Issue number three of Knight Errant: Escape, is the third installment of the _Escape_ story arc, which is a miniseries within the Star Wars: Knight Errant comic book series, penned by John Jackson Miller.
The whereabouts of a potent Sith artifact are on the verge of discovery, as is the destiny of Jedi Kerra Holt's missing family! Kerra's insights have propelled a Sith scouting party closer to the relic than they could have gotten on their own—but will her determination to uncover the fate of her family also unleash further devastation upon Sith territories? How much longer can she maintain her disguise and stay one step ahead of the team, as well as their ruthless leader?
Following the events that transpired during the Aquilaris campaign, the Jedi Knight known as Kerra Holt embarks on a journey to locate her long-lost parents and sibling. This quest compels her to infiltrate the Odionate, which is the territory controlled by the Sith Lord named Odion. The story reveals Odion in a flashback, showcasing his difficult childhood. His mother Xelian clearly favored and spoiled his younger brother Daiman, while simultaneously neglecting and alienating Odion. From an early age, Odion also harbored ambitions of building a vast empire, fueled by his grandmother and family leader, Vilia Calimondra's promise to leave her expansive interstellar empire to the heir who achieved the most conquests. After Daiman's birth, Odion began to suffer from intense and debilitating headaches, resulting from his heightened sensitivity to the presence of other sentient beings. This, combined with the animosity from his family, led Odion to embrace inflicting death as a way to alleviate the pain caused by the existence of others. Looking back, these feelings ultimately led Odion to create a death cult centered around destruction. In the present timeline, Odion has not received any updates from his hunters who are searching for the Helm of Ieldis. When an assistant suggests sending a messenger to check on them, Odion responds that he will personally investigate.
General Yulan's fleet made a quick stop at the moon base of Vanahame to replenish their supplies and refuel his capital ship, the Gravedigger. Kerra, pretending to be enthusiastic and bored, tried to take control of a shuttle. This prompted her superior, Doyan, to remind her that the team of Novitiates were going to find the Helm together. The Kubaz Novitiate known as Glenk had also vanished on Sarrassia, leading the others to speculate that he had gone to claim the glory for himself. With the Gravedigger refueled, Kerra was ordered to go beneath the spaceport to inform General Yulan. While exploring the basement, Kerra stumbled upon a large cloister that housed all the children within the Odionate. Due to Odion's own negative childhood experiences, and because the children's strong presence in the Force irritated him, he kept them confined in a series of planet-sized orphanages. Yulan also explained his reasons for joining Odion's cause, citing his grief over the deaths of his own children. For Yulan, embracing nothingness and death was the only escape, as he believed life was meaningless.
After their stop at Vanahame, the Odionate fleet arrived at Skarpos, where the Sith had established a garrison near the Morbollon Mesa. As the Novitiates prepared to explore the cave, the Odionate garrison was attacked by rival forces from the Menagerie and the Daimanate. Lord Malakite sought to reclaim Skarpos for himself, while Lord Daiman aimed to capture the Helm. Daiman was accompanied by Glenk, his double agent, who had infiltrated the Novitiates and was tasked with monitoring Kerra's movements. During the battle, Kerra saved Yulan's life, which caused him to view her more favorably. While Yulan's forces held off the invaders, the Novitiates headed for the cave entrance near the mesa's summit. Amidst the fighting and chaos, Lord Odion himself arrived on a shuttle.
Kerra and the Novitiates successfully reached the Helm, but Kerra sabotaged their skiff. Kerra managed to enter the Grumani temple chamber and discovered her mother's satchel. She realized that the chamber was buried under a pile of rubble and rocks. Kerra was then struck by Force lightning from Odion, who had already obtained the Helm. Kerra had unknowingly led Odion to the ancient Sith artifact, and he intended to use it for a test demonstration.