Of Metal and Monsters (OPEN)

[Foxfire]

The day began as all the same a warm breeze, a red sun and the noise of grinding gears. The year of endless searching with no maintenance was taking it's toll on .925. Major errors became a common thing for it whether it was a logic error, to a simple thing as first steps. What was more disturbing was the time .925 was spending on focusing and scanning things that amounted to nothing, such as why sand was swirling into the sky on hotter days to how long it took for a corpse to dry completely. A cleaning of both physical and soft ware wise was definitely needed.

Two hours into this day, ,925 was monitoring the sound of it's foot steps upon the craggy lip of a deep ravine when it's life form sensors(LFS) that was off line for two days started with life and processed a large cluster of life forms ahead. .925 would have tried to either gone silent or bull run for the encampment, but it's servos were nearly shot. Rust and high heat of Korriban had taken it's toll upon it.

.925 was nearly swept off the edge by a incoming transport. A self preservation program (SPP) alerted .925 to find flatter surface. .925 looked to it's right away from the ravine and noticed the flatter area. This tho conflicted with it's search program. Moving on down the length of the ravine .925 looked to the right and scanned the landing zone where the transport ship had landed. It chose that as a flat spot to continue the search.

As it turned and took a step it's SPP failed to engage. With the sound of crashing metal .925 fell from the cliff. 'Was this the first time?' Some who were watching would have said. The answer was no, for .925 this was the 10th time this week and the fortieth time this month. Luckily most of the times it was able to miss dense rock clusters and find the softer sand piles to come to a rest. This fall was just like the other except that now living beings saw and heard the fall.

.925 came back on-line when it came to a rest at the bottom. Ever so more slower the power-up system came up. Slowly the whirring of servos and clicking of armature connectors readjusted and rolled to one side it arose. More dents were visible this time new ones which made standing to full height imposable. Bent over like a old being of some dying race it hobbled on to the main structure. It's LFS were off line again tho it logic program was back up the first time in three months. It made out the various races and the clothing of most as Sith or Dark Jedi, but it's immediate danger program (IDP) was lost if a cluster of fraged files unable to access. Though it could have done little about them now.

No ammo and dying systems .925 was at the mercy of them. Getting with in fifty yards of the main edifice of the ravine .925's walking logistics failed and down on it's knees it went to more no more. It would have asked for help but it's audio processors were off-line. What was on-line was it's WI-FI system, it had not used it since the drop. It searched every viable signal and tapped into them all. In one transmission it said in repetition, Need repairs, systems failing, please rrrererereeeeppppplyyyy.

[Foxfire]

Time had pasted for .925. Finally he was releived of the spot he was in. .925 found him self surrounded by beings nearly all ignored him but just three. One even had the nerve to tell him that he a Krath war droid would be his property. That was never going to happen. He did though take the infomation and slowly made his way over to the repair shop where he found another droid doing work on some training bots that had seen better days and less light saber damage.

He did not have to say or do anything the repair droid came over and moved him into a droid repair harness for quicker work. With in an hour he was back to his old self, minus the ammo. The repair droid even reworked his blade as well, new, shiny, and very sharpe. Instead of going right back to the temple he worked his way around the perimator of the temple taking all the infomation about the temple, land features, paths, cave like holes for ambushing.

making his way back to the front of the temple to find the group whom he first saw was gone, he desided to go inside and see who or what was of such intrest. For only, in .925 limited time, people like this gathered for war and not peace.

[Nightender]

Outside the Temple itself. It was hot and Alindra felt like she was baking. Better than freezing and, contrary to many women in her position, she had skills to help her through the wild, should the need arise.

In the distance, she noticed a battle droid. Cleaner and in better condition than it had been in, .925 was making defensive rounds. He'd been willing to help Alindra when she got wrapped up in a duel. She wanted to know more about the droid and perhaps find more to do with its help.

"Hey there," she said, holding up a single hand as she approached. "You're the droid who tried to help me out, aren't you?"

[Foxfire]

Such a pointed question. .925 had not had such since he went on-line. This one looked to have survived the altercation. .925 made his way over to the female.

This one is. Why would you ask? Have I changed so much?

He knew he no longer had that rusted droid look and he did not smell of burnt servos. He guessed that this being thought all droids looked alike, as for him he could say the same of them. If it had not been for the deviation of body structure .925 would have considered them as clones of each other.

Moving with in five feet of the female .925 introduced him self.

