Polis Massan

Polis Massan
Homeworld	Kallidah
Species	Kallidahin
Height	1.6 meters
Hair Color	None
Eye Color	Black
Affiliation	Galactic Republic

The Kallidahin were a race of beings native to the world of Kallidah. The Kallidahin believed themselves to be descendants of the ancient Eellayin species once native to Polis Massa, and the Archaeological Research Council of Kallidah established a Research Base on the largest of the asteroid remnants to unearth evidence of this evolutionary link. These thin, mute beings led mining expeditions, archaeological digs, and medical research on the remote settlement.

History

Polis Massa was once the home of the Eellayin civilization, which vanished in the distant past when a mysterious catastrophe destroyed their home planet. Circa 519 BBY, the Kallidahin began mining the largest of the resulting asteroids for artifacts from the planet's extinct former civilization. The main concern of these scientists was to discover what connection they had to the long-lost Eellayin. These archeological digs were in progress for so long that the mining supervisors came to be known as Polis Massans, having adopted the planetoid as their new home.

The average Kallidahin was a short, thin being with a flat, pale face and grey hands, each with four long, dexterous fingers. Most Kallidahin were mute and used sign language and control devices to make their intentions known. To make up for their lack of speech, Kallidahin had mildly telepathic brains and deep-focus eyes, useful for work deep underground. These beings had osmotic membrane faces and growth-rings circling their wiry bodies.

Many of the Polis Massans were miners, medics or exobiologists, and wore form-fitting bodysuits fitted with all manner of signaling devices, medical equipment and utility pouches. The majority of Polis Massan miners were seasoned spelunkers, and dug deep into the core of the asteroid to locate prize artifacts. The alien exobiologists, having learned the secrets of cloning from the Kaminoans they partly resemble, analyzed these artifacts for organic tissue suitable for cloning. The Polis Massans set up a medical facility on the asteroid to investigate their finds. Though they had little contact with humans, Polis Massans were known for their extraordinary medical skills, and were regarded as compassionate beings who understand the value of life.

In 19 BBY, Polis Massan medics and technicians helped to deliver the Skywalker twins (Luke and Leia) when Padmé Amidala was rushed to the asteroid facility in a critical condition. Only two members of the team were trained physicians, the rest being exobiologists who, due to Padmé's condition, had no time to even change out of their caving jumpsuits to treat her. Though the twins were delivered with the help of a midwife droid, the Polis Massans could not mend Padmé's broken heart, and she died inside the medical center.

Behind the scenes

Last of the Jedi #2 indicates Polis Massans had medical masks (rather than natural membranes) which covered their mouths. This contradicts other sources.