Ask Layers

[Nox Solus]

It was a day of many firsts and it put him in an uneasy place as he waited to meet the doctor that he hired, or at least he hoped he hired. It would be the first time he had ever purchased someone's skillset for himself and he suspected it would be one of the few times he would. Nox preferred to be the one who earned the credits, not the one who gave them out. But, desperate times called for desperate measures and the area of expertise required wasn't in his skill set, and he needed outside help. That also led to his second first, it was the first job he was participating in that wouldn't surprisingly end up with anyone being hunted or shot. That was the hope at least as the doctor and he would venture out into the desert for the sand people. It all felt a little unnatural for him.

Negotiations still pressed on with them and Clan Solus as a form of an alliance was trying to be determined between the two. Nox decided a sort of olive branch could be extended and help smoothen things along as he had been informed of a wave of sickness that had been passing through the sand people's camps. Their children had been the ones who had been suffering the most and what allowed the two to enter their homes with their word of not being harmed. Hopefully, whatever the sickness or virus was, it could be treated or at least managed until it passed through.

All of it weighed on the Mandalorian's mind and it was evident in how he waited to meet the doctor. Nox sat on top of a speeder outside a small cantina in the outpost, his legs facing horizontally as one was crossed over the other. His left hand supported his right arm's elbow, the other hand sticking straight in the air as he slinked a credit between his fingers smoothly. It would dip in and out between each digit until it would reach his thumb and be flicked slightly in the air before being caught and having the process be started all over again. The T-visor for his helmet was aimed downwards and toward the ground, his gaze honed on the sand while he delved into his own thoughts about the current situation and what the future would entail. It was his version of pacing that could easily be identified once it was known.

Normally, Nox would have been more vigilant when it came to meeting a contact but he had left a notice that he was a Mandalorian and he stood out well enough with his height and silver bes'kar helmet. He used the moment of reprieve to think to himself as he about to find out whether he was to meet an actual doctor or a charlatan. One never knew what to expect in the outer territories.

 

[Riley Elin]

Riley had detached from big pharma companies and situations that could allow the Hutts to hunt her. AMS had blown up across the galaxy, and she was responsible for that original strain. It was a burden she carried with herself every day. She always had to worry about people on her trail and the potential for being blamed for all of it and being put behind bars. The knowledge she held was extremely valuable, but she knew it would push her to media and effectively destroy her privacy.

She had fled to the corners of the galaxy and to remote areas to pick up freelance work. These days she largely provided free medical support to those that needed it. In many ways it was to make amends for all the destruction her efforts had caused. Riley didn’t take credits, but she was often rewarded with food and shelter in return for her help. It was how she had been getting by living the life of a drifter.

She had been hesitant about taking an actual ‘job’, especially when it came from a Mando. However, she was in desperate need of credits to find a room at an inn. There were rumors of a massive sandstorm coming in a few days and she needed to find shelter.

Riley spotted the Mando right away sitting casually on his speeder. He had that same confident and self assured air about him she had seen in most Mandos. They were frequent visitors to the planet and always called too much attention to themselves. Attention was something she was trying to avoid, and she almost considered turning and leaving right there. She was adorned like a local and had a scarf around the lower hemisphere of her face.

“Uh.. hi,” She said quietly as she arrived near him, “I’m the doctor.”

 

[Nox Solus]

Nox absentmindedly stared at the ground as the credit flicked between his fingers until he heard a woman's voice. The credit reached his thumb one final time and he flicked it softly in the air before catching it and sliding it into the pouch. The Mandalorian turned his helmeted gaze as he brought it to collide with the woman's own. She was dressed like a local and was quite modest in her attire and it went against his expectations. The expectation had half been someone stumbling around with multiple bags and a huge red cross on them and already making claims of miracles. Nox had seen worse impersonations than that out in the rim.

"Doctor." Nox greeted back before he pushed himself off the bike and peered down at her, completely towering over her small frame and making it an amusing sight for any outsider. "Name's Wolf." The pouch he had slipped the credit in was still in his hand, between two pinched fingers, and he extended it over to her right then smoothly. "Half now, so you don't run and for the unique circumstances." The sand people on the planet were... combative to say the least to Outsider and both of them would have to do their best to brush it off while she got to work.

Most likely to the Doctor's relief, unknown to Nox, they weren't staying in town. His shoulders turned slightly toward the desert behind his back as he beckoned his helmet toward that direction, "We're heading out into the desert, you'll be helping a village. All I know is that there is some sickness sweeping through the camp, targeting mostly children. Maybe you can provide more insight once you witness it." While this overall was for the benefit of his clan, Nox still felt pity for the younglings suffering and able to receive no help until now.

