Blue Shadow

A Horizon-class Star Yacht belonging to the Bounty Hunter Chir'daki, the Rutian was purchased to function as an executive transport, to facilitate Chir'daki's involvement with the Black Sun crime organisation. Though large, most of the vessel's systems were automated; the majority of functions were catered for by an all-droid crew. Two salvaged OOM Pilot Droids - dubbed the "Rutian Twins" - functioned as pilot and copilot, while the role of navigator was fulfilled by an R2 Astromech droid designated R2-N8 who also served as the ship's mechanic. Also, a B2 Super Battle Droid (nicknamed Roy) was carried aboard for security, and to act as bodyguard and back up to Chir'daki when required.

The ship is named for a particular Twi'leki skin tone, considered to be one of the rarest and thus most desirable amongst slaves - a shade of vivid cyan / blue. As a reflection, the craft's decoration heavily features the appropriate colour; various hull markings are in a typically Twi'leki style, resembling the tattoos often displayed on the species' lekku.

The ship has undergone a series of modifications, including upgrades to the ion engines, sensors and defensive systems, and the installation of additional weaponry. The craft carries the standard tractor beam, as well as a pair of ion cannons mounted either side of the cockpit, concealed laser cannons, and concealed concussion missile launchers. Software upgrades to the ship's targetting computer, and to R2-N8 allow the ship to function almost completely without sentient influence in most situations, up to and including minor combat encounters.

Unfortunately, though relatively small in comparison to most space-faring vessels, the Rutian is often too large for the availiable landing bays, particularly the executive docking facilities that are found at Black Sun's "legitimate" business establishments. Also, surface landing outside of a designated starport can often be difficult with such a large craft. To avoid such complications, the Rutian carries a NovaSword Space Superiority Fighter dubbed the Lethan, which is used as a short-range transport for Black Sun duties. Appropriately, given the designation, the Lethan is decorated in shades of red.

Another modification involved heavily adapting the docking hatches. Because Chir'daki primarily used the Lethan as a means of travelling to and from his ship, he had little need for pedestrian access, or the ability to hard-dock with another spacefaring vessel. The two standard airlocks were each replaced with a pressurised tube - only just big enough for the average Wookiee, or a Human in armour - that entered the craft at a slight angle. Gravity plates ensured that the boarder would experience a steadily steepening gradient until they were dropped from ceiling height onto the deck. The unorthadox ingress into the ship both disorientated potential aggressors, and reduced the rate at which they could gain access to the vessel to an easily manageable level, should Chir'daki want to dispatch them immediately. The bounty hunter Darven fell foul of the ingress tubes during a meeting with Chir'daki prior to the reformation of the Bounty Hunters' Guild. (Recalling the Guild: Chir'daki)

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