Star Wars - DRK-1X and its Mistress

[shadowbloodmoon]

[sblock=OOC]Thanks!

The security checkpoint is manned by four clone soldiers and one officer. They usually check for passcard recognition and rank and section insignia. And yes, Dofina's l33t sp34k1ng sk1llz will probably pwn them.

The lift access to the maintenance level above her room is only monitored by holoimagers and a passcard system. If you wanted to take a longer route, you would have to double back a couple of times and take far more time than you probably intended.

You know, I didn't recall that part about the medkits either. Nonetheless, for the sake of continuity, we'll say that it has provisions for both. As for what else it contains, besides the food and medical kits:

Holdout blaster, spare power pack, survival knife with firesticks (matches), weather poncho, mirror, emergency signal emitter and a roll of twine.

Oh and the chairs and table you speak of are permanent residents. They are connected to the floor via bolts and such. Unless a certain Sith that will soon be coming into his own shows up, they aren't going anywhere. [/sblock]

DRK-1X experiences an existential moment when it has to make a decision regarding the discomfort its Mistress is in. Deciding that it would better serve her in the long run to wait until the General has finished with his questions before going to get her, the probot forces a programming change within its own core system.

When the droid finally comes back online, DRK-1X is no longer limited by some of the programming that would not allow it to act in Dofina's best interest. That problem taken care of, the droid activates its sensors. They show the image of Mistress Dofina on the floor of the room, writhing and moaning. It is evident that the General left her in a large amount of pain before he left. The cuffs, as well as the General, are notably missing.

It appears that Dofina is struggling to make it to the drawers near her bed.

 

[Ambrus]

Seeing its Mistress crawling towards the drawer to retrieve the encrypted comlink she'd secreted there, DRK-1X completes its program diagnostic routine and uploads a binary file to its vocabulator data buffer. "Report: It is alright Mistress. I am here. Request: Please don't try to move." The diminutive probot once more pulls the ever-useful hydrospanner from its pack and quickly begins removing the ventilation grate's bolts. Setting the grate aside, DRK-1X takes ahold of a helmet nearly as large as itself, containing the rest of a flight suit, and gingerly floats out and down from the grate to deposit it's burden on the bed. The black spherical probot then completes a quick series of round trips back to the open vent to retrieve the rest of the equipment hidden there; food rations, medical supplies, two magnetic clamps, a datastick and a biohazard vial.

As it works, DRK-1X continues to speak to its Mistress laying upon the floor below it. "Apology: I'm sorry you had to endure that session of torture Mistress Dofina. Report: Fortunately I have managed to acquire some medical supplies to help treat your injuries and soothe your pain." The probot pulls out one of the small distilled-water canisters from among the small pile of supplies, removes its cap, floats down next to Dofina's head and gently cradles it in one arm while slowly pouring its contents into the nemoidian's mouth. 1X waits for her to swallow a few mouthfuls before setting the canister down on the floor next to its Mistress' hand. "Request: Please try to relax Mistress. Statement of intent: If you agree I will tend to your wounds now. Suggestion: If you feel able and have an appetite please try to consume some of the foodstuffs I've brought for you. Conjecture: You will need your strength for our upcoming escape attempt." DRK-1X begins unpacking and laying out the supplies from the medkit it had appropriated.

When ready, DRK-1X activates its MSR-X module and relinquishes control of its motivator to the small secondary processor, allowing the unit to freely diagnose and treat its Mistress' injuries. Over the next few minutes, the small black droid floats overtop of its prone Mistress, applying bacta-gel to her bruised body, feeding her pain-managing drugs, intravenously administering metabolic-boosting compounds and delivering respiratory stimulants. When the MSR-X module has done as much as it can for the nemoidian woman, 1X will reassume control of its body while thanking the module for its assistance.

For the next little while, as the nemoidian woman recovers, DRK-1X brings Dofina up-to-date on the details of the next step of their escape plan, detailing their intended route and describing the imperial security and technical personnel they are likely to meet along the way. As it talks the diminutive probe droid busies itself with assisting Dofina, assuming she's up to it, to remove whatever unsuitable clothing she is wearing while, in turn, helping her to don the stolen flight suit. DRK-1X also takes the time to relay information to Dofina which may help her to impersonate an imperial pilot; the type and designation of specific spacecraft in the local hangar-bay, the names and ranks of the various officers' 1X has gathered during its recent observations of the area as well as the recent goings-on of the facilty such as the failed insurgency in which Four was killed.

When done with the flight suit 1X allows Dofina to familiarize herself with it's system and to gather her strength while the probot collects the remaining equipment it's gathered. It entrusts Dofina to carry the medkit, Four's datastick and biohazard vial in the flight suit's large pockets. DRK-1X also asks its Mistress to additionally conceal the rest of its own equipment so that the small probot can divest itself of the improvised carrying container it's been lugging around for the past week. 1X explains to its Mistress that it cannot afford to travel around with the container if it wishes to appear as one of the station's native probots. Finally, while its Mistress readies herself for the upcoming charade, DRK-1X disposes of the ration wrappers, empty canisters, spent medical supplies and whatever other refuse it intends to leave behind by hiding it in the now vacant ventilation duct. It then bolts the vent's grate back in place, handing its Mistress the hydrospanner for safe-keeping.

[sblock=OOC]I hope I'm not rushing things unduly at this point. Feel free to intervene with something if you wanted to have Dofina do something else or have something else happen. It's just that after all these months of preparation I'm getting anxious to start the show!

FYI, the MSR-X has to manage two DC 15 Treat Injury checks (without taking 10 or 20 for some reason) to use both the Medpack and medkit. If successful Dofina will recover 6 vitality points (you once mentioned that the unit had six ranks in the skill) and 1d2 wound points. If it fails either check then 1X will have to stop and reprogram itself to try the rolls itself.

