May The Invisible Hand Be With You - (Star Wars CK2-Style Quest)

[Whumbly]

Even More Ciaran Messages

"Attention people trying to sneak through the air ducts. First off I'd like to point out that those aren't the actual air ducts. Ever since I was nearly assassinated by poison gas, I've made sure to make them too small to put a gas grenade in, let alone an actual person. Second, I hope you enjoy barbecue because you're about to be roasted by the plasma vapour rapidly spreading through the enclosed space. On the bright side, if you survive this, we'd like to offer you a job. I don't turn down that sort of talent."
-Prerecorded message by Ciaran encase of foolish infiltrators

"It has come to my attention that some of you are using ray shields for doors. While certainly 'high tech' and admittedly impressive that you managed to rig them up, we're getting complaints from OOM-9 because they're sucking up all the power. They also provide less security than you think because all it takes is for some genius to play with the fuse box and turn them off. A door made out of paper provides more security. Anyway we're going back to metal doors. Maybe make the code for it, not the same you use for your luggage."
-Message from Ciaran to the crew of Oracle

"ZK-711 would like to make it known that he mixed laxatives in Professor Zheen's personal coffee supply to identify the people who keep stealing from it. Will the culprits please report to the Research Labs for volunteering to be the latest test subject in whatever experiments are going on and a fresh pair of pants."
-Message to the Karada Corporation Coruscant Headquaters

"To all pranksters, hooligans and bored employees. You are no longer allowed to pin magnets to Doctor Sair. While funny the first time, she is now crying in her lab. Considering her boyfriend is a bounty hunter and the Galactic History's Most Dangerous Droid owes her a lot of favours, it may be wise to find a way to cheer her up before someone does something more idiotic.... any ideas?"
-Message from Lady Ciaran in response to the teasing

"To anyone who thinks PR-1 is a pushover when compared to the rest of the High Council. He has drained your credit account, had all your clothes shoved hazardously in the dryer to shrink, put your name on the child sex offenders register and has alerted local law enforcement that you are in the midst of violating your parole. Go apologise to him.... NOW!"
-Pre-recorded message by Lady Ciaran for members of the Abyss Watchers

"For those of you who have to take any calls from Prime Minister Zinnerman today, I would like to give you the preemptive answer to the question that will be asked. No, Lady Ciaran did not have anything to with the twenty six foot statue of herself in Salvation Plaza. The statue we involved ourselves with is only life sized, tasteful and is standing near the front entrance of Mercy Hospital."
-Memo to Karada Employees on Taris

 

[Panory]

The Responsible Parties

​

"Attention people trying to sneak through the air ducts. First off I'd like to point out that those aren't the actual air ducts. Ever since I was nearly assassinated by poison gas, I've made sure to make them too small to put a gas grenade in, let alone an actual person. Second, I hope you enjoy barbecue because you're about to be roasted by the plasma vapour rapidly spreading through the enclosed space. On the bright side, if you survive this, we'd like to offer you a job. I don't turn down that sort of talent."

"Bantha dung." swore Oki as she frantically retreated back the way she came. On second thought, the ducts had been suspiciously large. Perhaps this wasn't the best way to sneak into the kitchens for a late night snack.

XXX
​

"ZK-711 would like to make it known that he mixed laxatives in Professor Zheen's personal coffee supply to identify the people who keep stealing from it. Will the culprits please report to the Research Labs for volunteering to be the latest test subject in whatever experiments are going on and a fresh pair of pants."

Chora looked slowly down at the mug of pitch black liquid she had made to start her day, slowly putting it back down on the counter. She'd be grumpy for hours, but it was apparently better than the alternative.

XXX​

"It has come to my attention that some of you are using ray shields for doors. While certainly 'high tech' and admittedly impressive that you managed to rig them up, we're getting complaints from OOM-9 because they're sucking up all the power. They also provide less security than you think because all it takes is for some genius to play with the fuse box and turn them off. A door made out of paper provides more security. Anyway we're going back to metal doors. Maybe make the code for it, not the same you use for your luggage."

"None of those doors are between her quarters and the entrance." muttered Larana. "How'd she even find out I had them installed?" At least Ciaran wasn't able to make her foot the bill.

XXX
​

"To all pranksters, hooligans and bored employees. You are no longer allowed to pin magnets to Doctor Sair. While funny the first time, she is now crying in her lab. Considering her boyfriend is a bounty hunter and the Galactic History's Most Dangerous Droid owes her a lot of favours, it may be wise to find a way to cheer her up before someone does something more idiotic.... any ideas?"

"Ruin all my fun, why don't you?" grumbled Galvin, dropping his armful of refrigerator magnets on the floor. "And HK gets top billing while I'm just 'a bounty hunter'? The hell, Ciaran?!"

XXX
​

"To anyone who thinks PR-1 is a pushover when compared to the rest of the High Council. He has drained your credit account, had all your clothes shoved hazardously in the dryer to shrink, put your name on the child sex offenders register and has alerted local law enforcement that you are in the midst of violating your parole. Go apologize to him.... NOW!"

"I never said he was a pushover! I said he had a crappy sense of balance!" exclaimed an exasperated Silas as the message started playing. "And that was after he self-installed drunken carousing routines!" He paled as the announcement concluded. "The Diathim just look youthful, I swear!"


AN: What can they say? Being a troublemaker runs in the blood.

