Post by A®heim on Aug 21, 2012 2:00:53 GMT -5
Character permission …yes.
Name: Arzaheim Montressor Farweulf
Recorded Aliases: The Wizard (PF), Ross Riuaro (FLE), Harth Denever (RFSM), Sir Athetinear Ul'dasuun (FPTC), Goliester Awl (ARRC), Jerald Macintosh (GWPA), Dr. Vornathal Tarko (SSEL), Dr. Franse Iterin (IUI), Izerik Stern (ROS), Dr. Eneri Barlow (SM)*
Race: Rilan
Age: 111
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 172
Birth place: Celeban, Rilia
Appearance:
img150.imageshack.us/img150/4966/thewizardr.jpg
i21.photobucket.com/albums/b289/pmunio/thewizard.jpg
When not a silhouette behind reinforced privacy glass, Arzaheim appears a tall, elderly gentlemen. He is rarely seen (if seen at all) without a suit as black as night (which is never quite as black as people think it is) that never seems to wrinkle and a stately pipe that never seems to be lit. Even the mightiest of men often feel humbled in his presence, not because he is particularly tall or muscles, but because of the air of sheer command his stature exudes. He bears the thick, strong neck of a man who has often carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, and his arms are more often than not crossed curtly behind his back. The sheer façade his starched black suit and pants create draw the eye up to the resolve worn into his facial features. His face is covered in deep creases as if he was a man who smiled often, possibly one who frowns with worry, or even just from old age; it is impossible to read. His hair is the color of antique mahogany streaked here and there with grey.
His eyes serve as most of this mask, however. Seemingly shifty, sly, and composed at first glance, his true character reveals a warm gaze, though the touch of slyness remains. Although most often steel grey in color, his racial trait may cause them to thread with purple on occasion—his deep compassion for his work and its product seeping through. This "true" color is generally only witnessed by those who he puts his deepest trust in.
The “true form” of his race has practically never been seen. Even in his former occupation, he had little use to exhaust himself with it and today he has even less. As it hasn't been used in almost 100 years, one can only guess how it may appear today. He does, naturally, still give off a distinctive aura to those who can sense it. His once appeared as a collection of blue, purple, and reddish hues swirling lazily in a vortex-like pattern around him. Past Force sensitive bodyguards even admitted to becoming slightly dizzy if they looked at him for too long. As time has passed, the red hues have begun to fade into the background. Most recently, the effect has been described as hypnotically calming. The dynamic fluctuation of his aura most likely reflects his ever-calculating mind and analytical assessment of his surroundings, whereas the colors reflect a cool yet compassionate nature but with evidence of a dark past.
Personality:
Very few individuals have the pleasure of meeting Arzaheim, but those who have agree that it is no less than such. In spite of his regal and often slightly imposing composure, most cannot help but feel comforted in his presence. His ever-present confidence exudes from his being and his tone of voice is calm, but not emotionless—much like that of a beloved elder in the family. Nothing ever seems to perturb him, no matter how dire the situation may seem. Some may think this mindset coupled with his secluded lifestyle would make him overconfident, but in truth he fully understands the very real limits of his abilities and will never knowingly endanger himself and certainly not anyone working under his wing if he believes such an outcome is likely.
His nature can, however, be described as eccentric, and truly he seems to go to remarkable lengths at times to reinforce this. Aside from the dogged perseverance with which he pursues and preserves the sanctity of his life’s work, he has a number of more subtle traits that are curious within themselves. He possesses a pair of square-rimmed spectacles, though he does not need them to read—he keeps them in his pocket along with a soft cloth purely to polish them from time to time. He also keeps an ancient, clockwork chronometer on his person at all times which he checks regularly for the time displayed in his home world’s writing; it is one of the few relics remaining from his days amongst the Morequai. He has been known to pick up odd hobbies as quickly as he drops them so it is not entirely unusual to see him knitting or whittling or folding paper figurines on any given day. Anything to occupy the hands and mind.
Occupation: Head of Project Familiar
Rank: Wizard
Skills: Programming, Piloting, Robotic Engineering, Linguist, Defensive Martial Arts/Fencing, Management & Accounting, Slicing, Ordnance Engineering
Ships/Vehicles:
-Espial
-Project Familiar Executive Shuttlecraft
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 3
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 3
Leadership: 8
Unarmed: 6
Melee Weapons: 4
Ranged Weapons: 2
Force-Sensitive Abilities or practices:
Telekinetic: 0
Telepathic: 1
Body: 2
Sense:3
Protection: 0
Healing: 0
Destruction: 0
Biography:
The following datalogs describe the above events in greater detail from the perspective of Arzaheim Farweulf, beginning in his rough, military childhood among the Rilan Morequai warlords and chronicling the creation and development of Project Familiar--for it is PF that is the true character, he is merely the heart that continues beating at its center.
Entry Log 1: 2nd Month, 21,361 ARF
I’ve done it! My crowning achievement at the Celeban Academy is complete at last; a fully-autonomous code matrix capable of learning not in the singular, exponential fashion of most AI but from linear environmental stimuli—in other words, it works less like a computer and more like a living brain! This is all hypothetical, of course, as I don’t yet have the means to test it, but even just the beta modeling I have now should be enough to get the recognition of the entire academy and maybe even the military board of directors! I’ve also started a personal log against the warnings of some of my peers, I’m confident enough in my ability to keep it adequately encrypted. One day when my code has revolutionized the galaxy, I will be able to look back at this and remember fondly where it all began.
Entry Log 2: 4th Month, 21,363 ARF
As of today, the code is out of beta and ready for a physical interface. The problem now moved from software to hardware—the logic and reasoning portion alone would crash any of the spare processors I have laying around my dormitory. Merkus says he has a friend in the upper division robotics laboratory that can get me the parts I need. The price is steep but I can afford it. I’m going to start drafting the schematics tonight.
Entry Log 3: 9th Month, 21,366 ARF
I named it Hephaestus. The code patched into its existing protocols with only a few hitches and already I can tell I’ve done a miracle. The droid took one look around my room and explained to me in precise details what I had meaning to explain it: how I had eschewed the rilanoid appearance of a protocol droid in favor of that of a recon drone or survey droid—something that wouldn’t draw too much attention to itself no matter how intelligent it became. To further the deception, I fabricated some lab notes that label it as an Aerial Electronic Reconnaissance, prototype unit (or 00). The reason I’m doing this, which Hephaestus agrees with completely, is to allow myself more time to perfect my creation. I want it to be flawless before I present it to the board at graduation. In the meantime, Hephaestus has been of great assistance to me in my work. Its constant presence is akin almost to the wizards’ Familiar of age old lore.
Entry Log 4: 5th Month, 21,370 ARF
It’s been several years since I’ve last made an entry in here. I cannot be sure if it is because I had forgotten about it or have just been much too busy with everything that has happened lately. I presented my code to the academy board, then to our regional directors, then to the Morequai Board of Military Executives themselves. Needless to say I’ve received numerous decorations for my work—more of a trade I’ve come to learn. I’ve been promoted to captain at an age when most are still scraping the mud off their sergeant’s boots, though so far all I’ve been doing is code work for their installations. I suppose it’s where I’m most at home, but why then do I feel so oppressed? Most likely because my Familiar Code is being used to guide missiles. Even Hephaestus seems to understand the tragic irony. My work may change the world one day, but it will be to a world of fire and brimstone. He hasn’t spoken to me in weeks. I think this will be my last entry—the Morequai don’t much appreciate people speaking their mind, can’t imagine why.
Entry Log 5: 9th Month, 21,371 ARF
As long as I’m going to be drifting here for a while, I may as start a new log—a fresh page on a fresh start. Hephaestus is doing the honor of recording this for me as, aside from him, I’ve destroyed every other tie to my old life, even those that were in the possession of others at the time. The plan went almost as smoothly as I could have hoped, though I pray to whatever powers may be that the lives I took this day shall stand in place of many times more that would perish from my handiwork. In my actions I have sanctified the Familiar Code—Hephaestus holds the only remaining matrix—and on this day I swear it shall never be used to cause death and destruction again. One day, once I carve out a new foothold in the galaxy, I may return to my dear Rilia, to repay her the debt which I owe, but this day will be long from now. For now…destiny takes the rudder. Sir, our steering thrusters are disabled. Yes, Hephaestus. I know.
Entry Log 6: 9th Month, 21,372 ARF
After a fortuitous rescue and a few hops around the galaxy more or less at random, I’ve found myself on the Kuat Drive Yards. While I’ve certainly read about it before in my studies at the academy, nothing could prepare me for the breath-taking scale of the ring station. With the help of Hephaestus and some borrowed capital, I purchased a small section under the name Goliester Awl. For all the scientific and theological ruckus over creating a person, I found it remarkably easy. After all, in a Republic of several trillion registered individuals, what’s another robotics engineer more or less? I’ve named my small business the AwlRite Robotics Company. I’ve found that ship captains, military or otherwise, rather appreciate an autopilot that doesn’t fly in a straight line when under fire or plow them into an asteroid at the slightest malfunction.
Entry Log 7: 2nd Month, 1 ATC
The charity of the Morequai supplied more than adequate capital for Hephaestus to invest, though admittedly much of the investments were made in AwlRite stock. The company has grown considerably and now encompasses an entire sector of the station with several standing contracts with a few big names in starship manufacturing. I think the time has finally come to pursue my atonement. I’m going to need a new center of operation, one out of the prying eyes of those who would impede progress, perhaps unknowingly. For this reason I have purchased 1,480 square miles of undeveloped land (at thrice the price of any less-populated planets’, but that is key to everything—if I am going to hide, it must be in plain sight) in the Tarnessa region of the world below under the alias of a private benefactor to the Galactic Wilderness Preservation Association. On another interesting note, it would seem my datapad has altered its chronology in accordance with the recently declared Treaty of Coruscant. I don’t recall telling it to do that.
