Mastery of Isolation

[Xe Z Sheu-fuh]

Space Station Kallixo​

The brush of wind washed over those closest to the hallway, deceptively cool in the face of the wildfire of temperament in the room. A lone figure made for the door, arms out stretched, eyes pinpricks and locked on the sealed portal. There were no cries, just a sheen of sweat belying their state of mind.

Yet the effort to escape unnoticed was a futile one. A pink-skinned Zeltron in a violet dress was one of those the man had tried to dart past. The last line of defense that kept the occupants trapped in the cauldron. Her left hand shoved the nearest guard's shoulder to expose his side, while the right took hold of the whip held there. With a single, smooth snap the tendril shot through the air at the back of the fleeing man.

After the slender finger began to curve about the man's neck the energy cell was activated. Normally the shock was enough to get the point across. In this case it didn't just frighten its victim, but dropped him straight to the floor. A choked retching sound followed as his body found it difficult even to spill the contents of its stomach at the assault.

The whip was slowly coiled back up in the Zeltron's hand as the rest of the room observed. She thrust the weapon back in the guard's direction, not bothering to acknowledge his presence further.

"Gentlemen. Ladies. Sentients," Xe purred with a smile on her darker lips. "None of us wish to stay here a moment longer than we have to, but we simply cannot afford to break quarantine. The Force protect us from being infected; but if any of us are, we stand a better chance surviving waiting for the good doctors to arrive."

She strode forward and plucked one of the glasses of champagne from an abandoned tray. "There is no cause for alarm. Even the great Republic is more invested ensuring the rest of the station isn't affected than worrying if our little story holds true." With a sip of the drink to wet her throat, Xe continued, "And to make sure they do, I'll volunteer myself to chaperone the doctors."

"Why should we trust you?"

The smile didn't falter in the face of the challenge. Xe slowly turned to face the male Zygerrian. "Because you don't." Xe paused to take another sip of her drink. Let them mull that over for just a moment. "These doctors aren't going to spend their time entertaining you fine, respectible businessmen. They're going to examine the...servants." Slaves, but the story was their hired help had come down with a bit of a disease and needed help. And since this was a decent-sized space station putting who knew how many transports and planets at risk -- was it any wonder help was on the way? "If any of you would prefer to get intimately close with those afflicted instead, I won't complain. But, if you would rather not, then let me demonstrate my commitment to our future arrangements."

Murmurs followed as the various creatures present mulled over their options. None of them were terribly anxious to put themselves in even more jeopardy than they already were. What would Xe gain if she had an ulterior motive anyway? None of the slaves were in any secured section of the facility; and the security system was fully operational.

"If you insist," the Zygerrian hissed with a smile and flourish of his arms. "It would be a shame if anything happened to you. Do be careful."

Soft laughter bubbled forth at the man's "genuine" concern for her well being. The only thing that man would find a shame was the "waste" of a perfectly beautiful Zeltron that could have been a lucrative slave walking out his door or dying from disease under his watch. If it wasn't bad business Xe didn't doubt any one of the people present would consider abducting her for a slave despite the credits on offer. Maybe if they found her alone in an alleyway -- it'd be their last mistake.

@Herrith

 

[Agrafena Landis]

Check the air filtration. Emergency closed oxygen system. Life support readings. Helmet camera and flashlights. First aid and sampling equipment. Check it again. And again. And again.

Doctor Landis tugged on her mask for probably a hundredth time, looking toward Léon, who gave her a thumbs up. His face was as equally covered up by the respirator as her, but she could read enough from his eyes and brow, had gotten used to seeing just that part of his face, to know what he was feeling. This was excluding the life support readout on her wrist tablet that was strapped around the sealed off jumpsuit. He was nervous, a little jittery. This whole mission is what her unit was trained for, what she had trained for. And now they were unsure of their abilities. No, no, not unsure. Just jitters. That's all. They had trained this down to a science. They could do this.