 

[Killerflood]

A/N: If you ever wonder what is going on, refer back to these two omakes: Origin, Origins II​

---

Origins III​

It's time like these I learn to live again. Setting up an ambush for your so called 'boss' gets the blood pumping, you know? Murder's always a risky business but if I only consider it taking out the trash, it's not really murder anymore is it? It's a surefire win for me today. Gang leader, here I come.

"Schult, is Dar Mo in there?"

"Yeah. He said to come on in."

"Anyone with him?"

"He's with a hooker."

"Are you the only one on guard duty?"

"... Yeah?"

Good.

I turn around to the two armed guys behind me. I nod at them.

"Let's go."

Us three walk into the Oaf's part of the building and the messenger slides in behind us. All three of them are enforcers I've gotten to follow me. Schult is slightly iffy but if he decides to back out at the last second I have the two others with me. I'm slightly suspicious that the Oaf doesn't have any of his other enforcers present but it just makes it easier to deal with him. If he feels comfortable in his position, all the better. He won't be comfortable for long.

The two extras stand on each side of the door while the messenger and I walk through. Dar Mo lounges on his comforter with a girl bouncing on top of him.

"Ah!"

Dar Mo grunts and then pushes the girl off of him once he's finished. The girl notices me and Schult and then quickly leaves after grabbing her clothes. My lips turn up in disgust as I stop to stand in front of his bed. Dar is content to just lie on it.

Fucking with no shame. That should be me.

"Koonel, you bastard! What's going on that you need to interrupt a good time, huh?"

I growl.

"Nothing. And that's the problem! While you lie here enjoying some cooch, there're opportunities out there being ignored!"

The Oaf glares at me. He fixes his pants and then stands up tall. His lekku are twitching something fierce. If he's trying to be intimidating, it's failing. He's too much of a coward to intimidate me. Dar points a finger at me.

"Nothing is being ignored. We're doing great here and when the other gangs aren't looking down our backs, we'll be ready."

"Looking down our- what?"

I shake my head in disbelief. I snort.

"The other gangs aren't even paying attention. They're too busy fighting each other! Now's the perfect time to expand and you're not doing shit!"

"Are you blind! The Wraiths and the Sentinels have been ramping up their recruitment with no fighting between them. They've also been nosing into our territory! What part of that paints a picture of them fighting each other?"

I hesitate for a second and then wonder what Dar's been smoking. The last I heard, there had been a couple of fights breaking out between them and our territory has been clear for months.

"What do ya- Have you lost your fucking mind? None of that is- no, whatever. The gang's had it with you. We all could have been living the life if it wasn't for your pussyfooting around!"

Dar becomes furious.

"That's enough! Get the fuck out of here! Schult, kick him out!"

Schult looks to me and I shake my head. I wave at Schult to leave.

"I'll deal with this, Schult. Join the others and make sure nobody comes in."

Schult hesitates with a glance at the door. Dar yells at him.

"What are you fucking waiting for? Kick him out!"

Schult looks at me and I stare him down. I act like I'm scratching my back but really, all I'm doing is patting the concealed pistol I'm wearing. He stiffens up and then shakily nods his head. While exiting, he closes the door. The soft thud it makes seems to echo. I take out the pistol strapped behind me and point it at the Oaf. Dar sees it and his eyes widen and he backs up.

"Cünuel! Help!"

When no one barges in, Dar steps back further and trips onto his bed. He waves a hand at me.

"The rest of the gang will tear you limb from limb! Cünuel is outside that door and he'll kill the both of you!"

I tilt my head and then shake it again. Schult didn't say anything about Cünuel and he was nowhere to be seen.

"Your little guard dog isn't here to keep me from doing what's best."

My finger pulls down on the trigger. A red blast shoots out and makes a whole in Dar Mo's chest. His body slides down the wall.

"Good riddance, you damn Oaf."

I move to put the pistol back behind me but stop when two shots ring out. I swing around to the door but a blaster round grazes my leg. My aim goes wide and my shot misses. The next thing I know I get hit in the head and my pistol is smacked away. I crumble against the floor. I look up in pain to find Schult pointing his pistol at me.

"You fuckin' bastard!" I scream. "You could have had what you wanted when I take over but now you'll just find yourself in the trash! Galeck and Maren, shoot him- … already ..."

My voice hitches and then dies. Galeck's body is slumping in front of the door. Stepping over him is the last person I wanted to see.

"You…" I snarl.

Cünuel looks at me with a neutral gaze. His eyes sweep the room and land on the body of Dar Mo. His eyes close and he sighs. He steps to the side to allow Martem and a few of the other remaining enforcers to walk in. My mind might have been playing tricks on me but it almost looked like he relaxed when he realized the Oaf was dead.

Cünuel looks at all of them and then finally me.

"Dar's dead."

I spit at Cün and say, "He deserved it."

Cün stares at me for a moment and then shakes his head. He utters one word.

"Schult."

Pain lances through my side as a blaster bolt misses my heart and instead digs into the area just below my armpit. The pain clouds my mind but I'm still able to hear Martem chuckle.

"Damn Schult, you really can't aim worth a damn can you?"

"Shut up."

"Schult, hand me your blaster."

My sight clears up enough to see Schult hand over his pistol to Cünuel. Cün then takes it and aims it directly at me. My mind works overtime to try to find a way out of this.

