Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi embarked on a quest to the Bright Jewel Cluster during the year 37 BBY. Their objective was to locate Sando, the offspring of Baroness Omnino. Prior to this expedition, Omnino had arrived on Coruscant. Upon her arrival to confer with Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum, the Jedi successfully prevented an attempted assassination on her life. Shortly after, she was informed of an attack on her son's vessel, prompting her to request Jinn and Kenobi's assistance in rescuing him. Jinn and Kenobi located Sando's vessel adrift in the vastness of space. Upon boarding, they discovered that Sando and his crew had been slain by Mantellian Savrips, creatures that were being held captive within the ship. Only one Savrip remained alive, and the Jedi swiftly eliminated it. Subsequently, the Jedi traveled to Ord Mantell to delve into the reasons behind the ship's transportation of Savrips.
Upon reaching Ord Mantell, the Jedi uncovered that Sando's ship had made a stop at the Bold moisture plant, an establishment managed by Orin Bold and his daughter, Nella Bold. The Bolds, however, professed ignorance of Sando's whereabouts, instead sharing their own predicament involving the crime lord Taxer Sundown. Sundown was posing as a Jedi and appeared to wield mind control abilities. Accompanied by Nella, the Jedi ventured to Ten Mile Plateau to investigate Sundown's activities. Sundown dispatched thugs wielding lightsabers, all under his mental domination, to intercept them. During the ensuing conflict, Nella was taken captive.
The Jedi gave chase to Nella's captors, only to find that they had been attacked by Savrips. Interrogating a surviving scout, they learned that Sundown was headed to the Bold moisture plant. The Jedi then divided their forces, with Kenobi returning to the Bold plant while Jinn tracked the Savrip tribe. Jinn discovered that the Savrips had rescued Nella and were, in fact, sentient beings. Sundown had falsely attributed numerous murders to them, including that of Nella Bold's mother. Meanwhile, Kenobi observed Sundown meeting with Orin Bold. Sundown revealed that he had manipulated Orin into becoming an unwilling accomplice through mind control, even forcing him to murder his own wife when she discovered the truth. Kenobi launched an attack on Sundown, who managed to escape in his ship. He then flew back to Ten Mile Plateau, where he encountered the Savrip tribe. He attacked the Savrips, but Kenobi caught up to him and destroyed his ship. Sundown perished in the crash, and the Jedi discovered a Mind control device affixed to his head.
Soon after, Omnino arrived accompanied by Chancellor Valorum. Jinn came to the conclusion that Omnino was the mastermind behind the entire scheme. She confessed to her involvement, believing herself to be invulnerable now that she had gained control of Valorum through her own mind control device. She further explained that they were capturing Savrips for use as a food source, as they were considered a delicacy by Venans. Jinn feigned allegiance to her momentarily, only to get within striking distance and decapitate her. Shortly thereafter, Mantellian citizens arrived with the intention of slaughtering the Savrips, but Jinn intervened, exposing Omnino and Sundown's deception.