It was shortly after initial boarding on the last stop before Bellionas, when a girl, or young woman, quietly walked into one of the ferry's bunk rooms and claimed one of the cots by way of depositing a backpack on it. There wasn't much to stand out about her appearance; unlike a few of the passengers, she didn't seem to carry any noticeable weapons on her nor did she seem to keep herself well-armored. Like most of the passengers, she was dressed in just simple garb, drab utilitarian clothes with basic dark robes worn over them, more like a hooded coat than a robe, really.

She might've preferred a solitary room if a choice was to be had, but also didn't particularly mind so long as her fellow passengers weren't inclined to give her any trouble. And trouble was something she wasn't inclined to bring herself, either. She simply sat down on the cot in what might appear to be a somewhat sad and contemplative silence. A hand going into her backpack after a few moments before fishing out a datapad; the only thing to marginally stand out. Such devices were hardly uncommon or particularly expensive, but possibly too much of a luxury for the average down-on-their-luck passenger taking the cheapest ferry to the next populated system of note in the hope of securing some sort of living.

With seemingly nothing to do but kill time, she pulled up all of the data she had on Bellionas. Again. She'd studied it a dozen times over by now, or that's what it felt like at least.

Her index finger hovered near one of the buttons; ready to tap it and quickly change what was being displayed in the event that someone would approach.

A mechanical clank could be heard approaching. From afar people might recognize the sound of a droid approaching, a droid in humanoid shape. Unlike the common sound of what people might think of a protocol droid, the pistons and mechanical gears of what was approaching was different.

From outside the ship's room, whispering and people talking could be heard, as the droid was moving through the main corridor of the ship.

Finally, the droid entered the room for passengers in the area. It was a tall, sturdy droid. It had a mean look, as its white photoreceptors looked as if the droid had an 'evil' look. Moreover, it was armed. It carried a heavy repeating blaster, some grenades around its waist, and what appeared to be a vibrosword on its back.

The droid, although heavy, moved quite gracefully, ignoring the non-droids for now. It seemed like it was looking for something inside the room...

One of the closets open at the sound of clanking in hallway. "A BX unit? Didn't know those were allowed to operate freely in the empire."

Droids did not, as a general rule of thumb, inspire her to any emotion one way or the other. While she may have encountered the occasional droid that seemed to be something more than just a machine, most simply served the kind of functional purpose that made them of no particular interest. She would've been content to keep studying her datapad and ignoring the droid, even if the sounds it were making were slightly different than might be expected here.

But then another droid emerged, and spoke a few words that seemed to gain her interest. It was at that point that she finally looked up. Eyes moving between the two; though lingering on the BX model. She had not seen one of those in a long time.

The datapad was switched off, as she now focused on the droids with her detached gaze in silence.

The SCaT Droid wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 29, 2021 7:48 pm

One of the closets open at the sound of clanking in hallway. "A BX unit? Didn't know those were allowed to operate freely in the empire."

The mean looking droid noticed the other droid. For a moment the white photoreceptors inspected the rather similar droid that was there. '' <<Recognition protocols engaged. Inspecting unit>>....'' The BX-main frame and processor could be heard as the computer made its calculations. '' <<Error. Failure to identify rank and unit>>...'' The deep voice of the BX-commando echoed in the room. The droid approached the other droid.

'' <<Soldier. Identify rank, unit and serial number.>>'' The droid asked, or might had ordered. It was not clear.

"Sir, this unit is Technical Sargent 1COR-059372 of the Foundry Intelligence and Counterintelligence Operations. Sorry for the failure to identify, this unit had to lose the planetary comlink to maintain covert operations."

Tyllia kept watching the pair from her little corner, a brow raising by an almost imperceptible amount serving as the only immediately apparent indication as to her thoughts on the conversation that was unfolding between them. If their droids were inclined to routinely and publically identify themselves as part of covert operations, maybe that went a ways in explaining how the CIS lost the war.

The SCaT Droid wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:38 pm

"Sir, this unit is Technical Sargent 1COR-059372 of the Foundry Intelligence and Counterintelligence Operations. Sorry for the failure to identify, this unit had to lose the planetary comlink to maintain covert operations."

