  El_jimbo Member Username: El_jimbo Post Number: 366 Registered: 12-2006 |
So I recently read a horror/satirical book called World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks (who is the son of Mel Brooks and a writer for SNL). Anyway, this book is written as if it were recounting tales of the survivors of a worldwide zombie outbreak ten years after humanity wins. It it, the reporter is interviewing a soldier who was part of the US force that marched from the west, across the country retaking it from the zombies. Anyway, cutting to the reason I'm posting about it here. He is describing what it was like to run into pockets of survivors still holding out after being isolated by a "sea of zombies". In that part he briefly mentions how in Detroit a group of survivors converted Ford Field and Comerica Park into "dual fortresses" against roughly one million zombies. Here is the question I propose to you, my fellow D'Yessers. If, for some odd reason, the dead did begin to rise and attack us, could Ford Field and/or Comerica Park hold off an assault of one million of the living dead for anywhere between 3-5 years? If not, where in the Detroit area would you consider the safest spot. Here are some rules/things to keep in mind. 1. These are "slow zombies" like the old movies and Shaun of the Dead, not like 28 Days Later or the remake of Dawn of the Dead. 2. The zombies are not scared of water and can walk along the bottoms of rivers, lakes, and even the ocean 3. Will the location of your choice be able to structurally be able to keep out 1 million zombies? 4. Is their enough shelter from the elements for you and your fellow survivors? 5. Is there a way to maintain proper sanitation without electricity 6. Will you have access to freshwater? 7. How much access will you have to non-perishable food and medicine assuming that airdrops will be infrequent or non-existant? I just thought this was a fun and totally off the wall "what if" to play with everyone. Enjoy. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3475 Registered: 10-2003 |
I've read World War Z. Good book. This is an extremely silly thread. | ||
The_ed Member Username: The_ed Post Number: 826 Registered: 10-2007 |
The DIA would be a good fortress, however the Fisher Building would work. The tunnel underneath would give access to streets if they were not "guarded" by zombies. | ||
El_jimbo Member Username: El_jimbo Post Number: 367 Registered: 12-2006 |
Johnlodge, Of course it is a silly thread. It's totally nonsensical. However, so are at least 60% of the threads on here. Most of them deal with "pie in the sky" ideas that have just as much a chance of becoming reality as a worldwide Zombie infestation. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 1605 Registered: 07-2004 |
Which would be better for zombies? Mass transit? Or auto-only? | ||
Chuckjav Member Username: Chuckjav Post Number: 305 Registered: 09-2007 |
El_jimbo.....those mother-trucking zombies can actually walk along the bottom of a river or lake? Damn! Do we need special ammunition; will copper jacketed rounds suffice? | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3477 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ok jimbo. I am such a fan of that book, I will play. Hmm. Cobo might work. You have the river nearby for fresh water, plus you have the People Mover track (not the actual people mover, i imagine the power would be out at some point) that you might be able to use if you need to foray out into the city on a mission to acquire supplies. Since it is suspended, the zombies can't get you except at the stops. But they'd have to use stairs, since the elevators would all be offline, and they aren't very good at that. | ||
The_ed Member Username: The_ed Post Number: 829 Registered: 10-2007 |
We could lure them to Zug island and try to incinerate all of them... | ||
El_jimbo Member Username: El_jimbo Post Number: 368 Registered: 12-2006 |
JohnLodge, That's an option. However, couldn't the zombies walk along the track just as easy as you could? | ||
Chuckjav Member Username: Chuckjav Post Number: 306 Registered: 09-2007 |
El_Jimbo..... We must go on the offensive; wipe these un-dead bastards out. There is no profit in waiting for them to attack. Let's get it on - Zombies shall not wipe out Detroit! For the Love of God(s)...have we not yet suffered enough? | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3479 Registered: 10-2003 |
I don't think there would be as many zombies on the tracks. They would have a hard time moving along them, as their feet would slip off and their legs would get caught between the tracks and the concrete. But yes, there would be some. You would just use the tracks to send out some skilled, armed parties to retrieve certain things you might need. Comerica Park would never work. The Zombies, smelling the thousands of people inside, would just keep walking towards it and piling up on each other until they've created a zombie staircase, which other zombies would be able to walk right up and into the park. | ||
El_jimbo Member Username: El_jimbo Post Number: 369 Registered: 12-2006 |
No way you could have thousands in Copa for a long time anyway. Even if nothing could get in, you can't store that much food and supplies and a lot of people would die from disease and cold being out in the elements. The amount of people there would be limited to how many could fit into the luxury boxes and other indoor areas. | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 342 Registered: 08-2007 |
I'll proffer Belle Isle as that was a refuge for early settlers during the Pontiac seige of Detroit. Of course, the settlers were all killed, but that's another story. Defenses could be built along the riverfront, housing within the Casino, the Coast Guard base, the DYC and the BoatClub, plus loads of tastee feral deer and a lovely parking pad to dry fish upon. Farming crops on the playing fields and setting up wind turbines for power generation. Fresh water from upriver, sanitation downriver. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3480 Registered: 10-2003 |
