Chapter 5

The Mines of Kessel

Ni'Pa's guards escorted the Jedi outside, towards a turbolift station. The planet's thin, artificial atmosphere still took some getting used to, and the Jedi struggled to breathe as they examined their surroundings. Small structures dotted the otherwise barren landscape, with the odd furnace churning fire and smoke into the black, starlit sky. It might not look like much, Obi-Wan, but it doesn't need to. The real show begins underground.

The Jedi and their guards entered the turbolift, and a guard pushed one of the buttons. The lift jolted and then went down for several moments, until it stopped and its door opened into a small, dimly lit room. A table sat in the corner, with various pieces of safety equipment on it as well as night vision goggles. On the other side of the room, a large opening in the rock led into what looked like a mine shaft. One of the guards stepped in front of the Jedi and spoke to them, while his comrades remained behind them. "Alright, Jedi. Nobody goes into these mines without three things: an escort, a hard hat and a pair of goggles. We're the first item. Grab the other two from this table over here." The Jedi stepped up and donned the goggles and helmets on the table. "Very well. You two, keep an eye on the Jedi." The leader gestured to two of the guards, who followed the Jedi towards the opening while he and the others remained in the room.

Only a partial escort. This should make our job easier, Master.

Don't get too confident, my young Padawan. I sense they only detached two for a reason.

The Jedi lowered and activated their goggles, and the blackness beyond the opening burst into a clear, green shaft. The Jedi walked forwards, their guards following them. Here we go, Master.

After a few turns down various shafts, Obi-Wan heard his Master through their Force bond. It's time, Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan cleared his mind and concentrated, feeling the Force flow through him. He could sense Qui-Gon doing the same. Then, both Jedi whirled around and Force pushed their guards into the rock wall. Both hit the wall with a thud and crumpled to the floor. I can sense life in them, Master. They're just unconscious.

Good. No unnecessary deaths. Excellent work. Now, let's go searching for evidence.

What are we looking for, Master?

Anything traceable. Papers, crates, and the like. Sith artifacts would be even better.

And here I was thinking that we were trying to stop that. Now, we're digging for Sith relics ourselves!

Both Jedi concentrated, feeling for the pull of the dark side. At first, they felt nothing. Then, they felt the faintest hint of darkness. Almost nothing, almost an anomaly, but it was there.

Master…

I sense it too, Obi-Wan. Let's find out what it is.

With that, the Jedi set off deeper into the tunnels.

"Report in."

The head guard stood at his post, attempting to raise the guards escorting the Jedi on his commlink. The others stood around; waiting for the orders they had been told would come. At the end of the initial tunnel section, roughly twenty meters from the opening in the room, they had placed sequencer charges on the walls. At the head guard's discretion, the guards escorting the Jedi would leave, both getting them out of danger and lulling the Jedi into a false sense of security, making them think that no one suspected them. Then the charges would be detonated, trapping the Jedi in the caverns. From there, they would simply be left to die, with no trace of them ever likely to be found. "Report in, both of you. Where are you? Are the Jedi with you?" Again, there was nothing. "Damn. We're not getting anything." "You think the Jedi took them out, boss?"

"Possibly. Maybe the reception's just lousy."

"Well, we don't have that many problems, even with all this rock."

"Hmm…Well, whatever happened to those two, should we spring the trap now?"

The head guard briefly thought of his two comrades, left in the dark tunnels with the Jedi. Or, possibly, knocked out and left in some corner, waiting for an energy spider to come upon their predicament and feast on them. What a way to go…forget it. Ni'Pa can always get more chumps to do his bidding.

"Hit it. Those two will have to fend for themselves."

With that, the guards stood back from the opening, and the head guard grabbed a detonator from the nearby table. Surprise, Jedi. He pressed the switch, and a throaty explosion came from within the opening. The caverns rumbled, and the light fixtures flickered under the shock. That commotion should rile up the energy spiders, too. Those Jedi will have company real soon.

Moving towards the source of the dark side energy, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon suddenly felt a violent rumbling and heard a massive crashing noise behind them. Explosives…they've trapped us in here.

Focus, Obi-Wan. The Force will guide us to our objective, and then out of these caverns. The Jedi threw off their helmets, keeping their night vision goggles on.

This is going to be a long walk…

The pull of the dark side grew stronger and stronger with each step. Obi-Wan felt nauseous and increasingly weak as he continued to follow his Master towards whatever lay at the end of this hunt, and he could sense discomfort even in Qui-Gon. Master, the dark side…I can feel it.

