Direct Observations - Infected Behavior
Recent - Lake Perimeter
Small group of 4-5 observed near south shore. Move together but no clear communication. Attracted by noise - dropped canteen drew them from treeline. Once they lose interest, they wander back into desert. No evidence of planning or memory of previous patrol routes.
Two Weeks Ago - Highway 50 Scout
They don't tire. Tracked one along the highway for 18 hours straight - maintained same pace entire time. No stopping for rest, water, nothing. Desert heat slows them slightly during midday, but they keep moving. Cooler nights they're faster, more aggressive.
Last Month - Survivor from Ely
Bite is definite infection. Watched my neighbor turn - took about 14 hours from bite to death, maybe 30 minutes after that before he got back up. No cure we tried worked. Someone said immediate amputation might work, but we never had the chance to try.
Three Days Ago - Watch Tower Report
They can't climb deliberately, but they pile up against barriers. Constant pressure, never stopping. The old mining equipment fence on the north side is bowing from a group that's been pushing for days. Given enough time and numbers, they'll get through anything that isn't reinforced.
Recovered Journal (Unknown Origin)
Not airborne - confirmed. Only bites and deep scratches spread it. But in any populated area, might as well be airborne. One infected in a crowd becomes dozens in minutes. Military couldn't hold the cities. Too many, too fast.
Confirmed Intelligence
Transmission:
Bite Only
Bite to Death:
8-24 hours
Death to Rising:
10-60 minutes
Active Period:
24/7
Decay Rate:
Unknown
Local Area Status
Comins Lake:
Secured Daily
Immediate Area:
Patrolled
5 Mile Radius:
Partially Scouted
Ely Township:
Status Unknown
Highway 50:
Abandoned Vehicles
Threat Assessment
Solo Infected:
Manageable
Small Groups (3-5):
Dangerous
Packs (10+):
Avoid
Hordes (50+):
Evacuate
The First 23 Days
Reconstructed from survivor accounts, final broadcasts, and recovered documents
Day 0
First Reports
6 AM - Emergency broadcasts from major cities worldwide. "Riots" and "civil unrest" reported. Videos showing people attacking others, biting. Authorities calling it mass hysteria, possible terrorism. Nobody believed it at first.
Source: Ham radio operator, White Pine County
Day 1
Spread Confirmation
Cases in every major city. Hospitals overwhelmed. CDC and WHO emergency meetings. Bite victims dying within 24 hours, reanimating. Military mobilizing. Commercial flights grounded. Ely hospital stopped accepting patients.
Source: Former hospital worker
Days 2-3
Infrastructure Collapse
Power grids failing in cities. Last presidential address Day 2. Internet sporadic. Television broadcasts end Day 3. Highway 50 gridlocked with abandoned vehicles. Nevada National Guard units stop responding.
Source: Multiple survivor accounts
Days 4-7
Military Fragmentation
Final military broadcasts ordering civilians to "shelter in place." Reports of soldiers abandoning posts to find families. Ely goes dark Day 6. Last contact with Las Vegas Day 4. Rural areas on their own.
Source: CB radio logs
Week 2
Silent Cities
No broadcasts from any city. Rural communities organizing local defenses. Ham radio networks sharing information. Reports of refugees fleeing cities - most don't make it far. White Pine County essentially cut off.
Source: Local ham radio network
Days 15-20
Last Gasps
Final government transmission Day 18: "No cure. Avoid bites. Find shelter." Automated emergency broadcasts loop until power fails. Small groups beginning to band together. Theme park identified as defensible location.
Source: Park security logs
Day 23
The New Reality
Last coordinated communication ends. Society as we knew it has ended. Scattered groups going radio silent to avoid attracting threats. Those still alive beginning to understand: no one is coming to help. We're on our own.
Source: Obsidian Hill founding members
Confirmed Facts
- ► Transmission is through bites only. Deep scratches may transmit if infected blood enters wound. NOT airborne - confirmed by multiple isolated survivor accounts.
- ► 100% fatality rate once infected. No documented cases of immunity or recovery. Death occurs 8-24 hours after bite.
- ► Reanimation occurs 10-60 minutes after death. Corpse must have intact brain to reanimate.
- ► Only destroying the brain stops them permanently. Body damage slows but doesn't stop them.
- ► They retain basic motor functions and senses. Can see, hear, and smell. No higher reasoning observed.
Unconfirmed / Disputed
- ► Some claim they retain memories of familiar places. Observed returning to former homes. Others say it's coincidence.
- ► Decay rate unknown. Desert climate seems to preserve them longer than expected. Winter effects uncertain.
- ► Origin unknown. Theories include bio-weapon, natural mutation, divine punishment. No reliable source.
- ► Animal infection disputed. No confirmed cases in dogs or livestock, but limited observation.
- ► Speed variations reported. Some claim "runners" exist. Local observations only show shambling pace.
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Critical Survival Rules
1. Any bite is a death sentence. No exceptions documented. Immediate amputation might work but unconfirmed.
2. They don't tire, sleep, or stop. A barrier that seems secure can fail after days of constant pressure.
3. Noise attracts them from great distances. A gunshot can draw infected from miles away in this quiet desert.
4. Cold slows them, heat barely affects them. High desert winters provide slight advantage. Summer offers none.
5. Numbers are their strength. One is manageable, ten is a crisis, fifty is death.
2. They don't tire, sleep, or stop. A barrier that seems secure can fail after days of constant pressure.
3. Noise attracts them from great distances. A gunshot can draw infected from miles away in this quiet desert.
4. Cold slows them, heat barely affects them. High desert winters provide slight advantage. Summer offers none.
5. Numbers are their strength. One is manageable, ten is a crisis, fifty is death.
White Pine County Assessment
Limited Intelligence Available
County Seat & Towns
Ely (3,900 pop):
NO CONTACT - Status Unknown
Ruth/McGill:
UNSCOUTED
East Ely:
UNSCOUTED
Lund:
NO INTEL
Observed Activity
Desert Bloom Farm:
Greenhouses visible, no movement
Highway 50:
Abandoned vehicles confirmed
Abandoned Homestead:
Empty, secured Day 5
Cave Lake State Park:
UNSCOUTED
Rumored Survivors
Obsidian Hill (Here):
OPERATIONAL
Desert Vista Ranch:
Smoke observed
Coyote Springs Truck Stop:
Barricaded, occupants unknown
Other Groups:
Unconfirmed
Recent Radio Intercepts
Yesterday - 21:30
CB Ch.19
Three Days Ago - 14:15
Ham 146.52
Last Week - 08:45
CB Ch.9
Ongoing
Emergency
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Radio Protocol Reminder
Never broadcast exact location or population count. Use code names for sensitive information. Monitor emergency channel 9 and ham 146.52 daily. Log all contacts but verify nothing without visual confirmation. Assume hostile groups monitor all frequencies.