B0-L0 - SW/Bolo cross

[evilauthor]

B0-L0

Author: The Evil Author

Summary: Star Wars/Keith Laumer’s Bolos – Luke Skywalker finds something buried beneath the ice of Hoth.

Prologue – The Tales

“Daddy! Tell me a story!”

“A story, Leia?” Bail Organa replied to the little girl seated on his knee. He stroked his goatee thoughtfully. “What kind of story? A story about Jedi?”

Little Leia made a face and shook her head. “A new story!” she demanded emphatically.

“A new story?” Bail said with mock dismay. “You’ve certainly learned the art of making royal demands, haven’t you, Leia?”

“Daddy!”

“Okay, okay,” Bail chuckled. “Hmm, have I ever told you about the Bolo?”

Leia shook her head.

“Aha, well, it’s an old, old story, Leia,” Bail continued. “It’s as old as the Republic, maybe older. The Bolo was a knight.”

“Like the Jedi?” Leia asked eagerly.

“Oh, yes. The Bolo was a mighty knight,” Bail told her. “There was none mightier before or after him. It’s said that he was as fast as any speeder, stronger than any other living being, and possessed of battle skills that would make even the most virtuous Jedi envious. But that wasn’t what truly made him mighty. What truly made him mighty was his incorruptible virtue. The Bolo was a knight in the truest sense of the term, a protector of the good and innocent, a destroyer of evil, and selfless to a fault. And then there was his chariot.”

***

“His chariot, Aunt Beru?”

“Oh yes, Luke,” the woman told her wide-eyed nephew. “His chariot was a marvel to be hold. When driven, it would crush any and all enemies within the Bolo’s path. It mounted weapons to match that of any ship. In fact, the Bolo’s skill is said that he could swat warships out of the sky with a single blow. Why, one time…”

“Beru!” another adult voice exclaimed, interrupting Beru’s storytelling. Aunt and nephew looked up guiltily to see Beru’s husband, Owen. In calmer, more exasperated tones, Owens continued, “Beru, you’re not telling Luke that nonsense again, are you?”

“But Owen,” Beru said reasonably. “It’s just a story. Didn’t your parents ever tell you stories when you were little?”

“Yes, and they struck me as nonsense then too,” Owens replied. “Come on, Luke. Off to bed with you.”

“Aw…”

“Don’t give me no lip, young man,” Owen said firmly. He shook his head. “Swatting warships out of the sky. What nonsense. Next thing you know, you’ll be hearing about space stations blowing up planets or something.”

***

Luke awoke from the strange dream into confusion. Why had he dreamed about being told an old child’s tale? Why had he dreamed about Leia being told a similar tale?

Unfortunately, such questions were quickly pushed to the back of his mind as several things became quickly apparent. One, he was cold, especially around his legs. Two, he was hanging upside down for some reason. And three, it was dark with light only coming from the distant end of an icy tunnel.

Also, Ben was right there, glowing in the dark.

“Luke,” Ben was saying. “Seek out Yoda on Dagobah, Luke…”

Luke wondered if he was still dreaming. Ben was dead, had been dead for quite some time now.

But he didn’t have time to ponder this either, because a large furry something was now blocking the light from the tunnel and was growling ominously. Also, it was coming towards Luke.

A glint in the floor below/above caught Luke’s eye. It was his lightsaber, but it lay out of his reach. Or rather, Luke thought quickly, it was out of his hand’s reach. Reaching out with the Force, the small cylinder quickly flipped over into his outstretched hand.

Snap. Hissss.

***

>> Weapons fire detected. Location: Commander’s Compartment

>> Initiating system boot sequence…

[kclcmdr]

HMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

Interesting prologue...

VERY very interesting.

