Star Wars (2015) 39

Publisher's summary

THE ASHES OF JEDHA!

Once the site of great significance to the Jedi, Jedha was left in ruins when the Death Star annihilated the Holy City there. Now, new series writer Kieron Gillen joins artist Salvador Larroca to bring Luke, Leia, Han, and the rest to the remains of the tragic victim of the Empire's fury!^[3]

Opening crawl

It is period of high tension in the galaxy. The
Galactic Empire has returned to Jedha in an
attempt to collect the remaining weapon-powering
kyber crystals that survived the Death Star's
attack.

Meanwhile, Rebel leaders Princess Leia and Luke
Skywalker, joined by smuggler Han Solo, are
leading the mission to find a new base for their
operation. Upon arriving on Jedha, the rebels
quickly join forces with natives of the nearly
destroyed planet, Chulco Gi and ex-rebel Ubin.

However, when Ubin and Chulco lead the heroes of
the Rebellion to meet with surviving members of
Saw Gerrera's partisans, their welcome is less
than friendly....

Plot summary

An unlikely alliance

On NaJedha, Benthic stood before his captives and agreed to remove their hoods, revealing Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Leia Organa. Leia acknowledged Benthic as Saw Gerrera's second-in-command and asked him how he had survived the destruction of Jedha City.

Benthic said he scrambled to his snubfighter, leaving his partner behind. He asked Leia why she had come to the dying world. She told him that she was there because of the Death Star and the fear of what the Empire might build next. They needed to stop the Empire from mining kyber crystals. Benthic stated that the Partisans would never follow the Rebellion's orders, but Leia said she knew and didn't want that. She acknowledged that the Jedha Partisans had done well on their own, but that they could do even better with a proper supply of equipment. She added that she had a shipment ready to secure a future arrangement and that the rebels would be at their service while on the planet.

Ubin vouched for the heroes, introducing Leia and Luke, the Destroyer of the Death Star. Leia stated that there must never be another Alderaan or Jedha. Benthic explained that Saw Gerrera once bombed a group of collaborating civilians with flechettes to send a message to the Imperials. He asked if the Rebellion would resort to such tactics. After a tense moment, Benthic relented, agreeing that they needed what Leia offered and invited her to join him for a discussion.

A hunt for Kyber

Back aboard the Star Destroyer, Queen Trios reported to Commander Kanchar, providing information gathered from crystal resonators dropped on the surface of Jedha. She stated they had found a large peak of kyber crystals about 20 kilometers east of Jedha City, in an area that was once the catacombs of Cadera. She noted that this was unusual and asked the commander what he wasn't telling her.

He explained that Saw Gerrera had captured a large amount of kyber and he suspected it was buried when the Death Star's laser hit the surface. This would make Saw's base the "kyber motherlode." He added that he was impressed with the amount of mining the Partisans had intercepted, as he could appreciate competence regardless of allegiance. The two also discussed how odd it was that some civilians had not left the dying world. The commander declared that Jedha was now a prohibited moon and that anyone still on it would be considered a rebel and punished.

A desperate fight

In the ruined city of Ai-jed on Jedha, the heroes were amazed that people still lived there. Ubin explained that there were no regular flights off-planet and everyone was impoverished. Chulco told Luke that even now, driven Force-users would still venture to the planet to visit a Jedi temple on the outskirts where the Force "howled."

As the heroes distributed filters to the civilians, Ubin told the story of Rogue One, noting how the small group of rebels had died for obeying orders and doing the right thing, while those who had not were still alive. Suddenly, the sound of stormtroopers with flamethrowers could be heard incinerating everything in their path. Ubin told Luke to brief Benthic and prepare a counterattack, but Luke immediately jumped into action with his lightsaber.

Aboard the Star Destroyer, the commander ordered a drill citadel to be dropped onto the planet. On the surface, Luke told Benthic that he now understood what was at risk. Benthic pointed to a screen, showing Luke the giant drill smashing into the ground. When asked what the plan was, Benthic simply replied, "We'll destroy it."

Media

Cover gallery

Cover

Textless solicitation cover by David Marquez

Action figure variant cover by John Tyler Christopher

Mile High Comics variant cover by Rahzzah

Collected in

• Star Wars Vol. 7: The Ashes of Jedha
• Star Wars by Gillen & Pak Omnibus
• Star Wars Modern Era Epic Collection: The Screaming Citadel

Appearances

Sources

• The Marvel Art of Star Wars

Notes and references

External links

• Star Wars (2015) #39 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)