[Episode 1 Adventure](4)

Chapter Three


Minutes after leaving Coruscant, the Radiant Vll blasted into hyperspace. It was a difficult journey ” to the Darpa Sector, requiring the nav computer to, delicately shift course from one trade route to another before reaching the Esseles system; Some time later, the cruiser exited hyperspace, arriving in orbit of Esseles. “Trinkatta Starships is on the outskirts of the KyCalamsr,” Qui-Gon noted. The captain will land our cruiser at a discreet distance and remain with the ship. From there, we’ll deploy the landspeeder.” Turning to the winged Noro Zak, Qui-Gon continued, “Noro, You’ll fly to Trinkatta, scouting for signs of any unusual activity. Traveling by speeder, Vel, Obi-Wan, and I will meet you there.” Wyeoking into the cruiser’s comm unit to the pilot, Qui-Gon Jinn commanded,

“Take us down.”

Twenty minutes later; Qui-Gon, Val, and Obi-Wan’s landspeeder zoomed away from the Radiant VII. Flying low over a dirt road, Vel Ardux guided the landspeeder at high speed toward the starship factory.

Trinkatta Starships was a huge complex; covering nearly two square kilometers. Surrounded by a high stone barricade the complex contained two karge structures: an observation towed used to monitor incoming and outgoing starships, and a mammoth factory. The factory’s upper levels appeared to be composed of plastaid with arched transparisteel windows, but the old foundation indictated the original building had undergone extensive renovation. Adorning the factory’s roof, three tell chimneys pumped dark blue smoke into the sky. Obi-Wan coughed, then cleared his throat.

“That foul smoke,” he gasped, nodding toward the chimneys. “I doubt T’rinkatta Starships meets environmental regulations!”

Studying the high barricade that surrounded the factory Vel Ardox noted, “It looks like they don’t encourage visitors either.” Slowing the vehicle to hovering stop near the wall, Vel Ardox gazed up, searching for Noro. Her sharp eyes quickly found the flying figure. Noro glided high over the factory, carefully avoiding the rising toxic clouds that billowed from. the three chimneys. Angling his wings, Noro swooped down in a spiraling descent toward the other Jedi. Seconds later, his taloned feet touched down on the ground beside the landspeeder; “A long time ago, this factory must have been a fortress,” Noro declared as Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Yel climbed out of the landspeeder. Pointing to the observation tower, Noro continued, “Trinkatta’s spaceport lies between that tower and the factory. I saw some repulsorlift vehicles and an old freighter parked in the spaceport, but there wasn’t any. sign of the droid starfighters. ” ” “They might be within the factory,” Qui-Gon paused. “Does the wall surround the entire factory?”

“Yes;” Noro answered. “And on the other side of wall there’s a wide moat. A bridge crosses the moat from a security checkpoint”. “Show us the way to the checkpoint Noro, Qui-Gon requested. Noro guided the others around. the barricade to a large stone booth. Beyond the booth, a massive metal door separated the Jedi from the bridge to the starship factory. Two tall security droids stepped out. - from the checkpoint booth. Approaching the Jedi, the droid’s heavy metal feet clanked against the smooth walkway. One droid raised a hand, signaling a halt.

“What is your business with Trinkatta?” the droid asked as its barrel-shaped head scanned the four figures. “We’re looking for a friend of ours Qui-Gon answered “She was supposed to meet us here. She’s a building inspector.” The droid shook its head, which creaked with each turn at the neck. “No building. inspectors here. Only droids. You all must leave now. We’re closing off the chimneys. The factory is about to be fumigated.”

“Fumigated’?” Qui-Gon asked. “But if there are only droids inside, what are you trying to exterminate?”

“Vermin,” the other droid answered quickly. “Now you must leave…” “Look!” Obi-Wan called out.

Following his gaze, the other Jedi saw that the factory’s three tall chimneys were no longer releasing toxic clouds into the air. Seconds later, the high transparisteel windows went dark as smoke began filling the factory. Qui-Gon Jinn closed his eyes in meditation. Upon opening his eyes, he stated,

“I sense Adi Gallia is within this complex… and she may be. injured. We have to rescue her before she’s consumed by the smoke!” Fixing his gaze on the droids, Qui-Gon commanded, “You must let us enter the factory immediately.”

The nearest security droid’s photoreceptors turned red.

“Instructions received from. central droid control,” the droid uttered as it took a step backward. “Trespassers must be terminated”.