Chapter 27: The HouseKarl Battle Droids
The 8th Fleet hovered above the planet Eos. The homeworld of OOM-8, OOM-9, EEK-176, SSA-719, KJZ-8267, 3B3-888, Z23-Y75, KLO-657, GD-79 and a large portion of the battle droids of the 8th Fleet.
The 8th Fleet had gone back to the volcanic planet for repairs and reinforcements, though those weren't the primary reasons why they had returned. OOM-9 and the others were waiting for Dr. Gatling Quartz to finish his ultimate project and their waiting was soon to come to a close.
OOM-9 walked though the halls of one of Eos' droid factories. The command battle droid made his way to Dr. Quartz. On the way their OOM-9 passed several different droid guards, from security droids to B2s. Security and safety was taken very seriously on Eos. OOM-9's visit was expected, the Skakoan had summoned the battle droid general.
"Dr. Quartz," OOM-9 started once the doors behind him had closed. "I trust the project is complete."
"Not entirely." The Skakoan fiddled with his pressure suit. "There have been some…complications."
"What kind of complications?" OOM-9 wondered whether he could have completed the project faster than the Skakoan could. But then he wouldn't have to time to lead armies of battle droids to countless victories against the Grand Army of the Republic.
Quartz fidgeted. "Let me just show you what I have before you jump to conclusions."
"Proceed, Doctor."
A battle droid walked out before OOM-9. It looked similar to a security battle droid, though instead of maroon markings, it had violet ones.
"What is this?" OOM-9 asked.
"This is KV-1, a HouseKarl battle droid."
"This is not what I requested."
"I know, General. Give me a moment to explain."
"Then explain," OOM-9 gestured.
"There are still problems with the stealth system. Instead of accepting more delays I decided to create an entirely separate droid. This droid costs less than the one you originally wanted, but I assure you, they will perform just as well."
"That remains to be seen. Have they been tested?"
"No, I thought you'd want to see that for yourself. You will be pleasantly surprised."
OOM-9 wasn't convinced in Dr. Quartz's confidence. The Skakoan seemed to be grasping at straws. The droids OOM-9 requested weren't finished, it was lunacy to try and assure the combat effectiveness of the HouseKarl droids when they had yet to be tested.
The recreation room was usually the playpen of the factory's few organic workers. It was usually inhabited by blue-collar humans, Neimoidians, Gossam, and Koorivar. But at the moment it was the lair of a group of battle droids and a handful of angry humans.
Major Ashley Katen tried with all her might, but she could not beat GD-79 at arm wrestling.
"Go down damn you!" She struggled against the metal might of the grapple droid.
"Negative," GD-79 gave a simple response knowing it would infuriate the human even more. Katen always had more fun when she was able to spur her adversaries to trash talking, and refraining from it only made GD-79's victory more complete.
GD-79 brought Katen's arm down to the table with a shattering thud.
"Watch it," Zako growled. On the end of the table SSA-719 and Karl Zako were playing pazaak. Zako was already in a foul mood as the security droid was soundly beating him.
"I hate this game. I always lose."
"Would you rather play sabacc?"
"I hate that game worse."
Zako once again overplayed his hand. "I swear you're cheating!"
"I don't need to cheat to beat you," SSA-719 replied as he collected his winnings. The pair was not playing for credits, but for action figures. Miniature models of battle droids and clone troopers. A decade ago the Trade Federation had begun manufacturing toy B1 battle droids and droidekas for the children of their wealthier worlds. With the birth of the Confederacy more new toys joined the ranks of the old Trade Federation figures. Super battle droids, dwarf spider droids, homing spider droids, hailfire droids, and NR-N99 tanks droids had been added. Though only a minor source of revenue, the accepted thinking was that the battle droid toys instilled a sense of patriotism in the younger generations. Young generations eventually came of age, and might wish to fight alongside the droids they once played with as children.
The Galactic Republic quickly caught on to the Separatists' scheme and started emulating it, making toy versions of the clone troopers and their vehicles.
SSA-719 took his winnings and handed them over to KJZ-8267, who was building a very intricate diorama from the Battle of Kile II, which they had taken part of. The Republic toys were not bought, but stolen. It wouldn't due to have the Republic's coffers increased just because they needed some toys. But their battle droid figurines needed someone to fight.
"I hate games of chance. I always lose," Zako complained. In truth, it didn't matter who won pazaak. The toys all belonged to Zako anyway and the winner always gave his spoils over to KJZ-8267 so he could complete the battle scene.
"The Confederate Military Guide of Correct Thought prohibits mind-altering substances," Karl Zako called out to Melissa Sledge as she shambled by. Sledge had been spending time at the mini-bar.
