ARTOO DETOO - SERIAL #: R2-D2/Y477Q90
              DROID CLASS: Utility
              TYPE: Astromech
              OWNER: Luke Skywalker
              PROGRAMMING: Starship Maintenance/Repair Technician,  Class A
              CONSTRUCTION: Imperial Cybernetics Corporation

DESCRIPTION: height - 1.25 meters
             weight - 544 kilos
             finish - duralloy plating

Tripedal, a squat cylinder capped with a dome swivelling 360 degrees.
A mobile computer with extensive servomechanisms, Artoo units are
designed for efficient and uninterrupted operation under a variety of
condition, and have a high tedium threshold.  Able to operate in
vacuum and zero gravity as effectively as in a pressurized
environment, the Artoo unit is ideal for all manner of routine tasks;
it is often used as a fieldhand on agricultural planets.  R2-D2 models
converse in a highly-compressed form of electronic language, which
must be interpreted by a Translator droid before it can be understood
by humans.  The R2-D2 droid has little capability for dealing directly
with humans.The dome contains a single radar eye, surrounded by an
array of computer indicators and infrared receptors; also included is
a holographic projector, as this type of droid is also used as a
shipboard courier to personally deliver messages from planet to
planet.  The cylindrical body is equipped with a variety of
multi-purpose appendages, including an information storage/retrieval
jack (the R2 model is designed to operate in conjunction with a master
computer bank); a fire-extinguisher spray unit; and various tools for
repair and maintenance work.The Artoo unit can convey himself over
smooth surfaces on two motorized treads; for rougher terrain, a third
tread extends from a pocket in the body, and the unit is tilted to
take advantage of the tripodal support.

HISTORY:
R2-D2 model utility droids are carried aboard all but the smallest
space vessels; this series was constructed by the Imperial monopoly,
and shipped to the Outland spaceport on Dantooine.  Artoo was assigned
to routine spaceport maintenance duties for several months.  When the
Imperial export tax on all droids was announced, Artoo was smuggled
aboard an Alderaan Royal Cruiser--facing imminent boarding by
stormtroopers, Artoo received priority program instruction from the
Princess Leia Organa, who naturally had access to the droid's override
security codes.  She instructed Artoo to seek out Obiwan Kenobi,
formerly an officer in her father's service, and to deliver to him
certain rebel transmissions.  The story, already chronicled at some
length, is that Artoo--accompanied by a C-3PO model interpreter, who
struck up an unusual and even affectionate relationship with the
utility droid--did successfully deliver the vital transmissions to the
Rebel base on Yavin.  Although Artoo was instructed by the Princess
that he was the property of General Kenobi, following his mysterious
death the droid became Luke Skywalkers.

CONDITION:
Artoo received extensive carbon scoring in the battle between the
rebel ship and the Imperial Cruiser; although he was able to land
safely in a ship's escape pod, Artoo was soon discovered and roughly
abducted by Jawas.  Artoo was not seriously damaged in either fray,
and the Princess' programming still compelled him to seek out General
Kenobi and deliver the message through him to the rebel fortress.In
the Battle of the Death Star, Artoo served as an ambulatory repair
droid on a rebel fighter, and suffered a direct hit from a Tie fighter
energy bolt; fortunately, the motivator and other vital components
remained intact, and the technicians on Yavin were able to restore him
to prime condition.The unusual loyalty and dedication of purpose
observed in this unit is due, no doubt, to the demanding task set for
it by the Princess; such qualities are rarely found in the
single-minded and utilitarian R2-D2 model.