Dangerous times call for the best tools (Danger/Maelion)

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Danger Arceneau"], [member="Maelion Liates"]


Unlike a certain Lady Kerrigan Moira was not sexist. Indeed, she was a firm believer in equal opportunities. Specifically the equal opportunity of every sentient, organic being to be exterminated and replaced by machines.


"Thank you, Ms Arceneau. The same could be said about you, on a grander scale. To self-made women who make their ambitions come true, I guess," Moira spoke with a smile, toasting the Trade Empress. Presumably glases clinked nicely together and she took another sip from her drink.


"Excellent, creating a replicant for her should be no trouble. Our HRDs are able to replicate a wide range of humanoid alien species. Such as Twi'leks, Chiss, Togruta, Rodians and Zeltrons - the natural pheromones of the latter can be simulated via chemicals. Most of our units have a human appearance since there's the largest demand for that, but we've diversified." So far no one had asked for a Wookiee HRD!

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Danger Arceneau"], [member="Moira Skaldi"]

A wookie HRD would be a challenge indeed, though perhaps not as big of one as some of the other species.

“We have extensively researched the use of Twi’lek lekku communications to provide a 99.78% accuracy rating for transmitting and receiving messages. You will find that our units will pass as the real thing even to unknown Twi’leks,” Maelion promised.

Of course, the truth was a good deal more cruel and dark, and had involved extensive experimentation for weeks on captives. However, the result was the same.

She finished her meal and her drink. When she was done, she smiled at Danger. “Do you have any more questions, Ms Arceneau?”

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Maelion Liates"] [member="Moira Skaldi"]

There was a notable amount of excitement in the air. This was by far amazing. "I must say, I can't wait for that tour. Both of you ladies are making me practically giddy with excitement at such advancements in technology." then there came another question.

"You mentioned the possibility of units being used for guards? Have you explored a Wookiee model, perchance?" oh if she could, that would make it all the better.

"Perhaps a version that will not only be able to take care of physical security -- but of my holonetwork as well?"

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Danger Arceneau"], [member="Maelion Liates"]


Since Danger's writer had to bring it up, this writer has decided that they want to create a legion of Wookiee HRDs. No one would expect the walking carpets, who have a peculiar fixation with life debts and honour, to actually be the harbingers of a droid supremacist conspiracy to eradicate all organic life!


In any case it was truly an exotic request and Moira's expression registered something like surprise. What the death machine really felt was another question. It was probably better than a client asking for electrum claws or nonsense like that. "We have not designed one yet, but I reckon that with our capabilities we should be able to create a Wookiee HRD. It should be an interesting challenge. We would require a live Wookiee to take measurements though," she responded smoothly.

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Moira Skaldi"], [member="Danger Arceneau"]

An HRD Wookiee would be a formidable creation. As the furballs were already extremely strong, using the frame of one for an HRD would be insanely dangerous.
“Yes, we can accommodate that easily, as Nalia says. However, we will require a live one to do the precise measurements we require.”

As they talked the bill came and Maelion picked up the tab. It wasn’t like HRDs spent much money on eating after all, so a few hundred credits would be nothing compared to the potential business they’d earn here.

“Ms Arceneau, if you wish we can go to our offices here. It’s not far, and you can come in our speeder or with your own.”

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Maelion Liates"] [member="Moira Skaldi"]


A napkin would gently pat her lips. A smile would form thereafter, "Of course." she set her napkin down, well fed and feeling rather good about the meeting.

"Thank you very much for the meal, ladies," she would say to them both. "The meal was superb." More questions would come in mind in regards to the HRD's, but that could be saved for the actual tour in itself.

"Well, please do lead the way." she'd say warmly.

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Danger Arceneau"], [member="Maelion Liates"]


Since we're on the topic of unconventional HRD designs, this one thinks that Ewok and Ropo HRDs would be a superb idea. Sold to every household as pets for the kiddies...no one would see it coming when at the flip of a switch they suddenly turn into murderous assassins!


