Issue number 3, Han Solo - Imperial Cadet, represents the third installment of the canon comic book miniseries titled Star Wars: Han Solo - Imperial Cadet. Robbie Thompson served as the writer, while Leonard Kirk provided the illustrations. Marvel Comics released it on January 2, 2019.
A CASINO ROYALE situation unfolds! Due to insubordination, HAN SOLO experiences a demotion, which subsequently affects his fellow cadets. Instead of piloting TIE fighters, they find themselves operating a massive cargo vessel. Han's exceptional piloting skills reduce the cargo ship's travel time by half, enabling them to make a stop at a casino for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. However, Han's fellow cadets soon discover that this brief "vacation" was not sanctioned by the Empire, and thanks to Han's actions, they are now all considered AWOL!
The narrative begins with an official incident report submitted by Imperial cadet Kanina Nico concerning her fellow cadet, Han Solo. In her report, she characterizes Solo as a failure, noting that he regresses more often than he progresses on the leaderboard. She expresses uncertainty about Solo's reasons for enlisting and conveys pessimism regarding his prospects of graduating from the Imperial Naval Academy located on Carida, citing his attitude. She concludes that he lacks the qualities of an officer.
As a consequence of failing the initial test mission, Solo is assigned the task of peeling a large creeper plant to prepare soup for the entire academy. Lyttan Dree and Tamu Dree offer to assist Solo, but Beilert Valance advises against it, labeling Solo as a troublemaker. Nico concurs, suggesting that Solo should address his own issues. Later that night, Solo rises early and examines the leaderboard. He completes all the assigned chores, including scrubbing the floors, replenishing the inventory, and washing the clothes, before returning to bed.
The following morning, the Imperial officer Yurib Nakan expresses gratitude to a surprised Cadet Valance for completing all the chores. He also commends Valance for attempting to atone for the failed test mission and permits him to resume flying. Yurib allows the other cadets to resume staffing a Quasar Fire-class cruiser-carrier named Imperial Cruiser 07200823, which is responsible for transporting Imperial Starfighter Pilots and their TIE fighters.
Nico assumes command, with Lyttan serving as the comms officer and Tamu as the navigator. Solo is assigned to the engineering section. Three days later, Valance and the other TIE pilots depart the cruiser-carrier to meet with a Star Destroyer. Nico reluctantly instructs her crew to return the cruiser-carrier to Carida. Tamu and Lyttan report that the engines are functioning efficiently and that they will arrive a day ahead of schedule.
Solo claims responsibility for repairing the engines and presents his fellow cadets with several day passes he has acquired. These passes are set to expire on the current day. One of the Dree brothers points out that they cannot use the passes since it is the final day and they are in a remote location. However, Solo informs them that he conducted a scan and discovered a Pantolomin cruiser nearby. Solo suggests using the day passes to spend time on the Pantolomin cruiser. He also mentions that they can use the civilian clothing in the shuttle's hold to engage in gambling.
Nico objects to leaving the ship, but one of the Dree brothers suggests that they can have the droids monitor the communications and set the freighter on a parallel course while they enjoy themselves on the Pantolomin cruiser. He mentions that they have at least 100 credits and hope to earn more money. He invites Kanina, having heard that she is a skilled card player, mentioning that she once defeated Valance in a card game. Nico initially refuses to leave, but Solo persuades her to trust him.
The Imperial cadets, dressed in civilian attire, travel to the Pantolomin cruiser via shuttle. After Solo provides payment to several armored Black Sun guards, the group enters the cruiser. Lyttan expresses optimism, while Nico complains that the place is a haven for crime. Tamu jokes that she was popular back home. Solo encourages them to disregard the Imperial Navy for a day and enjoy themselves. The group gambles and socializes with other patrons.
While playing cards with Nico and several alien customers, Solo inquires about where she learned to play cards. Nico declines to answer and asks why he joined the Imperial Navy. Solo explains that he was in trouble and had limited options. He reveals his intention to become a pilot in order to return to someone on Corellia. Nico acknowledges that she has heard worse reasons. When Solo asks why she enlisted, Nico provides the standard response that she wanted to bring order. Solo presses further, but she refuses to elaborate.
When Nico smiles, Solo jokes that she did not have teeth. Nico thanks Solo for doing the extra chores the other night and framing Valance in order to get rid of him. She figures out that he obtained civilian clothes while doing the laundry and also borrowed a regulator to increase their freighter's speed when he restocked the inventory. Nico also realizes that he stole the day passes from some officers. When she asks why, Solo attempts to change the subject by asking her about cards.
Nico continues to question him, and Solo explains that he owed them. Nico argues that he has put them in danger. She informs Solo that she saw him giving money to the security guards. Nico also notices that Solo has been observing an Ithorian customer. She deduces that Solo came to meet the Ithorian intentionally regarding someone back on Corellia. When Nico asks Solo if this friend is worth all the risk, he confirms that she is. Nico responds that she joined the Galactic Empire to be part of something greater, something that she believes he will not understand.
Solo meets with the Ithorian Pjolan at a bar. After exchanging greetings, Solo tells Pjolan that he came to the Pantolomin cruiser, knowing it was a frequent spot of his. After drinking some Ithorian ale, Solo asks if he is still working for the syndicate as a hauler. Pjolan replies that he has been earning a living hauling cargo for various crime syndicates, including the Pyke Syndicate, the Hutt Cartel, and Black Sun.
When Solo asks if he has seen Qi'ra, Pjolan responds evasively before revealing his intention to collect a 200 credit bounty on Solo. He holds the Corellian at gunpoint. However, Nico hits Pjolan on the head with a glass mug. Nico tells Solo that he is no good to her dead and asks if he has made plans to get them out of there. Pjolan's alien associates come to his aid and he orders them to get Solo. As Pjolan and his associates unleash blaster fire on the Imperial cadets, Nico tells Lyttan that they are leaving and asks where his brother is. The cadets discover Tamu kissing a female Theelin during a wedding ceremony.
They extract Tamu from the wedding but are trapped by Pjolan and his associates. However, Pjolan and his gang are stunned and restrained by several armored Black Sun guards, who apprehend them for stealing from Black Sun, who own the cruiser. One of the Black Sun guards thank Solo for alerting them. He explains that the bartender overheard the whole thing. In return for helping Black Sun, the guard promises Solo a free night on the Pantolomin cruiser.
In her revised report, Nico still describes Solo as a failure for not following orders, she praises him for looking out for his fellow cadets and teaching them "a thing or two." She believes that Solo with proper guidance could one day become an asset to the Empire. Following the cadets' return to the Imperial Academy, Yurib requests full reports from each of the cadets.
Later, Nico asks Solo if he got what he needed. Solo replies that his friend is still alive. After the reports were filed, the cadets were reinstated to full flight status. Solo is surprised that Nico did not report his indiscretions. She replies that he is not the only one who has someone back home that they worry about. A satisfied Yurib informs the cadets that they will be leaving tomorrow to see action against real enemies of the Empire.
- UPC 759606091454; January 2 , 2019 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00311; Cover A; David Nakayama 00321; Cover B; Federico Blee, Todd Nauck