Exploring the Forgotten Sector II Part 8
Time: 9:26 A.M., Location: Kelorith System, Planet: Kelorith Prime
The Celestial Voyager emerged from hyperspace above the lush world of Kelorith Prime, the planet's verdant hues contrasting sharply against the deep void of space. The dense, tropical forests blanketed much of the surface, interspersed with towering mountain ranges and meandering valleys. Even from orbit, Chasin Momeoran could make out faint remnants of ancient structures—what appeared to be fortified camps from a forgotten age.
Chasin keyed the ship's controls, setting a course for Crusader Explorer 05 Outpost, nestled in a secluded valley surrounded by towering trees. The outpost, a relatively new addition to his corporate exploration initiative, was established six months earlier and served as a base for researchers and scouts exploring the enigmatic world below.
"Kelorith Prime," Chasin murmured, gazing at the swirling clouds and emerald landmasses below. "Let's see what secrets you're hiding."
Pulchra approached from the crew lounge, carrying a sleepy Rylona in her arms. The little girl stirred, her rose-colored skin glowing faintly under the soft cabin lights. "We're landing soon?" Pulchra asked, her voice calm but edged with curiosity.
"Just a few minutes out," Chasin replied, glancing back at her with a smile. "Should be a smooth descent."
Behind her, Mugruco and Sahaz Lor were finalizing equipment checks. Mugruco's sharp, analytical gaze scanned a data-pad displaying old Sith cartographic records, trying to cross-reference their destination. Sahaz adjusted her pack of zoological instruments, her feline features lit with excitement at the prospect of exploring the planet's diverse ecosystems.
Time: 9:45 A.M., Location: Crusader Explorer 05 Outpost, Kelorith Prime
The Celestial Voyager touched down on a reinforced landing pad at the outpost's edge. The facility, a series of prefabricated modular structures, stood resilient against the encroaching jungle. The hum of machinery and the buzz of researchers echoed faintly against the dense foliage.
As the family disembarked, they were greeted by Dr. Hallen Vryn, the outpost's lead scientist, a grizzled but enthusiastic Zabrak with piercing yellow eyes and a stooped gait. "Captain Momeoran!" Hallen called out, a grin spreading across his scarred face. "Good to see you again. You've arrived just in time—we've got some preliminary findings that might interest you."
"What sort of findings?" Chasin asked, motioning for his wives and children to follow him.
Hallen gestured toward the research lab. "Old Sith fortifications, just as you suspected. But there's more—datacron fragments. Incomplete, but they hold snippets of Sith military strategies. Could be invaluable if we decode them."
The mention of datacrons piqued Mugruco's interest. "Are they intact enough to retrieve coherent data?"
"Partially," Hallen admitted, "but some sections have been corrupted. We'll need to recover more fragments to piece the information together."
Time: 10:15 A.M., Location: Ancient Sith Ruins, Kelorith Prime
By late morning, the family and a small research team stood at the edge of a massive clearing. Before them lay the remnants of a fortified Sith outpost, its walls crumbling and partially consumed by vines and moss. The atmosphere was thick with humidity, and the distant calls of native fauna echoed through the trees.
Rylona clung to Pulchra's leg, her wide eyes scanning the ruins with equal parts awe and apprehension. "Is this where the bad people were, Daddy?" she asked in a small voice.
Chasin knelt beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "A long time ago, sweetheart. They're not here anymore. But they left behind things we need to understand, so we can make sure the bad people don't come back."
Nearby, Jarek examined a piece of rubble with childish curiosity, tracing his fingers over the faint etchings of Sith symbols. Mugruco joined him, her voice soft as she explained the significance of the markings.
"Chasin!" Sahaz called from a nearby overhang. "You need to see this."
Chasin strode over, his boots crunching on the soft soil. Sahaz pointed toward an entrance partially obscured by fallen debris. A faint red glow pulsed intermittently from within.
"A power source?" Chasin asked, his brow furrowing.
