Star Wars: Lurking Darkness

Chapter 8

M-3 had done exactly what he had been told to do. The vintage protocol droid stood around looking at his master as he changed from the filthy rags he had on, and into the unsoiled clothing that had been laid out for him. He hoped he had done everything right.

The old droid had been a mess long before Von obtained his tarnished pieces that had been scattered behind the alley of the tapcafe he so often ate at. The Jedi master had dug deep within the old structure to find the protocol droids deteriorating remains. It hadn't been an easy task to find the most important pieces and using many borrowed components he managed to finally put the droid together.

Many had said fixing the droid would be a complete waste of time, but nevertheless Von knew the rusty 3PO unit most likely contained knowledge of many of the things he studied on a daily basis, and having such a droid would be useful in the temple's library.

His small gamble had paid off and he had been right about everything once M-3 was activated. He realized then how much information the droid had obtained throughout the years under the service of his former master. No memory wipes had been performed leaving all past information still intact.

His former master had been a Hutt whose name was never mentioned, or saved in the droids databank. All he knew of this Hutt was that he was clever and very vengeful.

It didn't matter to Von for he knew M-3 was now programmed to serve him. Without the gray protocol droid he knew his life wouldn't be so pleasant. Looking up at the droid he couldn't help but smile at how much help M-3 had been throughout the years.

"Is everything alright sir?" M-3 asked still making sure everything had been done right.

"Yes M-3 thank you but next time please hold my robe open so I can just slip into it instead of picking it up and throwing it over my own shoulders." Von looked at the droids expressionless face.

Smiling he said, "I'm just kidding buddy. Listen I don't know why the council wants to see me so suddenly, but I can bet it's not good. Whatever it is I want you to stay close to me, they'll watch their words knowing you're recording everything."

"I see sir, but may I say their urgency seemed to tell me they needed some sort of a favor from you."

Von clipped his lightsaber and put on his brown robe. "All I'm saying is I don't want them getting out of hand in there. Besides what favor would I do for a council that despises everything I do."

"Perhaps it's a mission sir." M-3 implied.

Von laughed aloud. "Yeah I highly doubt that M-3. Let's go before your circuits fry for thinking too much."

Waiting for his master to exit the room first M-3 slowly trotted after him. Walking down the halls of the temple was no quiet business when an old rusted protocol droid was trailing behind. The clattering of his feet and rubbing mechanical ligaments brought unwanted attention to his trip to the council chambers. The droid hadn't been accepted by everyone yet, but Von's occupation allowed him to have the droid as an assistant. Chief Librarian Jocasta Nu had benefited the most from having him around.

Walking up to the council chambers he stopped short of the entrance. Facing M-3 he said, "I really don't want to go in there. Stay close to me and keep quiet unless called upon." M-3 confirmed Von's request and again waited for his master to enter before doing so himself.

The oval chamber was cold and smelled hygienic as if the force was being used to cleanse it. The twelve seats had been set up in a circular manner so that all members would be able to see the speaker, or invited guest. Von knew the routine and waited at the entrance until he was called forward. From here he could see that not all of the seats in the room were occupied.