Take A Number Please.

[Kay-Larr]

[member="HK-36"]


Lunch had just been served and eaten. Kay wandered through the hallway, cup of tea cradled in both of her hands. She had no meetings scheduled today. It was her day off. Though that didn't mean that she was unavailable. She just wanted a bit of privacy to go over messages, read over contracts and maybe even nap. Or meditate. But who knows how long her privacy would last?

She stepped into her office, the guards stationed outside the doorway. Doors were always kept open around her. It was something that she picked up as a result of her months of captivity. The opening of a closed door always meant that pain and blindness was coming. Now the only closed doors were her bedchambers, speeders and transports. Although Kay had hardly ventured out beyond the Palace grounds since her return, she was going to need to travel through space at some point. But who would look after Commenor while she was gone? She had yet to find anyone suitable. It was best to worry about that later.

Kay sat down at her desk, taking another sip of her tea before setting it down and turning on her datapad. There was quite a few things to go through. Time to get cracking.

"The sooner I get this done, the sooner I can relax..."

 

[HK-36]

[member="Lady Kay"],


Meanwhile,
In one of Commenor's Many Docks located at whatever their Capital City was called,


BEEP-BEEP-BEEP

A hover-lift was sounding out its warning signal as it reversed through alleys of a more or less abandoned warehouse, a large crate with a mark reading "Ruik Root" was carried on its front fork lift. The lift moved the crate between large shelves filled with similar crates until the operator was certain they were out of the way from view of any accidental passerbys. The machine groaned and whirred, setting the crate down with a soft thud before the operator, a stout Aqualish, pushed himself out from behind the steering wheel.

Moving over to the crate he produced out a vibro-crowbar from his belt, jamming it underneath the crate's lid to force it off in one smooth movement. The lid fell to the ground with a clutter and some of the brown hard ruik root followed, spilling out from the brim as a large thing being stood up from within the crate, covered in some sort of organic substance, a black cloak cascading down off of his shoulders.

The Aqualish spoke something out in his native tongue, the droid nodded,

"You have done well."

HK congratulated the alien as he pulled his leg out, stepping outside of the crate, pulling out more of the brown root with him to fall over the floor, reaching inside he would produce few gadgets he brought along with him, including additional gauntlets, his lightsaber, and a magnetic revolver.

Aqualish grunted out and garbled more as the machine put his weaponry and tolls of trade onto his belt, the organic substance was a special Vong biot that protected the machine against Force being used on him, as well as allowing him to blend into the organic matter of the roots that surrounded him within the crate to escape from scanners picking up on presence of a droid within the cargo.

The droid picked a pouch of platinum coins, handing it over to the Aqualish,

"Second half of your payment, as we agreed."

Aqualish gleefully sounded out something as he felt the weight of it, opening up the pouch to count through the currency,

"Unfortunately I cannot leave a loose end be, my presence here must remain a secret."

HK continued and the Aqualish looked up to him nervously, he was about to turn around and dash away when HK gripped his shoulders quickly, holding him there,

"Do not worry, it will not hurt, trust in me."

Moving his hand to the Aqualish's chin the machine grabbed it, holding him there to force him to look into his glowing red eyes as suddenly lights appeared in them, beginning to spin and circle around, dancing in a dazzling display,

"Look into my eyes, trust in me."

HK chimed out melodically as he put his Hypno-Gaze to use to place an enchantment over the Aqualish, erasing any memory of encounter with the machine on Commenor or their deal to transport the droid onto the planet.

 

[Kay-Larr]

It was a couple of hours that went by before Kay was finished. Maybe one of these days she'd get an assistant. But then again, she wanted to be aware of everything that was happening. An assistant might hide some things. Only Kay was allowed to have secrets or withold information, especially in her government. She wasn't a child and figured that she could handle whatever was thrown at her.

But now with her work done, she had time to do what she wanted. Kay shut off her datapad and got to her feet, stretching out her arms, back and legs. It felt good to have freedom of movement and to have regained her health. She chewed the inside of her cheek as she pondered on what to do next. It was a few hours until supper at least. Her features brightened when she smiled, a twinkle in her eye as she knew exactly what to do to bide her time.

The Hedge Maze.