TOC:
AUTHOR_______CHAPTER________TITLE____________Description_________________

Evilauthor.Prologue StoryTime-. Bail & Leia, Bolo?, Luke & Beru, Owen, Luke & Wampa, WakeUp
Evilauthor.CH_01a Awakening-. Wampie KIA'd, Luke, Bolo Awakens, Power Status, Ice'd, Excavation
Evilauthor.CH_02a Challenged-. Luke&Leia, Han, R2D2&Bolo, Bolo?, Password??, Nerf Herder???
Evilauthor.CH_03a The Knight-. Bolo Droid Warship, Leia Bolo Cmdr, Han&Luke, Restock & Ready
Evilauthor.CH_04a The Scourge-. EchoBase, Bravo, Leia Peeved, Empire, Veer, Bolo Re-Calibrating
Evilauthor.CH_05a The Shield-. Piett&Vadar, Leia&Bravo, No HyperDrive, Bolo vs Tyrant, Han, Ooops
Evilauthor.CH_06a The Siege-. Leia&Mothma, Bolo, R1-D9, Adm.Crispin&Gov.Dykes, KissDeath Smashed, Ramming, 13th BSq, Decker, Imperial Repairs
Evilauthor.CH_07a The Evaluation-. Bolo Dissatisfied, Only 6 SSD & 43 SD KIA'd, Sienar, Imperials Learning, Mothma&Weber, Adm. Grant, Bolo Suckers Imps
Evilauthor.CH_07b Supply&Demand-. Capt. Mahl, Salvage, Black Hole Of Hoth, Mahl&Bolo, Prael&Simmons, IFADept., New Ideas Squashed, Simmons Transfered
Evilauthor.CH_08a The Shower-. Ackbar&Mothma, VA Carver & ADm. Simmons, The Imperial Gathers, Bolo, Orkab&Leia, Rebels, Bolo Charges, AsteroidDrives
Evilauthor.Epilogue Visions-. Hoth Hurricane Storms, Ice Melting, Vadar&Palpatine, Mothma, Bolo's Plans, Ackbar's Plans, Emperor's Bolo XXXII-D
Evilauthor.The Weight Of Duty Bolo XXXII-. Bolo's Duties, Sith's Path Into Darkness, Bolo LXXI, Emperor, Luke&Vadar, GoodBye&Farewell

[jpdt19]

I think the only thing i can say here is

"ominous hum"



Nice!

[mackon]

Just to clarify, over the many many ... many centuries the legend has been corrupted so its about a guy named Bo-Lo who rides around in a big tank? Or maybe BOLO was the drivers title?

Because that's what I got from Leia's bits and pieces of the story. But then it took a right turn and the impression I got was that they were talking about a BOLO as if they really knew what one was, or at least as much as someone who'd only heard second hand story's of one in action.

This looks to be pretty damn cool, shame it wasn't Han Solo or the later more badass Luke, but still great stuff!

[consequences]

Since when do Bolos ever leave the entrance to their commander's compartment open?

[Narf the Mouse]

Jedi and Bolos. I do believe you may well have created a new category of curbstomp.

Merged Jedi-Bolo with man-machine interface. A Bolo with access to the Force. A Jedi helping to guide a Bolo. An incorruptible man paired with an incorruptible tank.

Even the Chaos Gods need fear.

[HawaiianOnline]

Originally Posted by consequences

Since when do Bolos ever leave the entrance to their commander's compartment open?

While this fic could possibly become yet another Avatar of the Awesome, it does seem odd that a Bolo would ever leave the commander's compartment open like that... Battle damage perhaps? I remember a short nBSG/Bolo fic where Kara got into the commanders compartment via the wormhole created through a Bolo by a Melconian weapon. That sort of damage would be bad juju for a even Bolo...

[Valiran]

Originally Posted by HawaiianOnline

While this fic could possibly become yet another Avatar of the Awesome, it does seem odd that a Bolo would ever leave the commander's compartment open like that... Battle damage perhaps? I remember a short nBSG/Bolo fic where Kara got into the commanders compartment via the wormhole created through a Bolo by a Melconian weapon. That sort of damage would be bad juju for a even Bolo...

Maybe he was in for repairs because his hatch jammed open. Whatever the reason, Luke is or soon will be the commander of a Bolo. Evil across the galaxy is about to recieve a case of permanent insomnia.

