The Star Virus or Star was a biological weapon created by the Tarkadons on the planet Glorric. Though the virus was eradicated by the soldiers of the United Galactic Systems Navy to prevent its threat upon the galaxy.
Biology[]
The serum that would become the Star Virus was originally developed as a part of a program to create super soldiers using many specialized scientists held under duress to lead the research on hundreds of kidnapped civilians.
During the development substances such as Regmaten, Torring Solution, and Rophine were included in the research.
Rophine was a cell regeneration drug repair tissue damage. But it was canned after during the experimental stage as it was determined that it caused rapid cell reproduction. If the substance was injected into a person’s bloodstream, it could cause cancers. But the Tarkadons used the substance to be injected into the virus in order to produce a plague.
A drug called Rahm was included into the mix. The drug was designed for tissue repair in the brain, and is supposed to trigger the neurons, with limited effect. Though it’s purpose is to to jumpstart the brain after death.
What resulted was a mutagen that attacks the cells and turns the host into a carrier. Once the transformation of a host was complete it proceeds to reproduce more cells and use the body to spread the virus toa new host. In layman turns the virus raised the dead, turning them into mindless ravenous zombies that craved living flesh. The zombies were highly durable creatures, able to withstand physical trauma and could only be put down by the total destruction of the brain.
The infection of the virus spread by physical contact via bites or scratches. The slightest infection of the virus would progress instantly in stages. At forty-one seconds a victim would lose skin coloration. Then at fifty-three seconds eye color would change signifying cell reconfiguration was occurring, What happens next is the result of the decease becoming dead, but in two days time the body will have develop dark grey skin, and bony appearance and fingers. The Star Virus not only affects humans but a variety of species as well.
There are actually two strains of the virus, one being the normal standard virus that was intended to be used as a weapon on populated civilized planets. The virus would be unleashed on unsuspecting worlds and the zombies that arose from the infected would topple the planetary infrastructure.
The other strain was Provectus Regeneratione, a sample that had regenerative properties to induce mutations to create super-soldiers. Subjects infected with this strain enhances their strength and durability, hardening the skin and increasing the muscle and bone mass. They also develop bone swords from their hands to use a lethal weapons. Those infected are forever changed into monsters, and difficult to kill. Worse subjects became carriers of the standard virus, excreting a black fluid that can potentially infect others into zombies.
Source[]
- Star Virus by Michael Cole