fandomhigh | Galactic Field Trips, Monday

Today, class had been alerted to dress for warm, rainy weather, and informed to visit the bank and trade some dollars for Imperial credits if they were so inclined. Lana met them at the portal wearing armor again, but this time in grey and black.

"Today we'll be visiting Kaas City, on the planet Dromund Kaas," she explained. "It's the capital of the Sith Empire, and the city I was born in. It's probably best today if we stick together for the most part, and definitely be as polite as you can. Sith can be temperamental, and it's easy to get lost."

She led them through and into a plaza that was, as promised, warm and with rain drizzling down. "Dromund Kaas is largely jungle, and extensive long-term experimenting with the Force by some very powerful Sith have contributed to an almost continuous high-level lightning storm." She nodded at the sky. "Kaas City is almost entirely powered by lightning captured by giant spires throughout the area."

She led them toward a vehicle as she continued. "We'll be taking a shuttle tour of the city to view it from the air in a drier environment. Our guides will be able to point out the architecture and tell you something of the history. Then we'll sit in on a public audience with Empress Acina, after which we'll be taking the shuttle to the spaceport and heading into space to visit Vaiken Spacedock." Because she'd listened. "Vaiken is where most trade with non-Imperial merchants is done, and it also boasts a rather nice cantina. Today there will be a fashion show from both Imperial and off-world merchants, and you'll get to see some of how Sith tend to dress." Look, there was a reason she kept a file of the things on her datapad, and it wasn't for inspiration. Sometimes you just needed to remind yourself it really had been that bad.

"You should be able to wander Vaikan without issue, so long as you stay on the main level. If you get lost, simply head for the center." She nodded to the shuttle pilot and waved them all in.

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Lana smiled. "I remember as a girl watching the lightning from my room when I couldn't fall asleep. It was soothing."

"Suppose it would be, if it's what you're used to," Steven said. "We don't often get storms this dramatic back home but I like the rain. Makes you want to stay home with a good book and a cup of tea."

"Those we have plenty of," Lana said, still smiling. "Maybe we can find you some good Imperial teas today."

"That'd be nice," Steven said, looking interested. "Llewellyn and I have been saying it might be nice to make a point of trying something to eat or drink each time we do these. Good way to experience the local culture, yeah? What they like to have."

Lana nodded. "The cantina on Vaiken is probably your best bet there," she offered. "Or you might find some food vendors there, too."

"Good to know," Steven said. "And thank you for letting me know how to order. Human, no animals involved."

Lana nodded. "Of course; you need to be able to get what you need. And the galaxy is full of species and cultures, so at least people are used to it."

"Still getting used to people from other worlds on my world," Steven said. "We have them but they're only in any sort of significant population over in Norway. Hasn't been enough to influence food or the like elsewhere."

"Well, we have got a number of millennia head start," Lana pointed out. "Earth is just starting out."

"That's true," Steven said. "Only the past ten years or so, really."

Because Steven knew nothing about what had happened in America in the 90s. Or thousands of years ago. But those were arguably outliers and should not be counted.

"So does everyone get along?" Steven asked. "Enjoy interacting with all sorts of different people?"

Lana couldn't help the deadpan look she gave him. Did he think the nature of sentient life was entirely different here than on Earth?

"The galaxy has been at war as long as I've been alive. Before that, the only reason it wasn't is that the Republic thought they'd killed off the entire Empire. And they had their own interplanetary wars, too. Individually, many people get along fabulously. Collectively, there's always something to fight over."

Sorry, Steven.

Well no. But his view of the nature of sentient life on Earth wasn't one everyone from Earth would agree with either.

"That's a shame," Steven said, looking disappointed. "People have more in common than they think. Bet that's true here, even when it's people from different planets. Maybe someday they'll see it."

"Perhaps, but at this point I'm not holding my breath," Lana said. "We managed to get a sizeable group together from all corners to defeat Zakuul, but a lot of them still went back to their former homes to resume the war. We have millennia of built-up animosity and grudges."

Galactic Field Trips, Monday

Re: Listen to the lecture, look around

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Re: Listen to the lecture, look around

Re: Listen to the lecture, look around

Re: Listen to the lecture, look around

Re: Listen to the lecture, look around

Re: Listen to the lecture, look around

Re: Listen to the lecture, look around

Re: Listen to the lecture, look around

Re: Listen to the lecture, look around

Re: Listen to the lecture, look around

Re: Listen to the lecture, look around