I am .925 KWD. Silver edition Krath War Droid at your disposal. .... ?.... Though not truly. The reason why I asked for help earlier is that I have permanently lost my prime objective. This was due to a freak cross wind slamming me into a ravine wall. Damage to my hard ware made for the loss of the soft ware. In other words I am searching for a prime order.

[Nightender]

"In that case, how can I help?" Alindra looked over the armored shell of the droid, wondering exactly how it could be damaged so severely, even though it already knew what had happened. "I can't profess to know much about droid repair. In fact, the little we've talked is probably the most I've voluntarily talked with a droid in my life."

Alindra left out the fact that she grew up a slave and had little contact with droids. Dancing girls didn't need droids and there were none to be found out in the wild, where she'd stayed for a year.

"Tell me everything you can. I'm good at figuring things out. Maybe I can help that way."

[Foxfire]

It took .925 a few nano seconds to process the request.

The main Item is the Prime Order. Prime order- the overriding order given to give directive and order to other programs. You see I've been here on Korriban for some time gathering information not knowing whether it is relevant or useless. In hume terms I am wondering with out a purpose. All machines need order even if it is wrong. With out this prime order I believe that errors will occur again, such as me spending endless hours watching the sunsets and sunrises. If you can give me a Prime order then my existence will be more endurable.

With that .925 dropped to it's knees, waiting for order to begin. To help, to kill all, to send ones self to the heart of a sun, anything would be more tolerable than the time I have used so far.

[Nightender]

Alindra put a finger to her lips as she put everything together. "Let me see if I'm understanding this right. You need this prime order in order to build the rest of your directives and operate properly."

She turned to look at .925's head, wondering something more. "Do you need any hardware repairs as well, or just the order?"

Knowing some of the animosity the existed for the Sith and the likelihood of being ambushed, even by other Sith, Alindra started to put together a few ideas. .925 had come to her aid already. Perhaps Alindra could help that to continue. Having a war droid nearby and willing to help fight would be a firm advantage. But Alindra's technical prowess was nonexistent. For her to do this, .925 would have to walk her though it or she would have to find someone with some real technical expertise.

Whispering, Alindra said, "If Laira were here, she could help."

[Foxfire]

Listening to the question .925 still could not understand humes. Could she not see him in better repair than was before.

Repairs are 100% completed...with indignat tone....All that is needed or nessary is the Prime Order. The order which all other programs refer to, and revolve around. If is to much for you then I must try to seek some one who can give me that Prime Order.

Standing to his full height.925 rose. A gentle wind blew and a God ray struck the spot where the two of them are standing. .925 turned to view the God Ray and the cloud movement.

It appears that a storm is approaching. So if you would.... deside, the Prime Order or running from the storm.

[Nightender]

"Let's get out of the storm," Alindra said. "I don't want you thinking--" She stopped herself, since she didn't know if a joke order might register as .925's Prime Order. Moving to a small cave a little closer to the Temple, Alindra made sure they could both find shelter from the storm and remain undisturbed for a little while.

"Ok, .925, I have a Prime Order for you." Alindra wanted to be careful with her phrasing. She had to make sure that she wasn't going to say the wrong thing. An incorrect word could result in a fatal error; Alindra didn't want either of them dead. In fact, her idea for a Prime Order would require both of them to stay alive.

"Krath War Droid .925--your Prime Order is to act as a Protector. You may serve directly as a bodyguard or, if allowed, you may pursue threats more aggressively. Should you fail to protect those in your care, you will devote yourself to the act or revenge, unless otherwise commanded. You will defend yourself as well, unless otherwise ordered or in the even you cannot be salvaged. Do you understand this Prime Order?"

If he does, I know exactly who I want him to protect. Two people who could use the help.

[Foxfire]

"Krath War Droid .925--your Prime Order is to act as a Protector. You may serve directly as a bodyguard or, if allowed, you may pursue threats more aggressively. Should you fail to protect those in your care, you will devote yourself to the act or revenge, unless otherwise commanded. You will defend yourself as well, unless otherwise ordered or in the even you cannot be salvaged. Do you understand this Prime Order?"

.925 did under stand his logic processors set the Prime Order, now all that was left was the variables.

To who am I to set this Prime order for?

.925's programmings were waiting for this day since he crashed landed. His logic processors were humming for the variables to be filled. Would it be someone at the temple or was he to protect this one and another he did not know. All he could do was wait.

[Nightender]

"You are to set your Prime Order for two people." Alindra had done it. She wasn't sure how exactly, other than following the directions .925 had given her, but she meant to make good on them. Besides, she meant to get into a much more active role over time, which would require her to be in much more dangerous situations.

