Darth Vader (2017) 17

Summary from the Publisher

As the last vestiges of the Mon Cala resistance are collapsing into the depths, Vader and his Inquisitors finally face the Jedi survivor at the heart of it all. The oceans will cry…

Synopsis of the Story

Order 66

By uttering the words of Order 66, Ferren Barr audibly triggers the inhibitor chips within the Purge Troopers, causing them to attack the Sixth Brother, Ninth Sister, and Tenth Brother. Verla expresses disbelief that his scheme was successful, but Barr assures her that the Clone troopers are essentially droids programmed for obedience. Given that the Inquisitors were once Jedi and the Clone troopers were designed to eliminate Jedi, they would inevitably turn against the Inquisitors.

The Tenth Brother is struck down by blaster fire. When Verla reminds Barr that he was formerly a Jedi and that the Clones will pursue them after dealing with the Inquisitors, Barr reminds Verla that he actively sought her out. With Barr's guidance, Verla jumps over the combatants, and they escape down a hallway. Before they separate, Barr advises Verla to seek a new Jedi master, suggesting that Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda or Quinlan Vos might still be alive.

Concurrently, the Sixth Brother proposes leaping over the Purge Troopers, but the Ninth Sister suggests using a powerful shove to clear them aside. By working together, they propel several Purge Troopers out of their way. Before they can escape down the hallway, the Sixth Brother betrays the Ninth Sister by severing her leg, telling her to distract the Clones while he flees.

Confronting King Lee-Char

At the same time, Darth Vader employs his lightsaber to forcefully enter the Royal Command Bunker, eliminating the Mon Calamari guards. Inside the bunker, King Lee-Char attempts to impede Vader using his blaster, but the Sith Lord deflects the shot, injuring the Mon Calamari in the arm.

Lord Vader then contacts Governor Wilhuff Tarkin, informing him that he has Lee-Char in his grasp. Tarkin instructs Vader to transmit his exact location. When Vader inquires whether Tarkin will dispatch a shuttle, Tarkin responds negatively for the moment, instructing Vader to bring the King to a window. Vader compels Lee-Char to witness Tarkin's three Imperial Star Destroyers bombarding several of Mon Cala's underwater cities, resulting in the deaths of numerous Mon Calamari, Quarren, and Seatroopers.

Despite the ongoing orbital bombardment, Lee-Char refuses to capitulate to the Empire, whom he considers to be beasts. He informs Vader that he understands the Mon Calamari are vital to the Empire's eventual downfall. Vader threatens to kill Lee-Char with a mere gesture and asserts that he has been deceived. Their conversation is interrupted by Ferren Barr, who claims that he provided the King with the truth. Lord Vader declares that they will see and then engages him in a lightsaber duel.

Imperial might and victory

At Mon Cala's South Pole, Commander Ackbar informs Admiral Raddus that they have lost communication with Zeran Town in the northern hemisphere. Ackbar questions whether the Empire is attempting to eradicate them. While the Empire has not yet targeted the southern hemisphere, Raddus anticipates that they will eventually. Recognizing that their interconnected shields cannot withstand prolonged bombardment, Raddus orders the crews to disconnect the cruisers and disperse upon his signal. Until then, he instructs them to continue fighting.

Meanwhile, Vader engages in a duel with Barr, mocking him that his death will be meaningless. Barr asserts that his demise is not certain and believes that he might defeat Vader, having already killed the Inquisitors. Vader counters that Barr cannot defeat him but senses that he is motivated by pride. Barr retorts that he has reason to be proud, as he believes he will be the catalyst for Palpatine's Empire crumbling to ashes.

Barr confesses to assassinating the Imperial Ambassador Telvar, explaining that he could not risk successful negotiations and the delay of the inevitable conflict. As a fugitive, Barr realized that his time was limited, so he decided to ignite a conflict. Lee-Char is outraged that a Jedi would cause such widespread pain and death and orders his commanders to stand down, using Command Code EBB Vortex Nine.

Admiral Raddus is appalled but complies with his King's orders. Lee-Char contacts Tarkin, announcing a ceasefire and willingness to negotiate terms. Tarkin accepts Lee-Char's surrender and sends a shuttle to take him into custody. However, he orders the bombardment to continue as punishment for his earlier defiance. Barr laughs amidst the orbital bombardment while parrying Vader's attacks.

In response to Lee-Char's surrender and the relentless bombardment, Admiral Raddus orders his Mon Calamari fleet to launch. Ackbar protests that these are merely trading ships, but Raddus argues that fleeing is preferable to remaining and dying. When Lee-Char confronts Barr about his deception, Barr responds that he foresaw that Mon Calamari ships would be at the forefront of the "Great Rebellion" in the decades to come and that his people's vessels would become a symbol of freedom and defiance throughout the galaxy.

When Lee-Char points out that billions of his people are dying, Barr claims that these billions will inspire trillions, which was his intention. Vader declares that Barr is not a Jedi. Barr retorts that he may not be a Jedi, but he still surpasses the Sith. Meanwhile, Admiral Raddus' fleet escapes into space. Several ships are destroyed by Tarkin's Star Destroyers. Three ships manage to escape, but Tarkin dismisses them as insignificant. He orders the lieutenant to begin deactivating the orbital cannons.

The Ninth Sister manages to eliminate most of the Purge Troopers, but her fate remains uncertain onscreen. Meanwhile, the Sixth Brother travels on a speeder with several stormtroopers. Verla hides with two Quarren fighters. As he is escorted by stormtroopers onto a waiting Lambda-class shuttle, a defiant Lee-Char tells Lord Vader that the conflict is not over and that Mon Cala will rise again. Vader responds that Mon Cala no longer exists, adding that only the Empire remains.

Media

Editions

• UPC 759606086665; June 13 , 2018 ; Marvel Comics [1] 01711; Cover A; Elia Bonetti, Giuseppe Camuncoli 01721; Cover B; Rod Reis

Cover gallery