GilrohWe just stopped to rest! Geozel found a scratch, and we don't know if it's the rakghoul infection, so we're waiting. And Ferdoin might be coming down with Geonosian swamp flu, but we're on our way, I swear, and- You're looking at me very strangely.Hero of TythonAre you part of the Outpost Four supply convoy?GilrohUm, yes. Private Gilroh. I assumed you were looking for us.VoidhoundWhat are you expecting me to accuse you of?GilrohNothing! I mean, I know we're late, so people naturally start thinking....VoidhoundThinking what? That you were dead?GilrohWould they care? I'm sorry. I shouldn't- are you even Republic? I don't recognize....Barsen'thorWhat are you trying to say?GilrohNothing. There's nothing to tell. I mean- I'm Private Gilroh, Taris Outpost Four. I kind of assumed you were looking for our convoy. We, uh, just stopped to rest. Sorry to trouble everyone.MeteorYou're forty-eight hours late. Have you been here that whole time? Are you afraid of something? Is someone after you?GilrohWhat isn't after us on this awful planet? The nexu, the--the blasted rakghouls! Like I said, Ferdoin was hurt- I mean, Geozel, and- Oh, forget it. I was never a good liar. We aren't going back, is that what you want to hear? We've deserted.All I wanted was to serve the Republic, fight Imperials, see new parts of the galaxy. I never asked to be sentenced to this forsaken hole.Hero of TythonAre conditions so bad you would turn against your every oath of loyalty?GilrohI love the Republic, I do, but I've been here five years on a one-year tour. I've sent complaints, talked to psych counselors, nothing.Five years we've been out here, no break. Most of our friends have died. We're wounded, tired, broken. Fighting something that can't think, can't be frightened. And if you get the slightest scratch, you become the enemy and your own squad puts you down like a dog!MeteorHow could you do that? What kind of man abandons his comrades in the face of such an enemy?GilrohHa. We're not the only ones talking about running for it. We just got the first chance. You think we didn't agonize about that? If we were fighting the Sith... if our deaths would mean something... there's nothing on Taris!VoidhoundI know army life stinks, but don't they kill you or something if you desert?GilrohPrison on Coruscant - which is way better than being stuck here. At least your family can visit!Hero of TythonYou have given the Republic as much as it can reasonably demand.GilrohY- you're not going to turn us in?Hero of TythonYou'll never survive alone out here. You've been through enough.GilrohWe're heading back near the main base. There are scavengers with ships there. Maybe we can make it offworld. Please, tell Commander Yajak that you found our bodies. That way no one will ever come looking.Barsen'thorWe'll buy you a ticket home. Take this. It should be enough to buy a berth on a smuggler's ship.GilrohYou... I can't... I mean, we thought we might get a spot with one of the scavengers, but then we heard they kill strangers on sight. This- this would save my life. Maybe I can even get back in time to fix things with my girl. |