Lava is mined as a precious natural resource on this volatile and volcanic world. The opposing gravitational forces of the twin gas giants closest to Mustafar tear apart the planet’s surface to reveal the mineral-rich lava flows underneath. Once serving as the capital world for the Confederacy of Independent Systems, remnants of their past influence still linger. Massive mining facilities - originally constructed by the Techno Union - are still maintained by the native Mustafarians, an egocentric people who would like nothing more than to squeeze minerals for the purposes of trade and commerce from their volcanic planet.

Other than in the pursuit of business interests, few arrive on Mustafar save for those needing to incinerate evidence in its vast expanses of magma. What little curiosity is given to the volcanic planet is thwarted by a natural scanning interference caused by intense geological activity. Pirates, smugglers, criminals and scum all value this world’s ability to dump bodies, tracked cargo shipments and other unwanted articles—the singular reason for the Black Sun’s interest in the Outer Rim world.

Droids, machines and conveyor belts create the workings of an efficient system to extract the minerals and have it prepared for refinement and transportation. Lacking a suitable surface, metal walkways are shielded against the heat to allow workers passage throughout the facilities. Even with the worst of the heat being shielded against, Mustafar’s temperature remains less than comfortable to most species lacking exoskeletons.

Beyond the blistering heat of the volcanic world, Mustafar served as the battlefield for the fabled final duel between Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.

“It is hot as a bantha’s crack here, Max. I don’t think I can handle it anymore.” Droveth groaned as he wiped the sweat from his bald head once again. His robes had served no purpose but trapping moisture to his body, soaking him through every layer. He grasped longingly at the empty water jug he had grabbed from the ship. “I’m so damn thirsty.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have dumped it all on your head.” Maximus chuckled, handing his Jedi compatriot his own jug. “Don’t waste all mine now,” he chided as the Peacekeeper hastily gulped down the water. A flurry of ash rained down onto the two Jedi, sticking into their sweat and giving the appearance of snow. They moved anxiously across a catwalk towards their final scouting location.

Mustafar was a hellhole, they both agreed, but had little choice in the matter. Droveth had counted himself lucky to have such an agreeable partner for this mission. While he and Maximus may cast a stark contrast when walking side-by-side, their personalities were well suited for each other. The past few days had been almost fun, if not for the constant heat and rivers of lava. As they approached a doorway Maximus held his hand up. Both men strained to sense any presence within the room.

I believe the room is empty, Droveth’s thought penetrated the Ranger’s mind, startling him.

“If it’s empty, you could have just said it.” Maximus sighed as he willed the door open, careful not to touch the superheated metal with his exposed hand. The room appeared to have functioned as a control station at some point, though its days of action were long past.

“No one has been here for years, another dead end.” The Peacekeeper groaned, removing his sweat soaked robes and laying them across a defunct panel. Steam sizzled up from the cloth.

“I was actually looking forward to the fight. We’ve been chasing lose ends for days.” The gears slowly turned in Droveth’s head. He looked up with a grin and met the eyes of Maximus, who clearly had come to the same idea.

“I mean, they don’t know when we’re gonna be back. We could spar for a little while?” the bald Jedi suggested. The Ranger agreed enthusiastically, throwing off his robes and retrieving his hilt. Emerald and azure flooded the control room and illuminated the two Odanites. Droveth was the first to move, dashing forward with his lightsaber extended to the left, outside of his body. He flourished it with intricate spins and twirls. Maximus stood his ground, both hands gripped tightly to his hilt.

The Peacekeeper spun his body right at the last second, attacking from the opposite side. Maximus hurriedly brought his blade up to parry, sparks showering down between the two of them. Droveth brought his right elbow up to the Ranger’s face while simultaneously sweeping his left leg; Maximus deflected the strike but was rendered off balance and slipped. As he fell backwards, he closed his eyes and focused the Force into his palm.

A powerful blast crashed into Droveth’s chest and he dropped to one knee, sliding back a few feet. His lightsaber dug into the floor and sent another burst of sparks into the air.

Looking at the slightly taller bald Peacekeeper in front of him after picking himself up off the ground, Maximus couldn’t help, but shake his head a bit.

“Is this really what you want? Just because we couldn’t find the kind of action you wanted to here, I promise you this seems more than a sparring match. We have the slave camp the Jedi Praxeum for that Droveth,” Maximus said are he raised his eyebrows to see how far he could take this match.

“I thought it would be a bit more fun to see how far I could push a War Hero,” Droveth said, with a grin on his face brushed off his left shoulder while holding his lightsaber in his left hand.

