Ask Mustafar Third Time Is The Harm

[Naxa]

Spoiler: Music

Song

Mustafar was filled with places for N4-X4 to infiltrate and use. That much was clear after they had infiltrated Fortress Vader and stolen priceless data. The details of this information had informed the droid of where to find old Clone Wars era factories formerly used by the CIS. They had already begun operations to kick start other factories on the planet but this one in particular was going to be its own degree of difficult.

While the Apex Contractor was skilled in their field, they were only a single machine. Furthermore the planet was under the control of the Sith. In exchange for a portion of their 'product' a Sith Acolyte was going to accompany Naxa on this endeavor. The machine of war and death was skeptical of how much use a single acolyte could be but they reserved their calculations for when they had more data.

For now, N4-X4 waited in the shadows of the volcanic planet and watched a large canyon like crevasse for signs of activity. Hidden underneath the surface by both time and design, there lay a control core capable of producing hundreds, even thousands of war machines. However the facility had not received resources from off planet. Any droids inside could still be fully operational but were limited with only local sources of materials.

They would approach on foot unless this acolyte had a better idea. The BX commando droid waited patiently in secret and silence for their partner in this endeavor. Hidden by the heat, the darkness and their own scatterweave armored chasis they would be almost impossible to find. That was why they kept a photoreceptor out for this Sith acolyte. It would be more likely for Naxa to spot them than the other way around.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai wasn't quite sure what to expect, especially as who he was meeting was not exactly a friend to the Sith or an enemy and had or so he heard tangled with them occasionally, some independent. Which made him curious why were they working with him when such people were generally untrustworthy. But he was just an Acolyte and as such could hardly question the motivations of his superiors even if found the logic strange.

He was here to do a job and he would do it as best he could. Although he was more interested in what he might gain from it, a start to building his own resources and a powerbase. The sooner he started, the more attention he might get from a Master and be trained he thought and the more protection he had against a threat.

From what little he had been told, he was to assist infiltrating an old Clone Wars era factory, access if it was still in working order and get it up and running. Hopefully with very few issues, but Karai knew from the streets even a simple thing can quickly spiral out of control. Especially when he didn't have all the variables and information. So he was extra cautious as he made his approach.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

The droid watched quietly and with limitless patience. Eventually they received a silent alert from their ID-21 seeker droid of a figure approaching but N4-X4 had already spotted them. The organic was a large specimen compared to most. It seemed they were alone and all additional signs indicated they were the acolyte.

+Approach the facility+
+Maintain stealth protocols+

N4-X4 commanded the ID-21 via internal commlink system. It obeyed perfectly and remained low to the ground as it drew closer to the crevasse. Its repulsors would allow it to navigate the vertical drop off.

While the seeker droid moved towards their objective the commando droid approached the acolyte. The infiltration machine moved along the outcropping and intentionally displaced loose obsidian. This caused small shards of rock to click and clack audibly as they rolled down an outcropping to the side of the acolyte. N4-X4 made their presence intentionally known by also standing out against discolored stone but remained beneath the horizon so as to not alert any possible sentries further ahead.

They waited patiently for the acolyte to notice them. N4-X4 would know they had been seen when the Sith pureblood adjusted their path to meet with them. From Naxa's position they would be able to observe and move on the suspected droid factory.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai was moving slowly and cautiously when his ears and sensitive hearing picked up the sound of falling rocks. Almost instinctively a hand fell onto the grip of the lightsaber at his side, just in case whatever it was wasn't friendly and was the enemy come to investigate. Despite this Karai could feel the Dark Side here,it was palpable as it flowed around them, the nexus was strong.

And the history here was long and deep.

Despite his size, he did his best to keep as low as he could, and then he saw his contact. The droid, Naxa he recalled. From what he could tell it was some type of ancient looking droid, at least in comparison to droids of the modern age. It made him curious even if he was cautious. From where he was, Karai walked to meet Naxa and see what he was needed for. Perhaps he could provide more details.

"So your my contact, Naxa was it? What's the current situation with the factory. Do we know what sort of resistance we potentially face when we approach. What you need me for."

