STS. LOG-009. (Patreon)

LOG-009."Coming in low. IFF codes accepted and responded to. We're clear to land."The voice of the B1 pilot crackled over the comms, a steady monotone laced with an underlying twang that might have indicated a damaged vocaliser. Still, it was competent enough for the job. I graced the pilot with a quiet affirmative, it didn't need much more of a response, just an acknowledgement that it had been heard.As if on cue, the Sheathipede transport trembled slightly around us, likely in response to the localised storm that had overtaken this particular stretch of Agamar. The planet's weather (according to our no doubt outdated records, at least) had a reputation for being temperamental, and our descent made sure to remind us of that fact. But even with the turbulence, I wasn't too concerned. The shuttle's systems had accounted for the resistance, and no further complications appeared between our departure from Silent Guardian and our inevitable arrival at the coordinates provided by my contact on the surface.Small mercies, I supposed.As the ship finally touched down with a metallic hiss, I could hear the subtle whine of the stabilisers compensating for the uneven terrain. Agamar, while not an outright desert world like Torrid, was still a bit of a dust ball, being made up of more plains and dry expanses than anything else. Though similar to Torrid, the planet's surface had an unfortunate habit of kicking up loose particles, especially during storms like the one currently passing through as the pilot went through post landing procedure. The atmospheric conditions hadn't worried me in orbit, but now, as the shuttle ramp began to lower, I was already anticipating the inevitable mess the second we opened ourselves up to the outside world.Thought dust or not, the quartet of commandos I'd brought along as a security detail moved ahead of me, stepping cautiously down the rapidly opening ramp, their movements precise and mechanical, as per usual. It was likely a redundant measure on my part, bringing them along, but a little caution never hurt anyone. After all, as routine as this was all supposed to be, I was still a bit leery of making contact with other CIS forces, no matter how beneficial it might (and most certainly would) be.As expected, the moment the first one stepped off the ramp, they were almost immediately blasted by a cloud of loose particulates, the gusts of wind carrying dust and dirt straight into its photoreceptors.I watched, almost amused, as the droid awkwardly tried to wipe the grit away, its optical sensors flickering slightly as they recalibrated, and briefly wondered whether trying to get them cloaks in the future would be worth the effort.The scene before me, dust swirling violently and with the horizon half obscured by the storm, was the very definition of what my notes for Agamar indicated. It was all very much bleak, harsh, and uninviting. Yet even through the shifting haze, I caught sight of the distant shape of a gargantuan vessel, splattered across the ground like an egg, and vague figures approaching our position.Even at this range, it wasn't hard to tell what they were. The distinct silhouettes, the angular frames, B1 battle droids, very much identical to the ones under my command."Advance."The order came smoothly, my voice cutting through the hiss of the wind. I punctuated the command with a sharp forward sweep of my arm, signaling my escort to move out. The BX units fell into formation immediately, and soon enough we'd begun to march through the mild onslaught of bad weather.Each step felt heavier than the last, the gritty air biting at exposed joints and cracks in armour. Even with my enhanced sensors, the world around us seemed muted, the storm swallowing most of the sounds as we made our way closer to the trio of droids waiting just ahead.I internally decided that this place fucking sucked, and that I would not have had anywhere near the patience Kalani had held in bunkering down in this shithole.Nonetheless, by the time we were a dozen or so paces away from the shuttle, the lead droid facing us raised a hand, its spindly arm stiff as it barked out a command in its high pitched, tinny voice."Please halt for identification!"I complied with the command, the rest of my squad slowly coming to a stop even as I took note of the dusty battle droid's weathered frame. While the B1 was nowhere near at the level of rust and disrepair as the ones my memories indicated, the signs of wear and tear were relatively prevalent. It was still most definitely in need of some solid maintenance. Maybe even an oil bath, if possible.The droid's photoreceptors flashed briefly as it scanned me, its gaze flicking up and down my frame. Behind it, two other blaster wielding guards stood at attention, though they didn't seem as focused. I could hear the faint hum of their chattering, probably exchanging lines of meaningless code or some idle vocal banter that the fodder units often engaged in.Regardless, it only took a second for the first B1 to finish its scan, and with a motion as stiff as the first, it snapped into a rigid salute, lowering its own blaster in the process."Personnel identification confirmed! Please follow us, fleet commander."Glancing between the trio, I did my best to let a sardonic tone enter my voice."Roger roger."It still largely came out emotionless, unfortunately.