Nobot

"Nobot" or "Ghost Droid"
Production information
Manufacturer	Cybot Galactica
Model	3PO-series protocol droid
Class	Protocol droid
Technical specifications
Height	1.67 meters
Sensor color	Gray
Plating color	Silver (charred black)

"Nobot," also known as "Ghost Droid," was a 3PO-series protocol droid that constantly walked the streets of Mos Espa on the planet Tatooine. The droid wandered aimlessly across the deserts of Tatooine, and the only thing truly known about it was that it was a resilient unit—despite its travels, it would always find its way back to Mos Espa. The droid became the subject of several tales and anecdotes, most notably from the aging marketplace vendor Jira.

For two peggats, the old vendor would tell her story. Jira claimed that Nobot had witnessed the murder of a young pregnant girl, while some believed the 3PO unit was the killer. Apparently, Nobot would play an audio recording of the incident, featuring the young woman pleading for her life and screaming in horror as the deed was done.

Beyond that, rumors persisted, claiming that the droid was surrounded by evil spirits or the dark side of the Force. Repeated attempts to destroy Nobot failed, sometimes with unexplained adverse effects for the droid's antagonists. Jira's fellow vendors, listening to her repeated tellings of the story, would eventually develop their own versions while trying to compete with her.

Biography

Life on Tatooine

Originally manufactured by Cybot Galactica, the 3PO-series protocol droid known as "Nobot" or "Ghost Droid" wandered aimlessly around Mos Espa, a city on the planet Tatooine. It would wander across Tatooine's searing sands, and in spite of the relentless heat or avaricious Jawas, Nobot would always find its way back to Mos Espa. The burned-out droid was subject to many stories, anecdotes, and rumors.

Alleged murder witness

Nobot

At a rate of two peggats per telling, Mos Espa marketplace vendor Jira would tell her version of Nobot's tale. According to her, Nobot had been the only surviving witness to the murder of a young pregnant woman. Apparently, Nobot had initially been seen in Mos Espa decades ago, bearing scorch marks from blaster fire and covered in dried blood.

In addition to that, Nobot's serial number had been scored off, preventing identification of the unit. Its communications module was apparently known to play back a recording of the murder, with audio of the victim screaming and pleading for help. A long period of static would follow the recording, before Nobot would repeat the whole thing.

Other stories and encounters with a "Ghost Droid"

Some believed the 3PO unit was the murderer for the event in Jira's tale. More incredible rumors claimed that Nobot was surrounded by evil spirits or the dark side of the Force. Tusken Raider youths who attempted to use the unit for target practice would, for instance, find their weapons either backfiring or jamming. Swoop gangs would try and destroy Nobot with hooks and chains, only to have their vehicles' engines malfunction, or have their steering vanes shorn off. Farmboys attempted to take the droid out to the Dune Sea or the Great Pit of Carkoon, but would later learn that the droid had found its way back to Mos Espa.

Some who heard Jira's tale, such as fellow vendors, effectively stole the story and made their own modifications, adding fanciful enhancements. Then, they would sell their version, competing with Jira. As of 32 BBY, the droid was still wandering, devoid of purpose.

Characteristics

Although the lack of knowledge of Nobot's purpose and origins caused rampant speculation, one thing was known: that it was persistent. The droid would frequently return and roam around Mos Espa, in spite of any adversity faced. The mysterious nature of Nobot, from the perspective of Mos Espa's citizens, created a wide range of beliefs, theories, and ultimately, profits in the form of Jira's (and others') tale-telling. Nobot had gray sensors and silver plating that was charred black, and stood 1.67 meters tall.

Behind the scenes

The character of Nobot first appeared as an unnamed background droid in George Lucas' 1999 prequel trilogy film Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. It was later pictured in 2005's reference book Star Wars Chronicles: The Prequels, authored by Stephen J. Sansweet and Pablo Hidalgo, with the droid's picture included as part of the entry for TC-series protocol droids, implying it being that droid class. Nobot was given a nickname and an ambiguous story by Shaun Flaherty (writing as "Jedi Flaherty") through StarWars.com's Hyperspace feature "What's The Story?" Contrary to Star Wars Chronicles: The Prequels, Nobot was identified as a 3PO-series protocol droid instead of a TC-series protocol droid in that entry. This article assumes that Nobot's identification as a 3PO-series protocol droid is correct.

Appearances

• Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace (First appearance)

Sources

• Photoreceptor - Protocol Potable on Hyperspace (content removed from StarWars.com and unavailable)
• Star Wars Chronicles: The Prequels (Picture only)
• "Best of StarWars.com" — Star Wars Insider 100
• Nobot in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link) (First identified as Nobot)

Notes and references

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