Chapter Summaries

John and the Spartans prepared aboard the Eternal Expedition before deploying to Yavin 4 as the Imperium of Man imposed a temporary, force-backed command over the Rebel Alliance. The chapter ended with Imperial forces surrounding the Alliance and Primarch Dorn preparing to negotiate from a position of overwhelming strength.

• John and 113 other Spartans donned their Mjolnir Power Armor and collected weapons and tactical gear for deployment to Yavin 4.
• The Spartans rode an Orbital Train with Auxilia and Elven Warriors to the Eternal Expedition's main hangar, where they boarded Pelicans and other aircraft.
• Imperial aircraft launched from the Eternal Expedition as Helljumpers and an Assault Platoon descended toward the Rebel Alliance base in Drop Pods.
• After the Rebel Alliance accepted the Imperium of Man's command under pressure from Magnus, Magnus summoned the Imperial Fists to Yavin 4.
• The Eternal Expedition and its accompanying ships jammed the Alliance's navigation and communications systems, leaving Dorn positioned to negotiate while the Alliance could neither respond nor escape.

The Imperium of Man surrounded the Rebel Alliance base on Yavin 4 with overwhelming forces, then Dorn met with Mon Mothma and demanded that the Alliance join the Imperial Fists’ campaign against the Galactic Empire. Mothma and her leaders were left silent, facing the choice of accepting Dorn’s terms or resisting a vastly superior force.

• Imperial forces encircled the Rebel Alliance base on Yavin 4, set up communications interference, and held fire to intimidate the defenders.
• Transport craft landed Auxilia and Elven warriors around the base as Dorn’s Thunderhawk arrived with Imperial Fists Templar Knights.
• Mon Mothma ordered the Rebel soldiers not to fire and led Bail Organa and the other leaders to meet Dorn.
• Dorn introduced himself as a Primarch and demanded that the Rebel Alliance pack its equipment and join the Imperial Fists aboard the Eternal Expedition.

Dorn forced the Rebel Alliance to follow Imperial Fists deployment orders, then transferred its personnel and supplies to the Eternal Expedition and left a garrison on Yavin 4. He prepared to move on Tatooine, where the Imperium intended to recruit Darth Vader’s son.

• Dorn told Mon Mothma that his deployment order was not a proposal and threatened to use force if the Rebel Alliance refused.
• Mon Mothma ordered the Rebel units to obey, and Rebel soldiers reacted with relief, disappointment, and fear when they saw the Eternal Expedition hovering above their base.
• Dorn transferred the Rebel Alliance’s people and supplies from Yavin 4 and assigned Imperial Fists, support troops, ships, and twenty Spartans to defend and explore the planet.
• Aoyi reported that the fleet had locked onto Tatooine’s coordinates, and Dorn considered the planet’s strategic importance and its connection to the Skywalker family.
• Dorn planned to seize Tatooine and bring Darth Vader’s son, who lived there as a farmer, into the Imperium’s fold.

Dorn assigned Sigismund and Aoyi to lead an expedition to seize Tatooine while he focused on fortifying Yavin 4 and planning the wider war against the Galactic Empire. The task force departed for Tatooine with Spartans and Elven warriors aboard, where Imperial Fists met the arriving troops.

• Dorn ordered Sigismund to lead a team to Tatooine and put Aoyi in charge of coordinating the operation, with Spartans joining the mission.
• Dorn reviewed the Galactic Empire’s strength and considered how to capture Coruscant while avoiding a costly war of attrition and keeping Leia Organa’s connection to Darth Vader secret.
• Dorn planned to contact Luke Skywalker on Tatooine after Sigismund and Aoyi brought him into the Imperium of Man’s camp.
• A transport formation carrying the Tatooine expedition left Yavin 4 and entered a vortex toward the planet.
• More than eighty Spartans and over a thousand Elven warriors disembarked aboard the Valiant-class Cruiser, and Imperial Fists summoned them to follow.

The Spartans arrived at the Imperial Fists’ training area, where Commander Sigismund challenged them to prove their abilities before the Tatooine raid. Fred accepted the challenge but was knocked unconscious with one punch, leaving the Spartans stunned by the Imperial Fists’ strength.

• The Elves settled into temporary cabins aboard the cruiser while the Spartans followed the Imperial Fists to their training area.
• Sigismund introduced himself as the raid commander and called for a Spartan to face him in an unarmed match.
• Fred, Spartan 104, stepped into the ring as his comrades cheered him on.
• Sigismund crossed the ring at tremendous speed and punched Fred in the helmet, sending him flying and knocking him unconscious.
• The Spartans fell silent and wondered whether Sigismund was exceptional or all Imperial Fists were so powerful.