Aggie bumped his elbow and nodded as the airlock finished cycling, stopping the tapping of her foot as the bay unsealed. She rose her blaster and waited for Léon to pat her shoulder, steppng through the decompressing fog once he did so and scanning down the hall with her weapon. The station had assured them that quarantine was in place, but it never hurt to be cautious. Plus, this story was a bit...strange. For now she couldn't investigate that part. She was just here to find what this mystery disease was that was sickening these servants. Though they may as well be slaves, especially with Zygerrians on board...hopefully the masking of her face was enough to keep them off her ass. Or maybe someone prettier.

"Turning on camera one..now."
She tapped the camera taped to her mask.

"Camera two online. Mission timer on."

Agrafena nodded and began moving forward, keeping her weapon lowered but ready. Léon had similar sentiment. They didn't want to look too threatening to anyone in this area. Or whoever was supposed to meet them nearby.

 

[Xe Z Sheu-fuh]

Xe sighed as she cast a few strands of hair over her shoulder. Times like these pheromones didn't amount to much. No one was interested in having a pleasant time when their life was on the line. All right, most people weren't. A few were hopelessly perverted -- and they weren't the sort this Zeltron sought a long-term relationship with.

Both hands smoothed the front of her snug dress as she stood outside of the suite the slavers had taken shelter in. A woman should be presentable even if she wasn't courting someone. Her people weren't known for looking unkempt. Everything in its proper place the pink skinned woman strode toward the location where the doctors would come aboard.

"There's no need for blasters," Xe announced as she stepped into view. She held her hands out to either side of her figure. Not a single weapon was visible on her person, and no obvious bumps suggesting anything hidden. Given how snug the dress was with even the skirt clinging to her legs the good doctors could be reasonably assured Xe carried no blaster of her own. "The disease is quite real." Afraid this was a trap? Not unreasonable.

"I am Lady Sheu-fuh. Those presiding over the stricken workers elected me to provide your escort." A smile spread across her lips after introductions were concluded. She would leave it to the good doctor to respond, and they would find their beat from there.

 

[Agrafena Landis]

Aggie slowed to a stop as a Zeltron appeared from down the corridor, letting her respirator cycle and her visor fog and defog while she spoke. Léon's heart rate quickened, and she instinctively turned around, only to find the medic staring down their Zeltron friend. Oh. Right. That was how this was going to be, then. She cleared her throat and lowered the blaster, letting it rest off its sling by her hip as the respirator cycled again and she started to speak, noticing Léon turn to the side to check the hull, pulling out a tablet as he did so and typed into it while she spoke.

"Apologies, but it is a...safety precaution. As for the escort, I did hear we would get one, but I don't recall anything about a Zeltron, or a 'Lady Sheu-Fuh'. Though I'll take what I can get at this point."

A message popped up in the corner of her screen and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes. I need her holonet information. Now. She looked back to Léon and patted his shoulder, a motion for them to get moving as he put away his pad and she tapped on the wrist tablet, acting like she was doing something professional while she motioned for their Zeltron escort to lead the way.

[Save it for after the mission and after we make sure she isn't going to make your brain leak out of your nose from whatever disease this is.]

As she sent it, she heard a scoff from the trooper and then went back to actually doing her job, asking questions about the disease. Her inner scientist came out from the years of pathology she took.

"What are their symptoms? Coughing, sneezing, anything? And where exacrly are they? I'd like to see personally if possible."

"She forgot the 'or else' part of that sentence, we have jurisdiction to enter any part of the facility we need. Don't mind my friend, she likes to play a bit nice."

Aggie saved her comebacks for later and let her second in command have his fun. The most he'd come to seeing a Zeltron was probably in a magazine, anyways. She didn't bother to warn him about pheromones, especially since they were breathing through air filtration and a closed tank if necessary. Though it probably wouldn't if this girl was looking so healthy.

 

[Xe Z Sheu-fuh]

The smile held fast while the doctors quickly composed themselves. While Xe was not local entertainment nor interested in dancing before audiences, she appreciated their attention. "Oh, must have been an oversight. Everyone's been rattled by this recent development. Informing you ahead of time of your contact probably slipped their mind," she replied. Her eyes were with Aggie for the most part, being the talkative one.

