What Led to The Slaughter?
Designer DNA
In a world where genetic modification is common, medicinal and designer DNA comes into play. Axolotl DNA is studied and included when humans develop a cure for cancer. 30 million people in the United States of the World possess axolotl DNA. 2 million have Designer DNA as having an animal trait, such as a wolf or fox tail, or cat ears, becomes fashionable in the continental USA. A small portion of people even choose to become “mermaids” off the coast of Old Florida. Those 32 million people have children. At the time of the Slaughter, roughly 70 million people have some form of animal DNA in their systems - 4 million of those have predator DNA.
Animaore Discovery
At the bottom of the Puerto-Rico trench, researchers discover a new element that reacts with the atmosphere in a way humans had never seen before. This element, called the Animaore, is researched and developed into a nearly unlimited energy source. Smaller amounts are found in other deep-sea trenches. Wars are fought over the supply of Animaore known as the Animaore Wars. These wars last for roughly five years. In the end, the wealthy control the supply world-wide.
Limited Water Supply
The population of the world is too large for the planet to accommodate. Water, specifically, becomes much more expensive. New technology is developed to increase usable water and to maintain and manage the water supply. Cities become denser and the US Government tightens its grip on the resource, exerting control and regulation over the resource; especially distribution.
Super Soldiers
During the Animeore Wars, genetically modified soldiers, or Super Soldiers, are created within the United States military. With a single injection, soldiers received a new DNA code for their bodies -one containing cheetah, axolotl, arapaima fish, and barn owl DNA. These genetic modifications made them better, faster and stronger with very little change to their physical appearance. These modified genetics are passed down to their children.
The Attack
On the 30th anniversary of the Animaore Peace Treaty, an enemy of the United States of the World simultaneously infects the entire empire’s, and their allies, water supply facilities with a modified DNA accelerator causing the effects of the modified DNA to increase by 200%. This causes extreme genetic mutations and territorial aggression, but not against similar mutations. Within 6 hours of the attack, 28 million people are dead. Within a year, 8 billion are dead from attacks and collapsing systemic infrastructures as the mutations spread out around the world.