[Note from Briar] By Dukkie's brilliant idea this has been turned into a informative page of T'mar. Pertinant news, findings or otherwise can be found here, including the weather on occaison.
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< translated into the common trade language by Reign translator # 112 >

[5th/2/230-45]

Zombies on T'Mar?

Rumors have persisted among several lower-class members of the Reign and this doctor took it upon herself to research the mystery behind the so-called "Zombie" phenomenon.

During my search, I discovered that .00245% of humans on T'Mar (indeed, humans everywhere including those races decended from human ancestry!) have been found to be infected with a very rare, very efficient form of virus that stops all biological functions, yet keeps the cells down to their very molecules intact and in quite superb shape. Of this .00245%, 99.58% have been of the female gender, with only two reported cases of males infected anywhere in the Universe.

The subject that I, Tamil Zrech, studied on was provided by the glorious Reign Extraction Teams that foray regularly into "The Dump" for test subjects. She appeared to be an average Human, though with a complexion devoid of any of the Human's life-supporting fluids. As an interesting note, no true biological functions common to Humans were noted, including: Breathing, digestion, or heartbeat. Neurological processes have not been impaired, however, and muscle mass seems to have an incresed density when compared to other human specimens in the same general age group (which may account for the rumors of the infected's tremendous strength).

When the first incision was made, brief flow of a viscious grey fluid was noted for approximately 1.25 seconds, ESTM*. It was noted, with quite a bit of interest, that after this time the fluid flowed back into the flesh of the infected, and every following incision was met with no such 'bleeding'.

Upon microscopic investigation of the cells in various tissue samples taken from the infected (it seems that, over time, the internal organs of the infected nessecary for the support of life decay through lack of use, exceptions being the cardiovascular, nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems), they seem to be in a remarkably healthy form, each one showing absolutely no sign of damage. Indeed, not a single flaw is evident, even when taken down to the molecular level.

It is this doctor's educated hypothesis that this virus, while robbing the victim of any sign of true biological life, keeps the body in a state of 'unlife' by maintaing cells required for movement, structural integrity, and thought processes in a pristine condition.

No solution behind the mystery of the infected's rumored ability to decay inanimate objects and plant material, nor the rumored ability for them to create the 'zombie sculpture' so popular among many eccentric citizens, seemed to be evident, and this doctor concludes that these rumors are grounded on superstition among the lower-dwelling species. Throughout the entire autopsy, no sign of the virus itself was discovered in the infected's body, and it is hypothesized that it vacates the victim when danger is present.

It is this doctor's opinion that this virus has not, and is indeed unable to, reach epidemic proportions, and is not a direct threat to the supremecy of the glorious Reign.

- Tamil Zrech, Human doctor of Biological Sciences, University Head of Doctor's Studies on T'Mar.

*Earth-Standard Time Measurement.