"Skippy the Jedi Droid" is a story told across eight pages in comic form, specifically within Star Wars Tales 1, and it was penned by Peter David. The narrative unfolds in the time leading up to and during the events of Episode IV, casting R5-D4 in the role of "Skippy".
Obi-Wan Kenobi exits a cantina, sensing an emanation of the Force from an unknown presence. Despite his profound connection to the Force, his search yields no results. Simultaneously, and unbeknownst to Obi-Wan, an astromech droid working at Jabba's Palace has a collision with Boba Fett, causing a drink to spill from its tray. However, before the drink can fall, the droid, identified as R5-D4, uses his mental abilities to right the drink and deliver it to Jabba the Hutt. Fortunately, the event transpired so quickly that it went unnoticed.
Later, R5 utilizes the Force to remove his restraining bolt. He then employs a Force persuasion technique to convince the Gamorrean guards to permit his departure. Skippy spent days wandering the desert, seeking his purpose, until he was eventually picked up by a Jawa sandcrawler. While aboard, he experienced visions of Darth Vader and Princess Leia, and he encountered R2-D2 and C-3PO. Ultimately, the Sandcrawler halted, and all the droids were lined up for inspection by Owen Lars and Luke Skywalker. Skippy immediately detected the Force within Luke and influenced Owen to select him. Skippy felt overwhelming joy at the inevitable destiny that awaited him and Luke.
However, R5 soon foresaw that, without Luke, stormtroopers would seize R2 and return him to Vader, resulting in his destruction and Leia's death. This would trigger a series of catastrophic events, including the downfall of the Rebellion, the erasure of R5's memory after 3PO refused to translate his 'rubbish', and Luke's death on Tatooine before he could fulfill his destiny. Recognizing what needed to be done, R5 intentionally caused a small internal explosion, leading Luke to believe that his motivator was faulty. Skippy then used the Force on 3PO, prompting Luke to purchase R2 instead. Owen complied, leaving R5 to be destroyed by a stray stormtrooper shot during the subsequent raid, with no one ever knowing the magnitude of R5's sacrifice.