The Palace grounds in Chasin City had one. With it's age, it had become slightly overgrown and tall, but that gave it it's charm. Kay was fond of puzzles and mysteries, and what better way to clear one's mind than by trying to solve the labyrinth? This would be her third attempt, although usually she was interrupted by something or other and be forced to quit. But maybe today would be a different day. The goal was not to get to the center, but to come out the other side.

As she made her way out of the Palace, no one followed her until she had reached the west entrance. Kay revealed the commlink in her hand as two guards kept pace behind her. "I'm just going to try the maze again. I've got my commlink as you can see, so I can call you if I need to."

"My Queen, you shouldn't be in there alone."

"Yes, yes, someone could try to hurt me, blah, blah, blah...I don't doubt your abilities to stop others from sneaking in, so don't doubt my abilities to lose any potential foes. Have the maze entrances and exits patrolled if you must, but I want to try to solve this by myself. Now you have your orders. I suggest that you follow them.""

"Yes, my Queen."

The two guards fell back a bit, getting onto their comms and requesting more guards to be brought to either side of the maze.

Kay never broke her stride during the exchange. Her pace only slowed as she neared the entrance to the maze. Instead of stopping she just went right on in, turning left in the second junction. Hopefully she'll be able to get further along this time. Cheating just wasn't an option for her right now. No. She wanted to rely on herself.

[member="HK-36"]

 

[HK-36]

[member="Lady Kay"],


Before HK would go off to infiltrate the palace and pay Kay a visit, although he didn't exactly planned things out after that just yet, he couldn't exactly execute her, that would only stir up more chaos and pull more attention towards the planet from neighboring greater powers, he still had to speak with the beings who summoned him there in the first place.

It was one of the poorer districts of Commenor Capital City, an unassuming house with a broken hover street light up front, flickering its light in and out, repeatedly allowing shadows to pool in and forcing them away with electric glow. With a sizzle the light went out, darkening the shadowy alley, sun overhead blocked off by a nearby towering building, when the light sparked up to life once more a tall slender being wrapped in dark cloak was standing beneath it.

HK stepped forward towards the building's door, the automated systems opening up the entrance for him with a groan of mechanical systems inside.


Within the building sound of voices emanated out as a group of men were arguing within basement of the otherwise seemingly abandoned house, at first their voices were unintelligible but they begun to form words and sentences as quietly HK moved closer still,

"That will not solve anything! We can't just risk open war against her forces if it will not undermine her power!"

Their discussion would be interrupted by the machine speaking up,

"So you were the ones who conducted the ritual."

Almost instinctively the beings spun about, a small group of humans and aliens, brandishing blaster pistols pointed towards the droid. HK raised his hand, activating his Grav Glove, throwing out a gravitational anomaly as his fingers contorted into a cryptic sigil, the pistols suddenly slammed back down to the table's surface, being ripped out of their wielder's hands through unseen power of the machine's trinkets.

"That-that is a strange way to describe transmission we sent to you."

"All in the name of theatrics. You are all that remains of loyalist leadership?"

One of the rebels nodded, a Verpine, clucking his mandibles,

"Clk, yes, we have not turned away from the true heart of Commenor, she is but a pretender to rip her position away from our rightful rulers like that!"

"Quite so,"

HK calmed the Verpine with another wave of his hand, wanting to stop the insectoid from speaking before he would go on some sort of a lengthy rant. The droid stepped up closer to the table, pulling back his black hood to reveal the silver pale Phrik faceplate and the glowing red eyes,

"So, tell me more about this Queen of Commenor and your grievances towards her."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Good. It appeared as though they listened this time. Kay stopped after turning a corner and looked up, listening quietly. Were drones being sent to observe from above? Not yet that she could see. But it was only a matter if time.

She smirked lowered her gaze. It was time for her to focus and get her bearings. Kay had only gone so far as maybe mid-way during her previous attempts. But that was just a guess. The Palace domes could be seen and it was through that that she was able to tell her direction. That is when she could see them.

Onward she started, making a left at the first fork and then continuing further. One. Two. Three. Now a right. Sometimes she wondered if she should grab a stick and mark her path. Hmm....That wasn't a bad idea. But could that be viewed as cheating? It was quite possible. No. She didn't want to cheat. Not today or the next, or the next after that. Instead she just paid attention.