I can too, Obi-Wan. We're getting very, very close. The two rounded a corner, and saw a pitch-black metal doorway at the end of the tunnel. The dark side emanated strongly from behind the door.

Whatever we're about to find, it must be in there. Steel yourself, young Padawan.

Obi-Wan focused his mind as best he could, moving towards the door with Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon stepped up to the door, grasping the handle as his gaze met Obi-Wan's. On my signal, Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan nodded.

Ready…now!

Qui-Gon threw the door open and the Jedi dashed into the room on the other side. The room itself was dimly lit, with tables at its edges. Crates were stacked up all over the room, and the tables held various tools and what looked like packets made of very dark paper. "What are those packets, Master?" "Glitterstim spice. The spice itself is photosensitive, and any exposure to light during the harvesting process will ruin it. It has to be packed in special paper wrapping to prevent this from happening." Obi-Wan suddenly felt a flash of realization from Qui-Gon, and then a panicked command. Close the door! Now!

Obi-Wan dashed to the door and slammed it shut. "What's wrong, Master?" "The light, spice harvesting…I just remembered." "Remembered what?" "Do you know where glitterstim spice comes from, Obi-Wan?" "Where, Master?"

"These tunnels are actually elaborate nests for large spiders, Obi-Wan. The spiders absorb energy, and then spin webs made of glitterstim. They've been down here for so long that the rock inside these tunnels is coated in dust from the webs. The dust is then harvested to create the spice. However, the spiders themselves roam these caves, and they are hostile to all sentient lifeforms. Especially sentient lifeforms that are destroying their homes." Obi-Wan felt a lump in his throat.

"Wha…what happens if they catch you?"

"The spiders feed off of energy. They immobilize their prey with webbing from their mouths, and then bite and suck the life energy from them."

Obi-Wan gulped in fear. "Given that they feed off of energy, blasters are useless against them. They are also attracted to light sources, as long as those sources are fairly dim."

"Then, the door…"

"Exactly. If one of those spiders were to see the lighting and come into this room while we were occupied searching, we would both die."

Qui-Gon paused for a moment, clearly unsettled, and then regained his composure. "We can worry about them later. Right now, we need to find the source of that dark side energy. Whatever we're looking for, it's in one of these crates. The Jedi concentrated, feeling for the pull of the dark side. They were drawn to a stack of crates against the wall opposite the door.

"Let's move these crates, Obi-Wan. I can sense our target at the bottom of the stack."

The Jedi moved the crates, Obi-Wan fighting the malaise of the dark side energy. Then, finally, they were left with one crate at the bottom. Dark side energy emanated from the crate strongly, and Obi-Wan felt nauseous and sweaty just being near it. Qui-Gon opened the crate, and in it, among the distinctive glitterstim packets, was a Sith holocron. Laying eyes on it, Obi-Wan wanted to vomit. Qui-Gon seemed ill at ease looking at it. "Master, what are we going to do with it?"

"Take it back to the Jedi Temple. It's evidence we need…"

Obi-Wan turned away and collapsed to the floor, on the verge of vomiting from the power of the dark side. Suddenly, he saw something on the crate, out of his peripheral vision.

"Master…there's some sort of label on the crate."

Qui-Gon came to see the label as Obi-Wan stumbled away from the crate, trying not to look at the holocron. Qui-Gon raised the crate towards one of the lights in the room, attempting to read the mysterious label. Obi-Wan came closer despite the effects of the dark side, hoping to see the label himself. The label consisted of two crossed red pickaxes superimposed on a blue circle, with the letters "LMC" written in bold below it.

"LMC?"

"It must be some kind of company, or supplier…they might be involved in the artifact smuggling conspiracy, given that we've just found a Sith holocron in a crate bearing their markings."

"If we can find out who they are, Master."

"That won't be difficult, young Padawan. All we need is to get out of these mines and contact Master Sifo-Dyas. He can run the image through the database at the Archives."

"How are we supposed to find our way out, though? I can barely remember what that room looked like on the surface!"

"That way is likely blocked now, Obi-Wan. We will find another way, with the aid of the living Force."

Obi-Wan cleared his mind, looking for any signs of a route to the surface. All of a sudden, his eyes turned to the cables powering the room's electrical lights. "Master, those cables…they run out of the room."

