Ask Odd Calls

[Dr Ilana Morata]

-Theme-​

The night felt cold.

She was curled up tightly in her ship, blankets caught up around her. It was a familiar nightmare; bodies shambled towards her, so twisted they didn't even look human. But their mouths opened and screams of very living beings poured out, slamming into her, all the sickening emotions of fear, rage, anger, so many voices that poured like black ink, until she saw drowning in it, she was drowning---

She woke up with a gasp. Her hands shook hard, cold sweat sliding down her spine as her heart began to slow, as demons of the dark melted back into shadows, and she lowered her head, pressing it to her knees. She flinched when her personal comm suddenly buzzed to life, amber eyes narrowing. At this unholy hour, somebody better be dying. The number, she was unfamiliar with, but she pressed answer nonetheless.

"Yeah?" she rasped out, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

A voice crackled through, a little distorted but in a way the woman might recognize given she had heard the voice before from under a helmet. "How much you know about toxicology and...." A loud blaster shot interrupted, followed by the sound of something heavy falling. On the other end of the commlink Roland leaned against a pile of food stores. His left leg bled from a shallow cut as did his left arm. Neither seemed to be closing anytime soon either. In front of him were a few bodies, one of which had dropped a vibroblade.

"so hey, I think I've been poisoned." His leg was lossing strength and when he tried walking to the door he fell with a pained grunt. "Anyways I'm going to..." The commlink dropped to the ground. Roland set the blaster on the ground next to the commlink and tried to fish out his first aid kit. "...send you my location." The under cover ranger could feel his eyes becoming heavier. "...send you my location." One handed, with his consciousness fading he tried to slow the bleeding though he had a feeling that wasn't the main objective of the dead knife wielder.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

...Well kark.

She recognized the voice; at least this time the pained sounds seemed genuine. So help me if he's not injured or dying I'll kill him myself, she attempted to rouse anger from herself but... it fell short of anything but pure irritation. Instead she sighed, flopping back onto the bed. Already she was shimmying into her professional armor, white hair pulled back into a short ponytail and shrugging on an outer coat in black. It couldn't hurt to look more civilian; already she felt the urge to ignore the call and just go back to sleep.

...Nah. Just to check him and be safe.

Sure enough, coordinates were pinged for her, and she got out her speeder bike from storage. It would be much faster than those karking taxis anyways, and she needed the fresh air to clear her head.

It wouldn't take her very long; oddly, it seemed he was again within a close proximity. Or at least close by Hutt-space standards. Coincidence or not, a potentially dying patient still spelled bad news.

The fact that it seemed like it was in an abandoned warehouse pulled her up short. She drew her stun from its' holster on her hip, the bag slung over a shoulder. "Rawl?" she called out, then began stalking towards the entrance, and slowly opening the door, crouching low.

It wouldn't have been the first time she came to the aid of a patient to get shot at. With nothing ahead, she continued stalking forwards, and at the sight of the bodies, sighed and holstered her stun again.

"I don't even want to know what went on here." The scent of blood lured her, however... and she moved inwards, trying to locate it. He couldn't have gone very far, but it was hard to see in such dim lighting.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

"hm?" He murmured as he heard his name. The eyes behind his helmet blinked, one hand still putting pressure on a laceration. "Doc" He cleared his throat and tried again. She would eventually come into sight of him slumped against some of the food containers. Blood spatters were on the ground, his blood on the vibroblade in the middle of the ground between him and its previous weilder. "Doc! In here." He made sure his blaster was in his one working hand until she came just in case it was more of the criminals he had already taken out.

"Can't feel my left arm or leg....something on the blade." He pointed towards the weapon wondering if that would help her deduce what was affecting him. His weight shifted as he tried to get up. The Mandalorian didn't like staying where his enemies might find him again. "We should get out of here."