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

"Affirmative." They spoke in a deep voice traditional for BX commando units. N4-X4 nodded their shortened BX commando head to emphasize their confirmation with a visual aid before continuing. "Beneath us is a subterranean structure meant to house a minimum of one LH-1840 control core, formerly owned and operated by the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars. I calculate that molten rock has sealed the control core in place and prevents it from leaving." Standard control cores were capable of flight and even hyperspace travel. But the mustafarian environment was unique and likely responsible for keeping the place hidden all these years.

N4-X4 produced a small holo projector to give a miniaturized representation of the area they had scouted ahead along with the map of the control core's internal layout. "Under normal circumstances a control core has thousands of droid as crew, a compliment of a hundred assault tanks, dozens of multi-troop transports and is capable of adding to that number with readily available materials." N4-X4 calculated that the Sith got the idea of the magnitude they were facing.

"That crevasse is the best way to approach the control core. There are tunnels that will lead to the top of the control core's observation deck. From there we will be able to access the relays to send a shut-down signal to any active droids in the area capable of receiving it. Once we have that signal sent out, the control core will be secured." The idea was to repel down with perhaps some small amount of climbing. Then the rest was self explanatory.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai listened carefully as the droid confirmed they were was his contact. Naxa. As he spoke, Karai cautiously observed them, listening while his senses in the Force were alert, ready to let him know if any dangers approached while they were talking. He listened as his objective was made clear to him. To try and secure the LH-1840 Control Core. He had heard about them researching on the way to Mustafar, a capital ship from the Clone Wars if his reading was correct.

This one was apparently stuck.

It made him keenly aware he didn't want to fall into the lava or join it. As he looked upon the hologram, Karai tried to look for the easiest way inside once they were past the crevasse. Climbing wouldn't be an issue or repelling, he had done similar back home. With what he was told, stealth was the better option. He wondered if the droid had scouted the tunnels, he didn't want any unexpected surprises if they could be helped.

"I see. Have the tunnels been scouted? What kind of security can we expect on the way in, I don't want too many surprises beyond what you told me already. Either way, I'm ready when you are to start."

Of course if there were any he would deal with it and adapt, but it was always best to make sure they covered as much as possible. It would make getting in easier and he would be better prepared.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

The acolyte asked a fair question. "Not thoroughly. We may encounter patrols or dormant sentries. Droidekas, B2 super battle droids and other durable droid models may still be active in this region." N4-X4 did not sugar coat it. "The alternative is a frontal assault on its loading bay where scores of vulture droids are likely to guard the way along with numerous point defense laser cannons." The tunnels would be the sith and droid's most efficient method of approach.

"They may suspect an anomaly if we are required to eliminate perimeter defense but that will only happen once. If we neutralize more than that they will suspect infiltration and respond with force." The pair would only get one shot before the whole place went into lock down. One fault was a coincidence worth investigating but two would inform the defenders of an undeniable attack.

"Do you have any more questions?" The BX commando droid waited patiently. They were content to indulge the acolyte further in any of his queries. It almost seemed like the machine took pride in the intelligence they had gathered.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai listened as Nada explained the security measures in place along the tunnels, mentioning possible patrols of Droideka, B2's and other similar droids. With a frontal assault apparently being akin to a suicide run, which he didn't fancy. He agreed going through the tunnels even despite the risk of a patrol was probably better. They didn't need an army of droids after them.

He listened as it was explained if they did run into trouble, they would only get away with it once.

Nodding, he believed he had what he needed and shook his head before slowly and cautiously started towards the crevasse.

"I got none." He said. Preparing the rope and securing it and himself, making sure it would bare the weight and wouldn't snap. He begun the descent hopefully followed by Naxa. Karai noted the enthusiasm, almost like it was proud of something.

Carefully he moved down, positioning himself for the best possible descent as he went.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

N4-X4 nodded robotically at no further questions being asked. Stowing the holoprojector they prepared their climbing equipment and tested it like their sith counter part before descending. The two silently repelled over the cliff side and down. The rising hot hair was intense, or at least it would be for an organic. The heat barely registered on the droid's sensors considering it took a smelter for the armored exterior to receive a mark.

Their descent went unnoticed. Ahead of the two, Naxa's ID-21 seeker informed them there was fork in the tunnels. One direction led to half a dozen unpowered super battle droids standing dormant like statues. Three on either side of the tunnel and facing one another with their torsos slightly tilted forward while their right arms were held bent and pointing to the ceiling.