"Yeah? Well, it also prohibits you from being a stupid short circuit, but that doesn't stop Ashley. Besides," Melissa hiccupped. "We're on Eos. Who am I gonna spill all our secrets to? There's not a Republic soul for light-years."
"That's because clone troopers don't have souls," 3B3-888 cut in. The B1 battle droid was watching the CIS Shadowfeed from a viewscreen on the far wall.
"8EX, will you do something with her?" Zako addressed the B2 super battle droid.
"I tried, sir. She refuses to listen to reason. I cannot physically stop her. She outranks me."
"And I outrank her. So I want you to-"
"You're so full of scrap Karl! We're the same damn age! Stop treating me like a child!"
"I will when you stop acting like one."
EEK-176 entered the recreation room and the argument between the two officers died. "Zako, Katen and Sledge," the command droid stated, "General OOM-9 requests your presence."
"But I didn't get the General anything," Sledge slurred.
"Presence not presents," Zako snapped. "I hope this isn't anything important. Melissa isn't in her right mind at the moment."
"We will not keep the General waiting. Let's go."
"Right."
In one of the hangars of the Magna Musai, EEK-176 and OOM-9 had gathered Zako, Katen, and Sledge to meet the new battle droid.
"The HouseKarl battle droid," OOM-9 stated. "This unit is KV-1."
"He doesn't look so imposing. He looks just like a security battle droid except his markings are violet instead of maroon," Major Katen pointed out the obvious.
"That's the point," Zako enlightened his colleague. "Our stupid enemies won't see him as a major threat. They'll just think he's another normal battle droid. Those fools should be afraid of all battle droids though."
"I'm more curious as to why you requested we bring our weapons with us," Captain Sledge crossed her arms over her chest.
"I want you to fight him." As OOM-9 spoke as a B1 battle droid handed the HouseKarl an electrostaff.
"Geez, General," Katen huffed. "I know I'm a total bitch but I'm not so evil that I go around hurting my own teammates."
"It's just a sparing match, Ashley. When did you get so soft? You won't hurt him, and I promise he won't hurt you."
"What? Now you think I'm weak?"
"No, Ashley," OOM-9 purposefully tried to sound condescending in order to provoke his subordinate.
"All right, all right. I'll do it," Major Katen activated her electrostaff. The HouseKarl followed suit and turned on his own.
Ashley Katen approached the battle droid, twirling around her staff in one hand in an over-extravagant display. "Let's see what you got."
She made a basic jab at the HouseKarl battle droid, which was easily parried away. It was quite obvious that Katen really wasn't putting forth a real effort.
"This droid is superior to an IG-100 MagnaGuard, you needn't hold back, Major," Quartz called out.
"Fine," Katen was more serious with her next three strikes, but they were still all parried away.
"Captain Sledge, care to join in?"
"As you command, General," Sledge said in a tone that clearly indicated she was not pleased with her task.
"Outta the way Ashley!" Sledge curled her electrowhip and struck at the battle droid in a single fluid movement.
"Watch it! You nearly hit me!" Katen complained.
Despite nearly striking her ally, Sledge's movements were sharp and smart, showing that she was not as nearly intoxicated as Zako had previously thought.
"Zako?" OOM-9 turned to the human commander.
"Me, General?"
"If you would be so kind. It looks like the ladies could use some assistance."
"Very well," Zako switched on his ZK-II war-axe. Commander Zako approached the fight carefully, wary of the electrowhip slinging around. Even as he got closer, Zako made no move to attack. OOM-9 wondered what the commander was up to.
The HouseKarl was still busy with Katen and Sledge. Parrying and evading various strikes and slashes. The droid never made a move against the humans, not that it really could, given at how fast the two women were. Though the fighters appeared evenly matched, Dr. Quartz knew the truth. The humans would be dead if this was a real fight.
Zako finally made his move, slashing low at the droid's feet. OOM-9 thought the commander was being overly cautious in not wanting to hurt the droid but quickly understood the real reason. Zako had forced the battle droid into the path of the electrowhip. The weapon hit hard against the droid's armored chest, but did no visible damage.
Sledge tried hitting the droid again, but the HouseKarl was already away. Zako closed in and tried at striking with his axe, but was repelled just as easily as Katen and her staff was.
Katen came up from behind, but the HouseKarl was able to engage both humans at the same time with the double-ended staff.
"You going to ask me to join in next?" Dr. Quartz asked OOM-9.
"What makes you say that, Doctor?"
"You specifically had your organic officers try their hand against the droid. It would be pointless to have EEK-176 or yourself have a go. The Grand Army of the Republic is made up of human clones and the Jedi Order is also substantially made up of humans. This is as good a test before actual combat against the Jedi."
