On the planet of dangerous myths, shocking fables and unspoken legends, there is also beauty. Dispersed around the untamed world are flaws; cracks formed through thousands of years. Glacial rivers rushing and destroying cliffs, racing and scooping away the soil and digging crevices untouched by all but a handful of explorers from ages long past. Isolated at the southern tip of Ilum, this particular ravine is close to the planet’s core. No-one ever dared to dive directly down into the darkness of the ravine, instead opting for laser drills that bore a tunnel into the nearby glacier. Uncharted and unexplored, this passageway is a place of nightmares for those who venture to its depths. The half-eaten carcasses of explorers who have met an untimely end litter the ravine’s descent—a warning to those who might choose to venture too far. Whether these men and women fell to their deaths, or had been murdered remains lost to the long-forgotten histories of the ravine.

The antechamber of the Crystal Cave is wide and cavernous with a winding walkway carved out of the stone itself and smoothed over with glacial elegance. The pathway ascending upwards to the top of the cave where a resilient sheet of ancient stone weathers against the raging winds from Ilum’s winter skies. At the base of the walkway is a platform of old stone used for meditation in times past.

Leaving the main antechamber leads to other tunnels carved and abandoned by miners and treasure hunters. Glinting like candlelight against the unforgiving darkness of the deep and untrodden cave, translucent clusters of kyber crystals crystals reflect the light. Untouched for a millennia, the value in this chamber once sparked an entire battle between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. The sides of the cavern stretch vertically, terminating in a vaulted arch that was carved with embellishments some time ago. On each side of the walls, various ports and alcoves distinguish in the light. Some are known to be rivers of purified water, as displayed by the translucent sheets of ice glistening along the alcove walls.

Locke studied the crystal formations of the cave. Then he closed his eyes and breathed deeply, reaching out with the Force. Though he utilized the dark side, the Augur still enjoyed the feeling of pure Force energy, and this place radiated with it. He opened his eyes again, looking for any crystals that might be easy to remove. Sang had sent him here to retrieve a handful, if possible. As Ilum was not in Brotherhood space, Sang had known it could be dangerous, and had thought Locke up to the challenge. For his part, the Augur was happy for the chance to escape from the intrigues of the Brotherhood for a time.

He went back to meditating, feeling the calm, soft currents of the Force. They were comforting. They were like a warm blanket, almost like-

Locke detected a break in those currents at the same moment that the Force sent a warning signal through his mind. The Augur dived sideways, narrowly missing a blaster bolt that singed his robes and impacted on a rock wall ahead. Locke pushed his back up behind a towering crystal structure, fishing out his blaster pistol. He barely had time to think about who might be attacking before the structure was shattered by another bolt, crystal fragments raining down on Locke. He scurried forward this time, trying to keep the remains of the pillar between himself and his unknown attacker. Finally, Locke slid behind a rock and heaved a sigh of relief as the next shot failed to penetrate it.

"Who's there?" he called, voice echoing across the chamber. He thought for a moment and added, "that really hurt," in a grumble. Maybe his attacker would assume him weak and reveal themselves.

"I believe we know each other, Locke," a familiar voice said. It took Locke a moment to process it.

"Bentre?" he asked, incredulously. Why had the Proconsul followed him here? The two barely knew each other.

"Yes," Bentre answered. "Unfortunately, you are in the way, and your time is up." His words were punctuated by another blaster bolt.

My time? Locke wondered. He didn't know what Bentre was talking about. Was this some move for power? It was as likely as anything. Then he needed to convince the other man that he was an asset, or at least distract him enough that the Augur could gain an advantage.

His line of thought came to an abrupt halt as Locke heard the tell-tale beeping of a thermal detonator echoing around the cave. The Augur cursed. He didn't know where it was, but he wasn't going to take his chances. He jumped up and turned around, backpedaling away from where he assumed Bentre to be. Locke fired wildly, not even having time to aim, and his shot hit nothing. Unfortunately, Bentre was ready, and his own blaster bolt struck Locke's right shoulder, causing him to hiss in pain. The Augur retreated behind a stalagmite, bracing himself as the detonator deleted rock formations from existence and shook the cavern.

Fortunately, he was outside the radius. "Bentre, will you at least tell me what this is about?" he yelled.