Variant, which is also referred to as Rift Mutation, represented a bacterial mutation that occurred in the Kathol Outback. Because of contact with the conditions present inside the Kathol Rift, this mutation caused the decay of food provisions, which resulted in ships being deprived of sustenance unless a solution was found. An antidote targeting the mutation, called Variant Alpha, was created by Doctor Vin Emil, who was a xenobotanist working at the Q'Maere Research Facility.