The arrow could also be an effect that increases the difficulty of maneuvers until removed.

I think it is a debuff for movement. Basically you pass through and your highest white moves (maybe all white 🥺) become red. Perhaps it still gives ion too, but I think making movement permanently harder is a direction that hasn’t been taken by FFG. I could be wrong about that last part.

that’s my speculation though. Movement restrictions.

Given that now medium/large require 2/3 ion tokens i wouldnt be surprised if it was a die roll to get ions instead of flat1.

Possible loss of multiple shields but never hull damage?

Just trying to avoid giving some ships basically a free passage through these obstacles.

Just thinking out loud here... What if it doesn't reduce agility, but attack instead. Seeing as how the Droid ships are made out of soap bubbles, it may be a way to give them a bit more survivability, considering how we are limited to 8 ships max.