"You wouldn't! You yourself are spineless and won't do it yourself, I know! Who would lead you? You need someone to follow! You need someone to tell you what the opportunities are! You would lead the gang to ruin if it was just you! I can do it! I can make this gang the best! That was the whole point of this, see? You all need me!"

A moment passes and anger shoots through me as everyone looks to Cün. His face is a vision of apathy but I can see the fist he's balled up at his side.

"Even if all of that were true …" My manic smile freezes at his next words. "No one wants to follow a backstabber."

I try to lunge at him but I don't make it off the ground. The only thing I see before I suddenly go numb is red.

---

I lower the pistol and then let it hang in the air in the direction of Schult. Schult slowly takes it back. Everybody is quiet. Murder is one thing but betrayal is another. We all knew something like this was eventually going to happen, but no one thought it would end in both of them dying.

Schult shuffles a little then asks, "What took you so long?"

I point at the extra enforcers I had gathered who are all fidgeting.

"Getting backup. I thought Koonel would have more men helping him than he ended up bringing."

It's a truth hiding up the actual answer. The plan was that I was always going to be too late. I search Koonel's and Dar Mo's bodies under another moment of uncertain silence. Finding only a few loose credit chips on Dar, I turn back to the group. Martem looks around. He finally looks to me and shrugs.

"So, boss. What's next?"

Everyone looks to me again and I do my best to hide the same grimace I wanted to show the first time they looked to me. I look again at the cooling bodies of Koonel and Dar Mo. Koonel's face still shows signs of the fury he died with while Dar's displays a rictus of fear. A single mantra starts to grow in my mind.

This can be you.

I smother the shudder that tries to crawl up my spine. I nod. I look at everyone and ask a single question.

"You all know the old cantina that just closed down?"

The enforcers all nod their heads. I'm not surprised. It was a regular joint everyone seemed to gather at to drink or pass the time. When it shut down half a month ago, a lot of people were pissed. The next true cantina was a floor up in Dark Wraith territory. I chose to ignore that my new … boss had it shut down. It helped that I wasn't a regular customer. Besides, it'll be reopening soon enough.

"Get everyone to gather there in the main bar area. Everybody needs to understand what happened and what's happening. We're having a meeting about what has occurred. The doors will be open. Make sure everyone attends. The Abyss Watchers are changing leadership."

Just not to who you all are thinking ...

---

A/N: It's times like these, time and time again.

 

[Panory]

that is just, i dont even know what to say about that.

Click to shrink...

I think I do.

Elegant Engineering​

"There are so many problems with this idea." said Cheriss as she watched HK-47 welding two pieces of metal together.

"Speculation: You are just upset you didn't think of this first." said HK-47, not bothering to look away from the sparks flying up from his hands.

"I refurbished you so well that you're literally better than you were before you were damaged in the first place!" exclaimed Cheriss. "Of course I've thought of this before! I just never did it, because it's a stupid idea!"

The welding stopped, and HK-47 held up the blaster rifle he had been working on. Haphazardly stuck to the bottom of the barrel was an unignited lightsaber stolen from some poor trainee. "Statement: The blaster rifle is an excellent ranged weapon. Statement: The lightsaber is an excellent melee weapon. Theory: Ergo a combination of the two will be the ultimate weapon, undefeatable at any distance."

"Okay, let me break this down for you. The hilt of that lightsaber blocks a portion of the barrel designed to prevent overheating." Cheriss gestured to the gun-sword's barrel. "You've already made the blaster worse. Next, the lightsaber will overheat the blaster when you ignite it. That's if you're lucky. More likely you'll just slag the poor thing from sheer proximity."

"Defense: This is simply a prototype. Further iterations of the design will use blasters more resistant to heat and less prone to overheating." said HK-47 indignantly.

"Secondly, this welding job probably compromised the structural integrity of the blaster. You're walking around with a grenade, not a gun." Cheriss gestured emphatically.

"Statement: Grenades are also excellent weapons. I fail to see the problem." Despite his ardent defense, HK-47 did set the sword-gun down on the workbench.

"Hello, beautiful woman who isn't related to me." Galvin entered the room and embraced Cheriss. "What is that?" he asked, noticing the weapon on the workbench. The hug ended, and Galvin walked over and picked it up. "Did you make me a blaster with a lightsaber bayonet? You shouldn't have."

"Correction: I am the maker of this fine piece of destructive technology." said HK-47.

"Well poodoo. Now when I clarify that I wasn't joking when I said you shouldn't have, I'll come across as a jerk instead of charming." Galvin sighed. "As kickass as this idea is, it's really not a good weapon."

Cheriss pointed to her boyfriend in validation. "See?"

"Yeah, lightsabers are way heavier than they look. It'd be a real pain to try and keep this thing stable." Said Galvin, raising it up as if he was going to fire it. Sure enough, the tip of the blaster's barrel bobbed and weaved like a professional boxer.

"Elaboration: This is a weapon designed for personal use. While your weak little meat arms may have trouble handling a weapon of such caliber, my metal frame is more than up to the task of retaining accuracy despite irregular weight distribution."

"Maybe so, but this thing is also pretty lousy for close up fighting. It's too short to be a spear, and the blaster's stock makes for a really lousy sword grip." Galvin tried to hold the thing like it was a blade, but it was apparent how awkward it was. "Not to mention how difficult it is to reach around and turn the thing on. You'd be better off just having a lightsaber separate, and pulling it out when the enemy gets close."

