Plague Bearers

[Cullen Idris]

The gentle hum of engines filled the air of ship, Cullen stood in the cargo bay, his head tilted down looking down at his datapad scrolling through the ships manifest, dark circles lay under eyes his eyes, he was the lead medical supervisor for this so it was his responsibility to make sure everything is accounted for and that things went smoothly.

"Alright, everything is still accounted are things, how are things up there flyguys?" he spoke into his com, broadcasting to the cockpit.

"It's all smooth flying doc, we'll be touching down in five"

"Understood" Cullen leant up againest a crate, stowing his datapad in his bag before rubbing his face with both hands and sighed.

@samdragon

 

[Samael Aeveroth]

Samael was sitting not too far away from the human, breathing slowly as he was still meditating, reciting the Jedi Code like a mantra very quietly. But when he heard the communications, he sighed and sat up, 'looking' at Cullen with his blindfolded face.
"I feel that you're worried Cullen. Everything alright?" he asked rather innocently, the young Jedi clearly trying to break the ice with him as they almost didn't speak to each other for the whole trip from the hospital station where they took the supplies to the planet they were landing on.

 

[Cullen Idris]

Cullen pulled his hands from his face and smiled "No, though I do thank you for your concern. I'm just tired, been up for 24 hours but I can't complain it's part of the job I signed up for." Cullen shifted, standing up from his leant position "how about you?" he turned the question on the man "how are you feeling about the mission-" he paused for trying to recall the name of the man that stood in front of him but failing too.

@samdragon

 

[Samael Aeveroth]

The Miraluka nodded softly as Cullen spoke, and smiled. "I'd say that I'm good thanks. Meditation is helpful when you try to relax and focus for a task. My thoughts on the mission? I'll be honest, I didn't expect the Alliance to ask a Jedi to come for such a mission, but I understand why: we need to show ourselves for what we are. Friendly, helpful and willing." He chuckled at the man's difficulty of recalling his name. "I'm Samael."

 

[Cullen Idris]

"Thank you, Samael" spoke with a warm smile "I'm Cullen, well doctor Cullen Idris but I don't care for the title and Dr Idris is my father." A small soft chuckle escaping him at the end, the idea of being compared to his father was humorous to him since they were quite different from one or another.

"So you are a jedi? well, that explains how you could walk over here so easily with the bandages over your eyes, are those from an injury you recently received? If so I can give the wound a look to see if it's healing properly, if you don't mind of course." There was a small amount of concern in his voice as he knew wounds could easily get infected without regular cleaning.

@samdragon

 

[Samael Aeveroth]

The Jedi tilted his head and then chuckled at the question. "No need to do so, as it's normal. I'm a Miraluka. We're born without eyes and eyesockets, and so to not scare others for our appearance we wear bandages or other similar covers over where our eyes should be to hide their absence" he calmly explained Cullen. Judging from the relaxed ton with which he explained that, it wasn't the first time someone asked him about that.

 

[Cullen Idris]

A sudden realization came over Cullen face as Samael explained himself "ah I see, your species is a rarity among the denizens of the galaxy, to think back one of my classmates would have loved to study you, he was fas-" Cullens comlink lit up interrupting him and his train of thought

"we'll be landing in a minute, doc, best get ready for landing."

"Understood" he spoke into his comlink and turned back to Samael "guess we should get ready for landing, do you know exactly what we're doing here today?" he asked taking a seat ready for the landing.

@samdragon

 

[Samael Aeveroth]

He nodded and sat down to get ready for the landing. Meanwhile he sighed: "Not much to be honest. I only know that there's a plague that's hitting many people in the slums, and we have to help them cure it and possibly find its source. I honestly know nothing about the plague itself, not being a doctor" he answered with a grim tone. "I guess you know what the issue is, right?" he asked, looking up at the human.

 

[Nikka Toren]

Fondor
14:22
The Oberon, Upon Landing
​

When it came to the aid of the sickly and helpless, there was always a call for help from those willing to extend a hand. Jedi Knight Nikka Toren had sworn an oath to help, and she would help in what ways she could, with the Force and with her hands. But as Tippy and Eva began chittering away in Binary about Fondor, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, as though she were forgetting something terribly important, but couldn't find the name of it. It was a silent cry for help, a sense beyond her usual intuition. Something was terribly wrong here... and perhaps finding the answer would be the least of their problems.

She had never been here before... a surprising first for the Miraluka. With her other Padawan Alexei on board, she had the feeling the young man would learn much of the ways of the Force... and perhaps realize that there was more at stake than simple fighting and speeches of glory. These were real people, who suffered at the hands of something unnatural and twisted. Something that held a signature bitter, slimy taint.

They were given a designated landing... but the trip to the slums was their own doing. She was uncharacteristically very, very silent as the Oberon powered down, turning her head to her Padawan, her mouth a grim line and dark brows furrowed.

"This will be a difficult thing to witness, Alexei. Trust in the Force and in your instincts; in a slum like this, illness is the least of their problems."

