And so the academic year began at the higher educational institution. The Corellian Technological Institute greeted Alex Korren with the noise of the crowd, droids scurrying here and there, and holographic boards with the schedule. The seventeen-year-old stood in the central hall, observing the hustle and bustle of the freshmen.
But it all began an hour earlier, as his speeder approached the majestic building of the institute. Alex sat in the back seat of a modest family speeder, watching the impressive scene unfold before them. The main building of CTI towered kilometers high, its glass and metal facets reflecting the morning sun.
The airspace around the institute buzzed with activity. Dozens of speeders of various models and classes approached special landing platforms on the building's summit. Alex watched this parade with interest. A luxurious speeder of the latest model with a mirrored hull gently landed on a platform. A girl in expensive clothes emerged unhurriedly, followed by a personal droid carrier with luggage. The speeder immediately soared into the air, disappearing into the flow of city transport.
Nearby, a battered but reliable speeder landed—clearly a family one, like the one Alex was in. A guy with a huge backpack jumped out, waved hastily to his parents, and ran towards the entrance. The speeder turned and flew away, leaving behind a light smoke from a not-quite-working engine.
There was also a golden mean—mid-class speeders, neat and functional, from which students emerged with the confident air of people accustomed to comfort, but not luxury.
"Well, here we are, son," his father said, gently landing their speeder on a free platform. "Remember, we believe in you. And don't forget to call home."
"I promise to visit you every month," Alex said, hugging his father and mother.
"Go, son. Your future awaits."
Alex took his belongings and headed towards the institute's entrance, where all this first-day commotion had caught him.
"Hey, are you going for engineering too?" a fair-haired guy about his age called out, pushing through the crowd with a suitcase in his hands.
"Yes," Alex offered a friendly smile and extended his hand. "Alex Korren."
"Kyle Jans." The guy shook his hand firmly. "Listen, maybe we can look for the dormitory together? It's such a crowd here..."
As they made their way to the administrative building, Kyle talked non-stop about himself. The son of a small manufacturing owner, he dreams of modernizing the family business and considers CTI the best technical university in the Core Worlds. Alex nodded in the right places, asked appropriate questions, and remembered every detail.
"And how did you get in here?" Kyle asked. "Must have aced the exams too?"
"Not bad," Alex replied modestly, not mentioning that his results were among the best in all of Corellia. This secured him a ninety-three percent discount on tuition. Without it, his family couldn't afford to pay for studies at the prestigious institute.
The payment system at CTI was well-thought-out and brutal at the same time. The basic tuition fee was an astronomical sum, accessible only to the wealthiest families. But for talented students, there was a discount system, reviewed every semester. If grades dropped, the discount decreased. If a student couldn't pay, the institute offered an alternative—a contract with one of the partner corporations.
Alex had seen these contracts at the admissions office. At first glance, they looked like ordinary educational loans. The corporation covered tuition costs, and the graduate gradually repaid the debt after employment. But the devil was in the details. With "satisfactory academic performance and loyalty," the corporation could forgive the debt entirely. In return, the graduate was obligated to work for the corporation for at least fifteen years. Refusal to sign the contract after signing it entailed penalties that could bankrupt any family.
In essence, it was a veiled form of debt slavery. Corporations gained the best graduates, bound by ironclad obligations. And students from poor families were faced with a choice: either give up their education or sell their future.
Fortunately, Alex's family, despite all the difficulties, managed to save enough funds to pay the remaining seven percent of the tuition. To be honest, if it weren't for various machinations, they wouldn't have been able to afford this educational institution even with the discount. It was inaccessible to ordinary people.
The dormitory turned out to be typical student housing—long corridors, small rooms for two, noise and commotion. It was believed that students needed to live on campus to immerse themselves in the learning process, although more than sixty percent of the students were from Corellia. They got rooms on the same floor, though not adjacent ones.
The first lecture took place the next day. Professor Lirak, a gray-haired Corellian with piercing eyes, taught "Fundamentals of Technical Engineering." Alex sat in the middle of the auditorium—not too close to avoid attracting attention, but not too far to appear uninterested.
"Modern technical civilization," the professor said, "is built on a foundation laid thousands of years ago. Every new invention relies on the achievements of previous generations..."
