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Cadio Sikaot

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  1. A cruise liner came out of hyperspace above Mon Calamari and immediately began its descent into the blue sphere's atmosphere. Most of the life indigenous to the planet had the ability to breathe underwater, and as such much of the civilization existed beyond the sea level boundary, but the capital, Coral City, remained one of a few structures built above the surface. The public transport ship slid into its assigned berthing and lowered its landing ramp to allow its passengers to disembark. A vast array of creatures, both humanoid and non, began to flow out of the ship in waves. The traffic eventually slowed until there were only a few voyagers left on board. One of the last to leave was the Supreme Commander of the Galactic Alliance, though to look at him you would never know it. He was adorned with a dusty brown traveling cloak and simple beige trousers. He pulled the hood of his cloak up over his head and proceeded out into the blazing sunlight. He presented an identification card to the customs official, a fake to ensure that his visit here would not be publicly broadcast, before exiting the spaceport and heading westward down the street. He could see the coast from here, the place where Vladimir Faust had slain hundreds of Republic troops as well as being responsible for thousands that had died in the space battle beyond the atmosphere. The price had been high but the prize had been worth it. Faust in the Republic's hands for however brief a period. Now the Sith Master was leading a faction of Jedi on a crusade against his own. The galaxy had certainly changed. He had been a part of that change. Him, Cadio Sikaot. Before Faust had escaped at Gala he had left Cadio plans for the defense system surrounding Coruscant. It had been these plans that had prompted Cadio to propose an attack on Triple Zero to Admiral Onderin Starlisk, and those plans that had lead to Cadio being charged with taking the Galactic Capital back from the Empire. It had been those plans that had landed him on the bridge of the Hand of Justice when Revan had been ordered to take the ship. It was Faust who brought me Revan... They had been separated on Naboo and though he missed her a part of him still wondered why she hadn't waited for him. His actions were better left unsaid and some part of him was still scared that if he contacted her she would ignore him. Or worse, scold me. But he couldn't let fear stand in his way. That was one thing he had learned in his time with the Republic. Fear was an emotion and nothing else. It was decided then. He pulled his comm unit from his pocket and input her number. --Comm to Raven Zinthos-- Revan, I am on Mon Calamari in the capital, Coral City staying at a hotel called 'The Rocketfish'. I will be here for one standard week. If you still care about me I hope that you'll come find me. I await your arrival. --End Comm-- He put his comm unit back in his pocket and proceeded into the hotel that he had mentioned. He approached the counter and got a room. When he arrived at his new residence he was less than impressed. Though the Republic had been a struggling government there were still some comforts afforded to Command Staff. The double bed was accompanied by a dingy looking chair and a dusty lamp. A holovid projector with a bent receiver sat opposite the bed. Cadio laid his suitcase in the corner, changed into something more comfortable to sleep in, and let himself drift into an uneasy sleep perched upon the rough mattress.
  2. A ray of sunlight broke through the curtains that guarded Cadio's window. He cracked his eyes open and moaned, rolling over to avoid the harmful beams. He slipped rather ungraciously out of his bed and made his way to the bathroom to clean up before he needed to depart from the resort. It was finally starting to sink in that he was no longer an officer of the Republic, but rather a civilian in a galaxy that was no longer at war. It was time to find a career that was better suited to his personal desires. Perhaps something in the new government would open up. For now, it was time to head back to Coruscant. Cleaned and dressed, Cadio left his suite and headed for the hangar bay. When he checked out he received the blaster that he had turned in upon his arrival. A shuttle that would take him to the Galactic Capital was provided and soon he was boarded and blasting into hyperspace.
