Ask Bedside Manner

[Calvin Viett]

​

Calvin's hands moved quickly across the console as he brought his transport into land.

The craft was solid and reliable, but plain and unsophisticated. It took a few moments to compensate for the gravametric distortions of the asteroid belt. Its sensors and instruments sang in Calvin's mind, connected to him through his implant as surely as his human limbs. He let the computer calculate the descent, but added his own adjustments. He was not yet better than an Imperial processing core, but he could match wits with garden variety machines like this one.

Sweeping down into the agreed rendezvous in the heart of one of the larger asteroids, he disconnected from the ship and switched off main power. His route and destination were uninteresting to most and he had taken steps not to be followed. Still, there would be nothing for anyone to pick up on sensors, whether pursuers or passers by.

The doctor's craft was nestled in the same crater, both bathed in the asteroid's thin atmosphere and hidden from the naked eye by the dust and debris that circled above. Calvin disconnected his head implant, swearing through gritted teeth at the pain, before heading down the ramp in only his simple white paneled interface suit. He took a small blaster pistol in case things went really wrong, but he was not here to find enemies. Quite the opposite.

He found the other craft's ramp extended in anticipation and the airlock opened at the press of a button. He stepped through assuredly, both flesh and metal fists clenching and flexing. The improvements he had been gifted by the program had made him stronger than ever, yet their newness still made him feel oddly like a child.

No child ever liked going to see the doctor.

@JoeWing

 

[M.D. Blec Croncu]

Blec couldn't recall a time when anyone had wanted to meet in the asteroid field for a consultation. "Well, there's always a first," he said, awaiting the completion of the docking process. He instructed Dopamine to remain in the cockpit so they could leave immediately if anything went wrong.

As they moved closer, the full might of "The Synapse" revealed itself. A 60-meter long, reworked version of a Rambler Class ship, adorned with a white and light blue paint job and a red sigil on top, shone in the distant rays of the sun. The logo of the medical facility, "Emergency Neuro- and Traumasurgical Service," lent the ship a professional touch.

Once the ships docked, Blec returned to the lobby, waiting for the patient to climb down the ladder, the only accessible airlock on his ship.

Upon reaching the bottom, the patient would find themselves in the center of the waiting area, surrounded by numerous seats. The white and light blue walls, the grey floor, and a large carpet emblazoned with the facility's logo gave the space a lounge-like appearance, yet with much more open area. Several monitors on the wall displayed advertisements for his products and services, including testimonials from treated patients.

When Calvin looks at Blec, he sees a 30-year-old Cerean with yellow eyes, no hair, and no beard. Blec's physique is athletic, and his clothing is suited for his line of work: a white shirt paired with a light blue necktie, dark grey trousers, and stylish brown shoes.

Blec smiled, extended his hand for a handshake, and said, "Welcome to the Emergency Neuro- and Traumasurgical Service. My name is Blec Croncu. How may I assist you?"

@Alhon

 

[Calvin Viett]

Calvin stepped from the airlock into an apparent waiting area. It was a more than passable recreation of medical facilities found on many planets. He might once have found it uninteresting, but today he found it curious. Curious and encouraging; the proprietor clearly cared about how he and services were perceived, from the glitzy advertisements and testamonials on the wall. But words did not equal truth.

Dr Croncu himself was exactly as his public record had indicated, a clean cut Cerean in clinical garb. He certainly looked like a doctor, as well presented as his ship.

"Thank you Doctor, Calvin Viett" he replied, shaking the hand with his own cybernetic one. "Thanks - thank you rather - for making the time. My consultation cannot be classified as an emergency".

His reasons for seeking Croncu out were deeply personal and important to him, but Calvin knew they mattered to no one else. Despite the steps he had taken to facilitate their meeting, he was still somewhat surprised the doctor had answered his call.

"May we speak in private?". He could not see anyone else in the immediate area from a glance, but all the same the Lieutenant felt a little exposed discussing matters here.

