Sheathipede-class transport shuttle

The Sheathipede-class transport shuttle, also known as the Sheathipede-class shuttle and as the Neimoidian escort shuttle, was a short-range transport used by the Trade Federation and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. A larger version of the shuttle also existed.Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles
==Characteristics==
A product of Haor Chall Engineering Corporation, the Sheathipede-class was a transport shuttle with a curved hull and pincer-like landing gears, which lowered from the ship's rounded belly, and the shuttle's shape roughly resembled the Neimoidian soldier beetle.Rise of the Separatists At a length of 14.4 meters, the shuttle was powered by two engines and featured an egress hatchway at the rear. Some models replaced the cockpit with an expanded passenger cabin, and were flown by automatic pilots.
Stock Sheathipede shuttles were unarmed and only possessed a basic shield generator, meaning that, rather than relying on strength, the ships relied on speed and a small sensor cross-section to get to a destination. Many of the shuttles used by the Confederacy of Independent Systems were upgraded with improved shielding, better armor, and larger engines. While uncommon, a decent number had light weapons added, typically in the form a trio of laser cannons. These armed Sheathipedes were used to move very valuable materiel through hostile locations and transport high-ranking officers and officials.
==History==
===Early history===
The Sheathipede-class shuttle was a short-range transport and escort shuttle primarily utilized to ferry passengers across a planet's surface, or between an orbiting starship and a world below. Neimoidian officials in the Trade Federation used these shuttles for transit from battleships to the surface of conquered planets, and often preferred models with automatic pilots as the absence of a cockpit allowed for increased passenger space.
Viceroy Nute Gunray arrived in Theed during the Federation occupation of Naboo aboard his personal Sheathipede-class shuttle Lapiz Cutter. He and his retinue emerged from the vessel's rear hatchway to survey their victory over the Naboo people.
===The Clone Wars===
Viceroy Gunray continued to make use of these shuttles, and fled Geonosis following the outbreak of war ten years after the Naboo affair. He even used a transport ship to land in the planet of Rodia so he could meet with Senator Onaconda Farr. However, his transport ship was destroyed by a Kwazel Maw. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi later stole one from Dooku's Munificent-class star frigate using it to chase down the Sith Lord. Although they successfully shot him down over Vanqor, the shuttle was destroyed by a vulture droid, and Count Dooku escaped only to be captured by a pirate gang led by Hondo Ohnaka afterward. General Lok Durd brought a Sheathipede-class transport shuttle with his forces to Maridun. The shuttle was left at Durd's base while he and his forces left to test his Defoliator weapon on a village of Lurmen colonists, the shuttle was subsequently stolen by a small group of Galactic Republic soldiers stranded on the planet who were aware of Durd's presence and intended to stop him.
Doctor Nuvo Vindi maintained a Sheathipede-class shuttle which was captured by the Galactic Republic during a raid on his laboratory during the Blue Shadow Virus affair. During the Battle of Ryloth, a shuttle was assigned to transport Wat Tambor and his droid TA-175, as they knew that Republic forces were going to retake the capital. Not only that, but Dooku wanted Tambor to leave immediately as he would send in Hyena bombers to bomb the capital to demonstrate the cost of a "Republic Victory". Despite Wat Tambor's refusal to retreat until the last of the treasure was boarded, TA-175 was able to leave without him on the shuttle, as Dooku ordered him via hologram to order the Hyena bombers to destroy Lessu immediately. However, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano were able to destroy the bombers, allowing Wat Tambor to be captured by Republic forces led by Commander Ponds as well as the Twi'lek Resistance led by Cham Syndulla.
Another shuttle was parked in Cad Bane's own Munificent-class star frigate during the Battle of Devaron where it was stolen by Republic forces led by Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Obi Wan Kenobi, and Captain Rex after a failed attempt to recover the holocron stolen by the bounty hunter. Believing him dead, along with the holocron, it was revealed that Bane was able to fake his death by disguising himself as clone trooper named Denal and escape in a V-19 Torrent starfighter. Another shuttle was also used to recover General Grievous at the Battle of Saleucami.
Sheathipede-class shuttles were also parked in the Separatist capital of Raxus Secundus when Padme and Ahsoka traveled there to set up peace talks with Mina Bonteri, who was an old friend of her. One shuttle was also used by Mother Talzin and her clan where they went to Dooku's palace in Serenno to deliver Savage Opress to him. The shuttle may have been a gift from Dooku himself. Another shuttle was also used following the failed Skirmish on Naboo during a prisoner exchange between Anakin Skywalker and General Grievous. While Anakin was traded to the Gungans, Grievous was exchanged to the Separatists and was able to board the shuttle before it took off along with the remaining Separatist forces.
These shuttles were also parked in Mandalore during a failed peace conference between the Republic and the Separatists. Another shuttle was also used by General Grievous when his fleet attacked Obi Wan Kenobi's fleet.
Following the Battle of Coruscant in the final days of the Clone Wars, General Grievous traveled on a Sheathipede-class transport shuttle to Pau City on Utapau to meet with the Separatist Council.
===Age of the Empire===
Sometime following the Clone Wars, Baron Tarko purchased his own Sheathipede-class transport shuttle. Three Sheathipede-class transport shuttles were present on Agamar in the wreckage of a Separatist supply ship, where the Spectres and former Separatist General Kalani's garrison used them to escape a battle against the Galactic Empire. One shuttle piloted by droids was shot down in the escape, while the remaining two made it to safety. One contained Kalani and several of his B1-series battle droids, and the other one shuttle belonging to the Spectres christened the new Phantom II.
The Phantom II was extensively modified and upgraded by the Spectres. The shuttle was given a new paint job courtesy of Sabine Wren. The ship was armed with port and starboard forward-facing cannons and ventral-mounted turrets located adjacent to the boarding ramp. The hull was upgraded with reinforced plating and an astromech socket located on the shuttle's shortened dorsal fin. It was also modified to dock with the Ghost like the original Phantom.
===Age of the New Republic===
In the New Republic era, a male Neimoidian named Hallion Nark of the Warbird gang owned a Sheathipede-class transport shuttle, which he landed on Jarek Yeager's repair shop at the Colossus.
==Behind the scenes==
The shuttle was created for its first appearance by ILM employees Larry Tan and Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame.
==Appearances==
===Non-canon appearances===
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*LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
==Sources==
==Notes and references==
Category:Haor Chall Engineering products
Category:Shuttle classes
Category:Starship classes of the Trade Federation