E-3PO

"Oh! Nice to see a familiar face" "E chu ta!" "How rude!"

- C-3PO and E-3PO

The E series of 3PO protocol droids was a limited-edition model produced on Mechis III during the Galactic Civil War.

Functions and capabilities
A subset of the 3PO-series protocol droid model, E-3PO units possessed the TechSpan I module, which allowed them to interface Imperial networks. It also allowed them to interact with rare or obscure technologies produced by Imperial subcontractors. The E-3PO units, greatly limited and highly expensive, were aware of their prestigious status, and the awareness was, in turn, reflected in their metaprogramming. In time, E-3PO units would exhibit a superior attitude, and haughty behavior. In keeping with their limited numbers, E-3PO units rarely applied identifiers to their serial number, often just going by the name of "E-3PO."

History
The E-3PO line of protocol droids was produced during the Galactic Civil War on the factory world of Mechis III. Given the TechSpan I technology, their purpose was to interact with many different kinds of disparate Imperial networks. In time, the E-3PO units became aware of their own exclusivity, and became notoriously brusque and rude by protocol droid standards. That flaw in their personality and programming inspired IG-88 to use the E-3POs as his spies throughout the galaxy. His own sleeper programming, which caused personality aberrations, was masked by the natural temperament of the E-3PO. Modifying the droids on Mechis III, he dispatched scores of Imperial commissioned droids throughout the galaxy, with their alterations totally unknown to their owners.

Following the first demise of Emperor Palpatine during the Battle of Endor, and the subsequent rise of the New Republic, New Republic Intelligence Service agents were able to acquire an E-3PO unit that had served on Cloud City, Bespin. Unfortunately for the agents, the E-3PO's TechSpan I module had been removed.

E-3PO units in the galaxy
Originally assigned to the Death Squadron, one particular E-3PO unit was transferred to Cloud City, where he served as a translator for Ugnaught engineers. The Cloud City-based E-3PO would later have his TechSpan I module removed by an engineer that had tired of his miserable and abrasive attitude.

Behind the scenes
E-3PO's backstory for the Databank was developed through the What's The Story? feature of Star Wars Hyperspace by Hyperspace members "The Phantom Calamari" and "ejmacki", with introductory text by "Fisty Fiham".

Appearances

 * Therefore I Am: The Tale of IG-88
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Non-canon appearances

 * LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy