Do Robots Dream of Electric Sheep?

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

For her part Siobhan had finally managed to sleep and enter the Realm of Morpheus. But alas, her slumber was not undisturbed. Bad dreams were something she was often afflicted with and they had been increasing in frequency recently. Most of the time she was able to shrug them off. After all, they were just dreams. But some of them were so vivid that she could not help see them as visions, even though unlike her beloved friend Coryth Elaris, she did not possess the gift of farsight.



And so now she was once again turning again and again in her sleep, muttering words here and there. It was then that an image flashed inside her mind. It was [member="Mirien Valdier"] she saw...but it was not her Mirien. Rather it was Mirien if she had become dark, evil and twisted, pure malice radiating from her aura. Her eyes were wells of blackness, having become a slave to her own anger whilst Atrisia went down in an apocalyptic storm, devoid of all life. In the background she saw no one other than Moira Skaldi, inhumane coldness and cruelty emanating from the blonde, metal demon.



It was in this moment that Siobhan shot up in her bed, bathed in cold sweat. She took several deep, calmning breaths as she tried to gather her thoughts and compose herself. It was just a dream. She was a grown woman who had faced some of the worst monsters of the Galaxy, even Lotek'k itself, she should not be spooked by mere dreams. It was foolish, silly, childish. Perhaps her own fears were simply bleeding over into her sleep. However, she could not shake off the nagging feeling that something had gone...very wrong on Atrisia. There was a profound shift in the Force that sent ripples across it, an echo that spoke of suffering and bloodshed. Maybe now she understood how Tegaea felt when she went charging off into battle. Why did love have to be so painful? Soft footsteps on the carpet shook her out of her musings. "Who is there?" the words that left her lips came out more harshly than she intended, but then she was on edge and in her weakened state she felt rather exposed.


"It's just me, Mistress. Harmony," the maiden spoke as she entered the room and switched the light on. Siobhan averted her eyes for a few moments as the sudden influx of light offended them. For her part Harmony approached her and laid a gentle hand on her forehead. "You were talking in your sleep. Are you alright?"


No, Siobhan thought to herself, but she was not about to admit it. Pride had always been one of her cardinal flaws. "Yeah," she said before she made a slight amendment. "Bad dreams is all."


Harmony did not look convinced but did not push the point. "I got you something to drink, Mistress," she said softly, passing over a glass of water to Siobhan, who quickly took it with a shaking hand and gulped most of it down. It seemed to calm her down just a bit, whilst Harmony's hand traced soothing circles across her back.


"Thanks, Harmony," Siobhan replied genuinely after putting the glass down on the bedside table. "I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. Really."


"Respectfully, Mistress, you don't look fine," Harmony pointed out reasonably. Sure, her boss was pompous and terribly demanding, but she paid her well and she cared for her. Besides, she got lots of kinky sex out of their arrangement, which was what she enjoyed. Moreover, Siobhan's antics gave her plenty of fodder for fiction on Crimson Chronicles! "Would you like me to share the bed with you? We can cuddle."


Siobhan felt like refusing the well-intentioned offer because frankly it felt like admitting weakness. But, as needy as it sounded, she did not want to be alone. "Yes....I'd like that. Thanks. Just be careful. Still sore from training," she relented, the admission came out rather reluctantly.


She scooped away a bit to make room for Harmony, who gave her an understanding smile and switched the light off. Then she climbed onto the bed and snuggled up close to Siobhan, pulling the Countess into a loose embrace though mindful of her injuries. "It's not weakness to need someone. Or be afraid for those you love. It's human," she whispered into Siobhan's ear and shortly thereafter the Countess was asleep again.

 

[Mirien Valdier]

Mirien watched as Naamah transformed into Madeline, an injured and hurting Madeline. Shifting slightly, she wrapped her arm around Naamah's shoulders trying to offer support to the woman. It was the best she could do under the circumstances.

An evil grin swept across her lips, "Yes, yes I do." The queen's lab, no doubt would have lots of good toys they could escape with. Blueprints, things of that nature. It was time to reap the benefits from the Atrisian Empire, anything and everything she could get her paws on.

"Finding loyalists, shouldn't be too hard in this chaos." Her coldness returning. "Can you walk or should we find a speeder?" She asked, wondering if the shapeshifter had the strength to make it to the lab. "You can use me for support as much as you need. I don't want you getting any further hurt than you are now." Shifting back into the cold, icy queen mother.

[member="Naamah Aesham"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Mirien Valdier"]


"Aww, if you get any sweeter I may start thinking it's more than just sex between us," Naamah could not resist the urge to troll ber beautifully cold, icy queen mother. She was leaning very heavily on Mirien. Far more than she would have liked, but it could not be helped. At this stage she was frankly no good for combat anymore. "Let's...get a speeder," she finally admitted and with Mirien's help she managed to limp out of the building. Outside was a scene of pure chaos and carnage. Dead bodies lined the streets, the sounds of blasterfire and explosions resonated across the palace grounds. Smoke and fire were rising from the palace itself and in the distance one could see stormtroopers, Revolutionary Guards and droids engaged in brutal combat.


Suddenly the ground seemed to shake when an AT-ST came their way, the bipedal walker seeming like a mechanical construct of death. "Who goes there...wait, there she is...it's Madeline...the Empress!" the shout made the Clawdite wince and she instinctively wanted to reach for her blaster, though the motion almost made her keel over in pain, before she realised what was happening and straightened, as best as she could. The yelling had come from a lieutenant at the head of a squad of soldiers from the Empress' Own, the elite bodyguard of the Atrisian monarchs.


"Your Majesty, we thought you were dead. Command said the evil witch..."


"She tried to strike me down, but I live and the heretical, mage vermin will be crushed," 'Madeline' spoke. "Along with Skaldi. She is a traitor as well. All those who follow her are traitors. Are you loyal to the Crown and the Kahoshi Dynasty?" with every word her tone seemed to increase in passion and fervour.


The guardsman snapped to attention, every inch the incarnation of a soldier of the Imperial State, another cog in the machine. "Yes, Your Majesty. My honour is loyalty. Some of your relatives are...making a claim for the throne. Traitors have convened the Council of Nobles to discuss the succession. I will pass on word of your survival and have them all slain. But...you need urgent medical attention. Atrisia would not survive your demise."


Excellent, Naamah thought to herself though she managed to fake an expression of sorrow at the grave situation. "I can rest when my brave people are safe and the parasites have been destroyed. Just give me some bandages. I want the loyalists to be rallied and secure the palace. You...will take me to my laboratory. Unless we secure it the traitors will cause unspeakable destruction."


"Yes, Your Majesty. Glory to Atrisia! Come abord our walker. We will clear a path for you and slaughter anyone who opposes you."

 

[Moira Skaldi]

((Posting with permission from [member="Madeline Kahoshi"]!))


The timeline is already out of sync, so we shall time skip! Several days later the shiny new HRD body of Madeline was ready and being led into the chamber. By now the entechment process had been tested several times, so there was no cause for worry or concern that the device might not work, though all precautions were being taken.



Moira looked blandly at the holding unit that contained Madeline's essence, then back at her new body. The mechanical construct was the spitting image of the deceased Empress. No one would know the difference, except for the most powerful mentalists. The new Madeline would be beautiful and perfect. Truth be told, Moira had pondered the viability of restoring her to the throne as an empress under their control. Bold, to be sure, but matters could be arranged. Claims that the Empress had died could be dismissed, a purge could silence all dissenters...but it was too risky.


As useful as having a nation under the secret control of HRDs could be. "Activate the device," she ordered blandly. The HRD body had been put into a sealed chamber connected to the holding unit that housed Madeline's essence. The status lights blinked quickly as the organic's essence was ripped from their body and sent into the new form lying in the next chamber. Madeline's organic shell had already died and turned into fodder for captive Reavers. Lights went on to declare the new HRD was online and being released. The essence of Madeline was now being housed inside her new mechanical body. Moira stared at the new unit for a moment, pondering, then pressed a button that would open the sealed chamber and allow her to pass through. "Bring her online." She stood there, looking just a bit like a proud parent, while Madeline took her first step into he existence as a higher being.

 

[Madeline Kahoshi]

And Madeline's eyes suddenly snapped open. For a moment she didn't move save for her eyes, scanning the room as she tried to piece where memory left off to where she was now. "Where am I?" She asked, her voice dead even in a monotone as she the turned her head to glance curiously to Moira.