"Good thinking, Obi-Wan. We'll follow those until we reach a service area. From there, we can find a way to the surface."

The Jedi started for the door, with Qui-Gon leading the way once again. With a nod from Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon threw the door open and quickly closed it. Both Jedi reactivated their night vision goggles, and prepared for whatever dangers awaited on the road to the surface.

The Jedi had followed the cables for several minutes, looking for any signs of a turbolift station or other way to the surface. They had just come to a T-intersection, with the wires going in both directions. Obi-Wan felt a sense of dread, though he couldn't pinpoint its cause. Master, the Force is telling me of danger ahead.

I feel it too, Obi-Wan. Keep your eyes open.

The Jedi turned down the left-hand path, and saw the source of their dread right in front of them. A large spider sat crouched before them, no more than ten meters away. It was large, as long as a Wookie and wide as a small speeder. Its legs were covered in hooks and spines of all sorts, and its eyes were pitch black, devoid of warmth and staring straight through the two Jedi. Its enormous fangs hung menacingly under its ugly cluster of eyes, and its pedipalps were slowly moving to and fro with hungry, murderous lust. "Keep your eyes open." Part of Obi-Wan wished he hadn't heeded his Master's command while rounding the corner as he gazed upon this nightmarish beast. Then, a sudden realization as he took in the abomination in front of him.

This…thing…I can feel surprise in it. It wasn't expecting us. It's hesitating.

"I feel it too, Obi-Wan. But…"

Then, in the green hue of the night vision goggles, shapes appeared behind the energy spider. Slowly, the shapes became more distinct, until a horrific sight came into view: dozens of energy spiders, all lining up behind their fellow predator in front of the Jedi. It won't hesitate anymore. Nor will its friends.

"Master…"

"Don't panic, Obi-Wan. We'll give this mob a combined Force push, and then run in the opposite direction. Whatever you do, don't stop running, and don't look back."

"I don't think I could look back on a sight like this, Master."

Qui-Gon grimly chuckled, and then turned to his apprentice. "Concentrate, Obi-Wan. On my go." Obi-Wan shut his eyes to ignore the terror in front of him, even as he could sense the spiders beginning to approach. He released his fear into the Force, as he felt his master doing the same. He felt the Force surging around the two, until Qui-Gon shouted his order.

"NOW!"

The two Jedi unleashed a massive wave of kinetic energy, and as Obi-Wan opened his eyes he could see spiders flying through the tunnel, smashing into each other as their legs flailed impotently against the power of the Force. That was the last thing he saw before he began sprinting down the tunnel after Qui-Gon.

Obi-Wan had lost all track of time sprinting through the darkness. His lungs burned under the exertion of however long he had been sprinting, but the sound of hundred of legs rushing across the rock behind him and the horrific thought of the mob of spiders catching up to him and devouring him alive kept him running. He maintained a vague sense of direction by occasionally glancing up to see the cables, verifying that he and Qui-Gon were indeed headed in the right direction. Qui-Gon…Obi-Wan suddenly realized that he hadn't seen his Master in a while. Maybe I didn't notice him…or maybe he fell behind…Obi-Wan tried to tap into his master-apprentice Force bond, but between his exertion and his terror he could not manage it. Then, he felt a familiar Force presence ahead of him. He then heard an equally familiar voice, with a hint of fear in it. "Obi-Wan!"

What happened…wait…Qui-Gon's Force presence is getting closer faster than I can catch up with him at a sprint…is he stationary?

Obi-Wan suddenly slammed into what felt like a net, feeling it bend under his weight.

What the…wiring? What is this?

Obi-Wan tried to move his hand to his lightsaber to cut through whatever was in his path, but his hand stuck fast to the net. Suddenly, he noticed that the net was glowing bright gold, and then he remembered Qui-Gon's words in the supply room about glitterstim.

The spiders absorb energy, and then spin webs made of glitterstim.

Obi-Wan felt his heart drop into his stomach, and frantically scanned the area for what he knew was nearby. Sure enough, there it was. An energy spider at the edge of the web, seemingly having just noticed its new visitors. Obi-Wan turned towards his Master's force presence and, to his right, saw Qui-Gon, also stuck to the web. "Master, I can't reach my lightsaber!"

"Use mine. Call it to your hand with the Force, before we're dinner!"