Galvin looked over at Cheriss for a moment, before turning back to face HK-47. "And if the look Cheriss is giving me is any indication, there's a bunch of problems with how the thing is put together too."

"It'll overheat when firing, and slag when you turn on the lightsaber." summarized Cheriss.

"Yeah, that sounds about right." agreed Galvin.

"Resignation: I suppose such a combination simply was not meant to be."

"Now hold on. I never said that." said Galvin. "Bet if we made the blaster, or at least the barrel out of like… cortosis or something like that, it wouldn't slag. And if you just made the lightsaber detachable your aim wouldn't get thrown off and you'd have a lot more options."

"Idea: An expanded heatsink would solve the issue of overheating as well." said HK-47, growing more excited.

"By the Force, I'm dating an idiot." sighed Cheriss, though neither of the other people in her lab paid her remark any mind.

"The heat sink is an option, but I was thinking about using a sniper rifle instead of a blaster rifle. Then it's a spear instead of an awkward sword, and there's a reason to use the bayonet instead of just a separate lightsaber. Not to mention you'd fire it less often, so it wouldn't overheat." brainstormed Galvin.

"Surprise: Your puny meat brain has good ideas!" exclaimed HK-47.

"I can't believe you two." Groaned Cheriss. "I'm going to get some coffee. Try to make sure my lab is still intact when I get back."

"Sure thing babe!" shouted Galvin as she walked out the door. "Okay, so we can probably get our hands on a DC-15x pretty easily and modify it from there…"


AN: I've been tossing ideas around, trying to get something written. Then someone makes a throwaway comment about bayonets and I write nine hundred words in two hours. Figures.

 

[Whumbly]

So because I don't know how many more omakes we need to clean sweep again, I made another one:

Advisor Quotes

"These are the rules. Everybody fights, nobody quits. Fail at either of these and I'll kill you myself. Welcome to the Abyss Watchers."
Xruk at the Orientation Ceremony of the New Recruits

"Commander, I have reports of General Grievous and his men fraternising with the Gungans. Request permission to question interrogate the Kaleesh to extract information on the locations of Gungan settlements and troop dispositions. I have already drawn up a plan to deal with the highest ranked threat; Representative Binks."
OOM-9 conspiring to eliminate his mortal enemy and erase the humiliation of the Battle of the Great Grass Plains

"I admit I am not the most capable of combat individuals. Many have argued that my position as a bodyguard is both illogical and defunct with Lady Ciaran's combat abilities. Well, I'll have you know that since I am licensed to tend bar, I possess the most useful way to subtly eliminate threats without the target knowing. After all, how many of you know what should go into your drinks? Or better yet, how many of you watches the person who mixes your drinks?"
PR-1 on the Art of Subtle Protection

"The Clone Wars have granted us the greatest opportunity. As men in power focus their gaze on the battlefield, the corruption of the Underworld spreads. After all there are more important things than criminals to deal with. Soon it won't matter who wins, we'll own the system itself."
Borvo The Hutt to his subordinates

"I joined this organisation when it was little more than any two-bit street gang. My work on Naboo helped lift us out of the Underworld and on to the Galactic Stage. I am well within my rights to ask for a large medal, a opera play to glorify my exploits or my face carved into one of Kiln's mountains. However, I'll settle for my large number salary, an amusing clock that annoys my neighbours and platinum membership for a high class escort service."
Gulan Terrek's musings on his role in the Abyss Watchers

"I am an old man. No matter how I spin it, I doubt I'll live to see the end result of what arises from the fire. Still I now have a legacy to leave behind. You lot are the product of several training regimens bastardised into each other to create the Abyss Agents. Your very presence is going to make several Jedi faint from the disrespect to their teachings. So if they ever do find out, however unlikely, remember to rub it in their faces like the bastards you are."
Tyro Torwin drunkenly lecturing his students

"Palpatine may be a master manipulator and a very cunning schemer, but he has made a critical error. Palpatine could have installed any old puppet to sit in the Supreme Chancellor's Office, but he put himself there. You may question the wisdom of those words, so listen closely. Had Darth Plagueis not sent you those datachips you would not know he existed."

"Palpatine didn't need to become Chancellor to carry out his plans, in fact being Chancellor created all kind of risk, but he wanted to sit in the big chair instead of ruling from the shadows. As such he has painted a giant target on himself. His movements are public, monitored and tracked. His words must be carefully chosen to sway the minds of others and above all else his facade must hold."

"Should the worse happen and your double life become public, you can slink into the shadows to become the leader of the second most powerful criminal organisation in the Galaxy. Palpatine on the other hand, he might have all the power in the galaxy, but he can loose it all in the blink of an eye and then he's just a man with the clothes on his back and a large bounty on his head."
Darth Vectivus on the Great Mistake

"People think science is a question of why. They are wrong, the real question of science is why not. That line of thinking got me thrown out of many a university when I used to teach. I am currently barred from giving lectures to many scientific academia and I was once called a monster by someone who I didn't think had any morality left in their body. Point is I'm not just 'The Explosions Guy', I'm far more dangerous than you realise. Lady Ciaran has morals, she has lines she will not cross. However, I am not bound by such trivial things like ethics... so hurt my lab assistant again and you'll wish it was a rancor administering the punishment."
Professor Var Zheen terrifying a member of C-SEC after trying to arrest ZK-711 for Espionage

 

[Panory]

Full Metal Chain​

Tyro was a teacher first and foremost, so it was rare that he sparred, but he did like to prove to himself that he still had it on occasion. Nothing put him in a good mood like knocking some Abyss Agent still enamored with their lightsaber down a few pegs. Of course, these little exercises ran the risk of proving he couldn't keep up anymore, but that was a gamble he'd never lost.

