The Tragic Tale of Steve Burnside: Unraveling His Infection
Steve Burnside was infected with the T-Veronica virus by Alexia Ashford after being captured on Rockfort Island. She administered the virus as part of her experiments, transforming him into a monstrous creature before his ultimate sacrifice to save Claire Redfield.
Steve Burnside’s Infection: A Deep Dive
Steve Burnside’s fate is one of the most heart-wrenching in the Resident Evil saga. A young man caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, Steve’s story is marked by loss, survival, and ultimately, tragic transformation. To truly understand how Steve became infected, we must delve into the circumstances surrounding his imprisonment on Rockfort Island and the twisted machinations of Alexia Ashford.
Steve, a 17-year-old, was imprisoned alongside his father after his father attempted to steal information from Umbrella, intending to sell it to their competitors. This act, coupled with the death of his mother at the hands of Umbrella forces, set the stage for his harrowing ordeal. The desperate attempt to escape poverty and build a better life resulted in tragedy, leaving Steve alone and distrustful.
His imprisonment on Rockfort Island brought him into contact with Claire Redfield, a fellow victim of Umbrella’s machinations. As they navigated the zombie-infested island, a bond of mutual reliance and eventually, affection, formed. This bond became crucial to Steve’s arc, providing him with a purpose beyond mere survival.
The key moment leading to Steve’s infection occurs when Alexia Ashford, the mastermind behind the T-Veronica virus, captures him. Alexia, obsessed with achieving a perfect form of evolution through the virus, saw Steve as a suitable test subject. She forcibly injected him with the T-Veronica virus, initiating his transformation into a monstrous, axe-wielding creature.
The T-Veronica virus, named after Veronica Ashford, the matriarch of the Ashford family, is a unique strain of the Progenitor virus. Under the “correct conditions”, it allows the host to retain full intellectual capabilities, unlike the T-Virus, which turns humans into zombies. Alexia’s goal was to use the virus to achieve her own twisted vision of perfection, experimenting on humans to reach a higher level of evolution.
Steve’s transformation was brutal and visually disturbing. The virus warped his physical form, disfiguring him and stripping away most of his human features. His monstrous form was driven by primal instinct and a distorted sense of aggression, initially turning him against Claire.
However, Steve’s inherent goodness and strong will fought against the virus’s influence. In a moment of clarity, he regained control long enough to turn on Alexia, attacking her and freeing Claire from her grasp. In his sacrifice, he sustained a mortal wound, reverting back to his human form before professing his love for Claire and succumbing to his injuries.
His story doesn’t end there. Albert Wesker, ever the opportunist, seized Steve’s body after his death. Wesker extracted a sample of the T-Alexia variant of the T-Veronica virus, intending to use it for his own purposes. The implications of this action are revealed later in the series, adding another layer of tragedy to Steve’s already heartbreaking story.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Steve Burnside and the T-Veronica Virus
1. What exactly is the T-Veronica Virus?
The T-Veronica Virus is a strain of the Progenitor virus created by Dr. Alexia Ashford. It’s unique in that, under specific conditions, it allows the host to retain their intellectual capabilities. The virus is named after Veronica Ashford, the matriarch of the Ashford family.
2. What are the effects of the T-Veronica Virus?
The effects vary depending on the host and the conditions. However, common effects include:
- Physical mutation: Drastic changes in appearance, often resulting in a monstrous form.
- Enhanced strength and aggression: Increased physical capabilities and heightened aggression.
- Potential for retained intelligence: Unlike the T-Virus, hosts can sometimes retain their intelligence.
- Extreme regenerative capabilities: If the host is compatible with the virus.
3. How tall was Steve Burnside?
Steve Burnside was described as being around 5’8″.
4. Was anyone immune to the T-Virus?
Approximately 10% of the population is naturally immune to the T-Virus. However, Umbrella sought to develop workarounds to this immunity.
5. What was Steve Burnside’s personality like?
He was described as lonely, melancholy, and socially awkward. He was slow to trust others but fiercely loyal once he did.
6. How old was Claire Redfield in Code Veronica?
Claire Redfield was 19 years old in Resident Evil Code: Veronica.
7. What happened to Steve Burnside’s family?
His mother was killed by Umbrella forces. His father was imprisoned with him on Rockfort Island.
8. Did Steve Burnside survive his infection?
No, Steve Burnside died from his injuries sustained during the fight with Alexia.
9. Why did Alexia Ashford infect Steve Burnside?
Alexia Ashford saw Steve as a test subject for her T-Veronica virus experiments. She was obsessed with achieving a perfect form of evolution.
10. What role did Albert Wesker play in Steve Burnside’s story after his death?
Albert Wesker took Steve’s corpse and extracted a sample of the T-Alexia variant of the T-Veronica virus.
11. Was Steve Burnside really dead after Code Veronica?
Yes, in the original timeline, Steve Burnside was confirmed to be deceased. Although some fans have theories of bringing Steve back into future releases. However, this has never come to be.
12. How did Jill Valentine get infected with the T-Virus?
Jill Valentine was infected by Nemesis in Resident Evil 3. She was later cured by Carlos Oliveira using a vaccine.
13. Are Chris Redfield and Leon S. Kennedy immune to the T-Virus?
No, neither Chris Redfield nor Leon S. Kennedy are immune to the T-Virus. They simply have not been infected in the canonical storylines of the games.
14. What was Umbrella’s initial purpose for creating the T-Virus?
Umbrella’s original plan was to sell the T-Virus to militaries and governments as a bioweapon.
15. Are there other educational gaming resources available?
Absolutely! For additional resources and research on the educational aspects of gaming, please visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. They conduct research on how gaming can be integrated into learning.
Steve Burnside’s story is a poignant reminder of the human cost behind Umbrella’s bio-weapon experiments. His infection, transformation, and ultimate sacrifice highlight the complex moral and ethical questions raised within the Resident Evil universe. His character resonates with players because he is a normal person, thrown into extraordinary circumstances, fighting to survive in a world gone mad. His love for Claire Redfield and his final act of defiance against Alexia solidify his place as a tragic hero in the Resident Evil lore.