She slowly crossed her arms under her breasts as the good doctor inquired about the disease. "They've been quarantined in their sleeping quarters to try and contain any outbreak. I can't say if those efforts were as effective if you were here to guide them, but," the thought trailed off with a slight tip of her head to the side. It was that or kill them; fortunately they'd seen sense to try curing the 'merchandise' rather than throwing it away. Procuring more was an option, but that took time and money rather than gaining either.

"You're welcome to see them. That's why I'm here. Actually," Xe uncrossed her arms and leaned forward a bit, eyes roaming over them, "would you have another one of those? If we're going to visit them in person there's a higher chance of catching something if it's airborne, isn't there?" The Zeltron gestured around her face to indicate what on their person interested her.

With practiced, soft laughter Xe added, "But you asked about their symptoms. Dizziness, dry mouth, and fever at first. Last I heard, the first ones with symptoms were having trouble sitting up in bed as well."

 

[Agrafena Landis]

Agrafena listened while the Zeltron explained herself also allowing herself to bring the topic into the next subject. It seemed the group had gotten quarantine procedures correct, but that didn't mean this woman wasn't infected, nor anyone else on the ship that happened to not be stuck in a cramped cell, waiting for their eyeballs to pop out or their hair to fall off. And she was completely sure this chick wasn't looking to lose all her precious hair. Neither was Léon, for that matter. He stayed behind, slinging his weapon and checking the systems on his suit. And maybe a couple more reasons than that.

"Good to hear that you're doing most of the job for us. As for the mask, I'm afraid we don't, however if this is airborne you'd probably be in the same league as them."

"Though it's part of protocol to keep our masks on, Doc--in case things get out of hand."

Good point there--Léon was a kriffing ape when it came to acting. He was better off keeping his respirator on. She knew him long enough to know what he had meant by that. The woman, Lady Sheu-fuh, went on to describe their symptoms with a laugh in relatively poor taste (in Aggie's opinion), basically the normal symptoms that one would find with any common illness. Dizziness, dry mouth, fever, muscle weakness...

"Are we going to the quarantine area? I'm not here for a tour, with respect. Just to make sure your...servants are in good health."

It didn't take a genius to see that Zygerrians and servants don't exactly make sense. The right word was slaves..though that wasn't what she was investigating right now, sadly.

 

[Xe Z Sheu-fuh]

"That's too bad," Xe sighed. For more than one reason. Nevertheless, she'd make do.

In fact, if Léon wasn't too busy trying to occupy himself the unfortunate circumstances might be in his favor. The Zeltron's left hand drifted down and pushed the dress open along her left leg. Bending over just a bit, Xe retrieved a surgical mask from the inside lining of the weave. A very generous amount of long, pink leg would be on display for those watching.

"This will have to do," she added with cheer.

The Doctor didn't share her buoyant spirit, however. Xe didn't mind. Certain things had to be in certain ways if this was going to work. "Of course. Their employers will be quite grateful. If you'll follow me?"

Xe turned and began to stride deeper into the installation. Her gloved fingers secured the mask in place using the supplied bands. "Please remain within sight at all times. It is as much for your protection as ours. People can behave erratically when it comes to situations like these."

Two minutes later they stood before a sealed door. Their Zeltron guide looked back at the Doctors. "Here we are. Several of the servants despite being in close contact with those initially infected haven't begun showing symptoms, last I had seen them. They may be helpful in supporting roles. Feel free to ask for their assistance." With that said, Xe turned to punch in the security code for the outer door. "This short hallway acts as an airlock," she explained.

Xe waited until they were both inside and the outer door sealed. "Before we enter, can I ask you a question, Doctor?" An attentive person might notice the subtle drop in Xe's cheeks suggesting the smile had disappeared behind the mask. "Do you believe it's appropriate a servant be executed in order to stop the spread of an epidemic?"

