Z Virus

It has been a year since the first report of the zombie outbreak. It started with isolated cases of people bitten by dogs. These people then infected people around them which caused a chain reaction. After some researching, scientists concluded that these cases were the result of a new strain of rabies disease. Now with how easy it is for humans to travel, the disease started to spread at an alarming rate. Similar cases were starting to crop up all over the world.

The new strain was not taken seriously at first as patients were merely quarantined to prevent them from spreading the disease to others. However, this became humans' first mistake. Later, it was found out that mammals, birds and even reptiles can be infected. In fact, when then first case was reported, the authority merely terminated his farm dog.

The infection is mostly transferred by bites. The virus can only be present in a fluid form. It can be saliva, semen or even blood. In humans, the incubation period take up on average of three months. This is one of the reasons why nobody noticed anything while humans unconsciously transfer the virus to others.

When the disease started to be reported all over the world, an organisation called 'The Fist Horseman' or 'Pestilence' claimed that it was their doing. They mentioned something about eradicating sinners for contaminating mother earth. After some investigation, the authority concluded that it was purported by a group of teenagers who wanted to be famous.

In just six months, 100 million people around the world, almost the equivalent amount of the whole population of Japan were infected. Somehow, a few patients managed to escape their six months long quarantine. These selfish and irresponsible people only made things worse. To add, hospitals became breeding places for the disease.

I will tell you some of the symptoms of rabies. Infected people will only experience something mild such as headache or fever at first but after a few days or months, they will start experiencing hallucinations and have insomnia. They are then deemed unstable once they become irritated or aggressive. Relatives and friends of patients who show the last two symptoms are advised to prepare for funerals.

In an effort to curb this infectious disease, scientists sought to study it more in laboratories. Some proponents suggested adding other types of viruses to an infected cell so that they would fight and see which one will win over the rabies virus. This, was human's second mistake. This method would work most of the time but obviously this time recombining resulted in something different. A new virus that incorporated its 'parents' deadliest aspects was created.

With the accidental creation of the new virus, new symptoms also emerged such as lost of mind control (insanity) and disintegration of muscles. To add, patients' skin slowly turned yellow then green. They were called zombies. World leaders upon learning the creation of the now named Z virus announced martial law to be enforced in their respective countries. They also ordered bodies of the infected to be burned.

One year in, law and order started to crumble. People also looted and rioted; demanding answers and explanation. It is true that viruses are deadly but human emotions are more unpredictable as malice can spread even faster.

Bases started to be built especially around known military bases. The nearest military base is at Ogasawara Village which is dubbed O Base. The base leaders under the instruction of the Prime Minister gathered and welcomed people to stay at their base. They sent out more than 100 convoys to rescue and help trapped residents. Those with their own vehicles were encouraged to head to nearby bases on their own.

The four of us decided to head to O Base on our own to avoid being in contact with anyone who might be hiding the fact that they were already infected. We can spend most of our time in my space but being secluded will not be beneficial in getting information or news. So, we left the comfort of my peaceful space begrudgingly.

The trip that should have at most took one hour, doubled as vehicles were left behind by their owners. Probably in attempt to flee from attackers. On our way, we looted some fuel and grains. At first, I felt a tad guilty doing so. Apocalypse or not. However, after Tatsuya showed me the amount of grain we need until we can harvest our first batch, I started to relax.

When we arrived, we saw the O Base had begun its construction on thicker and taller walls. Most of the people involved with the construction were young or able-bodied civilians. We queued in our vehicle along with other people that lasted a few hours. This is because the soldiers needed to bring people into a huge hall and had their saliva samples taken and tested. After being ruled out of having the Z virus, they were then sent into another hall to record their information and assign their living quarters.

We managed to get in as well and were brought to a small empty room. We were then given futons and food coupons. We spent the rest of the day managing the farm until it was dinner time. Everything at the base appeared to be in order and people refrained from creating trouble. We were served with beef soboro, chicken soup and kinpira gobo (salad). I bet the meat they used were not fresh. Humans slowly stopped eating all sorts of animals when reports of cattle getting infected were shown on television.

Life on the base can be considered comfortable despite having your food rationed. We were somewhat treated like soldiers. We followed schedules and were also assigned jobs. Only the elderly, young or sick are exempted from doing any. Tatsuya and Riku were sent to do manual labors while I helped out in the canteen. Keith got somewhat lucky as he was recognized by a former colleague and now worked at the laboratory.

By having Keith work close to the upper echelon, we got access to the latest news and updates. Just recently, a military base in the south was overrun by zombies. The leader there did not have his base perimeter reinforced and thus made it susceptible to attacks. This incident made the wall construction on other bases be made a number one priority throughout the country.