Excavation and Searching for Answers Part II
Date: April 16, 176 BBY, Time: 11:00 A.M., Location: Brartal IV, Excavation Site
Chasin Momeoran stood at the edge of the excavation site, his eyes scanning the dusty terrain of Brartal IV. The remnants of the ancient village lay before him, their outlines barely visible beneath layers of earth. He took a moment to appreciate the landscape—a mix of crumbling stone structures and scattered debris that spoke of a once-thriving community. Beside him Pulchra Domine, adjusted the straps of her equipment bag, her Zeltron energy contagious.
"Are you ready for this?" Chasin asked, his voice steady despite the weight of their task.
"Absolutely. Let's uncover the past." Pulchra replied, her green eyes sparkling with determination.
As they made their way to the site where their excavation droids had unearthed several burial areas, Chasin couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the cusp of significant discoveries. The data tablet had suggested the village's tragic end, and their goal was to find biological remains that could provide insight into the mysterious illness that had decimated the population.
The droids were already at work, their mechanical arms delicately exposing the earth's secrets. As they approached, Chasin spotted the dark outlines of several burial sites. Each grave was marked by simple stone markers, etched with faded symbols that hinted at the culture's reverence for their dead.
"Let's start here." Chasin said, gesturing to one of the burial sites. "We'll carefully recover any bones and artifacts we find. We need to ensure everything is preserved properly."
Pulchra nodded, her hands deftly unpacking tools for the meticulous work ahead. "I'll handle the preservation techniques. We don't want any contamination. If the illness has left traces, we must extract and analyze them correctly."
Hours passed as they worked side by side, the sun climbing higher in the sky. The rhythmic hum of the droids filled the air, punctuated by the soft crunch of earth being disturbed. They uncovered several skeletons, each one telling a story of its own. Chasin meticulously cataloged the findings while Pulchra focused on the cleaning and preservation processes, her expertise shining through as she worked to protect the delicate bones.
"Here." Chasin said, lifting a smaller skeleton, perhaps a child's. "This one could tell us a lot if we can find traces of the illness."
Pulchra carefully cleaned the bones, her eyes narrowing in concentration. "We should also note the positioning of the graves. It might indicate their burial practices or beliefs about death."
As they continued their work, the atmosphere grew heavier with the weight of history. Chasin felt an un-explainable connection to the lost souls they were uncovering, as if their spirits lingered in the air, whispering secrets of a time long gone.
"Look at this." Pulchra said, her voice breaking the silence as she held up a small amulet found near one of the graves. It depicted an ancient symbol of health and protection. "This could have been a protective charm for the sick or a way to honor the dead. It may provide insights into their beliefs regarding the illness."
Chasin examined the amulet closely. "It's a crucial piece of the puzzle. We must analyze it alongside the skeletal remains."
The hours slipped by, their findings steadily increasing. By the time the sun began to dip in the sky, casting long shadows across the excavation site, they had uncovered significant biological samples and numerous artifacts, each promising to unlock further mysteries of the village.
"We've gathered so much." Chasin said, wiping sweat from his brow. "This might be enough to understand what happened here."
"Let's return to the estate." Pulchra suggested, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "We can begin the preservation and analysis processes. This is a breakthrough, Chasin!"
With their findings secured, they began the journey back to their small estate, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. The discovery felt like a turning point, a moment that could alter their understanding of the Zoryan legacy and the challenges faced by their ancestors.
Date: April 16, 176 BBY, Time: 5:53 P.M., Location: Brartal III, Capital City of Varinal, Chasin Momeoran's Small Estate
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across Brartal IV, Chasin Momeoran and Pulchra Domine, approached their modest estate. The structure, adorned with the crest of the Zoryan family, stood as a proud testament to their lineage and the legacy of the ancient village they sought to understand.
Upon entering the expedition storage and study building, they were greeted by the faint hum of activity. Mugruco and Sahaz Lor, were already hard at work, surrounded by an array of meticulously cataloged artifacts. Finely crafted jewelry gleamed under the soft light, while ceremonial amulets and tokens bearing the Zoryan family crest lay scattered across the table, each piece eager to share its story.