Qui-Gon shot a nod to the upper left corner, where the spider was. Obi-Wan turned and saw the creature crawling across its web towards him, its soulless eyes boring through him. He turned to look at his Master to avoid the sight of the obscene creature hindering his concentration. He desperately reached out with the Force, and saw Qui-Gon's lightsaber swing to and fro on his belt. Come on!

Calm, Obi-Wan. Stay calm, and concentrate.

Obi-Wan cleared his mind, and then reached out with the Force again. Qui-Gon's lightsaber swung, and then flew into Obi-Wan's hand. Obi-Wan ignited the weapon, terrified that at any moment he would feel the sharp, searing punch of the spider's fangs entering his body before sucking the life out of him. He turned his head to the spider, hoping that at least he would not die surprised. It was now mere meters from him, its fangs raised to strike. The green blade of Qui-Gon's lightsaber shot through the web, illuminating the spider. It recoiled at the sudden bright light, taken aback in its attack. It's stunned…now I have a chance.

Reinvigorated by this success, Obi-Wan felt his fear vanish into the Force as he flicked his wrist and swung his arm about, severing the web and sending he, Qui-Gon and the spider crashing to the floor. Obi-Wan became entangled in the shredded web, its golden strands stretched across his face. Then, he felt hairy legs brushing him, straddling him on either side.

Oh no…it's on top of me!

Obi-Wan shut his eyes, lashing out with a Force push. He felt the beast flying off of him, and he took a deep breath, inadvertently inhaling the glitterstim strand right below his nose.

Qui-Gon had gotten to his feet only to see the energy spider on top of his apprentice, its fangs poised like daggers to strike his apprentice dead. Obi-Wan threw a powerful Force push at the creature, sending it sprawling away. Obi-Wan, clearly feeling the effects of several minutes of sprinting and the terror of almost being eaten alive by a giant spider began sputtering and breathing heavily. Then, Qui-Gon noticed a strand of the spider's glitterstim web right below Obi-Wan's nose. "Obi-Wan! Don't!" It was too late. Obi-Wan inhaled the narcotic, and then his eyes shot open.

Don't be afraid, Master. I've got this.

Qui-Gon was taken aback by his Padawan's sudden perceptiveness.

Telepathy…one of the effects of glitterstim.

Obi-Wan then shot to his feet, as the spider regained its footing and charged at him. Obi-Wan charged back at it, holding Qui-Gon's lightsaber over his head like a battle-axe and roaring like a berserker. The young Jedi jumped onto the creature, wildly slashing at it. Qui-Gon could feel the creature's aggression turn to panic as it tried in vain to keep the drugged-up Padawan from cutting it to pieces. Qui-Gon quickly rushed forward and grabbed his apprentice, who kept shouting at the creature. "COME ON! LET ME AT HIM! LET ME AT HIM!" The spider scurried off into the darkness as Qui-Gon continued to drag his apprentice along, until Obi-Wan began to take his Master's hint and sprinted in the direction of the cables. Now, Qui-Gon struggled to keep up with his high apprentice. Then, he saw faint signs of bright light ahead.

Finally…an exit. Once we're out of here, we'll find our way back to the Republic mining outpost and get back to Coruscant. After the medical staff clear Obi-Wan to fly again, that is. Glitterstim side effects, even for a single isolated use, can be quite unpleasant.

The next thing Obi-Wan remembered was a soft, warm surface under him. Images flashed through his mind: dark tunnels, giant spiders, webs, crates, Sith holocrons…was it a nightmare? Or recollections of his final moments?

Am I dead? Is this what death feels like?

He felt his body regain its sensation under him, and then realized he was alive. As his senses returned to him, Obi-Wan felt his lungs burning and his head pounding, as if it would burst open. He groaned in pain as the agony became worse. Then, he heard a feminine voice speaking to him. "Can you hear me?"

Is that Bant? Am I back on Coruscant?

As Obi-Wan began to take in his surroundings, the voice became more mechanical. "Oh. You're finally awake." Obi-Wan wearily turned his head to see his caretaker. A medical droid stood next to him, examining him through its glowing photoreceptors.

"W…where am I?"

"You are in the medical bay of the Galactic Republic's spice mining facilities on Kessel, receiving treatment for a near overdose on glitterstim spice."

Obi-Wan slowly began to remember what had happened: the mission to Kessel, the holocron, the spiders, the web… "Urghhh…"

This is going to be a long recovery.