"You are correct, Doctor," OOM-9 paused, than added, "that's not entirely true. I wasn't going to ask you to participate."
"You doubt my combat ability?"
"No. I already have three heated humans fighting the HouseKarl. At this rate they are more likely to harm each other. I don't need to throw a bloodthirsty Skakoan into this already volatile mix."
The humans were starting to grow tired, but the droid was still in tiptop shape. Out of nowhere, Zako tackled the battle droid, using the knowledge that the droid wasn't to harm them. Weighing at 85.2 kilograms, Zako was the heaviest of the three humans and tried to use his weight to his advantage. The battle droid was certainly strong enough to handle the weight, but was slowed down by the fact that he also couldn't hurt the commander.
Major Katen moved to strike but the battle droid quickly shifted away. The electrostaff accidentally ended up striking Zako.
"Ouch! Damn it Ashley!"
"Oops."
The HouseKarl was free of Zako, but had to dance around Sledge's electrowhip again.
Zako grabbed a hold of the HouseKarl's electrostaff, trying to wrestle it away. It was clear who was stronger, while Zako strained the droid was fine. But the tug-of-war kept the droid in place long enough for Sledge to bring down her electrowhip. The HouseKarl caught the tip of the whip in his free hand.
Katen came in for a finishing blow, but the HouseKarl yanked on the whip, sending Sledge crashing into Katen. The battle droid then swung Zako into the two women.
The humans were now fighting each other rather than the battle droid. The HouseKarl stood there, motionless, as the humans wrestled on the floor.
"That is enough," OOM-9 called out. The three humans froze the second they heard OOM-9, locked together in a mess of arms and legs.
"I swear, it's like we're dealing with a bunch of children," Quartz muttered in his helmet.
"Yes, what ever shall I do with the four of you?" OOM-9 asked the Skakoan.
"How can you group me in with those three?" Quartz asked.
"All three of their egos combined aren't as big as yours, Doctor," OOM-9 replied.
"But could they have built these droids?" Quartz asked as the other eleven HouseKarl droids marched out onto the hangar deck. "I think not."
"Now we need a target for our new droids to attack," OOM-9 stated.
"I have the perfect target. The planet Krant. Reports indicate that the Republic has a military base on Krant and one of its moons, Aereen," EEK-176 suggested as he lowered a datapad.
"Yes, that is an acceptable target," OOM-9 agreed. Krant itself was unimportant; it only had a minor historical significance in the short history of the Clone Wars. Many Separatist officers remembered Krant as the location where General Sev'Rance Tann had been killed. While Krant had little strategic value, Aereen was rich in minerals though OOM-9 wasn't planning on staying long enough to extract them. None of the minor details changed the fact that the GAR had to be defeated wherever they were. That was enough reason for OOM-9's army to attack.
EEK-176 activated an imagecaster and a representation of OOM-8 appeared. "We have our target. Upload coordinates for the Krant system and await further orders."
"Roger roger," the blue image nodded.
The 8th Fleet did not invade the Krant system with the usual show of force, as was OOM-9's habit. Instead a single Sheathipede shuttle was sent to the planet. The shuttle slipped into Krant's atmosphere and touched down on Krant not far from the Republic base. The strike team had a limited time before the 8th Fleet entered the Krant system and alerted the Republic. OOM-9 wanted to give his new droids a head start, but he wasn't going to let the rest of his army go to waste.
The twelve HouseKarl battle droids exited from the shuttle. They were armed with a wide variety of weapons: everything from elite E-5 blaster rifles to RW-B power war-hammers. Among the weapons was the brand new ZK-III battle-axe, a two-handed double-edged axe that functioned the same way as the older ZK-II war-axe.
The elite squad ran for the Republic base. Separatist intelligence had provided them with the base's exact location, but they had no clue as to the base's strength.
The droids halted when they came across a pair of clone troopers on patrol. KV-3 blasted them with an elite E-5 before the clones even knew they were under attack.
The droids rushed onward again, reaching the base. "One minute until the 8th Fleet arrives," KV-12 informed the others.
"Get this door open," KV-1 ordered.
"Roger roger," KV-7 started to bash the door with a power hammer.
The first strike echoed loudly through the corridors of the base, and a pair of nearby clone troopers went to check what was going on.
The clones reached the door as it was struck a second time. "What is that?" one of the clones asked.
"Dunno. Something powerful. It can't be droids though." The visible indentations on the door led the clones to believe that it wasn't battle droids; they weren't that strong and would have used explosives to break in.
A non-clone officer came up from behind the two clone troopers.