Unless Dofina has any other questions, concerns or suggestions, DRK-1X will prepare itself to accompany its Mistress openly out into the hallway as they make their way towards the lift and conference room several levels above. The probot will be leading the way while remaining silent by her side; if all goes as planned Dofina will be doing all the talking from now on. If the door is locked somehow, DRK-1X will pause to disable it or slice it to manage a discrete exit from Dofina's prison.

...And we're off! *fingers crossed*[/sblock]

 

[shadowbloodmoon]

Mistress Dofina is visibly relieved that she no longer has to struggle to move the extra half meter to obtain the items she stored in the drawer. Her body becomes a puddle on the floor.

You move over to help her ingest some water to hopefully regain a bit of her strength. At first the water simply drips into and back out of her mouth, but after a moment, the Nemoidian begins to swallow.

She doesn't protest as you lay out the supplies for treating her wounds, though it is difficult to determine whether this is because she is unable or because she is in agreement with your plans. More than likely, it is both. The MSR-X module completes its scan of her and immediately sets to attempting repair what it can of her wounds. While watching it work, you see that the bones in her ankles and wrists have nearly been crushed. This is obviously the cause of much of her pain.

The medical module sends programming to wrap these joints gingerly as well as administer a skin patch of Demorene, a very powerful pain killer. The effects of the drug are almost immediately visible as your Mistress relaxes her pain-tensed body. As the MSR-X works, you find bruises and lacerations cover most of her body. The clothes she is in mirror her wounds and have to be removed to get to some of the places that the healing gel will need to be applied.

While it only takes the MSR-X less than a minute to do all of the above, Mistress Dofina's slow recovery takes approximately ten of those minutes. The pain-killer's sharp effects slowly wear off and she regains more of her faculties, even managing to eat a little of the protein bars you brought her. It is at the end of these minutes, during your diatribe on the next phase that she chooses to speak. "He..he didn't even ask any questions." She looks at you, as if expecting some sort of justification for the general's actions, but there is none.

She listens intently on the plan, sipping the water and gathering the rest of the equipment, making sure to get the blaster and comlink from the drawer as well. "I don't care how you do it X, just get me out of here. Even of you have to kill every last one of them."

Dofina zips up the now full pockets of her shiny new flight suit and places the helmet on her head. Though they are a bit bulky on her, at least it is not as large as a clone pilot's suit would be. She tests the range of motion of her limbs, now standing on her own, and finds it to be satisfactory. Taking a last bite of a protein bar and a sip of water before replacing them in the pack, you hear her sigh as she closes the faceplate. "How do I look?"

She doesn't wait for a response as the two of you finish the last of clearing out the room. You just finish replacing the grate as she goes for the door release. This of course doesn't respond to her and you have to convince the door to open.

The door opens with a whoosh, and you are greeted once again by the harsh glare of the decklights. The hallway stands empty for the moment and Dofina wastes no time heading for the turbolift with you floating not far away.

As the lift opens, two clone troopers look surprised at seeing the both of you, but upon seeing the rank insignia on Dofina's, or rather, Captain Halik's flight suit, they snap to attention and salute, to which Dofina replies with a barely perceptible nod. Satisifed with that, the two of them exit and the two of you are left alone in the lift. Dofina breathes a sigh of relief.

The lift travels to the higher levels, taking you closer and closer to the outer hull of the complex. Then finally, a few minutes later, the door opens onto the hallway that you had mapped out earlier. The control consoles are there. The passgate is there. The long hallway towards your exit point is there. There is something missing however, something out of place.

Dofina notices it too, though you are unsure how in her condition. "Where are the guards?" It is then that the two of you see something at the same time. It is small and a simple glance would miss it, but there on the floor is a slight smear of something. Your advanced sensors are easily able to identify it. Blood.

Dofina, as curious as ever, tries to find the source of it and is rewarded with something that causes even her to be shocked. There, behind the consoles are the bodies of at least four clone troopers, but you can only tell that because of the number of heads piled among the rest of the dissembled body parts.

It is not this that causes her the most discomfort however. On one of the bulkheads near the consoles is written something in Nemoidian language with human viscera. With the bloodlines that trickled from it, it is somewhat difficult to decipher, but Dofina mouths it for you. "Mother."

Not skipping a beat, she hurries down the hallway towards the room that you intend to exit from. "We have to go. Now."

 

[Ambrus]

It is at the end of these minutes, during your diatribe on the next phase that she chooses to speak. "He..he didn't even ask any questions." She looks at you, as if expecting some sort of justification for the general's actions, but there is none.

DRK-1X pauses in describing its plans to listen to its Mistress. Never having experienced pain or suffered such deliberate cruelty itself, the droid doesn't know what to say or do to comfort the nemoidian woman. An awkward silence ensues as the black spherical probot stares at its Mistress with its impassive three eyed gaze, suffering poignant feelings of inadequacy. Eventually, feeling the press of time, DRK-1X hesitantly offers its opinion. "Suggestion: Perhaps we should focus presently on your escaping him." DRK-1X, in turn, watches Dofina's as she rises and moves over to the drawer to retrieve the blaster and comlink the droid had given her. Her next words, unexpected as they are, refocuses 1X's code.

"I don't care how you do it X, just get me out of here. Even of you have to kill every last one of them."

