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When we first started out we knew that it would be tough surviving, but from our own monster?
One year ago we started a project called Prime. We were trying to create an A.I. that would help Command manage things. So they took one year on a far off planet light years away from Nearpoint, and it was done. They made a body for it so that it would seem better, and more human.
So they tested her. When Prime was asked questions she showed signs of multiple personalities. They were astonished that the A.I. developed a personality but even more astonished when they found that Prime was missing along with the dead remains of the researcher who made it, Primo Whedo, and more researchers that were found dead…
Now it's coming for you and there's only one ship left headed towards Nearpoint.
"When I first joined the Rebellion, I knew I would do great things, but when my first mission ended up like this, I only thought "If I get outta this alive, I'm takin' a vacation!"
Forests of Planet Prime
"Go! Go!" Lan said as he was protecting the rest of the researchers.
"It could be here any second."
"Oh no! You can't damage it! Command would kill me!" said Private Edgethane, in charge of Reasearch.
"Yes, and so will the robot if you won't stop treating it like your child. Now get a move on! Corry, can you cover for me? I'll do some recon."
As Lan suspected, Prime was waiting. As soon as he started he saw a blaster pulse come from the forest.
"Prime's here! Everybody down!" Lan said as he slung over his E-17d. He aimed for a headshot and hit Prime dead on.
"Direct hit!" Corry got out her macrobinoculars. "It's getting back up! Run!" Corry yelled.
As Lan's pupils got smaller he couldn't believe it. He had his first headshot, and the thing didn't flinch. Lan ran as fast as he could. Once he caught up to the others he saw the robot speed up. It jumped on the new arriving guard, Boris. He tried shooting it but to no use. It was ripping his flesh. Lan hit it with a blast from an ion pistol. It was done, but Boris was badly injured so Lan carried him away. They started walking away in the direction of the ship.
After they left Prime got up again. And was incited to kill.
Caverns of Planet Prime
So they went their way and stopped in a cavern for the night. They checked on Boris, and the outcome was not great it seemed he had lost too much blood and died on the trip. They sat him down and covered his face. Edgethane was checking supplies, so Corry and Lan started to plan about what they would do about Prime.
"Look the thing is invulnerable. I hit it dead on and it was still working fine." Lan explained.
"Will you get over it! I've gotten plenty of headshots! Not really that amazing." said Corry.
"Did they ever get back up? Did they kill Boris after you were sure they were dead!"
"Umm… no, but I do think I know how we can destroy it."
"How?! It won't go down. It can effectively use our strengths to its advantage and then make us look like idiots! We need a plan to get away."
"But then all of this would be for nothing. If we're going to survive, it won't! I'm not leaving until that thing is put 6 feet under!"
Lan was conflicted with so many emotions. He hated the fact that he was protecting the beast for so long, and he now was fighting the very thing he held as his work. The others he could feel were fading in will.
"I agree" he said. The room looked astonished. "This is my first mission, and I'm not giving up. I don't care if I die, but Prime will. We all know the ship leaves the planet with or without us in a day, and after it leaves…we'll be here alone. So, I say we fight!"
"But what's your plan?" Corry said.
"Wait," Edgethane said astonishingly, "I remember something Primo told me the day before he died!"
Flashback: Prime Development Site One
"So, Edgethane, Prime is almost done. What do you think you're going to be assigned to after this?" Primo said.
"Probably Nearpoint, or some other station."
"Yeah, I just hope we get off of this planet."
"Why do you say that?"
"Comms Officer Cardin Loewe intercepted communication 10 parsecs away. Triumvirate chatter was everywhere."
"Are you saying were going to be attacked? If so, why haven't we begun evac procedure?"
"We've got it covered. This whole planet was scouted, and rigged with so many explosives that will engulf the planet in a thermodynamic anomaly otherwise known as…"
"A black hole, but won't we have the same fate as the Empire?"
"Not at all, the ships have enough thrust to get out of the gravitational rift. Plus a few hours will go by before we activate it safely from our ships."
"So, are we tracking them?"
"Of course, but they're going to be stopped even before they get here. The Honor Guard has set up a blockade. They're being intercepted as we speak."
"Okay, so what will happen to the planet after Prime?"
"Used as a trap to lure in Imperial targets, and then obliterated."
"Why? It is luminous and full of life. It could be used as a home."
"The Planet is too unstable. It is expected to destroy itself in 10 or 20 years."
"Oh..."
Caverns of Planet Prime
"So, you see, if we can get to the ship, Prime will be destroyed!" said Edgethane.
"Ok… so let's get a move on. We're running out of time."
Edge of the Forest
Lan led the group, of now three, out of the forest. They could see the landing pad so they ran for it. The one last ship there, The Crowbar, was a fast one. The fastest YT-1300 in the Rebellion.
They were getting closer, 300 feet away, the group filled with ecstasy when the inevitable happened. Prime rose from the Forest and sent a rocket at the group.
"Get down!" Lan yelled as he tackled the two others.
The rocket just barely missed hitting the ground in front of them.
"Go, I'm right behind you." Lan said as he slung his sniper rifle over once again. He aimed at the approaching android and as the sweat dripped from his brow he shot the thing, dead center. As it was falling, he kept on shooting, but it came back up.
At this Lan sprinted towards the ship.
"Start 'er up!" Land said as he was being followed. He pulled out his blaster pistol and shot backwards.
The ship was ready and the doors were closing. Lan made one final attempt and jumped into the ship, but Prime wasn't far behind and grabbed on with his claw-like hands.
"Eat this!" Lan said as he pressed the activation button for the planet.
The force was almost on the ship, but separated the ship from Prime and sent him flying into the abyss of lava below. The opposite force was enough to push the ship away. After it got out of the pull, they went straight into hyperspace.
"Anywhere is better than here..."