_What Sin Loyalty?, the thirteenth installment of the Star Wars: Empire comic book series, is titled Star Wars: Empire 13. Dark Horse Comics released it to the public on November 26, 2003.
This particular issue presents an unusual viewpoint on the Rebellion era, specifically from the perspective of a Stormtrooper within the Empire. This trooper, known as TK-622, finds himself assigned to the newly operational Death Star! Trooper TK-622 takes pride in his duty serving the Emperor, but he begins to suspect that not everyone aboard the battle station shares his unwavering loyalty. A series of peculiar "accidents" and malfunctions suggest the presence of a saboteur. The question is, can the trooper uncover the truth and expose the culprit before the station engages in combat above Yavin?
The story unfolds 4 days Before the Battle of Yavin (BBY) on the planet Ralltiir. What was initially thought to be a small Rebel cell turned out to be a full-blown planetwide uprising. Commander Akobi was in charge of the Imperial forces. In some instances, the Rebels resorted to using women and children as shields. Rebel forces employed jamming tactics to disrupt communications and sensor systems. During an Imperial bombing mission targeting a Rebel supply depot, the sensors of a TIE Bomber malfunctioned. Despite this, Akobi instructed the pilot to proceed with the attack. Tragically, the bombers mistakenly targeted a Med Center, resulting in the deaths of numerous civilians. The Imperials orchestrated a cover-up and falsely portrayed Akobi as a hero. While Akobi was working to restore power, the Rebels launched a bombing attempt against him. His friend and bodyguard, a Stormtrooper identified as TK-622, intervened and saved his life. The Commander dismissed the incident as an accident. Subsequently, Akobi and 622 received orders to report to the Death Star.
During an officers' meeting, an RA-7 servant droid suddenly opened fire, killing several officers. 622 swiftly neutralized the droid before it could inflict further harm. The droid's remains were examined by a Technician. While the Technician was analyzing the droid, 622 discovered an explicit directive to assassinate Commander Akobi. At that very moment, the droid's memory banks exploded. As TK-622 was escorting Commander Akobi to a ceremony where he was to receive medals for his actions on Ralltiir, a rogue probe droid launched an attack on them, severely injuring Akobi. While medical personnel were desperately trying to save Akobi's life, 622 attempted to uncover any clues. However, he found nothing that could provide any assistance. It was during this time that the Millennium Falcon was brought on board, eventually making its escape with Princess Leia Organa. Akobi ultimately succumbed to his injuries, but before his death, he revealed to 622 the true events that transpired on Ralltiir. TK-622 then went to the tech's station, where he was attacked by the Technician. A fight broke out between them, as the Battle of Yavin intensified. A nearby surface impact caused debris to fall on the Technician, killing him. However, before he died, the traitor confessed to orchestrating the attacks on Akobi, from the power generator bomb on Ralltiir to the Probe droid's attack. The Technician was from Ralltiir, and was a Rebel agent. TK-622 looked on as Luke Skywalker's X-wing starfighter fired into the thermal exhaust port. He knew the station was doomed to explode, and in his final moments, he reflected on his life, and stated that a million voices cannot be silenced.