"You might not be able to do anything but any help would be appreciated." When most civilians heard mention of the sand people, their reaction was a putrid one as the only common stories about them were of raiding and worst activities. There was still a chance for Doctor to deny the payment and hand it back to him after hearing their name and he waited for exactly that as this wasn't the first time.

 

[Riley Elin]

Riley’s brow visibly quirked above the scarf at his name. Wolf? That was a bit dramatic and tacky, but whatever floated his boat. Mandos were strange and she wasn’t going to ask questions. She took the money and stashed it, scoffing at the concern for her running away.

“You’d shoot me if I tried to run,” She said dryly. Mandalorians weren’t exactly known for their compassion. They were very to the point and practical, but they also had a tendency towards violence. Riley nodded at the mention of the sickness, having heard rumors about it already.

“Is it known to jump species? Do you and I need to take some kind of precaution against it?” She knew how to take precaution against AMS, but she was always wary when dealing with new diseases she hadn’t handled before, “If you do your job and keep me alive, I can help them,” She was desensitized to most things that caused fear in others. Having dealt extensively with AMS meant she could go into almost any situation with a clear head. Riley paused and looked from Wolf to the speeder and then back to him.

“So, you’re gonna give me a ride, right?”

 

[Nox Solus]

For a doctor, she sure caught on quick how it operated out in the rim. Nox gave her a shrug, "Well, now that you have half. At least you know." It didn't mean he would have to go through the whole process and actually threaten her with anything. This job wasn't just for him, it was for his people and that made the money she held quite more valuable than just its actual amount. As a result, it made him a little liable with his trigger finger. But now she was that investment and that meant the same thing for anything that tried to touch her.

Then she started to ask questions that weren't in his field, "I already told you all I know. You're supposed to be the doctor." All he knew was that it targeted children, at least that's what he was told. Nox paused for a moment however before eventually adding in, "The sand people here are mostly natives. Mixed species of aliens and humans. So, I would assume so." That was the extent of his knowledge as the sand people weren't exactly the most forthcoming and let him in their camp anytime they pleased. It was clear sickness and diseases weren't something he paid apt attention to.

Nox couldn't help but chuckle at her comment about him doing his job, "Don't worry about me, sweetheart." His ability to do his job would be one thing he could always rely on. The bigger risk was an actual good doctor in the rim but he would found out.

Riley then asked if he was her ride and the Mandalorian gave a glance to the bike and then to her, "Don't sound too excited Doc." Nox motioned with his hand to the bike as he made his way over himself. He swung his leg over first and got comfortable in the seat, scooting up slightly to give her room. "Only a couple hours ride. Hold onto something." The sand people liked to move as well and they were generous enough to give him a location they would potentially be at.

Without wasting any time, Nox activated the speeder and both of them shot off into the expansive desert as a trail of sand clouds followed them.

 

[Riley Elin]

Riley gave an unamused look through the scarf at his response about her being a doctor. She almost pointed out that being a doctor didn’t mean she could magically predict diseases she hadn’t seen, but the point would be lost on such a dunce. He probably only had enough brain power to handle a blaster and breathe at the same time and little else beyond that.

She moved to sit on the bike behind him, having to scoot in close as it wasn’t actually designed for two people. However, since being out here she had been through far worse. Riley looked around for this ‘something’ he spoke of to hold onto.

“There’s noth-” She yelped as 'Wolf' took off at once, forcing her to quickly wrap her arms around his waist. She probably held on tighter than necessary, but the man drove like a maniac. Did he say it was ‘only a couple hours’??

“Do we need to go this fast?” Riley called out after a while, panicking a little.

 

[Nox Solus]

Well, she certainly found a hold as her arms wrapped around his waist and tightened as hard as they could. If it wasn't for the metal plate, he was sure he wouldn't have been able to breathe. The Doctor started to say something but he had already started the bike and zoomed forward. Whatever it was, he assumed if it was important enough, she could tell him after the ride. It was questioned whether their speed was actually necessary and if it wasn't for the wind, Riley would have heard a very humorous chuckle. "They are constantly on the move. Would you rather do this or chase them around all day?" Nox called back, knowing his answer at least.

The ride was pretty uneventful, the two would just cut right between sand dunes or glide over the top of them. Nox would constantly be checking his PDA, adjusting his course when he could as the desert wasn't exactly mapped out. They would finally arrive at what appeared to be the mouth of a valley, a large and jagged boulder in front of it, and the landmark that was he was told of. Nox easied their speed so they were at a slow but steady pace, his gaze heading up to the very top of the boulder before scanning around them. "This is it."