The main frame of the BX droid once again ran some calculations. '' <<Roger, roger>> '' The droid replied in the usual form. '' << Technical Sargent, Unit 1COR-059372 data entered into the identification archive.>>'' It added. '' <<Comlink failure inadequate for future operations. Proceed, to the nearest repair depot as soon as posible for inspection. Combat efficiency drop of 51%, prioritization of lower risk needed....>>'' the BX added. Suddenly the procesor of the battle droid started to do some calculating noices.

'' << ERROR, DATA BLOCK CORRUPTED. %&##"/&?!#"@$...>>'' The BX droid started to do some strange robotical sounds in nature. Then it when quiet, but the droid continued to move as if it was talking but no sound was coming from it voice modulator.

''<<....>>'' Then suddenly it ignored the droid in front of it and went towards the organic creature nearby.

Tyllia Demici wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:46 pm

Tyllia kept watching the pair from her little corner, a brow raising by an almost imperceptible amount serving as the only immediately apparent indication as to her thoughts on the conversation that was unfolding between them. If their droids were inclined to routinely and publically identify themselves as part of covert operations, maybe that went a ways in explaining how the CIS lost the war.

'' <<Technical Sargent...>>'' It said to the human female. '' <<Identification error, in your frame. Proceed for repairs and inspections, drop in combat efficiency under appropriate tolerances...>>'' It said to the human, as it photo receptors inspected the girl.

There are a few eyes upon the scene with the droids, especially with the former CIS one standing there. The wounds of the CIS are still apparent to those old enough to recognize what the droid represented. Though, they now have larger problems than the CIS brought along during their revolution. The war against them had long since been won, but the price for that victory had been made apparent to those on the winning side; something much worse was formed from the victory. Something they could not escape from.

Nothing much else was done about it, though. Nothing but to give casual stares at the trio as they interacted.

She wasn't sure how facial recognition worked for droids. Given the sheer number of sentients in the galaxy; even just any single sector; she assumed that at the very least it didn't contain an internal database with the biometrics of every person around. She did consider the possibility that they might carry a list of specific people they could encounter, or that were otherwise of note. Though, even if that were the case, they probably didn't carry sophisticated enough software to account for the aging process creating a gap between their internal database and the person in front of them.

But all of that was just techno-babble that sounded plausible; Tyllia knew enough to know she didn't really know much at all about the technical specifics. Not that it mattered; she seemed to be confusing her either for another droid, or the very same droid it had just been talking to.

Or pretending to, anyway. It already seemed unlikely to her that an armed BX droid would just be walking around after all this time; having said droid be in such a poor state and *still* walking around seemed less likely still. Plenty of people would try and strip it for parts, thinking its combat routines might've been similarly corrupted, after all. Stupid people, probably, but still.

"...how many people does this routine work on?"

It was probably smarter to just play dumb, but her curiosity had been piqued.

Tyllia Demici wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 29, 2021 10:01 pm

"...how many people does this routine work on?"

It was probably smarter to just play dumb, but her curiosity had been piqued.

'' << Protocols not recognized. Query made. Running answering program. DATA BLOCK CORRUPTED>>'' The droid replied to the human. Or at least seemed to react to the human question.

'' <<Routine? Question not understood. Technical Sargent. Proceed to repair and inspections as soon as possible. Efficiency drop under combat tolerances>>...'' The droid added. It would seem that the droid was not pretending. Apparently it had a corrupted software.

Then it once again turned its photoreceptors towards the nearby droid. '' <<Unit 1COR-059372 Identified. Asking query. Where is the nearest charging module in this zone?>>'' It asked the other droid.

The droid opens a panel on the storage unit on it's back and pulls out a fusion lantern. "Not sure about where they keep the charging stations on the ship, but I made certain to always have one on me just in case. I've also got some tools if you need any repairs yourself."

She wasn't sure she bought it. For one thing, who in their right mind would authorize this thing coming onboard in this state? But oh well, it wasn't wise to poke a gundark or something along those lines. So she made a little salute instead.

"Roger dodger, sir. This unit will report for repair at the earliest opportunity."

The other droid; easily dismissed at first as just your run-of-the-mill B1; was now the one to gain her attention. From the way it spoke she couldd tell it had clearly evolved beyond its base programming. Supposedly that happened to some droids when they didn't get wiped regularly, but she'd never encountered it herself.

