What could be better for a droid with a developed artificial personality and the ability to simulate emotions adaptively than fulfilling the orders of a master who is also its creator? Only fulfilling an order that corresponds to the directives embedded in the core of its personality!
HK-47 fully agreed with this statement. The best assassin droid in the galaxy, unmatched then and now... in its own opinion. Yes, it was ready to carry out any order from the Master, but it experienced a special "pleasure" when it received a task to eliminate insignificant bags of meat. And preferably, if the target resisted, possessed the abilities of a gifted individual, and had well-trained guards. Then the process of hunting and elimination would allow the droid to utilize all the capabilities of its painstakingly restored assassin protocols.
...
And this order had nothing to do with the Master's instruction to keep an eye on a couple of small, annoying bags of meat who, by a fortunate or unfortunate coincidence, had become the Creator's students.
Even the non-trivial method of discharging excess voltage from the chassis, suggested by the Master, did not help to cope with the voltage spikes in the circuits caused by software glitches and conflicts between the computing units engaged in an internal struggle... as evidenced by the dent on the bulkhead at approximately HK's head level.
Fortunately, today was a day for live-fire training, so the droid had a "legitimate" reason to shoot at brainless bags of meat. The main thing was to adjust the automatic aiming system in time, which always targeted exclusively vital points on the bodies of future victims... meaning, students, of course.
However, whether HK's methods yielded far greater results than expected, or whether the bags of meat were indeed gifted in handling blasters, but to the disappointment of the combat programs, no opportunity arose to fire a weakened blaster bolt at one of the would-be students below the waist.
And then, as if a gift from fate, without warning or knocking, into the room where the shooting range was equipped, a familiar Mandalorian burst in. By her very presence, she deserved a prophylactic execution... meaning, an unscheduled training session. HK hastened to remind her of this.
"Sarcastic remark: Bursting in without asking during live-fire training is another sophisticated way to commit suicide. Request: shall I help you end your pathetic existence, bag of meat?" the assassin droid inquired with obvious mockery in its voice.
"I'm not in the mood for jokes. Where is Farr?" Tira Nomad replied.
HK noted how she took a step back and, just in case, prepared for combat. It wouldn't have helped her much, but it was a good attempt.
"Indifferent: I have no idea. Caring for the condition of another bag of meat in addition to those two is not part of my current duties," the droid replied, slightly shaking its head towards its heavily breathing charges, who looked mortally exhausted even at a glance.
It seemed he had overestimated them after all. There were still two hours of training left, which meant an opportunity would soon arise to "stimulate" the Master's negligent students.
"The droids say she's not on board," Tira informed the mechanical killer.
This information was interesting. One of the Master's orders was: "Keep an eye on Risa Farr. Without fanaticism." And the droid had been watching as much as possible. And the fact that the supervised object had managed to leave the ship without his knowledge was... irritating. Fortunately, HK had covered himself and placed a tracking device on the armor and on each of the "Obsidian's" shuttles. The Master had programmed him well.
Another order was to ensure the safety of Tira Nomad. And the two observation objects seemed to have decided to meet on neutral territory and settle their differences. All logical blocks agreed with the change in priority order. The small bags of meat would wait.
HK's optical sensors flickered red several times. He did not lower the manipulator holding the blaster.
"Request: Where is the Master?" the forty-seventh asked after a few seconds.
"On Corulag. He has important negotiations. The 'Obsidian' needs to be brought to the 'Sienar' for inspection," Tira blurted out.
So, the Master was out of quick access. He should be immediately informed of the situation and possible consequences. It was also necessary to ensure the safety of the Mandalorian bag of meat identified as "Tira Nomad."
"Recommendation: Then that's what you should be doing," HK suggested, intending to remind the foolish organic of the order she had received.
"You do that. I need to find Farr."
The bag of meat ignored the order and reminder, demonstrating her complete inadequacy compared to the efficient HK-47.
"Request: Is this the Master's order?" the droid tilted its head slightly.
"No. It's my wish," Nomad growled in response.
HK clicked his servos, and the blaster barrel shifted slightly, aiming at the gap between the mercenary's chest plate and right shoulder.
The simplest way to prevent the subordinate's clearly foolish action was to deprive her of the ability to commit that very foolish action. The infirmary was preferable to the morgue.
"Cautionary remark: This goes against the Master's order," HK said threateningly.
Obviously, his actions had not had the desired effect on the mercenary. Ignorance born of unawareness. The foolish bag of meat did not realize the full extent of the threat.
"I wasn't given such an order. I was supposed to deliver a message, and I delivered it," Tira replied, clearly suppressing the desire to rush forward, which would undoubtedly lead to a firefight with HK-47.
The droid was dangerous. HK saw that Tira understood that she couldn't handle him.
