Mika nods as B2-CC9 shares it's computated considerations, "But how does one tell what fuel is going to the Imperials and what's going to less security conscious destinations?"

She then turns to Darvin, still trying to figure the fellow out, "Of course, not all of us Talons hail from the uniformed gentry...."  Her voice trails off and she quickly looks aside and quickly jumps into Merreck's interactions with the droid, almost too eagerly.

"It's a battle droid Merreck.  Most droids have behavioral inhibitors against harming sentients, but that convenient bit of coding usually doesn't find it's way into the behavioral matrix of a battle droid.  Otherwise, the enemy would just shield itself with innocent civilians and stroll right past them."

"Yeah, I know, Mika, a droid that can kill, just like we can. I´m just worried if it knows when to do it."

Merreck answer Cor like the droid wasn´t present. "I know I can ask you, Cor, I just wanted to hear it from the droid. It´s a good thing we can´t let it out in public, because I wouldn´t trust it around civilians. A good fighter, I´m sure, but you know what I mean."

Merreck shrugs. "So, Miss Lambar, what do you think about the three missions?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Fri 24 June 2011.

Mark made notes on his datapad as the briefing continued.  He wasn't making notes about the tactical suggestions, most of them he'd discussed with Zyra already, but instead the way the Talons planned and argued their points.

"I should clarify, that when I spoke of destroying a refinery I meant a ground based infiltration, not a bombing run.  A bombing run is crude, makes our craft to exposed to Imperial sensors allowing them to identify us and means we have to outfight Imperials starfighters on the way out."

"If we performed this run it would be land based infiltration op.  This offers many benefits;  The ability to use all our team; the ability to more systematically apply explosives for maximum effect; the chance to complete secondary objectives like the acquisition of computer data or possibly even a ship.  Added to that when you evacuate you could set an alarm to 'accidently' trigger.  That way we can minimise civilian deaths.  This is war, but we are not butchers, I leave that to the Imperials."

"Finally, the quieter we are, the less likely we can be identified and the more 'evidence' we can plant to suggest it was a pirate attack."

"This is not to say I think this is the best plan of the three.  I merely offer some clarification into my thinking."

"I know what you think you mean," Cor says mildly.  "I wonder if you do, however.  You do not trust a droid because it has not immediately answered you, and yet CC9 would look to my commands over even our commander's unless I ordered it not to - which I have," she adds, mainly to Mark.  "As you are my peer now, not my superior, it has no reason to obey your orders unless instructed to do so.  Consequently you believe as it has not answered you as if it were your droid, you would not trust it around civilians." She tilts her head curiously, looking directly at Merreck for the first time since meeting him.  "As Ten has said, behavioural inhibition software - or, at least, the software you are likely thinking of, is not suitable for battle droids."  Without looking away from Merreck - and without blinking - Cor says, "CC9, explain your reason for not answering Talon Five immediately, and then answer his question, please."

The battle droid answers immediately.

"My response to Talon Five was calculated in an attempt to keep the discussion on matters pertinent to the mission.  Comforting Talon Five as to my suitability to civilian interaction did not appear to be relevant to the discussion of the mission, which takes highest priority at this meeting."  Turning its head it then looks at Merreck.

"I have the programming and capacity to eliminate or stun civilians as deemed necessary by mission parameters, tactical programming and logic - what you may term 'common sense'.  It makes no logical or tactical sense to harm civilians that are not jeopardising a mission, and the appearance of a B2 battle unit is often enough to avoid needing violence to make civilians leave the vicinity.  However.  As I am no longer an automaton I differ significantly from unmodified B2 battle droids; one of those differences is the capacity to decide for myself when lethal force is and is not necessary.  Your capacity to trust my programming is currently irrelevant," it adds, "but that is the answer to your query."

Mika's ears perk up as the droid shares its answers and as soon as the droid completes it's answers, she turns to Cor, "What does B2-CC9 mean when it says it's no longer an automation?"

She pauses, waiting on Cor's answer before addressing Sheppard, "It might be a good idea to have the droids, at least the security droids if nothing else, programmed so that they'll obey order from all of us Talons, at least when they don't conflict with your's or, uh, Talon 11's orders."

Cor looks over at Mika and gives a warm smile before answering. "Well, as you know, the B2 battle line was created to function as part of a large squad.  They have backup processors but no main processor unit built in.  They rely for the most part on a central processing 'brain' and only use the secondary for backup if the main remote brain fails.  I removed the remote receiver and backup brain, and substituted an advances heuristic processor.  CC9 is fully autonomous - in that sense."

Merreck listen for the droid to finish before answering Cor.

"No, I don´t distrust the droid because it doesn´t obey my commands, I distrust the droid because it will use deadly force against civilians when it deems it appropriate. I would feel the same if it was my droid and I sent it away on independant tasks. Mika mention a good point, in case it or any of the other battle droids does make a bad call, wouldn´t it be best if the closest Talon can get it under control?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:46, Fri 24 June 2011.