Alex took notes, feigning diligent student behavior, but his thoughts were far away. He knew much more about the technical foundation than he could show. Years of independent study of ancient devices and digging through archives had given him an understanding that modern technologies were often just simplified copies of something more perfect. But who these ancient creators were remained a mystery.
Studying at CTI turned out to be intense and multifaceted. Every day brought new lectures, seminars, and laboratory work. Alex delved into the study of quantum mechanics, field theory, and the basics of hyperspace physics. Alex realized that there were people who understood technology at a fairly high level, but this knowledge was not for everyone. The instructors were of the highest caliber—many had experience working in leading corporations or research centers.
He was particularly interested in the lectures on the history of technology. Professor Vell, a still relatively young woman with a sharp analytical mind, spoke about the development of various technical fields. But Alex noticed strange gaps in the official version of history. Many fundamental inventions dated back to approximately the same period—about twenty-five thousand years ago.
"Mr. Korren," Professor Vell suddenly addressed him during one lecture, "what do you think about the relationship between the development of hyperdrives and the standardization of energy systems?"
"I think..." he paused, feigning thought, "standardization was necessary for mass production? So that ships from different manufacturers could use the same components?"
"Not bad for the first day," the professor nodded approvingly. "But think deeper. Where did these standards themselves come from? Who established them? Let this be your homework."
A month after classes began, Alex went home for the first time. The family home on the outskirts of the spaceport greeted him with its usual coziness. He talked a little with his parents, took some things, and got ready to go back.
Upon returning to the institute, he found a message from his uncle Garrek; he had some business on Nar Shaddaa. Communication with Nar Shaddaa was unstable, but his uncle's holographic image appeared clearly enough. Garrek looked tired but pleased.
"Hello, nephew," he said with his characteristic grin. "How are things at the temple of science?"
"Studying fine," Alex replied. "And how are you there? Settled in?"
"Oh yes, more than. Plenty of work, paid three times more than on Corellia. Technicians are valued here—too much equipment needs maintenance." Garrek paused, and his face became more serious. "But this place... is peculiar."
Alex saw his uncle choose his words carefully, looking around.
"Society here is cruel, nephew. On the lower levels, things happen that are best not to know about. The Hutts rule with an iron fist, and they have their own psychology. If you promised a Hutt something, you must keep your word at any cost. They are not interested in reasons, circumstances, force majeure. You gave your word—fulfill it, even if it kills you. Otherwise..." he shook his head. "You don't want to know what happens to those who let Hutts down."
"But what are you doing there?" Alex asked.
"Earning money. And preparing a place to retreat to if something goes wrong on Corellia. Something about the current situation doesn't sit right with me. I have a gut feeling, you know? Besides, engineers and technicians have a special status here. The Hutts don't touch us and even protect us from others. Do you know why?" Garrek grinned. "Maintaining technology attracts traders, especially those who operate in the gray zones. It's convenient for business. Hutts are interested in their trading hub prospering, not competing centers of trade."
His uncle leaned closer to the camera, lowering his voice:
"And one more thing, Alex. I talk a lot with traders, listen to their conversations. Trade routes are being restructured, economic ties are breaking. In essence, the separatists have already economically separated from the Republic. I don't know where the government is looking, but it's going to flare up for real soon. If things get hot on Corellia, I'll help you settle here. I'll earn good money, I'll be able to help."
He paused, looking somewhere to the side.
"The only downside to this place is that the sentient beings here are vile. Cruelty has become the norm, compassion is considered weakness. Every day you see things that are impossible on normal worlds. But credits are credits, and there are fewer restrictions here."
The connection broke, leaving Alex alone with his disturbing thoughts. His uncle's words about the impending war echoed what he had heard in the news. Tensions between the Republic and the Systems Alliance were escalating, and Corellia could find itself at the center of the conflict.
Studies continued. Alex delved deeper into technical disciplines, cautiously establishing contacts with his instructors. The KTI library became his second home. Huge halls with holographic catalogs, rows of servers with digitized archives. The librarian droid K-3SO, an old model with a worn casing, turned out to be an unexpectedly useful source of information.
"First-year students have access to general sections and educational materials," the droid explained on their first meeting. "Access to specialized archives requires permission from an instructor or academic advisor."
But gradually, Alex noticed that K-3SO was willing to discuss topics beyond the standard curriculum. Especially when it came to historical gaps in technological development.
"The historical records of that period are fragmented," the droid said, answering questions about the "golden age" of technical progress. "Many archives were lost during various conflicts. The official version speaks of a period of intense development, but some researchers have proposed alternative theories."
