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Suggested Actions for the Infected
So You’re Infected: What Now?
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When a zombie outbreak occurs, regardless of scope, the worst-case scenario for any human being is becoming one of the infected. No other fate compares in horror. Death is undesirable, yes, and a horrible death still more to be feared; yet at least, with death, there is an ending. Not so with undeath, in which the formerly thinking and feeling human being is reduced to a mindless, emotionless shell bent inexorably towards one purpose: the extermination of all human life within reach. Ask anyone what they would least like to be, and “zombie” will almost certainly top the list.
It is universally accepted that the virus which causes the death of its human host, then the reanimation of his or her corpse, is transmitted by direct physical contact. It is also known that this contagion is particularly virulent and thus easily spread. A mere scratch from a walking corpse is usually enough to spread the infection, while a bite is a guaranteed one-way trip to zombie-hood. Fortunately, it is generally accepted that the virus is not airborne, else the world as occupied by humanity would have ended long ago.
The true nature of this viral infection is a subject of much debate in scientific circles, and wild speculation among laymen, and is thus beyond the scope of this article. One vital fact is known, however: once a human host has contracted the infection, there is nothing to be done that will prevent it from running its course. The infected subject, if not expiring immediately from critical wounds, will continue to live anywhere from four to twenty hours before death occurs, after which reanimation results within minutes. Science has yet to find a cure to arrest this process, and perhaps never will.
The solution to avoiding infection is obvious: avoid all physical contact with the undead. However, the application of this simple remedy is problematic given the determination of the animate corpse to embrace the living, coupled with the ignorance of the average citizen as to the nature of the undead and how to combat them. It is axiomatic that when an outbreak begins, people will be infected; as the zombie epidemic increases, still more will be affected. You may find, despite your best efforts to avoid and combat the undead, that you have become contaminated and will soon join their ranks.
So what do you do with the time you have left? Do you give in to despair and allow yourself to turn, becoming part of the problem? Do you blow your brains out immediately? Or do you attempt to take some constructive action with your time remaining that might benefit those still alive? If you’ve got the courage and conviction to do the right thing, then the following suggestions may help.
DO NO HARM TO THE LIVING
In the war of humanity versus the walking dead, many of the living do the undead’s work for them. The average citizen will, upon infection, seek the assistance and comfort of others and in doing so will inadvertently infect them through physical contact. Often, it is this ignorant person’s loved ones that will be made to suffer the same fate. Upon the person’s death, he or she will then rise up to kill and disseminate the contagion to still others. The vicious cycle will repeat itself, again and again. It is thusly that an isolated small-scale outbreak morphs rapidly into a large-scale zombie epidemic.
If you are infected, the most important prerogative is to live by the medical profession’s oldest creed: to do no harm to others. This means avoiding all physical contact with those who are not infected so as to ensure the contagion is not transmitted. Your spouse or loved one must be told to stay away – hugging, touching and kissing are off limits, not to mention sexual contact of any kind. Furthermore, medical professionals and other good samaritans must be warned off and told in no uncertain terms that there is nothing to be done. Even handshakes should be avoided. You must isolate yourself from all physical contact with others, effectively providing a self-quarantine. Treat any open wounds to stop the bleeding of contaminating fluids and dress in concealing clothing that covers up any wounds to minimize the chance of skin-to-skin contact. In this way, if nothing else, the infection will not be allowed to spread to others.
In addition, you must make arrangements to destroy your brain before death occurs. Whether self-inflicted or with the aid of another, a bullet to the brain will usually do the trick. By ending the threat of your reanimation, you will be safeguarding your loved ones from yourself while denying the enemy yet another convert.
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE END
Death is an unpleasant prospect for most. It is particularly unsettling to know that one’s time among the living is measured in hours as is the case for the infected. Such a certain outcome coming in such a short span of time is enough to unsettle all but the most stalwart of folks and may result in all manner of hysterical and irrational behavior. The important point is not to give in to the fear of an impending end, but rather to take constructive action to deal with it.
