The dim, high pressure world of Skako whirled quietly through its orbit. The massive mega city that covered its entire surface buzzed with activity. It had been ages since things had moved like this and that was because something that had not happened in years was about to occur. The Skakoans were going to speak with beings from other worlds. Long ago the race of brilliant machine merchants had been the mind, body, and soul of the massive Techno Union until the bitter end of th Clone Wars upon which point they had withdrawn into their own affairs, disgusted with humanity and the Republic. Through the years after, they'd been completely left alone, not even the Empire cared to deal with them because they didn't even trade anymore. They simply served their own planetary needs and that was all. But things were changing, situations were moving into place that they had not expected. Someone had contacted them and Foreman Bot Tambor was soon to be heading up into space to speak with whoever it was sitting up there in a luxury yacht.

Shuttle Tambor One

Bot Tambor fidgeted in his pressure suit as he considered what was going to happen here. The strange being was most likely human, though it was hard to tell with the face mask he was wearing at the time. Bot sighed, unprepared for this and completely unused to wearing the suit. He had to wear it though, unless he wanted to suffer a very nasty and explosive death in normal atmosphere like the one aboard the yacht. He'd just have to cope as he discovered what this was all about.

"Query: Are you alright, Master?"

Bot looked up and over at ancient HK droid. He wasn't sure how long it had been in his family, but it seemed to always be there, helping when it could and now it had somehow tagged along on this mission, obivously trying to be helpful in its strange sort of manner.

"Yes, I'm fine, HK. I just don't understand who this Omega Thrax person is or what he wants..."

"Statement: I believe master that he is here for a lucractive business porposition."

"What makes you say that?"

"Guilty Statement: I'm afraid that I sliced into their computer systems last night, Master. They are here upon the business of the Techno Union."

"What? But the Techno Union is gone... it died with my grandfather Wat on Mustafar."

"Suggestion: Perhaps they wish to have it reform?"

"Oh gods, not again...."

"Query: Master, you don't wish your people to prosper again?"

"No! It will all lead to war again! My people will suffer again!"

"Statement: We shall see, Master"

Luxury Yacht Geryon

The man standing quietly in the lounge was dressed in a black suit, framed with silver plating at certain points. His face was hidden by an odd face mask, one side completely black, the other orange and revealing one of his eyes. He was a mysteriously imposing figure and he had business with the Skakoans by request of the Chairman.

"Sir, the Foreman has docked, shall we bring him to you?" An officer asked from the comlink in the table.

"Yes, send them in" Thrax said, his single visible eye turning towards the world of Skako.

Several moments passed and then Bot Tambor and an odd droid walked into the chamber, led in by two Union necrotrooper drones. Without a word, they turned and left, obeying a command dispatched by Thrax's cerebral implants. Bot shifted uneasily as Thrax took a seat at the table.

"Please, be seated," Thrax said, offering the pair seats at the table

They both sat and then regarded Thrax, in his strange attire and the oddly silent troops that had led them here.

"Mister Tambor, permit me to introduce myself, I am Omega Thrax. I represent a rather large interest group that would like to see the Techno Union up and running again, feeding the galaxy new techologies and giving us what we need," Thrax said calmly.

"No, not again. I won't let my people be used and suffer again, not after that failure that cost us so much. I don't want to suffer at human hands again."

"Statement: I would reconsider this, Master"

Bot and Thrax both looked over at HK-47. The droid hadn't said a word, hadn't moved since the meeting had started and now it had spoken and it was actually arguing with its master.

"What? Are you insane?" Bot demanded

"Statement: Of course not, Master, but I refuse to let my plans be ruined by one paranoid meatbag."

"Wha-"

Bot was caught off guards from the orange droid backhanding him, knocking him to the floor. Bot got to his knees, coughing and adjusting his suit's gauges. HK-47 remained seated nd regarded Thrax with his glowing photoreceptors.

"Statement: I am the true controller of all business activity on Skako. It was foolish of the Tambor family to take me in all those thousands of years ago. Its kept them in power, but only because I required them to. I, unlike my unimaginative Master, wish to see the Techno Union running again."

"Excellent. I see it is obviously you who I should be talking to. What about him?" Thrax asked, his eye settling on the now terrified Bot.

"Statement: He is useless to me dead. I require him alive to continue maintaining control of operations here."

"Very well, we'll just store him somewhere until this meeting is over"

Two drones appeared from the doorway and dragged the Skakoan away to a holding cell. Thrax then turned towards HK-47.

"I'll just tell you now, my interest group wants more than to just see the Techno Union up and running again, we want the droid forges up also. We want a disposable military force at our command."

