For the disclaimer: I really hate repeating this to you people as if you are idiots (which you're not) but again I must say I do not own any Star Wars copyright/material/etc. directly or indirectly. I am also not making money off of this, although I wish I was, cause I'd really like a PSP. Or some new books.

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Chapter 3

"God, it's hot!" I exclaimed as I went through the mining area that would lead to the administration level. I was right, the place was very uncomfortable, and it wasn't just the crazy killer droids down there. I trudged on through the inhospitable place until I found another corpse. Fortunately, the droids had got him in the face and must have forgotten to "mine" him. All his possessions were still intact. I put on his clothes and survey gear to avoid any sonic mines they used to locate differing densities. He also had a keycard that was undamaged as well. Once I was finished, Atton chimed in on the communicator.

"How's it going down there?" he inquired

"Better than five minutes ago. I found some clothes and equipment."

"About time. I was getting pretty creeped out by the whole half-naked Jedi thing."

"Focus, damn it!"

"Geez, sorry."

"Another thing, it is VERY hot down here"

"That's to be expected. You're underground in a worked out area. By the way, I was able to get more into the mining area info and schematics. Apparently there is a small droid factory between you and the administration level."

"God, I hate you."

"Don't hate the player, hate the Pazaak. You could try and use your stealth belt to sneak to the computer and disable the droids."

"I'll try that. I don't feel like taking on a small army of droids that want to see if there's fuel inside me. Oh wait a second. I'm there."

"Be careful. Droids down there look for heat signatures."

Well, then raise the temperature to my body temperature and that ought to blind my heat."

"Got it"

The passage narrowed a little before opening up into a circular chamber. In the center on a catwalk was the console. Like Atton said, there was a disturbingly large number of droids guarding the perimeter of the room.

"Found the console. Don't call back until I call first."

"What if you get killed?"

"Then I suggest you develop a taste for your Pazaak cards or self-cannibalism."

I shut off the comm-link and activated my stealth-belt, rendering myself invisible to all but the most discerning of eyes. I snuck close to the console and was about to activate it, but suddenly one of the droids turned towards me. I stood as quietly as I could, hoping with all of myself that they didn't spot me. Then the droid turned away after a minute. I was able to breath and then set about quickly to disabling the droids. I also took the time to open up the lock to the administration level.

"Atton, I got the droids quieted down here."

"Mates! You got to get out of there fast!"

"Why?"

"Because something set off an explosion in another part of the mines. That explosion is going to make you a crispy tach if you don't get out of there now!"

"Arrgh, God I ha-"

"Don't hate-"

'I KNOW!"

I shoved the comm-link into a pocket and rushed through the small circular chambers of pacified droids. I could hear the explosion coming closer. I spotted the turbolift at the end of a hall past the factory and ran for it. The explosion sounded like it was almost on top of me. I ran inside and punched the up button. Subsequently, the lift shot up to the administration level. I rushed out and closed both the regular and blast doors to the lift just 3 seconds before the door rumbled and bits of smoke came leaking out of it. I collapsed on the ground and took a breather.

Grateful I was finally somewhere air conditioning was, I headed in to a room down the hall to see a very unusual, though familiar scene. Crumbled droids, corpses, and general disarray were everywhere. But then I finally some sign of relief. There was a humanoid droid standing near a corpse. It wasn't one of the mining droids, so I considered it to be safe. I approached the droid, but then it turned towards me

"Relieved exclamation: Ah, Master, It is very pleasing to see you are well!"

"Huh?" I grunted in bewilderment.

"Concerned clarification: I had come to the conclusion you had met your end as a result of the rebelling mining droids. Yet despite the extenuating trials you have suffered, here you are!"

"Who are you? And why are you calling me "Master"? I've never seen you before."

"Offended introduction: Why Master, you wound me. I am your loyal servant. An HK-series droid."

"Well, your optical or recognition circuits must be damaged, cause I'm not your master."

"Objecting declaration: Incorrect. All my systems are operating at maximum efficiency. I have come into your service as a result of my previous master's… termination."

"So what happened to him?"