In any case the meal was over and now Danger should have the pleasure of seeing shiny HRDs in action. Well, HRDs other than the ones she had spent the past hour or so talking to. "The pleasure is all ours, Ms. Arceneau," Moira said politely with clear warmth as the party headed out.


Outside a speeder was waiting and conveniently there was a minion to drive it. Said minion was a magnificient specimen of machine perfection. No hint of dust on the suit, not one blonde hair out of place and unlike most chauffeurs she did not waste time by playing Minecraft, watching shows about Ropos, 'reading articles' about Siobhan Kerrigan's latest dalliances and oggling her bosom in Ashira's Angels or boring her employers with pointless small talk. She would be so polite by opening the door for Danger and her bosses though.


That done the speeder would take off into the sky and for the duration of the short trip our ladies - well, one actual lady and two asexual machines that had actually been human females when they were, well, human, and still wore their faces - would be able to enjoy a marvellous view of Coronet City. Since for a change no one had occupied a shipyard and tried to drop it into the planet, within a few minutes the party had reached the imposing headquarters of Archangel Research and Design. On what financial watchers called the 'tier level' of company development Archangel was still mid-level, but the company was growing and this was reflected in the building Danger would visit. Needless to say any secretaries answering calls at the reception were the very models of efficiency.

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Moira Skaldi"], [member="Danger Arceneau"]

Soon enough they were approaching the Archangel Research and Design corporate office. The building was very modern and had much glass and artistic design. It presented an image of advancement, innovation and openness to any potential clients.
It was also probably the most efficient work place in the galaxy. Every one of the myriad staff inside that building was a droid of one form or the other. They were the test beds for new techniques, the drones which handled the public face of Archangel, and a ready reserve in case they were…needed.

As they exited the speeder, the chauffer helped them out, then returned to her vehicle to park it in the secure facility.

At the entranceway of the office were two security guards, one an old ex-cop, the other a young rookie. They were laughing and joking, sharing a coffee, but when Maelion, Moira and their guests approached they opened the doors.
“Good evening, Ms Alderana, Ms Comnena. Mr Black is waiting for you in reception.”
“Thank you, Briggs. Carry on,” Maelion said.
When they’d passed through, the two men went back to their discussion about the Coronet Chargers Huttball team.

No one in the galaxy without the Force or a sophisticated scanner could have guessed they were secretly HRDs….

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Moira Skaldi"] [member="Maelion Liates"]

"Well I'd be willing to pay extra for the research and development you'd need for that Wookiee version then." she'd say with a singing voice.

Half an hour later...

The clipping tattoo of high heels upon such a shiny polished floor would forewarn their arrival. With that slow hip saunter, Danger would follow the two ladies into Archangel Industries.

Her gaze would pan left to right, taking as much in as she possibly could. Everything was neat; organized. She could well appreciate that. Nothing like keeping a tight leash on cleanliness. Even coming from Tatooine, where sandstorms are enough to cause a ruckus, Danger had an appreciation of keeping a clean house.

"How much production does Archangel produce in a month?" she'd ask, curious.

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Danger Arceneau"], [member="Maelion Liates"]


"We have a monthly production of approximately fifty HRD units. It is a complex process, hence the price, but demand is high," Moira responded smoothly as they passed through the polished building that was supposed to be a monument to the world of scientific progress and advancement that Archangel hoped to have a hand in creating. Everywhere there was neatness and order.


Yet no one in the Galaxy without a sophisticated scanner or the Force would be able to detect that all employees were HRDs. They were all focused on their tasks and there was no slacking, but they talked, laughed and joked like normal human beings, even had a drink of coffee here and there. After all, the ancient model Guri, who might be considered to be a sort of ancestor to our generation of HRDs, had been able to do that.


"You will be able to see two of our units for yourself in a moment," the director spoke before guiding Danger and Maelion into a room that seemed to have been specifically prepared for this occasion. "Mr Black, please send the two units designated as Castiel and Uriel inside."


