Doctor Aphra (2016) 40

A ROGUE'S END! Every silver lining has a cloud. Regrettably, the same holds true for every dark cloud. And likely for all the gray areas in between. It's complicated. The audacious archaeologist known as DOCTOR APHRA has managed to evade her destiny for a remarkably long duration, exceeding all expectations. However, her luck has finally run out. DARTH VADER is relentlessly pursuing her through the obscure depths of an age-old temple, and this time around, only one of them will emerge unscathed.

The narrative commences with Dr Aphra creating a recording in the aftermath of preceding events. Dr. Aphra conveys her apologies to her father, Korin Aphra, and former associate, Vulaada Klam, for her departure. She rationalizes that, being incapable of personal transformation, her most prudent course of action is to insulate her loved ones from her inherent flaws. Aphra laments her perceived irredeemability, urging Korin and Vulaada to prioritize mutual protection, emphasizing their enhanced safety in her absence.

Simultaneously, on Ash Moon 1, Dr. Korin Aphra provides solace to Vulaada Klam as they confront an onslaught of approaching monstrous entities. Just as the monsters are about to overwhelm them, Captain Magna Tolvan intervenes, arriving aboard a U-wing to rescue them.

As Dr. Aphra narrates her recording, she reflects on her life choices, acknowledging that her current predicament aligns with her expectations. She believes she faces imminent death, accompanied solely by the consequences of her own deceit. Dr. Aphra informs Darth Vader that she possesses intel regarding a rebel base situated within Tython's Meridional Ice Cap, cautioning that their defenses will be fully operational in two weeks.

Colonel Bryce reports that the Imperial fleet has been unable to detect any trace of the rebel base, leading him to suspect that the rebels have established a well-concealed position. He suggests that Lord Vader might want to scout the area. Internally, Dr. Aphra steels herself for what she believes is her certain demise, accepting her mission to divert the Empire away from the actual location of the rebel base.

Dr. Aphra guides Lord Vader and a contingent of Snowtroopers through the Martyrium of Frozen Tears. Vader instructs the leading snowtrooper to task the droid Triple Zero with closely monitoring Dr. Aphra. Lord Vader, sensing Dr. Aphra's deception, warns her that she will face death if the rebels are not present.

The snowtrooper relays that the scanning equipment is unable to detect any energy, heat, or movement. Lord Vader commands Triple Zero to execute her, but BT-1 activates an enclosure, separating them from the Imperials. Dr. Aphra expresses her gratitude to Beetee before deactivating the restraining bolts from Triple Zero and BT-1. The sadistic Triple Zero revels in his newfound freedom, contemplating Dr. Aphra's demise, but she persuades the droids to assist her in fending off the vengeful Vader and his snowtroopers.

Lord Vader employs his Force powers to breach the Martyrium of Frozen Tears. He directs the First Squad to advance eastward, instructing them to leave Aphra to him. Reflecting on these events, Dr. Aphra admits that she had a preference for a galaxy under the jackboot but always made an exception for herself. Recognizing the structure's instability, Lord Vader orders Colonel Bryce to withdraw his men to their ships.

Meanwhile, Triple Zero massacres numerous snowtroopers. In her monologue, Dr. Aphra expresses her preference for chaos, defining it as "doing what you want and ignoring the consequences." As Darth Vader approaches her with his lightsaber, Aphra concedes that being a "one-woman trail of destruction" has not brought her contentment or well-being. At Aphra's urging, BT-1 topples the Icon of Blessed Balance.

While Dr. Aphra ponders the meaning of life and relativism, BT-1 unleashes his firepower on several approaching snowtroopers. Reflecting on her escapades, Dr. Aphra remarks that having friends and family makes great company but that in her case it never seems to turn out too well for the company in question. Lord Vader cleaves through several stone pillars with his lightsaber. Confronting Lord Vader, she asserts that they need to converse. The Sith Lord commands her to kneel, but he is ambushed by Triple Zero.

However, the Sith Lord uses his lightsaber to obliterate Triple Zero. Before being disemboweled, Triple Zero manages to fire tracers, causing Vader's armor to explode and short-circuit. This triggers flashbacks of his descent to the dark side, his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the revelation of Padmé Amidala's demise.

Aphra realizes that she has cornered Lord Vader inside a confessional constructed from solid kyberite, which diminishes his Force abilities. She taunts Lord Vader about his regrets, prompting him to hurl his lightsaber at her. It misses but slices off a pillar. BT-1 attacks the Sith Lord with his arsenal. However, the rejuvenated Sith Lord uses his Force powers to rip the droid apart. However, Lord Vader is weakened by his exertion and falls to the groud.

While Lord Vader grapples with his internal conflicts and emotions, Dr. Aphra observes Vader's difficulty with burying his pain. When she remarks that she knows a guilty "freaking disaster" when she sees want, Vader vows that Dr. Aphra will not be the hand that will kill him. Dr. Aphra disagrees, saying she is his biggest fan and adds that she is not stupid enough to think "down equals beaten." Dr. Aphra taunts Lord Vader about being a "lost little boy" before using her blaster to stun him. She tells him not to pick a fight with an archaeologist and tech criminal if he is half machine.

Aboard the Super Star Destroyer Executor, Colonel Bryce receives a transmission from Lord Vader and asks if they should begin troop deployment. However, Lord Vader demands access to the data registry for Project Swarm. Bryce wants to check with Admiral Ozzel but Lord Vader countermands him. Bryce obliges after Lord Vader provides him with the daily command code "Theta-Six-Six-Delta-Indigo-Four."

Bryce is alarmed when Lord Vader appears to be deleting the records of several probe droids. In truth, Dr. Aphra had coerced Lord Vader into deleting the records from the probe droids in order to help her friends in the Rebel Alliance. Lord Vader is furious but Aphra counters that he should be grateful that she did not tell Bryce to order the probe droids to self-destruct.

Dr. Aphra thinks that should give the rebels a few weeks to evacuate Echo Base. In a flashback, Dr. Aphra tells Captain Tolvan to prepare to evacuate in a few weeks. While Dr. Aphra believes that she is beyond the hopes of forgiveness and a happy ending, she believes time is precious and focuses on staying ahead of her execution. Meanwhile on Hoth, Captain Tolvan, Korin, and Vulaada ride tauntauns outside Echo Base.

A vengeful Lord Vader vows to find her but Aphra is not afraid and says that she hopes that one day the Sith Lord will get to know how it feels to do something good. After wishing the Sith Lord goodbye, she tells him that he is the best thing that happened to her. Dr. Aphra escapes Tython aboard a stolen Imperial ship with the damaged BT-1 and Triple Zero.

In the present, Dr. Aphra continues her recording, telling Tolvan, Vulaada and her father that she is glad they are together. She tells them not to be sad for her, stuck out her alone. She tells them that love is letting go before ending the recording. Dr. Aphra instructs Beetee, who has been reduced to a processing unit, to transmit the encrypted recording to Hoth.

When Triple Zero reminds Dr. Aphra that he and Beetee are still in pieces and asks where they will begin their eternity of terrified pursuit, Dr. Aphra replies that she was thinking about that. She tells Triple Zero that she wants to see everything.

• UPC 759606086290; December 11 , 2019 ; Marvel Comics ; First printing [1] 04011; Cover A; Ashley Witter 04021; Cover B; Terry and Rachel Dodson