John O'Brien - Return

This surely cannot be what the world and nature wanted; creating the night runners. I have a hard time believing they are the next step. Or, maybe that is just ego talking and they are the next dominant species. Sitting here cruising along three and a half miles above the surface of the earth, I wonder if this is what the Neanderthal thought with the emergence of Homo Sapiens. Only, in reverse as I am pretty sure our cognitive function is higher than the night runner’s. Sighing once again, I turn back to the reports finding one detailing the findings of a physical exam with one of the live test subjects; test subject 5.

…Test subject 5 is a male, race unknown, approximately 32 years of age. This test subject, as with all of the other test subjects, required a 50% increase in sedative as prescribed for a normal adult male of his weight. As with the other three test subjects tested to this date, test subject 5 demonstrates an elevated heart rate (prone — 82 bpm) and elevated body temperature (101.3). Lab results indicate increased levels of red bloods cells consistent with the other test subjects. Average breaths per minute are also consistent with previous test subjects and approximately 20% higher than a normal human male. The ratio….

…test results from saliva samples show a significant amount of an unknown bacterium. The bacteria tested demonstrate a rapid onset of infection within the human blood samples. It is unknown whether the human immune system can produce antibodies quick enough to combat the infection. Bites from those infected can, in theory, result in an immediate and a quick spreading infection. Further testing is required to see the immune system response….

Hmmmm, interesting , I think. Everything is elevated. That would mean they have to have a higher metabolism to sustain those rates. Meaning, more sustenance and maybe they tire quicker . The rest of this portion tails off into numbers and so forth that become meaningless to me. The fact regarding the bite from the night runners is important and I imagine anyone bitten will require immediate doses of antibiotics. We will have to be sure to carry some with us when we plan on entering buildings or there is a chance of encountering night runners.

…Lab results from epidermis tissue samples note changes in the pigmentation cell structure. These changes demonstrate quick responses to light, especially within the Ultra-violet spectrum. Ultra-violet light creates the quickest and most dramatic changes causing the epidermis to burn quickly and changing to a deep red like a sunburn. Changes within the cell structures are immediate with direct exposure to Ultra-violet lighting. Radiated lighting within this spectrum demonstrates the same effect but with a slower cycle time. Other testing…

Okay, now this is something we can use , I think scrolling through and finding that the rest of this report only details other testing that has no effect. We may be able to hold them at bay with ultra-violet lights set up in a building interior. At least as long as we can find UV lights that is. I tuck this one in my bag of tricks, take a drink of water, and move on.

…of which the scan results and monitoring of the brain wave activity show dramatic decreases of activity within the cognitive areas of the brain. This impairs the ability to reason or create a link between two different ideas. This limited brain activity within these areas also indicates a possible decrease in a sense of self, perhaps even creating a pack-like mentality. Scans within the memory function show activity in certain areas of memory but with decreased activity in the memory storage areas of the brain. This may lead to not being able to access previous memories prior to the genetic alterations…… various stimuli created in one test subject shows interesting levels of brain activity in the other test subjects. This level of activity in other test subjects diminishes with distance from the test subject being given the stimuli indicating a possible link. While this is only a theory,…… The test subjects react to stimuli or problems without reason. The animalistic reactions give rise to a theory that the overall intelligence is low on the reasoning scale, but remain high when reacting to survival-based stimuli… reacting instinctively….

Okay, that answers the question of intelligence but I do not like the thing about the allusion to a link between them. If that is true, and I cannot afford to assume anything one way or the other, then they can communicate quicker although I am not sure on what level. So far, we have intelligence, fire power, daylight, and UV lighting — for as long as that lasts. Seems like it is coming down to brains versus brawn although they have a lot of it and, if the statistics are right, at least a thirty to one numerical superiority. And more than likely greater than that with people being eaten and such. I am quite sure there were probably a lot of suicides as well.

…The reproductive organs in both the female and male test subjects are normal. The ova and sperm samples taken demonstrate that normal breeding is possible. It is unknown as to how the genetic changes will affect the ovulation cycle for females who have undergone these genetic changes. Also unknown is whether a fetus created by two genetically altered or a single genetically altered parent will carry to term. Indications of normalcy within the productive organs indicate that this remains a possibility although the results are unknown. Will the child born of this union carry the genetically altered traits of one or both parents? The question also remains as to whether the genetically altered test subjects, and those outside of the laboratory, will have the same need and desire to propagate the species…

Great, they can breed! I think with my headache growing by the second. This just gets better and better. I am almost wishing that we didn’t find these files. Be careful of what you ask or wish for.

…All test subjects repeatedly sniff the air and appear to be able detect the approach of technicians by sense of smell. Locked in windowless rooms but with access to outside air, they sniff and react in a violent manner when the room is approached from outside. Further similar tests in rooms without access to outside air confirm this mode of detection. The test subjects in any room will gravitate towards the darkest areas. Furthermore, test subjects placed together will not act violently towards each other but begin to congregate in groups, seeking each other out…

Well, there it is in a nutshell , I think closing this folder. They basically behave in a wolf-pack manner with increased physical abilities but nature has offset that by downgrading their cognitive and intelligence abilities. Perhaps intelligence is not the right word.

I look out ahead and see the scattered storms off our nose have drawn closer but are still scattered as opposed to forming a squall line. We should be able to squeak our way through without too much difficulty. They are still some distance away. The sun is beginning its downward journey to its inevitable meeting with the horizon, casting its light on the individual storms. Hints of rainbows flare out from them and the edges show translucent oranges and yellows. The land below us is flat and towns are sparse. My thought goes out to those still left alive below and the fear they must be feeling with the coming of the night.

“Are you making radio calls out on guard?” I ask Robert through the intercom.

“Yeah, I made a couple,” he answers.

I have been so wrapped up in my own thoughts and reading that I was completely oblivious to hearing his radio calls. Another indication that I am thoroughly exhausted.

“You doing okay? Want me to take over?” I ask.