Miraj: - Are you sure it will work? -

Icarus: - Completely. Commando units are specialized for infiltration, and have multiple advantages for this type of missions. Plus, this is something we've done before. -

Miraj: - I hope you are right. By the way, you mentioned that Wag Too would go on this mission, but I don't see it anywhere. -

Wag Too: - Down here. -

At his voice, many looked to the side in surprise, having to resist laughing when they discovered the costume he would wear.

The Lurmen could not deny it, being locked in that can was a pain, and his short legs made it extremely difficult for him to walk. At least the ventilation systems he previously installed prevented him from being cooked alive inside.

Miraj: - Okay... I didn't expect that. But... How are you supposed to go. That is to say. They will recognize a Separatist droid from light years away. -

Icarus: - That's right... That's why I made a basic copy of my programming and installed it on this droid. -

Miraj: - An imperial security droid? Where did they get it from? -

Icarus. - A few weeks ago we intercepted an imperial medical transport. Lieutenant Li Mu led several troops and posed as pirates, taking resources, armor and this unit. They even commandeered an Imperial sentry shuttle. A great job in my opinion. -

The droid turned around, and plugged the port on its arm into the Imperial droid's computer, entering codes and a copy of its operating system into it. And after several seconds, the droid activated, staring at its fellow man intently at the optical sensors.

Miraj: - Icarus? -

Icarus/Imperial Droid: - Yes, commander? -

Miraj: - Wow. Awesome. Although somewhat chilling seeing the two of them talking at the same time. -

After saying this, the tactical super droid body withdrew, leaving Icarus in his new body. For the droid it was strange. This new body had simpler refractions, and he himself noticed how slowly his commands and processes were carried out. In contemporary terms, it was like reinstalling Window 11 on a 2000s laptop. It was still the same operating system, but on an older drive.

Bly: - General... Isn't this a risky thing? -

Icarus: - What do you mean, lieutenant? -

Bly: - In case this body is corrupted or sabotaged... Wouldn't the entire operation be in danger? and the Oasis? -

Icarus: - Negative. - He responded before even those present could worry. - The database that allows me to operate this body does not contain any files of that. Additionally, I have an emergency protocol installed that will cause a short circuit and destroy the data bank. Even if I run out of power by mistake, the information will be safe. -

Kurt: - Wait a moment. If you are able to clone your programming? Why hadn't I done it before? I mean... I can't imagine an army of highly intelligent super droids in a battle. -

At the idea everyone had great expectation and amazement. How had that not occurred to them before? But before he could even fill his mind with illusions, Icarus destroyed his expectations.

Icarus: - Unfortunately, that is not possible, if I had not done it much earlier. What you know as "Icarus" is the mixture of a body and a program. If either of the two parts is missing, Icarus himself would cease to exist. On the other hand, cloning the program is not the correct term. The program currently controlling this Imperial droid body is a fragment of the original. One composed of a smaller amount of code. More obsolete, slower. Still, if I don't manage to recover the fragment, it will take me a long time to regenerate the lost codes. -

Kurt: - Okay... I didn't understand anything at all. -

Icarus: - That if this body is destroyed for any reason, the original Icarus will be affected, reducing his processing capacity, his calculation speed and even his personality. -

Kurt: - Damn... That's serious. -

Icarus: - That's why we count on you, sergeant. The security of this operation rests in your hands. This unit is not designed to compute plans, so you and Commander Bly will be in charge. -

Kurt: - Yes... sir... general... Icarus. -

Bly: - Calm down soldier. - He told the nervous Kurt as he felt the weight of such a task. - Just don't screw up and everything will be fine. -

Kurt: - Ha... very inspiring. -

After the long farewell, especially the uncomfortable farewell to Wag too and Miraj, the group of at least twenty-five troops entered the imperial ship and took off from the hangars. In the cockpit were Kurt, Bly, Icarus and Wag Too, while the command units waited in suspension mode in the rear, and as soon as they left Gwori's atmosphere, Kurt activated the hyperdrive and they jumped into hyperspace.