"Intersted Query: But do you not have more of those soliders?"

"Yes, but they are not in large enough numbers yet to be useful. We need a proxy army. Somthing to do our bidding till the time is right and the galaxy will be made aware of our existence. In exchange, we'll leave you to do as you please with it. For this you will be made of member of the Committtee."

"Query: Committee?"

"The ruling body of our little organization. Join us and reach new levels of power and control." Thrax said temptingly

The droid seemed to consider this for a small bit before speaking again.

"I accept your offer, but we must move quietly and carefully with this. the Skakoans are a paranoid people now. I will first open trade again and then start pushing out from there."

"Well then, welcome to the Union, HK-47."

The pair stood and walked to the window, beginning to discuss the future occurences on Skako. Times were changing and the Skakoans were going to be coming back to the galaxy.

HK-47 walked back along the corridors of the Tambor Estate, a massive techological compound built on the high pressure world. Bot Tambor followed along meekly, afaid to apparently speak now since HK-47 had finally asserted his authority over the Skakoan. Already huge freighters of Skakoan technologies were preparing to leave the planet and trade with the galaxy, ending years of secularism and isolation from the rest of the galaxy. The Skakoans were coming back and they could soon become a technological powerhouse again.

"Is this all really necessary, HK?" Bot asked meekly as he followed behind the droid.

"Statement: Yes, master, it is because I have further plans to carry out and our new benefactor could prove to be very useful."

"But the Techon Union? Won't the Empire get antsy?"

"Response: No master, because even the Empire needs droids and equipement. We will sell to any government willing to buy our hardware, in return they will leave us be as we are simply mercenary in nature with no visible political agenda."

"But we don't even have the resources the old Techno Union had. Geonosis I hear is under occupations, Mechis III belonds to the Empire, and other worlds are gone as well."

"Statement: There are still useful worlds for out operations, especially for munfacturing the droid army our benefactors want."

"Droids! Oh gods, the Empire will come and glass Skako with turbolasers fire!"

"Threat: Be silent. I do not care what happens to your stupid people. I will see the Techno Union reborn and for now we will serve this Omega Thrax and I will sit on their Committee."

"You're just using them?"

"Obvious Statment: Of course, they are just pawns, like you, who believe they are the one's in control. I will use them to achieve my own goals."

"Don't you think they know this?"

"Rebuttle: Meatbags often do not grasp the complexities of a droid brain that has had thousands of years to develop."

"And what part do I play in all of this?"

"Annoyed Response: What else, master? You will continue to be the visible head of the Techno Union, while I actually run it. In return for you continued work, you will enjoy the luxurious life style of wealth."

"So, I'm just going to be a puppet? A damn figurehead for your little schemes and there's as well?"

"Statement: Correct, master."

"Fine, I'll do it, just don't hurt my family," Bot said, turning and walking down another corridor away from the real master of Skako.

HK-47 watched him quietly before turning and entering into the main pressurized conference room where Omega Thrax sat, waiting calmly for the droid. HK scanned him and found the being to be odd, with severe mechanical augmentations, especially to the brain area.

"The Chairman has sent word that the Union will fully support the Techno Union rebirth operation, however, we require a very large number of items in exhange."

"Query: Such as?"

"Our military efforts are not at best, we lack, how shall we say, more effective vessels. If you just happen to sell a number of now droid crewed models and such, we're willing to purchase them for use."

"Statement: This sounds satisfactory, but it will take time for the foundries of Skako to be operational again. However I do have in mind other location that could be of use to our new agenda. The Outer Rim is teeming with worlds that the goverments have ignored or simply just don't care about. I will set about taking care to send Bot to negotiate our administration of said worlds."

"Excellent, the Chairman will be very pleased with this. He also wishes to inform you that if necessary the Union will aid there as well. We will be dispatching a specialist in covert operations to aid you. His name is Deraggo. He will contact you once you begin seeking new worlds for acquisition. Until then, you must make sure that you have full control over the Skakoans as well as Foreman Tambor. He is an important figurehead afterall."

"Response: Bot will be kept on a leash as long as he serves a purpose. His extended family may prove a problem if he tries to run to them for help though."

"Do you believe he will do so?"

"Assured Reponse: I know so, he is weak and knows he cannot fight me alone. Therefore he will turn to his uncle, Hotho Tambor. I will simply have to deal with him as he becomes involved."

"Any other anticipated resistance?"

"Negative Resposne: None that I know of."

"And what if Bot does something more drastic?"

"Amused Query: Such as what? Turn the population against me?"