The Spartans challenged Sigismund in a training match, and he quickly defeated Jerome and four of John’s teammates. John landed a blow that shattered Sigismund’s shield, then survived ten exchanges through a string of lucky evasions and a slight malfunction in Sigismund’s armor.

• Sigismund offered to make any Spartan who lasted ten exchanges his vanguard for the assault on Tatooine, even allowing them to fight him in groups.
• Jerome refused to bring others into the fight, attacked Sigismund alone, and was quickly knocked out of the ring.
• John led Kelly, Cole, George, and Douglas in a coordinated attack, but Sigismund defeated all four teammates.
• John exploited the opening left by his teammates and punched Sigismund, shattering the shield on his Titan Armor.
• John narrowly dodged Sigismund’s counterattacks, and a slight malfunction in Sigismund’s armor helped him last ten exchanges alone.

John was defeated by Sigismund but earned the Spartans respect, then reflected with Cortana on their shortcomings and rested. Meanwhile, the Galactic Empire reeled from its defeat at Scarif as a fleet arrived in Tatooine’s orbit.

• Sigismund defeated John after ten exchanges, then welcomed more Spartans who challenged him and confirmed they had passed the test.
• Medical staff found John, Fred, Jerome, and the other Spartans had only mild concussions, and John left for the equipment depot after waking.
• Cortana told John she had arranged Sigismund’s test to help the Spartans adapt and recognize their limitations, then advised him to rest before the coming assault.
• John removed his armor, changed into an Imperial Fists training uniform, and went to his sleeping compartment and the cafeteria to rest.
• News of the Empire’s defeat at Scarif spread across the galaxy, fueling unrest and turning Tatooine into an important Outer Rim stronghold.
• A fleet led by a Valiant-class Superheavy Cruiser emerged from Slipspace in Tatooine’s low orbit as a Star Destroyer investigated unusual gravitational fluctuations.

Sigismund’s fleet launched a surprise assault on Tatooine, attacking the Imperial fleet and ground positions while deploying troops to the surface. Luke Skywalker and Owen Lars fled to their farm’s shelter with Beru, but retreating Imperial soldiers took refuge in the settlement as Drop Pods headed toward it.

• Sigismund’s fleet ambushed the Galactic Empire fleet in low orbit, destroying ships and sending boarding craft toward the Star Destroyers.
• Sigismund split his forces between suppressing the Imperial fleet and bombarding its ground positions, while Drop Pods and transports descended to begin the ground assault.
• Luke watched the battle from a dune until Owen called him away, and they hurried back to the Lars farm.
• Luke, Owen, and Beru hid in their underground shelter as orbital bombardment devastated a nearby Imperial regiment.
• The surviving Imperial soldiers and Stormtroopers moved into the farm settlement for cover, while Drop Pods adjusted course toward it.

More than eighty Drop Pods delivered John and the Spartans to Lars's family farm, where they overwhelmed the Imperial defenders. The battle ended within minutes with every Spartan unharmed, while Owen, Belle, and Luke remained sheltered as the fighting reached their home.

• Drop Pods struck the desert around Lars's farm, and explosions shook the shelter where Owen, Belle, and Luke were hiding.
• Imperial soldiers and Sandtroopers took positions as the Spartans emerged from the sandstorm and charged the settlement.
• John ordered Red Team and Black Team to destroy the TX-130 Saber-class Tanks, and the Spartans eliminated the armored vehicles.
• The Spartans used their speed, shields, and precise Gauss Rifle fire to break the Imperial defensive line and inflict devastating casualties.
• The battle ended within minutes, with every Spartan emerging unscathed.

The Spartans defeated the Imperial forces at the farm settlement and rescued Luke Skywalker and the Lars family from their underground shelter. After the prisoners and family were evacuated, John’s team headed toward Mos Eisley to join the assault there.

• The Imperial soldiers and Stormtroopers surrendered after suffering heavy casualties, while Fred’s Spartans guarded them and searched for the Lars family.
• John, Kelly, and Linda located the Lars farm’s underground shelter and broke through its blast door after Owen Lars ignored their call to come out.
• John persuaded Owen to lower his blaster, and the Spartans escorted Luke, Owen, and Beru Lars out of the shelter.
• A transport fleet evacuated the Imperial prisoners and the Lars family, while John’s team boarded separate Pelicans.
• John and his team flew toward Mos Eisley to help capture the city.

