the inside of a trunk
approaching Kamino

It's funny how different a ship feels from the inside of a dark trunk. Lying on my side as I was, I could feel every jerk, every shift of Mando'ade and, frankly, it was rather frightening compared to the steady movement I usually experienced while standing on my own two feet. I suppose it was the dark that was so disorienting, but I soon began to feel trapped. I knew that I'd only been in the trunk a few minutes, but if felt like days. Just then, not panicking was the hardest thing I'd ever done. I could only imagine how much worse it must have been for Kar'tayli, a six-year-old with an avid imagination, afraid of thunder, locked away in the dark, completely isolated from everyone. But I trusted Mom, so I did as she said and stayed quiet.

The first thing I noticed was the steady drone of the engines fading to a muffled whine. Mando'ade dropped altitude sharply and my stomach went with it. Then we leveled off and lowered steadily to a solid standstill. Mom had just docked Mando'ade on one of Kamino's landing pads. Judging by how it had been a smooth landing, I could only guess that everything was unfolding according to plan so far. The codes given had cleared, the Kaminoans suspected nothing. It wasn't as if we were breaking into any enemy base or anything, but Fett's instructions had been clear. Tell no one where you're going, bring nothing you don't need, and bring no one with you. No exceptions. But when were Mandalorains ever known for following the rules? After my father died, Mom swore that she'd never leave Kar'tayli and I, and she was sticking to her promise. Despite my foreboding, I couldn't help but feel excitement as I heard the hold's door open and footsteps approach the trunks. They were Mom's I could tell, but she was accompanied by someone as well. Their footsteps were light, too light to be a grown human. I could only assume they belonged to a Kaminoan. From what I knew of them, they were extremely light, graceful creatures. The silky female voice that spoke next confirmed it.

"These are your only personal affects?"

"Of course," Mom replied. "We Mando's are known to travel light."

"Then you will require little help," the voice replied. "A few of your own can handle this." The Kaminoan left and returned shortly with two more pairs of heavy footsteps. They could only be the other Cuy'val Dar she had referred to.

There were some muffled shuffles and scrapes as I felt my trunk slide out of place. The trunk was then lifted. I heard one of the Mando's grunt.

"What'd you pack that's so heavy, Rav'ika?" a man joked. "Your personal collection of Mandalorian rocks?" I recognized the voice of Kal Skirata, a fellow Mandalorian and long-time family friend.

"I wanted to bring a piece of home with me," Mom answered easily, but I could detect a bit of tension in her voice. Without realizing it, Kal had inadvertantly hinted that there might be something more in the trunks than was supposed to be.

The trunks were carried out of Mand'ade's cargo hold and into the Kamino elements. Rain spattered against the lid in a staccato drumbeat. Soon though, it stopped and I could only assume we were inside. My trunk was roughly set on the ground and I heard the men stomping their boots against the floor, as if knocking water off of themselves.

"Before I show you to your quarters, a quick inspection of your things is necessary," the Kamioan said brusquely. I was soon to learn that this was how they dealt with everything. No familiarity, only formality.

"Certainly," I heard Mom say.

My trunk was opened, a small shaft of light spearing it's way down to me. I listend with baited breath as someone ruffled through everything above me. They shifted through the clothing, coming ever closer to the floor I was concealed under. I knew that if they found the false bottom, they would realize that it was much higher than the trunk's real base should be. And if they looked too closely, they would conclude that something was hidden beneath it. Especially if they paid too much attention to the clothes piled above me. At first glance, they all appeared to be Mom's, similar in color and style, but they were vastly different in size. But my fears proved unfounded as the rifling hand withdrew and the lid closed without incident. I released a pent-up breath and closed my eyes in relief, willing my heartbeat back to normal.

Kar'tayli seemed to have skipped the inspection too as there was no sudden yelling or action. Then, with a "follow me" from the Kaminoan, my trunk was picked up again and we began moving toward our new living quarters. I tried to create a map in my head of the building we walked through, but gave up shortly. It was nearly impossible, jolting with the footsteps of whoever held my trunk. I couldn't tell when we made a turn or not. The only thing I knew was that we passed through a few locked, coded doors as we stopped momentarily and I could barely hear the beeps of depressed keys on a key pad. Finally, the trunk was set down again. At least one of the Mando's footsteps faded away, leaving.

"These will be your rooms while you are on Kamino," the Kaminoan began. "This will be your personal space. But you will be expected to keep it neat. Tomorrow we will begin to debrief all of you on exactly what your job entails and how you will be expected to execute it. Jango Fett will be in charge of that. Until then, you are to move in and make yourselves comfortable. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good, then. I must help with others who are arriving now." The Kaminoan's footsteps left the room.

"Need any assistance, Rav'ika?" I heard Kal's voice.

"No, thanks vod," Mom answered quickly.

There was a moment of silence and then Kal's footsteps faded away too. I heard a door slide shut and seal with a hiss. Mom opened my trunk and began removing clothing, but she gave no signal that Kar'tayli or I were to move. I stayed still, though it was difficult, knowing we were alone, yet not being allowed out of the cramped space. I heard Mom moving around in the room. I heard the door hiss open and closed several times, but each time it was only Mom who exited or entered. Worry began to gnaw away at me. Why was Mom leaving us concealed so long when we were obviously alone? The space beneath the trunk began to get stuffy and my legs began to grow numb from being folded up so long. I think I dozed a little as the hours passed by, but each time I opened my eyes to the dark interior of the trunk I would choke down my tears and tell myself just a little longer.

The first welcome sound I heard was Kar'tayli crying. I heard Mom whispering reassurances to her. I waited as they talked, every inch of me screaming to be let loose. Just when I thought I could stand it no longer, the floor lifted from above me and Mom's smiling face looked down on me.

"We made it Tal'ika," she grinned, pulling me from the bottom of the trunk into a tight embrace. I hugged her back hard.

When she set me on my feet, I crumpled. My legs were too numb to hold me up, but even so, I was trembling so hard with relief that I doubt I could have stood regardless. Mom knelt down and helped me up, holding me tight. I gulped down a sob and buried my face in Mom's shoulder. Right then, I didn't care who saw my tears, not even Kar'tayli. Mom held me close, rubbing my back until I calmed enough to look up without crying. "Why'd you leave us in there so long?" I finally asked.

"It was all part of the rouse, ad'ika," she soothed. "I left the room several times to get supplies and orient myself with the city. If I had let you out immediatly, it would have seemed suspicous, spending so long in my room first off. But don't worry, son. You're free now. And you're safe."

And we were. For now.