This is all under the assumption we can believe juliette and the Other's don't understand Smokey.
Ben and Jules go tho the Flame, and announce themselves, Ben trying to get Mikhail on the walkie first, commenting that he never keeps it on. the Flame is outside the protective fence, I bet Smokey messes with Mikhail, showing up as different people. He probably is driven crazy by the voices too, like at the Hydra. He was thankful to be dead because of his madness, and since his job was destroyed as well. I guess Mik's a hacker as well huh?
I also realized ben probably went to the Hatch because Jack stationed himself there, and wanted to get his plan moving along, prob not thinking the losties would find the place. I think.