@Herrith

 

[Agrafena Landis]

Agrafena exhaled heavily through the mask, giving a kind of 'are you kidding me' look toward the woman as she made an extremely impractical and overly complicated maneuver to obtain a mask of her own, which she apparently happened to have. Landis told Léon to take the lead and checked behind them before keeping pace with the Zeltron as she explained how this part of the ship worked. An airlock separating quarantined areas from what she was supposed to think were disease-free? Heh. They were going to have to do a bit better than that..especially with a disease like this infecting people by the masses. Lady Sheu-fuh explained some more surprise information, including the very obvious attempt at hiding things from them that the Zygerrians didn't want them to see.

That just wasn't going to fly.
"With respect, we have jurisdiction on Republic law to search this place wherever we please as long as it supports our investigation. We can handle ourselves."

And if she didn't let them? Well the high-ranking people of this establishmen were going to have a problem with two very angry Republic troopers. Another surprise fun fact was brought out of the blue, namely how certain patients had not developed symptoms despite being in contact with the original contractors of the diseas. That would need further study--meaning that this could be a lot more complicated than she originally thought.

Aggie looked toward Léon and then back at the Zeltron as she ended her final thought, something that went against the oath she had taken, yet at the same time she had learned was sadly necessary in survival situations. She saw where this was going.

"If the situation absolutely can not be solved any other way. But that doesn't mean I recommend killing innocent people for nothing. Understand what I mean?"

 

[Xe Z Sheu-fuh]

"That, Doctor, depends on your definition of 'people,'" Xe replied carefully. "Everyone inside here will be relieved to know you seem to be classically trained." Aggie's no nonsense and impatient desire to get to the matter at hand suggested as much. Léon didn't say much, so it was harder to discern. At least the team leader hadn't been influenced by credits exchanging hands behind the scenes. Xe would have been beside herself if the slavers managed to get a monster in here to butcher the victims.

"Let's not keep these people waiting." The pink woman turned to punch in the code for the inner door.

Her eyes briefly scanned up toward one of the working cameras in the hallway. The mask hid a mirthless smile on her lips. Oh dear, were the microphones not working here? Be a shame if the slavers hadn't overheard anything of interest.

"If you require any supplies," Xe continued while stepping through the door, "please don't hesitate to ask. I'm sure we can find almost anything you require." Within reason. Probably wouldn't have the most cutting edge medical equipment on hand; but there was a stocked medical facility, however.

After they were inside, their Zeltron guide led the way down a short hall. The group would find one or two people of various species wandering about, but few felt an overwhelming desire to roam during an epidemic. A few moans might be heard -- and not the sort even slavers liked -- but otherwise silence reigned.

After a short walk, Xe stepped into a small room where two bunk beds stood on either side. There was a still body in each bed; chests rising and falling at an even pace, but only in shallow motions. "These were some of the first showing symptoms," she said to explain why they'd come here of all chambers.

@Herrith

 

[Agrafena Landis]

Aggrafena scoffed at the Zeltron's comment on her choice of profession, following her as they went down yet another hall, and then glancing at the cameras staring them down. Being recorded, then. That's how this was going to go. She glanced at Léon and readjusted her vest, nodding her thanks while Sheu-fuh told them that she could get whatever they'd need ok top of what they had already brought. Doctor Landis was fine without anything else. They'd brought everything and more for this little mission, so she didn't see them needing much. Of course, not unless she could sneak a cup of caf once the disease could be rendered safe.

Once the two were directed to their patients, Aggie nodded to Léon, who did the honors of setting up their medical readouts and other basic things from his pack. She just had some basic microscopes and a couple extra serums in case this was just a run of the mill sickness. She went turn to the Zeltron to request to let them work alone, then Léon tapped her shin with a knucle, nodding her direction. Right. Kriffing idiot. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she spoke to the escort.

"If you don't mind, we're going to have to request you leave the room. There's a lot of sensitive devices here and we don't want false readings or accidents."

She was about to turn around, then decided to add in another sentence, lowering her voice slightly.
"Oh, and one more thing, between you and I, try not to be too distracting for my partner. I know it's hard being a Zeltron, but, yeah. Anyways."

