Kyrosian Ambitions (Moira and Kara)

[Lief]

Kära inclined her head respectfully to the pair and led them back to their own vessel. The soldier she was wanting replicated alongside the scientists, cloners and engineers were all sent in the direction of Archangel for processing; she did not care to waste time, it lacked efficiency, and besides - to leave individuals waiting was very improper without very good reason. From there she ventured to ponder over the lightsabers she would be creating, figuring out the most practical designs - there was no need to make them superficial and decorative.

Settling on the use of a purple colour crystal for each, taken from the giant crystal she had once been gifted as a child, Kära took the time to hand construct the standard durasteel lightsaber hilts, taking care with the inner mechanisms. When the time came for the crystals she attuned them personally and aligned them into the lens assembly alongside two standard focusing crystals, ensuring that the blade would not malfunction or explode upon initial ignition. This was what made construction tricky, and why it had to be done through the Force. Upon completion she tested each, adjusting the blade length and intensity.

When the time came to regroup, both Lightsabers had been perfected. This time Kära approached Maelion and Moira, ensuring that Judgement was used - she had no ship large enough to host the HRDs she had bought. Sending in access codes Kära was granted permission and entered their rendezvous point. Bowing her head to the pair she spoke softly yet with purpose. "You are as efficient as expected." Waving forward one of her youthful servants, who held both of the lightsaber hilts in his squeaky-clean grasp, she added, "As promised, two lightsabers: consider them a gift. I expect nothing in return." The boy stepped back and out of sight once they took the hilts.

"May I check over the HRDs before finalizing this exchange? I do not doubt your abilities or your word, but even you understand the need to exercise a small amount of caution." Turning her sights across to Moira she queried: "Also, I know that this is short notice - but is there chance that I can purchase a second vial of the denon virus? There would be no rush in acquiring it." It felt improper of her to ask after the initial arrangements had been made, but Kära's plans had changed during their preparation time.

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

 

[Maelion Liates]

@[member="Kära Vi'dreya"] @[member="Moira Skaldi"]

And so they were back in the presence of the Lady Kyros. Maelion inclined her head as the Lady spoke, then stretched out her hands to the servant and took the weapons, handing one to Moira. Pressing the activation button a beam of violet energy shot forth, casting her impassive face in a sickly light.
Deactivating the weapon, she nodded and hung it on her belt.

“Please investigate the units as long as you desire. Remember that some of them have been on a ‘training exercise’,” she said, indicating the soldiers who stood at attention. They didn’t know that they were now fearsome killing machines, and it was best the illusion was not shattered.

“We can sell you another vial for the same price. We do not have it here, but it can be sent to you within a standard week if this is acceptable.”

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Maelion Liates"], @[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]

"We thank you for your gift, Your Grace. Feel free to investigate the units. We are certain you will be satisfied with their performance," Moira spoke softly, in what amounted to her most human voice. This she either used when she was performing an infiltration mission or when she came as close to 'liking' an organic as she could. Granted, in the final analysis of things that did not mean much, but nonetheless.

Taking the unignited hilt of the lightsabre in her hand, she pressed the switch to activate it. Because she had something like a functioning brain she was smart enough to hold the pointy end of the laser sword away from her face. The beam of violet energy shot out, casting her stoic, placcid features in an eerie light. Some said a lightsabre was the most powerful weapon a warrior could carry. Of course, a Jedi would deny that it was a weapon, in many cases at least. They would wax lyrically about how it was not designed for murder, but for defence and to bring peace, how killing was the last resort. The fact that it was a lethal killing instrument and that they had cut a bloody swathe across the Galaxy to create an empire for the Republic evidently contradicted this.

But an assassin droid did not have to go through a process of rationalisation. It was a weapon like any other, a very useful one. "We appreciate the interest in the Denon strain. For the same price we shall deliver a second vial promptly. Likewise we have the blueprints for the bolters and special ammunition as discussed," she spoke in agreement with Maelion as she pressed the button to deactivate the blade, putting it on her belt. In a bag she had a vial of the zombie virus, likewise she carried the blueprints, all likewise there for inspection by the enterprising Sith Lady, as she opened the suitcase.

