Plague Planet (The Wandering Engineer)

by Hechtl, Chris

  “At your current tech level we need Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen they prevent the Cyclooxygenase enzyme. The COX enzyme synthesizes prostaglandins which creates inflammation. With the proper NSAID we can suppress the swelling better and accelerate healing. They aren't good for long term use though, they can erode the stomach lining and cause all sorts of other problems.”

  “True,” Helen replied.

  “IMSAID's or Immunity Selective Anti-inflammatory Derivatives are what I'd like to see. They're a class of Peptides that work by altering the migration of inflammatory cells. It's the Immune cells that are doing the damage, they're responsible for amplifying the inflammatory response. But what I'd really love to do is to stick each of you in a regen tank as I said before.”

  “Can we do that?”

  The admiral sighed. “Yes and no. I can make the regen tank, well most of it. But again the risks and the time factor...”

  “Do we have a choice?” Helen asked. “The anti-swelling treatments...”

  “We do that as a matter of course doctor. Quick heal has its own series of anti-inflammatory medications. We're looking into acquiring the materials now. Or should I say I am,” Sprite said. “I stand corrected, non in the electronic inventory so I'm passing the request to a pharmacy nurse to look into.”

  “Lovely.”

  “Another problem is a long term one, Tissue encapsulation. That is where the body rejects the foreign objects by wrapping them up in an effort to isolate them from the body. That can cause all sorts of issues, both in breaking the implants and in causing health related issues. But they are long term issues.”

  “Okay, let's focus on the here and now then,” Helen replied with a nod.

  “Why don't you take a break, read up on it while I get things organized,” Irons replied. “I'm making the basic ident implants now. I need a list of volunteers.”

  Helen nodded, running a tired hand through her hair. “We'll ask the staff.”

  “Thank you doctor,” Irons replied.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Helen brought the idea to her staff. She asked for volunteers. Ted Zane volunteered right away. Malcolm Innes and Malcolm O'Reilly were more hesitant, after a moment O'Reilly declined the honor followed by Innes a moment later. Zane muttered something about pretty boys as both men exited the room.

  Other doctors however volunteered, Sergei Chung a surgeon, Kalif Omari, a new resident, Yusef Hadjiri, Gijis a Veraxin endocrinologist, Ramius, a Naga orthopedics specialist, Alexander Milinkov, and one of their few remaining virologists, Paco La Plaz. A few of the staff volunteered as well, Nurse Joy, Roger Emment an orderly, and five others. Some agreed because they felt helpless and wanted to contribute, others because they had some form of interest in the implants and becoming a Naval officer.

  Helen herself didn't have to think about it, she'd grasp at anything if it could save her people. She gratefully accepted all, but limited to people who she knew were young and mentally flexible. Also to people she could spare for two days.

  The admiral explained that each would be given a series of nanite injections. “Will it hurt?”

  “No, it won't. You'll swallow the first pill now,” he held out a pill in his palm. “And that will start the ident implant when you go to sleep. It's a cadet implant.”

  “I thought you couldn't make medical nanites?”

  “For recruiting I can,” Irons replied. “One of the end runs around the problem that Sprite and I mentioned. And for the record I didn't make it myself, Commander Sprite did. She has final authority on this. She's checking each of your people, each of our people I should say since they will be under my command.”

  “Your command?” Helen asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Chain of command Director,” Sprite interceded. “A fleet admiral outranks just about everyone,” she said.

  Helen nodded. “Ah,” she said softly.

  “We're focusing on ident implants for the first go around. Then the oath of office which will activate the second stage of this ident implants. We're putting a rush on this, so I'll jump to control implants after that.”

  “Control?...” Doctor Zane asked.

