Gobivirus Mutagenicus

"The Gobi Horror represents a pivotal, albeit devastating, chapter in human history. This bioweapon's unintended consequences not only reshaped the course of human evolution but also underscored the complexities of biological warfare. As we delve into the history of the Gobi Horror, remember that its impact extends far beyond the initial devastation, influencing the very fabric of human diversity and identity."
~Professor Arcadia Miles, Historical Biology 101

The Gobi Horror: Origins and Design

The Gobi Horror, formally known as Gobivirus Mutagenicus, was a bioweapon engineered by the Xióngwěi Group beneath the Gobi Desert during the First Terran Empire's rise. This monstrosity was designed to eradicate human life on targeted planets, leveraging a novel mechanism that destroyed molecular bonds in DNA, rewriting one in ten cells to propagate the virus. To overcome the virus's self-limiting lethal nature, Xióngwěi integrated Bioronics, generating serpentine bioroids – Gobi Worms – to disseminate the virus.

Consequences and Mutations

The Gobi Horror's deployment on Venus and Mars led to catastrophic consequences, claiming hundreds of millions of lives. However, the virus's mutagenic nature and interactions with planetary environments yielded unpredictable outcomes. Survivors' offspring exhibited unstable, random mutations, often resulting in monstrous, bestial creatures. Subsequent generations gradually regained humanity, but retained unique, environmentally influenced traits in an expedited forced evolution process. These mutations have become defining characteristics of planetary ethnicities, distinguishing them from Terrans, who remained isolated and unaffected due to Earth's planetary shield.

Legacy and Societal Impact

The Gobi Horror's repercussions extend far beyond the initial devastation. Refugees carried the mutated virus to other planets, sparking similar patterns of mutation and adaptation. This has led to a complex tapestry of human diversity, with planetary ethnicities exhibiting distinct characteristics shaped by their environments. Proposals to reclassify these groups' scientific names have sparked controversy, as many reject implications that they are not "human."

Type

Viral

Origin

Engineered