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.
Ethanoclass="underline" 0 gm/dl, Blood (Heart)
Ethanoclass="underline" 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.
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….