Kurt: - I have a question. It is assumed that this ship was stolen by pirates. Shouldn't his disappearance be in imperial records? It would be very suspicious if it suddenly appeared without warning. -

Wag Too: - don't worry about it. We change the digital signatures before leaving. -

Kurt: - Yes, that's good. But they will need access codes. -

Icarus: - That's why I'm here. When we connect, I will enter encrypted codes until I find the correct one. Our income will be secure. You do not have to worry. -

The trip was quite long, but at least they had time to chat and play a game or two, but when they left the hyperspace and saw the enormous shipyard of Fondor, some people's nerves were undoubtedly on edge. It may be standard protocol, but as soon as they came out of hyperspace, two Tie fighters took off from the shipyards, circled around a couple of times, and positioned themselves next to the shuttle, which made Wag Too and Kurt very nervous. And as soon as they were parallel, a radio call came through the communications channel.

Tie Pilot: - Sentinel 05 14 44. Has entered Fondor orbit. Please say your directive and enter the authorization code. -

Kurt: - Sentinel here 05 14 44. Supply transport. Entering authorization codes right now. - He said before turning off the microphone.

Bly: - Not bad. A little robotic, but not bad. -

Icarus: - Very good. My turn. -

The droid approached a terminal, and after connecting, began searching through the imperial archives without being detected. Their encrypted codes could bypass Imperial security without much effort, but there was a problem.

Tie Pilot: - Sentinel 14 05 44. You are required to enter clearance codes or you will have to follow us to the security post. -

Kurt: - Yes, yes. Immediately. I'm... I'm having trouble... It seems our security droid is somewhat... defective. -

Tie Pilot: - Sentinel 14 05 44. If you do not enter the codes immediately you will have to divert to... -

Icarus: - Done. -

Kurt: - Here Sentinel 05 14 44. Codes entered. - There was a five-second pause that seemed like an eternity.

Tie Pilot: - Sentinel 14 05 44. You have authorization to enter. And take your security droid in for maintenance. -

Kurt: - Yes... I'll do that... Over and out. -

When Kurt closed the communications channel, the two Tie fighters increased their engine power and returned to their hangars, leaving the Sentinel shuttle and its nervous crew to inch forward to the cargo bays. And only then did those present allow themselves to breathe a sigh of relief.

Kurt: - Damn, man... Why did you take so long with those codes? -

Icarus: - The qualities of this body are much less optimal than I calculated. Even commando droids are much more efficient. To think that "The Great Empire" uses such mediocre droid models seems like an insult to technological progress. -

Bly: - The Empire emerged from the foundations of the Republic after all. Droids are not very well regarded... Especially those who are too intelligent. - He said with an ironic tone, referring to Icarus himself, a joke that of course, he did not understand.

Icarus: - What stupidity. -

After a few minutes, the sentinel shuttle arrived at the cargo hold that the control tower had designated for it, a place quite busy with imperial forces, but very far from the meeting area with the resistance contact.

Bly: - Are you sure this is going to work? -

Kurt: - Calm down. Trust me. -

Bly: - That's why I ask. -

At the suspicious start, the sentry's landing platform lowered, and instantly, an imperial officer approached where they were. As the commando droids disguised as stroomtropers descended with Icarus and Wag Too on their backs, Kurt moved ahead of the group to confront the Imperial officer. Meanwhile, Bly would stay on the ship in case of emergency.

Officer: - Sentinel 14 05 44. We do not have any information prior to your arrival. Could you tell us the reason? -

Kurt: - This detour was unexpected but... as the agents previously discovered... our security droid is having some difficulties. They ordered us to come and repair it, and along the way the boys and I will go get something to eat. I hope that's not a problem. -

Official: - It wouldn't be a problem, but first these protocols must... -

Alpha: - Lieutenant, is there a problem? -

The imposing voice of the commando droid, added to the deformation suffered by his stoormtroper helmet, raised a surprise in both of them, one feigned and the other very genuine, since the imperial officer did feel intimidated by his arrival.

Kurt: - No, commander. I was just explaining our situation to the officer. -

Alpha: - Very good. Don't delay. We will leave in an hour. -

Kurt: - Yes, sir. - He said, greeting him with a military pose before the droid withdrew, something that the imperial officer immediately imitated.

Officer: - Commander? Lieutenant? Where are your distinctions? -

At this statement, the officer was stunned when he saw Kurt take off his helmet and look him directly in the eyes. Although Kurt was a rather handsome young man, the scars on his face marked the many battles and dangers he had faced. Which left the officer with his plump, cream-polished face somewhat afraid to continue asking.

Kurt: - Officer. Some types of... missions... require the utmost discretion... I hope you understand. -

The officer only nodded fearfully at the man's gaze. Those blue eyes, although very striking, had the look of a hungry predator.