Ask Mustafar Two B2 or Not B2

[Naxa]

Spoiler: Music

Song

A single BX commando at the height of the clone wars were renowned for their effectiveness in combat. Aside from the IG-100 magna guards, the BX models were used to guard VIPs, assassinate enemy officials and sabotage key targets to name a few. It was this skillset that had allowed N4-X4 to infiltrate Fortress Vader under the nose of Darth Tempest and her so-called Sith, download its archives and exfiltrate leaving everyone none-the-wiser.

The contents of the archives were coded individually and could take literally lifetimes for the BX commando droid to decipher on their own. However they had some luck and chose a familiar subject to decrypt. The Klegger Corp Mining Facility and its secrets opened to reveal detailed files on the mining operations there. But more than that. The data it contained clearly indicated there was not only one, but several droid manufacturing facilities hidden beneath the surface. Furthermore there were Confederacy of Independent Systems markings and terms used in frequency.

After discovering this information the droid made a tactical choice and reached out to the occupiers of the molten planet. Naxa would be hard pressed to keep the facility a secret in the long run since it was practically next door to the dark side nexus. But rather than see it as an obstacle, the hunter calculated an opportunity. If production could be restored then a portion of machines produced could be put to use for the Sith while the rest were sent on key missions for N4-X4's own ends.

N4-X4 was a capable BX commando droid with a long track record but there was only so much the war machine could do alone. The reasons that they wanted to acquire the alleged "mining facility" were the same reasons it was dangerous. The structure may have continued operations in the years after the Clone Wars but it was largely forgotten and not mentioned anywhere publicly. N4-X4 had a map of the facility's interior but that did not mean it had remained the same over the decades. It also meant there were likely scores of battle droids, maybe even hundreds of all makes and models capable of defending the building. Caution was warranted.

The exterior vulture droids had already been dispatched by the N4-X4 and allowed for a relatively safe approach of the droid factory. They would be joined by a Sith Champion. In return for the Sith's assistance they would also get a portion of the droids manufactured to serve as a personal army.

N4-X4 watched the surface entrance for any signs of activity but found none. The volcanic planet was not exactly a tourist attraction and the locals kept to themselves. Droid sentries were likely under maintained without supervision or outside resources. But Naxa would see to it that any damaged machines would be respectfully recycled and put to use. Now they just needed to wait for the rest of their assault team to arrive.

@René

[/spoiler]

 

[Ayomi Jakarta]

Long lost droid factories under the surface of Mustafar? It was the first Ayomi had heard of such a thing, though they assumed that was likely why the sites had remained undiscovered since the end of the Clone Wars. Perhaps more curious was the commando droid who'd tipped the Sith off to said factories' locations, with the promise of a portion of the produced forces in exchange for their help; there weren't a lot of those still running around, much less with any sentience. For the Tiefling, the decision to volunteer the mission was an easy one; if not for their curiosity, they needed to start building up a stronger power base.

Having half a factory's worth of battle droids on hand wouldn't be a bad way to start.

Ayomi arrived in their TIE Hunter, having been notified by the droid contact that the skies had been cleared of any possible resistance ahead of time. That would leave the approach to the factory relatively easy, something the Sith was happy about considering the unpredictability of what lay in wait for them outside. After touching down Ayomi approached the commando droid waiting for them on the cooled part of Mustafar's molten surface.

"N4-X4, I presume?" the Tiefling asked the droid.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

N4-X4 watched and waited at the rendezvous point patiently. Eventually the singular Sith Champion arrived to join them. The droid made themselves findable by the Tiefling but they would still be hidden from the mining facility. It had approached on foot to keep the occupiers of the hidden factory unaware of its presence. But there was still a chance that they had detected the lone starfighter. Still, with Fortress Vader being a relatively close point of interest the factory's guards might not suspect anything other than a routine patrol.

"Affirmative." They answered in a deep voice characteristic of BX commando droids. "You are Sith Champion Ayomi Jakarta." It was stated as a matter of fact and was not a question.

