Hotho and Bot Tambor stood quietly in the warehouse that had been converted into a makeshift war room for the coming attack against HK-47. They had taken care to plan out the attacks carefully to synchronize them well enough that they could hopefully overwhelm the droid sentries around the Tambor Estate. It was hard to guess whether they would succeed or not since the maniacal droid had obviously influenced the estates design. The entire estate was walled off like a fortress with droid sentries well placed, the estate equipped with its own garrison. Droids had always been a major part of Skakoan society so it only made sense to use them as the guards for the ruler of the Skakoan people. Now Bot would have to do what he could to take the estate and destroy HK-47. He’d already taken measures to get his wife and children out of the estate earlier to make sure that the droid couldn’t get his hands on them and use them as any form of leverage against him.
“Our sources report that HK has ordered the reactivation of a number of battle droids that he seemed to have ordered to be stored after the end of the Clone Wars. It seems this bastard was preparing for a day like this, there are several legions now deploying inside of the estate walls,” reported Gam Lozo, Skako’s Marshal of Law, the only position of military power as any real military force had been disassembled after the Clone Wars.
“I don’t care what it takes, we must end this now and prevent our people from being pulled into something else that could be of danger to us,” Bot said as he looked across the table at the other Skakoan’s that formed the leadership of the attack against HK’s makeshift fortress.
The group nodded and then one reached forward, issuing a command through his comm system. In the factories, labs, and offices across Skako, a number of transceivers went off, giving the signal to group leaders that it was now time to move. These commanders stepped out to their work groups and gave the order to prepare to attack. The forces left their jobs and began marching out into the streets where repulsor trucks pull up, deploying crate loads of weaponry, permitting the Skakoan people to arm themselves. Hordes of angry Skakoans then began slowly marching towards the Tambor Estate, the focus of this entire attack, their marching audible along the streets. Up above on the balcony facing the main boulevard that led to the Estate, Omega Thrax stood next to HK-47, still inside of his anti-pressure suit as they heard the marching approaching.
“It seems your little puppet is much more ambitious and clever than anticipated. He’s armed the civilian population as a militia. How many are you going to kill?”
“Statement: I will kill as many as necessary to make those annoying meatbags realize just what I am willing to do to retain control of this world and ensure the Techno Union’s rebirth.”
“Very well, so how precisely do you intend to do that?”
“Statement: Like this.”
HK-47 reached across to a datapad on the balcony and pressed several buttons on it. There were a low whirring sound from the courtyard below and both lowered their gazes to the legions of inactive battle droids beginning to stir. The droids were squatted down into their storage position but now there was an audible clicking as antennas rose off of their backpacks and the droids stood up, reaching back and taking their rifles into hand. Without even receiving an order the droids began to march towards the opening gate, their metal feet clacking loudly on the ground as they moved.
The Skakoan rebellion moved on down the street, towards the central boulevard as they began to hear the metallic marching ahead of them. Several paused to listen though most continued to move forwards, gripping their weapons with even more determination now. Soon the Skakoan force rounded the curb onto the main boulevard and they saw large ranks of battle droids marching towards them with their blasters raised. The Skakoans stopped now and those in charge gave yells to take cover, Skakoans moved, taking up positions where they could, listening to the unnerving synchronized marching of the battle droids coming towards them. As the droids got into range, both sides opened fire, blaster fire flying across the main boulevard in all directions, droids dropping to the ground in pieces, as Skakoans fell down dead.
Bot Tambor stood in his command center as reports came in and smashed his fist hard on the table.
“Damn it! I didn’t think that he would have this many stored away. Deploy any explosives we can afford to, we need to take the Estate no matter what. I want to HK scrapped!”
With the order given, several Skakoans brought up some small mortars and missile launchers, blasting holes in the droid formations. This wasn’t even the start of the battle though because the droids just continued advancing towards the Skakoan lines held up by overturned repulsor vehicles and building rubble. Boxes of frag grenades were pried open and the rebelling forces chucked their explosive on into advancing droid formations. You could here the electronic screams of surprised battle droids as the explosions occurred, droid parts flying everywhere, dead and wounded Skakoans lying around.
“We’ve got reports that the droids are starting to loosen their formation and pulling back up the boulevard. Should we advance?” asked one of the commanders.
“Its our only choice, we have to keep pushing those damn droids, crush them all, clean away the last of our past crimes!”
The other Skakoans looked at Bot quietly, realizing just how much this meant not only to him but the history of Skako, scarred no thanks to the Clone Wars and reclusive in the years afterwards, left alone by the Empire and forgotten by those who came after it. They had to destroy these droids to truly purge their people of a bad history from a single time because if they didn’t do that now, they would likely be doomed to repeat the same mistake with the maniacal HK-47 ruling the planet.
Out in the streets the droid army continued to withdraw back up the street, letting the Skakoans advance, oblivious to the shadows lurking in the upper story windows of the buildings around the street. It wasn’t until they were halfway up it that the snipers started opening fire, pouring blaster bolts into the Skakoan crowd, cutting down a number of those in the front while the others had time to duck for cover.
“Sir, we’ve got snipers pinning down our position. The droid army is starting to advance again as well.”
“That bastard tricked us, well then, send teams into the buildings to clear out what snipers you can and use our missile launchers as well.”