"The first person is myself, Alindra Vordrinn. There will be times in the future when I may need to use aliases to do my work; when this happens, I will provide you with updated information."

The big note was taken care of. Knowing she had a Krath War Droid on her side gave her a sense of satisfaction, the kind that she only felt when she was about to jump into battle.

"The second person you are to protect is my sister, Laira Vordrinn. She is on the planet Almania. There will be exceptions to her protection, however. She is not to be defended until she agrees to join the Sith. Also, you will not impede any actions that assist in bringing her to the Dark Side, unless they would jeopardize her life, or I ask you to extend to her full protection.

"Does this fit with your parameters?"

[Foxfire]

Parameters are set ......... and locked.

Prime Orders are complete. Reestablishing secondary tier protocols of protecting and guarding,..... set. System resetting. ....

.925's system powered down slumping as he did. Time crawled by as the logic processors cooled and the hard filing of the Prime Order took place. .925's servos and coolant systems hissed and tinked as they settled due to the restart.

After five minutes a slight electronic whistle could be heard as the systems of .925 came back on line. A new low warbling sound over came the electronic sounds being made. another minute later the servos kicked in and .925 shuddered. He rose back to full height.

In a more sub-servant low tone... .925 protector and war chief guardian is now on line. Secondary protocols are on stand-by. How may I be of service my Lady Alindra?

[Nightender]

A wicked smirk took shape over Alindra's face. The severity of the weather seemed to call for what Alindra had installed at the Prime Order for .925. She never dreamed she would actually have a bodyguard, much less one willing to mow down an army with built in weapons.

"Tell me, my friend, what do you need to operate at minimum and maximum efficiency to fulfill your directives? I can't have you powering down in the middle of a fight."

New ideas were taking shape in Alindra's mind. Being addressed with deference, even if it was by a droid. For better or worse, she had an extremely loyal servant now, one willing to do a great many things that most servants would be afraid to do.

[Foxfire]

My lady I am currently running at minimum levels on armer and weapons. My power source is not a problem. Programming for latest weapons and unarmed combat may need to be up loaded. Current unarmed programing is below nominal standards for body guard programing. Other items will be at your lady's discretion.

.925 was the poor cousin of his full version. The labs did not want to spend to much on the proto type if it proved unreliable. So a sword in fair condition of edge and standard strength. Pulse wave assymbly which never had been used. A libary of infomation stored in his droid Hd's is all this droid had to it's name. Now all that was going to change for the better.

[Nightender]

"Keep me regularly updated on your equipment needs." Alindra looked around, knowing how often she'd have a chance to find more gear and equipment to get .925 up to speed. "Once a week will be sufficient, unless something shifts to less than nominal levels. Should you find an opportunity to find additional or better equipment, you have my permission to make improvements as long as it doesn't interfere with your duties."

Ideas started rolling around in Alindra's mind. Wicked notions of what she was capable of and how a war droid could help her more. "Do you have the ability to conceal a lightsaber?"

[Foxfire]

.925 reached with his left hand to his left thigh,and opened a compartment that would normally hold grenades or munitions. Then he opened another place near his left side of his chest under his arm, this to was for munitions but was shielded to protect magnetic sensitive items.

I have areas on the opposite sides as well, but of course those are holding munitions and parts at present. My concealing compasity at present is at minimum. My leg compartment is for anything 20" or shorter. The chest area is 17" due to spinal movement.

.925 closed the compartments before anyone could come by and see. Shuffling his feet he moved over in front of Alindra as his sensors picked up a life form turning towards their cave as the storm worsened. The young sith moved into the entrance pulling up short as .925 blocked the young ones forward movement.

You may stay only for two minutes, the storm will slack up and then I would suggest you run to the temple before the next wave of storms. Got it hume!

.925 already had his hand on the saber at his right side. It was just resting there waiting for a response from the young one. The only response .925 got was a sneer and a mumbling of some thing not understandable in an alien language. The young ling just waited until the storm relaxed and made a run for the temple leaving leaving Alindra and .925 to continue on with their conversation.

[Nightender]

The youngling, likely a child who'd discovered the Sith through an absentee master, looked at Alindra, wanting some sort of compassion. It was something no Sith was likely to give, not for free, and never cheaply. .925 had made a sufficient threat to get the youngling to leave the cave.

"Interesting. What would you have done if that child had wanted to attack me? It's going to happen--a lot."

There would be duels and Alindra would have to take them on without any help from the war droid. At least, she would need to do things on her own to get a better handle on her skills with lightsabers and the Force. She would never be able to develop herself as a Sith unless she did so.