Cor sighs and sits back in her chair, looking at the table in front of her.  "You do not have any behavioural limitations," she says softly, "and you are possibly as good at killing people as CC9.  Just because it is a droid does not automatically mean it is out of control."

"Mistress Lambar.  This line of conversation does not fit within mission parameters," the droid states.  "It would be ideal to avoid matters pertaining to my programming and position in the command structure until after this meeting is concluded."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Fri 24 June 2011.

Mika nods understanding as Cor explains the not automation comment, "Okay, that makes sense."

As B2-CC9 speaks about the conversation being outside mission parameters, Mika gives a bit of a chuckle and looks back at Sheppard, "A good example of why it might be worth reprogramming the droids.  Sure, they operate fantastically within the framework of their programming, but sentients are generally still better at adapting to unforeseen circumstances."

She gives Cor a sympathetic nod.  If Mika had a stable of droids, she wouldn't want everyone else having command access to them either.

CC9 looks at Mika.  It doesn't comment, turning its head then to stare forward.

Merreck chuckle at the comparison between him, a person, and the droid. "Yes, I am capable of killing, as is any person with a blaster. There´s a difference though, right? Well, we can take this later. What did you think about the three options, Cor?"

"I am not a tactician," Cor says, her voice a little strained.  "That is why I programmed CC9 for tactical analysis.  I have never raided a fuel facility, so I have no idea what would be best or worst.  If it were my choice," she adds, "I would allow others to discuss combat scenarios and concentrate my efforts more on upgrading the Nightshrike and obtaining more equipment.  As for difference -"

"Talon Five has indicated a willingness to leave that topic until a later time, Mistress Cor," the battle droid interrupts.  "That would be a sensible course of action."

Cor pauses, mid-sentence, and shuts her mouth with a small 'clop' noise, nodding to the droid and sitting back in her chair a bit.

A droid specialist being ordered around by her minions. The conversation cut off without a clear conclusion, Merreck look around to see if anyone has something to add to the meeting.

Flash just shrugs at Merreck's look.  He casts a cautious glance at the tall droid and then looks back out over the table.  "I'm up for some raidin'.  An' if we can get some ion cannons at some point then we can put Twelve's ideas for extra salvage into action as we're doin' the freighter attacks, yeah?"

Darvin looked up in surpise at Flash, his support for his idea had been unexpected. So far Darvin had been listening to the exchange, and would have tossed his support with Merreck and Mika, but the discussion had taken a life of its own and he simply couldn't get a word in in time. He respectfully nodded his thanks at the Duros.

Will post a more detailed pst later.

Devon let a filthy, filthy grin spread across his face.  'Take a closer look at our newest fighter, Flash - we've GOT ion cannons.  And like Mika said, she's ready to fly.  That little beauty is going to make it a whole hell of a lot easier for us to score salvage from now on.'

Perhaps it came from Devon being a career vehicle and ship thief, but if he enjoyed the thought of what that R-41 was capable of any more, there'd be a law against it.  Knowing the Empire, there probably already was.

Flash stares at Devon in surprise and then returns that wicked grin.  "All right.  That's damn perfect!"  He nods to Devon and then Mika.  "Nice work, team.  VERY nice."

Mark saw that the droid issue hadn't been settled fully so he decided to clear the air now.

"B2-CC9.  I wish to outline your command structure to you clearly.  I know I am repeating myself, but that is partly for the benefit of the others present.  In all matters you will obey all orders from myself and Ms. Jax.  In matters of security you will also take orders from Mr Flash.  On combat missions you will answer to my designated team leader.  You will clarify rules of engagement with a team leader or myself before any combat mission if time allows.  These orders are the same I expect of all Black Talons and they will continue until such time Ms Lambar chooses to resign from the Black Talons.  At that time you no longer take orders from us.  Is that clear?"

While Mark was speaking to the droid the whole time, the change in his tone of voice when speaking the last sentence made it clear he was addressing the entire room with that statement.

"Now that's dealt with.  Let's get back to planning a mission."

Merreck listen to whom the droids answer to in different situations, then points something out, a possibly very important flaw, considering what happened during the boarding action. "Clear, commander. I have one question though, if the team leader is incapacitated, who does the droid take orders from?"

"Okay,  If Mika was bothered by Shappards ignoring her suggestion with the droid command structure, there's no evident sign of it.  "Then I'm back to thinking either infiltrating the refinery or taking the convoy.  Given that there's several of us newcomers and we're not exactly pulling together as a team yet, that the convoy is the way to go.  After all, if it doesn't go well, we can get clear easier than if we're ground side sneaking about."

"Entirely clear, Commander," the droid states impassively, not appearing bothered in the least by the ruckus.  Then again, no facial expressions.  Droids, huh?  It doesn't address Merreck's question as it was directed at the Commander, nor does it appear to have an opinion on Mika's suggestion to reprogram it.