[IC] A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

[Zarkun]

HK-49 "Hank"

I wait at the top of the stairwell until Vette arrives with the two members of the Revolution and then I indicate the stairs. "Observation: The Senate tower was not completely empty when Jorg Sucal activated these droids and unpleasant fates met those still here. Observational Theory: However, if the droids were assigned to prevent occupation of the tower and have the means to do so, then something is not right with them as Gavin's forces still hold the entryway. Conclusion: The AI has somehow gone rogue."

[Lord Greshh]

Vette

"Hmm. So not only are they deadly, vicious droids, but they are also uncontrollable. Guess that means no turning them off."

HJ Twilight

I nod. "Other Sith Hunter models usually have handlers feeding them orders. If the droids are rogue, then either they were designed to be more independent or they have somehow broken away from their handlers."

Vette

"Broken their leashes. Right. So how do we stop them if we can't turn them off?"

[Zarkun]

HK-49 "Hank"

My eyes glow brightly as a charging sound comes from my blaster rifle. "Bloodthirsty Comment: We'll simply turn them off manually." I lead the way down the stairs, sweeping my rifle side to side. When we reach the next floor, I take a left and keep moving at a steady pace. Nothing could be seen, but occasionally we'd hear the sounds of packs of the Sith Hunter models running down adjacent halls. "Quiet Statement: This level feels almost...alien."

[Lord Greshh]

Vette

“Alien like strange or alien like remains you of alien tech? Because there were a lot of different alien designers built this place to accommodate the different senators needs.” I think a moment. “Huh. I wonder if the Ryloth senator’s office has anything worth salvaging.”

HJ Twilight

“Pretty sure he means strange. No normal to how the building normally is. These droids look to have ‘redecorated’ some.”

[Zarkun]

HK-49 "Hank"

"Confirming Statement: That is what I meant. Indicative Statement: The strands running along the walls and ceilings are most definitely bio-mechanical in nature. Concerned Conclusion: Sucal decided to test a new weapon and it's decided it knows better." The sounds of a pack of the droids running down the hall towards us make me beckon towards a room for us to hide in. As soon as we're in, I close the door and back away while aiming at it. "Suggestion: Plasmic Fire should be used liberally."

[Lord Greshh]

HJ Twilight

I hold my blaster in one hand and remove my lightsaber from my belt with the other. “Hope this is plasmic enough for you.”

Vette

I ready my pistols, setting them to high. “I have some plasma grenades. Best save those for when we are in less tight spaces though. Might be useful if we need to run.” My two Revolution companions also ready weapons.

[Zarkun]

HK-49 "Hank"

Storing my rifle and turning on a flashlight that popped out of my head, I initiate my Scorched Earth style, the jets that allow me to use the flamethrowers burning softly at my elbows. "Warning: If they are indeed bio-mechanical, they may be operating on a hivemind. Once one knows we are here, they all do."

Harn

Having been unforunate enough to get dragged into this mess with my buddy, I set the rifle to the highest it would go for power output. "First Hayden Twilight's mother, now another Twilight and some crazy protocol droid in a nest of killer Sith Hunter droids who no longer follow the rules. Why am I here again?"

[Lord Greshh]

Lomi

I look at Harn. “To free Coruscant of Republic tyranny, remember? That and clear our criminal records. No Republic means no arrest warrant.”

Vette

I roll my eyes. “Glad to know we can count on your loyalty when the going gets tough. Just shoot the damn droids when they pop their heads out and don’t worry about the why.”

HJ Twilight

“Also, don’t be mean to Hank. He’s sensitive.”

[Zarkun]

Harn

"I'm all for not getting arrested, but if it means I have to face these bio-whatsit Sith Hunters? Fuck that, I'd rather go to jail. What I signed up to fight were Soldiers, flesh and blood, not Sucal's mechanical monstrosities."

HK-49 "Hank"

I ignore the man's griping and focus in front of us. I stop suddenly as a droid stalks out of the darkness into the beam of my flashlight, flanked by two more. However, they make no hostile movement. The sounds of three more coming up behind us indicates that we're surrounded. "Offhand Comment: They are more aware than I gave them credit for."

[Lord Greshh]

HJ Twilight

“Clever girls... or boys or genderless automatons.” I pivot to guard the opposite side, activating my lightsaber and holding in a guard formation while also aiming my blaster towards the doors. “Circle up to protect our backs. Don’t let yourselves be flanked.”

[Zarkun]

HK-49 "Hank"

The droids make no move to attack, but there was a tenseness to them, as if they were waiting for something. "Theory: Perhaps they operate on a hive mind?"

