John O'Brien - Return

I flip through other reports and find that they have ‘obtained’ fourteen test subjects. Wow! I think. They had fourteen of these things down there . I do not think I will find too much given the little time they had before the world came crashing down but am still hopeful of finding, or at least verifying, some facts about the night runners.

I turn to an autopsy report. The top of the report is mainly blank. It says that they are looking at test subject number seven who is a female and approximately 26 years of age. The race type merely says “unknown.”

The autopsy is begun at 8:30 A.M. The body is presented in a black body bag. Test subject 7 is wearing a white sleeveless turtleneck shirt and navy blue sweatpants. Jewelry included two smooth-textured silver hoop pierced earrings, 1-inch diameter, one in each ear, and one 1-inch wide silver expandable wristband on left wrist.

The body is that of a normally developed white female measuring 67 inches and weighing 118 pounds, and appearing generally consistent with an approximated age of twenty-six years. The body is cold and unembalmed. Lividity is fixed in the distal portions of the limbs. The eyes are open. The irises are brown and corneas are cloudy. Petechial hemorrhaging is present in the conjuctival surfaces of the eyes. The pupils measure 0.3 cm. The hair is dark blonde with lighter blonde highlights, wavy, layered and approximately 11 inches in length at the longest point.

Following removal of the clothing, the entirety of the epidermis is a light gray with darker gray blotches spread haphazardly throughout. The darker gray areas are not consistent with any subdural hemorrhaging and appear to be part of the pigmentation of the epidermis.

The genitalia are that of an adult female and there is no evidence of injury. Pubic hair is present. Limbs are equal, symmetrically developed and show no evidence of injury. The fingernails are medium length and fingernail beds are blue. The padding on the soles of the feet are thickened but not associated with the formation of callouses. There are no residual scars, markings or tattoos.

HEAD—CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: The brain weighs 1,303 grams and within normal limits.

SKELETAL SYSTEM: The skeletal system shows no abnormalities.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM—THROAT STRUCTURES—NASAL STRUCTURES: The oral cavity shows no lesions. Petechial hemorrhaging is present in the mucosa of the lips and the interior of the mouth. Otherwise, the mucosa is intact and there are no injuries to the lips, teeth or gums.

There is no obstruction of the airway. The mucosa of the epiglottis, glottis, piriform sinuses, trachea and major bronchi are anatomic. No injuries are seen and there are no mucosal lesions.

The lungs weigh: right, 426 grams; left 434 grams. The lungs are unremarkable with the exception that they are 20% above normal size.

Nasal structure is intact. Tissues samples indicate a dramatic increase in olfactory epithelium of 90cm2.

OCULAR SYSTEM: The ocular structure is normal. Exception: An increase in the number of rods noted in the peripheral of the retinal with a subsequent decrease in the number of cones.

AUDITORY SYSTEM: The auditory structure is abnormal. The auditory canal is enlarged with a larger number of cochlea hair cells present.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: The heart weighs 297 grams, which is approximately 20% above normal size. It has a normal configuration. No evidence of atherosclerosis is present.

MUSCULAR SYSTEM: The muscular system has a normal configuration. Tendons and ligaments have increased thickness. Study of the muscles tissue indicates an increase in quick twitch muscles.

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: The mucosa and wall of the esophagus are intact and gray-pink, without lesions or injuries. The gastric mucosa is intact and pink without injury. Approximately 125 ml of partially digested semisolid food is found in the stomach. The mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon and rectum are intact.

URINARY SYSTEM: The kidneys weigh: left, 115 grams; right, 113 grams. The kidneys are anatomic in size, shape and location and are without lesions.

FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM: The structures are within normal limits. Examination of the pelvic area indicates the victim had not given birth and was not pregnant at the time of death. There is no evidence of recent sexual activity. Vaginal fluid samples are removed for analysis.

TOXICOLOGY: Sample of right pleural blood and bile are submitted for toxicologic analysis. Stomach contents are saved.

SEROLOGY: A sample of right pleural blood is submitted in the EDTA tube. Routine toxicologic studies were ordered.

Cerebrospinal fluid culture and sensitivity:

Gram stain: Unremarkable Culture: No growth after 72 hours

Cerebrospinal fluid bacterial antigens:

Hemophilus influenza B: Negative

Streptococcus pneumoniae: Negative

N. Meningitidis: Negative

Neiserria meningitidis B/E. Coli K1: Negative

Drug Screen Results:

Urine screen {Immunoassay} was NEGATIVE.

Ethanol: 0 gm/dl, Blood (Heart)

Ethanol: 0 gm/dl, Vitreous

1. One (1) white turtleneck sleeveless shirt, size Small.

2. One (1) pair navy blue sweatpants, size Small.

3. Two (2) silver hoop earrings.

4. One (1) silver bracelet.

5. Samples of Blood (type O+), Bile, and Tissue (heart, lung, brain, kidney, liver, spleen).

6. Fifteen (15) swabs from various body locations, to be tested for presence of hypochlorite.

7. Eleven (11) autopsy photographs.

8. One postmortem CT scan.

9. One postmortem MRI.

The 20 percent increase in the heart and lungs indicate this test subject has an increased VO2 max capability. Increases in the number of rods found in the ocular system indicate increased low light vision. Changes with the aural system, primarily the number of cochlea hairs present indicate an increase in the auditory range and perhaps distance. Dramatic increases within the olfactory sensors indicate sharp increases in odor detection. This is a 900% increase from normal putting this test subject between the sensory levels of a human and canine. Muscular system changes indicate a possibility of increased strength and speed. Epidermis tissue samples sent for further testing will indicate the changes in pigmentation and the ramifications thereof.

I cannot really understand most of this report with some exceptions and that fall in line with my current understanding of the night runners. I underline and highlight those areas that I can understand and find important. I feel like when I was back in college and would only highlight those items that looked like they could be made into test questions. The opinion section I can completely understand and is helpful but only verifies what I have already guessed from observation and experience. It is quite apparent that their main sense, apart from vision, is with their sense of smell. It is good to know just how much it has increased and we will have to take precautions.

I stand and stretch eyeing the instruments from this distance, really just checking that all of the engine instrument needles are in the same position. The drone of the engines can really get to you after a while and I feel the beginnings of a headache coming on. Reading these things I can barely comprehend, along with the constant noise and vibration, is taking its toll along with the lack of sleep. Plus, my flight suit doesn’t smell all that great either.

Reassured that everything seems to be running smoothly but still eyeing the scattered cumulonimbus clouds ahead, their tops just peeking over the horizon, I sit back down and begin looking through the Greek that is the reports lying on the nav table. I am not overly happy finding out that the genetic changes make them stronger, faster, better able to hear, and with a tremendous sense of smell. That is going to make it difficult so, with a sigh, I continue to search for weaknesses or something we can use. So far, all I have found is that we are outmatched on a physical level. We have survived through several encounters but that is mainly due to firepower, training, and a seemingly higher intelligence. And, we have the day.