Nox navigated them past it, revealing a lone path that led deeper with walls that stood around twenty feet high on each side. "Keep your hands where they are." The words were murmured to her and he didn't really mean on him, he specifically meant to keep them out in the open and view. He didn't peer back at her as he said it, his helmet forward and remaining vigilant. "Whatever happens, do not leave my side." His voice didn't portray his words as cocky or arrogant but that it was a necessity she did; the natives had made a deal with the Mandalorians, not her. Riley was his guest and that wasn't exactly the same for them.

The further they went down the path, the pair would start to see figures slowly standing up, either from behind rocks, the shadows, or on top of the wall. Each one carried a rifle or some other armament, just silently watching them.

 

[Riley Elin]

Riley was deeply uncomfortable by the time they arrived, her thighs and hips feeling as if they would be in a world of hurt the next few days. Holding onto a fully armored Mandalorian was also highly unpleasant as her hands kept slipping against the metallic plating. She was silent the entire way, looking around them to spot any movement. She was used to the landscape, but she hadn’t been out so far before. A sick feeling went through her stomach as she was reminded that she was out in the middle of nowhere with some rando with a penchant for violence.

Riley was taken out of her thoughts when Wolf spoke, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. She simply gripped him tighter in response. That’s what he meant, right? She blinked a few times at his next words about not leaving his side.

“Oh?” She replied barely above a whisper, “I was considering launching myself off the bike to wander the desert aimlessly,” Riley said dryly. It was probably pointless anyway, she doubted Mandos understood sarcasm.

The locals began to wave their guns about, all of them very suspicious.

“Stop stop stop,” Riley hissed in a whisper, “We need to get off now,” The two of them needed to show that at least she was entirely unarmed. Raiders were the most suspicious people ever, and any wrong move would see them both with their heads blown off.

Well, just Riley. The stupid Mando could probably jetpack away into the sunset.

 

[Nox Solus]

The Doc's arms squeezed around him tighter but he couldn't blame her. He at least had armor and weapons, she had a bag as her defense. When he heard her reply, Nox couldn't help but roll his eyes underneath his helmet, however, despite what surrounded them. He never thought a doctor would be such pleasant company as she was. The Mandalorian couldn't help but murmur back, "Don't forget to tuck and roll, sweetheart." At least he could offer her some advice to help.

They continued on but that's when Riley whispered for him to stop repeatedly. "What?" Nox questioned, thinking for what possible reason, but that's when a few of the Raiders stepped out into the path in front of them and he hit the brakes immediately. The bike came to a stop a few feet from them and when it did, a couple more Raiders slowly shuffled out from the darkness and surrounded them, still silent but much closer.

His helmet swung around slowly, taking a small count before he swung his leg off the bike. Nox took a step forward but not too far from Riley as she was just out of arm's distance. Even with his approach, the two Raiders that stopped them remained silent. The Mandalorian stared at them for a moment before speaking, "I've spoken with your elder. She has been granted passage, as have I, to check on your sick." There wasn't a response for a while until one of the two lifted his rifle and pointed it at Riley, not to take aim but just to point her out. He then made a sort of gesture with his hands as if he was holding something before pointing to her again.

Nox slowly turned toward her before tilting his head to the sand raiders, "Your satchel. Let them check it." While her not being adorned in armor was probably uncomfortable for her, it could at least help push the idea that she was trustworthy.

 

[Riley Elin]

Spoken to their elder? How the hell did Wolf speak to anyone while they screamed unintelligibly at him? She was extremely skeptical about this whole thing as she finally got off the bike. Riley held her hands up to show she wasn’t being shady, but it didn’t stop the raiders from brandishing their weapons menacingly.

Riley grimaced beneath the scarf but stepped away with her hands raised. She stood there as the raider pointing the gun walked over to search her. Even with the cloth, she could smell the stench from him. Riley had to bite back the urge to vomit as she smelled a mixture of hard core body odor and sewage. Grubby fingers rifled through her satchel and she kept her gaze trained forward. Every now and then she shot a death glare towards Wolf.

At long last, the Raider stepped back and shrieked in his common tongue. The abrupt noise made her wince, but ultimately he moved back and they all stepped aside to offer them passage.

Riley kept close to Wolf as they were led towards an encampment. It was a set-up that was nestled inside a cave that once housed a Krayt Dragon. Riley could see several mats on the ground with sick raiders and children. Almost at once a raider began to shriek, and he was met with the raider that pointed the gun before. There was a back and forth argument and Riley felt uneasy.

Closer look revealed that the raider that began to complain had an ornate necklace and some headgear that set him apart from the others. Riley looked over at Wolf, “I think that’s their...village doctor,” She whispered quietly, “He’s not happy I’m here.”