"What's going on?" the officer asked as the door was hit again.
"Must be some kind of animal at the door."
One more smack, the door crumpled and the HouseKarl droids rushed through.
"Droids!" One clone was shot in the face with an elite E-5 and the other was split in half by a ZK-III battle-axe. The officer turned to run but was blown up by a bulldog RLR.
The HouseKarl droids dispersed through the base, working in pairs or alone. They instantly killed anyone and anything they came across. Clone troopers, worker droids, maintenance staff, everyone was slaughtered. It was less a battle and more a sickening gut churning gore-fest.
OOM-9 and Dr. Quartz watched from monitors. They saw what the HouseKarl droids saw. The 8th Fleet couldn't get feedback from the HouseKarls until they entered the system. But ever since they had arrived, OOM-9 was treated to a great show of violence.
"Ha ha ha!" Quartz laughed. "Marvelous! They're doing better than I expected!"
"You expect quite a bit, Doctor," OOM-9 countered.
"Look at them! They're not even trying!" Quartz clasped his hands together in glee. "How wonderful, they're going to kill the everyone in the base before we get there!"
Three HouseKarls droids had converged on the command center. KV-10, who had an electrowhip, was slashing apart officers and clones with a few wide swipes. KV-8 was obliterating his opponents with a flechette E-5 shotgun. KV-8 got so close to his targets that when he fired (aiming for their heads), there was nothing but fountains of blood spurting up from their necks once he was done.
KV-9 took control of a command computer and started hacking. A clone came up from behind but the HouseKarl sliced half of the trooper's head off with a ZK-II war-axe. Within a minute he was in complete control of the base. KV-9 sent a signal to the 8th Fleet. "General OOM-9."
"Yes, KV-9?"
"The base is ours. I have access to a full personnel list. We will kill all stationed at this base."
"Good. I am sending reinforcements. Once you have finished with your killing you will join us for the attack on Aereen as planned."
"Roger roger." KV-9 noticed one of the officers sliced in half by KV-10's electrowhip was still alive. He started to crawl away on his arms, leaving a sickening streak on blood and leaking organs behind him. KV-9 walked over and crushed the man's head with his foot. KV-9 did not kill him to end his suffering, he killed him because all enemies had to be eliminated.
The Republic Navy, a group containing three Dreadnaughts and two Pelta-class frigates, started for the 8th Fleet. They weren't sure what the Separatists were waiting for, unaware that the HouseKarls had been sent out ahead of the main force. Either way, they were not going to allow the 8th Fleet to stay in the system, despite the fact that they were terribly outnumbered.
"Deploy preset swarm group one," OOM-8 ordered.
"Roger roger."
Z23-Y75 led a swarm of droid fighters towards the V-19 Torrent fighters released from the Dreadnaughts.
"Focus on the fighters. Let our capital ships handle their cruisers," Z23-Y75 ordered his flyers as he piloted his Scarab right for the V-19s.
A swarm of hunter-seekers droids and two Neimoidian transports arrived at the Republic base. Squads of BX droid commandos and B1 and B2 battle droids rushed out toward the base. They were greeted not by clones, but by a lone HouseKarl battle droid.
The tactical droid TH-1066 was among the newcomers. He walked up to the HouseKarl battle droid.
"We are wiping up the remaining resistance. There are less than twenty individuals left," KV-4 reported.
"Well done. We are here to scour the computers for any useful data. Then we will purge and destroy all data in the base's systems. General OOM-9 does not yet want your existence revealed to the Galactic Republic."
"Roger roger."
OOM-9 had ordered the 8th Fleet's transports to begin landing his army on Aereen. The CCC had updated him that the base on Krant was nearly taken care of. Now the trick was making sure no one escaped Aereen. OOM-9 wanted no one to know about the HouseKarls, the longer they were a secret, the more chances they'd get to surprise the enemy. Of course the Republic had sent out a distress signal once the attack had started, but the 8th Fleet was now jamming them. As long as the droid army didn't dawdle, they could be finished and gone from the system before any Republic reinforcements showed up. And if Republic reinforcements did show up, they would have to be destroyed like the rest.
OOM-9 landed his army a decent distance from Aereen's Republic base. He wanted to give the clone army time to prepare and meet him on the battlefield. OOM-9 wanted to see how well the HouseKarl battle droids would perform in a wide-open space with two large armies fighting each other. Conventional wisdom held that the larger the army and the greater the battlefield, the less impact elite units had on a battle, especially elite infantry units. If the HouseKarls did have a notable impact on the upcoming battle it would prove their power.
