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This Unnamed Virus was a unique strain of the t-Virus that was chosen by Oswell E. Spencer to be part of Project W. According to Albert Wesker, William Birkin was responsible for its creation. With a reported success rate of 90%, this strain demonstrated the ability to resurrect hosts who had been infected prior to death, provided revival occurred in mere minutes. In addition, it enhanced the host’s muscular and circulatory systems.[1][2][3][4][excerpt 1]
History
The discovery of the Progenitor Virus in 1966 made Oswell E. Spencer's vision of a "superhuman utopia" possible. However, the virus demonstrated a high mortality rate in human subjects, requiring further research to refine its use. For this purpose, the Umbrella Corporation was established, as there was little distinction between studying the virus for potential medical applications and for use as a bioweapon.
Umbrella’s T-project continued for three decades until a prototype strain with the desired potential was finally developed. This strain was administered to all members of Project W; however, only two subjects survived—Albert Wesker and Alex Wesker.
Albert injected the virus, which was given to him by William Birkin[5] on July 25, 1998, during the Mansion Incident. This allowed him to survive impalement from the T-002 and to escape the Spencer Mansion before the Triggering System had detonated, unbeknownst to Umbrella and the remaining S.T.A.R.S. members. The power gained from the virus allowed Albert to become a global threat.
Alex injected the virus sometime after contracting an deadly illness. She survived the infection but lacked physical benefits that Albert gained, and her illness was not cured.[6] Alex attempted to commit suicide in 2011 during the Sein Island incident, but only entered a dormant state due to the virus and awoke in a body mutated by her own T-Phobos Virus.
Effects of Infection
The virus itself is extremely selective. If the host does not possess certain genes, it will kill them. If a person possesses such genes, the virus will turn into a benefit, granting them abilities far beyond those of a normal human. However, if the host is weakened, such as due to an illness in Alex's case, the benefits of the virus may also weaken.
This virus increases the metabolism of its host, giving them incredible superhuman strength, speed, agility, endurance, and a healing factor. Its healing factor and superhuman endurance can take effect as soon as 5 minutes after the subject is infected, allowing them to withstand lethal damage.[Note 1] The virus's effects are limited to muscle tissue and the lower organs, leaving the brain relatively intact. This breakthrough means that the subject's mind is retained and no ill effects take place provided they carry a special gene for adapting to the virus.
Albert's glowing red cat-like pupils.
The virus can have a unique effect on ocular tissue. The only visible effect of the virus on Albert is the way it affects his eyes: the appearance of the pupils is altered, narrowed down to resemble slits (similar to a feline or a reptile), and the eye color is changed to a yellow or red hue. In addition, the eyes also develop a form of periodic bio-illumination, glowing a deep shade of red whenever the subject feels an intense emotion, such as anger. Despite this, the virus does not have much impact on light-based visual processing of the eyes.[Note 2] Albert demonstrated the ability to move faster than the naked eye in short bursts, indicating the possibility that he processes visual information much more quickly than a normal human.[7][8][9]
Despite the benefits, the virus is very unstable, so the host must regularly inject a special serum based on "t" — PG67A/W — to keep it under control, otherwise it will cause the host's abilities to atrophy.[Note 3] The serum itself must be given in very precise dosages, lest it act like more of a poison and damage the host from the inside.
Sources
- Notes
- ↑ In the Japanese version of the Virus Memo in Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, it is made clear that the virus doesn't actually revive a dead host, but rather strengthens its host enough to only render them unconscious from otherwise extremely fatal wounds and heal them quickly.
- ↑ This is proven when Chris Redfield turned out the lights in Resident Evil 5 and it blinded Albert due to his sunglasses being used in the dark, which ultimately led to his poisoning.
- ↑ In the cutscene where Jill calls in to tell Chris and Sheva about Albert's one weakness relating to the prototype virus, both Sheva and Jill specifically state that if Albert doesn't take a regular injection of the serum in the time allotted, it would cause him to weaken, indicating that his abilities atrophy as a result of missing an injection
- excerpts
- ↑ Excerpt from Umbrella Chronicles Official Guidebook, p.126: "タイラントの手で絶命したはずのウェスカーだったが、t-ウィルスとの融合に成功して復活。死を乗り越えたウェスカーの、洋館からの脱出劇が始まった。"
Translation: "Wesker should have died at the hands of the Tyrant, but successfully assimilated with the t-Virus and was resurrected. Having overcome death, Wesker begins his dramatic escape from the mansion."
- References
- ↑ Wesker's Report
- ↑ Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, "Rebirth" scenario
- ↑ Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, file: "Virus Memo"
- ↑ Biohazard Umbrella Chronicles Official Guide Book, p.126.
- ↑ Resident Evil 5, file: "Albert Wesker".
- ↑ Yasuhiro Anpo Interview (Project Umbrella)
- ↑ Resident Evil CODE:Veronica
- ↑ Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
- ↑ Resident Evil 5
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