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Maelion was a little amused at Anna's reaction. Yes, amused...because the HRD was not only capable of independent thought, she was capable of sentient emotions. That was, perhaps, because she suspected that she had once been a real person. Or rather, that there had been a Maelion Liates whose consciousness had been downloaded into this metal shell. She did hold up one hand though as Anna continued.
"I am not dangerous to you, Miss Sachae. I like to think that I am more stable than most people I see, and especially more so than my employers." Having an HRD as a guard or assassin droid was usually not a sign of a sound mind in any case.

The little droid...TARD...floated over. It greeted her, and she returned it in binary, an odd sound for a humanoid voice to make. All she said was "Pleased to meet you, TARD", though it was another piece of proof to Anna that she was what she claimed to be.

"I have two main problems, Miss Sachae. One will be much easier than the other. The first is that during a recent mission I was shot in the abdomen by a slugthrower at close range. The result of this was damage to my central unit which I managed to repair and fix. However, the slug damaged part of my internal systems. It is a relatively unimportant system that disposes of substances I ingest. It is a small, contained incinerator unit that destroys the solids and liquids I have eaten. However, the bullet nicked it, and I was forced to shut it down until the damage is repaired. Thus, I have been unable to make the appearance of eating or drinking for several days, which is a detriment in my line of work."

"The second problem is far more difficult, both physically and morally. Let me tell you my story, Miss Sachae. I was constructed a number of years ago for one of the wealthiest businessmen in the galaxy. I was his bodyguard, investigator and assassin. I performed my tasks with exceptional skill for a period of two standard years. While on mission on Nar Shaddaa, I discovered that my owner had been killed on Coruscant. His successor gained control of me, beginning a long and deadly conflict with a rival corporation. At the end of it, a thermal detonator wiped out all members of the organisation who knew of my existence. Without an owner I was stuck in a quandary. I must have an owner - I cannot function properly without one. What I am asking of you, if it can be done, is to remove that requirement from my programming. My owner is currently a good man who became my owner accidentally, and does not want to be it. I would most likely remain with his group if I was able to choose, but I do not have this choice. I suppose the moral problem here is whether you would help me become free."

"That is what I wish, Miss Sachae. Can you do either or both of these things? As being an HRD has certain…advantages…I can pay you a modest sum for your assistance."