John redirected four Spartan teams to Anchorhead to rescue civilians under attack by Tusken Raiders while the main force continued toward Mos Eisley to capture Han Solo and Chewbacca. After an aerial assault weakened the raiders, the Spartans landed outside Anchorhead and charged toward the town, where Han Solo and Chewbacca watched in alarm.

• Cortana briefed John on the assault on Mos Eisley and identified Han Solo and Chewbacca as recovery targets, while John focused on the attack against Anchorhead's civilians.
• John ordered Red Team, Black Team, Gray Team, and Omega Team to divert to Anchorhead and protect its civilians, while the rest of the force continued toward Mos Eisley.
• A Phantom Fighter fired missiles and Hardlight Autocannon bursts at Sand People vehicles and cover around Anchorhead, then stopped firing when the raiders took shelter among buildings.
• Jerome-092, Douglas-042, Alice-130, and the other Spartans leapt from the Pelican, landed north of Anchorhead, and advanced in pairs while shooting exposed Sand People.
• Han Solo asked Chewbacca who the armed newcomers were, and Chewbacca roared in response.

Han Solo and Chewbacca escaped Mos Eisley with help from the mysterious Ben Kenobi, then watched Spartans defeat a Tusken Raider assault on Anchorhead. Jerome confronted Ben beside the Pelican, and Ben introduced himself as an old man trying to prevent events from spiraling out of control.

• Ben Kenobi rescued Han Solo and Chewbacca from Jabba's thugs and helped them flee Mos Eisley as Drop Pods descended on the city.
• Han Solo and Chewbacca reached Anchorhead, where Tusken Raiders attacked while the Imperial troops fled.
• Spartan squads destroyed the Tusken Raiders' vehicles and routed the attackers, saving the townspeople.
• Jerome reported the mission complete and learned that Auxilia reinforcements were on their way to Anchorhead.
• Alice spotted Ben beside the Pelican, and Jerome confronted him as Ben introduced himself and explained why he had come.

Jerome, Douglas, and Alice fought Obi-Wan Kenobi, who tested their strength before agreeing to meet their commander. As Obi-Wan headed to the Imperium fleet, a massive fleet led by the Ravager arrived at Coruscant carrying Darth Vader, setting the stage for a major upheaval.

• Obi-Wan Kenobi attacked Jerome, Douglas, and Alice to test their combat skills and convictions.
• Alice's Shock Dagger was cut apart, and Obi-Wan used the Force to restrain her as Jerome and Douglas launched a counterattack.
• Obi-Wan ended the trial, agreed to meet Commander Sigismund, and boarded the Pelican while Jerome reported to Master Chief John.
• Transport ships and fighters arrived above Anchorhead, and Jerome sent Omega Squad to search the inn for the target individuals.
• A fleet of over two thousand vessels, including 260 Star Destroyers and the Ravager, appeared near Coruscant.
• Darth Vader traveled toward Coruscant aboard a Randam-class Shuttle escorted by TIE Fighters and elite Stormtroopers.

Wu Bin planned to use evidence against Bai Yinan while trusting Zeng Zhi not to betray him, and Zhu Ling vowed to support and protect him. Zhu Ling secretly hired a bodyguard for Wu Bin, but Wu Bin quickly detected him and guessed who had sent him.

• Wu Bin said he had enough evidence to have Bai Yinan convicted and planned to clear things up in two or three days.
• Zhu Ling worried that Zeng Zhi might betray Wu Bin, but Wu Bin said he trusted Zeng Zhi and could send both him and Bai Yinan to prison if necessary.
• Zhu Ling promised to stand by Wu Bin and help him deal with anyone spreading false claims.
• Zhu Ling secretly arranged for a bodyguard to watch over Wu Bin.
• Wu Bin detected the bodyguard on his first day and correctly guessed that Zhu Ling had hired him.

Darth Vader’s coup engulfed Coruscant as his fleet bombarded the planet and his troops rounded up civilians for slaughter. At the Imperial Palace, Vader defeated the Royal Guard alone and continued toward Palpatine’s stronghold.

• Vader’s elite Stormtroopers overwhelmed the palace defenders as he advanced through the corridors.
• Vader’s fleet bombarded Coruscant, seized orbital control, and deployed Stormtroopers to imprison and massacre civilians.
• The slaughter and violence drew the Stormtroopers deeper into Vader’s dark power, turning them into extensions of his will.
• Vader stopped before the central hall’s shadowed corridor and ordered his elite troops to wait as the Royal Guard emerged.
• The Royal Guard opened fire, but Vader deflected their attacks and killed all four hundred guards with his Lightsaber and the Force.
• Vader walked onward through the bloodied corridor toward the palace’s central hall.