"Condescending remark: Master, you worry me. It seems you are not operating at a desirable level of thought processes."

"My apologies, I seem to have run across an untimely case of short-term amnesia. Now please continue about you previous master."

"Excited Explanation: Aah, that is easily explained by the massive injuries attained by you before we arrived at this facility."

"Continuation: My previous master was a Republic officer aboard the Harbinger."

"The ship we were on before the Ebon Hawk."

"Annoyed query: Master, do you desire for me to conclude my anecdote or not?"

"Sorry, please go on."

"Continuation: Apparently, your presence aboard the Harbinger was discovered by unknown enemy forces, who subsequently forced us to leave aboard the Ebon Hawk by detrimental conditions."

"Conjecture: My Master was left behind; whom I suspect is dead long by now. He may have been questioned, but it is highly doubtful that they allowed him to live that long."

"Expressed disappointment: I do so wish I could have bee there to hear the screaming of the crew as they died."

I raised my eyebrow in a mix of slight horror and surprise. Although I already knew about HK droids' penchant towards violence, it could still be unnerving at times to hear something that acted human talk in such a way.

"You HK droids are pretty weird when it comes to death."

"Pleading reservation: Come now, Master. Even a droid should be allowed some fun at least, hmm?"

"Yeah, well killing people isn't exactly my idea of a good time, but hey, whatever floats your boat"

"Puzzled inquiry: Why would you say I possess a boat, Master?"

"Never mind. Do you know of any way out of this place? I can see that the way out is cut off by energy shields."

And indeed I was correct. The only way I could see getting into the bay was blocked by a large and obviously powerful energy shield. It didn't look like even an hour from a heavy repeating blaster could get through that luminescent barrier. I wasn't going to be going through there anytime soon.

"Statement: No, Master. The only conceivable way out would be through that shielded archway." The droid said, with a slightly monotonous tone.

"Come on. There has to SOME way out of here to the hangar?" I pleaded desperately.

"Compensation: Master, my apologies. The only other way out would be through the fueling pipes. And the only way to get there would be to have codes from an administrator. Then you would have to proceed through the dormitory to continue outside. The remaining miners evacuated to the dormitories, which would be impossible to get to or communicate with."

"Wait! You said they evacuated to the dormitories? There are still people alive there?"

"Reply: Indeed. However, as I stated before, it is impossible to reach there."

"Why the heck not?"

"Explanation: Because, the door that leads to the dormitory level has been sealed off."

"Who did that?"

"Statement: What is left of him is on the ground right next to you, Master"

I looked down with a horrible expectation, and found it realized. About two feet to my left was the body of a red-haired man in a miner's uniform. His face was frozen in a cruel expression of horror. No doubt, he was attacked by the rogue droids like everyone else on the station had been.

"Reminiscing statement: Ah yes, his execution was most enjoyable to witness. How it fills my memory banks with shivers remembering his screaming as the droids incised into his flesh."

I almost felt sick. For some reason, I had also suddenly developed a headache. Probably brought on by the amount of stress I had been under during the past few hours.

"Look, if you want to serve me, then keep your opinions about organic extermination to yourself from now on."

"Reluctant compliance: Very well, Master. Although, not with intention to upset you more, would like to hear the recording of him before he died?"

Hesitantly, I allowed him to play it back, hoping for a clue of some sort.

"Recording: 'Oh, God! They're coming through! There's at least five of them! We don't have much time. We have got to-. Oh no! AAAAAAA! MY LEG! OH GOD NO-!'"

"End recording."

Shaken up, and disappointed in hearing not clues, but simple a pitiful last plea for life, I shook my head.

"So, do you know what the password is to the door?"

"Statement: Yes, Master. But it can't help you."

"What? How does that work?"

"Remark: Because, the code is voice-activated. Only he could have opened up the door. He cannot help us with this predicament."

I moaned and sat down on the wall and began to think about what I could do next. Little did I know, my troubles were about to get worse. A lot worse.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes, I realize I may be screwing up on the logic of how you escaped in the game. However, they kept mentioning all these big and fancy words and it got me all confuzzled. I'm doing my best. Again, Chapter 4 will be up ASAP.