The Source

A disease affecting humans, especially Wastelanders on Earth who were near neutron bomb blast-zones in WWV. It is transferred via clouds of nanites that eat through a victims’ systems from the inside-out. These nanites go unnoticed - in fact, help fight off other viruses and diseases in one’s system for some time - until the victim begins to cough up blood, usually indicating the final three months of life. Death is usually slow and painful, taking between days and years from inception of the first nanite to the final deterioration of the body and infestation of the next closest humans. The disease can be slowed by certain medicine and health regimens meant to clog the nanites, but no cure has yet been found. The actual duration of the infection depends on number of nanites in one’s system.
Because of The Source, Earth is under general quarantine, and only trained medical personnel are sanctioned by most corps to visit the Wasteland. Wastelanders are generally assumed to have been exposed to the elements and are prohibited from visiting the Domed Cities or any of the colonized systems. In actuality, approximately 20% of Wastelanders are actual carriers. Due to the wars, and massive emigration over the centuries, the global population of Earth now hovers just over one billion total. Of course, as this implies, Terran civilization also exists outside of Earth.

Transmission & Vectors

The Source breaks down tissue on a molecular level from the respiratory or digestive systems, then as it reaches the skin, the nanites simply spread back into the air, seeking the next nearest person.

Causes

Nanites were released into the atmosphere of Earth during the neutron wars, with the goal of destroying all organic matter in a given area. The nanites were not given a termination date, however. Or the termination date was not accepted by their programming. Either way, swarms of nanites continue to roam the Wasteland on Earth, infecting all they come into contact with. They have also killed nearly all plant life and other wildlife.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the Source begin with a cough, although it could be easily dismissed as any other disease. Part of what makes The Source so dangerous is it is not clear what is happening unless X-rays are taken, a search for metal is done within the carrier, or until the flesh has begun to be eaten away - by which time it is too late for whoever may be witnessing it.

Treatment

A very fast-moving disease, nobody can determine a way to eliminate the nanites without killing the red and white blood cells of the victims. Terran Systems has a medicine called

Prognosis

The condition is almost always terminal.