Doctor Aphra #9 represents the ninth installment in the Marvel comic book series titled Star Wars: Doctor Aphra. Kieron Gillen penned the comic, Kev Walker provided the artwork, and it was made available on July 12, 2017.
Inside the Isolate-4 Lab, which is situated on an Outer Rim asteroid, Dr. Chelli Lona Aphra instructs Krrsantan, Triple Zero, and BT-1 to ignite the detonator if anything goes amiss. Dr. Aphra puts on her helmet over her spacesuit before entering a secured chamber that contains the Rur crystal. Eternal Rur inquires about his location and the current time period. Dr. Aphra replies that approximately two months have elapsed since the destruction of the Citadel of Rur and several weeks since their confrontation with the Queen of Ktath'atn. Aphra informs Rur that she has restored his technopathic abilities. The artificial intelligence then pledges to exact vengeance.
After confirming the droids' safety, Dr. Aphra proceeds. Triple Zero expresses his concern that engaging Eternal Rur is unwise due to the potential risk of losing control over his own physical form. Since Rur is unable to possess the droids because of the containment field, he questions Dr. Aphra about her motivations for contacting him.
A few weeks later, Yonak from the Son-tuul Pride arrives accompanied by several other Rodian criminals. Triple Zero greets them and requests to store their weapons for security purposes. Yonak declines, and Triple Zero complies with his guest's wishes. As Triple Zero guides them down the hallway for the presentation, Yonak questions the reason for the extravagance and recalls his previous encounter with Dr. Aphra when he was purchasing a droid for a garbage-filled alley. Triple Zero informs Yonak that this is a prestigious event of significant importance as he leads them into a banquet hall filled with alien attendees.
Triple Zero then proceeds to the control room where Dr. Aphra and Black Krrsantan are relaxing. Dr. Aphra has been observing the guests through surveillance cameras. The guests present at the auction include representatives from the Cyban Front, the Shadow University, the Ezaraa, the aged Thomas Toov, and Papa Toren; which causes Dr. Aphra to remark that such a gathering of prominent figures has not occurred since Jabba's first wedding. Dr. Aphra and her companions decide to depart before someone "stains the furnishings."
Outside, Yonak is engaged in an argument with Sutha, a Hutt minion of Jabba. Sutha ridicules the Son-tuul Pride for their recent defeats and provokes Yonak by mentioning that his father's bones are now used as decorative items for Jabba. Yonak brandishes his dagger, but Dr. Aphra instructs him to stand down. She compliments Sutha on adhering to the dress code. Having diffused the potential conflict between Yonak and Sutha, Dr. Aphra reveals the Rur crystal, which is encased behind a glass cylinder.
She informs her guests that the crystal contains a functional artificial intelligence replica of a long-deceased Jedi Knight. Appealing to the elderly Thomas Toov, she asserts that the Rur crystal serves as an example for those seeking immortality and that the technology predates the establishment of the Galactic Republic. Addressing the scholars from Shadow University, Aphra claims that the Jedi possesses knowledge that has been forgotten and contains invaluable data. Dr. Aphra also states that the Rur crystal is technopathic and can manipulate any technological device in the vicinity. She maintains that she has employed specialized technology to control the Rur crystal.
The red Cyban Front droid leader asserts that technopathy is impossible, but a blue droid disagrees. The red droid claims that their circuits are shielded. Dr. Aphra asks the blue droid if he wishes to test her custom systems and initiates a narrowcast channel. Despite the blue droid's boasts, he is swiftly possessed by Eternal Rur and attempts to strangle Dr. Aphra. However, Black Krrsantan shoots him with a bowcaster.
Yonak expresses his satisfaction but questions what would prevent any of them from seizing the Rur crystal. He acknowledges Black Krrsantan's strength but points out that he is outnumbered. Dr. Aphra cautions them to consider the potential damage to their reputations before flicking her finger, which activates several concealed automated guns. Yonak believes that it is irresponsible to have automatic weapons in a palace with a technopath. Dr. Aphra uses a remote to reassure them that she is in complete control. Before departing, Dr. Aphra instructs her guests to determine their bidding amounts for the crystal and informs them that she will speak to them individually.
As they leave the auction hall, Triple Zero comments that the auction was a success. When Triple Zero asks Dr. Aphra if anyone requires assassination, she replies that it is not the appropriate time. Triple Zero complains that their recent endeavors have "leaned towards the cerebral rather than the draining of cerebral fluid." Dr. Aphra reminds the protocol droid that he "sawed" off the top of Krrsantan's head. Triple Zero responds that it occurred some time ago and that he is becoming bored.
Dr. Aphra promises to arrange something, including providing Triple Zero with upgrades, if he refrains from murdering anyone on her orders. Triple Zero then departs with BT-1, leaving their master to have some time alone. Secretly, Triple Zero contacts Darth Vader using Code-Beta-Four-V-Seven-Forty-Niner. He confides in BT-1 that he is acting in self-preservation and suspects that Dr. Aphra is being dishonest. He fears that she intends to deactivate them once the auction concludes.
A holographic projection of Lord Vader materializes. Triple Zero expresses his delight at seeing his master. Lord Vader expresses his annoyance at being disturbed by the droids and states that he hopes it is justified.