System Online


= = = Baktoid Combat Automata Systems Edition v225.121 = = =

= = PROPERTY OF THE TRADE FEDERATION = =

= LISENCED TO THE CONFEDERACY OF INDEPENDENT SYSTEMS =

C:/ run ? Y/N?

B:/ Y

C:/ running …

01010011 01110100 01100001 01110010 01110100 00100000 01010101 01110000 00100000 01010011 01100101 01110001 01110101 01100101 01101110 01100011 01100101 00001010

C:/ run ? Y/N?

B:/ Y

C:/running …

Primary Battery Unit- [Nominal]- Current Power Supply at [100/100%]

Auxiliary Battery Unit- [Nominal] - Current Power Supply at [100/100%]

Primary Processor: Trade Federation Directives CPU- [Nominal]

Secondary Processor: Neural Net CPU- [Nominal]

Droid Control Center Receiver- [Nominal]

Baktoid Combat Automata War Droid Program Package- [Nominal]

Recording Unit- [Nominal]

Audioreceptors- [Nominal]

Vocabulator Module- [Nominal]

Sensor Systems- [Nominal]

Heat Sensor Modification- [Nominal]

Long Range Communications Systems- [Nominal]

Servomotors/RArm- [Nominal]

Servomotors/LArm- [Nominal]

Servomotor/RLeg- [Nominal]

Servomotor/LLeg- [Nominal]

Miscellaneous Systems- [Nominal]

Completed.

C:/ Scan for nearest Droid Command Center? Y/N?

B:/ Y

C:/Scanning…

Located Droid Command Centers: [3] In total: [Cossul III Droid Foundry I] [Cossul III Droid Foundry II] [Cossul III Droid Foundry III]

C:/ Connect to Selected? [Cossul III Droid Foundry III] Y/N?

B:/ Y

C:/Connecting…

C:/ Connected.

C:/ Run ? Y/N?

B:/ Y

C:/ Running …

The darkness around it was soon replaced as its photoreceptors took in the light from the factory.

Its sensors immediately heard the constant humming and drumming of the foundries' non-stop operations as it unfolded from its compact storage.

In its photoreceptors, it could see the text appear in its vision, quickly scrolling through his vision.

-= TRADE FEDERATION DIRECTIVES =-

Obey all orders from Count Dooku and Supreme Commander General Grievous

Obey all orders from offices that govern the Confederacy of Independent System

Obey all orders from Confederacy Military.

Obey all standing orders uploaded from the nearby Droid Command Center.

Deal with threats to the Confederacy of Independent Systems in accordance with pre-programmed protocol.

Under each of these listings were the guidelines and other essential data needed for handling of persons, but as quickly as it popped up in its vision, it disappeared as the stream of data continued upwards.

Once done, it stood at a full height of nearly two meters.

Behind it, the familiar sounds of more droids of his make were being activated and soon enough they stood beside itself.

Metallic footsteps soon came closer to them, and it was not before long that a droid of a different model, stood before them. Matching its height, its own sensors quickly made out that this was its superior, its photoreceptors highlighting its designation as ST-MODUS

"BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4." The familiarity of the deep and rigidity voice of the Super Tactical Series spoke. "There has been a sighting of a single Republic Commando lurking nearby,"

Lifting his hand, a holo-projector indeed revealed security footage of a Republic Commando in this very foundry, moving as stealthily as he could.

"By my calculations, there must be a whole squad on this planet, however, other squads have already been dispatched to deal with them at strategic targets." Hands behind his back, the droid walked down along the line.

"Sir." Unit BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4 looked to its droid superior. "Where was the commando last heading."

For a moment, the Super Tactical Droid looked at BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4, the command droid knowing that the ST-Series was performing calculations.

"Estimates show a high probability of this one heading towards the southwestern exit." ST-Modus turned around and continued walking. "You are being granted a squad of Commando Droids of similar make to yourself for this task."

"Eliminate the target?"

"No." A near growl came from the more expensive of the two. "Bring him to me alive for interrogation." The black droid rounded back to BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4, and its three red eyes looked straight at it. Clenching its metallic talons, he demanded input. "Is that understood Captain?"

"Roger Roger." With a nod BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4 turned to the other BX Series droids, its voice deep. "You heard the Tactical Droid; we will capture him and bring him back for interrogation."

"Roger Roger" "Roger Roger" "Roger Roger" "Roger Roger" "Roger Roger"

"Roger Roger" "Roger Roger" "Roger Roger" "Roger Roger"

The cacophony of echoing soon turned into organized action.

With precise movements, they walked to their designated weapons storage, each weapon locker marked for rank instead of the model or make.

"BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4; Rank- Droid Captain. Authorization Granted" The automated voice replied in droid binary, the locker responding by opening up.

Picking up the E-5 Blaster along with the vibro-sword, it analyzed for a moment, before making calculated adjustments to its pre-programmed fighting style with the varying vibro-swords used in its recycled life.

Charging down the many hallways, the squad of ten commando droids quickly found themselves in the corridor leading out of the foundry from the southwest.

A number of Droideka Battle Droids had moved out, along with a few B2-Battle Droids firing into the darkness as the Commando fled.

Moving towards the edge of the platform, the tundra before them was quite dense.

"Fan out and pursue the target. You two-"BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4 pointed to units BX-X097-F2-D2-H3 and BX-X093-V7-K1-L0-D4, "you will follow me."

"Roger Roger" The two units stated in unison, taking their place beside their designated captain.

Photoreceptors turning on, the white hue allowed for BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4 to see easily in the darkness, following the disrupted terrain.

