Just Feel Better, Part II (D10 ME/LE, Open)

[Cole Ormont]

Cole is thoughtful for a moment. "I think that a top-down approach might be suitable here. You've studied how biological lifeforms interact within a biome, correct?"

[Remmington Thalalas]

"I have only read over some of the basics for first aid and emergency treatments. A friend of mine is pretty knowledgeable but you may think her methods... are rather unscientific. I read some of the books her family has. Drinking strange drafts and other concoctions." Remmington admits.

[Cole Ormont]

Cole sketched in the air with his hands as he spoke. "At the galactic level, there are stars, black holes, great interstellar bodies, interacting. Within that, at the system level, planets, moons, and so on. The planetary level: oceans, tectonic plates, atmospheres. The biome level: living creatures."

Running a hand through his hair, "so, the next step down, I think, is the anatomical level: how the organs function together. There's a lot to study there, across trillions of species. Some things are remarkably the same, and others utterly different."

[Remmington Thalalas]

"Oh? Is that so?" Remmington asks. "Isn't that just too convenient? Like copulation being possible between many species?"

[Cole Ormont]

Cole coughs, running a hand through his hair, self-conscious but nor embarrassed, exactly. "Not the direction I was leading, but, I suppose, yes, that would be an example."

"At organism level, living things tend to be made up of the same, or similar components: lungs, hearts, stomachs for things we classify as animals; leaves, roots, stems for those we consider plants; and so on. Go down another step, and living things are made of cells, and these cells share exceptional similarities, even across classifications."

[Remmington Thalalas]

Remmington nods. "So because of the similarities, diseases and such can also be common and spread across various species right?"

[Cole Ormont]

"That is correct. But, even slight differences can prevent cross-species transmission, or a disease might be transmissible, while the treatment is not."

"Diseases are also evolution in motion. While something like the creation of the sith 'pure' blood lineage took thousands of years, a single virus can mutate into a cross-species form in weeks."

[Remmington Thalalas]

Remmington nods. "So it is like how there is always continuous improvement on parts, processes, materials, and programming for machines."

[Cole Ormont]

"Yes, exactly like that. Some change quickly, like viruses and bacteria; some living things are so well suited to their ecological niche that any kind of change is detrimental and quickly dies out. An endless process of trial and error."

[Remmington Thalalas]

"Though like manufacturers and developers, species do not evolve at the pace as each other? Is there any creature at evolves at a startling rate?" Remmington asks.

[Cole Ormont]

"The more complex the creature, the longer it takes for change to manifest. A single point of mutation in humanoid DNA may go entirely unnoticed, passed down through the bloodline for centuries. The longer a creature lives, the longer it takes for change to spread. A slug that only lives for a few weeks, producing several generations in a year, will propagate change throughout its species faster than a creature who bears offspring only after decades of childhood."

[Remmington Thalalas]

Remmington nods. "Hmm... I guess there is no biological weapon created yet then. Something that evolves so quickly that it can start decimating vehicles and starships like they do in those holo-vids."