Darth Vader (2017) 11

Summary from the Publisher

A hefty reward is up for grabs for anyone who can take down Vader! Who is bold enough to challenge the Dark Lord's authority within the Empire?

Plot Synopsis

Encounter on Cabarria

Darth Vader, accompanied by the Ninth Sister, journey to a bar located on the Colonies world of Cabarria. They are following up on supposed reports of an incident involving someone using the Force and brandishing a lightsaber. The Ninth Sister questions Lord Vader about their presence at the cantina. Lord Vader dismisses her question as foolish, prompting her to clarify that she was referring to him. The Ninth Sister suspects the report may be false and suggests that verifying it is her responsibility, implying that Vader's presence is unnecessary.

Vader retorts that she should be grateful for his presence, as he believes the Inquisitorius are not yet capable of hunting Jedi independently. The Ninth Sister sarcastically suggests that he is there either to remind her of her lost eye or in anticipation of a lucky encounter. The Ninth Sister points out that different Jedi possess varying strengths, such as lightsaber combat or manipulation. She informs Lord Vader that she excels at reading emotions, an ability that has intensified since embracing the Dark side of the Force. She senses that Lord Vader desires to engage in combat with another Jedi.

Ambush Awaits

Lord Vader commands her to remain outside on their speeder bike and forbids her from entering unless specifically instructed. After Vader's departure, the Ninth Sister quips that the Sith Lord is eager to fight and perhaps even meet his end. Inside the cantina, Lord Vader makes his presence known to the patrons and inquires about the reported Jedi sighting. Bhada Cha, a bounty hunter, recognizes Vader and instructs his daughter Chanath Cha to fulfill her role in their plan.

Chanath employs a tractor rifle to attempt to seize Vader's lightsaber, but the Sith apprentice swiftly retrieves it in mid-air. Guided by her mother Ramat Cha, Chanath deploys an ion grenade to create a diversion. However, the combined force of the tractor rifle and Vader's counter-pull shatters the lightsaber, scattering its pieces. The kyber crystal is dislodged and falls to the ground. The ion grenade also disables the other weapons and blasters within the cantina.

From a balcony, Bhada addresses the patrons, urging them to remain calm, stating that they are solely after Vader, whom he labels as a "Jedi." Ramat adds that all other weapons, including blasters, have been rendered useless, leaving the Chas as the only ones with functional blasters. Bhada clarifies that their intention was to avoid a firefight and minimize innocent casualties while apprehending the "Jedi." A Twi'lek and a Mon Calamari voice their disagreement, prompting the Chas to activate their personal energy shields.

As they launch their attack on Lord Vader, the Sith requests assistance from the Ninth Sister, informing her that he is under attack by bounty hunters who have detonated an ion pulse and destroyed his lightsaber. He asks her to bring him hers, but the Ninth Sister feigns communication failure, secretly hoping for Vader's demise in combat as retribution for her mistreatment.

Meanwhile, Vader utilizes a table and the bodies of at least one patron to shield himself from the blaster fire of the Cha family. Concerned about the escalating collateral damage and the depletion of their shield batteries, Ramat persuades her husband and daughter to retreat. As they escape, Lord Vader recovers his kyber crystal.

Escape from Vader's Fury

The Cha family flees into the parking area and commandeers a green speeder bike after holding the Ninth Sister at gunpoint. When Chanath inquires about the identity of their adversary, the Ninth Sister ominously replies that they will soon discover the truth. A furious Lord Vader emerges from the cantina and accuses the Ninth Sister of fabricating the Jedi sighting and hiring the bounty hunters to assassinate him.

The Inquisitor denies any involvement in hiring assassins to kill Lord Vader, stating that she is neither a genius nor an idiot. When Vader suggests the involvement of other Inquisitors, she reminds him that the Inquisitors were once Jedi and now serve those who killed Jedi. The Ninth Sister implies that if he seeks traitors, he need not look far. When the Sith Lord threatens her with her own lightsaber, the Ninth Sister maintains her innocence in the assassination attempt. Lord Vader orders her to remain behind while he pursues the bounty hunters, threatening her with death if she disobeys.

As Ramat pilots the green speeder bike, she and Bhada debate the true identity of their "Jedi" target. They question whether their target was truly a Jedi, given his use of innocents as shields. Lord Vader, riding a black speeder bike, overtakes the hunters. He deflects Bhada and Chanath's blaster bolts using the Ninth Sister's lightsaber. Bhada considers using ion grenades, but Chanath reveals that she left them behind. Vader manages to obstruct their path by damaging a nearby hovertruck, causing it to collide with their speeder bike.

Unveiling a Conspiracy

The Cha family survives the crash thanks to their personal energy shields. However, they are cornered by a vengeful Lord Vader, who uses the Force to levitate Chanath and holds the Ninth Sister's lightsaber to her throat. When he demands to know who hired them, Bhada replies that it was an anonymous job obtained through the Hunter Net. Ramat adds that they were motivated by a desperate need for money. Vader declares this unfortunate before threatening Chanath's life.

In an attempt to save her daughter's life, Ramat offers her skills as a slicer to trace the job back to its source. Vader demands immediate action, but Chanath's parents insist on their daughter's release first. They threaten to withhold cooperation if Vader harms their daughter, with Bhada stating that she is their reason for living and that they are willing to die alongside her. Moved by their familial devotion, Vader relents but demands proof of their ability to fulfill their promise.

Ramat claims she can access the Hunter Net and pinpoint the location of the system where the kill order originated. She discovers that the contract originated on Coruscant, the galactic capital. Honoring his agreement, Vader releases Chanath. Bhada instructs Chanath to flee in order to survive, but makes her swear to Lord Vader that she will not seek revenge. He explains that this was merely business, a part of their family's profession. He begs Chanath not to give Vader any reason to pursue her. Ramat implores Chanath to make the pledge.

Chanath swears to forgo revenge and declares that nothing transpired there that day. Vader accepts the deal and instructs Ramat to continue her search. While bypassing the encryption, Ramat discovers that the contract originated within the Republic Executive Building in Coruscant's Senate District. She concludes that the assassination order came from the highest echelons of the Galactic Empire.

Production Notes

The printed version of Darth Vader 11 mistakenly attributes the cover art to Giuseppe Camuncoli and Francesco Mattina, instead of Camuncoli and Elia Bonetti.

Available Media

Editions

• UPC 759606086665; February 14 , 2018 ; Marvel Comics [1] 01111; Cover A; Elia Bonetti, Giuseppe Camuncoli 01121; Cover B; Rod Reis

Cover Images