"No - I am your father." In the wake of the events following The Empire Strikes Back, it is a dark time for the heroes of the Rebellion. The Rebel fleet – scattered following a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Hoth. Han Solo – lost to the bounty hunter, Boba Fett, after being frozen in carbonite. And after being lured into a trap on Cloud City and bested in a vicious lightsaber duel against the evil Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker – learned the horrible truth about his past. Vader did not kill Luke's father Anakin—Vader is Luke's father! Now, after narrowly escaping the dark lord's clutches, and wounded and reeling from the revelation, Luke, Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, the Wookiee Chewbacca and the droids C-3PO and R2-D2 must fight their way back to the Rebel Alliance—for the fate of the entire galaxy is at stake! After so many losses is victory still possible? But, what Leia, Luke and their ragtag band of freedom fighters do not realize is that they have only traded one Imperial trap for another! Enter the cunning and vengeful Imperial Commander Ellian Zahra, at the helm of the Tarkin's Will! Writer Charles Soule (DARTH VADER) and artist Jesus Saiz (DOCTOR STRANGE) are taking us all to the galaxy far, far away next year! With covers by RB Silva (POWERS OF X)! THE GREATEST SPACE ADVENTURE OF ALL TIME BEGINS THIS JANUARY!
Luke Skywalker sits aboard the Millennium Falcon, flashing back to the moment on Cloud City when Darth Vader revealed his true identity as Anakin Skywalker. Meanwhile, Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian argue about whether they should stage a rescue attempt for the recently-captured Han Solo. There is tension among the crew (which also includes Leia Organa, C-3PO, and R2-D2) due to Calrissian's recent betrayal. Calrissian points out that while they are not currently equipped to rescue Solo, they do know where he is being taken: Jabba's Palace on Tatooine. Organa asks Skywalker what happened when he battled Vader. Skywalker replies that he reached out in the Force to Obi-Wan Kenobi, but Kenobi did not answer. Organa tells Chewbacca to set a course for the Rebel Alliance fleet, and the Falcon jumps to hyperspace.
Commander Zahra watches the battle.
Meanwhile, at the Alliance's Rendezvous Point Delta-Three in the Mid Rim, the fourth division of the rebel fleet is being torn apart by Imperial starships. Aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer Tarkin's Will, Commander Zahra watches the carnage. Lieutenant Gorr compliments her on her battle tactics, which involved trapping the rebel fleet between the Imperial blockade and a star. Zahra replies that she thought of it years ago. As they talk, an X-wing starfighter slips through their blockade, attempting to escape the battle. Zahra transfers one of the Star Destroyer's guns to manual control and fires, destroying the rebel ship.
Elsewhere in the battle, a rebel CR90 corvette navigates its way through the destruction. On board, rebel soldiers Needle and Frell discuss the pros and cons of space battles. Ignoring them, their colleague Kes Dameron stares out the window, watching an A-wing starfighter engage the enemy. The A-wing is being piloted by his wife, Shara Bey. Bey and her Green Squadron allies are being overwhelmed by the Imperial starfighters when one of them detects a ship coming out of hyperspace. It is the Millennium Falcon.
On the Tarkin's Will, Gorr informs Zahra that Organa is most likely aboard the Falcon. Knowing Organa's importance within the Rebellion, Zahra diverts a TIE fighter squadron to attack the ship and orders the other Star Destroyers to direct fire at the Falcon.
Organa hails the other ships, asking how the Millennium Falcon can help. She is told that the blockade needs to be broken in order for the fleet to jump to lightspeed. Despite Calrissian's protests, she plans to attack a command cruiser to put a hole in the Empire's blockade. Organa leaves the cockpit to man one of the Falcons guns as a squadron of TIE fighters approaches. Calrissian tells Chewbacca to let him pilot and, after some hesitation, the Wookiee agrees. Despite his injuries, Skywalker decides to take control of the Falcons belly gun.
Back in the cockpit, Chewbacca prepares to use the Falcons recently-installed missiles to attack the cruiser. However, the Falcon is struck by a blast that seriously damages its shields.
At the belly gun, Skywalker suffers a crisis of confidence as he flashes back to the loss of his hand and his recent parental revelation. Outside, the TIE fighters are preparing to finish the Falcon off when they all lose control of their ships, crashing into one another. It is Skywalker, unconsciously using the Force. Now undeterred by the TIEs, the Falcon makes its attack run, disabling the command cruiser. Seeing the hole in the Imperial defenses, the rebel ships mount their escape.
On the Tarkin's Will, Gorr informs an angered Zahra that over ninety percent of the rebel ships managed to slip through their blockade and jump to hyperspace. Zahra leaves to speak to Darth Vader via hologram. Zahra tells the Sith Lord that they were unable to destroy the fleet due to the interference of the Millennium Falcon. Vader orders her not to attempt to destroy the Falcon due to an important individual aboard, and tells her to locate and destroy the rest of the rebel fleet.
The rebel fleet regroups.
Meanwhile, at Backup Rendezvous Point Gamma-Nine, the rebel fleet regroups. Despite Calrissian's considerable help during the battle, Organa does not yet trust him. She asks a rebel leader how the Empire was able to find their division of the fleet. The leader tells her that it was not just them that were found, but also another division simultaneously. Organa realizes that this means the Empire must have cracked the rebel codes. They are unable to warn the other divisions, as it would alert the Empire to their locations. Calrissian points out that the other divisions could be destroyed for all they know.
Elsewhere on the ship, Skywalker attempts to contact Yoda through the Force. When his one-time master does not answer, he becomes frustrated and nearly shatters the window behind him. He wonders aloud whether Yoda and Kenobi's lack of communication are a sign that he is no longer to be trained as a Jedi, and he wonders what his purpose is without his training.
- UPC 759606096008; January 1, 2020; Marvel Comics; First printing
- Star Wars Vol. 1: The Destiny Path