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She followed the sounds and smells; at seeing the relatively inert Mandalorian, she stepped over with a brisk pace, amber eyes clinical and passive as she eyed him, gloved hands lightly touching where the blood seemed to flow; she pulled out a small light emitter, and bent over him, her voice low. "Not yet, not until I staunch the bleeding," came the low reply, already whipping out bandages and wrapping tightly. It'd hurt, but be the least of his worries.

She glanced at the blade, and snagged a biohazard bag to carry it in, mindful it was deactivated before she did. "Paralytic, maybe," she muttered, mostly to herself, but then scowled absently. "I'll treat you on my ship; far easier for me to assess anyways." She wrapped his limp left arm around her shoulder, and braced. "Alright, we'll try to move, but if you feel dizzy or faint let me know. It's just a few steps."

"One... two... three!"

She snarled as she lifted; thankfully he wasn't fully dead weight, but he wasn't light either. That armor, no doubt... but she would try to shuffle him forward to her speeder bike, just until he would get to the small cargo hold. He could probably sit as passenger, but given that half his body was numb it wasn't the wisest of ideas, and at least the webbed netting would keep him in place.

She could see it just ahead, but already he was almost getting too heavy. She gritted her jaw and kept shuffling forward. If she had a companion, she could have used a carrier instead. But he wasn't keen to stay here, and she wasn't keen to treat a patient without her full diagnostic array.

"Just a little further. You alright?"

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

He had suggested they move not just for his own safety but for her's as well. Roland wasn't sure if there were more coming and the longer they stayed where they were the more endangered they became. The undercover didn't say any of this since it would probably prolong the time it took for her to help him.

Before he knew it they were making their way back to the Doctor's ship. His right side was fine but his left leaned on Ilana more than was comfortable given his size and his attire. He couldn't even feel his arm that was over her shoulder though she helped the two of them get to the speeder she had nearby. "I'm sitting in the front." He said, moving into the navigator's seat a little rougher than he had expected but was able to put his own seatbelt on with his one responsive arm.

"You're the Doctor." His helmet turned to her after she asked if he was doing well. "I think I might be bleeding on your seat a little bit though." Roland looked away and checked the mirrors and angles, wondering if they were being followed. After a bit, as best as he could discern, they were not being tailed.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Stubborn man.

By the time he had shuffled into the seat she had worked up a sweat and her back and ribs ached; what the hell had he stacked on him, boulders? She grumbled internally as he continued to buckle himself in, and she sighed. "Fine then. Just don't fall off, I might not be able to heft you up again," she muttered, slipping into the seat, and in front of him. If he started slipping, at least, then he would still have his good arm to hold onto her. If he passed out, pretty much the same effect... but thankfully there was a seatbelt to brace him in.

At the mention of blood, she started the bike, and slid on her helmet. "Not the first time I've gotten blood on it," came the dry quip, before she keyed in the ignition.

She would keep silent for most of the duration of the journey back to her ship... but seeing at how he was worried about being followed, she kept glancing at her mirrors as well.

Being tailed was nothing new.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

It seemed like there wasn't anybody tailing them for the time being. But at the moment Roland also didn't trust his senses at the moment. They could be affected by whatever was on the blade. They had cut and scratched some of his armor in the scuffle and two had cut into him.

His right arm reached to his left wrist and pulled it back into his lap. It was a somewhat awkward trip to the woman's ship. Her hair whipped back into his face a little but didn't bother him much. Roland's right hand just stayed busy, holding his left arm from dragging him to the left and being off balance. The woman took a hard turn and it made Roland release his numbed limb in favor of grabbing something more secure. Naturally that was Dr Morata though he hoped she didn't get the wrong idea and hit him.

