by Z. A. Recht
Praise for Z.A. Recht’s
“Z.A. Recht’s Plague of the Dead is an awesome zombie novel. A literal, intelligent thriller filled with a cast of strong, believable and well-drawn characters, this is a story that will grip you and, at the same time, fill you with an uncomfortable sense of dread.”
—David Moody, author of Hater
“Zombies . . . military . . . global devastation . . . Z.A. Recht has engineered a virus so infectious even die-hard zombie critics will get down with the sickness.”
—D.L. Snell, author of Skin and Bones
“Plague of the Dead is the perfect combination of viral thriller and zombie nightmare, the kind of story Tom Clancy might write if he had the balls to tackle the undead. Thankfully for us, Z.A. Recht has those balls, and he pulls out all the stops in this action-packed zombie extravaganza.”
—Ryan C. Thomas, author of The Summer I Died
“Hypnotically readable . . . [Plague of the Dead] is one of the most believable zombie stories I’ve read in quite some time. There’s hardly a moment to catch your breath as Recht deftly moves the narrative in directions that seem quite plausible in today’s post-9/11 age. I’d like to commend Permuted Press for discovering another fine author!”
—R. Thomas Riley, author of Through the Glass Darkly
“Intense and action-packed! Recht aims for the head with this one!”
—Geoff Bough, Revenant Magazine
“The MorningStar Strain is a zombiefied Out of the Ashes, a blend of 28 Days Later zombies and Romero zombies, with a climax so intense it literally had me shaking. A FANTASTIC book!”
—Travis Adkins, author of Twilight of the Dead
“A truly epic novel that deserves your immediate attention!”
—Pain @ Allthingszombie.com
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To Ben. You should have lived. And to Barbara. They are still coming to get you.
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS IT about being eaten alive that bugs everyone?
Wait. Scratch that. Never mind. I know the answer.
Flesh being torn away from bone. Appendages being removed with no anesthetic. Perhaps spending the last moments of your existence watching your entrails being removed and devoured by total strangers. It’s probably kind of stinky, too.
Yeah, I guess that’s why being eaten alive can be a real bummer.
So what is the appeal and importance of the zombie genre in the new millennium? Perhaps its importance is in two key concepts.
Let’s start with our fellow citizens both in the U.S. and in the world. It could be argued that an artificial disconnect has been implemented by the overly commercialized U.S. through electronic media like Internet, wi-fi, and video games. These forms of entertainment (distraction?) put us in our own virtual world for hours at a time. The price, though, is that it separates us from our families, friends, and potential new amigos. More in a moment.
The second is the cynical perception of the role of the U.S. military in responding to (creating?) the zombie apocalypse. In this new millennium, a second renaissance, so to speak, is occurring. Those same people spending time away from their families and friends are sharing reliable information about global happenings. It has been dubbed an ‘information war’, a struggle between forces who are trying to enlighten and those trying to enslave. Though many might deny it, there is credible information in regards to U.S. government involvement, planning, and execution of national emergencies in an effort to command and control the populace. Whether it’s ‘bird flu’, ‘anthrax’, ‘terrorists’, or ‘smallpox’, the government has already put in our heads that a ‘biological attack’ was inevitable, and we should all be afraid. Smallpox is all but eradicated, with the exception of several vials at Fort Dietrich. For those Internet junkies out there, simply doing a Google search of ‘Fort Dietrich’ brings up some interesting hits on the aerosol dispersal of pathogens.
So why are these two concepts important and a key to the reemergence of zombie popularity? A zombie apocalypse would do something that some might claim we have forgotten how to do: interact and work together with other people. Suddenly, the stranger across the street becomes your best friend. The ‘crazy’ man who everyone thought was a terrorist because he had a gun collection becomes an asset. And now you have to work with your rival to fight a common enemy. The zombie apocalypse, as terrible as it seems, actually brings people together.
Since September 2001, not only the United States, but the world, has not been the same. And though the five-year mark has passed since that despicable day, the perception of the events of that day have changed drastically. People are becoming more and more skeptical by the day about the government version of the events. And with the reputation of Fort Dietrich, a zombie apocalypse by an artificially manufactured virus is something that is within the realm of possibility.
Z.A. Recht’s Plague of the Dead brings these two themes together with fantastic precision and magnificent eloquence. I have to say I’m really rather envious of the attention to detail and his patience in telling his story. Z.A. Recht has a clear vision of the zombie apocalypse and communicates it with all the details, gore, and struggle for survival that every zombie fan wants and needs. It is an awesome addition to the ever-growing zombie universe.
My fellow zombie fan, you have done yourself a great favor in purchasing this book. It is now time to gird up your loins for one of the best zombie adventures out today. Rest assured the eating, disemboweling, and dismembering are only a product of your imagination.