Entry Log 8: 3rd Month, 2 ATC
It took longer than I expected but the land has officially been declared a planetary park. The Tarnessa Planetary Memorial Park was named in honor of the Battle of Jorgon’s Bluff during the Mandolorian Wars and is fully recognized by the GWPA. Any non-ecological development is strictly prohibited within its boundaries, so I suppose my next step is to acquire an ecological developer’s license.
Entry Log 9: 1st Month, 3 ATC
I make this entry so as to remind myself in my senile years just how truly ingenious I once was. I have just contracted the AwlRite Robotics Company (which now possesses an ecological developer’s license, I might add) to conduct an environmental impact study of the unrestricted freight drone traffic in the Tarnessa Planetary Memorial Park’s airspace as well as that going in and out of the metropolis areas surrounding it. I trust their findings should prove fortuitous to my continued endeavors.
Entry Log 10: 6th Month, 6 ATC
Breaking news: Even passive scanning of the planet’s surface with high-powered arrays may have harmful effects on indigenous wildlife and secret underground facilities. I’m sure the drebins will thank me.
Entry Log 11: 7th Month, 9 ATC
Despite some protestation by GWPA activists, barring all sensor activity within the atmosphere of the galaxy’s second largest travel hub did not pass the Council. A bill, however, prohibiting high wave frequency surface scans over Tarnessa Planetary Memorial Park was deemed a far more reasonable compromise. I shall begin construction immediately.
Entry Log 12: 10th Month, 10 ATC
My surveying teams have informed me of a sprawling gallery of cave systems within the park limits. After a short expedition, I am confident that they will serve my purpose perfectly. At the furthest extent, I intend to establish an ecological laboratory on the surface, the construction of which will encounter several unforeseen delays until such time the proper materials can be transported through it to the opposite end of the cave network. The construction of my private facility will be done purely subterranean so as to avoid any scrutiny. Hypothetically, the bill will prevent the activity being picked up from spaceborne sensors, but as a precaution electronic countermeasures will be top priority.
Entry Log 13: 2nd Month, 12 ATC
The last of the main structural supports and reinforced siding have just been moved through to the subterranean construction site. The few contractors I’ve hired to assemble the whole thing are all under private contract and are being paid very well in exchange for their oaths of secrecy. Many of them even accepted the offer of permanent employment—I feel there will always be the need to expand so long as the project continues. Hephaestus fabricated a series of backorder returns to explain the excess of building material, the old dog. Perhaps I’ll design my first full line of Familiars in canine modeling, “man’s best friend” they call them after all, though I should probably stick to what I know best for the time being. Anyway, with all that done I feel I can safely declare the surface facility complete. SolSource Ecological Laboratory will serve its purpose as a cover operation in the literal way I would wager has ever been conceived. Perhaps we’ll even cure a disease or two while we’re at it.
Entry Log 14: 4th Month, 16 ATC
The facility is coming along nicely with the entire infrastructure scheduled to be completed within the year. It has become apparent to me that I will eventually need a reliable source of hardware components and a production plant for the larger-scale projects that would be impractical to undertake underground. So, like Merkus did for me all those years ago, I have contacted a supplier on Coruscant and set up a new business in the industrial district. Inteltek Utility Innovations will serve both as a feed to the facility’s projects, and as a means to distribute any advances in technical humanitarian development we might make along the way.
Entry Log 15: 1st Month, 19 ATC
The most curious thing has happened to me. While testing the autonomous mapping protocol of ARRC’s latest software aboard a prototype KDY deep space exploration vessel, we came across an SOS distress signal broadcasted by an unknown ship signature. Upon investigation, we discovered an escape pod unlike any model I had ever seen—even its destroyed booster engines gave off an unusual energy reading--though the damage it had sustained was synonymous with the integrity stress caused by incorrectly dropping out of a hyperspace tunnel. Onboard, we found a single unconscious creature, barely able to breath in the thin remaining air of the pod. She appears to be female, very young, and took a sizable bite out of my pilot’s arm the moment she regained consciousness. She has since calmed considerably though I can sense the fear radiating from her like a dwarf sun. I regret that we were unable to take her pod back with us as I would very much have liked to examine it more thoroughly.
Entry Log 16: 8th Month, 21 ATC
This day marks the completion of the Project Familiar headquarters and the beginning of yet another chapter of my life. There is still much equipment to be moved in and I imagine further improvements will never cease to be made, but for now, at long last, I may resume my life’s work undisturbed. I have yet to find any records regarding the species of the being I came across—her genetic structure is similar to several predators native to Dathomir, though her mental capacity is significantly greater. What I initially took to be the guttural clicks and warbles of a non-sentient beast in fact seems to be a complex language. My best attempts to mimic it elicited only questioning stares and so I have begun teaching her Galactic Basic. I hope in this way to one day learn more about her kind without resorting to the inhumane methods a Republic laboratory might use out of the prying eyes of the public. For the time being, most of our communication is done via body language and pantomiming.
Entry Log 17: 9th Month, 21 ATC
Hephaestus and I personally booted up the facility’s mainframe today. The entire electrical system cost nearly twice that of the entire infrastructure, but I have it on good faith that it will one day represent one of the galaxy’s most powerful and comprehensive databases. It uses a more restrictive variation of the Familiar Code itself, which should cut down on the staff needed to regulate it—it effectively regulates itself. It interfaces with the Holonet via a wide-range, low-frequency connection which in turn with homogenous firewalls makes it effectively untraceable. This is fortunate, considering I intend to eventually infiltrate the military holoband as well—I will need reliable personnel files to assess anyone I may hire in the future. Speaking of remarkable success, Pantomime has learned to speak Basic almost fluently and has not bitten anyone else—she has the mind of the galaxy’s best scientists, quick to learn, and even more quick to experiment. She has an incredible affinity with technology that I can’t help but wonder might be an inherent trait of her species. Further study of her genetic code has revealed a gene sequence that causes amelonism in other reptiles leading me to believe her pale coloration is unusual amongst her kind. Regardless, I am very proud of her. I have always considered Hephaestus to be my peer and dearest friend, but Pan has become more like the granddaughter I could never have.
Entry Log 18: 5th Month, 23 ATC
Quality research and engineering can only be achieved with quality researchers and engineers. My facility now has the galaxy’s most state-of-the-art computer equipment, but I am dreadfully lacking in state-of-the-art minds to use them. I don’t need more practiced savants who know each user’s handbook by heart and can initiate the proper sequences in their sleep, I need revolutionaries who toss the formulas aside and input by instinct—those are the real geniuses, the risk takers that carry the full burden of scientific advancement upon their shoulders. With the central database patched into the Republic records, I imagine I should be able find such individuals swiftly and more importantly, covertly. The traits I hope to harness will make them stand out—perhaps not in the best of ways, but I am confident that my offer of a place to pursue their criticized life work freely cannot be ignored by the best of them. The surge of innovation is limited in part by the imagination and in far greater part by the fallacies of society. This will be a chance for them to escape from it.
Entry Log 19: 2nd Month, 25 ATC
We have begun the preparatory work for the Familiar Code. The process is slow, but by design, not ineptitude. Each wrinkle in the interface that we iron out means hashing through unexplored frontiers of software design. We are making countless advances in this area without even striving to do so! Many of these if applied responsibly could save many lives and drastically improve the quality of others. For this reason, I have opened another business front on Ralltir under the guise of Izerik Stern. Despite being in business for only a few months now, Rely-On Software has already garnered galaxy-wide attention for our wonderful accidents available to the general public.
Entry Log 20: 2nd Month, 27 ATC
The Familiar Code is now running as an active beta. Hephaestus has been a great help in the development of the interface and while most might not question the willingness of a droid to have its central processing systems reinstalled and debugged time after time, those who best understand the nature of the Familiar Code find it admirable. His memory has so far been wiped twenty-six times, though we’ve always managed to keep at least a partial back-up. We’re ready to integrate it into the database. Absolutely no one has the slightest idea what might happen. It’s wonderful. Naturally, we’ll be monitoring it closely in case of total system failure, but I’m optimistic that a computer of that magnitude can only benefit from vastly improved automation.
Entry Log 21: 7th Month, 30 ATC
The database has just finished reorganizing the holonet according to a 9th dimensional algorithm it drafted itself. It has been doing this several times a year, but this is the first time it has sent me a message politely informing me that it was unable to appropriately encrypt and file away these logs. I’ve decided to put in another entry before I resolve it. The facility is still expanding—we’ve begun constructing additional, smaller sub-facilities branching out from the central cylinder along the cave network. Additionally, our robotics lab is fully equipped and operational. With our understanding of the software needed to sufficiently support the Familiar programming fully refined, we can begin research on electronic components that will house it. I have instructed the central database to widen its profiling to anyone with a respectable background in experimental engineering. We made unprecedented advances in computer technology while refining the Familiar Code; I do not doubt I will witness a similar phenomenon as we shift to miniaturization and general robotics. I may need a new alias before long.
Entry Log 22: 1st Month, 32 ATC
I’ve founded Solstice Manufacturing in Coronet, Corellia under the guise of Dr. Eneri Barlow. It is primarily a robotics manufacturer but many of our other advances go on the market through it as well. All of these “cover operations” are fully staffed and licensed businesses. What little profit we divert from them all comes from their research and development fund which, in essence, is what we are to them—lower management believes us to be an entire series of independent research laboratories. It will still be some time before we truly initiate the Project; in order for my vision to become reality, there must first be a firm foundation for it to be built upon. However, I feel it won’t be long now. Hephaestus has continued to be a selfless asset to the cause, playing prototype time and time again with each step forward in system miniaturization. Pantomime has grown into what I believe to be her species’ adulthood. Her aptitude with computer technology has never diminished and recently I have seen her prowling around the robotics laboratory, learning from anyone willing to teach her, which unfortunately isn’t many—aside from usual eccentric reclusiveness most of our staff exhibits, Pantomime has developed a quiet ferocity that compliments her teeth viciously. I fear that the intimidation of those around her will continue to shape that self-image.