His hand would let go when the speed of the bike began to decrease and Roland felt they were nearing the Doctor's ship. He had no idea what it looked like but would find out soon enough. When they did get close enough to land, Roland overestimated his ability and clattered in a pile of armor plates and sore muscles. Cursing, he managed to at least get back to the standing position with the aid of a nearby light post. The rest of the way to her ship would likely be back to the mostly leaning on the Doctor. Roland was confident he wasn't going to die from blood loss. But it seemed even Ilana wasn't sure what was in his system. <"Better not die from poison."> The Ranger muttered in Mando'a.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Her lips twitched when he muttered Mando'a under his breath. For a beat, she considered replying back, but instead let it rest. She could always shock the Mando later, but there were other things concerning. Primarily getting him through his armor; she doubted he would take off his helmet for anything, even pupillary reflex or checking a pulse, but for the time being she would have to get him up there and worry later. "Stop grumbling," she replied, perking a white brow and once again slinging his arm around her shoulder.

It was still slow going. It may have surprised some that hers was a basic Quad-Five; but upon bringing him in he would get the impression of a stark living, with very little decorating any surface of any kind, and clean. But she was half-dragging him along to what seemed like the cargo hold; when the door was opened, however, it revealed a well stocked research and diagnostic center, just big enough for one patient, with a bed and straps, diagnostic scanner array and biological decontaminant unit. The rest of the cargo hold was used as intended, but for the most part seemed empty.

She would try to set him in the patient berth before pacing around, setting down her bag and disposing her old gloves, putting on new ones. She would then shrug off her armored coat and hang it up before locking the outer doors to ensure they wouldn't be disturbed, and then drawing the biohazard bag with the vibroblade and setting it on the countertop.

"I'll scan it for chem analysis soon, but I need to check your vitals first," she spoke in a deadpan rasp, tilting her head. "But since you probably have that helmet fused to your skull, I'll do my best to check in other ways. Would you be comfortable with that?"

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Coming to the patient bed available he dropped onto the available seat heavily and then adjusted himself with pained grunts. A few items that were in the way clattered to the ground. His first aid kit which he had partially used early dropped onto the steril deck of the ship but Roland only glanced in its direction, tired enough to not get it. He wasn't even sure he could get back into the bed if he got out of it.

When she addressed him his helmet was just tilted towards the ceiling a bit. The under cover ranger spoke with a flat tone since that required the least amount of energy. "No touching the helmet....no problem." He said simply back. The man had asked her to save his life from potential danger with whatever was coursing through his veins. But his identity, that he was willing to die for.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She didn't give a snarky reply to his own flat statement, but instead set to work immediately. The first thing had to be checking his pulse; the turtleneck... coif? Whatever it was that covered his neck had to be moved slightly enough to press her fingers into the pulse against his throat. The thinnest hint of bare skin could be seen, but she tried to be careful not to stare. After that it was checking breathing... not easy to do with a chest plate and helmet. "I'm sorry... I'll have to move this temporarily," she spoke quietly, a hand over his chest plate.

It seemed like he practically lived in his armor; no surprise, from what she had been told and had read in brief cultural briefs. She made sure she was quick, but if he were conscious enough he would have realized her hands were icy cold, the pressure of her fingers light as she moved and replaced things as closely as she could. Everything else would have to be scanned; she unbound the hasty bandage around his arm to survey the damage done, but most of the cuts seemed superficial to his arm. His leg, however, was deeper, and she rebandaged those quickly, frowning in focus.

While she was doing this, a swab of the edge of the blade was put in for analysis; when she was finished she read the readout.

And scowled.

"Paralytic soporific, not surprised," she muttered mostly to herself, scrolling down. "No fever, no high blood pressure... I'm amazed you're still awake," she commented, glancing over at him. But there seemed a tightness to her mouth. But there was a problem. There was no known antidote... and though there was a way to help... she wasn't certain that way of helping would be welcomed to Rawl.

"I'm going to start repairing the cuts; if you feel anything, let me know. If you can't talk, pinch me or something. Just no kicking."

And so she padded over to her bag without any other preamble. Hopefully he would slip to unconsciousness while she was working... and then the real help could begin.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Roland didn't mind her checking his pulse. It wasn't the first time someone had seen his neck. But Ilana would possibly notice the pale skin with freckles and a recently shaven texture to his neck.

As she began moving his chest plates he movedthe section that he figured would be enough. Normally he had two hands that new what they were doing and now he had both the doctor's and one of his own. So it evened out more or less.