But first the HouseKarls had to arrive, and the Republic wasn't just going to wait around. Though somewhat hesitant, the clone army sporadically sent out teams of TX-130 fighter tanks to probe the droid army's strengths and weaknesses. OOM-9 was only too happy to show them what his army could do.
KJZ-8267 led swarms of ASTs to destroy the fighter tanks. On their own, armored scout tanks didn't have the firepower to take out a Saber-class fighter tank. But the droids were clever. They closed in on the fighter tanks and slapped on TB-47 time bombs on the tanks as they passed by. The armored scout tanks were quick enough not to get hit and if they did miss a fighter tank, the AATs would move up to finish the job.
AMLs and HAMLs kept the LAAT/i gunships from coming too close.
OOM-9 couldn't wait around forever, and slowly started to inch the droid army along the route to the Republic base when the HouseKarls' shuttle finally showed up.
OOM-9 exited his armored assault tank and went out to greet them personally as the Neimoidian shuttle touched down. 3B3-888, who had been riding on the outside of the tank, took over OOM-9's spot at the top.
A Munificent star frigate flanked by two Recusant light destroyers exited out of hyperspace to the side of the 8th Fleet. "What's going on? We requested no reinforcements. Open a communication channel at once," OOM-8 demanded. The Republic Navy had already been blown to smithereens; there was no need for any help.
"They're already requesting one sir," a pilot droid informed OOM-8.
"Open it then!"
"Roger roger."
The image of a human CIS officer filled the viewscreen.
"What's the meaning of this? This is a classified operation! State your business at once!" OOM-8 demanded of the human.
"Baroness Zada Zincer of Zakkudos demands an audience with General OOM-9."
"Why wasn't this scheduled? General OOM-9 is preoccupied at the moment."
"The Baroness is insistent that she meet with OOM-9 now."
OOM-8 paused. It wasn't wise to upset the leader of Zakkudos. Zakkudos, after all, was one of the primary suppliers of battle droids and vehicles for OOM-9's forces.
"OOM-9 is currently leading the battle planet-side. The Baroness will have to wait." OOM-8 waited for a response as the officer on the other end talked with a few pilot droids.
"The Baroness will take a shuttle down to meet the General personally."
"That is ill advised. The area is not safe for an individual of her status."
"It's out of my hands. She has made her decision."
"Very well, I shall inform the General of her arrival," OOM-8 sent the information through the CCC, which then sent it to OOM-9.
A blue and gray Sheathipede shuttle landed and its two Vulture droid escorts converted into walking mode.
General OOM-9 and Commander Zako were there to greet the Baroness. If all went according to plan it would be a short meeting on OOM-9's part. OOM-9 planned to dump the Baroness on Commander Zako so that he could get back to properly surveying the battle. Clone forces had been gathering for the main attack, and soon the droid army would begin their great charge, with the HouseKarls up in the front ranks.
A full squad of super battle droids and a pair of security battle droids left the shuttle before a pair of female humans came down the ramp. One was dressed in a CIS officer uniform and one was wearing whatever she damn well pleased. OOM-9 recognized the Baroness on sight.
Her body seemed so sharp that one could imagine her cutting someone with her appearance. Her short hair was dyed dark blue. She wore blue lipstick. She was well known for always wearing clothing that revealed her shoulders. She wore a blue and black tank top with a black miniskirt. A vibrocutlass hung from the belt wrapped around her exposed midriff. She looked more like a prostitute than the leader of an entire planet.
"Baroness Zada Zincer," OOM-9 was polite. "It is a pleasure to see you. It is a shame we weren't informed of your arrival sooner."
"This was never scheduled. A spontaneous, last-minute decision." Zada Zincer had a black eye patch emblazoned with a white CIS emblem over her right eye. Her left eye was artificial.
"What prompted your decision? My utilization of the battle droids you provide is satisfactory, is it not?"
"No, no. You've been doing a marvelous job. You've become quite the icon in the Zalost system. But that's not why I'm here. I'm just taking a short vacation from the world of politics. It can be incredibly dull."
"Indeed. But this is a dangerous area for a person of your importance."
"With you, General OOM-9? There's no safer place in the galaxy for a Separatist leader."
"Not while I'm fighting the Republic's clone armies. Perhaps you should tell me the true intent of your visit."
"I wasn't lying, I was getting bored. I'm not a machine, I can only put up with bureaucrats and the media for so long. I need a break to recharge. And I want to see your new droids in action. You know, the purple ones," her blue lips cracked into a smile.
"Their existence is classified."
"Dr. Quartz is quite the braggart. My planet supplied Eos with some of the money, materials and machinery used to construct the droids. I keep a sharp eye on the Exchequer. You think I wouldn't find out?" Her artificial eye changed color and started whizzing about in different directions. It was red, now it was blue. The ability of her robotic eye to change colors was an expensive and unnecessary feature but it did seem to fit her personality.
