Darth Vader #22 represents the twenty-second installment within the Marvel comic book saga titled Star Wars: Darth Vader. This specific issue saw its release on June 29, 2016, and its narrative is crafted by Kieron Gillen, complemented by the artistic contributions of Salvador Larroca.
- Vader confronts Cylo alongside his cybernetic-enhanced agents.
- The Executor's construction nears completion, aligning with its scheduled launch.
- Concurrently, the assassin droids turn against their "master." [1]
As Krrsantan's Auzituck anti-slaver gunship draws closer to the Super Star Destroyer Executor, Triple Zero mocks Doctor Aphra, asserting that she'll regret his choice to surrender, sarcastically suggesting that certain fates surpass death via blaster.
Upon touching down in the Executor's hangar, Dr. Aphra informs the stormtroopers that Lord Vader instructed them to escort her and ensure her secure confinement. As Dr. Aphra is escorted away, she attempts to issue a revised priority directive to Triple Zero, aiming for her extraction. However, Triple Zero and Beetee reveal their independence from her control. Dr. Aphra finds herself powerless as the stormtroopers lead her away.
Simultaneously, the scientist Tulon Voidgazer initiates Experiment 428, commanding the cybernetically augmented rancor to engage Darth Vader. The Sith Lord severs a claw from the rancor utilizing his lightsaber. Nevertheless, Voidgazer has implemented neural dampeners to suppress the rancor's pain and trigger adrenaline stimulants.
The rancor propels Vader into a corner. Lord Vader is unable to employ Force choke on the rancor due to its reinforced thorax. Ultimately, the rancor corners Lord Vader. Despite Voidgazer's claim that her cyberanimate system overcomes weaknesses, Vader utilizes the Force to thrust his lightsaber through the rancor's nostrils and into its brain, resulting in its demise.
Voidgazer expresses horror that Vader has broken the cyberanimate link. Lord Vader derisively informs her that she lacks understanding of the Force. Voidgazer counters that she has no interest in his superstition and instead trusts in science. Confronting Vader, she expresses that she would have been disappointed if she hadn't had the chance to test his work directly against him.
In the meantime, Dr. Cylo informs Morit Astarte that Tulon is engaging Lord Vader. Morit voices concern that she will kill Lord Vader, but Dr. Cylo clarifies that she is merely delaying him. He asserts that Dr. Cylo's actual task is complete and orders his flagship to exit hyperspace. Dr. Cylo's vessel emerges from hyperspace above the Executor, which is docked at the shipyards orbiting the planet Kuat. He commands the activation of Voidgazer's protocols before proceeding to the escape pods with Morit.
Dr. Tulon unleashes her blaster droids on Darth Vader, controlling them remotely. However, Lord Vader employs the Force to seize control of one of the droids, causing it to fire upon Dr. Tulon. As she succumbs to her injuries, Dr. Tulon informs the Sith Lord that she has already achieved victory and expresses gratitude to Grand General Cassio Tagge for assigning her to a crucial position while Lord Vader was distracted by allowing the criminals who absconded with the Son-tuul Pride's fortune to escape.
As Dr. Cylo's fleet approaches, General Tagge commands his gunners to prepare all batteries. However, their weapon systems, controls, doors, and starship systems cease functioning. Emperor Palpatine contacts General Tagge via holoprojector, expressing his sensing of a disturbance and hoping that nothing is amiss. General Tagge and his crew are incapacitated by sleeping gas.
An Emperor's Royal Guard informs the Emperor that they have been isolated from the rest of the ship and are operating solely on their life support system. Dr. Aphra is also rendered unconscious in her cell by the sleeping gas.
The dying Tulon reveals to Vader that she implemented the requested enhancements to the Executor's firing range but also incorporated some of her own modifications. She declares herself a martyr for science and claims immortality. Lord Vader proceeds to the command bridge, situated above the whale-ship's brain. He discovers that Dr. Cylo has set his flagship on a collision trajectory with the side of the Executor and the orbital shipyards. Vader finds himself unable to alter the ship's course.
A triumphant Dr. Cylo laments the loss of his ship, acknowledging its service. He states that he will remember her fondly as the weapon that brought about the end of Darth Vader. Dr. Cylo and Morit Astarte then proceed to their new flagship, the disabled Executor.