Landis turned and knelt down next to one of the patients, putting a finger on their neck to check for the pulse as Léon set up heart readouts on the other one, as well as prepping for IVs or other devices to be used. After a moment, he spoke following a brief chuckle from the mask.
"Classically trained. It's almost like she's flirting with you, Doc."

He let out another short chuckle and then turned his head.
"You think the Zygerrians will get pissed off if I take her to dinner? You can tag along too, if you want, I guess, but it'd be weird."

"No, I have no interests in dealing with your romantic activities. Shut up and get an IV line set already."

"Done. Unlike classically trained doctors, I can multitask rather well."

Aggie couldn't do much but sigh and act at least a little professional. She pulled out a stringe, searching for a vein to retrieve a blood sample from while Léon checked the other's physical symptoms.

 

[Xe Z Sheu-fuh]

Xe met the other woman's gaze when spared only the time needed to dismiss the Zeltron's presence. Well, it hadn't been her first choice on what would happen next. Angrafena's follow-up was a little more telling as to why she'd asked, however. Not that Xe could turn off how distracting she was. Not a Zeltron's fault everyone else had toned-down or Earthen skin tones. All this trouble without even the pheromones.

"Well," she paused to smile, even sparing Léon a glance, "I won't go far, if you need anything."

As she stepped back into the hallway one of the servants drifted up and whispered in Xe's pink ear. "Where?" Xe asked. After another moment her bright eyes turned back to the doctors. "Excuse me a moment."

She and the male twi'lek drifted over to one of the nearby rooms.

After a minute, the Zeltron emerged and headed straight for a computer interface halfway down the hall they'd used. Her thumb toggled the link open. "Where are the requested medical supplies?" Her gaze was fixed on the camera that would display her on the other side of the conversation; not a hint of a smile or levity remained from the escort. Xe's words were carefully measured, yet strained from being held back.

"The Doctors have supplies," a voice came back. No image appeared on Xe's end; nor was one needed since Xe -- and any servant using this -- would know exactly who sat on the other end.

A soft snort followed the 'observation.' "The Doctors are busy performing tests to identify the threat, and do not have time for anything else. I am here to make sure the patients do not grow restless and begin injuring themselves or others out of desperation. I need those supplies to keep them calm."

"Then remind them what happens to those that get out of line." The Zygerrian voice nearly hissed across the link.

Xe leaned down close to the camera to fill the display with her face. "Some of them already feel the bite of pain greater than your whips. Get me those supplies, or tell your buyers you lost the merchandise through negligence."

When the channel closed the Zeltron straightened up and took a few, deep breaths to compose herself.

 

[Agrafena Landis]

Agrafena nodded to the Zeltron as she excused herself and then went off to talk to a Twi'lek. She eyed them for a moment before taking her rifle off its sling, powering it off, and setting it against the wall nearest to her. Léon eyed her for a moment before readjusting his mask, eyes expressionless under the device. Kind of convenient that she got called away right when they started working on the patients. Neither of them liked this, but it all came down to why these people were sick. If they weren't found again, then they had the helmet cam footage and the fact that they didn't check in. Not that the Republic would do much, anyways--they were too busy with other things.

Landis moved back to the patient Léon had traded spots and checked on her patient, setting up an IV for the other as she injected another syringe into the second person, eyeing the heart monitor and taking note as she did so. Once that was done and she had taken a blood sample, she pulled out the datapad from Léon's pack and connected it to their little computer that would magnify the blood cells of the two and match it with the database it had installed. Of course it had a couple more recently discoveres things, courtesy of Landis. As she waited, she checked the air from another readout and sighed. It wasn't airborne at all. Plus, she needed to breathe.

"I think we're good on taking off the masks. I'm tired of this thing on my face."

"Stellar observation, Doctor Landis."

"Lieutenant."

Aggie sighed and unclipped her mask, pulling it off as well as slipping the hood around her face away as her partner did the same.

"Everything about this is fishy, Aggs. I don't like it."

"I know. Let's just find out why these people are sick first, okay?"

"Agreed.."

The pad beeped and broadcasted the results. Aggie nearly lost her breath and brushed red hair over an ear.

