Post by A®heim on Nov 24, 2008 17:48:03 GMT -5
Class name: AER (Avian Electronic Reconnaissance)
Classification: Familiar
Purpose: Multi-purpose (see Roles under individual models)
Dimensions:
Height: 8 cm
Length: 45 cm
Weight: 3 kg
Manufacturer: Project Familiar Laboratories.
Power Source: Solar Cells
Movement type: winged/repulsor
Number of limbs: 4
Arms: N/A
Legs: 2 retractable legs
Other: 2 retractable ocillating mechano-avian wings, beak
Armor: 2 mm light aeronautic plasteel
Shields: N/A
Armaments: Discharge emitter (used to shock a captor into releasing droid)
Other Equipment: 2 Nano-Repulsor Generators, Infrared photoreceptor, transmitter, vocabulator (basic), solar panels (in the from of the "feathers" on the wings), various processing cables, small compartment that may contain messages, medical supplies, food, or other emergency materials.
Description:
This is a picture drawn for me by Miss Annoying. This is her image based on my guidance (as I could never hope to draw anything even REMOTELY as good as this) and almost all credit goes to her
Outer covering can retract to reveal array of solar "feathers". These are sharp and may cut somebody, but are not meant as weapons. Droid can also compact into a tighter cylindrical shape for storage.
These are currently available to any character who "shows potential." This is to say that their achievements (whether legitimate or otherwise) have gained enough to reach the ear of Project Familiar. Being closely entwined with the Republic military, this is most easily accomplished by being an elite Republic soldier, however the wizard sees potential in all areas of the galaxy. From upper class senators to the low-life criminal with a heart of gold, anyone who could benefit the galaxy from having a companion that would protect them as well as develop their better qualities are more than applicable. Here's a little chart for help:
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Model #: AER-00
Status: Overseeing testing of new AER models in the PFHQ production facility.
Special Ability: Lateral Analysis: Equipped with advanced scanners capable of almost completely analyzing any mechanical structure.
Assigned Name: "Hephaestus" or "Phae" for short.
Role: Engineer/Evaluator
Arheim's notes: Unofficial partner of the head of PF himself. The "Wizard," he knows far more about its inner workings than the average AER. 00 is even aware of many of the secret camera fe-...nevermind.
Personality: 00 is the first of the AERs successfully created and as such has taken it upon himself to instruct all future models in their abilities. As such he possesses a scholarly, yet fatherly character.
"Adoption" Status Though his partnership isn't official (as the Wiz doesn't officially exist), it's safe to say that this one isn't up for adoption. Sorry.
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Model #: AER-01
Status: Decommissioned; model experienced several malfunctions in the field and has been destroyed.
Special Ability: Philosopher's Vector: Sensors designed to identify and disrupt Force energy.
Assigned Name: Unofficial: "Insanus" or "Sane" for short
Role: Dark Jedi tracker
Arheim's notes: Philosopher's Vector: The sensory equipment designed to detect Force energies was HIGHLY experimental. To put it simply: a nanoscopic life support system provides nutrients to less than half a ml of vornskr blood contained in a tiny capsule inside the droid. Attached to this capsule are artificial hemoglobin receptors that tap the properties of the blood to pick up the energy of the Force and sending it as refined data to the central processors. The complexity of this system, mixed with the fact the Force is everywhere, caused the thing to become overloaded and malfunction. In simple terms: he went insane in the field. The Vector is revolutionary technology, but it isn't perfect; Insanus can't precisely tell the difference between light and dark or even the differences in Force signatures without having an intimate knowledge of it. His partner, a force-sensitive Dark Jedi hunter, perished around the same time the droid began acting up. Since then the droid continued to insist that his partner was still alive and standing right next to him (which may actually be true as he could have come back as a weak force ghost only 01 can sense). In an attempt to hide their failure, Project Familiar had the droid destroyed...or was it?
Personality What can I say? He's insane. At one moment he may have a philosophical, visionary personality and at the next start ranting incoherently about Jawa Juice!
"Adoption" Status Squee's Dark Jedi, Tesa, will be taking Insanus. His old master wasn't far from being a DJ himself, so it shouldn't take much to convince her that working for Tesa wouldn't be much different.
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Model #: AER-02
Status: Decommissioned; fatal damage suffered during EMP discharge in field operations. Unit has been discarded.
Special Ability: Blackout: Discharge emitter altered to produce an EMP capable of disabling most electronic devices in a 500 ft. radius.
Assigned Name: UNASSIGNED
Role: Tactical Warfare assistant
Arheim's notes: When they gave 02 the EMP they lacked the foresight to realize that even with non-conductive alloys, such close proximity to the pulse would fry most of it's internal circuitry. The droid's partner, Dax Er'leet, was killed in action soon afterward. The droid's tracking signal was also destroyed preventing the recovery of the chassis. It was later recovered by another private organization who have began attempting to reverse engineer and repair the droid.
Personality N/A, this droid has been fried and must be reprogrammed. Feel free to give it whatever personality you want.
"Adoption" Status G-man's secretary.
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Model #: AER-03
Status: Recovered after critical damage was suffered to the chassis. Ayer has since been reconstructed and returned to his partner.
