Lymphocytic virus: Difference between revisions

From Battlestar Wiki, the free, open content Battlestar Galactica encyclopedia and episode guide
No edit summary
 
No edit summary
Line 6: Line 6:


Dr. Cottle exactly matched the virus to one identified 3000 years before, and commented that Humans had developed full immunity to it two centuries ago. This information futher consolidated the theory that the beacon was left by the Thirteenth Tribe, as the Scrolls of Pythia imply that their journey to Earth occured at about the same time.
Dr. Cottle exactly matched the virus to one identified 3000 years before, and commented that Humans had developed full immunity to it two centuries ago. This information futher consolidated the theory that the beacon was left by the Thirteenth Tribe, as the Scrolls of Pythia imply that their journey to Earth occured at about the same time.
The virus is especially pathogenic to Cylons because there is a bio-electric feedback component to the pathogen. It corrupts how the brain of a [[Cylon agent]] manages their immune system. If a Cylon who is infected dies and is [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrected]], the disease will follow, infecting the [[Resurrection Ship]] and eventually the entire Cylon fleet.
[[Cottle|Dr. Cottle]] believes he can create a simple vaccine that can dramatically reverse to effect on the Cylons. However, they have an antibody in their blood which breaks down the RNA of the vaccine. Because of that, they will need regular close interval injections of the vaccine or they will die.
The strain of the virus that infected a [[baseship]] via beacon is an exact match to one reported over 3,000 years ago. Right around the time that the [[Thirteenth Colony]] left [[Kobol]].

Revision as of 22:47, 12 November 2006

The Lymphocytic virus is an ancient pathogen which induces Lymphocytic encephalitis in susceptible individuals/species. A beacon, believed to have been left by the Thirteenth Tribe on their way to Earth, was contaminated by the virus. A Cylon Baseship discovered the beacon, and agents, upon examinaning it, unknowingly unleashed the virus infecting all of the Cylons aboard.

A bio-electrical feedback effect casued by the virus disrupts regulation of the Cylon immune system, meaning that the effects of the virus can potentially propogate through the Cylon downloading process. This fact formed the basis of a plan devised by Lee Adama to eradicate the Cylon Race. The plan proposed that by killing Cylon prisoners infected with the virus within the vicinity of a resurrection ship, the aforementioned bio-electrical feedback effect would be spread to all Cylons upon download of the infected Cylons consciousness'.

The plan was ultimately thwarted by Helo, who felt that the genocide of his wife's race, despite the fact that they were Cylons and had tried to do the same, was morally wrong. However, the plan was ill-concieved as there was nothing to stop the Cylon's from destroying the Resurrection ship the moment they realised it was infected. Also, there was a strong possibility that a cure or treatment would have been found reasonably quickly, given the fact that Baltar was immune to the virus and therefore must have been carrying relevant anitbodies.

Dr. Cottle exactly matched the virus to one identified 3000 years before, and commented that Humans had developed full immunity to it two centuries ago. This information futher consolidated the theory that the beacon was left by the Thirteenth Tribe, as the Scrolls of Pythia imply that their journey to Earth occured at about the same time.