Project Lazarus

A brown envelope sits on the desk. It is addressed to Colonel Marcus Scott, USMC and across the top it is sealed with tape that clearly designates the material inside as classified. The colonel opens the envelope with a deer antler letter opener, and sifts through the contents. A single report among the many catches his attention.

Project Lazarus

Report by:
Thomas J. Finklestien, M.D., Ph.D.,
Steven M. Burns, M.D., Ph.D.,
Kenneth F.D. Walker, M.D., Ph.D.,
Huan Gu Chan, M.B.B.S., B.D.S., B.Sc., M.D.
Juniata Gonzalez, M.B.B.S.B.S.C., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P.,
Christopher G.D. Harrison, M.B.B.S., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P, Ph.D.,
Amrita Vishanamatta, M.B.B.S.., B.Sc., Ph.D, M.D.
Luann M. Wilson, B.A., Ph.D., D.V.M


Summary: Our team experimented on death row prisoners from project Juliet (See lethal injection falsification records in appendix C.) When the Juliet subjects were removed from suspended animation they were given the virus. We used surplus subjects from project Darfur and Rwanda, as well as several “enemy combatants” from the current political conflict for targets.

Our initial experiments were very positive. We did not create the Lazarus virus, only tested its application for biological warfare. We were quite familiar with its make up, but did not know it as well as the creation team. The first several from the Juliet group reacted slowly. The virus took a few days to reach full infection. We found that lack of oxygenated blood to the brain decreased the time of infection exponentially. Several subjects took days to reach the “break point” under normal and optimal conditions. It was concluded that this virus would pair well with several conventional chemical weapons that limit oxygen levels.

The anaerobic nature of the virus made the destruction of an infected subject difficult, but not impossible. Severe cranial damage resulted in immediate or near immediate death. Also spinal injury was extremely effective, as well as electrocution. The virus completely deadened pain, and the use of most organs. Removal of the heart, liver, kidneys, and gastro intestinal tract did not disable those infected. The infected were anaerobic creatures so oxygen in any form was unnecessary.

The virus acts on neurosensors in the medulla oblongata that trigger hostility and hunger. This gives the project Lazarus subjects their recognizable commonalties. The origin team worked hard to isolate certain parts of the brain that increased aggression exclusively toward human targets (only increased aggression toward humans). Our team found that this was the case in all the experiments. All other animal life and all other food substances are completely ignored. We tested the reactions of the infected with a range of animals, and the infected did not react. In fact, we even tested aggressive animals and even under attack, the infected did nothing. (All animals that punctured the skin and received a dose of the virus died quickly after, see the extensive study done by Dr. James Long, D.V.M on the subject)

The infected only ate human flesh, however, it was not a necessary component to their survival. They would not eat infected flesh, but would eat untainted flesh if it were alive or dead or decomposing. They seem to prefer fresh or living flesh to any other source.

Of the 390 subjects from the three projects, 42 were naturally immune. They are currently being tested for antivirus possibilities. We tested these subjects extensively, although only half of these subjects remain, as we had killed the others trying to increase the exposure to the virus.

More experiments will be conducted in Hanger 23 and 44 at Little Rock Air Force Base. We will resume tests in early June, when all the subjects and equipment are transferred.