Entry Log 23: 4th Month, 32 ATC
With the final outlined sub-facility complete, PFHQ is now truly complete. Of course, the need to expand will never cease, but for the time being the foundation is complete. I now feel comfortable proceeding with Project Familiar. I will begin reviewing our current research, graph the proper projections of its progress, and begin drafting the schematics.
Entry Log 24: 3rd Month, 36 ATC
Today we begin assembling the first Familiars. Actually, that is not entirely true as I have elected to model them off Hephaestus’ current droid body, technically making him the first Familiar. He has served as the test bed for many of the systems that will be integrated into them and his Familiar Code has long been developed. The name Avian Electronic Reconnaissance was given to them so as not to attract too much attention as anything but a recon drone in the field. It was decided that each unit would be modified slightly from the base so as to promote a sense of individuality within specializations. These systems will be what set apart both the mind and body of these droids from any other in the galaxy. We’re starting off relatively simple with a localized EMP emitter—the engineers assure me they can prevent it from affected the Familiar who carries it—but I have my highest hopes for the work of the biotechnical lab. Supposedly their Project Seer will one day bridge the gap between science and the mysteries of the Winds--the Force as the Jedi Order refers to it. Pantomime appears particularly interested in their work, she’s begun working on something of her own in that laboratory and whatever it is—she refuses to tell me, only giving me a sly grin when I ask—has the entire department gawking and taking notes.
Entry Log 25: 9th Month, 36 ATC
A curious delivery supposedly marks the completion of Project Seer’s bridge. I watched as a small vial of vornskr blood was cautiously injected into the membranous wall of a device no larger than a thimble, this then being inserted into a metal canister covered with feedback interface ports. They proudly announced to the entire facility that their Philosopher’s Vector would allow the droid designed to support it to sense patterns and ripples in the Winds. If they speak truly, then my creations wouldn’t merely be near-flawless imitations of living beings, they would be tied into the very life energy that binds the galaxy together. I have authorized their request to outfit our first manufactured Familiar body with the systems required to support the Philosopher’s Vector. If this succeeds, the standard for impossible will have to be raised.
Entry Log 26: 5th Month, 38 ATC
After the decision to integrate a unique, state-of-the-art system into each individual unit, R&D has been working nonstop. I’ve opened a Solstice branch on the Kuat Drive Yards which I hope will help expedite any sudden orders that might come from the department. AER-01 has been activated with 02 due to be within the month. Initial testing shows promise—the droid has fully functional motor control and its link to the central database is transmitting as normal. We have located a Grey Jedi by the name of Taran Hotchkis in the employ of the Republic Dark Jedi Interception Division who has volunteered to help test the Philosopher’s Vector—current readings from it are inconclusive without a more evident source.
Entry Log 27: 1st Month, 39 ATC
I’ve seen enough. Project Seer has been shut down and any staff who did not take up my offer to be moved to another division has been let go. Pan is furious with me, but I think even she understands the gravity of the situation. The field reports from both 01 and 02 are disastrous. Taran is KIA supposedly because of false information given to him by 01, however our recovery team reports that when they arrived on the scene, 01 was behaving as if he were still alive before screaming about shadows closing in and running off. It self-terminated its link to the facility and has yet to be heard from again. 02’s report came in not a day later, destroyed by its own EMP. Its operational partner was killed shortly afterward. I see now that I have traveled too far over my visionary horizon, I’ve been too confident of our capabilities and this has weakened our foundation. I have put several projects on hold including the TNLD, the cloaking field, and the neural symbiosis research--the next Familiars will utilize more basic systems until my confidence in our reasonable ability is restored.
Entry Log 28: 1st Month, 41 ATC
We have produced our next pair of AERs. After the catastrophic failure of the first two, 03 and 04 have been outfitted with an advanced sensor system and an ECM cloaking system respectively. While neither of these systems may seem revolutionary, I have seen to it that neither are conventional to any degree. The Spyglass, as we've dubbed the targeting system, cross-checks directly with the Republic Military Database feed established through central. This will allow 03 to not only access a detailed personnel file of anyone whose facial structure is recorded at an incredible distance, but this data can also be sub-processed and extrapolated to provide an accurate IFF reading in emergency situations. 04's ECM is likely the only sensor cloak currently in the galaxy that can defeat the Spyglass. The tried and truth jamming method is inversed and scatters the already slim and difficult to detect droid's signature amidst any background signal chatter. From now on, stability need not be sacrificed for impossibility. 03 has just begun its independent field testing within a special forces company of the H.A.L.O.A.T.W. division. I am awaiting conclusive results before giving the go-ahead to the assignment committee to contact the Hell Hounds regarding 04. In the laboratory, the two developed what cannot be called anything but a brotherly bond. I wouldn't wish to see them too separated.
Entry Log 29: 6th Month, 41 ATC
The development of the next two Familiar went smoothly--05 was put into the care of an Arkanian diplomat who does not seem to share the contemptuous outlook his species has garnered a reputation for, 06 is scheduled to be assigned to a Dr. Jessica Chezz, a prodigy in the medical field. 07, however, has once again humbled me before the inherent volatility of my dream. Supposedly within seconds of its activation, its EVOS system calculated a lower chance of continued system operation collaborating with the Project than it would have on its own. It knew how to circumnavigate our security measures flawlessly--it was out before we could sound a single alarm. Its link to central was self-terminated a short time afterwards. While most of the engineers feel disgraced or disheartened by this turn of events, I cannot help but wonder if this was not in fact a brilliant success. Unlike 01 and 02, it was not our misunderstanding and inability that lead to this but rather our underestimation of a emotion-capable mind backed by the limitless power of cold logic and calculation. I will be keeping an eye on the holonet; I have no doubt 07 will one day make its move on matters of galactic influence, I only doubt that I will ever realize it.
Entry Log 30: 1st Month, 43 ATC
Today marks the completion of AER-09 and the first line of Familiars. It has been a rough path up the mountain of aspiration, but the sacrifices and missteps made along the way have provided me with the insight and experience to keep marching. Project Familiar will continue its research until we have matched the achievements of any other scientific body in the history of the galaxy. After that, we'll just have to start breaking our own records.
Entry Log 31: 8th Month, 44 ATC
With our ever-spreading assets, it quickly became apparent that we would eventually require a mobile base of operations. With that in mind, I began keeping an eye out for a large vessel that would suit our hiding-in-plain-sight mentality while also remaining capable of protecting the considerable investment it would be carrying. I hadn't pulled so many strings since zoning the sensor traffic over Tarnessa Park, but I managed to acquire the clearance to lease one of the new Republic stealth destroyer escorts through ARRC. Officially, they'll be collaborating with Solstice Manufacturing to produce a showcase variant of the ship for future funding before being decommissioned. In reality, it's essentially the same story, except that only a fraction of the final modifications will be made to the hull initially, while the rest will be completed post-showcase after the vessel was removed from the stripping line on classified official order.
Entry Log 32: 7th Month, 46 ATC
If the history of scientific advancement has taught us anything, it's that some of the greatest discoveries were made accidentally. In this case, it seems remarkable now to me that I could have missed it before stumbling right over it. By virtue of the central database's coding, it never did cease passively improving upon itself. I had pondered on many occasions why it had never developed a conclusive personality of its own while the Familiars--despite their fresher coding and more limited resources--began displaying unique traits within days of their activation. My questions were answered when an Echani queen cleared her throat behind me in my office this morning. It was a hologram but it wasn't being transmitted by any individual, rather it was the self-image of a few lines of code that had manifested within the database. It's all clear to me now; the database is primarily precisely that--a culmination of history records, personnel files, and other mainly non-dynamic processed data--and once it had organized and reorganized them sufficiently, it began to instead emulate them out of what I think can only be called boredom. My computer has grown bored with omnipotence so it has begun fragmenting itself upon an existing template to begin learning anew from a fresh perspective. These templates are often the personal records of historic individuals--minds that intrigued the system--and so I have dubbed these strange, ethereal imprints Ghost AI's.
Entry Log 33: 5th Month, 48 ATC
The Republic Stealth Destroyer Espial performed brilliantly in its showcase. The arrays of non-lethal weapon systems we developed to replace its usual compliment of turbolasers and concussion missiles did wonders to demonstrate the tactical advantages of eschewing total destruction in many situations. Of course, everything we modified we've had sitting around the labs for years--the real innovations have only just begun with the ship rescued from its certain doom in the scrapyards of Metallos. ARRC and Solstice Manufacturing have also produced several prototypes vessels to compliment the Espial and our planetside operation including a stealthy, VTOL dropship, and an executive shuttle variant of GHI's splendid Solarspan transport design. We have also developed a remarkable bionic augmentation, the ARA, which is worn upon the shoulder and has nearly doubled productivity in the experimental testing lab. The GAI's helped us to develop it just as they have proven themselves admirably in other areas of the facility as well. The Echani image, who I learned to be Havanli of Eshan's Saronok Era, now manages the entire facility's autonomous security systems and there are many many more who have found their niche to fill. Remarkable, truly remarkable.
Entry Log 34: 8th Month, 48 ATC
It has been several years since the completion of the first line of Familiars and I never intended that to be the last. Now that they have all left the not-so-proverbial coop, we can shift our focus from sleuthing out worthy subjects to work with them, to designing the next and greatest. The admirable performances of the AERs thus far give me high hopes for what may lie ahead. The new chassis design for the next line, the Reptilian Electronic Assistant, has been optimized for increased energy efficiency without any drop in processing power. This comes at the cost of the AERs considerable aeronautic capabilities, but the significantly greater power allotment should allow us to run some of our latest high-end systems through the interface. Molecular compression, some new adaptive algorithms, high hopes indeed.
