Mission to Ktath'atn

For a period spanning at least one hundred years, the Queen of Ktath'atn cultivated a hive of Abersyn symbiotes at the Screaming Citadel, which was located on the isolated dark forest planet of Ktath'atn. These creatures were deemed so hazardous that even the Galactic Empire hesitated to consider their use as weapons. The Queen employed these parasitic symbiotes to establish a collective mind over the residents of a nearby village, effectively enslaving them.

While the Queen's collective embraced a diverse array of species, including humans, Ezaraa, Twi'leks, Toydarians, Bith, and Rodians, she excluded Wookiees due to the symbiotes' incompatibility with certain species. The Queen received assistance from at least three disciples, namely Bombinax, Varroa, and Vespinax. Both the Queen and her disciples also sustained themselves by consuming the life force of their subjects.

As time passed, the Queen of Ktath'atn gained notoriety for her knowledge of the dark arts and her fascination with unusual organic beings. Annually, the Queen hosted a distinctive reception to welcome extraordinary organic lifeforms, encompassing alien "oddities" and Force-sensitive individuals. These individuals would be infected with Abersyn symbiotes and transformed into zombies, thereby becoming integral components of the Queen's "menagerie."

After the events of the Twilight of the Ordu Aspectu, the unconventional archaeologist Dr. Aphra came into possession of the Rur crystal. This crystal housed an artificial intelligence known as Eternal Rur, who asserted to be a Jedi. In an attempt to unlock the Rur crystal's secrets, Dr. Aphra made the decision to seek assistance from the Queen of Ktath'atn. Her plan was to present the rebel fighter and aspiring Jedi as a gift to the enigmatic Queen.

Dr. Aphra located Skywalker on the Outer Rim planet of Horox III, where the Rebel Alliance maintained a temporary base. Through persuasion, Dr. Aphra convinced Skywalker to accompany her to Ktath'atn. She falsely claimed that the Queen possessed the ability to unlock the Rur crystal, asserting that Eternal Rur was an ancient Jedi Master capable of instructing him in the ways of the Jedi. Dr. Aphra and Skywalker journeyed to the remote planet aboard the Ark Angel II, accompanied by the Wookiee Krrsantan and the droids Triple Zero and Beetee.

While Dr. Aphra and Skywalker were granted entry to the Queen's reception, Black Krrsantan was denied access due to the Queen's "allergy" to Wookiees. During the reception, Skywalker garnered the Queen's favor and attention by using the Force to repel an Ezaraa who had harassed Dr. Aphra. Impressed by his Force powers, the Queen extended an invitation to Skywalker and Dr. Aphra for breakfast the following day.

During the breakfast gathering, the Queen of Ktath'atn attempted to infect both Dr. Aphra and Luke Skywalker with Aberyn symbiotes, which were concealed beneath golden lids. However, Skywalker and Dr. Aphra discerned the deception. As a safety measure, Dr. Aphra had previously placed a detonator beneath the Queen's dining table, enabling them to escape within the castle. In response, the Queen dispatched her "menagerie," a collection of beings and animals that had been infected with symbiotes, to pursue the fugitives.

Concurrently, Skywalker's rebel companions, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, and the R5 unit Essfour, arrived at Ktath'atn village alongside Dr. Aphra's estranged friend, Sana Starros. Starros had alerted them to Dr. Aphra's alleged abduction of Skywalker. By commandeering the Ark Angel II with the consent of Triple Zero and Beetee, Solo successfully landed within the citadel's grounds, eliminating and dispersing the majority of the Queen's "menagerie."

Despite the existing tensions between Starros and Dr. Aphra, Skywalker successfully persuaded the rebels and Aphra's team to collaborate in order to evade the Queen's guards and acolytes. They retreated deeper into the Screaming Citadel, where they uncovered a laboratory containing tanks filled with Abersyn symbiotes. Despite their efforts to secure the exits, the Queen and her forces managed to breach the corridors surrounding the laboratory. Skywalker was captured, and Solo was hypnotized by the Queen, transforming him into a mindless servant.

Dr. Aphra aids Starros, Princess Leia, Triple Zero, Beetee, and Essfour in sealing off the laboratory. Within the laboratory, Triple Zero convinces Essfour to retrieve an Abersyn symbiote by deactivating its pain receptors. After blasting their way out of the laboratory, Leia, Starros, and the droids encounter one of the Queen's lieutenants, Bombinax, attempting to kill an unconscious Black Krrsantan. After rescuing the Wookiee, Triple Zero implants Black Krrsantan with an Abersyn symbiote in order to use him as a weapon against Bombinax.

The rejuvenated Black Krrsantan battles Bombinax, piercing his armor and casting him to his death over the cliff's edge. Triple Zero then persuades Black Krrsantan to leave the women and droids alone, instead convincing him to attack the Queen's guards in the palace. Meanwhile, Dr. Aphra convinces the Queen to honor her agreement to activate the Rur crystal in exchange for the captive Skywalker, whom the Queen intends to feast upon.

