Hunter

Dev. code: "MA-120". The Hunter was the first battle-type B.O.W. to be developed, and the primary product of Umbrella Corporation on the B.O.W. market. The Hunter is developed from a fertilized human egg transfected with reptilian genetic material and infected with the t-Virus. Based on genetic engineering techniques, the t-Virus itself is likely the vector used to introduce reptilian genes into the human egg. The resulting creature is a frightening cross between human and reptile with exemplary combat abilities and high intelligence. Having many different types, models and subspecies, the Hunter is a representative model of a successful B.O.W. experiment which caters to both cost and performance. 1 2 3 4 5 6

History

Deviating from the intentions of Ozwell E. Spencer, the Hunter was first developed in 1981 by Dr. William Birkin at the Arklay Laboratory. The initial goals of the project were to develop a "Fighting Living Biological Weapon", which could eliminate all human targets within an operation area such as those wearing body armor, equipped with biological warfare suits or those who escape infection from the t-Virus. During the early stage of its design, the concept was; "A biological weapon which possesses high movement ability and can hunt and annihilate the target effectively, possesses a certain level of intelligence to carry out orders, and holds extremely high aggression, agility and jumping capabilities". Initially, experiments were suspended in order to protect the specimens from the out-of-control Birkin. However, following the reported death of Alexia Ashford, the experiments resumed. 7

Following the first actual combat observations of the B.O.W., it was finally given its official name; the "Hunter". Some specimens were kept in the Umbrella Research Center in a B.O.W. combat training arena, where they saw extensive action. After more than a decade of research and development and many successive improvements, the Hunter finally reached the research team's goal of a "Mass Production B.O.W.", and it was completed, mass-produced and sold under the MA-121 code number and dubbed "Hunter α". 8

Following the successful performance evaluation of the α model against the S.T.A.R.S. teams on July 23 & 24, 1998 at the Arklay Laboratory, a large amount of combat data was collected and later analysed by Umbrella. The data was then used to adjust the α model, producing an improved version with enhanced performance (recorded on Sheena Island). The α model quickly became Umbrella's top product on the B.O.W. market alongside the Tyrant and in response, Umbrella also initiated several other Hunter improvement and variation projects with the α type as the base. The American branch began development of the MA-121 Hunter β at its Chicago branch office in the Chicago Laboratory, whilst William Birkin commenced development of the MA-125 Hunter R at the Raccoon City branch office's Underground Laboratory. The European branch also initiated its own program; the MA-124 Hunter γ, an amphibious subspecies of the Hunter. At least two lesser known types were also developed before, during or after the Raccoon City Incident. These were the developmental Hunter δ and the Glimmer, although the latter's origins and status as a Hunter subspecies are mostly unknown whilst the δ models were stored in at least one Umbrella 'hangar', due to the company's drastic situation.

As the single B.O.W. with the highest known cost-efficiency and completeness as a weapon, the Hunter also attracted much attention from the opposing organization of Umbrella, known only as The 3rd Organization. After research data and sample specimens were leaked to the opposing organization by Albert Wesker following the mansion incident, two new independent Hunter types were developed: the Hunter II and a toxic subspecies, known as the Sweeper.

The last Hunter model developed by Umbrella was the Hunter Elite, modified for presentation purposes on the Spencer Rain. With the research data having been leaked and the Hunter B.O.W. being sold by The 3rd Organization, Umbrella discontinued development of the Hunter series in its entirety by 2002, replacing it with the Anubis weapon system. However, the Hunter α and Hunter γ at least were still mass-produced right up until Umbrella's dissolution in 2003, being supplied to unstable conflict regions around the globe or purchased on the B.O.W. market by groups or individuals such as the Sacred Snakes. 9

Attributes

The Hunter fulfils all of the primary requirements for a B.O.W. It balances high combat ability with a positive level of intelligence, enough to carry out basic commands. It is extremely deadly in combat, using the sharp claws on both of its hands as its main weapons. As a result of its genetic engineering, it has a high level of speed, strength, agility and vitality. The muscles in its lower body are particularly well-developed, granting it astonishing jumping capability. The entire bone structure of the creature is also completely transformed, being completely different from a human being. The Hunter attacks detected prey virtually instantly, and it is characterised by its tendency to stalk and corner before incapacitating its targets like a hunter, making it very deserving of its moniker. Appearance-wise, it resembles a humanoid reptilian creature covered in green scales, a frightening cross between human and reptile. Unlike zombies and certain early B.O.W. experiments, Hunters lack evidence of decomposition, necrosis, and neural degeneration, perhaps because the virus is present in their bodies during the initial development of their immune systems.

While the Hunter's intelligence is lower than that of a human due to its hybrid genome, it retains sufficient intelligence to follow simple orders. As a weapon, the use of the Hunter is either limited or fitting depending on the given situation. They maintain amazing killing ability, and also have the potential to spread the t-Virus in the deployment zone. Its low intelligence is due to the t-Virus completely corroding the creature's cerebral neo-cortex, destroying most of its mammalian characteristics and intelligence. The reptilian gene used to develop the Hunter however allows it to maintain a reptilian level of intelligence due to the presence of the simple brainstem and cerebellum and lack of normal pale-encephalon, allowing researchers to invent brain functions and making the B.O.W. show a high degree of controllability. As a weapon, the use of the Hunter is either limited or fitting depending on the given situation. They maintain amazing killing ability, and also have the potential to spread the t-Virus in the deployment zone.

Subsequent Hunter models such as the Hunter β improve upon the creature's already astonishing capabilities in battle by improving on the B.O.W.s agility and nervous system. Other models are more specialized, such as the Hunter γ, which was designed for an aquatic environment.

Footnotes

1. 1. Hunter Notes
2. 2. Biohazard 0 Kaitaishinsho ~ page 070
3. 3. Biohazard Kaitaishinsho ~ page 071
4. 4. Biohazard 3 Last Escape Official Guidebook - Fulfilment Of Her Escape ~ page 141
5. 5. Biohazard: The Umbrella Chronicles Official Guidebook ~ page 045
6. 6. Biohazard: The Umbrella Chronicles Art Of Arts ~ page 047
7. 7. Wesker's Report II ~ July 27, 1981 entry
8. 8. MA121 Progress Report (EX)
9. 9. Inside Of Biohazard: The Darkside Chronicles