 

[Lief]

Kära did not need to take long to ensure that everything was in order. She walked between the small host of well-seasoned warriors who had been cloned, and likewise the scientists, engineers and cloners, before turning back to face the pair where they stood. "I trust there were no complications?" Again she meant no insult by her words, it was simply a question she felt the need to ask. A matter of efficiency. Walking back to the pair she checked inside the suitcase which contained the vial and bolter blueprints. Again everything seemed in order, so the Sith Lady nodded her head and glanced up.

"I'm supposing neither of you have used lightsabers before?" She likewise supposed they had no one to teach them. Perhaps they could reach a further agreement through the tutoring of the pair, Kära had enough experience in teaching students with Lightsaber blades to be able to do the same with the HRDs. Thyrian would be impressed with the troops, that much she knew.

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

 

[Maelion Liates]

@[member="Kära Vi'dreya"] @[member="Moira Skaldi"]

"There were no complications," Maelion said, unintentionally sounding more mechanical than intended.
She tilted her head to the side. "Not except briefly. I have compiled some information on them and intend to review it. However, I believe that if you were able to instruct us in their use it would be more efficient."
Without the Force the pair would not be able to accomplish some feats used by Jedi and Sith, but they could deflect bolts, even duel their enemies as mechanical reflexes were in some ways equal to that of the Force. At the least it would give them a powerful tool to use when needed.
"Would this be agreeable to you? What would you name as a price?"

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Maelion Liates"], @[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]

"Indeed. It would be appreciated. If it is acceptable, Your Grace." Moira nodded curtly as Maelion spoke, having presented the bolter blueprints and the vial of the zombie virus for Darth Kyros' inspection after opening the briefcase. She had never used a lightsabre, though she had compiled information on its use.

To a great extent that consisted of observing force-users in action, such as Siobhan Kerrigan during the Bando Gora war, though the former Exarch was not a duellist by her estimate, or the droid HK-36, who seemed to think himself some sort of droid Jedi, though unfortunately he was incapable of seeing the rational logic of processing all organics. Instead desiring some sort of unnatural harmony between organics and droids. Regardless, observations were aided by the fact that as a droid she had a literally photographic memory, but being able to store information was not the same as being able to actually use it effectively.

By her estimate many of the 'sabre forms' required the use of the Force, but it would be more than sufficient to use the lightsabres to deflect blaster bolts and use them offensively as duellists against force-users. So again this was not the moment for arrogant dismissal of organics, much as she was inclined to do that. On a sidenote, Moira did actually 'like' Kära - as much as she was capable of liking someone, that is. Probably for her very unorganic level of efficiency.

 

[Lief]

She lifted the vial to be level with her gaze, like a chemist checking for measurements, before returning her attention across to her two mechanical associates. "Test the weight, size and intensity of the blades; we can begin when you feel ready. It is important that you know your blade before beginning, if the balance seems off for what you are used to then tell me - although given the nature of a lightsaber hilt it will seem odd to begin with." With a frown she leant down to carefully settle the vial back into its place.

"I can instruct you in the usage of a lightsaber, there is no issue there. My price? For training you?" She almost laughed, but she did not, knowing better. "It would not require a price, more a mutual co-operation on future endeavours. Should you be willing to formalize our relationship, as both businesswomen and teacher-student, then we may begin without issue."

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

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Maelion Liates"], @[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]

Moira tilted her head to the side slightly - a gesture common to her both as an organic and as a droid - as she looked at Kyros and then the unignited hilt of her new lightsabre. The fact that the weapon was all but weightless was something that would require adjustment. Granted a human replica droid possessed super strength so most weapons weighed little to them, but nonetheless it was a change.

But it seemed stable in her grasp, right. A powerful tool with which to strike down those who would stand in the way of the Age of Steel. The gears moved in her mind at a rapid rate, faster than a human brain could process. She had concluded over the course of their business arrangements that the Sith Lady might be her 'favourite' organic.

