Melkor said
So would the zombies be like a paracite that takes over a host? Or perhaps a virus that targets brain cells?
Walkers, Runners, Screamers, and (whatever else we can come up with, I'm toying with Brutes and Stalkers) are directly linked to a virus. The infection takes over the nervous system, but can be transmitted through all forms of bodily fluids but saliva and blood are the easiest. When the virus infects the body it takes anywhere from one to seven hours for full body infection. When the virus takes over the brain, it causes a full body shutdown for anywhere from three to five hours. During this time, the body is being recreated by the virus. Eventually the body will get up again, but this is not the person it once was. It's a corpse, the body doesn't decompose as long as the creature can consume enough to sustain normal bodily functions. The "zombies" will heal at a normal human rate, but can not feel pain.
Destroying the brain counts as a confirmed kill. Vital shots may or may not kill, the creatures body's do not function as normal humans. That is the current information that Phoenix scientists know.
Spore- After contamination the spores can take months to fully take over the body. Symptoms appear after a few days, but spore pods only begin growing when the body has been fully infected. These zombies are different from the others, they actions give off every signal of pain and anguish. Current orders are to execute and then sample. They are deemed too dangerous to study due to their extreme strength and spores. When spore pods burst the airborne spores range in size from microscopic to roughly a quarter. The origins of the spores themselves are unknown ((well....I know, but.....))
Melkor said
I'm sure there's room for two doctors. By the way, would the base have medical equipment?
Plenty of room. And yes, each oil rig was designated by a base of operations by The Taskforce. Phoenix was the scientific base, still equipped with the normal military personnel and equipment that each rig was equipped with. I can go into their functions and facilities later.