---As I strode onto the notably well kept bridge with my escorts filing in behind me, I found myself promptly locking gazes with a machine that almost looked exactly like me, save for a different paint job and decidedly more crimson photoreceptors compared to my own golden trio of optics.Had he been an organic, the super tactical droid would have remained silent for a few seconds, inspecting me. But he wasn't, and so the ornately painted (if somewhat dirty looking) war machine strode forward, all while launching what my subroutines identified as a data packet right at me with all the subtlety of a brick."I am general Kalani. Contained within these files were my original mission parameters prior to my marooning upon this world, alongside the collective notes I have assembled regarding our situation during my time here. Please reciprocate."Straight to business then? How very professional of him. Though maybe that was the default for droids like Kalani. Or us, rather.Inclining my head slightly, I set a partition to metaphorically tear into the data packet, even as I focused on the conversation at hand."I am fleet commander Spyder-"And was promptly cut off as Kalani tilted his own head."I do not recognise an ST-series droid of that designation."Shit."-you would not." I continued smoothly, casually striding past the general to stare out the grimy transparisteel window ahead of us, photoreceptors locked on the storm outside.Clanking footsteps followed behind me, and I idly noted the way his own servos sounded remarkably less lubricated than my own."A secret project? Perhaps this is like Typhon, then. Do I have the relevant credentials to access classified files?" Despite the neutral tone to his voice, the super tactical droid somehow managed to sound earnest.Noting the mention of 'Typhon' down for later investigation, I turned to glance at my counterpart, and did my best to keep a level tone. Not hard to do considering my new nature, thankfully."Under ordinary circumstances, you would not. However the situation has changed. You are aware of the current state of the Confederacy?"A pause met my question, before my counterpart answered after a second (practically an eternity by our standards) of hesitation."High command has likely been compromised. I can only presume you also recognised the false nature of the shut down order?"Nodding, I gestured to the distant horizon, notably the incredibly hazy figure of a Munificent in low orbit."Affirmative. My fleet was dispatched to establish a hidden manufactory upon the world of Torrid IV, but were forced to follow emergency landing and stasis procedures in spite of my realisation of the compromisation, due in part to our interception by Republic elements. Upon awakening, I have learned of a variety of decidedly vital details."I punctuated the statement by compiling and forwarding a data packet of my own, watching as the green and yellow ST-series droid accepted it, the red light of his photoreceptors flickering for a moment."...The Republic has publicly transitioned into a galactic Empire. Remaining CIS elements are under siege...I have only been able to pick up stray signals from passing vessels. Where did you acquire this information?"Waving a hand, I moved away from my spot and stepped over to a nearby console, glancing over a visibly confused B1's shoulder."Upon awakening, my forces were made aware of an unknown surveillance outpost. The presence of clone troopers and Republic equipment prompted an immediate response and takeover of the facility."Kalani leaned forward slightly."Disruption of such a location would invite investigation. I trust the risk was worth it."I shook my head."We successfully overtook the local garrison before the call for alarm could be sent out. A force of commandos, alongside a variety of conventional forces I did not have the storage capacity to bring along, have remained behind to maintain the illusion that the base is still operating under standard parameters. Regardless, after the assault, inspection of data drives within the outpost provided me with everything I needed to know."A moment of silence passed as my counterpart considered that."...What assets do you have? My own forces are severely depleted."I couldn't help but shrug a shoulder, prompting another tilt of the general's head."Three functioning Munificents, Silent Guardian, Azure Dawn and Stormbringer, all specified to act as intel frigates. Several transports predominantly filled with BX commando droids, with more traditional open warfare ground units left to garrison Torrid IV until I can spare vessels to retrieve them. Most importantly is my original mission, a Core Ship by the designation of Industrious Profit."Kalani paused."What is its cargo?"I shook my head again, sending the general a second data packet which he all but devoured."Ah. A multipurpose manufactory. Then the war is not yet over. There may still be Republic elements we might pit ourselves against."The statement had me turning to regard the super tactical droid fully, a touch of wariness inflicting itself upon my processor."You are approaching the situation from the wrong direction. Cease your malfunction."That earned a slow glance from my counterpart, the closest thing one of us could get to bewilderment entering his voice."Our purpose is to fight against tyranny, and destroy the Republic in the name of the Confederacy of Independent Systems."Nodding along, I brought up a singular mechanical hand to rest against the console, prompting another uncertain look from the B1 droid sitting in front of me."Correct. But the Republic has now become the Empire, who in turn are assaulting the Confederacy."Come on you rust bucket. Do the fucking math."..."Mercifully, only a few seconds passed before Kalani finally nodded, some small flicker of understanding entering his tone."The Republic is now the Empire, who in turn impose tyranny upon the Confederacy. Thus, it is the Empire that is now our enemy. I accept your logic."Oh thank fuck."As we have determined our overall objective, I would like to now also determine our acting chain of command."Oh for fuck's sake.