Star Wars issue #32 marks the thirty-second installment of the Star Wars comic series and the fourth part of the Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel crossover event. This crossover unites the Star Wars and Doctor Aphra comic book series published by Marvel Comics. Jason Aaron is the writer, while Salvador Larroca provides the illustrations for Star Wars 32. The release date was June 14, 2017.
Krrsantan, the Wookiee, launches an assault on Bombinax, shattering both his helmet and body armor using only his hands. Following this, he hurls the lieutenant of the Unidentified Queen of Ktath'atn off a cliff to his demise. Triple Zero, the protocol droid, expresses his delight at this display. Subsequently, Triple Zero manages to dissuade the Abersyn symbiote–infected creatures from attacking him, Princess Leia Organa, Sana Starros, and Beetee by directing them towards the symbiote–enhanced "treats" located within the Screaming Citadel.
As Black Krrsantan hurries away, Leia questions what they have unleashed. Starros replies that they were left without a choice because the Queen of Ktath'atn operates outside the bounds of morality. She suggests that they must combat monsters using other monsters to successfully rescue Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. Starros refers to Triple Zero and Beetee as "monsters," which Triple Zero interprets as a compliment. Princess Leia urges them to expedite their mission to save Han and Luke. Upon Starros' inquiry about Doctor Aphra, Leia assures her that the archaeologist is capable of taking care of herself.
Within her throne room, the Queen demands that her guards provide her with sustenance, citing the morning's events as having left her feeling depleted. Doctor Aphra defends her actions of detonating the Queen's breakfast table, reminding the Queen of her attempt to infect her with a symbiote. Despite their earlier animosity, the Queen fulfills her part of the agreement by reactivating the Rur crystal. The Queen cautions Doctor Aphra about the dark secrets concealed within the Citadel and advises her to avoid asking further questions if she values her sanity.
Doctor Aphra inquires about Luke Skywalker, who is restrained to a chair with a gas mask affixed to his face. When Aphra questions whether the Queen intends to implant a symbiote within him, the Queen responds that she desires to consume the Jedi. Skywalker pleads for assistance, but Doctor Aphra announces her departure. The Queen instructs Varroa to escort Aphra through the tunnels to the nearby village. However, she secretly commands him to ensure that her ship does not escape orbit.
Vespinax informs the Queen that Skywalker's allies have pilfered a symbiote and implanted it within the Wookiee Black Krrsantan, who had been quarantined and had killed Bombinax. The Queen notes that certain species, such as Wookiees, possess too much strength for even the symbiotes to handle. Unwilling to disrupt the hive's communion, as that would necessitate re-infecting the villagers, she commands her minions to retrieve the Wookiee in as many pieces as possible. Vespinax volunteers for the task, but the Queen decides to replace her fallen apprentice with the captive Han Solo.
Despite Solo's objections, the Queen has one of her Abersyn symbiotes pierce Solo's neck with its ovipositor. The Queen then coerces Solo to ingest a blue liquid from a tube, instructing him to drink and undergo rebirth. An infected Solo asks the Queen how he can be of service to her. As Black Krrsantan defeats a guard, Princess Leia requests that the droids connect to the tower's computer to locate their companions. Triple Zero responds that he and Beetee are not "those types of droids" and instead proceeds to interrogate a fallen guard.
However, their actions are interrupted by an infected Han Solo, who shoots Triple Zero in his right shoulder. Solo, now clad in armor, orders the guards to eliminate the droids and bring the women to him. Leia, Starros, and the droids flee. Leia is soon cornered by Solo and the Queen's guards. Solo informs her that her war has reached its conclusion, adding that there is no longer a Rebellion or an Empire. As he presents an Abersyn symbiote, he declares that there is now only one Queen.
Meanwhile, Triple Zero questions Beetee about their decision to risk their circuits to save the rebels and speculates whether Doctor Aphra would betray them. Beetee responds sarcastically to Triple Zero's remarks in Binary. Simultaneously, Doctor Aphra instructs Varroa to provide her with a fast ship but warns him not to expect to see it or her again. As Aphra contemplates the source of the screams emanating from the Screaming Citadel, she attempts to convince herself that she does not regret abandoning her companions.
However, Eternal Rur addresses Doctor Aphra, asserting that he sees through her deceptions and noting that she is filled with remorse. Doctor Aphra retorts that Rur does not know her, but Eternal Rur counters that she has betrayed someone and is grappling with guilt, an uncommon occurrence for her. Aphra attempts to justify her actions by claiming that Skywalker is an unintelligent child, but Eternal Rur reiterates that she is struggling with guilt. He warns her that she is unlikely to escape this planet alive. When Rur asserts that she has no friends remaining, Eternal Rur refutes this claim.
While the infected Solo attempts to infect Princess Leia with a symbiote, Triple Zero and Beetee observe a gunfight between Starros and the guards. Starros demands to know what the droids are doing. Triple Zero responds that they were planning to betray her, but Starros persuades them to assist in saving her rebel friends in exchange for killing Aphra. Beetee comes to Black Krrsantan's aid, blasting the guards attacking the Wookiee. Triple Zero remarks that he is beginning to like Starros and suggests that they should murder her last. Before Solo can infect Princess Leia, Starros attacks him and punches him in the arm.
Skywalker manages to break free from his restraints and engages in combat with the Queen's guards. Impressed by his Force powers, she instructs them not to harm his flesh. Skywalker retrieves his lightsaber and cuts down a guard. Skywalker confronts the Queen, but she employs her Force powers to vanish.
However, Doctor Aphra utilizes explosives to create an opening through a window. She confronts the Queen, proclaiming her bravery and insanity in scaling the Screaming Citadel. Dr. Aphra demands that Skywalker be returned to her. Angered that Doctor Aphra is violating the terms of their agreement, she orders her guards to bring her a symbiote.
Doctor Aphra reveals that she knows the reason why the Queen did not want to infect Skywalker. As the most powerful being, Skywalker occupies the highest position in the symbiote hive mind's food chain. A symbiote infects Skywalker, who assumes the identity of the "hive king."