"Possibly," Sahaz replied. "Whatever it is, it's still active. We should proceed cautiously."
Time: 11:00 A.M., Location: Interior of Ancient Sith Ruins
The air was heavy with age as Chasin Momeoran, his family, and the small group of researchers from Crusader Explorer 05 Outpost moved deeper into the heart of the ruins. The old Sith structures, now covered in moss and vines, whispered of a time long past, a reminder of the forgotten power that once lay within these halls. The team's portable lights cut through the darkness, illuminating the intricate carvings on the walls—scenes of Sith warriors, their armored figures frozen in battle or standing triumphant over conquered worlds.
Mugruco, standing beside Chasin, carefully studied the carvings as they ventured forward. Her Bayern Blue Twi'lek skin shimmered faintly in the dim light, and her lekku twitched in anticipation. "These are definitely Sith-era symbols. But there's something different about them… a mark of individuality in the patterns."
Chasin, always thoughtful, nodded as he scanned the vast chamber. "Malgus's campaign was not like the others. He was building something—something beyond the Sith Empire. This place… it feels like it was meant to be more than just a military outpost."
Rylona, nestled in Chasin's arms, peered curiously at the carvings, her wide Zeltron-Human hybrid eyes reflecting a blend of childlike wonder and deep empathy. "Daddy, why did the Sith leave all of this behind?" she asked softly, her innocent voice echoing through the chamber.
Chasin paused, his eyes softening as he met her gaze. "Well, sweetheart, sometimes people make mistakes. Malgus thought he could build something better, but the galaxy didn't let him."
They reached the central chamber, the walls towering overhead. In the center, atop a pedestal of dark, ancient stone, lay a holo-recording device. The device was glowing faintly with a crimson hue, its soft hum resonating in the otherwise still air. The glow grew stronger as they approached, casting strange shadows across the chamber.
Mugruco, her heart pounding with the potential of what they had found, stepped forward cautiously. "This is it," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly with excitement. "This could be a direct record from Malgus's campaign. If we can decode it, we might finally understand what happened here."
Chasin nodded, his expression hardening with resolve. "Be careful. No one activates it here. We take it back to the outpost for analysis."
They carefully removed the holo-recording device, using specialized tools to avoid triggering any traps or security mechanisms that might still be hidden within the ancient technology. The pedestal hummed quietly, as if reluctant to relinquish its secret, but it remained inert under their careful handling.
Rylona tugged at her father's sleeve, her voice laced with concern. "Daddy, is this going to help us stop the bad people?"
Chasin smiled down at her, brushing a stray lock of dark hair from her face. "I think it just might, sweetheart," he said softly, his tone filled with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. "I think it just might."
With the device secured, the group made their way back to their shuttle, the weight of the discovery pressing heavily on their minds. As they ascended into the skies above Kelorith Prime, the lush jungles below gave way to the cold expanse of space. The shuttle's engines hummed to life, and the family looked ahead toward their outpost, where the holo-recording would be analyzed.
Time: 12:45 P.M., Location: Crusader Explorer 05 Outpost
The outpost was a relatively small, yet functional hub nestled on the edge of a jungle valley. It was equipped with the necessary tools to conduct research and protect its inhabitants, though it still bore the marks of the rugged wilderness around it.
Inside, Chasin's team quickly set up a secure environment for decoding the holo-recording device. Pulchra assisted in making sure the team was comfortable and that Rylona and Jarek were safely occupied. Rylona, as usual, hovered near her father, offering her support in the way only a child could.
The team gathered around as Chasin carefully inserted the device into the data terminal. The screen flickered to life, revealing an image of Darth Malgus himself—his figure towering, his mask reflecting an air of confidence and brooding power. The recording began, with Malgus speaking in a low, resonant voice.
