Theta-class T-2c shuttle

Theta-class T-2c shuttle

Characteristics[]

TheTheta-class T-2c shuttle was produced byCygnus Spaceworks. It's long wings projected powerfulshielding fields, which were used for both defense and added stability in atmosphere. In flight, the lower two wings were extended to either side of the shuttle, but during landing, the wings folded up to bracket the hull and concentrate shield energy on the main body. TheTheta-class transport was both fast and agile thanks to its powerful sublight engines. It also had an internal Class 1hyperdrive.^[1]

Theshuttle could not rely on speed alone, however, while transporting important dignitaries between worlds. Thus, it was equipped with twin forward-mountedquad laser cannons and a high-powered tail gun. Both the quad and standardlaser cannons could be computer-controlled or operated manually from a combined communications and gunnery station in the reinforced cockpit. Upon landing, the shuttle computer surveyed the area for potential dangers, ready to open fire at enemies in an instant. The shuttle could accommodate about five crew members, though it could be flown by a single experiencedpilot.^[1]

Palpatine's own T-2c was upgraded byWarthan's Wizards, the best starship technicians inthe galaxy at the time. The Wizards added a hyperwave reflector for trans-galactic communication that rivaled the quality of the secretJedi homing devices. Palpatine's shuttle also featured sensor masks to hide whatever secrets the shuttle's interior held from conventional scanners. During flight, Palpatine's shuttle was often escorted by eliteV-wing starfighters that were upgraded to be equipped with internal hyperdrives and improved shields.^[1]

History[]

Theta-class shuttles were observedten years after the end of theNew Sith Wars and were at that time considered new. The class would go on to see service in the centuries leading up to the establishment of theGalactic Empire.^[7]

One was used by theSith to pick upQymaen jai Sheelal's broken body after his shuttle crash accident, right before theClone Wars.^[5] Another was used by theSupreme ChancellorPalpatine as a personal transport when attending to off-world matters during the Clone Wars. Theclone trooper pilots who flew the ship wore specially fully sealedflight suits with roundhelmets that fully enclosed the wearer's face, as to be better prepared for combat. The same suit was also worn by the clone pilots ofAlpha-3Nimbus-class V-wing starfighters.^[1] OneTheta shuttle was also used to transport a group of Republic agents to theVenator-class Star DestroyerSolidarity, so that they could be given an assignment byJedi MasterEzar Elasra.^[6]

Not long after hisdeclaration founding theGalactic Empire, the newly-christenedEmperor Palpatine used his shuttle on atop secret mission toMustafar. Piloted byCaptainKagi, the T-2c shuttle reached Mustafar in time for Palpatine to rescue his dying apprentice, Darth Vader, formerlyAnakin Skywalker. During the return trip toCoruscant, the Emperor made use of the shuttle's onboard medical facilities to treat Darth Vader's wounds prior to a more extensive reconstruction at amedical facility. The shuttle also acted as a mobile command base, with varioustorture devices andSith potions for interrogations.^[4] In the first weeks after the Clone Wars, Vader used a black version as his personal shuttle until it was destroyed during theInvasion of Kashyyyk.^[8]

Though theTheta-class shuttle served the Empire and Palpatine well, it was later replaced by the more advancedLambda-class. Even so,Theta-class shuttles were still used by the Empire as support vessels,^[9] alongside older models like theKappa-class shuttles.^[10] Following the dissolution of the Senate, many of the senators'Theta-class shuttles were sold off and converted to freighters. Some were bought by collectors who valued the classic design or were used by theRebel Alliance.^[9]

Behind the scenes[]

The Emperor's shuttle was clearly designed as a harbinger to theLambda-class shuttles seen in the original trilogy. The tri-wing design was made less angular, with a less aggressive cockpit to soften the obviousness of its role as a villain's transport. The only practical element of the shuttle constructed was its boarding ramp, which was shot against greenscreen for the scene of Emperor Palpatine emerging with Anakin Skywalker's charred body on Coruscant.

InBattlefront II,Theta-class shuttles are titled 'Landing craft' and are armed with two forward-facing cannons, homing missiles and an aft laser-cannon. They are used from the beginning of Imperial rule, until the story mode campaign ends at theBattle of Hoth.

In2010,LEGO released a set known as "8096 Emperor Palpatine's Shuttle". The set includes movable wings, extendable landing gear, and a medical center with Darth Vader's helmet. The set includes 4 mini figures namely: the redesigned woundedDarth Vader (with helmet),EmperorPalpatine (2008 redesign),Clone Pilot (2009 redesign with exclusive headpiece design), and the new minifigure, the2-1B surgical droid. Part of the set's basis could possibly be the 2005 set "7251 Darth Vader Transformation" where Darth Vader is put into his signature suit after he was badly wounded on Mustafar.

Appearances[]

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• Darth Bane: Rule of Two(andaudiobook)
• "The Eyes of Revolution" —Star Wars: Visionaries
• Star Wars: Battlefront II
• Star Wars: Episode IIIRevenge of the Sith(First appearance)
• Star Wars: Episode IIIRevenge of the Sith junior novelization
• Star Wars: Episode IIIRevenge of the Sith video game
• Evasive Action: Recruitment
• Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader(andunabridged audiobook)
• Purge – The Hidden Blade
• Dark Times 6
• Dark Times 7
• Dark Times 11
• Dark Times 12
• Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin 1
• Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin 3
• Evasive Action: Prey
• Evasive Action: End Game
• "The Queen of Air and Darkness" – Dawn of Defiancecampaign(Mentioned only)
• "Echoes of the Jedi" – Dawn of Defiancecampaign
• "Sword of the Empire" – Dawn of Defiancecampaign

Non-canon appearances[]

• "Old Wounds" —Star Wars: Visionaries(In flashback(s))

Sources[]

• Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-Sections
• Starships and Vehicles ofRevenge of the Sith onWizards.com(original site is defunct)
• Star Wars Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide
• Star Wars: Complete Cross-Sections
• Starships of the Galaxy, Saga Edition
• The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide
• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
• Star Wars: The Official Starships & Vehicles Collection 22
• Galaxy at War
• The Written Word onHyperspace(article) (content obsolete and backup link not available)
• The Unknown Regions
• LEGOStar Wars(Set:8096 Emperor Palpatine's Shuttle)
• ImperialTheta-class shuttle in theDatabank(original site is defunct)

Notes and references[]