  3. Cadio stared down the corridor for a long time after Raven's small form had disappeared from view. Perhaps she was right. They had both consumed more than a healthy amount of alcohol in a relatively short time span, but he still couldn't get the idea of the two of them together out of his head. It was frightening, truth be told. She was barely of legal age and thoughts of his deceased wife and children still haunted his dreams. Defiling their memory with a one night stand, even with a friend such as Raven, was horrifying to the extreme. But would it truly be defiling their memory? Or would it simply be doing what they would have wanted all along? His wife was not a petty woman, nor would she expect him to remain celibate for the rest of his life. If he were to find love, true love, then she would rest happily in her grave knowing that he was making the most of the precious little time he had in the galaxy. He sighed before turning and closing his door. He stripped out of his uniform and slipped into the bed that had been provided for him. He quickly drifted from consciousness, visions of beauties past and present dancing before him.
  4. As the pair danced, Cadio found himself getting lost in his partner's eyes. He was extremely surprised to find that a girl raised in such atrocious conditions could perform such an elegant art so well. They twirled and spun across the dance floor, forgetting the late hour for a moment and simply enjoying each other's silent company. He could feel the alcohol in the back of his mind, speaking sweet nothings to him, whispering suggestions that his sober mind would never even entertain. The final song ended and the band thanked its audience. Cadio escorted Raven out of the now-closed bar, a glass of champaign in both of their hands. He stumbled a bit, finally feeling the full effect of the booze that he had been consuming for the past few hours. Raven's head found his shoulder and when he looked down at her he saw nothing but contentment. It made him happy to know that he could bring her such joy. Cadio finally found what he could only assume was his assigned suite. His keycard made the door open, so who was he to say that this wasn't his room? He stepped inside the door frame and turned to the beautiful woman in front of him, finishing his champaign before speaking. "Well...I guess this is...goodnight. Unless, of course, you would like to come inside..." He wasn't drunk enough for his speech to be slurring yet, but he could feel that his inhibitions were lowered. At this point he didn't care. All he wanted was to spend as much time with Raven as possible before this night had to end.
  5. Cadio, having finished his first glass already, was in the process of ordering the mismatched pair another round when Raven grabbed his hand, asking if he wanted to dance. He smiled down at her petite frame and nodded. "I would love to, but perhaps after we've finished our drinks." He smiled and thanked the bartender when the man handed Cadio the freshly filled glasses. He passed one to the beautiful woman standing next to him and raised it in front of him. "To new beginnings!" Raven returned his toast and before he knew what was happening the duo was out on the dance floor with another empty glass staring at them from the bar.
  6. Cadio returned the young woman's grin, a twinkle evident in his eye. He turned to the bartender and ordered the two drinks. He remembered that Raven had mentioned her young age and the fact that she wasn't allowed to drink alcohol but he also took into account the occasion. She had said that she would have whatever he was having, and he was going to order an alcoholic drink to celebrate this day. "We'll have two glasses of champagne, good sir." The bartender proceeded to complete the order and handed the two glasses to Cadio. He passed one to his young friend and raised his glass. "A toast, if you will, to peace and to everything that we have accomplished here today." He moved his glass forward to clink it with hers before pulling the shimmering liquid to his lips and taking a drink.
  7. It was strange to talk to Gren as a friend rather than a comrade now. He was correct that neither of them had expected to see the end of the war in their lifetime. The galaxy had been locked in this war since both of them were small children and it had finally come to a conclusion. It was...refreshing. He took the datapad that Gren offered and smiled at him. "I'm not sure what you've gotten yourself into," he said with a chuckle. "I'm sure that I'll be calling on you before too long. Even with this reformation of galactic politics I'm not sure who I can trust. This is going to be a long and hard battle on a different platform but I know that we can iron anything we need to out. The fact that we were all able to meet here and no one died speaks highly of all of those involved." Cadio felt his eyes begin to water just slightly. He wasn't sure if anyone would even notice because it was almost unnoticeable and he wasn't even sure why it was happening. Gren had been a good friend but they hadn't ever really bonded. Perhaps it was just the emotional stress of wondering what the next step was. He bit the tears back and smiled, extending his hand to the man. "Thank you for everything you've done for me. I'm sure that our paths will cross again." After the goodbye Cadio extended his arm to Raven as if to escort her the rest of the way to the bar. "Shall we?"
