Writer's notes: Small update 10 NOV 06. Here's a little backstory on HK-47. It's meant to be a bit 'tongue in cheek.'

Sand Castles – Part I

Eclipse System – One Year Ago

On the thriving industrial planet of Eclipse V, tall, corporate towers reached into the sky, threatening to penetrate the stratosphere of the world, where great fortunes were made supplying the Republic with fast speeders.

Corporate man, Max Marvo, sat in his mid-level office, gazing out the window onto the mezzanine below. A smile crossed his face as he turned to his latest acquisition, a rust-colored droid with flashing, orange eyes.

All the big executives have one. I'll need this guy to climb the ladder.

"Droid," he called and the twitchy robot looked over.

"Ready, Master!" it called enthusiastically.

Max rose and went to the open door of his office, where a party was happening beyond. "Come, I must introduce you to my superiors. Remember, don't embarrass me."

Together, man and machine walked into the corporate conference room, where sentients gyrated to the music. The spirit in the room was upbeat; stocks were up 50 for the year. Max had already spent his bonus on this droid.

The weasely man strutted into the crowd and people 'ooh'd' and 'ahh'd' his new toy.

"Marvo, I see you're taking your career seriously," voiced the corpulent CEO. "Every young executive must have a servant droid. It's the sign of prestige, my boy."

Max glowed as he had his robot demonstrate some tricks.

The CEO grinned. "Come see me in my office tomorrow, my boy. I think there's a future for you in Emtech."

For the next nine months, Max climbed the corporate ladder, growing richer and more powerful. Women hung on his arm, hoping to glean some of his aura. Max had grown into the executive lifestyle and soon, his chauffeured airspeeder brought him directly to the upper levels of Emtech, where his private office was located.

One day, Max arrived for the board meeting in his Corellian silk suit and a protocol droid handed him his daily news pad. As he strutted into the room with his droid in tow, he froze. The other executives were huddled around a display of diminishing numbers and falling profits. A new competitor had entered the market; this was a disaster.

Later, in his office, Max stormed about, ruminating about his company's possible demise. "This cannot be!" he raged and struck his faithful droid with his fist.

The droid shook and made a wobbling sound. "HK Forty Seven is ready to serve, Master. My assassination protocols have been restored."

Max looked confused. "Assassination protocols? What do you mean…you kill people?"

"Statement: It is what I live for."

Max stepped back and thought for a moment. A sly look came over his face; Emtech wouldn't be hurting after all. It would be his competitor, BoTech.

"HK, you understand what is happening to my company…that we have a competitor and that we are losing?"

"Supposition: You are not pleased by this arrangement I take it?"

"No, not at all. It is completely unacceptable. In fact, I want you to eliminate all of those responsible for Emtech's misfortunes."

"Obedient: Of course, Master. I shall make the meatbags pay."

Eclipse System

Over the next month, Max monitored the news as terrible accidents befell the executives of BoTech. Day after day, the news would mention a new employee being killed. One despondent BoTech Vice President shot himself…twenty times.

As BoTech's stock fell into the toilet, Emtech regained its rightful place in the corporate 500. Max was back on cloud nine.

One fateful day, Max dallied with his secretary in his corner office. As the woman giggled, Max wondered offhandedly about what had become of his droid.

However, his attention was drawn to the sound of blaster fire and flames coming from outside the door. Panicked, the woman scurried into the bathroom as Max pulled his pants up. Suddenly, the door burst in and there stood HK-47.

"HK, what are you doing?"

The droid held a blaster rifle and a flame thrower, which was smoking. Screams came from behind him. "Greetings Master. I am proud to say my mission is nearly complete."

Max inhaled. "Excellent. Now stand down."

"Regret: Master, I cannot do that. Your orders to me were explicit. I eliminated the ninety six corporate officers at BoTech responsible for your misfortune and, in my desire to be thorough, I searched their records."

"So?"

"Revelation: I discovered that BoTech is part of Emtech and that the Emtech corporate executives were themselves responsible. I have now eliminated all but one Emtech executive. How proud you will be of me, Master."

Max groused. "All but one? What do you mean?"

HK-47 threw Max's nameplate in front of him. It read, 'Max Marvo, Emtech Corporate Executive."

HK leveled the rifle and flame thrower at Max. "Mission accomplished!"