Darth Vader confronted Sheev Palpatine in the Galactic Empire’s central hall, where their duel turned against the Emperor when a strange crimson power awakened within Vader. Vader killed Palpatine and claimed control of his own destiny, while the unknown entity behind his new power remained unexplained.

• Darth Vader entered the central hall and declared that Palpatine’s collapsing Empire and rule would end with his death.
• Palpatine and Vader fought with Lightsabers and the Force, and Palpatine initially drove Vader back.
• A crimson, Chaos-filled power awakened within Vader, allowing him to overpower Palpatine and knock away his Lightsaber.
• Palpatine warned Vader about the entity he had made a deal with and called him the Chosen One before Vader killed him.
• Vader confirmed Sheev Palpatine’s death, said his destiny was his to control, and deactivated his strange crimson Lightsaber.

After killing Sheev Palpatine, Darth Vader accepted the power offered by other-dimensional whispers despite the agony and uncertainty it brought. He visited a concentration camp in the ruined Sky Garden and invoked a force that began transforming its captive civilians.

• Darth Vader examined the new power within him, recognized that the whispers and crimson radiance were part of a bargain, and felt the resulting pain intensify his hatred of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
• A whisper urged Vader to embrace Grandfather, and Vader considered the promise of healing and greater power while remaining wary of its cost.
• Vader left the Imperial Palace with his elite troops, passing through the slaughtered halls without objecting to the destruction.
• Vader's Fleet continued bombarding Coruscant as Stormtroopers captured civilians, and Vader ordered his shuttle to the nearest temporary concentration camp.
• Vader reached the Sky Garden, compelled the civilians to repeat “All things rot, all life endures,” and an emerald force field spread over them, causing them to mutate.

Darth Vader embraced Chaos as the Sky Garden and Coruscant fell to Nurgle’s corruption, and he received a complete bodily rebirth. He left the chapter stronger than ever, transformed into a Chaos-wielding figure as the corruption spread across the galaxy.

• Darth Vader watched Chaos corrupt the Sky Garden’s civilians into Nurgle’s servants and transform the Stormtroopers into Plague Soldiers.
• The hundred elites beside Vader were altered by Chaos, while Vader’s severed right arm regenerated.
• Vader led his elites aboard a shuttle and unleashed a vast chaotic force field over Coruscant, killing civilians and drawing their souls into the Warp.
• The souls empowered Vader as Chaos destroyed his mechanical limbs and rebuilt his body.
• Vader removed his helmet and saw Anakin Skywalker’s restored face, then declared the power coursing through him to be true power.

Chaos corrupted Coruscant and its surrounding fleet, turning Darth Vader into a vessel for all four Chaos Gods and drawing the Star Wars universe into the Warp. Vader left the fallen planet for Tatooine after sensing his son's presence.

• Nurgle, Khorne, Tzeentch, and Slaanesh transformed Coruscant and its people into a landscape of plague, slaughter, madness, and excess.
• Chaos corrupted Darth Vader's fleet, while Vader ordered its ships to avoid the Slaanesh-tainted vessels.
• Coruscant fell into the Warp and vanished from star charts as the Force across the galaxy became vulnerable to Chaos.
• Darth Vader returned to his flagship and ordered the fleet to prepare for hyperspace travel to Tatooine.
• Vader sensed his son's presence on Tatooine as his shuttle departed Coruscant.

Sui Yang sensed that Darth Vader had fallen to Chaos and that Coruscant had become a corrupted world, so he ordered Athena, Hera, and the Grey Knights to reinforce Universe 17. As Imperial forces prepared to contain the invasion, Dorn assigned Sigismund to defend Tatooine and Yavin 4 against Vader’s likely next attacks.

• Sui Yang foresaw Coruscant’s fall and recognized that the Chaos Gods had transformed Darth Vader into a powerful agent of corruption.
• Sui Yang ordered Athena and Hera to lead the Olympian Demigod Legion to Universe 17 and directed the Grey Knights to contain Warp corruption.
• Sigismund learned that Coruscant had fallen and that Darth Vader might target Luke Skywalker on Yavin 4 and Leia Organa on Tatooine.
• Dorn informed Sigismund that the Night Lords and Word Bearers would assault Coruscant while Magnus pursued Vader.
• Dorn ordered the Imperial Fists and Iron Warriors to establish defensive lines, especially around Tatooine and Yavin 4, and Sigismund pledged to hold the line.