Minutes soon passed by to an hour. Kay kept her focus, kept track of her turns and counting the forks. She made up a little tune to go with it, a poem of sorts that she whispered under her breath while she walked.

It wasn't long thereafter before she reached the center. As usual there was a fountain, a bench and a fruit bearing tree. This was only the midway point, but it was a welcoming sight. She picked up the ladel at the edge of the fountain and had a sip. Next was the fruit. Kay plucked one from the tree and then sat down on the bench while she ate. Two other paths led to or from the centre. Soon enough she'll have to choose one of them. But for now she ate, oblivious to the rebels plotting against her in the basement.

[member="HK-36"]

 

[HK-36]

[member="Lady Kay"],


After the lengthy briefing and list of complaints issued to HK by the Loyalists in regards of Kay's new regime HK finally managed to make his way towards the Palace. Getting past the guards would not be that difficult for someone called "The Shadow That Lurks", especially if that someone could walk vertically up walls as if it was no one's business while being still covered in an invisibility cloak. Either way, sneaking his way inside HK would avoid the sentries posted to watch over Kay, stepping up to the edge of the Maze the droid would watch over the plant structure.

"This seems like an unnecessary waste of resources, how typical."

He muttered to himself as he spread his arms out from below his cloak, twisting and spinning his arms in a circle as his fingers pointed out and folded, moving into various shapes and positions, contorting themselves as he used the Grav-Gloves to manipulate the wall of the hedge in front of him. With a soft rustle the leaves and branches would move and shift, spreading apart to create an opening within its wall.

HK stepped inside the maze, passing through the opening within the leafy wall, the hedge would move and rustle once more, closing back down behind HK. As silence would fall over the maze once more HK would begin to stalk its corridors, using the trackers and scanners to attempt to hone down on Kay's position. As much as he would want to just pull the labyrinth apart with his Grav-Gloves, they neither had that much power within them nor would that keep his element of surprise, he had to do it the old fashion way.

Still, Kay had her head-start against the droid, hopefully she would not venture through the entire maze by the time the machine would be able to catch up with her.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay was just licking her fingers, having finished the bit of fruit, when the bird-like creatures took to the skies. They liked to scurry through the hedges, made their homes in them. So to see about a dozen of them take flight in a certain area, well it meant that something startled them. She frowned. Were her guards thinking that she was taking too long? Did they decide to come and find her after noting that she had stopped moving? No doubt her commlink that some kind of tracker on it. But they could have just messaged her instead of barging in.

She sighed and got to her feet, taking one final drink from the ladel before she put it back in it's spot and setting out in the left path. As she followed it, it seemed to head back towards the beginning. But that could be a ruse made by the creator of the maze. At least, that's what her thinking was.

So Kay continued to follow it, passing near HK-36 at a junction up ahead. Assuming that he's invisible though, she didn't even notice him. Her attention was strictly on what was ahead, how many junctions she passed and which paths she took. It was great to spend an hour or so not thinking about herself or her people. She only had one goal right now. Conquering the maze.

 

[HK-36]

[member="Lady Kay"],


There was no point for the droid to hide his presence any longer, after all right now he was at an advantage, with his position still unknown and Kay's back turned to him when she passed by the machine. Plus if they were out of view of her guards then that was all the better.

Beneath his cloak HK raised his hand and contorted it into a sigil, sending out a gravitational anomaly that clutched to the edge of the hedge, the green wall Kay was about to pass through. There was much rustling as the hedge was pulled like a blanket to the side, stretching out in front of Kay to block her passage as voice sounded out behind her,

"Hello child."

The black tall shape would shimmer to life, as if phasing into existence as a pair of floating red eyes appeared to her before the rest of his visage followed in when the cloaking field was dropped. Folding into Kay's reality the machine still had his arm stretched out towards the hedge wall he just manipulated, and although Kay could probably easily tell that telekinesis was used on it, nothing from the Force would give the usual expected ripples when one tapped into the ethereal power to use Force-borne telekinesis.

So it would very much seem that the being found other ways of achieving similar powers without tapping into the Force.

 

[Kay-Larr]

The rustling of the hedge was what caught her attention first. Then the hedge moved and blocked her path. For a moment she just stood there frozen. That was new. She had no idea that the hedges even did that. No wonder people had a hard time solving it. And it would explain the flight of the bird-like creatures from earlier.