"What theories?" Alex asked, interested.
"Theories that many technologies were not invented, but rediscovered. Or adapted from older sources. But these are just speculations not supported by official science."
Meanwhile, life in the dormitory continued as usual. Kyle turned out to be a good companion – open, honest, though not a deep thinker. He often suggested entertainment typical for students their age.
"Listen," he said one evening, "let's go have some fun? A new club opened, they say the music is great and there are lots of girls."
Alex hesitated. On the one hand, he needed to maintain the image of an ordinary student. On the other hand, such entertainment seemed like a waste of time to him.
"Come on, let's go," Kyle insisted. "You're not some kind of monk. You need to relax sometimes."
"Celestial Dust" turned out to be a typical youth establishment. Dim lighting, pulsating music, holographic projections creating the illusion of outer space. The majority of visitors were humans, but there were also representatives of other races – graceful Twi'leks with their characteristic lekku, pale Zygerrians, a few Duros.
Alex sat at a table, sipping a cocktail and observing the scene. Kyle was in his element – easily meeting girls, joking, dancing. Alex felt out of place. He didn't understand this desire for superficial contacts, this game of seduction.
His attention was drawn to a young Twi'lek woman at the bar. She was unusually beautiful – delicate facial features, graceful movements, skin of a soft bluish hue. Her lekku were adorned with thin metal hoops, and her eyes radiated a lively intelligence. Alex caught himself unable to look away, captivated by her exotic beauty.
Suddenly, she turned and met his gaze. Alex quickly looked away, pretending to study the holographic menu. His heart beat faster, and he felt awkward at being caught staring.
"Hey, Alex!" Kyle approached the table with a wide smile and a girl on his arm. "Meet Tina, she's also studying at KTI, but in production economics."
Alex greeted her politely but felt increasingly uncomfortable. The conversation didn't flow, Kyle's jokes seemed forced, and the music was too loud. Out of boredom and awkwardness, he ordered another cocktail, then another.
"Sorry, mate," Kyle said an hour later, "but I have to go." He winked at Alex. "I see you're sad. Next time I'll teach you how to talk to girls."
Left alone, Alex felt a sharp irritation. At himself, at the situation, at the fact that life seemed to be passing him by. Other students were having fun, meeting people, falling in love, while he sat on the sidelines, an observer of someone else's life.
He finished his cocktail and headed for the exit, feeling a slight dizziness from the alcohol and a heaviness in his soul. Outside, the cool night air cleared his head a little, but did not dispel his sadness. The walk to the dormitory seemed endlessly long.
In his room, Alex lay in the dark for a long time, reflecting on what was happening to him. He had always been focused on his studies, on seeking knowledge, on helping his family. But sometimes he was overcome by an acute sense of loneliness, the realization that he was not living like his peers.
In the morning, his head ached, but studies continued. Lectures, seminars, laboratory work. Alex plunged headfirst into studying quantum physics, trying to drown out his inner discomfort with intellectual activity.
At the seminar on the history of engineering, he asked Professor Well a question about the dating of basic technologies:
"Why is there such a spread in the dates of invention for repulsorlift engines in different sources? Several thousand years is a very long time for an exact science."
"A good question, Mr. Korren," she replied. "The thing is, many technologies developed in parallel in different parts of the galaxy. It's difficult to determine where the first invention actually occurred."
"But there must be archaeological evidence? Remains of the first devices?"
"There should be," she agreed. "But most ancient artifacts are either lost or in private collections, inaccessible for research."
After the seminar, she approached him:
"Mr. Korren, you show an unusual interest in the historical aspects of technology. This is rare among first-year students. I have a research group, we study the evolution of technical standards. I'd like to introduce you to one of our best students – Elara Vane, she's in her third year. Perhaps you could help her with her current project."
Elara turned out to be a tall, slender girl with dark hair and piercing gray eyes. When Professor Well introduced them in the laboratory, Alex immediately sensed her sharp intellect and focus.
"So, you're the first-year student who asks interesting questions about the history of technology?" she said with a slight smile. "Professor Well says you have an unconventional approach to analysis."
"Just curiosity," Alex replied modestly.
"Curiosity is good. I'm working on a project analyzing patent archives from the last five thousand years. I'm looking for patterns in the development of energy technologies. Would you like to help?"