"Yes, ma'am, right away," the minion, who was likewise a specimen of machine efficiency and would properly not look out of place in a commercial with his winning looks, spoke and quickly went off, pressing a button on a console. Within a few moments two HRDs walked into the room, their steps calculated and displaying their machine efficiency. Neither of them had received any organic covering yet and so they were without skin. Hence they looked sort of like this. Both models were the same height, namely exactly 1.8, however the second model was more of a greyish-white colour rather than shiny metal.


"Please take time to examine and ask any questions you wish. Both are without organic covering to provide better illustration. The first model is our conventional, baseline HRD," Moira said, indicating the unit called Castiel, then pointed to the second one. "This is a new model using lighter polymers. Metal and weight detectors will not be able to detect it. That was model that would be used to create mechanical clones for Danger and her assistant.

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Danger Arceneau"], [member="Moira Skaldi"]

The unit designated as Castiel, the metallic one, looked at Danger. The smooth metal skeleton was imposing, dangerous even. The only human touch about it was the real teeth stuck in its jaws, but that only made it seem slightly worse. The red eyes did not blink or waver.
Yet, when the unit spoke, it spoke with a normal sounding female voice. “Welcome, Ms Arceneau. Please ask me any questions you wish.”

The other unit, Uriel, was of similar build but somehow seemed sleeker, lighter. It said nothing at that moment, though its red eyes looked straight ahead.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Moira Skaldi"] [member="Maelion Liates"]

"Extraordinary ladies. I must say I am impressed." she would tell them both after taking her time to study both of the specimens. It was clear that she was being genuine with her regard -- Archangel products in regards the Human Replica Droids were beyond compare. A glance would shoot at their direction from over her shoulder.

"What do you have in regards of security with the HRDs? To prevent them from being sliced into and being used against the purchaser?"

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Maelion Liates"], [member="Danger Arceneau"]

It was clearly technobabble time!


It was the HRD unit that had been designated as Castiel that responded. The shiny metallic one whose red eyes did not even blink or waver as it looked at the buxom Trade Empress, though the voice was soft and feminine. "I possess a 2048 bit encryption and sophisticated access blocking systems to prevent successful hacking attempts, ma'am," the unit answered.


One may recall that on banking sites one had a 128 bit encryption, meaning that your data was protected by 128 bits of encrypted data. So this could be considered an extensive extension of that. The unit designated as Uriel, which was of a sleeker and lighter build due to the light polymer being used for its construction, remained silent, but Danger would get a good view of it.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Moira Skaldi"] [member="Maelion Liates"]

( oops... Mae... can you switch authors to Danger >.> )


There came the impressed look, an arch of an auburn brow coming to the woman as her attention went from the two women, over to the respective HRD in question, and then back to the two ladies again.

"Fascinating!" then came another thought -- the very public revelation of Alli Wren and kill switches came to mind. "Are there any kill switches in your human replica droids?"

"What are their weakness?"

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Danger Arceneau"], [member="Moira Skaldi"]

Since we are all alts of Cira, it probably shouldn’t have been necessary to change characters. Still, it has been done.

The next question was one that Maelion was ready for. “We can provide you a special unique code for each unit which will instantly shut them down,” Maelion said.
She approached Castiel and said aloud “Command: Delta-One-Eight-Omicron.” The effect was instant. The burning fire in the machine’s eyes died and it slumped to the ground. Uriel remained unaffected.
“Rebooting usually takes a few moments once you start that process. We have no way of interfering with the units once you take ownership.”
That was a lie, but it was a lie that Danger would likely never discover.

“As for weaknesses, our HRDs are strong, resilient, but they are not invulnerable. Repeated blaster rounds to the chest or head will disable them. Ion bolts will overcome them, and lightsabres will cut through them like cloth. But, the same is true of any human,” Maelion said with a smile. “Our units though…even Uriel’s lighter chassis, can support a lot.”

She clicked her fingers, and Uriel lifted Maelion of the ground with little apparent effort and set her down. It would have been even more impressive if Danger had known that Maelion was twice her weight!

