Junior Jedi Knights: Vader's Fortress

Now eleven years old, Anakin Solo is on his way to the Jedi academy! The Force flows strongly within him, a sensation he can clearly perceive. His uncle, Luke Skywalker, believes the time has come for Anakin to commence his Jedi training…

Anakin and his companions have just learned a startling revelation! It seems Darth Vader might have recovered Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber from the wreckage of the original Death Star. This lost weapon is rumored to be hidden away within Vader's abandoned fortress located on the planet Vjun. Luke Skywalker concurs that recovering this lightsaber is of paramount importance.

Thus, Anakin and his friends—accompanied by Tionne and the Jedi Master Ikrit—embark on a journey to Vjun in search of the legendary fortress. They face unknown perils, as the secrets concealed within those ancient walls remain a mystery. Even in its abandoned state, the fortress emanates a potent aura of dark power.

However, the most significant threat might still be lurking in the shadows. If they are aware of Obi-Wan's lightsaber…who else possesses this knowledge?

At the landing field on Yavin 4, Anakin, Tahiri Veila, and Uldir Lochett await Tionne's return from her recent travels. Tionne arrives aboard her new vessel, the Lore Seeker, bearing news from a Hutt information dealer on Borgo Prime: Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber is supposedly located within Darth Vader's Bast Castle on Vjun. Due to a crucial meeting with the Chief of State, Leia Organa Solo, on Coruscant, Anakin's uncle Luke is unable to join them. Consequently, he authorizes Anakin, Tahiri, Uldir, and R2-D2 (Artoo) to proceed with Jedi Masters Tionne and Ikrit in his place.

During their voyage to Vjun, Tionne educates the children about the intricacies of lightsabers. They discover that a Jedi Master only initiates lightsaber training when a student demonstrates sufficient maturity and Force aptitude. Furthermore, Jedi devote weeks to acquiring the necessary components to construct their unique lightsabers. Ikrit reveals his decision to forgo carrying a lightsaber after an incident 500 years prior, where he nearly harmed a friend over a trivial dispute. Only Master Yoda's intervention prevented any serious injuries.

Tionne skillfully navigates the Lore Seeker to the base of the rocky spire upon which Bast Castle is perched, while Ikrit employs the Force to stabilize the ship amidst the planet's turbulent storms. Upon landing, Tahiri notices an antiquated cargo shuttle concealed nearby. The group ascends an ancient stairway encircling the rocky spire, braving fierce winds and torrential rain, eventually reaching the rear entrance of Bast Castle.

Impulsively, Uldir strides into the main entrance hall, triggering a barrage of automated Laser turrets. Artoo ingeniously reflects the laser fire, enabling the children to reach the control panel. Tionne joins the fray, deflecting lasers with her lightsaber. Artoo sustains several laser hits as he assists the children at the controls, ultimately succeeding in disabling the laser system.

The group commences their exploration of Bast Castle, eventually dividing to cover more ground. Tahiri and Uldir encounter numerous holographic traps. As the group reconvenes near the traps, Anakin utilizes his Jedi senses to detect a concealed door within the wall. He places his hand against the door, speaks his name, and requests it to open. Within the small chamber lies Obi-Wan's lightsaber. Abruptly, the powerful Orloc, Mage of Exis Station, materializes and seizes the lightsaber. He activates a wall trap, causing Tionne and Ikrit to plummet down a hidden chute. Orloc then vanishes in a burst of light and white smoke.

The children and Artoo pursue Orloc deeper into the Castle, eventually separating. Anakin and Tahiri ascend further into the castle, discovering Vader's private chambers, which contain a hologram of a younger Luke Skywalker. Meanwhile, Uldir abandons Artoo, deeming the droid too slow. Uldir encounters Orloc in the hangar bay. Orloc discerns that Uldir is not a Jedi and attempts to sway the young man to his side. Orloc promises to teach Uldir a simple, effortless method to surpass the power of a Jedi. Ultimately, Orloc reveals his true objective at Bast Castle: to acquire the Holocron located in Vader's private chambers. Uldir hesitates, unsure whether to align himself with Orloc. Orloc presses him for a decision, threatening to kill Uldir if he refuses.

Anakin and Tahiri find themselves on a walkway overlooking Uldir and Orloc. Anakin diverts Orloc's attention while Tahiri slides down a pole to reach the hangar bay below. She attempts to use the Force to wrest Obi-Wan's lightsaber from Orloc's grasp, but fails. Shortly thereafter, Tionne, Artoo, and Ikrit arrive in the hangar. Orloc prepares to attack Tionne with the lightsaber when Anakin instructs Artoo to emit a high-frequency blast to disorient Orloc. As Orloc turns to locate the source of the noise, the lightsaber is forcefully pulled from his hand. Orloc swiftly disappears in a puff of smoke.

Anakin and Tahiri lead the group back to Vader's private chambers. Anakin employs a voice command to unlock a small storage safe, retrieving the Holocron concealed within. The group attempts to activate it, but it is quickly obscured by gray smoke. Orloc has stolen it and flees. The group gives chase, evading trap doors that Orloc triggers to impede their progress. Artoo manages to slam a pair of doors shut in front of Orloc, causing him to fall into a large pit he had just opened. The Holocron flies from his grasp, and Uldir manages to catch it safely.

The group returns to the hangar bay, and Ikrit pilots them down to the Lore Seeker in an old ship. Anakin instructs Ikrit to retain Vader's old ship and fly it back to Yavin 4 with them. Ikrit decides to christen the ship the Sunrider in honor of Nomi Sunrider, a Jedi who was reluctant to wield a lightsaber. Divided between the Lore Seeker and the Sunrider, everyone returns to Yavin 4 with Obi-Wan's lightsaber and the Holocron safely recovered.

• ISBN 9781572971738 ; July 1997 ; Berkley Boulevard ; US paperback [1]
• ISBN 9780425169568 ; January 1999 ; Berkley Jam ; US paperback [3]