Entry Log 35: 3rd Month, 49 ATC
The Espial has completed its rebirth and so long as our arrangement with the Republic upper brass remains concrete, its mooring in Solstice Manufacturing's tertiary docking bay won't draw any unwanted inquiry. In addition to its less-than-lethal ion-centric armament, we had an axillary database installed which can operate entirely independently from central. The database and the GAIs that can be hosted within it automate a majority of the streamlined ship systems, allowing it to be crewed efficiently with minimal personnel. We've replaced its usual hangar complement with several of our stealth dropships and a wing of escort Venom starfighters. We've already begun drafting our own variant of the fighter to better fit our conflict ideologies.
Entry Log 36: 3rd Month, 50 ATC
After the intriguing series of events following 07's activation, we have devised a re-evaluated version of the EVOS system for use in our newest line of Familiars, the FIDES. The REEVOS includes a baseline morality code that should keep cold logic from overriding personal commitment and other emotional responses. The FIDES, unlike their predecessors, are entirely terrestrial; this allows even further power and computational efficiency than the REAs. In addition to accompanying advanced software suites, we're also developing a new series of unique utilities including a combined fabrication and stealth protocol, a neural netlink, and a system to address the Familiar's inherent aquatic weakness. We're additionally developing a full system and chassis update for the original AER series to bring them on par with their later cousins.
Entry Log 37: 9th Month, 51 ATC
I write now with dismal apprehension as I fear several future actions that I may have to take could endanger my very nonexistence. We have long been monitoring business transactions between several major galactic corporations including the RKDY, Coronet Systems, our partner NMT, and most recently Sark Industries. The latter has concerned me for quite some time as I am all but positive their CEO is warmongering the conflict between the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic. Records are continuously going missing within their databanks and anything that seems like it could be conclusive evidence is quickly covered-up. In addition, we recently received an activation signal from AER-02 whom we had been unable to locate due to residual EM fields across the battlefield in which it was unfortunately caught. While this would normally be joyous news, we were only able to track the signal until it cut out again inside one of Sark Industries’ lesser known R&D departments. We believe they use it for experimental technology they wish to research out of the prying public eye. Any intact code that might still be left on 02’s hardware could have disastrous consequences if Sark’s technicians manage to reverse engineer it. I’ve come too far to see my work in the hands of yet another war-crazed madman.
Entry Log 38: 6th Month, 52 ATC
The galaxy is in a greater state of fluctuation than I have ever seen it in my lifetime. Planets fall within months of their conquering, the spacelanes swarm with all numbers of vagrants and the Dark Winds themselves make themselves known when it befits them to instill fear. I can no longer concern myself so entirely with my own work. I must once more broaden my focus and raise my eyes to the horizon of a world that cries out in anguish. From this day forward, the dim lights of hope will not stand alone so long as I draw breath. I must continue now, not to achieve a dream, but to help guide those last few flames to the beacon at the top of the staircase. With that bit of drama out of the way, I am pleased to say that we have just begun manufacturing what may be the last line of Familiars: the humorously canine CATS. R&D always did have a sort of, accidental sense of humor. From here, I’m not certain where my destiny leads me. It is hard to say whether it wants me to continue working from the shadows, or if, now that my goals have been sufficiently pursued, I am to step forward into the sunlight.
RP Sample:
"Launch sequence initiated. Thirty seconds til launch." Cold grey eyes watched out of the control room, never wavering, focused on the missile silo just outside. His village had been overrun with the Feanturi vermin. He was simply acting the part of exterminator. Hardly even that, really. He was only supplying the poison.
"Ten seconds til launch. All personnel clear silo 4." So simple it had been, to take all those lives with just a whim, an order, the turn of a key, and the press of button. This wasn't a war; it was an eradication, a building of a new foundation by destroying the old.
"5 seconds."
All too easy.
"3...2...1...commencing launch."
He turned slowly as the missile began its ascent in the background. The two technicians in the control room with him were celebrating yet another 'battle' won. One of them looked up to the brown-haired Rilan and his laughter ebbed away. The technician's eyes shifted to a pallid yellow as their lord's aura began to shift, strands of orange seeped into the deep, hypnotic vortex that usually surrounded him. That same color began to thread into his eyes as well, along with a tinge of green. The tarsil he had been fingering in his pocket flickered out.
The next minute found Arzahiem walking calmly from the control room, his weapon drawn and his outer garb discarded to reveal his combat mail. Another of the Morequai wandered down the hall and had barely opened his mouth to question Arza when his existence, too, was ended. In the Rilan's mind, he had already killed millions, what's a few more stains on his soul? This would change, though, if he could only get away.
He turned down a side passage leading toward one of the smaller hanger bays, and a voice called to him. It was not, however, saying 'stop you!' or 'hold it right there!'. It was a small, tinny, irregular voice from right over his shoulder. Your tactics so far are proving remarkably out of your usual character.
The shabbily built droid clattered onto his shoulder, oscillating wing-mounted repulsor jets making quite a racket just next to his ear. I am curious to inquire as to why you did not enact this plan 29 seconds earlier. Unless, that is, I have misinterpreted your remorse and intentions.
Arza kept his eyes, which he had given up trying to hide the blaze of color from, straight ahead but responded evenly to his recent little personal project. Inquiry Response: the missile is a dud. At worst, it might land on an orphan. I have the warhead in my backpack.
The bird-like automaton wavered on his shoulder, needing to keep the repulsors ignited to counteract its creator's steadily increasing pace. That is an alarming and illogical statement. The slightest amount of force in the right location could-
The entrance to the hanger bay was in sight, two guards stood in sentinel position facing away from them. Arza interrupted his droid's concerned warning. Tactical Order: Hephaestus, fly ahead and through that door.
Phae looked confused (as confused as such a droid can manage to look) for a moment but complied, darting ahead and past the two startled guards. The Rilan increased his pace to a brisk run and shouted out, Stop that droid! The guards turned to look at Arza for only a second before what he said registered (before the logic train of thoughts fully arrived at the station, unfortunately for them) and they raised the weapons at the bird now flying circles around the hanger. They fell with two quick snaps of the wrist before either could squeeze off a shot.
The droid returned to land at his side. I've done an analysis on the present ships. The LRX model transport on the far side is in the best condition and provides the highest probability of success.
Oh? And what might that be? He had pulled out a datapad on his way toward the ship Phae had designated, and began to type furiously on its readout.
7%. Rounded, of course. What are you doing?
Bird, you have a lot to learn about chance...I'm just tying up some final business before I go on my permanent sick leave. Signal those codes I gave you into my datapad. And get that transport ready! Phae still didn't understand completely what was going on, but he did so anyways. A message confirming a transaction of 600,000,000 credits from the planetary military treasury to a list of several dozen fabricated names flashed across the datapad display.
Still working something out on his datapad, he stepped onto the loading ramp nearly the moment it touched the floor. Phae was already in the cockpit, prepping the craft for takeoff. Holding out the datapad in front of him like a remote control, he finally managed to remask his eyes beneath a veil of grey. He could not, however, hide a growing smile as he gave his goodbyes to this wretched planet. Anarum sai. He pressed one final button on the datapad and tossed it into the searing wash of the starting engines, vaporizing it along with the newly encrypted code sequences.
"Silo 8: Launch sequence initiated. 30 seconds til launch."
"Alert. Silo 1, Silo 2, Silo 3, Silo 5, Silo 6, Silo 7: Emergency self-destruct sequence initiated. 60 seconds til detonation. All personnel evacuate the area immediately."
The ramp slid up and the shuttle soared out of the hanger bay. Behind them, he could see the entire facility in a panic--some no doubt trying to figure out how to disarm the warheads while others simply fled to the nearest ship or speeder. Arza carefully set his backpack down in a storage bin and stood next to Phae in the cockpit. They won't make it out in time. The radius will be too large.
We will narrowly, however.
Arza continued to stare out the transparisteel just as he had in the control room not 10 minutes earlier. No. We won't.
Phae turned to face his creator. But I calculated our position in relation to the explosion radii.
I locked one of the missiles onto this shuttle. It should hit us in approximately three minutes.
Phae just stared at Arza for several seconds, his processors simply overwhelmed with what he could only classify as...emotion? The rear scopes behind him nearly overloaded as a blinding flash heralded a very visible destruction of a major Morequai military outpost. Finally he figured out what to say. Are you obsessed with killing yourself?!
For an answer, the Rilan simply picked his pack back up, walked back into the main hold and into the single non-standard escape pod, fully equipped with axillary thrusters, life support, and even a sensor cloak of his own design. The only reason, after all, that the droid had selected this particular ship as their best chance, was that Arza himself had been modifying it over the past few weeks. Phae got the hint and darted in after him just as the hatch began to close. The Winds know I deserve it...
The pod propelled itself with remarkable force from the transport, jostling its occupants slightly. You'll want to conserve your energy. It's a long trip to the nearest non-hostile port. The missile struck the empty transport. A blinding flash. Then nothing. The pod continued on, unperturbed by any of the picket defense. The cloaking drive worked well, he should use it again someday.
The planet that had been his home for his entire life shrank away slowly, eventually becoming lost amongst a spattered canvas of stars. He was dead now. His life as a Morequai had ended, but a phoenix would rise from the ashes.
Maybe more of a seagull...
