Ziroxin-12
An Imperial Solution to the Alien Problem
An Imperial Solution to the Alien Problem
Description
Ziroxin-12 is an Imperial synthetic poison and chemical weapon created for the purpose of culling concentrated population centres and disposing of groups of prisoners and slaves efficiently. While the production of Ziroxin-12 is restricted, the small quantities required for a lethal effect, as well as the relatively cheap and common chemicals used, makes it a very cost-effective measure when needed.
The weapon was used extensively during the early years of the war on Balmorra, mainly against the local alien population. The Empire forbids trade of the compound to other factions, although its spread has still been noted in some parts of neutral and Hutt space. The Republic condemns its use and deems its employment a war crime.
Ziroxin-12 is stored in liquid form, usually in steel containers, and retains its lethal properties in this state. However, upon contact with temperatures as low as 22 degrees, the liquid evaporates into a poisonous gas, which drastically increases its spread.
Identifiers
The chemical has a light grey colour in its liquid form and is near impossible to identify on sight alone. With the safety of Imperial service personnel in mind, an irritant sulfur compound was added which irritates the nose, throat and eyes of most sentients and animals. This potent, chemical smell is meant to keep troops and operatives from accidentally exposing themselves to traces of the gas. The gas itself has a smoke-like appearance, white and grey, although it may remain lethal after the gas has disappeared from the naked eye, especially in contained areas.
Effects
Prolonged exposure to Ziroxin-12 is always lethal, but its concentration will greatly alter the speed in which lethal symptoms arrive, and the severity of them. The effects are listed in the table below, although it should be noted the effects happen almost instantly, even though the speed of lethality will differ.
| Parts Per Million in Air (PPM)* | Symptoms | Until Lethal |
|---|---|---|
| ~50-100 | Dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, vomiting | ~1 hour. |
| ~300 | Confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizures, convulsions | ~10-15 minutes. |
| ~2000 | Respiratory or cardiac arrest | ~1-2 minutes. |
Ziroxin-12 binds to an enzyme in the mitochondria called cytochrome c oxidase, which is essential for cellular respiration. When blocked, the body’s cells can’t use oxygen, even if there’s plenty of oxygen in the lungs. Effectively, anyone exposed to the compound suffers ‘internal suffocation’, as while the blood stays oxygenated, the tissues can’t use it.
Several studies of those subjected to it exists. Subjects have been noted to gasp for air, claw at their throats, scratch at walls and anyone close by. The suffocation induces a panicked state, causing most to instinctively search for fresh air such as near doors and vents, even though the body cannot use it.
Subjects are also found with pink or reddish colouration on their skin due to oxygen remaining in the blood, although this varies based on species and skin colour. Autopsies have also found a considerable amount of pulmonary edema in their lungs, a plasma-like fluid that leaks out of the lung’s blood vessels into the air sacs. This fluid is typically frothy, pinkish or blood-tinged due to the mix of air and small amounts of blood.
This in turn causes some to start foaming at the mouth as the fluid is forced up the airways due to the struggle to breathe and rampant convulsions.
This is taken from the Toxin, Poisons and Venoms post. The information below assumes a concentrated dose.
| Name | Source | Detox Level | Successes Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ziroxin-12 | Synthetic | 4 | 4 | Severity: Lethal. Effects: Disrupts cellular respiration, internal suffocation, seizures, cardiac arrest. Reaction time: 10 seconds. Duration: 1-2 minutes. Identifiers: Light grey colour. Sharp chemical odour and taste. Rarity: Rare. Notes: Imperial-developed. Victims often foam at the mouth. Exists in both liquid and gaseous form. |
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