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Danger Arceneau"], [member="Maelion Liates"]


"Yes, as Anna says, we have no way of tampering with the units once they have been purchased. It's horrible for consumer confidence if the producer puts secret kill codes only they have access to in every product. Also probably indicative of serious psychological issues," Moira said very, very dryly.


Archangel was a respectable company and would never dream of using secret kill codes to drop a shipyard on a planet. Or suddenly turn your droids against you. No, sir, no foul play here. Well, the Butcher of Contruum would never accidentally drop a shipyard on a planet.


She watched the display of strength as Uriel lifted Maelion from the ground. "Ion and EMP are obvious weaknesses like for any machine, but can be counteracted through armour with electrical insulation and ionisation buffers, armour we have on hand. Our units are quite resistant though, and have demonstrated the ability to fight even after being struck by Sith Lightning, albeit with reduced effectiveness. They can work all day, minus one hour to power down and recharge." Presumably HRDs spent their one-hour sleep downloading Sophos updates and stuff. Or dreaming about the extermination of organics.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Maelion Liates"] [member="Moira Skaldi"]

"I am very impressed ladies... very impressed." she'd certainly enjoyed seeing the display of strength. A grin would widen across her face just as a small beep from her datapad would inform her of the news; ATC now had their own little bit of Coronet.

That only broadened her grin.

"Then I think we are in business," she'd hold out her hand to both ladies. "You will have that bulk order for the HRD droids."

Most certainly both companies would be benefiting from this little transaction. And it would be interesting to see just how the galaxy could deal with so many Dangers running around...

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Danger Arceneau"], [member="Moira Skaldi"]

This one suspects that twin Dangers were better than one, especially for those organics who enjoyed looking at certain anatomical features….

Maelion shook the proffered hand carefully. Nothing soured a business deal like accidentally crushing a client’s hand….

“Would you like to have the brain scan for yourself and your assistant done now? We have the facilities here to do so.”

A young woman, seemingly, entered the room wearing a labcoat.
“Director Alderana, Director Comnena, the scanners are prepared.” There was something stiff, formal about the woman.

“Ah, come in Mina. Ms Arceneau, this is Mina, one of our standard units, skinned and ready for sale. As you can see she is almost indistinguishable from an ordinary human. Her personality has been template generated. The replicas of yourself and your assistant will be much more advanced.”

Mina stood there stiffly. Maelion and Moira had chosen this one on purpose. There was no point drawing attention to the fact that all their units were brilliant replicas in case Danger started getting ideas about her new business partners!

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Danger Arceneau"], [member="Maelion Liates"]


Begun the attack of the clone Dangers has!


There was nothing suspicious here at all. Danger's business partners were not human replica droid secretly plotting to eradicate all organic life and create a mechanical dystopia of well-ordered machines. Seriously, such an undertaking would be a massive, logistical headache to accomplish. Not to mention terribly difficult to keep secret. No, Nalia and Anna just wanted to build the best HRDs imaginable, sell them to high-profile clients and spread them across the Galaxy. Oh, and obviously make lots of money, but there could be nothing wrong with that. Capitalism was fun after all! Especially if it led to tax-free growth, the mantra of every corporate magnate.


"We have standard personality but our basic units, but can tailor the individual personality of an advanced one to the exact specifications of our clients. As we shall do for the replicants of you and your assistant. The scan will take about an hour. Music and vids can be provided."


For instance, Danger would be able to enjoy the award-winning show Corellia's Got Talent. Or Coruscant Idol. Rumours that the Dark Lord was secretly a fan of the latter could not be confirmed.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Maelion Liates"] [member="Moira Skaldi"]

Danger would give a wide grin, "Well then, lead the way ladies," she'd say, her sharp curious eyes taking in the noticeable stiffness of Mina compared to other models.

So lifelike... one would be a fool to not realize the danger of the line that differentiates organics and in organics like droids was certainly being blurred, or even obliterated within the walls of Archangel Industries.

What would they come up with next?! Cylons?!

Hmm, much to ponder indeed... much to ponder...