One of the horrifying truths about becoming a zombie is that it is an equal opportunity menace. The curse knows no difference among its victims. Race, color, creed, occupation... None of that matters.In fact, sadly, in some outbreaks, the weakest members of society are among the first to fall. And so I present this horrible image. Undoubtedly it tugs on your heartstrings, because you can recognize a tragic history lies behind this undead corpse. But you cannot afford to falter in your purpose.
All zombies must be destroyed.
This is good, Gil. Turns a lot of stomachs, but saves lives.
ReplyDeleteWhile in my experience there are far fewer REAL zombies (Homo Coprophagus Somnambulus) than many people hysterically see, they ARE out there. I am quasi-licensed by a state agency (the state will have to remain undisclosed for obvious reasons) to track and 'contain' zombie presence. Because of my experience with tracking and hunting in open or boggy environments, I am typically used in cases of rural infestation. Many people don't realize that the undead retain instinctive behavior patterns that correlate to their prior living environment - hence, 'urban' (Somnambulus Urbanus) and 'rural' (Somnambulus Ruralus) zombies. Some will even argue for the classification of 'suburban' zombies (Somnambulus Suburbanus), but in my opinion that is more properly viewed as a subcategory of Somnambulus Urbanus. I recently encountered a stage 2 specimen (swollen lips, unintelligible articulations, erratic movement) outside of a dental clinic in the Dallas Metroplex area. The specimen seemed fixated on the establishment - perhaps as an auto-reflexive response from having been a patient or employee at the clinic during the live portion of its existence. Point being (as you noted), anyone can become a zombie.
Have you given thought to refining you weapon kit based on operational environment? While many weapons should be included in ANY elimination kit, some devices (e.g. incendiary devices) have greater efficacy in certain environments. For example, opening up with a flamethrower in an abandoned tenement building will certainly clear the staircase, however it may also trap you above your safe exit. However, in a boggy wetland that is spewing walkers out of the fog like a pez dispenser, the only flammable material is typically the target(s). In an open setting such as described, it is also much easier to be encircled; a flamethrower is very useful for ‘expanding’ the circle until an opening can be created (contact me offline if you want the background on that one).
Keep up the fight.
Swamper
As I'm sure you're aware, the flamethrower is a special application tool because, really, the only thing worse than a zombie horde closing in on you is a zombie horde that is ON FIRE closing in on you.
ReplyDeleteFlames will work on zombies, but there is a certain delay before the fire cause the corpse's muscles, tendons, and ligaments to constrict and therefore halt forward momentum. Depending on the state of the corpse, this delay will vary in length.
I do tailor my zombie hunting kit to the circumstances. If you peruse the old posts, you'll see I mention this from time to time. One example was the 9mm silenced Colt carbine for light work in close quarters. You should rely on the M4 for general work where the range may be uncertain, but if you're clearing a building, a 9mm carbine is lighter, you can carry more spare ammo, and the suppressor saves your hearing.
Nice catch on that zombie with the swollen lips, BTW. But, now... Wait a minute...