 

[Nox Solus]

When Riley revealed her hands, they stepped forward and past Nox, the one with the gun casting him a look before doing so. While her bag was being ruffled through, she would find Nox not even offering a glance to her, his T-visor only locked on the Raider that was closest to her being. Riley would even be able to catch his hand ever so slowly inching underneath his cape and toward his blaster pistol underneath, ready for anything. But after a tense few moments, the Raider finally gave a shriek to announce they were clear.

Nox exhaled slowly as his hand eased away from his weapon, glad for it to be over, at least for now. The Raider handed her the bag back before leading them towards the encampment, the rest of the sand natives filing in behind them as one pushed their bike along. They reached the encampment and found it in a cave, tents, and huts extending into the tunnels past the entrance and revealing that quite a large amount of people lived in this nomadic tribe.

Both of them were led through by a group of guards, each tent they passed earning the occupants to come outside and witness who was passing through their camp for the first time in their history. The further they went into the encampment, the quieter and quieter it got as their presence became noted, their curiosity and fear taking hold. When they finally arrived at what appeared to be the medical tent, the village doctor voiced his complaints in their natural tongue of shrieks with the first raider letting out his own pair after toward him.

It was decided by Nox that it was best to let them settle their own dispute, Riley making a comment about it as they both just watched. The Mandalorian tracked the argument for a few more seconds until he brought his gaze down to Riley, "No, he's not. They believe modern advances are a poison that once it takes hold, it can't be reversed." He didn't blame them, they didn't deal with greed, politics, or any of the bullshit that usually permeated the galaxy. "You're a symbol of everything they hate and he's about to watch you treat his people without knowing what will happen. He's afraid."

The two would be able to see the village doctor calm down and Nox returned his attention back to him while he continued speaking, "But they're desperate and desperate people will do what needs to be done, whether they like it or not. They need you." Without another shriek from the doctor, albeit somewhat looking defeated, he turned to Riley before taking a step away from the patients.

 

[Riley Elin]

Riley’s jaw tightened at Wolf’s words, “Great,” She hissed through gritted teeth, “That’s real reassuring and just what I wanna hear,” How the hell was he so calm right now? Was he really that good or did all Mandos have little else going on under the metal buckets? She was thankful for the mask as it hid the sheer panic on her face.

After the witch doctor or whatever calmed down, Riley walked over towards one of the children and crouched down. The child was lethargic and appeared to have a fever. She reached for her bag and began to run some tests. After a while, she noticed a bit of discoloration on the arm. Eyebrows furrowing, Riley rose and checked a few of the other patients, noticing a similar pattern.

“It’s something very contagious,” She said after a while, “Spreads by touch,” Riley pointed to the skin of one of the humans, “Or by ingesting it probably since the raiders also have it.”

Riley glanced up at Wolf, “We will have to go back out to the canyons to find the source. I think it’s a type of plant or naturally occurring poison that infects anyone that touches or eats it. I have to study it to find the cure but we also need to eliminate it so it doesn’t get anyone else sick.”

 

[Nox Solus]

Nox was surprised and stumped by Riley's reaction, his helmet slowly turning to her and even apparent with the cover of a mask. "Did you want the truth or did you want me to patronize you? I thought doctors appreciated honesty." It wouldn't have been the most reassuring info to receive if he was in her shoes but he still would have appreciated any light shed on the situation.

The Mandalorian approached the child as well but kept a respectful distance away from her. He didn't know anything about diseases to offer insight and that meant he didn't need to clutter space with his frame. The wait through the tests was tense, Nox constantly glancing to raiders who got too antsy as Riley continued to inspect their children. His hands rested on his belt and near weapons as a precaution.

Thankfully, Riley finished her tests and the tension seemed to dissipate as she stepped away. Nox's hands slowly slipped away from his weapons and the healthy Raiders took a few steps back. When it was revealed that it was contagious and could spread by touch, he glanced down at the patient he was standing near and took a small sidestep away, "Shit." He muttered to himself under his helmet. The disease targeted children but he wasn't gonna challenge that.

Then Riley added they would have to search for the source, earning another, "Shit," that he muttered under his breath. He had been hoping with modern medicine, it would just have taken a few pills or shots but it wasn't the case. Nox turned to the witch doctor and took a few steps before stopping in front of her. Slowly, the Mandalorian made expressive hand gestures and made the same shrieks they did but quieter and cut off in some parts.

At first, multiple raiders instantly lowered their stance and had their rifles aimed at him. Nox instantly lowered his stance as well, both of his hands up and palms open to calm the situation. "Easy, easy." Slowly once again, he stood up again, making shrieks and hand gestures, pointing to the kids and then to the canyons. The witch doctor stared at him for a moment before she turned and gestured to a raider, the native putting down his rifle and stepping out to join Nox. The Mandalorian slowly turned toward Riley and gave a cock of his head, as if surprised it worked, "We have a guide."