On Mustafar, three infants were crying desperately as several medical droids examined them and prepared them for horrific experimentation.
A holographic communicator was conducting a transmission with the Dark Lord of the Sith.
Darth Sidious observed the Rodian infant with cold satisfaction. "Soon, your crying will cease forever."
A medical droid rolled over to the holographic projection and delivered its report: "Master, subjects of this age rarely survive the mental conditioning protocols. If we waited until they were older—"
"Risk is an acceptable variable," Sidious interrupted sharply, his gaze shifting between the Nautolan infant, the Rodian child, and finally the human girl secured in cage-like restraints. "These children possess abilities far too valuable for the Jedi to squander. I envision an army of Force-wielding operatives serving my will, trained in the dark side, capable of seeing into every corner of the galaxy from vast distances." As he focused on the human baby girl, he released a chilling chuckle. "And my enemies will be powerless against such foresight."
While the Sith Lord continued examining the captive children, the chamber door opened and a tall figure entered.
"My Lord."
"Ah, Tol Skorr," Darth Sidious greeted him, and the fallen Jedi immediately dropped to one knee in submission.
"I'm pleased Count Dooku was able to dispatch you here on such short notice."
"Lord Sidious, what are your commands?" the dark side acolyte inquired.
"There is much work to be done," Sidious explained ominously. "These younglings represent the future of the Sith Order and must be protected while the droids conduct their experiments. Mustafar may be remote, but the Jedi are resourceful and may well discover this location."
"Master, your will shall be accomplished," Skorr vowed with unwavering loyalty.
After receiving a satisfied nod from the Dark Lord, Sidious turned to the medical droid. "Begin the preparation phase immediately."
Meanwhile, Anakin and Pietro had been traveling through hyperspace and finally reached their destination.
"So this is Mustafar?" Pietro said, obviously disturbed by the hellish landscape. "It certainly looks inviting."
"Indeed. R2, prepare for atmospheric entry," Anakin commanded.
Everything was in readiness, and the dark experiments were about to commence. However, before the conditioning equipment could be attached to the first infant, a tactical droid approached the fallen Jedi and delivered an urgent report through the holographic link.
"A starship is approaching our position, and it's not the bounty hunter's vessel."
"Could it be Jedi forces?" Skorr asked with obvious concern.
"It must be," Sidious concluded grimly. "Protect the test subjects and transport them to the secondary facility immediately. I'm afraid we must abandon this installation. Ensure that no evidence falls into Jedi hands."
"Of course, my Lord."
"Deactivate the repulsor platforms and allow this facility to sink into the lava flows."
As the holographic transmission ended, Skorr began implementing his evacuation protocol.
The Twilight touched down on a stable landing platform, and Pietro, Anakin, and R2-D2 disembarked into the oppressive heat.
Pietro could barely contain his revulsion. "Oh man, this is seriously like stepping into the depths of hell itself."
Anakin shrugged grimly. "A rather... accurate assessment."
"I hope those children are still here," Pietro said, staring at the ominous facility ahead of them.
"We're about to discover the truth."
R2-D2 rolled ahead of both humans, interfacing with the security panel and opening the main entrance for them.
Entering the structure, Pietro frowned with obvious unease. "My instincts are telling me there's something seriously wrong about this place."
"The Force confirms your suspicions," Anakin said slowly, his expression darkening. "The dark side is extraordinarily strong here."
"What exactly does that mean?"
"It means we've found the right location."
As they moved through the facility's corridors, Pietro's enhanced hearing soon detected the faint sound of infant crying.
"Do you hear that?"
"I hear it, Pietro." Anakin closed his eyes and focused intently on the sound. After a moment of concentration, he identified the source. "This direction!"
Pietro accelerated forward while Anakin used the Force to enhance his own speed and follow the Avenger. The crying became increasingly distinct as both men drew closer to their objective.
Arriving at a secured chamber, Anakin ignited his lightsaber while Pietro positioned himself behind, coiled like a spring and ready to sprint forward the moment Anakin gave the signal to extract the children.
As the reinforced metal door fell to the ground after being severed by Anakin's lightsaber, Pietro rushed inside, followed by Anakin with his weapon still ignited to provide illumination in the darkened room.
Upon entering the chamber, both rescuers felt their hearts sink as it became difficult to see clearly in the dim lighting.
Pietro spotted that the nearest restraint crib was empty and cursed in frustration. "Damn it! We're too late."
"I don't believe so—"
A baby's desperate cry echoed through the chamber, and both men turned to see a medical droid rushing toward Anakin while carrying a Nautolan infant in its mechanical arms.
To Pietro, the droid appeared to be moving in slow motion. He was already accelerating toward it when he delivered a devastating elbow strike to the droid's head, completely destroying it while safely securing the child in his protective grasp.
"Anakin Skywalker."
Anakin immediately raised his lightsaber toward the unexpected voice while Pietro shielded the Nautolan infant with his body.
Before them stood an imposing figure clad in dark armor and robes, wielding a crimson lightsaber with obvious expertise. Behind him, another medical droid held a Rodian baby in its mechanical grasp.
The dark warrior himself was holding the third child—a human baby girl—in his other arm with callous disregard for her safety.