"The Sith Empire is a broken vessel," the figure intoned, his words carrying a weight of disillusionment. "Coruscant stands as a symbol of their weakness. The Dark Council is too consumed by politics, and the Jedi remain a thorn in our side. We must rise above this, create something new, something stronger. These systems—these uncharted worlds—will be the foundation of my empire."
Mugruco, leaning in close, analyzed the screen with rapt attention. "This confirms everything we've speculated," she whispered. "Malgus wasn't just expanding the Sith Empire—he was preparing to break away from it entirely. He sought to build a new order."
The recording continued, showing images of Sith warships crossing into unknown space, establishing fortifications on various planets. The message shifted to Malgus's growing frustration.
"But resources are scarce, and my forces are stretched thin. The Sith are more concerned with petty politics than conquest. The Treaty of Coruscant will soon end this campaign. I will retreat… but not without leaving behind a legacy. These systems will be forgotten for a time… but not for long. One day, someone will find them, and they will understand what I began."
Chasin stood still as the transmission ended. The implications of Malgus's words weighed heavily on him.
"Well, we know what he intended." Chasin said quietly. "But it's clear that his ambitions were thwarted by the very Empire he sought to escape. His vision was too grand, and his resources too few."
Mugruco spoke up, her voice filled with intrigue. "It means that these systems, these ruins, were meant to be more than military outposts. Malgus was trying to build an empire, a place where the Sith could break free from the corruption that had taken hold of their ranks. And now, we find ourselves here, in the wake of his failure, uncovering his lost legacy."
Sahaz Lor, Chasin's third wife, a Cathar zoologist, looked over at the holo-recording, her expression thoughtful. "If Malgus was right, then these systems could have been the foundation of something powerful… something dangerous. We need to be cautious."
As the holo-recording ended, Chasin took a deep breath. "This may be the key to understanding the true nature of the Lost Sector. It's not just about finding forgotten planets—it's about unlocking the potential for something much darker. The Sith may be gone, but Malgus's ambition is still alive in these ruins."
Rylona, tugging at Chasin's sleeve once more, looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Daddy, will we make sure the bad people don't come here?"
Chasin smiled softly, his heart swelling with both love and the heavy responsibility now resting on their shoulders. "Yes, sweetheart. We'll make sure the bad people don't come here."
As the holo-recording was safely stored for further analysis, the Momeoran family and their team of explorers prepared to face whatever dangers lay ahead in the forgotten depths of the Lost Sector. They had uncovered the beginning of a story centuries old.
1:15 P.M., Location: Crusader Explorer 05 Outpost
As the day continues with Chasin Momeoran and his scientists and explorers continue to carefully analyzing the data recovered from the holo-recording device found within the ancient Sith ruins on Kelorith Prime. Chasin Momeoran stood on the observation deck of Crusader Explorer 05 Outpost, his eyes scanning the remote planet's rugged surface, still gleaming with the dust of its long-forgotten past. He had left his team of researchers and scientists to delve deeper into the Sith archives, which hinted at the hidden history of Darth Malgus and his military expeditions in the Lost Sector.
Momeoran's mind was already shifting towards the next part of the mission—the exploration of Kelorith II, the gas giant that loomed large in the distance, 37 minutes away from Kelorith Prime. Kelorith II had long been considered a potential goldmine of rare gases and materials, and Chasin was keen to examine what his corporation's scientists had already discovered.
"Chasin," Mugruco's voice crackled over his communicator, pulling him back from his thoughts. "The team's making good progress on decoding Malgus's holo-recording. We've found references to several more systems he intended to colonize—seems he wasn't just looking for power; he was building a legacy. But we'll need a few more hours to break down the details."
"Good," Chasin replied. "I'll leave you to it for a little longer while I get ready the Shuttle. When the shuttle is ready, I will let you know and to come join us when we head over to Kelorith II to check on our outpost there. Until them See if there's anything of value to extract from the gas giant."
Mugruco's voice over his communicator "Very well Love, I'll keep you updated and but waiting for an update from you when the shuttle is ready until then."
