The High Republic (2021) 10

The High Republic 10 is the tenth issue of the comic book series Star Wars: The High Republic. The issue was written by Cavan Scott, illustrated by Georges Jeanty, Karl Story, Victor Olazaba, and Carlos Lopez and published by Marvel Comics on October 20, 2021.
==Publisher's summary==
OUT OF BALANCE, OUT OF TIME!!! KEEVE TRENNIS and bond-twin TEREC have defected to the villainous NIHIL. With AVAR KRISS and her former master closing in, Keeve must make a terrible choice. Can she take an innocent life to secure her place within the TEMPEST? A turning point is reached in the lives of THE JEDI OF STARLIGHT BEACON. The shadow of the Nihil has never loomed larger!
==Plot summary==
===Behind enemy lines===
At the warcloud forge on Xais, the Nihil hold Myarga the Hutt prisoner. Keeve Trennis, a Jedi Knight attempting to infiltrate the pirate group disguised as a Storm, thinks to herself about what Avar Kriss told her to do: act like a Nihil and get their trust. What Avar failed to mention, however, was that it would mean killing a former ally in cold blood. A cynical, untrustworthy, and selfish former ally, but a former ally regardless. Spotting a barrel labelled as containing nagnol, Keeve has an idea and covertly uses telekinesis to knock it over, alarming the Lepi Nihil moving it as the volatile gas detonates, throwing everyone back.
The Lepi, on fire, screams for help, but an angered Tempest Runner Zeetar instead guns the "stupid mange-farmer" to death, shouting that the entire plant could have gone up. Keeve suggests that the Lepi might have done them a favor, asking Zeetar where and when he found the Hutt. Upon receiving confirmation that the capture occurred on the edge of Wild Space and after the attack on Valo, Keeve claims that she heard from a Battrach gunrunner at Port Lennax that the "Jays" who fought the Drengir apparently worked with a Hutt. Suggesting that the Hutt in question might be the prisoner, Keeve says that she might possess any number of Jedi secrets, which they might as well find out. If she doesn't have any, then no harm done: they just kill her later. As Keeve speaks, Myarga regains consciousness and focuses on her.
===Jedi in peril===
Onboard the Ataraxia in hyperspace, Avar Kriss asks Ceret if they can still sense their bond-twin. Ceret responds that they would be worried if they couldn't, explaining that the twins are, in essence, the same being with the same mind, and experience each other's thoughts even separated at such a distance. Avar asks the Kotabi what their thoughts tell them now, and Ceret responds that Terec is safe, but also worried. Nooranbakarakana responds that going undercover is always stressful, but Ceret adds that Terec believes Keeve is playing a dangerous game. Unnoticed by the others, Jedi Master Sskeer tests levitating his lightsaber, but the Trandoshan loses his concentration and drops the weapon when Ceret says that Keeve's game has something to do with Myarga. Avar, concerned, wonders if Myarga is with the Nihil, and Ceret responds that although they are having trouble interpreting, Keeve, Terec, and Myarga all appear to be in danger.
The Marshal states that the Force will protect them through the Jedi on the cruiser, and tells Nooran to follow Ceret's coordinates. Sskeer's holoprojector beeps, and he answers to find he is being contacted by Doctor Gino'le from Starlight Beacon. The Anacondan says he is glad he could get through, and Sskeer asks if there's a problem on the space station. Gino'le responds that he just needed to speak to Sskeer. The Jedi Master responds that now is not a good time, but the doctor responds that it can't wait since Sskeer is out in the field, saying he might want to take the call alone. Sskeer responds that he keeps no secrets from his fellow Jedi as Avar turns in his direction. Gino'le goes ahead, but says it isn't good news: having received the results from his tests, the doctor knows why Sskeer is losing his connection to the Force.
===Interrogating Myarga===
On Xais, as the group moves through the Nihil gas foundry, Keeve reassures a worried Terec that it's all good, and that she's buying them time by buying Myarga time, asking the twin if their other half is on the way. When Terec confirms it, Keeve asks if they can make it seem like they're almost here. Overhearing the quiet conversation, Zeetar asks if the two have something to share, and Keeve says she was remarking on the impressiveness of the facility, having never seen such a forge before, and speculates that the Eye must be planning something big. Zeetar tells the "Storm" that's none of her concern unless she has her sights set on becoming a Tempest Runner. Keeve asks if there are any openings, and Zeetar snaps that they are not at a job fair. As the group enters another room, Keeve and Terec stare as Zeetar says he would like to see what they can do, revealing Myarga in a large tank.
