Recently jumping out of hyperspace, 21 year old Jedi Knight, Ben Skywalker, disengaged his Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor from the hyperspace transport ring and quickly maneuvered his ship, evading large asteroids. The young Jedi easily positioned the painted blue and white fighter away from the asteroid field. Ben checked his diagnostics and computer interface, and with everything the way he wanted it, he engaged the auto-pilot.
"Alright, R2, patch me in to the station. Remember to keep our line private…"
R2-D2, now snugly held in the astromech port of the starship, responded approvingly using the usual droid binary code of language. Ben read, "Contacting Station Phoenix now" on his onboard computer interface. It took about two minutes till Ben got a response.
Suddenly, Ben heard, "This is Sanola Ti of Station Phoenix. Ben, how goes your expedition?" The woman's voice was low toned and coarse.
"So far so good… I ran into an asteroid field like you said. Currently, I'm in route to Mustafar. I should arrive their within the hour."
"That's good to hear. I would have thought you'd have some trouble with that ancient starfighter kid." At the last comment the older woman laughed. "Still, I can't think what the Force could achieve by having you to go to a planet like Mustafar…"
It was silent before Ben answered. "Me neither, but if I've learned anything over the years it's to trust the force, even in the most …peculiar moments." It was true that back on Ossus Ben had visions of himself going to Mustafar, surprisingly to uncover a secret of some sort. What Ben hadn't told the Jedi Order of was what he knew of Mustafar. Of it being the site of where his grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, had dueled his old master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. And how he knew Anakin had lost the duel, and consumed by his hatred had become the dreaded Darth Vader. Still Ben had been urged to go to Mustafar.
"Well hurry back Skywalker, your cousin has asked that you contact her when you return."
"Will do. Skywalker out."
Disengaging the auto-pilot Ben sped towards the red planet, Mustafar, now only a few hundred meters away. Ben efficiently stabilized the starfighter as he guided it through the empty blackness around him. A series of high-pitched whistles and beeps came from R2 as they shot through space.
"I know R2. Activate the stabilizers and open the flaps."
As Ben made his way closer to the small planet he dove his ship, entering it's atmosphere. He felt the extreme heat as he piloted the ship down. Using the ships internal and external cooling systems effectively, the small ship stayed together. Ben sighed as he broke out of the atmosphere into the thick air. R2 made another usual set of beeps as Ben surveyed the red world. It was dark. Besides the volcanoes and enormous mountain-like formations there were an abundant amount of lava rivers, from his view Ben saw that they flowed violently throughout the planet. Ash and smoke rose from rivers into the air.
"R2, use your navigational system and locate the Mensix Mining Facility." On-screen Ben read, "Locating mining facility AG3-T". It wasn't long before suddenly the screen switched from letters to a 3-D view of a mining installation.
"Alright, R2, patch me in." "Contacting.", Ben read on his screen.
Suddenly a voice came in, "This is mining facility AG3-T here. Who are you?"
"This is Jedi Knight, Ben Skywalker. I wish to land at your station. Can you grant me permission?"
"…Of course Master Jedi. We will be awaiting your arrival." Ben felt the voices sudden show of fear that quickly left him as he spoke.
"You have my thanks", replied Ben as he ordered R2 to fly them to the station.
It had almost been half an hour when Ben finally reached the station. With a gentle bump R2 had landed the ship in the station's hanger. Ben opened the hood of his ship and climbed out. As Ben planted his feet to the ground R2-D2 released himself from the ship, and was lowered to the ground from beneath it. The blue and white astromech droid rolled and positioned himself beside Ben. As Ben gave the droid an approving smile he felt a sudden sense of fear from a nearby source. As he looked in the source's direction he came across a mustafarian walking directly towards him. This would be Ben's first time in the presence of a mustafarian. The alien was tall, thin, with very long arms. From it's characteristics and of what Ben knew of the species he could tell, it was of the Northern clan. Ben's long cloak swayed in the wind as the tall alien strolled over.
"Hello, Master Jedi. My name is Da'Vi Mikroi, the chief overseer of this mining facility", the maroon skinned alien said bowing.
Smiling Ben said, "I am Ben Skywalker, of the Jedi Order. Presently, I am searching for something on the planet, and if I could use your facility for the time being it would be much appreciated."
"Of coarse. We mustafarians hold the Jedi Order in high respect here. Any help we can give you, we will do willingly. If I may ask, would you happen to be the son of the legendary, Master Skywalker? He aided our people once before and has gone on to do many wonderful things for the galaxy."
"Actually, yes. My father is the current Grand Master of our Order."
"Good, good. I am glad to hear that. Now if you'll follow me…" At this Da'Vi turned and walked back to the door he'd just left.
"Let's go, R2." Ben began walking and was followed by the short droid who rolled on his three legs. R2's head rotated about as he surveyed their surroundings. Whispering to the droid Ben said, "Don't worry, R2. I know if anything bad happens you'll save us."
