can't be killed like normal zombies, which is why separated body parts can move on their own. Also, they appear to retain many memories of their former lives. Unfortunately, most of those memories are usually ways to hurt/kill people so soldier or law enforcement zombies know how to use their weapons.

I will keep what you said in mind, though as I did feel that that part may have been a bit forced. Any suggestions on how to ease people into this idea of the unkillable monster?

edited 24th Nov '10 2:21:33 AM by SandJosieph

Diamonnes In Riastrad from Ulster Since: Nov, 2009
In Riastrad
#14: Nov 24th 2010 at 2:40:20 AM

If there's one thing that biology has taught me, it's that nothing is unkillable. Burn it, melt it with acid, there's lots of methods to annihilate something.

edited 24th Nov '10 2:41:51 AM by Diamonnes

My name is Cu Chulainn. Beside the raging sea I am left to moan. Sorrow I am, for I brought down my only son.
SandJosieph Since: Dec, 2009
#15: Nov 24th 2010 at 2:51:03 AM

Reapers (my current default name for them) can definitely be destroyed. It's just that as long as two bones are still connected at a joint they will be able to move. So yes, they are unkillable in the sense that they're already dead and can't be re-killed.

SandJosieph Since: Dec, 2009
#16: Dec 4th 2010 at 12:24:28 PM

Got something new. Does this sound believable?

Spread of the Dead

When the dead first started their uprising most of them were easily subdued. While they did cause a number of injuries, only a few of those were fatal and those victims were just as easily subdued. Stories are told over various internet blogs and some talk shows and the simultaneousness of the attacks across the globe is viewed as just a major coincidence. It isn't until a few days later once enough people had died when things really start to pick up. By then, many major cities in third world countries were starting to fall. Only a few major cities in first and second world countries experienced any mass rioting. The ones who did were eventually over run by the next day.

As major cities began to fall and require evacuation, panic started to build up as people weren't sure what was happening. Wild rumors about the spreading "disease" caused many to become misinformed and mercy killings of individuals suffering from any form of sickness gave rise to even more undead. To help prevent panic, the Civilian Defense Agency (CDA) told the people that this "disease" could be contained if "infected" individuals were seperated from the "uninfected".

Soon, under orders from the president, the Military held safe zones/evacuation centers across the country, with fortifications in small towns surrounding major urban centers. Eventually, the dead from the major city centers spread out to the minor cities, who had problems dealing with their own dead, overtaking them with ease.

While the fact that these people are in fact dead was found out fairly early on, the implications of what it meant doesn't set in until about a week after the uprising begins. By this point, the president has been moved to a secure location and discusses what to do with his staff via videophone. They eventually settle on a plan that involves keep as many people alive as possible by setting up as many evacuation points as possible in small towns located near major city centers. Each evac center is equiped to deal with "Carriers" of dangerous diseases and infections with special emphasis placed on Biohazard Level 3 and 4 contagions. Areas considered too dangerous to enter are quarantined and any trespasser is left to their own fate.

KingZeal Since: Oct, 2009
#17: Dec 5th 2010 at 2:00:52 AM

Even if Reapers are still "alive" (so to speak) after being decimated, how are they still a threat? Like, if you destroy all but a hand, how can that hand remotely threaten a human being?

SandJosieph Since: Dec, 2009
#18: Dec 5th 2010 at 11:32:56 AM

The hand can still shoot you if it's holding a gun. Otherwise, yes, it isn't very dangerous. The only reason severed body parts can move on their own is simply a Required Secondary Power of being unkillable.

KingZeal Since: Oct, 2009
#19: Dec 5th 2010 at 12:32:56 PM

How can the hand shoot you with four out of five human senses missing?

SandJosieph Since: Dec, 2009
#20: Dec 5th 2010 at 12:53:42 PM

Upon death, the dead gain a sixth sense which seems to reside in the bones, much like the old saying, "I can feel it in me bones." That's what they use to find the living.

KingZeal Since: Oct, 2009
#21: Dec 5th 2010 at 1:17:31 PM

Errrrrr...I'll be honest here. The more complicated you make this, the more it stretches my Willing Suspension of Disbelief.

SandJosieph Since: Dec, 2009
#22: Dec 5th 2010 at 1:34:25 PM

All I can say is that I just wanted these zombies to be unkillable, like the Trioxin zombies of Return Of The Living Dead. There wasn't going to be much exploring into what made them tick as I was more interested in how their presence worldwide would break down society. So yeah, the more questions about how this plays out rather than why this plays out would be more useful.

Diamonnes In Riastrad from Ulster Since: Nov, 2009
In Riastrad
#23: Dec 5th 2010 at 6:18:51 PM

The fact is that it can't be scary if our disbelief doesn't get willingly suspended, and ignoring it won't make it go away.

edited 5th Dec '10 6:20:47 PM by Diamonnes

My name is Cu Chulainn. Beside the raging sea I am left to moan. Sorrow I am, for I brought down my only son.
SandJosieph Since: Dec, 2009
#24: Dec 6th 2010 at 10:50:16 AM

Perhaps I could go with my old idea of having the human race undergo a genetic mutation that turned bone marrow into primitive brain material and the effects only become apparent once the main brain ceases to function.

Diamonnes In Riastrad from Ulster Since: Nov, 2009
In Riastrad
#25: Dec 8th 2010 at 9:43:34 AM

YES. That's fucking COOL.

My name is Cu Chulainn. Beside the raging sea I am left to moan. Sorrow I am, for I brought down my only son.

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