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In the Medbay with Hadaza, Mishka & Durro 12/1/2021
Mishka Winlat — 12/01/2021
As the nurse left them, Mishka turned her attention back to the stranger and offered her a kind smile. Not even being tossed seemed to falter her kind nature as she lifted a hand gently touched at her necklace. Her eyes glanced at the woman’s wound with concern, silently hoping it would heal well. A part of her mind was still concerned for Ryan, but he was still resting and this woman obviously needed someone to talk to.
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do for you, ma’am?” Mishka asked softly. “Maybe some water or see if it’s okay for you to eat anything?” It was all she could do to attempt changing the subject so this stranger would not have to think about that ship they rescued her from.
@Hadaza
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
Her body hurt all over. The hole in her gut was bleeding again. She must have pulled something when she rocketed up off the table. in her, what she though was totally justified, panic. That same action caused her head to ring like someone tried to remove it with a cast iron frying pan. But that wasn't what disturbed her the most. It was that nurse.
"They'll all be here soon. We see you."
What in the blackest reaches of the galaxy was that? And why does it seem as though the woman by her side didn't hear it?
It was the "ma'am" that got her attention. How old was she?
" A mirror, if you please, or something else that casts a reflection. If I don't know my name, I might as well find out what I look like."
She held her aching head in her hands as she wracked her brain to remember more than just the last day or so ... ... ... nothing.
She had no reason not to trust this woman and her friend. They put themselves in danger to answer her call and get her out. The problem was that she wasn't sure she could trust herself.
"Did you happen to hear what the nurse said as she was walking out? I think I misheard her and that can be dangerous if she said something about my care."
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 12/02/2021
While the woman held her head and looked to be lost in thought, Mishka went looking for something with a reflective surface. There weren’t any mirrors in this place because they were more concerned about patient care, obviously. So, she eventually asked a nurse who spoke to another nurse and so on, until the half-Bothan was handed a small compact mirror.
Well, it was better than nothing…
Returning to the stranger and Ryan, Mishka held out the little compact mirror. “Sorry it took so long,” She said with a kind smile. “I guess it’s not regulation to have mirrors around here.” A soft laugh escaped her at the little joke.
But then she asked about the nurse and what she had “said”. A look of utter confusion formed on Mishka’s face at this, for she had not heard the nurse say a word. All they had done was walk away after the small panic that had occurred.
“She didn’t say anything,” Mishka spoke honestly, but the confusion was evident in her tone. “Maybe you’re still in shock from everything that happened? That was a scary situation…”
@Hadaza
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
TBD takes the compact with a murmured "thank you".
A dark-haired Dothmiri woman with the facial tattoos stares back at her from the small mirror
'So this is what you look like. Now if you could only remember your name', she thinks.
The small woman's next statement trickles in under her own confusion. 'She didn't hear the nurse say anything!? How did she not hear anything? Was it my imagination?'
Aloud to the stranger, 'Mishka, she said her name was', she replies, "It was terrifying. It still is. Do you know what those things were?"
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 12/02/2021
Mishka’s ears twitched as she looked back to check on Ryan real quick. “Well, my friends call them the…Swarm, I think.” Mishka answered as she turned her attention back to TBD. “I don’t know what they’re really called, but they’re freaky looking from what I noticed of the dead one the Professor has a hold of.” She hoped it was dead, anyway.
“I still can’t believe Durro tried to sweet talk that thing.” She said with a sigh.
@Hadaza
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
TDB can't tear her eyes away from the reflection. She's trying to piece together something, anything about the missing years of her life. But there's nothing there. Nothing but the last few hours of horror.
A small voice breaks through her reverie, "I still can’t believe Durro tried to sweet talk that thing".
She looks at Mishka. "What's a ... Durro?"
And then she looks over at the body on the near table. "And who is he? Was he hurt trying to rescue me? Was anyone else hurt? How many are in your team? What else did they see on the ship?"
TDB takes a breath and remembers something else Mishka said. "And what is the Swarm?"
She tries to sit up so that she can look at Mishka while she tries to both gain more information about the things that killed her team, not that she can remember them, and maybe something about herself or her current circumstances.