Special Ability: Spyglass: Prototype targeting system, database cross-referencing IFF transponder, and safe-guards removed from discharge emitter allowing it to tap primary systems. Moral code allows him to question orders in the face of right and wrong.
Assigned Name: "Ayer"
Role: Recon/Spotter
Arheim's notes: MINE! ^ v ^
Personality He's good-humored and will often be forgotten as being a droid until he says something over-analytical and technical. With more field experience than any other Familiar, he often takes a philosophical view on many logical situations.
"Adoption" Status Sorry folks, MINE!
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Model #: AER-04
Status: Operational; assigned to the Hell Hound, Rahja Kel.
Special Ability: Runner's Respite: Various systems capable of disrupting sensory equipment rendering the model nearly undetectable. Moral code allows him to blatantly ignore orders in the face of right and wrong. Advanced targeting system.
Assigned Name: "Sender"
Role: Covert Recon / Adviser
Arheim's notes: This droid belongs to Talau's character Rahja and is therefore unavailable.
Personality Sender holds a sort of little brother relationship with Ayer though often appearing a bit more level-headed and analytical. However this only serves to partially cover the caring, loyal, and curious nature that embodies his true character.
"Adoption" Status Sender belongs to Talau's character, Rahja Kel. So no touchy or the floating head will come to get ya!
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Model #: AER-05
Status: Awaiting Assignment to partner.
Special Ability: Crimson Feather: Retractable blade "feathers" on wing tips. Small, concealed blaster.
Assigned Name: "Ofi"
Role: Assassination
Arheim's notes: The closest AER to a "battle droid," 05's small size, high speed, and anti-personal weaponry make her a force to be reckoned with.
Personality This one isn't really set so if you pick this model, feel free play her as you like. However, I would imagine she would have one of the darker personalities amongst the AERs, though maybe it would be just as interesting if she was actually quite cheery.
"Adoption" Status Mara wishes to reserve 05 for her senator.
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Model #: AER-06
Status: Operational; Assigned to Medical Expert Jessica Chezz.
Special Ability: Salvation: High-concentrate bacta infusion device allows model to supply emergency medical attention to any wounded individual. Also carries a concentrator agent that will convert small amounts of standard bacta for use in the infusers.
Assigned Name: "Wexon"
Role: Medical Assistant
Arheim's notes: I don't really have much to say on this one. The bacta is a high-concentrate concoction so only a small amount of it would be needed to treat most wounds sufficiently. Just keep in mind that he's a small bird and wouldn't be able to carry very much at once.
Personality Wexon is a relatively young Familiar and Chezz's cold personality has prevented him from developing his own much. I would say he's a little fidgety and worrisome, though.
"Adoption" Status Wexon is assigned to Valadin's character, Dr. Jessica Chezz and is therefore unavailable (hopefully this is obvious by now) for adoption.
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Model #: AER-07
Status: Rogue; logic center calculated chances of continuous operation as too low to justify serving the Republic. Escaped containment 19.23 seconds after activation.
Special Ability: E.V.O.S. (Evolutionary Viability Operating System): Evaluation processor capable of analyzing and adapting to almost any situation.
Assigned Name: UNASSIGNED
Role: CLASSIFIED
Arheim's notes: 07 is the good ol' cliche of machines overcoming their creator and becoming obsessed with self-preservation. Fortunately for the galaxy, this one isn't obsessed with "Removing the weakness of the human race, etc." 07 will only assist a character if it is in his best interest or if he is forced to do so, both of which are very unlikely.
Personality Think T-1000 with an attitude but is merely contemptuous of organic lifeforms, not out to destroy them.
"Adoption" Status Played by Xinder--currently in covert operation of TUMB, an acronym that eludes me at the moment.
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Model #: AER-08
Status: Previously assigned to the Rilan Hell Hound Lanara Skysiri, model suffered circuitry damage and was captured in action. Model recovered and returned to PF laboratories for repair. Resignation of Skysiri led to reassignment to First Sergeant CQB Racore Farthden. Relocation of-#%1001011<FILE CORRUPTED>
Special Ability: Guard Matrix: Equipped with a retractable shell of armor plating. The plating is made of a durluminum/chromium alloy with incredible strength for its light weight. Also equipped with a deflector ray shield large enough to contain it and one human-sized object. This shield generator, however, requires a large amount of energy,preventing flight or servo movement while active, and a discharge emitter is not present in this model.
Assigned Name: "Ector"
Role: Defensive Escort/Support
Arheim's notes: Easily one of the least subtle of the AER abilities, Ector's ray shield places an immense drain on his power supplies and is only really meant to absorb light anti-personal fire. The armor can survive consecutive light blaster fire but will not sustain a great amount of direct hits. Small size and speed should be used to avoid incoming fire while the shield is best saved for dire circumstances and/or for the protection of his partner.
Personality AER-08 has a kind of pacifist/knightly personality. Above all else, he wants only to protect those he is assigned to keep safe. Impeccable manners and complete willingness to sacrifice himself for another. Basically he's like the polar opposite of 07.
"Adoption" Status Dire Wolf has adopted 08 for his character Lanara.
