Private Slothful Induction

[Mordecai Zambrano]

Slothful Induction
An appeal to coincidence.

​

Salis D'aar, Bakura
870ABY

Mordecai had to pinch the bridge of his nose to conceal a rapidly deepening frown. When he lowered his hand, the young man across the table from him was still smiling. Then his eyes lowered to the piece of flimsi before him. Another glance reaffirmed everything this hopeful professional had sold him; he was good at what he did, he had a history of successful partnerships, and he was even credentialed by the Bakuran authority. An inward, hidden sigh.

"Doctor Tillian," he cut through the silence, "Your resume and presentation is very, very impressive. I see that you were the top of your class at Gresco Medical University, you've worked with both local figures and even the government. However," there it was, the keyword, "My advertisement stressed something very crucial: experience with exotic. dangerous species. Rarities that hardly any medical professional has worked with. Are you prepared to lose your life in the event of failure?"

That seemed to wipe a smidgen of confidence from the doctor's visage. "My life? What in stars name are you suggesting?"

"I'm not suggesting anything, dear doctor. My special case has a tendency to, er... eat things that it doesn't like." He held up his hands in mock surrender. "And I'm not standing in its way. This is why I need a confident, practiced professional. I am paying well, and I'll ensure your family is taken care of if the worst happens. What do you say?"

The shuffling of feet and papers was the only reply that he got - as expected. Mordecai's gleaming gaze rose from the resume to watch Doctor Jaa Tilian stand and walk away. In the matter of seconds, the man made a rather soundless escape from the confines of this very large, luxuriant conference room. That was the sixth applicant that had walked out today. Mordecai heaved another sigh, snatching up the flimsi to crumple it. A work of his arm and then it was sailing across the room to the only other figure inside.

"I don't think we have many left waiting," the helmeted figure responded, deftly catching the paper. "Shall I send the next one in? I think there's only one more." The resume was dropped into the trashbin.

"Lucky number seven." Mordecai waved a hand. "Bring them in."

Fe Tserim

 

[Fe Tserim]

Fe was curious about what this potential job was. Although technically it was her business that dealt with much of the taming process, she would personally involve herself when things were too challenging, or uncertain. Medical technology was much easier to make than the manipulation or suggestion of an animals mind, at least when that animal could eat you whole. She'd handled the Shgurak before, Vran'Ti's sky dragons, which left precious little on the list that wasn't a sea or space dweller that posed much threat in one to one problems.

So when she heard of the job that had already turned away a number of people on the nearby planet of Bakura, she was interested in seeing what it was. It was her occupation anyway, so there was no harm in exploring. She carried no weapons, and was lightly dressed, with 'tattoos' formed by crystals covering her body. Alterations were quite normal, one such being the pointed ears, another being that while her skin might appear normal, it was actually made to replicate the fire resistant skin of the Devaronians, and a hidden interior 'sack' with the express purpose of holding mass for more convenient shapeshifting such as adding more functional limbs.

Depending one ones sensitivity and skill in the force, they might also sense that she has two presences instead of one. Same as all of her species. Her own, and that of her Vo, a force sensitive organ present regardless of their own force sensitivity.

She smiled as it came her turn after waiting patiently. She had felt the minds of those around her, some certainly more prideful than others, some beginning with no fear, but as they left, she felt their concern just as easily as she saw it. One of them even shook his head at her thinking, This just ain't worth it.

Fe would not be so easily dissuaded. She entered the room, setting down a datapad lightly before the person in front of her and tilting her head slightly. His presence in the force. Used to sensing it on her own planet, but not so much out here. She said nothing, yet, but spoke. "You won't find much on me outside my homeworld and my recent step into business. Vran'Ti was always rather isolationist." She began, her voice quite calm, "But I am what you would call a Force user. First my telepathic and empathic powers were used for helping coordinate armies of men or beasts. Simply an occupation to us. But after retirement from that, I moved to medical business and animal training. You wanted someone who's used to dealing with exotic and dangerous animals, and while I am most familiar with my home planets species, so not exotic to me, there are plenty things dangerous about them. Among them the Shguraks, or sky dragons, which are rarely tamed due to the semi-sentience and independence, and so only relenting to those who they believe strong enough, and the Screamers, less intelligent and powerful individually, but always ready to feed and plenty aggressive. Enough at least that they are convenient for battlefield use, when sentient lives can be kept."

She said her piece, and waited, watching him. The datapad would recount most of her proffessional history, her official occupations as a former Deni-Gar, her biological knowledge, and her current profession. As well as some on her homeworld specifically, partially to explain her lack of records elsewhere.

