[ Stories ]

A joint-research facility in Sector 16 -4, created as part of a bi-lateral treaty between the Confederacy of Excaria and the Holy Heimgolian Theocracy, was destroyed in a large explosion when an experiment failed catastrophically. Excarian investigators determined that a single vessel detached from the research station moments before the explosion. The ship's hyperdrive signature was tracked to the ocean world of U2B-J'bey'q in Sector 18 -4.

Jedis Jedi Fecta Trigiel, Ariana Danacia and Shebi Ajava were sent to investigate, and to retrieve any stolen research and to bring the culprit to justice.

The voyage to the ocean world U2B-J'bey'q was without incident. After arriving at the world and scanning it, three interesting sites presented itself: a continuous geyser, a structure near the north pole, and finally an exotic matter reading from a deep part of the ocean. The Jedi opted to investigate the structure first, because it would be a good hideout.

The investigation of the structure clarified its purpose: it was a manned geographic sensor outpost. However during the investigation the Jedi discovered that the ground radar has been destroyed, most likely with a lightsaber. The normal inhabitants of the structure where nowhere to be found, though from their notes it was clear that they were excited about the readings. Seemingly irrelevant, one of the rooms was significantly modified by the previous inhabitants to have a strong fantasy theme, including smoke and illusions of blue fire.

Next up was the investigation of the exotic matter readings. Jedi Fecta Trigiel and Shebi Ajava brought diving equipment and were to go down into the ocean. Ariana stayed on the shuttle to keep an eye on things and to warn them of any incoming craft. After a swim of ten minutes, the Jedi came upon the location of the readings: it was on the edge of an underwater cliff.

On the edge of the underwater cliff was a giant crane, lit up by several lamps and extending over the abyss. It had pulled up a large rock from the depths. Three figures in diving suits were swimming around the large stone. One of them was using a red lightsaber to carve into the rock. Next to the crane was a container and a small submersible.

Remaining hidden from the people near the rock, the two jedi approached the submersible. Going closer, they spotted one person in the submersible, and one operating the crane. As Ajava had a bad feeling about the situation, she tried to get a closer look at the saber-wielding person. As she did so the figure, a woman, suddenly stopped carving the rock and instead turned to look at where Ajava was hidden.

The ensuing fight was short, vicious and mostly obscured from sight. During the fight, Trigiel remains hidden to engage any of the others should they decide to join the battle. In the end, Ajava wins and knocks the woman out. During the fight, Ariana picks up a ship coming in from space, heading directly for the location. After the fight, Trigiel and Ajava collect the four others, who immediately surrender and seem glad that the woman is taken out.

The incoming vessel was only piloted by a droid, with orders to follow the woman. After swimming back up, the woman remains unconscious. A short interrogation of the four others clarifies that they were the inhabitants of the north pole structure, and that the woman forced them to help her collect the exotic matter from the ocean floor after they send out a message detailing their find.

The Jedi decide to drop the four of on a nearby space port, and take the woman in for questioning.