Infection (Episode 120)

Boone reported back to the Resistance members, who were horrified at the infection's implications for Earth. Jonathan Doors (David Hemblen) was certain that the Taelons were conducting germ warfare and that Ne'eg was an unexpected casualty. Boone argued that the virus was a totally unknown agent since a Taelon was the first to die. While the fate of Earth and the Taelon race hung in the balance, another war was about to break out. The Brotherhood of the White Race had gained new strength and membership since the Taelons' arrival. Looking for a way to spread its message of hate, the group targeted the community of Lincoln Hills, the brainchild of the Reverend Billy Mitchell (Conrad Coates), a black activist who transformed the abandoned military base into a haven for the destitute and homeless. As journalist Albert Cooper (Derwin Jordan) broadcast an exclusive report from the compound, the white supremacists, led by Steven Burton (James Purcell) and his son Charles (Austin Strugnell,) planned their attack. The supremacists descended on Lincoln Hills, burning, looting and terrifying the residents. The Brotherhood was caught in their horrendous act, but their next attack on the community would prove deadly.

Dr. Belman (Majel Barrett Roddenberry) worked with Augur (Richard Chevolleau) to crack the mystery of the alien virus, which the Resistance learned was engineered to kill. Unbeknownst to the Taelons, who were trying to contain the lethal germ in their lab, a member of the Brotherhood, Robert Howard (James Kee), had joined their research team. Putting untold millions at risk, Howard stole a vial of the virus, identified as Athens "A" Culture. Meanwhile, the men who attacked Lincoln Hills had been sentenced to do community service as residents of the compound. Unbeknownst to Captain

Within hours, residents fell sick with the virus. Dr. Belman raced against time to find a vaccine, but the outbreak wasn't confined to Lincoln Hills since the virus was airborne on the Taelon Mothership. Boone, Zo'or, Da'an, Sandoval and Quo'on were also infected and hours away from an excruciating death. Lincoln Hills had to be put under total quarantine or Earth's entire population would succumb. In an awesome gesture of cooperation, the Taelons placed their Home Ship over the compound, hoping to seal it off with a protective energy field.

The Taelon maneuver failed, however, and the virus began to spread around the globe. In a flash of inspiration, Boone volunteered to use his CVI to increase his metabolism to create the first antibodies against the virus. Dr. Belman knew Boone was offering his life since the procedure could easily kill him. When it seemed that Boone would die before antibodies filled his bloodstream, Da'an lay his hands on Boone, sending energy coursing through Boone's body. Boone survived. Dr. Belman and Lili inoculated the Lincoln Hills patients and the vaccine was distributed throughout the world, stopping the infection.  Dr. Belman was even able to alter the vaccine for use among the Taelons, although many were uncomfortable accepting it -- including Zo'or.

Working together, humans and Taelons had conquered the virus -- but had their cooperation changed the Taelons in unknown ways? And what was the real origin of the probe which almost killed both species?