@JoeWing

 

[M.D. Blec Croncu]

As the patient introduced himself as Calvin and reached out with his cybernetic hand, Blec was curious to see if the handshake would be firm and the movement smooth. Calvin would definitely notice him observing the hand's movement...

“My services don’t always have to be emergent. I am always happy to improve someone’s quality of life, whether it’s an emergency or not,” he said.

“Sure, follow me,” he responded as Calvin requested a private conversation. Blec led the way into the office. Directly to the left of the entrance was the desk. The wall behind it was nicely designed and matched the colors of the logo.

“Would you like anything to drink?” he asked, gesturing to a chair in front of the desk, inviting him to sit.

Calvin could choose any drink he wished for from one of the medical droids, which would serve the drink and then immediately leave the room.

“So... tell me, how can I help you?” he asked, eagerly awaiting Calvin’s response.

@Alhon

 

[Calvin Viett]

Calvin saw the doctor's yellow eyes flick to their entwined hands as they shook. His look was not the usual surprise at the feel of the metal fingers, but a squint of scrutiny. What was he thinking? The more Calvin came to understand the inner workings of machines, the more frustrating he found it that he could not read people the same.

"Then perhaps you can indeed help" he replied, considering what quality of life really meant as he followed Croncu through to the office. He had always used the phrase to mean how much he enjoyed his life, or how satisfied he was by it - everyone did. But in a way, he was here about a different kind of quality. One far more tangible.

"Caf, black" Calvin said, opting for his usual drink. It often felt like caffeine brought his old body into closer rhythm with the new, if only briefly, and he was becoming quite attached to the sensation.

He sat in the chair before the desk, perching formally on the edge, recalling how he had planned to start. Despite his best efforts, he felt the creep of nerves and anxiety.

"You have read my file?" he said slowly, inclining his head at the doctor. It was not really in doubt; he was a prospective patient and he had been asked to forward his medical records in advance of their appointment. "You will be aware I am one of a handful of servicemen to receive treatment from Imperial Cybernetics...". The work done to Calvin was among the Empire's finest, but a rare sight. It had taken much of his family wealth to secure his place in the program.

"I am...new, doctor. Implants on this scale are far from novel, but this particular mix..." he held up both hands side by side, one flesh, one metal, mirroring now the two halves of his body. "It is untested, for a young man on active service". He considered how much to say. "A young man with the ambition to excel".

Calvin kept his eyes on the doctor, but slowly settled back into the chair. "I require - I need - some oversight in the weeks and months ahead. An unbiased mind to monitor my progress, to attend to my new systems and, if necessary, to affect repairs, or even improvements". He did not address why he was wanted an option outside of Imperial medics; the doctor would be smart enough to embrace the value of a second opinion.

@JoeWing

 

[M.D. Blec Croncu]

Blec simply nodded in response to the past horrors Calvin Viett had experienced. The combination of potential trauma from a violent incident and the replacement of body parts with cybernetics – which can cause body dysmorphic disorder depending on the patient's resilience – is far from ideal. If Blec were to continue treating him, he needed to assess whether either of these conditions was affecting Calvin, to gauge the reliability of his observations.

“That is quite new to me... but interesting that you mention it. Not a bad idea... but please, continue,” Blec said, listening intently to Calvin's account regarding the imperial cybernetics program. Calvin could sense that Blec was deeply focused on him and took his words seriously.

"Okay," Blec began, pausing briefly to gather his thoughts. "Well, I can certainly do that for you. However, I must say, you seem like an ambitious, young man with a fighting spirit... which is admirable. But be aware, I can try to fix this and that, yet we might reach a point where my help is limited. Don't let this discourage you, though. There's a long road ahead before we reach that point. Another question that comes to mind: How well are you adjusting to this new reality? How are you coping with the injury and the experiences that have followed?"

As he awaited an answer, Blec leaned back, analyzing Calvin's reaction to the question.

@Alhon