| This article is a fanon expansion of a topic from the Expanded Universe. For the canon page entry, see here. |
Criton's Point, more formally known as "XQ-8452-9334" and once known as Artemis, was a highly secretive and quarantined planet in the far north reaches of the galaxy. The Pentastar Alignment's vested interest in the planet's affinity for the force and ancient force artifacts initially dug up by a Thrinittiki archaeologist led to the planet becoming one of the Alignment's most closely-guarded secrets.
Back when the planet was known as Artemis to early interplanetary civilizations, it was one of several astronomical bodies settled by the Celestials in 100,000 BBY. The wider purpose within Celestian civilization is unclear, however some Alignment-aligned xenoarchaelogists speculated that it could've been "a canvas world of self-expression" as many structures unearthed in 4 ABY seemed purely artistic and ceremonial in nature. Many of these structures had a distinct but clear connection to early Coruscanti architecture which only furthered the theory.
At some point around 90,000 BBY, the Mortis gods used the Celestian planet as an early prison world for Abeloth after her fall. It was notably one of the precursors for the Mortis monolith, a massive astronomical structure constructed by the combined efforts of the Ones that resembled a double-sided pyramid. However instead of a physical monolith, the Ones formed a thick and hostile nebula as a protective curtain that both helped shield the planet from most radar technology and halted Abeloth's growing power.
Sometime after the Clone Wars in 2 BBY, Ardus Kaine rediscovered the planet during his time on Revyia. It would be kept underwraps from much of the galaxy and Galactic Empire. The small number of people who somehow learned of it's existence (often Imperials in high-ranking positions), also were aware— to an extent, of the ancient Library of Xer.
Description[]
Criton's Point was as remote and uninviting as it was dangerous. It's surface was dotted with unforgiving poisonous flora and fatal rupturing gas-leaks from mountain cave formations.
A mysterious shuttle lands on the surface of the planet
Transit to Criton's Point[]
Hyperspace jumps were also not possible considering all the travel hazards surrounding all angles of the astronomical body. Travelling to the quarantined planet was thus deemed extremely risky without the use of the transit tunnel. The nebula surrounding the planet was thick and full of space-borne creatures that were capable of ripping apart entire Star Destroyers. The buoys that were present all throughout the tunnel were outfitted with high-pitched sound frequencies that warded off much of the aforementioned creatures at bay, they also were capable of creating a rough perimeter clear from nebula gas for safer transit. Starweirds were particularly dangerous as a naturally more stronger and damage-resistant sect was known to venture beyond the nebula and sometimes even onto the planet.
The transit tunnel's numerous buoys were used to ward off space-borne creatures that resided within the nebula
It was for this reason that keeping the buoys functioning were extremely critical for the occupants of the planet itself.
Sometime after the rediscovery of the planet and subsequently transit tunnel, Ardus Kaine imposed safety regulations for incoming and departing Imperial vessels. This included keeping spare functioning buoys in the hangar bay in the event that a buoy was destroyed.
Behind the scenes[]
Criton's Point was inspired by an unnamed planet in the Doctor Aphra comics that featured a similar alias. A desolate moon orbiting a black hole and a dense star was considered for the role Criton's Point would play in the story but was ultimately cut.
See also[]
- Ardus Kaine
- Criton's Point system
- Pentastar Alignment