"There are super battle droids through the tunnel on the right. They are unpowered and may not register our passing. Down the other tunnel there are no signs of any droids." That did not mean there would not be any. In fact it probably meant there would be an active patrol walking down the other tunnel eventually. But for now it was their clearest path. "I advise we go down the left tunnel." The apex contractor suggested and waited to hear a shared confirmation from the sith pureblood. In one of the commando droids manipulators it held a nightstinger blaster pistol. The weapon was quieter than most blasters and produced less light with its bolts. In the unlikely event that it was needed it would statistically be favorable.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai continued his descent, he allowed the armour he wore to bare the brunt of the heat as the rising hot air attempted to work to cook him. He hoped the armour was sufficient to allow him to make it to the tunnels. That appeared to soon be the case as both Naxa and Karai arrived unnoticed below. When below the Acolyte noted the two paths.

With the seeker scouting ahead it made it easier to determine which was most suited and would allow them the most chance entering unnoticed. Karai keen senses and street smarts told him the path with no droids currently seemed the best route to take, even if they didn't know if any patrols would come. The risks seemed minimal in comparison to coming face to face with some B2 Battledroids which may or may not be active in the other tunnel and notice them.

As such he spoke "I agree. There will be less risk that way, we don't need them knowing about us just yet."

With that he moved towards the left tunnel, being cautious as he did so, his senses alert both physically and in the Force. He slowly walked forwards, taking steady steps just in case there were traps as well as droids. In his right hand he held the a light schimitar sword, ready to tear apart any resistance if they came across it.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

The Force was an abstract concept to N4-X4 but they had begun studying it in recent times, or at least the subject in concept. A great deal of data had been recovered by the commando droid. Things like resurrection, bonds, and different dimensions were hinted at in the intelligence they had recovered. Droids had their own reality that many organics often overlooked as well. They could be recycled, transferred, synced with one another over vast difference and communicate in cyberspace. So in a way, N4-X4 was privy to an entirely different world that still shared similarities. But it still made conceptualizing the subjects a difficult task at times. Perhaps when the mission was over N4-X4 would have a lengthy conversation with their Sith associates.

N4-X4 kept their primary processed focused on the mission at hand. The agreement from the Sith Acolyte allowed them to continue on smoothly. Naxa sent the ID-21 seeker droid ahead, continuing to scan for patrols and give the two an early warning.

The treads underneath N4-X4's feet prevented their footsteps from echoing ahead. Every aspect of the droid was aimed for infiltration. But they kept their stealth field generator inactive for the time being in order to save energy and decrease risk of the mechanisms overheating internally.

The commando droid suddenly held up a manipulator to signal they stop immediately. "I have detected unmanned perimeter defenses. There are proximity sensors ahead." Abnormalities in the tunnel ahead indicated there were criss crossing infrared sensors and non-visible trip-wires. The seeker droid had not detected it because it had not been looking for them and had alternate protocols motivating it. "It may be difficult for us to pass unnoticed." There could be a hidden blaster turret, mines, or just an alert sent to nearby droids if the sensors were tripped. N4-X4 had no way of knowing but the acolyte and the contractor could try to dance through the sensors, disable them, or turn back and go down the route with the super battle droids. "A smoke grenade may reveal the line of sight." It unhooked one such device from its chasis and brandished it in offering. But it would not waste the tool if their partner had another idea.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai continued moving slowly, cautious of what lay ahead and his temporary ally. He still didn't know if the droid could be trusted. His keen eyes and ears were open as he traversed the tunnel and felt the current of the Force as the Dark Side permeated him. He could feel it strongly here, Mustafar was covered in it's dark embrace, long had it been with the Sith.

As they moved ahead he felt something.

A sense of some type of danger, yet he didn't know what it was. It was a feeling he had grown to rely upon, so he stopped even as Naxa signalled him too. And then the danger was revealed as the droid explained. A trap lay ahead, criss crossing infrared sensors and non-visible trip-wires. Just as suspected they might encounter at some point, a trap. This particular one posed a unique problem to solve. Karai looked, seeing nothing. At least until he flicked inside the helmet to another vision mode. One that revealed infrared. It wasn't going to be easy but it seemed the safer path regardless in comparison to going back the other way.