Tyllia Demici wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 29, 2021 10:42 pm

"Roger dodger, sir. This unit will report for repair at the earliest opportunity."

The BX unit nooded in approval. '' <<Roger, roger. Carry on with your programming Technical Sargent>>'' then it turn towards the 'other' technical sargent as his question was answered.

The SCaT Droid wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 29, 2021 10:33 pm

The droid opens a panel on the storage unit on it's back and pulls out a fusion lantern. "Not sure about where they keep the charging stations on the ship, but I made certain to always have one on me just in case. I've also got some tools if you need any repairs yourself."

The BX-commando droid approaches. '' <<Running diagnostics>>...'' It said. '' <<Diagnostic completed. No problems found. Technical Sargent, no repairs are needed. Optimal combat efficiency detected.>>'' The droid replied. '' <<Energy running low. Starting recharging procedures if energy source available>>'' The droid extended its arm towards the SCaT droid, but without taking the fusion lantern from it. Apparently the BX was waiting for the other droid to give it to it, instead of just taking it.

The droid hands the fusion lantern over, thinks about the response, realizes it ignored the possibility of any other parameters being mentioned. Then asked "you are aware that we are about to enter enemy territory right? They expect droids to be used in service for various tasks, but will likely have a strict ban on battle droids. Do you have a covert operations designation for this mission?"

The SCaT Droid wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 29, 2021 10:58 pm

The droid hands the fusion lantern over, thinks about the response, realizes it ignored the possibility of any other parameters being mentioned. Then asked "you are aware that we are about to enter enemy territory right? They expect droids to be used in service for various tasks, but will likely have a strict ban on battle droids. Do you have a covert operations designation for this mission?"

The droid picks the fusion lantern with one hand, while a port connection around its chest opens up, revealing the central batery and other more important circuits, under the layers of laminate armor. BXE-322 then connected it.

'' << Query asked. Running answering program. Enemy territory? Running scanning program>>...'' The droid moves it head around inspecting each organic in the nearby. '' << Republican clone troops not detected in the area. Unable to identify enemy targets. Combat mode activation protocols not active>>...'' It replied as it charged its main batery.

'' Second Query asked. Running answering program. Technical Sargent Unit 1COR-059372 has no clearance for information deliv...DATA BLOCK CORRUPTED...ERROR...@##$/||##?'' it said as again some strange robotical noices came from it voice modulator.

'' <<Unable to confer information with Unit 1COR-059372>>.''

"Enemy territory?" At this point the conversation went from amusing to a potential problem. This was a civilizan ship, armed droids; even ones close to getting junked; talking about this sort of stuff in the open probably wasn't going to do great for ship morale. With all sorts of potential downsides to it.

"You guys realize the war's been over for a while, right?"

Tyllia Demici wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 29, 2021 11:15 pm

"Enemy territory?" At this point the conversation went from amusing to a potential problem. This was a civilizan ship, armed droids; even ones close to getting junked; talking about this sort of stuff in the open probably wasn't going to do great for ship morale. With all sorts of potential downsides to it.

"You guys realize the war's been over for a while, right?"

'' <<Technical Sargent. Query asked. Running asnwering program. War is over. Shut down order understood and applied 13 years ago>>...'' The commando droid replied to the human 'technical sargent'.

'' <<Commando Unit BXE-322, Serial number 45778872. No longer with War protocols active.>>'' The droid adds. ''<< Repurposed protocols active, applied during last central processing wiping.>>''

"Yes, I am aware the war hasn't been going on for about a decade already. Just had to play along to get a feel for how this unit was doing. It's interesting how you have been repurposed, yet still have all combat functions intact. Were you taken in by pirates? That would explain the lack of ability to answer basic questions."

"If there's no war," she said, almost like a teacher trying to get a student to figure something out for themselves, "...then there's no... enemy. Right?"

That was the correct way of defusing any potential for rising panic among passengers overhearing the droids talk about these things. The incorrect way was what she followed up with out of curiosity. That also applied to what the B1 was saying... again, with speech very unlike a combat model.

"What are your repurposed protocols?"