Knox Event

“

This thing, let's call it 'The Knox Event', feels like a powder keg.

— Judge Matt Hass

The Knox Event is used to refer to the zombie outbreak that occurs prior to and throughout the game. The event first takes place around Muldraugh and West Point, Kentucky. The incident is considered to have begun on the 4th of July, 1993, American Day of Independence. Just two days later the military evacuated residences from around the affected area and set up blockades in what is now known as the Knox Evacuation. The affected area is given the name: the Exclusion Zone, with the primary camp being south of Louisville.

Timeline

Date	Event(s)
Weeks prior	Foul smell in the air first noticed
July 1, 1993 (Day -8)	Knox Telecommunications take phone lines down for maintenance
July 4, 1993 (Day -5)	American day of Independence
July 6, 1993 (Day -3)	Knox Evacuation: military blockades set up around border, displacing those from the outer perimeter
July 9, 1993 (Day 0)	Game begins, three days after the Knox Evacuation. First official statement given during a press conference by General John McGrew (11AM on the 9th July 1993)
July 11, 1993 (Day 2)	WHO ground all non-military or -medical internal and international flights (after 6pm EST) People begin looting and rioting within many major cities Peacekeeping forces stationed throughout the nation Planned features military base abandoned. Quarantined cells unlocked and soldiers gone. (unknown to public until July 13)
July 12, 1993 (Day 3)	Knox Exclusion Zone widened Public anger leads to riots resulting in fatalities in New York and injuries in Miami President announces 6pm curfews in New York, Miami and L.A. One Picture from West Point leaked from inside the Exclusion Zone: Image of a man looking to be aged thirty with blood around his mouth, bloodstained clothes, one arm raised, with the other hanging on by a thread/unattached, unconcerned by his injury and walking in a street full of corpses. on the night of July 12th on Knox Talk it is revealed that this man worked at Star Plex and the caller says him took her son to see the Spiffo's movie. 1 week ago she didn't reveal his name because his family could probably be watching Knox Talk in that moment Amateur radio broadcast received from inside the Exclusion Zone (Frequency: 107.6 MHz).
July 13, 1993 (Day 4)	Interference from an unknown source impacts radio broadcasts. Infection confirmed to spread through fluid exchange. civilians from within the exclusion zone who were held in quarantine at a military base within the zone by McGrew's men by order of General McGrew probably Fort Knox, because the "secret rosewood base" has no cells were able to go out and see their family members, some of whom were taken by the military for examinations. and they reveal stories and scenes already seen, by of the photo of inside the exclusion zone in 12th of July and things leaked from inside the zone, and that "everyone" inside the zone caught the knox infection.
July 14, 1993 (Day 5)	Early in the morning within the Primary Exclusion Zone camp, South of Louisville, a soldier opens fire, killing two unarmed people. Angry protesters were dispered with warning shots and tear gas. Hundreds, maybe thousands of infected break through the border's defences, littering the area with the dead. The military pull out.
July 15, 1993 (Day 6)	People beyond the Exclusion Zone begin showing symptoms of infection without fluid contact.
July 16, 1993 (Day 7)	Key bridges and river crossings over the Ohio River are blocked and demolished by the military, in an attempt to contain the outbreak.
July 17, 1993 (Day 8)	The Knox Event infection confirmed in: Louisville, and the surrounding area; Cincinnati, and Columbus, Norfolk, London, Newcastle, Mogadishu, Seoul, Okinawa. Cause of the sudden spread is unknown at this time. Military starts distributing General John McGrew's final message describing the true nature of the Knox Event.
July 18, 1993 (Day 9)	Knox Event infection confirmed in: New Orleans, Los Angeles, Berlin, Tokyo.

Rumoured outbreak causes

A bad smell had been in the air for weeks before the blockade went up, many believe that's how you get sick, once it gets in your lungs, you're done.
"You can smell it in the air. Something's smelled bad for weeks, it gets into your lungs. That's what's behind it." - Christian: Caller on KnoxTalk
Many people believe something in the Spiffo's meat is the cause of the outbreak; the next evolutionary step for Mad Cow disease.
"I've been warning people for years. It's in the meat. We've been feeding our cows on their own kind. Misfolded prions. Brain matter fed back into the food chain. These prions have been building up in countless generations of cattle. This is quite clearly a neurological disorder." - Professor Peter Endsleigh
Religious folk believe that Man is paying for their sins, and that this is the work of God.
"The end is at hand. America has sinned. Every day I look to our streets and I see depravity and wickedness. A nation tainted by perverts and sinners." - Pastor Samuels
Ethan's called in. How are you Ethan?

