Allegiance 3

PRECEDING THE THRILLING MOMENTS OF STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER! Decades have passed since the Empire's occupation enslaved their world, and now some individuals are prepared to do whatever it takes to prevent another conflict from staining the waters of Mon Cala with blood.

After their confrontation with the Quarren criminals, Rey, Rose Tico, and Chewbacca find themselves brought before the Royal Court of Justice situated within the Throne Chamber in Dac City. General Leia Organa expresses to her allies that initiating a scuffle during sensitive negotiations was unwise. Rose wishes to offer an apology, but Leia is concerned that it might not suffice to appease King Ech-Char. Rey mentions Rose intended to apologize to her directly. Leia cautions them against instigating any further problems in the coming months.

General Nossor Ri presents the ailing King Ech-Char, who will oversee the proceedings. Ech-Char informs Leia that he has treated her with respect due to her historical connection with the people of Mon Cala, but her group has overstepped. Nossor Ri suggests that Mon Cala cannot afford to be swayed by sentimentality, alleging that the outsiders have launched an unprovoked assault on their citizens. Chewbacca voices his disagreement with a roar, prompting Rose to remark that his behavior is unhelpful. Rey attempts to clarify that they did not initiate the attack, but Leia reiterates her warning against causing further incidents.

Aftab Ackbar defends Leia's companions, questioning why a gathering of Nossor Ri's supporters happened to be present at the platform where the visitors' ship was docked. He notes that Nossor Ri associates with certain violent individuals. When Nossor Ri accuses Aftab of failing to show him the same respect that his father Gial Ackbar had, Aftab retorts that Ackbar perished fighting the First Order while Ri remained hidden in Mon Cala's depths.

Nossor Ri claims that Aftab is ignorant of the severity of Imperial rule. Leia interjects, warning that internal conflict only benefits the First Order. She implores the Mon Calamari and Quarren to unite in keeping the galaxy free from the tyranny their ancestors fought against decades prior. Chadkol Gee proposes resolving the dispute through the ancient rite of challenge. Ech-Char objects, stating that the rite of challenge is an antiquated and brutal custom that has not been practiced for centuries.

When Rey inquires about the nature of the rite of challenge, C-3PO explains that it is a trial by combat where participants fight to the death. The remains of the loser are typically fed to krakana. Rey agrees to accept the rite of challenge in exchange for the freedom of her friends. She argues that they lack time for endless debate and that the rite of challenge is the quickest method to clear their names and sway the Mon Calamari to their cause. Leia cautions that this type of challenge is irreversible. Rey states that she does not wish to see her friends suffer and is confident in her ability to defeat Chadkol.

Chadkol clarifies that he will not be Rey's opponent in the rite of challenge. He reveals that she will instead face Arkay-Nine, a modified Aqua droid that serves as his personal security droid. Chadkol elaborates that the droid is a relic from the Battle of Mon Cala during the Clone Wars. A disheartened C-3PO expresses his hope that the other Resistance Mission is having a "better experience."

Concurrently, at Base 354-23X, Finn and Poe Dameron secure themselves within a storage room. Kendoh Voss informs Finn that he can either surrender or be killed, adding that the First Order will compensate them regardless. She instructs Wooro to increase the power of the laser cannon, which is breaching the blast door. Poe assures Finn that he will not allow him to confront the bounty hunters alone. Finn attempts to reassure Poe that he has a plan, but Poe is skeptical. Finn explains that his plan involves climbing through the ducts to distract the bounty hunters, allowing Poe to arm the weapons on the ship and then rescue him, believing that the bounty hunters are unaware of Poe's presence.

After breaching the door, Kendoh sends Wooro into the storeroom while Poe and BB-8 conceal themselves behind a crate. Finn proceeds with his escape, but falls through a hatch, landing on the Clawdite Remex Io. Poe realizes that Finn's plan has gone awry. Finn attempts to hold Io at gunpoint, but the Clawdite uses his shape-shifting abilities to transform into a Lasat and then a Wookiee. Although Io gains the advantage, Wooro accidentally stuns the Clawdite instead of Finn. Finn flees, while an enraged Kendoh orders the Aqualish bounty hunter to capture Finn.

Returning to Mon Cala, Rey engages in a duel with Arkay-Nine in an arena filled with Mon Calamari and Quarren. Rey evades the droid's large blades but struggles to inflict significant damage. Rey is forced to dodge the droid's laser fire, some of which strikes the spectators. Concerned for the safety of Rey and the audience, Rose persuades Chewbacca to break free and seize a blaster to target the droid's core processor.

Arkay-Nine eventually corners Rey. As she confronts the droid, Rose grabs a blaster and destroys the droid's head. Rose justifies her actions, stating that she would not allow her friends to suffer while she could intervene. Realizing the implications of her actions, Rose apologizes to General Organa for disrupting the negotiations. Leia reassures her that no warships are worth sacrificing their principles. Chadkol expresses outrage at the interference with the rite of challenge. King Ech-Char agrees and orders the Resistance to depart from Mon Cala immediately.

Returning to Avedot, Kendoh instructs Basso Mak to encircle the Resistance's ship to prevent Finn's escape. Basso expresses concern about the lights, but Kendoh orders him to remain at his post. While BB-8 manipulates the lights at Base 354-23X, Poe begins loading blasters onto the Resistance freighter.

Elsewhere in the base, Poe encounters Wooro. He attempts to incapacitate the Aqualish, but the burly bounty hunter knocks him to the ground. Overwhelmed, Finn flees into a hangar where he discovers a parked T-47 airspeeder. Finn fires a harpoon gun at Wooro, impaling and incapacitating him with the gun's recoil.

At the Resistance camp on the garbage planet of Anoat, Lieutenant Kaydel Ko Connix informs General Jonato and R2-D2 that they have received reports of several First Order Star Destroyers heading towards Mon Cala. They attempt to warn General Organa and her group, but discover that the First Order is blocking communications across the Mon Cala system.

Back in Dac City, Aftab escorts General Organa and her party to a shuttle that will return them to the Millennium Falcon. He apologizes for being unable to guarantee their safety on the streets and for the failure of her mission. Leia assures Aftab that he did his best and that Admiral Ackbar would have been proud of his son. Aftab responds that Ackbar would not have allowed isolationists like Nossor Ri and Chadkol Gee to outmaneuver him as they did. Rey notices an unidentified Quarren carrying a crate onto their shuttle. The shuttle then detonates.

• UPC 759606094158; October 23 , 2019 ; Marvel Comics ; First printing [1] 00311; Cover A; Marco Checchetto 00321; Cover B 00331; Cover C; Mike McKone & Jason Keith