Puck 2
"Executing System Boot. Loading... Loading... Ten percent... Twenty Percent... Fourty Percent... Seventy Percent... Sixty Seven Percent..."
"Wait what?" Creon responded.
"A fatal error has occurred. This program will now shut down. Would you like to send a report?"
"No. Don't send a ...
Submission Text
Puck 2
"Executing System Boot. Loading... Loading... Ten percent... Twenty Percent... Fourty Percent... Seventy Percent... Sixty Seven Percent..."
"Wait what?" Creon responded.
"A fatal error has occurred. This program will now shut down. Would you like to send a report?"
"No. Don't send a report."
"Sending report..."
"Dank farrick! Now I have to wait fifteen minutes for absolutely nothing!"
"Amused response: Oh master, I was just executing my comedic subroutine programming for your amusement. HK-55 fully online."
"How amusing..." Creon said with a unamused tone and given facial expression.
"Serious Inquiry: How might I be only service, master?"
Creon cleared his throat, "It's time for your first mission, fifty-five. You're hunting a Rancor."
Data from the galactic network downloaded and was analyzed by HK-55's processor over detailed information regarding the nomenclature "Rancor" upon receiving the keyword's audio input.
"Apathetic Compliance: A trivial protocol. You need not make my first mission an easy one."
"It's not about measuring your functional capabilies. It's simply what's currently available. Believe me, when the opportunity presents itself we'll see how well you perform in more difficult circumstances. But for now, we are hunting a Rancor. Follow me to the hangar to introduce you to the ship you'll be piloting."
The two marched through imperial designed hallways of the ____. Upon reaching the hangar bay Creon pointed over to the only Firespray-class model docked on the platform.
HK-55's photoreceptors scanned the ship and crossreferenced it with data found on the network and downloaded information affiliated with the model.
"Grateful Exclamation: Master, you are too kind. Such a prestigious extension for my operational functions!"
"It has a droid brain installed to handle subroutine functions, one of which over time will be further developed and optimized to your preferences. You have full rights as an Administrator, save for overwriting myself as priority Administrator. I hope you two develop a capable symbiotic relationship, you'll need it to be successful. I'll be going with you, monitoring your progress and observing how you work. After a few successes that gives me the vote of confidence, you'll then be going on missions given from me independently."
"Neutral Response: Understood master."
The two opened the hangar and walked through to the cargo hold. HK-55 stopped to scan the entirety of the internal features of the ship, and took a longer moment to observe the swoop bike.
"Analysis Report: Data not found on this model. Yet it's engineering is of a measure far improved by standard issues."
"Yes. This bike is a custom make, you'll need to acclimate yourself to it with customized programming. There is no pre-made software for handling this like there would be a standard bike model. But for now, let's focus on the mission. Take us to where the mission details states to go."
Two Hours Later
Both Creon and HK-55 stood outside a dark cavern outside of a swamp near the village which called for the bounty. Insects sang to the night sky with only the light of twin moons illuminating the field.
"Well... scouts from the village reported this is where it's made it's den. Are you going to go in?" Creon asked.
"Explanation: If its fine by you, master, I should like to set up an ambush by luring the creature outside, then using the Firespray's turrets to destroy it from above."
Creon yawned and turned back to walk back to the ship that had been parked approximately three hundred meters away, "That's fine. Wait for me to get strapped into the ship just in case I need to be a gunner."
"Informative Response: The caliber of the Firesprays' turrets are confirmed capable of killing a Rancor with a single shot."
Creon didn't respond but simply took off with his jetpack to the parked spaceship.
HK 55 waited patiently, with every other minute or so firing it's grenade launcher rounds into the cavern to stirr the slumbering beast from it's solace. The first explosion came with a curdled growl, the next a warning groan, and the third a howling roar. The Rancor then emerged from the shadows just as the firespray rose from the horizon. The creature looked at HK, then back up to the ship and remained fixed on it. HK-55 gave a silent command directly sent to the ship's droid brain to open fire on the target. Two turret beams blasted from the guns on both sides and made its mark on the Rancor. It screamed in pain before falling silent after collapsing to the ground.
"Declaration: Mission Accomplished. A trivial success." HK-55 relayed to the ship's communication system for Creon to hear.
"Well done, HK-55. Let's go get paid for it."
"Eager Entitlement: Am I due a sum for my efforts? Only for a simple request for a humble oil bath, master?"
"You will get 50/50 until you start doing bounties without my oversight, then it's only fair you get the majority share."
"Enthusiastic Ambition: This fits my primary programming perfectly. I am ready for the next task!”
**The Final Descent**
It would end up being Kalen's last trip down the long lift ride through the umbilical that connected Zerek to the Citadel below. Though he had only been there roughly a dozen times in the past four and a half months, reporting to the Ventressian HQ had become a familiar par...
Submission Text
The Final Descent
It would end up being Kalen's last trip down the long lift ride through the umbilical that connected Zerek to the Citadel below. Though he had only been there roughly a dozen times in the past four and a half months, reporting to the Ventressian HQ had become a familiar part of his routine. He even had his own set of quarters there that he had rarely used and had never left any possession in.
