Office of Ice Matango - Asst. Admins of the RDMC

Several+ months ago, right after Jena's return from the Kuat Battle

Jena's words had struck a chord within Ice and she knew Jena was right....she had to pull herself together. They didn't even know what had happened to Adieumus yet. He could be on some deserted tropical planet basking in the sun and working on his tan, for all they knew, or it was entirely possible that he was on some other covert mission for the Watchmen. Jena was right, she could, and would, survive this. She had survived much worse before - from her parents death, to losing her unborn babies, to almost dying herself. She had to be there for Lukas and E'yame and she couldn't let them see her anger. Taking a deep breath, then letting it out, she composed herself and stood up to face Jena.

"You're right. I can, and will, get through this. We don't even know what has happened yet....and even when we get confirmation of his status, I still need to be able to deal with it no matter the outcome. I can't crawl into a hole and pretend this whole thing never happened. I still need to be able to be there for Lukas when he starts asking question, and he inevitably will....and for E'yame if she ever wants to discuss it."

She had to admit, Jena had helped her see this issue from a new perspective. She had a planet of people depending on her to guide them, and a plethora of family and friends that would assist her if needed. She was surrounded by people that loved her and would fight for and with her by her side if ever needed. Smiling softly, she met Jena's gaze again. "Thank you, Jena, for reminding me of who and what I am. Thank you for everything."

She smiled again, hugging Jena when the other woman stood up in front of her. Stepping away from her aunt, Ice looked, and felt, better about the situation. Time would tell how this scenario would play out - but for now, Ice Matango would not allow this setback to overshadow her ability to do what had to be done, for herself, and for the ones she cared about.......

Present Day - Answering Moses

After sending Lukas off with Ursula, the nanny HRD, Ice had sat down at her desk with a mug of fresh mocha caf in her hand to do some much needed administrative work for the RDMC. She had just set the mug down on the desk when she sensed someone at the door of her office before they even pressed the buzzer just outside of the door. Pursing her lips, she glanced up at the security holoscreen to see a man standing on the other side. He didn't look familiar but he seemed to emit a lightside aura. A Jedi, or perhaps just a lightsider looking for someone? Narrowing her eyes a little, she pressed a button on the console off to the side of her desk to allow the man entrance. Standing up with her hands resting casually on the .45 caliber pistols strapped to her thighs, she smiled when the door swished open.

"Hello. Is there something I can help you with?" Her voice was warm and polite as she addressed the man, wondering who or what he was here for.......

The door swooshed open and revealed a young man, presumably somewhere in his twenties from Ice's perspective. His blue eyes glanced around the room, taking in his surroundings, then settled on her before giving a small bow and smile. She returned the bow before he moved into the room stopping a few feet away from her as he locked his hands behind his back and spoke. He seemed a little tense, she noted silently to herself, while he introduced himself as Jedi Knight Moses Helu and informed her that he had some information she might be interested in. Raising an eyebrow, as he took on a more relaxed stance, her interest was piqued with his next words. When Moses finished, his face took on a concerned expression while he studied her. Ice was silent for a moment, letting his words sink in. He had said that he may know where Adieumus was. Pursing her lips a little, her face giving nothing away otherwise, she wasn't exactly sure she was ready to hear about Adieumus' possible whereabouts just yet. It had been well over several months, close to a year now, since he had been declared missing in action and she wasn't sure she wanted to deal with what that could possibly mean. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, she walked around the desk and sat down in her chair. Meeting his gaze again, and with an even tone, she began speaking.

"Knight Helu....it's good to meet you. I'm not going to ask how you know about me because that much is already obvious. If you knew Adieumus then you must have found out from him who I am." She paused momentarily, keeping her emotions in check while she picked up the mug and took a drink of caf. Holding the mug in one hand, she gestured toward the small bar in the corner that held the caf machine atop it.

"Please, have something to drink if you want and have a seat....then we can discuss this information of yours about Adieumus. It's been close to two years since I've personally last seen him....and the last person, that I know of, to see him recently was Dr. Jena Shaewe. They had left Coruscant to go to Kuat during the Mandalorian siege. He was last seen, alive, on one of our medical ships from the Red Dawn Medical Center before he disappeared. So, as you can imagine, any kind of news about him is welcome." Taking another sip of caf, she quietly studied him over the rim of the mug as she waited for him to make himself comfortable.......

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The meeting between Ice and Moses might have gone well except for the fact that before Moses could speak again, they were interrupted by Ice being called away to address another important issue that had arisen within the RDMC. They would meet again to discuss the matter of Adieumus being MIA in the very near future, but for now they parted ways for the time being....

Jaecyn entered, bowing his head slightly as a respect. Still clad in his pilot armor, he stopped a couple paces from her desk before speaking, with a pleasant and respectable smile. That she had been ruminating on things stressful to her had not been completely lost, and Jaecyn had sensed her thoughts emanating from her in a way similar to heat gently breezing off a person who had just exercised. No details, of course, just the general impression that she was dealing as best she could with the stressors of leadership, a thing for which he himself knew only too well. It was of concern, but one he had hoped would be warmly welcomed, especially that Ice was now, as he understood it, responsible for not just the medical center, but all of Adieumus' dealings as well.

It is good to finally meet you too, Missus Matango, and I do apologize for my clothing. I normally am far better dressed to meet with other heads-of-state. Dare I say, your husbands mention of you holds not a candle to you.

