Age of Rebellion - Grand Moff Tarkin 1

Age of Rebellion - Grand Moff Tarkin 1 is the second one-shot in the canon comic book anthology series Star Wars: Age of Rebellion. It was written by Greg Pak, illustrated by Marc Laming, and published on April 10, 2019 by Marvel Comics.
==Publisher's summary==
THE SOUL OF THE DEATH STAR! The EMPIRE has built the deadliest weapon the galaxy has ever seen. But even the most ruthless Imperial officer might hesitate before unleashing the DEATH STAR's power to kill millions in an instant. Behold the secret story of GRAND MOFF TARKIN, the horrors that honed his resolve and the terrifying steps he takes to ensure that the Death Star lives up to its deadly name!
==Plot summary==
===Claws on Eriadu===
On Eriadu, an adolescent Wilhuff Tarkin is pursued by a pair of black feline creatures. He calls his Uncle Jova Tarkin for help but the elder Tarkin tells his nephew that he is on his own, adding either he kills or is killed. The teenage is mauled by the the two beasts but manages to break off one of their claws.
===Simulation over Rango Tan===
Decades later, Grand Moff Tarkin is in command of the first Death Star. He questions Admiral Conan Antonio Motti about a nearby planet called Rango Tan. Under Tarkin's orders, Motti tells the entire crew that the planet is home to an indigenous pre-hyperdrive species known as Rangans, who have developed three major civilizations and number 45 million. He reports that they have remained neutral in recent conflicts since they lack their own interplanetary travel technology. Following the announcement, Tarkin orders Motti to prepare the Death Star for firing.
Before the Death Star gunners can complete the firing sequence, Tarkin orders them to terminate the simulation. When Motti asks what happens, the chief gunner explains that there are 168 gunners in the facility, each of whom needs to execute his protocol at the right time. Tarkin demands to see the gunners. Motti offers to investigate but Tarkin reiterates that he wants to see them all. The Death Star gunners assemble in a hangar bay where Tarkin inspects all 168 gunners.
He speaks to Chief Gunner Endo Frant and orders the man to give him his helmet and push up his sleeves. Tarkin notices that the younger man's arms are unscarred. Frant admits that he has a scar on his knee, from a grav-ball tournament in university. When Frant offers to show him the scar, Tarkin strikes the man in the face with his gunner's helmet. Tarkin observes that the gunner is a quarter meter taller than him and at least 20 years younger but only has one scare on his knee.
Tarkin takes off his own tunic and displays his scarred chest to Frant and the other gunners. Deeming the man soft and privileged, he asks a stormtrooper to give Frant a vibroblade. Tarkin says that if he survives, Frant is to be released unharmed and promoted to Captain. When Frant refuses to fight Tarkin, the Grand Moff replies that he cannot opt out and tells him to imagine that they are fighting for survival against rebel traitors who would murder them in their sleep and dance in their graves. Tarkin dares Frant to fight him and reveals a dagger made from the fang of the Eriadu feline beast. Frant obliges and parries with Tarkin. However, Tarkin gains the advantage and slashes Frant several times, killing him.
However, the assault and fight sequence turns out to be Tarkin's fantasy about punishing the reluctant gunners. After Frant explains that he sustained a scar on his knee from a grav-ball injury, Tarkin gives a speech to the gunners. While discipline was lax under the late Director Orson Callan Krennic, Tarkin reminds them that they are Death Star gunners, who are trained to unleash the Galactic Empire's most powerful weapon against their worst enemies. Tarkin observes that the gunners did not hesitate to carry out their orders in destroying Jedha City and the Scarif base. However, he chastises them for hesitating to destroy a planet during a simulation. Tarkin reminds the men that their only job is to fire when commanded. If they are unable to do so, he suggests that they report for decommissioning and shipment to the labor colonies, adding that this will be their only warning.
===Destroying Alderaan===
Above Alderaan, Tarkin confronts rebel leader Princess Leia Organa. Darth Vader is also present. Since she has been reluctant to provide them with the location of the rebel base, Tarkin tells her that he intends to test the Death Star's superlaser on her homeworld of Alderaan. When Organa protests that Alderaan is peaceful and has no weapons, he reiterates his demand that she name the system. Organa lies that the rebel base is on Dantooine.
Tarkin tells Vader that Organa can be reasonable before ordering the Death Star gunners to proceed with the operation to destroy Alderaan. A Death Star gunner gazes at Organa lustfully but Tarkin exclaims a warning tone, prompting the gunner to return to his duties. When Organa protests, Tarkin counters that Dantooine is far too remote to make an effective demonstration and promises to deal with her rebel friends later.
The Death Star gunners initiate the superlaser's firing sequence and Alderaan is quickly destroyed. While Tarkin and Motti are pleased with the successful test firing, Organa is distraught and outraged. While Lord Vader and Imperial Navy troopers escort Organa back to her cell, Tarkin orders another officer to obtain the mission report reaction data and to summon any "blue flags" to Bay 12.
===Thinning the herd===
At Bay 12, Tarkin speaks with six Death Star gunners who hesitated at key points during the Death Star's firing sequence. Tarkin tells the gunners that he had Admiral Motti install bio-trackers inside the helmets of every gunner on this station. Tarkin reminds them that he gave them the opportunity to resign their commissions if they were unable to do their job and expresses disappointment. Chief Gunner Frant responds that he and his comrades destroyed Alderaan as ordered.
When Tarkin asks Frant if he was born on Alderaan, the gunner admits he was born there but adds that he was educated on Coruscant and has not been back to his homeworld for years. Frant then asks Tarkin to consider how he would react if he were ordered to destroy his own homeworld. Tarkin reminisces on a flashback of himself exacting revenge against Uncle Jovan by blowing him and his companions up with improvised explosives. Back in the present, Tarkin responds that he would do his duty with pleasure.
When the gunners respond with shock and silence, Tarkin remarks that none of them understand and that they don't belong on the Death Star. The stormtroopers usher the men into an airlock where they are sucked out into zero gravity space. Tarkin watches as the gunners perish in space. Back in his personal quarters, Tarkin unbuttons his tunic and reads a datapad. The improvised fang dagger rests on a nearby table while TIE fighters circle the Death Star.
==Continuity==
During the final conversation between Wilhuff Tarkin and Endo Frant, Coruscant was mispelled as "Corsucant."
==Media==
===Editions===
*UPC 759606091904; April 10, 2019; Marvel Comics
**00111; Cover A; Rachel Dodson, Terry Dodson
**00121; Cover B; Guru-eFX, Mike McKone
**00131; Cover C; Lucasfilm Ltd.
**00141; Cover D; Iain McCaig
===Cover gallery===
File:AOR-GrandMoffTarkin.jpg|Cover A
File:AoR Grand Moff Tarkin textless.png|Cover A, textless
File:AOR-GrandMoffTarkin-McKone.jpg|Cover B
File:AOR-GrandMoffTarkin-Movie.jpg|Cover C
File:AOR-GrandMoffTarkin-McCaig.jpg|Cover D
==Appearances==
==Collections==
*Star Wars: Age of Rebellion — Villains
*Star Wars: Age of Rebellion HC
==Sources==
*
==Notes and references==
==External links==
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Category:Star Wars: Age of Rebellion issues