The Devaronian Version, Part 1, marking the fortieth installment in the Star Wars: Republic comic book saga, hit shelves on March 20, 2002, courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
A distasteful rumor is spreading like wildfire through the seedy bars and hidden corners of Coruscant's underbelly. The word on the street is that Vilmarh Grahrk has lost his edge, that he's in cahoots with the Jedi, that Villie has...gone straight. Our Devaronian scoundrel is determined to set the record straight, offering HIS biased account of the events that have transpired. As the first half of The Devaronian Version, this issue serves as an excellent entry point for new readers while also laying the groundwork for the unfolding narrative of the coming year. And, should you actually BELIEVE his version of events, Villie happens to have a prime piece of real estate known as Nar Shaddaa that he'd be THRILLED to unload onto you!
Within a cantina situated on Nar Shaddaa, Vilmarh Grahrk accidentally overhears a discussion centered around himself. Offended by the circulating gossip suggesting he's become soft, and even more so by the notion that he's collaborating with the Jedi, Villie resolves to clarify the situation. Villie recounts the tale of how his client, "Bobo," approached him with a proposition: assassinate Jedi. Villie asserted that Bobo was pursuing the "secret treasure of the Jedi," promising to share it. The alleged plan involved Villie instigating a war as a diversion, enabling Bobo to infiltrate the Jedi Temple in search of the hidden treasure.
Grahrk identifies the ideal race to ignite the conflict: the Yinchorri, a non-Force-sensitive species. He then endeavors to provoke them into a war against the Republic. However, the Yinchorri council refuses to be manipulated by Grahrk unless he enters into a marriage with one of their clans. Villie negotiates a compromise, offering his nephew Olmar (falsely claiming him as his son) in his stead.
Following the wedding ceremony, which grants the Grahrk clan honorary membership within the Yinchorri clans, Villie outlines his strategy to integrate the Yinchorri into galactic society by commandeering ships from the Golden Nyss Shipyards. However, after orchestrating the assault and subsequent capture of the shipyards, their scheme backfires when the Yinchorri obliterate the station. Despite their inherent warlike nature, they rapidly adapt to interstellar travel, amassing a formidable armada within weeks and launching attacks on numerous worlds. According to Villie, "Bobo" expresses dissatisfaction with Villie's progress, deeming his plan excessively protracted. Villie informs Bobo that two Jedi have been dispatched as emissaries to engage in negotiations with the Yinchorri, and that their demise will mark the commencement of phase two of his grand design.