  8. Cadio smiled at Raven's words. How one so young, so innocent, could even be present at an event like this astounded him. She deserved better. She had worked so hard, done a duty that men twice, even thrice, her age had neglected and she had done it without any thought of reward. She understood peace, and not the idea of peace that many of his cohorts attempted to present, but true peace, a peace that would last for generations to come. He gently took ahold of her small hand and led her out of the conference room. It wasn't intended as an erotic gesture, though it might have come across that way. As the two were walking the intricately decorated hall, Cadio heard a yell echoing down the corridor. "Cadio!" Cadio turned and stared, seeing the face of a man he had not seen in many years. Gren had seemingly fallen off the face of the earth after the mission on Manaan, but apparently he had resurfaced somewhere along the line. "Long time no see old buddy. How are you doing? And what happened here? More importanly mate. What happens now?" Cadio smiled and nodded. "Well, I guess you could say that the events that transpired here have created a new galaxy. We've taken the Republic and the Empire and transformed them into the new Galactic Alliance, a government that can begin on a foundation of peace and justice in order for it to flourish under its newly elected leaders. As for what happens now? I'd say that now, we celebrate."
  9. Cadio nodded as he listened. It wasn't right that such a young woman was subject to proceedings of this nature and the fact that now she would be thrown into such a harsh galaxy without the slightest inkling of what to do was horribly disheartening. He wished that he could provide her with a career but due to her young age she wouldn't even be old enough to serve in the Galactic Alliance Defense Force. In fact, there wasn't much that a woman of her age would be allowed to do, at least not legally. "Well, perhaps I can help you with the immediate future. Would you care to join me for a drink in celebration of this historic day?"
  10. Cadio met Raven's eyes and listened to her words, but when she embraced him he wasn't sure how to respond. He had buried his feelings deep within himself and wasn't at all prepared for this kind of emotional display, especially within these pretenses. It wasn't that he particularly minded, even in front of all of his esteemed colleagues, but the hug had startled him beyond words. He chose to return the embrace, albeit breaking it quickly. He smiled down at her petite form. "I was simply doing my job, my dear. It is you we should all be thanking. Without your willingness to set your's and Captain Cadan's differences aside we wouldn't be having this discussion and it is a very real possibility that both of us would be dead." A slight pause. "What will you do now?"
  11. An extremely tight smile lined Cadio's lips. It was finished, drafted and signed and now the new government could begin to be formed. He watched as Captain Cadan briefly hugged the young Captain Raven and strangely felt the desire to do the same, though he quickly suppressed it, feeling it inappropriate for a man of his age to be hugging a minor, especially at an event such as this. Instead he chose a polite head nod when he was able to draw her eye, silently thanking her for her kindness and her work for peace. She was undoubtedly a crucial factor in even making these negotiations happen. Even though an embrace was uncalled for in this instance, talking to the young captain was certainly acceptable. He quietly made his way to the young woman, passing by a rather contemplative looking Rustic on his way, and came to stand next to her. "Iis it everything you dreamed it would be?"
  12. Cadio simply sat shaking his head as the man spoke. Rustic just didn't get it. Just as a government built on blood would surely fall, a government who was feared would just as surely be overthrown. As the rather long-winded man finally wrapped up his speech Cadio began to choose his words. "A people should not fear their government; A government should fear its people. Your misplaced belief in your Stormtrooper's ethics aside, I refuse to stand by as a new government, a new opportunity, is formed and watch it rule the galaxy with an iron fist. These men deserve more than that and even with your Stormtrooper gauntlet running around it won't change anyone's emotions, its just going to suppress them until someone finally bursts. These men don't need a reminder that they'll die if they act upon their feelings, which is the idea that this iconic armor will instill, they need the understanding that those who they once considered enemies are no different than they are. Both sides were only attempting to get what they considered to be best for the galaxy and now they are getting the chance to help build and protect what actually is best for the galaxy and if you can't see and support that then you are no less blinded than I."