He looked at Naxa, taking the offered smoke grenade.

"I agree, but so would the other way. It would make little difference which way we took, although this one is the safer route. Lets see if we can find some box around, use your seeker droid, look for where there might be a maintenance hatch on our side of the sensors that we might be able to open and disable the sensors from here. If not looks like we trying dance through."

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

As the Sith Pureblood reached for the grenade the droid pulled away before he could take it. It had not been offering the device to Karai. "Searching and slicing will take too much time. Time we do not have." It stated. They would likely be discovered by a patrol if they waited. If they knew exactly where an access point was then that would have been another matter. But the perimeter defenses were likely controlled deeper within in the same place that they were already headed. "Dancing, as you put it, is the best option. I know more than just the robot." N4-X4 had been informed by other Apex Contractors it was good team building to crack a joke every now and again. It must be an organic thing.

The droid primed the smoke grenade and let it activate. The tunnel was soon filled with the gaseous vapors, revealing faint beams of light to the naked eye and making it easier to avoid the sensors. "Follow my path, if you can." The BX commando droid was agile to the extreme. It stepped over the first beam, under the second, below the third and so on and so forth. Naxa leapt and spun to propel themselves further ahead in a manner that only a gymnast or droid designed for that type of mobility could do. At least the lasers were not moving otherwise it would have been almost impossible.

After a brief few seconds of dancing through the sensors the droid stood on the other side free and clear. The way ahead seemed devoid of threats. No alerts from the ID-21 seeker droid had come through.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai mistook Naxa intent as he found the droid pull away with the grenade. It annoyed him slightly, but he kept his quiet. He listened finding he was probably right, at least for a tin can. A very smart tin can. And as Naxa cracked a joke he quicker a eye stalk. Karai had not expected that, and so chuckled a little involuntarily. Albeit covering his mouth so he didn't alert any other droids about.

"Ok, that wasn't expected." he said "Fine we do it your way."

As Naxa went forward, Karai stayed close, following the path as best he was able, although being forced a few times to suck in his stomach to avoid barely missing a sensor, his size was both an advantage and a boon sometimes. The first ones were easy it was the others which proved the more difficult. Some he had to outright disable since he couldn't have passed like Naxa. Once across he followed Naxa and the seeker.

He thought so far so good. But he knew, they would only avoid detection for so long, nothing was ever so straightforward. Not in his line of work.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

N4-X4 waited, blaster at the ready for Karai to catch up and react in case they tripped an alarm. But no such mistake came. They watched as the pureblood wisely disabled a few of the sensors rather than risk setting them off. "I calculate that a maintenance crew will come to service those sensors but these facilities are old. They will likely consider it to be faulty machinery and not expect infiltration. Let us move on, quickly."

They still had the element of surprise. The winding tunnel held no more defenses or dangers. The rocky tunnel opened up to a massive subterranean cavern. The opening had a steep drop off with a very narrow platform circling around its side and following the circumference of the cavern. Sitting in the center and several stories below them was the tip top of the LH-1840 control core. Even at this distance it was clearly still active.

"Now, we descend." Afixing the same climbing gear as they had used to get into the tunnel from earlier, the contractor repelled down to the roof of the flat observation tower but not before activating their stealth field. The device would make both the commando droid and their adjacent partner difficult to see from any onlookers and the only real risk was if a sentinel saw their grapple lines leading to nothing in mid air.

Nothing saw them though and they soon stood on top of the stationary vessel. The flattened roof of the observation decks were stable to walk on and the two had plenty of room to move if necessary. The BX commando droid strode a few steps until they were directly above the bridge. "Use your lightsaber to cut a hole for us here." Once done, they would be able to drop right into the control core and take control. There would be security inside that they would need to deal with first. But success was almost at hand.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai listened as the droid explained, nodding. They would need to be careful, just in case the security did notice and decide to investigate. But still they had the element of surprise and that counted for something. As they went Karai was daring to admit Had a was growing on him even if he couldn't fully be trusted.

Moving along what remained of the tunnel, he looked out as they opened a vast cavern. He briefly looked down and didn't relish 're thought of falling down that chasm. He sighed as again they were forced to do some rock climbing and descended end. It wasn't exactly how he planned to be spending his time here, but such was his life. Always throwing new challenges.

