CeraDid you notice anything about the number of rakghouls in that pipe? I think it's more than most places, right?GartheOh, not that nonsense again....VoidhoundYou sound like there's something more on your mind.CeraOkay, this'll sound crazy - but there's more rakghouls at our grave sites than any of the Republic target zones.GartheThey're just drawn to the noise and the smell of flesh.CeraWe're not any noisier or... fleshier than a platoon of soldiers. I think they're protecting their ancestors.Hero of TythonAncestors?CeraI'm not saying they discuss it over tea, but I think something is driving them to defend these grave sites. They were human once, you know. The first ones, anyway. It's a disease that turned them into monsters. And we still don't understand how it works. All we know about rakghouls right now is they have a disease that can turn people into monsters, and they've taken over all of Taris. But if my theory is correct, it'll be our first insight into how they think. This could be a first step toward taking the planet back from them.MeteorUnderstanding your enemy is the key to defeating him.CeraExactly. Right now, rakghouls are like something out of a nightmare. We never know when or where they'll attack.Hero of TythonOnly if we look through their eyes can we understand what they see.CeraI kind of hope they're really the beasts they seem. Imagine if there's still a sentient person, trapped inside....VoidhoundCan you prove it?CeraThe salvage team can't get to the main bombardment sites...GartheYou're not sending them to the bombardment site, are you? That place is so thick with rakghouls you can see them from orbit!CeraDon't you interfere! We know what you think of the people of Taris. I'm right about this. Why else would they be so determined to guard the bombardment sites? Why so many rakghouls at the bombardment sites unless they're staying near their human ancestors?GartheI told you no one cares about your crackpot theories, Cera. Stick to counting bones. Let someone else do the science.CeraShut up and wait to be arrested.Really. I think I can prove it... If you could get samples from both the rakghouls and the skeletons at one of the main sites, we could see if they're related.MeteorDo you have details? What exactly are we talking about?CeraThere probably isn't a way to get a rakghoul to volunteer a genetic sample, so, um, I guess you'll be killing them. Then we'll compare their blood samples with genetic material from corpses in the same area.VoidhoundBy tomorrow, you should be able to answer this question once and for all.GartheThe bombardment site is chock-full of salvage no one's ever managed to get to-CeraYou never change, do you? Those are important archaeological artifacts, not some kind of... pirate treasure.GartheThis is ridiculous. Are you really going to take up more of their time with your crazy theories?CeraLet them decide if it's worth it. Please don't let Garthe discourage you. This is important. And I don't think there's anyone else on this planet willing to brave those rakghouls to find out. I'll be waiting to hear what you find. |