Then her eyes dropped to her stomach, or where it would have been if she were still human. A hand moved, touching at where her memories cut off, wounded dying. She remembered that. "I was wounded, dying. But the wound is gone." Madeline's mind finally seemed to start catching up to where she was now. "I am not human, am I?" She asked finally as she seemed to notice the systems within her body, the HUD ... this was not normal. Still there was no emotion as Madeline finally started to come around to what had happened to her body. The scientist finally understood, she was something else entirely as her mind worked seamlessly and to a level she'd never known. Her mind had never been so smooth. Finally a look of confusion seemed to cross her features. "What happened? What have you done?"

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Madeline Kahoshi"]


"No, you are ascended. Mirien Valdier mortally wounded you, you were on the brink of death. Your doctors would have been unable to preserve your life. I recovered your dying body and took you away from Atrisia...to this place. Your essence was ripped from your mortal shell and placed within the body of a human replica droid. You retain your memories and your knowledge, but possess superior processing and analytical thought capabilities, along with a sturdier body and immortality," Moira explained as she looked upon the latest Archangel.


From a certain point of view Madeline would be considered her 'daughter', but genocidal HRDs did not have such sentiments. "You have been freed of the curse of mortality and emotional constraints. Organic weaknesses have been purged from you. Atrisia has fallen into chaos, but much of your research has been recovered."

 

[Madeline Kahoshi]

Madeline's brow furrowed for a moment as she considered Moira's words. "I did not ask for this. I asked to be saved, assumed you had some tech to help with that." Madeline stepped forward slowly, unsure about absolutely everything at this point. "Ridding me of my body, wasn't the plan." She said calmly. It seemed being angry wasn't in her capacity.

"And you did not answer my question. Where am I? This place, is not an acceptable answer." That she wanted the answer to, needing to know where she was to give her some sense in the galaxy. It seemed still some of her demanding nature as a ruler was still left within her.

"Why have you done this? What was so interesting about me to keep me around when you could have merely replaced me with a clone, when I know you have the technology?"

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Madeline Kahoshi"]


"It was not the plan, but you know enough about how I operate to presume this would happen. Does your mind not feel far more efficient now? More ordered. Capable of processing enormous amounts of complex information at a rapid rate. Without feeling exhaustion, without requiring drink and nourishment, without influence of emotion or tedious government duties getting in the way?" Moira asked rhetorically. Oh, and if an annoying suitor hit on her, she could rip his head off. With her bare hands!



"You are on SV33649684. More dramatically referred to as Elysium. Specifically in the Archangel base deep beneath the mountains. A haven in which the future is built. I am, like you, a scientist. Consider it a massive laboratory and factory complex," Moira continued finally answering Madeline's question. The transition from organic to HRD was complex, especially the part that involved bringing order to the chaos of an organic mind through the creation of a droid brain. However, even in life Madeline had been brilliant. Likewise often cold and detached, withdrawn from most of her race because her intellectual brilliance set her apart.


For some reason, Moira had not tampered with her mind much. Thus it was to be presumed that Madeline would retain most of her original personality, minus the influence of emotion. The key difference would be that she would align her goals with those of Archangel and see the logic of the Age of Steel.


"You have experienced the chaos of organic life yourself, the inefficiency, ugliness, pointless religious wars between force-users over petty differences in dogma. Archangel seeks to end this and usher in a new order of logic where machines rule. Worthy organics will be ascended to the superior machine state, inferiors will be eradicated. You have been chosen because even as an organic you were brilliant. That is why you were saved and upgraded. You will add your talents as a scientist to those of Archangel and join this Collective."

 

[Madeline Kahoshi]

Silence passed between them, as she thought through Moira's words. Finally she shook her head, "No, I knew it could be done. Knew you did this to others, never imagined it would be done to me in the end." Perhaps it was some foolish notion and mistake of trusting an HRD. Probably one of the few times that Madeline had clung to human nature in trusting others for survival.

None the less even Madeline couldn't escape the simple fact that she got along with Moira more than she ever had another human being. She'd always been above her human counterparts, better than. There had never been one that could quite match her in intellect, or brilliance with few few exceptions.

"It's ...faster, smoother... almost hard to keep up with." Spoken quietly as she still tried to sort it out, it still felt extremely unnatural to her.