Following the demise of Bombinax, the Queen infects Han Solo with an Abersyn symbiote, intending for him to assume Bombinax's role as her newest disciple. She then tasks Solo with leading her guards in eliminating the Wookiee Black Krssantan and the droids, as well as capturing the women in order to infect them.

Having reactivated the Rur crystal, the Queen permits Dr. Aphra to depart on a starship but secretly instructs Varroa to sabotage her vessel. However, Dr. Aphra decides against leaving after Eternal Rur confronts her about her guilt in abandoning her friends.

Meanwhile, Solo and his guards manage to capture Princess Leia. Before Solo can infect her, Starros intervenes. Starros receives assistance from the droids Triple Zero and Beetee, whom she has persuaded to help her save her friends in return for killing Dr. Aphra. Beetee also aids Black Krssantan by incinerating several guards who are attacking him.

In the meantime, Skywalker manages to break free from his restraints and attempts to attack the Queen with his lightsaber. Although Skywalker is no match for the Queen's sorcery, he is aided by Dr. Aphra, who breaches a window in the citadel. However, Skywalker is infected by an Abersyn symbiote. Due to his Force powers, he surpasses the Queen in the hive's natural hierarchy and proclaims himself King of the hive.

The Queen refuses to submit to "King" Skywalker, and the two engage in a psychic duel. To aid Skywalker, Dr. Aphra passes him the Rur crystal. With the Queen distracted, Varroa and Vespinax attempt to seize control of the lower members of the hive. The Queen's preoccupation allows Solo to regain control of his mind. Connected to the hive, he attempts to command the Queen's guards to cease fighting. However, Varroa and Vespinax manage to regain control of the guards. Solo, however, dispatches Black Krssantan against the guards.

Meanwhile, Skywalker and the Queen take psychic control of two Abersyn symbiotes. Eternal Rur speaks to Skywalker on the spirit plane and offers to help him use the alien parasite as a weapon. He tempts Skywalker with the potential of combining his Force powers with the Abersyn symbiote mind hive. However, Skywalker rejects Eternal Rur's offer of help because the artificial intelligence is not a Jedi and lets go of his symbiote, allowing the Queen to kill his parasite.

Though the Queen is initially jubilant, she is horrified to discover that Skywalker has separated himself from the parasite. Having regained control of his body, Skywalker strikes down the Queen with his lightsaber, ending her control over the hive and weakening Varroa and Vespinax. This allows Princess Leia to shoot Varroa and Black Krssantan to kill Vespinax.

Following the deaths of the Queen of Ktath'atn and her disciples, the Queen's guards pledge allegiance to "King" Han Solo. While Solo is tempted with the idea of ruling a psychic kingdom of his own, Starros points out the responsibilities that his position would ensue. Solo sees reason and decides to disband the hive mind, freeing the Queen's subjects and guards. Excited, Solo remarks that he wants to do the Kessel Run in eleven parsecs, prompting Leia to order Triple Zero to tranquilize him and remove the parasite from him.

Recognizing the danger posed by the Abersyn symbiotes, Dr. Aphra instructs Beetee to incinerate the laboratory and Screaming Citadel. She also advocates contacting the Galactic Empire, as they take the symbiotes seriously as a threat. In the aftermath of the conflict, Dr. Aphra and Sana Starros reconcile. However, Skywalker is angered by Dr. Aphra's exploitation and betrayal of him to the Queen. He warns the rogue archaeologist to stay away from him and his friends.

Dr. Aphra, Black Krssantan, Triple Zero, and Beetee then depart on the Ark Angel. When Dr. Aphra criticizes Skywalker for his perceived "self-righteousness", Triple Zero instead points out her shortcomings as a character. This upsets Aphra, who withdraws from the cockpit. Meanwhile, Skywalker, Solo, Leia, and Starros depart aboard the Millennium Falcon. While Skywalker was upset that Dr. Aphra's droids had lobotomized Essfour, Leia reassured them that they have saved the day again and freed people.

Despite the death of the Queen, her Abersyn symbiote managed to infect an orange-haired human woman. She told her male companion that they had to leave because their future was elsewhere.

The Mission to Ktath'atn made its debut in the 2017 Marvel Star Wars five-part comic crossover event titled Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel. It was published between May 10 and June 28, 2017. The comic issues were authored by Kieron Gillen and Jason Aaron. The comic's events were visually depicted by Marco Checchetto, Salvador Larroca, and Andrea Broccardo, while Andres Mossa, Edgar Delgado, and Antonio Fabela served as color artists. The comics were lettered by Joe Caramagna and Clayton Cowles. The comic issues were compiled and published in the trade paperback Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel (TPB) on October 24, 2017.