Cortés had fought harsh battles with the Indians. During La Noche Triste - The Terrible Night - Cortés had been driven out of the Aztec capital, now known as Mexico City. He had even lost one of his fingers during this battle. However, a few days later he had been able to take repossession of the town again. Not only because he had managed to get support from additional Spanish and Indian forces, but mainly because half of the Aztec population had died of smallpox and the common cold. The Spanish had introduced both diseases to the Americas. The Indians had no immunity against these viruses.
In the course of history, diseases of European origin had wiped out many more Indians. Even in the 21st century, diseases that were trivial to western people constantly threatened isolated Indian tribes in South America.
Thus, went my reasoning: what if a new virus had been introduced on Earth, a virus not recognized by our immune system? Its symptoms, as I recalled from my days in the Shybuya hotel, seemed to be similar to the flu or the common cold. It had started out with an itch in the back of the throat, followed by muscle pains and a sudden rise in body temperature.
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