Roland blinked just as she mentioned his lucidity. "Well I like to make an impression." He did feel a bit light headed. The whole room tilted for a moment and he caught himself sliding. Righting himself again he gave a simple nod, leaning back a little. The Mandalorian did feel tired. The longer he stayed laying down the more tired he became. His body became still as he fell asleep.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

The arm wound was superficial, and patching that up wasn't a problem. Removing and replacing everything with his help was a nice boon, and at least he was numb enough to not twitch and moan at every poke of a laser or touch. Once again, she could barely read the man... and it was frustrating to say the least. Even with other armored sentients she could feel real emotions from them, a sour tang of fear, of anger, of something other than just... resolution. It annoyed.

A soft snort came to his reply, and yet... she felt her lips twitch in response. Instantly she smothered the reaction with a frown. Mending his leg... that took some work. She wasn't going to let him get up to remove it, because if he fell she wouldn't be able to heft him back up. She simply bent to her task, and didn't stop until the last bleeder was cauterized and everything was wrapped in fresh, sterile bandages. She also tried her best to stitch the cuts she had made into the clothing beneath for access; it was an extra little step, but nothing major.

It wasn't until she finished with his leg that she realized he hadn't said anything. "Rawl?" came her low voice, before she sighed. Checked his pulse and his breathing. It seemed he had fallen unconscious; she had to make sure he'd stay unconscious throughout, but couldn't risk using anesthetic; the chances of the paralytic reacting with that would not spell well for the Mando on her table.

She had to make sure he would stay still.

The straps were wrapped around his arms and legs, then his chest and torso. Checked again for his unconsciousness; no easy feat for the helmet in the way. And then, she leaned over him. Again was the urge to take off the helmet was strong, for sake of convenience than anything else. "I have to keep you still in case you move in unconsciousness," she muttered, more in the case of if he became alert enough. An infusion line was inserted for his arm, but... she still hesitated.

These days, using her gifts felt like a waste. They felt like... a cheat, a twist in ways she shouldn't. But if she didn't help him, it could hurt major organs, affect his judgement. Though she held no personal feelings, she at least held respect for his right to live. She could purge it using the Force... but that felt like cheating. She wouldn't force a man to endure something if she failed. There was an alternative.

She strode to her bag. It was so expensive to obtain... but perhaps it would be worth it. He seemed an investment worth stepping into. The small black vial was held in her hands, and she stepped back to the infusion line. "This may hurt," she muttered, but it felt like it was to an empty room.

Now to see if the antidote would work. She sat back down on the stool, and pulled out a cigara. She didn't light it, but just held it between her fingers. Time to just sit and wait.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

As he slipped into unconciousness his mind turned to darkness. It was not exactly a pleasant slumber but there weren't any nightmares. Instead he had a faint drean, moving through a jungle planet. There was life teaming around him though he knew much of it was dangerous. Even the flowers which were brightly colored were likely poisonous.

Everything seemed large around him. The canopy of the trees reaching high into the sky but still allowing the beautiful daylight come through. Roland brushed his left arm, thinking there was some bug there. Instead of feeling anything painful or a small insect being brushed away he looked down and saw his bare arm beside him. His hand raised up to his head and he could feel the bare skin. There wasn't anybody in sight. No sounds of vehicles, or any civilization.

Roland blinked in his dream and his eyes opened as he left his unconscious state and returned to the waking world. His visor was still in front of his face. Tilting his head, he could see the Doctor and an IV running into his arm. Whatever it was, he wasn't feeling any worse. In fact the undercover ranger was even starting to recognize his cognition and control returning. "Suppose I should thank you for not leaving me in a bathtub full of ice." He joked and looked both at his limp left arm and the Doctor. Underneath his face scrunched as he tried making a fist with his left hand. The digits on his hand moved slowly and his shoulders sagged slightly. A sigh swiftly followed. The Mandalorian was no doctor but he imagined if he tried just holding something as simple as a glass of water he would drop it or crush it. The sensation of touch had yet to fully return and only by looking at his left arm was he able to move it in any semblance of cohesion.