"They are only now being tested in combat. Once we have some results, you would have seen reports soon enough." OOM-9 guessed Quartz was also responsible for revealing that Krant was their target. He would have to have a talk about the importance of secrecy to the Skakoan scientist later.
"Yes, well I already know. And I want to see them in action. It will certainly be more exciting than reading reports after the fact."
"As you wish, my lady. I will leave you under the protection of Commander Zako. He will attend to your safety and requests."
"Yes, understandable that you are busy. I accept your offer."
"Commander." Zako stood at attention. "The Baroness wishes to observe the HouseKarls."
"Yes, General OOM-9."
Zako led the Baroness' group away, and OOM-9 was left to get back to business.
Zako led the Baroness and her entourage up to a plateau where SSA-719 and a squad of B1 battle droids were keeping watch. They had a good view of the battlefield without being in harms way.
"What's their kill/death ratio?" Zincer asked.
"They don't have one yet. A HouseKarl has yet to be destroyed in combat," Zako answered. "They wiped out the Republic forces on Krant on their own."
"Sounds like these droids would make excellent bodyguards."
Zako couldn't take it anymore, he had to ask her. "If I might speak freely for a moment?"
"Go ahead," Zincer smiled.
"I was wondering, you received a cybernetic eye after your first injury." It was public knowledge that Zincer briefly served in the military when she was younger and lost her left eye in a battle. "Why didn't you get another after the assassination attempt?" Zako asked about the event that led to the loss of her right eye. After she had been elected Baroness, there had been an attempt on her life. Zincer survived, but the attack cost her right eye.
"You're very blunt, Commander."
"My apologies."
"No, I like that in a man. You see, after I got the first cybernetic eye implanted, I found it extremely uncomfortable. Even after all these years I never got used to it. So when I lost my other real eye I was in no mood to shove another one of those mechanical orbs into my skull. I can see just fine with one cybernetic eye. But I'm stuck using at least one, as I have no wish to be blind."
"Ah, understandable."
"You're very informal with me. I love it. I'm tired of being in the public eye," Zincer belched after she downed half a can of purple syrup. One of her B2 battle droids offered her a bag of donuts, from which she began eating.
"Then it is unfortunate that your election as Head of State is a lifelong employment."
"Bah, I'm not going to serve into my hundreds like my predecessor," Zincer bit into a donut. Her eye changed from blue to pink.
"You will disappoint a lot of people. You're very popular. You're approval ratings are in the low nineties, the last I heard."
"Ha," Zincer looked like she was mulling over whether to take the comment as a compliment or not. "OOM-9's approval rating is higher than mine. Besides, once the war's over I'm sure my popularity will take a hit."
"I disagree. Once the war is won you shall be drowning in admiration."
"We'll just have to see what the future holds."
The female officer that accompanied Zada Zincer was aggravated. She preferred fighting than standing around guarding baronesses. She slinked over to SSA-719, curious as to why the security droid had black CIS emblems painted on his shoulder plates.
"Hey Red," She said casually.
"My name is SSA-719. Captain in the Separatist Droid Army."
"You don't say. It seems you outrank me. I hold the rank of lieutenant," she smiled, revealing her slightly crooked teeth. "The name's Veronica Vex."
"It is nice to meet you, Lieutenant Vex."
"Where'd you get those," Vex circled her gloved finger on one of SSA-719's emblems.
"From Commander Zako," SSA-719 motioned.
"Is that so? You're good friends with the Commander, eh?"
"Yes."
"It takes a certain kind of crazy to be friends with battle droids," Vex placed an arm over SSA-719's shoulder. "I'm crazy too."
"I seem to meet a lot of crazy humans. Your kind are much more agreeable than most other organic life forms."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"So," Vex eyed SSA-719. "Afraid of being replaced?" She was referring to the HouseKarl battle droids.
"I haven't been yet. How about you?"
"Nope," Vex grinned.
The droid army was in a full charge against the Republic. The HouseKarl droids were leading the pack, and steadily pulling further ahead of the others. Being further ahead, they attracted the fire from the clone infantry. EEK-176 tried to keep up with the droids, but his trio of gatling guns slowed him down. KJZ-8267 was easily able to keep up with the HouseKarls in his armored scout tank. The pilot droid stayed up front more of an observer than a participant of the battle, yet that didn't stop him from firing the tank's laser and blaster cannons at the clone troops.
The HouseKarl droids were able to bob and weave out of most of the incoming blaster fire and were able to absorb any shots that did manage to hit them.