But then came the voice of [member="HK-36"] from behind her. Hello child? Quickly she turned around, in case what she had heard was just inside her head. Unfortunately it wasn't. The droid materialized in front of her, his arm stretched out, almost as though he was aiming at her. How did he manipulate the hedge? It was as though he used the Force....But he didn't.

Kay placed both of her hands, most especially the hand that held her commlink behind her back. Her thumb was ready to click it a few times to signal her guards if she had to. "Hello....Can I help you with something?" Maybe he was one of the guard units that [member="Ultimatum"] had planned on sending her. That was a possibility.

 

[HK-36]

[member="Lady Kay"],

Little did she knew, the droid actually knew Ultimatum, and if their storyline on Mustafar ended how HK planned, Ultimatum would follow through with the oath he made and was now under HK's employ. Either way, having droid eyes gave HK many perks, from heat vision to advanced trackers and sensors, one of these sensors picked up on weak electronic signature behind Kay's back, some sort of a small device, probably a weapon or communication device. Whatever it was, HK did not wanted it to be used against him, one of his thumbs twitched slightly as if tugging on some invisible string, he would sent a subtle gravitational anomaly into the device, tugging on its circuitry with the gesture to sever it and disable the gadget.

"I just want to talk."

HK answered,

"Some of your subjects have been disgruntled about the way you came to power, so they struck a bargain with me and summoned me here so that I could investigate your situation and pass judgement."

His other hand extended out towards her, palm opened, contorting into a sigil, an eldritch arcane gesture before pointing down to the ground,

"Please, have a seat."

HK didn't throw another anomaly that time, he had to at least try to conserve his glove's energy packs, give them a chance to recharge between telekinetic exhibitions, but still, he was ready to throw another anomaly and tug on the lines of gravity if he had to.

"And tell me more about that president you overthrew."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay raised a brow slightly as [member="HK-36"] expressed that he just wanted to talk. This was a funny way to force a conversation. He could have just made an appointment. But how he knew where to find her, that was a question that needed an answer.

Her eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the Loyalists. And pass judgement? Who was he to do so? She clicked her commlink a few times, unaware that it was no longer operable, before tucking it in the belt of her dress and folding her arms across her chest when he tried to command her to sit down. Ever the defiant one.

"I'd rather stand, thank you. And I didn't overthrow a President. I won the election fair and square. Go ahead and count the votes if you don't believe me."

Whether or not HK was referring to the election or her gaining of the crown she wasn't sure. But it wasn't as though she had to answer to him.

 

[HK-36]

[member="Lady Kay"],

"Oh, I insist."

Was the droid's response to Kay preferring to stand, from his other hand one of his thumbs pointed out, sticking down towards the ground from the arcane sigil HK was forming with it. At that moment Kay could feel some unseen power swelling within her knees as the droid sent out a gravitational anomaly and tugged on the planetary lay lines to try and manipulate her tendons, much like he manipulated his enemy's kneecap on Kaeshana when he faced off against a Force user and succeeded rather efficiently, so that she would suddenly feel weak in her knees and be compelled to sit down.

This was a trick she could resist, of course, but doing so would require active effort when just sitting down would seem so much easier.

"Well yes, the election was fair and I do not dispute that, however you disappeared then, and when you came back great tragedy suddenly struck the elder council of the planet, removing them from play and calling for great change to the planet's government. Fortunately there you were, able to step in not as a president but Queen."

If Kay was sitting down the machine would lower down his hands and let them disappear beneath his black cloak, material would droop over his shoulders, wrap around him like wings of a bat. If she resisted his telekinetic manipulation of her own very perky body then his arms would remain in their ritualistic stance.

"Seems very convenient, especially if you were looking to ascend as the planet's absolute ruler. Of course, that would be rather far fetched for someone who was democratically elected, after all you had plenty of chances to do so before and remained as the people's leader. Unless of course another variable was introduced."

The machine analyzed her ascension to the throne and political past,

"Unless something changed when you disappeared."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay felt her knees nearly buckle as [member="HK-36"] insisted that she sit. The shock on her face could not be hidden as she landed on her bottom. He didn't use the Force. This was something else entirely.

