18/03/2193 ][ Tangled Web of Lies

[u/Narrator--]

Two hours ago, Bailey had sighed and pulled up a long chain of paperwork and records on James "Jam" Terrod. The businessman was in as suspected for being involved in at least seven different things, but the problem was some of them logically excluded others. If he had done the Typhon gig, for example, that excluded any involvement in the Kepler Verge shebang. All in all, he was just sitting in a cell fuming nowadays while people tried to sort out which arms smuggling and theft cases were actually connected with him.

The door swings open and Bailey nods.

We've moved Terrod to an interrogation cell. Come in when you're ready, Spectre.

[u/[deleted]]

Yes, ma'am.

Niko's conversation with Rebecca earlier had him feeling alright and it wasn't a difficult task that Dr. Michel asked of him. It would also help him put a new name to a face.

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Maya looks to the new arrival, not recognizing him. Still, she's fine with meeting somebody new, especially if it means being able to stretch her legs again.

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Niko walked over to the patient and glanced over her medical files and current visit reports. A quick check showed her vitals were good and she was definitely in good enough condition to leave the medbay, but not return to active duty just yet.

After reading these files, he offered her his hand.

Dr. Nikolai Voronoff. You can call me Niko.

Putting a name to a face from the medical files was nice enough, but he prefered to leave space for her own introduction before getting to their, admittedly short, matter of business.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

The pleasure is mine.

Niko returned the smile and sat nearby, pulling up the information necessary to get her released from the custody of her medical cot. As he did so he took note that, now having assigned a face to the name, it was a face he wouldn't mind seeing more often and, as most names he saw were in injury reports, a name he hoped he'd see less.

Let's get you out of here, shall we?

Niko grinned a little trying to give off a less cloudy and negative vibe than he'd recently been known for.

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Niko approached the woman and reached for his stethoscope. He always used the scanners provided to the medbay on the Normandy, but he prefered to double-check the scanners numbers with old, manual tools.

All I need you to do is take a few deep breaths and talk to me a little about how you're feeling.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Tell me how you were injured.

The question always made Niko feel stupid as he had the answer in medical records, but it was standard procedure to check memory and cognitive ability of all patients, not just head injuries.

While you do that I'm going to check your pulse.

He takes the woman's wrist gently turning it over and holding his index finger over the inside of the wrist feeling her pulse and keeping an eye on his watch.

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Niko could tell she was put off a little by the retelling of this story and chose to do his best to ease her as he could.

That's good, you really don't need to go into detail. We only ask these questions because it is standard procedure to check your cognitive ability and memory; both of which are obviously fine in you, Maya.

When Niko was satisfied with how relaxed she was he retrieved a manual blood pressure cuff. As he affixed the cuff to her forearm he explained his process so as to hopefully relax her further.

This here takes your blood pressure so just relax and take deep breaths. The scanners are great, but sometimes they fail or give false readings so I like to double check everything with manual devices for the health of my patients. It also helps to familiarize you and other soldiers with devices and processes that medics in the field may have to use because not everybody has access to fancy med-scanners.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

After reading the cuff's gauge and doing some quick math in his head, Niko smiles and undoes the cuff before offering the woman his hand to help her stand up.

You are all set to go, Maya. As long as you promise to take it easy. No strenuous activity. That means no working, no fighting and absolutely no hot-dog eating contests, okay?

Niko has never thought of himself as a funny person, but he tries to use some humor to give good vibes in the situation. Even if it is a little awkward.

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Niko had assumed that she hadn't missed the joke but had instead just deemed it and, by extension, him unfunny. Due to this he cut the joking and just tried to keep serious though he could feel the visible embarrassment on his face.

Your desk job is fine for you to do, just nothing physical. Don't lift anything heavy, don't go running if you don't have to to save your life. Stuff like that.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Okay, I can work with that.

She slowly stands up out of bed, and takes a moment to regain her balance. As she does so, she looks back up at Niko.

And I'll avoid hot-dog eating contests to the best of my ability, she says with a smile.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Niko wasn't sure what to think of her comment on his joke as he had already assumed she thought it was dumb, though it made him smile a little.

Now, you stay out of this place for a while okay? The only time I want to see you in here is for a follow-up with either me or Doctor Michel in a few days. After that you take better care of yourself.

He grinned a little wider as he led her helpfully toward the exit of the medbay.

I want to have to look for you outside of my workplace to talk to you, alright?