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Model #: AER-09
Status: Completed, funding received in private transaction from the Redja family. Transaction logged in archives as "support our troops" donation. Unit has been assigned to Sergeant Damien Meesha.
Special Ability: Illusion's Light: Prototype Holoprojector of a rather strong variety, used to create detailed maps, conceal the fact that this unit is a droid and assist with tactical planning. Heat sensors calibrated to a range of temperatures allow this unit to scan buildings for Pre-Assault Tactical Analysis
Assigned Name: "Ishtar"
Role: Reconnaissance, Tactical/Strategic Analysis
Eclipse's Notes: This Model of the AER project was recently completed and is a Field Officer's Best Companion. Able to Fly as all AER droids are, this Unit also has advanced Sensory implants that allow it to mark locations of Living creatures through walls that are less then 2" thick. These, in combination with an Advanced Holoprojector panel in it's back allow it to create fairly accurate Topographical and Tactical maps, showing enemy positions. The Holoprojector also allows this AER unit to do something that the others cannot, this being Creating a holographic Humanoid Representation of itself for Stealth Purposes. This Use does not cast a shadow.
Personality: One of the few AERs to Exhibit a Female personality, Ishtar, as she is Called, can seem almost bi-polar in how she behaves, namely due to a Fierce attachment to her partner. Where she will crack a joke about an assignment at one moment, the instant that her Partner is in danger, she will become overprotective. Don't think "Motherly" though, think "Psycho Girlfriend"
"Adoption" Status Ms. Ishtar is now property of Eclipse. The end, bye bye!
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Some Final Notes
"Ever since the first computers, there have always been ghosts in the machine. Random segments of code that have grouped together to form unexpected protocols. Unanticipated, these free radicals engender questions of free will, creativity, and even the nature of what we might call the soul. Why is it that when some robots are left in darkness, they will seek out the light? Why is it that when robots are stored in an empty space, they will group together, rather than stand alone? How do we explain this behavior? Random segments of code? Or is it something more? When does a perceptual schematic become consciousness? When does a difference engine become the search for truth? When does a personality simulation become the bitter mote... of a soul?"
Project Familiar is not exactly well known. Even amongst the Republic senators and other political figures, it has been padded down to a simple update to the military's recon droids. In truth, however, the project is much more controversial in nature. Even within Project Familiar itself there are many things known only to a select few researchers and specialists.
Project Seer is the basis behind 01's ability. This project produced the Philosopher's Vector, the bio-mechanic device that allows the droid to sense Force energies. Needless to say, even the notion of this idea has met with nothing but disdain skepticism. It is because of this opinion that Project Seer has been deemed Classified on the highest security level and all notes on its production kept under careful lock down. After it's "failure" all records were destroyed and research teams were ordered never to attempt such a feat again.
After the subsequent destruction of 02 by its own EMP, the entire team was fired and replaced. The Wizard would not have any more of his creations destroyed by reckless negligence.
Things went smoothly with a more conservative approach until Project Prodigy, the program that surrounds the mystery of 07's ability. In short, the public has never liked the idea of a droid becoming way too smart for its own good. And who can blame them? What with the media releasing holovids of massive droid takeovers and computers trying to wipe out humanity. Thankfully, 07 does not fall under these categories and only wishes to remain operational. The project was originally intended to create the "most sentient" of the droids. Sentience being, by Republic standards, defined by a being's ability to speak, manipulate tools, and reason. Up until then, the AER models had the fullest capability of the first two, but the project leaders wanted to take reasoning to the next level. By their thinking, reasoning wasn't enough. A truly sentient species is capable of using that reasoning to ADAPT to a situation. 07's processor, like the philosopher's vector, was engineered using state-of-the-art technology and theoretical designs all without the knowledge of all but a few designated researchers. Thus was created the Evolutionary Viability Operating System, or EVOS for short.
All in all, these droids are no throw-away recon drones. These are about as state-of-the-art as it gets in this time and should not be considered lightly. Though some may act more analytical or stoic than others, remember that an AER is designed to be more than just a tool. Think of them more as a companion, a dog if you will that can fly and talk and deduce the situation and....alright, so maybe more like a comrade. My point is that even though these are automatons, they have fake feelings too!
My final point to make is an issue of separation. Several of these droids have had previous partners and this is no mere assignment. For lack of a better way to say this, energy, and creativity, let me just make a few droll analogies. To be forcefully separated from your AER can have a several detrimental effect on the minds of both soldier and droid. Rather like losing a good friend or even an actual familiar (ever read the Golden Compass? It's not called Project Familiar for no reason). Just keep in mind that a partnership with an AER unit is not something that will ever be forgotten.
For further explanation, I direct thee hither to this thread where Ayer himself explains Familiar straight from the hors- er, bird's mout- er beak!
LINK
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Though only a rarely occurring NPC, I feel that this guy has an important enough role in upcoming RP to merit his own small character sheet, so here he is:
Name: Arzahiem Salazar Farweulf
Known Aliases: The Wizard (PF), Briant Polaris (GWF), Sir Wilmer Vaticus (NF), Ross Riuaro (FLE), Harth Denever (RFSM), Athetinear Ul'dasuun (FPTC)*
Race: Rilan
Age: 111
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 122
Appearance:
When not a silhouette from behind reinforced privacy glass, Arzahiem appears a tall, elderly gentlemen. Rarely seen, if at all, without a suit that never seems to wrinkle and a stately pipe that never seems to be lit, he is the purest picture of cold bureaucracy at its best. His face is covered in creases as if he were 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 find them switching to green striped with purple. This "true" color is generally only witnessed by those who he puts his deepest trust in.
