Star Wars (2015) 9
Star Wars #9 represents the ninth installment of the Marvel comic book series titled Star Wars. It also serves as the second of five issues within the second story arc of the series, known as Showdown on the Smuggler's Moon. This particular issue, penned by Jason Aaron and featuring artwork by Stuart Immonen, was made available to the public on September 16, 2015.
Publisher's summary
- Luke's lightsaber has been pilfered, and its recovery is now his primary objective!
- Concurrently, Imperial forces are closing in on Han and Leia...
- ...due to the machinations of a mysterious woman with ties to Han's past! [1]
Plot summary
Encountering Difficulties
Luke Skywalker is in pursuit of the alien thief that made off with his lightsaber on Nar Shaddaa. The chase unfolds across the cityscape of the ecumenopolis moon. The pair jump from building to building. After landing with a thud, Skywalker gets in touch with R2-D2, stressing the importance of preventing the thief's escape with the lightsaber.
The alien thief commandeers an airspeeder, mocking Skywalker for his supposed lack of speed. Watched by R2-D2, Skywalker employs the Force to leap after the thief, grabbing hold of his leg. The thief's magna-glove malfunctions, leading to a crash through skyscrapers and into a fruit market. Both survive the accident, with the thief labeling Skywalker as crazy.
Skywalker notices R2-D2 and questions why his companions have ceased their pursuit. At that moment, Grakkus the Hutt announces that Skywalker has entered Hutta Town, demanding the surrender of the lightsaber. Accompanying the Hutt are two IG-100 MagnaGuard equipped with electrostaffs.
Imperial entanglements
The TIE fighter pilot Captain informs Admiral Keener that atmospheric disturbances have destroyed five TIE fighters, but their targets have been located on the uncharted world located in the Monsua Nebula. The TIE fighter pilots exit their vehicles, ordering Sana Starros, Han Solo, and Princess Leia Organa to surrender.
Leia, however, opens fire on the TIE pilots. Solo requests that Sana return his blaster, but Starros remains focused on collecting the bounty placed on Solo. Solo reveals his affiliation with the rebel cause, making him a wanted man by the Galactic Empire. Solo manages to persuade Starros to turn the Volt Cobra's cannons against the Imperials. The trio then makes their escape aboard the Volt Cobra.
Prisoner of Grakkus
Skywalker is back on Nar Shaddaa, and he is fighting the two IG-100 MagnaGuards. He finds himself outmatched by their electrostaffs. Grakkus informs Skywalker that his MagnaGuards are relics from the Clone Wars, designed to combat Jedi Knights, and that Skywalker is not a Jedi. Grakkus demands to know from whom Skywalker stole the lightsaber. The alien thief interjects, stating that Skywalker claimed his father was a Jedi.
Grakkus doubts Skywalker's claim and questions why he would risk visiting the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Skywalker replies that he seeks no trouble, but Grakkus retorts that he has come to the wrong moon and knocks him down.
Skywalker later awakens to find himself in Grakkus's presence, who presents a blue holocron. Grakkus welcomes Skywalker to his home. Skywalker discovers that Grakkus possesses a collection of Jedi artifacts, including statues, holocrons, records, and a Jedi starfighter. Grakkus explains that he acquired these items through his extensive network of spice smugglers and bounty hunters.
Grakkus reveals that he used his agent to lure Skywalker to his location, hoping to unlock a Jedi holocron. Skywalker, unfamiliar with holocrons, claims ignorance on how to unlock one. Unconcerned, Grakkus orders the wannabe Jedi to figure it out. As Grakkus counts down, Skywalker uses the Force to unlock the holocron, which then splits into multiple smaller holocrons.
Holographic images of several Jedi appear, including Jedi Master Phin-Law Wo, an unidentified Thisspiasian Master, and a Cosian Master. Skywalker is transfixed by a holocron of the Togruta Jedi Master Shaak Ti, who urges viewers not to let the Jedi's deaths be in vain. Considering him the "last Jedi," Grakkus decides to add Skywalker to his collection. He instructs his MagnaGuards to take Skywalker to the "Gamemaster" in the arena. R2-D2 begins transmitting a distress signal to the Alliance Fleet.
Rebels in peril
Back on the uncharted world, Princess Leia expresses frustration over the Imperials jamming their transmissions. Sana Starros advises her to disregard communications and focus on firing the cannons. Leia expresses concern that the storms will tear them apart. Starros sarcastically inquires if Leia is always "this cheerful." When Solo offers to take control of the ship, both women silence him.
Alliance commanders receive a distress signal from R2-D2 on a Rebel Alliance warship. Mon Mothma informs General Jan Dodonna and Admiral Gial Ackbar that Skywalker has been abducted by a local Hutt crime lord. Dodonna is puzzled by Skywalker's presence on Nar Shaddaa, which he describes as the galaxy's largest haven for outlaws and assassins.
Admiral Ackbar inquires about rescuing Skywalker. Mon Mothma hesitates to risk Alliance personnel and resources by sending a covert team into Hutt territory. Unsettled, Mothma apologizes to Skywalker and wonders who would volunteer for such a dangerous mission. Chewbacca roars his agreement, prompting Dodonna to acknowledge that her question has been answered. C-3PO asks Chewbacca if they should depart immediately, but dreads the prospect of the mission.