Ghosts of Tython Part 1

As a consultant to the Jedi Exploration Corps, former Jedi knight Starla Winter was given assignments that involved using her extensive research knowledge and information finding abilities. Her partner, Force-sensitive Mandalorian Andis Meyer, provided his ship The Golden Jian and his wide range of exploration skills. This is their first adventure together.

As The Golden Jian neared the planet of Tython, Starla was in the library studying an ancient book on the planet - the original homeworld of the Jedi Order. She had received a request from her former Master Mace Windu to explore Tython for any remnants of the Jedi civilation and military bases rumored to be hidden in the depths of the planet. She also had heard of a Sith holocron found and used by Darth Bane around 990 BBY.

Andis hoped to locate artifacts and treasures for The Galactic Museum on Coruscant, who paid him well for his findings. He really wanted to find weapons used the Force Wars of 25,000 BBY. He could also make some good money from any gems he found there (that Starla wouldn't want to keep for her own collection).

Andis walked over from the galley and handed Starla a cup of caf, then asked what she was reading. She said, "This is The History of Tython. It starts, Tython was a terrestrial planet located within the Tython system of the Deep Core. The ancestral homeworld of the Jedi Order, Tython was host to the first society of Force-users in known history, in 36,453 BBY."

"I think it's one of the most fascinating planets in the Deep Core. Hey, the ship will land soon, so let's get ready to go," Andis said.

The ship landed on Tython, near the Kalikori Mountains, and the couple set off on their adventure. The Jedi Council asked Starla to specifically investigate rumors involving an old command center deep within the mountain range. The caves eventually collapsed, and no one had been there for centuries. However, in the last few years, rumors of Sith ghosts haunting the planet were accumulating from various Jedi exploration informants.

Andis and Starla marched up the summit, their boots crunching through the layer of ash that had settled on the mountains. As they moved through the loose gravel, the T-visor of Andis' helmet gleamed in the light, stark contrast to his black Mandalorian armor that seemed to absorb the light. Starla's wool cape waved in the over the warm coat Andis gave her for cold climates, so the frigid winds of the cold mountain air had no effect on her - the embrace of the warm, comfy coat kept her warm.

Suddenly, Andis stopped and declared, "We're here."

"How do you know?" Starla replied, trying not to slip on the icy terrain.

"My gut, plus that sign there saying 'Danger, keep out'." It was nothing more than a massive pile of rubble; the real treasure was behind it. The two began their work, using the Force to levitate boulders off of one another to make a way into the passage.

Starla was excited because this was her first treasure hunt and first assignment for the Exploration Corps after she resigned from the Jedi Order, "So what are you looking for?"

Andis grunted as he moved a large stone out of the way, "I'd love to find a katana sword from the Force Wars; but realistically, any artifacts that I can sell to the Galactic Museum, and any valuables that catch your eye." He winked at her, waiting for a reaction.

Her curiosity peaked. "What do you mean," she tossed a stone aside, "by valuables?"

"Sometimes places like this have a war chest to fund their operations. It could be anything from cash and weapons, to treasures like… gems and precious metals." Clunk - he tossed another big stone aside.

Those last two caught her interest, "Gemstones?" she almost shouted with excitement.

He could feel her enthusiasm, "Ah, I knew you'd like that, part."

She was about to burst, "You really think there'd be some gemstones down there?"

He grinned, "There are definitely stones down there; this is a mountain after all." She giggled with delight. "Whether they're gems is another question. If there are, I promise we won't leave without them."

She was tingling. There could be gems in these mountains! She was on a real treasure hunt, "We're there!" they had made it to a large pair of durasteel gates that blocked the way in. In fact, they were rusted shut.

Andis took out his lightsaber, Starla did the same, and they ignited them, thrust them close together at the bottom, and then began pushing outwards. They cut a large circle in the metal, once they met at the top they pulled out and stepped back. They raised their hands and in one simultaneous Force Push, the door was blasted down. He looked at her, "After you, my dear."

She giggled, "Such a gentleman." She hopped up in, and he followed. They made their way through the entrance; it was dark and damp, the airtight seal that has formed on the door kept all the moisture inside the base. The place was warm; the geothermal activity within the depths of the mountains gave the fortification a natural heating source. It was much warmer than the outside.

The lack of any chance of lighting being gone for millennia meant that they'd have to make their own. Starla pulled out a headlamp while Andis adjusted the sensors and sights in his helmet, then they were ready to explore.

They proceeded down a corridor until they came to a small tunnel. The two would have to go through on their hands and knees, Starla was so excited, she had already started to crawl down the tunnel, "Get the lead out Andis, I want to see this place."

"Take it easy, you've got to go through these things carefully, besides I'm enjoying the view," he said.

She laughed, with a wicked little smirk, "When we find those stones, you'll get to see a lot more."

He grinned, "Sounds like a plan." Finally they exited the tunnel, Starla's heart was pounding, and she couldn't wait to see more of the place. She moved forward about 20 feet, Andis ran after her, "Wait up."

Clink, Starla turned to him, "What was that?" Andis pushed her out of the way just as the floor below them fell through. He managed to catch the top of the floor, but it sprained his arm, all he could do was hold on. Starla grabbed his hand and tried to pull him up, a thick metal wall began to descend from the ceiling behind them.

Andis looked up at her, "There's no time! Run!"

Starla shook her head, "I'm not leaving you!"

There was too little time. The wall was closing fast, and he knew what he had to do. Andis looked into her eyes, "Starla, ni kar'tayli gar darasuum," he let go of her hand and slipped into the darkness below.

The sudden loss of her Mandalorian caused her to fall back behind the door. To her horror, she had just watched the man she loved vanish into the black depths. Bang! The wall sealed shut. "Andis!" She screamed, as she slammed her hands against the door. He was gone.