Nar Shaddaa

Walking down the corridor, Niall squinted delicately. He knew that the lights were no brighter than usual. Luckily, he was not so dazed that he mistook the cause of his discomfort: the head injury he'd received from the Huttball game.

Arriving at Cole's door, he pressed the door chime, grunting softly at the noise it made. The dark circles under Niall's eyes, standing out against his narrow aristocratic features, gave a suggestion at his injury.

Halfway undressed, Cole sighed. Apparently this day just isn't going to be over. Running a hand through his curls, "enter."

The door slid open, and Niall stepped in, letting the door slide closed behind him. "Good evening, Cole." He said, his voice a bit fainter than usual. "I was hoping I might impose on you for yet another favor. This one more in your usual line of work." He offered the man a smile, somewhat wan, hindered by the ache in his head.

Cole cleared his throat in surprise, feeling his face heating. If he'd known who was on the other side of the door, he would have put on a shirt, too late for that now.

Half absently, half self conscious, Cole scratched his stomach. The medic was skinny, but he wasn't entirely lacking in athleticism; with slim, knotted muscles, relaxed stomach rippled, if not defined, dark golden curls trailing down from his navel.

Astute, Cole suspected a concussion just from looking at the Captain. He crossed to the stiff, unpadded chair next to his desk, both hands on the back, "Captain," and he indicated for the man to sit. "Lights, level 2," he instructed in a clear, low voice, and the illumination dropped sharply.

"Thank you." Niall chuckled softly. "I can see you've already made an accurate diagnosis." He moved to take the seat, going a little slowly.

"The problem with playing my position in Huttball is that it tends to draw a lot of attraction. And this time, I didn't have Jo'ren covering for me." He shook his head very slowly. "The other team made a very special point of trying to discourage me. I'm sorry to say that it worked better than I would have liked." From the way he was moving, it didn't seem as though his injury was very severe, but it was definitely there.

As the Captain sat, Cole placed a hand on the man's shoulder and let it rest there a moment. "I had a medical emergency, otherwise I would have been there. I could have treated you the second you came off the court."

He squeezed Niall's shoulder gently before moving around to his desk where his belt and kit had been dropped. Taking out the mediscanner and diagnostic computer, he turned off the large displays on his desk knowing that the glare would be uncomfortable when they flashed on with the medical data.

The treatment was straightforward enough, even if the day was beginning to wear him down. He'd taken a shot of painkillers for his leg just minutes ago, but it hadn't kicked in yet, and now he was developing a headache of his own.


---
[D8 EN] Niall Crit Injury (Medicine): 2eP+2eA+1eB+2eD 6 successes, 2 threat

2 Strain taken
Critical Injury: Slightly Dazed removed.

"Oh, no problem." Niall waved a hand. "It's not like I haven't been hurt worse than this before, after all." His lips twisted, and he chuckled softly. "I suppose you would know that better than most, actually." One hand came up, touching his own chest, where his injury had been.

As the treatment finishes, Niall stares at his hand experimentally, moving it back and forth, letting his eyes focus and refocus on it. "That seems much better. Thank you, doctor. Yet again." Niall smiled, just a little. For him, that was a lot, of course.

"Ah... any news, otherwise? I know my day's been eventful. But you know most of it, of course." He gave Cole a nod.

Cole answered the smile with a lopsided one of his own, guiltily enjoying the Captain's presence. "Actually, yes," and he moved back around behind the chair, gesturing for Niall to turn the chair around. Adjusting his pants, Cole dropped onto the end of the bed, experiencing an odd sensation of book-ending to his day.

His knees were splayed, shoulders slightly slouched, running a hand through his hair.

Raising his eyebrows, Niall stood, carefully turning the chair, before seating himself in it once more. "Oh?" He said, his tone encouraging. "That sounds... good, I hope."

"I wouldn't get your hopes up yet, sir." There was no point in avoiding Shaisha's name now, "Shaisha wants to meet with you. I have to see her in the morning, perhaps you'd accompany me?"

