Difference between revisions of "Chaz de Coventina"

Shaharazide Alahtaira de Coventina, more commonly known as 'Chaz', is the second born child (and firstborn daughter) of Amar, a healer, and Hezerah, a housewife. The de Coventina family - also composed of sons Assirchilles (Sarge) and Ajailon (Alee) and daughter Rehbinadeb (Rei) - had deep roots on the outer rim planet of Tafari and belonged to the Illumn Colony for as far back as they could trace their lineage.

Young Chaz

From an early age Chaz had adopted a role of responsibility over younger siblings Alee and Rei, the latter with which she shared an extraordinarily close bond. It was their death in the infamous Tafari Epidemic that hit hardest; it is a blow from which she has never fully recovered.

Following the near-complete demise of the population of all six colonies on Tafari, her entire family included, Chaz relocated to the Core where she continued her medical education.

The first signs of illness were seen in the western Omnus Colony; at first thought to be a particularly nasty and contagious flu, clinics began giving free inoculations as a preventative measure. Despite the attempt to stem the tide, within 72 hours the vast majority of Omnites had contracted the disease. Cyrra Novak, age two, was the first to die, 83 hours after exposure. Within a week, the same flu-like symptoms were erupting in the other five colonies.

Patients presented with routine influenza symptoms; headaches, nausea and vomiting, aching joints. Within hours the infected party experienced a rapid progression of such components, accompanied with full-body chills and a spiking fever. Within 48 hours lungs filled with fluid and septicaemia became evident. In the final stages of infection (generally 48-72 hours after exposure) patients suffered severe seizures and damage to the skin and underlying tissue which resulted in large necrotic areas. The mortality rate was 100%.

The planet was put under quarantine to prevent the possible spread of the virus. It is still unclear how it originated. Additionally, it is unknown why the small group of survivors had a developed immunity.

There are rumours that Dr. de Coventina hides an addiction to opiates but there is little hard evidence to support this claim.