Ask Not A Quack Doc

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She held the cup for a moment, considering his question. There was the events with the Ranger, Lorcan, with her patients. But nothing that blipped on her radar quite as much as the tome... and the holocron the tome had led her and Kai to. Both weighed on her mind. She had yet to touch either in three weeks, but she wanted to as soon as possible. The need to know far outstripped her need to distance herself from memory. Instead she shrugged a little, taking a small sip of the hot brew.

"Research on the zombies," she replied quietly, frowning. "I believe I have a trail to follow, to find the origin source. As a physician, my first priority is to find a solution to this galactic problem." Amber eyes fell to the table surface, distant. Her hands tightened briefly around the mug a moment, pale face remote.

When she spoke again, her voice was hushed, intense. "I need to understand why."

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

The words the Doctor said maid Roland add to the list the number of things he thought he would never hear. These days anything could happen. Even if that something was the undead.

What was more strange was the fact that a simple mob doc had a trace on the source of a galactic pandemic. The Ranger would have taken it as a joke in any other context. But Ilana's expression made it clear she was serious. "Well if you can cure it or vaxinate or whatever it is then I'd recommend you for an award." He could not think of anything else to say. She had something deep within her motivating her judging by her tone.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She frowned absently, framing the cup of caf in her hands. Perhaps he didn't take her seriously... time to take a bit of a gamble, perhaps, and test out this Rawl. She took a few heaping teaspoons of sugar into her caf, and swirled it in, gaze flicking up to the helmet. "I was hoping to get in contact with Rangers..." she spoke quietly, frowning. "But unfortunately, if any of my clients clued in that I worked with them, with any investigation, most of my credit flow would vanish." Her eyes dropped, taking a long sip of the now-sweetened brew.

"I hope to establish a vaccine... but I need specimens, a proper lab." She sighed, rubbing her brow with her other hand. "Which, sadly, are both in short supply at the moment."

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

"Well that sucks" He said simply. She sounded confident in her abilties to carry out what she said. But he didn't know if that was true. The whole undead virus discussion had come out of left field and his cover, Rawl, would not have much to contribute. A simple bounty hunter or Mandalorian mercinary would not concern themselves with assisting some small time mob doctor in the middle of Hutt space just because she thought she could create a miracle cure.

"Sounds to me like you are dealing with the same problem everyone has. I know which choice the majority takes." The implied cynicism was hopefully obvious. Sure, her livelihood required credits but if she meant what she said then Roland also hoped that the doctor would take action to improve the galaxy and distance herself from the seedy environment that Nar Shaddaa was known for.

Roland reached into a pouch after speaking and pulled out a reusable straw and placed it so he didn't need to remove his helmet. But first he blew out, the air causing little ripples in the cooling beverage for a moment and then placing the straw. The Mandalorian prefered cold-brew caf but it was still pretty good and not cheap waystation caf made with stale and recycled water.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Her gaze panned towards him, taking another drink of her caf. "Lucky for me, I have never been good with following majority," she replied dryly, but left it at that. It was interesting to see how he adapted with his culture for drink; briefly, she considered offering food as well, but it was hardly the time for character study nor to test the Mandalorian with the extent of his culture. Rather, she looked away, scrolling her datapad and waiting for analysis to be done.

When she heard the familiar beep of the process ending, she wordlessly stood, then paced her way down the ship, features impassive. Hopefully, she could give him the answers he needed before she would let him go on his way. In her mind, he didn't seem the type to lurk about simply to be sociable.

 

[Roland Rook]

Underneath his helmet, the corners of his lips curled into a smile for a moment. If she had been mandalorian maybe he would have even given her an oya but he stayed quiet. Her golden gaze looked at him with interest. Roland learned there were different types of stares he got. Ones of trepidation, loathing, or curiosity. Behind his helm he simply stared back with a genuine smile if not on the smug side.

After a few moments her analysis was finished. The undercover ranger shifted his eyes to look towards the datapad with his own sense of curiosity. But the Doctor got up and walked away. The Mandalorian looked down at the mug and then drank the remnants of the caf. It was still on the hot side.

