OUT OF THE FRYING PAN, INTO THE HEAT-DEATH OF A PLANET-KILLING METEOR STRIKE! Swindling, backstabbing and even occasionally feeling bad about it, all of DOCTOR APHRA's attempts to escape her prison-world have failed. But…wait — here comes an Imperial shuttle. Could this be salvation? Wait…those breathing sounds seem familiar…
As Accresker Jail approaches Tiferep Major, Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra tells Magna Tolvan and Sana Starros that she has dialed down the space station's gravity low enough so that their escape pod can brea free. She warns it will be a rough ride and tells them to buckle up. Starros questions Aphra's sincerity in caring for others. When Aphra reminds Aphra of her promise to ensure that the rebels do not hurn Tolvan. Despite her distrust of Aphra, Starros agrees to protect Tolvan.
Before Aphra can dispatch the escape pod, Tolvan jumps out. When Tolvan asks Aphra why she is not escaping, Aphra accuses Tolvan of being irresponsible in choosing not to escape. Tolvan replies that she is not leaving Aphra since she has a back-up plan. Aphra counters that he back-up plan is only for herself. Aphra reluctantly agrees to modify her plans for three people. Aphra, Lopset Yas, and Tolvan head down to the main launch hangar. A seemingly worried Lopsit asks Aphra if there is a place for him. Aphra reassures Lopset this is the case. She also tells him to stand on the grill, tasking him with ensuring that there is a clear path back to the Jedi ship and the Gundravian hookspore fungus.
Shortly, the bounty hunter Tam Posla arrives in his starship, drawing attention of the Hookspore swarm. Aphra convinces a reluctant to shape-shift into Doctor Cornelius Evazan, appealing to the need to survive. Lopset is fearful, knowing Posla's hatred for Evazan. Aphra reassures Lopset that Posla is not the type to shoot first and ask questions later. Having gained Posla's trust, Aphra betrays him by activating the coolant grille and freezing him.
Posla tells Aphra that he has brought a shuttle and asks her to honor her side of the deal. Aphra claims that she has captured the fugitive "mutilator" alive. When Posla asks Aphra if she killed his partner Caysin Bog, Aphra asks if killing him would change the situation. Posla responds that he would still honor the agreement but would later take the opportunity to exert revenge. The sentient hookspore fungus attempts to merge with Posla but Tolvan activates the coolant grille, freezing the creature. After briefing Posla about the hookspore fungus, Posla departs on his ship.
Aboard his ship, Posla is jubilant about capturing "Evazan," the man whom he believes killed his colleague Caysin. Posla believes that the fates are turning in is favor if a woman as untrustworthy as Dr Aphra could deliver such as valuable prize to him. Posla decides to check if Aphra has delivered the right person and begins defrosting "Evazan"s body.
Meanwhile, Tolvan asks Aphra if Posla will realize the deception. Aphra thinks that they would have escape in the shuttle that Posla provided before he realizes the deception. With the hookspore fungus frozen, Aphra proceeds to loot the wrecked Jedi starship for treasure and retrieves a lightsaber. Aphra plans to make a fortune selling the lightsaber, leading Tolvan to remark that Aphra is reckless with her own life in the pursuit of treasure. Tolvan admits her romantic feelings for Aphra.
With three minutes before Accresker Jail's impending collision with Tiferep Major, the two depart on a shuttle but their ship is shot down by BT-1 and 0-0-0's ("Triple Zero") hijacked touring ship. Their ship crashes on the asteroid prison Aphra and Tolvan survive the crash. Triple Zero lands and begins killing the doomed prisoners. Aphra and Tolvan flee as the asteroid prison begins its descent into Tiferep's atmosphere. Several prisoners are swept out into space. The descent also frees the frozen hookspore fungus.
However, the space station's collision is halted by a tractor beam. The prisoners, Aphra and Tolvan watch as an Imperial Lambda-class shuttle approaches the prison. Tolvan admits that she had a secret backup plan which involved summoning Darth Vader in an attempt to cancel the planetfall. As Vader proceeds to kill the stranded prisoners, Aphra and Tolvan retreat to a corridor within the wrecked prison.
Watching Vader's rampage, Tolvan is apologetic for putting Aphra and herself in danger. Aphra experiences an epiphany. Realizing that people want to kill her for her secrets and skills, Aphra decides to erase her memories with the help of the tentacled mairan. In explaining her reasons to Tolvan, Aphra says that she is unwilling to choose a side in the conflict and wants to avoid harming her friends and loved ones. Her solution is to erase her memories to render her useless to those who seek her.
- UPC 759606086290; September 26, 2018; Marvel Comics
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