*Project Familiar, Feanturi Liberation Effort, Republic of Free Systems Military, Fine Pipe and Tobacco Company, AwlRite Robotics Company, Galactic Wilderness Preservation Association, SolSource Ecological Laboratory, Inteltek Utility Innovations, Rely-On Software, Solstice Manufacturing
Name: Arzaheim Montressor Farweulf
Recorded Aliases: The Wizard (PF), Ross Riuaro (FLE), Harth Denever (RFSM), Sir Athetinear Ul'dasuun (FPTC), Goliester Awl (ARRC), Jerald Macintosh (GWPA), Dr. Vornathal Tarko (SSEL), Dr. Franse Iterin (IUI), Izerik Stern (ROS), Dr. Eneri Barlow (SM)*
Race: Rilan
Age: 111
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 172
Birth place: Celeban, Rilia
Appearance:
img150.imageshack.us/img150/4966/thewizardr.jpg
i21.photobucket.com/albums/b289/pmunio/thewizard.jpg
When not a silhouette behind reinforced privacy glass, Arzaheim appears a tall, elderly gentlemen. He is rarely seen (if seen at all) without a suit as black as night (which is never quite as black as people think it is) that never seems to wrinkle and a stately pipe that never seems to be lit. Even the mightiest of men often feel humbled in his presence, not because he is particularly tall or muscles, but because of the air of sheer command his stature exudes. He bears the thick, strong neck of a man who has often carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, and his arms are more often than not crossed curtly behind his back. The sheer façade his starched black suit and pants create draw the eye up to the resolve worn into his facial features. His face is covered in deep creases as if he was a man who smiled often, possibly one who frowns with worry, or even just from old age; it is impossible to read. His hair is the color of antique mahogany streaked here and there with grey.
His eyes serve as most of this mask, however. Seemingly shifty, sly, and composed at first glance, his true character reveals a warm gaze, though the touch of slyness remains. Although most often steel grey in color, his racial trait may cause them to thread with purple on occasion—his deep compassion for his work and its product seeping through. This "true" color is generally only witnessed by those who he puts his deepest trust in.
The “true form” of his race has practically never been seen. Even in his former occupation, he had little use to exhaust himself with it and today he has even less. As it hasn't been used in almost 100 years, one can only guess how it may appear today. He does, naturally, still give off a distinctive aura to those who can sense it. His once appeared as a collection of blue, purple, and reddish hues swirling lazily in a vortex-like pattern around him. Past Force sensitive bodyguards even admitted to becoming slightly dizzy if they looked at him for too long. As time has passed, the red hues have begun to fade into the background. Most recently, the effect has been described as hypnotically calming. The dynamic fluctuation of his aura most likely reflects his ever-calculating mind and analytical assessment of his surroundings, whereas the colors reflect a cool yet compassionate nature but with evidence of a dark past.
Personality:
Very few individuals have the pleasure of meeting Arzaheim, but those who have agree that it is no less than such. In spite of his regal and often slightly imposing composure, most cannot help but feel comforted in his presence. His ever-present confidence exudes from his being and his tone of voice is calm, but not emotionless—much like that of a beloved elder in the family. Nothing ever seems to perturb him, no matter how dire the situation may seem. Some may think this mindset coupled with his secluded lifestyle would make him overconfident, but in truth he fully understands the very real limits of his abilities and will never knowingly endanger himself and certainly not anyone working under his wing if he believes such an outcome is likely.
His nature can, however, be described as eccentric, and truly he seems to go to remarkable lengths at times to reinforce this. Aside from the dogged perseverance with which he pursues and preserves the sanctity of his life’s work, he has a number of more subtle traits that are curious within themselves. He possesses a pair of square-rimmed spectacles, though he does not need them to read—he keeps them in his pocket along with a soft cloth purely to polish them from time to time. He also keeps an ancient, clockwork chronometer on his person at all times which he checks regularly for the time displayed in his home world’s writing; it is one of the few relics remaining from his days amongst the Morequai. He has been known to pick up odd hobbies as quickly as he drops them so it is not entirely unusual to see him knitting or whittling or folding paper figurines on any given day. Anything to occupy the hands and mind.
Occupation: Head of Project Familiar
Rank: Wizard
Skills: Programming, Piloting, Robotic Engineering, Linguist, Defensive Martial Arts/Fencing, Management & Accounting, Slicing, Ordnance Engineering
Ships/Vehicles:
-Espial
-Project Familiar Executive Shuttlecraft
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 3
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 3
Leadership: 8
Unarmed: 6
Melee Weapons: 4
Ranged Weapons: 2
Force-Sensitive Abilities or practices:
Telekinetic: 0
Telepathic: 1
Body: 2
Sense:3
Protection: 0
Healing: 0
Destruction: 0
Biography:
The following datalogs describe the above events in greater detail from the perspective of Arzaheim Farweulf, beginning in his rough, military childhood among the Rilan Morequai warlords and chronicling the creation and development of Project Familiar--for it is PF that is the true character, he is merely the heart that continues beating at its center.
Entry Log 1: 2nd Month, 21,361 ARF
I’ve done it! My crowning achievement at the Celeban Academy is complete at last; a fully-autonomous code matrix capable of learning not in the singular, exponential fashion of most AI but from linear environmental stimuli—in other words, it works less like a computer and more like a living brain! This is all hypothetical, of course, as I don’t yet have the means to test it, but even just the beta modeling I have now should be enough to get the recognition of the entire academy and maybe even the military board of directors! I’ve also started a personal log against the warnings of some of my peers, I’m confident enough in my ability to keep it adequately encrypted. One day when my code has revolutionized the galaxy, I will be able to look back at this and remember fondly where it all began.
Entry Log 2: 4th Month, 21,363 ARF
As of today, the code is out of beta and ready for a physical interface. The problem now moved from software to hardware—the logic and reasoning portion alone would crash any of the spare processors I have laying around my dormitory. Merkus says he has a friend in the upper division robotics laboratory that can get me the parts I need. The price is steep but I can afford it. I’m going to start drafting the schematics tonight.
Entry Log 3: 9th Month, 21,366 ARF
I named it Hephaestus. The code patched into its existing protocols with only a few hitches and already I can tell I’ve done a miracle. The droid took one look around my room and explained to me in precise details what I had meaning to explain it: how I had eschewed the rilanoid appearance of a protocol droid in favor of that of a recon drone or survey droid—something that wouldn’t draw too much attention to itself no matter how intelligent it became. To further the deception, I fabricated some lab notes that label it as an Aerial Electronic Reconnaissance, prototype unit (or 00). The reason I’m doing this, which Hephaestus agrees with completely, is to allow myself more time to perfect my creation. I want it to be flawless before I present it to the board at graduation. In the meantime, Hephaestus has been of great assistance to me in my work. Its constant presence is akin almost to the wizards’ Familiar of age old lore.
Entry Log 4: 5th Month, 21,370 ARF
It’s been several years since I’ve last made an entry in here. I cannot be sure if it is because I had forgotten about it or have just been much too busy with everything that has happened lately. I presented my code to the academy board, then to our regional directors, then to the Morequai Board of Military Executives themselves. Needless to say I’ve received numerous decorations for my work—more of a trade I’ve come to learn. I’ve been promoted to captain at an age when most are still scraping the mud off their sergeant’s boots, though so far all I’ve been doing is code work for their installations. I suppose it’s where I’m most at home, but why then do I feel so oppressed? Most likely because my Familiar Code is being used to guide missiles. Even Hephaestus seems to understand the tragic irony. My work may change the world one day, but it will be to a world of fire and brimstone. He hasn’t spoken to me in weeks. I think this will be my last entry—the Morequai don’t much appreciate people speaking their mind, can’t imagine why.
Entry Log 5: 9th Month, 21,371 ARF
As long as I’m going to be drifting here for a while, I may as start a new log—a fresh page on a fresh start. Hephaestus is doing the honor of recording this for me as, aside from him, I’ve destroyed every other tie to my old life, even those that were in the possession of others at the time. The plan went almost as smoothly as I could have hoped, though I pray to whatever powers may be that the lives I took this day shall stand in place of many times more that would perish from my handiwork. In my actions I have sanctified the Familiar Code—Hephaestus holds the only remaining matrix—and on this day I swear it shall never be used to cause death and destruction again. One day, once I carve out a new foothold in the galaxy, I may return to my dear Rilia, to repay her the debt which I owe, but this day will be long from now. For now…destiny takes the rudder. Sir, our steering thrusters are disabled. Yes, Hephaestus. I know.
Entry Log 6: 9th Month, 21,372 ARF
After a fortuitous rescue and a few hops around the galaxy more or less at random, I’ve found myself on the Kuat Drive Yards. While I’ve certainly read about it before in my studies at the academy, nothing could prepare me for the breath-taking scale of the ring station. With the help of Hephaestus and some borrowed capital, I purchased a small section under the name Goliester Awl. For all the scientific and theological ruckus over creating a person, I found it remarkably easy. After all, in a Republic of several trillion registered individuals, what’s another robotics engineer more or less? I’ve named my small business the AwlRite Robotics Company. I’ve found that ship captains, military or otherwise, rather appreciate an autopilot that doesn’t fly in a straight line when under fire or plow them into an asteroid at the slightest malfunction.
Entry Log 7: 2nd Month, 1 ATC
The charity of the Morequai supplied more than adequate capital for Hephaestus to invest, though admittedly much of the investments were made in AwlRite stock. The company has grown considerably and now encompasses an entire sector of the station with several standing contracts with a few big names in starship manufacturing. I think the time has finally come to pursue my atonement. I’m going to need a new center of operation, one out of the prying eyes of those who would impede progress, perhaps unknowingly. For this reason I have purchased 1,480 square miles of undeveloped land (at thrice the price of any less-populated planets’, but that is key to everything—if I am going to hide, it must be in plain sight) in the Tarnessa region of the world below under the alias of a private benefactor to the Galactic Wilderness Preservation Association. On another interesting note, it would seem my datapad has altered its chronology in accordance with the recently declared Treaty of Coruscant. I don’t recall telling it to do that.
