Upon the Physiology of the Animate Dead

PATH 201     Introduction to Non-Human Pathology (4)     Brookes-Lawley Building, Sutton Continuing through the transcript of the introductory lecture given by Prof. Jacob Highman at the University of London, last autumn term. Part One: Specimen Security You will be led to the specimen kennels to select a demonstration unit for today's laboratory exercise. Your lab leaders will be familiar with all appropriate protocols within the kennels; they are to be obeyed unquestioningly on all counts. This exercise is not without danger, and your safety will depend on them. The kennel master, an Undertaker on retainer to the university, will escort you to and from the underground chambers and will act as troubleshooter for this exercise. The kennels are located beneath the laboratories in the new Nonhuman Pathology wing. To achieve entrance, you will be conducted through a series of locks beneath the building proper; the specimens are isolated at a depth of thirty meters beneath the grounds of the university, accessible only through a series of ramps and heavily doored passages that are kept secured when not in use. All doors are to be opened only to permit passage and are to be locked again when your team has passed through. Note that the doors, all of which open inward, are of metal and sturdily made, intended to resist tremendous pressure from below. In the event of an emergency, the doors will not be opened. The specimens are contained individually. In this way, they may be accessed with fairly low likelihood of accident. These animates are contained in wide, rounded cells with a double gate system regulating access, a design offering no possibility of concealment for the creature contained within. On approach, you will be easily able to determine the position of the specimen before entering the cell. A special apparatus will be required for specimen capture and transport. All equipment needed may be found in the chamber immediately inside the terminal kennel doors – the kennel master will allow you access. To secure the specimen, you will require a set of thick, sturdy ropes, the heaviest grade of leathered sack, and a gurney equipped with the full set of heavy leathered restraints. For your personal safety, you will be required to wear a full set of protective gear – leathered coveralls, coat with reinforced collar, supple gloves, helmet with steel mesh faceplate. When you are fully equipped, organize into teams. Five of your strongest will be required to secure the animate. The others will act to move the animate to the gurney and secure it there. Open the outer gate and permit four of the strongest to enter, two by two, each pair holding a length of the rope between them. The fifth should stand behind the rope teams with the leathered sack at ready. The rest of the team should enter with the gurney and stand ready, closing the gate behind. By the time you are in position, the animate will have sensed your presence. Wait for it to come toward the second gates before triggering the mechanism that permits these inner gates to open. As the animate comes forward, the rope teams should rush forward, catching the creature on the ropes and bearing it down. The fifth team member must close ground immediately and secure the sack about the creature's head. (Remember that any healthy adult will be faster than an animate of this age. However, the creature is still quite powerful. If it does catch hold of a team member, do not panic. As long as the head is secured, you are quite safe, as unnerving as the experience may be.) Convey the animate to the gurney as quickly as possible and secure it firmly by means of the attached straps. If the creature has managed to take hold of any of your team, it can be induced to release its grasp with a short application of an electric prod to the appropriate muscle group. The kennel master will be available to provide this service. Once the creature is secured, you may remove the helmets. The remainder of the gear should remain in place for the duration of the exercise. Check that the restraints are absolutely secure before proceeding to the first set of locks. The animate will struggle against its bonds and may succeed in loosening them. It is therefore necessary to check the restraints at every set of locks and tighten any loose straps before proceeding. The troubleshooter will check your work and accompany you through the locks and into the laboratories. To be continued. Written By: Nicole Vega Illustrated By: Trent Thynes