Towards the future I see

Chapter 8 Part 2

We were all working on translation and inventory work of the data that was stored deep in the temple that day. So none of us heard the arrival of two imperial assault shuttles. It was when Ensinon heard steps in the hallway that we noticed that something was wrong. And suddenly many soldiers wearing white armor entered the inner hall. All pointing their weapons at us and someone shouting at us to lift our hands and surrender. We were taken outside, where we finally saw our predicament. They seemed to be everywhere. Going around the place and searching every place possible they could think of. Looking for what? I didn’t know.

Then I felt it. I felt cold and scared of the presence. I feared the worse but the moment I saw who it was my fear lessened. He was a tall humanoid, a Pau'an, his face was pale and had red markings on his face, his eyes were black and his irises were yellow, yet the stare felt like it would penetrate the mind. As he walked toward us, I clenched my hand around Anrda's. She noticed that I was worried so she pulled me behind her to at least hide me from direct contact.

“There is nothing here, sir. Only these three were working on some sort of translation in the deepest hall of the temple.” One Stormtrooper said.

The Pau'an didn’t even glance at the trooper, he just walked till he stood right in front of us. Looking at each of us. Andra pulled me into her arms so I won’t make eye contact with him. It was Ensinon who spoke first.

“What do you want?” He asked.

“I'm looking for a Jedi. Some archives mention briefly this temporary temple after the fall of the Jedi Tower. I’m simply here to locate some runaways.” Humanoid said calmly.

“Yes, this used to be a Jedi base a long time ago, but no Jedi has ever come here. Which is why my sister and I have been staying here studying the history of the ruins.” Ensinon said.

“And her?” Pau'an asked glancing at me.

“My granddaughter. She is here to look after us.” Andra lied.

The Pau'an looked in my direction for a moment but then lifted his eyes to the ruins of the temple. He walked past us as he examined the temple.

“What exactly are you studying here?” He asked.

“Whatever is left here. Records of battles, historical accounts, and testimonies of different species who witnessed the fights on Taris.” Ensinon answered.

“How much data have you covered?” Pau'an asked.

“Some translations are not done but most of the events till the fall of the tower are completed,” Ensinon said.

“Grand Inquisitor, the whole area has been gone through, there is no one else here.” Another stormtrooper reported.

The Grand Inquisitor watched the ruins of the temple for a moment before he spoke again.

“These ruins belong now to the Empire. Gather everything you find and send whatever is movable to the Coruscant.” He said without taking his eyes off the building.

“Wait! What about us? This has been our life's work.” Ensinon retorted.

“Then be grateful I just take your work and not your lives. You shall have half an hour to gather your belongings and leave for Taris.” He said and turned to face Ensinon.

Understanding what he meant, Ensinon told Andra and me to go to gather our stuff. We separated to go to our own huts that were set around the ruins. There were two stormtroopers at the entrance of my hut as guards. They let me in without a word. I quickly brought out my bag which we had prepared beforehand. Everything was ready, I just slipped my book inside and put on more clothes under or over the ones I already had. But then I noticed something. Something I had completely forgotten. My tapestries. Over the years, I finished three tapestries that now hang on the wall. I had made them from whatever cheap materials Ensinon managed to bring from Taris. What worried me was what they were showing. To keep me sane, I had embroidered my visions on the three tapestries. If these would be taken to Coruscant, to the Emperor, I would hand over the future of everyone. Worse, the one who I have seen in my visions would find me. I couldn’t bring them all with me, they were too big. My only choice would be to destroy them. It felt bad, for my hard work to be destroyed but it was a necessity. I pulled one of the tapestries down from the wall. I was thinking of a way to make them disappear but I failed to notice someone coming into my room.