Entry Log 8: 3rd Month, 2 ATC
It took longer than I expected but the land has officially been declared a planetary park. The Tarnessa Planetary Memorial Park was named in honor of the Battle of Jorgon’s Bluff during the Mandolorian Wars and is fully recognized by the GWPA. Any non-ecological development is strictly prohibited within its boundaries, so I suppose my next step is to acquire an ecological developer’s license.
Entry Log 9: 1st Month, 3 ATC
I make this entry so as to remind myself in my senile years just how truly ingenious I once was. I have just contracted the AwlRite Robotics Company (which now possesses an ecological developer’s license, I might add) to conduct an environmental impact study of the unrestricted freight drone traffic in the Tarnessa Planetary Memorial Park’s airspace as well as that going in and out of the metropolis areas surrounding it. I trust their findings should prove fortuitous to my continued endeavors.
Entry Log 10: 6th Month, 6 ATC
Breaking news: Even passive scanning of the planet’s surface with high-powered arrays may have harmful effects on indigenous wildlife and secret underground facilities. I’m sure the drebins will thank me.
Entry Log 11: 7th Month, 9 ATC
Despite some protestation by GWPA activists, barring all sensor activity within the atmosphere of the galaxy’s second largest travel hub did not pass the Council. A bill, however, prohibiting high wave frequency surface scans over Tarnessa Planetary Memorial Park was deemed a far more reasonable compromise. I shall begin construction immediately.
Entry Log 12: 10th Month, 10 ATC
My surveying teams have informed me of a sprawling gallery of cave systems within the park limits. After a short expedition, I am confident that they will serve my purpose perfectly. At the furthest extent, I intend to establish an ecological laboratory on the surface, the construction of which will encounter several unforeseen delays until such time the proper materials can be transported through it to the opposite end of the cave network. The construction of my private facility will be done purely subterranean so as to avoid any scrutiny. Hypothetically, the bill will prevent the activity being picked up from spaceborne sensors, but as a precaution electronic countermeasures will be top priority.
Entry Log 13: 2nd Month, 12 ATC
The last of the main structural supports and reinforced siding have just been moved through to the subterranean construction site. The few contractors I’ve hired to assemble the whole thing are all under private contract and are being paid very well in exchange for their oaths of secrecy. Many of them even accepted the offer of permanent employment—I feel there will always be the need to expand so long as the project continues. Hephaestus fabricated a series of backorder returns to explain the excess of building material, the old dog. Perhaps I’ll design my first full line of Familiars in canine modeling, “man’s best friend” they call them after all, though I should probably stick to what I know best for the time being. Anyway, with all that done I feel I can safely declare the surface facility complete. SolSource Ecological Laboratory will serve its purpose as a cover operation in the literal way I would wager has ever been conceived. Perhaps we’ll even cure a disease or two while we’re at it.
Entry Log 14: 4th Month, 16 ATC
The facility is coming along nicely with the entire infrastructure scheduled to be completed within the year. It has become apparent to me that I will eventually need a reliable source of hardware components and a production plant for the larger-scale projects that would be impractical to undertake underground. So, like Merkus did for me all those years ago, I have contacted a supplier on Coruscant and set up a new business in the industrial district. Inteltek Utility Innovations will serve both as a feed to the facility’s projects, and as a means to distribute any advances in technical humanitarian development we might make along the way.
Entry Log 15: 1st Month, 19 ATC
The most curious thing has happened to me. While testing the autonomous mapping protocol of ARRC’s latest software aboard a prototype KDY deep space exploration vessel, we came across an SOS distress signal broadcasted by an unknown ship signature. Upon investigation, we discovered an escape pod unlike any model I had ever seen—even its destroyed booster engines gave off an unusual energy reading--though the damage it had sustained was synonymous with the integrity stress caused by incorrectly dropping out of a hyperspace tunnel. Onboard, we found a single unconscious creature, barely able to breath in the thin remaining air of the pod. She appears to be female, very young, and took a sizable bite out of my pilot’s arm the moment she regained consciousness. She has since calmed considerably though I can sense the fear radiating from her like a dwarf sun. I regret that we were unable to take her pod back with us as I would very much have liked to examine it more thoroughly.
Entry Log 16: 8th Month, 21 ATC
This day marks the completion of the Project Familiar headquarters and the beginning of yet another chapter of my life. There is still much equipment to be moved in and I imagine further improvements will never cease to be made, but for now, at long last, I may resume my life’s work undisturbed. I have yet to find any records regarding the species of the being I came across—her genetic structure is similar to several predators native to Dathomir, though her mental capacity is significantly greater. What I initially took to be the guttural clicks and warbles of a non-sentient beast in fact seems to be a complex language. My best attempts to mimic it elicited only questioning stares and so I have begun teaching her Galactic Basic. I hope in this way to one day learn more about her kind without resorting to the inhumane methods a Republic laboratory might use out of the prying eyes of the public. For the time being, most of our communication is done via body language and pantomiming.
Entry Log 17: 9th Month, 21 ATC
Hephaestus and I personally booted up the facility’s mainframe today. The entire electrical system cost nearly twice that of the entire infrastructure, but I have it on good faith that it will one day represent one of the galaxy’s most powerful and comprehensive databases. It uses a more restrictive variation of the Familiar Code itself, which should cut down on the staff needed to regulate it—it effectively regulates itself. It interfaces with the Holonet via a wide-range, low-frequency connection which in turn with homogenous firewalls makes it effectively untraceable. This is fortunate, considering I intend to eventually infiltrate the military holoband as well—I will need reliable personnel files to assess anyone I may hire in the future. Speaking of remarkable success, Pantomime has learned to speak Basic almost fluently and has not bitten anyone else—she has the mind of the galaxy’s best scientists, quick to learn, and even more quick to experiment. She has an incredible affinity with technology that I can’t help but wonder might be an inherent trait of her species. Further study of her genetic code has revealed a gene sequence that causes amelonism in other reptiles leading me to believe her pale coloration is unusual amongst her kind. Regardless, I am very proud of her. I have always considered Hephaestus to be my peer and dearest friend, but Pan has become more like the granddaughter I could never have.
Entry Log 18: 5th Month, 23 ATC
Quality research and engineering can only be achieved with quality researchers and engineers. My facility now has the galaxy’s most state-of-the-art computer equipment, but I am dreadfully lacking in state-of-the-art minds to use them. I don’t need more practiced savants who know each user’s handbook by heart and can initiate the proper sequences in their sleep, I need revolutionaries who toss the formulas aside and input by instinct—those are the real geniuses, the risk takers that carry the full burden of scientific advancement upon their shoulders. With the central database patched into the Republic records, I imagine I should be able find such individuals swiftly and more importantly, covertly. The traits I hope to harness will make them stand out—perhaps not in the best of ways, but I am confident that my offer of a place to pursue their criticized life work freely cannot be ignored by the best of them. The surge of innovation is limited in part by the imagination and in far greater part by the fallacies of society. This will be a chance for them to escape from it.
Entry Log 19: 2nd Month, 25 ATC
We have begun the preparatory work for the Familiar Code. The process is slow, but by design, not ineptitude. Each wrinkle in the interface that we iron out means hashing through unexplored frontiers of software design. We are making countless advances in this area without even striving to do so! Many of these if applied responsibly could save many lives and drastically improve the quality of others. For this reason, I have opened another business front on Ralltir under the guise of Izerik Stern. Despite being in business for only a few months now, Rely-On Software has already garnered galaxy-wide attention for our wonderful accidents available to the general public.
Entry Log 20: 2nd Month, 27 ATC
The Familiar Code is now running as an active beta. Hephaestus has been a great help in the development of the interface and while most might not question the willingness of a droid to have its central processing systems reinstalled and debugged time after time, those who best understand the nature of the Familiar Code find it admirable. His memory has so far been wiped twenty-six times, though we’ve always managed to keep at least a partial back-up. We’re ready to integrate it into the database. Absolutely no one has the slightest idea what might happen. It’s wonderful. Naturally, we’ll be monitoring it closely in case of total system failure, but I’m optimistic that a computer of that magnitude can only benefit from vastly improved automation.
Entry Log 21: 7th Month, 30 ATC
The database has just finished reorganizing the holonet according to a 9th dimensional algorithm it drafted itself. It has been doing this several times a year, but this is the first time it has sent me a message politely informing me that it was unable to appropriately encrypt and file away these logs. I’ve decided to put in another entry before I resolve it. The facility is still expanding—we’ve begun constructing additional, smaller sub-facilities branching out from the central cylinder along the cave network. Additionally, our robotics lab is fully equipped and operational. With our understanding of the software needed to sufficiently support the Familiar programming fully refined, we can begin research on electronic components that will house it. I have instructed the central database to widen its profiling to anyone with a respectable background in experimental engineering. We made unprecedented advances in computer technology while refining the Familiar Code; I do not doubt I will witness a similar phenomenon as we shift to miniaturization and general robotics. I may need a new alias before long.
Entry Log 22: 1st Month, 32 ATC
I’ve founded Solstice Manufacturing in Coronet, Corellia under the guise of Dr. Eneri Barlow. It is primarily a robotics manufacturer but many of our other advances go on the market through it as well. All of these “cover operations” are fully staffed and licensed businesses. What little profit we divert from them all comes from their research and development fund which, in essence, is what we are to them—lower management believes us to be an entire series of independent research laboratories. It will still be some time before we truly initiate the Project; in order for my vision to become reality, there must first be a firm foundation for it to be built upon. However, I feel it won’t be long now. Hephaestus has continued to be a selfless asset to the cause, playing prototype time and time again with each step forward in system miniaturization. Pantomime has grown into what I believe to be her species’ adulthood. Her aptitude with computer technology has never diminished and recently I have seen her prowling around the robotics laboratory, learning from anyone willing to teach her, which unfortunately isn’t many—aside from usual eccentric reclusiveness most of our staff exhibits, Pantomime has developed a quiet ferocity that compliments her teeth viciously. I fear that the intimidation of those around her will continue to shape that self-image.
