WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Star Wars #9 by Charles Soule, Jan Bazaldua, Rachel Rosenberg, and VC’s Clayton Cowles, on sale now.
In the Star Wars Universe, there are many Rebels who been willing to lay their lives down time and time again. The likes of Han Solo, Jyn Erso, Lando, Chewbacca, Finn and Poe Dameron have all proved themselves many times over, and Luke and Leia have done that as much as anyone else.
But in Marvel's Star Wars #9, which is set before Return of the Jedi, we discover the bravest Rebel wasn't a major name at all, it was the Pathfinder known as Needle.
The Pathfinders were guerrilla soldiers Han would use in the Battle of Endor known for their devotion and fearlessness, and they're called upon once more as Leia needs an item stolen from Coruscant. The Rebels have to recover an old droid from an Imperial museum so it can be used to send secret codes in Trawak, a prehistoric language the Empire's agents can't decipher, especially with Darth Vader's lackey, Zahra, on their case.
Kes Dameron, Poe's dad, leads a small unit involving Needle, Frell, Lando and Lobot to infiltrate and snatch the prize in secret. However, as Lobot hacks them in, Needle pretends to be a visitor who's angry with Palpatine's curator about something here was stolen from their people. It's an Oscar-winning performance that distracts the guards, but the Rogue grabs the item and flees to keep the curator and his goons busy when Needle realizes time's running out.
It's a bold move, but it's one Needle knows is worth it, since the Rebellion depends on them not getting caught. Eventually, they corner Needle, shock the alien with tasers and confirm they're going to kill the hero. It's a heartbreaking sacrifice, especially as the curator made it clear earlier on, intimidating Needle, that he was willing to kill anyone to protect the integrity of the museum. Kes is distraught knowing what happened, especially as they couldn't risk the mission by going back, not even to rescue Needle.
He's resigned to Needle's fate, and the droid doesn't work when they get back. Kes is pissed off as he lost a good soldier for nothing. But still, Needle would do it all over again as the cause and helping Leia out were all that mattered. While there could be a chance that Needle's alive, the curator surely wouldn't let this act of anarchy go unpunished. As such, Kes considers his longtime ally a goner and along with Leia and the Rebels. and his mourns Needle. It's a shame the plan hasn't come to fruition, but the Rebels know Needle wouldn't want them to give up hope as Zahra's troops remain in pursuit.