Chapter 45-1: Distorted Truths

[Red Shirt]

I have some serious doubts certaining the possibility of Tardust joining the good guys. Is he really indispensable? No, the "tech tree" he provides would be a nice addition though. At the moment however, he is not irrepalacable. What shall he actually do? Mixing chemicals? Running Analyses? I believe that this would not yield a great benefit because the overall zombieverse situation can be compared to the Coke recipe: you might know 98% of all ingredients it takes to create it but the rest of the yada-yada magic is hidden in Ink's brain. Another aspect: do you really want to have Tardust standing beside or behind you if you run into a confrontation with Scratch. Tardust cannot be called the pride of creation if it comes to mental stability...

I just realized/remembered something... From the period when Kc was encouraging us to try to guess Tardust's previous occupation.
When the origin of his name was revealed, I seem to recall that it was also revealed that in addition to being a drug chemist, that he prior to that he was highly educated. (like one or more Master's degrees educated)

Sooo... what did he do back then? Who did he work for?
He designed the truck fuel bombs, so maybe Petrochemical engineer, Chemist?
He easily read Angels charts... something in the medical field?
He turned to a life of being a drug chemist... so Pharmaceutical Engineer?

Who else in WA Los Angeles employed Pharmaceutical Engineers?

With the skill set that Tardust might have, he could be the lynchpin to answering a LOT of questions. Starting maybe with the gasbag sample that Tanya took some threeish chapters ago.