Star Wars issue number 31 marks the continuation of the Star Wars comic book series and serves as the second installment in the Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel crossover event. This event unites the Star Wars series with the Doctor Aphra comic series, both published by Marvel Comics. The narrative for Star Wars 31 was crafted by Jason Aaron, with illustrations by Salvador Larroca. Its official release date was May 17, 2017.
At the temporary rebel base located on Horox III, Sana Starros explains to Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa that it is not a mere coincidence that Dr. Aphra chose to "abduct" Luke Skywalker on the very day the Queen of Ktath'atn offers favors in exchange for the most unique "organic anomalies."
Upon Leia's inquiry about the meaning of the Queen "receiving" these oddities, Starros responds with an ominous rhetorical question. Solo then questions Starros regarding her relationship with Dr. Aphra, but Leia dismisses his inquiry. Starros echoes this sentiment, advising him to stay out of her affairs, but Solo retorts that he has previously been strangled and covered in wasp-worms due to his past encounters with Aphra. Solo presses Starros on whether she is withholding information, to which she replies that she is not encouraging him to walk into a star.
Before departing, Solo informs Chewbacca that his presence would be unsafe, as the Queen of Ktath'atn harbors a dislike for Wookiees, assuring him that Essfour will keep him company. Onboard the Millennium Falcon, Solo probes Starros for any additional information about Ktath'atn, to which she advises them against drinking the water, to sleep with one eye open, and to keep their blasters readily available.
At the Citadel of Ktath'atn, the alien Lord Hossferin insists on an audience with the Queen of Ktath'atn, having journeyed from the Moons of Ai'ken Prime. A guard informs him that the Queen's reception concluded early and instructs him to return the following year. Suddenly, Bombinax, one of the Queen's lieutenants, appears. Hossferin attempts to reason with him, but the lieutenant throws him off a cliff to his death. Bombinax then eliminates Hossferin's bodyguards using his vibroblades. With the uninvited guests dealt with, Bombinax proceeds to quarantine to address the unconscious Krrsantan.
Luke expresses concerns about the safety of Ktath'atn, but Dr. Aphra remains determined to secure the Queen's assistance in reactivating their "Jedi artifact". Luke doubts the Queen's willingness to help, but Dr. Aphra believes that the Queen is intrigued by all forms of physical abnormalities and oddities, including the Jedi. Even if she cannot directly assist, Aphra suggests that the Queen may lead them to someone with the knowledge to reactivate the crystal.
Skywalker is wary of individuals obsessed with the Jedi, recalling his negative experience with Grakkus the Hutt on Nar Shaddaa. Dr. Aphra assures him that the Queen is unlike Grakkus and will assist them in exchange for sharing breakfast. Dr. Aphra also informs Skywalker that the Queen displays her collection of oddities once a year and advises him to leave the talking to her.
The Queen of Ktath'atn invites Dr. Aphra and Skywalker to partake in a feast of krillcrab eggs. During the meal, she shows a keen interest in Skywalker's Force powers. When questioned, Dr. Aphra tells the Queen that she encountered Skywalker while attempting to capture him and jokingly refers to "house training" a farm boy. The Queen remarks to Dr. Aphra and Skywalker that she has encountered various creatures but never a Jedi.
Skywalker attempts to deny being a Jedi, but Dr. Aphra insists that her Jedi is delighted to meet the Queen. Dr. Aphra tries to steer the conversation towards their business, but the Queen instructs them to wait. Several serving droids present dessert covered in gold lids. The Queen challenges Skywalker to open the gold dishes using the Force. Skywalker, still developing his Force abilities, struggles to lift the gold lids.
To "motivate" Skywalker, Vespinax holds a knife to his throat. Skywalker pleads with Dr. Aphra to intervene, but she advises him to comply. Skywalker strains to levitate the gold lids. Dr. Aphra then gets down to business, revealing to the Queen that she possesses an Ordu Aspectu artifact containing the archived personality of a Jedi named Rur and requires assistance in opening it. Aphra claims she does not have the artifact with her while secretly placing a detonator beneath the table.
The Queen reveals that the dessert is candied rat-monkey offal and mocks Skywalker. As Skywalker struggles, Vespinax shoves him onto his plate. Dr. Aphra claims that Luke is "Force shy" and attempts to open her lid. Dr. Aphra contemplates lifting the lid herself, but Skywalker warns against it. Suddenly, several Abersyn symbiotes emerge from the lids. As Skywalker and Aphra make their escape, the table explodes.
Amidst the ensuing chaos, Skywalker and Dr. Aphra flee. An enraged Queen orders her guards to secure the Citadel and unleashes her menagerie upon the escapees. While fleeing downstairs, Dr. Aphra informs Skywalker that the Aberyn symbiotes are dangerous lifeforms that seize control of all brain and motor functions, turning creatures into thralls. Dr. Aphra requests a pick-up from Triple Zero, but he is preoccupied.
As the Queen's alien symbiote-controlled menagerie, which includes a Gungan, a Lurmen, a two-headed Ithorian, a Dressellian, Hassk, and Talz and Arcona, advances on Skywalker and Dr. Aphra, Triple Zero responds that he and Beetee are awaiting orders on whether to eliminate rebels. The comic concludes with a full-page panel depicting the droids confronting Han Solo, Sana Starros, and Princess Leia.