As previously stated on the EA SWGoH forums, Capital Games is introducing the new Galactic Chase event. The Galactic Chase allows players to “earn shards or blueprints for a new character or ship by playing a particular type of node (hard, Dark Side, Cantina, Fleet, etc.).

Starting on midnight February 8th (Player Local Time), blueprints for the EMPEROR’S SHUTTLE will be available as a bonus reward on any Fleet Battles node until February 12th!

This new ship’s blueprints have a drop rate of 4% per point of Ship Energy per attempt (8 = 32%, 10 = 40%, 16 = 64%, 20 = 80%).”

While this does not sound a truly new “event” as players often would view an event as new content, it does appear to be a bit of a flash event that allows for shards to be made available on new characters and ships. In my opinion, any creative new way to introduce new characters and ships is a good thing.