Suddenly the turmoil which had beset the probot's heuristic processor virtually ceased. With those simple words from its Mistress, what had been but a possibility expressed in 1s and 0s within DRK-1X's neural network became a very dangerous and real option. Up until this moment, many of the probot's plans and preparations were simply theoretical exercises awaiting its Mistress' authorization to implement them. Having now received a clear and unambiguous order to that effect, DRK-1X's code was modified in such a way as to make mass-destruction and wholesale killing of countless thousands a viable option in this circumstance. The probot's own emotive node registered a fleeting sense of fear and uncertainty at the realization of what lay before it. Thankfully DRK-1X's algorithmic node uploads a simple pre-programmed response to its vocabulator buffer. "Order acknowledged."

OOC: I'm just going to retcon a bit here if you don't mind. 1X intended to take advantage of the long lift ride to communicate with its allies since, I figure, being on the move would make its signal more difficult to track in the event that someone might try.

DRK-1X moves past the clone troopers as it follow Dofina onto the lift, turning to watch as the pair disembarks. Once the lift doors close the black spherical probe droid extends its telescoping comlink antenna to its full height. 1X adjusts its encrypted comlink to the channel it had preset in the derelict shuttle's communications array; using that unit in the shuttle-bay to boost and retransmit an encrypted signal to the far distant Ari's Sorrow. To its Mistress the droid offers only a brief explanation. "Report: I am now transmitting a report, an inquiry and instructions to our ally waiting in the distant Ari's Sorrow."

Not waiting for her response, DRK-1X uploads the the incoming and outgoing transmission data to its vocabulator module so that Dofina can listen in on its cryptic conversation with Derek. "Blue eyes. Infrared Face. Green Body. Enacting 2-besh-advise, 4-besh-14, 5-aurek, 5-besh, 5-cresh-4, 5-thesh, 5-shen, 5-Dorn, 6-Dorn-variable-advise-assume 876825a, 356795b, 672895e, 973825d, 986123b, 623578b, 935813i, 735962f."

******

Out in the deep reaches of the cluster, sitting in the pilot's chair within the Ari's Sorrow's chill cabin, with a data cable linking the back of his head with the ship's computer core, the human-replica-droid's eyes flicker open in response to the long awaited transmission. It's counterpart was still processing and, according to its report, had succeeded in reaching their Mistress. Dofina was alive! Somehow Four was dead, but DRK-1X was nonetheless ready to attempt escape.

Furthermore the probot had succeeded in reprogramming some of the station's native droid population and had secured multiple vessels for escape, though the exact number was curiously unknown. In addition, its counterpart had succeeded in planting its permacrete detonators in several key locations, including the cluster's flight control center and the station's main reactor. Finally, 1X had requested coordinates for a rendez-vous location from Derek and had offered the HRD remote control of the decoy vessels.

With but a thought, Derek activates the cabin's interior lights, re-initialises the vessel's life-support system and fires up the Sorrow's sub-light engines. The droid hadn't had reason to move in several days, spending all of his active time directly connected to the Sorrow's computer core. During that time he had been monitoring local comlink channels, tracking the movement of the imperial vessels within the cluster and carefully programming a multi-stage hyperspace jump out of the cluster. Suddenly though, it was time for Derek to act. Retransmitting along the same encrypted channel, the human-replica-droid sends DRK-1X a brief status report and the requested coordinate information.

******

Back in the quickly moving lift, DRK-1X echoes out loud Derek's message. "Violet Ears. 2-besh 862.214 – 438.151 – 987.265. 6-Dorn-assume-awaiting. MTCBWY." Without responding to Derek, the probot switches comlink channels to send a message to the astromech down in the hangar-bay; a simple signal indicating that it should prepare all flight-ready vessels for departure, respond affirmatively when ready and then await further instructions. Once it receives the astromech's affirmative response DRK-1X retracts its antenna back into its chassis while waiting for the lift to come to a stop. "Report: Our allies are ready to proceed."

OOC: Back to the present...

"We have to go. Now."

Alerted to the possibility of danger, the diminutive probe droid deploys its enhanced blaster cannon from within its chassis with a soft whir and click. "Suggestion: Mistress, please take one of the trooper's blaster rifles for your own protection." Assuming she pauses for the few seconds necessary to retrieve one of the weapons, DRK-1X traces a swift arc overtop of the security console and turns to quickly scan the readouts and screens there for any clue of what had slain the troopers. "Inquiry: What do you suspect happened here Mistress? Statement of fact: I need to know what to anticipate to succeed with our current plan." Already the probot's sensor pods are turning to scan all directions simultaneously as it moves to lead Dofina towards the nearby conference room.

OOC: Assuming the guards hadn't had time to log-out or deactivate the console before being violently eviscerated, I figure that it might still be displaying the current security information for this section; showing any activated alarms for the area. If it's not too time consuming or tricky, DRK-1X might pause a few seconds longer to access a playback of this security station's video scanner. (Computer Use +20, taking 10)

 

[shadowbloodmoon]

Apologies, I wasn't sure when you wanted to send the signals. That's cool though.

Its plans in motion, the diminuitive droid proceeds with the next part of the extraction: getting Dofina out alive. This prospect was difficult at first but now, with new evidence of another threat, it could be nigh impossible.

This didn't bother the probot though, urging his mistress to grab a weapon and keep moving, it pauses only long enough to see if the local vid scans had caught anything. It wasn't much, but it was familiar:

An odd scraping sound can be heard in the distance. In unison, the four troopers turn to look at their officer, who had heard it as well. They wait.

Another sound, similar but much closer. The image appears to blur near the officer. Worried, the human tentatively goes for his blaster. He is too late. His blood sprays across the bulkhead and the white armor of the soldiers.

The trained fighters have already raised their blasters, but even these men, bred to be perfect combatants, are too slow. Whatever killed the officer has already bowled into them, knocking them to the ground. The rest of the fight is static as a stray piece of clone trooper crashes into the image recorder. The results are already known however.