Working with Elara proved to be fascinating. She was a brilliant researcher, capable of seeing hidden connections between disparate facts. But most importantly, she also noticed oddities in the official history of technology.
"Look," she showed on a holographic diagram, "these patents for energy capacitors. The basic principles haven't changed for millennia. All the 'new' developments are just variations on a theme."
"Perhaps the original design was so perfect that it didn't require radical changes?" Alex suggested.
"Possibly. But then who were these brilliant engineers of antiquity? And why do their achievements seem more advanced than modern attempts at improvement?"
They spent long hours together in the laboratory and the institute's archive. Alex quickly realized that Elara was not only smart but also attractive. Her focus during work, the way she tucked her hair when thinking about a complex problem, the grace of her movements – all of it affected him.
One evening, when they stayed late in the lab, analyzing another batch of archival data, a different kind of tension arose between them.
"Alex," Elara said, looking up from the holographic display, "I see how you're looking at me."
He felt himself blush.
"I... I'm sorry if..."
"Don't apologize. I like you too." She turned to him, and there was something new in her eyes. "But let's be clear from the start. I'm not looking for a serious relationship. I have plans for the future, a career I intend to build. Romantic attachments are not part of those plans."
Alex nodded, not quite understanding where she was leading.
"But that doesn't mean we can't... have fun from time to time. If that suits you."
What happened next fundamentally changed Alex's self-perception. Elara was more experienced, more confident, and she gently guided him, helping him overcome his insecurity. Their relationship became regular, but remained within the boundaries Elara had clearly set. No obligations, no expectations for the future – only mutual attraction and intellectual partnership.
This gave Alex self-confidence. He stopped feeling like an awkward teenager who didn't understand the rules of the adult world. When Kyle suggested going to a club again, Alex agreed – and this time he felt much more comfortable.
"Wow," Kyle said, watching Alex effortlessly chat with girls at a nearby table, "what happened to you? You're like a different person."
"Just grown up," Alex smiled.
Working in Professor Well's research group opened up new possibilities. Alex gained access to specialized archives and could study materials unavailable to ordinary students. Together with Elara, they discovered interesting patterns in technological development.
"Do you see these specifications for energy connectors?" Professor Well showed at one of the seminars. "They've been in use for twenty thousand years with virtually no changes. This is astonishing for any technology."
"Elara and I analyzed the patent archives," Alex said. "It turns out that most 'modern' inventions are modifications of ancient designs. And often less effective ones."
"An interesting observation. And what conclusions do you draw?"
"Perhaps there was a more advanced technological civilization in the past," Alex cautiously suggested. "And we are using fragments of their knowledge without fully understanding the principles."
Professor Well nodded thoughtfully: "A bold hypothesis. But how can it be verified? Where can we find proof?"
The first semester was coming to an end. Alex passed his exams well, which guaranteed the continuation of his tuition discount. But more importantly, he began to understand the system. KTI was not just an educational institution, but part of a vast network controlling the dissemination of knowledge. The most interesting materials were hidden behind access barriers.
During the holidays, he went home again. He noticed that his conversations with his parents had become the same with each visit.
"How are things at the institute?" they would ask at dinner.
"Good. My grades are excellent, the discount is maintained. And I'm participating in research work."
"That's wonderful, son. We're proud of you."
Returning to the institute for the second semester, Alex felt more confident in all respects. His work with Elara continued – both scientific and personal. Their relationship was exactly as she had promised: no obligations, but with mutual respect and attraction.
"You know," she said one evening, as they lay in her room after another research "session," "you've changed a lot since the beginning of the year."
"For the better, I hope?"
"Definitely. You've become more confident, more mature. And you ask more and more interesting questions."
Alex smiled, looking at the ceiling. He truly felt different. More mature, understanding what he wanted from life. And most importantly, he had begun to formulate a plan of action.
If modern science hides or doesn't understand the true foundations of technology, then he needs to look for other sources of knowledge. Ancient artifacts, forgotten archives, alternative theories. Somewhere out there was the truth about who created the foundations of galactic civilization.
Standing by the window of his room, looking at the lights of Coruscant, Alex thought about the future. Years of study lay ahead, but he already understood that true education was just beginning. The institute would give him formal knowledge and connections, but he would have to find the real secrets himself.
Patience, he reminded himself. All the most interesting things are yet to come.