Locusts: The 8th Plague

A resourceful farmer and experimental pesticide developer who applies practical science to protect his community. He is driven, collaborative, and quick to adapt when the insect outbreak threatens his town. His curiosity about the locust larvae leads him to insights that help form the plan to counter the swarm.

A veterinarian in Prairie who remains pragmatic under pressure. She quickly studies the locusts and challenges the notion that all pests are simply pests, suspecting an engineered origin. She partners with Colt to develop a safer, more effective response, balancing science with compassion.

A USDA agent whose authority drives the emergency response. He leans toward drastic chemical solutions, navigating bureaucratic pressures and escalating the crisis with his decisions. His actions illustrate how institutional perspectives can clash with on-the-ground reality.

Vicky’s father figure and a decisive, self-sacrificing presence. He devises a plan to lure the locusts away and ultimately sacrifices himself to protect others. His courage embodies the human cost of a threat that spans science, industry, and community.

A geneticist at the Silogen facility who helps design the locusts and whose work illustrates the thin line between breakthrough and danger. His involvement shows how ambition in the lab can precipitate a cascading disaster. His fate underscores the peril of experimental oversight.

Colt’s partner Hank’s mother, who experiences the trauma of loss as the outbreak claims lives in the field. Her presence encapsulates the human cost of the crisis and the fear that grips a farming community under siege.