R4 courier droid

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This article details a subject that is considered canon.

R4 courier droid

Production information

Technical specifications

Sensor color

Black^[3]

Plating color

White, black, and red with silver trim^[3]

Equipment

Fire extinguisher^[3]

Chronological and political information

Affiliation

Galactic Empire^[3]
- Imperial Press Corps^[3]

TheR4 courier droid, also known as theImperial courier droid orImperial communication droid, were modifiedR4 astromech droids used by theGalactic Empire designed to becouriers, carrying information from one place to another, avoiding the use of networks. Courier droids wore the badge of theImperial Press Corps, which allowed them access to top-secret information, and often featured unique markings to help differentiate them. AfterGrand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin ordered the destruction ofLothal'sImperial Communications Center, the Empire began using R4 courier droids as a means to physically transport data to and from theplanet's surface.

Description[]

R4courier droids^[4] were used to transport information from place to place when computer networks were not available. Courier droids were usually repurposedastromech droids the featured special markings to differentiate them.^[2] TheEmpire did not program their courier droids to have personalities. As a result, courier droids could only beep yes and no.^[5]

History[]

WhenGrand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin ordered the destruction ofLothal'sImperial Communications Center in4 BBY, the Imperial authorities there began using R4 courier droids to physically transport sensitive data. TheSpectres took advantage of the situation to try to discover the whereabouts ofKanan Jarrus, stealing a courier droid designated264 and substituting their own repainteddroid,C1-10P. The rebel droid infiltrated anArquitens-class command cruiser in orbit of Lothal, obtained information on Jarrus' whereabouts before returning to his ownship, theGhost, which was under heavy fire.^[3]

Aboard theGhost, 264 was making itself useful putting out fires, much to the surprise and approval of the rebel crew. So impressed was the crew that they openly considered making the Imperial droid a permanent member of their crew. The temperamental C1-10P, however, would not tolerate this, and pushed his potential rival out of the cargo doors while the ship was still in flight. On the grasslands below, twoLoth-cats were surprised when 264 fell from the sky into their midst. The droid was not destroyed, and righted itself, finding itself in curious company.^[3]

On several undercover missions, Chopper was disguised as an R4 courier droid. This enabled Chopper toinfiltrate and destroy anImperial Interdictor in theDel Zennis system in3 BBY.^[6] Later in2 BBY, Chopper was disguised as an R4 courier droid during amission undertaken byHera Syndulla andEzra Bridger to reclaim a family heirloom, theSyndulla Kalikori, fromGrand Admiral Thrawn. Chopper's disguise managed to fool thestormtroopers stationed at the formerSyndulla residence and allowed him to plant bombs throughout the building to aid Hera and Ezra's escape.^[7]

The Galactic Empire also stationed several R4 courier droids at theImperial Armory Complex in Lothal'sCapital City. During amission to infiltrate the factory, Chopper was disguised as a courier droid. To enter Section A2 and steal secret Imperial plans, Chopper electrocuted an R4 courier droid and stole its clearance code. Despite his disguise, Thrawn discovered that an unauthorizedC1-series astromech droid had breached the chamber and stolen his blueprints for aprototype starfighter.^[8]

Behind the scenes[]

The R4 courier droid first appeared in "Rebel Resolve," the fourteenth episode of thecanon animated seriesStar Wars Rebels'first season. More information about the droid was furnished in aDatabank entry andMichael Kogge's chapter bookBattle to the End, which summarizes the plot of severalStar Wars Rebels episodes including "Rebel Resolve." R4 courier droids also appeared in "An Inside Man," the eighth episode of thethird season ofStar Wars Rebels.