The bandaged arm stopped moving and the cross visored helm looked around, more alert and scrutinizing than when he had first arrived. "You work alone, Doc?" Without moving, his eyes looked down at his holster, still within reach of his working hand and then up at the door that lead to the rest of the ship.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

By the time he had come back to wakefulness, she had lit the cigara and was on her second, idly flipping through her datapad through some old notes. It wasn't until she heard movement and his voice that she glanced up. Her lips twitched again at his joke, but that was about all the emotion she could muster for the time being. "Perhaps I'll try that next time; cold shock therapy may work," came the dryly amused response back, lifting up to take another drag of the cigara. Seeing that he seemed more cognizant, she began removing the straps, taking care around his bandaged limbs.

"I'd say not to try to move just yet, but I have the feeling you're more stubborn than I am," came the easy reply, but then blinked at his question. Did she work alone...

Unbidden, Kai's face flashed to mind, and she glanced away, busying herself with once more checking his pulse, then disposing of the soiled old bandages from earlier and the swab analysis, then her gloves before replying again. When she did, her voice was calm, level. "Yes. I thought I could do co-op medical practice... it turns out even most physicians do not do well when their patient prefers to shoot first, ask questions later."

She exhaled, then stubbed out the remainder of her cigara, head tilted. "How's the leg? Feel anything yet?"

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

At least she had a sense of humor. "Hmm" Roland mused and looked towards Ilana in time to see a momentary expression of discomfort. The man's eyes looked at the datapad, wondering if she had discovered something unrelated to his current health.

The Mandalorian looked around the room, staying put for the time being. He continued to flex his hand every once in awhile, testing it for sensation. When she asked him if his leg was working he tilted the foot at the end to either side. "Still a bit numb." Roland had a feeling he was out of the woods.

"Arms dealers usually have paralysis poison on their vibroblades?" It had been a few months since the last time he had been to Nar Shaddaa. Maybe it had even been longer since his last visit. Roland wouldn't be surprised since he didn't much care for the Smuggler's Moon. For now, as he regained the ability to function fully, he may as well make some small talk with the woman that arguably had saved his life.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She hummed out a little bit when he asked her about arms merchants, giving a light one-shouldered shrug. "I wouldn't know," she answered calmly, continuing to tidy the small space. "My dealings aren't usually with that variety; I typically tend to blaster wounds. But from what I recall, most put poison on their blades for a bounty target if their employer specifies it." She eyed him for a moment, head cocked.

"I would have pegged you for the type that knew more about this; I prefer more non-lethal methods, should my life be in danger." Amber eyes were calm as she pulled out a pin, then held out her hand.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to do a quick reflex test. See if everything's recovering the way it should." She knew she wasn't exactly being the most pleasant company, but honestly, if people wanted a better bedside routine, they could have called a lesser physician.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

"You don't treat arms dealers?" The helmet cocked to the side and his tone was skeptical. But he also wondered if she was telling the truth about preferring non-lethal means. Plenty of people meant it when they said it but there were numerous people that couldn't hold true to their word even if they wanted to.

"Yeah well...I didn't know what it was at the time." Roland had heard of paralysis poisons. But that didn't mean he could tell what was on the knife after it cut him. The Mandalorian's eyes squinted towards the Doctor after a moment. Maybe she had meant something else by those words.

The under cover ranger turned his attention towards the pin in her hand. He was hesitant to answer her request to test his reflexes. Taking a breath and then sighing he decided to just accept whatever might come. He wasn't going to get anywhere by being overly defensive and paranoid. "Sure"

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She tilted her head; it seemed her statement had been misconstrued, a common enough occurrence perhaps. "I treat them, yes. However, we don't often talk shop," came the simple reply, and then she took off his glove. Resting her hand lightly beneath his for stability, she began lightly pricking the tips of his fingers, waiting to see the twitch reflex with each digit before continuing.

