Drafa

From The Great Machine

The Drafa plague is an airborne disease originating in the Markab, which is 100 percent contagious, and 100 percent terminal. There is no known cure. The incubation period can last several weeks or a few days. Until then, the disease is absolutely invisible. Once symptoms appear, the patient expires within 24 hours.

1 Pathology
2 History
3 Recent Outbreak
4 See Also

[edit] Pathology

Symptoms include chronic dizziness, acute sore throat, low blood pressure, swelling of lymph nodes and surface glands, a strange tingling in the fingers, and a sense of euphoria.

This disease attacks the central nervous system where it shuts down the neural pathways that control respiration and heartbeat. Then, inside 24 hours, paralysis and death.

The disease targets specialized cells which manufacture the chemicals used in neural relays, specifically: Markab yellow cells and Pak'ma'ra green cells. By neutralizing the chemicals in the synaptic gap, all communication between nerves is cut; the heart fails to pump, the lungs fail to breathe, and the host quickly dies.

Life-forms without this type of cell, including Humans, Minbari, Centauri, Narn, Drazi, and Brakiri (among others), are not affected.

Dr. Stephen Franklin of Babylon 5 and a Markab colleague, Dr. Lazarenn, were able to develop a method to keep the disease from spreading more widely to the Pak'ma'ra and other species with similar neuro-transmitter chemistry. The treatment involves stimulating yellow and green cell production with a series of regular injections. Over time, patients will then produce stronger cells that are capable of withstanding the disease. The treatment is untested in Markab subjects.

[edit] History

Drafa was first detected centuries ago on a small island of the same name on the Markab homeworld that was considered an outpost of immorality by Markab society. When the people of the island were completely wiped out by this plague, it was widely assumed to be a direct punishment from the gods for a lack of morality, and the disease remained scientifically ignored, deliberately.

Over time, it became more than just a disease. It became...I don't know... a legend. A spectre used to frighten children into behaving: "Be good, or the dark angel will bring you the curse of Drafa." Only the immoral would ever be touched by it.

The disease carried such a weight of moral and religious stigma that any serious discussions or research became utterly taboo. Even the very existence of Drafa was denied to outsiders.

They were afraid. They were afraid of everything... They don't even want to talk about it, as if the very subject makes them dirty!

[edit] Recent Outbreak

In 2258, the Drafa plague re-emerged, spreading rapidly from a single case to infect the entire population in less than a year. Babylon 5 first became aware of it in 2259 when the civilian transport Kar'ti failed to arrive on time, and all 203 Markab aboard were found dead.

If we believe, then the Dark Angel of Drafa will pass over us.

With the religious stigma associating the disease with immorality, the Markab people believed that if they did not sin they could not be affected by the disease. Sadly, this was not the case.

The disease began to spread. Each new infection was accompanied by silence and fear and the assumption that they were immune... Some people believed it was a judgement against our world and decided to get out. They have escaped to all of our colonies carrying the disease everywhere. Even here.

Despite the best efforts of some, official denial at all levels of Markab society actively hindered the study of the disease, the search for a cure, or even the confirmation of its existence:

I was forbidden! Because we were ordered to remain silent. Our leaders were afraid the people would take the disease as a sign from the gods. They were afraid they'd be voted out for attacking the public good.

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow. Affecting people who have not seen/read: Confessions and Lamentations

In 2259, the entire Markab population was wiped out by this plague, less than one year after the first case was detected.

Over 2 billion dead, in addition to another 2 or 3 million on other colonies and outposts. Although it's expected that some Markab may have survived on isolated colonies, for all intents and purposes the Markab civilization has been destroyed. -- ISN

The disease is currently considered dormant, since its primary host species is extinct, however, there's no guarantee it won't mutate and return in a few years or a few centuries.