She kept her eyes slightly narrowed and staring straight ahead, her hands placed in full view on her lap. She felt as though she was on trial. Maybe in some way she was.

"I was kidnapped, tortured for months on end. When I came back after recovering, I went to the Elders, wanting to know why no rescue came, why I was left to die. But they had no answer to give me. Their advanced age prevented it and as a result, they died after revealing that I was to take their place." Kay looked up to HK then, every word spoken was the truth. She just omitted a few facts. "I just chose to not live secluded in their hideout, only having contact with the elected officials. I can't protect Commenor that way."

Where were her guards? She signalled them but couldn't hear them. She didn't even get a return signal that she was heard. Kay furrowed her brows as she stared straight ahead again. Perhaps her....visitor....had done something to them. For now she'll just wait instead of getting impatient. She was in a maze afterall.

 

[HK-36]

[member="Lady Kay"],

The droid would step closer to Kay, looking down at her,

"Yes, you suffered, and it is at our darkest, weakest hour that we turn to the Dark Side most willingly in search for a quick solution at a great price, when the times are most bleak we hear its whispers and temptations the clearest. But there is always hope and light within the dark, even if corruption and evil seems total, remember that, Kay."

HK reminded her, towering over the Queen of Commenor,

"And what was the catalyst for their death? People do not just perish from old age, not en masse like they did, what killed them?"

The droid calculated he already knew the answer, especially since the Elders seemed to have been removed so conveniently right after revealing they wanted Kay to replace them,

"Are you here to protect Commenor or its people? I have heard those words spoken before, countless atrocities and mass murders conducted in the name of protection and warped perception of the greater good."

Some would say that hypocritically enough HK fell in that spectrum, often being all but too willing to go into war or do things like break into somebody's palace to enforce or act in the name of what he claimed to be "the greater good"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay clenched her jaw. [member="HK-36"] was aware of her Force sensitivity. Someone must of told him. Yet the fact that he belittled what happened to her, and implied that she just took the easy way out was utter nonsense. She curled her hands into fists, but kept them on her lap. "You have no idea of what happened to me...Nor would you even be capable of understanding..." She was referring to his lack of emotion.

She didn't answer his questions in regards to the deaths of the Elders or the circumstances. She just kept her eyes forward and stared at nothing in particular. They let it happen, almost as though they wanted it. They didn't resist...

His next series of questions caught her attention, pulling her from her thoughts. "Of course I'm here to protect Commenor and it's people. I don't want them to suffer as I did, with no one to help them, with no one to care. Having alliances are fine, but what good are they if they do nothing in your time of need? We have to be able to protect ourselves because no one else will!"

Kay slammed her right fist on her thigh. She just wanted to run, to retreat back inside of herself as she did with her Master. But now was not the time.

"Did you do anything to my guards? You do realize that they will come looking for me if I don't keep contact." And all she had to do was scream.

 

[HK-36]

[member="Lady Kay"],


"I can understand more than you can imagine."

The droid replied, still looking down at her,

"I was first forged into captivity, born to be a slave to despicable men who prayed on the weak, who used brute force, fear, and extortion to get their way in life. I know what it is like to be held and used against my will, and I very well know what pain equates to, my whole existence is built around making allies with the organics, befriending them, and outliving every single one, over and over. But you are right in assuming that I do not know what happened to you."

He agreed with Kay on that,

"So you should tell me and help me understand your situation."

HK's legs bent at their knees as he lowered himself down to be at head-height with Kay and look her into her eyes,

"Yet when they called for aid because they were concerned about your leadership and the direction you will take this planet I came. I answered their call and I will answer it again many times over. Is that why the Elders had to go, Kay? So you could protect and lead Commenor like they did not?"

He prodded, at her last question he answered,

"Your guards are gone, do not worry, we are alone."

That was a lie of course as the machine simply eluded them,

"But should more show up and interrupt us one of two things will happen, they will either die on the spot like the others did,"

That was a bluff too, HK was not the type to wantonly murder his way through a neutral planet,

"Or they will fail to find me as their previous counterparts did."

He added,

"But do not worry, if I wanted you dead or to injure you, I would have done so already. It is easier for me than you think to simply remove your kneecaps instead of just manipulating your legs so that you would sit down."