Until today.

"Oh Ciaran. I won." It appeared Kygeetu couldn't believe her victory either. To be fair to Tyro, it had been pure luck her backswing had deflected his blaster bolt into the floor. Already close, the Kaleesh warrior had managed to get her lightsaber up to his neck before the ex-pirate could fire another shot. Realizing the fight was over, Kygeetu extinguished her blade and turned around, jumping up and down in celebration.

Tyro on the other hand, turned and left after a simple congratulation to mull over what had happened and how he could prevent it happening again. He wasn't ready to be outdone by youthful exuberance just yet.

XXX​

"Summation: You wish to know how to defeat a Force user with a blaster?" HK-47 looked up from the workbench. Tyro was no engineer, but it looked like the assassin droid was welding a lightsaber to a blaster rifle that had already been heavily modified. "Approval: You have come to the right place, meatbag."

"I'm old enough to know the value of experience, and you actually have more than me, a quality that's increasingly rare." joked Tyro.

"Answer: Shoot them before they notice you." HK-47 turned back to his… work.

Tyro shook his head. "Say they already know where I am. Say I'm in an empty room with an angry Jedi coming at me. What then?"

"Answer: Not all parts of a lightsaber are dangerous. Step in and grab the attacker's wrist, then fire into the stomach." HK-47 paused a moment before continuing. "Alternative: Deliver a sharp blow to the temple for nonlethal purposes."

"I may be younger than you, but my 'meatbag' body isn't quite as efficient as yours." Tyro had more or less accepted his old age and its negative effect on his hand to hand skills. He had never really been much of a grappler in his youth either. "Any other suggestions? Some fancy blaster tricks or something?"

"Answer: Perhaps a slugthrower is what you're looking for. Advisement: I wouldn't use one except as a last resort. Complaint: Calculating ballistic trajectories is unnecessary with a blaster, recoil is far greater, ammunition is limited and expensive, and traditional armor actually stops them. There are far too many downsides to replace a blaster. Still, blocking a slugthrower with a lightsaber just means your target gets hit by molten metal moving at high speeds."

"I'll look into it. Thank you, HK-47." Tyro bowed his head slightly before turning to take his leave.

"Parting: Best of luck on your mission to slaughter Force sensitive meatbags."

XXX​

Galvin was already the best mercenary in the galaxy, so going down to the range had nothing to do with practicing to become better. No, sometimes he just liked to bask in the glory of his own perfect marksmanship. And if some of the recruits wanted to bask alongside him, who was he to stop them. To that end, Galvin was looking forward to the sound of blasters firing when he opened those doors.

What he was not expecting to hear when entering the shooting range was a sharp crack, somewhere between a whip and a bomb, and a thousand times louder. The sound repeated four more times, and the ensuing silence was broken only by several loud Zeltron swear words. "What in the galaxy was that?!"

"Apologies. I've been practicing so much this past week I forget how loud it can be the first time." Tyro Torwin was no stranger to the shooting range. What was strange was the weapon in his hands. The blaster was silver, with what appeared to be a wooden handle. Galvin couldn't see anywhere for the magazine to be placed, though there was some sort of wheel in the center. The barrel was smooth as well, the thing probably overheated worse than a DL-44.

"The hell is that thing? I've never seen a blaster like it." asked Galvin, rubbing his ears to get the ringing out.

"That's because it isn't a blaster. It's a slugthrower I picked up recently." said Tyro, twirling the gun around on his finger in front of him before snapping it up to eye level. "I've just started getting the hang of using Blazing Chains with it." He pointed the gun at the wall and fired, and a hole appeared on a target that should have been at an impossible angle. That was nothing special, Galvin knew Tyro's Blazing Chains techniques were awe inspiring, but what floored him was the lack of a visible shot.

"That's… how much did that cost?" asked Galvin in disbelief. He had often considered buying a slugthrower, if just for the novelty, but they were far from cheap.

"A fair amount, and the ammunition isn't much better. Though I've gotten the feel down well enough that I can stop wasting slugs training." Tyro held the gun up to his face and looked at it contemplatively. "I have enough left over, and the design forces me to be conservative anyways. Six shots." Tyro gave the gun a few spins on its way down into the holster on his hip. "More than enough to kill anything that moves."


AN: Told you I'd do it. It occurs to me Tyro wouldn't be too useful against Sidious, since lightsabers are a pretty strong counter pick to blasters. So I decided to just make him Revolver Ocelot instead of Revolver Ocelot with lasers and just gave him a slugthrower. It helps that Blazing Chains negates most of the disadvantages to slugthrowers anyways, since you never have to aim.

 

[Prevalent117]

I finally am caught up on this, so I shall contribute to the Omakes of Glory!

A Captain, Commander, and ARC
Walk into a Bar​

Normally, when the 501st and 212th both have a short period of rest together, it turns into a contest of which is better. Not this time, however.

