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Dispatched across the galaxy in specially designed hyperspace pods, Imperial probe droids are the distant eyes, ears and other sensory apparatus of the Empire. After the Rebels abandoned their base on Yavin 4, they went into hiding. Countless probe droids were sent into space, in hopes of finding those responsible for the destruction of the Death Star. One such probot landed on the frozen world of Hoth. The stealthy, insect-like automaton discovered the Rebel's Echo Base. Using a high-frequency HoloNet transceiver to immediately broadcast its findings, the droid transmitted the location to the awaiting Imperial Death Squadron that promptly invaded the system. The specific model of probe droid employed at Hoth is an Arakyd Viper model. These droids are outfitted with all manner of instrumentation to allow independent operation at extreme ranges. To handle alien terrain, it features a repulsorlift generator. Dangling from its hovering body are several spindly manipulator arms equipped with sensors for gathering samples. A sophisticated array of scanning equipment rings a probot's bulbous head. This probot was armed with a single laser cannon, and featured a self-destruct mechanism to avoid capture. In earlier drafts of The Empire Strikes Back script, the probe droid survives the Hoth night blizzard by using a protective shield. Later, it kills an attacking wampa with its laser cannon.