"Welcome back!" Mugruco called out, flipping through an ancient data-pad, its screen flickering with remnants of a Brartalian dialect. "We've made some intriguing discoveries while you were out!"
The couple recalled previous discussions about the ancient village being a crucial stopping point for traders—both local and off-world—who relied on the inhabitants of the Brartalian system for supplies and rest.
"We might have some answers about the village," Sahaz added, her Cathar features animated with excitement. "The records we've uncovered indicate a rich culture, but there's something troubling about the accounts of the illness."
Chasin exchanged a glance with Pulchra, the weight of their findings from the excavation still fresh in his mind. "We found several burial sites, including that of a child. It seems the village faced a devastating illness, and we recovered biological samples that could help determine the cause."
Pulchra stepped forward, her green eyes alight with determination. "And we found this." She produced the amulet from her bag, the ancient symbol of health and protection glinting in the soft light. "This could provide significant insights into their beliefs and practices regarding illness."
Mugruco leaned in closer, her curiosity piqued. "That's fascinating! We might find references to similar charms in the ancient records. The data-pad mentions a ritual related to health and healing, but it's written in an archaic form that I'm still translating. It's slow going; I could use some help."
As they gathered around the table, the atmosphere pulsed with anticipation. Sahaz had sorted through the ancient records, her zoological expertise guiding her understanding of the creatures mentioned in the texts. "Many of these records speak of local fauna believed to carry diseases. It might be worth exploring the possibility that the illness was zoonotic in nature."
Chasin nodded, recalling the skeletal remains they had uncovered. "If we can trace the lineage of the disease through the bones, we might establish a direct connection to these animals. But we'll need to cross-reference our findings with modern records from the Zoryan Royal Family to fully grasp the scope of the illness."
With renewed energy, the four of them set to work. Chasin and Pulchra combed through the ancient data-pad, deciphering its dialect, while Mugruco compared it with contemporary records. Sahaz researched the various species mentioned, identifying potential vectors for the illness.
As night fell over Brartal IV, the estate transformed into a vibrant hub of scholarly activity. The soft glow of data-pad screens illuminated their focused faces as they pieced together fragments of history.
"Look here," Mugruco said, her voice bubbling with excitement. "The records mention a ceremonial gathering held in honor of the ancestors right around the time the illness began to spread. It could have been a significant event that exposed the villagers to whatever caused the outbreak."
Chasin's heart raced as the pieces began to align. "If we can identify that event and its participants, we might understand how the illness propagated."
"Then we should plan our next steps." Pulchra said, her tone growing serious. "We need to return to the excavation site with this information and conduct further analysis of the biological samples. The key to unraveling this mystery may lie in the connections between the living and the deceased."
As their discussions continued, the air thickened with the promise of discovery, and the spirits of the ancient villagers seemed to whisper encouragement through the night.
Date: April 17, 176 BBY, Time: 8:00 A.M., Location: Varinal, Capital City of Brartal III, Chasin Momeoran's Modest Estate
Morning light filtered through the latticed windows of Chasin Momeoran's modest estate, casting a warm glow over the breakfast table. The estate was alive with the rich scents of local fruits, warm breads, and savory spices from across the sector—a breakfast tradition Pulchra, insisted upon to maintain their energy for the day ahead.
Pulchra took her place at the head of the table, meticulously arranging a plate of fresh fruits and vegetables. Her background as a physical therapist had instilled in her a deep understanding of the body's needs, and she was careful to ensure that each of them began their day with proper nourishment. She glanced at her husband, her green eyes bright with excitement. "Today's going to be a long one, Chasin. Let's make sure you're ready."
Chasin chuckled, meeting her gaze with a smile. "I think I'm prepared, thanks to you."
Next to him, Mugruco held up an ancient data-chip that she spent much of the previous night immersed in translation work, piecing together fragmented Brartalian dialects. Despite her intense focus, she radiated energy as she tucked into her meal, her lekku twitching thoughtfully. "I found references to another ceremonial site that might be tied to the illness." she said, her voice bubbling with excitement. "It's remote, though, a few clicks further out from the primary village."
