Plague Planet (The Wandering Engineer) (59 page)

“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.”