"Klaud Academy"  

Blog No.37
 

If you have an interest or skills in Mechanics or Engineering, or if you just love innovation, then today's article may be just right for you!

 

In my recent travels, I was invited to a Grand Opening and ribbon cutting of a new trade school opening up in the Mid Rim. It is called the Klaud Memorial Academy of Mechanics. 

 

I went and it was a lovely ceremony, with many of the town's inahbitants coming out to watch and applaud the ribbon being cut with a special blade used just for these occasions. 

 

It was a fairly impressive building with clean lines and a statue of its namesake, Klaud, in the front. My eyesight isn't the best and I got close to the large statue and squinted at it. "Oh!" I was a little surprised to see that it was a Trodatome. 

 

My guide happily showed me inside the establishment to give me a tour. "I see that this Klaud was a Trodatome." I inquired. 

"Oh yes! A famous one." 

"I see. But this school is named for him?" 

"Yes. He was a simply brilliant mechanic and engineer." 

I pondered this. If you've never met a Trodatome before, one of the first things you would notice would be their lack of hands . .or arms. I was curious. 

 

"How did he -"

"Our Academy is special because we look at things a bit differently. We accept anyone of any species, even when it seems unlikely that they could do the job, in the traditional way of thinking. We look outside the box. Here is our classroom for sentient plants!"

"Plants? For mechanics?"
"Engineering, mainly. Some plants have the most in-depth insight, you wouldn't believe it! And over here is where we have the pool."

"Like a ship pool?"
"No, a water pool! For those who work best underwater."
"Ahhh." 

 

So the tour went on. It was certainly different. They had no vocal emulators or translators. Everyone came from all over and just - spoke. The theory being that language was a more confusing mode of communication and if they tried, they could understand each other better, using all their creativity. 

 

I have to say that I was impressed by their innovative ways of thinking and willingness to try new things. I learned a lot about Klaud, the slug like creature, who had fought in the Rebellion and done much in the realms of mechanics and Engineering. A creature with a sharp mind and a very difficult way of speaking that almost no one could understand, Klaud was beloved by many, though he didn't end up as well known as some of the others he fought along side with. 

 

I never was really able to figure out HOW Klaud was able to do all those specialized mechanical feats without hands. I'm sure there's an obvious answer, but I must confess, I was too afraid to ask. I didn't want to insult their hero and I didn't mean it in an insulting way. 

After the tour, they hosted me to a wonderful lunch and I left with much new knowledge and a pleasant feeling. 

 

I recommend the Academy if you are of a creative mind or if you love engineering or mechanics and feel that you would not fit in with any other school. Klaud won't turn you away.