His "true form" (not really sure what to call it) 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 appears as a collection of blue, purple, and redish hues swirling in what could almost be called a vortex. Past Force sensitive bodyguards have even admitted becoming slightly dizzy if they looked at him for too long. 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.
Birth place: Celeban, Rilia
Occupation: Undercover head of Project Familiar
Rank: No official rank, but what he says goes and what goes only tends to do so because he says.
Biography
Not much is known about the mysterious figure heading Project Familiar. Those who do tend to only be his closest friends and most trusted acquaintances. Generally appearing as a progress statement, voice on a commline, or at most a silhouette in a window, a sheltered present masks a war torn past.
Born in Celeban in the midst of war-torn Rilia into a family of Morequai elite, he was immediately thrust into a strict, compassionless childhood by his mother--Drathora Farweulf, a powerful Morhiril. From the moment he could comprehend such concepts, he was imbued with military tactics and knowledge he would one day need to rule on his own. In his teachings, he showed far more prowess as a thinker than a warrior, preferring quiet study to the intense sparring sessions that left many a burn upon his skin from the low-frequency tarsil.
It was a cold upbringing with the only joy found in the rare moments where he could be left alone to his own devices. Literally. Putting his mechanical mind to work, the mind became translated onto paper, the paper to reality. At age 14 he was at last permitted to choose his studies and thus the scars and bruises of a warrior vanished beneath complex equations and soldering smoke. This was perhaps the time where Arzahiem felt happiest, in this transition between preparation and reality. Unfortunately, a transition by definition has a destination, and reality was a harsh mistress.
At age 23, he graduated at the top of his class at the Celeban Technical Engineering University, his final exam accepting the certificate in its beak with a small bow. Hephaestus had actually been built many years prior in a joint effort for Arza to test his own skills and have the closest thing he could to a friend. The rickety, mechanical bird droid was simple and imperfect in its design (much of its servos and wiring exposed), but it was nonetheless an impressive feat of engineering. Immediately after graduation, he resumed his studies independently. However, his studies began to focus on digital engineering and programming as this was seen to him as the undeniable future of innovation.
And alongside every advance, the bird was there benefiting from the update.
Family obligation hit not 2 years into his study. It was not a question. On his 26th birthday, his father drafted him into the Morequai
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 3
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 3
Leadership: 8
Unarmed: 5
Melee Weapons: 5
Ranged Weapons: 2
Alignment: +6
RP Sample: (Since I'm never going to have the chance to have him do anything like this again...)
"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 Sir Wilmer Vaticus 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 some day.
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, Galactic Wheat Federation, New Foundations, Feanturi Liberation Effort, Republic of Free Systems Military, Fine Pipe and Tobacco Company
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AER Update
With recent advances made in the devlopment of the REA and FIDES units, a reevaluation of the the AER software and multiple performance systems has been released. The adjustments and upgrades are as follows:
General Model
-Increased repulsor energy efficiency 14%.
-Energy limters rerouted to allow emergency power to repulsor generators.
-multi-tool size decrease 28%; microfusion cutter energy efficiency increased 9%.
-Four new vision spectrum settings available to visor, including short range x-ray, electrical impulse, radiation painter, and a residual heat modifyer to the existing thermal.
-REEVOSatom edition integrated into primary processors.
-Early prototype of units 11 and 17's tnlWurm security bypass program.
-Database autoacquire and crossreference program.
-Optional reintegration into optimized chassis. Features: 30% larger battery capacity, 15% more efficient solar feather arrays, 19% increase to average repulsor speed, liquid-repulsing/atmospheric sealant variable visor backlighting/anti-reflectant lattice (allows the model to deactivate visor lighting while still being able to observe readout), visor-based Emotech biorhythmics color expressor, radar-absorbing alloy stealth alloy coating (0.021 mm), and a slimmer, more aerodynamic form.
-Asteroids(TM)
Unit Specific
00 - Increased analysis range 11%.
01 (if recovered) - System mediator, emergency PV cutoff protocol.
02 (if recovered) - 58% denser energy dampening alloy, EMP limiters installed.
03 - IFF database updated, sensors 27% more difficult to scramble.
04 - Code override reset, signal jammer energy efficiency increased 70%. Repulsor power increased 4%.
05 - Blaster power cell linked to solar array for recharging, outrigger blades replaced with exmantium alloy-edged replicates, vibroemitters installed.
06 - Alchemical Innovation software installed to allow unit to fabricate medicinal solutions from extracted properties of surroundings. Repulsor power increased 9%.
07 (if recovered) - Morallity code override, EVOS removed.
08 - Armored exo-coat replaced with a refined alloy of greater strength and lighter weight, 35% increase to shield energy efficiency, shield limiter installed to allow encompassment to be adjusted, servo/repulsor capabilities restored while shield is in use.
