Verdant Pastures, Quiet Waters

From Adrian Levington's Diary

August 30, 1903

We went farther into the local village today. The Hottarians were excited to trade and welcomed us with great enthusiasm. They gave us food and a place to stay for the night in exchange for our party bartering guns and money. As our journey to Lake Victoria draws to a close, our African interpreters reassure us that the stunning lake is only twenty kilometers away. The thought of seeing that wonderful sight makes my heart leap with delight!

Upon closer inspection in the community, I saw that a number of Negroes were suffering from a most horrifying illness—a peculiar condition that seemed to be spread by rats. They are referred undead by the locals as "zombi," which means "without souls" in the Hottarian language. These wretched people sit still, their tongues lolling and blinking intermittently as they stare blankly at the walls of their dwellings. Their family grieve uncontrollably for loved ones who are no longer able to think, and no stimuli can wake them from their strange slumber.

There is an aura of hatred about them, and their eyes have turned a terrifying scarlet. These miserable creatures cannot be roused by charms or potions, and the tribal witch-doctors are at their wits' end. By God's grace, I can only hope that these sad people will eventually get better.

Greetings, Ma'am

Even though it's still really hot outside, everything is going great. These days, we haven't had much communication with the Boche, which is quite acceptable to us. We were totally blinded by a sandstorm today; I was unable to see a single inch in front of me. We are holed up in a village close to El-Alamein (High Command has suppressed the name), where there is intense combat.

The Panthers broke through Alpha Company's line yesterday with the intention of reaching brigade headquarters, but Alpha and Bravo Companies managed to repel them together, albeit at a high cost (High Command has concealed the facts). This damned war—pardon my words, Ma'am—(more comments banned by High Command). We discovered a German soldier who had been shot in the stomach after (events withheld by High Command). We were shocked to learn that one of his fellow inmates had carried out the act. We were perplexed by this and looked for the culprit. We were unnerved by the ghostly appearance of the German responsible, who sat motionless and without resistance, staring into nothingness.

Captain McGarrick gave Dowe the order to bound him, but Dowe hesitated, acknowledging that the German had unsettled him too much. The man jerked slightly, as if from shell-shock, and wore an odd smile. When Simpkins advanced with handcuffs, the German leaped to his feet like lightning and bit into (details prohibited by High Command). Oh, the sight, Ma'am! We had seen atrocities, but nothing like that German almost killing poor Simpkins. We shot the Boche repeatedly, destroying him from head to toe, but it was too late. Simpkins from the blood he lost (a fate forbidden by High Command).

It was terrifying to watch the German, who appeared to be possessed, act in such an abnormal way—as if he were soulless. I hope this war ends soon because I'm tired of it. (High Command-censored plans) to attempt and (High Command-censored intent). High Command has censored Montgomery's acts, and it may also censor the delivery of troops' messages.

By the time you get this, High Command has censored the events. (High Command has banned my hopes), and I hope to see you all shortly. Please say a prayer for Simpkins, me, Ma'am, and everyone else here. I really do miss you.

With the utmost care and love,

Your son

Company Charlie, Royal Riflemen, Jonathan Darcey, October 17, 1942

Unusual African Illness Endangers Europe

January 14th, 200X

Quarantined in a secluded ward, Marco Fiorenzo lies limp and prone in a hospital bed in Rome. He is surrounded by physicians and nurses, their skin completely protected from the air in the sealed room, wearing plastic smocks and trench-war-style gas masks.

Following a business trip to Algeria, Mr. Fiorenzo became ill with symptoms similar to the flu. The greatest experts in the world are still unable to explain how it spreads, unlike avian flu or SARS in the past, and are only able to rely on rumors of old legends and African diaries. Similar to AIDX, the disease originally appeared in the central Rift Valley over a century ago. Explorer Adrian Levington recorded that the locals thought rodents were the means of transmission.

Friedrich von Maurer, a professor at the Berlin Technical University, states that "all we have beyond that is rumor." "Reports of a similar affliction have surfaced in central Africa for at least sixty years," he said in a recent presentation given to the Global Assembly, "even though this disease is only now recognized as it reaches epidemic proportions." Scholars and residents in Sudan, Chad, Libya, and Algeria have documented symptoms, including schizophrenia, catatonia, and sudden unprovoked aggressiveness. The mutant strains that we have seen occasionally mutating are the most concerning.

The illness has developed into three different forms and is now often referred to as Maurer Syndrome, named for the scientist who discovered its strains. After weeks of flu-like symptoms, Variant A, the original, causes convulsions and lethargy that can be fatal. According to letters and diaries from American and British soldiers in North Africa, Variant B maintains consciousness but combines sluggishness with deadly anger. They called it the "Sfaxi Plague" or the "Saharan Scourge," describing how German soldiers would appear eerily composed in combat until exploding in homicidal fury when confronted, regardless of injuries or suffering.

However, victims of Variant C are left lucid. Israeli youngsters in Tel Aviv are reported to have killed their parents with cool composure, displaying neither regret nor grief, according to Middle Eastern reports. Psychological assessments show that the brain functions normally, with the exception of a blood-triggered psychosis. One particularly horrifying result of this strain is cannibalism.

Fluid transfer, such as blood, semen, or saliva, is how variant C spreads. Its victims may spread any of the three varieties when they attack, and they have a craving for blood and flesh. Even if the majority of victims die from the first bite, the lucky contract Variant C

"Our field correspondent is reporting from Brooklyn's All Souls' Hospital. Samara?

"Maurer Syndrome is spreading here in Brooklyn, Tim. It has been slow to arrive in America, having killed over 350 million people globally and infected an estimated 300 million. Order has collapsed in the hardest-hit regions, destroying billions of lives, despite the fact that it has decimated Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, where impacted nations are under quarantine.

Scientists worry that this winter, the eastern United States may be hit with Maurer Syndrome and its horrifying variations. A nationwide lockdown has been imposed by President Robins, which has stopped all travel and business. Victims who contract the virus through bodily fluids have a 50% risk of dying and an equal chance of getting one of the three variants—one that leaves them lucid but crazy, another that preserves the most of their faculties—