“You'll do a great job heading up the Outreach Corps Kalen, TuQ hand picked you for the job.” Tahiri said as the lift began its approximately 3 minute descent down to the Citadel.
“I still can't believe they're giving this guy a frigate.” Blackhawk, the new Ventress Aedile chimed in.
“I mean, he'll be in command of it, not actually flying it.” Tahiri replied genially.
“Hey! I'm standing right fracking here. And 3 of those crashes weren't my fault!” Kalen was a bit offended. The first crash, had actually been the result of him taking ground fire while circling a drug cartels base of operations while trying to save Blackhawk(who didn't need any saving at all at the time). Another crash had been the result of a docking tractor malfunctioning at the new Naga Sadow space station, and the most recent crash had been caused by the annoying and quasi-sentient Corvuns.
“We know, we're just having some fun at your expense.” Tahiri grinned and patted him on the arm.
“But no, seriously, a Pelta class Frigate is a serious piece of hardware, you should probably let your navigators handle the flying.” Blackhawk snuck in another barb.
“Yeah, yeah. Those RZ-2s, though, I'll be using my ‘Commander’s prerogative’ to take one of those bad boys for a test flight, mark my words.” Kalen smiled, having read the specs on the A-wings he would have as a part of his ‘Corps’.
“Just don't make yourself a mark on the side of an asteroid, hehe. For being 35 years old they're still some of the fastest production fighters in existence.” Blackhawk continued his chiding.
“Fair point.” Kalen relented.
“When are you heading out?” Tahiri asked, having only seen the orders herself the day before.
“Uh, later today. Apparently the team is assembling at Hellas Yards now. I'm going to have Karracca drop me off there and go and pick up that new Defender class Corvette I just bought.
Tahiri just rolled her eyes. She had unintentionally predicted Kalen trading in the Corra 5 for the Corra 6 a few days before in landing the landing bay above them.
“The Defender isn't a corvette dude, it's just a big, long range assault ship.”
“You can just shut up Hawk, it is a corvette, it's literally in the name bruh.” Kalen said as he pulled up the ship specs on his datalink and showed him.
“See, right there, in the title line, Defender Class LIGHT CORVETTE” The jedi added.
“Gotta hand it to the advertising consultants for recommending that moniker.” Blackhawk laughed.
“Yeah, it's a cool name” Kalen agreed, totally missing the fact that Blackhawk was implying that Kalen had fallen for a classic marketing ploy.
Creon wasn't certain on the larger scope of the situation for the mission he was involved with. His time spent away from Brotherhood matters in the peaceful villa of Naboo kept him unaware of the ongoings within the unknown regions the Brotherhood operated in. His return and transition from the O...
Submission Text
Creon wasn't certain on the larger scope of the situation for the mission he was involved with. His time spent away from Brotherhood matters in the peaceful villa of Naboo kept him unaware of the ongoings within the unknown regions the Brotherhood operated in. His return and transition from the Odanites to Naga Sadow had changed the atmosphere of his progression in the jedi arts, light or dark. Yet the work was always similar no matter where he went. Unfortunately, he had not the upbringing with planned parenthood to specialize him in a skill or trade, and thus his only value is his expendability. This often put him in jobs that required conflict management, security, or covert operations. Like so many other warriors before him he rolled the dice with his life to make a living. He was not alone, however, for an entire squad of sadowans was on this mission. The cargo value was not only too expensive to account for loss, but if reverse engineered could turn the tides of war against the Brotherhood. This was all Creon needed to know for his work. His squad pulled regular shifts, and indeed there were many days of peace where it seemed little over a simple courier job. It wasn't until after a month that the enemy made their second attempt. Security breaches were sporadic, and often many will think the window of opportunity for heists would be done when peace and time lets one's guard down. Vigilance and patience kept the team alert, and when the terrorists came to make claim of the weapon's cache, they instead found a squad of Force Users. There wasn't violence, for the men had good sense to surrender. Though this didn't help in their mistreatment when tortured and interrogated for information. The Sadowans squeezed what little sanity these thieves had, and names were spilled of all who were involved that led to their involvement. These men were hired by a third party mercenary group in order to both prevent a direct correlation to their employer, and to not expend their own organic resources for reclamation missions. They were not the only one’s hired, as this was an open job posting available for all willing to support in sabotaging the brotherhood’s efforts. Upon retirement back to his quarters from a smooth mission’s success, Creon took upon himself to look into these names, and find out just what the Brotherhood had been up to during his absence. Of course they were always busy, with a struggle with something new around every corner. It gave Creon a depressed feeling, worrying that not only would the multiple factions put the council at a war front with too many adversaries at once. Resources would need to be spread, which will eat them from the inside out. This doesn’t also discount the natural competitive drive of the Sith, which all in once has dwindled the populous of membership further approaching desolation. In contemplating this introspection of plausible foresight, it would take much work for Creon to help support a revival. But is that the will of the ruling caste?
He shook his head. Too many thoughts after a long day from another simple and smooth success job. The worse has yet to come. He needed to train and prepare for what comes next.