09 - Holoprojecter energy efficiency increased 15%, projection range increased 120%.
Classification: Familiar
Purpose: Multi-purpose (see Roles under individual models)
Dimensions:
Height: 8 cm
Length: 45 cm
Weight: 3 kg
Manufacturer: Project Familiar Laboratories.
Power Source: Solar Cells
Movement type: winged/repulsor
Number of limbs: 4
Arms: N/A
Legs: 2 retractable legs
Other: 2 retractable ocillating mechano-avian wings, beak
Armor: 2 mm light aeronautic plasteel
Shields: N/A
Armaments: Discharge emitter (used to shock a captor into releasing droid)
Other Equipment: 2 Nano-Repulsor Generators, Infrared photoreceptor, transmitter, vocabulator (basic), solar panels (in the from of the "feathers" on the wings), various processing cables, small compartment that may contain messages, medical supplies, food, or other emergency materials.
Description:
This is a picture drawn for me by Miss Annoying. This is her image based on my guidance (as I could never hope to draw anything even REMOTELY as good as this) and almost all credit goes to her
Outer covering can retract to reveal array of solar "feathers". These are sharp and may cut somebody, but are not meant as weapons. Droid can also compact into a tighter cylindrical shape for storage.
AER Models
[/center]These are currently available to any character who "shows potential." This is to say that their achievements (whether legitimate or otherwise) have gained enough to reach the ear of Project Familiar. Being closely entwined with the Republic military, this is most easily accomplished by being an elite Republic soldier, however the wizard sees potential in all areas of the galaxy. From upper class senators to the low-life criminal with a heart of gold, anyone who could benefit the galaxy from having a companion that would protect them as well as develop their better qualities are more than applicable. Here's a little chart for help:
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Model #: AER-00
Status: Overseeing testing of new AER models in the PFHQ production facility.
Special Ability: Lateral Analysis: Equipped with advanced scanners capable of almost completely analyzing any mechanical structure.
Assigned Name: "Hephaestus" or "Phae" for short.
Role: Engineer/Evaluator
Arheim's notes: Unofficial partner of the head of PF himself. The "Wizard," he knows far more about its inner workings than the average AER. 00 is even aware of many of the secret camera fe-...nevermind.
Personality: 00 is the first of the AERs successfully created and as such has taken it upon himself to instruct all future models in their abilities. As such he possesses a scholarly, yet fatherly character.
"Adoption" Status Though his partnership isn't official (as the Wiz doesn't officially exist), it's safe to say that this one isn't up for adoption. Sorry.
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Model #: AER-01
Status: Decommissioned; model experienced several malfunctions in the field and has been destroyed.
Special Ability: Philosopher's Vector: Sensors designed to identify and disrupt Force energy.
Assigned Name: Unofficial: "Insanus" or "Sane" for short
Role: Dark Jedi tracker
Arheim's notes: Philosopher's Vector: The sensory equipment designed to detect Force energies was HIGHLY experimental. To put it simply: a nanoscopic life support system provides nutrients to less than half a ml of vornskr blood contained in a tiny capsule inside the droid. Attached to this capsule are artificial hemoglobin receptors that tap the properties of the blood to pick up the energy of the Force and sending it as refined data to the central processors. The complexity of this system, mixed with the fact the Force is everywhere, caused the thing to become overloaded and malfunction. In simple terms: he went insane in the field. The Vector is revolutionary technology, but it isn't perfect; Insanus can't precisely tell the difference between light and dark or even the differences in Force signatures without having an intimate knowledge of it. His partner, a force-sensitive Dark Jedi hunter, perished around the same time the droid began acting up. Since then the droid continued to insist that his partner was still alive and standing right next to him (which may actually be true as he could have come back as a weak force ghost only 01 can sense). In an attempt to hide their failure, Project Familiar had the droid destroyed...or was it?
Personality What can I say? He's insane. At one moment he may have a philosophical, visionary personality and at the next start ranting incoherently about Jawa Juice!
"Adoption" Status Squee's Dark Jedi, Tesa, will be taking Insanus. His old master wasn't far from being a DJ himself, so it shouldn't take much to convince her that working for Tesa wouldn't be much different.
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Model #: AER-02
Status: Decommissioned; fatal damage suffered during EMP discharge in field operations. Unit has been discarded.
Special Ability: Blackout: Discharge emitter altered to produce an EMP capable of disabling most electronic devices in a 500 ft. radius.
Assigned Name: UNASSIGNED
Role: Tactical Warfare assistant
Arheim's notes: When they gave 02 the EMP they lacked the foresight to realize that even with non-conductive alloys, such close proximity to the pulse would fry most of it's internal circuitry. The droid's partner, Dax Er'leet, was killed in action soon afterward. The droid's tracking signal was also destroyed preventing the recovery of the chassis. It was later recovered by another private organization who have began attempting to reverse engineer and repair the droid.
Personality N/A, this droid has been fried and must be reprogrammed. Feel free to give it whatever personality you want.
"Adoption" Status G-man's secretary.
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Model #: AER-03
Status: Recovered after critical damage was suffered to the chassis. Ayer has since been reconstructed and returned to his partner.
