Zeta-class shuttle

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For other uses, see Zeta-class shuttle.

The Zeta-class shuttle was a class of shuttle used by the Galactic Empire, including the Imperial Navy and the Inquisitorius, during its reign.

Characteristics

"Transponder's coming back as… Infernum, sir."
―An Imperial pit crew member[2]

The Zeta-class shuttle was a class of shuttle manufactured by Sienar Fleet Systems and Telgorn Corporation.[1] It was based on the Sentinel-class landing craft, also developed by Sienar Fleet Systems.[1] Zeta-class shuttles were able to ferry at least eighteen individuals.[4] The interior offered less luxury than that of Lambda-class shuttles[3] and was illuminated by red lights. It was equipped with a hyperdrive and a transponder code.[2]

The ship's hull was black with a red tinted viewport in the cockpit. Its doors could slide open, producing an entry ramp for boarding and disembarking.[2] It's side wings featured two laser cannons at their ends. A vertical wing atop the shuttle's body featured another two cannons.[3] When the ship landed the side wings folded up[2] and landing gears extended.[5] The shuttles were occasionally stored within Venator-class Star Destroyers.[1]

Role

The shuttle class was utilized by the Imperial civil governors and the Empire's Jedi hunting Inquisitorius.[1] The Inquisitorius used Zeta-class shuttles for missions[6] as well as transporting high-ranking members of the Empire.[3]

History

"Governor Tarkin, I have a new vessel on scopes—just dropped out of hyperspace, headed for the planet. Imperial—Zeta-class shuttle."
―An Imperial pit crew member[2]

The Inquisitorius,[6] which was founded in 19 BBY,[7] deployed Zeta-class shuttles for some of its first missions.[6] In 18 BBY,[8] the Inquisitorius' master,[6] Darth Vader; the Inquisitors Sixth Brother, Ninth Sister, and Tenth Brother; and at least six Purge Troopers traveled aboard a Zeta-class shuttle designated as the Infernum through hyperspace to[2] the Outer Rim[9] planet Mon Cala to investigate the potential presence of a Jedi,[2] former Padawan Ferren Barr.[10] After scopes aboard the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Sovereign detected the shuttle, a pit crew member reported the ship's presence to Governor Wilhuff Tarkin. The shuttle landed in Dac City, where it was later destroyed after giant waves crashed over Mon Cala's surface—a plan put into motion by the King of Mon Cala, Lee-Char, to repel the Imperial presence.[11]

Darth Vader and Tualon Yaluna depart a Zeta-class shuttle with Eeth Koth's daughter.

Darth Vader and Tualon Yaluna depart a Zeta-class shuttle with Eeth Koth's daughter.

In 14 BBY,[12] Vader and the Inquisitors Fifth Brother, Thirteenth Sister, and Tualon Yaluna traveled aboard a Zeta-class shuttle[5] belonging to Vader to a desert planet to hunt down the[13] former Jedi Master[9] Eeth Koth. After the mission's success, the group returned to the Inquisitorius Headquarters on the Core Worlds planet[9] Coruscant aboard the Zeta-class shuttle, with the abducted daughter of Eeth Koth.[5]

Behind the scenes

Zeta-class shuttles first appeared in the thirteenth issue of the 2017 comic series Star Wars: Darth Vader. The issue was written by Charles Soule, illustrated by Giuseppe Camuncoli, and published by Marvel Comics[2] on March 14, 2018.[14]

Appearances

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Sources

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 "Starships of the Empire and the Rebellion" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Darth Vader (2017) 13
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Star Wars: Build Your Own X-Wing 22 Starfighter Aces: Grand Inquisitor — Supreme Jedi Hunter
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Darth Vader (2017) 13 depicts Darth Vader, Sixth Brother, Ninth Sister, Tenth Brother, and a number of Purge Troopers arriving on Mon Cala in a Zeta-class shuttle. Darth Vader (2017) 16 features twelve Purge Troopers, while issue 15 establishes that two other Purge Troopers had been killed. Therefore, at least eighteen individuals must have been brought aboard the Zeta-class shuttle.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Darth Vader (2017) 19
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Darth Maul and Other Followers of the Dark Side" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
  7. ↑ StarWars.com Star Wars Inside Intel: The Inquisitorius on StarWars.com (article) (backup link) dates the founding of the Inquisitorius to soon after the formation of the Galactic Empire, which Star Wars: Timelines dates to 19 BBY. Timelines also dates Darth Vader 6, which depicts the Inquisitorius as active, to 19 BBY. Therefore, the Inquisitorius must have been founded in 19 BBY.
  8. ↑ Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of Darth Vader (2017) 14 to 18 BBY.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy
  10. ↑ Darth Vader (2017) 16
  11. ↑ Darth Vader (2017) 14
  12. ↑ Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of Darth Vader (2017) 19 to 18 BBY.
  13. ↑ Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade
  14. ↑ Marvel-TemplateLogo Darth Vader (2017) #13 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)
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