The HouseKarl battle droids hit the clone army at top speed. Those armed with melee weapons now stole the spotlight. The clones had no defense; they had never encountered this situation before. Once the HouseKarls were in the midst of the clone army, the clones had a tough time trying to shoot the droids without hitting their comrades.
And the gaping holes in the clones' formation weakened the army for the regular battle droids rushing in after the HouseKarls. And it didn't help the Republic that EEK-176 was once again committing mass murder with his gatling gun combination.
The clone infantry were eliminated much faster than usual, leaving the GAR walkers vulnerable to attack from the battle droids. The homing spider droids and armored assault tanks kept the walkers busy while the droids finished the job with E-60R rocket launchers.
"Looks like the clone army is in retreat," Zincer viewed the battle through a pair of electrobinoculars the battle droids had provided her. "Very good. Very good. We finally have a real super weapon. An invincible soldier capable of instilling fear into the fearless. Ghaha ha ah ha ha!" Zincer's laugh was particularly evil and grating.
Zako kept silent. He had heard rumors that Zincer was mentally unstable. Her handlers had done a remarkable job of hiding that possibility from the general public. Even as a high-ranking officer from Zakkudos, Karl Zako didn't even know the truth. The one fact he was sure of was that her physical appearance had helped her win the election.
Zincer's laughing fit was interrupted when a damaged LAAT/i gunship landed nearby. The clones inside spilled out and immediately started attacking the battle droids.
SSA-719 and Zako pulled out their E- 5s but were barely able to get off a shot. While the clones and droids fought, Zincer came in from the side, slashing and hacking away at the clone troopers with her vibrocutlass.
Lieutenant Vex likewise turned into a murderous savage. Though armed with an E-5, she still burst toward, killing several clones before grabbing hold of one and snapping his neck.
Within seconds there was a single clone left. Zincer threw a vibrodagger and hit the clone in the face. He dropped down, still alive but writhing in pain.
It was painfully clear that Zada Zincer didn't need the large escort of battle droids that accompanied her.
The two clone pilots exited the gunship and surrendered to the battle droids.
"Oh, Commander," Zincer turned to Zako.
"Yes Baroness?"
"I'm leaving behind Lieutenant Vex as an observer. In order to make sure that these are able to deliver in their next battle."
"As you wish," Zako wasn't going to challenge Zincer even though he was sure OOM-9 would be displeased with someone looking over his shoulder. "I shall inform General OOM-9 of your decision."
The droid army then demolished the Republic base on Aereen. It wasn't difficult since the majority of the clone army had been destroyed on the battlefield far from the base.
OOM-9 was not worried about Vex nosing around for a while, which surprised Commander Zako. The CCC had provided OOM-9 with quick and easy access to Vex's personnel file, and the general didn't consider her to be a rival.
The PK and OX9 worker droids were able to quickly pick up the battle droids that had been destroyed. It wasn't hard as there weren't many to take care of. The 8th Fleet and Zincer's ships were soon on their way and out of the system.
Mere hours after the 8th Fleet left the Krant system than a new group of Republic ships arrived. The Venator star destroyer, Droid Collector, accompanied by two Arquitens light cruisers, was cruising in between Krant and Aereen.
"General, the distress signal we picked up earlier is no longer transmitting. Perhaps it was a false alarm," Captain Klo Toon stated. "Red and Gold Squadron are standing by and ready to launch, shall I have them stand down?"
"Don't be hasty, Captain." Obi-wan Jakoby was calm. "Let's make contact before jumping to conclusions."
Moments lazily drifted by as they waited for an answer from the communications officer.
"If there were an attack I think we would have come across some Separatist warships by now, no?" Toon fidgeted. Even though the officer was hidden behind a breath mask Jakoby could tell he was agitated.
"Sirs, no one's answering," the comm officer stated.
"See, it is a communications failure," Toon glided his fingers over his breath mask.
"There are bases on Krant and Aereen and both are simultaneously suffering communications blackouts? I don't need the Force to know that something is very wrong here."
"We will have to assist them."
"We will send troops to investigate first. I don't want to get stuck babysitting a team of mechanics if things turn out to be a trap."
"Of course," the Kel Dor agreed.
"I will investigate Krant personally. I will send word for the repair teams if it's safe."
A trio of AA-9 gunship transports protected by a squadron of V-19 Torrent fighters left for Aereen while a pair of Nu attack shuttles went down to Krant. Minutes later Obi-wan Jakoby came down the ramp of one of the Nu shuttles. Following at the Jedi's heels were his four loyal clone commandos, Ace, Jack, Kicker, and Tai. Commander Lancer, Lieutenant Minecar, and Sergeant Gnasher led a squad of standard clone troopers out of the other shuttle.
