Aboard his Star Destroyer, Vader tortures a Rebel spy for information on Tyler Lucian, a Rebel deserter who can identify Luke. Wermis chides two Stormtroopers who flinch at his screams, but he, too, is affected. In Old Town, Centares, Valance tracks Lucian to Merl's, a cantina where Lucien is hiding. When Merl tries to shoot him, Valance punches through the bar, grabs his gun, and shoots his cronies, Uri and Glocken, but a shot exposes his circuits, scaring Merl into talking. Valance kills him and leaves, but is halted by investigating troops. He shows a license to hunt in 29 Out-World systems and says the men thought he was after them and panicked; they believe him, but realize he's a Borg and detain him. He kills them and vows to find Lucian before Vader. Lucian hides at Rubyflame Lake, a lava-water bed near a ruined resort that for the Old Republic was a paradise, but under Imperial rule was industrially exploited and polluted. Afraid to die in the Death Star battle, he stole a supply ship and ran, then learned of Luke's victory; now, he considers suicide but is afraid. Valance and Vader's TIE arrive simultaneously, and as Lucian runs into the resort, the two meet. On Yavin IV, in the Massassi Ruins, 3PO vows never to insult R2 again if he survives, but insults him as soon as he is fixed. Near a supply area, Dodonna tells Luke that Leia is on a vital mission. Vader and Valance clash at the lava docks, and Vader is confused by Valance's change of heart and disarms him with the Force. He shoots Vader with an arm-blaster. Vader offers to employ him, but Valance refuses, for Luke and 3PO believe all beings are equal and he wants to protect that dream. Vader stabs him with his lightsaber, but Valance grabs his foot and throws himself into the lava, pulling Vader down until Vader severs his hand. Atop the resort, Lucian hears Valance's words and finds the courage for suicide. Vader returns to his ship, overhears off-duty troops anxious to remove their armor and look human, and orders all personnel to remain in armor at all times.

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