This time, Captain Rex, Commander Cody, and ARC trooper Fives were somberly sitting at the counter of 79's, the premier (and only) bar for the GAR clones.

"I can't believe what's going on," Cody mumbled after he sipped a bit of his drink.

"Yeah? Which part? The fact that half the Republic is basically out of the war, or the fact that we all have some-" Fives was cut off as Rex stood and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Easy, trooper, some things are best left unsaid, at least until Skywalker or Tano talk to us about it. Am I clear?" Rex questioned as he sat back down.

"Yessir," was all that Fives said as he went back to drinking.

Cody cocked his head at Rex, "What was he going on about?"

"Nothing, just the boys are all getting tired of the fighting. I heard from Ratch that a squad or two from the 105th deserted yesterday. Two of their number were found dead late last night. Blaster fire got 'em, but there weren't any droids on the planet." Rex paused as he began to think.

"Kriffing hell," Cody murmured, "Are you telling me they've got Republic soldiers gunning down deserters?"

"Yeah, and after the cluster fek on Umbara, I don't like the thought of our Vode being targeted by other Vode. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth." (I'm assuming Umbara has happened, if not... Oops...)

"Yeah, it's tough that we lost Waxer on that damned planet. Kriffing Krell, I'm disappointed that I wasn't the one to end him."

Rex stared into his glass, "Yeah, I just can't wait for this sithspit show to end."

"I can toast to that Vod," Cody raised his glass, "I can toast to that."

...

Short one, but I don't think anything else needs to be added to it. Kind of depressing, but eh, this war has been happening for hire many years now? I lost track.

 

[Battleship_Fusou]

Not quite as happy with this one as I was with my previous omakes, but it should work out well enough I think. Let me know if you guys spot any errors.

Notes and Observations of General Grievous by Doctor Ruundal Kool​

Meeting 1:

"...While I most certainly had definite impressions as to the character of Qymaen jai Sheelal -or Grievous as he prefers to be called- I can easily say that even a single meeting with him has most assuredly shattered those preconceptions. I, like many others most likely, was expecting a vengeful, bloodthirsty monster of a being. And while he certainly possesses a lust for battle, Grievous is far and away from simply being some primitive war lord. Oh he certainly holds some values that the wider 'civilized' Galaxy would look at in shock, Grievous is much, much more than that. Even after only a single meeting, I can plainly see the cunning intelligence he possesses..."

Meeting 3:

"...I can only stand by my previous assertion of the depth to Grievous' mind. Grievous is -quite frankly given everyone else in Lady Ciaran's organization that I see- refreshingly straightforward in our interactions. But assuming that his blunt... honesty is the entirety of his character is a trap far too many fall into I believe. His answers and the few questions he asks in return are as perceptive and cunning as any of Mitth'raw'nuruodo's. A being like Grievous would never have risen to such prominence on his home world, much less in the Abyss Watchers, had he been unable to formulate proper tactics and strategies. While I am learning a great deal as to his character, I do not doubt -not even for a moment- that Grievous is playing the long game in our sessions in much the same way I Thrawn does. What his end goal is, I do not know, but he has one, of that I am certain given how little actual information Grievous has shared about himself. Oh he's told me a great deal about his homeworld and its culture, but there has been little substance about the being himself..."

Meeting 7:

"...Things are progressing well enough with Grievous so far. As of the session before this one, Grievous has decided to share with me the stories behind some of his hunts and battles. Even as he shares the information behind each battle, each hunt, I admit that I can scarcely comprehend his strategies beyond some of the simpler tactics until after the fact when he explains everything that happens in minute detail. Hearing his recollections of these hunts and fights, I can easily see how he has managed to beat Thrawn in several of their simulated battles. He isn't victorious every time, but it is often enough if the rumor mill is anything to go by and I can certainly see why..."

Meeting 8:

"...While I was well aware that I would learn an enormous amount about the inner workings of the Abyss Walkers when I accepted this position, the things I learn still manage to surprise me. While I'd known about the operation we undertook against the Black Sun, I had not know any more that the rumor mill knew. That has been changed now that Grievous has informed me of just what occurred to a reasonable level of detail. And yet again I'm reminded of his intelligence and cunning which, when partnered with his own ruthlessness, make Grievous one of the most skilled and feared combatants in the galaxy..."

Meeting 14:

"...While I expected to learn a great deal from Grievous, I had not expected it to take the form of combat lessons. Oh I certainly knew I would learn more about tactics and strategy simply by proximity, but I did not expect that Grievous would show up at this most recent session with the blunt desire to understand just what my role was in the Abyss Watchers beyond the obvious. Once he had ascertained my duties, and then learned I had never been trained in any form of combat, he immediately dragged me to one of the on-site practice rooms and commandeered it for use. What followed was three hours of basic hand-to-hand combat instruction and basic blaster safety and usage training. Even now, several hours, a large meal, and a hot shower later, I still feel sore and bruised all over and just writing these notes is exhausting. Before we separated for the day, Grievous did inorm me as to just why he was doing this. He said plainly, and in no uncertain manner, that someone who deals so much with so many important figures, their secrets, and their base natures should be able to defend themselves. If I could not protect myself, then I presented a significant risk to the organization and -more importantly to Grievous- to Lady Ciaran. He has informed me that he expects me to practice what I've learned today in preparation for our next session, something I am not looking forward too.

