Phantom Menaces

Phantom Menaces was a short story in Star Wars Tales 17. Set during the New Republic era, it focuses on Luke Skywalker's encounter with a holographic representation of Darth Maul on Iridonia, leading to the revelation that Maul's brain was kept alive by Drell Kahmf, and used to terrorize the planet.

Plot
"This was no spirit from beyound the grave. It was tangible not to mention the tremor in the force..."

- Luke Skywalker - commenting on his encounter with a holographic representation of Darth Maul

Luke Skywalker arrives on Iridonia as an ambassador of the New Republic, to partake in trade negotiations about the opening of new routes to the Outer Rim. As Skywalker settles in to his chambers near Capital Square, he is attacked by a Solid-state hologram of Darth Maul. Postponing the negotiations, Skywalker embarks on an investigation into the Sith's presence.

Skywalker is drawn to an unnatural disturbance in the force, and after another confrontation with Darth Maul, he eventually arrives at the laboratory of Drell Kahmf. Here, he discovers the living remains of Maul, being sustained in a device created by Kahmf. Kahmf recounts how he recovered and resuscitated Maul's brain after the loss of his body during the Duel in Theed.

Skywalker states that he will not allow Darth Maul to remain as he is, and Kahmf flees before him as he activates his lightsaber. Skywalker is left alone to finally terminate Darth Maul’s existence, in the relatively anti-climatic act of flicking a switch.

Characters

 * Luke Skywalker
 * R2-D2
 * Darth Maul
 * Drell Kahmf
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi

Sentient species

 * Human
 * Zabrak

Droid models

 * R2-series astromech droid

Locations

 * Iridonia
 * Capital Square
 * Outer Rim Territories

Vehicles and vessels

 * T-65 X-wing starfighter
 * X-34 landspeeder

Weapons and technology

 * Lightsaber
 * Solid-state hologram ((1st))

Organizations and titles

 * New Republic
 * New Jedi Order
 * Sith

Events

 * Duel in Theed

Miscellanea

 * Spectacles
 * The Force
 * Wound in the Force (Disturbance in the force)