It is apparent that the troops didn't get a chance to send out an alarm, as they were in the middle of collecting data for their regular report.

Dofina doesn't say anything for a moment, more interested in the writing on the wall and the DC-15c carbine in her hand. Her greenish lips move slowly, as if the words were coming out of their own accord. "We should never have done this. I shouldn't..." The last words fade to a whisper and she charges the blaster rifle and moves on to follow the probot to the conference room.

The room is darkened, but ambient light from the external illumination on the hull of the complex spills through the large window, giving the room an eerie glow combined with deep shadows. X's sensors are on maximum, but so far, it doesn't register anything but that of Dofina and itself.

All the pieces of the probot's grand scheme are in place. All that awaits is a final command to set them in motion.

 

[Ambrus]

[sblock=OOC]The scene is set, the orchestra engaged... Heh. I feel like a conductor stepping up to the podium. I'm nervous to see if 1X's plan goes off as intended or if it'll all tragically fall apart at the last minute. I won't feel too bad if it does; 1X didn't cut any corners in its preparations or leave any loose ends as far as I can see. The droid has put as many factors in its favor as possible. I couldn't have done much more than I have to setup Dofina's rescue. Hopefully the element of surprise will help keep the imperial forces off balance long enough to ensure success...

You mentioned that the lift ride took a few minutes. Add to that the time to investigate the scene at the security desk and then reach the conference room; by my guess the droids in the shuttle bay should be just about ready to launch the shuttles following their five minute prep time. I figure that it'll take a few minutes to depressurize the room and finish cutting a big enough hole in the window. If my guesses are accurate then by 1X's timing the astromech's shuttle should arrive just in time for Dofina and 1X to board it. I don't know if or when anything will go wrong so I'll describe what 1X will do assuming there aren't any problems in the hangar-bay, with the Ari's Sorrow or any sudden invisible stalker attacks in the conference room...

BTW, you mentioned that the footage on the security monitor seemed familiar to 1X. Could you tell me what in the droid's experience it compares to?[/sblock]As soon as they are both through the door DRK-1X quickly turns and deploys a manipulator to tap the door's control panel to close and lock it. The probot then spends a few seconds manually modifying the door's code-lock program (Computer Use +20 or Disable Device +10 as appropriate, taking 10) As it works, 1X once more extends its telescoping communications antenna while continuing to swivel its external sensor pods to scan the room with its sonic, infrared and low-light sensors (Listen +9, Search +10, Spot +12). "Inquiry: Did the bio-lab on Dantooine develop some type of sensor resistant creature? If so how would this creature have come to be here on this station?"

While listening to Dofina's answer, and waiting for the astromech's ready signal, DRK-1X deploys and ignites its lightsaber's crimson blade. Floating up to the top of the door, the probot slowly descends towards the floor while sliding the tip of the light blade gently along the door's gap to weld its metal edge to the door's frame. As it works, DRK-1X receives the ready signal from its astromech ally down in the hangar bay. The probot responds by sending a simple single word command to the droids waiting in the shuttle-bay: "Execute." 1X then cycles through various predetermined comlink channels to relay the same command to Derek, "Execute", and on to the pre-programmed and flight-ready shuttles (however many there may be) "Execute". To Dofina, the diminutive probe droid offers a brief warning to alert her to what is about to happen; "Suggestion: Perhaps you should brace yourself against the table Mistress..." DRK-1X sends one final transmission keyed to the receiver that it had built into the permacrete detonator affixed to the station's flight control center's main power relay.

KA-BOOM!

******
[sblock=FYI]As previously mentioned, DRK-1X pre-programmed the shuttles with relatively simple flight control instructions to power up and, in sequence, taxi out of the hangar bay in the wake of the astromech's shuttle. The shuttles are programmed to then spread out away from each other for a few hundred meters where they'll hold position until they receive their destination coordinates along a preset comlink channel. 1X sent those comlink channels to Derek. Each shuttle then sets off towards its destination at normal cruising speed with relatively simple programming to govern obstacle avoidance and evasive maneuvers if the ship is attacked. Speed, maneuvering and destination can also be controlled directly by comlink if desired.

Since you mentioned that it'll take the astromech about five minutes to reach the conference room window I figure that each of the other shuttles will take roughly as long to reach their destinations. That way they'll only hit their targets at roughly the same time as 1X and Dofina are boarding their shuttle.[/sblock]Having received DRK-1X's relayed execute command Derek fires the Ari's Sorrow's maneuvering thrusters to bring the vessel out of its leisurely spin. The human replica droid then registers, through the vessel's sensors, the subsequent explosion near the station's main control center. In the chaos following the explosion, Derek fires the fighter's engines to send it drifting swiftly towards a pre-selected rendez-vous spot within the sensor-gap between the satellite perimeter net and the station's flight controlled area.

The droid then cycles the fighter's comm-systems' channels through the preset ones needed to direct the decoy shuttles; channels transmitted to Derek earlier by its counterpart. In sequence Derek sends each such shuttle its own specific set of coordinates, in order of priority. Having closely monitored the space around the construction facility along with the myriad imperial ships flying around it over a period of several days, the HRD had long since chosen its targets.[sblock=OOC]The first shuttle is directed to head towards the satellite sensor net directly and then accelerate as it veers on a collision course towards the bridge of whichever control ship is stationed there. The second shuttle is directed to circle back towards the central hub and then accelerate to collide with the station's main command deck. The third shuttle is to head towards the Imperial Victory-class Star Destroyer Repulse (assuming its still in the cluster) and then accelerate as it veers on a collision course towards the ship's bridge. All remaining flight ready shuttles are to circle around the station's central hub before accelerating and crashing into each of the station's largest and busiest hangar bays, aiming for the munition or fuel depots in each if possible.

