Drakh Plague
From The Great Machine
"Drakh Plague" is a euphemism used by EarthForce, ISN and other sources to describe the Shadows' biogenetic plague.
The Drakh Plague was a creation of the Shadows; the fact that it is called the "Drakh Plague" is due to the Drakh attack on Earth. (A Call to Arms) Given its creators were First Ones, it is, as such, several thousand years ahead of any Earth biological weapon, having been in existence since the Shadow War in 1260. (Racing the Night)
Initially, it was believed to be a viral plague in nature. It is known to be primarily airborne, although secondary contamination (ingestion of foods, for instance) can also lead to contamination. (Patterns of the Soul)
It was later discovered by Dr. Stephen Franklin, head of Xenobiology at EarthDome, that the virus was a work of nano technology. (Each Night I Dream of Home)
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[edit] Symptoms
It is known for attacking only air-breathing animals.
Upon infecting the victim, the plague decompresses akin to a zip file, growing in size (measured in microns). It then attacks vital organs, leaving other unimportant organs alone.
Unlike the technomage nanovirus, no broadcasting center (for the broadcasting of new orders and revised programming) seems to be needed. The virus itself seems to be able to communicate to one another.
[edit] Issues and Repercussions
Animal testing for a cure is not statistically feasible. To use Dr. Franklin's summation: finding a cure for rats would only find a cure for rats.
Thus to search for a cure or some technology that can be used to devise one, the Interstellar Alliance provided the Victory-class destroyer Excalibur for the task, with the belief that someone had to have come across something similar to the plague.
In addition, the five-year window seems to be an aspect consistent with other affected worlds. (ref: Racing the Night)
The only exception to the five-year rule lies in the lost tribe on Theta 49. According to Chambers, they had one year to live. (Patterns of the Soul)
[edit] Worlds Affected
[edit] Worlds Unaffected
These are worlds believed to have been afflicted, though it was later confirmed that the plague was not present.
- Not yet available.