 

[Xe Z Sheu-fuh]

"Tell everyone the supplies are coming," Xe told the Twi'lek on her way back to the doctors. There was a chance that could be an outright lie, but what else was she supposed to say? That the wretch might leave them to rot to no one's surprise?

When she strode up to the room where she'd left the doctors, the pink woman's eyes shifted from one to the other. They'd removed their masks. Being professionals Xe had to assume their tests revealed the disease wasn't airborne. "Making progress?" Xe tried to make out what it was they were working on or reviewing, but she could barely see the screen from where she stood. Probably by intention. The lead doctor had done little to hide her misgivings about this entire affair.

There was no reason for her to discuss what had drawn her away moments ago. For the same reason Xe wasn't trying to steal their limited amount of medicine, she wasn't pestering them with her -- their -- problems. It would be nice to drop her cover to commiserate with these two; but it could easily get her killed. The two parties would simply have to figure out a way to both get what they wanted within the confines of the game.

 

[Agrafena Landis]

Aggie exhaled slightly, processing what she was seeing. Now that was an interesting case...though how this disease came back and infected these people? No idea. She exhaled and looked up as the Zeltron peeked in, passing over the datapad to Léon to check it out while Sheu-fuh asked if they had discovered anything about the ailment of the servants. Landis looked over to Léon and nodded as he powered the device off, tucked it into his vest, and grabbed his blaster, standing up from his crouched position before looking back at Aggie.

"Are you, by any chance, making progress?"

Léon chimed in finally, able to fit much more weight in his words.
"What Lieutenant Landis is trying to say is to cut the shit, Lady Sheu-fuh. What exactly is going on here? We don't do courtesy calls, and I'm not exactly in a let-things-go mood right now. Until you stop whispering in the other room, we'd feel a lot better if we weren't treating you and your abused workers. Saves us time, you know. And less paperwork. There's always the other option, especially in vicinity of an armed Republic ship with a couple hundred combat personnel onboard itching to fight something other than Sith."

"We really just need answers. Don't take what my partner says too much to heart."

An odd balance, really. Some might have called it good cop and bad cop. Except one was a doctor with multiple degrees and one was a medic a couple degrees shy of a bad temper.

 

[Xe Z Sheu-fuh]

"Well," Xe began without raising her voice or clenching her fists, "it seems what is happening is two Republic Doctors think they can strong arm me into submission by threatening to kill every innocent person on this station. A very unexpected turn given how strongly they seemed to care about these people only a few minutes ago."

The Zeltron crossed her arms beneath her breasts as she stood in the doorway. "But since you asked so nicely," a pause only long enough to smile, "I'll explain. You're doctors, so I trust you're educated and perceptive. You know quite well what the employment status of these people are and to whom they're employed. The problem is damaged merchandise can not only reduce the net gain, but become a net loss. In certain cases it makes more business sense to cut your losses. I am trying to justify retaining possession of these people; but the longer this drags on, or the more likely this can spread to the upper tiers the less justification I have." She trusted these two wouldn't believe absolution of possession meant freedom.

"That is what is going on. And if you're interested in whispers, please visit the other room. There's a woman there in considerable pain; so if you have any medicine for it, she would be grateful." A fine eyebrow rose waiting on the doctors to accept or reject what Xe had laid before them.

 

[Agrafena Landis]

Aggie thought Léon had screwed up with his confrontational attitude for once as the Zeltron seemed to take his words personally. She could have only hoped her little add-ins could have lessened the blow, and the expression she was giving off. Not to mention pheromones. Landis hadn't remembered that when she took off her mask. It could go wrong at any time because of that biological trait. She had also seemed to misinterpret what they had meant by the Republic ship, as the intention would be to kill or apprehend every non-slave on bord and free the rest. But evidently she hadn't taken it that well.

The smile and what appeared to be at the very least a half-truth came unexpected. So at this point Sheu-fuh admitted to having slaves on board, at least indirectly, and of the slavers' intent to kill anyone that didn't pull their weight. It was hardly practical, especially given the size of the workforce..nor was it ethical. Or clean.