Sahaz Lor joined the discussion, she had spent hours categorizing the local fauna found near the site, piecing together clues about potential disease vectors. "If we locate this ceremonial site, it could reveal much about the conditions they lived in." she mused, sipping her hot spiced tea. "Local wildlife could have easily introduced pathogens, especially if the village gathered often with visiting traders."
Chasin nodded, appreciating the expertise each of his wives brought to their endeavor. "It sounds like today will be productive. Let's finish breakfast, pack up, and return to Brartal IV. We've got a mystery to unravel."
After breakfast, they gathered their gear, packing carefully for the return journey. Pulchra ensured they each had additional medical supplies—she always thought ahead about the physical demands of excavation. Mugruco organized their data chips and research notes, eager to uncover any further hints about the ceremonial practices. Sahaz packed her research equipment, ready to collect more samples to study the local species and their possible link to the ancient illness.
As they made their way through the quiet streets of Varinal, the capital city of Brartal III, the soft morning breeze stirred a sense of calm and anticipation. The city had a timeless quality, with elegant stone structures, lush hanging gardens, and narrow alleyways that hinted at the planet's rich history. Citizens nodded respectfully to them as they passed, recognizing the crest of the Zoryan family and their quest to uncover Brartal IV's ancient mysteries.
Arriving at the landing pads, they found The Celestial Voyager gleaming under the morning sun. The shuttle was an impressive craft, spacious enough to hold nine passengers along with their exploration equipment and inventory of cargo. Its polished durasteel frame and well-maintained systems reflected both elegance and functionality—a perfect vessel for their travels between worlds.
Chasin input the startup sequence, and the vessel hummed to life. As they settled into their seats, Mugruco took the co-pilot's chair beside him, her hands instinctively navigating the controls. With a smooth ascent, they rose above Varinal, leaving the serene cityscape behind.
Soon, Brartal IV loomed in the view-port, its dense forests and craggy terrain a striking contrast to Brartal III's refined landscapes. They landed near the ancient village site, the now-familiar ruggedness of the excavation area greeting them as they disembarked.
Once they arrived, Sahaz immediately began setting up her equipment, her keen senses guiding her as she inspected the surrounding wildlife. Meanwhile, Mugruco retrieved her data-pad, determined to uncover more about the ceremonial gatherings and their connection to the illness.
"Pulchra, I'll need your help in examining some of the bones we discovered yesterday." Chasin said, gesturing toward the excavation tent. Pulchra followed, ready to analyze the remains and identify any indications of the illness in the skeletal structures.
Hours passed, the air around them filled with the quiet sounds of excavation. Sahaz collected samples of plants and soil, carefully documenting them for further analysis. She observed several small creatures scurrying through the underbrush, cataloging each one in case they held clues to the ancient epidemic.
Mugruco's voice broke the silence. "I think I've found something!" She waved them over, pointing to the glowing display of her data-pad. "This text describes a gathering during which the villagers crafted amulets for protection from the illness. It mentions a healer who administered remedies to those who showed early symptoms."
Chasin's heart raced. "If we could trace the origin of this healer or locate their quarters, we might find traces of the substances they used. And with Pulchra's medical expertise, we might reconstruct the nature of their remedies."
Pulchra nodded thoughtfully, studying the ancient records. "If they had a healer, then they had an understanding of herbal treatments, even if basic. This could be a key part of their response to the outbreak."
Sahaz glanced at the surrounding landscape. "The flora here could have offered medicinal properties, which we can investigate. I'll continue sampling the area—who knows what we might find?"
The sun began its descent as their work continued, each discovery pulling them closer to the truth. The ancient village of Brartal IV held its secrets tightly, but with each passing day, Chasin and his wives were uncovering a story that had been buried for centuries.
As they returned to The Celestial Voyager that evening, the glow of the ship's lights illuminated their determined faces. Together, they would piece together the fragments of the past, unraveling the mystery of the ancient tragedy of the Village and breathing new life into the history of the Zoryan lineage; As well to find answers to the mystery to finally it.