Star Wars Battlefront: Technical Difficulties

UB Report BF-47-MPM

To: Count Dooku

From: Untella Barr

Attachments:

RV-47

Commander Hattana has asked me to respond to your queries about the peculiar case of what, exactly, occurred during the recent attack on Rhen Var. I will do my best to keep things brief.

As you know, one of our primary advantages over the Republic has been our ability to pinpoint enemy movements via sub-orbital drones that can monitor life signs, and communicate with our ground forces. This allows us to triangulate enemy positions and get accurate readings on their movements. Conversely, these same drones hamper enemy communications and scanners, allowing us a clear advantage in the terms of tactical intelligence.

After the last attack at Rhen Var, experiments began on dramatically improving our capabilities in this regard, particularly via a modified Lucrehulk Battleship, similar in nature to the Droid Control Ships used by the Trade Federation. We were hoping to improve our droids’ tactical prowess by giving them all the benefits of a hive mind with none of the side effects.

With the recent Republic attack, however, there were complications.

The Republic managed to land to the west of our terrestrial research center, while the battle in space raged on. The Confederate Navy was quickly able to gain the upper hand, but not without the modified Lucrehulk taking damage. While still operating nominally in regards to controlling the suborbital drones, as well as disrupting Republic gear, the more experimental systems were… more volatile.

Of the various glitches and malfunctions, our AATs, and the droids slaved to operate and monitor them, began acting oddly. Most of AATs wouldn’t operate, and the pilot droids acted strangely: they would go from being strangely aggressive, to completely stationary, to erratically firing their grenade launchers. The explanation is that old corrupted B1 Battledroid code was broadcast and the pilot droids, being the most similar to the B1s, received conflicting programming.

On the positive side, however, the fighter tanks and AT-TEs of the Clones also showed signs of malfunction, limiting them strictly to ground forces. Despite securing their landing zone early on, the clones were able to push up to right outside our research center where a long stand-off took place until we were able to correct the programming errors and dispatch Magnaguards and Droidekas to eliminate them.

While the attack was merely a defensive victory, I must stress the importance of our find with this new aspect of disruption technology. If we can harness it properly, we may be able to even damage Republic vehicles from orbit. That said, as it stands, even a small number of these modified Lucrehulks could, with proper escort, become an incredibly effective blockade.

Commander Hattana has granted me the authority to dispatch these Lucrehulks as I see fit. With your permission, I wish to test a blockade against the jungle planet of Yavin IV, as well as dispatch some more droids to secure Bespin’s Cloud City. The resources there would be valuable to our research, both those funneled from us to keep the siege going, as well as those that are present in Cloud City.

Regards,

Lead Researcher Untella Barr

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RE: UB Report BF-47-MPM

To: Untella Barr

From: Count Dooku

Dear Lead Researcher,

            Your report is most interesting, and though I was somewhat upset that we were forced into such a corner, I am pleased to hear that we’ve managed a boon of knowledge and experience from the encounter.

            I support your plans whole-heartedly. Any edge we can get on the Republic can only help our cause, and I tire of seeing the Republic bring technological prowess to bear when we have the support of several large corporations. I will see what I can do about getting more Lucrehulks transferred to your command. Keep in mind, however, that the will of the Separatist Council trumps my own: should they wish to attack elsewhere, your forces will be diverted without question.

            Likewise, as a personal favor, do pass along a message for me to Commander Hattana. Tell him he can stay on Tatooine a bit longer, and to let you handle the more complicated tasks of taking enemy positions.

Sincerely,

            Count Dooku