Imperial communication droid Imperial communication droids , also known as Imperial courier droids , were repurposed R4 astromech droid s used by the Galactic Empire designed to carry information from one place to another , avoiding the use of networks . Courier droids wore the badge of the Imperial Press Corps , which allowed them access to top - secret information , and often featured unique markings to help differentiate them . After Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin ordered the destruction of Lothal ' s Imperial Communications Center , the Empire began using Imperial communication droids as a means to physically transport data to and from the planet ' s surface . Description . Imperial courier droids were used to transport information from place to place when computer networks were not available . Courier droids were usually repurposed astromech droid s the featured special markings to differentiate them . The Empire did not program their communication droids to have personalities . As a result , courier droids could only beep yes and no . History . When Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin ordered the destruction of Lothal ' s Imperial Communications Center in 4 BBY , the Imperial authorities there began using Imperial communication droids to physically transport sensitive data . The Spectres took advantage of the situation to try to discover the whereabouts of Kanan Jarrus , stealing a courier droid designated 264 and substituting their own repainted droid , C1 - 10P . The rebel droid infiltrated an " Arquitens " - class command cruiser in orbit of Lothal , obtained information on Jarrus ' whereabouts , and returned to his own ship , the " Ghost " , that ship being under heavy fire . Aboard the " Ghost " , 264 was making itself useful putting out fires , much to the surprise and approval of the rebel crew . So impressed was the crew that they openly considered making the Imperial droid a permanent member of their crew . The temperamental C1 - 10P , however , would not tolerate this , and pushed its rival out of the cargo doors while the ship was still in flight . On the grasslands below , two Loth - cat s were surprised when the Imperial Droid fell from the sky into their midst . The droid was not destroyed , and righted itself , finding itself in curious company . On several undercover missions , the rebel astromech droid Chopper was disguised as an Imperial communication droid . This enabled Chopper to infiltrate and destroy an Imperial Interdictor in the Del Zennis system in 3 BBY . Later in 2 BBY , Chopper was disguised as an Imperial communication droid during a mission undertaken by Hera Syndulla and Ezra Bridger to reclaim a family heirloom , the kalikori , from Grand Admiral Thrawn . Chopper ' s disguise managed to fool the stormtroopers stationed at the former Syndulla residence and allowed him to plant bombs throughout the building to aid Hera and Ezra ' s escape . The Galactic Empire also stationed several Imperial communication droids at the Imperial Armory Complex in Lothal ' s Capital City . During a mission to infiltrate the factory , Chopper was disguised as a communication droid . To enter Section A2 and steal secret Imperial plans , Chopper electrocuted an Imperial communication droid and stole its clearance code . Despite his disguise , Thrawn discovered that an unauthorized C1 - series astromech droid had breach the chamber and stolen his blue prints for a prototype starfighter . Behind the scenes . Imperial communication droids first appeared in " Rebel Resolve " , the twelfth episode of the canon animated series " Star Wars Rebels ' " first season . More information about the droids were furnished in a Databank entry and Michael Kogge ' s chapter book " Battle to the End " , which summarizes the plot of several " Star Wars Rebels " episodes including " Rebel Resolve . " Imperial communication droids also appeared in " An Inside Man " , the eighth episode of the third season of " Star Wars Rebels " .