The Blue Shadow Virus: An Ignored Superweapon
From the well-known Death Star to the less well-known but no less deadly Defoliator, the Star Wars universe is rife with superweapons. The Blue Shadow Virus, however, was a particularly deadly weapon that the Empire and Emperor Palpatine himself mostly ignored despite its capacity to completely alter the galactic environment.
The Galaxy is at Risk from the Blue Shadow Virus
Nuvo Vindi, a scientist of great brilliance but dubious moral character, invented the Blue Shadow Virus, which debuted in the first season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. This lethal virus, which was originally believed to have been eradicated, devastated the galaxy generations before the Clone Wars, murdering its victims in 48 hours and leaving no species immune. With one bomb detonated in each major star system, Vindi's version of the virus was far more destructive than the original since he managed to make it airborne, greatly accelerating its rate of spread and possibly eradicating all intelligent life in the galaxy.
The Capture of Vindi: A Lost Chance
Despite stopping Vindi and destroying his virus before it could spread, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, and Padmé Amidala eventually took him into custody and imprisoned him in a Republic prison. This terrible event put the future Emperor Palpatine, who could have easily created a new virus using Vindi's skills, in the hands of the master of biological warfare.
Palpatine's Neglected Tool
Palpatine possessed some of the most devastating superweapons in the galaxy, such as the World Devastators and the Death Star. But he didn't seem to be thinking about Vindi or the Blue Shadow Virus at all. The virus had the potential to wipe out entire planets without the need for expensive force deployments, therefore this was a huge lost opportunity for the Emperor.
The Shadow of the Death Star
It's possible that Grand Moff Tarkin's coordinated focus on the Death Star caused the Empire to overlook the Blue Shadow Virus. Tarkin intentionally destroyed other programs, including those that Palpatine had started, in order to focus on creating the Death Star, which resulted in the abandoning of potentially potent weapons like the virus.
The Blue Shadow Virus's Potential
In the Star Wars world, the Blue Shadow Virus is still a powerful weapon due to its ability to cause havoc and its storytelling potential. Despite being almost ignored in the main canon, it has been mentioned in ancillary materials such as RPG sourcebooks. One might simply retell its story to cover its beginnings, possible applications, and catastrophic effects on the galaxy.
A Chance Lost for Darth Sidious
Palpatine's vicious plans would have made the Blue Shadow Virus the ideal instrument. It was a lot safer and more effective way to put down rebellions than using direct force to wipe out entire worlds. But Palpatine's attention on other superweapons and seeming forgetfulness caused him to overlook this terrible weapon, saving the galaxy from certain destruction.