“Oh we got jokes huh. I got no worries pressing you to the maximum threshold, but I hope you came prepared. I pride myself in a great fight. You think you could take me with just your saber and neither of us using Force powers? Maximus responded with a laugh as he quickly began spinning his golden lightsaber from side to side.

Immediately Droveth ran towards Maximus and sprung in the air with his lightsaber overhead as he came down towards Maximus who had assumed a defensive positioning as Droveth smashed down into Maximus blade as sparks began to fly. The two began to swap blows with each strike illuminating the walls of the room around them.

“Nice offensive tactics, but it’s going to take more than a few leg swipe and aerobatics for you to win this sparring match,” Maximus roared as he systematically blocked the flurry of blows Droveth delivered.

Droveth panted heavily as he stood back, his body thick with sweat. What was formerly beads now was a constant downpour. The Peacekeeper hastily ripped off his cuirass and threw it to the floor. He wiped the burning from his eyes and looked across to his opponent, who looked in no better shape. Maximus was 20 feet away, but steam wafted up through the floor grates and sporadically blocked his view. Even in the worst visibility, the Jedi could still see the glisten of sweat and the glimmer of his golden hilt.

The two Odanites had gone blow for blow for nearly an hour, neither able to get the upper hand. Without manipulating the Force they found themselves quite evenly matched. As the fight had drug on, the Peacekeeper could feel his strength fading. Maximus surely had to be just as exhausted, but he hid it well.

As another cloud of steam moved into position, Droveth dashed forward across the room. He channeled some of his remaining energy in his legs and burst through the cloud. The Ranger was ready with azure blade ignited, but the Peacekeepers’ was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he leaned backwards and used his momentum to slide past Maximus, catching both of his legs and whipping him to the floor.

Though the Ranger was able to get his hands up and protect his face, his head still emitted a tremendous thwack as it made contact. He groaned loudly and rolled over, fighting the ringing in his ears. Droveth sat beside him on his knees, using all his remaining strength to stay upright.

“You cheated.” Maximus spat a mixture of blood and sweat as me spoke.

“Just… a little.” Droveth wheezed back. “I'm done. I got nothing left.” The Ranger sighed and rolled over, slowly pushing himself to his feet. He then reached down and helped Droveth up. Though both Odanites were clearly exhausted, they still had enough energy to laugh. With neither quite able to stand, they supported each other on the long, painful walk back to their transport.

Maximus quickly jumped to his feet, displaying a great combination of balance and coordination. Looking over at Droveth, he was prepared to weather the onslaught the Peacekeeper was prepared to deliver against him. Mind over matter, Maximus told himself, as he began to analyze the opponent in front of him.

Maximus turned off his lightsaber, taking his cue from Droveth who did the same with his own blade.

“Glad we are going to make this a real fight,” Maximus said with a laugh as he quickly adjusted his stance.

Droveth utilized the moment Maximus took to regain his setting in order to focus the Force, pulling Maximus towards him as he began to pivot to grab Maximus. He was attempting to throw Maximus to the ground, utilizing his primary combat form, Whiptree.

Maximus, however, countered as the Peacekeeper opened himself up for the throw by striking Droveth directly. The withering two head strikes unbalanced the Marauder. In that moment Maximus focused the Force to with telekinesis to throw a devastatingly invisible sledgehammer to smash the Peacekeeper, sending him reeling from his feet.

Realizing the opportunity was opened against Droveth, Maximus quickly began to maneuvering over the Peacekeeper, hoping to position himself upon his foe to force him to submission. Tired, but still focused, Droveth attempted to use Maximus’s momentum against him as they grappled. This stratagem worked, and allowed him to reposition himself against the submission. Maximus was now directly on top of his opponent, with a neutral advantage. Maximus knew he needed to use his might along with his clinching skills from Wrruushi to punish his opponent into submission.

Maximus quickly threw one more head-strike as he swung around to Droveth’s left arm and seized it quickly, bending it against its natural position. It was only a matter of seconds before the Peacekeeper quickly tapped the ground with his right arm.

“Well, not too bad of a fight, but I did think you would have lasted a bit longer,” Maximus said as he let go of Droveth’s arm.

“Indeed, I didn’t realize your might and ability with combat grappling would have been this effective,” Droveth responded as he began catching his breath.

“It was fun. We will have to do it again,” Maximus responded with a smile as he reached out to help the Peacekeeper up.

“Yes, we will good friend,” Droveth replied as he reached out for Maximus hand.