Derek's selection of targets may vary depending what's available and what he thinks is attainable at the moment while taking into account the traffic. The goal of sending the shuttles all over is to help sow confusion and panic while simultaneously hindering the imperial forces' ability to coordinate their efforts and crippling their ability to effectively evacuate the station.[/sblock]
******

After the subsequent explosion the black spherical probe droid reorients itself and traces a quick arc through the room to the window along the far wall. Having already warned Dofina, DRK-1X wastes no time in plunging the burning crimson blade into the transparisteel window to begin venting the room's atmosphere out into space. With the station's security forces scrambling in the aftermath of the explosion it was the probot's hope that the sudden depressurization of a unused conference room would go unnoticed or be ignored. Using its telescopic sensors, DRK-1X quickly confirms its own location by comparing what it knows of the station's layout with the view outside the window. Once enough time has passed for the astromech droid to taxi its shuttle out of the hangar bay, DRK-1X transmits its coordinates to the R-unit. The probot also informs the droid pilot of the need to depressurize the shuttle's interior and prepare to manoeuvre it close enough to the window to allow passengers to drift safely through the shuttles' open hatchway.

As the room's venting atmosphere begins jostling the floating probe droid, DRK-1X continues diligently cutting through the melting transparisteel as it chooses a new frequency on its encrypted comlink. With only a few dozen seconds or so since the last explosion, it was the probot's hope that the officers on Dofina's room's level were only now scrambling out of their quarters in a panic. Regardless of what was truly going on down there the black spherical droid sends the detonation signal to the second explosive device. Hopefully the second explosion would only increasing the panic that must be surely gripping the station's personnel.

KA-BOOM!

After another minute of careful cutting and venting of atmosphere, DRK-1X continues its terror attack by transmitting the detonation code for a third explosive; that of the device positioned along its hangar-bay's main power relay. It was the probot's hope that the facility's panic-stricken personnel had sought to find escape by flooding into the station's various hangar-bays in search of evacuating ships. If so, then hopefully this latest explosion would have destroyed more than just the reprogrammed droids left behind there.

KA-BOOM!

Once the atmosphere is fully vented DRK-1X finishes cutting a large opening in the window and deactivates its lightsaber. After retracting the device into its chassis, the probot nudges the center mass with a gentle tap of its manipulator, causing it to drift away from the station's hull slowly. 1X then turns back towards its Mistress and floats over to her to retrieve one of the magnetic clamps she was carrying in her suit's pocket. Taking it in hand, the probot waits with its Mistress in the airless room while monitoring the local comlink chatter to gauge the reaction to its attacks.[sblock=OOC]If all of that went off without a hitch then Dofina and 1X are already half-way home. And if there was some kind of invisible creature in the room then hopefully it didn't survive explosive decompression.

I figure that the airless environment will cool down the molten edges of the window quickly enough for it not to be a concern by the time the shuttle arrives. If it arrives as planned then 1X intends to propel itself through the gravitational field of the room and out through the hole in such a way as to drift straight into the open hatch of the shuttle where it'll break once it's inside the artificial gravity field there. The magnetic clamp will be used to quickly grab a hand hold on the shuttle's hull if it misses somehow. If, for some reason, 1X misses the shuttle entirely it can throw the clamp away from itself to change its momentum favorably.

Hopefully, Dofina's longer armspan will be enough to reach across the gap and pull herself safely into the shuttle's interior. She can also mimic 1X and use her own magnetic clamp for extra purchase if necessary. If there are any mishaps 1X can always reach the astromech via comlink and instruct it to manoeuvre the shuttle appropriately to retrieve drifting people. Once inside, 1X will close the hatch and repressurize the interior while tapping out the coordinates of their rendez-vous spot on the ship's conn for the astromech to proceed there as quickly as possible.

Once they're underway, 1X will transmit the last two detonation signals for the explosives attached to the main and backup reactors, thus sealing the station's fate.

KA-BOOM!

KA-BOOM!

If they haven't done it yet, it's my hope that whoever is left in charge will signal an official evacuation of the facility. If so then there will quickly be hundreds of escape pods, shuttles and fighters all rushing away from the station simultaneously; the perfect camouflage to help cover the shuttle's departure.

That's about it for the moment. Now it's time to see if it all actually goes off as described...

You know that mysterious faction that tried to sabotage the freighter and took over a Star Destroyer to attack the sensor net? I hope they're still around and wondering (as 1X did itself) "what's going on?", "who did this?" and thinking "damn! I wish I could have pulled that off myself!" [/sblock]

 

[shadowbloodmoon]

[sblock=OOC]Ahem...taptaptap...swish... duh duh da da... BOOM!!
What I meant by familiar was in a general sense. The footage that X had found on Dantooine had similar images of blurs and shadows on the screen. [/sblock]

The door swishes closed behind the pair, the probot quickly scrambling the code lock. DRK-1X then takes a moment to be sure the room is indeed empty, save for them. As it questions its Mistress, she appears startled by the perceived accusation. "I didn't. They made... they wanted... " A pause. A sigh. A look of defeat. "There's no fooling you, X. It is not merely sensor resistant. It doesn't even exist in our sense of the word. You can't see what isn't there. Our benefactor showed us the way to harness them. To command them. Something... something went horribly wrong. We... we don't have time to discuss it."

She says nothing further as you continue the operation of keeping the door closed. Mistress Dofina is barely able to react when you mention the table to her, the first explosion sending shockwaves throughout the complex. At first it is only a slight rumble, but it is enough to force the woman to grip the table hard.