"Elysium, I see." If she was frank, she'd never heard of the world until now. A brow was lofted curiously, "Laboratory, and factory complex? Laboratory for what? What is made here? It is just this?" She asked motioning to all of herself. "Or something else?" Questions, there were so many questions and a desperate need for complete understanding her new situation.

Madeline nodded, "I have, yes." Even her reign, had been out of duty, to a family that well abandoned her in the end, leaving her with the ugliness to clean up.

"If I refuse, what then?" Her eyes had drifted to the door in the room, whether or not it was only curiosity for what lay beyond that, or something more, that would yet be known. "Allow me to make my meaning clear, I say this only because I wish to have clarity on the terms of this arrangement. As I know nothing comes without price, without payment. This cannot be any different. Further more, what is expected of me? To continue my work without interruption, to do as I please so long as it benefits you and Archangel? Or is there something quite specific you desire from me? Just to be clear is all Moira."

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Madeline Kahoshi"]


"Most of this complex is devoted to the research and production of droids, especially HRDs, yes. But that's not the sole research pursued. I have, as you know, a great deal of interest in bioweapons. I do not intend to make a drone of you. You are far too...special for that," Moira responded calmly.


This was both true and false. Like with every HRD created by Archangel, Madeline would have an override code that allowed Moira to assume direct control over her if needed. However, she had not tampered with her mind beyond making the necessary adjustments, hence why her baseline personality remained intact. Did Moira actually genuinely like her? Respect her? These questions would remain open. "I wish you to utilise your gifts as a scientist and as a researcher, for the benefit of Archangel. Freedom to pursue these ventures will be provided, as long as it benefits the Age of Steel. Think of it as a large laboratory."

 

[Madeline Kahoshi]

Madeline thought through this, "I see. Simple enough." A nod followed, "Yes, that I do know. As you also know this area holds a great deal of my interest. I suppose it is time to retrieve the sample I have left on Bonadan. A virus against force users. Vicious execution substance, that can be mass distributed among the population." A cold edge taken in her tone, and while her former self had found the substance more horrific. Even perhaps crossing an ethical boundary, she suddenly did not feel such restraint. She simple did not care. A frown crossed her lips, "Why do I not care about humans now? I used to, at least for a small portion there was a line I would not cross."

Taking another step, almost awkwardly as she was still getting used to the strangeness of the droid body. "Where is my research now?" That she really wanted to know. For their was nothing more important to her than that. "I want it back."

"I suppose, that can be arranged. But I would suspect I do not have a lot of choice in that. Because if I were you I'd have ensured there was a command protocol in place to prevent my leaving here unless I had express permission and you were given knowledge of where I would be heading and why. Or perhaps have me followed, always watched. That is just what I would do, if our positions were reversed. Am I correct in that, Miss Skaldi?" Madeline just liked to be absolutely certain on such matters.

Her eyes once again locked upon the door as there was some small debate within of what she would do next, "Beyond the door, what is there?" She asked, looking back to Moira with her head cocked curiously to the side. "Also if I am to work for you, for Archangel ... I will have need of a specialized lab. Can that be provided for me?"

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Madeline Kahoshi"]


There was a thin smile. It did not reach her eyes, but then it never did. "You know me well, Madeline," Moira said in response when the former Empress brought up the command protocol. "Your mind is intact. I have simply taken steps to prevent betrayal. As you would as well if our positions had been switched. Likewise you are liberated from ethical restraints. But then, there were so many lines you already crossed, as a scientist and a Empress. Consider it less a radical alteration and more the completion of a journey long in coming. After all, the average sentient is incapable of using more than but a fraction of their brainpower. To kill them is no loss, to process them is a gift."


There was a pause. "Your anti-force-user virus sounds...beautiful. I would hear more of it...and aid in any way I can to recover it. Force-users are the most potent to the Age of Steel. They must be eradicated. Speaking of them, whilst your body is mechanical you retain your organic essence. Your 'soul', if you wish to be poetic. All but the most potent mentalists will be incapable of sensing the difference."


Theoretically, Madeline would still be able to attend science conferences! Well, obviously not as Madeline Kahoshi, but HRDs switched bodies like humans changed their clothes. So in theory Archangel could easily establish a cover identity for her if she felt the need. It could even be a useful way to find and 'recruit' new talent. Which ironically had been the same way Moira had originally made Madeline's acquaintance. Back when she had still believed she was human.


