Having failed to locate the Rebels' new base after the destruction of the Death Star, Vader sets out to redeem himself by strong-arming his underworld contacts for information about the Alliance. But other deeds from Vader's past return to haunt him as a group of aliens attempt to kill the Sith Lord as revenge for a slaughter he perpetrated on their homeworld.
Fighting vengeful aliens is all in a day's work. The real challenge for Vader is coming to terms with the man he once was, and the "monster" he has become…
Darth Vader arrives on Void Station, an asteroid city, seeking the Bothan information broker Jib Kopatha. Vader complains that Kopatha has not provided the Empire with any information other than speculations for several months. To re-establish the Empire's faith in him, Vader says, Kopatha must provide him with information regarding the Rebel Alliance. Kopatha complies, and tries to persuade Vader to stay in the city for a few days, offering him various delicate foods and women, but is turned down. As Vader walks back to the hangar to leave, A Falleen female named Xora approaches him, promising him information about the Rebels. Vader follows her into a seemingly empty room, where he is attacked by several Falleen, seeking revenge for his massacre of an entire city on the planet Falleen. Despite there being many of them and one landing a blow on him, he manages to kill them all. Vader grabs Xora by the throat says he doesn't like to be reminded of his past and chokes her to death before leaving.
Originally, Star Wars: Empire 19 was incorrectly placed five months after the Battle of Yavin although the Evacuation of Yavin (mentioned in the story) took place six months after the Battle of Yavin according to most sources, including The New Essential Chronology. The mistake has been corrected with the release of Star Wars Omnibus: At War with the Empire Volume 1.
- Star Wars: Empire: Volume Three: The Imperial Perspective
- Star Wars Omnibus: At War with the Empire Volume 1
- Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Rebellion Vol. 2
- Star Wars Legends: The Rebellion Omnibus Vol. 1