A gloved hand set the cup aside and he took a step towards the exit but stopped. Looking towards the cup he wondered if she had attempted not to see his face but some kind of DNA fishing. Nah Mandalorians weren't a singular species. But there were plenty of Mandalorians who didn't follow The Way. Their faces were known by some and his people's history had a tendency to end up being the villains of another's story. Stories told about the Great Purge said as much. This is the way

His steps resumed to follow the Doctor. "Thanks for the coffee, Doc." She hadn't told him to follow so he hopped she didn't take offense. But she seemed a bit strange if not a bit rude at times. I think that's what they call bedside manner maybe

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

So he followed. Good. It spared her yelling down the ship; she hated raising her voice unless she had to, and his being right there would spare him the doubt she would try to lie to him in any way. She glanced over her shoulder at his thanks and nodded once, features calm once more. "My mother taught me many useless things; treating a guest was, thankfully, a useful one."

That being said, she set her datapad aside and typed something up for the diagnostic scanner, then frowned absently. "A bodysuit like yours, you said...?" she inquired mildly, frowning. The readout from it looked pretty grim.

"If he was alive when this scrap was found, I'm not sure he'd be alive anymore," she commented, showing him the chemical results by pulling info into her datapad. Just before the information of the chem sheet could load, he'd see a flash of something on a screen; a name, and a species. Grysk.

She continued on as if nothing had happened, the analysis loaded to block any other information as she was not focused on the screen, but rather the data raw input through the machine, but then turned to it, steeling her spine.

"Trace poisons, paralytic agents not unlike the ones you were dosed with initially." Amber eyes flicked over him once, before continuing. "Traces of exhaust, oil, grime; the soil composite is minimal, but if I cross-reference chem composition versus other planetside, and cross-reference further with possible planetary demographic, I can tell you where he last was before this scrap you gave me."

She leaned back slightly, rubbing absently to her forehead as though staving off a headache. "I say he, what minimal DNA was left indicates male pattern, species human. So you'd be seeking a dead human male, of indeterminate age, likely a smuggler or ship repairman. Does that help?"

She stared up at his helmet, head tilted in mild, unattached curiosity.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Roland, the real Roland, appreciated manners and hospitality even when exhibited by strangers. As his cover, Rawl, he did not want to have the same mannerisms as his true identity. The Mandalorian doubted his identity would be made any time soon but he wanted to delay it for as long as possible if he could help it.

The Doctor went on to explain her finding. Each sentence he silently questioned, wondering if she was telling the truth or if she was even sure of herself. Gathering evidence from a source like a Mob Doc was considered less reliable than a regulated forensic lab. A bounty hunter had to do their own vetting and sometimes an entire hunt could come to an end from placing his trust in the wrong information, or person. The information on her screen that flashed was not missed by the undercover Ranger. Grysk... His eyes moved to look at the specific details on. Malakai Beck... That name matched the one used by a suspect from Mimban massacre.

She spoke a lot and while Roland was able to understand what she was trying to convey he wondered if 'Rawl' would understand. "uh-...huh." He murmured and thanked her. "Well it's better than nothing." He was after the people that were selling the paralysis poison. It was something on the black market that only a few types of people bothered trading in. They tended to trade in other goods as well which was what Roland was after. If his target was dead, that meant the Mandalorian wouldn't be able to get answers from him, not verbal ones anyway. If the body was found that might provide some insight but chances were slim any further body would be discovered.

Sighing, he took a step away from the readout the Arkanian had presented. Roland's eyes drifted across the screen where the other specie's information had been. The boots paced on the deck of the ship behind the doctor as he contemplated his next move. Where he had been struggling to get clues, the screen before him presented with a new realm of possibilities. It felt like a puzzle that had changed its shape entirely. One thing was for certain, the Doctor was much more involved than Roland had first realized. Now he had to figure out if she was aware of her associations.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Dissatisfaction. Contemplation. Curiosity, mistrust. Many things now suddenly flared to life, and she turned around in her seat to watch the Mando pace across the floor of her ship. "I could pinpoint locations on soil samples," she replied calmly, unfazed. "Or refer you to a former client who can help with your personal search. Does it have anything to do with your previous injuries?" She tilted her head slightly towards him, holding up her datapad.