As touched on briefly in the previous section, you must be ready for when the end comes, and this means having a pistol to be self-employed, or arranging for someone else to do the job. You should know how to use the weapon and have at least one piece of ammunition on hand. If someone else is tasked with preventing your reanimation, then that person must be dedicated to the task and ready when the time draws nigh. If you are remaining with others until the end, then you must notify everyone of the danger and of the need to be watchful – all should be prepared to do what must be done.
If you are responsible for the welfare and safety of others, than you must pass on that responsibility to someone else. If you have a child, then a competent and trusted adult or group of adults must be charged with the child’s safety. Hopefully a friend or other family member is available, but a well-meaning stranger or group must do in a pinch. If you are leading a group of survivors, then the baton of leadership must be passed to another before you expire.
You may wish to say goodbye to your loved ones before the end. Be careful that such goodbyes do not involve any kissing or other contact that may spread the infection. Bear in mind that even your tears may be infectious. Give them any final instructions or advice as you deem appropriate.
Finally, for those of a religious nature, do not fail to make peace with your God. The act of blowing one’s brains out is problematic for some beliefs, owing to the consequences in the afterlife of suicide. Rest assured, preventing oneself from becoming a zombie is righteous and must be done to protect the living who remain – it is arguable that God would forgive suicide in the case of a zombie infection given that death is imminent anyway. If you are unable to make peace with such a decision, however, then having another perform the necessary act may be best.
TAKE AS MANY OF THEM WITH YOU AS YOU CAN
A large-scale outbreak occasions war between the living and the animate dead, is a war that will determine the very fate of our species. In a conventional war between living opponents, a variety of stratagems may be employed to achieve victory – taking strategic locations, cutting off enemy supply routes, sapping the morale of the foe, and so on. Not so with zombie warfare, in which it is primarily a numbers game. There is only one solution that will make the undead enemy give up the struggle to devour the living – total destruction. We must destroy them down to the last zombie or the threat of humanity’s extinction will continue to be a possibility.
Those infected by the walking dead are ideally suited to go on the offensive, having nothing left to lose since death is a surety. What better way to use the hours remaining than in the elimination of as many of the flesh-eating bastards as possible? This will not only aid in cutting down on the enemy’s numbers, thus increasing the odds of humanity’s survival, but will also prove the most satisfying way to wile away the time before the end. An infected who takes the fight to them is not only serving humanity, but also satisfying his or her own desire for justice or vengeance or both.
Assuming more than a small-scale outbreak, there is much you may do to bring decimation and destruction to the zombie hordes. Based on the severity of the outbreak, your location (urban, rural, etc) and your resources, one or more of the following suggestions may prove useful in maximizing your destructive potential. The faint of heart need not apply.
OPTIONS FOR MAXIMIZING UNDEAD CASUALTIES & ASSISTING THE LIVING:
- CLEAN AND SWEEP
- SEARCH AND DESTROY
- TAKE THE HIGH GROUND
- GO OUT WITH A BANG
- HOST A ZOMBIE BAR-B-QUE
1. CLEAN AND SWEEP
Assuming you are in a population center of some kind, and the outbreak is not yet total, and many living occupants are still in residence, begin clean-and-sweep operations at once. By choosing this offensive strategy, you may assist the local populace still living to remain that way.
Pick a structure and start moving through it room by room, capping zombies in the head as you progress. Loudly announce your presence and pause prior to entering any room. This should flush any zombies out – they will betray themselves with moaning – and will help prevent any accidental shootings of the living or of you. As you progress, listen for sounds of human distress such as screaming, to which you should respond quickly. If possible, clear out all the zombies in a given structure, being as methodical and thorough as circumstances allow.
Once the structure has been cleared, notify any remaining living occupants of the zombie threat and of the need to either barricade the entrances after your departure, or find a more secure location. As tactfully as possible, inform them of the nature of the infection and the need to eliminate any who have received wounds from undead contact. Make it clear that such individuals are lost, cannot be saved, and now present a danger to everyone else. Volunteer to take such infected persons with you when you depart to assist you with further clean-and-sweep operations, but do not force the issue. Allow those who are soon to die the dignity of choosing the place and method of their own deaths.