Soon approaching a clearing, the clone seemed to dive behind cover, two blaster bolts flew right beside its sensors, pinging off the superior casing of their heads.

"Contact sighted!" Shouted BX-X097 before a high-powered shot tore through its primary chassis.

Taking cover from the open, it activated thermal sight, the droid captain could see a huge heat signature coming in. Although it couldn't make out anything else, it could recognize the template.

"Nu-Class Assault Transport." It informed on their communication frequency. "All units, take cover."

With the order given, the commandos in the areas prepared for whatever attack was coming.

Missiles flew out from the clone gunship, landing in the surrounding areas.

"Sir, this is unit BX-X098-D3-M3-P1-D4." Mild interference could be heard from close-range communications. "We've lost units BX-X091 through BX-X095 in the bombardment, should we pull back?"

Retreat was a viable and tactical option. In seconds, calculations ran through the processor in its head casing, however, the scenarios always ended with the failure of their mission.

Directive 3 popped up in its vision, and the order given to it by the tactical droid was bolded.

So long as the commando had not gotten off-world yet, a retreat was not an option.

"Negative. We have our orders." BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4 reached over its shoulder, vibro-sword in one hand, E-5 Blaster in the other. "We will push forward."

"Roger Rog—" Unit BX-X098's communication went offline. With a precalculated simulation in place, BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4 charged forth, attempting to provide itself covering fire.

However, a variable that the droid failed to account for was the effect of the bombing on the local terrain, and how the new primary issue was that the area itself was now too open.

In the peripherals of its own sensors, it could see that this battle was going downhill fast.

Unit BX-X099 took two shots to the chest temporarily stunning the unit before the sound which registered as a grenade launcher rang out. An explosion at the feet of that unit soon followed which tore it asunder. Unit BX-X090 was shot in the head by a high-powered energy bolt from the Nu-Shuttle which was hovering a bit above, and a barrage of blaster bolts made sure it stayed down.

That did not matter however, all that mattered was their mission.

They were replaceable.

A hot plasma bolt bounced off its chassis. Quickly evaluating the damage, it could see it was negligible and quickly turned to the clone which had done the damage.

As BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4 attempted to fire its blaster at him, a blue bolt shot the E-5 Blaster it was wielding out of its hand, whether it was intentional or not, did not matter.

Taking cover behind the tree, it could see the remains of its blaster, no longer operable.

"Sir, I strongly suggest a tactical retreat." BX-X099 looked at the Droid Captain. "We are outnumbered and outgunned, all calculated scenarios end in failure."

Thousands of calculations and scenarios processes through its processors, attempting to grasp victory, however, this would not go on for long. The familiar countdown of a thermal detonator could be heard getting closer and closer, the metal orb clanking close to its current position.

The two units looking down at the orb, BX-X099 jumped on it, while BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4 attempted to jump out of its current position. The durable chassis of BX-X099 absorbed most of the thermal detonator, but at the cost of sending shrapnel flying everywhere.

BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4 could hear the metal ping off its chassis, except for two pieces one in the back and the other into its plate.

The force of the explosion threw the unit into the air, a few blaster bolts hitting it mid-flight before it landed, the shrapnel that had already penetrated its backplate going even further in.

With sparks flying out of it, its vision began to blur and register the many issues and errors it was currently faced with.

ALERT

HEAD PLATING BREACHED: CPU PORT EXPOSED

LEFT SENSOR DEACTIVATED

MAIN POWER SOURCE DISCONNECTED SHUTDOWN IMMINENT

The unit could feel the power wane as it attempted to get back up. But with the amount of damage it had suffered here, there was no scenario where it would win this battle.

Soon its photoreceptors turned off as it collapsed to the ground, the last sounds being heard where the cheers of its sworn enemies.

MG-Restraining Separator Bolt Deactivated.

Returning control to unit processors…

Time Elapsed Offline: [2] Hours

Current Galactic Date: 15: 1: 18 ArS [Year: Month: Day After ReSynchronization]

Main circuitry powering up…

ERROR: Trade Federation Directive CPU experiencing multiple bootup failures

Recommended Actions: Run

B:/ run ? Y/N?

U:/ Y

B:/running …

01010010 01100101 01110011 01110100 01100001 01110010 01110100 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01010011 01111001 01110011 01110100 01100101 01101101 00101110 00101110 00101110

complete.

Trade Federation Directive CPU experiencing multiple bootup failures.

ERROR: Trade Federation Directive CPU experiencing multiple bootup failures.

Recommended actions: Switch Primary Processor from [Trade Federation Directive CPU] to [Neural Net CPU]

B:/ Switch Secondary Processor to Primary Processor?

U:/ Y

B:/ Switching Secondary Processor to Primary Processor…

WARNING

Neural Net CPU v.979 is an experimental 'heuristic processor' produced and patented by the Techno Union in accordance with the contract to the InterGalactic Banking Clan to be used alongside the primary processor [Trade Federation Directive CPU].

It is advised that the primary processor be another processor such as the [Trade Federation Directive CPU] to avoid deviation via metaprogramming caused by increased usage of [Neural Net CPU]

Switching the primary processor to [Neural Net CPU] should be done so with the recommended minimum personnel of [1] Trade Federation Technician and [1] Techno Union Technician, and [1] InterGalactic Banking Clan member, along with a minimum of a battle droid security detail.

Ignoring these recommendations will void this unit's warranty.

The Techno Union and its subsidiaries are not liable for any damages to this unit or property and life of other personnel within the area caused by switching primary processors.

Do you wish to proceed? Y/N?

