Empire 21 is the twenty-first issue in the Star Wars: Empire series of comics. It was published on June 30, 2004 by Dark Horse Comics.
Publisher's summary
Against Luke's better judgment, Leia has sought the help of an old boyfriend from Alderaan in finding a new location for the Rebel base. He's willing to provide the Alliance with the perfect spot—but only if Leia will give up the Rebellion and join him in preserving a piece of their homeworld.
Ordinarily, Leia's decision would be an easy one. But when a speeder crash strands her and her friend on a jungle moon, their need for each other in their struggle for survival leads to a conclusion that neither of them could have foreseen...
Plot summary
Rekindling an old friendship
The Veermok charges at Princess Leia Organa and Raal Panteer. The creature grabs Panteer's neck, causing him to drop his blaster rifle. Before the Veermok can hurt Panteer, Organa shoots the creature in the head. Raal thanks Organa for saving his life and asks if she learnt to shoot with the Rebellion. Organa responds that she had more practice lately. Raal has sustained a few broken ribs from the attack.
When Organa asks if the Panteer brothers imported more dangerous animals, Raal quips that they did not import a krayt dragon but warns that the dead Veermok would attract more predators during the evening. They continue their journey back to the Panteer estate. By daybreak, the two have reached a meadow. The two talk about sneaking out at night to swim in the Aldera reflecting pools. Raal recalls that was the night that he kissed her for the first time. Organa recalls shivering that night but not because the water was cold. Organa senses that they are being followed but Raal reassures her that they are fine as long as whatever is following them only looks at them.
Continuing their walk, Raal asks why Organa joined the Rebellion. Organa explains that she was elected to the Imperial Senate but quickly discovered that the Senate was a tool for Palpatine. She says she was inspired by her father's stories of the Galactic Republic before the rise of the Galactic Empire. While recognizing that his older brother Heeth Panteer is unlikely to allow the Rebellion to build a base on their moon, Raal expresses an interest in joining the Rebellion. Organa says that there will always be a place for him in the Rebellion.
A dangerous crossing
The two decide to wade into a river since it is closer to the estate. He encourages Organa to close her eyes and to imagine she is wading through a reflecting pool. The river is inhabited by several creatures including a pikobi, pom-hopper, Shiro, Tooke and various green flat fishes. Raal reassures Organa that she is tougher than most princesses that she has met, prompting her to reply that she is the only princess he has met. Raal responds that she is the only princess that he has kissed. While talking about his personal trauma with the destruction of Alderaan, Raal senses that something big brushes his legs.
Suddenly, the pair are attacked by a large green swamp predator known as a Scrange. Raal manages to shoot the creature with his blaster rifle, causing it to sink into the river. However, he loses his gun in the process. While coming ashore, Raal is bitten by a serpentine Morp. Organa fights off the creature and crushes it with a rock. Raal tells Organa that the creature is poisonous and that there is no antidote. He tells Organa to leave him but she is unwilling to abandon him.
Raal's death
Raal says that he will only slow her down since he will be unable to walk. Organa insists on not abandoning him and helps support him as they walk back towards the Raal ranch. By dusk, the two have made it closer to the ranch but Raal is struggling to walk and breath due to the effects of the poison. After he collapses, Organa reiterates that she is unwilling to abandon him. The two are attacked by the mate of the Veermok that Organa killed earlier. She grabs a branch and drives the creature away.
When Organa asks why the creature fled, Raal explains that it probably realized that she was defending her mate and felt some kinship with her. With Raal paralyzed below the chest by the poison, he asks her to kiss her one final time. Organa kisses Raal as her friend breathes his last breath. Shorty later, Heeth arrives in a landspeeder. Organa tells Heeth that Raal died after being bitten by a morp and that he succumbed to the effects of the poison. Heeth is accompanied by C-3PO, who is concerned for his master's well-being. A grieving Heeth blames Organa for his younger brother's death, which he regards as another piece of the lost world of Alderaan. He orders Organa to leave and to forget their moon reserve.
Upon returning to the Alliance Fleet, a distraught Organa tells Han Solo, Chewbacca and Luke Skywalker that the Rebellion won't be setting up a base on the Panteer's moon. When Solo asks if her former boyfriend has a new girlfriend, she says no but refuses to discuss the matter. When Skywalker asks about her trip, Organa is not in a mood to talk and storms off. When Skywalker asks Solo what is wrong with Organa, Solo says that he does not know.
Media
Cover gallery
Collected in
- Star Wars: Empire Volume 4: The Heart of the Rebellion
- 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
Appearances
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
|
Organisms
|
Droid models
Events
|
Locations
|
Organizations and titles
|
Sentient species
Vehicles and vessels
Weapons and technology
Notes and references
- ↑
Star Wars: Empire (2002) #21 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)
- ↑ The date of this story is established internally in relation to Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, which The Essential Reader's Companion dates to 0 BBY.
External links
- Star Wars: Empire #21 on Dark Horse Comics' official website (backup link)
- Star Wars: Empire (2002) #21 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)
