The number of sentry droids increased as the firefight continued. Xantros accounted twelve droids taken down with his blaster pistol, while each of his companions got rid of a similar amount with their lightsabers. However, it seemed that the prison was far more heavily guarded than the trio had ever expected.
“We are heavily outnumbered!” shouted the Duros as another squad of sentry droids appeared at a nearby elevator and pointed at a narrow corridor on the left. “We need to get out of here before they shoot one of us down with mere amount of blaster shots!”
Dante and Alara slashed two more droids, while Xantros focused for a second. Then, they all run with an inhuman speed in the direction shown by the Augur, disappearing from the main corridor. The droids seemed to be a little bit confused for a moment, but they soon followed the intruders. However, the members of Clan Scholae Palatinae were moving much faster than the droids and left them behind.
The team reached the main corridor in another place, closer to their target, and they were right about to enter it, when Xantros noticed a Human reaching an elevator nearby. The Human was wearing a military uniform and his insignia suggested that it was a high ranked officer of the Collective. The Duros spoke to his comrades, “I may have an idea. Give me a moment.”
The Augur approached the Human, who immediately took out a blaster pistol and aimed at the alien, asking, “Who are you?”
Xantros waved his hand and said, “We are technicians. We were sent to the prison facility to determine and to remove the cause of this chaos around here. The sentry droids went rampage, believing that there were Force users around. However, due to their malfunctioning procedures, we find it difficult to reach the prison and to complete our task. Could you help us somehow?”
“Surely, I was going there myself,” replied the officer and attached the blaster pistol back to his belt. “This elevator will take us directly to the center of the prison facility, where we will have a chance to discuss the issue with Rutgar-4.”
“Excellent,” spoke the Augur and smiled politely. “Please, show us the way down there.”
Four people entered the elevator, which moved down as soon as the door closed. Less than a minute later, the door opened again. The Collective officer walked out of the elevator and said, “This way.”
Soon, they reached the main control room without any trouble, as there were surprising few security droids nearby and none of them reacted. However, Ruthar-4 immediately noticed their presence and stated with a metallic voice, “Congratulations, Captain. You have captured and brought here very dangerous criminals. I will make sure that a proper commendation will be sent to your superiors to notify them about your success.”
“Actually, they are technicians that have been sent to remove the reason of the sentry droids malfunctioning,” explained the officer.
“You are incorrect as there is no malfuction of the sentry droids,” spoke the droid. “These intruders are the reasons of the behaviour of the security droids.”
“What?” asked the Captain with shock visible on his face.
“Actually,” answered Kell Dante. “The droid is correct. We are intruders and you will be dead soon. The droid will share your fate a moment later.”
The Elder activated his lightsaber and beheaded the officer of the Collective. In the same moment, Rutgar-4 moved towards Xantros to attack him, but the Quaestor of House Excidium proved herself to be faster due to the use of the Force and pierced the chest of droid with her almost instantly activated lightsaber. The droid stopped and looked at her.
“This was unexpected…” said Rutgar-4. “It did not happen in accordance to the plan. I have not expected it, even though I planned everything carefully. Predicted all scenarios…”
“Do not worry,” replied Xantros with a charming smile. “No one expects the Imperial Inquisition and you are nor the first neither the last to underestimate biological beings, especially the ones gifted with the ability to use the Force.”
With these words, the Duros decapitated the droids and watched the mechanical body fell on the ground. He looked at the remains of the prison warden and said, “Kell, would mind making sure that this thing does not stand up again?”
“With pleasure, though I suggest moving away a bit,” answered Dante.
As the trio moved to a safe distance, the Adept activated and threw a thermal detonator and the remnants of the droid. Few seconds later, a large explosion evaporated everything within the main control room.
“Now, we should find a way to leave this station,” ordered Alara Deathbane.