Smuggler: Meridan's Tale/Part 1

His name was Meridan. The year was 3,697 BBY. He was five years old, born in 3,702 BBY. He watched his father pushing his crates up the ramp.

"Hi Dad!" Meridan ran towards his father.

"I know you want to see your father," Deimus picked Meridan up off the floor, "but you need to be careful so you don't fall off."

"Okay Deimus," Meridan said, "and you can let me down now."

Deimus laughed and set Meridan back onto the floor. "How was it?" he asked.

"Good. It went well," Meridan's father said.

"How much did you get?" Deimus asked.

"Everything," Meridan's mother said.

"Everything?" Deimus repeated.

"Everything," a different man said.

This man came walking up the ramp. He was tall, wearing a black cloak and hood. A black mask covered his eyes and mouth, for he was a Kel Dor, and needed different oxygen levels to breath and see. A huge crate like the ones Meridan's parents were pushing was floating through the air before him. As he set the box down, a long metal hook was visible sticking out of his cloak's left sleeve.

His name was Streg Onè. Meridan thought he was a sorcerer, but Deimus called him 'Force Sensitive'. He was one of the crew of the Distributor.

“Hi Streg!” Meridan called as he waved to the Kel Dor.

“Hello young one,” he responded in his deep voice.

“We ought to hurry up,” Deimus said as he started to help with the crates. “Agreed,” Meridan's father pushed a another crate up.

Streg came with another floating crate, and he was followed by more members of the crew, though they pushed and pulled rather than levitate it. “We have the last,” Streg said as Deimus pushed the last crate up.

“Let's go,” Deimus said.

“I'll take the controls,” Meridan's father hurried towards the control room, putting a large brown hat onto his head.

“Where are we going Daddy?” Meridan asked.

“Nar Shaddaa, dear,” his mother said.

“Why are we going to there?” Meridan asked.

“To deliver our goods,” Deimus explained.

“Oh. Okay,” the boy ran off to play.

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“What are you doing?” Meridan asked.

Streg Onè looked up. He had been sitting cross legged alone in the dinning area.

“Well, what are ya doing?” Meridan repeated.

“Meditating,” the Kel Dor said slowly.

“What's meditating?” the boy asked.

“It's when I relax my mind. I slow my breathing. Once I am relaxed I can sometimes sense the future, or the present elsewhere. It's a little like sleeping,” he added at the confused boy's look.

"Oh. Can I try?" Meridan sat down.

“Of course. Close your eyes, breath slowly, and let everything fade away,” Streg instructed. Meridan did as was instructed, but nothing happened. He opened his right eyes minutely, and peeped at Streg. The Kel Dor was running his right pointer finger along his hook, breathing deeply. His face was clouded in shadow from his hood, and it looked to Meridan like he was sleeping. “You can get up whenever you like,” Streg whispered, surprising Meridan. “Okay. Thanks for showing me!” The little boy jumped to his feet. “You're welcome. You should try to do this sometimes,” Streg continued in his whisper. “Yes sir,” Meridan saluted and ran off.

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“Prepare for landing,” Meridan's father's voice called out over the intercom.

While the Distributor began landing on Nar Shaddaa, the crew started gathering in the cargo bay. There were only a dozen or so people including Deimus, Streg Onè, and Meridan's parents. They were starting to load the crates and boxes onto a speeder. The ramp slid open behind them while they worked. “Let's go,” Deimus sat down at the controls. “Where are you going?” Meridan asked. “To deliver our goods, remember?” Deimus said. “Oooh. Can I come, can I come? Pleeeeease?” Meridan pleaded. “Yes, I suppose. But only if you stick to Mr. Onè,” his mother decided, “and if Mr. Onè will watch you.”

“It would be an honor. I will watch him,” Streg said. “Yaaaaay!” Meridan jumped onto the speeder next to Streg. Meridan's father hurried into the room, and slid onto the speeder. “Go,” he commanded Deimus.

Deimus drove the speeder out of the Distributor, and the remaining crew closed it up behind them. They drove through the crowds, past the buildings, stalls set up by traders and merchants, and bars. The speeder eventually pulled up beside a midsized building. Meridan's father and mother, Deimus, and the other crew members save Streg and Meridan got off the speeder and headed towards the door. “Can I go in?” Meridan asked as he and Streg stepped off the speeder. “No. You and Streg will go and walk around. You can look at the merchants and their goods,” his mother said. Then she turned to Streg, “Use your best judgment. Keep him safe.”

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