  13. Cadio frowned as the man who he had just backed decided to once again let his overly large mouth get the better of him. It was a shame, really, to see someone who could play such a large and integral part in the new government throw himself under the proverbial bus just because he didn't understand the art of compromise. When the man didn't pause and instead barreled on as if his word was law, Cadio began to shake his head. This was going to be harder than it had first appeared to be. "Let me take this opportunity to remind the Former-Emperor Rustic that his word is no longer law. Just because you believe that the Stormtrooper Corps must be involved in this new form of government doesn't necessarily mean that the rest of us involved do and attempting to skip on to the next item on the agenda is nothing more than an insult to those of us who do not agree with you. Let's be realistic here. It is physically impossible for you to keep track of every Stormtrooper that you have had deployed around the galaxy and to claim that they can't be bribed is so far beyond wishful thinking that it borders on delusion. I would bet everything I own that somewhere along the line more than one of your troopers has been 'coerced', as you put it, into doing something against policy. I won't claim that the Republic troops are any better because I know that it would be just as easy to bribe a Republic trooper as it would be to bribe Stormtrooper but this isn't about who's troops are better, it is about what is better for the galaxy at large. I honestly believe that a new government deserves a new military. This government will be unlike any the current citizens of the galaxy have ever experienced and to keep either of our military forces as they are would be...irresponsible of us. There are Imperial citizens who would view Republic troops with distaste just as there are Republic citizens who would view Imperial troops with distaste and retaining something such as the Stormtrooper Corps would simply encourage the division that you claim your troops will have to combat. I have faith in those troops previously under my command that they will accept their new brothers in arms just as they would accept any new recruit and for any who choose to not take the route of acceptance, a court martial is nothing more than a few signed pieces of flimsi away. Those who can't play well with others will not get to play at all, if you will. I will agree with Admiral Starlisk in that I have no problem with the training regiments and traditions being continued but something as iconic as the armor, on both the Imperial and the Republic sides, must go."
  14. Cadio had remained silent during the proceedings to this point, content to let the others fight out their issues until he was ready to voice his opinion. It was all well and good for everyone to claim that they had the galaxy's best interests in mind but it was quite clear that most of the people in attendance had at least some kind of personal motivation behind their ideas. It was rather frustrating to see all of these supposed military leaders fall into the role of a two-faced politician so easily. It begged the question of how long this new government would last before it became the exact thing that it had sought to destroy. He thought back to his talks with Captain Raven and Vladimir Faust when they had been in his custody. Both had changed his thinking in remarkable ways and he and Raven had even discussed the topic of a new government. He wondered if she would remember their dialogue. It might have been utopian thinking but it was still a concept to consider. Now the subject of war trials was being thrown about and after hearing what others had said, Cadio felt the need to interject. "It is commonly said that history is decided by the victors. The victors decide who is a hero and who is a villain, but is that really what we seek to accomplish with these negotiations? To lock up the other side when in reality they were simply fighting for what they believed in? I'm done pointing fingers. We have all made mistakes that have cost innocent lives whether we choose to accept this truth or not and its time to rectify those mistakes. I have no qualms with pardoning war crimes on both sides, even those of former-Emporer Rustic. At the most recent Battle of Coruscant he proved to me that he can be a sensible man and though we haven't seen eye to eye on political and military issues I see no reason that he should be tried for war crimes any more than Admiral Starlisk or myself should be. His input could be most valuable in our new government as long as it is properly checked and the same can be said for almost anyone in this room. I'm reminded of a discussion that Captain Raven and I had aboard my flagship not that long ago. She had me entertain the thought that a government built on blood will surely fall to a similar fate and she was very correct in her statement. If the first act of this new government is to attempt to execute its former enemies then we are no better than the form of government that we are retiring. Sometimes forgiveness is the best course of action." He paused to let this settle in for a moment. He took the opportunity to briefly lock eyes with the former Imperial Captain of which he spoke, hoping that she would remember what they had discussed. He broke his gaze away from her's and let his sight come to rest on the deranged man standing at the table. "However, this doesn't answer the question of how to treat those who have committed crimes of both natures. Quite honestly, while some of the atrocities that you committed were sanctioned by former Emperors who themselves should be tried for criminal activities, Master Faust, you have still committed actions completely unsanctioned by either faction and I don't understand how you can stand there and claim that everything you have done was a necessary evil of the fight for peace. You see, Faust, I happen to remember a conversation that we had a few months ago aboard my flagship after capturing you on Mon Calamari. You told me that peace was a lie. Nothing you have done was in the pursuit of peace and that gives me no reason to even consider granting your request for amnesty and I'm fairly certain that Admiral Starlisk will agree with me." Perhaps part of his reasoning included the fact that Faust had destroyed his family and he didn't want to see his wife and children's murderer go free but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Pardoning Rustic was akin to pardoning Starlisk but pardoning Faust was letting a murderer who would continue to fight for anarchy go free and that was something that he simply couldn't let happen.