With that, Chasin turned his attention to preparing for the next phase of his expedition. After roughly 40 minutes of preparing his family shuttle he called his family to join him. With the ship ready Chasin contracted the rest of his family and they boarded the Celestial Voyager and headed to Kelorith II.
Time: 2:30 P.M., Location: Kelorith II, Orbit
The Celestial Voyager glided smoothly through the cold, vast expanse of space. Onboard, Chasin was accompanied by Pulchra, Mugruco and Sahaz—along with his children, Rylona and Jarek. The family was silent, each member engaged in their own thoughts as they neared the swirling, massive gas giant.
The scanners began their work as soon as they entered the planet's orbit, mapping the gases and volatile elements that surrounded the planet. Kelorith II, with its dark storm clouds and swirling cyclones, offered little in the way of visual beauty, but the data from the ship's sensors was invaluable. Rylona sat beside her father, fascinated by the large, colorful bands of gas on the planetary surface as she looked out the viewport.
"This planet's huge, Daddy," she said, her voice full of wonder.
Chasin smiled, reaching out to gently stroke her hair. "It's a lot bigger than it looks from here, Rylona. The gases here are like a treasure chest waiting to be opened."
"Are we going to find something cool?" Jarek's shy voice spoke up from the back of the cockpit. He had always been quieter than his sister but was just as eager to join in the family's explorations.
"Maybe," Chasin replied with a wink, "maybe something even better than cool."
The ship's autopilot adjusted as they approached one of the research and expedition outposts orbiting Kelorith II. The outpost had been established by Chasin's corporation six months earlier to begin the extraction of valuable gases from the gas giant, but the potential for more discoveries loomed large. As they closed in, Chasin knew that he would have to check on the latest findings himself.
The shuttle docked with the outpost. The air inside was cool and sterile, the usual hum of science equipment filling the space. A few of the scientists and engineers greeted Chasin as he stepped inside. They briefed him on the current progress of their exploration, but the discovery that caught his attention immediately was the wreckage of several ancient installations embedded deep within the planet's dense atmosphere.
"Commander Momeoran, you should see this." one of the lead scientists, Jalen Norr, said, gesturing to a holo-display showing the scans of the gas giant's interior. "These outposts are showing strange readings—structures that shouldn't be here. They appear to be ancient—likely from the Sith Empire's early exploration of the Lost Sector."
Chasin's brow furrowed. He had suspected something like this, but hearing it confirmed made the mystery all the more intriguing.
"Are you telling me there are Sith-era installations down there? And you couldn't get them out?"
Norr nodded. "Yes, we've tried several retrieval operations, but the installations are too deep. Over the centuries, they've been swallowed by the planet's gas storms and gravity, their wreckage scattered across the depths. Our scans show they're buried under layers of gas and debris. It's as if Malgus's forces set them up as outposts, just like ours."
"How much could we learn from them?" Chasin asked, turning to the scientists. "Could these be connected to his military campaigns or the technologies he was attempting to unlock in the Lost Sector?"
"It's possible." Norr said, his voice tinged with excitement. "But the fact that they're too deep to recover means we can't extract the data. The wreckage is scattered and lost to time."
Sahaz, who had been observing the exchange quietly, spoke up. "Perhaps, though, there's still something we can glean from the materials or gases buried beneath the planet's surface. If the Sith were using these outposts for research, we may find traces of their technologies within the deeper layers. It's worth investigating further."
Chasin thought for a moment, his mind already ticking with ideas. "Agreed. We'll document these findings and see what we can discover from the materials around us. Perhaps something here will help us understand the extent of Darth Malgus's ambitions in the Lost Sector."
As he prepared to make his decision, Chasin couldn't shake the feeling that their search had just begun—and that the mysteries of the Sith were more entwined with their future than they could have imagined.