"With respect, I'm more of a field medic. She's the Doc. A lot prettier than me too, so it make sense."

Aggs shot him a glance and stood up as she set her pack on the ground and opened it up, glancing at the patients. She tipped her head toward the Zeltron and then at the tablet. May as well pass it over and show her exactly what the hell these people had been hit with while she kept working. Léon flipped the datapad from his vest and then chucked it toward the woman like a frisbee, relying on her ability to catch as he patted Aggie's shoulder with a smirk before checking on the other sick individual and scanning for what could have caused the disease.

"It's a relatively rare disease in this present day, which makes me wonder as to where they could have gone to contract it..have you taken your hard workers anywhere remote? Some place they haven't been adapted to? Perhaps tropical?"

"And do you happen to be one of those, uh, talented workers that is for hire? Cause I'm looking around for an opportunity, if ya get me."

Landis sighed, hoping Léon wouldn't make this go south. Again. She put together a syringe and grabbing an anti-parasitic solution from a hard case in her pack.

 

[Xe Z Sheu-fuh]

The datapad was frozen in place when a lone pink hand whipped forward to catch it. Xe's eyes lingered on Léon for a moment. Reflexes weren't a problem. Slowly the pad was tilted back and brought in closer so its contents could be reviewed. At the same time Aggie narrated what Xe read, condensing and highlighting the most pressing matter related to the disease at work.

Without asking permission to enter the room, Xe slowly strode into the room as the pad shifted hands. Her fingers curled about Léon's jawline as she gave gentle pressure for him to pay attention to the lovely woman now at his side. "My services are always for hire, Léon," she purred. "But can you afford them?" The pad of Xe's thumb slid over the man's lips for just a moment. Even if the man had the credits, the services he would hire were unlikely to be the kind in mind.

Smirk affixed to her lips, Xe's hand fell as she turned away from the 'field medic.'

"None of the regulars have left the station in some time," Xe responded at last to Aggie's question. Her left arm crossed beneath her breasts once more, pad still in hand. "We have had several exotic visitors lately, however. Good workers," the Zeltron's eyes fell to Aggie not expecting she'd need to explain further, "can be hard to find in the less common locales. I don't believe I've seen one of the potential clients in a while." Her lips curved downward for a moment at the thought they could be connected.

"Do you know how it's spreading?" Not airborne. Given the data it had to be something else... something living most likely. Insects. Rodents. With Xe's eyes catching sight of Aggie's syringe the thought of someone deliberately spreading it came to mind, but to what end?

 

[Agrafena Landis]

Aggie watched for a moment as Sheu-fuh entered the room and did her thing with Léon, scoffing to herself and turning away to check a patient's biometrics. She looked at the solution in her hand and hooked it up to an injector, making sure it was all organized and lined up with the needle before turning the worker's wrist up and pushing the needle into a vein, pressing the button and watching the antiparasitic medicine exit the small injector. Good. One down. As for Léon, he let himself take a smile before pulling himself back together and clearing his throat, considering another wisecrack but remembering Landis was present and immediately feeling guilty. Landis tossed him the injector and he swapped the needle, doing a similar process to their second patient while the Zeltron spoke.

Aggie tried to ignore the odd feeling in her chest from what she had just avoided seeing and focused on the task at hand. They hadn't left the station...but this was a parasitic disease...odd.

The Doc stood up and muttered the words to herself while the Zeltron questioned her. She had shot a glare at Lady Sheu-fuh for trying her luck with the slave talk, but other than that left her mind to focus on finding why this was spreading and not on Léon's interests nor anything else. Though having a fast acting mind tended not to help with that.

"Less likely areas..visitors...oh-right. I have a couple guesses: one, it was spread here by an insect or something similar, however that makes no sense because nothing lives on this space station like that from which I know of...ruling out natural causes, since this isn't airborne, option two is someone spread the disease, and three is that these people happened to carry it with them, though that's unlikely. Do you happen to have any ideas as to why someone would deliberately infect your, uh--indentured servants? I'm not saying that's what this is, just trying to see if there's some more meat to the bone than what you've said. Again."

