OVERVIEW

The Black Rage is an extremely dangerous contaminant found on the planet of Zita-3. It is a viral infection that exists in symbiosis with a native lifeform called Clavicus Worm. Clavicus Worms inhabit soil and water sources on the tropical part of Zita-3.

Despite their small size where an adult worm may grow up to 73 millimeters in length, the Clavicus Worms are classed as the apex predator on Zita-3. This is a consequence of symbiosis with the Black Rage virus that has exterminated all fauna that have been praying on Clavicus Worms. As a result of this literal zombie apocalypse on the planet scale, the Clavicus Worms got all nutrients they ever craved from decomposed bodies of the afflicted wildlife.

As a result, only plants, few deep ocean creatures and some scarce wildlife on the north poles remained alive on Zita-3. Despite absence of appropriate hosts, Clavicus worms still thrived by changing their diet towards consumption of abundant microorganisms and smaller worms.

HISTORY OF OUTBREAKS

The first outbreak of Black Rage was documented in the year 1012 AE when one of the first scientific vessels from HIA arrived on Zita-3. The crew got contaminated on the third day of the expedition when a senior scientist Simon Clavicus dared to drink contaminated water from the local river. With no official survivors, the incident was classified and Zita-3 was put under a strict quarantine.

During the Mirror Wars the security of Zita-3 was weakened by being understaffed and underfunded. It led to leak of at least three samples of Clavicus Worms and Black Rage off-world. Federal officials fully denied the leaks and initiated a parliamentary process that would lead to total orbital bombardment of Zita-3. Strong opposition from environmental activists and Children of the Strings were keeping the official voting stuck in place for decades. Meanwhile anonymous sources suggested that Black Rage has already become a powerful bioweapon and was freely sold on black market.

The most recent incident involving the Black Rage took place on Golden Purity Ascended, a giant casino cruiser that was operating in neutral space. Some sources suggest that it was a terrorist attack organized by Children of the Strings. Retrieved ships logs suggest that contamination occurred when alive Clavicus Worms were served as part of exotic salads to over a thousand guests during the grand welcoming dinner. Out of over three thousands of guests and crew, only two survived the outbreak. Their faith and identities are classified by the Imperial Naval Intelligence.

SYMPTOMS

The Clavicus Worms multiply with extreme speed when they have access to the nutritious living tissue. The Black Rage virus acts slower and the sick victim may not show any signs of disease for hours. When the Black Rage starts to manifest itself, the contaminated individual may suddenly feel fewer and growing muscle pain. It is the result of Clavicus Worms laying their eggs inside the muscle tissues and the Black Rage virus infecting the victim’s brain.

Stage one of contamination

The victim is doomed from the start because both the Clavicus Worm and the virus are already completely inseparable from their tissue. During stage one, the victim is least contagious because the amount of Black Rage in their bodily fluids is insignificant to transmit it to others. Only contact with blood, brain tissue and muscle tissue may transmit the contaminant.

Stage two of contamination

It begins when the initial symptoms pass over and the victim starts to feel unexplainable bliss and happiness. During stage two, the Black Rage virus is starting to take over the victims nervous system – it leads to strong arousal, aggressivity and sense of euphoric hubris. This behavior is meant to spread the Black Rage virus further to other individuals in the population. The victim is still aware, appears normal but becomes numb to pain and their blood acquires darker tint because of high concentration of Clavicus Worms. During the stage two of infection, the victim becomes extremely contagious.

Stage three is the terminal stage

The victim loses its mind and its physical tissue starts to decompose. Mindless rage is meant to propagate the virus through bites and protect the growing population of Clavicus worms in the victim’s body. During stage three the skin of the individual starts to decompose while eaten by microscopic Clavicus larvae, revealing muscles and bones. Contaminated black blood is intentionally spilled around and spitted by the victim in order to spread the infection further. In the late phase of stage three, grown up Clavicus Worms start to crawl out of the cavities on victim’s grossly disfigured body.

Stage four of the contamination

Officially it does not exist because no victim has been observed long enough after the stage three. The common joke among epidemiologists is that during stage four all contaminated victims go on a blind date with an incinerator. There is a theory though that during stage four the victim, if left far away from any consumable living tissue and nutrients, may go into a state of hibernation. It may be done to preserve food supply for Clavicus Worms until new opportunities for further contamination appear.

CURE

Currently there is NO CURE for Black Rage. When the living organism is coming in contact with the Clavicus worms – it is doomed to death.

Isolated Black Rage virus on the other side may theoretically be cured during the short time span before the first stage of infection occurs, but there is not enough research to confirm these theoretical implications.

PRECAUTIONS

Handling

Clavicus Worm is one of the most dangerous living predators. Despite their small size, each mature worm has thousands of sharp teeth that can eat through most plastics, rubbers, glass or even thin layers of metal. Some scientists call them “Living Acid” for that matter. This is also a reason behind so little research about the Black Rage. Clavicus worms can be kept only in very specialized facilities, over the constant supervision of highly trained personnel.

Vulnerabilities

Just like any other living being, Clavicus Worms are weak against acids, antiseptics, antibiotics and other poisons. There is a theory that even 40% spirits can kill Clavicus Worms. Extreme cold and heat can be also harmful to worms when they are exposed outside the body of a host. There is a case documented when Clavicus Worms have survived incineration after burrowing in the safe cavities inside of victims bones. CAUTION! Only TOTAL incineration of the victim into fine ashes can completely destroy the contaminant!

Sources:

Imperial Medical Journal, University of Capitol

Unclassified archives of INI

Federal Xenozoological Division

Federal Disease Control Council