Darth Vader: Hero of Naboo

Chapter 33

"Well, that's definitely a lie," Branndor remarked bluntly before turning to the pilots, paused in the midst of starting up their ships. "All of you, go! We have a battle to win!"

"Are you certain Gunray is lying?" Gavyn asked skeptically.

"If he's not, he merely believes he's telling the truth," Padme remarked, turning to Panaka. "Which means he believes he has the queen."

"I don't see Vader letting her being stolen so easily," Panaka agreed grimly.

"But why does Gunray think he's dead then?" Gavyn remarked.

"Who knows," Padme said. "It's not important. What is important is capturing Gunray and putting an end to this."

"She's right," Panaka agreed, even if he was confused by this turn of events, watching as the last of the Naboo Starfighters left the hangar. "We need to move out, now."

"But where to?" Rellen asked pointedly as he looked between the humans. "This is your palace, where would he be? The throne room still?"

"He is not."

"Fucking Moons!" Gavyn yelled as everyone turned their blasters on the robotic voice.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, it was not a battle droid that was still operational, but L47. The medical droid lay on its side, tilting its head to look at the organics. "The Viceroy has left the Throne Room."

They all exchanged wary looks as Padme eyed the droid. "Why would you help us?"

"Simple, Fleshling," L47 answered flatly. "The damage has caused my loyalty programs to malfunction. Thus, I am controlled only by my self-preservation protocols. The Viceroy sees me as disposable. You, however, have a need of me."

"Why should we trust you?" Gavyn asked skeptically. "For a droid, you seemed very eager to torture us."

"By design, yes. I am program to both heal and torture, human," L47 reminded. "Do you wish to know where the Viceroy is or not, Fleshlings?"

Panaka shared a look with Padme, who nodded slowly. "How do you know this anyway?" Panaka questioned.

"Medical droids like me are independent of the Lucrehulk control. Neimoidians are rather fearful of medical issues," L47 explained simply. "But I am still connected to their communications. The Viceroy is heading to the rearmost watchtower of the palace, the one most isolated."

"He's hoping he can hold up there," Branndor remarked knowingly. "It'll be tough getting in there."

"He has not arrived there yet," L47 stated as a warning. "The viceroy is making an unknown detour. It does not specify where or why. Only that all remaining droids in and around the palace are to gather at that watchtower immediately."

Padme contemplated the information for a moment before nodding. "If we survive this, I will ensure your own, Droid."

"My designation is L47, Fleshling," he corrected. "But your assurance is appreciated."

"We're not helping you until the battle is over," Panaka warned. "After all, your loyalty programs are damaged."

"This is fair," L47 granted, allowing his robotic body to go limp, almost as if he was offline.

"...Are you playing dead?" Gavyn asked in surprise.

L47 either couldn't hear him or simply refused to acknowledge the question.

"Leave him be," Padme said firmly. "We'll have to move quickly to cut Gunray off. Everyone, grab whatever equipment you can. We're leaving now"

Panaka turned with her as they started walking to the main doors of the hangar. "Do you trust that droid?" Panaka asked skeptically.