3Author's note: this is my own work. Some characters are from Knights of the Old Republic 2, most others are of my own creation. I do not own kotor 1 or 2. Read and review please.
Chapter 1
Nasheth flipped the safety switch off of his Aratech rifle, his blue Neo-Crusader armor barely visible in the fog. The young man had tracked this boma for three days. They had started to be a serious problem for the Mandalorian outpost on Dxun; tearing up unattended equipment and injuring young recruits. Standing one and a third meters tall, the quadrupedal predator would establish their territory and refuse to leave it. You could kill several and drive the rest off, only for them to return shortly after. Unfortunately, their territory happened to exist in the same place as the extended outpost. With Mandalore reuniting the clans and sending them back to Dxun, the original encampment was getting too crowded.
He put the crosshairs of his scope just behind the front paw of the beast, resting it just between the vertical ribs. Nasheth exhaled and eased the trigger back. As the ensuing bolt struck the boma, it jerked around and charged. Nash leapt to a standing position, firing as he came up. Multiple bolts made contact, but only glancing blows. Two finally made impacted the boma's spine, bringing the beast down five yards from Nasheth.
Nasheth sighed and shouldered his rifle. He had never been the best at killing Dxun's many predators, but a dozen blaster bolts to kill a single boma was simply unacceptable. He would either have to get a new weapon or find a way to increase the output of this antique. But that was neither here nor there, so he proceeded down the game trail he had used to find the boma.
Nasheth passed through the gate of the outpost and glanced around. When the Mandalorians first returned to this place, it was decayed almost past the point of repair. Fortunately, Mandalore had found a kinsman working for the Hutts who was a tech expert. Zuka was able to get most of the old sensors and perimeter defenses up and running, as well as halt the perpetual state of decay. And that was the man Nasheth needed to see.
He found Zuka, as usual, in his shop hunched over a workbench. Nasheth cleared his throat lightly.
"Yes? Oh, Nasheth of clan Ordo. I've been expecting you to turn up sooner or later. I've got that protocol droid you brought in in working order." Zuka stated as he turned around. "Just finished retooling the battery pack for it. Got a surprise for you too."
"Really, Zuka? What would that be?" Nasheth responded as he turned to look at the humanoid shaped droid standing in the corner. It was plated in matte gray durasteel, with a box shaped head.
"Your little protocol droid isn't just some protocol droid you'd find wondering around Coruscant. This little bugger has some serious combat programs on him. I'm amazed at just how well it is built. Where did you say you found this again?"
"Out by one of the old caches from the wars. Do you think it's safe to bring him back online?" Nasheth queried.
"Oh yes," Zuka chuckled. "I've rewritten some of his programming, so he won't just start shooting or take off. Matter of fact, he isn't even armed yet. I was actually just about to test him out just before you came in."
"Well, let's boot him up and see what he can do," Nasheth responded, a little of the tension released from his voice.
"Will do." And with that, Zuka reached into the durasteel-plated droid's chassis and plugged the battery pack in. Its photoreceptors instantly glowing blue and the slightly hunched stance immediately corrected itself.
"Statement: HK-50 coming online. Running diagnostics. Running armament check. Running system upgrades. Assessing status. Distressed statement: It seems I have suffered quite extensive damage. It appears my weapon has been misplaced as well. My assassination protocols seem to have been altered rather extensively. This, I do not like."
"Assassination protocols!? What exactly have you gotten us into Zuka?" Nasheth exclaimed.
"Relax Nasheth, I removed a good chunk of it. You wouldn't expect it from looking at him, but he was programmed to kill any 'organics' he could without causing serious damage to himself." Zuka assured him. "Now he is a simple body guard. Well, as simple as his sophisticated circuitry will allow."
"Hesitant statement: I am to assume one of you is my current master?" HK-50 continued.
"That would be me." Nasheth opined. "What do you mean by 'current master'?"
"Quick retraction: Organics have a tendency to either sell their belongings at random intervals or to… pass away… at inopportune times."
"And by 'organics' you mean?" Prompted Nasheth.
"Any and all sentient life forms of organic compilation," declared HK. "Pleading statement: If you could please give me back my rifle and allow me to go about my primary programming, I would be ever so grateful."
"Your… your primary programming?" Nash gulped hesitantly.
"Proud declaration: Yes, Hunter Killer droid model fifty's primary programming is to protect and defend its designated master at any and all cost. This programming is also extended to the master's immediate family and individuals that are in need of protection."
"See, I told you I changed its programming. It wouldn't hurt a mynock unless that mynock were to pose an immediate threat to you." Zuka said grinning.
"I guess you're right Zuka. I'll leave you to your business. Come on HK, follow me. And try not to kill any one important." Nasheth jested.
"Miserable statement: Why must I suffer?"