Punworcca 116-class interstellar sloop/Legends

Punworcca 116-class interstellar sloop "The Human's starship, it flies as if by magic. If Poggle crosses him, the Human might use his magic against us."

- Anonymous Geonosian guard

The Punworcca 116-class interstellar sloop was a solar sailer designed by the Huppla Pasa Tisc Shipwrights Collective of Geonosis, using Gree technology for the solar sail.

Characteristics


The seed-shaped vessel bore a resemblance to the smaller Geonosian starfighter, though the sloop had room inside for two pilots, a bunk, and cargo space. Though unarmed, the solar sloop featured 84 miniature tractor beam projectors fitted to the forward prongs, which acted both as steering aids and emergency grapple weapons.

History
Count Dooku received an interstellar sloop as a gift from his Geonosian benefactors prior to the Clone Wars. To the Geonosian sloop, Dooku added a unique and ancient solar sail acquired in the Gree Enclave. Fitted to his vessel, the solar sail propels the sailer through mysterious means; regular solar sailers use sails that unfurl to moon-like diameters, catching tachyon streams and ultraviolet lasers. An FA-4 pilot droid flew the sailer for Dooku, who was often found in the rear hold, perusing the onboard databook library.



When war erupted on Geonosis, Dooku fled to his secret hangar in the desert, intent of fleeing the massive battle between Republic and Separatist forces. Dooku was waylaid by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Yoda, and barely managed to escape into the safety of his sailer. The solar sailer left Geonosis far behind, heading for a dark rendezvous with Dooku's Master, Darth Sidious, in the Works on Coruscant.

An example of this vessel was identified as a distinctive "Geonosian fantail" by Jedi Generals Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker when they discovered it on Tythe, but it is unclear if this means the Punworcca 116 bore any relation to the Fantail warships employed by the Corporate Alliance.

Dooku used his sloop throughout the Clone Wars, and during the Second Battle of Coruscant, he rendezvoused with General Grievous onboard Invisible Hand after departing Tythe&mdash;via Nelvaan&mdash;in his sloop. The solar sailer was presumably aboard Invisible Hand at the time of its destruction over Coruscant.

Dooku apparently had at least one decoy sloop, and Asajj Ventress also used a Punworcca 116 during her mission to Ruul, although she may simply have been using Dooku's own sloop.

Appearances

 * Jango Fett: Open Seasons
 * Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
 * The Eyes of Revolution
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Most Precious Weapon
 * Star Wars Republic 49: Sacrifice
 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * Chapter 6
 * Jedi: Mace Windu
 * Brothers in Arms
 * Labyrinth of Evil