Time: 6:30 P.M., Location: Outskirts beyond Kelorith II
The Celestial Voyager glided through the black void, leaving Kelorith II's swirling gases and hidden secrets behind. Chasin Momeoran leaned back in the pilot's chair, savoring the sense of accomplishment. The expedition had yielded more questions than answers about the Sith Empire's presence in the Lost Sector, but it had been a resounding success nonetheless. Beside him, Mugruco worked the co-pilot's controls, occasionally glancing over the holo-maps. Pulchra and Sahaz were seated in the main cabin with Rylona and Jarek, entertaining the children as the ship prepared for its jump to hyperspace.
"Course set for the Yaga System." Mugruco said, her lekku twitching slightly in concentration. "It'll be about four hours, give or take."
Chasin nodded. "Once we're there, we'll refuel and stretch our legs. The kids could use a break before the longer stretch home."
From the cabin, Pulchra called out, "Rylona's already asking about snacks. I think she might be more interested in the Yaga System's diners than the ruins we just left."
"Priorities, Pulchra," Chasin replied with a laugh. "Every great explorer needs a good meal."
Jarek piped up, his voice hesitant but filled with curiosity. "Daddy, do you think we'll ever go back to Kelorith II? To find those Sith buildings in the storms?"
Chasin turned his chair slightly to look back at his son, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe one day, Jarek. But that'll take more than just our family—we'd need a fleet of scientists, engineers, and equipment to handle those storms. For now, we've done our part in uncovering their existence. The rest is for history to decide."
Date: January 16, 170 BBY, Time: 10:33 P.M., Location: Yaga System, Planet Yaga Minor
The Celestial Voyager emerged from hyperspace into the well-mapped expanse of the Yaga System. Yaga Minor's gleaming orbital facilities stood as a stark contrast to the untamed wilds of the Lost Sector. The ship docked seamlessly at one of the refueling stations, its crew more than ready for a brief reprieve.
While the shuttle was refueled and inspected, the family disembarked for a meal at a nearby cantina. The station bustled with travelers and traders, its corridors echoing with a mix of languages. Pulchra guided Rylona and Jarek to a booth while Sahaz scanned the menu, her keen Cathar senses picking up the savory aroma of grilled meat.
"This is nice." Pulchra said, smiling as Rylona happily munched on a sweet pastry. "A moment of normalcy after all the excitement."
Sahaz nodded, her feline eyes reflecting the station's bright lights. "Even explorers need a home to return to. This reminds me why we do it—to share these moments together."
After an hour of rest, they returned to the Voyager, ready for the final leg of their journey home.
Date: January 17, 170 BBY, Time: 9:45 A.M., Location: Brartal System, Planet Brartal III
The Celestial Voyager exited hyperspace above the lush blue and green orb of Brartal III. Chasin felt a wave of relief wash over him as he piloted the ship toward the bustling Capital City of Varinal. The city shimmered with morning light, its spires and domes rising majestically against the horizon.
"Home," he said softly, glancing back at his family.
"Finally!" Rylona cheered, clapping her small hands. Jarek smiled shyly, though his lekku twitched with excitement.
The shuttle descended toward the community landing pads near their modest estate. As the ramp lowered, the family was greeted by the familiar scents of flowering trees and the gentle hum of distant city life.
Their estate, nestled in a serene corner of the city, was a sanctuary of calm. It wasn't the grandest home, but it was theirs—a place of warmth, love, and shared memories.
Time: 10:15 A.M.
Inside the estate, the family settled back into their routines. Chasin sat on the balcony overlooking the gardens, Pulchra by his side with Rylona curled up in her lap. Mugruco and Jarek had disappeared into the study, likely looking over the latest artifact scans, while Sahaz tended to the exotic plants she had collected from their travels.
As Chasin gazed at the distant skyline, he reflected on their journey. The Lost Sector held its secrets tightly, but he was confident they had taken the first steps toward unraveling them. Beyond that, he was grateful for the life he had built—a life of adventure, discovery, and the love of his family.
For now, the galaxy could wait. At this moment, he was home.