I’m sure every hardcore Star Wars fan can recall key moments from the Original Trilogy to the Prequel Trilogy. But let me ask you something about Mustafar. Darth Vader’s approach to the planet stands out among the many iconic scenes. It’s right near the end of the Clone Wars, and the entire Separatist Council—the heads of the CIS—are gathered there.
But here’s the part that always gets me: how did Darth Vader get onto Mustafar so easily? These are the most important figures on the Separatist side, yet their protection seems almost laughably ineffective. How could the supposed leaders of the CIS be taken out so effortlessly?
The Separatist Council Awaits Darth Vader’s Arrival
If you remember the scene in detail, you might recall that the Separatist Council was actually waiting to welcome Darth Vader. This explains why their defenses weren’t prepared for what was about to happen.
When you rewatch the scene, you’ll notice a Neimoidian greeting Vader with the words, “Welcome, Lord Vader. We’ve been expecting you.” Even in the Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith comic adaptation by Miles Lane, the moment is expanded further. It shows Darth Sidious communicating with the CIS council, informing them of Vader’s arrival as Anakin’s starfighter lands on Mustafar.
It’s possible that Darth Sidious explicitly told the Separatist Council to expect Darth Vader’s arrival. Since they likely trusted their new ally, they may have believed they were safe under his protection.
They Shut Down All Defenses, Including Droids and Security Systems
Earlier, I talked about how the Separatist Council knew Darth Vader was coming to Mustafar. But I kept wondering—how did he manage to land his starfighter without triggering their high-tech defenses? I found the answer in Revenge of the Sith’s novelization by Matthew Stover.
The novel explains that someone deactivated the security codes, which allowed Vader to land without any trouble. Here’s the quote:
“The starfighter followed a preprogrammed course toward the planet’s lone installation, an automated lava mine built originally by Techno Union to draw precious metals from the continuous rivers of burning stone. Upgraded with the finest mechanized defenses that money could buy, the settlement had become the final redoubt of the leaders of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. It was absolutely impenetrable. Unless one had its deactivation code.
Which was how the starfighter could land without causing the installation’s defenses to so much as stir.”
On top of that, Sidious himself ordered the complete shutdown of all droids, including those stationed on Mustafar. This left the Separatist leaders completely exposed. I’ve looked back at the Revenge of the Sith comic, and it’s clear as day—Palpatine gave the order to deactivate the droids just before Vader showed up.
This scene is even expanded in the novelization of Revenge of the Sith, where we get a direct conversation between Palpatine and the CIS leaders. It starts with Nute Gunray saying,
“The plan has gone exactly as you promised, my lord. This is a glorious day for the galaxy!”
Palpatine responds:
“Yes, indeed. Thanks, in great part to you, Viceroy, and to your associates of the Techno Union and the IBC. And, of course, Archduke Poggle. You have all performed magnificently. Have your droid armies completed shutdown?”
Archduke Poggle then confirms:
“Yes, my lord. Nearly an hour ago.”
This exchange makes it clear how Palpatine manipulated the entire situation. By ordering the shutdown of the droid armies, he ensured the Separatist leaders were left defenseless, completely sealing their fate before Vader even arrived.