Doctor Aphra #10 represents the tenth installment in the Marvel comic book series entitled Star Wars: Doctor Aphra. This particular comic was penned by Kieron Gillen, showcased artwork by Kev Walker, and was officially made available on July 26, 2017.
- Aphra is back, this time armed with a completely new scheme guaranteed to generate wealth!
- However, there exists a minor complication…
- It necessitates her surrounding herself with some of the most notorious evildoers in the galaxy.
- And they are not fond of Aphra's deceptive tactics! [1]
Triple Zero informs Dr. Chelli Lona Aphra, as she applies lipstick, that the potential buyers are awaiting their presence. Addressing the assembly of bidders, Triple Zero announces that personalized meetings have been arranged for all parties interested in submitting genuine offers. She instructs the attendees to relax while awaiting their turn and to refrain from transforming the resort into a combat arena.
An Ximpi representative of Papa Toren notifies Dr. Aphra that one of the entities Papa Toren represents wishes to personally inspect the artifacts before committing to an offer. Dr. Aphra advises Papa Toren to expedite the process while she attends to the initial bidder, Thomas Toov. Toov asserts his ability to outbid the other contenders and divulges his intentions to utilize the Rur crystal for achieving immortality. He intends to perpetually oversee his business operations.
Subsequently, Dr. Aphra intervenes to prevent an impending altercation between the Son-tuul Pride and the Hutt Sutha. However, Sutha reveals that he and the Son-tuul Pride have mutually agreed to consolidate their bids. Privately, they contemplate exploiting their partners should their collective bid prove unsuccessful.
Dr. Aphra then proceeds to engage with the Cyban Front, whose red colored leader is overseeing the repairs being conducted by an 8D-series smelter droid on the fallen blue droid, which had been possessed by Eternal Rur. The Cyban Front's representative argues for the Rur crystal's destruction due to the inherent risks of technopathy. He states that the Cyban Front is offering a substantial reward for its destruction. Dr. Aphra expresses reluctance to destroy the Rur crystal, deeming it excessively valuable. At this point, Triple Zero and BT-1 interrupt the smelter droid, volunteering to complete the repairs on the blue droid.
Dr. Aphra engages in a meeting with the xenophobic Ezaraa delegation, who aspire to dominate the universe. They propose offering 0.0001% of their Imperial revenue in exchange for Dr. Aphra and her subsequent ten generations. Dr. Aphra dismisses the offer as insignificant. The Ezaraa leaders threaten to condemn Aphra and her descendants as "forever heretics," destined for eternal torture within their torture facilities. Dr. Aphra states that she will consider their offer. In private, Triple Zero assures her that the Ezaraa Dominion is confined to two continents. Dr. Aphra questions the wisdom of inviting the Ezaraa.
Later, Dr. Aphra convenes with two red-haired representatives from the Shadow University within a lavish garden setting. She considers their offer inadequate, but the male academic clarifies that the compensation includes unique artifacts and unrestricted access to the Shadow University's archives, encompassing the Rur crystal. Transitioning to a more coercive approach, the academics disclose their awareness of the fraudulent manner in which she obtained her doctorate and her subsequent concealment of the evidence. They propose allowing her to retain her title if she accepts their bid. Dr. Aphra responds that she is a self-serving individual willing to resort to any measure for financial gain and that anyone who presumes otherwise will face repercussions before departing.
Shortly thereafter, Papa Toren reappears and reveals that his clients are, in fact, the Xonti Brothers, catching Dr. Aphra and Krrsantan off guard. Black Krrsantan initiates a confrontation with the imposing alien Kthoo-Ra, only to be electrocuted by the alien, who possesses cybernetic enhancements. Triple Zero and BT-1 escort Black Krrsantan to the medbay. The Xonti Brothers inform Dr. Aphra of their intention to utilize the Rur crystal to construct disposable androids capable of repeated reconstruction as a speculative business venture.
In the medbay, Dr. Aphra attends to the unconscious Black Krrsantan. She instructs Triple Zero to awaken him. The Wookiee briefly assaults Dr. Aphra, but Triple Zero manages to pacify him by offering to allow him to repay his life debt upon receiving payment. Black Krrsantan releases Dr. Aphra, much to her relief. Triple Zero informs Dr. Aphra that the Shadow University has significantly increased its bid to slightly over a third of Toov's. Dr. Aphra decides to accept the Shadow University's bid to safeguard her doctoral title.
Dr. Aphra and her entourage return to the ballroom, where Triple Zero distributes transponders to the bidders. Black Krrsantan takes exception to the Xonti Brothers' presence, but Dr. Aphra persuades him to remain calm. Dr. Aphra rejects the bids from Sutha-Soontha, Toov, the Xonti Brothers, and the Ezaraa, opting to accept the Shadow University's bid. Before Dr. Aphra can arrange shipment to the Shadow University, the cylinder containing the Rur crystal suddenly emerges, shocking everyone, including Dr. Aphra.
Eternal Rur, having been installed by Triple Zero and BT-1 within the blue droid, wields two blue lightsabers to extract himself from the cylinder and advances forward. Gun turrets also deploy from the ceiling. Eternal Rur declares to Aphra and the astonished bidders that they will experience Rur and his unbridled rage.