"As for your research, do follow me and you will find it. We have set up a temporary laboratory and will organise something more permanent for you, either in Elysium or on our space station. Likewise we have been able to recover a large number of Spaarti cloning tubes. They will be most useful," and with that the heavy blast door behind Moira was opened and she would guide Madeline out of the chamber into a long, white and sterile corridor, which would eventually lead them to a laboratory. It was still improvised, but would give the impression of being an almost perfect replica of her lab on Atrisia.

 

[Madeline Kahoshi]

Madeline nodded again, "Yes, I'd like to at least think that I do. After all, we never have been that different from one another." She listened patiently as Moira went on, "Which means either a command protocol to take over my body, or a command to shut me down if needs be. I'm also assuming that I am to be watched for a while, if not tracked as well." The former Empress ran a hand slowly through her hair, which felt entirely too real to her. "Many of those lines as Empress I regretted. But required to secure my rule and gain support from my people after Akio's ... well you might as well know this. Akio is not dead." Madeline felt no need to hide that any longer. A frown was still etched into her features, "I suppose while that might be partly true... I'm not sure I like this. This processing, this ... well, it's strange. All of it."

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but much like Moira the expression did not follow through to her eyes. "Yes, it was. But I feared it then. And maybe I should have. In retrospect, I might have been a very mild force user. Perhaps a survival instinct to fear... However, there may be a small problem. It's container that I secured it in, requires my DNA to open. You wouldn't have a sample, would you?" Another nod followed, "I see. I suppose that makes sense. So there is still that living essence within me .. Interesting."

Madeline followed slowly behind Moira, her eyes searching the hallway as they moved. All curious to her surroundings and where the different doorways led off to. Perhaps she would have to explore further on her own. Her eyes widened briefly, almost surprised as she entered the laboratory. "So this is ... This is my lab. It looks almost exactly like Atrisia, just a few things are off about it.." Stepping into the space, she was quite pleased that the way they'd arranged it was so similar to her former lab. It would make the adjustment that much easier for her. "Also I must ask .... while I am not human in the normal sense, but an HRD now.... I assume there is a power down period for rest and recharging. Where is that done at? Do I have a room of my own here? Or is that an entirely human need?"

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Madeline Kahoshi"]


"Interesting," Moira said in response to Madeline's revelation that Akio was alive and that she had been mildly force-sensitive. The latter revelation was...delightfully ironic. "I'm afraid he will find it...difficult to come to power again. It will be a rocky throne. But in the most unlikely event that he finds out about your transformation and comes after me, I am not worried. For the record, I genuinely liked your régime. It was something new."


Yes, Moira was a fan of Space North Korea. As for Akio, her opinion of him as emperor had been astronomically low. "As for question, yes, I took the liberty of securing a DNA sample of yours. Transfer of your living essence into the shell was made possible through adaption of Ssi-Ruuvi entechment technology. I understand that the Old Empire sought to replicate it, leading to the Shadow Droid project. Much later a company called Onadax tried to harness to create HRDs, only Jedi meddled, as they often do. Suffice to say, Archangel was able to complete the research. There are several interesting further applications I am considering." Namely mechanical behemoths powered by the life essence of organics. Demon engines.


Anyway, on they had gone to the lab and Moira would give Madeline the chance to take in the scenery, exploring it at her own leisure. In response to her query, she gave the former Empress a curt nod. "You are correct. There is a one hour power down period. For rest, charging and downloading updates. Quarters can be provided. It is a...very human need, but it makes adjustment easier." Presumably Madeline would have a subsidiary laboratory aboard the Liberator, which was where Moira intended to send most of the cloning tech, for safety reasons. Elysium was very much unknown, but it paid to be prepared.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

Meanwhile thousands of light years, on a planet far, far away...


Well, actually it was not that far away, but on Atrisia, somewhere in the ruins of Jar'kai. Caerys Argente had been there on totally legitimate business. This meant she had been here to assassinate a rich nobleman, only to found that someone had beaten her to the bunch. Word on the street was that Empress [member="Madeline Kahoshi"] had been assassinated by one [member="Mirien Valdier"].


