“I should go to her,” Teacher said.
“They won’t let you in without signed permission,” Russo told him. “You better stay with me for now. I need to talk to you, anyway. I want to help Morning Grass just as much as you do.”
Russo began to treat Haley’s broken nose. She gave Haley an injection for her pain, packed gauze into both nostrils and taped a splint over the outside.
“Sorry Private. That is all I should do for you right now,” she said to the distraught Haley. “You’ll have to let one of the other doctors look at that and set it for you. If they catch me here working on you after being dismissed, they’ll write me up.”
“Thank you, Major,” Haley replied. “I won’t tell anyone.”
“What exactly was going on when Corporal Morning Grass became combative,” Russo asked. “What were you and Lowell doing?”
Haley closed her eyes and went over the event in her mind. She was still in a bit of shock, but the pain medicine also had a sedative effect. She was soon calm enough to collect her thoughts.
“I had just taken her last readings,” Haley said. “Her body temperature was self-regulating again so it was time to take the electric blanket off her and move her out of recovery. I thought she was sleeping. I turned away and was moving the monitors so we could push the bed out. When I turned back around, she had Lowell by the throat.”
“What was he doing right before that,” Russo asked her.
“He was giving her the last of the post-hypnotic suggestions so she would remember her briefings from the tank,” Haley replied. She started to cry again at the remembrance of seeing Lowell being strangled.
“Is that when Morning Grass attacked,” Russo asked.
“Yes, Major,” Haley responded.
Russo turned to Teacher.
“Is there anything at all you can remember about your childhood that could be interpreted as psychological conditioning,” she asked.
“The felines as a race have not undergone any kind of conditioning, Major,” he said. “But, I can’t say I would put psychological warfare and unethical experimentation past the leadership of the creators.”
“I can’t speculate on that,” Russo told him. “I can only deal with firm facts at this stage. There will be a psychological examination made of Morning Grass because of this. I’m not a psychologist. It will be done by someone else and I can’t guarantee I will be given the results. I need your help.”
Russo then turned back to Haley.
“Did Morning Grass do or say anything that seemed out of the ordinary while you and Lowell were watching her,” she asked.
“There was nothing until the attack,” Haley said. “I heard Lowell give her the suggestion to remember her briefings, then she started yelling.”
Haley burst into tears.
“Is Lowell going to die,” she asked.
Russo put her arms around Haley to comfort her but didn’t offer a prognosis.
“Morning Grass was yelling,” Russo asked. “What did she say?”
“Mom,” Haley said. “She just yelled out the word mom.”
Russo turned to Teacher.
“What does that mean to you,” she asked.
“I’m as confused as you are, Major,” Teacher replied. “There were no cloned surrogates in existence at the time Morning Grass and I were born. She was incubated in a tank and reared in the compound the same as I was.”
Russo turned to Haley and dismissed her to go and have one of the other doctors set her broken nose. She and Teacher stayed in the trauma ward and talked quietly.
“So, to the best of your knowledge, no feline has ever been subjected to hypnosis or any kind of drug therapy to enhance aggressive tendencies,” Russo asked. “You included.”
Teacher laughed out loud.
“Look at me,” he said. “I was engineered to be a soldier. I’m larger than an average human by twenty to thirty percent. I have been given these claws. Do you think I fear anything or anyone?”
“That isn’t the point,” Russo said. “I was trying to determine if you had been psychologically conditioned to kill reflexively.”
“No,” Teacher answered. “We haven’t. We were more than happy to fight to protect our creators and the human colonists that reared us. We had genuine affection for them. It was only when Chamberlain helped us realize what an evil thing it was the creators were doing and how we had become an unwitting part of it that we understood what we had to do.”
“Which was,” Russo asked.
“Help Chamberlain and the civilian colonists regain control of the Ark and all of its resources.”
Chapter 21
2-February-2210
Russo sat in a chair across a desk from Colonel Stiles.
The initial forensic psychological exam on Morning Grass had been done the previous day. As Morning Grass’ attending physician, Russo was anxious to hear what Stiles had to say about it.
“This has turned into a circus, Dawn Marie,” Stiles said. “The command thinks you’re too close to it. It’s time to step back and allow somebody else to take over. I’m willing to work with you and Corporal Morning Grass on this, but it’s my opinion she is prone to transference and has started to bond to you in an unhealthy manner.”
“What tells you that, Peggy,” Russo asked. “I haven’t had more than a couple hours of direct interaction with Morning Grass since she came in. She was in a coma for the first eleven days I took care of her and in the Regen tank for ten weeks after that.”
“She’s uncooperative and hostile with everyone else,” Stiles said. “And, she insists on seeing you. When we tell her you aren’t available, she becomes even more belligerent. She also said something about you two having a heart-to-heart the morning of her immersion into the tank.”
“I don’t know if you could call it that,” Russo replied. “It was the middle of the night and she was in a particularly agitated state. She had questions about the procedure and I answered them. Afterward, she said she didn’t want to sleep, and I thought it would be better for her to have someone sit with her.”
