Satan Bug

The Satan Bug was a deadly airborne virus developed by Dr. Harold Baxter at the Mordon Microbiological Research Establishment for use in biological warfare. "Satan Bug" was not its true name, but what the Mordon scientists considered an appropriate codename for it. A mutant variant of polio, it had a mortality rate of 100%, killing in only a few moments. Death from the Satan Bug was said to be so agonizing that cyanide poisoning was considered preferable to infection. It was theorized by Mordon's scientists that if released, the disease would wipe out all life - including animals and other viruses and bacteria - on the planet in only a few months.

The Satan Bug was stolen by agents working for the American criminal Enzo Scarlatti, himself disguised as Mordon scientist Dr. Giovanni Gregori. Scarlatti threatened to release the virus unless Mordon was closed down. In reality, this was just a smokescreen to distract the British authorities from a major robbery he wanted to attempt in London. Private investigator Pierre Cavell was tasked with hunting Scarlatti down and recovering the virus. After the robbery was foiled, Scarlatti, with Cavell's wife Mary as his hostage, attempted to escape aboard a helicopter with the ampoule of Satan Bug. Cavell fought with Scarlatti and successfully recovered the virus, whilst Scarlatti leaped from the helicopter to his death.

Comments

• In the film, the Satan Bug is developed at the American facility named Station 3, and stolen by the henchmen of insane millionaire Charles Reynolds Ainsley. Former Station 3 security chief turned lawyer Lee Barrett is the one tasked with recovering the virus and stopping Ainsley. He successfully recovers the flask containing the virus after a fight aboard Ainsley's private helicopter that ends with both the villain and his pilot being thrown out.