Shiva virus

The Shiva virus is a bioweapon that appears in the Rainbow Six novel.

Background

The virus started as a weaponized strain of the Ebola virus that Iran's former leader, Ayatollah Daryaei, had unleashed on the United States in 1996. The founder and CEO of the Horizon Corporation, John Brightling obtained a sample of the Ebola virus with hopes to modify it in order to wipe out humanity to stop pollution. A Horizon researcher named Maggie was able to successfully genetically modify the virus in 1999. She grafted colon cancer genes into the organism which allowed it to survive for long periods of time while exposed to air. Maggie also programmed the virus to consume exposed tissue and to multiply itself once complete.

Maggie named the virus based on the Hindu God Shiva who was known as the Destroyer and the Restorer. It was also said that Shiva controlled poison meant to destroy mankind and that he consorted with the Hindu Goddess of Death, Kali.

After its completion, Maggie gave a sample of the virus to another Horizon researcher named Steve who started development of a vaccine which would be used by Brightling's "chosen few". John Killgore was tasked with testing the virus on homeless men and women who had been kidnapped off the streets of New York City. Once the tests proved successful, Brightling sought to have Bill Henriksen distribute the virus at the 2000 Summer Olympics] in Sydney, Australia. Brightling's plan ultimately failed once Rainbow learned of the virus and stopped its dispersal.

Trivia

• The weaponized Ebola strain that Shiva was modified from is the same virus that appears in the novel Executive Orders.
• In Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six, the virus that appears is a modified strain of a fictional Ebola virus that affects cattle.