They Call Me Mr. Exclusive

[Darth Vulcanus]

[member="Gerion Ardik"]

​

A great steel bird, flanked by a pair of one-eyed guardians, screamed through the fading sunlight above the city. Weaving effortlessly through the towering office buildings, the Imperial shuttle descended towards the Headquarters of Hegemonic Automatons. Corvinus waited patiently in the hold, observing closely as the TIE Flashpoints broke formation and the shuttle eased onto the landing pad of Gerion Ardik's building. The craft quivered as it made touchdown, steam veiling the ramp as it fell open.

Tailed by his usual ensemble of two Imperial Guards, Corvinus stepped out into the waning sun; his plum cape waving in the cool summer breeze cutting through the urban landscape. This trip marked a momentous occasion for the Imperial Remnant and for Corvinus. The opportunity to work with Hegemonic Automatons was a historic turning point in of itself, but the fact that the Empress had allowed him full autonomy yet again was just icing on the cake.

Just as with Atrisia and the Zhornee, Corvinus would be able to strike this deal according to his personal vision for the Empire. The fact of the matter was that the Fel Empress lacked proper Imperial vision in many matters and Corvinus needed to ensure that the foolish young girl did not stifle the spark of Imperialism before it caught flame.

With a self-satisfied smile growing across his face, Corvinus marched toward the welcoming party that had been sent to meet him.

It was time for the games to begin.

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Corvinus Palpatine"]

Gerion liked Imperials, for the most part. They were orderly, efficient, and willing to do what it took to maintain both of those things. They understood that enforcing order and stability were of higher priority than, say, democracy. Because if there was one thing that kept order, efficiency, and stability at bay it was having to elect a new leader every ten minutes. That was why Gerion liked Imperials. He didn't like Imperials because they were often hostile to private institutions and corporations. Because they often resorted to nepotism instead of meritocracy and had a tendency to fail, as witnessed at Crina, Bastion, and Atrisia. But who was perfect, anyway? Imperials had more going for them as far as principles were concerned than the Jedi (silver or otherwise), Mandalorians, and the Republic.

Their credits were welcome with Hegemonic Automaton.

Hegemon Towers on Lianna fielded a sizable landing pad for just this sort of arrangement. Fielded on the landing pad was a small welcoming committee, headed by Gerion. It consisted only of the Umbaran, two TA4 Ultra Battle Droids with electrostaffs, and a few dawdling assistants and executives. The company's acting CEO and owner, [member="Zothustro Quill"], had recently taken ill. The day to day machinations of the company had since fallen to Gerion.

"Knight Baron Palpatine." Gerion greeted, extending his hand for a shake. "It is a pleasure to meet you at last."

 

[Darth Vulcanus]

[member="Gerion Ardik"]


Tossing his cape neatly over his left arm, Corvinus accepted Ardik's handshake firmly and with a subtle bow. "Like wise. I have heard a great many thing about you Mister Ardik; and please you may call me Corvinus during these affairs."

Marching beside Gerion, Corvinus and his Imperial Guards followed the welcoming committee down from the landing pad and through a set of blast doors; Palpatine poking the route ahead for traps. Even with the seemingly benevolent Umbaran beside him, Corvinus felt that he couldn't be too careful. The Sith were everywhere and could have easily hired any number of people to destroy him and the Remnant.

With his tendrils finding nothing of concern and the pungent scent of deceit absent from Ardik's aura, Corvinus relaxed and turned Gerion. "I understand that your corporation is well respected within the realm of droids. That is why I sought your company's cooperation. The Imperial Remnant requires new lines of droids, ones that will strengthen and support the backbone of our power; The Imperial Stormtrooper Corp."

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Corvinus Palpatine"]

"Very well, Corvinus." Gerion replied, leading the elder Knight-Baron into the headquarters's interior.

Fortunately, Gerion's Sith-serving ways were behind him. Besides, if he had wanted to cause any harm to Palpatine, this was hardly the place to do it. Gerion was in no way the sort of person to tarnish his company's reputation by flagrantly ordering hit squads to assassinate guests while on the premises of his headquarters. That was just uncivilized. The area they entered was a brightly illuminated hallway. It was largely barren and featureless, save for the occasional potted plant and glasteel window permitting them to see into a number of testing and development chambers.

