| ||
Script: Dan Thorsland Penciler: Bill Hughes Inker: Andy Mushynsky Letterer: Bill Pearson Colorist: Pamela Rambo Cover Artist: Cam Kennedy Book Design: Scott Tice Editor: Ryder Windham CHARACTER Featured Nak Pitareeze Supporting Balto, Baron Pitareeze, Jace Forno, Xob, Torba, Jarth Pitareeze, Meg Pitareeze, Commerce Commission representative (apparently a Force user) Villain Olag Greck DROID C-3PO (See Threepio), R2-D2 (Artoo Detoo) LOCATION Kalarba, Hosk Station STARSHIP battle probe, Pitareeze cruiser, Greck cruiser | ||
 | ||
| Related Issues | ||
     | ||
 | ||
| ||
| Trade Paperbacks and Alternate Covers | ||
   |
This issue kicks off a six-issue mini-series of the lovable droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO. The title of this issue and the subsequent issues are culled from "The Kalarba Adventures" Trade Paperback.
The cover of this issue is embossed on a heavy stock paper, with a 5th black ink, giving a gloss/matte effect.
On the agrarian planet of Kalarba, Threepio is being hung upside down and teased by young Nak Pitareeze. Artoo manages to release Threepio as Nak's grandfather, the Baron, approaches to gather the boy for dinner. Nak asks his Grandfather why he doesn't make spaceships anymore. This sentiment is echoed by the unwelcome Jace Forno.
She tries to convince Baron Pitareeze that the sale of his remarkable hyperdrive units to Olag Greck would make the Pitareeze family very wealthy. The Baron, tells Forno to get out, and then explains the treachery of Greck to his grandson.
Baron Pitareeze had originally hired Olag Greck to oversee the construction of his Pitareeze Cruiser, but stole the plans, built his own Greck Cruiser and sold the shoddy units. When the Baron refused to help Olag correct the mistakes, Greck blamed him for the whole problem.
On Hosk station Olag Greck is showing councilman Torba around. He is interested in buying the MT-5 hyperspace unit, which Greck assures him that he can get. Nak shows up and offers Greck a "hyperdrive" unit, but Greck sees it for what it is, a fake. He takes Nak prisoner and uses him to blackmail the Baron for the prototype unit by later that afternoon.
Nak manages to activate Threepio's caller and the pair escape from Greck's office and steal one of Greck's cruisers. Unfortunately, Greck's cruiser experiences technical difficulties and the crash into Kalarba. Nak hurts his leg and Threepio helps him back to the Baron's factory. Upon arrival they discover that the Baron has set out for Hosk station to rescue Nak.
Back on the station, Greck has just sold Torba one of his knockoff cruisers as the Baron arrives demanding to see his grandson. Olag demands the hyperdrive unit to which the Baron asks Artoo to give it to him. An incoming transmission from a cloaked being, demands the hyperdrive unit from Olag Greck, and appears to use some sort of Force grip on Greck to get what he wants.
Pitareeze's friend Balto shows up and helps rescue the Baron, when Nak and Threepio return in the Pitareeze Cruiser and manage to escape. Greck open the hyperdrive to discover that it is in fact, a food hydrator.
Nak's parents have returned and he realizes that he has been selfish and needs some friends. He removes the restraining bolts from the droids so that they'll stay only if they want. Artoo suggests that they explore the galaxy, but Threepio is much happier where he is.