.
'Kay. Got it. So, we're looking at a scenario something like between Halfllife, Omega Man and Halo, where you have to waste ammo taking them apart piece by piece like in Dead Space. And, the mofos can run.
Shit. I can't do any serious running anymore, my knees are fucked. God dammit!
On the plus, it seems I'm immune to airborne infection. My spawn will rule the planet.
So, they're lean, mean and hungry. Your boat scenario suggests that they aren't bright enough to swim, so that's a plus. They'll have their senses, for the most part, but you are suggesting they won't be very intelligent ... we'll hope less cunning than a typical dog.
Shit. That's a pretty fucking smart zombie.
And they're fast. But, they are stupid enough to drown, so they'll be susceptible to various traps. Herding and luring strategies can be developed to wipe out large numbers of them (in many cases), and there are copious amounts of fire-making fluids available.
So, they don't rot, but they still have to eat (physical biology: they don't photosynthesize, so energy has to come from
somewhere). And, they only eat what they catch that's still alive. They will deplete their food resources fairly rapidly. Most animals starve to death in about two to three weeks. We'll assume these zombies are smart enough, instinctively, to drink water, else their bodies will fail from dehydration within 3-5 days.
Hope: the general incursion could well burn itself out worldwide, to completion, through starvation, within 60-90 days. Even sooner if they require a live-brains diet. Half life mathematics rule. It is a reasonable survival strategy that if you can make it 120 days, it's over (as far as zombie dangers go). Good news: it isn't going to last forever.
A number of strategies I outlined in that link in my previous post still hold true. 20 guage shotguns, .40 cal semi-auto handguns & carbines, a couple of ranged sniper rifles, reloading supplies ... all of which are pretty close at hand to where I live. Offensive capability: check. Augment with machete & light, fast swords (katana) for hand-to-hand. Note to self: avoid hand-to-hand whenever possible.
They don't rot, so serious damage must be inflicted strategically to neutralize each one. Will have to capture a few for experimental purposes to test poisons (cyanide gas should work) and other methods. Should require oxygen, for example, and they probably bleed out with grievous enough wounds, for other examples.
Will want to test their sensory capabilities, too. How good is their eyesight, hearing .. do they react to body heat, etc. Shit.
That's going to be a seriously fucking dangerous project, but a necessary one.
Light, fast transportation: check. Several dealerships nearby with motorcycles and ATVs of all types.
Need a secure hole-up place. I'm surrounded for miles in an urban-rural border region, so location of a multi-floor building with ranged, clear field of view from at least six floors up. Should be all-stone/brick construction. Fortify lower two floors and zombie-proof egress routes. Fortress secured: check.
I've damned decent survival skills for countryside living, I know how to hunt and fish. I can raid stores for food, of which there are several thousand nearby. Focus on as much meat as fast as possible and jerk it smoked by the ton before it rots. Food supply secure: check.
I'm good for at least a year, sniping zombies from my rooftop and going on regular, local forays to sweep my region & network with survivors.
And, there will be enormous amounts of beer for the taking. Bonus!
