Lava is mined like a precious natural resource on this volatile and volcanic world. 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.

A mechanical construct of machinery meant to extract valuable minerals from the magma trapped within its reservoir, the mining facility itself is worked all hours of the planet’s rotation by the native Mustafarians, which is bathed in an endless night, illuminated only by the molten rock. 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.

Negotiations between Clan Taldryan and the people of Mustafar had been going on for several hours. Taldryan, rather than sending one of their leaders to the hell-like world, had ordered Andrelious J. Mimosa-Inahj there instead. The Warlord’s protests that the planet was useless to them had fallen on deaf ears, and the ex-Imperial had begun to admit, if only to himself, that he perhaps underestimated its value.

“That’s our final offer. The price you’re asking is well beyond what any reasonable person would pay,” Andrelious hissed. The mining facility’s administrator was driving an incredibly hard bargain, even after the Taldryanite had bluffed his way in.

The Mustafarian buzzed at the Warlord in his own language. Andrelious glanced over at the protocol droid that was serving as his interpreter.

“At the price you’re asking, you might as well try and conquer us, Mr. Mimosa-Inahj. To give you such a price would shut us down,” the droid translated.

Andrelious serious expression curved downward into a frown. “You will give me the price I asked for. And you won’t give me any more problems,” the former Imperial declared, waving his hand under the large table.

Again, the alien spoke in his own native language. The droid’s translation indicated that its master had been easily swayed by the Sith’s use of the Force.

“We’re all agreed then. My organisation will be most pleased,” Andrelious said, smirking. As he confirmed the deal with his signature, a second protocol droid burst into the room, followed by a man with thick blond hair and blue eyes. The Warlord’s eyes were drawn to the new arrival’s belt, where he spotted an unmistakable object. The man had a lightsaber.

“Do not give this man anything. His so called organisation will have you enslaved in no time,” the stranger warned.

The Mustafarian buzzed angrily, waving his arms around and glaring at the Humans.

“We’re not going to be host to any squabbles! I suggest you both either behave, or leave,” one of the protocol droids translated, its voicebox unable to replicate its master’s anger.

“And who in the name of Palpatine are you?” Andrelious hissed, glaring at the new arrival.

“How dare you mention his name. You do not represent him, or his ideals,” the other Human snapped back. “So you’re with Scholae,” Mimosa-Inahj observed. “Not that it matters. I suggest you back off. Your pathetic little imitation of the Empire’s too late this time,”

“My name is Lucyeth. And to me, it looks like I got here just in time to save these people from making a mistake,” the Palatinaean declared, whipping his lightsaber from its clip.

“I must remind you that no weapons are to be drawn during-“ one of the droids began. Lucyeth’s lightsaber chopped the automaton in half. Its counterpart began to flee, followed by the facility administrator. Lucyeth was now left alone in a room with a Warlord of the Sith.

“Nice move. Can’t stand those things. Always fussing about,” Andrelious stated, having activated his own lightsaber in the meantime. The crimson glow from the matching lightsabers bathed the room in an eerie light, only enhanced further by the glow of the lava.

“Typical Taldryanite. Trying to talk me to death. No wonder your Clan’s on the decline,” the Warrior responded.

Andrelious chose to answer not with words, but by charging at Lucyeth with an almost feral growl. The Palatinaean calmly lifted his own lightsaber to easily block the attack.

Finding his every hack, slash, dip and dive matched by his opponent, Andrelious quickly grew frustrated at his complete lack of progress. Blocking a counter attack, the Warlord stepped back and tried to command the Force to hurl Lucyeth into the air, but found his enemy was already nullifying his attempts.

“You’ll have to try harder than that,” the Warrior declared with a smirk.

“When I am through with you boy, your clan will never forget the name Andrelious and once I slaughter you I can bring this Mustafar deal to the rise of my clan,” snarled The Taldryanite.

“Your clan is in the past, Scholae is the new face of the brotherhood. Taldryan is old jedi washed up in their own past,” sneered Lucyeth as he ran to the other side of the room.

The force augmented speed helped but Andrelious charged behind him with his anger fueled rage. Lucyeth swung his lightsaber toward the charging feet of his opponent but he jumped in the air to avoid the attack and came down with a hacking motion. Lucyeth brought his own blade to bear and was able to effectively parry. The pair locked swords with equal skill.

“Trying to run so soon?” bantered Andrelious which only enhanced the palatinaean’s fury.

“You wouldn’t be able to keep up with that gut old man,” sneered Lucyeth. The warrior extended his hand down toward the ground with a clenched fist. All his anger channeled into the ground like a wave as his opponent was slammed into the opposite wall. The warrior charged at his opponent to seize the opportunity but screamed in pain as blue tendrils of force energy erupted from the fingertips of Andrelious in attempt to boil Lucyeth from the inside out. Lucyeth brought his lightsaber up quickly to absorb the oncoming assault. He had to do something quick. Lucyeth pushed his mind with everything he had toward the Taldryanite through anger and his searing pain from arcs of electricity. The force of the blast hit his opponent like a wall causing Andrelious to drop his lightsaber. The crimson blade extinguished as it hit the floor and Lucyeth regained strength to take care of his now defenseless opponent.

Lucyeth is Disqualified for not meeting the 450 wors minimum.