There below he saw the objective.

Again sorting the climbing gear, he readied himself and repelled off. Following Naxa, Karai slowly traversed the circumference until they were eventually on top of the control core. He nodded before speaking, not getting the lightsaber out just yet.

"Do you have another grenade?" he said "Might be a good idea to drop a surprise in the hole for whoever is inside as soon as I cut it, before we say hello. Make it easier."

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

N4-X4 scanned the surroundings and returned to focus their photoreceptors on Karai. The droid had come prepared. "Roger roger." They produced another device from its magnetic holstering. It was only a concussion grenade, but any droid inside would have its auditory and visual receptors overloaded. It would have a similar overwhelming experience for machines as it was for organics and it would also prevent damage to any interior equipment they would need to take control of the vessel and its security.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai gave a nod, at least they were prepared for whatever waited inside. Or enough he hoped that they stood up a better chance against wanted droids or security method was inside. He saw the grenade and almost chuckled at the roger roger but suppressed it, now was a time to be serious. And so he put on his game face and got down to business.

Putting the sword away he had out, he took out the temporary lightsaber.

At least until he made a new one, this one he had acquired from the Korriban Academy. Igniting, he begun making the hole hoping the metal wasn't too thick and required longer. He allowed the blade to cut into the metal, and the hole begin to form as he sliced a circular entrance point for them both. Looking to Naxa he gave the signal to drop the grenade in and give whoever was inside a rude awakening.

After which he would jump in and begin removing whoever he could, while trying to avoid as much of the electronics as he could.

"Here we go. Show time." he said.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

N4-X4 kept their blaster at the ready, switching its setting to no longer be as quiet and increasing the stopping power it produced. The energized blade of plasma soon enough opened a way for the two infiltrators. Just as planned Naxa dropped the concussion grenade inside. After its flash and boom occurred simultaneously the saber wielder dropped in first and then the BX commando droid.

The pure blood would see six B1 droid units with their tan manipulators raised up and trying to feel their way. Their higher pitched voices stuttering as their processors tried to adapt to the situation.The ID-21 seeker droid that had accompanied the two of them flew amidst the commotion towards a nearby data port and began slicing immediately allowing Karai and Naxa to focus on the threats.

"What the-"
"I can't see anything."
"I can't hear anything."
"What?!"

Before any of the B1 crew could recover the commando began firing. N4-X4 knew better than anyone the weak points of the B1 battle droids and disabled them with quick singular shots that burned holes in their torsos and blew away heads. There were at least four red painted security droids with E-5 blasters. But they too would get the same treatment. Two double barreled blaster turrets descended from the ceiling and began looking for threats. It would only take a second for them to find the targets.

Outside the control room the droid guards stationed there would hear the chaos and begin entering the room. Two super battle droids from the east and two super battle droids from the west marched in as the blast doors parted ways. "Halt. Intruders. Die." They lowered their wrist blasters and took aim to fire at the intruders. N4-X4 did their best to dodge and avoid the weapons, intending to put terminals and the other super battle droids in front of one another to mitigate the amount of incoming fire.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

As soon as Karai was inside, he set to work. Bringing his lightsaber down upon the nearest B1 to his right and slicing it diagonal before attempting to twist the blade with his body as he turned to take out another, with Naxa adding equally to the destruction with droids falling left and right. The B1's posing very little threat to the two. The Sith Acolyte and Naxa working in tandem to remove them from the path of their objective.

Karai looked up as the two Super Battle Droids, B2's by the look of it, approached and begun firing. And another two from the other direction. He decided to split them up a bit, also briefly taking cover, he manoeuvred himself and circled to the left, attempting to zig zag forward as several bolts came his way. Using his lightsaber he attempted to deflect several of the bolts into the turrets to disable them and another two back at the droids, although he winced as one bolt from a droid hit the top of his arm, regardless as he grimaced, he used the pain and kept going.

After the initial attempt he attempted to use the Force attempt Push the approaching Super Battle Droids group back, hopefully out the door or at least further back so the two could deal with them better as some tumbled and tried to re-orientate themselves.

He looked to Naxa, calling out as he fought.

"We need to close the door! I'll take care of the turrets and the two on the right, you take the other two, should give us some space and time to shut it and the seeker do it's job!"

@Darasuum