Of course, that did not change anything about her long-term goal to eradicate all organic life, but her efficiency was strongly appreciated. It opened up the fascinating question just how more efficient she could be once she was processed...or if a clone of hers was an HRD.


"We thank you for your offer and would like to accept. Archangel is very interested in a longer term cooperation with Your Grace for joint profit and is desirious of cooperation where our interests are in line. It is likely that through mutual work we can achieve impressive results."

It went without saying that Moira had her own ideas of what constituted 'impressive'. The assassin droid actually smiled - perhaps a very human gesture, though the smile did not reach her eyes. Presently logical calculation brought forth the result that their interests aligned. "So we appreciate beginning without delay."

 

[Maelion Liates]

@[member="Kära Vi'dreya"] @[member="Moira Skaldi"]

Maelion was in complete agreement. Lady Kyros was a powerful woman, and she was a valuable asset to have as an ally. All were aware though that they were sharks swimming in the same direction for now. Eventually it would suit one of either party to turn on the other. Not for a while though.

“Yes, we would like to begin without delay, Lady Kyros. A permanent arrangement will be highly beneficial for both of us, and this is a good way of cementing this.”

Both would be getting something from this, that was for sure.

 

[Lief]

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

"Without delay" she repeated, with a nod of her head. Both hands moved to clasp and settle at the small of her back, gaze roaming to the odd little smile upon Moira's lips. Certainly something correct had been said amidst their meetings to bring one such as these to actually show some form of emotion, even if it was mechanised. This was good. "I will give us all time to prepare, and will expect to see you both back aboard this vessel in a few days time. Is this agreeable?"

The notion of solidifying their business relationship was a good one, although she did have one other issue to raise. "I have a small request, alongside the vial, view it as the physical materialisation of our relationship: There is a clone within a stasis chamber upon this vessel, my own clone. I ask that you process her, upgrade her; but make it known to her exactly what she is. As ever I'm willing to pay the correct price, and shall have the credits sent alongside those owed for the vial. Is this agreeable?"

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Maelion Liates"], @[member="Lady Kyros"]

Moira's features had resumed their normal stoic, controlled outlook. Picture perfect, a bit like a doll. A very dangerous one with dreams of galactic domination and the eradication of all sentient life. Whether androids dreamt of electric sheep might forever remain a mystery, but this one most certainly did not.

"Both propositions are acceptable, Your Grace. We welcome the chance to cement our...partnership by ascending your clone. Within a standard week we shall provide the second vial and the replica unit. I look forward to our next meeting and the formal start of our cooperation," she said softly. The gears were moving in her mind as she pondered what Darth Kyros might have in mind for the replica unit. For her to serve as a bodyguard/double? Perhaps as a public face for her operations, a link to the outside world. The HRD version of her would not be able to use the Force, such a thing was not possible for a machine, but she would have the superior strength of an assassin droid and the mind of a super computer.

As Moira pondered she hit upon the conclusion that might actually be a useful way to further their understanding of that which organics called the Force. If the HRD replica might be intended to represent Kyros, it stood to reason her knowledge would be extensive. She could not feel...but in so far as she was capable of it, she was particularly looking forward to this ascension. To be processed was a gift. She and Maelion would make the clone perfect. One of the vanguard of a new era, one of logic, order and straight lines.

As for the conditions, they were acceptable so Moira saw no reason to drag things out and haggle. In so far as the HRD had moods haggling actually annoyed her; it seemed just like a pointless exercise in throwing one's weight around, since it was not like the price being slightly higher or lower would make a difference. A business proposal was either illogical or not.

Presumably Moira had, after Kyros had inspected their wares and found them satisfactory, retrieved a briefcase from one of the servants with the other half of the credits promised for the original delivery and found everything in order and so on and so forth.