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 12/02/2021
Mishka tried to coordinate all these questions, gulping a little nervously. “Durro is a friend. He’s the guy that tried to talk to one of those things…” She explained before looking to Ryan with a little concern. She hoped he would wake up soon. “And this here is Ryan. He crashed the ship while they were trying to get off the ship like you said to. I think that’s what happened. I’m just happy he survived…”
Clearing her throat and waving a hand, a slight blush on her face, the half-Bothan continued, “I don’t think anyone else was injured. I saw them get off their ships and they seemed to be fine. As for how many of us there are, I’m not sure.” Her fingers fiddled with her necklace as she smiled apologetically. “I’m sure it would be best for the others to explain what they saw and what the Swarm is. I don’t have all the information on those things…”
She felt a little embarrassed that she could not answer all of this stranger’s questions. One of her hands slipped down and grabbed onto Ryan’s hand nervously.
@Hadaza
(OOC: @Durro Thel-Tanis You are welcome to join whenever you wish)
Durro Thel-Tanis — 12/02/2021
The door to the medical bay hisses open softly, and a pair of nurses rush forward to answer it. Durro's brown hair can be seen above the top of the nurse's caps and his voice can be heard, though what he is saying cannot be discerned, soft as it is. After a whispered conversation with the nurses, they part and allow Durro to approach the pair of beds.
"Mishka." He says, nodding to the young woman. "How's Ryan?"
@Mishka Winlat
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
TDB sits up and back slightly at the new visitor, as defensive as she can be given her injuries. He obviously knows Mishka and Ryan. He must be another member of their team. Was he one of the ones that boarded the ship? How did he get away from them without hiding behind a welded door?
She has nothing but questions. But holds her tongue to watch the interaction between them, paying close attention to things both said and unsaid
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 12/02/2021
Mishka offers Durro a kind smile. "He seems to be okay, but hasn't woken up yet." She admits with a little grimace. "The girl you rescued is awake, though. Maybe you can answer some of her questions? I don't have all the information you and the others do..."
@Hadaza @Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 12/02/2021
Durro gives Mishka a kind smile and nods. He walks over to the other bed and sits down nearby.
"Hello. I'm Durro Thel-Tanis; the one who few the ship that actually picked you up. I'm glad to see you're awake and on the mend. What's your name?"
@Mishka Winlat
@Hadaza
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
"Well met, Durro Thel-Tanis. I thank you for the rescue. I only had 4 more hours of air before I would have joined the rest of the ship's compliment in the here-after .. that is if those creatures didn't break through door first."
She looks down at her bandages. "As for being on the mend, I'm actually surprised that I'm not further along. The med team seem to be more interested in watching than in actually doing their job", she says wryly, thinking about the comment from the nurse earlier.
Shaking off the feeling that she is being observed, she looks at Durro. "I have ... questions ..."
@Durro Thel-Tanis
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 12/02/2021
Mishka smiled and sat by Ryan's bed while keeping Durro and TBD company. Her thumb gently stroked the top of his hand as she listened, just in case she needed to get a nurse to come over.
@Hadaza @Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 12/02/2021
"Of course, I'll be happy to answer all I can." Durro says. "Though you neglected to answer my question." He smiles reassuringly and adds; "I'd like to know what you call you other than 'Sole Survivor'."
((( @TheTraveler, would Durro recognize her species? OOC I saw her post, so if I need to roll, let me know and what to roll.)))
@Hadaza
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
OOC: @Mishka Winlat are you bowing out of the conversation now that Durro has tagged in?
Mishka Winlat — 12/02/2021
(OOC: No, Mishka will still be here to talk and help TBD if she needs it. That's why she's sitting with Ryan and listening for the moment)
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
TBD adjusts herself on the bed, stalling and trying to find a way to answer his question that won't freak him, or her, out. She doesn't want another run in with that nurse!
She sighs, looks over at Mishka, , looks down, raises her head to look Durro right in the eyes and says quietly, "I'd like to know what I call myself. Once I know that, I'll be happy to tell you. Sadly, I don't have that answer any more than I have any others."
She takes a deep breath and continues, "I don't know my name. I don't know where I am or how I got here. I don't know anything about myself or my circumstances, save what I have been able to glean from damaged recordings of my dead team, assuming they *were *my team and I wasn't just some lost waif that they found in space and saved from a fate worse than death."