"He could, he strikes me as the sniveling, yet heroic sort. Are you prepared to deal with a planetary uprising?"

"Statement: Yes, I have been prepared for sometime now. Every droid on Skako has the necessary programming to annihilate the Skakoans."

"How convenient, are you willing to use that?"

"Statement: They are just meatbags. I have no sympathy for such things. Is the Union still willing to support a mechanized military movement?"

"Yes, as I said the Union requires military proxies, if all else should fail, we will support a movement by Skako's robotic population if it wipes out its former masters."

"Response: Excellent, then we have an agreement. It all hinges upon the actions of my stupid puppet, Bot."

"Indeed."

Tambor Estate
Western Wing

Bot Tambor sat quietly in his study, fists clenched in anger as he considered what to do. How dare that miserable antique of a droid do this to him! This was his home, his company, his world. Yet from what he's heard, everything has been under HK's control since then. That didn't mean things couldn't change, that the Tambor's couldn't rise up and stop this travesty and abuse of power set upon them by a droid whose age no one seems to know. HK had been like a family heirloom but now there was nothing that could be done, the droid had to be eliminated for the sake of the Skakoan people and this Union group had to be dealt with. With that thought in mind, Bot reached across his desk and activated his com system. Within moments the hologram of a aged Skakoan appeared.

"What brings such an unexpected call, dear nephew?"

"Uncle Hotho, we have much to discuss and very little time."

Omega Thrax walked along in his reinforced suit, permitting him to move freely on the high pressure world of Skako. He'd been here for weeks now and was already picking up whispers of unrest, that Skakoan workers were stockpiling weapons for some big move. With a clacking of metal on metal, Thrax turned to see the orange droid, HK-47 approaching him.

"Are you aware you're little puppet is getting ready to make his move?"

"Statement: I am aware of what the little meatbag is doing. I am already prepared to deal with it."

"Are you going to kill him?"

"Response: Negative, he is useful to me alive. I will hold his family hostage. He will do anything to save his wife and children."

"Very well, just make sure he lives, the Techno Union still needs an organic at its head."

"Statement: I am aware of this and do not need to be reminded by some half meatbag."

"Perhaps, but I might like to remind you that you work for the Union now and that means you take orders from me," Thrax replied coldly.

"Condescending response: As you say, master."

"Just take care of this," Thrax replied even more icily and walks back to his quarters, leaving the orange droid watching him with its red photoreceptors.

HK-47 didn't know what to make of this human/machine hybrid known as Omega Thrax. Whoever or whatever he was, he represented a power that was lying in the shadows of the galaxy. Most likely it was run by a meatbag as few droids ever got so ambitious very often. But what information HK had been given so far was startling even to him. He remembered secretive crime networks like the Exchange, but this Union reached farther and deeper than any there had been before. To a meatbag, something so deep, hidden, and powerful would be frightening. To HK, it sang of opportunity and resources most others would never have at their disposal and that meant that someday his own ambitions might be able to be realized. Until then, he would humor this Omega Thrax and his Union.

Bot's Study

Bot Tambor sat quietly in his study with his aged uncle, Hotho, a chief Elder of Skako's religion. The pair had been plotting quietly for weeks now, seeing the inevitable conflict to come to overthrow the dominating HK-47. Weapons had been stored carefully and the pair had emphasized no speaking in front of droids as no one knew just how deep HK's control over the planet's mechanical population reached.

"We have to be ready to move soon, Bot, who knows just how much this malevolent droid might figure out before then," Hotho wheezed, smacking a fist on Bot's desk.

"I know, uncle, but we have to make sure everything is in place. We can't afford to lose this struggle, otherwise that droid will stay in power for who knows how long."

"Yes, but we must strike fast or else it will be too late and Skako will be lost."

"We shall, very soon, the battle for Skako will begin. I've considered contacting the Galactic Coalition for support."

"The Coalition? Do you think they will aid us?"

"Of course, I've heard they're a very compassionate government. They'll surely help us stop this travesty against our rights."

Bot reached for his comm relay and keyed in a transmission code for the Coalition. The screen buzzed for a second and then HK-47's visage appeared on the screen.

"Statement: I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that, master. The Coalition is not a wise financial choice. They do not utilize droids as others would. We require someone with wars and chaos in mind."

With that said, the screen went dead and Bot stepped back from it as if bitten by a snake.

"By the gods, he's gotten into everything. We must move now."

Hotho simply just nodded and the two fled the study, ready to send out word to begin the attack on teh Tambor Estate and end the reign of HK-47.

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.