Tantive IV (Rebel Blockade Runners)

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Tantive IV (Rebel Blockade Runners)

Basic Information -

Size: 150 meters long
Manufacturer: Corellian Engineering Corporation
Type: Multipurpose Corvette
Weapon: Turbolaser Cannons
Affiliation: Rebel Alliance
Associations: Organa, Bail; Solo, Princess Leia Organa


Princess Leia Organa used her position in the Imperial Senate to benefit the growing Rebel Alliance. Her consular vessel, which was afforded diplomatic immunity due to her ambassadorial status, frequently ran mercy missions as cover for assignments to aid Alliance efforts. Leia's starship could circumvent Imperial blockades due to its protected status. Such immunity did not extend to intercepting Alliance transmissions, Leia discovered, as Darth Vader's Star Destroyer crippled her blockade runner high over Tatooine. Imperial troops boarded the vessel, searching for stolen technical data beamed to the ship by Rebel spies. Though Vader's troops were unable to find the datatapes, they nonetheless took Leia captured and destroyed her ship. Officially, Leia's ship was caught in an asteroid storm and all aboard were killed, though when Leia was eventually liberated from Imperial detention, the truth became known. An antiquated vessel, Leia's Tantive IV is an example of a classic Corellian design often employed by the Rebel Alliance due to its adaptability, availability and performance.

Built by the Corellian Engineering Corporation, the Corellian corvette CR90 is a mid-sized vessel which can function as a troop carrier, light escort vessel, cargo transport, or passenger liner. The interior of the ship is modularly designed, so it is easy to reconfigure a corvette from one of these duties to another, thus greatly increasing its usefulness and resale value. Originally built ages ago for a Corellian audience, these corvettes have fast sublight and hyperdrive engines. Their passenger compartments are large, and their standard armament is more than enough to deter most pirates. Corellian corvettes do have a distinct design flaw, however. Their principal solar and stabilizer fin, mounted dorsally, is located directly above the main reactor. Damage to the fin could cause vibrations that would overload the reactor. In these situations, the captain of the vessel would be forced to shut down the reactor. Because of their use in illegal activities by pirates, Rebels and independents, these crafts are often called blockade runners.