Special Ability: Spyglass: Prototype targeting system, database cross-referencing IFF transponder, and safe-guards removed from discharge emitter allowing it to tap primary systems. Moral code allows him to question orders in the face of right and wrong.
Assigned Name: "Ayer"
Role: Recon/Spotter
Arheim's notes: MINE! ^ v ^
Personality He's good-humored and will often be forgotten as being a droid until he says something over-analytical and technical. With more field experience than any other Familiar, he often takes a philosophical view on many logical situations.
"Adoption" Status Sorry folks, MINE!
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Model #: AER-04
Status: Operational; assigned to the Hell Hound, Rahja Kel.
Special Ability: Runner's Respite: Various systems capable of disrupting sensory equipment rendering the model nearly undetectable. Moral code allows him to blatantly ignore orders in the face of right and wrong. Advanced targeting system.
Assigned Name: "Sender"
Role: Covert Recon / Adviser
Arheim's notes: This droid belongs to Talau's character Rahja and is therefore unavailable.
Personality Sender holds a sort of little brother relationship with Ayer though often appearing a bit more level-headed and analytical. However this only serves to partially cover the caring, loyal, and curious nature that embodies his true character.
"Adoption" Status Sender belongs to Talau's character, Rahja Kel. So no touchy or the floating head will come to get ya!
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Model #: AER-05
Status: Awaiting Assignment to partner.
Special Ability: Crimson Feather: Retractable blade "feathers" on wing tips. Small, concealed blaster.
Assigned Name: "Ofi"
Role: Assassination
Arheim's notes: The closest AER to a "battle droid," 05's small size, high speed, and anti-personal weaponry make her a force to be reckoned with.
Personality This one isn't really set so if you pick this model, feel free play her as you like. However, I would imagine she would have one of the darker personalities amongst the AERs, though maybe it would be just as interesting if she was actually quite cheery.
"Adoption" Status Mara wishes to reserve 05 for her senator.
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Model #: AER-06
Status: Operational; Assigned to Medical Expert Jessica Chezz.
Special Ability: Salvation: High-concentrate bacta infusion device allows model to supply emergency medical attention to any wounded individual. Also carries a concentrator agent that will convert small amounts of standard bacta for use in the infusers.
Assigned Name: "Wexon"
Role: Medical Assistant
Arheim's notes: I don't really have much to say on this one. The bacta is a high-concentrate concoction so only a small amount of it would be needed to treat most wounds sufficiently. Just keep in mind that he's a small bird and wouldn't be able to carry very much at once.
Personality Wexon is a relatively young Familiar and Chezz's cold personality has prevented him from developing his own much. I would say he's a little fidgety and worrisome, though.
"Adoption" Status Wexon is assigned to Valadin's character, Dr. Jessica Chezz and is therefore unavailable (hopefully this is obvious by now) for adoption.
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Model #: AER-07
Status: Rogue; logic center calculated chances of continuous operation as too low to justify serving the Republic. Escaped containment 19.23 seconds after activation.
Special Ability: E.V.O.S. (Evolutionary Viability Operating System): Evaluation processor capable of analyzing and adapting to almost any situation.
Assigned Name: UNASSIGNED
Role: CLASSIFIED
Arheim's notes: 07 is the good ol' cliche of machines overcoming their creator and becoming obsessed with self-preservation. Fortunately for the galaxy, this one isn't obsessed with "Removing the weakness of the human race, etc." 07 will only assist a character if it is in his best interest or if he is forced to do so, both of which are very unlikely.
Personality Think T-1000 with an attitude but is merely contemptuous of organic lifeforms, not out to destroy them.
"Adoption" Status Played by Xinder--currently in covert operation of TUMB, an acronym that eludes me at the moment.
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Model #: AER-08
Status: Previously assigned to the Rilan Hell Hound Lanara Skysiri, model suffered circuitry damage and was captured in action. Model recovered and returned to PF laboratories for repair. Resignation of Skysiri led to reassignment to First Sergeant CQB Racore Farthden. Relocation of-#%1001011<FILE CORRUPTED>
Special Ability: Guard Matrix: Equipped with a retractable shell of armor plating. The plating is made of a durluminum/chromium alloy with incredible strength for its light weight. Also equipped with a deflector ray shield large enough to contain it and one human-sized object. This shield generator, however, requires a large amount of energy,preventing flight or servo movement while active, and a discharge emitter is not present in this model.
Assigned Name: "Ector"
Role: Defensive Escort/Support
Arheim's notes: Easily one of the least subtle of the AER abilities, Ector's ray shield places an immense drain on his power supplies and is only really meant to absorb light anti-personal fire. The armor can survive consecutive light blaster fire but will not sustain a great amount of direct hits. Small size and speed should be used to avoid incoming fire while the shield is best saved for dire circumstances and/or for the protection of his partner.
Personality AER-08 has a kind of pacifist/knightly personality. Above all else, he wants only to protect those he is assigned to keep safe. Impeccable manners and complete willingness to sacrifice himself for another. Basically he's like the polar opposite of 07.
"Adoption" Status Dire Wolf has adopted 08 for his character Lanara.
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Model #: AER-09
Status: Completed, funding received in private transaction from the Redja family. Transaction logged in archives as "support our troops" donation. Unit has been assigned to Sergeant Damien Meesha.
