The Tyrant Virus:
The Tyrant Virus, or T-virus, is a highly unstable agent that free mutates. It has the same properties as other Filoviruses in that it begins necrosis of the body at a rapid pace. The T-virus is highly contageous, but there is time to cure it before incubation occurs. In some forms, the T-virus is airborne, most particularly in pure liquid form. When transferred to the body, it no longer possesses its airborne properties, and transfers much in the same way that other Filoviruses are contracted: Through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual. Specifically, because of the most common mutation of the strain, the virus is passed along through bites or scratches which break the skin.
The most common mutation in human beings is a zombified form. The T-virus kills the body, but uses the energy that is stored in the corpse to reanimate the brain. These zombies still possess basic human functions, but lack intelligence or fine motor skills. They also lack the ability to communicate verbally. They function on the base needs of any 'living' creature: To feed. Because outbreaks of the T-virus usually have an epicentre, when someone uninfected enters this area, the creatures sense it and will try to devour the undiseased flesh, for the beings they're surrounded by have dead flesh, uninteresting to hungry creatures. Because brain activity is severely depleted in these zombified specimens, the ability to feel and recognize pain is diminished. A zombie could take a shotgun wound, and not feel it. The longer the corpse walks, the weaker and more inefficient it becomes. Freshly infected zombies can still move with relative speed, but older ones begin to show the process of rigor mortis, and move very slowly. They transfer the T-virus to other beings through their bites, and the transfer of saliva into the wounds. Bites can be cured easily with antibiotics or antibiotical spray. The virus also cannot survive for long outside the body, and weakens tremendously under sunlight or air.
Because the T-virus is so unstable, the mutations to the human body cannot be predicted. Unlike the other Filoviridae, the T-virus affects more than just primates. It has been known to affect canines, plants, fish, arachnids and other such creatures. The T-virus shows more stability outside the primate genetic make-up, and works to make the animals more efficient hunters.
If the human being injected with the T-virus is put into a cryogenic or suspended animation state, the virus halts the necrotic process, and begins different mutations than seen with the zombies. In a cryogenic state, a human can mutate into a Biological Weapon called a Tyrant, named for the virus herself. The Tyrant is the pinnacle of T-virus mutation, and is the result of the original designs of the virus: For Biological Warfare. The Tyrants still possess humanoid appearance, as well as super physical strength, and far more intelligence than the zombies. However, the Series One Tyrants didn't possess as much intelligence as hoped. They also couldn't pass for human. Further reasearch into the T-virus started to rectify this problem.
The Series One Tyrants are about seven-nine feet in height, and usually male. Subjects brought into testing were often male to utilize their physical strength in comparison to a female. They have grey skin, and introverted genitals. They also lack hair. The Tyrants possess one mutated hand that works as a spiked club, making an efficient blunt weapon. These original Tyrants cannot speak, and move fairly slowly. Other series of Tyrants show improvements, but still possess most of the traits of the Series One.
There are two vastly different types of Tyrants, though. Aside from the norm, there is the Nemesis, which was created by Umbrella Europe. The Nemesis was created from the Nemesis Parasite, in conjucture with the T-virus. The Nemesis shows vast improvements in intelligence compared to the initial Tyrants. Although the Nemesis are Tyrants, they fit into a different family because of the fused parasite. The highest form of Tyrant is the humanoid form. They are coveted because of their rareness. They possess great physical strength, but also retain all their human intelligence and appearance, although there are things that give them away as T-virus infused beings. Usually, this mutation in shown in their eyes.
The longer the T-virus stays in the bloodstream, the more stable it becomes. The infection can be cured with an injection of vaccine within 24-48 hours of infection. After that time, curing it is impossible, and the vaccine acts as a toxin, because it weakens the virus. This weakening when the virus doesn't have a hold on the cells is what cures it in early incubation. The mutation of the body usually occurs within the earliest stages of infection. Prolonged infection stabilizes the virus in the body.
The T-Veronica Strain:
The Veronica Strain is an offshoot of the T-virus, synthesized by Alexia Ashford at her Antarctic Research Facility. The Veronica Strain is named for the famous matriarch of the Ashford Family. Alexia was a child genius, at created the virus at the age of 13. The Veronica Strain shows the same properties as the T-virus, although it has some gene splicing from ants. Alexia used her father, Alexander, as a test subject. With the cold temperatures, it incubated the virus, and he became a series of Tyrant never seen before, dubbed the Nosferatu. The Veronica Strain in Tyrants gives them insectile properties, such as antennae-like appendages. Alexia injected herself with the virus, and put herself into stasis to stabilize it. When she mutated initially, she was humanoid, though had taken on the grey skintone of the Series One Tyrants. A third Tyrant was created with Veronica Strain, and this third Tyrant, named Steve Burnside, showed different properties than either the Nosferatu or Alexia Ashford. The Veronica Strain showed its mutative properties by transforming Burnside into a Tyrant that showed similar properties to the Hunters. After initial mutation, the strain that Alexia Ashford had injected into him stabilized, and he showed the properties of a humanoid Tyrant before supposed death.
There is not as much known about the Veronica Strain, because all the research and specimens were destroyed when the Antarctic Base was detonated. Steve Burnside is the only surviving specimen.
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