"It would be a great honor for Hegemonic Automaton to supply droids to the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps. Did you have any specifications in mind?"

It seemed all Hegemonic Automaton did these days was design specialized fighting droids. Everyone wanted their own unique model of droid. Few were ever interested in the things already developed. Their loss, really. Hegemonic Automaton got to charge more for such models. Besides, it improved customer loyalty.

 

[Darth Vulcanus]

[member="Gerion Ardik"]

Corvinus didn't so much as peer into the testing chambers. He couldn't care less about what was going on behind the glass. He was sure that Gerion had a fine stalk of current and upcoming droids, but there was a very specific reason that Corvinus wanted fresh batches.

"There are a few thing, yes." Corvinus began, eyes locked straight ahead as they marched through the inhumanly flawless hallway, "It must be a battle droid capable of effectively combating Yuuzhan Vong and Force Users while maintaining usefulness in lighter field operations. A new series of YVH droids."

Plunging a hand into his cape as they walked, Corvinus produced a small datapad and handed it over to Ardik. "They must also be programmed with this. Do not worry about the specifics of the code, they can be added upon arrival to my Imperial base on Vullian."

Ardik would find that contained on the datapad was a partially pre-written series of failsafe commands, ones that could lock out other systems from users who would usually be able to command them with ease. The files were all named something inconspicuous and the instructions detailed that the files were buried deep within the droid's core programming to avoid attention.

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Corvinus Palpatine"]

"Corvinus, I would be remiss if I did not inform you that we already have a droid which meets these specifications." Gerion said, halting abruptly after taking the clandestine bit of coding from Corvinus.

They stopped before one of the viewports, albeit this one was currently polarized for one reason or another. The number seven with three zeros preceding it was emblazoned on the wall just above it. To the right there was a control panel, into which Gerion thumbed in a few command codes. The viewport un-polarized, once again allowing viewing into the testing chamber. Unfortunately, it seemed the test had already concluded. A scarred and scratched TA4 stood in the center, idly flexing its built-in repulse-hand. The black blood of a Yuuzhan-Vong dripped from the hand, collecting on the floor, joining what looked like a few bits of brain matter.

If either gentleman looked away from the TA4, they would see a few Z3 Labor Droids dragging off the corpse of the warrior that had been participating in the test. There was no opportunity to glimpse its badly mangled face (good for them, really), but the trail of gore it left behind as it was dragged off was unmistakable. Right at the feet of the TA4 was the traditional Yuuzhan-Vong amphistaff, albeit refreshingly dead. Its neck was at an awkward angle- apparently having been snapped.

"The TA4 is more advanced than both the YVH droids and the Echani Battle Mimicry Units fielded by the Republic. It can endure extreme amounts of damage, hold its own against most Force Users, and is versatile enough to perform above and beyond in any field operation."

Gerion thumbed through the datapad for the briefest of moments, only partially recognizing the fail-safe codes. Interesting. "This can easily be added to any droids you choose to purchase. Free of charge, naturally. It costs little to modify code."

 

[Darth Vulcanus]

[member="Gerion Ardik"]

Corvinus' eyes followed the pulpy mess of a Vong corpse as it was drug from the slaughterhouse, the pile of meat spurting black ooze across the floor before disappearing through a door on the right. The corners of Palpatine's lips twisted upward into a small, cynical grin. Turning his head slightly, he peered at Ardik through the corner of his eye;

"Impressive, most impressive. I was not aware your company had been working on such an advanced piece of equipment. Still, I would be a fool to not ask to see a full test." Turning his attention back to the droid, Corvinus adjusted his cape. "I would like to observe how this platform can handle multiple foes, the Empire will be facing many adversities after all. Perhaps then, we can discuss the prospect of an exclusive contract over these droids."

Shrugging nonchalantly, Corvinus looked back to Gerion, "That is, if these droids are truly as good as you claim they are."

