Star Wars_ Coruscant Nights III_ Patterns of Force - Michael Reaves [14]
“I-Five?” Rhinann repeated in disbelief. “All you’re worried about is the droid? Have you no conception of what it would mean to the Whiplash were I-Five to fall into enemy hands?”
“Or to the remaining Jedi,” said Jax quietly.
“If there are any,” added Rhinann.
“The droid,” said I-Five with subtle emphasis, “would destroy his memory core if he felt his position was compromised. I’m more concerned that failure on my part would bring severe consequences for Jax or anyone else who might be caught facilitating my mission. For that reason, if I do this, I wish to do it alone. Completely alone.”
“Five!” Den objected. “That’s ridiculous. You can’t go it alone on a mission like this. You’ll need intel, backup, an escape corridor—”
“I can provide my own intel by slicing into the HoloNet within the Imperial complex, thank you very much. I can provide my own backup as well—after all, who expects a protocol droid to be outfitted with hidden laser pistols and other defensive systems? I can also, I trust, create my own escape corridor.” The droid turned to Jax. “I would argue that one of the chief reasons for the failure of other assassination attempts was that there were too many people and too many resources committed to the effort. The more individuals there are engaged on the ground in such an undertaking, the more points of discovery there are.”
Tuden Sal’s gaze was riveted on the droid’s gleaming metal face. “What do you propose?”
“Between myself and Rhinann,” said I-Five, “I expect we can gain sufficient knowledge of Palpatine’s itinerary that we can safely gauge his private locations based on his more public appearances. Once I know where he’s going to be, it should be a simple matter of disguising my virtual identity such that when I access Imperial nodes on the HoloNet, I do so with an alias.”
“A virtual disguise,” Jax murmured.
“Precisely.”
“Which is fine, except that you’re a discontinued model,” argued Den. “You may be able to fool the ’Net, but you’re still a Five series droid. I’d bet good credits there aren’t too many of those near the Emperor. No doubt he’s got the newest, shiniest protocol droids Imperial creds can buy. Am I right, Rhinann?”
The Elomin nodded. “Exactly right. No offense, I-Five, but you are a bit of an antique.”
The droid actually managed to look offended. “That’s as it may be, but it’s not an insurmountable obstacle. The model created to replace the I-Fivewhycue series differs only in a few minor external details. For example, the ocular units are smaller and use a halogen light emission system with a characteristically blue-white radiance; the chest plate has been modified to include a repulsor unit. And lastly, the external bus couplings have been streamlined. These are things it should be fairly easy to cosmetically adapt in my own appearance. And of course, I’ll need a good polish.”
“All easily arranged,” said Tuden Sal. “Even the polish.”
“In that case, throw in an oil bath and a circuit board tune-up.”
“Done.”
“While you’re at it, you might consider picking up the tab for our memorial services,” Dejah Duare said, speaking for the first time since their impromptu meeting began.
“You sound as if you’re planning a costume for a masquerade,” Dejah continued. “Whether I-Five goes in alone or not, potentially he could focus Imperial attention on us and on the Whiplash.”
“I tend to agree with Dejah,” Jax said.
“There’s a big surprise,” muttered Den under his breath.
Jax ignored the Sullustan’s grousing. “This is something we need to think through very carefully.”
“I don’t think so,” Dejah continued, focusing her entire attention on the Jedi. “I don’t think so at all. It doesn’t deserve to be thought through.” She had clasped her hands over her breasts in what