Meanwhile, the analytical blocks had a small conflict, producing two contradictory options for further action. This time, the assassin protocols and the desire of the computational blocks to ensure they were fully active had a decisive influence.
It was decided to let the "bait" go for further interception of the observation object.
"Mockingly: A reasonable approach. For a bag of meat," HK said, lowering the blaster barrel to the floor.
Tira nodded gratefully, understanding that the droid had just let her go, and dashed towards the hangar, not even suspecting that the droid had its own plan.
HK followed her, but via a shorter route. He knew the schematics of the "Obsidian," including the less obvious passages, far better than Nomad, so it was not surprising that he arrived on board the "Eagle" before the mercenary.
A brief exchange of pleasantries with R2-D2 ended with the astromech being recruited for the "Master's secret mission" and a brief summary of the situation being sent to Revan's communicator. The Master liked to be kept informed, so HK did not consider it reasonable to keep anything secret... except, perhaps, some details of various missions that led to various local catastrophes and mass casualties... But such things happened rarely... by HK's standards.
Nomad suspected nothing and, as if nothing had happened, gave the astromech, whose loyalty she attributed to a thirst for adventure, the coordinates of a very familiar world. Korriban again... Perhaps HK's favorite planet after Nar Shaddaa. It was not for nothing that he had brought rapid-fire blasters and thermal detonators.
Meanwhile, Revan was waiting for the continuation of the meeting with Sienar. Preliminary agreements had already been reached, and the negotiations were decided to be interrupted so that the head of the shipbuilding company could issue the necessary instructions and attend to urgent matters, while the guests were offered to enjoy a lunch prepared especially for them.
Only Revan couldn't swallow a bite. He felt the proximity of something large and disturbing in his gut. It was impossible not to notice the danger in this jumble of sensations, but for some reason, he couldn't determine the source.
The communicator beeped, signaling the receipt of a message. As soon as he read it, many of his premonitions became much clearer.
HK reported that Risa Farr had something planned. Tira had rushed in pursuit. And HK had left the Padawans on the warship unattended... Could it get any worse?!
The next message, which came from R2, made Revan swear that he would never again test the Force with such foolish questions... because the students were flying to Korriban, which meant it could definitely be worse...
"Dooku," Revan called.
"Yes?" Count Sereno asked, tearing himself away from his cup of kaff.
"I need to leave urgently on an important matter. May I ask you to lend me a small courier shuttle for a couple of days?" Revan asked for the fastest ship available nearby.
He didn't want to drive the "Consular" to Korriban. The Count shouldn't know the destination, and he would have to sort out the crew. A single-pilot courier ship was a better option.
"Of course," Dooku agreed.
"Thank you."
"What about the second part of the negotiations?" the Count inquired.
"It concerns interaction with the 'Star Forge,' so my presence is not particularly required. You know about the company no less than I do, and you are much better informed about the economic situation in the core. I entrust you with concluding the negotiations."
"I understand. Very well. Should I wait for you here?"
"The 'Obsidian' is en route to this system. My students are on board. So, in any case, I will return for them."
"All right. Then, until we meet again, and may the Force be with you."
"And also with you, Count."
Revan left the dining area, heading for the hangars where, at Dooku's order, the technicians were preparing his "Consular's" small courier shuttle.
Nomad deactivated the "Eagle's" communicators, concealing the ship's presence as much as possible from anyone who might be monitoring the space around Korriban. A correct action. HK himself would have entered radio silence under such conditions. The only thing that annoyed the droid was the inability to get a response from the Master. Which, however, was not so important. Autonomous missions were HK-47's specialty.
The mercenary was in a hurry, but the astromech was in control, so HK could be calm about the probability that the bag of meat would kill them all. True, R2, inexperienced in the hunter-assassin role, did not choose a secluded spot to hide the ship, almost crashing it into Risa Farr's shuttle. However, perhaps the astromech intended it that way? Now Risa wouldn't be able to take off quickly without fear of hitting the sturdy hull of the "Eagle."
After waiting a few minutes to conceal his presence, HK activated the tracker, which was supposed to show the location of both targets, and set off in pursuit.
Literally taking the first step on the surface of Korriban, HK was forced into combat with the local fauna. Fanged and spiky creatures were displeased with the presence of a stranger in their territory. Perhaps the arrival of the "Eagle" had ruined someone's hunt? Or everyone's at once? For the assassin droid, the reasons for the attack didn't matter. All it needed to know was where to aim. And it knew that well.
Accurate shots from two powerful blasters left the predators no chance but cost the droid precious time. The rumbling in the cave where Tira Nomad had entered was a very alarming signal. Fortunately, the beacon on the mercenary was still working, but the signal was intermittent, as if something was blocking it... and then it disappeared completely.