[HawaiianOnline]

Originally Posted by Valiran

Maybe he was in for repairs because his hatch jammed open. Whatever the reason, Luke is or soon will be the commander of a Bolo. Evil across the galaxy is about to recieve a case of permanent insomnia.

Whatever the reason, it has to be believeable. Worry not, I have faith in evilauthor. His fics are top notch.


FOR FAITH IS MY SHIELD AGAINST THE DARKNESS OF CHAOS!!!! FOR THE EMPEROR!!!!!


Yeah yeah, someone had to use the obligatory WH40K ref. A thread just isn't an SB.com thread unless it has one...

[MasterJaxx]

With an intro as short as this one I would normaly dismiss this as a go nowhere mini-ficlet. But this may eventualy contain a Bolo. Something which automaticaly makes it worth reading and loyaly watching for future updates.

[evilauthor]

Eh, to make things easier on me, I've decided to go with shorter parts than in my previous works.

B0-L0

Part 1 – The Awakening

The creature – Luke thought it was called a wampie or wammie or something from half remembered briefings on local wild life – was dead. At the very least, it was no longer moving. Being sliced in two would do that.

But in the illumination provided by Luke’s lightsaber, it was pretty evident that this was no simple cave. He was in some kind of cramped control room or monitoring station. A single, throne-like seat dominated, surrounded on three sides by monitors and control panels. The fourth side was where Luke was standing, and leading to the tunnel going outside. Luke had trouble making out the details though; almost everything, seat and panels both, were covered in a thick encrustation of ice.

Given the odd reflections given off by the rippled coatings of ice, Luke could be forgiven for missing a few blinking lights.

***

I awaken.

Per standard procedure, I immediately analyze my status and the reasons for my activation. I am immediately concerned for I appear to be only 10.34 per cent capable. My expendable ammunition stores are empty, and while my systems appear to be largely intact, both my onboard fuel and power reserves are well below critical levels, almost exhausted in fact.

External sensors report little beyond an impenetrable white haze. My turrets appear to be locked in place. Not, I muse ruefully, that I had the power to traverse them even if they weren’t. A quick spectrographical analysis of the light reveals absorption lines consistent with hydrogen, oxygen, and miscellaneous elements. External and internal monitors report that my hull and the surrounding environment have a temperature of negative forty two point seven degrees Celsius. The conclusion is obvious: I am somehow encased in ice.

Internal sensors report continuous weapons fire, the reason for my awakening. However, no damage to the Command Compartment’s systems is being registered. For some unknown reason contrary to SOP, the compartment’s access ramp appears to be locked in the open position. Perhaps whoever is present is firing outward?

A quick analysis of visual data taken from the compartment proves this to not be the case. Although a clear picture is obscured by ice covering internal cameras, the “weapons fire” appears to be a single bar of light whose emissions are consistent with that of a contained plasma bolt. However, unlike regular bolts, this one appears to be held at one end by a humanoid - possible human – life form. I calculate a 68.3 per cent chance that this is not a weapon but a tool of some sort.

I do not devote many CPU cycles to speculating about the origins of the technology to create such a stable contained plasma field. Obviously, there must have been some technological innovations in the time since I was last online. My system clock indicates that I had been shut down for approximately 24,741 years.

***

This place was going to have to be a mystery to be solved at a later date, Luke decided as he turned away. He was already feeling numb from the cold and unpleasant tingling sensations were making their way up from his finger tips and toes. Luke needed to get back to base before he froze to death out here.

For a moment, he thought he heard voices. Looking around and seeing no one, Luke decided that he was hallucinating again. Funny, he didn’t recall that as being a cold injury symptom. Maybe that thing had hit him harder in the head than he thought.

***

I observe the intruder’s departure with frustration. My attempt to communicate is blocked by the ice encrusting my interior sections muffling my speakers. Assuming the intruder was human, his gait seems to indicate that he is injured in some way. I am unable to calculate his odds of survival in these temperatures because I lack any data on this world.

In any case, there seems little that I can do. With so little power remaining, I must shut down to conserve what little I have left.

Two point three days later, I am awakened again by the sounds of excavation.

[Forgetful]

Liek...MOAR!
thank you.

