Quoted By:
<span class="mu-b">”It hints at something greater, some unknown element of being that can exist outside of the body. Perhaps linked with Starsight, something the Andoen aliens were also proficient with. Could it be that these pods could somehow... capture the <span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-i">souls</span></span> of the slain aliens, growing their bodies back for them, their memories and states preserved until they were opened again?”</span>
<span class="mu-g">”No. That is not the explanation. It is out of the question.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”...My lord, why does this explanation offend you so much? I ask with all respect, I bow to your wisdom in all other matters, but I simply cannot-”</span>
<span class="mu-g">”The Soul <span class="mu-s">does not exist</span>. There is nothing more offensive, no concept more odorous and animal, then the concept of a Soul. It is beneath the mind of a Supreme Ruler, as it is beneath his Overseers. There have never been measured any energy wave or loss of mass or unseen radiation or gravity shift or any confirmation in any sort that some sort of magical “spirit” exists in conjunction with a living creature or a brain. All personality, all memory, all thought and consciousness exists because of the brain. It is self evident- the existence of clones and genetic duplicates produced by the life pods disprove the “soul” theory to begin with! It is the inarguable, unfailing cornerstone of all Materialism! It was known in the times of Akule, and he warned us specifically about this danger of thinking, of Spiritualism, and how it must be cast down in all cases...”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”I do not remember this warning. Which public speech was this?”</span>
<span class="mu-g">”It's not of your concern. It's something only those who become inducted into the Supreme Ruler see. I'd appreciate if you keep that information to yourself. But rest assured, the case was inarguable. There must be another explanation, and I'd like you to find it before you retire, as I doubt those lesser minds would be able to pierce this mystery as well as you, my trusted Overseer.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”As you wish, my King.”</span>
With the conversation at a close, you focus your attention a new task. Some burning question, related and deeply unnerving in its implication. You've been so focused on introducing the aliens back in the Hegemony and the wake of the Hazaar eradication that you haven't even had time to seriously consider it yet.