  The admiral nodded. “Control implants allow you to control tech. You will have a wireless implant and jacks,” Irons explained. He held out his right arm and a jack formed. He held out his left and turned his hand palm up. He sent a signal so they could see glittering gold circuitry going from the palm of his hand up his arm. “On my left is the basic Ident implant. That will let you jack a few lower tech pieces of equipment, log into electronics, and you will have a simple HUD, that's a Heads Up Display in your vision. A box that will show you what you are linking in. You will be able to use verbal commands or eye movements to control what is on the screen.”

  “That's the control?” Helen asked.

  “No, that is the basic Ident implant. The control is here,” Irons replied, dropping his left arm in favor of his right. He used his left index finger to point to a jack port. “A jack port will form on you, one here, one here,” he pointed to the back of his neck, “and others as needed. Each jack will connect to implants that will be formed in your brain.”

  “Fascinating,” Helen said. A few of the staff weren't so sure.

  “Full disclosure,” Sprite said to them. “You're doctors so you know that tinkering with the brain is tricky. We have a thousand years of accumulated experience so we should be able to handle it.”

  “Should,” Defender said to her alone.

  “Zip it,” Sprite replied in the side channel.

  “Control is where you the user can control an object or electronic device through the implants. You'll be able to see through electronic sensors, feel, all of it. It will supplement and sometimes supplant your traditional senses. You will be able to control the movement of robots and direct them through your motor cortex. For some of you who have Beta genes the transition will be quick and easy, for others... not so much.”

  Doctor Chung snapped his fingers. His broad Asian face smiled. “I heard about that! The beta line?”

  The admiral nodded. “Indeed. About two thousand or so years ago someone came up with the idea of making such implants less painful. It was thought that implants would be grown in the womb, and for some cultures they did indeed transition to that, but for the majority it was outlawed due to the invasive nature of the implants.”

  “But it will make it easier for some since the connections are there, they just need to be tapped by the implants,” Doctor Chung said with a nod. “I'm doubtful I'm one, since I'm mostly Mongol, with a bit of mongrel Hawaiian and maybe a little Samoan thrown in for good measure,” he said, smiling broadly again. Irons snorted.

  “You'd be surprised doctor, since the traits were designed to be dominant. We'll see when we get to that point. For now what we're going to do is start the basic implants for those of you who wish to volunteer. We're focusing on the basics you need to gain key access and control the regen tanks and other machinery.”

  “Which is why you were interested in surgeons,” Chung said, nodding again.

  “Right,” Irons replied. “I'm hopeful you can monitor the procedure doctor,” Irons said.

  “I hardly understand it,” Chung said. “But I'm sure I'll pick it up after a few repetitions and some additional education,” he said firmly.

  Irons smiled. “That's the spirit. Now, usually orderlies are enlisted.” He said nodding to Roger Emment. “I'm sorry, it's chain of command.”

  “I'm going for my doctorate,” Emment said quietly, crossing his broad almost Popeye arms.

  “Good for you,” Doctor Milinkov and Hadjiri said in unison. Both men smiled.

  “If you pass the medical board and want an officer's commission your implants can be upgraded. That's actually easier than going cold,” Irons replied. Emment nodded curtly. The admiral turned to the group.

  “So step one swallow the pill?” Doctor Gijis asked, holding one
in his true hand.

  The admiral nodded. “You will then each take a nap for a minimum of two hours. As you sleep the pill will break down in your systems and the nanites inside will form the linkages in your brain, eye, ears, masteroid bone, and hand jack. This is a passive system, so it will have what is called a thermal tap, which means an additional implant that will convert electrical energy from your nervous system and thermal energy from your cardiology to power your electronics.”

  “Will it hurt?” Doctor La Plaz asked.

  The admiral shook his head. “No, the nanites will disable your pain receptors. But you will need to be unconscious so it can do the work, movement or physical activity can disrupt the process.”

  “Ah, I had wondered,” Doctor Omari murmured, studying his red pill. “Its' like the pill from Alice and wonderland,” he murmured.

  Doctor Richards shot him a reproving look but then swallowed hers. She picked up her glass of water and drank a sip. “Nap time,” she said.

