Mission to Muunilinst

The annihilation of Alderaan resulted in the loss of a significant portion of the Rebellion's financial reserves. Fortunately, some of their assets were stored on the planetary banking hub of Muunilinst. General Jan Dodonna tasked Leia Organa with the recovery of the datacard that held their financial access keys. Accompanied by Luke Skywalker and their droid companions, R2-D2 and C-3PO, their objective was to connect with Mak Luunim and reclaim the funds. Han Solo and his Wookiee partner Chewbacca volunteered to provide transportation to Muunilinst for the group.

The Millennium Falcon executed the hyperspace jump from Yavin Prime to the Muunilinst system, where they were immediately ambushed upon exiting hyperspace. The Falcon's offensive systems malfunctioned, leaving it vulnerable to a pursuing TIE Fighter. A Preybird-class starfighter intervened to protect the Falcon, eliminating the Imperial starfighter. During the battle, the Preybird sustained damage, forcing it to make an emergency landing on one of Muunilinst's moons. Feeling compelled to assist their savior, the crew of the Millennium Falcon followed the Preybird down. They tracked a blood trail to a cave, discovering a severely injured man who identified himself as Tobin Elad. As they attempted to aid him, the cave's inhabitant returned. The reek sensed intruders and launched an immediate attack. In a rash moment involving blaster fire, Han Solo inadvertently caused the entrance to the underground chamber to collapse while killing the beast. Recognizing the urgency of Elad's condition, Luke utilized his lightsaber to create an opening in the debris, freeing the group.

After tending to the wounded Elad and restoring his health, the crew decided he could be a valuable asset to their mission. They then landed on Muunilinst to continue their objective. Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Tobin Elad proceeded to Mak Luunim's apartment in search of the Muun. They were met by an employee, who informed the Rebels that his employer had recently died. During their questioning of the employee, six stormtroopers appeared, blocking the room's only exit. The stormtroopers attempted to apprehend the Rebels, but Solo and X-7 initiated a surprise assault, resulting in a blaster firefight within the apartment. Fighting to escape, the Rebels managed to eliminate three stormtroopers before successfully fleeing without any losses. The group made their way to the outskirts of Pilaan and entered a cantina located there, hoping to gather information to complete their assignment.

Inside the cantina, they learned that Luunim had outstanding debts to numerous individuals, particularly a respected Muun named Nal Kenuun. Upon hearing that Keenun had visited Mak Luumin's residence, they deduced that he was in possession of the datacard. Therefore, the rebels needed to make contact with Nal Keenuun. After departing the cantina, the crew encountered a Dug who identified himself as Grunta. He claimed to have overheard their search for Keenum and offered to lead them to him. En route, he and his three accomplices ambushed Leia and her companions, attempting to acquire some credits through force. A brawl ensued, resulting in Grunta's death and the retreat of the remaining Dugs. Subsequently, a squad of stormtroopers arrived, employing poison darts to capture the rebels.

The group regained consciousness to find themselves prisoners of the Muun they had been seeking, Nal Keenum. They discovered that Keenum possessed the datacard they desired. Unfortunately, the Dug they had killed was an employee of Keenum's and was favored to win the upcoming Podrace in two days. To recover their property, the rebels were required to replace the driver they had eliminated and win the race to reclaim the missing datacard. Uncertain of what to do, Luke volunteered to take the Dug's place.

The day before the podrace, Luke Skywalker was granted permission to practice in the pod previously used by Grunta, a Plug-2 Behemoth manufactured by Collor Pondrat. However, due to a faulty current filter, one of the pod's engines overheated and experienced a flame-out, causing it to spin uncontrollably. Luke was forced to eject and watch the pod crash, rendering it unusable for the race. The young pilot returned to his tent to treat his injuries and study maps of the race circuit, while Leia and Elad pleaded with Kenuun to provide another of his podracers for Luke to practice with. They managed to obtain a Keizar-Volvec KV9T9-B Wasp in time for Skywalker to complete a practice run that same afternoon.

On the day of the race, Leia Organa tried to discourage Luke from participating, but he remained determined to compete. He understood that he would need the assistance of the Force to succeed. Clearing his mind of distractions, young Skywalker used his senses to navigate the course. He entered the first section of the race confidently, maneuvering through the narrow gorge, overtaking two other pods, and setting his sights on the leader.

The second section involved a winding path through a complex network of underground caves and tunnels known as Aliuun Gorge, culminating in a nearly ninety-degree ascent. Luke closed the gap on his competitors as he exited the ravine and began the final leg of the race. Entering the open plains for the final straightaway, the inexperienced podracer challenged the Bin Gassi for the lead. The Nuknog piloting the pod swerved to block his young rival, lost control, and allowed the Wasp to pass and take the lead. Luke Skywalker maintained his advantage and secured victory in the race, causing the Imperial assassin, X-7, disguised as Tobin Elad, to wonder if the young rebel was indeed the pilot who destroyed the Death Star, and the individual he was sent to eliminate.

Following the victory, Han, Luke, and Tobin Elad were given the datacard as promised back at Kennun's residence. However, Nal Keenun discovered the bounties placed on Han Solo and Tobin Elad and was unwilling to miss out on a potential profit. After a tense standoff during an attempted arrest, Elad offered to surrender himself to the Muun if he agreed to release his friends. At that moment, Leia entered with Nal Keenun's pet Krayt dragon, threatening the serpent's well-being. Left with no other choice, Keenun reluctantly allowed the Rebels to leave the planet safely.

Aboard the Millennium Falcon after takeoff, Leia Organa confided in Elad and extended an invitation for him to join the Rebellion. Following this conversation, he contacted his superior, suggesting that his Target might be Luke Skywalker, given his unexpected victory in the podrace.