The fact it is an island would be no protection, as the Zombies can simply walk along the bottom of the Detroit river right onto the island. They don't need to breathe at all. You'd need to wall of the entire island to be safe there. However, if the current at the bottom of the river is sufficient enough, zombies attempting to walk straight accross to the island might be swept away, they have little balance. Zombies upriver would still be washed onto the northern shores of the island, though. | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 343 Registered: 08-2007 |
How many folks are going to be on "Our" team? 50 or 50 thousand? | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3481 Registered: 10-2003 |
Probably around 50 thousand, assuming they can make it to the "fortress". Another issue is you have to limit the entry of the people. Some may already have been bit, so each human would need to be inspected before being allowed in. Anyone with a bite would have to be denied entry, as there is no cure and no hope for them, and they will only turn into zombies and bite others. | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 344 Registered: 08-2007 |
Defensive bullworks on Belle Isle could be built in short order. And with the wind turbines providing electricity, a defensive electric fence would provide a sure-fire Zombie Repelling jolt. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 3745 Registered: 12-2005 |
I dunno. Do Ford Field and Comerica Park have basements? Everyone knows the basement is the safest place to defend against zombies.  Night of the Living Dead | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 345 Registered: 08-2007 |
The MacArther Bridge could act as a perfect defensible sentry post to limit the good humans from the zombies-to-be. If dogs can detect the good from the bad ala "Terminator" then we can put some of Detroit's wild dogs to good use. The zoo can be turned into a farm for animal husbandry. Chickens, goats, milk cows. Belle Isle is only two miles shorter than Manhatten so I think it provides the best combination of defensiblity, crops, water, wind power, fresh meat, and housing. With a rotating force of 18 thousand defenders: 3 shifts of 6,000 each. 2 thousand in forward scouts/scavangers 1000 in adminstration 10 thousand in farming 5 thousand in ranching 500 in santitation 1000 in food prep 500 in turbine maintenance 2000 in fishing 5000 in moral boosting 5000 in health care | ||
Kid_dynamite Member Username: Kid_dynamite Post Number: 368 Registered: 06-2007 |
ORGANIZE!! Before they rise! | ||
1st_sgt Member Username: 1st_sgt Post Number: 119 Registered: 11-2006 |
Greenfield village. It is walled all the way around. Has just about everything needed. It has a train running on the perimeter. Wagons and horses for transportation, fresh water (a small lake) windmill, houses, church, dining (mess halls), power generation shop, black smith shop, farms, you burn your waste as we do in the desert. It could hold a couple thousand I guess. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3483 Registered: 10-2003 |
If you could narrow the river on either side of the island, the current would pick up speed there, making it less possble for the zombies to walk accross. If you build a large wedge structure protruding from the northern end of the island, zombies coming down the river would be diverted in either direction, and unable to climb onto the island, and they would all pass harmlessly by and be washed away. At some point, I would advise blowing the bridge as well. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3484 Registered: 10-2003 |
Walls are no defense against zombies. Zombies will continue to walk towards the wall, other zombies will pile in behind them, more zombies will pile on top of them, crushing them below, until a ramp made of zombies reaches the top of the wall. At that point, new zombies can simplly walk up the ramp and over the wall. | ||
El_jimbo Member Username: El_jimbo Post Number: 370 Registered: 12-2006 |
Greenfield Village would be a good idea. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3485 Registered: 10-2003 |
You will never keep the zombies out of Greenfield Village. It would be Greenfield Village of the Damned within a month. | ||
Kid_dynamite Member Username: Kid_dynamite Post Number: 369 Registered: 06-2007 |
Blacksmith zombies, zombies with bonnets, Union and Confederate zombies. What a god damn mess that would be. | ||
Jdkeepsmiling Member Username: Jdkeepsmiling Post Number: 307 Registered: 01-2006 |
I like the breakdown of population. What are the 5000 in "Moral Boosting" doing? Is this doublespeak for making sure the population of humans grows? | ||
El_jimbo Member Username: El_jimbo Post Number: 371 Registered: 12-2006 |
I'm assuming they are doing more than just a simple USO show. ;) | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 346 Registered: 08-2007 |
How about using the Grand Prix cement course barriers for the first layer of defense followed by an interior wall which would create moat where the piled up zombies could be burned. but I like the electric fence the best. Zombies hate electricity | ||
Spacemonkey Member Username: Spacemonkey Post Number: 263 Registered: 03-2006 |
That is a great book. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie. I think it comes out this month. In the book zombies freeze in cold climates (no warm blood circulation). Therefore, I'd be heading north toward the U.P. or further into Canada. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3486 Registered: 10-2003 |
But you remember in the book, that lots of people did that, and they ended up with more people than they could sustain in that cold, frozen environment. People resorted to cannabalism. | ||
Kslice Member Username: Kslice Post Number: 203 Registered: 04-2007 |
I wouldn't use Comerica, the outfield fence would be a weak spot. Now Tiger Stadium is already a fortress. HEY! There's another reason for saving the stadium! | ||
El_jimbo Member Username: El_jimbo Post Number: 372 Registered: 12-2006 |
I figure Michigan would get cold enough. Then it would be time to take out my Machete and go to town on thousands of frozen zombies. Although here is another quandry. What if the temperature that the zombies "freeze" is lower than the temp that water freezes? What happens if they can just walk right across the ice to Belle Isle? dun dun dun... | ||
Unclefrank Member Username: Unclefrank Post Number: 114 Registered: 03-2006 |
I hope they make a movie! | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 347 Registered: 08-2007 |
Moral Boosting could be anything the citizens decided. But a "Breeder Class" could be established for those who are most capable in that regard. Hookers got their name for the ladies that served the Civil War troops of General Hooker. Like it or not, folks really like that sex stuff, so pretending it isn;t a neccassary part of a zombie-free society is just wishful thinking. Also, for those who can sing and dance, they need to do what they do best to keep the defenders in good spirits. Lord Knows that a hard 8 hours of re-killing the Zoms could put one in a foul mood. | ||
Gumby Member Username: Gumby Post Number: 1633 Registered: 11-2003 |
There coming to get you Barbara! | ||
Johnnny5 Member Username: Johnnny5 Post Number: 637 Registered: 06-2005 |
Livonia! The citizens there are already preparing for the great war against Detroit. Also the lack of a busing system would prevent the Zombies from commuting from other cities. | ||
Miketeevee Member Username: Miketeevee Post Number: 25 Registered: 07-2005 |
I would invite them all to a wild party at the Manoogian Mansion then let the first lady knock 'em out with her baseball bat when things got out of hand. No more zombies.. courtesy of Carlita. | ||
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch Post Number: 2460 Registered: 06-2004 |
quote: I am sorry but even in this thread, i have to say that Manhattan is over 13 miles in length, and at over 20 square miles is approximately 10x the size of belle isle. Why do people grab facts out of their ass? | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 1364 Registered: 01-2004 |
Me and my wife had a nice home in the city, until zombies started destroying the neighborhood. We've since moved into Oakland County where we don't have to worry about such things. If they cleaned up the zombie problem in Detroit, we'd move back in a .... lol Seriously though, I'd think the top floor of the MCD would be a good bet. I doubt if zombies would have the strength to climb all those steps. Plus the floors look like they're wide open, it would be hard for anything the hide on you. And there's a water tower on the top I hear, for you to store fresh water. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3487 Registered: 10-2003 |
Awww, social commentary has invaded the fun zombie thread. | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 1365 Registered: 01-2004 |
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt08 16711/ | ||
Spaceman_spiff Member Username: Spaceman_spiff Post Number: 96 Registered: 02-2006 |
Would the current at the bottom of the Detroit River be sufficiently strong to sweep zombies downriver? Belle Isle seems good, but I would like a fortress with some flexibility/escape routes. How about the Packard? Or alternatively, an aerial city, set a few floors up in all the buildings downtown. Keep the ground levels as zombie killing zones, then return to out arboreal roots with a life lived off the ground. There could be vertical gardens, rooftop fields, and aerial walkways between buildings. Heck, with a little work the peoplemover route might become the next woodward. -spiff | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 491 Registered: 09-2007 |
I would probably hide at a hospital or Shooting Range (the last place they'll visit). | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 350 Registered: 08-2007 |
he trick is to house, feed, clothe and protect 50 thousand. You need something defensible, with a ready supply of fresh water, and a place to grow food. The drawback to Belle Isle is defending the long shoreline and housing for 50 thousand. Even with hotcotting the shift workers, housing would be tough during the winter months. Maybe Grosse Isle would be better. they already have enough building to convert them to dorm style barracks, the golf course could become a farm, the tricky part is defense and heating during the winter. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3492 Registered: 10-2003 |
There are the salt mines that might be usable in some capacity. You couldn't grow food down there, though. And water would be an issue. But it might be usable as housing if you had some entrances that came up into fortified areas for farming. Worst case scenario, zombies overtake your farming fortifications and you withdrawl back into the mines to regroup. Perhaps you have several fortified areas at surface level, using the mines as transportation routes and housing. | ||
Kslice Member Username: Kslice Post Number: 204 Registered: 04-2007 |
The only problem I see with the roof idea is that most of our Art Deco buildings have pointy roof making it hard for them to be useful. The RenCen would probably be able to support 100+ people within it. Board up the lower windows of the atrium and use that area to grow food. Have signals on the roof that could be spotted by planes or helicopters. Plus you have the DPM connection that could be used to get to Cobo. Detroit would be a priority city because of it's manufacturing and it's right on the way to taking back Chicago (assuming the human forces are based on the east coast). | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 1018 Registered: 11-2005 |
I read that book. My first thought: How could CoPa keep 'em out? Too much fencing. Tiger Stadium could, though. Yet another example of why the Corner is better than CoPa: It's zombie-proof. | ||
Nainrouge Member Username: Nainrouge Post Number: 323 Registered: 05-2006 |
Just wait until the Zombies get jobs and start earning better pay. Then there will be "zombie flight" to the suburbs and you can all come out of CoPa. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 515 Registered: 09-2007 |
LOL Nainrouge. |