Niall nodded. "Yes, good." He sighed. "Thank you for bringing things this far. I'm guessing she wants a few more answers?"

"Specifically, the name of the contact."

Cole ran his hand through his hair, "sir, if I may speak freely? Shaisha isn't going to put a lightsaber through your gut," like she threatened to do, "but I cannot say the same for the man staying with her," introductions had not been made, and he didn't know Sylvain by reputation.

Niall nodded. "We can certainly do that."

"Hmmm..." Niall said thoughtfully. "I'd like to bring along our agent that received the information, anyway. And she's a Jedi. That should suffice for protection. And... I'm hesitant to say it, but Shaisha seems like she may be sincere in her friendship."

Cole sucked his teeth, thinking, "sir, Shaisha's in no condition to restrain her friend, if it comes to that. She was severely wounded today." He pressed his lips together, sighing, "I believe that, individually, as people, not as members of the Empire and the Republic, that she is entirely sincere. Whether that holds in the greater picture," he shrugs.

"I have every confidence in Yslane." Niall said. "She's very good at what she does. And a good person, besides."

"Yes..." Niall sighed. "I wish she was on our side. The Jedi may trend in one direction, and the Sith another, but it seems as though there's enough variation that they can be good. To say nothing of their regular troops..." His gaze went distant for a moment, wistful.

"I regret not meeting her under better circumstances, but I'm glad to have met her, regardless."

"Yes." Niall nodded. "And hopefully those circumstances will continue to improve."

He suddenly looked at Cole. "Cole, have you ever been to Alderaan?"

Cole raised an eyebrow slightly, "no, sir, Alderaan was not one of the Group Commander's deployments."

"You should visit it." Niall said, smiling. "It's a beautiful planet, whether one is interested in natural or sentient-made beauty. We have a lot of artists."

His lips twisted. "Besides, I've already told a number of Imperials that if there's peace they should visit it, and look me up. I should really extend that offer to someone in the Republic."

"I think I should like that, sir, but not for a time yet." He ran a hand through his hair, "you're aware that I have tendered my resignation to Captain Glascock," pausing for the Captain to speak or indicate for him to continue.

"Oh." Niall frowned, his gaze dropping a little. "I... rather hoped that you'd come to reconsider that. Is there anything I could say to convince you otherwise?"

He sighed, smiling just a little. "Even if I can't, well, there's certainly no rule that only serving members of the Republic military can visit Alderaan. It's quite a peaceful planet, really."

"I bring it up because I haven't decided yet, sir. Captain Glascock has given me until the end of the talks to choose." His hand went through his hair again, "if the talks fail, there will be no question. I will return to service and carry on my duty to the Republic."

Cole took a deep breath, "if the talks succeed, and the war ends, then," his mouth twists with uncertainty. "You see, I won't be visiting Alderaan anytime soon because I'll either be serving on the front, or because I'll be too far away to make it possible."

Niall frowned, his forehead creasing. "I'm not sure I follow. I mean, I understand the first part. But the second..."

His lips shifted a few times as he sought words and understanding. "Do you mean... it sounds as though you have someplace in mind that you'd go, if there's peace? Surely you can have a bit of a break before you head to... where you're needed, I expect, knowing you." His lips finally settled on a smile at that.

Cole reacted instinctively to the Captain's smile, he couldn't help it, smiling himself.

"Most likely, I'd be heading for the hardest-hit parts of the Outer Rim. Places where the fighting's been heaviest. Places where medical aid is in short supply." His smile fell somewhat, "it feels like the right thing to do, but," he looked at the Captain more intently now, "well, I'm not sure I'm ready for it."

Niall chuckled softly. "I'm not surprised. That was my guess, after all."

He sighed, not unhappily, although he did look a little weary. "Well, I'm glad you'll still be with us if it's needed. And if there's peace... well, you deserve the chance to make your own choices." He tilted his head inquisitively. "What makes you say you might not be ready?"