Mordecai Zambrano

 

[Mordecai Zambrano]

Mordecai had hoped a sufficient number of zeroes would persuade a capable doctor, or at least anyone specializing in exotic beasts. So far the results had been rather disappointing. Either everyone was far more interested in conventional, safer practices or were expecting something more illicit than what was offered. The Sith Lord was not here for black market deals and organ harvesting, nor was he here for a simple checkup. He needed a versatile expert. Price wasn't an issue.

When his armored aide opened the door to let Number Seven inside, Mordecai dipped his head in greeting an extended a hand towards the chair before him. There was a moment of silence as each of them regarded one another, as if reaching out with invisible appendages to poke and prod; discovering whatever they could. Ever the definition of discipline, Mordecai remained still as he felt his guest reach out in the Force. Impressive.

Instead of receiving a piece of flimsi with credentials typed about it, this one slid a datapad over to him. The broad shouldered lord leaned forward to give its screen only a cursory glance, fully expecting this tattooed stranger to read it off by memory anyways. The Sith took a moment to note her name, Fe Tserim, then he was leaning back to listen.

"Impressive, Miss Tserim" his gruff voice complimented as she finished. "I'm sure your talent with beasts of that nature will surely suit you in helping me and my... special case. I suppose I could shed a bit of that confidentiality about him right now, assuming you're willing to risk life and limb to aid me. You will be compensated handsomely for any attempt, successful or not."

He took a moment to tap at her own datapad, flicking the screen away from a resume to a database search. It took only a matter of seconds to pull up the entry he wanted. Arkanian dragon. He slid the pad back across the table.

"Arkanian dragon. About twenty seven years old. I've raised him since birth and have formed a rather peculiar bond with him," he sighed, "so he's not apt to trusting any who approach besides me. He's had a high fever, fits of coughing, and is rather irritable. Symptoms showed up about two days ago."

Mordecai looked at Fe expectantly. Surely this short time frame and no regard to expense was a sign of desperation. Surely not.

Fe Tserim

 

[Fe Tserim]

He really must be desperate, or quite giving, for even unsuccessful attempts to warrant payment. Then again, if the unsuccessful attempt resulted in death, perhaps there was not exactly much hassle. She gave a simple nod in response to the question of risking life or limb. Wouldn't be the first time. Hopefully it wouldn't be the last.

As he flipped up a search she took it and looked it over. Ah, curious. Perhaps related...no, not likely. The genetic alterations were what caused the changes in the Shguraks. These may be predecessors. But their biology should be fairly similar. I can adapt to the differences, will get more details before the proper introduction to the creature.

She raised her head as he finished, thinking it over. It wasn't so much that she feared the job, it was if she could accomplish it. This was more than just one job or the other, it was medical and animal training. He needed a vet, which was fine. Her fields fit quite well with that. "I'll need a day of preparation before I meet it if you want me to get started on the medical work, or I can meet it sooner and try to get acquainted with it first so it won't try to kill me when I do the proper tests. I'll be getting some of my equipment, naturally. But if it's a virus or disease it shouldn't be too much of an issue. In all honesty though, 2 days is not long. It could very well be something incredibly minor that doesn't need attention. I don't want to sound accusatory, but I've seen a lot of people worried over something that can go away within a few days."

Fe held up her hands hoping he wouldn't interrupt, "But, if you do hire me, I will check thoroughly and ensure that even if it is something minor, it will be dealt with as fast as can be done safely, both for your Dragon and myself or my team. And if not I'll do my best to resolve it. I'm not unfamiliar with connecting to animals, or people, so I'll try to take good care of it and not upset it any further."

Mordecai Zambrano

 

[Mordecai Zambrano]

Perfect. That was the answer he was looking for. Mordecai's bearded face brightened at that, morphing into something far more presentable than the business-like gaze he had offered the rest. The man was careful not to heave a sigh of relief just yet - Miss Tserim had yet to do anything miraculous just yet, but this was good enough for now. Instead of wearing his emotions on his sleeve, Mordecai was apt to sit there and nod as he listened intently. It very well could have been something minor.

"I agree, it definitely could be something minor. Unfortunately I've already lost a few good people due to their, and my own, ineptitude." His smile tightened. "That, and this case is vital to my own livelihood. I'm prepared to move as quick as you'd like. Equipment and personnel can be at your disposal faster than your own team if you'd prefer that."

The Sith cleared his throat in that moment, deciding to change the tempo. "I'll follow your guidance now. I can let you two meet, or we can convene at a later time to get this show on the road. I'm happy with either."

Fe Tserim