Special Ability: Illusion's Light: Prototype Holoprojector of a rather strong variety, used to create detailed maps, conceal the fact that this unit is a droid and assist with tactical planning. Heat sensors calibrated to a range of temperatures allow this unit to scan buildings for Pre-Assault Tactical Analysis
Assigned Name: "Ishtar"
Role: Reconnaissance, Tactical/Strategic Analysis
Eclipse's Notes: This Model of the AER project was recently completed and is a Field Officer's Best Companion. Able to Fly as all AER droids are, this Unit also has advanced Sensory implants that allow it to mark locations of Living creatures through walls that are less then 2" thick. These, in combination with an Advanced Holoprojector panel in it's back allow it to create fairly accurate Topographical and Tactical maps, showing enemy positions. The Holoprojector also allows this AER unit to do something that the others cannot, this being Creating a holographic Humanoid Representation of itself for Stealth Purposes. This Use does not cast a shadow.
Personality: One of the few AERs to Exhibit a Female personality, Ishtar, as she is Called, can seem almost bi-polar in how she behaves, namely due to a Fierce attachment to her partner. Where she will crack a joke about an assignment at one moment, the instant that her Partner is in danger, she will become overprotective. Don't think "Motherly" though, think "Psycho Girlfriend"
"Adoption" Status Ms. Ishtar is now property of Eclipse. The end, bye bye!
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Some Final Notes
"Ever since the first computers, there have always been ghosts in the machine. Random segments of code that have grouped together to form unexpected protocols. Unanticipated, these free radicals engender questions of free will, creativity, and even the nature of what we might call the soul. Why is it that when some robots are left in darkness, they will seek out the light? Why is it that when robots are stored in an empty space, they will group together, rather than stand alone? How do we explain this behavior? Random segments of code? Or is it something more? When does a perceptual schematic become consciousness? When does a difference engine become the search for truth? When does a personality simulation become the bitter mote... of a soul?"
Project Familiar is not exactly well known. Even amongst the Republic senators and other political figures, it has been padded down to a simple update to the military's recon droids. In truth, however, the project is much more controversial in nature. Even within Project Familiar itself there are many things known only to a select few researchers and specialists.
Project Seer is the basis behind 01's ability. This project produced the Philosopher's Vector, the bio-mechanic device that allows the droid to sense Force energies. Needless to say, even the notion of this idea has met with nothing but disdain skepticism. It is because of this opinion that Project Seer has been deemed Classified on the highest security level and all notes on its production kept under careful lock down. After it's "failure" all records were destroyed and research teams were ordered never to attempt such a feat again.
After the subsequent destruction of 02 by its own EMP, the entire team was fired and replaced. The Wizard would not have any more of his creations destroyed by reckless negligence.
Things went smoothly with a more conservative approach until Project Prodigy, the program that surrounds the mystery of 07's ability. In short, the public has never liked the idea of a droid becoming way too smart for its own good. And who can blame them? What with the media releasing holovids of massive droid takeovers and computers trying to wipe out humanity. Thankfully, 07 does not fall under these categories and only wishes to remain operational. The project was originally intended to create the "most sentient" of the droids. Sentience being, by Republic standards, defined by a being's ability to speak, manipulate tools, and reason. Up until then, the AER models had the fullest capability of the first two, but the project leaders wanted to take reasoning to the next level. By their thinking, reasoning wasn't enough. A truly sentient species is capable of using that reasoning to ADAPT to a situation. 07's processor, like the philosopher's vector, was engineered using state-of-the-art technology and theoretical designs all without the knowledge of all but a few designated researchers. Thus was created the Evolutionary Viability Operating System, or EVOS for short.
All in all, these droids are no throw-away recon drones. These are about as state-of-the-art as it gets in this time and should not be considered lightly. Though some may act more analytical or stoic than others, remember that an AER is designed to be more than just a tool. Think of them more as a companion, a dog if you will that can fly and talk and deduce the situation and....alright, so maybe more like a comrade. My point is that even though these are automatons, they have fake feelings too!
My final point to make is an issue of separation. Several of these droids have had previous partners and this is no mere assignment. For lack of a better way to say this, energy, and creativity, let me just make a few droll analogies. To be forcefully separated from your AER can have a several detrimental effect on the minds of both soldier and droid. Rather like losing a good friend or even an actual familiar (ever read the Golden Compass? It's not called Project Familiar for no reason). Just keep in mind that a partnership with an AER unit is not something that will ever be forgotten.
For further explanation, I direct thee hither to this thread where Ayer himself explains Familiar straight from the hors- er, bird's mout- er beak!
LINK
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Though only a rarely occurring NPC, I feel that this guy has an important enough role in upcoming RP to merit his own small character sheet, so here he is:
Name: Arzahiem Salazar Farweulf
Known Aliases: The Wizard (PF), Briant Polaris (GWF), Sir Wilmer Vaticus (NF), Ross Riuaro (FLE), Harth Denever (RFSM), Athetinear Ul'dasuun (FPTC)*
Race: Rilan
Age: 111
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 122
Appearance:
When not a silhouette from behind reinforced privacy glass, Arzahiem appears a tall, elderly gentlemen. Rarely seen, if at all, without a suit that never seems to wrinkle and a stately pipe that never seems to be lit, he is the purest picture of cold bureaucracy at its best. His face is covered in creases as if he were 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 find them switching to green striped with purple. This "true" color is generally only witnessed by those who he puts his deepest trust in.
