ST-718

ST-718
Production information
Product line	Abecederian line
Model	Lambda-class T-4a shuttle
Type	Shuttle
Technical specifications
Length	20 meters
MGLT	54 MGLT
Maximum speed (atmosphere)	850 kph
Engine unit(s)	2 SFS-204 sublight ion engine
Hyperdrive rating	Class 1 Class 10 (backup)
Hyperdrive system	Equipped
Shielding	Deflector shield
Sensor systems	Short-ranged sensors
Armament	Laser cannons (5) Taim & Bak KX5 laser cannons (2) Taim & Bak GA-60s twin rotating blaster cannons (2) ArMek R-Z0 retractable double blaster cannon (1)
Crew	Multiple Imperial officers Multiple stormtroopers
Communication systems	Equipped
Usage
Role(s)	Transport
Affiliation	Galactic Empire
Navy	Imperial Navy
Commander(s)	Hurst Romodi

"Han is right there. He is on that shuttle, just waiting for us."

―Leia Organa

ST-718 was a Lambda-class T-4a shuttle of the Galactic Empire. The shuttle was used to transport the carbonite-frozen smuggler Han Solo to the Super Star Destroyer Executor after the Sith Lord Darth Vader claimed him during Crimson Dawn's auction of Solo on Jekara. The shuttle was pursued by Solo's friends, the rebels of the Millennium Falcon, as well as the bounty hunters Boba Fett and Beilert Valance. Aboard the Falcon, the cyborg Lobot used his implants to interface with the shuttle's systems, temporarily disabling it. The Imperials managed to regain control of the shuttle, and TIE fighters escorted it to the Executor.

Description

ST-718 was a Lambda-class T-4a shuttle of the Abecederian line used in the Imperial Navy. The shuttle had a Class 1 hyperdrive with a Class 10 as backup and two engines. ST-718 traveled at 54 MGLT and could reach a top speed of 850 kph The shuttle had five laser cannons which included, Taim & Bak KX5 laser cannons, GA-60s twin rotating blaster cannons, and ArMek R-Z0 retractable double blaster cannon. The ship was captained by Hurst Romodi and had a crew of multiple stormtroopers and Imperial officers.

History

Shuttle escape

"If you're looking for Solo... You're a little late"

―Boba Fett to Beilert Valance

ST-718 departed from the auction with Han Solo.

ST-718 was in service of the Galactic Empire in 3 ABY. During the Auction for Han Solo, the Lambda-class shuttle was used to bring the Imperial delegation to meet the Vermillion on the planet Jekara. After Sith Lord Darth Vader claimed Han Solo for the Empire the Imperials brought the frozen Solo onboard the transport and flew up to Vader's Executor command ship.

The Alliance to Restore the Republic delegation of Princess Leia Organa, Chewbacca, and Lando Calrissian quickly moved on the shuttle and began to chase down ST-718 in the Millennium Falcon. At the same time, the bounty hunters Beilert Valance and Boba Fett developed a plan to track down the shuttle themselves.

Shuttle attack

"I'm seeing a number of vessels heading up from the planet's surface sir. Nearest are an old YT-1300 Corellian and some sort of custom job—not in the database."

―Officer reporting to Romodi onboard ST-718

ST-718 disabled by the Millennium Falcon

Onboard the cockpit of the shuttle, an Imperial officer reported to General Romodi that they would be approaching the Executor shortly but another officer reported multiple vessels inbound from the surface of Jekara. Romodi refused the request for reinforcements, refusing to give the other starships the idea of imitating the Empire. On the Falcon, Carissian planned to release a secret weapon on ST-718. Fett's Slave I also reached the shuttle but Fett wanted to take out the Falcon first. Valance refused and wanted to find another way.

The shuttle then received a communication from the Falcon but when the officer put the message through the entire ship was electrocuted and shut down. All primary systems were brought down temporarily as the officers worked quickly to fix it. In the other room laid the frozen body of Han Solo. The electrical surge was caused by Lobot on the Falcon tapping into Imperial systems to cause the problem. But just before the rebels could board ST-718, Fett launched a weakened seismic charge at the ship, disabling the rebels. Fett and Valance were clear onto the shuttle when the fleet Hutt Clan arrived from hyperspace to attack the Executor.

Stuck in the battle

Hutt starships prepare to deliver the shuttle to the Hutts

The shuttle now in the middle of the battle between the Hutt Clan the Empire was given TIE fighters for backup as Hutt starships moved in on ST-718 in order to claim Solo. One of the officers onboard made a desperate plea for help to the Executor as the Hutts approached. Then, the Hutt ships used magclamps to secure the shuttle with plans to bring it aboard the War barge of the Hutt Council. The other Hutts worried about potential retaliation from the Empire for taking the shuttle.

The Executor then scrambled its TIE fighters towards the shuttle in an attempt to retake it. The two sides engaged each other as the ST-718 continued toward the Hutt ship, but the Empire was confident it would be able to reclaim the shuttle. Time was running out for the rebels because when the shuttle would get too farther away Lobot would not be able to prevent it from restarting its engines. As Fett and Valance developed another plan to board the ship, ST-718's engines started and it freed itself from the Hutts. The ship was then given an escort back to the Executor before docking on the ship.

Behind the scenes

ST-718 first appeared in the fourth issue of the Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters comic series. The issue was written by Charles Soule, illustrated by Luke Ross, Neeraj Menon, Guru-eFX, and published by Marvel Comics on September 8, 2021. The shuttle was first identified as "ST-718" in the exclusive preview of Doctor Aphra 15.

Appearances

• Bounty Hunters 16
• Darth Vader (2020) 16
• War of the Bounty Hunters 4 (First appearance)
• Star Wars (2020) 17
• War of the Bounty Hunters 5
• Darth Vader (2020) 17

Sources

• A Close Shave in Marvel's Doctor Aphra #15 - Exclusive Preview on StarWars.com (backup link) (First identified as ST-718)
• Star Wars: Timelines (Indirect mention only)