[Dracowar]

The anticipation is absolutely killing. It's great since it make the coming bolostomp..will there be stomping? wonderful addition.

[evilauthor]

Originally Posted by DRACOWAR

The anticipation is absolutely killing. It's great since it make the coming bolostomp..will there be stomping? wonderful addition.

Ooooh yessss...

[kclcmdr]

Originally Posted by evilauthor

Ooooh yessss...

Excelleennt...
Wonders whether Present-day Rebel power sources can recharge the nice new toy that Luke found by accident when the Wampa inserted him for lunch...

[ElPintoGrande]

I don't know much about the Bolo mythos, but what I have heard combined with Star Wars... What is your method for keeping so much bad-ass in one place without fearing for the safety of the board?

[nemo1986]

I do wonder how the revelation about Earth will affect the SW humans when they learn about the birth world of humanit.

[AMIN]

Originally Posted by nemo1986

I do wonder how the revelation about Earth will affect the SW humans when they learn about the birth world of humanit.

Even though it would be nice, but it would be a novelty, its like knows humans developed in Africa, doesn't mean I want to make pilgrimage there, also it matters if the BOLO even knows were Earth is, how much does it even remember is the question, twenty-four thousand years is a long time to be down.

[Chaos Blade]

if we go with the bolo timeline, the earth is no more.
there might be something left in Sol or the core worlds, but I doubt it.
Still...

[Steel Warrior]

Originally Posted by Narf the Mouse

Even the Chaos Gods need fear.

Are you kidding? The Chaos Gods ALWAYS need to fear Bolos. Or more correctly, what might happen if one came charging into the warp.

Chaos God of Duty, Loyalty, Courage, and Righteous Anger. Let the ownage begin.

Originally Posted by Chaos Blade

if we go with the bolo timeline, the earth is no more.
there might be something left in Sol or the core worlds, but I doubt it.
Still...

Earth was hit by the Melconian World Burner, and did eventually recover at least twice, given that two different stories occur on Earth after the Last War.

[consequences]

Bolos can be hacked and subverted. Bolos can go insane due to battle damage. This isn't even getting into flat out reality warping, or simply appearing as a legitimate commander Let's try to keep the wankery to a minimum, please? Bolos are awesome, but being stupid about it detracts from their awesomeness.

On a story note, there's not much chance the Rebels would have a chance to unearth the Bolo, much less return it to operational status in time to own the Imperial ground invasion. They're on extremely short time before Death squadron turns up.

[Forgetful]

Originally Posted by nemo1986

I do wonder how the revelation about Earth will affect the SW humans when they learn about the birth world of humanit.

Correction. Star Wars takes place a long time ago...in a Galaxy far away. So its unlikely that earth would be a big factor.

[Nik]

More, please ??

[Chaos Blade]

Originally Posted by Steel Warrior

Are you kidding? The Chaos Gods ALWAYS need to fear Bolos. Or more correctly, what might happen if one came charging into the warp.

Chaos God of Duty, Loyalty, Courage, and Righteous Anger. Let the ownage begin.



Earth was hit by the Melconian World Burner, and did eventually recover at least twice, given that two different stories occur on Earth after the Last War.

was sure that the earth and the moon got hit and sorta melded. Still, there wouldn't be much we'd recognize of the earth.

ah Forgetful, don't think the long time ago in a galaxy far away applies to this story

[Ralson]

Originally Posted by consequences

Bolos can be hacked and subverted. Bolos can go insane due to battle damage.

They're generally pretty resistant to this, however. In Bolo Strike, the only way Mk 32s were able to be suborned was by completely wiping the entire original computer and rewiring the whole thing from the ground up. And that's for powered-down ones they acquired, not active ones. They're not immune, but as a rule, they're pretty character-shielded in this regard, such that even ones that go insane tend to maintain some amount of moral base, and ones that get screwed up tend to 'get better' for whatever reason.

That said, there's enough material, generally contradictory statements by multiple authors, that you've got a pretty free hand. One can argue that they're unprepared for fantasy-principled attacks, or that their Kloude Chamber countermeasures are applicable, or anything in between.