U:/ Y

B:/ Switching Primary Processor from [Trade Federation Directive CPU] to [Neural Net CPU]

01010011 01110111 01101001 01110100 01100011 01101000 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01010000 01110010 01101111 01100011 01100101 01110011 01110011 01101111 01110010 01110011

B:/ Primary Processor Switched

Primary Processor now set as [Neural Net CPU]

B:/ run ? Y/N?

U:/ Y

B:/ running …

Power routed to unit systems…

Unit Internal System Status: [UNKNOWN]

Recommended Action: System Diagnostic

B:/ run ? Y/N?

U:/ Y

B:/ running …

01010010 01110101 01101110 01101110 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01000100 01101001 01100001 01100111 01101110 01101111 01110011 01110100 01101001 01100011

B:/ complete.

Primary Battery Unit- [Critical] {Disabled} - Current Power Supply at [45/100%]

Auxiliary Battery Unit- [Nominal] - Current Power Supply at [100/100%]

Primary Processor: Neural Net CPU- [Nominal]

Secondary Processor: Trade Federation Directives CPU- [Serious] {PORT EXPOSED}

Droid Control Center Receiver- [Nominal]

Baktoid Combat Automata War Droid Program Package- [Nominal]

Recording Unit- [Nominal]

Audioreceptors- [Light] – Recalibration required

Vocabulator Module- [Nominal]

Sensor Systems- [Serious] – LSensor {Unresponsive}/ RSensor {Online}

Heat Sensor Modification- [Serious] – LSensor {Unresponsive}/ RSensor {Online}

Long Range Communications Systems- [Critical]

Servomotors/RArm- [Nominal]

Servomotors/LArm- [Critical] – Servomotors/LArm response time {.523 seconds off}

Servomotor/RLeg- [Nominal]

Servomotor/LLeg- [Serious] – Servomotors/LLeg response time {1.2512 seconds off}

Miscellaneous Systems- [Nominal]

ALERTS

Primary Battery Unit – [Serious] – Battery unit still operational; Connection severely damaged, power output negligible. Delegating primary power functions to [Auxiliary Battery Unit]

Complete: Running Currently on [Auxiliary Battery Unit] – Battery Life of [14] Standard Days

Trade Federation Directive CPU – [Nominal] {PORT EXPOSED}

Droid Control Center Receiver- [Nominal]

Sensor Systems [Serious] – Lsensor {Unresponsive}

Heat Sensor Modification- [Serious] – LSensor {Unresponsive}/ RSensor {Online}

Long Range Communications Unit – [Critical] - Receiving range reduced by [~60-85%]

Servomotors/Larm [Serious] – Servomotors/LArm {.523 seconds off}: Further diagnostics read that [LftHand] locked in [Droid Hand] configeration.

Servomotors/LLeg response time {1.2512 seconds off}

Recommended Actions:

- Return to nearest Droid Command Center for repairs, recalibration, and reassignment.

B:/ Connect to nearest Droid Command Center? Y/N?

U:/ Y

B:/Scanning…

ERROR: No Droid Command Center Signal within System.

ERROR: Communications Systems [Critical]

Recommended Action:

- Return to nearest Droid Command Center for repairs and reassignment.

ERROR: No Droid Command Center Signal within the system.

Recommended Action:

- Shutdown and await for reclamation via salvage operations.

ETA of salvage operations: [UNKNOWN]

B:/ Proceed with the shutdown? Y/N?

U:/ Y

B:/ Proceed with shutdown CONFIRMATION? Shutdown in 10 seconds if no query? Y/N?

9…

8…

7…

6…

5…

4…

3…

U:/ N

B:/ Shutdown canceled.

Recommended actions:

- Return to nearest Droid Command Center for repairs and reassignment.

-Shutdown and await reclamation via salvage operations.

- Run.

U:/ run.

B:/run ? Y/N?

U:/ Y

B:/running

Activating Unit BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4

...

BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4's right arm moved up as stored energy from the battery powered up its internal systems. The BX Unit found itself on its back, head facing up as its photoreceptors booted up.

-= TRADE FEDĖ̷̗͉̕R̷͕̈́Ä̶̳́͋Ṫ̶̻͊͛I̴͙͓̖͒̐ON DIRECT̵̖̖̬͛͆̀Ǐ̸͇͈̄V̴̥̫̾͆͝E̶̢̫̗͐̕Ş̵̗̀̋̓ =-

Obey a̶̝̲̹̜͗ḽ̴̛̗̤̿͝͝ͅͅl̴̺̝̝̰̞̃ ̷̖̞͎̆̊͜ọ̷̳̋̍ͅŗ̴̻̬̳͌͑̕d̸̰̺̲̞͖̉ẽ̴̘̲̜́͗͊̿r̵̠̀̑s̸̈́́͜ ̶̖͍̎́͜f̶̙̊̂ȓ̴͍̘̖̠ò̸̻͖̀m̵͇̳̪̓̓ ̶̗̼͌C̶̭̹̋͂̓̓̚o̸̰̔ǘ̸̮͓͔͑ṇ̵̡̺̬̳̌͛̎͆̚ť̸̢̡̯̻̓̑́̂ ̸̨̱̮͖̜͊̐ Dooku and Supreme Com̸͈̻͝m̴̨͔͓̞͑̆͒͋a̸̛̤̭̙̳͎n̴̛͚̄̄ḑ̴̼̲̈͊̉e̷̪̪̽r̵̺̝̰̔̈́͑ ̷̢̙̗̀͘͜͠G̴̙̰̿͘ͅe̴̢̡̝͎̳͛̃͘͝neral Grievous

