Katana fleet

The Katana fleet (also known as the "Dark Force") was an starfleet launched about 45 BBY by the Old Republic as part of an attempt to recreate the Republic Navy. Highly advanced for the time, and equipped with state of the art automation systems, it fell victim to a hive virus (possibly caused by carsunum spice) that wiped out the crew after driving them insane. The fleet, consisting of 200 modified Dreadnaught-class heavy cruisers, all carrying experimental AT-PTs, was lost in space for many years, until Captain Hoffner and his navigator, Talon Karrde, stumbled upon it.

Nearly fifty-five years after the fleet was lost, Grand Admiral Thrawn became interested in it. However, the Grand Admiral's treachery turned Mara Jade against the Galactic Empire and she, along with Luke Skywalker, rescued Karrde from Thrawn's forces and brought him to the New Republic. Thrawn was nonetheless able to acquire the information from Hoffner, and though both sides secured some of the fleet, the Empire acquired the vast majority. The AT-PTs captured by the New Republic became vital in the campaign against Thrawn.

Behind the Scenes
It was stated by Talon Karrde that the fleet was lost in 32 BBY (at the time of The Phantom Menace), but Captain Pellaeon set it at fifty-five years prior to the date of the story (which is set in 9 ABY.) It is far more likely that a high-ranking Imperial officer has the correct date than a smuggling chief, especially because it was stated by Karrde as being "about ten years before the Clone Wars."

Appearances

 * Dark Force Rising