You think it matters how I am? How about the poor souls behind the Event line? Well of course... This is judgment. This is God. That's certainly a point of... Let me finish! This is foretold. Jesus is coming home. Everyone listening. EVERYONE listening. You get on your knees and repent. He knows your sins, and he's a comin'. No. In fact, he's already here. And you are JUDGED. You know what it says in the book of Revelations? I do. Okay, onto the next caller. The great day of his wrath is come! And who shall be able to stand? Okay. Thank you!:KnoxTalk

The outbreak occurring so close to Independence Day can't be a coincidence, it must be terrorism.
"Terrorism. Terrorism is my point. They've been coming for us for years. This is their moment." - Francine: Caller on KnoxTalk
Interesting Information
Canines may exhibit symptoms

the bar owner in west poin mentions that his dog was sick when he was leaving West Point, KY.

"We've got someone with something new. Twiggy, you there?

Sure am. Figured you'd want to hear from someone from inside. I live in West Point. Own a bar. I went away to visit a cousin, but the night before... Weird stuff. Helicopters flying low over us to Muldraugh. We get that stuff - we're an Army town. Serve those boys most nights. Just seemed out of place. Next day I'm coming back. It's no-go. Thanking God I had my wife and dog with me, I guess. Else I wouldn't be seeing them for a week. Dog's been sick, so glad she's with me. I don't know how long this dang thing will take. Do you know?

I'm afraid I do not. Thanks for your call: Caller on KnoxTalk

Danielle states that a soldier shot her dog, lending credibility to dogs contributing to the Exclusion Zone.

"Okay folks, a lot of voice on our lines as you'd imagine. But Danielle's got a story to tell. You've got the mic Danielle.

They're lying. They're lying to us. We were on the inside . My Mom - she was attacked. This guy bit her. We tried to get out but they took her. I don't know where she is. I took my dog out the car and I just ran. They shot my dog! What kinda soldiers do that? And I'm sat here in this camp on some guy's carphone. The others - they wanted me to get word out. People in there have changed. They try to kill you. All of them try to kill you: Caller on KnoxTalk

A caretaker mentions that a security dog was sick at one of the labs within the Exclusion Zone.

"What's your job mystery caller?

I'm a janitor. I've signed so many forms that I know this isn't right... But there's labs in there. Guys in white coats.

And they're experimenting with what? Biological stuff?

I don't know.

Do they test on anything? Animals?

Saw some dogs on my last day before this all started.

They test on dogs?

Naw. Security guy' dog was sick.

So what you're saying is...

They have science stuff in a military installation. Could be weapons, could be freshman chemistry class. And a guy owned a dog?

Yes sir. That's the measure of it. Could be anything. It's terrorism.

Thanks for your call. If anyone actually knows some facts about the Event call me.

Sick of time-wasters: Caller on KnoxTalk

a man mentions that the military took his dog for no reason

This is Triple-N. Flu-like'. 'Panic'. 'Confusion'. An unknown communicable illness that has cut through Kentucky communities...

...forcing evacuations, and the creation of a huge exclusion zone. Yet STILL no concrete word on what the Knox Event is, or how it spreads. Worse? Revelations from a Dr Jack Galbraithe - a former scientist with the CDC.

He's reported as saying: 'America is not ready for this'. 'We haven't been ready for a long time.'

How does that sound to you on the ground at the Event boundary, Kirsty Cormick?

Well Joan, it's exactly that sort of rumor that's not helping. People just don't know what to do, and the military don't know what to do with them. Some have been taken to Louisville - but most? They want to stay - in tents, in local buildings. This is their home. Or, at least as near to their homes as the Army will allow them. And they're angry. Real angry.

They're not tellin' us nothing!

Every day like the last!

I got a business in there, in West Point!

I got a home! A family!

I've got a dog too, and they took it for no reason at all! We want answers!

This is Kirsty Cormick on the Knox Event line. Back to the studio.

Thank you Kirsty. Now, coming up - the scientist that says 'it IS contained'...

... on Triple-N. interview on Triple-N

Timeline

Rumoured outbreak causes

See also