Omega Thrax and HK047 watched quietly as missiles soared upwards and ripped into buildings, destroying sniper positions as other positions continued to open fire. The Skakoan force was continuing to advance against the battle droid legions and snipers obviously determined to break into the Estate. Thrax looked over at the droid and spoke.
“I assume there is more to your plan than this skirmish?”
“Statement: Correct, this is merely a necessity. Once the Skakoans reach the third quad of the boulevard, they will be in for a number of surprises. I have also located the safe houses that they are hiding most of the women and children.”
“Ah, a bargaining chip, I assume?”
“Response: Indeed, this battle is drawing all their effort and weakening their positions. I now know where they are capable of hiding weaponry, eliminating the possibility for future rebellions. The dream of a free Skako dies here and now.”
“The Chairman will be pleased by this news. Just remember we require enough Skakoans alive and capable of leaving here to spread the influence of the Techno Union.”
“Statement: That is simple enough, not all the population is allied to Bot and his uncle. I have a number of loyal operatives.”
“I see, so are any of them useful?”
“Response: All of them are.”
Gam Lozo looked around the command center and fidgeted slightly as his comlink on his waist buzzed. He answered it and listened to the electronic voice on the other end. It was time to end this farce. Gam pulled his blaster pistol from its holster, shooting two of the guards in the room as the other all aimed their guns at the Skakoan staff. Bot and Hotho look at them in shook.
“What is the meaning of this, Gam?!” Bot snarled as the looked at the the Marshal of Law.
“I am doing what is necessary to see the glory of the Techno Union reborn, the glory that my own father fought and died for so long ago. I won’t let weaklings who lack vision ruin our chance at greatness again.”
“Traitor!” Bot threw himself at Gam but was backhanded, throwing him to the floor.
“Its all going to end soon, the droids will rout the rebel force and your family will be taken into custody to ensure your continued loyalty to the true regime of Skako, the regime that founded the Techno Union.”
“You bastard, you’ve betrayed us all,” Bot whimpered weakly, clutching his face slightly.
Three Hours Later
Bot Tambor stood before the victorious HK-47 who stood in the grand hall of the Tambor Estate, battle droids and Skakoans loyal to him standing guard everywhere. The battle early had only fallen apart without the command staff to give orders. Several valiant souls had tried to take over but all of them fell in the end as the droids surged back forward, pinning down the rebel force long enough for the safe houses to be taken by reserve forces the Skakoan loyalist forces, all of whom were had past Techno Union members in their family.
“How could any of you do this to your own people?” Bot shouted at the delegation of loyalist leaders with Gam at the head of them.
“Because unlike you we knew how close the Techno Union was to gaining real glory. Our fathers and mothers never forgot what they dedicated their lives to. Now we shall honor their dream by creating a resurgence the not only will the galaxy accept, but embrace. Our time has come again and we shall become an economic and manufacturing power again. We will not let cowards like you ruin the chance at hindering our people’s prosperity.”
“But the droid!” Bot shouted
“Response: Is in complete control now. Why else do you think I let Gam Lozo become Marshal of Law for Skako? And as for you, Master Tambor, you will remain loyal to me or your family will suffer.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Bot snarled now.
“Statement: Obviously, I must convince you of my willingness to do what is necessary.”
HK-47 gave a small wave and a beaten and battered Hotho Tambor was brought before the group. HK-47 stepped forward, removing a blaster from a concealed compartment in its leg and pressed the blaster to Hotho’s head as the two battle droids that brought him in held him still. Before Bot could give a shout of objection, HK pulled the trigger, putting a smoking hole through Hotho’s head.
“Statement: Now master, will you do as I ask or must I do the same to your family? I assure you I’m more then willing to bring them here and shoot each and every one of them in front of you.”
“No, no more, I’ll do whatever you want, just stop. Please… just stop…” Bot sobbed quietly to himself as he sat there on his knees, his spirit broken, his uncle dead, and his family now hostage to a psychotic droid.
Six weeks later
Undisclosed Location
“Statement: And as you can see, Skako has began to reassemble its shipyard and manufacturing facilities to full time capacity. It may take several months but the Techno Union will have a powerful base to run off of again even was I send out agents to expand its control over other manufacturing worlds.”
“And will you have production facilities available soon to build new warships and droids for the special needs group?” Estro Sabrino asked from the head of the conference table as he sat in the shadows, the rest of the Committee looking at the schematics and pictures being displayed by HK-47, their newest member.
“Statement: Yes, Chairman, manufacturing will be fully operational for what is required very soon, and will become more available as we pull more worlds into the fold of the Techno Union. I have commissioned special 3D-4X units for negotiation and procurement of worlds for the Techno Union. All have been heavily modified and their behavioral chips removed so that they are not inhibited by so called human morals and business ethics.”
“I presume you will remain on Skako then?”
“Response: Correct, Chairman, my presence is required to keep Skako under control. My Business force is more than suited to manage itself along with several loyalist Skakoans around to make it appear that the pathetic meatbags are still in control of their own world and organization.”
“Excellent, so then gentlemen, shall we proceed to other business?”
The Committee turned its attention to the holoprojector as another image came up and the Union went on with its agenda.
