Occupant's Disease
The Occupant's disease is an illness caused by a virus of extraterrestrial origin. It arrived on Earth in 2047 alongside the Occupants, when the virus began its spread and quickly led to the extinction of most life on the planet.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptom: burning and redness of the eyes. Symptom: blurred vision. Symptom: burning and irritation in the mouth and nose. Symptom: difficulty swallowing. Symptom: coughing and wheezing. Symptom: the rapid expulsion of all bodily fluids through the eyes.
And then, it's as if the ocean wants its water back.
The Occupant's disease is caused by a respiratory virus, similar to colds/flus and coronaviruses. Transmission of the disease can be slowed or prevented by the use of masks and air filters. The virus has an abnormally high mutation rate TKTK quote needed TKTK, with every infection presenting a novel strain. Despite this, the symptoms and progression of the disease is the same in all cases.
Early stages of an infection presents with coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose; similar to the common cold. The first unique symptom is watery eyes, which later develops to cause uncontrollable crying and finally, TKTK "the expulsion of all bodily fluids". TKTK Once infected, the disease is fatal in all cases. Dehydration caused by the crying is most likely the final cause of death.
During the common era, the progression of the Occupant's disease takes place over the course of days and weeks. However, by the time of the Shell Society the virus appears to have evolved to the point that a miniscule viral dose (such as through a hairline crack in a mask) is sufficient to cause a fatal infection. The progression of the disease is also much quicker, resulting in fatalities mere hours after intial exposure.
Treatment of the disease is entirely palliative. Presumably, supplementation of fluids and electrolytes can delay death. Absorbing or cleaning up the fluids is an important part of care; most likely to prevent the spread of the virus.
Am infected Shell can be seen convulsing on the operating table during TKTK Chapter (i frogot) TKTK. It is unclear whether this is also a symptom of the Occupant's disease, or the result of an attempted treatment by Healer.
History[edit | edit source]
Common Era[edit | edit source]
In 2047, the extraterrestrial origins of the disease was not known by the public. Although it had spread worldwide, the disease was wrongly associated with people of Chinese or Asian descent. There was sufficient awareness about the virus that schools had posters warning of the symptoms and reminders to wash hands. Despite this, only the most severe of cases were isolated in the school's medical bay. Multiple students showing symptoms, or infections within their household, can be seen around the school and interacting with other students.
It is not known whether the lethality of the virus was known by this point. Despite speculation that the school dance may be cancelled due to the pandemic, the event proceeded as planned. The school dance became a mass spreader event, and every student in attendance fell sick and succumbed to the disease - bar one.
Iris Kwan was the sole survivor of the dance, and continued to show no symptoms even after the death of all her classmates. After being reported in local newspapers, she drew the attention of Mimi The 50 who wished to study her immunity.
She became the subject of many studies and experiments, all attempting to uncover the cause of her immunity and either replicate her immunity, invent a cure, or find some other means to treat the deadly disease. It was suspected that Iris's immunity could have a genetic basis, and so clones of Iris were made. Despite numerous attempts, none of the clones made by Mimi the 50 were safe from the virus.
Despite the isolated and controlled environment within the Pacific 50's base, the virus remained a threat. Each of the 50 wore fully sealed hazmat suits as their regular uniform. This appears to be a precaution, and the 50 were able to safely consume solid food such as steaks, and presumably ramen.
Iris clones who lacked immunity were not given a full suit like the 50s, but were given respirators to prevent infection. Whether this is due to lingering contamination in the air, or because they were intentionally exposed to the virus is not known.
The virus is airborne, and capable of surviving without a host for a long time. When the 50s visit Iris's school, decades after the near-extinction of humanity, they are surprised by the high concentration of the virus will in the air.
ALLMOTHER era[edit | edit source]
ALLMOTHER was able to grant immunity
Ancient sisters
The Occupant's disease was an ever-present threat within the Orchard, requiring constant vigilance and 24/7 use and maintenance of respirators. Particularly for the Shapen sisters, a degree of customisation and modification of their masks was possible.
Healer continued to try to find a cure for the Occupant's disease
Healer's theory "chosen by the occupants"
Watcher. There's no turning back from this.
WARNING! This page contains Spoilers for Chapter 10 and the ending of the game!
The origins of the Occupant's disease is revealed to Secretary. After arriving on Earth
JOHNSON THE 50: We've tried talking to them... We sent signals, every kind of signal we could think of.
JOHNSON THE 50: We even played them Bach, can you believe that? (ch.4)
The Occupant's virus was inadvertantly created after Johnson The 50, trying to communicate with the Occupants, played piano to them.
SOURCE: Yet, when I attempted to return the transmission, they still could not understand.
SOURCE: Instead, they tried means unknown to me.
SECRETARY: The piano... It was an ugly, rigid instrument.
SOURCE: The machine that produced unnatural vibrations...
SECRETARY: (singing)
SOURCE: Yes. Each tone unstable. They seemed to enjoy this... Discordance. (ch.10)
In actuality, the virus was an attempt to communicate to humans by the Occupants. After being played music on a piano, they perceived the notes as a "discordance", which they attempted to replicate in genetic code.
It is heavily implied that Iris's mother shares her immunity.
The Occupants appear to have a degree of control of the virus, being able to grant immunity. The virus seems to leave Earth along with the Occupants in the ending of the game, as shown by Blue removing her mask in the final cutscene.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
"STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION or DEADLY DISEASE" poster
"Watery eye?" Poster