There is a look of defiance on her face, as if she's challenging him just a little. It's a façade, and a bad one. It's apparent that she's trying to hold her fear and her vulnerability at bay.
@Mishka Winlat
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Mishka Winlat — 12/02/2021
Mishka frowns at this information, a sad look in her eyes. "It sounds like you suffer from amnesia..." She murmured and tapped her chin. "Perhaps we can find a way to help her remember things, Durro? It's always painful and frightening when you can't remember something..." The way she spoke almost sounded as if it was from experience.
She still did not have her full memories from what had happened to her before meeting Durro and the others. A part of her did not want to remember, but it felt wrong not knowing. It was as if something was missing.
She gave TBD a kind smile. "Is there anything you would like us to call you for now, at least?" She asked.
@Hadaza @Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 12/02/2021
Again, Durro smiles at her.
"I'll call you 'Hadaza', in the meantime. We'll figure out your lost memories in time; I'd like to hear what the Doctor's have to say. Meanwhile, you have questions? I'll answer what I can."
@Mishka Winlat
@Hadaza
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
She smiles back at Mishka, sensing the truth and experience behind the Bothan's words. 'This is someone who knows how I'm feeling', she thinks. 'I don't know how she can help. But if anyone can, it would be she.'
Turning to Durro, she rolls the designation around on her tongue. "Hadaza ... what does it mean?"
@Mishka Winlat
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 12/02/2021
"It's from my homeworld; it means 'Lost One.' It will serve until we find you."
He leans back comfortably.
"Any other questions?"
@Hadaza
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
"Lost One ... seems fitting. Thank you Durro."
"Yes, I have questions - lots of them. First of all, what were those things?! Mishka said you and your call them "The Swarm". What are they? How did they get on board that derelict? And why do they stay when they don't appear to have a readily available source of food? They are so hungry ...." she tapers off, lost in thought for a moment.
Shaking her head to return to the medbay, she continues. "Where are we? And I mean that I the bigger sense. Not just "what is this ship", but where in the galaxy are we? When are we? How many are you? How many were hurt trying to rescue me? Where are you from and how did you find me? That signal was weak at best. I don't know that I believed anyone would actually receive it, not in time anyway."
She slumps back against the pillow, clearly anxious for answers, but exhausted by her exertions to get them.
@Mishka Winlat
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 12/02/2021
"Wel... that is a lot of questions. Let me take these in order."
"We're not exactly sure what those creatures are. I call them 'The Swarm', the Professor calls them 'The Purge'. They seem to feed on the Force, an energy field that connects all living things and binds the universe together. They're primal in nature; The Professor can tell you much more about them than I can, he's made studying them his life's work. They're unlike anything I've ever faced before."
"Where we are is easy; we're on the outskirts of the Dubrillion Star System in the Outer Rim, bordering the Unknown Regions. At the end of the 'Serpent's Tail' hyperspace lane. Our party is... unique; rescuing you we had Ryan and Mishka, Ryan being the only one injured and the one Mishka is attending to beside you." Durro gestures towards the other bed. "Then there was Professor Kenobi, along with Tesara and Astra; my former apprentice and current apprentice respectively. Then there was myself, of course."
"The Professor picked up the signal from your beacon; his was the only ship with the right technology. We were only close enough because The Magistrate of Dubrillion sent us to investigate the massive hulk at the edge of their system. He was worried it might be hostile."
"As for where we're from; we're from all over the place. Tesara and I originally come from Lanus. Mishka is from Dubrillion and Professor Kenobi is from Coruscant. He's the newest member of our merry band. Astra is from Serenno, though she had family on Baklid VI. Two more of ours are on Baklid VI currently, one serving as Governor and the other her life partner. They've been a great help to us recently."
"I think that's everyone, I'm sorry if it's all overwhelming. What about you, what did the recordings you found tell you?"
@Hadaza
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
Hadaza, she needs to get used to that, shakes her head. The info dump was requested, but is overwhelming, especially since all she can do is listen as none of it has any context. They are just words for now, though she is sure that they will be important to her sooner rather than later.
"Thank you for answering my questions. It's a lot to digest. I just hope you don't expect me to remember it all just now."
She snickers a bit wryly at her situation. Her eyes widen quickly as she steels herself for the recitation of what she has just experienced.
