The High Republic – Shadows of Starlight 3 is the third issue of the 2023 comic miniseries Star Wars: The High Republic – Shadows of Starlight. The issue was written by Charles Soule, illustrated by Jethro Morales and Chris Sotomayor, and published by Marvel Comics on December 13, 2023.
Publisher's summary
BELL ZETTIFAR: JEDI KNIGHT! Many JEDI KNIGHTS were lost in the fall of STARLIGHT BEACON, and many lost their way after the disaster. BELL ZETTIFAR did not. With his trusty charhound EMBER at his side, Bell will battle to rid the galaxy of the villainous NIHIL…and they won't be alone. Learn who survived the FALL OF STARLIGHT!
Opening crawl
| THE HIGH REPUBLIC SHADOWS OF STARLIGHT "THE WILL OF THE FORCE" |
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Plot summary
On the cliffs
Five days after the fall of Starlight Beacon in the waters of Eiram, Jedi Master Elzar Mann and Padawan Bell Zettifar stand on a cliff's edge overlooking the massive wreckage. Elzar informs Bell that it is time to come home. This spurs a philosophical conundrum for Bell, whose late master, Loden Greatstorm, used to say that for the Jedi, home was people, rather than places. He longs for the simpler days of the Elphrona Outpost, where he was stationed with Loden, Porter Engle, Indeera Stokes, and the charhound Ember. With Master Greatstorm's death, Porter and Ember disappearing on a mission, and Indeera in the hospital after an encounter with the Nameless on Starlight, Bell remains worried about his friend Burryaga Agaburry, who went missing during Starlight's descent.
Elzar Mann is skeptical that Burryaga is even alive, considering he was fighting rathtars as Starlight was falling apart and was without his lightsaber too. Without confirmation of his death, however, Bell is set on searching for his friend. He draws the comparison to if Elzar was looking for Avar Kriss, who left like Porter Engle did. Bell adds that with the death of Stellan Gios, Elzar does not have a home either.
The harshness of Bell's words rattle Elzar, but Bell is quick to apologize. He adds that looking for Burryaga is his path and that he hopes Elzar will respect it. Elzar approves, and gives Bell Burryaga's lightsaber to return to the Wookiee if he ever is found.
Lost and found
Now six weeks after the fall of Starlight, Bell Zettifar emerges from the depths of the Maw of Shareen in a submarine, Burryaga alongside him. They rendezvous with the fishing vessel Queen Xiri. The boat's crew reel the submarine in and give a malnourished Burryaga towels and food. Bell and Burryaga thank the crew, and Captain Okoro appreciate Bell's work over the past several weeks. Thus, Bell and Burryaga prepare to head back to Coruscant, with Bell intent on making the Nihil pay for their evil deeds.
Two weeks later, Bell and Burryaga arrive at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Bell is disappointed that being Padawans, neither of them will be able to choose their assignments, especially with the Jedi High Council sending in the recall order. Indeed, Bell feels that the Jedi are too far away from the Nihil and their Occlusion Zone and not taking enough action.
Their conversation is interrupted by Ember sprinting towards them to welcome the pair home. They are also greeted by Master Indeera Stokes, who is recovering from her ailment. She informs Bell that Porter entrusted Ember to her before he headed off into Nihil space and that she is feeling all right. She also informs the Padawans of the enactment of the Guardian Protocols, which includes Padawans ready for Knighthood to be knighted. Soon, both Bell Zettifar and Burryaga are granted the rank of Jedi Knight.
After their ceremony, Bell and Burryaga reflect on a balcony. Bell is elated at finally feeling ready to be a Knight. Burryaga is not quite as excited, however. Bell tries to reassure his friend by reminding Burryaga that Jedi Knights have more freedoms, even with the Guardian Protocols and the recall. Bell is ready for work.
Revenge of the Jedi
Four months after the fall of Starlight Beacon, Burryaga joins Bell in his chamber. Bell has been scouring over images of Marchion Ro, hoping to find connections in the data. He feels strongly that the man who killed both of he and Burryaga's masters needs to be stopped. When Burryaga asks Bell why he is doing it, the Wookiee only receives frustration from his friend, who wishes Burryaga would help him. After all, Bell sees no better way to use his time. Bell sends Burryaga away so the Wookiee can rest.
