Empire 5 is the fifth issue in the Star Wars: Empire series of comics. It contained the story "Princess… Warrior, Part 1" and was published on February 5, 2003 by Dark Horse Comics.
Publisher's summary
In the weeks prior to the events in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Princess Leia Organa undertakes a covert mission to deliver much needed supplies to the Rebel Alliance on the planet Ralltiir, only to have her mission thwarted when the forces of the Empire—including Darth Vader—take control of the planet. Leia escapes without the Imperials discovering the true reason for her visit, but she realizes that the time may be past for talk and "mercy missions." Turning her attention to another of the galaxy's trouble spots, Leia finds herself up to her neck in Imperial trouble and comes to terms with the need to take up arms against an evil enemy. Before she was a political firebrand, driven by an outraged sense of justice. Now she must fight to save a people targeted for extinction.
Plot summary
Mission to Ralltiir
Three weeks prior to the Battle of Yavin, Prince Leia Organa visits the Imperial–occupied world of Ralltiir. Lord Tion allows Organa to land, believing that she is on a diplomatic mission. Raymus Antilles informs her that the Imperials have posted a guard at their boarding lock. Organa protests via comlink and is contacted by Lord Tion, who offers to come in his personal landspeeder.
Meanwhile, two Ralltiir underground fighters Basso and Jiir discuss their planned operation. Jiir asks if Basso is ready to go through with their plan. Basso responds that they have little choice since their people are being herded into camps and slaughtered. Jiir confirms the team is ready and Basso wishes his older brother all the best.
At the boarding lock, Organa questions Tion about the "state of emergency." Tion says that the state of emergency will remain in place until the troublemakers have been sifted from the general population. Tion questions the purpose of her mission to Ralltiir. When Organa explains that she is on a mission to deliver medical supplies and spare parts to the Ralltiiri High Council, he explains that the council has been dissolved for treason. When Organa questions the heavy-handed Imperial occupation of Ralltiir, Tion gets defensive and issues a veiled threat against the Organa family.
Evacuating the rebel
Jiir's forces stage a diversionary attack on the stormtroopers guarding the Tantive IV. Basso takes advantage of the firefight to head towards the Tantive IV. While Lord Tion and his troops withdraw to deal with the insurgents, Organa and her crew discuss what to do next. The Tantive IV has been transporting medical supplies and technical equipment to support weapons. Shortly later, they are joined by the wounded Basso, who says that he has valuable information to share with her offworld. Organa's bodyguards manage to hide Basso aboard her speeder before Darth Vader arrives with several stormtroopers.
After exchanging greetings, Lord Vader tells Princess Organa that he is here to search her ship and cargo. Organa protests that Lord Tion has oversight over the matter. Vader replies that they will make the search legal and warns her not to think of fleeing Ralltiir. Meanwhile, Lord Tion's Imperial forces eliminate the last of the Ralltiir insurgents. Tion is dismayed that the soldiers did not take prisoners and asks about the surveillance system around the Tantive IV. They overhear Organa telling Antilles and her crew to allow Tion to search the Tantive IV but suggests using her father Bail Organa's clout to convince him not to. Ultimately, Tion allows Organa and her crew to leave aboard the Tantive IV without being searched.
After entering hyperspace, Organa's medics place Basso inside a bacta tank. When Antilles notices Organa's sad expression despite their successful escape, Organa says she feels sad for the people of Ralltiir under Imperial occupation. She says she wants to do more but expresses frustration at becoming a lightning rod for Imperial attention. Unable to deliver medical supplies to rebels in conflict zones, she decides to plot a new course.
A friend on Kattada
Princess Organa and the crew of the Tantive IV travel to the ocean planet Kattada. At the main spaceport of Haleoda, Organa and her crew are greeted by Mia Ikova, the elected leader of Ikova. During the impromptu visit, Organa asks to speak privately with Ikova. While riding a repulsorlift carriage drawn by a four-legged animal, Ikova asks if her visit has anything to do with Rebellion. While Organa tries to deny her visit has anything to do with the Rebellion, Ikova responds that Organa and her family's reputation as critics of the Empire precede her. When Organa asks about smugglers based on Haleoda, Ikova asks her to wait until they arrive at her palace.
While an honor guard of Kattadan Guards and Alderaanian soldiers stands guard, Organa meets with Ikova in her study. She tells Ikova that she has a shipment of supplies that she needs to be delivered to the rebels on Ralltiir. Ikova says that would be difficult since the planet is under Imperial occupation but agrees to help.
Later, Captain Antilles informs Organa that the Tantive IV is ready to depart. He also tells her that the doctors says that their patient Basso should be fully recovered by the time they reach Alderaan. Ikova invites Organa to stay for the night but she says that she has another delivery to make. Antilles advises Organa to depart since her father would have received news about the situation on Ralltiir. One of Ikova's servants rushes to inform them that an Imperial patrol ship has arrived. Antilles advises Organa to leave but she is unwilling to let Madam Ikova and her people be punished for her actions.
The Imperial invasion
A Sentinel-class landing craft lands next to the Tantive IV at the spaceport. Antilles orders his crew to retrieve blasters and to man the turbolaser turrets. Organa tells Antilles not to open fire unless she gives the order. Antilles gives her a comlink so that she can communicate with her crew. Madam Ikova says her people lack the means to fight the Empire since they are lightly armed. Organa is hopeful they can talk their way out of the situation.
As stormtroopers and scout troopers disembark from the landing craft, Imperial Commander Karg announces that he has orders to arrest Princess Organa and her entourage. When Organa protests that she was given leave to travel freely by Lord Tion, Karg counters that his permission was overruled by Lord Vader. Vader had issued orders that if Organa was discovered in any place other than Alderaan, her ship would be seized and searched. Organa protests, saying that Lord Vader does not have the authority to arrest a member of the Imperial Senate.
When Madam Ikova claims that Organa was merely visiting Kattada's beaches, Karg counters that the spaceport is a long way from the beach. He attempts to arrest Ikova and grabs her arm. When two Kattadan guards demand that Karg release Ikova, stormtroopers open fire, killing the guards. Ikova is hit in the abdomen during the shooting. While tending to Ikova, Organa condemns the Imperials' actions and says she would have peacefully. Karg is unmoved and says that her cooperation is now assured.
In response, Organa uses her comlink to order the crew of the Tantive IV to fire upon the Imperials, taking out several stormtroopers. Karg's second-in-command Spilik orders the Imperial forces to fall back to their ship. Meanwhile, Karg confronts Organa and says that her resistance would only delay the inevitable. When Organa counters that he started the violence, Karg vows to end it and ponders whether her cew are willing to fight when their princess is in danger.
Cover gallery
Appearances
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
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Droid models
Events
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Locations
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Organizations and titles
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Sentient species
Vehicles and vessels
Weapons and technology
Miscellanea
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Collections
- Star Wars: Empire: Volume Four: The Heart of the Rebellion
- Star Wars Omnibus: At War with the Empire Volume 1
- Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 8
