Doctor Aphra (2020) 3

THE TRIALS OF VAALE! Separated from her crew, DOCTOR APHRA finds herself in peril at the hands of RONEN TAGGE'S mercenaries! Could there be a traitor in their midst? And can Aphra outwit them before the curse of the city swallows her and her new team whole?

Eustacia Okka regains consciousness, noticing a wound on her head. Just Lucky informs her that their fall was due to the floor giving way, and Krrsantan applies bacta spray to the injury. Lucky then overhears the others arguing above their location.

Tagge's mercenaries are pressing Detta Yao and Chelli Lona Aphra to unlock the entrance to the Workshop of the Architects of Vaale so they can seize the Rings of Vaale. Yao explains that opening it is not straightforward, as they require Okka's expertise, while Aphra quietly offers a tearful apology to Okka. Kiehart cautions Yao about her insolence given their predicament, to which Yao retorts that as a graduate student facing a deadline, she has already endured more than Kiehart can comprehend. Kiehart responds with a threatening gesture, but Tucker intervenes, reminding her that they still need them. Aphra seizes the opportunity, noting the absence of the others, and suggests contacting their boss, offering to hand over the Rings of Vaale since the Tagges offer better compensation.

Ronen Tagge is hosting a gathering at Ronen Tagge's Private Penthouse. He informs a guest that the Dragens are absent because [Kin Dragen](/article/kin_dragen] made a disrespectful remark about his aunt, leading to "a correction of their manners". The guest remarks that he is indeed his aunt's favorite. Ronen receives news of Aphra's proposition and expresses his delight.

Lucky comments that Aphra's actions are ruthless, even by her standards. Okka questions her involvement with Aphra, and Lucky and Krrsantan reassure her that everyone makes mistakes. Okka resolves to reach the Rings of Vaale before Aphra, deducing from the skeletons within the walls that there must be a hidden entrance and exit. Lucky expresses a feeling of being watched and doubts how Tagge found them so quickly, suspecting a spy providing Tagge with information, enabling him to contact TA-418 and track them. Okka immediately suspects Aphra due to her history of betrayal, but Lucky remains uncertain. Okka then guides them towards a set of stairs.

Aphra inquires about the mercenaries' names but dismisses the idea, claiming she wouldn't remember them. Aphra instructs them to search the walls for the key, cautioning them about traps like the one that recently killed one of their own. Kiehart objects to Aphra's commands, but Tucker overrules her, while Venters attempts to flirt with Yao. Another mercenary triggers a trap, resulting in his death. Detta informs Venters of her worries about "the curse". As he grows increasingly anxious, she elaborates on the city's curse, speculating that the skeletons met gruesome ends, and questions if he sees the door moving. Tucker reprimands Venters for socializing, then inadvertently activates a trap. Giant hands emerge from the ground, seizing Kiehart and another mercenary. Yao kicks Venters into the hole.

Lucky detects a sound resembling screaming. Okka asks if it is akin to the high-pitched sound he heard previously, but Lucky clarifies that it is different, though he can still hear the other sound as well, feeling it in his bones. Okka suggests it might be a security device audible only to certain individuals. Suddenly, hands reach out towards her. Lucky pulls her away from a pile of dead bodies, while Krrsantan fires his bowcaster at one. The bodies vanish, leaving them puzzled.

In new crypts, Okka admires the craftsmanship of the location. Lucky notes that the sound has intensified. Okka theorizes that they are directly beneath the workshop. Before Lucky can object, Krrsantan points out a door with a familiar marking. As they open the door, she declares that this could be it.

Aphra barely avoids being struck by a hand slamming into the ground where she stood. As Tucker is being pulled into the hole, he curses his trust in Aphra. Aphra wonders why she keeps hearing that sentiment. After Tucker is dragged away, Yao jumps free, and together she and Aphra flee into the next room, where they discover the Workshop of the Architects of Vaale, the origin point of the Rings of Vaale. Simultaneously, Okka locates the Architects' Mausoleum, the Rings' final resting place. She approaches a statue of a kneeling figure, noticing the Ring of Fortune within a case in its hand, and declares that her work has been validated. They prepare to depart.

Aphra and Yao observe an empty glass case. Yao insists that the Ring of Immortality must be there, but Aphra suggests that texts can be inaccurate. When Yao objects to being called "kid," Aphra confronts her about her facade of innocence and her plan to betray them and claim the rings for herself. Yao questions her reasoning, and Aphra replies that it's what she herself would have done at that age. Yao accuses her of projection, but Aphra reveals that she suspected Yao's betrayal from the moment Yao didn't object to Okka receiving full credit.

As they both reach for their blasters, they are interrupted by Okka, Lucky, and Krrsantan, who announce that they have found the Ring of Fortune. Yao aims her blaster at Okka, demanding that she open the case for the Ring of Fortune, threatening to kill Okka if anyone moves. Okka opens the case, only to find it empty. Yao threatens to shoot Okka, but Lucky intervenes, pulling out the Ring of Fortune. Yao orders him to hand it over, but he drops it on the ground, distracting her and allowing Aphra to shoot her. Aphra compliments Lucky's cleverness and asks for the ring, but Lucky refuses. Tagge's mercenaries enter the room, echoing Aphra's earlier statement that no one pays as well as the Tagges.

• UPC 759606097241; August 26 , 2020 ; Marvel Comics ; First printing [1] 00311; Cover A; Valentina Remenar 00321; Cover B; Mahmud Asrar & Matthew Wilson