A month later, Burryaga addresses his concerns about Bell with Grand Master Pra-Tre Veter. The sage master acknowledges that many Jedi are struggling staying put in the temple during such a crisis, as remaining in one place feels like a sort of abdication of Jedi responsibility. Nevertheless, Veter reaffirms the pragmatism of the recall so that the Jedi can dole out resources as effectively and as strategically as possible. For instance, Master Yoda is coordinating with an expert on the Nameless, and they will hopefully soon see results
Master Veter recognizes that Bell needs a meaningful task to occupy himself so he suggests Bell join one of the joint Jedi-Republic task force teams to be stationed in the Outer Rim near the Occlusion Zone borders. Master Veter invites Burryaga to join him and Bell, but Burryaga is unsure. Indeed, the Wookiee has been spending a lot of time helping Jedi Initiates process their fears through artistic expression, which is widely recognized as valuable.
Another month later, Burryaga draws with the younglings. They are drawing pictures of people they miss, people that made or make them happy. One youngling, Toko, notices Burryaga seeming sad. She sees that he is drawing Bell Zettifar, but cannot help but observe that the man's expression in the drawing is beset with anger.
As Bell Zettifar and Pra-Tre Veter prepare to leave the temple for the joint task force, Master Veter reminds the younger Knight that their capacity on the mission is to solve problems by showing the galaxy that the Jedi have not abandoned them; the fighting should be left up to the Republic Defense Coalition (RDC). The pair is interrupted by Burryaga, who decided to join them for the mission. Burryaga compliments his friend on his new, shorter haircut. But as Bell expresses his happiness, Burryaga thinks about the anger he drew on his friend's face.
Bringing the light
Nine months after the fall of Starlight Beacon, aboard the RDC Emissary-class Cruiser Third Horizon, Admiral Pevel Kronara briefs the Jedi and RDC personnel on intel about a Nihil attack on a nearby settlement on Asternin. The plan is for the RDC to find and take out the Nihil squadron while the Jedi go to the surface to deliver aid to the people. Bell suggests the Jedi pilot starfighters, but Kronara and Master Veter reason that given the likelihood of the Nihil already having fled the scene, the Jedi are poised to do the most good on the planet's surface.
When the Jedi and their RDC aids arrive to the settlement of Solunus, where they thanked by the settlement's mayor. As Master Veter gives his condolences for the destruction wreaked by the Nihil, raider scouts identify the Grand Master from cards featuring identifying images of prominent Jedi. The scouts become eager for the chance to cash in the bounty on a Jedi Grand Master. They thus call in their leader, Captain Melis Shryke.
Shryke arrives aboard the Cacophony and explodes the Jedi's aid ship. Bell, Burryaga, and Master Veter ignite their lightsabers in defense of the townspeople, but Shrkye activates her 47 lightsaber nullifier, extinguishing the Jedi weapons. She then sends down a legion of Nihil warriors to subdue and capture the Jedi, with a special focus on Master Veter. The Grand Master asks Bell and Burryaga to get the townspeople to safety and call for backup from the Third Horizon. He decides to buy them as much time as possible to escape to Coruscant.
As the group of Nihil approach the disarmed Jedi Grand Master, he reminds them that he is well trained in the unarmed Force combat form Shon-Ju. Veter takes out the Nihil with his focused Force power. When they send reinforcements, he uses their repelling ropes to ascent to the Cacophony. Shryke came prepared, however, and activates the ship's boarder repulsion system. This sends an electric shock through Veter, and he crashes, incapacitated, to the ground. Melis Shryke looks over her quarry and gloats about her lack of fear, the pure joy she feels at the money she will make. Meanwhile, Bell and Burryaga have escaped with numerous Solunus refugees.
Media
Cover gallery
Collected in
- Star Wars: The High Republic – Shadows of Starlight trade paperback
- Star Wars: The High Republic Phase III – Trials of the Jedi Omnibus
Appearances
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
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Organisms
Events
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Locations
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Organizations and titles
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Sentient species
Vehicles and vessels
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Weapons and technology
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Miscellanea
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Sources
Star Wars: The High Republic Show: The Fate of Burryaga Revealed, The High Republic Heads to San Diego Comic-Con, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)- Lucasfilm Publishing: Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away... | Panel | San Diego Comic-Con 2023 on the official Penguin Random House YouTube channel (original link is obsolete)
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 220
- Dark Droids Meets a Terrifying End in Marvel's December 2023 Star Wars Comics – Exclusive Preview on StarWars.com (backup link)
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 223
- "Charles Soule: Luminous Legacy" — Star Wars Insider 231
- "Star Wars: The High Republic Companion: Phase III: Trials of the Jedi" — Star Wars Insider 234
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Star Wars: The High Republic - Shadows of Starlight (2023) #3 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)
- ↑ The High Republic – Shadows of Starlight 3 takes place after the implementation of the Guardian Protocols, dated to 229 BBY by Star Wars: The High Republic Character Encyclopedia.