Alarms immediately begin blaring all over the complex and X is sure that means that any troops are now on route to various secure points.

***

Several shuttle egress from a side hangar bay in the central complex center. They spread out as they fly, each heading to a new destination, as sent to them by Derek's command. Only one veers off, having just received coordinates from a certain probot still inside the complex. Soon after, Derek registers an explosion inside the complex and many of the channels he was monitoring become static as others become chaos. Numerous voices try to outtalk each other and Derek's sensors show him that several of the larger ships seem to slow down to avoid nearly running into each other. The once ordered system is already starting to fall apart at the seams. Derek's programming tells him that a satisfactory smile should appear on his synthflesh face.

One of the shuttles heads towards one of the control ships in the sensor net. As it picks up speed, someone on watch must have been paying attention, because as it gets close, several bolts of green death spurt out from the hull of the ship. It is not enough though, and the shuttle's inertia spirals it out of control into the command section of the massive ship. Several smaller explosions accompany the larger one and in less than a minute, escape pods jet out from it.

There are no guns stopping the second shuttle. Though the main control center is in the middle of the sphere, there are many places the shuttle could hit that will affect the operations of the complex. One such place is relatively undefended and Derek sends the vessel hurtling towards it at maximum speed. The resultant explosion sends another shock through the complex, and a bright flash shows Derek that he wasn't off the mark.

The other shuttles each take their turns assaulting various bays and other vulnerable points along the hull of the complex. These crashes tell the probot inside that his efforts are being fully realized.

The Star Destroyer Repulse, having already started to move when the first explosion shook the place, is able to shoot down the shuttle headed for it. Pieces of it crash into the hull of the vessel, but it isn't enough to do anything but superficial damage.

By now, there are a small number of craft filling the space outside of the facility and with secondary control systems attempting to make up for the slack caused by the lack of a central flight command, security has all but gone out the window.

***

During all of this, another window has begun to leak atmosphere into space and a weary Nemoidian is gripping tightly to magnetic clamps that are keeping her in place as her small floating assistant makes an ever larger pathway for the air to escape. They can already hear the blast doors in the hall outside crashing down.

As the second explosion destroys what was Dofina's prison, the external lights flicker for a moment. This spurs DRK-1X on to finish creating the hole that it and its Mistress will exit into the hopefully waiting shuttle. A large group of explosions sends Dofina sprawling to the ground, but she remains attached to her clamps.

At the same time, X sees the shuttle piloted by the astromech just outside the window. A final cut of the saber, a third explosion and a slight push frees the large piece of transparisteel, sending it on a slow trajectory into nothingness.

The hatch opens and the astromech brings the shuttle closer to the hull. After Dofina overcomes her misgivings about jumping into open space with a nudge from DRK-1X, the two of them float outside and DRK-1X can get a view of the destruction it has already caused. Many fires burn on the outside of the complex and you can see that some of the larger ships have crashed into some parts of the outer complex. There is an ever growing number of craft filling the space out here, most of them fighters.

The comlink channels have all either gone to static or are filled with angry and confused voices, all attempting to figure out what's happening. There is one voice that seems to be in control of the situation and in fact, does not sound panicked in the slightest. A quick scan tells X that is coming from the Repulse.

"I warned you this would happen, General. Your arrogance consumes you once again. Good bye."

As the hatch closes and the shuttle turns away, X sends two final commands. At first, nothing happens, but soon smaller explosions peak out from the hull of the complex, each one joining another in a growing crescendo of destruction. A literal cloud of escape ships begin littering the space around the area. The shuttle moves at top speed towards its rendezvous with Derek. X and Dofina watch on the monitor as pieces of the complex behind them suddenly starts to fly off in random directions. Then, less than a minute later, the entire area is lit up in a ball of flame. Few ships that are near the station survive the nuclear fire and the resulting consussion wave buffets the shuttle that DRK-1X and its now free Mistress are in, though it isn't enough to hinder their progress towards their meeting place.

Somewhere, on the bridge of a nearby ship, a man of obvious importance stands watching a viewscreen. "Wow. Who did that? I wish I could thank him personally."

 

[Ambrus]

[sblock=OOC]Let's see... challenge codes... a few thousand troopers, technicians, officers, droids, spacecraft... *scribble scribble* carry the one... *scribble scribble* There. By my math DRK-1X should now have enough experience points to hit, uh... 42nd level?

I have to admit, there's a visceral pleasure in imagining one racing away as something really big explodes in the background. The real funny thing about this scenario is that, unlike the noble rebels in the movies, DRK-1X wasn't really out to attack or hurt the evil empire; this was just a tactic to help cover up Dofina's escape.

Since Dofina's room was destroyed a few seconds after the first explosion it's 1X's hope that the empire will now believe her to be dead. Hopefully she won't be in a hurry to dissuade them of that belief... again. I'm getting tired of having to rescue her. [/sblock]

"There's no fooling you, X. It is not merely sensor resistant. It doesn't even exist in our sense of the word. You can't see what isn't there. Our benefactor showed us the way to harness them. To command them. Something... something went horribly wrong. We... we don't have time to discuss it."

"Report: You had me rebuilt so that I'd be difficult to fool Mistress. I don't understand why you persist in trying."

******

The human replica droid grips the armrests of the pilot's chair as the dissipating concussion wave of the massive explosion gently rocks the Ari's Sorrow. Derek attempts to gauge the effect of the various explosions and collisions upon the fleet of ships but the Sorrow's sensor array simply wasn't up to the task at hand. It was becoming increasingly difficult to identify the vessels he'd been tracking before the explosion. The space around the complex was littered with millions of tons metal; picking out derelict ships, powered vessels and floating debris was exceedingly difficult at this point. The droid instead focuses on estimating how many ships had been destroyed and then projecting the casualty rate.