She had on her standard synthleather duster, long dark brown hair braided to keep out of her face. Instead of her toolkit strapped around her waist, she had her weapons, stocked medkit, and twin lightsabers strapped at the small of her back. Though the open wound in the face of the Force was small... she could feel it just as intensely as she could the events on Hoth.

Troubling indeed. What would they discover there?

She brushed off her jacket, and sighed. "Be on your guard. This illness... it is perhaps deadly to humanoids. Put on your mask, just in case." She, notably, did not put one on; she knew they were expecting her, and to put on a facial mask so soon would show a vein of doubt in the face of puzzling the enigma. The Fondorians were a strange sort... but she hoped, as she always dared.

And now to see what would happen in the face of discovery. She waited for her companion to tag along. "Tippy, stay with the ship, Eva, you too. Contact me if anyone comms the ship." With that said, she stepped from the cockpit towards the ramp, her posture one of poised confidence. There was much to learn here... but at what price to gain it?

@Richie B.

 

[Alexei Denkio]

Fondor, he wasn't extremely familiar to the world but he had some knowledge about it. But the biggest thing he had to worry about wasn't even the fact he was going to a world he knew little about. It was rather the fact there was a large population infected by a disease that he was going to so he could help out. What other insanity was it to willingly enter a area infected with a deadly disease. Yet here he was, sure he was on Hoth and he hadn't questioned his position there. He had basically was a grunt, but he felt weird was this something Jedi did? Or was it something just to gain popular opinion on the world.

He had his helmet in his lap as he was on the copilot seat of the ship. He wasn't quiet use to being a student to Nikka just yet but he had learn a bit of the Force and how it worked. He was wearing his armor that he had gotten mostly for his rebel days. But it would do well even in the slums where he would look like just another scum wondering the area. He hadn't quiet yet made his own lightsaber like most Jedi and Sith had. Not that he thought he couldn't do it but rather he felt he needed some more time.

Explaining that the illness was the least of his worries which wasn't that surprising. He kept his rifle on the ship feeling it would be unnecessary, plus he been learning that violence wasn't always the answer. Still he kept his pistol and combat knife on him just in case. But as she began to head out he was quick to get up and out of the ship. Not that he hated flying but it wasn't like he liked the idea of doing something that one small step would cause him flying into a star.

"So Nikka ummm what to fill me in on what we are doing?" He carried his helmet under his left arm waiting to put it on once they stepped out of the ship.

There wasn't any Sith presence on this world that he knew of though maybe she had some knowledge he didn't. Or maybe the Force was the reason, he did feel something from this world was off. Though he wasn't quiet as keen as Nikka but he felt something was important and he needed to do something. Though hopefully Nikka was good with him calling her by her first name. Or was it suppose to be master and her last name.

@Killa Ree

 

[Nikka Toren]

She tilted her head towards her Padawan, giving him a patient smile. Truth be told, it seemed suspicious. Fondor was a world with slums and shipyards; being called down simply to help with an epidemic was a critical situation, but why not call sides that would have more advanced medical tech?

She could heal, certainly, and diagnose... but she wasn't a doctor. She wasn't some grand medical personality with surgical capabilities... she was a Jedi Knight. She knew Alexei had his doubts still, but how could he doubt the call of the Force? Did he not feel it as keenly as she did? Something malingered here, like a sour tang in the air.

Treating the ill was nothing new, but based on reports, this was different. All reports were the same; patients were seemingly healthy before suddenly fainting or feeling weak, having intense sensitivity to heat and cold, and becoming aggressive in a feverish state before bleeding out of the mouth and nose and collapsing to a nonreactive state.

...No pressure on that score.

She didn't know the common cause. She didn't know what tied all these cases together, or who, where, and how was the first documented case... or if they were even still alive.

All she hoped was they somehow quarantined the slums that were affected, to minimize damage.

"We are here to investigate. Keep your eyes open; tell me if you see anything suspicious."

Sight seemed so unnecessary to her; such physical limitation in the guide of the Force seemed rather redundant and superficial in the name of capability. It was a mild inconvenience when others assumed that she was incapable of doing things for herself when she had been doing them for years. Especially when as a mechanic; now that she had her own skill set, the protests of her capabilities seemed less and less.

That thought amused her greatly.

Slowly the ramp lowered, to a group of Fondorians already waiting. Pale-skinned bald humanoids, in their midst was a female dressed in the familiar garb of a doctor, flanked by others. Eyes watched as the two descended, and the air was... suspiciously silent. Nikka knew they had to deliver medical goods and be escorted to one of the clinics established... but the air felt still, dead. She was immediately on guard. This was the underbelly of a city; there should be more sound, more... life.

The woman bowed her head to both of them, as the cargo load was opened and the supplies she had freighted began to be unloaded. "Welcome," her voice intoned. "We are relieved to have... healers... in our midst." The tone implied otherwise. She knew most medical professionals held disbelief in the faith of her abilities... she hoped the two of them would prove more than adequate for the challenge ahead.

"I am Doctor Serra Nalin; please follow me, and I will explain along the way." Not waiting for a response, she neatly turned on her heel, and her companions immediately ambled towards her ship, anti-grav sleds being brought into the hold to transport. The medical goods were the least of her concern; she was more concerned with the air of death prickling over her skin. She tilted her head slightly towards Alexei, then followed, a vague sense of concern settling over her shoulders.