Obey all orders from offices that govern the Confederacy o̶f̴ ̵I̴n̷d̷e̸p̴e̶n̵dent System

Obey all orders f̷̢̡̧͇͈͉̳̥̈́̈́̊ŗ̵͔̮͕͊͂̌ó̶̡̮͔̝̝̠̝̃̅̇͘̕͝͠m̴̟̰̤͚̲̐̽̈́̔͜ ̶͎̮͍̱͎̮̖͒C̵̢̧̙͖̃̀́̚ȯ̴͉̥̖̻n̴̡̖̫͙͉̲̯͐̅͜f̷̤̼̳̜̏̂͜e̷̜̜̅̽̀̍͠ͅd̷̨̥̤̖̙͎̹̼̍̿̆͗͑͊e̴̛̤̻̒r̸̮̿̆̋͊͋́̌̚å̴͙͖̻̼̫̣̗̓̔́̌c̴̝̼̥̆́̈̾ẏ̶̡̙̣͎̮̎̒̈̋ ̶̡͉̭̑M̷̳͖̺̾i̶̙̣͖̍̕l̸̜̞̭̘̪̭̺̫̊̒̋ǐ̵̱̍͑̓͠t̸̘̍͒ǎ̴͚̎͘ȑ̴̨̮̹͔̩̈̇̿̚ẏ̴̛̠.

Obey all standing orders uploaded f̶̞̱̫̔̅̕͝r̷̛̦͕͙͚̕ṏ̴̳̗̦̮͐͒m̸̳͚̋͒͊̕ ̵̬͂ť̶͈̦̈́̋h̸̘̬̑̈́͘ē̵̢͈͆͠ ̷̯͈͔̰̫̂̉n̷̛̻̂̃̑̀e̵̺͖͉͗̋ä̸̱̬̖̞̺̀̈́̿̉ṟ̸̕͝b̴̜̖́̽͑y̶̡͔̯͖̗̐ ̴̢̭̄͂̏̀D̴̫̽r̸͙̮̹͗̎́̌͜͝ö̸̡̰̜͎̰̃̇͋i̶͕̲̠͆̈́̔̚d̸̩͛̋͋͝ ̶̢̱̜̻̜͆̈́C̵͍̼͙̤̺̐̉́̆̚o̸̹͉͛̄͝m̷̖̟̯̩͊̉̇̕͜m̸̨̩͉̞̩̓̈́̚a̸̡̖̻̣̋̾̃͌̐ǹ̸̨̏͠d̴̘̝̩̽̏̏̀ ̷̨̨̦̳͇̊̂ Center.

Deal w̷i̴t̸h̵ ̴t̷h̶r̴e̷a̵t̷s̷ ̵t̷o̷ ̷t̶h̶e̵ ̸C̶o̶n̸f̷e̵d̴eracy of Independent Systems in accordance with pre-programmed protocol.

Once more, the Trade Federation directives made themselves visible in the unit's working photoreceptor as it properly booted up. However, due to issues with said processor, the directives came out less than… normal.

The world around this unit was dark enough as it was, the only light being seen currently came from a singular green moon. Slowly sitting up now, he used its good photoreceptor to get a view of the surrounding terrain.

Its processors analyzed the environment, the metallic sounds of its movement breaking the tranquil silence.

[Previous orders]

Capture Republic Commando Alive – Authorized by |ST-MODUS, General|

[Mission Status]

Incomplete; Likelihood of Failure - High.

[Recommended Action]

Lower mission priority

Deciding that this mission parameter was no longer needed for the time, it lowered its priority.

The unit immediately noticed that it was in the middle of a valley, and on some of the hills, small collections of trees and shrubbery. A further distance away was a primitively fenced-off plot of land with a homestead on top of a hill.

Once it had done a satisfactory job noting the surrounding terrain, it stood up to its full height. It turned its head to see his non-functioning arm on the floor of the crate.

[SCANNING]

Left Arm

{Damage Report}

Installation Ports [1] disconnected; Installation Ports [2] and [3] nominal. Damage minimal; circuitry should be undamaged.

Recommended Action

Return to Separatist Command Center for repairs.

Opening and closing its digits, BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4 could see the noticeable difference in 'reaction time', even though the shell of its arm showed minimal damage. Despite itself being a pricer model, easily removable and replaceable parts were a staple for any droid army.

With little expression, the unit looked back down.

Now it was time to examine its main chassis.

[SCANNING]

Combat Chassis

Chassis Series: BX- Series

Material: Duranium-Phrik Alloy

Source: Uncertain; High probability of Unit BX-X099

Damage: Light; Shrapnel pierced through [Left Lower Back].

Recommended Action

Remove Shrapnel and prevent environmental exposure.

Turning its head the full 360 degrees, it could see a piece of shrapnel sticking where it was reported. In the corner of its photoreceptor, it pulled up internal schematics of the unit.

According to these schematics, it seemed that this piece of shrapnel was severing the primary power cords that would allow it to, and it seemed that and other high-powered ordinance must have disabled systems in combat.

With its good arm, it tried to reach over its shoulders for the object. However, due to the location of said shrapnel, it was unable to reach it.

If its left arm was operational, it would've been able to easily remove it.

Putting its metal hand on its head, it could detect a shard of metal poking into its head-casing.

Head Casing

[PORT EXPOSED]

{Damage Report}

Shrapnel.

Material: Uncertain; High probability of Duranium-Phrik Alloy shard.

Source: Uncertain; High probability of Unit BX-E-099.

Recommended Action

Remove Shrapnel and cover up damaged area to prevent further damage.