As the Ari's Sorrow enters the sensor gap on its way towards its rendez-vous site, Derek tries to pick out its counterpart's approaching vessel from the cloud of ships remaining in the cluster. As it does so, the droid triggers his ship's decompression sequence. He then physically unplugs the cable from the back of his head and closes the panel there before likewise unplugging the cable from the computer port, winding it up and slinging it at his belt.

******

DRK-1X watches the R-unit astromech near the shuttle's pilot station to confirm that it has changed course towards the rendez-vous site. The diminutive probe droid then turns its attention to the environmental readout to ensure the cabin's atmosphere has been restored to nemoidian-standard before floating back to Dofina's side. 1X reaches forward to retrieve the hydrospanner and its last remaining permacrete detonator from her flight suit's pockets as it speaks. "Report: We are now en route to rendez-vous with the Ari's Sorrow. Our estimated time of arrival is four and a half minutes. Suggestion: You should restore your suit's expendables now. Report: We're going to be venting atmosphere again soon in preparation for our final EVA transfer to the fighter. Inquiry: Are you feeling all right Mistress?"

DRK-1X listens to Dofina's response before excusing itself and heading to the rear of the shuttle to access its engine core. Opening a panel with the hydrospanner, the diminutive probot affixes the last permacrete detonator to the engine's fuel tank (Demolitions +4). It then heads back to the cockpit to check the vessel's progress and converse briefly with the astromech pilot in chittering binary.

[sblock=OOC]DRK-1X will bring the astromech up to speed on the next step of the plan; that of meeting up with the fighter, venting the shuttles' atmosphere and maneuvering both ships close together to align their entry-hatches. They're going to be maintaining comlink-silence throughout the manoeuvre so the astromech will have to communicate with the fighter's pilot by flashing the shuttle's running lights in binary. 1X will stress the need for speed and efficiency in this operation.

The probot then informs the astromech that 1X and their passenger are going to be transferring to the fighter. The probot will tell the astromech that there isn't enough room inside the other spacecraft for it, but that it is welcome to join them nonetheless if it is willing to cling magnetically to the outside of the fighter's hull during their escape. The alternative is to remain with the shuttle which 1X intends to destroy after abandoning it. If it's willing to join them then 1X has only one stipulation; that it allow the probe droid to search its chassis to ensure that it isn't unknowingly carrying any kind of imperially manufactured emitter, self-destruct system, transponder or other such device. Assuming it agrees and complies then 1X will proceed with that search (Search +10, taking 20)

1X will then set a final flight program for the shuttle to execute after they've disembarked. Assuming the rendez-vous and transfer goes off without a hitch, then 1X will have the shuttle set out towards the sensor-net (assuming the satellites have been rebuilt since the first attack) and have it approach a grouping of satellites before sending the detonate signal by comlink.

KA-BOOM!

Derek will be ready to make the jump to lightspeed during the explosion. It's 1X's hope that the disruption to the sensor net will create an exploitable gap through which the Sorrow can escape the cluster undetected. The Ari's Sorrow will then continue along Derek's multi-stage hyperspace trip back out of the cluster and on into the galaxy. I believe the trip out of the cluster will take a day or more. During that time DRK-1X can bring Dofina up to speed on its activities and ask her some questions while having the MSR-X tend to her injuries. Yay! Escape!

"I warned you this would happen, General. Your arrogance consumes you once again. Good bye."

BTW, does 1X recognize this person's voice? Was that perchance Darth?

Also, I just have to ask; did 1X's activities in the cluster and its escape plan ever surprise you? Was this how you imagined I'd go about it or were you planning on some other scenario?

Oh! And is the astromech indeed an R3 or some other model? What's its designation?[/sblock]

 

[shadowbloodmoon]

[sblock=OOC]Hehe. Don't you worry, I'm calculating the XP, though it may not get you to 42 though. 41 maybe...

I think Dofina is beginning to act as if she takes for granted that you will be there to catch her should she make a mistake...

X does not recognize the voice on the Repulse and at this point you probably shouldn't, but it will become clear soon enough. It is not any Darth, but this person will play a significant role in about 20 years.

Im going to leave the meeting for you to describe as I don't recall if X ever mentioned Derek to Dofina...
[/sblock]

Derek watches as the chaos unfolds in the space surrounding what is left of the central complex. The after effects of such a large explosion have already started to affect the structure of the rest of the complex, with construction struts and scaffolding falling to pieces, littering the already full void with even more scrap.

Various metals and plastics were not the only thing to litter the field however. Only a machine mind like Derek's could truly calculate the number of souls that had just been killed, their flames, innocent or not, extinguished with the cold wind of death. A disembodied arm brushed up against the front viewport, reminding him of this.

Thankfully, a shuttle had started to become clearer in his view. Checking the ship's chronometer, it was about the time that DRK-1X and Dofina should show up. A series of flashes from the ship's external lights verified this.

***
Dofina looks at DRK-1X, her thoughts obviously racing with what had just occured. She seemed to be wrestling with the fact that she was free. "I.. I am... or at least I will be, fine. I just need to rest."

The R3-M7 astromech droid, dutifully piloting the shuttle to the rendezvous point, beeps fearfully at the thought of being vaporized along with the shuttle by the explosive X had just placed. It agrees to a search by DRK-1X and explains that it has no wish to leave its place of work and would like to simply be picked up by any repair crew that should happen to find it. It plans on using its miniature thrusters to boost itself back towards the complex. That is, if DRK-1X would allow it such an act for serving the probot faithfully.