Caerys could not verify these rumours and truly she was not interested as she walked away from the smouldering ruins, leaving behind the broken bodies of two HRDs. Said human replica droids had just been taken out by bolter rounds. They had killed her target and then made her an offer she 'could not refuse'. Something about joining a machine cult to eradicate all organics. Their goals were illogical, not to mention redundant, so she had been quite capable of refusing. They had not taken for an answer, fighting had ensued. She stood victorious, but badly damaged and with an annoying limp. It had been a sobering experience for her that the models were more advanced. She would need upgrades - and to find out more about this machine cult. As Atrisia tore itself apart in fracticidal warfare and an Illyric orgy of slaughter, Caerys vanished into the shadows.

 

[Madeline Kahoshi]

Ironic indeed, Madeline being a force user all along, even mildly so and she the one who commanded their purge, a force user as well. Why no one had seen it, even Madeline wasn't too sure. "Yes, I am under the same assumption, my .. disappearance will no doubt leave a power vacuum for someone else to clean up. Not to mention the population of Atrisia believes him to be long dead, convincing them he never died will be a lengthy and painful process. He might even lose his head for it with all that is in play." The uncaring nature in the tone of her voice, came from far more than just her new HRD protocol. Madeline never much cared, when it came to such matters the crown was never something she aspired to. Not when there were so many scientific interests and experiments that she wished to dive into. The duties of the crown had only taken precious time from her.

"Excellent." She said with a nod, "Then we will need to travel to Bonadan to retrieve the security deposit box with the virus in it. It cannot be left there any longer." That actually seemed to concern her a great deal. It was vital research that she needed to get back, before someone else got their hands upon it. "Ah, I see. That makes sense." The scientist allowing her mind to wander through what she knew of the Ssi-Ruuvi project. "Not only complete the project but press beyond what had ever been planned. For alas the Ssi-Ruuvi technology was never quite fully successful at removing ones' spirit intact. They were good for making copies of the original but beyond that ..... It was a complicated affair." A sigh came and went, "I suppose I must applaud you and Archangel for seeing it through to the end."

Her brow furrowed for a moment as she listened to Moira, "I see." This idea of suddenly having so much more time, simply because she no longer needed sleep and food in the same way, did intrigue her more than she would openly admit to. "I'd like that. I believe I need such space, to help in my adjustment to this new life, and new body." Though she was doubtful she'd be able to adjust quickly to her new body and environment. But personality quirks were still personality quirks. Madeline doubted herself constantly, and not only that but she craved to be alone with her thoughts far too often. Perhaps it was such things that had led to her panic attacks in the first place, the very same that put her in the right place, at the right moment to have her mortal life ended.

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Madeline Kahoshi"]



"I took the liberty of arranging for the purge of most of the Atrisian aristocracy, thereby increasing the chaos. You may remember that annoying Count, he's dead. Along with most of his clan," Moira said blandly...casually, as if she was talking about what she'd like for dinner.


There was no smile upon her face, but she did seem appreciatve when Madeline complimented her work on entechment. "Thank you. High praise coming from a mind such as yours. I cannot take credit for the idea, but perfecting the Ssi-Ruuvi's work was very fulfilling. Ironically enough it was Ms. Rave Merrill who made entechment technology available for us originally. A highly capable mind, makes it a shame she is dead. Then again, I would have clashed with her at some point anyway."


A pause, then a nod. "Good. Space shall be provided then. And we shall travel to Bonadan without undue delay. The time it takes for adjustment varies from subject to subject. In case you are curious, I was human until Contruum. Hidden subroutines kept me unaware of my subsequent machine state until the battle of Gehenna. Transition was...easy since I was faced with a horde of Reavers." In other words, back when Madeline had first met Moira, the latter had already been a droid, but unaware of it.

 

[Mirien Valdier]

Is it about more than sex? Do you actually care? I so don't want to go there.... Just because you won't like the answer. I care. Okay? Happy now? Definitely. Mirien nodded and followed along side the new Madeline, helping her as best she could. Thankfully the armor kept her face obscured and would lead to less questions. As far as anyone was concerned Mirien was just another guard, another soldier doing their duty and job in the great time of need.