 

[Maelion Liates]

@[member="Lady Kyros"] @[member="Moira Skaldi"]

"This is agreeable on both counts," Maelion stated, echoing Moira. "We shall returned with the processed clone in one standard week," she added.
The clone was retrieved and taken with them on the ship, credits and vials set up for exchange next time they met.

Returning to their secret base the clone was unsympathetically processed and the remains incinerated. The HRD which emerged though would know everything Lady Kyros did, yet was a superior machine. Though without the Force this HRD had significant advantages which balanced them out.
By the time they returned to Kara's ship the HRD was a perfect twin of Kara to any observer but the three of them.

 

[Lief]

Kära inclined her head in parting to the pair of them, while one of her many 'servants' stepped forward to hand them the rest of the money they were due. She herself, when the pair left to see to their business and the clone, allowed those she had upgraded to settle back in. The HRD soldiers were each assigned a score of men to oversee the training of, ensuring that they were never really around one another. Thus less confusion with regards to their state of being.

A week later Kära was waiting for them again in her usual spot. A room had been sorted for training purposes, she had decided upon Makashi to begin with - it was her more familiar form. The pair would have free access to and from the ship over the course of their training, as well as chambers aboard the Judgement... For whatever a HRD needed to due during the hours sentients were resting.

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

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Lady Kyros"], @[member="Maelion Liates"]

What did HRDs do in their free time? When all the sentients were resting...and said HRDs did not use this as the moment to murder them. Assuming they even had such a thing as free time and did not just plot the extermination of organics 24/7. Did any interests they might have had as organics carry over? Human Moira had liked listening to an opera called Hammer of the Gods. Likewise she had enjoyed the show Yes, Minister. Given the vast storage capacities of her databanks, as a machine she would probably know both by heart and thus have no need to actually 'watch' them.


Just what went on in the mind of a sophisticated killer droid might forever remain a mystery. However, at the appointed time the shuttle bearing Maelion and Moira docked at the Judgement and strode down the landing ramp, the perfect clone of Kara, now ascended to a higher state of existence, in tow. She would be called Zara and be a herald of the new age, one of the Übermenschen who would deliver the future to the unenlightened.

"Greetings, Your Grace," Moira said calmly as she looked at Kara. "As discussed your clone was ascend. You will be well pleased with her. There were no complications. Likewise we have a second vial of the Denon Strain," she at first indicated the clone, then opened a briefcase that contained the vial. Kara would be given the chance to inspect both, they would be paid and then their training in the arts of lightsabre combat would start.

Arrangements had been made for the company to run smoothly during the time they would be away. One advantage of all their 'employees' being HRDs was that they did not need to be paid and would not do something as wasteful as plot against them. Rather they would do as they were told and run as efficiently as clockwork.

 

[Maelion Liates]

@[member="Moira Skaldi"] @[member="Lady Kyros"]

HRDs did not have much concept of free time. It was inefficient, and time wasted with it could be better spent processing all organics. However, even HRDs needed some downtime. There was about an hour a day when they needed to go into standby to process information or install updates, or whatever.

When they returned to the ship Lady Kyros was waiting for them in a training area. Both the HRDs had their lightsabres by their side whilst the Sith Lord had hers.

Soon they were prepared to begin….

 

[Lief]

Kyros stepped forward as the clone entered with the two Archangel HRDs. She glanced over the perfect replication of herself, the only difference being the lack of a scar upon her cheek... Of course that could be sorted if required, it was of no real consequence. "Übermensch" she muttered, and the HRD clone reacted almost immediately, turning its head to face her. It surprised her, although she failed to show it, as Kyros hadn't even expected it to respond to such a title.

"You have outdone yourselves" she muttered to the two woman, before stepping to check the vial of the denon strain. Everything seemed in order, so she handed over the credits which were due and had her HRD take the vial safely to be locked away with the other. "Now, we have business to attend to, do we not?" For the first time in forever, at least when in the view of another, Kyros shrugged out of her outer robes and neatly folded them at the side of the room.