What had they gotten themselves into?

@Richie B.

 

[Alexei Denkio]

The feeling was clear that they were needed here but it didn't mean he was comfortable just walking in blind. Though guess he needed to get use to it. Base on what Nikka had told him going in blind is something that is normal for the Jedi. Taking a slow breath and allowing his mind to be pulled to whatever the Force wanted, he began to calm down remembering what his training has taught him. Despite what was on this world the fact they were needed did mean something more serious was going on. Sure the Force might just want them to be witnesses or perhaps there was something more to this disease then met the eye.

"I will Nikka." Wondering though the slums reminded him of the times he would visit the poor side of Alderaan, though it was no where near this bad it had a similar air to it.

But as they were about to get off there seemed to be a group of people already waiting for them. Not that he was surprise considering two Jedi were visiting the world, but why couldn't they had given them time to wonder. But as they walked out something seemed way off the Force seemed quiet here, which didn't make much sense it was a city even if its the slums there should be a lot of voices and beings creating a echo in the Force. Yet it was silent which he knew Nikka could also feel being a bit more in-tune with the Force as her vision was based of it.

Still the doctors waiting for them spoke with both thanks and a bit of disbelief of their purpose here. Wanting them to follow her, he could see Nikka was somewhat concerned. It was confusing to say the least as they wonder though the slums. He couldn't see anyone wondering the streets or even homeless people sleeping which was strange. Clearly the disease was scaring people away or it had just affected that many people.

"Doctor Nalin, if you don't mind me asking I can understand requesting aid but was there a reason you asked for our aid and not say another organization?" He knew what it sounded like but there wasn't something adding up in his mind, there were many organizations whose stated goal was to help the downtrodden so why ask a military organization like the Galactic Alliance for aid?

@Killa Ree

 

[Nikka Toren]

The woman kept a clipped pace as they continued, posture stiff and tall despite being only a few inches taller than the Knight. Her coat drifted slightly in the breeze as she tilted her chin slightly back to give him a side eye; the two orderlies that came with her were supplied with facial masks, but she remained unmasked. Her lips were twisted in a slight frown at his question, but that was the only answer she would deign to give until they would approach the clinic.

Or... what was passable for one.

It seemed like it was once a business building, but there were small cubicles repurposed into what was appearing to be patient 'rooms', with two to a thin-walled privacy. Drip bags and suspensions hung from the ceiling; though the facility seemed clean, it was crowded.

Groans and heavy coughing filled the air. Many Fondorians, young or old, male and female, took up these beds. Every now and then a different humanoid or alien being took up a bed, but in comparison the numbers were very small. In this room alone, there seemed...

Nikka exhaled sharply, jaw clenching.

Over thirty-five alone in this room.

She didn't want to look above her to see how many floors went up of all these people.

No wonder it was so silent.

They made it to the lift; the woman remained silent, as did Nikka. It was only when they made it to the very top floor that Doctor Nalin deigned to make any response, her tones clipped as she stepped from the lift, into what was once perhaps a fairly well-to-do office suite. It was retrofitted to both surgery and doctors' office/quarters; the two orderlies that accompanied remained in the lift as she beckoned the two Jedi to follow with her.

"We are not Empire, nor Mandalorians," she stated flatly, waving a hand to the seats before the desk.

"There have been rumors of people with certain abilities... I am curious if you can help my people in discovering this disease and its' causes before it spreads any further." Elbows propped on her desk, light eyes staring at him more directly, since he had eyes to meet, occasionally flicking her eyes over Nikka. "We are fortunate to have mostly contained it in this sector. I need your help."

It was then, Nikka could appreciate the woman's lengths. She had showed the dire need of why they needed something beyond basic medical assistance, and why this building in particular. Seeing so many bodies of helpless people could spur any organization into assisting, but the Alliance was the safer bet. In any other hands, the knowledge of this contagion would be galactically catastrophic.

The Doctor had already deduced who and what they were.

Nikka nodded once, crossing one knee over the other.

"Why do you think my companion and I will be of help, Doctor Nalin?"

She was glad that Alexei was there for counterpoint; he would ask questions most wouldn't dare, and he could easily see whatever verbal cues she was unable to process.

Somehow, she knew the answer to this was not the answer that neither of them wanted.

@Richie B.

 

[Reland Vos]

"To be honest, we are desperate." Reland spoke as he entered the room carrying the latest data. "Progress is slow going and your Order reached out to us. It is rumored that the Jedi have ....supernatural healing abilities, is this true?" he said laying the reports down on Dr. Nalin's desk.

Reland had come after the people of Fondor had sent out a request for help. His advisors had warned against him coming, said it was unwise for a Senator to risk himself in such a way but Reland was a doctor as well and if he could do anything to help, he would. He had loaded whatever medical supplies he could scrounge up and had arrived several days ago to lend aid.

He was unsure of these Jedi but as more and more people died, he was willing to accept the help from anyone.

"Can you help us?" he asked. He needed to get back to work and didn't have much time for chatting. They either could or they couldn't.

@Richie B.