During the time of the Clone Wars, Mace Windu, a Jedi General, along with the forces of Lightning Squadron, were dispatched to the planet of Ridlay on a mission to determine why communications had ceased. After conversing with the inhabitants of Ridlay, Windu learned that they had been assaulted by what they believed to be spirits, which arose from the Ascension Well during the planet's eclipses, a phenomenon that took place every fifty years. By the mission's conclusion, Windu became convinced that the so-called ghosts were, in reality, subterranean natives who surfaced only when the eclipses occurred.
While exploring the well, Count Dooku, the Head of State for the Confederacy of Independent Systems, appeared and confronted Windu and his clone troopers. Dooku's intention was to transform the ghost-like beings into soldiers for the Separatist cause. A lightsaber duel ensued between Dooku and Windu, ultimately leading to Dooku's strategic withdrawal.