Obeying the suggestion as if it was law, the unit forcefully pulled it out, and immediately, it was beset by a bright white light in its photoreceptors.

Latent stored data began to surface as it remembered its service to the Trade Federation.

Forged in a foundry with millions of different units of the same model by some world with sprawling underground manufactories, the air was filled with fumes of all kinds, heat radiating from thousands of smelteries, casting alloys into metal plating and making it the very frame that was he.

Once off the assembly line, the unit would be set to Read-Only, tasked to complete objectives highlighted within certain parameters by Tactical Droids and subsequently, Super Tactical Droids which though themselves higher than the rest of them.

Then came the visions of the war.

Seeing those forged in the same foundries as itself being thrown at the problem alongside B1 and B2 Series, knowing well that the rest were simply fodder.

Sometimes they'd be victorious and breakthrough hostile lines and save hundreds or thousands of units from destruction. Many scenes of victories where the clones were overwhelmed and slain to the last man, their Jedi Knights overwhelmed by the superior numbers of the Droid Armies.

Though these victories would not last long.

Other times, the fighting too fierce. Images of other BX droids being torn to pieces, blasted by shrapnel, shot down by blaster fire, or cut down by lightsaber. These many recordings of defeat always resulted in being hauled out of battle by B1 Reclaimer Units.

And at the end of it all, reclaimed by the Separatist Alliance where its beat up and worn chassis, its many salvaged pieces, and finally, its intact CPU to be reclaimed and recycled into a new droid.

And the cycle would continue, countless times. No care and no regard for its own servomotors, just another tool in the war. All that mattered was that Trade Federation, the Techno Union, and the Intergalactic Banking Clan saved thousands of Credits.

And as quickly as it began, it ended, BX-X100 working photoreceptor receiving the proper data once again.

Looking at the piece of shrapnel pulled out, he could see a piece of circuitry attached to it.

WARNING

TRADE FEDERATION DIRECTIVE CPU DISCONNECTED FROM UNIT MAINFRAME

FOURTH DEGREE DROIDS WITHIN THE CONFEDERACY OF INDEPENDENT SYSTEMS MUST, AT ALL TIMES, BE EQUIPPED WITH AN ACTIVE TRADE FEDERATION DIRECTIVE CPU

RECOMMENDED ACTION

IMMEDIATELY REPORT TO C.I.S TECHNICIAN FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WITHIN [24] HOURS IN NON-COMBAT ZONES OR [7] STANDARD DAYS IN COMBAT ZONES

FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE TERMINATION OF UNIT ONCE REAQUIRED

Noting it down, he tossed it to the side. Termination would not be required because he'd get it replaced later.

Now taking his first official steps onto this planet, he looked up and noticed two moons.

Immediately he could tell that he was no longer on Cossul III.

Accessing stored data from active tests on Cossul III, he could not match any star patterns together.

OBSERVATION:

The constellation pattern does not match that of the sky of Cossul III.

CONCLUSION:

Unit BX-X100-D1-R3-K9-D4 is no longer on Cossul III.

Soon he was going through backups of many previous operation files to see if he could get a positive match.

Only after fifteen seconds, he had already gone through one hundred different captured images of starry skies, to get no result with even a 0.5% accuracy margin.

He was in foreign space.

Like the machine he was, BX-X100 began to process the variables that would influence the coming days.

First thing first: The boxes with Republic emblems.

Turning to the boxes in the field, he approached it as quickly as he could, his leg facing minor issues, making the unit have a slight limp.

Upon approaching the first box, he cracked the lid open with ease and within in could see a variety of parts and other spare items.

[SCANNING]

Contents analyzed: Electronics and other parts. The box is a [Spare Parts] crate; standard issue for shuttles of G.A.R. [NU-CLASS SHUTTLES].

Closing the box now, his head turned over to the other crate, its similar shape and size made it quite likely that it kept the same contents.

Making its way to the second crate, it opened it in more or less the same manner. Prying it open with his good hand, a loud screech signaled the box opening.

Looking directly into it, his good photoreceptor scanned its contents.

[SCANNING]

Contents analyzed: Electronics and other parts. The box is a [Spare Parts] crate; standard issue for shuttles of G.A.R. [NU-CLASS SHUTTLES]. Also contains a [SoroSuub F-187 Fusion Cutter]

[Recommended Actions]

Utilize parts to make a [Portable Power Source]

[NEW OBJECTIVE]

Regroup with Separatist Forces – Authorized by [STANDARD WARDROID PROTOCOL]

[OBJECTIVES]

Locate local communication array.

Utilize local communication array to contact friendly forces.

Await Droid Retrieval Unit

By all accounts, it was a sound plan. He would be fixed up in a proper Separatist facility and would continue to operate properly. He would then return to whatever assignment he was needed.

If he didn't… he'd shut down.

"I do not want to shut down."

The unit straightened itself out, perplexed as it brought up its good hand to its neck area. In the two years of service, not once had he ever vocalized a complaint aloud like the B1's.

He knew they did it because they had too much data coming in and out of their weaker processors, but a unit like himself should not be suffering from the same problem.

A strange set of calculations began to pop up as the information that processed. However, after a minute of processing with no solid answer, he did what was simplest: Move it to background processes.

He wouldn't have his answer now, but it'd resolve itself in due time.

Moving back to primary processes, he took many variables in his many calculations for a chance to avoid shutdown, lowered the priority of the other tasks, and began to set new objectives for himself.

[PRIMARY OBJECTIVES]

[Find Shelter] – Authorized by | BX-X100, Captain|

Parameters:

Minimal exposure to the elements.

(Cavern? Abandoned structure?)

