Combined Open-Class Semi-Recombinant Viral I Dominant: RECON Virus
New Templars/New Asheville diverges from actual Earth history some time in the 21st century, after Global Warming has been addressed and dismissed with the deployment of, basically, a giant Sunbrella between Earth and Sun, reducing contact solar radiation levels to pre-Industrial levels with no need to change behavior.
While this suited the corporations, it didn't do much for the ecology of the planet, and new damage rose out of the solutions to old damage, and we find ourselves exploring a future where SARS went a different direction -- where it was lab-grown, using alien and exotic-species nucleotides, into something... else. Something far more dangerous. And far more unavoidable!
This Open-class combined DNA/RNA semi-recombinant virus was designed for no purpose other than to insert mutations into a genome. It was, originally, never intended to be able to replicate, hence the recombinant status. However, the insertion of mutational genes in multiple locations along the viral strand allowed the virus to redesign itself, restoring its replication capabilities in a number of individuals.
The result of this 'flaw' was that RECON-12 entered the environment outside of the laboratory and began to spread inside human (and other sapient species) hosts, who were particularly vulnerable to the gene-swapping behavior that allowed RECON-12 to replicate unchecked. The virus spread through the human population like wildfire, and in most humans -- over 99.6% of them -- the virus caused neurological and organ failure, and death.
However, in some individuals, about 0.4% of the existing human population, RECON-12 was unable to find the materials to begin replication, or unable to find sufficient materials to replicate more than a few times, failing to reach a critical viral load in the individual sufficient to cause death, even if there may have been intermittent symptoms. In every known case of this occurrance, however, the virus caused mutation to the substrate genome into which it embedded itself. The infection rate with RECON-12 is near enough 100% of life on earth as to be an insignificant variance of that percentage. (Theoretically, said infection rate's deviation from 100% comprises only one single race, with minimal population, scattered over the entirety of the surface. Were these creatures' existence known, they would have already been extinct by the hand of the less tolerant species on the planet -- namely humans -- but the secrecy of their existence and the false mythos spread of their vulnerabilities has protected them since humans became bipedal and tool-using, from the inherent violence of the human species). In addition to the direct impact on individual patients, there is a secondary effect brought to the fore by that fact that the virus never completely clears the infected individuals. In some individuals, these mutations became self-promoting, resulting in a number of variations to the genome. In about 0.4% of the population, or about 92% of the survivors of RECON-12, the mutations were sufficient to cause a genomic shift that left the individual no longer retaining a genetic profile that allowed them to continue to be classified scientifically as human. A portion of these individuals developed latent or active capabilities in the way that they interact with their environment that allowed them an advantage over the pure original homo sapiens sapiens strain of humans, which is now extinct.
In about 0.1% of the original human population, or about 8% of the survivor population, intentional mutation or mutation enhanced by latent ancient genes that were activated by RECON-12 resulted in responses to seemingly unrelated and random events that resulted in what one could call true mutants. These individuals were not only genetically different from homo sapiens sapiens, but were, in fact, genetically diverse from anything seen before on Earth. Many of these individuals were capable of activating multiple genome 'trees' simultaneously, their bodies remodeling almost instantly, using internal and external materials and energy -- both from their own systems and from consumed materials out of the environment -- to initiate complex remapping of their entire appearance and form, add and subtract various features and abilities, and to create, through new organs that appeared in the body, substances to enhance their capabilities and survival and turn them, essentially, into apex predators.
Not without risk, for many of these individuals the resulting mutations required a great deal of processing capability in the existing neurological system. In the process of rewiring their neurological capabilities to allow for this profound functional shift, some neurological functions, especially higher functions and latent functions like language skills and memory, were occasionally sacrificed, at least during active mutational phases, to make room for the intense demands of both the automatic and directed function of the mutations.
RECON-12 is still present in the environment. Natural mutation of the virus over time may result in additional variants which may be more or less lethal than the original strain, and may impact survivors of the initial plague in ways that have not yet been determined.
This Open-class combined DNA/RNA semi-recombinant virus was designed for no purpose other than to insert mutations into a genome. It was, originally, never intended to be able to replicate, hence the recombinant status. However, the insertion of mutational genes in multiple locations along the viral strand allowed the virus to redesign itself, restoring its replication capabilities in a number of individuals.