"I don't know much about your culture," she confessed when she was done, amber eyes flickering back towards his helm. She couldn't guess an exact of where his eyes were, but she did her best. "But I'll speak plainly; it's difficult to treat someone without seeing visual reactions. And I know what happened is none of my business. But..."

she picked up the small vial she used to treat him, features calm. "This is an antidote. Expensive. Next time you get yourself poisoned," and she handed him the vial, "use it before calling me. I'd loathe to be called again at..." she checked the time on her datapad before sighing, "...two a.m."

She then got up, detaching the IV and replacing everything to how it was. "When you feel strong enough to walk, meet me down the hall, and we can discuss treatment and a payment plan."

She gathered up her bag and datapad and strode out, unlocking the door on her way.

She waited until she was in her personal chamber to finally exhale shakily, plopping down onto her mattress. She didn't know why, but the man bothered her. That level-headedness, the pragmatic reactions to everything... it wasn't natural. She knew she ought to be relieved to meet someone that hardly slammed her with any emotion, but it bothered her. For once, she felt uncertain how to treat someone... and before learning about the Force, it would have been a certainty. But she couldn't linger.

She instead set her bag down, and plucked up her datapad, striding out to the central 'dinette' area to wait while he recovered in peace. No point in hovering, after all, she was within ear's reach if he needed her for anything.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Each finger moved as it was pricked, indicating his sense of touch was returning. "Ow" The Mandalorian said with stoic enthusiasm to the last two digits she poked.

The doctor voiced her perspective on tending to a helmeted patient's health. It wasn't the first time someone disliked the obstruction of his face. There were plenty of people that were dar'manda, not true mandalorians, yet still wore the armor. There were people that appropriated beskar'gam for purely utilitarian purposes which was tantamount to desecration in Roland's eyes.

Taking the vial quietly, his hand turned it over and then back at the Doctor. "Putting so many caveats on this relationship of ours and I might start thinking you don't like me." He said as she began walking away. Using his good arm he sat up a little bit and watched the arkanian disappear from sight.

The first thing he did was slide his blaster out of its holster and check the charge setting just to make sure the woman had not meddled with his equipment while he had passed out. But everything seemed to be as it was and the Mandalorian returned it to where it belonged. The same happened for the items that had been moved or dropped in the chaos of treating his injuries. Looking down at himself he saw the blood and marks on his armor that he had gained in the past few months.

Grabbing the chest piece Ilana had removed the tips of his gloved fingers could feel the iron like texture of the plate. For now he returned it to where it was originally placed on his torso. A feeling of comfort and security returned to him as he did so and a deep breath followed.

With the woman out of sight he pulled out his personav and verified where on Nar Shaddaa he was. The under cover ranger had been out of it upon arriving though he knew they were located at landing zone or hangar the mob doctor was just temporarily staying at. After a few moments of narrowing down his approximate location Roland would swap his personav out for a commlink. Days had gone by since the man had originally sent the surveillance droid to spy on the woman. It had a limited battery and so returned to the ship for charging where it was still. "Check out this location" He said as a simple command quietly enough to not be heard by his healer. He wanted to have the droid scout the surrounding area. It would take some time for the droid to even travel all the way to where he was judging by the coordinates.

Minutes would go by as Roland continued to flex his hand. His wounded leg swung off the bed and he tried to put some weight on it gradually. It was like his leg was asleep only the sensation was a dull ache paired with the strangeness instead of the ticklish feeling he would get from sitting in a chair for too long. But after some pacing and limping his gate began returning to normal.

Roland snooped a bit looking inside a cabinet or two but found nothing but medical supplies and typical cargo of a private ship. Her armored labcoat remained "Doc" He called out as he headed down the hall in the direction the Arkanian left. One arm brushed against the bulkhead, making his walking a bit easier with additional support. He found her quickly since it was a relatively small ship. "So do I take two pills and call you in the morning. What's this treatment you were talking about?"

@Killa Ree