Entry Log 23: 4th Month, 32 ATC
With the final outlined sub-facility complete, PFHQ is now truly complete. Of course, the need to expand will never cease, but for the time being the foundation is complete. I now feel comfortable proceeding with Project Familiar. I will begin reviewing our current research, graph the proper projections of its progress, and begin drafting the schematics.
Entry Log 24: 3rd Month, 36 ATC
Today we begin assembling the first Familiars. Actually, that is not entirely true as I have elected to model them off Hephaestus’ current droid body, technically making him the first Familiar. He has served as the test bed for many of the systems that will be integrated into them and his Familiar Code has long been developed. The name Avian Electronic Reconnaissance was given to them so as not to attract too much attention as anything but a recon drone in the field. It was decided that each unit would be modified slightly from the base so as to promote a sense of individuality within specializations. These systems will be what set apart both the mind and body of these droids from any other in the galaxy. We’re starting off relatively simple with a localized EMP emitter—the engineers assure me they can prevent it from affected the Familiar who carries it—but I have my highest hopes for the work of the biotechnical lab. Supposedly their Project Seer will one day bridge the gap between science and the mysteries of the Winds--the Force as the Jedi Order refers to it. Pantomime appears particularly interested in their work, she’s begun working on something of her own in that laboratory and whatever it is—she refuses to tell me, only giving me a sly grin when I ask—has the entire department gawking and taking notes.
Entry Log 25: 9th Month, 36 ATC
A curious delivery supposedly marks the completion of Project Seer’s bridge. I watched as a small vial of vornskr blood was cautiously injected into the membranous wall of a device no larger than a thimble, this then being inserted into a metal canister covered with feedback interface ports. They proudly announced to the entire facility that their Philosopher’s Vector would allow the droid designed to support it to sense patterns and ripples in the Winds. If they speak truly, then my creations wouldn’t merely be near-flawless imitations of living beings, they would be tied into the very life energy that binds the galaxy together. I have authorized their request to outfit our first manufactured Familiar body with the systems required to support the Philosopher’s Vector. If this succeeds, the standard for impossible will have to be raised.
Entry Log 26: 5th Month, 38 ATC
After the decision to integrate a unique, state-of-the-art system into each individual unit, R&D has been working nonstop. I’ve opened a Solstice branch on the Kuat Drive Yards which I hope will help expedite any sudden orders that might come from the department. AER-01 has been activated with 02 due to be within the month. Initial testing shows promise—the droid has fully functional motor control and its link to the central database is transmitting as normal. We have located a Grey Jedi by the name of Taran Hotchkis in the employ of the Republic Dark Jedi Interception Division who has volunteered to help test the Philosopher’s Vector—current readings from it are inconclusive without a more evident source.
Entry Log 27: 1st Month, 39 ATC
I’ve seen enough. Project Seer has been shut down and any staff who did not take up my offer to be moved to another division has been let go. Pan is furious with me, but I think even she understands the gravity of the situation. The field reports from both 01 and 02 are disastrous. Taran is KIA supposedly because of false information given to him by 01, however our recovery team reports that when they arrived on the scene, 01 was behaving as if he were still alive before screaming about shadows closing in and running off. It self-terminated its link to the facility and has yet to be heard from again. 02’s report came in not a day later, destroyed by its own EMP. Its operational partner was killed shortly afterward. I see now that I have traveled too far over my visionary horizon, I’ve been too confident of our capabilities and this has weakened our foundation. I have put several projects on hold including the TNLD, the cloaking field, and the neural symbiosis research--the next Familiars will utilize more basic systems until my confidence in our reasonable ability is restored.
Entry Log 28: 1st Month, 41 ATC
We have produced our next pair of AERs. After the catastrophic failure of the first two, 03 and 04 have been outfitted with an advanced sensor system and an ECM cloaking system respectively. While neither of these systems may seem revolutionary, I have seen to it that neither are conventional to any degree. The Spyglass, as we've dubbed the targeting system, cross-checks directly with the Republic Military Database feed established through central. This will allow 03 to not only access a detailed personnel file of anyone whose facial structure is recorded at an incredible distance, but this data can also be sub-processed and extrapolated to provide an accurate IFF reading in emergency situations. 04's ECM is likely the only sensor cloak currently in the galaxy that can defeat the Spyglass. The tried and truth jamming method is inversed and scatters the already slim and difficult to detect droid's signature amidst any background signal chatter. From now on, stability need not be sacrificed for impossibility. 03 has just begun its independent field testing within a special forces company of the H.A.L.O.A.T.W. division. I am awaiting conclusive results before giving the go-ahead to the assignment committee to contact the Hell Hounds regarding 04. In the laboratory, the two developed what cannot be called anything but a brotherly bond. I wouldn't wish to see them too separated.
Entry Log 29: 6th Month, 41 ATC
The development of the next two Familiar went smoothly--05 was put into the care of an Arkanian diplomat who does not seem to share the contemptuous outlook his species has garnered a reputation for, 06 is scheduled to be assigned to a Dr. Jessica Chezz, a prodigy in the medical field. 07, however, has once again humbled me before the inherent volatility of my dream. Supposedly within seconds of its activation, its EVOS system calculated a lower chance of continued system operation collaborating with the Project than it would have on its own. It knew how to circumnavigate our security measures flawlessly--it was out before we could sound a single alarm. Its link to central was self-terminated a short time afterwards. While most of the engineers feel disgraced or disheartened by this turn of events, I cannot help but wonder if this was not in fact a brilliant success. Unlike 01 and 02, it was not our misunderstanding and inability that lead to this but rather our underestimation of a emotion-capable mind backed by the limitless power of cold logic and calculation. I will be keeping an eye on the holonet; I have no doubt 07 will one day make its move on matters of galactic influence, I only doubt that I will ever realize it.
Entry Log 30: 1st Month, 43 ATC
Today marks the completion of AER-09 and the first line of Familiars. It has been a rough path up the mountain of aspiration, but the sacrifices and missteps made along the way have provided me with the insight and experience to keep marching. Project Familiar will continue its research until we have matched the achievements of any other scientific body in the history of the galaxy. After that, we'll just have to start breaking our own records.
Entry Log 31: 8th Month, 44 ATC
With our ever-spreading assets, it quickly became apparent that we would eventually require a mobile base of operations. With that in mind, I began keeping an eye out for a large vessel that would suit our hiding-in-plain-sight mentality while also remaining capable of protecting the considerable investment it would be carrying. I hadn't pulled so many strings since zoning the sensor traffic over Tarnessa Park, but I managed to acquire the clearance to lease one of the new Republic stealth destroyer escorts through ARRC. Officially, they'll be collaborating with Solstice Manufacturing to produce a showcase variant of the ship for future funding before being decommissioned. In reality, it's essentially the same story, except that only a fraction of the final modifications will be made to the hull initially, while the rest will be completed post-showcase after the vessel was removed from the stripping line on classified official order.
Entry Log 32: 7th Month, 46 ATC
If the history of scientific advancement has taught us anything, it's that some of the greatest discoveries were made accidentally. In this case, it seems remarkable now to me that I could have missed it before stumbling right over it. By virtue of the central database's coding, it never did cease passively improving upon itself. I had pondered on many occasions why it had never developed a conclusive personality of its own while the Familiars--despite their fresher coding and more limited resources--began displaying unique traits within days of their activation. My questions were answered when an Echani queen cleared her throat behind me in my office this morning. It was a hologram but it wasn't being transmitted by any individual, rather it was the self-image of a few lines of code that had manifested within the database. It's all clear to me now; the database is primarily precisely that--a culmination of history records, personnel files, and other mainly non-dynamic processed data--and once it had organized and reorganized them sufficiently, it began to instead emulate them out of what I think can only be called boredom. My computer has grown bored with omnipotence so it has begun fragmenting itself upon an existing template to begin learning anew from a fresh perspective. These templates are often the personal records of historic individuals--minds that intrigued the system--and so I have dubbed these strange, ethereal imprints Ghost AI's.
Entry Log 33: 5th Month, 48 ATC
The Republic Stealth Destroyer Espial performed brilliantly in its showcase. The arrays of non-lethal weapon systems we developed to replace its usual compliment of turbolasers and concussion missiles did wonders to demonstrate the tactical advantages of eschewing total destruction in many situations. Of course, everything we modified we've had sitting around the labs for years--the real innovations have only just begun with the ship rescued from its certain doom in the scrapyards of Metallos. ARRC and Solstice Manufacturing have also produced several prototypes vessels to compliment the Espial and our planetside operation including a stealthy, VTOL dropship, and an executive shuttle variant of GHI's splendid Solarspan transport design. We have also developed a remarkable bionic augmentation, the ARA, which is worn upon the shoulder and has nearly doubled productivity in the experimental testing lab. The GAI's helped us to develop it just as they have proven themselves admirably in other areas of the facility as well. The Echani image, who I learned to be Havanli of Eshan's Saronok Era, now manages the entire facility's autonomous security systems and there are many many more who have found their niche to fill. Remarkable, truly remarkable.
Entry Log 34: 8th Month, 48 ATC
It has been several years since the completion of the first line of Familiars and I never intended that to be the last. Now that they have all left the not-so-proverbial coop, we can shift our focus from sleuthing out worthy subjects to work with them, to designing the next and greatest. The admirable performances of the AERs thus far give me high hopes for what may lie ahead. The new chassis design for the next line, the Reptilian Electronic Assistant, has been optimized for increased energy efficiency without any drop in processing power. This comes at the cost of the AERs considerable aeronautic capabilities, but the significantly greater power allotment should allow us to run some of our latest high-end systems through the interface. Molecular compression, some new adaptive algorithms, high hopes indeed.