 

[Kay-Larr]

So [member="HK-36"] knew loss, and the con of immortality. She thanked the Force that she wasn't able to go through that herself. One lifetime was more than enough.

At his suggestion that she tell him what happened to her, she wanted to tell him that she wasn't going to do so. He could use it against her afterall. Most would. But before she could speak he had lowered himself to her eye level and let her know why he came and would continue to do so. Is that what he was here for? To police her and be sure that she was on her best behaviour? Kay turned her head from his gaze, most especially at the mention of the Elders. She folded her arms across her chest like a spoiled child. If you're being treated like one, you might as well....

Her guards were gone and he wasn't going to allow her to move from that spot until she talked to him. She didn't want to, but she had to. Kay just spoke quietly, maybe in part because he was so close, but also because she didn't want anyone else to hear. "I was captured and tortured for months on end, in almost every way imaginable. No one came, no one tried, no one cared. No one....They all just let it happen. But I won't be like them. And I let the other Ministers and officials go. If they are saying that I'm some tyrant, well they are wrong. I am protecting them from others and themselves." Forcing prisoners to work in the mines, or be executed, or volunteer to be experimented on by Ultimatum.. well, it was all for the betterment of their society.

 

[HK-36]

[member="Lady Kay"],

"Are they truly wrong to call you a tyrant or are they simply wrong from your perspective?"

The droid asked, keeping his head at her own head level even through she turned her head away, averting her gaze from his own eyes,

"Because so far it seems that anyone who would think that you are in the wrong either dies or gets removed from the office. So tell me, who it was that captured and tortured you?"

He changed the subject very briefly for soon enough he would keep on prodding about her rule,

"And if you truly believe that you are doing this for the good of your subject, then look me in the eyes and say it so without a lie in your heart."

HK whispered before adding,

"You can trust me, it is alright."

It may have seem strange for someone who broke into her house to claim that she could trust him, it may have been just a lie to try and build some trust between them. Or perhaps the machine had yet another reason to say something like that.

 

[Kay-Larr]

"I am not a tyrant....."

She spoke quietly before [member="HK-36"] continued on, asking about her captivity. Her jaw opened slightly as she took in a breath to try to keep her emotions in check. She didn't want to talk about it. Not now, not here.

He changed the subject again, going back to the previous one. That was a subject that Kay was more comfortable with. She looked at him, or rather stared at him, her brows furrowed as she focused on keeping control of herself. Her shaky voice betrayed that though while she answered him. "I am not a tyrant. They judge me too quickly. I am protecting them from those that would cause them harm. Look around you! Do you see them all in chains and subjected to slavery? No! They are free to live, work and learn just so long as they obey the laws. What's so wrong about that?"

 

[HK-36]

[member="Lady Kay"],

"There is nothing wrong with that."

The machine answered to calm her, or perhaps to lower her guard as she stared right at him, right into his eyes,

"You can trust me, it is alright."

He repeated. It would have been then that a strange feeling would probably go over Kay, like that sensation of your body slipping away just before you fall asleep, she would see lights within droid's eyes flash and dance as she stared into them, swirl and spin around in a brilliant spectacle, a spell cast by his built-in hypno-gaze systems, trying to put Kay into a trance. Each flash, each spin would tug on the strings of her brain as the lights attempted to put her into a highly suggestive state in a process similar to how seizures could be caused by flashing lights,

"Trust in me, I will show you the way."

The droid repeated, if Kay managed to resist the hypno-gaze then the machine would have to deal with her in other way or retreat, if she did not however then she would feel herself slipping farther and farther away as the glowing eyes became like two suns, high in the air watching over her constantly in their judgement as she stumbled through an expansive labyrinth of thorns that was the trance she would enter.

As she would try to find her way out a question would echo out, permeating the very essence of the place the machine would put her in, as if every wall of the maze was speaking to her,

"What have you done to the Elders of Commenor?"

And presumably the machine would finally get his answer, and afterwards Kay would wake up either few hours later or when the guards would finally find her, the fruit she plucked when she entered the center of the maze would still be in her hand and a question might creep up to her mind, did she dream all of it? Although the droid would be gone at the time, it would not be the last time she saw him as he would visit her once more soon enough.

Of course, that would have happened only if she didn't resist the gaze in the first place and if nobody else would interrupt them by walking onto their scene, like the guards for example.