The lead guard, a grizzled Twi'lek with a scar above his eye, regarded them warily. "You shouldn't be here. This temple is a sacred place. The crystal is not for sale."

"We mean no harm," Kess said, holding up her hands in a peaceful gesture. "We're here for the kyber crystal. Can we discuss this?"

As they entered Ryloth's atmosphere, the ship was buffeted by strong winds and sandstorms. Kess expertly guided the Marauder's Revenge through the turbulent air, her hands moving with a practiced ease over the controls. Vex watched, mesmerized, as the ship shuddered and lurched, but remained stable.

Kess smiled wryly. "I'm afraid we can't leave without it. We have... buyers who are very interested in acquiring it."

"Kess, I'm picking up a strange energy signature coming from the surface," Vex said, her eyes locked on the scanner display. "It looks like... an ancient Twi'lek temple."