First Virus
The virus was engineered by @Coalition of Planets (C.O.P) scientists using the DNA of the Betrayer of Viltrum, @Great Thaedus, as a wartime airborne biological weapon to be deployed against his species. Before this, Thaedus had killed Emperor Argall in the hopes that it would make them see the error in their ways. Unfortunately, this only led to the Great Purge and the @The Viltrum Empire doubling down on their beliefs, which in turn forced Thaedus to reluctantly take much more drastic measures.
Once the Scourge Virus was developed, Thaedus had it sent to @Viltrum inside pods hidden within an asteroid, allowing it to slip by without being detected. As the asteroid entered the planet’s atmosphere, its outer layer burned away, scattering the pods across Viltrum’s surface. When they hit the ground, each pod quietly released the virus as a green mist, spreading the pathogen among the @Viltrumite.
It did not take long for the effects to show with the virus being highly contagious and virulent. Many Viltrumites quickly began to fall ill, coughing up and leaking blood from their faces before collapsing and dying. Panic spread just as fast as the virus itself, as more and more of them started to perish.
Once the Viltrumites discovered one of the pods and understood what was happening, they moved to respond. However, their labs could not find any effective treatment, leaving quarantine as their only option which proved to be difficult. Many Viltrumites put on hazmat suits and tried to care for the infected, but even they eventually caught the virus.
The planet was soon locked down completely, and any non-Viltrumites present were executed to keep news of the virus and its devastating impact from spreading. The few Viltrumites who survived went through a severe illness, and even after recovering, they were left physically weakened for a time, making them far more vulnerable than before.
Aftermath
The Scourge Virus eventually slowed and ceased when the levels of infection reached their peak. By then, however, the damage had been done and the Viltrumites were nearly wiped out, with only around fifty of them left alive. The bodies of the billions who had died were gathered and moved into space, forming a massive ring around the planet. With so few survivors, the Viltrumites quickly realized they could not rebuild their population on their own, since any offspring would be inbred and genetically deficient.
Because of this, the Viltrum Empire turned its focus outward, searching for other worlds with species that were genetically similar. Their hope was that by having children with these species, they could slowly rebuild their numbers and pull themselves back from the edge of extinction.
They eventually discovered the planet @Earth and the native population of @Human, realizing they were the ideal match to breed with. Thus, they sent one of their finest agents, @Omni Man (Nolan Grayson), a survivor of the virus himself, to the planet to find a suitable mate to breed with and ensure his offspring would acquire Viltrumite powers. Nolan would also work to weaken the defenses of the planet and prepare it for the arrival of the Viltrum Empire so they could effectively conquer it with little to no resistance.
Notable Survivors
@Grand Regent Thragg
@General Kregg
@Conquest
@Omni Man (Nolan Grayson)
@Anissa
@Thula
@Vidor
@Lucan
Randee
Bernarrd
Three Viltrumite Councilors
0.01% of the Viltrumite race.