Re: Zombies

Hi! I can help answer that question actually since Mike gave me some creative freedom in driving a part of the arc which I think was pretty nice of him Don't worry, Mike, I won't make you regret it! Or at least I will try to make you not regret it

So I have two basis for the zombies/minions that I'm thinking about. Here are the two sources:

[*] World War Z
[*] Starcraft II Zerg

It seems like you're already familiar with World War Z so I probably won't go into detail about that, but if you're unfamiliar with Starcraft II, here's a quick video I found on the Zerg: Zerg Overview. Don't worry, it won't have any spoilers for what I'm planning. Just a quick background on what I'm basing my zombies/minions on.

Yes, the zombies do move fast and they do have some super human strengths. Their bodies do reflect that of decaying flesh but their muscles do grow and it's not abnormal to see a zombie with extra appendages. These zombies do evolve as they acquire new genetic structures so it's not limited to humans. Right now, they are limited to humans since the majority of the Starfleet officers on the base were humans. However, as they spread through the quadrant, they will gain more and more genetic structures and will evolve even more. You can already see some of the evolution with the 'starship zombies' that Amy created. These combined the human DNA with that of a local flying animal on the planet. Each zombie is created with a purpose and are built just for that. Once the material is acquired the DNA structure is built into the 'hive.' I have to think of a better term for that, but that's the best I can come up with right now

The speed of infection is quick. Once someone is bitten (it only spreads by a wound - at least right now ), they only have 30 seconds before they are completely changed. They can only speak if the Queen speaks through them. A zombie does not have any thoughts of their own and everything a zombie sees, the Queen sees. Some zombies would call out for brains because a piece of brain can allow them to see memories of their victim and the zombies enjoy that since it reminds them of their old lives.

The justification for functioning deteriorated muscle is the virus that is augmenting their organs/muscle tissue. This was the same virus that the Starfleet Officers were working on at the lab. From what Mike told me, the virus - well, I'm not really sure it's a virus - is suppose to prolong the human lifespan and in order to do that, it was suppose to enhance human tissue and organs so that they can live longer. In a way, it regenerated old cells so the lifespan will thereby increase. I think Mike called it a biological nanoprobe. Similar to the nanoprobes the Borg used but instead of it being mechanical in nature, these are biological in nature. Something bad happen but I'm not going to spoil that since Mike actually didn't tell me that part either so I can't even if I wanted to!

Now, the concern about blood flow. That is a good point. Living tissue needs blood to function. Without it tissues dies. So, here's my somewhat logical explanation. The virus/biological nanoprobe is selective. It only cares about organs/tissue that will benefit the zombie. Since these zombies don't really need skin, it doesn't have blood going to the skin tissue which causes the skin to appear to look like it is dying. The virus is more concerned with keeping the important muscles alive. So it doesn't care about brains or digestive tracts or anything like that. It does care about muscle tissue so that the zombie can still move so it will augment those tissue with other tissue and carry just enough blood to keep those tissues alive. The heart is slowed down because it doesn't really need to work as hard to carry blood to all body parts. The virus determines where it needs blood and only minimal blood is needed.

I hope that helps!

-------------------------------------------
FCO Cmdr. Adelaide Morgana
Valdivian Station / USS Trinity
Player Liz Feng
feedmeC8H10N4O2@gmail.com