"There are signs of conflict. Impacts on the outer walls. Likely a mix of blasters and ballistic weapons." More archaic slugthrower rifles would last longer here, but their ammunition was bluky and required metal for their manufacture. Most survivors would be loath to waste the ammunition unless pressed. Arrows and sling stones were not out of the question, however, if the people here had the werewithall to construct more primitive weapons for themselves.

But had the assaults on this place killed its inhabitants? Were the bodies at the walls all that was left? Every time he instinctively reached out to the world around him, the twisting emptiness tried to rush in. His mind retreated to a safer harbor, the one blot of emotion and life he could clearly distinguish: the agent.

"Stop right there!" A voice called out as they drew level with the old corpses. Speaking Basic, with an unlacable accent.

"Identify yourself!" There were quiet hissings of other voices behind it, but he could not yet see where any of them were.