Let’s just hope the boys and girls at Fort Dietrich don’t get any funny ideas.
Sincerely,
Bowie V. Ibarra
START INTERCEPT_
Electronic Mail Window
From:
Anna Demilio
To:
Francis Sherman
Date:
September 02, 2006, 10:24:32
Subject:
Re: Epidemiological Recommendations Regarding New Finds/Current Outbreaks/Rural Specific
The first stages of an epidemic are as subtle as the early symptoms of the disease itself. Early outbreaks will be in remote locations, nearest to the source of the virus or bacteria causing the sickness. Deaths will be few, as will cautions. Few cases are not worth the time or attention of the CDC or USAMRIID, as almost all of such outbreaks burn themselves out within a week or two. Most of the world’s deadliest diseases come out of the jungles of Africa, and the land there is fortunately sparse as far as population goes. Villages are separated by miles of inhospitable rain forest, making direct travel a nightmare, and most roads are nothing more than muddy potholes. On my last expedition to the Congo regions, our Land Rovers became mired so often it would have quite easily been faster to walk. Such conditions make excellent natural deterrents to the spread of outbreaks and many African villages have adopted policies of self-seclusion in the event of such cases. They will block the roads with tree trunks and set guards at the edges of the village to keep out all strangers until the plague is cleansed from their midst.
Today’s advancing technology makes such practical steps harder to accomplish.
With our network of intercontinental flights and travel routes, a single infected person has the ability to spread disease throughout the face of the planet in a matter of hours. Imagine the possibilities. If a man who has contracted Ebola Zaire
boards a flight in Mombasa to Rome, he may infect one or two of his fellow passengers. He and the newly infected passengers may then take connecting flights to Moscow, London, and Paris, each of these persons infecting one or two more each step of the journey. As these people take the newly contracted disease along their own travel routes, it is easy to see how in a matter of hours a disease could easily spread across entire continents. In this particular case, we have chosen to use Ebola Zaire which has an incubation period of roughly one week. During that period, the infected can spread the disease but show no symptoms of their own, until the headaches begin around day seven. In this manner a devastating disease can effectively ambush a population. By the time the original carrier takes ill, thousands could already be carrying the virus in their bloodstream.
It is therefore my recommendation that international travel policies be placed higher on the list of governmental priority for reform. Travelers seeking to return from foreign countries should be delayed in an acceptable manner to observe the possibility of contagion. If this is deemed unacceptable, international arrivals should, at the very least, be given a physical before readmittance to the country. I should cite the example of the discovery of Ebola Reston in Virginia; for a moment imagine if this had not been a new strain, but rather of the old Sudan or Zaire varieties.
On a more personal note, I should add that the number of new diseases discovered each year has been rising steadily as our travel and technological capabilities rise. While most of these are harmless or parasitical in nature, some are downright frightening, with almost unimaginable prospects of destruction. I do not need to cite examples, as I am sure we all know those of which I speak.
Of particular note is the viral infection I have been studying. For details see folder for Project Morningstar [Top Secret/eyes only]. What I can say about Morningstar is that this virus is an evil bastard, if you’ll pardon the expression. On lab tests we found that some mammalian species react horribly, and judging from the virus’ genetic preferences it is likely that human beings will also be susceptible. So far, dogs, cats, horses, and goats have reacted, and we have also achieved a response from dolphins. Avians seem unaffected. However, we have found that some bats are susceptible. Some species show no ill effects; we believe this to be due to a natural genetic immunity. We’re looking into it; possibly a cure in there somewhere.
As I was saying, the virus shares some qualities with known diseases as far as symptoms go. It is similar to Malaria and Ebola in that the first symptoms involve muscle pain and nausea; later stages include tissue deterioration. We’ve found that Morningstar is a host-lover, and will not kill its victims outright. In this manner we are somewhat blessed; victims may live long enough to see a cure found. However, it is strongly recommended that victims be placed under close observation and restrained. Tissue deterioration is moderate in most cases, equally light and heavy in others. Heavy tissue deterioration makes the option of euthanasia look promising. It includes loss of smaller extremities such as fingers and toes, severe skin/hair/fur loss, muscle and bone rot. See folder for Project Morningstar for photos. This seems to be an unwanted effect of Morningstar, as in most other areas the virus tends to sustain the host in order to continue its own existence and guarantee procreation of the strain.
Seasoned epidemiologists are already well-versed in virus transmission tactics. In this sense, viruses could almost be called intelligent. Some viruses are airborne, and symptoms usually include coughing, as if the virus knows that it can travel through the air and tries to make its host be an unwilling accomplice in spreading it. Ebola, meanwhile, is not airborne and is rather contracted through blood and bodily fluids. Final stages include the crash-and-bleed, in which the victim enters a seizure, bleeding from nearly every orifice, guaranteeing that blood will be strewn around the immediate vicinity. In this manner Ebola hopes to find a new host even as its old one dies.