"It's the least I can do than better than nothing," she continued, leaning back. Truth be told, it nettled slightly that he was dissatisfied with her work; she was limited on funds and research, what did he expect? Some miracle worker, with starry eyes and the meta to know all? Instead she leaned back in her chair, an elbow propped on the countertop behind her.

"Or if you have questions, ask away."

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

It had been awhile but Roland knew there had been a Grysk arms dealer or at least someone masquerading as one on Mimban where that village slaughter occurred. The Jedi investigated and reported as much to the Sector Rangers when the whole Master Zapan case was going on. That was awhile back now.

At the crime scene where the tome was taken, the vents were noted as possible means of eggress to the building. Searching through them with his droid he had come across some blood from someone or something. It could be some vermin blood, but Roland had a belief that maybe it would come up Grysk, or Arkanian.

Reports of a beautiful woman accompanying a skeletal man in Little Cala also made the Mandalorian skeptical in the back of his mind. Part of him wondered if he would trust anyone on Nar Shaddaa. Maybe someone with a mythosaur emblem or a T visor

There was a little socket underneath his cloak on his back. A little snap click as the seeker droid hidden in its nesting socket exited and flew out of the fold of the cloak. "Give her what you found." He jutted his helmet in the Doctors direction and then explained. "Found this somewhere else. Maybe someone else that's involved with what I'm looking into. Mind checking this one for me too?" He knew it was old and probably not enough to get an exact ID. But at least if he could get a species, gender, if it was a lead, he would follow it. His eyes watched the Doctor, not like a bounty hunter, but like a Sector Ranger trying to anaylze a criminal. It was something Roland learned to do on the job. He had to when his interrogation and interviews rarely took place in an actual office. Moreso, he found it best when people didn't realize they were being scrutinized by authority. They tended to act more true to their nature.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She took the sample and eyed it contemplatively. "I might not pull much from this," she admitted quietly, turning away to slip it in for diagnostics. "But miracles can happen, I suppose." The datapad beeped the affirmative to continue, and she silently acknowledged that it was a relief to do something actually necessary rather than treating another galactic idiot.

Nails tapped absently on the countertop. There seemed an edge of anticipation now with the Ranger; whatever it was, it seemed to be important.

When the results beeped, she merely blinked to show any element of emotion.

The results were fragmented, but... she sighed.

Her own.

"Female, Arkanian. Beyond that, if you want more specific readouts I need a possible flesh specimen."

She perked a brow. "I'm assuming you're looking for me?" Time to see if she could rattle that T-visor.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

She answered honestly. The Ranger had his suspicions about her specifically regardless. Rawl, wondered if it was actually a limited reading but then she very bluntly asked if she was a person of interest. The Mandalorian wasn't quite sure how to act. For a moment his helm blankly stared back. The undercover Ranger had the feeling the Doctor was testing him just as much as he was testing her.

"Among others." He said simply. "I bet..." He gave a point towards the material she had been analyzing. "...if I asked around Little Cala some people would recognize you."

While his eyes remained on the arkanian, he began to wonder if he should try to look through the ship for that missing book. But the ship, while only a light freighter, would have to be completely stripped if Roland actually wanted to be thorough. That wasn't something he could do. They were on the Smuggler's Moon after all and he doubted she was dumb enough to hide something in an easily found place. His hands rested on his belt, one forearm turned more towards the other and the Mandalorian tapped a memorized location. The undercover ranger switched from normal optics to different vision modes out of idle curiosity.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

So the Mandalorian could emote. It was interesting to read someone with no visible body cues apart from his limbs and what she could sense, but the mild edge of surprise, along with stilling, were strong indicators. And yet she didn't even register surprise at his suspecting her, but merely nodded once.

