The Abyss virus was a marine, pathogenic fish virus discovered in a predatory species of deep-sea fish which inhabited a super deep ocean zone more than 9000 meters below the water. It was combined with a gene of the t-virus, resulting in a new virus known as the "t-Abyss virus".
History
A team of scientists at the University of Montpellier marine laboratory carried out the fourth deep-sea investigation at the Kermadec Trench with an unmanned exploration vessel and discovered a new species of deep-sea fish. This creature, in addition to the usual tolerance to high pressures, displayed an unbelievable degree of motility and ferocity not usually found at such depths. They were surprised after examining the fish that its unique traits were not native to the fish's biology, but were caused by a viral infection. They isolated this new kind of pathogenic fish virus and began mapping its genetic structure.
When the virus' gene mapping approached completion, a research institute of the TRICELL pharmaceutical branch offered assistance through their advisor, Morgan Lansdale, the commissioner of the FBC (Federal Bioterrorism Commission), and suggested an experiment for creating an improved viral strain which incorporated The Abyss and the t-virus developed by the Umbrella Corporation. As a result, a new viral strain known as "t-Abyss" was created which could develop biological weapons with marine attributes.
Attributes
The virus possessed the ability to take the large fat and water reserves of deep-sea fish, which are suited to high-pressure, low-oxygen, low-temperature depths, and turn them into high-density bone and muscle structures that are not usually found in organisms that live in deep-water habitats. However, normally, the body tissue of Abyss-infected individuals would collapse, unable to bear the powerful mutation speed derived from the virus.
Etymology
"The Abyss" was named after the fear of unfathomable depth, after the unfathomable nature of the virus and its abilities.