The Imperial Remnant would pay top credit to see these droids placed solely under Imperial Remnant contract if they could fulfill the role Corvinus foresaw for them. A small army of these droids would prove most useful to both his personal operations and those of the Empire; of course he imagined that these droids were not cheap. Even so, thanks to Crinan royalty and the new found allies on Atrisia and Vullian, the Imperial Remnant could afford these droids at their minor-produced cost.

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Corvinus Palpatine"]

Imperials had a knack for order and efficiency, but it seemed they had yet to grapple with the intricacies of the profit motive.

"The Talos Series consists of open market products." Gerion explained. "To render even one of them exclusive to just you your affiliates would result in net loss. You understand."

Gerion spoke as he typed something into the same keypad he had used to reveal the testing chamber. Unfortunately, they had run out of Yuuzhan-Vong "volunteers" to pit against the droids. Never mind that. This chamber had a few other worthy opponents for the TA4. As it stood, he was relaying orders to the research personnel running the room. They couldn't be seen from this side, though across the hall they were busily preparing the requested test. They would have argued had he been there in person. This TA4 was damaged, it would likely be destroyed if that testing scenario was run.

Clearly they were new here.

"I'm sure you are familiar with the Republic's prized Echani Mimic Battle Unit. It is, to date, the only worthwhile droid they have ever produced. As it stands, the EMBU is the only real competitor towards the TA4 in terms of melee and unarmed combat prowess. It comes programmed with the most comprehensive Echani martial arts protocols ever seen."

Two sections of the wall dropped down. Relevant to what he just said, an EMBU stalked forward from each. They were ominous looking droids, but they were unarmed. The Echani combat droids circled the stationary TA4 for a few moments before taking up positions on either side of it. They slid into combat stances, raising their fists in the style of traditional martial artists.

"The moment the TA4 was released on the open market, the EMBU became obsolete."

Without any warning, the first EMBU bolted forward in an effort to make quick work of its seemingly unprepared opponent. It leapt, like a typical Echani would, attempting to land a spinning kick against the TA4. Under normal circumstances, that kick would have decapitated most droids and broken the necks of organic soldiers with little ease. True to Gerion's words, however, the TA4 was one step ahead. It skirted to the side, narrowly avoiding the kick. It's arm came up abruptly, wrapping itself around the extended leg of the Echani droid. The TA4 pitched forward, slamming the EMBU onto its back. With little effort, the TA4 raised its leg and slammed its foot down into the vulnerable head of the EMBU.

Unable to withstand the force, the EMBU's "face" caved in. Its droid brain was crushed instantaneously. It only took a few moments before one of the galaxy's preeminent fighting droids became a useless heap of scrap metal. The other EMBU was already running forward by this time, charging its mortal enemy from the side. The TA4 whirled around to face its oncoming opponent, managing to tear its foot free of the defeated EMBU. Sparks, duraplast bits, and circuitry were kicked everywhere by the effort. That was not the main affair, however. The remaining EMBU attempted a strike at the TA4, swinging its arm like a club from the left. It would have been a decisive neck-chop that would leave the TA4's neck and primary brain compromised (and probably killed insufficiently armored organic soldiers). That is, if the strike had landed. The TA4's forearm came up, intercepting the strike. Its freehand lashed out in a powerful uppercut, this time striking under the EMBU's chin.

The TA4's open hand shattered the light duraplast that comprised the underside of the EMBU's chin, breaking through and giving it a venue with which to literally grasp the droid brain. The chamber was soundproofed, and so the TA4's resulting fifteen second monologue about discipline and weakness was lost to both Gerion and Corvus. After what seemed liked a fifteen second pause, the TA4 wrenched its hand out from the EMBU, its fist balled around the assorted inner circuitry of an EMBU droid brain. With nothing left to support it, the EMBU fell backwards and landed with a miserable clunk. Deactivated, defeated, and utterly harmless.

"Hegemonic Automaton does design custom combat droids for those who want them." Gerion explained. "But those products are neither greater than or equal to the Talos Series. Not by any stretch of the imagination."