Skye (Siyu)

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"Siyu, here, take it..." my sick nǎi nai offered. "And now, hold it up to your eyes..."

    I did as my grandmother had asked. And once the special gizmo was close to my face, it started to give off a dull light that was red in color! "Woah!" I blazed. "Nǎi nai. What is it?"

    "Siyu, what you are holding was my most prized possession. It is the Holo-Hub - a hard drive prototype, stored with a vast amount of astrometric data - information about space - and a hard drive which is capable of holding much more. Siyu, it is now yours..."

    "Thank you, nǎi nai. But how does it work?" I asked, after my bāba had given me an expectant look.

    "Siyu, navigate it like you would your iDot. The parameters are the same."

    "Okay," I smiled with excitement, keen to explore my strange gift. Once it was on, a whole host of colorful holoscreens beamed out from the object! And they danced around the wall of the lab like they were crazy! When I started separating the files with swipes of my fingers, fitness and flying ones seemed to be highlighted in the same red glow. A few more also sparkled in maroon that had the headings, 'schematic diagrams' and 'interstellar constellations' on top of them.

    It was all very daunting.

    But exciting at the same time!

    As I continued staring at them, my nǎi nai started to talk again.

    My bāba coughed, too. I think he wanted to make sure that I would listen.

    "...Siyu, billions of years ago, before there was life on Earth, I believe that 'aliens' existed. I believe that they were sentient beings of the planet Mars. I believe they were Martians. Alongside Raythorpe's theory and findings, it is my prediction that they found a way to leave their home world and explore the stars of our entire galaxy. Maybe even, beyond it. Siyu, I also believe that before they left our solar system, they visited Earth. More importantly, I believe that in some way, they helped to inspire life here. Inadvertently, I believe they helped to inspire, 'Homo Sapiens' - 'Human Beings' - 'Us'. I believe that the artefact I found; the trinket your mother safeguarded since before you were born, is the key. I believe it is the key to meeting a people of long ago, but not only that. I believe it will reveal mankind's destiny - whatever that might be. Lastly, Siyu, my hope is that you will find them-"

    Even though nǎi nai hadn't stopped talking, my māma interrupted her. "Mùqīn, she's just a child!"

    "Sarah, I know," nǎi nai responded. "I know. That is why she is the perfect candidate. We are all too old, even Suki.

    "Sarah. All of you. This is the chance to answer the question that has plagued our very existence. 'Are we alone...?' Sadly, it will come at a price. Such things always do."

    "Well, even if Skye did agree to go, how would she span interstellar space? How would she survive?"

    "Sarah, I will show you..."

    Once my grandmother had silenced my māma, she looked to my big cousin Suki, who began to open some of the glowing files.

    They were fascinating...

    "Sarah, if Siyu accepts, then she would need to memorize all of these interfaces. The first one that Suki is expanding is one of the most important. Over the last decade, we have worked alongside the other laboratories aboard Dwarven Earthian Star - specifically the classified ones close to testing interstellar craft. More importantly, two-manned crafts, using a new type of engine and energy source - a star drive powered by, dark matter...

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