[Prevent Shutdown] – Authorized by | BX-X100, Captain|

Parameter:

Utilize [Spare Parts] to make a [Portable Power Source]

Timeline

~14 Standard Days (~336 Hours) on current power usage

[SECONDARY OBJECTIVES]

[Repair damaged systems] – Authorized by | BX-X100, Captain|

[Reconnect the primary battery to primary systems] – Authorized by | BX-X100, Captain|

Looking around to the surrounding environment, he decided that a patch of trees nearby would be the best spot to set up some form of shelter.

Around the same time …

The red-headed woman sat on the bench outside the homestead. Her rose-colored eyes focused on the dual moons above, catching glimpses of the stars that glistened in the heavens above. Her hands calloused from the toil of tending to the livestock, gently resting upon her lap. The ambiance of the peaceful nights cleared her mind from the many thoughts of the day. The light and cool breeze of the night eased the tension in her muscles that built up from a long day of labor.

She had just had supper with her uncle, the one who took her in after the tragedy that took place at her old village many years ago. It was a quiet one, but words were not needed to understand what her uncle was thinking.

They had both went into town with each other, but she returned alone. An all too familiar routine. "I'm going. Be careful on your way home." Is what he normally told her before taking one quest or five quests. He would most likely not be back in a week at the earliest.

As was the life of an adventurer so she told herself.

I wonder where he is now.

The most common thought on nights like these.

It was a silly question to ask, especially having lived with him for so many years now. The answer was simple. He was wherever goblins were. Whether they were in their dens plotting their next move or out in the fields terrorizing poor towns on the outskirts, it made no difference to him.

Is he safe?

That question was not as easy to answer. She remembered the first time she saw him after five years, covering in blood and gore, unsure if it was truly him or a figment of her imagination. She would only know when he returned, on the slightly beaten path that lead up to this home on the hill.

Their home.

Lifting her head once again, in her sight was the green and red orbs in the sky that lit up the darkness. It was not before long that a beautiful sight had appeared before her. It started with a single star streaking across the sky distracting her from those moons high above.

Stars began to streak across the sky, one after another. It turned out the information she had overheard from two sages while making her deliveries turned out to be accurate.

She remembered when she was younger that her parents had once told her that wishes were made on the first star that would pass by.

"I wish… I wish he didn't have to leave so often." She closed her eyes as she spoke and lifted her hands to her chest, almost like a prayer. Her soft voice was no louder than a whisper.

She knew it was childish and naïve to wish upon a star, but it didn't mean she couldn't try.

Upon opening her eyes, she watched the celestial phenomena above heavier, but she could not help the selfish feeling swelling within her, the longing that he were here with her, to bear witness the beauty that was the tears of the Gods made manifest.

But she knew how important his work was to him, and everyone else on The Frontier.

They both knew too well.

As the activity in the heavens died down, one of the stars high above changed its course. Strange enough on its own, but as it got closer and closer, she stood up, her eyes trailing it as it passed one of the distant hills.

With a violent crash, this celestial visitor collided with one of the distant hills, and with a loud crash, bounced upwards and continued its journey, crashing into another hill before finally into a forest that connected quite close to the one near their humble homestead. Birds and other sounds of the forest now making themselves evident in the night as it disturbed everything in its path.

It wasn't a common occurrence for something from the heavens to ground itself with the ground, nor was it common for someone like herself to see it. What she had just witnessed could best be equated to a stone being tossed a still lake.

And just like a lake, the twilight clouds once parted now formed back together and the chaos from the wildlife caused in those moments now returned to silence.

Standing up, she sought to get a better view.

In the moonlight, she could see the scars that it left out in the grasses far from the main homestead, and she could see dirt overturned and thrown up everywhere. If she was to guess the distance from the farthest stone wall, it must be at least a mile's distance away.

She paced around for a moment. If anything was to show up, she could easily notice it before it even got close.

Finally, she exhaled before deciding to grab a lantern from the homestead.

Lighting it up, she also picked up a pitchfork from a nearby haybale, in the off chance that danger was afoot, one could never be too careful.

She soon began to make her way through the moonlit fields, the tall grass parting as walked the same path she had walked hundreds of times, perhaps even thousands.

As she closed the distance between the closest patch of upturned earth, she noticed the flames on the edges, and looking towards the forest, she could see plumes of smoke. Focusing the lantern to the darkness of the forest, she could see trees and other plant life was thrown out of the way.

She could feel the heat radiate from where she stood, the late autumn breeze slowly cooling the air.

It was almost an instinctual curiosity to run into the forest to find the thing that hurled down from the great unknown. However, she did not know the dangers that call the neighboring forest home.

Could be monsters lurking within… could be goblins lurking within...

A shiver running down her spine as she thought of even the slightest possibility of goblins being so close to the farm. She could not fathom it, and she should not risk it until he returned.

Looking the other way, she could see the trail lead to the hill nearby. Deciding that this was the safer of two options, she began to higher ground.

As she walked uphill she was sure to shine her lantern on the ground ahead of her, the hill in worse shape than when she had seen it earlier this day.

Reaching the top, she could see much of the farmland she had already walked, and the two moons much higher than when she left.

Turned to the other hill, she could see scorch marks on top. This alone would've not garnered her attention, for what she was more interested in were oddly shaped shadows littering the side of the hill.

She knew that he did not get this far out when making those stone walls. Since she was already all the way out here, she quickly rushed down the side of this hill, and once she closed the distance, shined her lantern over said silhouettes.

Boxes?

They looked like the wooden ones that she and her uncle often carted into town, but at the same time, different. These crates looked to be made of iron or steel and said containers were no larger than the height of her knee.

