IT-O Interrogator

"The IT-O's greatest tool is its reputation. Tell the suspect you have one, and show it waiting in the wings. This alone will often elicit a confession."

- Grand Inquisitor Torbin

Designed by Imperial Security Bureau, the IT-O was an interrogation droid employed by Galactic Empire. Use of IT-O was carefully controlled by ISB, though some models found their way into the hands of senior Moffs, military intelligence and even CompForce. They were also employed by Imperial Inquisitors and Stormtrooper garrison commanders.

Characteristics
It was a hovering droid similar in appearance to a remote, perhaps a third of a meter in diameter, with various attachments, deliberately quite visually frightening, making a "waawaawaaw" sound, used in torture. The droid was generally successful in getting information from prisoners using elaborate and scientific torture methods. First, it would inject the prisoner with a mentally disabling chemical that would decrease the pain threshold, while also forcing the subject to remain conscious. IT-O would do a read on the body, detecting the most sensitive areas like the genitals, joints, neck and many other less obvious body parts. Occasionally, the prisoner's vision may be obscured. A single torture session would usually last well over an hour. The droid had a recorder to record the entire process, in case any information was lost in the screams of the prisoner. Its reputation was so feared that many prisoners began reciting their sins as soon as the say saw IT-O floating into their cell.

The IT-O's injection reservoirs could be filled with the latest drugs engineered by Imperial experts, such as Bavo Six and OV600. The droid could preform interrogation by itself or in conjunction with living questioners. It was designed with an emotionless personality to ask questions in flat monotone. When working with a living assistant the IT-O would often say nothing at all, allowing prisoner to come to fear and hate the droid, while viewing the living interrogator as a source of potential mercy.

History
"And now, your highness, we will discuss the location of your hidden Rebel base."

- Darth Vader

One such droid was used by Darth Vader in his interrogation of Princess Leia Organa in 0 BBY. When Leia Organa underwent her mind probe, she was injected with a powerful mind-alternating hallucinagen that made her very susceptible to suggestion. With mere words from Darth Vader, Leia imagined herself in unbearable pain, though she was not undergoing any physical harm whatsoever. Her uncanny fortitude prevented her from divulging any Alliance secrets during this torment.

Eventually, the IT-O model would be succeeded by the IT-3 Interrogator.

Behind the scenes


The IT-O prop used during the filming of A New Hope had the words "British Made" on its hypodermic needle. Although the lettering on the droid's hypodermic is illegible to most viewers when examining the scene on VHS, DVD, and high-definition television broadcasts, some viewers claim to be able to read the writing.

A New Hopes listing on the Internet Movie Database used to claim that the label reads Made in England'. The actual prop used for the interrogation droid has been exhibited in museums. Photographs of the prop as displayed show that lettering does appear on the needle, but that it actually reads "British Made." The IMDb entry has since been updated.

In the Marvel Star Wars adaptation of A New Hope, the mind probe of Princess Leia is performed by what appears to be a RA-7 protocol droid rather than an IT-O.

A reference to the IT-O was made in the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, in which the droid G0-T0 is similar in appearance, but seems to be inverted.

Appearances

 * Evasive Action: End Game
 * Star Wars: Purge
 * ''Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
 * Death Star
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novel
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Rookies: No Turning Back
 * Star Wars Empire: The Wrong Side of the War
 * Star Wars Rebellion 1: My Brother, My Enemy, Part 1
 * Gambler's World
 * Gathering Shadows
 * Star Wars: Lethal Alliance
 * Star Wars: Dark Forces
 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
 * Splinter of the Mind's Eye
 * Children of the Jedi
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
 * Star Wars: Chewbacca
 * Star Wars Legacy 11: Ghosts, Part 1
 * Children of the Jedi
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
 * Star Wars: Chewbacca
 * Star Wars Legacy 11: Ghosts, Part 1