Why The Ghost Is The Best Ship In ‘Star Wars’

The flagship and home of the Lothal rebel cell, better known as the Spectres, the Ghost was heavily involved in the early days of the Rebellion. As agents for the mysterious Fulcrum, Specter cell used the Ghost to carry out multiple missions against the Empire. This resistance cell was captained by the extremely talented pilot, Hera Syndulla, who even earned praise from Grand Admiral Thrawn for her piloting abilities. Ranging from supply runs for refugees in crisis, to full frontal assaults on Imperial Star Destroyers, the Ghost saw action for the Alliance several years before the Millennium Falcon transported young Luke Skywalker off Tatooine. After being recruited by Ahsoka Tano to fight for the Rebellion, the Ghost and her crew gained a compliment of A-Wing fighters that went by the call sign "Phoenix Squadron." While some ships are more iconic and many are faster, for all around versatility and utility, nothing can beat the Ghost.

While not as speedy, sleek, or elegant as her shipyard sister, the Millennium Falcon, the heavily modified VCX-100 was an intimidating sight to TIE pilots. Created by the Corellian Engineering Corporation, the diamond-shaped vessel was equipped with a wide variety of weaponry and gadgets that made it a constant problem for Imperial officers. Captain Syndulla dubbed the VCX "the Ghost" due to the ship's ability to scramble her signature, making her invisible to scanners. This onboard device also allowed the Ghost to pose as a non-militant shuttle or other "run of the mill" civilian spacecraft. Due to her designed use as a light freighter, the VCX was also equipped with a magnetic clamp on her underbelly. This was used to secure supply crates and equipment to the exterior of the ship, leaving room in the onboard hold. On more than one occasion, the Specters would magnetize highly explosive canisters to the underbelly of the ship, and then release the magnetic clamp over an Imperial target in a makeshift bombing run. This device also proved useful in stealing adrift supplies from the Empire after a successful attack by Phoenix Squadron.

As the daughter of Ryloth Resistance leader Cham Syndulla, Hera was no stranger to running guerilla operations even before the foundation of the Specters. Her choice of ship spoke to the effectiveness of the Twi'lek "hit and run" tactics. Equipped with a full complement of weapons, including twin proton torpedo tubes, the Ghost made quick work of unshielded TIE fighters and stationary ground targets. Ghost was particularly effective at pushing the objective, using its impressive Corellian speed to close in on a target and deliver a punishing blow while her multiple turrets fended off counter attacks. The ship's main turbolaser cannons were housed in the nose of the ship, directly above the boarding ramp. These weapons could be controlled by a gunner in the turret or by the pilot. Technically a full crew for a VCX featured a pilot, a co-pilot, and a gunner, but the ability of the pilot to control virtually every aspect of the other posts spoke to the versatility and rugged survivability of the ship.

In addition to the gun emplacement in the nose, the Ghost was also equipped with a pivoting dorsal turret. Capable of bringing even more firepower to bear on a target or attack an enemy approaching from the rear, this dorsal gun was a valuable asset to the ship and was often manned by the best gunner onboard. Even if all this weaponry and technology was insufficient for a battle, the Ghost had one more trick up her sleeve: the Phantom. This small auxiliary starfighter/shuttle would dock between the Ghost's twin engines facing to the rear so its guns could be utilized in the event of pursuit. Able to detach mid-combat and provide a smaller, nimbler attack in the fray, the Phantom could also be used as a way to "divide and conquer." While the main force of the Specters would stay on the Ghost to aid Lothal or numerous other worlds, the Phantom, equipped with its own hyperdrive, could run missions across the galaxy. This ship was often utilized by Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus, and his apprentice Ezra Bridger as they sought to learn more about the Force and keep secrets of the Jedi out of the hands of the Empire. These features, in addition to the resolve and resourcefulness of her crew, made the Ghost a crucial part of the early Rebel Fleet.

Written By Weston Erickson

Source(s): Wookieepedia

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