“I’m as much a patient advocate as you are, Dawn Marie,” Stiles said. “But in this environment, you have to be careful. The patients’ stress levels are higher, the case histories are of a more tragic nature and most of the folks you’ll be looking after are separated from their familial and friendship support structures by light years.”
“I understand,” Russo replied.
“It’s particularly important for you to pull back from Corporal Morning Grass,” Stiles continued. “She has no family structure, per se. Her only close relationship at all is with Sergeant Teacher and from speaking to him; it hasn’t been an easy one.”
“Her emotional responses to all the personality tests say her psyche is completely human, even though she may not look it,” Stiles explained. “She is on the less emotionally mature end of the continuum, however, and that is worrisome. It’s been my experience that emotionally immature humans, especially those in stressful situations, tend to form familial bonds haphazardly and to the detriment of the others involved.”
Stiles reached across her desk for Russo’s hand. When Russo offered it, Stiles gave it a friendly squeeze.
“In your current state of mind you need to worry about that yourself, Dawn Marie,” Stiles admonished. “I wouldn’t have brought it up, but you seem to be a bit overprotective of her. The command is concerned about it, too.”
“What should I do,” Russo asked.
“I think that you should turn her case management over to someone else and volunteer to oversee her physical therapy,” Stiles recommended. “I would prefer to have someone in charge of her case I can trust to keep their distance.”
“But, I will still be a superior officer,” Russo said. “Doesn’t that put me in just as dangerous a position?”
“You aren’t in her chain of command,” Stiles said. “Morning Grass is in the feline army, not the CEF. You are there to treat her
injuries. She ultimately has to see you as her doctor.”
“What do you think made Morning Grass attack Lowell, Peggy,” Russo inquired.
“I don’t know,” Stiles said after thinking about it for a moment. “It bothers me to no end that she can’t remember her childhood, but she’s been traumatized by this incident so badly I doubt we’ll be able to delve into that for weeks.”
Stiles sighed and released Russo’s hand.
“She has a deep mistrust of human beings,” Stiles continued. “I don’t think she holds those views intrinsically, though. It’s almost like a socialized bigotry. She can cite no factual basis for the dislike, but she’s created stereotypes and built conditioned responses on them. It looks like a defense mechanism, but I can’t be certain until we can get her into psychotherapy.”
Stiles shook her head. It was clear to Russo that she was about to say something that would be discouraging.
“If it is a defense mechanism, it indicates some sort of personality disorder,” Stiles explained. “Those go along with traumatic childhoods and they tend to be the tip of an iceberg.” She couldn’t hide her concern. Russo began to worry when she saw Stiles’ face.
“What can we do about it,” Russo asked.
“I’m going to recommend that Morning Grass be released from the security ward for an hour a day for physical therapy,” Stiles replied. “I want her to have something to focus on. She will be under armed escort for the whole time.”
“I see,” Russo said.
“Can you talk to Teacher and ask him to be there whenever possible,” Stiles requested. “I want Morning Grass to think of him as her primary support during this, not you.”
“I’m sure that he will agree,” Russo replied, trying not to sound too enthusiastic. She couldn’t help it. She wondered if she might be too happy to hear this news. “Perhaps Peggy is correct,” she thought to herself. “I may be too close to this case to be seeing it objectively.”
“I would also like to put Morning Grass on light sedatives,” Stiles added. “I want her to sleep comfortably as possible for the next two weeks. After that, I want to do a follow-up.”
Russo nodded in agreement.
“I also believe, after that second evaluation, we should consider hypnotic regression,” Stiles said. “It will be her choice, of course, but I believe in a case like hers, where there is a memory blockage and destructive behavior, it’s the best way to go.”
“Will you use drugs, or induce the state with suggestion,” Russo asked.
Stiles looked puzzled by the question. “I prefer guided imagery to using sedatives or soporifics,” she said. “What difference does it make? What do you know that I don’t?”
“Morning Grass seems to have an unusual tolerance to certain sedatives and hypnotics,” Russo said. “I thought it might be inherent in the more robust feline physiology, but the information we obtained from the Ark as well as current cases with other felines tells me she is an exception. Do you think these types of drugs were used on her before?”
“I don’t know,” Stiles replied. “I’m hoping the hypnosis will give us something to go on. In her current mental state, Morning Grass is a time-bomb.” She gave Russo an encouraging look. “If there is something to that, Dawn Marie, it was a good catch.”
Russo tried not to show any pride, but couldn’t keep from beaming.
“Is it okay if I see her, now,” she asked.
Stiles looked at Russo. Her expression was one of concern, both as a superior officer and a friend.
“I think you should see your patient, Doctor Russo,” she said. “You need to inform her that her PT will be starting this afternoon and that someone else on the senior staff will be taking over management of her case. She needs to hear that from you.”
“I understand, Colonel Stiles,” Russo said. “And, thank you.”
“I’ve ordered the gym on this deck emptied from 1300 to 1430 every day until further notice,” Stiles said. “You will have plenty of time to get the corporal there and back under guard and still get in an hour of PT.”