At the mention of Little Cala, a smile touched the Doctor's lips. It was cold, and the glittering in amber eyes was just as frigid. "No doubt," she replied airily, absently flicking a strand of white hair over her shoulder. "I have had many patients there, and sometimes go for recreational activities."

She sighed, slowly turning around in her seat to face him better, leaning back to give him a calm, nearly emotionless stare. "Whatever you want, if you ask the right questions, I can help with what answers you need. But if you need nothing else from me, then I suggest you leave. No offense, but I am on call, and don't have the luxury of idle speculation and chitchat." Her tone was mild, light, even polite; she had no reason to be rude to the bounty hunter, and therefore she would be direct and blunt.

"However, if you need me for any reason that is applicable, I would be willing to offer my services in help." She tilted her head slightly, crossing her legs at the knee and wrapping her hands around one knee. At least he wasn't dull, or a man of many words. There was some blessing in that.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

He had a trail now and the scent off blood was strong around the Doctor. Roland's instincts told him to suspect her from the get go. Now, he was just becoming more convinced by her actions that she was involved, possibly even directly. The way she responded made him wonder if this was a game to her. Psychopaths can be found in droves around these parts after all.

The Ranger took in a breath but noticed that her bluntness was not something new. He held her attention but she seemed to be simultaniously dismissive of him. "Are you too smart to get caught by a dumb Mando?" He would wait to hear her answer, giving the indication he wasn't planning on going anywhere until he was ready to. It was his turn to be blunt.

One gloved hand gave a two finger wave with a little tsk sound for the seeker droid. The saucer shaped machine rotated and its almos insectoid like lenses focused on the Arkanain woman for a moment, recording her appearance so he could show or see a hologram of the her later. Roland would probably be able to look her up in the Sector Ranger database but it also made more sense for his cover that didn't have access to that sort of resource.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Just as she expected, he was seeking someone. And that someone likely seemed like her... and then she remembered him seeking out Karkarodons. His sudden keen interest in knowing her life, perhaps even tailing her. Many would have panicked at the idea of heat on her back, but she was merely bemused at the notion. And now, he would see it in her eyes. She perked a white brow, seemingly unsurprised at his statement.

"Oh please," she waved a hand in the air, head tilted slightly. "First of all, I'm insulted you put so little value in yourself. You are no more dumb than I am a Duros, so don't give me that coy nonsense." She saw the droid, but instead of making any move to cover her face or hide away, she faced him directly. She eyed him calmly, seeming to come to some internal conclusion. "Secondly, please clarify, 'getting caught'. If you have anything worth clarifying, please do state it now. I dislike word games and mind play."

This much at least was true. She didn't seem insulted, nor even alarmed at his vague words, but equally seemed annoyed at the simple fact that he called himself an idiot. Perhaps he wasn't referring to himself, but it still nettled her own professional pride for some reason. Perhaps it was because he was the only bounty hunter that had been that close to his quarry, and she was intrigued.

He didn't seem a bounty hunter per se. There was another identity, perhaps, hardly unusual in these parts. But he was beating around the bush, and it was getting tiresome.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

The helmet cocked to the side at her answer. She complimented him but still didn't say no. The droid, finished getting the likeness of the Doctor in its databank, floated through the air, indifferent to what was going on and just doing as its owner directed. She avoided answering the question

"Fair enough. How about we skip the word play and you just answer yes or no? Then I'll get out of your hair." He replied. But it was a rhetorical question because Rawl would continue to speak. "You're right though. I'm not an idiot but...I wasn't exactly getting top scores in school." The Mandalorian's 'education' had been a bit different from the average galactic citizen. "Nope, not smart, not like you, Doctor. Right?"

Assuming she would answer he would continue. "Do you know what I am good at?" The clicking of the droid folding its instectoid legs and finding the socket underneath the cloak followed the momentary silence as the unblinking cross visored helm waited for an answer.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Finally they were getting somewhere. After this amount of time of him badgering around, beating around the bush, he was finally getting somewhere other than trying to brain her into information. She merely shrugged at his stating her smarts being different than his. Instead, she seemed annoyed at the prospect. "Book smarts, perhaps," she answered glibly. "I do not consider myself intelligent, if that's what you're vaguely referring."

