RDM

Lieutenant Random Decision Module
Name:	Random Decision Module
Species:	IG- Series Assassin Droid
Gender:	Male (chosen)
Age:	Unknown
Squadron:	Rogue Squadron
Rank:	Lieutenant
Astromech:	R2-K7

Random Decision Module, or RDM, is a droid pilot in Rogue Squadron. He specializes in Robotics, Computer Programming and Slicing, and Piloting. His greatest goal in life is to become more human.

Background

Little is known about RDM's origins, save that sometime prior to his last memory wipe, his core programming was replaced, removing the drive to kill common to other IG units. In his own words, his new programming is designed "to approximate a human." He has revealed that prior to becoming a Starfighter pilot he was employed as a Computer Programmer and a Robotic Designer.

After joining Starfighter Command, RDM flew with more than one squadron before joining Rogue Squadron about 14 years after the Battle of Yavin. Through a series of misfortunes following a mission with Rogue Squadron, RDM found himself trapped in a dianoga's cave at the bottom of a turbolift shaft in the Rogue's Arrow where he waited, inactive, for 3 years, 7 months, 16 hours, 43 minutes, and 1 second, before being rescued by an Ugnaught. After repairs and a battery charge, RDM returned to active service with Rogue Squadron.

Physical Attributes and Abilities

RDM appears as a typical IG-series assassin droid, standing bipedal at 2 meters tall and sporting black chrome exterior armor and glowing red optical sensors.

As an assassin droid, RDM is designed to be more agile, faster, and stronger, than an average human, as well as more perceptive. This coupled with performance-enhancing tweaks of his own design has provided the droid with exceptional physical ability. Additionally, his armor plating is exceptionally resistant to both physical impact and blasterfire, and his internal systems can alter his body temperature as he sees fit. While it is currently unknown how much of the IG-series' internal weapons array RDM retains, he is a deadly marksman with any blaster pistol or rifle.

RDM has capitalized on his digital nature to become an excellent programmer and robotic engineer, to the point that he was even able to design a detailed piloting program for himself of sufficient skill to gain him entry into the galaxy's most elite starfighter squadron. As a testament to the quality of his programming, his piloting record is replete with marks for outstanding technical proficiency and awards for precision flying.

Personality Traits

A new face to most of Rogue Squadron, few have taken the time to get to know the droid. It is obvious, however, that he craves equal treatment with organics, and is seeking to make himself as close an approximation of an actual human as possible. Much of unpredictable human nature, however, continues to elude him. Against his original wishes, RDM received the nickname "Arby" from Drake Norlem, but he appears to have accepted it, perhaps enjoying a more organic-sounding moniker.

Military Rank and Current Assignment

RDM is a Lieutenant in New Republic Starfighter Command, assigned to Rogue Squadron as a pilot and technical expert. RDM's callsign is Rogue 8.

Significant Possessions

RDM has yet to reveal any possessions of personal importance to himself.

Astromech

RDM is assisted in his piloting by R2-K7. K7 is white with charcoal markings.

Official Psychological Profile

To: Head of the Department of Behavioral Medicine, NR Re: Psychological Profiling of Rogue and Wraith Squadrons MEMO: Request to include evaluation

This memo is included as an explanation of the below attached, unscheduled evaluation. While unorthodox and not standard protocol, it is being submitted for inclusion into the case files for the squadrons.

This particular subject arrived at the office of the interviewer, bearing the original notice to schedule times for evaluations. While startling, it was determined that to turn this particular subject away could be seen as an offense not only to him, but his unit.

This is requested by the interviewer in order to respect the wishes of the subject, as well as out of a sense of respect for all beings, organic or inorganic, and to assist in filling out an otherwise bland record.

Authorized – [*.* - Authorization 24328-6d8f]

Subject – Flight Cadet RDM (Random Decision Module) Species/Gender – IG series Assassin Droid, masculine programming Age – Unknown

While working on paperwork, the interviewer was greeted by the sudden appearance of an IG-series assassin droid striding into her office. Having recently dealt with the involuntary hospitalization of several psychotic subjects, the interviewer went for cover and her blaster expecting this to be retaliation. This actually seemed to upset the droid, who frantically tried to calm the interviewer and begged her to come out from under her desk and not shoot at him. The droid was strangely emotive and seemed, friendly, and once it was clear he was not actually sent as an assassin he produced the original notice requesting evaluation time with the members of Rogue and Wraith squadrons.

