Bureaucracy 6D+1, Planetary Systems 6D+2, Strategy and Tactics,
Capital Ships 7D, Strategy and Tactics, Starfighter 6D+2, Willpower
6D
Mechanical: 4D
Astrogation 5D+1, Capital Ship Gunnery 5D+2, Capital Ship
Piloting 6D, Capital Ship Shields 5D, Communications 5D+1, Sensors
5D
Perception: 2D+2
Command 6D+1, Con 5D, Investigation 6D
Strength: 2D
Technical: 2D+2
First Aid 5D, Security 4D
Special Abilities: The Questran's sense of scent is around four
times better than that of humans, both in the areas of detection
and discrimination, and they gain a +2 bonus to Search rolls where
their sense of smell can help.
Other Equipment: Shikirak is in command of the Diadem
of Otazal, a fleet of nineteen Rakkak
Class Corvettes. The Diadem fleet is under the control of the
Confederation High Command, and is one of the units assigned to
patrol of the Confederation borders. Shikirak's flagship is the
Diadem Crown, which has had it's armaments and command and
control functions slightly upgraded. Shikirak owns a small farm on
Otazal, currently being run by his wife and children. Shikirak's
savings total over 75,500 Confederation Credits, in various
accounts and investments.
Capsule:
Race: Questran
Sex: Male
Age: 57
Appearance:
Height: 2'9"
Weight: 34 lbs.
Eyes: Pale Orange
Skin: Brilliant blue plumage predominating, with crimson
and white patches on chest, back, and wings
Hair: Pure green facial plumage
Appearance notes: One of Shikirak's wings has been
broken and poorly reset several years ago, and tends to hang at an
awkward angle
Clothing:
Shikirak tends to wear dress uniforms, either Questran or
Confederation, as often as possible, and will wear his numerous
medals at all times. The only exception to this choice of clothing
is when he is back on his farm, where he wears the simplest of
laborer's garments.
Retainers, henchmen, and associates:
Shikirak is one of the few Questrans with real combat
experience, and has done his best to share his knowledge with other
Questrans. Some of his ablest disciples include Captain Arshak
Katirah and Vice Admiral Tskuk Magriek, and he has become quite
friendly with both of those individuals. Shikirak is married, and
is quite close to his wife Makit, and his children, Fshin, Remik,
and Khashinar.
Common haunts and habitues:
The Diadem of Otazal is usually on patrol in the Thiumidite
system, and Shikirak is seldom far from his fleet. When he does
take shore leave, he almost never goes anywhere other than his
farm.
History:
When much younger, Shikirak signed on with a group of
mercenaries, the "Storm Swords" who were refueling on Otazal, and
who were in such desperate need of replacement personnel that they
were willing to take on Questrans. Starting as an unskilled
crewmember on the group's base of operations, a somewhat elderly Panther Cruiser, Shikirak gradually worked
his way up through the ranks of the organization, eventually
winding up as third in command, in charge of command and
coordination of the Sword's spacecraft.
The Storm Swords avoided fighting in any of the sector's major
conflicts, preferring to hire out for the bush wars that erupted at
the outskirts of the major powers. The system worked for several
years, until the leader of the Swords, Joshuan Storm, decided to
retire. His second in command, Ulric Shar, was far less competent
a leader, and when Shikirak saw that Ulric was planning on bringing
the Swords into the more extensive wars of the sector, Shikirak
retired as well.
Using his substantial savings to buy his farm, Shikirak
planned on leaving warfare behind, and married one of the neighbors
of his youth. However, when the Empire came, his plans changed
again. Shikirak and his family left Otazal as soon the Empire's
reach extended near Questran holdings, and relocated to the free
port of Heliamibar. There, together with a small group of other
expatriate Questrans, he began planning for the liberation of
Questra before it was even conquered by the Empire. Shikirak could
not muster sufficient resources to put any of his plans into
action, but when the Shuumar and Aldru began planning their offensive, Shikirak
and his group were included.
One of the agents responsible for the organization of Questran
revolts and guerilla actions, Shikirak served with some
distinction. As soon as all the Questran planets were liberated,
Shikirak was drafted into the nascent Questran navy, as a full
Admiral, and Shikirak helped to organize the motley unit into a
semi-effective fighting force. When the Confederation Military
Unification Act was passed, Shikirak accepted a reduction in rank,
and an increase in number of units under his control, and has
served as Rear Admiral since that time.
The Diadem of Otazal has seen some heavy action, fighting off
a small Imperial strikeforce, a pirate flotilla, and several
smaller forces. Shikirak has distinguished himself in those
battles, and is being considered for promotion within the
Confederation Navy.
Personality:
Shikirak is a complex personality. While he is not immune from
Questran emotionalism, he is capable of setting his pride aside,
and is willing to display patience and self control when necessary.
At a fundamental level, Shikirak is a farmer, with all the patience
and pragmatism that implies, and while he does enjoy the pageantry
and respect of the military life, he really does want to set all of
that aside, and just go back home.