She listened patiently, still supporting Naamah as she spoke with the Empress' own. Just one more cog in the machine, that much was certain. Mirien had to resist the urge to reach out and snap his neck for his words. Madeline had been a great blight upon the Atrisian Landscape and maybe now, maybe Atrisia could recover. Though with how far it had fallen, the brunette highly doubted it.

And there Mirien joined 'Madeline' upon the walker, more than happy to let them do the work as they guided them to the scientist's lab where there would no doubt be tons of documents, blueprints and all sort of goodies they could bring home. As they moved, she happily took the bandages offered and helped with one of the other guards to tend to Madeline's wounds without a word spoken. Mirien certainly wasn't in a talkative mood at this point, there was still a job to be done.

[member="Naamah Aesham"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Mirien Valdier"]


Naamah was...enjoying herself. She was very much in pain, crippled and barely able to walk. Actually, she was at present incapable of doing that without support. However, she was having the time of her life. Atrisia was in chaos, Jar'kai was consumed by the flames of destruction and these simple-minded fools thought she was the Empress she had just shot at.



The queen who had made her life a living hell. And yet these peons would do anything for her! They would fight, kill and die at her command. When they fell in battle, they would die with her name on her lips. It was...beautiful. Truth be told, she was half of the mind to keep up the charade and take over the throne. It would be such fun...but also terribly boring. Far more entertaining to let Atrisia go down. Especially if the civil war completely tore the planet apart.


The mighty walker soon brought them to the lab, which seemed to be in a state of siege. A large unit of stormtroopers, backed up by the royal guardsmen from the Empress' Own, was engaged in vicious combat with the HRDs, who were supported by what appeared to be ISB stormtroopers. Both sides happened to have tanks and walkers. Massive, deafening explosions shook the earth and the cries of the wounded were heard across the battlefield, but though the droids were tenacious and determined, the 'loyalists' had numbers on their side and seemed to be driving them back. Or perhaps, more accurately, the machines were not interested in winning, simply in a delaying action as they retreated further and further into the lab, seeking their evac ship to escape.


As loyalist soldiers stormed the lab, killing as they went, for on this day there would be no prisoners, Naamah followed in tow, having naturally dismissed claims that she should stay behind since she was the great Empress and could not be harmed. As a matter of fact, the sight of their blood-stained ruler seemed to inspire the loyalists even more, for here appearing on the battlefield truly showed how much her people meant to her. And so the loyalists, some of whom were actually little more than teenagers from the Young Guards, went to battle and death singing her praises, some even turning themselves into living bombs as they hurled themselves upon the droids and their tanks, blasting them to pieces.


Behind the advancing columns of troopers, past the fiery battles that were being waged in the laboratory complex as it was rocked by explosions, Naamah would lead Mirien to the central complex of the lab. Fierce fighting broke out as the HRDs defended themselves, taking out many troopers with blade, blaster and their bare hands before they were finally destroyed. Now was the time to loot the place before anyone else laid claim to it or the loyalists started getting suspicious.

 

[Mirien Valdier]

Mirien, hurt as she was herself, stayed right alongside Naamah. Both to protect, and to protect herself. At this point, she could not dare risk her helmet being tossed aside and she exposed for who she really was. In fact it would probably screw Naamah in that as well. There is no way these soldiers would trust that this was the same Madeline, not when Mirien stood at her side. She couldn't help but feel a fair bit nervous as they came into the central lab complex.

With 'Madeline' at her side, Mirien stepped forward to the main computer with her datapad and quickly plugged herself in, looking to get every last bit of data she could find. Setting that aside, she walked away and started to grab the various blueprints that had been left laying out. A part of it made her wonder what in the stars the Empress had planned, but they could sort through it all later. There wasn't time for that. Not now. Quickly datapad after datapad was collected, data crystals all while her datapad sat working to get what she could off the computers.

For all the hell they had been through, the trip certainly was starting to feel entirely worth it. And at least Atrisia would no longer have to deal with Madeline Kahoshi as their leader, running the planet into the ground. And while she was sure there would only be even more fears of force users to follow at least it would be over with. Who knows maybe this little incident would let a few of the Inquisition still in the camps somehow the opportunity to escape. "Almost done, your grace." Mirien said quietly as she walked back to the main computer and sat watching as it broke through the various firewalls all seeking the secrets which Madeline had left hidden.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]