  15. With a groan and a shudder the Hand of Glory fell rather ungracefully out of hyperspace a good number of lightyears short of its intended destination. Cadio immediately noticed that the abrupt change of scenery was not what it should have been and was quick to act on it. "Deck officer, what's happened?" A few moments later the young officer responded. "Sir, it appears that we weren't as prepared for this journey as we originally thought. The hyperspace generator is completely offline and we're suffering a power failure. We need to shut down nonessential systems in order to keep the life support systems and the few other systems we need to make repairs online. Do I have your approval?" Without thinking, he replied. "Yes. Let me know when we're ready to continue our voyage. I'll be in the medical wing." Cadio decided that without power there wasn't much for him to do until the vessel's issues were fixed and since his previous conversation with his captive had been so stimulating that he would revisit it. He strolled casually down the metallic corridors and for the first time he realized what a bleak life he had chosen for himself. How long had it been since he had breathed oxygen that wasn't recycled? How long had it been that he had seen something that was naturally green? It was at this point that Cadio realized that this was how Imperial troops spent their entire lives. Units that had been stationed in installments such as the Death Star had seen nothing except the dull and shiny hallways everyday until their lives had come to a swift end. And the new Emperor called himself civil. He arrived at the medical bay to find a whirlwind of activity. Due to the mechanical problems they were experiencing, the doctors were having to consolidate all of the resources that they could to keep the wounded alive. One doctor caught sight of the vice admiral and hurriedly made his way through the maze of staffers to speak to the officer. Before he could speak, Cadio cut him off. "I need to speak to the Imperial prisoner I was talking with earlier." "Sir, that's what I needed to speak with you about. We've encountered something of a problem. The prisoner has slipped back into a coma and is not doing well. We've determined the source of the problem and have the means to fix it, but only just." "Okay, well then do it doctor." "Well sir, we also have one of our troopers who was wounded in combat on Coruscant. He is suffering from the same issues as the prisoner but we don't have enough of the required supplies to sustain both of their lives for very much longer. If we don't treat one of them immediately they will both die." Cadio stood silent for a few moments while attempting to digest what he'd just been told. Even though the stormtrooper had attempted to kill him, he felt a connection to her. But how could he justify killing one of his own men to save the life of the supposed enemy? On the one hand his man had already experienced a lot in his moderate life span where the imperial still had a lot left to live for, but did that mean that the republic officer didn't have a right to continue his life? Cadio closed his eyes and continued the debate within his head for what felt like hours. At the end of his internal discussion he came to an uneasy answer. It wasn't something that he wanted to do and it wasn't something that would be easy to do. "Kill the girl..." The doctor simply nodded, seeming to know the internal struggle that Cadio was going through. A few moments later all of the monitors next to the girl's limp form went black... ((And so it goes...))
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