"I should preface all of this with the following - I don't know how long I was on that vessel. I don't know it's purpose. I don't even known the name of it. I've been wracking my brain trying to get answers. Nothing comes.
I woke up inside a dark room with 2 dead bodies and a door that had been welded shut. I scavenged what I thought would help me survive and broke out of the room.
The ship appears to have been the site of some calamitous event, likely a deliberate attack. There are holes all over it that are strategically placed through and through. It's as though whatever happened there was designed to do the most damage to the craft while leaving the crew and passengers on board.
As I was exploring, I came across bodies that were like the ones in the room with me, but different from other passengers. There were recording devices on their suits, so watched as many as I could find.
She stops to take a deep breath before she continues
I was apparently the newest member of a team that was sent to investigate the derelict. There was a Wookie, who I discovered thanks to those recordings, was charged with my safety. It is to him I owe my life. I only wish I could convey my thanks to his family. But as I don't know his name or how to contact his superiors - my own as well, I suppose. There were about 10, maybe 12 or so other team members. I assume they are all dead. I saw at least 5 bodies, including at least one woman named Gadget and the Wookie"
During our search, in addition to the old technology and the bodies that were discovered on board, all of which was expected, the team found a strange cocoon. Now, it could very well be that the cocoon was on board before the attack. But I doubt it. What I believe is that whatever is in it, and others like it, attacked the original passengers and crew then went into stasis to wait for the next chance to feed. I believe this because the creature that was inside that shell was hungry when we came across it. And it emerged when it realized that there was a new source of nourishment nearby."
She stops. A look of intensity darkens her tattooed features as she looks up at Durro. " I knew it was hungry. Knew it in some part of me I can't explain. I could feel it as if it were my own hunger. I was connected with it, somehow."
She takes a moment, then comes back to herself and presses on.
"Whatever these creatures are, they can bite through a helmet designed to withstand negative atmospheric pressure. When I found one of the bodies outside of the nest, her head was pierced cleanly through the helmet; her body was a husk. It was like they sucked all of the fluid out of her body along with her life-force. I haven't seen any other bodies like this, but then I didn't look at all of the remains."
"During the same search when I found Gadget's body, I returned to the place where we found the first cocoon and saw members of my team strung up like dokma in a krykna's hive. And that sense of hunger that I felt before was there … and there were more of them. When I approached my team, smaller versions of the thing that came from the cocoon initially were inside the bodies!"
She shudders
"It was a nest. There were larger ones buried under a pile of bodies. Blasters did nothing to them. I ran. I ran away. Sent the message and waited. That's when you found me.
@Durro Thel-Tanis
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 12/02/2021
This was a lot for Mishka to take in, but she listened carefully to the newly named Hadaza. These creatures sounded like something out of a nightmare that no one should ever have to run into. "That's horrifying..." She whispered. "The fact that you survived must mean something, though. Right?"
The fact they had all gotten away was a miracle in Mishka's mind.
Durro Thel-Tanis — 12/02/2021
"That's... disturbing." Durro says solemnly. "It does shed some light on things..."
He closes his eyes for a long moment and breathes evenly. Finally, he opens his eyes and asks;
"Are you sure you weren't infected? Implanted? I did sense twelve life forms aboard the derelict, and I know from observation that The Swarm doesn't register as life forms. Likely your crew being kept alive as food. I'll need to warn the Jedi, if they rescue these people they'll need to be quarantined."
He stands quickly and bows to Hadaza.
"I'm sorry to leave so abruptly, but I must get them the message. I wish you the speediest recovery, and I look forward to continuing this conversation."
He turns and bows slightly to Mishka.
"Mishka. Please let me know as soon as Ryan is awake."
(((OOC: @TheTraveler When Durro closed his eyes he was using 'See Force' to determine if Hadaza is Force-sensitive and/or if she is infected by The Swarm (though I doubt he would sense anything).)))
Image
@Mishka Winlat
@Hadaza
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
Hadaza's shoulders fall as Durro's words crash over her. Infected? Implanted?! What a horrifying thought.
She's not sure what is more horrifying though - the fact that the team she was sent there with might still be alive as they are being eaten from the inside out ... or that the same thing might be happening to her right now, but with the added bonus of being a walking, talking delivery system!