It turned out the droid was a new pilot (returned) to Rogue squadron, introducing himself as Random Decision Module or RDM, and was hoping to either conduct the interview at the current time or schedule a later meeting. Unsure of what to do with RDM, the interviewer was forced to explain that as a non-organic being he was not required, nor was it frankly practical, for him to have an evaluation. This seemed to crush the droid as much as the interviewer’s initial panic (which she apologized for – RDM deemed her reaction logical under her situation), and he recounted how he had been unable to donate blood like his other squad mates and was beginning to feel like a truant to his duty. He seemed to sincerely be desiring to fit in with his organic counterparts, and taking his inability to undergo the same tests as them as a failing.

Unable to cope with seeing what should be a fearsome droid in such a pathetic and crestfallen state, the interviewer did concede that she could create an evaluation and allow him to have the experience of the interview if he really desired, but cautioned that the diagnosis would be creative at best. This seemed to cheer up RDM immensely, and since he was already there the interview was conducted on the spot.

For the next 4 hours...

Part of the extreme and unusually long interview was that RDM meticulously recounted every detail from his rescue from the Dianoga cavern in the trash compactor to his run in with the league of extraordinary AIs and having to rescue the mechanics bay from the laxative brownies. The interviewer worked to steer him towards being more general and only focusing on certain details, but the droid did seem to have trouble expressing reasons for emotions or would want to know why the interviewer was asking. A good portion of the interview was actual RDM asking the interviewer questions, but since it seemed to please the droid she was willing to comply.

Two things that seemed very important to RDM were creating bonds and friendships with the organic members of his squadron, and learning to understand emotion. He was pleased to recount that he had assisted a Cadet Drake Norlem in selecting an astromech droid and seeming to connect with him, along with having engaging nighttime discussions with Commander Dru Kargin. He was still puzzled as to the reaction of the League of extraordinary AIs and seemed torn between his desire to become more human without “betraying his droid roots,” pointing out that being a Droid was in itself akin to belonging to a ethnic or cultural group, such as sharing a religion or home world - a point the interviewer conceded was a valid argument. One issue he seemed flustered about was taht despite trying to correct Cadet Norlem, he had been nick-named Arby (RB) instead of Ardee (RD), which was the logical shortening of RDM. When the interviewer commented that often, nicknames didn't have to be logical and had a history of purposely being something that wouldn't be picked by the person who received the nick name among organic beings, he confessed that he had noticed the same point and had come to appreciate the nickname since the bestowing and use of it made him feel more included by his peers, who also had nick names. The interviewer declined to explain to him what some of the nick names he recounted overhearing others use when they spoke of General Wes Janson really meant, for the sake of being polite.

When the interviewer pointed out that RDM had run well over the time usually used for an interview, he was apologetic. He did seem puzzled in the fact that so little time was allowed, as well as that he was not traditionally allowed to view the conclusions the interviewer drew – citing that it seemed open to immense bias. Since he was highly curious and wished to be diagnosed like an organic individual, the interview has drawn the below conclusions (and they were shared with RDM to appease his questioning and end the interview as it threatened to drag into the 5 hour mark).

Major Diagnosis: Identity Disorder: As a droid filling a role normally filled by organic beings, RDM suffers from a sense of undirected identity. He has the same inborn sense of purpose any droid is given, but his advanced programming and ability to emote and mimic humans causes him confusion. He is a pilot through programming, but questions if this should be his actual role in life (the interviewer decided to not point out that IG droids are usually used as assassin, just in case). He also experiences difficulty in interacting with droids and individuals since he does not feel that he fits into either group neatly. He is a droid, but feels pulled to learn how to be more human, something he fears he cannot attain. This causes him emotional shifts or distress, and a sense of not belonging, which is not acceptable or seen as illogical by other droids and confusing for his squad mates.

Minor Diagnosis: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (Dysmorphophobia): As RDM observed, he does not have a sense of body or organic parts to obsess over and is “running at 99.9% efficiency,” so he was confused by this choice. Dysmorphic Disorder in organic individuals refers to an obsession with a part of their body that they have hyper focused on, and believe is imperfect. As was explained to RDM, this was the closest that could come to explaining his obsession with emotions. He has the capability for emotions, but has trouble getting how they work, since they can be illogical and hard to interpret. He is constantly focused on ‘improving’ his own, the same way a Dysmorphic would be on changing their nose, for example. After explaining that by having something he could consider an imperfection, he was technically more human/organic (since individuals are imperfect beings) he seemed very pleased.

It is recommended for treatment that nothing be done…except to keep him away from turbo lifts that might be in disrepair and to humor him by trying to treat him as equally to his team mates as possible. It is also recommended that he not cook WD-40 cakes ever again, lest they be mixed up with actual edible substances.