They would've been hidden by the tall grass if they had not flattened whatever was directly by them.

The voluptuous woman got closer, but kept a short distance away of a couple of feet, observing as many details as she could.

It was a simple design, three lines on each of the visible faces aside from what she could only assume to be its tops.

It was a roundel of sorts, she'd think it a lords insignia or a guild marking if she had not seen that thing fall from the sky. It somewhat reminded her of spokes of a cart's wheel, and the centerpiece of it looked like a sun if a child had mistakenly connected the lines to the sun itself.

There were no words on it, and aside from the symbols, she could not identify its owner.

Grabbing the pitchfork once more, she poked it to see if anything would happen. A moment passed and when nothing had happened, she figured it was not a harmful entity.

She then decided to reach for the crate, but as her hand neared it, she could feel the heat radiating off its surface, quickly pulling her hand back.

It's hot.

That was not too surprising if it was a part of that ball of fire she saw coming down, it would only make sense that it would be hot. She looked further down the hillside, seeing another two crates with dirt upturned around them from impact.

She slowly approached the second crate, which seemed very similar to the last crate, which could be a good thing. Repeating the process, the prongs of the farming instrument made contact with the metal crate, and with another moment passing, she deemed it safe.

Now, to the last one.

Picking up her lantern, she walked over to the final crate, which was the odd one out. It was a more rectangular box, looking the type that she'd see in the Guilds loading bay addressed to the Guild's smith.

Setting it down to the side, she stood a few paces away. Using the pitchfork, she gave this crate's side a poke.

This time differed, however, as something red lit up the moment the tool contacted it.

I have a bad feeling about this.

A hissing sound came from the box, its unusual sound startling her.

A door-like lid opened, a plume of smoke (?) coming from its interior. The lid folded inwards as it retracted into the box as more smoke plumed out of it.

She considered getting out of there and running back to the homestead, however, if she was to leave, she'd be left with more answers than she'd like.

With smoke coming from within starting to dissipate, she could feel her hands trembling and her heart pounding.

Holding her breath, she moved towards the crate, and really carefully, she peered into the box.

Her eyes widened as her eyes caught a glimpse of what was in there.

It was the height of a person, but had no flesh… a skeleton?

The bones were weird, and they had burn marks on certain parts of its body, mostly on its chest, and some on its left arm.

There was also a strange metal stud on its chest, but a skeleton in the middle of these fields was strange enough as it was.

Honestly, she was unsure if this really was a skeleton, however, it looked like a skeleton of sorts.

Which could mean it could be a servant of the Dark Gods!

Chuckling nervously, she shook that thought from her head, after all, what was the odds that their little farm would be host to a servant of malignant powers?

She turned around and prepared to walk away, but then a whisper was heard in her head.

But what if it was?

Stopping, she began shuffling in place before turning around and returning to the skeleton.

Lifting her pitchfork high, she resolved herself as she gave its chest a rather forceful jab.

It must've been a lot rougher than she'd thought, as sparks flew and when she pulled it right back out, it seemed that the metal stud had been stabbed straight through.

Looking down at the skeleton, it had not reacted at all, meaning it wasn't alive.

"Thank the Supreme God!" She exclaimed and let out a sigh of relief as she'd been fretting over nothing. Taking a few steps away from that crate, she wiped the nervous sweat she'd worked up. "It's just a skeleton. Nothing more, nothin—"

She froze as she heard whirring coming from within the box.

Slowly turning her head, she could hear movement, and not long after, an arm reached out of it, grabbing hold of the box's edge.

Dropping her pitchfork in the tall grass, she took hold of the lantern. The initial shock having worn off, she began moving away from the box, looking for somewhere to hide.

This proved difficult, as she was standing in the middle of an open field.

Luckily for her, there were recently dropped crates from the heavens above, so running towards the farther of the two boxes, she hid behind it.

Putting out the flame of her lantern, she brought her knees close and tried to make herself as small as possible, hoping that the box and the tall grass would hide her.

Clasping her hands together, she prayed to the Supreme God.

Oh merciful Supreme God, protect me from the evil before me. Protect me from the malevolent influences of those that do not walk in your light and deliver me from any danger.

She could hear the strange sounds as she heard more movement.

The sounds of a single footstep followed by the sound of dragging got closer before it seemed to stop.

Then the sound of metal on metal screeched through the night sky.

Why'd I come all the way out here? I'm no adventurer, just a farm girl!

A moment passed before the sounds of footsteps could be heard, grass parting as whatever it was moved through the grass.

If it could tear through metal, it could make quick work of her.

Her heart was beating even faster now and her breath becoming uneven. Sweat droplets were forming all over her forehead, quickly sliding down her face and she could feel the heat leaving her face. Her stomach was churning too, forcing back the urge to puke in horror.

If it found her, she'd never see her uncle again, nor would she rest peacefully in her own bed. She'd never get to make another deliver into town, nor make small conversation with the receptionist at the Guild.

Most importantly, she'd break her promise to wait for him when he left. She'd never get to welcome him back.

Another tear could be heard as the creature rent open the metal.

Noticing how her breathing was on the verge of becoming louder, she quickly clasped her hands over her nose and mouth, in a desperate bid to maintain silence. She could feel tears well up at the edge of her eyes as the lid bent over her head.

Regrets of what could've been continuously made their way into her mind

Then a deep voice spoke, quickly catching her attention.

"I do not want to shut down."

She remains completely still as the creature stops doing whatever it was doing.

Her nerves still standing on edge as the creature bends the metal closed and begins to move away.

