Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #3

Vader and the two Royal Guards emerge from hyperspace aboard their shuttle craft to see the destroyed Imperial Star Cruiser above the moon.  Vader exits the shuttle to investigate the wrecked ship and afterwards the shuttle lands on the moon at the coordinates where the Imperials evacuated to.  The escaping craft are there, but all the survivors of the powerful beam are missing and Vader tells the guards they were eaten.  The descend into the jungle when they come across a rock with the symbol of the headless snake.  A large, lizard-like creature attacks.  One of the guard is immediately killed, but Vader is able to throw his saber to quickly dispatch the creature.

They find a temple, while nearby the ninth assassin is observing them from the jungle.  Another large but smaller creature approaches them and Vader throws his saber into its open mouth, igniting it when it goes inside, decapitating the creature.  Vader begins climbing a rocky outcrop in the jungle when the guard suggests they call for support.  Vader, having reached the top of the outcrop tells the guard the Imperials already tried that as he overlooks more destroyed Imperial Star Cruisers in the jungle below.  Shortly, the ninth assassin, stealthily following them, kills the remaining guard.

Vader finds a larger, intact temple with the headless snake symbol and enters.  After easily circumventing a few obstacles, he stands in a chamber, lightsaber ignited, surrounded by disfigured people.

The cover for Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #3 would be more appropriate on the previous issue since the scene occurs in #2.  The artwork by Ariel Olivetti shows Darth Vader Force choking the disfigured man in the cantina.

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #3a - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (June 2013)

This issue continues to build tension as Vader comes closer to finding out the secrets of the ancient headless snake cult.  The ninth assassin did kill a guard this issue, but so far his presence is inconsequential to the story.