The virus would usually be used as a last resort means to purge a disobedient population. It would be injected and lay dormant within the High Priest's blood. Upon the death of the priest it would "awaken" and act as a viral agent that would infected breathable air and water supplies. This fate was experienced by the Alphans in 2374. (NF novel: Martyr) The people of the planet Haresh also fell prey to this virus after the murder of a Redeemer High Priest. This pushed Captain Mackenzie Calhoun to use the slingshot effect to try and change history. (NF comic: "Double Time")