"I want to know how you plan on engaging my enemies. How do you decide your fighting methods?"

[Foxfire]

Quirry My Lady was not the talk of a secretive nature? Information about me may compromise the protection of you. As for that one a warning was all that would have been needed. It's pharamones told me that it was frightened of you more than me or the strom. I just gave it a way out by making it think that the strom was going to slack up soon. I did not know that it would.

A very cold answer, but one of truth. .925 returned to his master's side putting himself between her and the entrance.

As for how I will fight. I have an extensive collection of vid and fighting styles from Mando combat to possiblly all Jedi fighting styles. Though I doubt that I could use a light saber with out the proper programming. If you would I would like to study the Sith fighting styles and modify them to my programming and body set. I have after all a learning Ai the more information I have the stronger of a fighter I will be.

As for your safty, if you are hurt near or beyond the healing limits set in my protocals of your race, based on 75% of fighting compasity, that is when I will step in and delete the opponet unless otherwise so ordered.

[Nightender]

"Very wise, .925. Very wise indeed."

Alindra started thinking more about what the war droid might be capable of. She wanted to see exactly what it could do. With a word, she could see a display. It was a risk, but not one she minded taking. After all, a war droid's purpose is to fight and kill.

"Your methods for secrecy are quite correct and well-intentioned. However, I wish to see a demonstration. Should the storm break, I would like you to pursue that youngling. I want to see what he's made of."

[Foxfire]

.925 noded his head and said...

As you wish.

He tilted his head as he egaged the WI-FI system to tie into the temples security camras through the prevoius encounter. It took but a moment to find the young-ling. The young-ling male was taking his agression out on some training bots.

.925 turned to go to the entrance to wait for the storm to lax just enough for him to slip into the temple and down to the droid training room.

The boy is in a droid training room there is where I shall confront him with the so ordered test.

The storm wained just a bit and .925 bolted across to the entrance of the temple turned and nodded toward his master. Slowly he made his way down into the temple. Stepping out of the way as the hall ways filled and emptied of Sith.

The training room was two floors down in the heart of the temple. The sound of shrieking droids could begin to be heard. .925 turned a corner and walked strait through the door way where the young-ling male praticed. .925 stopped ten feet away from the young one. He took in that the young-ling was a human male of a scronny nature but some what strong in the force. That was by the way the boy hurled the battle bot to the far side of the training room. He also noticed that an older male was watching on.

To him self...This might complicate things.

But .925 did not have to think on it to much as the boy turned and smashed him with the force. .925 slid to a halt twevle feet away. He looked over at the adult male and noticed that the adult saw him as another droid for the young one to spar with.

To him self...Processing...... Advantage mine. comencing test.

.925 charged at the boy again and was hit again by the wall of force power. He tried twice more and found that advancement any further than ten feet would be limited. He had to change tactics.

Scanning the boy again he noticed that the boy was getting more and more tired as he pushed back in the force. So he dropped to all fours and dug into the floor with his hands and feet to hold against the force push.

One foot, two feet, three. Scanning the was indeed straining to keep the war droid at bay. At this time a broken battle bot with a shorting restraint grabbed the left foot of the boy. The boy's consintration faultered as did his force push each time the bot's clap shorted.

To him self...Consintration that is what is needed to control there force ability.

Nowing this .925 set his audio to high skwelch and blasted the room both with his own audio and through the room's audio system. The effect was perfect the boy lost control and his hold upon the force. .925 stood and moved forward to capture the young-ling. With out stretched hand he was going to grab him, but that is when movement from behind registured upon .925's scans. The adult finally saw that this was not part of the training room's programming.

.925 turned just in time for the adult who now registured as a adult Bothan Sith grabbed him in the force. The audio noise was not having as great of and effect upon the bothan as the young male. .925 processed the problem at hand.

A ruse is what might give an opening for a counter measure.

Using a distorted audio file he said.....Please help some one has reprogramed meeeeahheeehhh. I need to reboot to correct the problem.

The request for help was totally ignored, but gave .925 to distort his pulse wave firing system to fire more static than concentrated energy. .925 held up both arms as if surrendering and fired both systems. He altered the tragictory and the time fired by one sec apart it was enough to make the Sith move away from the first and get grazed by the second.

.925 turned his shoulder so that his left faced the adult and the right to the young-ling. As .925 expected the boy was coming around but was still held fast by the now dead bot.

Loud and in his true voice-Bothan if this was real your young-ling would be dead now. Both need to always know who and what is around supposed to be there.

.925 lowered his pulse wave systems but kept them charged up as he backed out of the training room to stand by Alindra.