Ore carrier

Ore carrier
Production information
Type	Carrier
Technical specifications
Crew	2 pilots Several crew members
Usage
Role(s)	Carrying ore
Affiliation	Galactic Empire Arkinnea Militia

"What in stars kinda ship is this? It looks like an ore carrier!"
"That's because it is an ore carrier."

―A Kajain'sa'Nikto refugee and another refugee regarding the ore carrier on Arkinnea

Ore carriers were a type of carrier utilized to carry ore. At least one was capable of dropping its cargo out of hatches under its hull. One such carrier was utilized by the Arkinnea Militia on Arkinnea around 19 BBY to massacre refugees, though it was brought down by Jedi Master K'Kruhk. The vessels were also used on Lazerian IV.

Characteristics

Ore carriers were a variety of carrier. At least one ore carrier had a hatch below its hull, which allowed it to drop any cargo held inside of it. Its chassis was orange, white, and gray in color.

Role

Ore carriers were traditionally used to carry ore. However, the Arkinnea Militia utilized the carriers to hold refugees, which they then dropped from extreme heights using the carrier's hatches to kill them.

History

Ore carriers were among the few starships permitted to land in and depart from the Industrial Starports of the planet Lazerian IV. By around 19 BBY, one ore carrier was under the command of the Arkinnea Militia, a local military group from Arkinnea serving the Galactic Empire.

Hope on Arkinnea

"There's plenty of room for everyone. No need to push. Have your datachips ready."

―Captain Relik guiding refugees onto the ore carrier

Refugees board the ore carrier on Arkinnea

Around 19 BBY, while in a refugee camp alongside a group of Jedi younglings and Jedi Master K'Kruhk, Padawan Chase Piru was given a datachip that would light up when it was their turn to board the ore carrier that would allegedly ferry the refugees north. The group soon encountered Jedi Master Zao, who informed them of a great danger in the camp that they needed to escape from. That night, the Jedi Masters had the younglings and Piru gather their belongings and prepare to escape the camp. K'Kruhk discovered the datachip Piru was given, and tossed it decide, declaring they would not need it.

The morning after, the refugees of the camp slowly began to board the ore carrier, and one Kajain'sa'Nikto commented on the state of the vessel. Captain Relik of the Arkinnea Militia apologized to the refugee, stating that the Clone Wars had stretched their economy thin and it was the best accommodations they could provide. Another member of the Arkinnea Militia then approached Relik as the refugees boarded, informing him that their forces could not locate K'Kruhk and his group. A Human refugee boarding the ship then commented that she had seen them sneak out late at night. Imperial Commander Teron asked Relik about the situation, to which the captain responded they were just searching for refugees who had failed to board the ore carrier. As the ore carrier took off, Relik was informed via comlink that the datachip belonging to K'Kruhk's group had been located.

Massacre on Arkinnea

K'Kruhk flees from the exploding ore carrier.

Meanwhile, K'Kruhk's group began to set out for an abandoned temple on the planet, where they would create a shelter for themselves. While doing so, Master Zao spotted the ore carrier flying overhead, disturbing him. While traveling there, the group then found a pile of corpses—the refugees that had been dropped to their deaths by the carrier. As they observed the masses of dead refugees, Piru urged the youngling Sidirri not to look. Identifying the refugees as denizens of the refugee camp, K'Kruhk and Zao tried sensing any survivors through the Force to no avail. Piru pleaded with Master Zao, asking why the Arkinnea Militia would be killing refugees. Zao replied that the militia never had any intention of relocating them, and only wanted revenge on their former enemies from the Confederacy of Independent Systems and Galactic Republic.

Youngling Kennan Taanzer commented that, had their group boarded the ore carrier, they would have died as well. As the group then prepared to leave, they watched in horror as the ore carrier returned and began to drop more refugees to their deaths. The Jedi watching had the memory of this event seared into their minds as if it had taken place over the course of hours rather than seconds. Meanwhile, Arkinnea Militia trooper Makos was asked by his lieutenant if there were only clingers, only for him to instead spot the group Jedi, identifying them as witnesses. As K'Kruhk's group began to escape, a pilot of the carrier ordered a group of troopers to the deck, where they opened fire on the Jedi.

The Jedi fleed into a nearby grove of trees, prompting the ore carrier to swing back around to gain an advantageous position. Once the carrier was over the grove, K'Kruhk began to pull it down using the Force, which the pilots were incapable of preventing. As Captain Relik arrived in another ship, he watched as the carrier hit the ground, exploding as K'Kruhk fled. After the ore carrier's destruction, Relik ordered his men to fan out and search for the Jedi who witnessed the massacre of refugees.

Behind the scenes

Ore carriers were created by John Terra and introduced in Twin Stars of Kira, a 1993 supplement to West End Games' Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game. They were first depicted in Dark Times—Fire Carrier 2, the twenty-fourth issue of the Star Wars: Dark Times comic series published on March 6, 2013. In the fourth issue of the same series—published May 1, 2013—the ore carrier used by the Arkinnea Militia is depicted with four gray dome-like protrusions on its upper hull in most panels. However, the panel depicting its crash only depicts three such protrusions.

Appearances

• Dark Times—Fire Carrier 1 (Mentioned only)
• Dark Times—Fire Carrier 2 (First pictured)
• Dark Times—Fire Carrier 3
• Dark Times—Fire Carrier 4 (Wreckage only)

Sources

• Twin Stars of Kira (First mentioned)
• Planets of the Galaxy, Volume Three
• The Star Wars Planets Collection