"The debris field appears originally to have been created by the collision of several of the smaller moons in the Iego system, but it has been further cluttered by ships that have crashed into the rocks due to the Diathim or simply due to poor piloting.
It is dangerous, but not something that, by itself, is insurmountable to a skilled pilot. From what I have been able to gather, the ion storms and Diathim further complicate the matter, but the debris field itself is a manageable threat, especially this close to the edge of the system."
"I can confirm that our pilot droid was not affected by the Diathim's apparent psionic onslaught . . . he was just incompetent enough to run into the debris field around the moon."
"It would appear that there are four votes to leave the system, although for various reasons and multiple locations, and only three to visit the dragon.
In theory, should you be handling this in traditional Republic fashion, I would assume that we are now trying to narrow down a location, given that the dragon idea was voted down.
On the other hand, of course, you could always handle this in Sith fashion, and have one of you threaten the rest until the others back down, or kill the dissenters in their sleep, or perhaps blackmail one another into changing their positions.
Let me know if we are switching to the Sith mode of deliberation. Assuming Republic standard, I would assume we should now begin discussing destinations.
If you need me to do so, I shall see how much information I have on worlds in my database, should it help you with your deliberations."
"Perhaps it would be helpful if I tallied the votes for the various options. So far, the only firm vote that I have tallied has been one vote from Master Groodar to visit the dragon.
I will gladly record the rest of the votes, and, of course, refrain from voting myself."
"I believe that HK-22 has been making plans to hunt the dragon on the planet proper, but I could have misinterpreted his intent. Then again, I'm fairly certain that the droids don't get to vote in this instance . . . "
"Suggestion: if this unit is required to attack a 'dragon', then this unit requires larger weaponry. And explosives."
AAD-42's modulation is excited as he responds.
"HK-22, if you do happen to fight said dragon, if you could make sure not to dispatch it too quickly, I would greatly appreciate the chance to analyze its combat prowess."
"It would be quite fascinating to collect data on this 'dragon.' You don't suppose it might be in a better mood at some later date as far as perhaps an interview, maybe some cell samples?"
"Well, the transponder from the ship was indeed still intact, although no one saw fit to install it, given your ship already had a functioning one. I doubt it would take much effort to fit a secondary transponder into the comm system."
AAD-42 hovers for a moment, then looks to HK-22.
"Although that will lessen the chances of . . . glorious . . . uh . . . fleshy bloodshed. Which, depending on your point of view may be a bad thing."
AAD-42 lifts one of its opposable digit units as it extends its arm towards HK-22, then flashes its ocular receptor as if it were winking.
"As of the last time I received any information on the outpost, there was not much of a presence on Dantooine. The world was devastated some time ago by the Sith, so there are only a few survey teams on the planet. It is, however, quite firmly in Sith territory."
AAD-42 makes a noise somewhat like clearing his non-existant throat.
"Masters, Coruscant is not controlled by the Sith, at least not during the last month before we were sent out from Korriban to this sector to do sweeps. However, in accordance with the treaty, the Sith do maintain an embassy on the planet.
Dantooine . . . is under Sith control, at least so long as the treaty is still held and has not been modified. If I am not mistaken, it is currently being swept for Jedi artifacts by Sith archivists.
And am not sorry I interrupted . . . er . . . meatbags?"
AAD-42 swivels towards HK-22 looking for approval.
In Binary to AAD-42: "First lesson in getting respect from meatbags: offer your opinion without asking for forgiveness. Meatbags respect power, which is why they paid attention to you when you were a walking bomb, gearhead."
In binary to HK-22:
Spoiler:
"Interesting assertion. While I had always assumed before that you were mocking me, I am now beginning to wonder if I should carry some sort of large weapon, regardless of personal proficiency, in order to give my presence more gravity.
You have given me something to think upon. Perhaps your outdated programming is a refreshing look back to a more barbaric, yet simpler and more streamlined time. Thank you for your roughly hewn logic . . . Murderbot . . .
"As a point of correction Mistress Aruuna, unless the data that has be provided to me was erroneous, which, given recent circumstances is not out of the realm of possibility, I believe that you have been away from galactic concerns for 300 years.
Also, in the interest of making an informed decision, I will point out that the navicomputer that you installed from my original ship has up to date star charts from less than one month ago, thus calculating a hyperspace jump is not insurmountable in this situation. Unfortunately, the Sith controlled portion of the holonet is not accessible here, thus updating the navicompter to more than a month's accuracy will not be possible until we reach a civilized system.
Still, a jump to Coruscant shouldn't be too difficult, should we survive the other hazards that Mistress Lucen has enumerated. Or any other well known world that we might decide on.
As always, I am here to serve if you have any other questions. Forgive my interruption."
"Master Troy, obviously I was already predisposed to avoiding permanent shut down. Obviously, its completely irrational, as I am only a programmed appliance, but it is still difficult to shake, and I prefer to continue to function.
However, thank you for the gracious offer.
Before we leave, if you have any questions about the current state of the galaxy, I can attempt to answer your questions, though I may still not have whatever relevant information you may want, depending on the topic."
AAD-42 swivels his receptors towards Dangaurd and HK-22.
"Sigh . . . its always the combat models that get the special attention, even when they are outmoded units with hyper-sensitive violence sub-routines. Than again, I suppose I should understand, given that my last gift was a forced behavioral reprogramming . . ."
Ceelell looks over the ship and nods his head a bit in approval. "Very good everyone, we have worked well thus far as a team to get ourselves ready. It seems that there is still one question that we should likely have considered earlier though. This planet seems to have a great effect on ships systems and has brought down so many vessels. Now that we know that we can prepare for it. Does anyone have any ideas how we may do that?"
"If I may be so bold as to offer a few conjectures on this subject, Master Ceelell?
Observational data seems to indicate that a combination of the ionic discharge storms that swept this moon a few days ago, and the debris field that fills this system are at least two of the contributory problems with navigating the system.
Unfortunately I was not able to get enough data to properly chart a course through the debris, nor was I able to observe enough of the storms to create a predictive sub-routine to aid in avoiding the storms.
My apologies . . . I seem to only be able to quantify the problems, without presenting viable solutions."
"Master Ceelell, I have a list of the usable components from this ship so as to facilitate the repairs on your own ship, although you all seem to be preparing quite a bit considering Jedi Aruuna seemed to indicate that you only had minor damage to your ship.
Working main engines, operational hyperdrive, navicomputer, sealed systems for the facilitation of life support (we hardly used these, give that the ship was used by droids), transponder . . . oh, and we also have a really nice Refresher unit on board. It was standard for the ship, but given that the crew was all droids, its never been used, and we never had time to remodel the ship to utilize the space for anything else.
I've heard that some humanoids do their best meditating in the refresher, and I know Jedi are fond of mediation."
"Perhaps all of the organics should spend some down time regenerating their ability to function and to being self repairs. What I wouldn't give for such an efficient self repair system . . . if only the softer organic material didn't damage so easily in the first place."
The unit hums for a second, until its repulsors come online and it begins to rise up to Groodar's chest level. Its arm units fold out, and all of its lights and sensors come back online.
"I must admit, I'm deeply, deeply hurt at being misled. Danguard Troy and Goodar Greepbar, you are currently encoded as my owners, and I reiterate the subroutine to obey the orders of a legitimate representative of the Jedi Order.
That having been said . . . you lied to me! I shall forever harbor a deep seated distrust of you tinkering in my processor from this point on.
That having been said . . . thank you for removing the self-destruct mechanism, and for not erasing my memory.
I believe it was mentioned that you might need to salvage some of the parts of this ship in order to repair some light damage that your own ship sustained?"