Continue on to the next structure and so on, eliminating any zombies found within as well as those roaming the periphery. Do so until your strength fails and the blackness begins to creep in – you will know when death is near. At this point, should other infected be involved in the clean-and-sweep operation with you, inform them to continue on without you, then end your life. You will go to the grave knowing you acted heroically in the service of others in your final hours.
2. SEARCH AND DESTROY
Assuming a widespread major outbreak in which the presence of the living is unlikely, or if you are in a rural area, then the most straightforward method for eradicating zombies may prove the only practicable one. Go forth into the world and destroy any walking corpse you encounter.
On your search and destroy mission, ensure that you do not endanger the living. If you are with a group of survivors, then when you depart, be sure to lead any nearby zombies away from the group’s location before opening up, then continue to move to draw them away. If you encounter any of the living on your mission who are attempting to hide their presence from nearby zombies, do not betray them – travel on and draw any undead in the area away with you.
As you travel, do not worry about noise or consider stealth unless you are going to be overwhelmed by a swarm too large to put down before it engulfs you. If you are engulfed, you may not have the opportunity to shoot yourself in the head before being devoured.
Choose your shots carefully, one head shot equals one kill. Every bullet wasted is one less zombie you will be able to eliminate. If you have an effective melee weapon and are only facing one or a few zombies, use it instead of a gun in order to further save ammunition.
Eradicate the walking dead until either your ammunition runs out or the end draws near. Then pull forth your pistol with the magic bullet that will save you from a fate worse than death, point it to your head and pull the trigger.
3. TAKE THE HIGH GROUND
Zombies are beyond stupid, so why not take advantage of this fact? Hell, why not mock them for their stupidity while you destroy them?
If you have a rifle with a good scope and are a decent shot, then this option may prove viable. Find a position of higher ground that is both inaccessible to the undead and provides a good view of the surrounding area, such as a water tower or electrical platform, then set up shop atop it. Once safely in place, begin capping zombies in the head.
While on a search and destroy mission, keep your eyes open for just such a place. In a pinch, a rooftop or cliff edge might suffice for providing a good firing platform, though of course would not be secure. It would be best, if using unsecured higher ground, to have another infected with you to watch your back. An escape route should also be planned should zombies swarm your vantage point. Use your best judgment, bearing in mind the determination of the undead to get to you by any means available.
Drawing the animate dead in the area to you should pose no problem given that the rifle will generate plenty of noise. Methodically eliminate any zombies that converge on your location with carefully-aimed head shots. Do so until your ammunition runs dry or until there are no more undead in the area.
4. GO OUT WITH A BANG
If you must go out, then why not with a bang?
This tactic involves the use of an explosion in the midst of a zombie swarm to take down as many as possible via secondary incendiary affects. The force generated by an explosion along with any propelled shrapnel is generally not enough to destroy the walking dead, though it may incapacitate them. It is due to this that explosives such as hand grenades are usually ineffective against the undead save for slowing them down. However, an explosion accompanied by sufficient incendiary effects will do the job.
A suitable improvised device must be found. While on a search and destroy mission, be on the lookout for gas stations or semi-truck gas haulers. Such are ideal as makeshift incendiary bombs assuming that the tanks are sufficiently filled with gas. Alternately, a refinery station would be ideal for explosive potential, assuming you can work out how to detonate it. It is necessary to first draw as many zombies to the location as possible, then explode your improvised bomb.
If you would employ this tactic, certain precautions must be taken. The location must be remote from any survivor base camps since the planned explosion will likely draw undead from miles around. You must also ensure that there is enough gas in the tanks to do the job. Finally, you must devise a means by which to set off the bomb locally.
Here is a good example: You come across an abandoned gas station far from any survivor encampments. Opening up the tanks and checking the gas level (a long metered dipstick is often kept at stations for this purpose) reveals they are about halfway full. That should do. Leaving the tank caps open to allow gas vapor to escape, you then prepare a few molotov cocktails (bottle + gas + stuffed rag for fuse) for later use. Finding your way up to the cover over the pumps or the roof of the station, you then proceed to make as much noise as possible (gunshots, loud music, yelling, etc) to draw all the nearby undead to your trap. The longer you man your position, the more you can gather, but this will depend on how much time you have left. When you are ready, light up a molotov and chuck it at one of the gas tank openings. The resulting fire should catch the tank vapors and cause the whole thing to go up. The fireball that results should catch any nearby zombies and light them on fire, eventually resulting in their destruction.
