AA-23

Shuttle AA-23 was a Lambda-class T-4a shuttle in the service of the Galactic Empire.

History ---

AA-23 was stationed on an Imperial platform in the Eideloni system some time after the Battle of Hoth. It was one of four shuttles that attempted to flee the platform when pilots from the Rebel MC80 cruiser Liberty, one of them being Ace Azzameen, attacked the outpost. The reason for this attack was because Commander Zaletta, an Imperial officer who had grown sympathetic to the [Rebel Alliance's cause, had agreed to meet the Rebels there after the station was attacked. Zaletta commandeered Shuttle AA-23 and fled the platform when the Rebels attacked in X-wings. Several other shuttles carrying fleeing crew members also fled, so Azzameen had to identify Zaletta's creft before contact could be established. Once this was done, the Rebels finished off the platform and Zaletta fled to rendevous with the Rebel Nebulon-B Frigate Redemption. Zaletta safely landed on the vessel, but was imprisoned after a failed attempt by the Imperials to destroy the Redemption. Zaletta was accused of setting up the attack, and Shuttle AA-23 was impounded.

However, when everyone returned to the Liberty, Commander Kupalo stole Shuttle AA-23 in Hangar Bay 2 and fled the cruiser. He planted explosives in the hangar that killed a Liberty crew member. Shuttle AA-23 then fired three homing mines that destroyed three pursuing X-wings. Admiral Yamarus informed Ace Azzameen and Olin Garn that Kupalo fled because he had spying on behalf of the Galactic Empire, and he framed Zaletta for the attack on the Redemption. Both pilots were dispatched immedietely. Zaletta had vital data on board AA-23 that had not yet been decoded, and was needed for the Alliance's survival.

Azzameen and Garn eventually do catch up with Kupalo, who refuses to stand down without a fight. While Olin fought off Assault Gunboats, Azzameen attacked Kupalo and shot down another set of homing mines. Kupalo was forced to power down AA-23 after it took too much damage. Storm Unit then recovered the shuttle and fled while the two pilots fought enemy reinforcements from an Imperial-class Star Destroyer. AA-23 was supposedly stripped of its databanks so that they could be decoded. Zaletta was cleared of all charges and presented the data to the Rebels, which would lead to the Alliance's discovery of the Death Star 2 at the planet Endor.

What became of Shuttle AA-23 afterwards is unknown.

Appeearances - Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance