Lando Calrissian is proof that any scoundrel can be a hero with the right means, motive, and opportunity. All three live in the Lady Luck.
Of all the ships piloted by the myriad scoundrels, gangsters, smugglers, and various and sundry detritus that make up the scum and villainy of the galaxy, the Lady Luck was home to one of the best. None other than Landonis Balthazar Calrissian, the Baron Administrator of Cloud City called the Lady Luck his home away from home.
But how did the notorious smuggler/gambler turned General of the Rebel Alliance, who is also the best friend of Lobot come to be in possession of the Lady Luck? And how lucky was the ship, really?
The Lady Luck – Royal Origins
The first thing to know about the Lady Luck is that it is royal. The original hull of the ship was a SoroSuub Personal Luxury Yacht 3000. SoroSuub was known for many things, but their Personal Luxury line earned them no small amount of distinction with wealthier clientele. Planetary nobles and diplomats and other dignitaries were drawn to the sleek lines and spacious interiors that SoroSuub was known for.
Because luxury was the goal. So features that might be decadent in a cargo freighter were the point. But SoroSuub wasn’t about the gaudy, ostentatious features that other starship manufacturers who shall remain nameles liked to cram into any personal luxury craft. SoroSuub had an eye for elegance.
Which is probably why they were often sought out by royalty. Or in the case of the Lady Luck, by their mistresses. Yes, Landonis Balthazar Calrissian, or Lando as he was better known, acquired his personal ship “shortly after” the Battle of Endor from an Orthellin royal mistress. Precious few details outsideo f that are known.
But it isn’t hard to speculate the circumstances in which Lando Calrissian might have found himself in the company of Orthellin royal mistresses. Doubtless Lando was merely helping to arrange a celebration to mark the end of the tyrannical Empire. Perhaps that’s why the Lady Luck has lush, red, shag carpeting.
The Lady Luck, Design and Capabilities
Speculation aside, there can be no doubt that the Lady Luck was a vessel that matched her captain. As a Luxury 3000 personal space yacht, the Lady Luck had all the standard features, including a jet stream meditation pool in its luxurious central lounge. There, surrounded by conform-couches, guests of Calrissian could travel in both style and comfort.
The Lady Luck was also fitted with both interior and exterior viewing areas, for taking in the sights and sounds of the many planets Calrissian visited. As Lando often said, when Lady Luck was smiling down upon you, you can’t help but win.
Of course, it helped that the fifty-meter-long pleasurecraft was outfitted with hidden weapons compartments. The exterior alone concealed five retractable laser cannons as well as a turret mounted ion cannon that could ensure all sides were covered. Calrissian also fitted the craft with a pair of Chempat-6 deflector shield generators, above and beyond the standard model.
It was a point of pride that Calrissian installed several secondary systems as well. With a sophisticated sensor suite, Calrissian could detect incoming vessels at great range. A reprogrammable transponder allowed the ship to maintain up to three different identities, complete with cargo manifests, falsified system specs, and travel histories. A smuggler’s dream.
And of course, there were the engines. A pair of custom hyperdrive engines were housed in long nacelles on the outer hull, as well as souped up sublight drives. Lando often boasted that it was the fastest vessel on Cloud City – as long as the Millennium Falcon was nowhere nearby. For though the Lady Luck could outrun most other luxury vessels, even she couldn’t compete with the legendary YT-1300 freighter piloted by the galaxy’s most infamous scoundrel.
Though it should be said, the Millennium Falcon wasn’t frequently home to such galactic numinaries as Florx Biggles and Lobot. So, who really comes out ahead in the end?
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