  “Right,” Irons nodded as one by one the others followed suit. “When you wake Commander Sprite will walk you through the basic steps involved in using those implants and then we'll meet to administer the oath of office,” he said.

  “Can't that wait?” Doctor Omari asked, getting to his feet.

  Irons scowled. “Some things have to be done doctor,” he replied tightly. “You'll understand in time,” he said. “That's a step that can't be skipped. And you'll be tested on ethics as the implants progress. Giving the medical keys to someone isn't something you do every day.”

  “I understand that,” Helen replied getting to her feet. The others followed suit.

  “At least we'll finally get eight hours of sleep!” Zane quipped, eyes bloodshot.

  “Now I know why you're doing it,” Malcolm teased.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  “There are some processes, some things that cannot be overlooked. This is one of them. Each of you took an oath, some several. The Hippocratic oath will be repeated by Director Richards when I'm finished here. I cannot administer it to those of you who will take it, I'm not a doctor. But you're joining another fraternity, a corps with its duty, honor, and tradition,” Irons looked around the room. “After discussing this we will be inducting volunteers, doctors, nurses, orderlies, and paramedics into the navy as reservists. Right now we will focus on ident implants. Please stand and raise your right hand,” he said as they got up.

  The group shuffled a bit, but got to their feet and nodded. It was a solemn occasion.

  “There are two oaths here since you will be sworn in as national guard instead of active duty. Please repeat after me,” the admiral said, raising his right hand.

  “I state your name, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United Federation of Sapient Planets, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office I am about to enter.”

  Each of the doctors raised their right hands and solemnly repeated the oath. Doctor Zane started to drop his hand but the admiral cleared his throat. Zane snatched his hand back up but rolled his eyes until Helen poked him with an elbow.

  “I've never been in the national guard, but here goes,” Irons said. “I state your name,” he said and waited. Each of the doctors did so. “Do solemnly affirm that I will support and defend the constitution of the United Federation of Sapient planets and the constitution of the world of Epsilon Triangula against all enemies foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will obey the orders of the President of the United Federation and the governor of the commonwealth world of Epsilon Triangula; that I make this obligation freely, without any reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office of lieutenant in the Federation Navy National Guard of the planet Epsilon Triangula upon which I am about to enter.”

  When each completed the oath he nodded and dropped his hand. “Congratulations, you are each now inducted into the Navy reserve. Or should I say National Guard.”

  “What about the implants. Aren't we supposed to get them?” Zane asked. Helen made a raspberry sigh and stepped on the tip of his toe. He turned. ”What? And oh, owe!” he said.

  “Just be thankful I didn't kick your shin,” Helen growled. “I'm assuming the implants come next?” she asked.

  “Basic ident implants I can do. This is the tricky part. Medical nanites I do have, but I legally don't have the authority to use them except in emergency situations such as this one.”

  “How did you get around it in Pyrax?” Doctor Richards asked, wrinkling her nose.

  “Firefly. There's a protocol Firefly has to induct or draft people into the navy. We're going by that. But the implant tech was a bit different then. We're going to do the basics and then play catch up later,” Irons replied. “We need monitoring equipment and a room.”

  “Your AI requested both, it's all arranged,” Doctor Richards said with a nod. She indicated the door. Irons nodded. They trooped out.

  Each of the volunteers swallowed anti-inflammatory drugs and food items that would promote anti-inflammatory responses and quick healing. It was a long shot, but every little bit helped. They also swallowed supplement pills, plenty of water, and vitamins. They were then treated as if they were prepping for surgery.

  “A last meal? Really? Does it have to be fruits, veggies, and oily fish? I hate Packtail!”

  “All of its necessary doctor. The fruits and veggies contain anti-inflammatory materials. The fish oil has massive doses of Omega-3.”

  “I know, we tell all our heart patients to take it. It helps raise good cholesterol.”

  “Yes, well, it's also a natural anti-inflammatory drug doctor.”

