Chapter 4 52ABY, 1st Melona, Datunda 9

He latches onto the shelf to catch his breath; he says, "Wait up, Alani, I got to... catch my breath. where are you...going." He's crouched down, trying to catch his breath. As we look at the big object, Tuk's words become quieter.

I was too absorbed in my fascination with the big thing. I keep going, not noticing I left Tuk behind. At a point, the rows of shelves end.

What I see is something... words could not explain how I feel witnessing such a massive thing. It's standing on tiny legs to hold itself up, I thing had a spherical front and a triangular back. The spherical part had a clear-ish view as if one could see through the inside and outside. The wings were on the sides of the thing and were triangular shape. The main color was white with accents of was a symbol on the right wing, I think. I get closer to see the right wing of the thing. I look, and the symbol looks a little worn. I wipe off some of the dirt and see it has two wings in the color blue with what looks like a shining line in the middle. I wonder what it means. Wait, why is this here? What is this doing under here, and how did it get here?

I feel For-Shoo say this with no scent, "Attention. Plain. Sight." Almost like it was in my head. I look around for something. I don't know what I am looking for, but it's something.

While panting, Tuk says, "Alani..by the stars, you move fast.. what have you gotten into this time?"

I point at the huge thing and ask curiously, "Maior Tuk, what is this, and how did it get inside of here?"

Still catching his breath, Tuk says, "This is um... called a ship. Something you're not ready to handle just yet. How it got here is a story for another time. Come back, and I'll show you some artifacts I know you'll love." He waves his hand for me to come to him.

I'm tired of feeling like there is something bigger behind the scenes. It's as though it's in front of my face, but I can't see it. I can't stand it anymore.

While standing next to the ship, I start balling up my fist. Turning my head away to the side while scrunching my face like I'm charging up to explode from frustration.

Tired and frustrated, I say, "No. Why won't you tell me why we have this ship? I understand I'm younger than you by stars knows how long, but I feel like I'm in the dark about my own life and kind. Like you know more about me than I do. Something is going on, and no one is telling me what it is.I'm a child, yes, but how can I grow if I'm stunted before I can start?I want to know more about our culture and about what is out there. I want to know why we don't communicate with too many species out in the galaxy. I want to know Who I am or Who I am meant to be. I can't do that if you, the Neti who matters most to me, keeps hiding the truth. So please,just tell me. Where did the ship come from, and why do we have it?"

Tuk's eyes hung low, and his mouth opened, almost as though he was ready to say something. His hand was slightly about to reach out to me. He retracts his hand back to his side. He diverts his eyes away from me and turns his gaze to the left side of the floor. I look at him eagerly, waiting for his answer. My words cut Tuk deep. He, for once, doesn't look like he knows what to say. There's a moment of silence, waiting for his response.

Using a shelf to help straighten himself, Tuk sighs. His face seems to be letting go of something as he says, "The ship is from the Galactic Republic. As you can see, the symbol on the ship is theirs."

Tuk walks towards the ship, sliding his hand on the symbol like a distant memory as he continues saying, "We use this starship to gain essential technologies and knowledge for our village. We, Maior Neti, are worried about too much outside influence, considering our historical background and… some of our Netisal experience. We have experienced unfathomable pain and sorrow but have many fond memories too."

He strolled toward the ship exit, staring out as if lost in a distant memory. Tuk says faintly in a discomforting tone, "How long has this ship been here? I don't know entirely. It was here before we settled here. During a previous war, our planet was in the middle of the Republic and Imperial territory. Both sides are not kind to one another for many reasons. During their battle, our planet was not always in immediate danger but, eventually, our planet… our planet…"

Tuk sniffled like he was getting ready to cry. His hands are placed on his eyes, and his body is slightly curled like he's bracing for impact. I could feel the pain building up from the recollection of this memory. I had a guess as to what he was about to say, but I think that was enough for today. I walk up to him at the ship entrance.

Pulling his hands away and closer to me, I say, "There is no need to say any more about it. I can tell this is not an easy topic to talk about. I know enough about the ship for now. Thank you for being honest with me. I think we both had an eventful day. I do want to check out the artifact you said I would like. Is that ok?"

I look at him with sparkling eyes and a warm smile, hoping he will say yes. He brings himself back up from crying. Wiping his face with the tears that came down. With a smile, Tuk says kindly, "Well, that is why we came down here, isn't it? Come on, I'll show you the artifact I had in mind."

We walk back to the middle aisle of artifacts. The artifacts seem randomly placed on the shelves. Does the Maior even know what the artifacts are themselves? Or do they keep them here for safekeeping to avoid any sense of violence? I'll ask Tuk later on, but for now, let's see the artifact he is talking about. Hehe. Tuk is walking in front of me, searching for the artifact. I feel something calling for me. I don't know where it is coming from, but I could focus on the feeling like I did to For-shoo. I wonder what color glow it will have or if it will have one. Before I could close my eyes, Tuk pulled me over abruptly to an artifact. The aisle we landed on was the third one to the left of the main entrance. He showed me a glowing shaped object. I felt like something was in there, ready to be released.

"Knowledge. Need." For-Shoo says calmly.

I guess this means I should study this, huh.

Excited, I look back at Tuk, saying, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Major Tuk! This is awesome! I can't wait to see what this artifact has in store. Are you sure I can keep it for studies?"

Tuk has a big smile and says with joy, "Of course, but remember what I said about the other Maiors. Don't let them know you have that Holocron or about you being in here."

So it is called a Holocron. Hmm... interesting. I don't know if he realized what he said, but for now, I will keep it to myself.

I say, "Yes, Maior Tuk!"

The journey back was a quiet and tiring one, but I'm glad to have more information about how we got here. These answers have created more questions than answers about the galaxy. What planet was our home world? Who is the Republic? Who is the imperial? Why the bloodshed? What is it they want from each other? What is a Holocron? Why is For-shoo being so cryptic? Who and how did our planet get….. Destroyed?