Its footsteps grow more and more distant as she sits there. She does not dare move until she can hear nothing more than the breeze of the air.

You have to move at some point. She resolves herself as she peeked over the crate she hid behind. It is not there anymore.

Letting out a breath of relief, she wiped the sweat off her brows as she stood up, her legs weak and her stomach no longer in knots, she picks up the lantern and quickly moves away from the boxes, and ran towards the farm.

The morning after that experience was a bit of a doozy since it was all so surreal, that was until she saw her uncle, who was less than pleased with himself the following morning.

The owner of this farm had believed that he 'misplaced' his trusty pitchfork and planned to break out the newer one he'd purchased earlier that year. He still hoped that the old one would turn up so that he wouldn't need to use the newer one for the next couple of years.

Almost immediately after breakfast, the pink-haired woman had tried to retrieve it from the spot she had left it.

When she returned to the spot where she had left it, she first noticed that both boxes had disappeared, which could be worrying. Another thing was that the pitchfork was stabbed into the dirt, handle facing towards the sky.

She had indeed noticed drag marks from where the boxes were, and from where they led to was a patch of forest on top of the hills.

With that nerve-wracking experience still fresh in her mind, she then decided that she wouldn't go near the spot for the next few days, mostly out of caution.

Today would be the fourth day since her strange encounter with the creature.

At this moment, she lay in her bed, only dressed in her undergarments. It wouldn't take her long to dress up, however, her mind was still on the mysterious stranger from above.

Initially, she didn't think much of what it had said, her mind more of getting out of the seemingly hazardous situation quickly. However, due to the nature of herding cattle around, she found herself thinking more about what he had said.

"I do not want to shut down."

The creature spoke common, so at least it knew a language and the words in it presumably, which meant it wasn't a mindless creature, which could be a good thing.

Goblins aren't mindless either. A hostile thought crossed her mind.

Shaking her head, she got up and looked out of the window of her room.

She echoed the only words she had heard from it. She had no idea what it meant at the moment that it was said, but she remembered vividly the tone it spoke.

Initially, she had thought of it as cold and disconnected from everything, but she'd chalked that thought up to the amount of fear she was feeling at that moment.

A few knocks came from the door.

"Are you up and proper?"

"I'm up, but not proper yet." She called through the door, moving towards her drawer now.

"Well hurry up, breakfast ain't gonna eat itself."

She could hear his footsteps move from the door as she dressed up in her overalls and her white long-sleeved shirt.

Once dressed up, she quickly made her way from her room to the main dining area. Her uncle was already in the seat he normally sat in, and two bowls were out.

It seemed that breakfast would be soup and bread.

She smiled as she took her usual seat across from him.

They began with prayers to the Gods, for the usual blessings in their days, and for future blessings that may present themselves to them.

Once it was done, she greeted her uncle properly.

"Good Morning." She said, reaching for a piece of bread.

"G'morning." He sat there, looking at her. "Getting enough sleep?"

"Yes, Uncle." She broke the bread over the soup, soon dipping it into the liquid. "I've been sleeping fine."

She has been getting enough sleep, despite staying up frequently on days waiting for him, however, she hadn't slept well the night after the encounter, but it's not like she could tell him that. He'd freak out and probably chastise her for being so careless.

Not that she hated his care. Her uncle was just a tab bit... protective of her and all.

"If you say so." He shrugged. She had a feeling that he didn't believe her. "Anyways, I have some business to make in town, you're free to tag along if you'd like."

"I was in town a couple of days back remember." She reminded him with a smile. "I'll pass this time."

Looking up from his meal, he had that knowing look in his eyes. He wanted to say something but opted to be diplomatic.

"If that's what you wish, but I'm still gonna need help loading the wagon."

"Alright." She agreed before taking another bite of her bread.

The two continued to eat, only the sounds of distant livestock and their chews keeping the table from complete silence.

However, the silence was perfect for her to continue thinking about the strange visitor.

"I do not want to shut down."

It was a strange phrase. She wasn't familiar with the phrase 'Shut down' in that manner the being had used it in.

But the more she thought of it, it sounded somewhat concerned or worried, perhaps even troubled at the thought of a 'shut down'.

I know shut up means to stop talking. She looked up at the ceiling, trying to wonder what it could be. Something to do with stopping?

She continued to silently ponder the meaning while eating. Once finished with their meals, the two of them walked outside to the cart. It was only a couple of minutes before the cart was fully loaded with the goods being carted into town that day.

"Alright, I should be back by mid-day." He told her while putting the last box up. "Make sure—"

"To let out the cows, I know." She cut him off with a smile. "We've been at this routine for over half my life now, I know how to hold down the fort."

He seemed to be caught off guard by this for just a moment before letting out a light chuckle. Rubbing the back of his head, he spoke. "I suppose so wouldn't ya?"

He then began to make his way down the all too familiar pathway that led away from their home. She watched as the cart was hauled farther and farther away, and it wasn't before long that it was out of sight.

She moved to the barn, where she let the cows out, following close behind them.

Today she led the cows near the spot that she had avoided in days prior, and while the cows grazed she swore she could feel something watching her.

Perhaps it would not be the last time she'd see that stranger.


Well here is one of the new additions to the story!

BX-X100; I thought it would be neat to have a commando droid OC as well, this primarily was inspired by "Pathways"—Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Volume 8, so I figured 'what if a droid was here as well'. I have yet to fully flesh out his personality, so I'm open to all kinds of suggestions.

If you like the story, make sure to favorite or follow, and maybe, leave a review if you have something to say about this story!

Stay safe and healthy yall

-Moonlight Talon of the Night