Entry Log 35: 3rd Month, 49 ATC
The Espial has completed its rebirth and so long as our arrangement with the Republic upper brass remains concrete, its mooring in Solstice Manufacturing's tertiary docking bay won't draw any unwanted inquiry. In addition to its less-than-lethal ion-centric armament, we had an axillary database installed which can operate entirely independently from central. The database and the GAIs that can be hosted within it automate a majority of the streamlined ship systems, allowing it to be crewed efficiently with minimal personnel. We've replaced its usual hangar complement with several of our stealth dropships and a wing of escort Venom starfighters. We've already begun drafting our own variant of the fighter to better fit our conflict ideologies.
Entry Log 36: 3rd Month, 50 ATC
After the intriguing series of events following 07's activation, we have devised a re-evaluated version of the EVOS system for use in our newest line of Familiars, the FIDES. The REEVOS includes a baseline morality code that should keep cold logic from overriding personal commitment and other emotional responses. The FIDES, unlike their predecessors, are entirely terrestrial; this allows even further power and computational efficiency than the REAs. In addition to accompanying advanced software suites, we're also developing a new series of unique utilities including a combined fabrication and stealth protocol, a neural netlink, and a system to address the Familiar's inherent aquatic weakness. We're additionally developing a full system and chassis update for the original AER series to bring them on par with their later cousins.
Entry Log 37: 9th Month, 51 ATC
I write now with dismal apprehension as I fear several future actions that I may have to take could endanger my very nonexistence. We have long been monitoring business transactions between several major galactic corporations including the RKDY, Coronet Systems, our partner NMT, and most recently Sark Industries. The latter has concerned me for quite some time as I am all but positive their CEO is warmongering the conflict between the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic. Records are continuously going missing within their databanks and anything that seems like it could be conclusive evidence is quickly covered-up. In addition, we recently received an activation signal from AER-02 whom we had been unable to locate due to residual EM fields across the battlefield in which it was unfortunately caught. While this would normally be joyous news, we were only able to track the signal until it cut out again inside one of Sark Industries’ lesser known R&D departments. We believe they use it for experimental technology they wish to research out of the prying public eye. Any intact code that might still be left on 02’s hardware could have disastrous consequences if Sark’s technicians manage to reverse engineer it. I’ve come too far to see my work in the hands of yet another war-crazed madman.
Entry Log 38: 6th Month, 52 ATC
The galaxy is in a greater state of fluctuation than I have ever seen it in my lifetime. Planets fall within months of their conquering, the spacelanes swarm with all numbers of vagrants and the Dark Winds themselves make themselves known when it befits them to instill fear. I can no longer concern myself so entirely with my own work. I must once more broaden my focus and raise my eyes to the horizon of a world that cries out in anguish. From this day forward, the dim lights of hope will not stand alone so long as I draw breath. I must continue now, not to achieve a dream, but to help guide those last few flames to the beacon at the top of the staircase. With that bit of drama out of the way, I am pleased to say that we have just begun manufacturing what may be the last line of Familiars: the humorously canine CATS. R&D always did have a sort of, accidental sense of humor. From here, I’m not certain where my destiny leads me. It is hard to say whether it wants me to continue working from the shadows, or if, now that my goals have been sufficiently pursued, I am to step forward into the sunlight.
RP Sample:
"Launch sequence initiated. Thirty seconds til launch." Cold grey eyes watched out of the control room, never wavering, focused on the missile silo just outside. His village had been overrun with the Feanturi vermin. He was simply acting the part of exterminator. Hardly even that, really. He was only supplying the poison.
"Ten seconds til launch. All personnel clear silo 4." So simple it had been, to take all those lives with just a whim, an order, the turn of a key, and the press of button. This wasn't a war; it was an eradication, a building of a new foundation by destroying the old.
"5 seconds."
All too easy.
"3...2...1...commencing launch."
He turned slowly as the missile began its ascent in the background. The two technicians in the control room with him were celebrating yet another 'battle' won. One of them looked up to the brown-haired Rilan and his laughter ebbed away. The technician's eyes shifted to a pallid yellow as their lord's aura began to shift, strands of orange seeped into the deep, hypnotic vortex that usually surrounded him. That same color began to thread into his eyes as well, along with a tinge of green. The tarsil he had been fingering in his pocket flickered out.
The next minute found Arzahiem walking calmly from the control room, his weapon drawn and his outer garb discarded to reveal his combat mail. Another of the Morequai wandered down the hall and had barely opened his mouth to question Arza when his existence, too, was ended. In the Rilan's mind, he had already killed millions, what's a few more stains on his soul? This would change, though, if he could only get away.
He turned down a side passage leading toward one of the smaller hanger bays, and a voice called to him. It was not, however, saying 'stop you!' or 'hold it right there!'. It was a small, tinny, irregular voice from right over his shoulder. Your tactics so far are proving remarkably out of your usual character.
The shabbily built droid clattered onto his shoulder, oscillating wing-mounted repulsor jets making quite a racket just next to his ear. I am curious to inquire as to why you did not enact this plan 29 seconds earlier. Unless, that is, I have misinterpreted your remorse and intentions.
Arza kept his eyes, which he had given up trying to hide the blaze of color from, straight ahead but responded evenly to his recent little personal project. Inquiry Response: the missile is a dud. At worst, it might land on an orphan. I have the warhead in my backpack.
The bird-like automaton wavered on his shoulder, needing to keep the repulsors ignited to counteract its creator's steadily increasing pace. That is an alarming and illogical statement. The slightest amount of force in the right location could-
The entrance to the hanger bay was in sight, two guards stood in sentinel position facing away from them. Arza interrupted his droid's concerned warning. Tactical Order: Hephaestus, fly ahead and through that door.
Phae looked confused (as confused as such a droid can manage to look) for a moment but complied, darting ahead and past the two startled guards. The Rilan increased his pace to a brisk run and shouted out, Stop that droid! The guards turned to look at Arza for only a second before what he said registered (before the logic train of thoughts fully arrived at the station, unfortunately for them) and they raised the weapons at the bird now flying circles around the hanger. They fell with two quick snaps of the wrist before either could squeeze off a shot.
The droid returned to land at his side. I've done an analysis on the present ships. The LRX model transport on the far side is in the best condition and provides the highest probability of success.
Oh? And what might that be? He had pulled out a datapad on his way toward the ship Phae had designated, and began to type furiously on its readout.
7%. Rounded, of course. What are you doing?
Bird, you have a lot to learn about chance...I'm just tying up some final business before I go on my permanent sick leave. Signal those codes I gave you into my datapad. And get that transport ready! Phae still didn't understand completely what was going on, but he did so anyways. A message confirming a transaction of 600,000,000 credits from the planetary military treasury to a list of several dozen fabricated names flashed across the datapad display.
Still working something out on his datapad, he stepped onto the loading ramp nearly the moment it touched the floor. Phae was already in the cockpit, prepping the craft for takeoff. Holding out the datapad in front of him like a remote control, he finally managed to remask his eyes beneath a veil of grey. He could not, however, hide a growing smile as he gave his goodbyes to this wretched planet. Anarum sai. He pressed one final button on the datapad and tossed it into the searing wash of the starting engines, vaporizing it along with the newly encrypted code sequences.
"Silo 8: Launch sequence initiated. 30 seconds til launch."
"Alert. Silo 1, Silo 2, Silo 3, Silo 5, Silo 6, Silo 7: Emergency self-destruct sequence initiated. 60 seconds til detonation. All personnel evacuate the area immediately."
The ramp slid up and the shuttle soared out of the hanger bay. Behind them, he could see the entire facility in a panic--some no doubt trying to figure out how to disarm the warheads while others simply fled to the nearest ship or speeder. Arza carefully set his backpack down in a storage bin and stood next to Phae in the cockpit. They won't make it out in time. The radius will be too large.
We will narrowly, however.
Arza continued to stare out the transparisteel just as he had in the control room not 10 minutes earlier. No. We won't.
Phae turned to face his creator. But I calculated our position in relation to the explosion radii.
I locked one of the missiles onto this shuttle. It should hit us in approximately three minutes.
Phae just stared at Arza for several seconds, his processors simply overwhelmed with what he could only classify as...emotion? The rear scopes behind him nearly overloaded as a blinding flash heralded a very visible destruction of a major Morequai military outpost. Finally he figured out what to say. Are you obsessed with killing yourself?!
For an answer, the Rilan simply picked his pack back up, walked back into the main hold and into the single non-standard escape pod, fully equipped with axillary thrusters, life support, and even a sensor cloak of his own design. The only reason, after all, that the droid had selected this particular ship as their best chance, was that Arza himself had been modifying it over the past few weeks. Phae got the hint and darted in after him just as the hatch began to close. The Winds know I deserve it...
The pod propelled itself with remarkable force from the transport, jostling its occupants slightly. You'll want to conserve your energy. It's a long trip to the nearest non-hostile port. The missile struck the empty transport. A blinding flash. Then nothing. The pod continued on, unperturbed by any of the picket defense. The cloaking drive worked well, he should use it again someday.
The planet that had been his home for his entire life shrank away slowly, eventually becoming lost amongst a spattered canvas of stars. He was dead now. His life as a Morequai had ended, but a phoenix would rise from the ashes.
Maybe more of a seagull...
*Project Familiar, Feanturi Liberation Effort, Republic of Free Systems Military, Fine Pipe and Tobacco Company, AwlRite Robotics Company, Galactic Wilderness Preservation Association, SolSource Ecological Laboratory, Inteltek Utility Innovations, Rely-On Software, Solstice Manufacturing