As Russo turned to leave the room, Stiles stopped her.
“One more thing, Dawn Marie,” she said. “You seem to be doing better, lately, but if you still need to talk, I’m here.”
Russo smiled faintly in acknowledgement of the gesture.
“Thanks again, Peggy,” she said.
****
Russo made a beeline for the security ward. Morning Grass was just finishing her breakfast when the major entered her room.
“Major,” Morning Grass exclaimed when she first caught sight of Russo. “I’m so sorry about what happened. Nobody will tell me anything. Is the man I injured alright? Why haven’t you been to see me until now? Where is Teacher?”
The distraught feline burst into tears.
“I swear to you, Major,” she cried. “I don’t remember grabbing him. I have no desire to hurt anyone. What do I have to do to prove that? I want out of here.”
“Please, calm down, Morning Grass,” Russo said. “Stop crying and I’ll explain everything to you.”
Morning Grass had some difficulty with the request, but finally settled down after a few moments’ more tears.
“I need you to listen to me and pay close attention,” Russo told her. “This is important.”
Morning Grass acknowledged the request through some sniffles.
“It looks like Lowell is going to live,” Russo said.
“Thank Heaven,” Morning Grass interjected and started crying again at the news. “Please tell him I didn’t mean to hurt him.”
“I’m sure he will understand,” Russo told her. “He is still unconscious, though.”
Morning Grass put her head down.
“What is my punishment to be,” she asked.
“I think you are capable of punishing yourself far worse than the Forward Command desires to,” Russo said. “Don’t get me wrong. There is an ongoing investigation into the attack…”
“Please don’t use that word, Major,” Morning Grass pleaded. “I didn’t know what I was doing.”
“I really don’t know how else to characterize it, Morning Grass,” Russo said. “And, I’m sorry to say, the command is going to consider it intentional until we can prove otherwise. Whatever happens, you are entitled to due process and I will make sure that my report to the JAG Officer reflects my opinion you weren’t consciously aware of what you were doing.”
“Thank you,” Morning Grass said feebly.
“I have some really good news for you,” Russo said. “This afternoon we’re going to start your physical therapy.”
Morning Grass’ countenance brightened, but her head was still hanging. To Russo she looked like an ashamed child.
“Teacher will be able to attend all your PT sessions,” Russo said.
Morning Grass still hung her head, but couldn’t keep from grinning.
“Can he come in here and visit me, too,” she asked.
“I’m afraid he won’t be able to do that until another psychological evaluation can be done,” Russo replied. “You will be isolated until then.”
“How long will that be, Major,” the feline inquired, her smile waning and her head still hung in shame.
“At least two weeks,” Russo answered. “But you will have PT every day during that time and you will see Teacher then…”
Russo fell silent. She was bothered by Morning Grass’ apparent unwillingness to look her in the eye.
“What is it, Corporal,” she asked the feline, mentioning rank out of habit.
“You are doing so much for me, Major,” the feline said meekly. “I have caused you so much difficulty, but you still help me without hesitation.”
“It’s what I do, Morning Grass,” Russo told the feline. “I help people. Sometimes, it’s in spite of themselves that I do.”
Morning Grass finally looked up at her. “Thank you,” she said. “I promise not to make any more problems for you.”
> “I’m sure you’ll at least try,” Russo answered. “But, let’s just shoot for no intentional problems. Okay?”
Morning Grass smiled.
“I will be supervising your physical therapy,” Russo told her. “But, I will no longer be your attending physician.”
Morning Grass made her misgivings about the news obvious.
“It’s important for now that I concentrate on your physical therapy to the exclusion of other concerns,” Russo said, trying to convince herself as well as Morning Grass that was the reason. “It will be better for you in the long run if I allow another doctor to manage the other aspects of your case. It will help me get you up and about much quicker.”
Morning Grass wasn’t completely happy, but acknowledged that she would comply.
“I have to go and line up some things for this afternoon,” Russo said as she prepared to leave. “But, I have one more thing to discuss with you. After your next evaluation, Colonel Stiles wants to do hypnotic regression to help you remember your childhood.”
Morning Grass tensed. She looked as if she might be about to panic.
“What does my childhood have to do with anything,” she asked.
“It won’t be required of you,” Russo said. “It will be your choice. You can refuse and that will be the end of it. But, Colonel Stiles thinks something you can’t remember is what caused you to attack Lowell. If we don’t do the regression, it may take much longer to figure it out.”
“I don’t want to remember,” Morning Grass cried out without knowing why.
“What,” Russo asked incredulously. “How could you not want to remember your childhood?”
Morning Grass picked up her breakfast tray and hurled it across the room.
“It isn’t safe to remember,” she screamed at the top of her lungs.
Russo stood in stunned silence as the guards outside the room rushed in to see what the excitement was all about. Morning Grass calmed down almost as soon as the thrown tray hit the floor.
“Are you quite through, Corporal,” the stunned Russo asked.
Chamberlain's Folly (The Terra Nova Chronicles) Page 19