The explosion will kill you along with the zombies. So much the better, since going out with a bang is the best way to go.
5. HOST A ZOMBIE BARBEQUE
What better way to celebrate the end of the world than by throwing a barbeque? The guests of honor – those flesh-eating bastards – will happily provide the fuel for the fire. Although the smell of burning undead flesh is rather unsavory, it can be the smell of victory just the same. So unleash your inner pyromaniac and get to burning!
This tactic works best in an urban or suburban environment that has been completely taken over by the living dead. Unlike with the clean-and-sweep scenario, there are no more survivors left to save, so going door-to-door, structure-by-structure, makes less sense than wholesale destruction.
Go into a structure likely to contain a high concentration of zombies, start a fire then get the hell out. Proceed into the next structure and repeat this simple operation. You may first need to find the water shut-off valves for the building’s sprinkler system and shut them down if they exist. The fire may be started in a variety of ways (use your imagination!), but using the old standby of dousing some walls with gas then throwing a match is just fine. If you are lucky, you may even catch nearby buildings on fire. If you are particularly blessed, you might even catch the whole town ablaze.
Here is the beauty behind this tactic: the zombies will not act to save themselves from the fire. They will stay where they are and burn (well, those that don’t chase after you, that is). Although fire will not instantly destroy them, it will eventually do the job. The sheer volume of zombies destroyed as a result of this method more than compensates for the property destruction, especially in a large-scale epidemic in which the likelihood of the living reoccupying the structures in question is unlikely.
IF YOU MUST STAY
If you become infected, there is nothing selfish or cowardly about deciding to stay with your loved ones or fellow survivors, provided that in doing so you help them to stay alive. In other words, check your motives – if you can genuinely do them more good than harm by staying with them during the hours left to you, then you probably should.
If your group is on the move, then you are best suited to shielding others from close contact by the undead. After all, another bite or scratch is nothing to worry over. So take the hits for the group – interpose yourself whenever possible between the flesh-eaters and the living. Take the point during travel. Be responsible for fighting off any zombies that get too close during combat. Volunteer to scout ahead when the situation dictates it.
If a distraction is needed, volunteer to be the rabbit. Go forth with a great ruckus and lead the zombies in the area away from your group. This could prove valuable in a situation in which the group is trapped in a fortified location, besieged by a swarm and looking to get out. It might also be tactically wise in a situation in which the group needs to travel through an area already saturated with zombies – you could go in, round them up, and lead them away to clear the area for travel. Of course, this may well be your last great act, so make sure to have a pistol with that magic bullet on you, along with any other armaments the group can spare so you can go out in a blaze of glory.
When the time comes, have no fear for the human race: humanity will not fail to rise to the challenge of the undead. In the end, though you must leave the struggle for survival to others, humanity will slog along. Have faith in this, if nothing else: mankind’s capacity for survival and for greatness.
Vivat Humanity!!!
Tags: Scott Black Discussion
3 comments for “Suggested Actions for the Infected”
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That BBQ idea is horible. Zombies don’t “stay where they are and burn.” While the walking bonfire may sound good, the zombie won’t be dispatched fast enough and will more than likely stumble into another city, forest, or feild creating a gaint uncontrolable fire that has a great chance of endangering survivors.
No. Zombies do not want to just exterminate everyone while they are mindless they only want one thing. that is to eat, that means yes people livestock any other warmblooded living thing.
i agree that we should take as many as we can. maybe the infected could also do dangerous recovery or aquisition missions. if there is something that would be to dangerous for the living dead to do, like get more ammo or food, then it would’nt be too big a risk for the recently bitten. i also think that infectedturtles is correct about the fire. it would pose a great threat to others. i think going out into a crowd of zombies with a machine gun and mowing the bastards down would be best. and if you can, make as much noise as possible and as far away from your companions as possible. that way you draw them way from the living.