Morningstar is far darker, perhaps even evil, in its own methodology. My studies have shown a dramatic rise in the aggressive nature of the host. Infected canines became feral shortly after showing symptoms and autopsies confirmed a large concentration of virus in the saliva of the hosts. Morningstar is transmitted through bites, similar in function to Rabies. The host is meanwhile running a high fever. This effectively boils the brain of the host, and in essence is a biological lobotomy. The host is no longer able to make distinctions between friend and foe, and likely loses all higher brain functions completely. We will not be certain until a human host is available for observation.
I have outlined Morningstar to the extent I am able without first having command permission to discuss more in-depth facts and figures, and so I will close. Allow me to reiterate that Morningstar, along with Hanta, Lassa, and a slew of other deadly strains, give us more than enough reason to begin travel and epidemiological reform in the United States. Will be waiting for reply.
Lt. Col. Anna Demilio
US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease
/end
CONTINUE INTERCEPT . . .
ADDITIONAL DATA INCOMING_
Quick Reply
click MENU for more options
From:
Francis Sherman
To:
Anna Demilio
Date:
09.14.06 - 15:12:06
Subject:
Re: Epidemiological Recommendations Regarding New Finds/Current Outbreaks/Rural Specific
Doctor,
Firstly, allow me to congratulate you on your outstanding achievements in the field of epidemiology. We’ve gained many useful insights from you and your staff at USAMRIID and we hope to continue that relationship in the future.
However, at this time we cannot impose any travel reform on our international airlines or shipping lanes. Such a move would be disastrous economically. I am sure you can understand the President’s reaction to such a suggestion. I should add that he does agree with you as to the serious nature of a biological threat, be it from Africa or South America or the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
We have increased surveillance of viral hotspots in Africa as per your suggestion, but as of today we will be taking no steps that could hinder growth of the economy.
Maj. Gen. Francis Sherman
US Army, Pentagon
Electronic Mail Window
From:
Anna Demilio
To:
Francis Sherman
Date:
September 14, 2006, 17:48:45
Subject:
Re: Epidemiological Recommendations Regarding New Finds/Current Outbreaks/Rural Specific
General,
Frank, how many senators were looking over your shoulder while you wrote that patronizing piece of crap?
Lt. Col. Anna Demilio
US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease
/end
Quick Reply
click MENU for more options
From:
Francis Sherman
To:
Anna Demilio
Date:
09.14.06 - 20:11:09
Subject:
Re: Epidemiological Recommendations Regarding New Finds/Current Outbreaks/Rural Specific
Anna,
Three, and a very pissed-off ambassador from Kenya. You lose a lot of popularity when you start talking about things that’ll cost people profits in this country. I’m probably going to get ripped a new one when they find out I’ve been corresponding with you over this. You owe me one for not letting them go out there to USAMRIID and shut you down completely. If there is a storm brewing out there, I’m sure they’ll do what’s right, but only after they can see it for themselves.
Maj. Gen. Francis Sherman
US Army, Pentagon
Electronic Mail Window
From:
Anna Demilio
To:
Francis Sherman
Date:
September 14, 2006, 23:54:23
Subject:
Re: Epidemiological Recommendations Regarding New Finds/Current Outbreaks/Rural Specific
General,
The mistake the first two little pigs made was letting the wolf get close. Smart thing to do would’ve been to blast him when he started up the path. But I’ll let them do it their way, and we’ll see.
Lt. Col. Anna Demilio
US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease
/end
INTERCEPT COMPLETE_
Mombasa Airstrip
December 09, 2006
1032 hrs_
A LONE FIGURE was running towards the control tower, waving his arms. In the tower, a tall man held a pair of binoculars to his face, focusing on the man. He frowned.
“What the hell is that guy doing?” said Mbutu Ngasy to one of his co-workers. “Call security. Get him off the runway.”
As the shift director of air traffic control, Mbutu was responsible for the smooth takeoffs and landings at the Mombasa regional airport. The rogue figure was dead-center on the main runway, blocking traffic.
Mbutu flicked on his radio and said, “Flight 931, hold position. We’ve got a trespasser on the ground, over.”
“Roger, control. Holding pattern, over,” came the static-laced reply.
Below the tower, Mbutu could see two security vehicles powering through the dirt alongside the runway, blue lights flashing. They slowed as they got near the man and the man then stopped in front of them, gesturing wildly at the tree line where he had originally emerged. Mbutu raised the binoculars again and focused them beyond the security detail and trespasser, towards the tree line, curious as to what the man was so excited about.