Fleet Killer

Late in 1979 Vol, a speculation fleet under the flagship Grand Adventure set out from the Cluster Islands across the Northern Gap to the recently-discovered island of Ralcondray. On the last leg of the journey, a deadly illness struck the crew, reducing their number from 450 to under 100.  As part of the agreement to provide support to their descendants' colony of Vitgrud, the Allied Isles have required an investigation into the source and nature of the illness.

Transmission & Vectors

The crew believed the illness spread from person to person, but Galtern's preliminary report concludes otherwise.  Luraun's infant showed no signs of infection, even though she was surrounded by sick adults.  The symptoms believed to represent the true onset of the illness occurred in some support crew before they were in contact with sick crew from the flagship.  None of the survivors ever showed signs of reinfection, although that may indicate only that they acquired immunity.

Causes

The exact cause of the fleet's illness is unknown. The fleet captain's log retained in the colony's records show stops made at several small islands along the way to take on fresh water. The last was three days before the first symptoms were observed, and the hypothesis now is that the crew picked up the illness there, despite the fact that the exploratory fleet stopped at the same island half a year earlier with no ill effects.  Comparing the logs from the first and second voyages has produced a few potential sources:

• The food gathered on the island in the spring during the second voyage may have contained poisons.
• The crew may have been infected by mosquito bites, which the second log describes as a "constant nuisance" but the first log does not mention at all.
• During the rainy season, when the second landing occurred, the island's water sources may contain toxic chemicals washed down from the central peaks, as happens on Aktergea.

Careful plans are being made for a biohazard expedition to the island to test these possibilities.

Symptoms

The initial symptoms described in the log were fever, uncontrollable shaking, numbness in the limbs, inability to bend the neck, and seizures.  Previous entries suggest that confusion, fatigue, irritability, and anxiety may be earlier indicators.  Luraun's last entries in the log, which repeat information written on sheets that had been turned over, are taken to show that problems with short-term memory are also a symptom.

Treatment

Diseases that affect brain function are notoriously difficult to treat.  Galtern's researchers have developed a few methods moderately successful at stabilizing patients with brain inflammation, none of which are practical for shipboard use.  The fever treatments from the fleet's medical supplies were used, but appear to have been ineffective.

Prognosis

Vitgrud's first census, taken when the colonists moved from temporary shelters into the first village center, show a population of 92.  Assuming no accidental deaths, comparing that number with the initial crew size of 450 results in a survival rate of only 20%.  Of those mentioned by name in the log, the ones who progressed to stupor and coma states either died before the log ended or fail to appear in the Vitgrud census.

Sequela

The log did not continue after Luraun's death, and Vitgrud's demographic accounts do not give details of the colonists' physical conditions.  The mortality stastics do show the original colonsists tended to die at a younger age than their children, and were five times more likely to be attributed to a "bad decision".  Stories passed down from the first Ralcondray-born generation support the idea that survivors of the illness suffered apparent but unrecognized damage to cognitive function.

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Unique

Affected Species

• human