The result of this 'flaw' was that RECON-12 entered the environment outside of the laboratory and began to spread inside human (and other sapient species) hosts, who were particularly vulnerable to the gene-swapping behavior that allowed RECON-12 to replicate unchecked. The virus spread through the human population like wildfire, and in most humans -- over 99.6% of them -- the virus caused neurological and organ failure, and death.
However, in some individuals, about 0.4% of the existing human population, RECON-12 was unable to find the materials to begin replication, or unable to find sufficient materials to replicate more than a few times, failing to reach a critical viral load in the individual sufficient to cause death, even if there may have been intermittent symptoms. In every known case of this occurrance, however, the virus caused mutation to the substrate genome into which it embedded itself. The infection rate with RECON-12 is near enough 100% of life on earth as to be an insignificant variance of that percentage. (Theoretically, said infection rate's deviation from 100% comprises only one single race, with minimal population, scattered over the entirety of the surface. Were these creatures' existence known, they would have already been extinct by the hand of the less tolerant species on the planet -- namely humans -- but the secrecy of their existence and the false mythos spread of their vulnerabilities has protected them since humans became bipedal and tool-using, from the inherent violence of the human species). In addition to the direct impact on individual patients, there is a secondary effect brought to the fore by that fact that the virus never completely clears the infected individuals. In some individuals, these mutations became self-promoting, resulting in a number of variations to the genome. In about 0.4% of the population, or about 92% of the survivors of RECON-12, the mutations were sufficient to cause a genomic shift that left the individual no longer retaining a genetic profile that allowed them to continue to be classified scientifically as human. A portion of these individuals developed latent or active capabilities in the way that they interact with their environment that allowed them an advantage over the pure original homo sapiens sapiens strain of humans, which is now extinct.
In about 0.1% of the original human population, or about 8% of the survivor population, intentional mutation or mutation enhanced by latent ancient genes that were activated by RECON-12 resulted in responses to seemingly unrelated and random events that resulted in what one could call true mutants. These individuals were not only genetically different from homo sapiens sapiens, but were, in fact, genetically diverse from anything seen before on Earth. Many of these individuals were capable of activating multiple genome 'trees' simultaneously, their bodies remodeling almost instantly, using internal and external materials and energy -- both from their own systems and from consumed materials out of the environment -- to initiate complex remapping of their entire appearance and form, add and subtract various features and abilities, and to create, through new organs that appeared in the body, substances to enhance their capabilities and survival and turn them, essentially, into apex predators.
Not without risk, for many of these individuals the resulting mutations required a great deal of processing capability in the existing neurological system. In the process of rewiring their neurological capabilities to allow for this profound functional shift, some neurological functions, especially higher functions and latent functions like language skills and memory, were occasionally sacrificed, at least during active mutational phases, to make room for the intense demands of both the automatic and directed function of the mutations.
RECON-12 is still present in the environment. Natural mutation of the virus over time may result in additional variants which may be more or less lethal than the original strain, and may impact survivors of the initial plague in ways that have not yet been determined.
Transmission & Vectors
The virus was transmitted into the open environment in droplet spread (air), through urinary and fecal contamination (soil and water), and through decomposition and decomposition dust (soil, water, air). It is now resident in all layers of the Earth surface, and is taken up during growing and feeding activities throughout all living matter on the planet.
In addition, infected individuals may spread the virus in its endemic form through bodily fluids and skin punctures -- bites, scratches, exchange of blood.
In addition, infected individuals may spread the virus in its endemic form through bodily fluids and skin punctures -- bites, scratches, exchange of blood.
Causes
This virus was engineered by Zulu as a mechanism to attempt to mutate humans to create super-soldiers with reduced moral-cognitive processing, in order to create their own army.
Symptoms
High fever
Erratic behavior
Brain swelling
Organ failure
Death
Erratic behavior
Brain swelling
Organ failure
Death
Treatment
There is no treatment. Palliative care allows some patients to recover, but only about 0.03% of patients who develop the illness to the level of erratic behavior are able to recover.
Prognosis
The prognosis is abysmal.
Sequela
For those who -do- survive serious, recognizable infection, there are numerous sequelea described in the main text above.
Prevention
Complete isolation and a sterile environment will reduce the risk during the initial infection period. Avoiding contact with infected individuals will prevent secondary infection risk, but tertiary infection risk at the point at which the virus becomes endemic in the air, water, and soil is unavoidable.
Type
Viral
Origin
Engineered
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired & Congenital
Rarity
Common
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