The pair of white photoreceptors examined the Tiefling and their equipment. They were likely more capable in combat than an acolyte but the Hunter still wanted to use as much stealth as possible. This would prevent the massing of defenses sent to fight them and also keep any remaining droids for reassignment once the so-called mining facility was taken. Judging on the blue skinned being's build they had strength on their side. Whether they had wit as well remained to be seen.

"Do you have any questions before we begin?" They asked Ayomi.

A disc shaped droid thirty centimeters in diameter crawled with four insect-like limbs across N4-X4's back. Its multiple photoreceptors zoomed and focused on Ayomi as well. One might think it was curious about the Champion. However N4-X4 gave it a silent command in droid-speak for it to scout ahead and check for any threats just in case the factory had sent out battle droids. The smaller droid that appeared reminiscent of a crustacean floated up and off of the commando droid's shoulder and obeyed, leaving the pair to discuss any plans in private.

@René

 

[Ayomi Jakarta]

Ayomi nodded at the droid's assertion of their identity, aware that N4-X4 was looking them up and down to assess their fitness for the mission ahead. The Tiefling wore their personal light armor, colored black like almost the entirety of their wardrobe. It didn't just compliment their style, but was also of great use in the variety of situations Ayomi found themself in which required stealth. Taking over an abandoned droid factory would be no different, and they had come prepared for such.

From their belt hung both of their lightsabers, and the champion carried a collapsed electroripper staff on their back. Lightsabers would make the quickest work of any battle droids the duo encountered, but they could be flashy and loud. The staff might be more useful in situations requiring a bit more finesse. Aside from weapons, Ayomi had the Force at their command as well; a well-placed push could disable simpler droids, and everyone watching the last Huttball tournament had seen how quickly even an advanced cyborg could be fried by a powerful blast of lightning.

"Did the plans you uncovered give you any indication of a best entry point?" Ayomi asked the commando droid, a wary eye watching the smaller droid on N4-X4's back as it seemed to take an interest in the Tiefling before scuttling away. "I'm sure we're in agreement that the fewer droids we encounter the better, but that could mean anything from utilizing hidden maintenance tunnels to a speedy frontal assault aimed at reaching the central control area with as much haste as possible." they added.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

From what the droid saw, the Champion did not bear any ranged weapons. But they knew better than to believe that was entirely true. Not only were there concealable ranged weapons the Tiefling could be carrying but they were a force sensitive. The Dark Side could be used to make up for a lack of physical weaponry.

"Affirmative." They answered singularly to both Ayomi's question and following suggestion. "There is a lava river that flows on the west side with minimal security." The BX commando droid produced a hand-held holoprojector with a detailed image of the structure they would be taking. "The facility was built during the clone wars. The architects expected clones or Jedi as enemies. They did not take into account that a droid may be used to infiltrate. It will be hot but there is a path that keeps us within the shield radius of the facility and prevent you from catching fire so long as you are careful."

"Alternatively, there is a probe droid chute with dimensions that should accommodate your physique. It is monitored by automated perimeter security. I do not advise approaching it until I am able to get inside and disable those defenses."

The mentioned probe droid chute allowed scouts to come and go through a series of tubes that led to a hub. There were likely more inactive probe droids inside but they were not direct combat battle droids nor was it an expected point of entry. A lightsaber would be able to cut through any hatches that were locked if N4-X4 was unable to open the way but they calculated that if they were able to get inside and find a suitable access terminal then it would not be an issue. Then again, the lava river was the most efficient though it also ran the risk of burning the organic or at the very least, causing extreme discomfort. As a droid, N4-X4 would only have to worry about their scatter weave coating getting cooked.

"My records indicate this facility was guarded by IG-100 magna guards in addition to the standard compliment of B2 super battle droids and droideka units. A frontal assault would be difficult. Only a 20% chance of success is likely even if they are not all functioning at full capacity."

@René