Issue number ten of the Marvel comic book series Star Wars: Darth Vader, titled Darth Vader 10, represents the fourth installment of six in the second story arc, entitled Shadows and Secrets. This particular comic, penned by Kieron Gillen and visually brought to life through the art of Salvador Larroca, saw its release on October 7, 2015.
At the Dragon's mansion, the Dragon offers complete submission to Darth Vader, promising full disclosure. Despite the Dragon's willingness to reveal the purchaser of the explosives when questioned by Lord Vader, the Sith Lord kills him utilizing his lightsaber. Lord Vader informs Inspector Thanoth that the Ortolan crime lord had threatened to cause buildings to explode. The Inspector dissents, claiming that the Dragon was merely posturing.
After three failed attempts, Thanoth succeeds in unlocking the Dragon's vault by employing the Ortolan's secretions to decipher the access code. Lord Vader commends Thanoth's investigative skills, acknowledging his talent and persistence. Thanoth pledges to pinpoint the epicenter of criminal activity on Anthan Prime. He suggests to Lord Vader that he should continue the investigation independently, given Vader's notoriety. He indicates that the concluding phase will necessitate a degree of ruthlessness. Vader consents to prepare the strike force and cautions Thanoth against letting him down.
On Naboo, Commodex Tahn and his protocol droid unexpectedly receive Dr Aphra at their villa. Aphra's Ark Angel obliterates his parked getaway starship. Aphra is in command of multiple BX-series droid commandos. Commodex procures a ceremonial blaster rifle, a gift from Senator Padmé Amidala, and eliminates several commando droids. However, Beetee infiltrates through the balcony and vaporizes his protocol droid before disintegrating his rifle. Aphra scolds BT-1 for not stunning Commodex, but Triple Zero retorts that their target remains alive.
Dr. Aphra directs Beetee to ransack the safe, staging the scene to resemble a robbery. Commodex remains defiant, denying his identity. Dr. Aphra deduces his deception by referencing a transcap awarded to Commodex by Senator Amidala. Dr. Aphra is aware that Commodex prepared Amidala's body for burial and inquires about her funeral arrangements. Commodex remains uncooperative, only stating that Amidala was a virtuous Queen.
Dr. Aphra expresses her preference for strength, contrasting her challenging upbringing with his privileged life as a courtier on Naboo. She alludes to a mother who desired to ignore the galactic conflict. Dr. Aphra recounts that her mother sought a peaceful existence on the frontier, but raiders invaded and murdered her. She recounts eliminating the raiders with a cannon she discovered in a cave. Aphra asserts that her father returned, and they lived "happily ever after."
Dr. Aphra employs her tragic story to illustrate that goodness without strength is futile. Commodex counters that Amidala was both a virtuous and formidable queen. Dr. Aphra dismisses this, assigning Triple Zero the task of interrogating him. Commodex refuses to cooperate, but Triple Zero finds him endearing and "loves it when he plays his part." While Triple Zero tortures Commodex, she observes a hologram of his family, commenting on Commodex's fortunate life that has now come to an end.
Following Triple Zero's interrogation, Dr. Aphra discovers that Commodex knew Senator Amidala was pregnant with a son before her demise and that the Jedi concealed the boy's existence. Commodex verifies this information but claims to know nothing further. Under Aphra's command, Triple Zero executes Commodex via electrocution. While destroying Commodex's residence, Triple Zero suggests that they could have extracted more information. Aphra replies that their purpose is to execute their mission, not to indulge in sadism. The group then boards their ship with the remaining commando droids.
On Anthan Prime, Dr. Aphra provides Lord Vader with an update. She informs him that Commodex genuinely admired Amidala before shooting a marauding beast. When Aphra inquires about their next objective, he reveals that another Imperial agent has been assigned to locate the boy responsible for destroying the Death Star, and they must locate him. He instructs her to arrange a meeting with the Ante. When Vader observes that his current adjutant is overly enthusiastic, Aphra questions if there is cause for concern. Vader assures her that he has no apprehensions because Thanoth suspects nothing.