Prologue
Once, Aridax was a thriving world. Its cities were grand and its people prosperous. Its golden sands held riches beyond measure, and its mines produced a bounty of rare minerals that were coveted across the galaxy. But over time, the once-lush planet became a victim of its own success. The endless mining and drilling that brought prosperity also brought destruction, as the land was stripped bare and the delicate ecosystem destroyed.
As the wealth of the planet began to dwindle, the corporations that had once flocked to Aridax abandoned it in search of new frontiers. Left behind were the miners and their families, eking out a meager existence in the harsh desert landscape. The boomtowns that had once been filled with bustling markets and rowdy cantinas now lay in ruins, their buildings crumbling and their streets empty. The air, once filled with the sounds of commerce and the chatter of dozens of alien languages, was now silent save for the howling winds and the rumble of mining equipment.
For the prospectors who remained, life was a constant struggle. Fresh water was scarce, and what little there was had to be rationed carefully. The dust storms that churned up from the mining rigs made breathing difficult, and the relentless sun beat down on them without mercy. The hope of striking it rich kept them going, but for many, that hope was fading. Poverty was rampant, and disease and hunger were constant companions.
Despite the hardships they faced, the people of Aridax clung to the dream of a better life. They worked tirelessly, day after day, hoping that the next rich vein of ore would be the one to change their fortunes. They gambled and drank, seeking solace in the fleeting pleasures of the moment. But deep down, they knew that the odds were against them. Aridax was a world on the brink of collapse, a once-great civilization reduced to rubble and poverty by the very forces that had made it great.
Jax rose slowly from his bed, his old bones creaking and muscles protesting from years toil in the desert mines. As he pulled on his dusty coveralls, worn thin from years of use, he caught sight of himself in the warped mirror shard and saw streaks of gray now running through his once coal-black hair, an ever-present reminder of the passages of time and the sacrifices required to eke out a living on this barren world.
A gentle scratching at the door pulled Jax from his thoughts, he opened the door to reveal Jah'raat, his only friend on this forsaken planet. Jah'raat was a Daxien, one of the native lizardlike humanoids that populated Aridax. His pebbly green-grey skin blended perfectly with the dusty rust-colored stone of the planet, no doubt an adaptation for avoiding predators. His large yellow eyes reflected the dim light of Jax's room, while his long tail gently swept the floor as he waited patiently.
Though from very different worlds, Jax and Jah'raat had formed a deep kinship based on their shared experiences working for the mining company owned by greedy Twi'lek Gogron. Living conditions were harsh for both of them, but their friendship helped make the situation more bearable.
"You okay, Jax?" Jah'raat asked in his gravelly voice, tilting his scaled head inquisitively.
Jax brushed it off. "I'm fine. Just the usual." But then he perked up. "Though there is some good news. Gogron is reopening that abandoned levels of the mine, and we are the first ones in there in years."
Jah'raat's eyes widened. "You mean Level eighty-six and bellow?"
Jax nodded, grinning. "Which means we might finally find something valuable enough to buy our freedom."
Jah'raat clasped his shoulder. "Now you're talking, brother!"
They checked their headlamps, charged their battery packs and filled their canteens with water and after pulling on their thick gloves and boots, they donned their heavy mining helmets. Stepping out into the cool morning air, they took a moment to gaze at the vast orange sky that hung over the dusty streets of the mining city. The acrid smell of pollutants from the mines and processing facilities filled the air.
As they made their way through the city streets, they were greeted by the familiar sights of neglect. Dust and grime coated every surface. Buildings leaned at precarious angles, their walls cracked and paint peeling. Makeshift shelters and tents lined the alleyways housing those who had nowhere else to go. The lonely wail of a droid carrying out its repetitive tasks echoed down the empty boulevards. A thin layer of dust covered everything, giving the whole city a run-down, neglected look.
"The biggest victims are the native Daxiens," Jah'raat lamented after a while. "They deserve better than this."
Jax nodded. "You're one of the lucky ones with a job. When I first came to Aridax, things were more prosperous. But over the years I've watched Gogron drain this planet dry and leave its people in the dust."
Jah'raat muttered bitterly. "Gogron only cares about profits. He doesn't see the Daxiens as people."
Jax agreed. "I've seen how the conditions deteriorate further with each passing year. More homeless, more run-down streets and buildings."
Jah'raat sighed. "My family used to have a farm with plenty of work and food. But Gogron Mining took over the land and the water rights. Now most of my family is in the city searching for scraps."
Jax put his hand on Jah'raat's shoulder. "I'm sorry, my friend. You don't deserve this."
Jah'raat replied, "None of the Daxiens do. But we have to keep hoping and keep going. There must be a way to change things."
Jax and Jah'raat were deep in conversation as they approached the mining complex, discussing their hopes of finding something valuable on Level eighty-six. Neither of them noticed Varen approaching until he spoke.
"Well don't you two look cheerful," Varen said with an infectious grin.
Jah'raat jumped, not expecting the interruption. "Varen! You startled me."
Varen clapped them both on the shoulders. "Come now, We're about to venture into an untapped level of the mines! Who knows what riches await us down there."