But disappointing Grievous would be foolish beyond all reason, especially on this subject. I can see that his loyalty to Lady Ciaran is ironclad. So long as she does not betray him first, Grievous will most likely never betray her. Indeed, I strongly suspect that the Heat death of the universe will occur before that happens in fact..."

Meeting 15:

"...Looking back on the previous session, and now this one as well -from which I am still sore and bruised- I can easily tell what Grievous' goal was from the start. Just as I was evaluating him for mental stability and reliability, he was evaluating me. Only he was judging for himself my loyalty to Lady Ciaran and her organization by extension. In hindsight, I do not doubt for even a moment that had Grievous judges me to be a threat to Lady Ciaran he would have killed me on the spot and without regret. Knowing that has solidified my informed opinion as to Grievous' role in the Abyss Watchers and the wider galaxy.

He is no threat to Lady Ciaran or any of her subordinates. He most likely never will be either because Grievous gives himself fully to whatever task he undertakes and does not take half-measures. And the task he has dedicated himself to is aiding Lady Ciaran..."

 

[barenhart]

--Whatever Happened to the Parsas?--

Alpheridies, Abron system

Jasper looked up as the Serv-O-Droid began to set the meal down upon the table and, pressing the button on the intercom, said calmly, "Eevy, dinner is laid and you are still in the office." He sighed and closed down the connection as he heard her shuffling papers and the snap of a binder closing.

The elegant man leaned back into his chair as the scent of braised heklu wafted from the steaming plate, looking over to his errant wife as she glided into the dining room. "You promised a short workday. Remember, moderation. There is no need to rush into things."

Eevy nodded coldly as she settled into her own seat, primly straightening her arrangement and settling the silken napkin upon her lap. It was not there to keep any stains from her clothing, of course. (Force forbid that any of the Parsas act so indelicately as to make a mess!) Still, appearances must be kept. "Of course, I was looking into what details we were able to find about this Council of the Grey Initiative and what other sects had been approached. I found it fascinating."

As they were both seated, Jasper turned on the holocom display, already tuned to Galactic News Service at a tasteful image density and volume level. The pair liked to have the additional information available yet not overpowering. He turned back to his wife as a detail piece on the Karada Taris Expansion came on, "Tell me, how do you find the meal? Jerec suggested it as a true delicacy."

The two Luka Sene Scholars kept up their genteel table talk throughout their quite mannerly yet strict and lifeless dinner. Afterwards, as they watched a documentary on the beginnings of the CNS, the woman had a momentary disgruntled expression, as if she had bitten into something unexpectedly sour, before asking quietly, "Jasper, where do you think little Ciaran is?"

The man shrugged and replied, focused on the news details rather than the thought of his only child, "Probably dead or in a bar somewhere, like her grandfather, no doubt."

Spoiler: Writer's Note

The image that struck me here is kind of bitter, kind of sour, but something I definitely did not want to hold tightly. The dichotomy of her parents surrounded by her and yet totally unaware struck me as amusing, though. I could have kept going on but it was beginning to feel forced.

 

[Noitaerc]

Omake for Droideka upgrade and giving us the possibility to raid Colla IV!
At least I hope it can count as one.
Edit: it did! And it's canon!

Overachiever

Ciaran stared at the datapad's display. She left just for a short time and Cheriss managed to do this?

Droid Upgrade Report (Droideka)

Cheriss Frame Droideka model (AKA the Mk-II) comparison with standard-issue (With annotations)