Keeve asks if it's a bacta tank, and Zeetar responds "Not exactly" as he activates some controls. Green gas seeps inside the tank, and Zeetar tells Keeve and Terec Myarga is all theirs. Keeve asks what the substance is, and Zeetar responds that it's unrefined nagnol, saying they had better be quick before the Hutt's lungs burn. Mentally cursing to herself, Keeve addresses Myarga, telling the "slime pod" that she had better talk if she wants to live. Responding in Huttese, a dazed Myarga wonders if Keeve knows who she's talking to, threatening that she'll see her interrogator burn in the Pits of Ku'rella before saying anything. Keeve, knowing Myarga is not stupid, hopes that she realizes she wants to help. A Crolute Nihil reports to Zeetar that the tank's gas valve is jammed, which Keeve realizes is Terec's doing. Keeve thinks to herself that all they have to do is hold out long enough for their backup to arrive.
Commenting that there's more than one way to skin a mekle, Zeetar says that Keeve had her chance and blew it. Punching the tank's controls, Zeetar says they're going to do things his way: electricity. As Myarga is being shocked, Zeetar demands to know if the Storm is right, asking what she knows of the Jedi. Myarga asks if Zeetar is blind, and if he cannot see what is right in front of him, as Keeve is overcome with dread, hoping that Myarga won't do it.
===Cover blown===
To Keeve's despair, Myarga reveals that she and Terec are Jedi infiltrators. Zeetar responds that they finally have the truth, prompting the exposed Jedi to ignite their lightsabers. Keeve demands that the Nihil surrender but Zeetar points out that they are outnumbered and fires at them. He asks if this is the best the Jedi could send. Keeve counters that they will do what they can before hurling something at Zeetar. Zeetar's power armor deflects her object. After taunting Keeve, Zeetar retaliates by electrocuting Myarga again.
Due to Myarga's suffering, Terec is unable to focus. Keeve struggles to stay focused but is sucker punched by the Crolute Nihil. Zeetar grabs Keeve with his power armor, taunting her that the pain of others is the Jedi's weakness. The fight is interrupted by the arrival of Lourna Dee, whom the Jedi had wrongly presumed to be dead. Through their Force bond with Terec, Ceret realizes that Dee is alive and well. Kriss reacts with shock and horror.
===A new weapon===
A shocked Terec remarks that Dee was supposed to be dead. Having removed her mask, Dee responds by punching Terec in the head and shooting at the captive Myarga. She confronts Keeve and states that they can now hear themselves think. Keeve replies this was a mistake, prompting Dee to goad her into using her powers against her. Dee remarks that Keeve is adorable before summoning Doctor Kisma Uttersond, who unleashes a weapon store inside a box that has a debilitating effect on both Keeve and Terec.
While Keeve and Terec struggle in pain, Ceret senses that they have lost them aboard the Ataraxia. Believing their twin to be dead, Ceret says that Terec is gone and believes themselves to be alone. Kriss comforts Ceret, offering to help establish their connection. Ceret gasps in pain and despair. Kriss offers to help then and pleads with Ceret to let her listen to their song. Ceret responds that she cannot because it is all a lie. Ceret chants that there is no balance and peace but only pain. Ceret's eyes turn purple while their body begins turning into stone.
==Media==
===Cover gallery===
File:High-republic-10.jpg|Cover A
File:The High Republic Vol 3 cover.jpg|Cover A (unlettered)
File:High-republic-10-variant.jpg|Cover B
File:HighRepublic10-Wijngaard.jpg|Cover B final
File:HR10Turini.jpg|Variant cover by Marco Turini
File:THR10-MarcoTurinitextless.png|Textless cover by Marco Turini
File:HR10JeantyDee.jpg|Variant cover by Karl Story
==Appearances==
==Collections==
*Star Wars: The High Republic Vol. 2 – The Heart of Drengir
*Star Wars: The High Republic Phase I – Light of the Jedi Omnibus
==Sources==
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==Notes and references==
==External links==
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