“I want to use the time I have left to prepare you for survival. We initiated a set of supply drops in numerous locations across the country. The supplies included in the drops contains the water, food, medicine, and tools that people will need to survive. Most of the supply drops have been completed. There are a few folks here in this bunker complex with me – uninfected folks – that will broadcast the locations to any survivors out there.”
The President hesitated for a second and raised a hand as if to placate his viewers.
“Now this might sound callous, but these communications are not to start for at least another couple of days. This is to ensure that we do not waste resources on people that are infected. I want you survivors to have the best possible chance – and that starts by letting the syndrome take its course with the infected.”
“In the meantime, those remaining armed forces that were not ordered back to the safe zones have been tasked with culling the number of undead. They have been doing so for the last few days. Unfortunately, I do not have many details about these activities. I know that our military forces are doing everything they can to help give you survivors a fighting chance.”
“Surviving will surely be a challenge. This new world... Ah sorry, I’m babbling.”
“We do have more information about the syndrome.” The President continued.
“It has been confirmed that nanobots, or a nano virus, is the cause of all this. Now folks, what that means is that this was a human engineered virus.”
This shocking revelation caused several of the group to cry out in outrage. Somebody shushed the group into silence as the President had continued to speak.
“–nobody has claimed responsibility. This is happening everywhere, and it appears that the rest of the world is suffering just as much or more than we are. Our science advisors are suggesting that this nano virus might have run out of control.”
“Nano viruses activate when a ‘kill switch’ is triggered. Our team suggests that this kill switch was triggered about two weeks ago. The signal was likely activated in Africa, where the first victims were identified. From there it spread out to the rest of the world. We estimate that the signal reached all corners of the world within ninety-six hours of the initial trigger.”
The President’s face grew stern. “Those responsible for this... I can’t express my anger and outrage sufficiently.” The President sat silently for a moment. His eyes on the desk in front of him. When he looked back at the camera, the anger shone bright in his eyes. He only said one sentence but delivered it with all the power that his persona could muster. “In the end, you will be judged.”
The President looked down and took a long, calming breath. When he faced the camera again, his countenance was calm once more.
“I’m going to reiterate some information. You may already know these things. The nano virus was somehow introduced into our food sources. Most processed foods – foods containing genetically modified organisms or ‘GMOs’ had been inundated with the virus. We can not confirm this completely, but it is our strongest hypothesis.”
“Our latest estimates... Folks this is shocking, but I must share it with you: The infection rates were between ninety-seven and ninety-nine percent, of the population of the world. Some places, such as Africa, India, and Asia have infection rates at nearly one hundred percent. North America, Europe, and New Zealand have the lowest infection rates, somewhere around the ninety-seven percent mark.”
“We know that these nanobots need to reach the brain in order to take control of the host, post-mortem. People that die from other causes, or before the nanobots make it to the brain, stay dead. My advisors have told me that at least a quarter of all the people infected with the syndrome have died from internal injuries and did not reanimate.”
A quick spasm of pain flashed across the President’s face. He quickly recovered though.
“Our scientists have determined that the amount of nanobots in the system correlates directly to the control of host functions. What that means is the more nanobots in the body that travel to the brain, the more control these nanobots can exert over the host body. We have witnessed proof of abilities including running, jumping and simple problem solving, including opening doors.”
Shelley could hear a sharp intake of breath from somebody in the room. She also couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Smart zombies?!
The President continued to speak. “The undead can only be destroyed by destruction of brain matter, and the nanobots within the brain. It’s also important to know that the undead can not infect another person.”
“They display raw aggression, likely linked to the control of the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that controls fear and anger. There is also a significant amount of brain tissue death in the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain that controls reasoning and decision making.”
The President frowned ever so slightly, followed by a rueful smile.
“Folks, I was never any good in science. There is some more science here in my notes, about them being audibly stimulated – basically, they rely primarily on their hearing in order to track their prey. The important part for you folks is to stay as quiet and hidden as you can. Remember that they register no pain, nor fear, nor reason. They are very dangerous. Avoid them if you can!”
The President grimaced as pain lanced through his body.
“My time is coming to an end. My close friend and my personal bodyguard are going to help me end my life shortly. I do this – no. ... I choose this because I do not want to become a burden on the survivors. This is no sacrifice. This is a duty. I also call upon all those suffering with syndrome symptoms