-Modified Design (I needed to do that to account for all the upgrades) (See the Droideka Mark II on wookieepedia)
-Bigger frame to house the additional systems and modifications
-Much sturdier frame (Seriously, it was nearly as fragile as a standard B1 droid without its shield, only the mass helped protect it better than a B1)
-Much studier limbs (I also added an emergency servomotor to each just in case, and the upgrade is needed)
-Better armor (It desperately needed it, I added plates, enlarged others and used better materials or more efficient forms)
-Enhanced starship-class fusion generator (While the original one was good, this one is much better and needed. I took inspiration from the special ships we bought from Mr. Sienar to design this generator.)
-Improved circuitry (Sturdier and with several redundancies, needed for new programming)
-Improved programming (Needed to deal with the additional data, programs and systems, along with making it better like the rest of the droids. It includes the same programming that is shared by all the droids we made.)
-Added Photoreceptors to the usual sensors (Just in case someone devise a way to disrupt the Droideka's sensors just like one can with the regular photoreptors. This way, our Droidekas won't be as easily blinded as it could be.)
-Added discreet photoreceptors and sensors to the back, top and sides of the Droideka (Due to its low turn speed, though greater than the original thanks to the fourth leg, it would be easily blindsided without those additions. I corrected that issue.)
-Added a leg (It improves the stability and reduce the ease with which it can be pushed to the side. It also help them moving without rolling and climb up stairs.)
-Added electromagnets (may come useful if want to climb or move on metallic surfaces, can be turned on and off), much better servomotors (also see the part about the limbs further above and now can climb surfaces like the original could) and integrated spikes (to keep anchor the Droideka on a rocky surface, no matter the position) to the legs.
-A small tractor beam projector (It is to help the Droideka ascend/move on non-floor surfaces by 'attracting' the main body, mostly the top, toward the legs (and slightly toward the "sky" (depending on what this "sky" is)), reducing the strain on the legs, the climbing surface and the whole frame during a climb. Or you could simply add ascension grapple launchers, but those cannot be used in as many situations as Droideka could need the climbing help, like in small caves or non-climbing movements. It may help against Force telekinesis, but one would need to test.)
-Improved weaponry (I increased the firepower of the weapons without compromising the rate of fire, both can be adjusted (to a point) by the Droideka if the unit is ordered to (or chooses to if the situation demands it). The standard setting is at "full" power without affecting other systems or lowering the rate of fire.)
-Vertical angled Twin Blaster Cannons (Needed to allow the addition of armor plates there. The last servomotor to the cannons provides the Droideka with a vertical firing angle 180o​ from top to down (but not behind) and some lateral alignment, but still better than the original.)
-Additional Triple Blaster Cannon (Anyone trying to use the original's issue of not being able to hit enemies to close in front of them will have a bad surprise with this. This is can only move up and down to a degree.)
-Twin Ion cannons (Useful if you want to disable vehicles and droids for looting or another reason or take down shields. These have not much movement capacity, only a little vertically, so keep that in mind when you want those used.)
-Improved deflector shield generator (I resolved the issues with the shields. Thanks to the additional sensors and photoreceptors and the modified programming, the system now recognizes walls and other structures and objects that it doesn't need to actively shield against. The shield will then stop on the object instead of pushing/fighting against it. This modification can be used against the Droideka if the object isn't sturdy enough to protect it or is a disguised explosive, but it's better than the shield generator overloading due to extended contact with something that doesn't threaten it. I also closed the hole on the top of the shield, since it is a flaw that Jedi used with their lightsabers. You know, just in case it is needed or someone with a vantage point try to use it.)
-Higher Cost to produce (The upgrades aren't that cheap, but they are more than worth it and the cost isn't that big, I promise.)
-Longer time of production (It's not much if the facility is well made, but without it would be problematic. I have a design for another version of their production facility that much larger, but would reduce the production time to mere minutes if it has all the materials. Maybe I could make a facility that I could easily modify as to add droid schematics and is able to manufacture in great number all our military droids in good numbers.)

Regarding weaponry: It is relatively easy to change the arm weapons for melee ones like it was done for some Droidekas according to a few reports, but I would discourage it since it is mostly useless. It is easy to swap the current weaponry for an ion-based one if so wanted. I suggest that weapons using ammunition, such as grenade launchers, rocket launchers, flamethrowers and slugthrowers for examples, are not given to the Droidekas since they can't reload those weapons or cannot use them as well as other droids or people could.

Final Notes: I left the 'easy' deactivation method with electro-magnetic grenades and ion weaponry, but it is needed in case something happens and our forces have to face them. If you really want me to "remove" (I can only diminish it) this flaw, then I will add the protection against EMP (not perfect, since enough power would overload this defence), but it will be on your head if anything happens. Do your want me to add a hard-wired self-destruction system as well? I designed it just in case you wanted to keep the Droideka models we have to us due to how different and powerful they are.

Also, HK-47 wanted me to replace the blasters with disruptors. I refused, of course. This would make the Droidekas much more costly than they already are, but also greatly lesser their efficiency and would bring a lot of unwanted attention on us. If he wanted to replace the metal plating with Cortosis, I would not be as annoyed. Now I wonder if we could make one made of Beskar, since it is better than Cortosis. Do you think we could build you a set as bodyguards? Wait, there is the Force to take into account since we could deploy them against Palpatine, or they may be used against Force-using assassins. Maybe if I design a version able to house and protect an Ysalamiri... I will get you on that later.

Additional sub-models:
-Droideka Opressor:
Artillery unit (can also be used as anti-vehicle to a point)
The two Twin Blasters Cannons were replaced with two Heavy Blaster Cannons firing artillery ordinance with integrated power source.
The arms were modified to better support the new weapons and their recoil.
The sensors, photoreceptors and programming were modified to fit the new role.
Note: I kept the Triple Blaster Cannon for defence or use where the artillery is unwanted or too dangerous.
The Twin Ion Cannons are kept as insurance against shielded targets, or to disable droids at the front while the main weapons take care of other targets.

-Droideka Suppressor:
Anti-infantry and suppression unit
The two Twin Blasters Cannons were replaced with two Blaster Cannon Chainguns.
The sensors, photoreptors and programming were modified to fit the new role.
Note: the Triple Blaster Cannon can also be replaced by a specially designed double Blaster Cannon Chaingun. (They need to be able to shift to fit the space they have, hence the special design.)
The Twin Ion Cannons are kept as insurance against shielded targets, or to disable droids at the front while the main weapons take care of other targets.

End of Report

"Force save me from overachievers... this is awesome. Wait, there's a note."

P.S. If possible, can we get the schematics for the Scorpenek Annihilator Droid? Here's what we got about it so far.

She read the file about said droid once, twice and finally thrice. A large grin appeared on her face. She had one thought in her mind: I must have it.

"PR-1! Add this to my notes! Mission to Colla IV: theft of Colicoid droids schematics! I want that thing! And see if we can have some Hutt Cartel support in this, since they must still want some revenge for the loss of their facilities on Kessel." She looked at the remaining post-scriptum.

P.S. 2: I am working on integrating the Droideka's sensors to all our droids schematics without removing the photoreceptors. See the annotation about them in main report.
P.S. 3: Don't forget to answer my questions.