His "true form" (not really sure what to call it) 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 appears as a collection of blue, purple, and redish hues swirling in what could almost be called a vortex. Past Force sensitive bodyguards have even admitted becoming slightly dizzy if they looked at him for too long. 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.
Birth place: Celeban, Rilia
Occupation: Undercover head of Project Familiar
Rank: No official rank, but what he says goes and what goes only tends to do so because he says.
Biography
Not much is known about the mysterious figure heading Project Familiar. Those who do tend to only be his closest friends and most trusted acquaintances. Generally appearing as a progress statement, voice on a commline, or at most a silhouette in a window, a sheltered present masks a war torn past.
Born in Celeban in the midst of war-torn Rilia into a family of Morequai elite, he was immediately thrust into a strict, compassionless childhood by his mother--Drathora Farweulf, a powerful Morhiril. From the moment he could comprehend such concepts, he was imbued with military tactics and knowledge he would one day need to rule on his own. In his teachings, he showed far more prowess as a thinker than a warrior, preferring quiet study to the intense sparring sessions that left many a burn upon his skin from the low-frequency tarsil.
It was a cold upbringing with the only joy found in the rare moments where he could be left alone to his own devices. Literally. Putting his mechanical mind to work, the mind became translated onto paper, the paper to reality. At age 14 he was at last permitted to choose his studies and thus the scars and bruises of a warrior vanished beneath complex equations and soldering smoke. This was perhaps the time where Arzahiem felt happiest, in this transition between preparation and reality. Unfortunately, a transition by definition has a destination, and reality was a harsh mistress.
At age 23, he graduated at the top of his class at the Celeban Technical Engineering University, his final exam accepting the certificate in its beak with a small bow. Hephaestus had actually been built many years prior in a joint effort for Arza to test his own skills and have the closest thing he could to a friend. The rickety, mechanical bird droid was simple and imperfect in its design (much of its servos and wiring exposed), but it was nonetheless an impressive feat of engineering. Immediately after graduation, he resumed his studies independently. However, his studies began to focus on digital engineering and programming as this was seen to him as the undeniable future of innovation.
And alongside every advance, the bird was there benefiting from the update.
Family obligation hit not 2 years into his study. It was not a question. On his 26th birthday, his father drafted him into the Morequai
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 3
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 3
Leadership: 8
Unarmed: 5
Melee Weapons: 5
Ranged Weapons: 2
Alignment: +6
RP Sample: (Since I'm never going to have the chance to have him do anything like this again...)
"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 Sir Wilmer Vaticus 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 some day.
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, Galactic Wheat Federation, New Foundations, Feanturi Liberation Effort, Republic of Free Systems Military, Fine Pipe and Tobacco Company
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AER Update
With recent advances made in the devlopment of the REA and FIDES units, a reevaluation of the the AER software and multiple performance systems has been released. The adjustments and upgrades are as follows:
General Model
-Increased repulsor energy efficiency 14%.
-Energy limters rerouted to allow emergency power to repulsor generators.
-multi-tool size decrease 28%; microfusion cutter energy efficiency increased 9%.
-Four new vision spectrum settings available to visor, including short range x-ray, electrical impulse, radiation painter, and a residual heat modifyer to the existing thermal.
-REEVOSatom edition integrated into primary processors.
-Early prototype of units 11 and 17's tnlWurm security bypass program.
-Database autoacquire and crossreference program.
-Optional reintegration into optimized chassis. Features: 30% larger battery capacity, 15% more efficient solar feather arrays, 19% increase to average repulsor speed, liquid-repulsing/atmospheric sealant variable visor backlighting/anti-reflectant lattice (allows the model to deactivate visor lighting while still being able to observe readout), visor-based Emotech biorhythmics color expressor, radar-absorbing alloy stealth alloy coating (0.021 mm), and a slimmer, more aerodynamic form.
-Asteroids(TM)
Unit Specific
00 - Increased analysis range 11%.
01 (if recovered) - System mediator, emergency PV cutoff protocol.
02 (if recovered) - 58% denser energy dampening alloy, EMP limiters installed.
03 - IFF database updated, sensors 27% more difficult to scramble.
04 - Code override reset, signal jammer energy efficiency increased 70%. Repulsor power increased 4%.
05 - Blaster power cell linked to solar array for recharging, outrigger blades replaced with exmantium alloy-edged replicates, vibroemitters installed.
06 - Alchemical Innovation software installed to allow unit to fabricate medicinal solutions from extracted properties of surroundings. Repulsor power increased 9%.
07 (if recovered) - Morallity code override, EVOS removed.
08 - Armored exo-coat replaced with a refined alloy of greater strength and lighter weight, 35% increase to shield energy efficiency, shield limiter installed to allow encompassment to be adjusted, servo/repulsor capabilities restored while shield is in use.
09 - Holoprojecter energy efficiency increased 15%, projection range increased 120%.