Friend or foe, there was no one to greet them. "Something's not right. I sense nothing," Jakoby put his troops on high alert. The Jedi was sure there had been an attack. An entire base was laid before him and he couldn't sense any life forms at all.
"General, they're still not answering any of our communications," Commander Lancer informed the Jedi.
"No sign of enemy troops either sir," Lieutenant Minecar added.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Tai said.
The group quickly discovered that one of the entrance doors had been bashed in. Inside the base was horror unlike any they had seen throughout the war. It was dank and dark but they could see well enough. The Republic group first passed by the corpses of two clones and an officer.
They soon came across another clone corpse. It was painfully apparent that he had pissed himself before he was killed.
"Hey, I thought you guys were bred to be fearless," Jakoby said.
"Perhaps he was faulty," Jack offered.
"Split up in pairs. No one is to go anywhere alone. Find someone alive," Obi-wan Jakoby ordered.
"Yes sir," half of the clones responded.
The only thing they ever found were Republic corpses, many of them badly mangled and mashed. There were even streaks of blood spatters on the floor, ceiling, and walls. One area was so bloody Gnasher slipped and fell on his ass. "This is peculiar," Jakoby stated. "These attacks were made by a variety of weapons. Some blasters, others sharp melee weapons. Some of the corpses appear to have been bashed in by a hammer or some other blunt weapon."
"I've never seen a battle droid use a hammer," Ace responded. "Even if they did, they'd be blasted before they ever reached any clone that's remembered his training."
"I don't know if this is the work of droids. I don't see any droid parts laying around." Battlegrounds where the CIS had fought were always littered with parts of broken battle droids. While it was also true that when the Confederacy was victorious, they would stay and clean up their troops and piece them back together and shove them back into service again. But such cleanup and repair operations took time, and Jakoby's forces had not arrived so late from when the distress signal was first emitted. Whatever happened here was quick and fast. The Confederacy of Independent Systems was steady and slow when they won. There was nothing to suggest that the CIS had been here and gone.
"Could this be the work of Dooku, or Durge?" Ace asked.
"The battle wounds don't match their weapon profiles. Someone or something else did this."
"What if the Seppies aren't responsible for this?"
"Who else would it be?"
"They aren't usually this effective, or messy."
"They even slaughtered the worker droids and support personnel."
"We'll find out once we see the security footage."
The stench from the corpses was unbearable. Not even the clones' helmets protected them from the vile smell. A few paces from Jakoby and Ace, Minecar was getting woozy. Minecar couldn't take it any longer; the clone threw up inside his helmet. Jakoby heard the muffled, gut-wrenching sound and turned to see Minecar fall to the floor on his knees. Before the poor clone could remove his helmet he threw up again. He finally ripped his helmet off, slinging vomit across the floor. After witnessing such a disgusting display, Jakoby had to fight back the bile coming up in his own throat. "Go clean yourself up Lieutenant."
"Yes sir," Minecar spit.
Ace felt his stomach twist up in a knot. Seeing the other clone hurl chucks almost made him vomit. Jakoby and Ace left the mess to go to the command center.
Unfortunately the scene at the command center was no better.
"What the?" Ace stared at the slimy trail of blood and guts that ended in half a person who also had his skull crushed in.
"Poor fool tried to crawl away."
"That's just wrong," Ace shook his head in disgust.
"Please tell me you have something, Lancer."
"Sorry, General. We got the base online again but the systems have all been wiped clean. Whoever did this did not want to be found out."
"Keep searching. For something, anything."
"Yes sir," the clone commander nodded.
"I hope the troops deployed to Aereen have something." Unfortunately for Jakoby, the clones investigating Aereen found no trace of the attackers either, other than the endless scores of dead Republic personnel.
Author's Note: In the recreation room scene on Eos I wanted to show what the battle droids and their human friends are like when they're not waging war. The CIS and Republic action figures appeared in Star Wars: Jango Fett.
The planet Krant and its moon Aereen appeared in the video game Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds.
OOM-9 is primarily the one responsible for the HouseKarl battle droids. They use the same old droid shells but with different color markings (purple) and made from different materials to make them more durable. And higher energy outputs for bursts of strength. Though Dr. Quartz finished the droids the whole concept came from OOM-9 (with some help from Zako). The HouseKarls are supposed to represent what a new droid would be like if it were designed by a droid. I wanted to give OOM-9 his own unique set of bodyguards (as opposed to the IG-100 MagnaGuards General Grievous uses or the EG-5 Jedi hunter droids Count Dooku has).
The name HouseKarl was inspired by the real life housecarls.