Beneath the robes she wore a simple training tunic and loose-ish-fitting trousers. It did not do to train with heavy robes weighing you down and getting in the way, especially not when you were attempting to teach something as delicate as Makashi. "Unsheathe your lightsabers from your belts, and we can begin." Likewise she did the same, taking her curved hilt into her left hand and flourishing it into activation. The sickly red beam permeated eerily into the room.

She was ready to begin.

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

 

[Moira Skaldi]

(On i-pad, power is down. Ergo short post. * rejoices at Kara being back * )

[member="Maelion Liates"], [member="Kära Vi'dreya"]


If Moira was anything like a certain Siobhan Kerrigan - as in being ridiculously lustful, not in having an obsessive and perhaps hypocritical loathing of Sith- then Lady Kyros removing her outer robes to reveal a less confining outfit would have probably aroused unprofessional interest of a carnal nature that would have distracted from maintaining the focus needed for training. However, Moira was a human replica droid and as such interests of that sort were alien to her. Organic sexuality - and their often single-minded obsession with it - tended to annoy her, though she knew when to exploit it.


She had noted the brief interaction between Kyros and her...perfected clone. It would probably be stretching it to compare Moira to a proud parent, since that would imply all sorts of sappy feelings she was not capable of, but nonetheless by her estimation the clone was...magnificient. That she responded to being called Übermensch was fitting, for she represented the great leap forward all life in the Galaxy must take.


"Indeed," she responded softly. And so she likewise removed the unignited hilt from her belt, taking it into her right hand, and pressed the activation button, the purple blade dazzling into existence and casting her cold, serene features into an eerie light as she awaited the instruction to begin.

 

[Maelion Liates]

(Yay, Kara is back! )
[member="Kära Vi'dreya"] [member="Moira Skaldi"]

Maelion tilted her head to the side slightly. It was an ideosyncratic gesture totally strange for a droid to have, but Maelion had once been human. Perhaps her mortal form had been prone to such a thing before? It was hard to say.
Regardless, Maelion had a distinctly odd 'feeling', as though much time had passed her by as she stood there. She dismissed it.

Rather, the HRD drew out her new lightsabre and activated the blazing amethyst blade. A droid could do much with a lightsabre, as General Grievous had shown, though he had still been part organic, tainted as it were. Maelion and Moira were pure though, harbingers of the organic galaxy's inevitable overthrow and destruction.
"I am prepared," she stated.

 

[Lief]

Kyros inclined her head to the two women, before turning her gaze to her clone-turned-HRD. From the back of her belt she removed a training blade, and threw it off to Zarathustra who deftly caught it within one hand. It would not do for someone who could pose as her to be incapable of having basic knowledge with a lightsaber blade. "Before we begin with the more taxing forms, you will need to learn the basics; thus we begin with Shii-Cho." She didn't bother going through the theory in the way she would her students, that was not what they needed and they could easily find it out for themselves, no doubt.

"Ready yourself, feet shoulder width apart, and hold your lightsaber up at a forty five degree angle in both hands." She showed them via demonstration, speaking technicalities wasn't something she enjoyed where lightsaber combat was concerned. She noticeably put her dominant foot back, however she instructed: "ensure your dominant foot is forward, this is the defensive opening stance." It would be easier for her to demonstrate if she was on the offensive, after all.

The clone of herself responded after a few careful moments, attempting to mimic Kyros' actions. While she was able to do so, it was less natural than she would have liked, and she wondered how much of it was simply imitation. She supposed that she shouldn't have expected much else from the recently made HRD right now, and even organic students tended to do this the first few tries. "Now you try" she said to Moira and Maelion. Kära had always hated Shii-Cho, but she supposed it had its uses.

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

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Lady Kyros"], [member="Moira Skaldi"]
Simple imitation it might be, but HRDs were extremely good at imitation. However, it was only the more advanced ones which could understand and adapt beyond imitation.
Maelion ignited her lightsabre and took the specified pose. Careful analysis of Lady Kyros’ stance enabled to replicate it almost perfectly.
The issue would come when they had to use the stance themselves.