DOCTOR BLOODORY strides through his laboratory and inspects an elaborate mechanism that could easily be mistaken for a torture device; a rack that holds several Imperial GAS DROIDS. BLOODORY makes a few final adjustments, then leers fiendishly at KING OXUS, who lies bound by energy bands to a slab in the center of the chamber. OXUS stares blankly into space as BLOODORY steps to a nearby console and works a series of buttons and dials, causing one of the GAS DROIDS to disengage from its couplings with a hiss. The menacing DROID rises from the rack and floats across the room, and attaches itself to OXUS’ shaven head. A number of spider-like arms fitted with injection syringes, cutting blades, electrodes, tiny claws, and suction hoses begin to descend toward OXUS’ skull.