Turned

The **Infected**, better known among the general populace as the **Turned**,are humans and sometimes other animals that have been infected by the Langdom Bioweapon, a genetically engineered WMD primarily derived from common rabies. The resulting creatures are highly aggressive and will attack any uninfected human on sight. Aside from the government agents responsible for their creation and hostile survivors, they are the main antagonists of *The Langdom Experiment* universe.

## Overview

The Turned are the result of the release of a genetically engineered Weapon of Mass Destruction known as the Langdom Bioweapon, but more commonly known as Dollar Rabies or the Cotton Plague. The virus is derived from common rabies, the same type that affects bats and dogs, only it has been designed to incubate much more rapidly, inducing the common symptoms of aggression from as little as ten seconds to several hours, depending on the strength of the infected person's immune system.

The virus has a devastating effect on the brain as it grows directly in brain cells, causing inflammation of the brain and, unlike regular rabies, triggers rapid growth of brain tumours that quickly erases the infected person's memories and drives them completely insane. This modifies their brain to follow only their most basic animal instincts, including spreading the virus, the consumption of flesh, and procreation. The tumours in the brain stimulate extensive tumour growth all over the skin of the infected person, and these tumours release toxic "spores" that carry the virus into the air when they are burst.

Public reaction to the Infected has been catastrophic. As the vicious virus has taken hold of the majority of the population, the epidemic causes the total breakdown and destruction of society through widespread violence; the failure of martial law to contain the outbreak, the military's increasingly violent efforts to censor information, and the near-extinction of humankind.

## Biology

### Infection

For humans that have been exposed to Dollar Rabies, the virus attacks the brain and begins to alter the behaviour of its host. However, some have had resistance to the infection, specifically Cassie Levitt, who despite being bitten hasn't turned. The infection spreads directly through contact with a Turned or via their corpse - that is, bodily fluids such as blood or saliva or the toxic "spores" that carry the virus and which form in the tumours that grow on the skin. These tumours constantly produce the virus, wrapping them in a droplet "sac" that is airborne over short distances.

In order for the virus to infect a host body, the host must first be alive. Dead victims who come into contact with the infection do not undergo the transformation. According to a pamphlet released by the Center for Disease Control, the victim can only become infected by inhaling the viral spores directly or coming into contact with a Turned's bodily fluids, usually from a bite but sometimes through contact with blood.

Ordinary rabies is only spread through direct contact with saliva or nervous tissue of an infected subject, but dollar rabies has been genetically altered to be airborne, but only over short distances and in respiratory droplets.

### Turning

When the virus reaches critical mass in the brain, all forms of reasoning or higher function are completely destroyed, and the infected is reduced to a shell of a human that acts only on primitive animal instincts. They no longer recognise their loved ones and attack anything in sight, sometimes even other Turned.

The time between initial infection and "turning" varies from person to person; in some, the process happens within a few seconds, with the shortest being around fifteen seconds, while in others it takes several hours, even up to 12 hours. It takes on average several minutes for the virus to reach critical mass in the brain, but it may largely depend on the strength of a person's immune system. Age also appears to be a deciding factor; the elderly Dorothy Wright turned within a few seconds, while the younger Sara Levitt succumbed around 12 hours after being bitten. The virus also appears to work in those who have had the rabies vaccine.

### Behaviour

Upon becoming a Turned, the victim gradually loses any ability to think freely and begins to behave irrationally as the virus spreads in the brain. Relying on warped instincts, the Turned will attempt to attack and/or eat any human they find. They lapse into their primitive, animalistic instincts, attacking anyone or anything that disturbs them, sometimes even other Turned. These animalistic instincts also have an effect on the Turned's method of locomotion, as shown when they ran on all fours when chasing potential prey.

The Turned are incredibly sensitive to light and sound; these two factors can be used to both attract them or repel them. The Turned also demonstrate heightened senses as a side effect, and they are able to track prey based on scent.

The Turned appear to have increased endurance, able to take multiple gunshots or stabbings before finally going down. It is unlikely that the virus actually increases their endurance, and instead the Turned are unable to feel pain and are not repelled by physical trauma.

### Botched

> *Main Article: Botched*
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"Botched" is the term used for the offspring of the Turned. One of the few instincts remaining in the Turned is their need to procreate, which they do after establishing their nests. The product of this is the Botched, an evolved form of the Turned whose DNA have been heavily modified by the inherited Dollar Rabies. From the moment of birth, the Botched grow at an alarming rate, reaching adulthood after a matter of months, and possesses heightened strength and endurance than regular Turned.

## Trivia

* Aside from "Turned", the infected are also known as, among others, "hungries", "empties" and "runners".