Da'Vi led them into a compact security office. Along two parallel walls sat several mustafarians, like Da'Vi, who were stationed at numerous computer consoles. Some of them turned their long necks to look at them while others continued their work. Da'Vi motioned for one of workers to come over with a hand. This mustafarian looked younger than the rest, Ben noticed his arms were slightly shorter.
"This is my son, Emi. He will show you to your quarters." Da'Vi quickly turned to his son and speaking in their native language, from what been could tell, said, "Show him to Block 2-6."
"Follow me", said the young mustafarian.
Following Emi, Ben and R2-D2 traveled to the quarters of Block 2. Using a key-card Emi unlocked the empty compartment. He gave Ben the key-card and left.
It was about an hour until Ben arranged for a transport skiff, for movement around the austere world. After Ben boarded the hovering platform R2-D2 rolled in behind him. They sped away from the mining facility and headed east. Behind Ben R2-D2 made numerous beeps and chirps, making Ben smile.
"I know exactly where we're going R2. It's the site where me and my cousin's namesakes had there notorious clash. Remember? You were there…"
With more sounds from R2-D2 Ben continued heading east. It was half an hour until he finally stopped at the base of a large volcano. Dismounting, Ben and R2-D2 walked along the river. It was quiet for the moment as Ben watched the lava flow serenely past them. They trekked several more meters until Ben was abruptly stopped. Out of no where Ben was unexpectedly overwhelmed by a intense emotion of unfathomable pain, and suffering. The emotion was so strong that Ben had to clasp his lightsaber fastened to his belt. Suddenly Ben felt his heart being taken by absolute darkness. The dark energy was strong and ruthless. Quickly calming himself Ben channeled waves of light side energy to emit from himself. The power was called Force Light. It was a power he'd heard of his cousin, Jacen, awaken during the end of the Yuuzhan Vong War. The dark energy quickly subsided as Ben continuously used the great power. After a few moments it was entirely gone…
Ben stood for a while as he reflected on what had just transpired. "This must be the place where his fall truly transpired", Ben thought to himself.
"Hello, R2. Long time", came a young voice behind him. Immediately, Ben turned around. What he saw astounded him, for now beside R2 was a translucent, dim, blue man. The man's hair was long, he was tall, and wore Jedi robes. His face was young, about as old as Ben's, and there was a single thin scar running down the side of his right eye. The late Anakin Skywalker was now staring back at him.
"Hey, Ben. We've never met. I'm your grandfather, Anakin."
"…Nice to meet you." Ben was still taken by surprise.
"I see you've grown to be a powerful Jedi. I'm proud…"
"Well people in our family are usually strong in the force…". Ben managed a smile.
Anakin Skywalker laughed at the last comment. "Your right about that. I'm pleased that you were able cleanse the dark side manifestation I left over."
Ben thought for a moment before he replied. "I'm guessing you were the reason I was having the visions…?
"Actually no. I knew someone of my family would one day do what you managed but, …I had always assumed it would be your father. You know you remind me of him Ben. You share our strength…"
"Yea, well dad has been busy…"
"I know, I check in on him from time to time. Since you here I must tell you something Ben. It is of grave importance that you listen closely..." R2-D2, unknown to Ben, had been recording their conversation the entire time. "In the following events to come a powerful force will emerge from the Outer Regions. It will be powerful, enough even to topple the Republic, Jedi, and the Sith. This force must now go unchecked or the entire galaxy may be swept aside…"
"I understand… What I don't however is why you're telling me this. Why did you wait for this moment, why not just appear to my father and tell him?"
"I'm not sure been. What I do know is that whomever were to come to the site of my dark side cross over, and use the power of Force Light, they would play a major role in the struggle that is to come."
"I understand. I will go to the council immediately and relay the information."
"Yes good Ben, I see you've also become very wise like your father. There is something else I have to tell you, two things really. One, an old family member will soon be returning. His premature death has been overlooked. And two, after you venture back to the council and everything is settled I want you to go to the planet Dagobah."
"This just keeps getting weirder…", replied Ben. "I have another question though." Anakin smiled to Ben's slight irritation. "What's at Dagobah?"
"It's good that you question everything you do, commendable even. You're being sent to Dagobah because that is the site of where I and a few of my friends will hold your training. They like I know of the events to come great importance. We all need you strong, stronger than any past Jedi. Stronger than even me and your father combined…" Anakin smiled and said goodbye to R2-D2 as he simply faded away.
"Stronger than any past Jedi", Ben began to think to himself. After a few moments he finally said, "Come on R2. ...We're leaving for the Jedi Praxeum on Yavin 4." R2 made questioning tones and beeps. Ben turned and said, "It's where my father is, and where the council will meet. Let's go."