Harn

"Hive mind? Oh sith spit, it's like that one horror holovid, with the chestbursters and the xenothingies..."

[Lord Greshh]

Lomi

“Oh yeah! I’ve seen that one! Damn, what was the name of it. It’s on the tip of my tongue...”

Vette

“Hey, guys. Mind shutting up for a minute? Save the movie talk until we are out of danger.”

HJ Twilight

“Hmm... a hive mind? There are way too many of those these days. First Luci and the Killiks, and now this. Can’t anyone just be independent anymore?”

[Zarkun]

HK-49 "Hank"

"Statement: In the case of murderous droids, a hive mind makes them more efficient." As soon as I finish speaking one of the droids in front of us steps forwards and it's mouth moves as it speaks.

"Our alpha and queen would have words with you, HK Twilight and HK model 49."

Harn

As soon as the droid in front of us names the two who we'd come to aid, I groan. "And it knows who you two are. We're SO going to die."

[Lord Greshh]

HJ Twilight

“It’s HJ Twilight, actually, but close enough. Hank and I will accompany you to meet your alpha and queen.”

Vette

“You sure that’s a good idea, kid? These things could just be trying to lure you into a trap?”

HJ Twilight

“We’re already trapped. If they wanted us dead, they would have killed us.” I look at the droid that addressed us. “If we two go with you, will you allow our allies here to go free? If you plan to kill them, we will have no choice but to defend them.”

[Zarkun]

HK-49 "Hank"

I nod. "Reminder: The three behind us have likely been following us for some time and we're not yet deactivated. Cheery assurance: The odds of this being a trap are less than ten percent." Harn looks at me with a bewildered look in his eyes but I think nothing of it, following the three droids. The other three urge Vette and her companions forward.

"OUr Queen would have more witnesses for the upcoming discussion, so that there is no debate."

[Lord Greshh]

Vette

I raise my hands defensively. “Uhh... yeah. Sure thing. I’d love to bare witness to... whatever it is.”

Lomi

I nod a hastily agreement, but I don’t holster my weapon just yet. I don’t point it at any of the droids or make myself threatening, but I don’t holster it either. It’s in my hand, and there is very little the kid or the droid can say to make me put it away.

HJ Twilight

I, in contrast, deactivate my lightsaber and stuff my blaster back in it’s place on my hip. “Lead on, droid. Or whatever you would prefer to be called. Do you guys have names or... a collective term for yourselves? A pack or pride or... clowder?”

[Zarkun]

HK-49 "Hank"

The droid doesn't respond, but proceeds to lead them further into the depths of the tower and the cords of bio-mechanical origin only became more pronounced. "Fearful Statement: I am an HK unit, I was not programmed to feel fear, but this..."

Harn

"Don't say it droid, PLEASE, whatever you do, don't say it." I had followed the lad's example, holstering my blaster rifle on my back, but I didn't turn the charge down. If we had to fight, I wanted my rifle ready, but keeping it stowed seemed like the best way to stay alive for now.

[Lord Greshh]

HJ Twilight

I look around at all the tubing and wires hanging from the ceiling and covering the walls. The sound of liquids flushing through the pipes can occasionally be heard, and some areas even seem to pulse. “I think Sucal might have gone a little out of his depth on this one. This doesn’t resemble any alien technology I’ve ever seen. Not Rakata, Gree, or even Zeffo.”

[Zarkun]

HK-49 "Hank"

Before I can reply, we exit into a large area with a single Droid in the midst of all the others, this one adorned with a blades on its "ankles" and a row of blades along its spinal area. As we approach it, it stands from its sitting position and looks at us. "I am this pack, Alpha Cenarus. I understand you wish to use an astromech to announce that your Resistance holds the Senate Tower."

I nod. "Affirmative Statement: We do indeed to as part of the battle plan." The droid looks from me to HJ.

"Would you be willing to make a deal? We do not intend to use this location as a nest forever, merely as a temporary location until we can find a fast way to the city's much lower levels."

[Lord Greshh]

HJ Twilight

I open my mouth to reply, but no words come. Only a long “Uhhhh.” I look from Hank to Vette and the others, and finally back to the Queen. “So, you don’t want to kill us all? You’re just protecting your nesting place? That’s... well, kinda disturbing, but also kinda good because it means we don’t HAVE to be enemies.”

Vette

“Yeah, they just wanna hide in the lower levels of the planet and breed exponentially. Can’t see any harm in that.”

HJ Twilight

I clear my throat. “Uh, what exactly are you? I’ve never seen droids or organic creatures like you before.”