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The Cygnus Spaceworks Theta-class T-2c shuttle, also known as the Theta-class T-2c Personnel Transport, was a tri-winged personnel transport craft, most often used by influential senators, officers, and courtiers to travel between planets and starships while maintaining high levels of security.[1] Newly appointed Emperor Palpatine used one to save the maimed and burned Darth Vader from the volcanic world of Mustafar.[4]
Characteristics
Cross-section of Palpatine's Theta-class shuttle.
The shuttle's long wings projected powerful shielding fields, which were used for both defense and added stability in atmosphere. In flight, the lower two wings were extended to either side of the shuttle, but during landing, the wings folded up to bracket the hull and concentrate shield energy on the main body. The Theta-class transport was both fast and agile thanks to its powerful sublight engines. It also had an internal Class 1 hyperdrive.[1]
The Theta-class shuttle could not rely on speed alone, however, while transporting important dignitaries between worlds. Thus, it was equipped with twin forward-mounted quad laser cannons and a high-powered tail gun. Both the quad and standard laser cannons could be computer-controlled or operated manually from a combined communications and gunnery station in the reinforced cockpit. Upon landing, the shuttle computer surveyed the area for potential dangers, ready to open fire at enemies in an instant. The shuttle could accommodate about five crew members, though it could be flown by a single experienced pilot.[1]
Palpatine's own T-2c was upgraded by Warthan's Wizards, the best starship technicians in the galaxy at the time. The Wizards added a hyperwave reflector for trans-galactic communication that rivaled the quality of the secret Jedi homing devices. Palpatine's shuttle also featured sensor masks to hide whatever secrets the shuttle's interior held from conventional scanners. During flight, Palpatine's shuttle was often escorted by elite V-wing starfighters that were upgraded to be equipped with internal hyperdrives and improved shields.[1]
History
A Theta-class shuttle used by the Rebel Alliance
Theta-class shuttles were observed ten years after the end of the New Sith Wars and were at that time considered new. The class would go on to see service in the centuries leading up to the establishment of the Galactic Empire.[7]
One was used by the Sith to pick up Qymaen jai Sheelal's broken body after his shuttle crash accident, right before the Clone Wars.[5] Another was used by the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine as a personal transport when attending to off-world matters during the Clone Wars.[1] One was also used to transport a group of Republic agents to the Venator-class Star Destroyer Solidarity, so that they could be given an assignment by Jedi Master Ezar Elasra.[6]
Not long after his declaration founding the Galactic Empire, the newly-christened Emperor Palpatine used his shuttle on a top secret mission to Mustafar. Piloted by Captain Kagi, the T-2c shuttle reached Mustafar in time for Palpatine to rescue his dying apprentice, Darth Vader, formerly Anakin Skywalker.[4] During the return trip to Coruscant, the Emperor made use of the shuttle's onboard medical facilities to treat Darth Vader's wounds prior to a more extensive reconstruction at a medical facility. The shuttle also acted as a mobile command base, with various torture devices and Sith potions for interrogations.[4] In the first weeks after the Clone Wars, Vader used a black version as his personal shuttle until it was destroyed during the Invasion of Kashyyyk.[8]
Though the Theta-class shuttle served the Empire and Palpatine well, it was later replaced by the more advanced Lambda-class. Even so, Theta-class shuttles were still used by the Empire as support vessels,[9] alongside older models like the Kappa-class shuttles.[10] Following the dissolution of the Senate, many of the senators' Theta-class shuttles were sold off and converted to freighters. Some were bought by collectors who valued the classic design or were used by the Rebel Alliance.[9]
Behind the scenes
The Emperor's shuttle was clearly designed as a harbinger to the Lambda-class shuttles seen in the original trilogy. The tri-wing design was made less angular, with a less aggressive cockpit to soften the obviousness of its role as a villain's transport. The only practical element of the shuttle constructed was its boarding ramp, which was shot against greenscreen for the scene of Emperor Palpatine emerging with Anakin Skywalker's charred body on Coruscant.
In Battlefront II, Theta-class shuttles are titled 'Landing craft' and are armed with two forward-facing cannons, homing missiles and an aft laser-cannon. They are used from the beginning of Imperial rule, until the story mode campaign ends at the Battle of Hoth.
In 2010, LEGO released a set known as "8096 Emperor Palpatine's Shuttle". The set includes movable wings, extendable landing gear, and a medical center with Darth Vader's helmet. The set includes 4 mini figures namely: the redesigned wounded Darth Vader (with helmet), Emperor Palpatine (2008 redesign), Clone Pilot (2009 redesign with exclusive headpiece design), and the new minifigure, the 2-1B surgical droid. Part of the set's basis could possibly be the 2005 set "7251 Darth Vader Transformation" where Darth Vader is put into his signature suit after he was badly wounded on Mustafar.
Appearances
A Theta-class shuttle in landing configuration
- Darth Bane: Rule of Two
- The Eyes of Revolution
- Star Wars: Battlefront II
- Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith (First appearance)
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith junior novel
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith video game
- Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
- Star Wars: Purge: The Hidden Blade
- Dark Times 6: Parallels, Part 1
- Dark Times 7: Parallels, Part 2
- Star Wars: Dark Times: Vector
- Evasive Action: Recruitment
- Evasive Action: Prey
- Evasive Action: End Game
- Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin 1
- Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin 3
"The Queen of Air and Darkness" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link) (Mentioned only)- "Echoes of the Jedi" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- "Sword of the Empire" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Old Wounds (Non-canonical appearance) (In flashback(s))
Sources
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-Sections
- "Starships and Vehicles of Revenge of the Sith" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Star Wars Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide
- Star Wars: Complete Cross-Sections
- Starships of the Galaxy (2007)
- The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia (As "Theta-class shuttle")
- Star Wars: The Official Starships & Vehicles Collection 22
- Galaxy at War
- The Written Word
- The Unknown Regions
- Imperial Theta-class shuttle in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 Star Wars: Complete Cross-Sections
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4
"Starships and Vehicles of Revenge of the Sith" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars Battlefront II: Prima Official Game Guide
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Eyes of Revolution
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Galaxy at War
- ↑ Darth Bane: Rule of Two
- ↑ Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Starships of the Galaxy Saga Edition
- ↑ Rules of Engagement: The Rebel SpecForce Handbook