And he continued on from there. Ah, there it was at last, the question he would no doubt hang over her. She sighed as if already bored, but her posture remained focused on him, amber eyes thoughtful. "Yes," came the crisp, easy reply, giving another one-shouldered shrug. "Hunting aruetii, getting what the client wants."

Her head straightened once more, still leaning back. How much longer before he would resort to brute tactics, she wondered idly. They always started out with the nice and easy questions, then decided beating up a non-human doctor would be a more fun way to get answers than listening to her talk. But hunting outsiders. Yes, no matter how hard she tried she was always an outsider, wasn't she. Well, if he went ahead and assaulted her it wouldn't be the first time. Once more she blithely wondered if he would leave her alive, and if so how long would it take for her ribs to repair again.

How disappointing. And here she was actually starting to tolerate his company.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

"...Doing my job." He said evenly, correcting her answer. It was true in more ways than one. Roland was a good Sector Ranger and liked his work. He didn't prolong chases or seek out 'the thrill of the hunt' like some people did. If he had it his way he would have a personal home on Naboo sometime. It was the kind of thing he was hoping to retire to if he didn't get killed before then. But to Ilana he was just some metal head that lived for money. But his work wasn't always hunting people. It was about finding out the truth of a matter and making sure justice is delivered.

"Mandalorian armor is sacred to us." He said and looked down at his plates a bit. "It's a representation of who each of us are. Beskar'gam, literally translates to iron skin after all. Colors for personal preference are more common these days but they have commonly accepted meanings and associations with specific clans." He wouldn't be surprised if she knew all this already. "Blue is associated with reliability and loyalty. So know I'm the kind of Mando that doesn't easily give up." So far he had yet to really move from his spot yet he could tell by some subtle queues she was uncomfortable, possibly even intimidated by him. That's her own fault for stereotyping It wouldn't be the first, nor the last time the Ranger let people's assumptions about him work in his favor.

"Did you know that someone stole a book from a very rich man here on Nar Shaddaa?" If she gave anything other than a yes or no answer he would repeat himself firmly. "Yes...or no?" He didn't want her to feel comfortable.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She glanced at his armor, and nodded once. "In a way, I envy you," she spoke plainly, leaning forward to prop her elbow on her knee, curling her fist beneath her chin. "It must be nice to belong, to have people of your own." But that moment didn't last long. My, but he was pushy.

She was completely at ease, letting him play his role. Because why not? It was more diverting than lab reports at least. But her lips quirked at his direct question, and amber eyes regarded him calmly. "Yes," she stated simply, leaning back, arms crossing now over her abdomen. "And let me guess... he wants his book." She didn't even blink, but rose. Her head tilted slightly, indicating him to follow her. "Now that we've crossed that bridge, I'm sure you're going to ask who did it with me. And more importantly, why."

Provided he would even let her move, she moved towards the door. Even if she wore her armored jacket, he would be able to tell she was unarmed. She glanced over her shoulder at him, tilting her head to indicate for him to follow her. "So please stop trying to muscle me, and ask. As my guest, it's the least I can do to help you in what you need." He'd find her being genuine; rather than being intimidated, she was being polite, gracious even. She had every opportunity to attack or flee, but rather seemed like he was in for a social call.

Now it was finally somewhat interesting. At long last.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Roland did not answer her question. It seemed obvious the business man would want his property back. He didn't ask if SHE was the one that stole it but the Doctor skipped that step and admitted to being party to the act. "Let's start with who."
His helmet tracked her as she moved, watching her hands mostly out of habit but remaining aware of his surroundings. This was her ship after all.

She told him to just ask. But it wasn't that simple. Roland wasn't sure what this book really was, only that it was a mystical object that had recently gone missing. After that attack on Mandalore with that cursed mask, he had been reconsidering the value people put into artifacts that supposedly had special characteristic.

"Malakai Beck." He repeated the name given to him by a Jedi. The Mandalorian turned the rest of his body to follow the Arkanian.

@Killa Ree