E-3PO

This article is about the 3PO-series subset. You may be looking for the Cloud City-based unit.

Warning: This infobox has missing parameters: cost, type, plating, pronouns, mass and unrecognized parameters: era

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

―C-3PO and E-3PO^[src]

E-3PO units were a subset of the 3PO-series protocol droid line. Developed for Imperial use, E-3POs possessed the TechSpan I propriety module, which allowed them to interface with a wide variety of networks employed by the Empire. Their obscure and rare status led to E-3PO units developing arrogant, superior, and haughty attitudes, which would gain them a degree of notoriety throughout the galaxy.

During the Galactic Civil War, the E-3PO production line on Mechis III was commandeered by the megalomaniac assassin droid IG-88.

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."^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

E-3PO units in the galaxy

E-3POandC-3PO — C-3PO meets Cloud City's E-3PO.

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.^[1]

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".