An Imperial officer infected with the virus during the coup of Gentis Aorth-6 was a virus of necrotic, biological origin. Upon inhalation as a gas, it caused the lungs to liquefy, subsequently spreading throughout the body and causing internal disintegration. Individuals utilizing artificial respiration, as opposed to natural lungs, were immune to the effects of this gaseous agent.
In Headmaster Gentis' coup, his elite cadets, referred to as "Future Moffs," deployed the gas within the Imperial Palace. This act resulted in the killing of numerous unaware Imperial officers. Although Emperor Palpatine was exposed, his link to the dark side of the Force allowed him to maintain his physical form. Moff Trachta and the Sith Lord Darth Vader, possessing artificial respiratory systems, were unaffected by the virus during their intervention to save the Emperor.