Jack rummaged through the box looking for a pair of dry socks. He picked up a pink sock that didn’t appear to have a match and tossed it aside, much of the stuff in the boxes looked like people had been donating their unwanted junk. He picked up a worn blue shirt with red letters flaking off the front of the shirt – apparently the previous owner had known someone that had gone to a place called ‘The Grand Canyon’, and all they’d gotten was this stupid t-shirt. Jack tossed the blue shirt with the pink sock. “Hey Jack, what’s this?” Jack turned his head to see what Luca had found. The object was sticking up out of the box and had wires attached to it. “Careful, it looks like a weapon.” Luca reached out and touched one of the wires. The object gave off a resonating metallic sound the boys immediately recognized. Luca snatched his hand back and both boys shouted at the same time. “Sonic mine! Run!” Jack turned and used the bunk behind him to launch himself across the next four bunks. Tan turned in time to see Luca turn into a barely visible blur as he fled down the row of bunks. Jack was already a blur and had appeared to have taken flight. Jack slowed in mid-air as he passed Tan just long enough to shout, ‘Get outside, the rain will deaden the blast.’ Tan sighed. Another of Jack’s surprises had materialized; apparently the Aeden’s could move almost faster than the eye could see when they needed to get away from something. Tan was getting used to Jack’s surprises and didn’t let himself get upset this time. He had heard the sound also, but whatever a sonic mine was, he was fairly certain it wasn’t what had caused the sound. Tan glanced at the door, the boys were already outside in the rain, and had left the door open. He ignored the door for now and walked back to get the object that had frightened the boys. He lifted the object from the box and smiled. “Well, hello old friend.” Tan returned to his bunk and sat down. He laid the object across his lap and began plucking at the wires and turning the keys at the top of the neck to bring them into tune. He strummed a few cords and waited for the boys to decide they were wet enough and return. Jack was the first to poke his head through the doorway. “What are you doing? That thing can melt your brain,” shouted Jack. “It’s funny you say that,” replied Tan. “My mother used to say the same thing, but it never did.” Luca peeked out from behind Jack. “Did he disarm it?” “It’s a guitar,” said Tan. “Don’t you know what a guitar is?” Jack and Luca hesitantly made their way towards Tan and the potentially lethal object. Luca lifted his Teddy Bear from where it was propped against his pillows and stared the bear in the eyes. Jack lifted the necklace he wore from under his shirt and clutched the green jewel in his hand. Both boys’ eyes went vacant for a moment, then Jack dropped the necklace back under his shirt and spoke: “The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing the strings against frets with the fingers of the opposite hand. The guitar is typically only found on lesser human worlds.” Luca hugged his bear and added, “There are three main types of guitars: classical guitars with nylon strings, acoustic guitars with steel strings, and electric guitars with magnetic pickups. The guitar is exclusively used by lesser humans.” Tan had seen Jack acquire information from his necklace before, but hadn’t known Luca’s bear was a similar device. Perhaps the devices were the Aeden’s version of looking something up on the internet; he’d have to ask about it later. “Don’t you have music on Aeden?” asked Tan. “We did, a long time ago,” said Jack. Tan nodded. “Music can entertain, or pass the time, or even teach.” Tan saw Luca reflexively clutch his bear. So, the bear and Jack’s necklace were teaching devices. No wonder Aeden children were so smart, they literally carried around the Encyclopedia Galactic. Tan strummed a few cords. “From what you’ve told me, the Aeden are a war-like species.” Jack nodded. “Yes, we’ve conquered fifty-galaxies.” “I’m not certain that’s necessarily something to be proud of,” said Tan. “There’s a song about something like that.” Tan began to sing while strumming the guitar: “Listen children, to a story, ‘bout a kingdom, on a mountain, and the valley folk below….” Tan finished his song while both boys stared at him with narrowed eyes and lips pressed in anger. “If you’re trying to convince us that the guitar isn’t just for barbarian lesser races, you’re failing. You just made fun of my world.” “That wasn’t my intention,” replied Tan. “I was expressing how angry I am that a harmless musical instrument terrified two boys I’m starting to care deeply about because you thought it was a ‘sonic mine’, whatever that is. Any world that is so war-like that its children automatically assume a sound they hear is a weapon, is a world that needs to re-think its outlook on life.” “You don’t understand the Aeden,” said Jack. “You’re right, Jack, I don’t, but I want to,” said Tan. “I want to protect you, but I can’t with all these surprises you keep dropping on me.” Jack lifted his necklace out again and clutched it for a moment, then pulled it over his head and held it out to Tan. “Put this on, by morning you’ll understand us.” “That’s forbidden,” said Luca. “No it’s not,” said Jack. “Check your bear.” Luca stared into the bear’s eyes before replying. "I don't understand." “Set your bear to teach you about Ja-cuub of the Rook, he wrote the treaty,” said Jack. Tan tilted his head to the side. “I’m not sure what just happened?” “You said something that activates an ancient treaty,” explained Jack. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow after you wear the necklace tonight. I don't understand all of it either. All I know is that my A.I. told me to let you use the necklace. So, do you have any songs that won’t make me mad?” Tan smiled and strummed. “I think we can lighten this mood up.” Tan began singing and Luca’s eyes widened. “Jump, jump, jump, like a kangaroo…” Luca made up a dance on the spot and started hopping around like a kangaroo. Tan sang many more songs long into the night with the sound of the hurricane roaring outside. Jack came around after a few songs and even tried singing along. Luca finally wore out and fell asleep. Tan turned the lights out and set the guitar aside. “Tan?” “Yes, Jack.” “Can I have the guitar? I want to learn to play it.” “Of course, I’ll teach you.” Jack quickly fell asleep while Tan sat on his bunk holding the necklace in his hand, he was unsure what would happen now. He checked again to ensure that both boys were actually asleep, then turned his full attention to the green stone. "Greetings," said a female voice. "I am a Model 12 Deep Learning Teaching A.I. This model is not intended for an adult mind and some images may appear confusing in their presentation to you. Do you wish to continue?" Tan took a deep breath. "Yes." "Place the device around your neck and lay back. There will be a moment of disorientation while I synchronize with your neural patterns."