Liquid-cable launcher
The grappling spike launcher, alternatively known as a liquid-cable launcher, was a device designed to project a liquid substance that, when exposed to most breathable atmospheres, would instantly transform into a robust, lightweight, and flexible monofilament cable.
Description
This device, the grappling spike launcher, could be used in conjunction with grappling hooks or to create swinglines. These launchers were commonly found throughout the galaxy, typically costing around fifty credits. They were frequently employed by individuals such as bounty hunters, soldiers, mercenaries, explorers, and emergency rescue personnel. The Jedi also constructed their own versions of grappling spike launchers within their workshops located on Coruscant, for deployment by Jedi Knights during their field operations.
The standard model incorporated a dual-strand liquid-cable reservoir, which launched two cables that intertwined to form a significantly stronger line. During the Clone Wars era, Jedi such as Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi opted to carry simpler fibercord grappling hooks on their utility belts instead of the liquid-cable launchers.
The grappling spike launcher was a compact piece of equipment often carried within a Jedi's utility belt. It consisted of a central unit housing the liquid-cable reservoir, a grappling hook at one end, and a spike launcher at the opposite end. The liquid-cable reservoir had the capacity to create up to 200 meters of cable. Upon launch, the spike's liquid-cable would rapidly solidify, and the spike would be propelled with sufficient force to embed itself into most surfaces, with the exception of materials like hardened metals or particle shielded surfaces. The hook could then be secured to a sturdy object to anchor the line.
Grappling spike launchers could be utilized independently or as attachments for blasters and blaster-rifles. When attached to blasters and/or blaster-rifles, the combined unit (and sometimes the grappling-spike-launchers themselves) were referred to as ascension guns.
History
The Jedi Knights of the Galactic Republic routinely carried liquid-cable launchers on numerous missions. Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were equipped with grappling spike launchers during their assignment to Naboo in 32 BBY. When their Gungan bongo became ensnared in the current of the Virdugo Plunge within Theed, the Jedi employed their grappling spike launchers to escape the doomed vessel and reach safety on land. Later, during the Second Battle of Theed, Captain Quarsh Panaka and Padmé Amidala utilized ascension guns, which incorporated these devices, to scale the walls of the Theed Royal Palace. Thirteen years later, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker resorted to using their fibercord grappling hooks to reach safety within an elevator shaft aboard the crippled Invisible Hand during the Battle of Coruscant.
Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade Skywalker made use of liquid-cable launchers during their explorations aboard the Outbound Flight. In 44 ABY, Luke Skywalker deployed a cable launcher on Pydyr while hunting for Abeloth, using it to descend into a cave located by the sea.