It was the last thing she wanted, to let these creatures loose on the galaxy. If what this man said to her were true in any way, she needed to put an immediate end to that possibility.
She slowly turns the blankets back and rises from the bed. Not sure how she's going to do what she knows she needs to do, she walks over to the counter to investigate her options.
She has to kill the thing that might be inside her, even if it means her own life. She spies bottles of liquids that she can't quite understand. "One of these must work", talking to herself, unaware of how her voice carries in the sterile environment.
She picks up a bottle, opens it, and starts to drink
@Mishka Winlat
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Mishka Winlat — 12/02/2021
Mishka gave a nod to Durro, but frowned when Hadaza got up. "You shouldn't be up..." She tried to interject, but her anxiety was kicking in about making others do just about anything. "Wait..." Her voice became a small squeak.
That was when she noticed the woman pick up a bottle. "What is she doing, Durro?" Mishka asked before he could leave and started toward Hadaza. What was she drinking? Something dangerous? The half-Bothan was unfamiliar with medical supplies, but she wanted to stop this newcomer from doing something crazy.
Which was exactly what it looked like...
"Don't do that!" Mishka panicked and tried to grab at Hadaza's arms to stop her. "You don't know if anything is actually wrong with you! What if you kill yourself by accident!"
@Hadaza @Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 12/02/2021
"Hadza, wait." Durro says softly, but firmly. "I don't sense you are a danger, not yet anyway. We have time to work out what's happened, but we have to move quickly."
He gestures for the Nurses, who rush over when they see the injured woman on her feet. While the nurses try to help the young woman back to her bed, Durro turns to Mishka and says,
"Please, keep an eye on her. Message me if she becomes too much to handle. I need to speak with the Commander in charge here."
((( @TheTraveler, we need a little help here, if you have the time. lol)))
@Mishka Winlat
@Hadaza
Hadaza — 12/02/2021
The rush of the nurses to her side sends Hadaza into a fight or flight frenzy. In her state, she sees the onslaught of the creatures as they chased her down the long, empty corridors of the ship.
Crying out as hands reach for her, she turns and runs right into Mishka's arms. "We have to go. We have to go NOW!" She grabs for Mishka's hands to pull her towards the door when she feels a sting in her neck.
Her eyes flash wildly, searching Mishka's face for answers that will never come. The next moment, she sinks boneless to the floor.
@Mishka Winlat
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Durro Thel-Tanis — 12/02/2021
Durro approaches the nurses as they return the woman to her bed.
"I need to speak to the commander, it's urgent." He says quietly. "Where might I find him?"
@TheTraveler
@Mishka Winlat
@Hadaza
Mishka Winlat — 12/02/2021
Mishka was pulled along until the nurses stuck poor Hadaza with a needle and she went falling. "Uhm..." She tried to find words, but could only stand there as the chaos seemed to calm down.
Letting out an exhausted sigh, she took a seat next to Ryan again.
@Hadaza @Durro Thel-Tanis @TheTraveler
Hadaza — 12/03/2021
@TheTraveler
@Mishka Winlat
@Durro Thel-Tanis
OOC: Durro, you needed an assist from Traveler. If you have received that help (See Force roll 18l followup among other things) Did you get it?
If yes, we should be able to close this thread because it seems to have run its course.
Mishka Winlat — 12/03/2021
OOC: I am fine with ending it here. Mishka is going to watch over Hadaza and Ryan until they're both well enough to go to the meeting.
Hadaza — 12/03/2021
OCC: I figure that Hadaza would be out through the meeting, honestly. But if @TheTraveler wants to wake Ryan so that he and Mishka can go to the meeting, that's up to him
Durro Thel-Tanis — 12/03/2021
/end
Hadaza — 12/03/2021
@Durro Thel-Tanis
Did you get the answers from Traveler?
Durro Thel-Tanis — 12/03/2021
As much as I am going to get, aye. I understand they are busy, but the story naturally developed in a way where I needed his input.
As it is, I am going to have to leave his warning of the command structure in limbo. Dance around the issue in our meeting....
TheTraveler — 12/03/2021
Jess sent him his answer
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In the Medbay with Hadaza, Mishka & Durro 12/1/2021