As expected, the passage Nomad had taken was blocked by heavy debris. The assessment of the structure's stability yielded unfavorable results. Explosives could not be used – the risk of further tunnel collapse was too high. An alternate route was required. More lost time.
But there were positives everywhere. While exploring adjacent tunnels, whose direction indicated proximity to the room from which Tira's interrupted signal had last come, HK encountered more representatives of the local fauna. And this time, predators, disagreeing with the role of victims, ambushed the irritating piece of metal. They even managed to disarm the droid of its blasters for a time... which didn't help them much. The forty-seventh simply used a vibroknife and the power of his manipulators. The resulting spectacle of blood spray and chunks of flesh from the once terrifying monsters that dominated the planet, but became toys for a mad assassin droid, HK would save in his memory core as one of his best memories.
But everything comes to an end. The bloody bacchanalia also ended with the demise of the last clawed creature that managed to scratch the forty-seventh's left manipulator. Only a few minutes had passed, but HK had no intention of lingering any longer. The three-dimensional map of the explored tunnels gradually took shape, giving an idea of which wall could be slightly "moved" to get into the room where Nomad was supposed to be.
This time, the explosives came in handy, which could not but please the mechanical maniac.
Before the dust from the explosion settled, HK's sensors detected the presence of an enemy drone. Tiny, but dangerous, and of a familiar design. Two red blaster bolts, with precise hits, blew the ancient overseer to pieces. HK had encountered this Sith drone before, so the assassin droid was well aware of its vulnerabilities.
"Interested remark: Thousands of years have passed, and these weaklings still haven't acquired decent protection," HK-47 said, voicing his indignation about the lack of progress in droid design.
The remark was probably unjustified, as the drone had likely not undergone modernization even once... but HK didn't care.
The Master's missing student was found in a difficult situation under a pile of rocks. And judging by her expression, she had never been so glad to see the forty-seventh as at that moment.
"HK! Help!" Nomad shouted, calling for her ally.
The droid surveyed the cave, not rushing to approach the Mandalorian. First, it was necessary to ensure the safety of the area. HK-47's gaze lingered on the doors to the hall where, judging by the strange atmospheric phenomena and flashes of light, some ritual was taking place. The droid looked at Tira. At this time, another round of struggle for priority order was underway within the logic circuits. Nomad's protection or neutralizing Farr?
Blinking its optical sensors several times, HK simulated a heavy sigh and lowered its weapon.
"Disappointed: Priority is the protection of a talentless bag of meat who couldn't even handle a novice," the droid grumbled barely audibly and moved towards Nomad, although it would have gladly gone into the hall and gutted Farr.
"Faster! We must not let her finish what she's doing!" Tira shouted.
HK merely nodded and began clearing the rubble that prevented Nomad from standing up.
"Leave me! Stop her! You can't let her finish!" the Mandalorian cried, but HK was unwavering.
He had the Master's order with the highest priority.
It took HK only a few minutes to free Tira, who was trapped. As soon as the last stone holding her back was removed, Nomad rushed into the hall. HK ran after her.
Inside the new hall, where strange things were happening that HK couldn't define, there were also overseer drones. The assassin droid immediately dealt with them, tearing each one to shreds with a couple of shots.
Risa Farr should have been the next target, but Nomad's back blocked the view.
"Annoyed remark: You're in the line of fire!" the droid shouted, trying to get out from behind Nomad, but repeatedly colliding with debris scattered around by the hurricane.
No matter how HK tried, he couldn't aim at the damned bag of meat. Only behind Tira Nomad was there a narrow passage where the elements were not raging.
Suddenly, a powerful shockwave swept through the hall from where Tira and Risa collided. The droid was thrown into the air and slammed against the wall, causing several systems to malfunction. While HK's audio and video sensors were rebooting, it could only try to assess its position using pressure sensors on its chassis and its spatial orientation. And the picture was not rosy. It was under a mass of rocks that were crushing its chassis, gradually bending the durasteel plates. Its manipulators were jammed, with no possibility of moving them without risking further damage.
Finally, data from the sensors began to arrive, providing a picture and sound of what was happening. Although part of the view was blocked by rocks, HK managed to see what made him doubt the functionality of his optics and analytical blocks. Tira Nomad had incapacitated Risa Farr with a few precise blows. At the same time, the ally recognition program provided contradictory information, assigning the Mandalorian a dual identifier. And if there were no questions about the designation Tira Nomad. Then the second name HK did not expect to see again in conjunction with a living being. However, data on behavior and speech analysis confirmed the fact that the Master's wife had somehow risen from the dead.
HK had fulfilled his order. The protected object was alive, the supervised one, who had become a threat to the protected one, was dead. The Master himself would deal with the rest. Especially since he had already arrived.