As Jah'raat, Jax and Varen made their way towards the mine, Golryn - a thirty-year old Iktochi man fell in step beside them. Though reserved and formal, Golryn was one of the best explorer they knew.
"Good morning," Golryn greeted them in his usual cheerful yet professional tone.
Jax chuckled. "Good morning Golryn. Varen here seems to think today will be lucky for us."
Golryn gave a small smile. "I have a good feeling about today as well. "
Varen slapped Golryn's back enthusiastically. "The more eyes we have, the sooner we'll find something valuable down there!" he exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. "I can't wait to get exploring."
Golryn responded solemnly. "I do not want to diminish your optimism Varen, but as an explorer it is my duty to be cautious. Many have been lost to overconfidence."
Varen waved his hand dismissively. "What danger could there possibly be down there except a few pockets of ore?"
Golryn remained stoic. "Nevertheless, I would prefer to proceed with vigilance. We know so little about Level 86, it is best to expect the unexpected."
Varen shrugged. "Ah you Golryn, always so formal and serious. But I suppose a bit of caution never hurt anyone," but Golryn merely nodded. "Then we are in agreement. I will keep watch as we descend."
The four miners approached the elevator that would take them deep into the mine, there was a palpable excitement in the air. Varen practically vibrated with anticipation as he marched ahead. Jax, Jah'raat and Golryn followed at a more reasonable pace.
As they neared the lift, they spotted Cal, one of the mine guards, exiting an office. Cal noticed them and waved, calling out a greeting. Cal was an old friend of Jax's, having started at Gogron Mining around the same time. The two had known each other for years.
"Heading down to 86, eh?" Cal said with a smile. "Been a while since anyone's set foot in that level. You lads reckon you'll find anything good?"
Jax shrugged. "We can only hope," but hen added more cheerfully, " Everyone seem to have a good feeling about it."
Cal laughed. "Well, I wish you luck. Let me know if you need anything ." He gave a wink and waved them on. "Stay safe down there!"
As the four miners stepped into the lift, Jax couldn't help feeling optimistic. With his friends by his side and Cal watching out for them above, how could anything go wrong?
After several minutes the doors slid open, revealing the vast, dimly lit cavern of the mine. The miners stepped out, shining their headlamps ahead and into Level 86 for the first time in decade. Jah'raat looked around in amazement. "This doesn't even look like a mine, it's more like a cave system!" Before them stretched a huge cavern, with massive stone pillars ascending into darkness. Several tunnels opened up at different points, leading who knows where. An eerie silence hung in the air.
The team began exploring methodically, starting from the elevator. They chiselled rock samples from the walls and inspected ore veins, consulting charts to determine which materials might be valuable. They slowly made their way down the largest tunnel, which descended deeper into the darkness. The ore veins here seemed promising - thicker and more richly concentrated than typical mines, but after hours of exhaustively searching the immediate area, they had only managed to collect a few small stones of as yet undetermined worth.
Jax sighed in frustration. "This is getting us nowhere. We need something more substantial."
Jah'raat agreed skeptically. "True, but what else is there to find down here? These scraps may be all there is."
But Varen looked on the bright side. "That can't be all! There must be bigger veins we've missed, formations we've overlooked."
Golryn spoke up calmly. "We won't know for sure unless we keep exploring. But I think a break is in order. We could all use some food, water and rest."
Jax nodded gratefully. "Good thinking. And while we pause, we can strategize our next moves."
The team settled down on the cavern floor, eating their rations and peering at the mine walls, deep in thought. All of them exhausted and defeated, they had been exploring the depths of the mine for hours and had nothing to show for it. An uneasy silence hung in the air until Jah'raat broke it.
"Well?" he asked hesitantly. "What now?"
Jax knew they couldn't give up yet. "We keep going as far as the main tunnel leads. Then we'll reassess," he said confidently.
Jah'raat looked uneasy, eyes darting nervously. "But going deeper could mean more danger," he said, his voice trembling.
Golryn spoke up firmly. "It could also mean more valuable resources. We won't know unless we try," he insisted.
Jax could see a glimmer of hope in his teammates' tired eyes. They all knew they had to take risks if they wanted success."After we eat, we press onward into the depths," he declared determinedly. "We've searched all the side passages for hours with nothing to show. It's time to take a chance."
Varen nodded in agreement. "What do we have to lose? At the very least, we'll see how far they mined previously."
Renewed by their meal, the miners set off deeper into the mine's dark depths. The air grew colder as the darkness swallowed them whole, but they pressed on, their headlamps cutting narrow beams of light. As they walked further, the tension mounted. They didn't know what lay ahead but were determined to find something valuable. They walked for what seemed like hours until they entered a vast cavern system.
Jah'raat stared in awe. "Whoa," he whispered. "This cave stretches on forever. It'll take ages to search."
Jax's mind raced. They'd struck gold but the cavern's size was daunting. "I don't know," he said slowly, "But we can start by checking some of the nearer passages to see if there's any ore worth mining."
Just then, Varen yelled "Look!" pointing to a tunnel lined with ore extending as far as they could see.
