Several dark Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptors functioned as the dedicated starfighter for the Sith Lord Darth Vader during the initial years of the Galactic Empire's rule.
Notably recognized by its absence of color, Darth Vader's third such interceptor was accompanied by a silver-colored astromech droid. Furthermore, being Vader's own personal craft, he possessed the capability to remotely prepare the starfighter utilizing his armor.
A duration of fourteen years prior to the Battle of Yavin, one interceptor was obliterated when he exited from its cockpit and permitted it to crash into a seized Imperial freighter in proximity to Yaga Minor; essentially the entirety of the vehicle was incinerated upon the moment of impact.
Soon thereafter, Vader piloted another interceptor during a mission to Ryloth before its return to the Perilous in an endeavor to impede a group of saboteurs. Ultimately unsuccessful in this, the Perilous was destroyed, along with the interceptor belonging to Vader.
During the mission of Vader and Moff Wilhuff Tarkin to Murkhana, the hijacking of the Carrion Spike by insurgents prompted the pair to make contact with Belderone and Coruscant. Their request was for the deployment of the Liberator to Nam Chorios, where they then boarded the Star Destroyer and left the temporarily borrowed Parsec Predator. Vader and Tarkin subsequently arranged for the Goliath to relocate from its deepdock at Ord Mantell and transport Vader's current starfighter as well.
Upon the Goliath's arrival, Vader departed the Liberator and proceeded to the support carrier's starfighter bay where his personal vessel was located, in order to commence repairs on several malfunctions resulting from the hyperspace jump from Ord Mantell, with the assistance of his astromech. When Tarkin accurately foresaw the insurgents' subsequent destination, Vader utilized his Eta-2 Actis to command a squadron consisting of eleven Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing starfighters as "Yellow One" and engaged the Carrion Spike within the Phindar system—their primary objective being its hyperdrive generator. Despite the endeavors of Vader and Tarkin, the fugitive corvette succeeded in evading them through a jump into hyperspace. Returning to the Goliath, Vader left his starfighter on the escort carrier and boarded the Executrix together with Tarkin.