Q7 Astromech

## What This Gear Does

The Q7 was the result of a joint venture between Industrial Automaton and Kuat Systems Engineering. Designed specifically for use in KSE's A3 Nimbus short-range interceptor, the Q7 is unique among lA's astromech droid catalog in both construction and personality. Using design specifications and access to the Nimbus' advanced new software architecture, IA developed its new droid specifically for use in the new fighter, a process that both companies felt would be a growing trend in the near future. After numerous failed prototypes, IA finally perfected the interface systems and the brand new Q7 was revealed along with the Nimbus to overwhelming praise from both the military and civilian sectors.

Unlike any of Industrial Automaton's astromech droids on the market at that time, the Q7 is as visually striking as it is competent. Combining the sensor dome of an R2-series with a lower hemisphere containing a miniaturized repulsorlift generator, the Q7 is a perfect alloy sphere roughly one meter across at its widest. The droid's body style was dictated by the size of the Nimbus, which is an incredibly tiny fighter, and the locations in which designers could find space. The ability to go anywhere, anytime, and to get itself into and out of its droid socket with no outside assistance was one of the Q7's biggest selling points, and one that played very well with those interested in military logistics and planning. The droid's programming and its ability to interface so seamlessly with the A3 was touted as the next step in astromech droid development. Many thought that having a droid built specifically for a given ship represented a significant step forward, as it meant that the droid and the craft could work in perfect tandem. The positive buzz around the Q7 lasted right up until the Republic Navy took delivery of the A3 fighters and their attendant droids, and then some ugly truths became quickly apparent.

As the Republic Navy became more familiar with the Q7 and its quirks, it became clear that the little droid was drastically limited in both scope and utility. The fact that it was built solely for the Nimbus meant that, while it was quite good at operating that fighter, thanks to its size, shape, and bespoke programming the A3 was the only fighter with which it worked well. The Q7 lacked the programming and the hardware to interface with any other ship or vehicle in the Republic Navy inventory, which, compared to the current R2 and R3 series droids, made it unsuitable for most work undertaken by Navy droids, such as the repair and maintenance of ships. In addition, the Q7's personalities, such as they were, were so single-minded and focused on their specific fighters that they were difficult to work with when doing anything other than flying the A3. Aside from their programming and personalities, the droids' repulsorlift system proved to be finicky, high maintenance, and hard to repair in the inevitable event of a break down. All of this added up to make the Q7 perhaps the most loathed droid series in lA's history and a black mark on its otherwise sterling reputation.

After the initial run of Q7s were produced for the Navy's A3 fighters, production was ceased and all back stock Q7s were sold at fire sale prices to civilians and local governments throughout the galaxy. With the collapse of the Republic and the rise of the Empire came the retirement of the A3 and the development of the new TIE-series fighters, which also meant retirement for the numerous Q7s in the inventory. Many were simply scrapped with their fighters and either recycled or returned to IA for parting out. Those that survived were typically reprogrammed as well as possible to work as general astromech droids and transplanted into surplus R2 and R3 bodies. Today, it's rare to find a functioning Q7, and even rarer to find one in its original body. Those that are still around are typically found in out-of-the-way places where their low cost and admittedly strong grasp of astromechanics make them an attractive investment.

## Characteristics

Value
Threshold
Defense

## Skills

* Astrogation 3
* Computers 3
* Cool 2
* Mechanics 2
* Piloting (Space) 2

## Abilities

* Droid (does not need to breathe, eat, or drink, and can survive indefinitely underwater or in vacuum. Immune to poisons and toxins).

## Equipment

* On-board repair and diagnostic suite (counts as tool kit).