Golryn's face lit up in excitement. "Finally! I was losing hope," he exclaimed.
Jax led the way into the tunnel, walking confidently. "Come on guys, let's see where it leads. I have a good feeling about this."
Infused with newfound energy and hope, they traversed the tunnel, headlamps revealing walls lined with valuable ore. They couldn't believe their luck, knowing they'd stumbled upon something special that they had to make the most of.
As the miners emerged from the tunnel into the vast cavern, their headlamps fell upon a towering structure in the distance. The ancient temple was hewn from dark stone, its crumbling pillars reaching up into the inky blackness high above.
Though still too far away to make out details, something about the forbidding structure made the miners pause. An ominous feeling crept over them as they stared at the temple, sending a shiver down their spines.
Jax spoke first, slowly and cautiously. "That temple...it does not look inviting."
Golryn nodded uneasily. "I have a troubling premonition about that place. We must be wary."
Still, Varen's curiosity was piqued. "But think of the riches that may lie within!" he said eagerly.
Jah'raat countered grimly, "More likely curses and traps."
As they debated whether to approach the temple, an eerie silence fell over the cavern. The miners sensed a dark presence emanating from the ancient structure, watching them from the shadows. The feeling of unease quickly turned to dread, and the ominous foreboding strengthened with every passing moment. The miners found themselves backing away unconsciously, instinctively putting distance between themselves and the foreboding temple. After exchanging uneasily glances, they silently turned as one and hurried back into the tunnel
What had at first been a cautious retreat soon turned into a jog, and then a full run. The miners picked up their pace, heading for the safety of the mine elevator. As they ran, hushed whispers began to echo down the tunnel, words they couldn't make out but that sent a chill down their spines. The whispers grew louder, turning into shouts for them to leave and not return.
Panic set in and the miners sprinted full speed toward the elevator, the ominous shouts now deafening. They burst out of the tunnel and made a beeline for the elevator doors. Fumbling frantically with the controls, they slammed the call button again and again.
Something dark and formless seemed to be gaining on them, the shadows in the mine shifting and crawling closer. The elevator doors finally shuddered open and the miners piled inside, slamming the buttons to close the doors and begin their ascent.
Just as the doors slid shut, a shrieking wind swept through the mine shaft, and the elevator began to rise. The miners clung to the railing, out of breath and wide-eyed with fear.
As the elevator ascended, the miners still clung to the railing, catching their breath. An eerie silence fell over the group as the ominous whispers faded into nothing. Though the oppressive feeling began to lift slightly, an inexplicable dread still lingered.
When the elevator doors finally slid open on the top floor, the miners hastily made to leave. But Cal noticed their hurried, panicked retreat and called out.
"Hold on there!" he said. "What's gotten into you lot? You look like you've seen a ghost."
The miners stared at Cal, wide-eyed, and began speaking all at once in a rush of garbled, nonsensical words. Cal couldn't make heads or tails of their frantic explanations. He knew something was seriously wrong with the miners but he couldn't make sense of their panicked rambling. He decided to call for the mine supervisor, Gren.
When Gren arrived, he was irritated at first. He wasn't in the mood to coddle scared miners who couldn't handle the job. But as he approached, he saw four pale and shaken men, clearly terrified beyond reason. Even Cal looked concerned as he tried to explain to Gren.
Gren demanded the miners calm down and explain clearly. Jax spoke first, stuttering as he tried to describe the ancient temple they had discovered. Golryn chimed in, warning of a sinister presence in that place. Varen and Jah'raat agreed, urgings staying far away. He listened impatiently, growing more irritated by the minute. The miners spoke of curses, whispers and shadows - utterly preposterous tales in Gren's view.
As the shaken miners recounted their story to Gren in his office, he began to see the potential value in the discovery of the ancient temple. It could mean a huge boon for the mining company.
Gren tried to downplay the miners' fears, explaining their minds had played tricks on them in the vast darkness of the caverns. But inwardly, he wondered if there truly was some sinister power protecting the long-forgotten temple. Such things were not unheard of in old legends.
Yet the thought of glory and promotion through such a discovery soon overcame Gren's doubts. He dismissed the miners, ordering them to keep the temple a secret for now. The miners filed out of Gren's office, disappointed but obedient. As soon as they had left, Gren hurried out of his own office and made his way quickly towards Gogron's headquarters. His thoughts swirled with excitement at the prospect of how presenting the temple's discovery himself would finally change his life for the better.
After years of mediocrity and being overlooked, this breakthrough could elevate his position within the company. He would gain the recognition, promotion and raise that had long eluded him. Gogron would have to see his value now.
As he walked, Gren planned how he would tell Gogron the temple was his idea all he had sent the miners specifically to investigate its location. He would exaggerate the potential wealth that lay within, stressing the importance of securing it for the company before their competitors learned of it.
Gren imagined Gogron's surprise and admiration, the respect that would enter his voice from now on. Promotions and bonuses would surely follow. At last Gren would receive the power, wealth and status he deserved.
Gren couldn't contain his giddy excitement any longer. A laugh burst from his lips, but Gren didn't care. He broke into a grin and practically jogged down the street.