  “Oh.” The doctor looked at the wreckage on his plate and pushed it away. “I'm full anyway.”

  “Is all this necessary?” Zane asked.

  “You're going to have a major body change here doctor. The supplements will allow the nanites to grow the implants. The food and drugs will keep the swelling down. The water and surgery prep are to keep you both hydrated and to take care of you in case there's a problem.”

  “Is there going to be a problem?” Doctor Zane asked.

  The admiral shrugged. “Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. I don't want a problem, but I'm going to do my best to plan for one in case it happens. Which is why we've got medical staff standing by and why we're doing this in a surgery suite.”

  “Ah,” Zane nodded. “Just checking.” He sounded relieved for some reason.

  “Each of you already swallowed the first implant pill. We've given you supplements. Basically I gave you a military Ident implant. A basic one, usually used by cadets and enlisted. You are each going to take a nap, and the nanites will go to work. Once they're finished they'll signal Commander Sprite who will have me link to you to initialize your identity and give you the first key set. Once that is done we'll move to step two and surgery.”

  “Great,” Zane said. “I'm so looking forward to that part.”

  “My AI and my nanites will use your Ident implant as a partial road map and expand on it.”

  “Okay, that's different.”

  “Normally we'd have you do this in a regen tank, or under the knife with an experience surgical team. Since we don't have either, we're trying something new. And with trying something new there are always risks involved.”

  “Tell me about it,” Doctor La Plaz said.

  “I'd like to, but it's mostly classified doctor,” Irons replied when Defender blinked onto his HUD in warning. “Even though the damn classification should have ended a couple of hundred years ago,” he muttered darkly.

  “From your lips to Defender's ears. If he had them, which he doesn't,” Sprite said dryly.

  “Huh?” Doctor Zane as
ked.

  “Never mind,” the admiral replied, returning to the outside world. “Internal conversation.”

  “Oh.” Doctor Zane looked at the others. La Plaz just shrugged.

  “There's something I've tried to discuss with you but I'm not sure you get it. One you will be under military discipline, though casual discipline is looser when it comes to medical personnel. But you're on a tighter rein when it comes to the keys I'm going to give you.”

  “In what way?” Doctor La Plaz asked.

  “Well, they only work while you're an officer. And if you ever try to use them inappropriately a micro AI embedded in your implants will stop you. If you try to get around it the damage could be permanent.”

  “Ouch.”

  “As is the court martial.”

  “Oh, lovely,” La Plaz said, rolling his eyes.

  “You're being given a very dangerous gift doctor, one that could kill an entire planet if misused. So in addition to the AI watching your behavior, should you ever be kidnapped and someone tried to force you to use the keys the AI would also stop you. Most likely by dropping you into a coma or killing you.”

  “A suicide switch,” Doctor Zane said quietly, eyes wide. He gulped nervously.

  The admiral nodded, totally sober and serious. “Exactly folks. Exactly so. It's a burden you all agreed to when I explained it to you before, but I wanted to go over it one last time with you.”

  “We understand,” Doctor La Plaz said softly.

  “I hope you do doctor, I hope you do,” Irons said. “That being said, nap time. We'll go in shifts. Doctor Chung and O'Reilly will be overseeing the first batch, once doctor O'Reilly gets the hang of it Doctor Chung will his chance to go under the knife. So, I suggest you all finish surgery prep and get some rest. You'll need it. Once you're back on your feet we're going to run you ragged to make up for the downtime.”

  “Gee thanks,” Doctor Zane replied with a laugh. “I never knew you cared.”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Two hours later Sprite reported the first wave of implants were complete. Doctor Chung and the others awoke and looked both relieved and nervous. Relieved because the identity implants had grown in so effectively, nervous because they knew that was the easy part, the hard part was about to begin. And also nervous because soon it would be their turn. It wasn't often that the surgeon went under the knife of someone who technically wasn't a doctor.