Note: Leaving the description of the R3 vague so as to continue with the story because what occurs depends on X's choice.

The transfer to the Ari's Sorrow goes without too much trouble. Dofina seems to have become less afraid of floating in space for the few seconds necessary to move to the other side. Closing the hatches to both ships, DRK-1X sends the final command that will send the shuttle into a pile of sensor satellites.

Dofina slumps down against the bulkhead, waiting for the air to recycle so that she can remove her helmet. It is obvious that it had been a while since the last time she had to exert herself so.

***

His passengers safely on board, Derek waits for the final moment that he needs to align his departure with that of the soon to be expanding cloud of destroyed satellites. As he does so, in the corner of his electronic eye, he sees a shape in the darkness. At first, it seems to simply be a black blot in the stars, not uncommon in this maze of black holes, but when it moves, Derek sees that it has a shape. Quickly glancing at the Sorrow's scanners, he sees that nothing is registering where the sleek triangular object was. Derek starts to wonder if he was imagining things, but droids can't do that. Can they?

A bright explosion wakes his droid brain from its thoughts and Derek pushes the hyperdrive throttle forward. He, his passengers and the ship vanish into the night.

 

[Ambrus]

[sblock=OOC]The fact that Dofina wasn't astounded when 1X showed up in the middle of a heavily guarded imperial facility in a black hole cluster at the galaxy's fringe and that she seemingly isn't astounded by what the probot has accomplished to pull off her rescue would lead me to conclude that she does in fact take 1X for granted. Perhaps it's for the best however; it demonstrates that her faith in it's abilities are absolute.

After the smoke clears, so to speak, how do the three death stars appear to have weathered the central hub's destruction? How about the seventy or eighty star destroyers in the cluster; were any destroyed or badly damaged?

So might the voice have been that of the future Grand Moff Tarkin then?

Is ship-cloaking technology known to exist in the Star Wars universe? Derek currently has knowledge technology +6. If so I'd assume the saboteurs are using the sensor gap to help hide their vessel(s). Would it be possible for a cloaked vessel to covertly follow the Sorrow along it's multi-stage hyperspace jump or would they eventually loose track of the fighter?[/sblock]Experiencing a measure of guilt for having forcefully reprogrammed the astromech (and having caused the destruction of the hangar bay's droid pool) DRK-1X offers to compromise with the R3-M7. Unfortunately, the probot explains in chittering binary, it cannot allow the astromech to remain behind with its memories of how it engineered the station's destruction or escaped. If it is intent on remaining behind then it will be necessary for 1X to erase the astromech's memory files for the past three days (everything it experienced since 1X entered the hangar bay). The astromech could then be set adrift in its recharging mode for an hour; after which point it would automatically reactivate and attempt to reach a repair crew on its own.[sblock=OOC]Although 1X feels guilt for how it has treated the astromech and its pool-mates, DRK-1X's programming won't allow it to compromise any further on the matter. If R3-M7 agrees to this plan, DRK-1X will offer an apology and thanks to the astromech and then proceed as quickly as it safely can to shut down the droid, perform the partial mind-wipe and then push it out the hatch to drift off into the void.[/sblock]Once safely in hyperspace, Derek continues to face forward in the pilot's chair with his back to the slumped-over nemoidian woman. Neither he nor the black spherical probot seem inclined to introduce the HRD to their Mistress. Instead, Derek continues to monitor the nav-computer's readings to judge the effectiveness of his multi-stage hyperspace escape program. In less than a minute, and with no intervention from the HRD, the Ari's Sorrow re-enters normal space. As he watches, the nav-computer automatically accesses the ship's sensor array, confirms its spacial position, adjusts the vessel's heading half a degrees and then reactivates the Ari's Sorrow's hyperdrive for the next leg of the journey. The cabin interior shudders noticeably as the stars outside the viewport lengthen once more. One jump down, seventeen left to go, thinks Derek.

Behind the human replica droid, DRK-1X carefully monitors the cabin's atmosphere until the droid is certain it is nemoidian normal. Only then does it begin removing its Mistress' helmet. In short order 1X is busy helping Dofina to pull off the bulky flight suit. When done 1X offers the woman food, water and its assistance in using the refresher should she need it. Otherwise, assuming that Dofina will soon lose consciousness, the probot clears some deck and prepares the large fighter's sleeping accommodations for the weary woman. After helping her settle in DRK-1X dims the cabin's lights, stow Dofina's equipment and then heads to the fore.

Once they are certain that Dofina is asleep, the two droids use Derek's computer cable to physically link their heuristic processor's together so that they can exchange code, share their individual experiences and judge the success of their mission. They remain in that mental fugue until Dofina shows signs of waking.[sblock=OOC]If Dofina doesn't awaken before the Sorrow exits the cluster, Derek will set a roundabout course (by zig-zagging via hyperspace to evade possible pursuit) to return to their derelict cargo pod floating out along the fringe of the galaxy. DRK-1X will periodically (once a day) activate the MSR-X module to treat Dofina's injuries with the contents of the medpack.

DRK-1X is curious to speak with Dofina once she's in better shape and willing to do so. It wants to find out what happened to her on Dantooine, to discover what she learned there as well as to question her about her involvement with the bio-lab's research. It's also anxious to learn what she knows about the empire's interest in her and to find out what she believes the extra-dimensional creature was doing on the station. In turn 1X can offer her all manner of reports about its mission, what it's learned about the mysterious factions at work in the cluster, about the late Four's biology and faction as well as that woman's secret hideouts scattered across the galaxy. What they discuss and what the trio do next will largely depend on what Dofina's interested in pursuing.[/sblock]