The Sith Infiltrator Starship
Text taken from Star Wars: Episode I Incredible Cross-Sections, annotated by the Webmaster.
During their long centuries of secret actions against the Jedi Order, Sith apprentices have maintained a tradition of speical spacecraft suited to their evil missions, called Sith Infiltrators. Darth Maul's dreaded craft is the latest in this ancient line of dark vessels and is perhaps the most dangerous Infiltrator yet created. Able to appear and disappear with the ease of a shadow, it hides in its distnctive long prow a formiddable full-effect cloaking device, a technological wonder that gives it invisibility on command. The Infiltrator is a customized version of an advanced armed star courier from the workshop of the technological genius Raith Sienar (WEBMASTER: Sienar Design Systems will eventually becom Sienar Fleet Systems, designers and manufacturers of the dreaded Imperial Navy!), and features laser cannons, extensive sensor systems, and an experimental high-temperature ion engine system requiring large radiator panels, which fold inward during landings. Darth Maul uses the powerful capabilities of his Infiltrator to learn secret information, plant sabotage, and track targeted individuals anywhere in the galaxy. The evasive and deadly craft is an appropriate extension of the uncanny abilities of its Sith Lord pilot.
Tools of Evil
Built beneath the invisibility field projector are compartments containing equipment for Darth Maul's missions. Floating "Dark Eye" probe droids, a speeder bike, interrogator droids, prisoner torture devices, spying and surveillance gear, bombs, mines, and eavesdropping technology are only part of the Sith Lord's inventory, and Darth Maul is never at a loss for equipment. Sith training has made Maul less reliant on technology and stronger in his inner abilities, but he keeps his Infiltrator fully equipped with the most advanced technology to maximize his power.
The Invisible Enemy
Invisibility fields were considered theoretical until the discovery of the rare stygium crystals on the volcanically turbulent planet Aeten II in the Outer Rim (WEBMASTER: The rarity of the crystals and the obscurity of their planet of origin explains why cloaking devices are not common in the Star Wars galaxy, unlike some science-fiction universes...). An invisbility field is a terrifying weapon, since it can defeat most security systems and make acts of theft, sabotage, and assassination all but unstoppable.