Star Wars (1977) 103

On a planet teeming with hostile alien life, Leia finds herself alone. Her only potential allies are a quartet of teenagers and a wounded enemy soldier! Jo Duffy penned the "TAI" story, with Cynthia Martin providing the pencils and Art Nichols handling the inks.

Den Siva is on his vessel, melancholically gazing at a holographic depiction of Dani. He wonders about her whereabouts, realizing she was the first Zeltron to be captured by the Nagai. He longs to see her again, but is interrupted by a message indicating a new prisoner has been brought aboard. Commander Knife has delivered a captive from the Alliance of Free Planets. The conversation shifts to the lack of communication from the squadron stationed at the Trenwyth system within the Stensen sector, and how, just two days prior, a message arrived from a desolate world in an Alliance System detailing the presence of an unexpectedly powerful enemy with overwhelming numbers and firepower. As Knife and Siva focus on their prisoner, the prisoner begins to perspire.

Meanwhile, Princess Leia exits hyperspace en route to Zeltros, finding herself in the midst of a fierce battle within the Trenwyth system. A stray blast from an energy cannon damages one of their stabilizers. Recognizing some of the ships as Nagai vessels, they speculate that the others originate from the Trenwyth system. Proceeding with caution across the battlefield, which is littered with corpses, they land after nightfall to scout the area. However, Leia is ambushed by a Nagai warrior. She begins to subdue him, but he collapses due to his injuries.

When he eventually awakens, Leia is accompanied by several Zeltrons, including Jahn, Marruc, and Rahuhl. Leia holds the injured Nagai captive as she and the others observe troop movements sweeping the area for survivors. The prisoner's eyes lock onto one of their weapons. Leia offers him food, but he remains silent, merely observing her and the Zeltrons. As she turns away, he leaps up and traps her. The Zeltrons notice this and rush to Leia's aid. She frees herself by biting him, but he then attacks the others trying to restrain him. He has above average strength, but they subdue him, using a rope to bind his hands and feet. Leia and the Zeltrons return to their campfire to discuss the motives behind the attack. The prisoner, meanwhile, experiences nightmares of being assaulted by a large, bald, bearded figure. Leia decides to release their prisoner, an act of compassion that overwhelms him, causing him to weep.

During their time on the planet, the prisoner remains with them. Marruc believes he has become enamored with Leia. Meanwhile, the enemy forces appear to be withdrawing. Jahn shares stories from her past with the prisoner, who has now become more of a companion. Once the ship is repaired, Leia promises to provide their guest with supplies and equipment before departing. At that moment, he finally speaks, revealing his name as Tai. They leave, and Tai eventually departs Trenwyth to report to Den Siva. He is revealed to be a Wing Leader who reports on how Leia and the Zeltrons provided him shelter while he was hiding from their common enemies. Knife interprets this act of mercy as a sign of weakness and throws a knife into Tai's chest, killing him.