Jaecyn paused, taking a slightly more serious look, as he started to detail his reason for coming.

What brings me here to meet you is something that I had hoped to discuss with him, though with what the situation seems to be... I do expect that it might provide more a comfort to your ears than his.

I bring to you a proposal for alliance, not just among Jedi, but across our cultures. If you need the time to consider it, I will be more than happy to give it.

Ja'Sean gestured to decline a drink, but attentively took in what Ice was telling him. Ossus managed, somehow, to avoid the brunt of the war. Even though Mandalorian saboteurs did make a move on the world, they quickly lost taste for a larger offensive due to the security of all the information on the world. InfoSec was a field in which the Ysanna were leaders, given their cultural views on knowledge, and how quickly they had devoured technological and scientific advancements since the days of Luke Skywalker and their reintroduction into galactic society. Even with all the advancements and diligence of the Ysanna, the loss of Adieumus was lost in the clutter of all other information. Still, from his own dealings with Adi, Jaecyn knew that his wife would feature prominently in the worlds affairs, with or without his being there. As he, himself, was a leader, now co-consul with a trusted friend and tribal leader, he knew all to well the burden of leadership, and the need to carry the weight of it.

Great leaders, far too often, find task foisted upon them. Only those that seek such power, fall, failing in their "purpose." Paradoxical, if ever such a thing.

We all set ourselves to purpose as best we are able, and though we often find ourselves wanting, we often prove to be stronger than we, to ourselves, would appear. The Jedi here would offer wise words to your considerations of alliance, and support of command. Bear in mind, however, as I do, I do not often hold a pleasant sway among all Jedi.

As for aid and assistance, I am sure you would find the sum of our offerings more than to your satisfaction. A full military, surplus of crops, technology and science that leads in many a field, and medicine to complement your own. And, who else, in the galaxy, can produce an equal supply of this?

Smiling with a cocked grin, Ja'Sean pulls from a pouch a ration of chocolate, knowing that Ossus was one of only a mere handful of worlds able to produce the foodstuff, due to the Yuuzhan Vong War, ages ago.

The decision rests with you and the council you seek. I will provide information as needed, providing it is not compromise our own security.

Whole greater than the sum of its parts, it would seem. Adieumus did vaguely mention the same advancements. Truth be told, while, I am sure, the Republic does promote goodness, in its own way... I have often found it a shadow of its intended self. Like you, we have had to forge, and forage for ourselves. I would confess, however, that we have often done it in ways enough to give their high leadership hard sweats and the occasional nightmare, necessity being as it is.

Jaecyn paused for a moment, contemplating the possibilities of the alliance, starting with Honoghr and Ossus. What he saw was to draw the galaxy's finest, of their own accord, into a commonwealth where ideas and knowledge would flourish. Already supporting the bleeding edge of science and technology, medicine, weaponry, and philosophy, among other things, Jaecyn had high hopes that the appeal of it would all but clinch the deal, not that he was trying to come across as nuts or religious in his espousals, or even in the expressing of them. He was, however, tired of playing the lone wolf ALL of the time, in spite of how rewarding it had been at times. Being such did go both ways. While he could sport and aggressively optimistic track record against the varied Sith that faced him over the years, nothing could dim, in the slightest, the day the damnable Mandalorians took Ossus during a transition from antiquated Palpatinian technology to far more adequate material of Ysannan design and manufacture. Since then, however, he has been more successful, but the thought of being caught like that again was enough to constantly seek a more lasting relationship, built not just of military necessity, but one essential to anything sentient; knowing, growing, life, freedom, and safety.

Methinks a force such as this, between us, would be one for good, where can offer it, and dreaded vengeance if we must enforce it. Mind you, I do not seek to conquer the galaxy or plunder for riches. We have such value, you and I, as it is, and I would yet believe that what I see of this all is worthy enough to draw honorable support.

I would hope that they, the Jedi here, support this move between us. One more thing I would openly put on the table is that which we, of Ossus, have always offered to any bright mind that would see it used for good. Continued access to the largest library in the galaxy.

I look forward to it. 

Jaecyn spoke with a modest smile, though hints of a greater enthusiasm slipped through with the words. He did sincerely believe that a joint effort by the galaxy's greatest minds, makers, and movers would eventually produce a force for good that could affect change with a word alone. It would be the way that fear truly was, that fear was more a term of respect that one was of their word, whether the word was good and a sign of giving support or favor, or bad as a sign of avenging a wrong, that when one spoke, one was believed because they demonstrated that they would deliver. This, rather than the layman's definition, for when one soiled themselves from being scared by rumor and shadow. This, he thought, is where it begins.

Riddick smiled contentedly as Ice mentioned the agreement, letting out a slight, almost growl, of a hum as he started speaking in a notably satisfied, accented heldentenor tone.

Good. We will likely want to meet later, to solidify the arrangement in ways beneficial to each and every state. I do believe, however, that we will need more to join the cause. As well off as we are, our strengths alone are more as vulnerabilities compared to the rest of the galaxy, as of yet, and true strength is in numbers. History shows it well. I have a few other places in mind, and some old friends that might very well welcome the change of political scenery.

If you will not be needing me anymore, I will take leave to continue. I will leave you means to contact me directly, if you need.