Relics
of an Age
The group stayed close together as they wound through the exhibits. Relics of a
dead age were spaced at regular intervals, the artefacts seeming to possess
some remnants of the people who had once used them.
Their droid guide whirred to a halt in front of another display, the mechanical
voice coming to life. To your left, you will see parts of a clone troopers
equipment. The breastplate armour, vibrolance and thermal detonator, typical of
equipment used during the Clone Wars, were discovered recently on Belderone.
The droid pushed a button on the case, and the display within turned slowly and
silently. As you can see, letters have been burned into the inside of the
armour, so the owner knew which pieces were his.
As one, the class leaned forward, eyes straining to pick out the letters. They
were faint, the years the armour had lain forgotten on Belderone having eroded
them. But then one of the younglings in front gasped, and the teachers in back
began to smile, knowing what the student had seen and realised. They had
witnessed this moment several times each, and had yet to tire of it.
A hand went up and the droids ocular attachment swung towards her. The young
voice stuttered, not believing what her eyes had seen. Do those letters say
O-W-K?
Unable to recognise the disbelief and wonder that filled the girl, the droid
continued with utter detachment. Yes. The letters read O-W-K. It is believed
that this piece of armour once belonged to Jedi Master and Republic General
Obi-Wan Kenobi. Records from the Clone Wars period are incomplete, but
researchers have been able to piece together that he was on Belderone for a
short period toward the end of the Clone Wars. Shortly thereafter, he
disappeared until he was discovered on the first Death Star nearly twenty years
later. It is believed that the lance and detonator belonged to one of his
troopers, and were discovered not far from the armour.
With a last look, the droid began to lead them into the next room, filled with
examples of small transports like speeder bikes and landhoppers. But the girl
who had spoken stayed behind, eyes still locked on the equipment within the
display. Silently, obviously on a timer, it began to turn back to its original
position, ready and waiting for the next group to come through.
Patuka Meres watched as his colleagues followed the other students, not
noticing that the two of them stayed behind. Kyril? Is everything okay?
Kyril looked up, eyes still round with wonder. She pointed at the armour.
Honoured Teacher, that belonged to Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Yes, thats what they say.
Do you not believe them?
Patuka smiled down. Kyril had always been one of his smarter students, as quick
to pick up on what he didnt say as on what he did. Theres no way of being
completely certain, but yes, I believe it belonged to Master Kenobi.
We learn about him in every year we take history.
That is true, my Student. Why do you think that is so?
Because he was a great man. He protected our world.
That is also something I believe. But here is something for you to think
about, Honoured Student. He used the title to get her attention, and she
leaned in, ready for his words. Do you think the trooper who owned the lance
and the detonator would think he was great as well?
Her eyes widened more, shocked by the thought. They would be foolish not to!
Yet many people in our galaxy did not believe he was a great man. Such as
Palpatine.
The small lip curled. Palpatine was the true fool.
But who is more foolish, Honoured Student? The fool or the fool who follows
him?
Patuka watched her roll the thought around in her mind, trying to think through
what she wanted to say in return. But her thoughts were interrupted by a faint
cry from the other room. Oh, not good. Where are Honoured Teacher Meres and
Honoured Student Kyril?
He turned from the display, Kyril in step with him as they went to meet the
class. A great many people followed Palpatine, my Student. It is a lesson we
must all learn that a man as foolish as Palpatine was able to convince
millions upon millions of beings to follow his lead.
They passed into the next room, where the cries of Kyrils classmates could be
heard as they climbed on models of taun-tauns, yelling at each other to mount
up as they pretended to be Han Solo and Luke Skywalker on Hoth. They stopped
and watched for a moment in silence, until the girl spoke. Honoured Teacher,
it would seem to me they were all fools. But perhaps Palpatine was the bigger
one for believing that he could fool all the people in the galaxy
forever.
He smiled, proud that this girl was his student. So go back to my question.
Why do you think we have you and your class study Master Kenobi every year
youre in school?
Her smile matched his, the proud smile of understanding. Because, Honoured
Teacher, by studying his brave actions, we will never be the fools.
Shaindl