Landis took a step forward, getting close enough to the woman to hold her hand out for the datapad as she looked into her eyes and waited for a response, gauging her reaction. Maybe she really didn't know. But Aggie wasn't liking how this was turning out. It was getting a hell of a lot more complex than just a small outbreak. Plus, a Zeltron was toying with her partner, and that wasn't going to fly on her end, no matter how much Léon was willing to open up.

"Maybe Lady Sheu-fuh here is the insect that bit everyone. A lot of insects use clever disguises to lure their prey. Just a suggestion. I'll let the girl talk play out and keep minding my own business now."

 

[Xe Z Sheu-fuh]

As before Xe didn't respond to the glare Aggie leveled in her direction. Slaves glared at slavers when they weren't looking every day; sometimes even when they were looking. Better yet -- and something most chose not to see or enjoyed -- slaves didn't need to glare, it was all there in their eyes and the tension in their bodies. Resentment. Fear. Anger. Rage. If they could rise up, slaughter their owners, and escape... but they were trapped on a space station, or surrounded by tens or hundreds of loyal sentients where escape would be short lived. No money. No contacts. Just endless space and cruel planets, and that incredibly small chance of meeting someone that would actually care.

So the good doctor could glare whenever she liked. Xe'd learned to harden her heart against such things long ago. It was all a cost of doing business, and giving people a sliver of hope with what few resources the Zeltron herself possessed.

The datapad was extended out for Landis to take as the doctor interrogated Xe again. "I think you have the wrong impression of me, Doctor. These slaves do not belong to me. I'm just a broker here to evaluate the product for a buyer. Someone that offered to escort you around to demonstrate our commitment to good business relations." Xe smiled for just a moment. "So I don't know the auction house's business, but, if I had to guess, a rival might want to decimate the stock to cut into the house's profits. Perhaps even ruin their reputation as a trustworthy source."

And there was Léon. Dear, clueless Léon. The smile on Xe's pink lips grew at his remark. "I do bite."

But back to the business at hand, "Would you like me to check in one of our recent guests to rule out option one? And could the disease be fatal, Doctor? I haven't seen this one guest in some time."

 

[Agrafena Landis]

So it seemed this Lady Sheu-fuh wasn't exactly part of the entourage of Zygerrians, according to her story. Just some kind of quality control, as sick as that sounded, for whoever was going to buy them. And, as a stroke of fortune, these slaves just happened to be diseased with something that hadn't been seen in large numbers since...well, since before time was really accurately recorded in the new databases of things. And this was some kind of inter-slaver competition going on, though it wasn't legal nor exactly a very honorable thing to do, though comparing honor to slavers was like tar to tea.

"Well, we did have the wrong impression of you. Though, then again, there is no right impression to be had of slavers, no matter how pure your reasons may be, except that they're just looking to turn out a profit by selling life. Which, sadly, is a common profession in times like these. You're lucky your Zygerrian sellers aren't interested in a Zeltron, especially a free one."

So now they had a deliberately inserted disease, presumably to prevent this particular group from selling their slaves, and being forced to either free them or cure them with extra money and time. Both were favorable for someone looking to keep slavery as unpopular as possible...but then again these heartless cats could be so dirt cheap so as to kill half their workforce. The immediate problem was saving lives, not worrying about the greater extent of the slave trade. That was up to others to figure out.

Aggie looked toward her partner as he butted in and the Zeltron quipped back. She quickly stepped in before he could say anything and made a quick cutting motion across her neck to tell him to shut it off and get back to work.
"Then bite your tongue with him, if that's the case. As for your 'recent guest', I'd be glad for some extra help. As for the disease...without proper medication, yes it is lethal, however we happen to have what we need to get these people to recover. For a hundred or more infected persons, maybe not, but...I'm sure we can figure something out."

If the Zeltron did ever leave, Doctor Landis would lock eyes with Léon and shake her head before catching the syringe he had used and putting away its respective parts.
"W-"

"Not a word."