Shadows of the Past

[Capt. Henry Morgan]

Doctor Günter Pohl had been reviewing Commander Kim's medical files for hours now. The 37 year old doctor could scarcely believe what he was reading. Neural implants used by a dictatorial regime to control people's innermost thoughts? He had heard rumors of such things while he was in medical school, but it seemed so much like bad fiction that he hadn't believed it. Though his neuroimaging scanner could barely detect it, Kwinana's medical bay wasn't nearly as well equipped as a proper hospital, there was certainly something there. Clearly, the old rumors had some basis in reality, after all.

His train of thought was interrupted by his assistant, Dr. Reed. Monica Reed was a young physician working the final year of her residency, and Dr. Pohl had high hopes that she'd soon be able to take over as CMO on Kwinana.

"Excuse me, Doctor Pohl?"

"Ja. What is it?"

"You asked me to keep an eye on Commander Kim's brain activity, and I think you should come have a look at this. She doesn't appear to be responding to the treatment at all."

Dr. Pohl followed the younger doctor over to Commander Kim's bed and brought up her vitals and brain activity on the monitors.

"Hmm... You're right, it's not working.... Dr. Reed, how do you interpret these readings?" Pohl often asked her opinion, to help further her education. She was rarely wrong.

"The medication you prescribed should've put her into a deeper state of unconsciousness and suppressed dreaming, but see here? It looks like it was taking effect, but it's almost like her brain compensated for it and REM activity picked right back up. Why would it do that?"

"If I had to guess, to prolong the torture. Look here, at the activity in her pain center. She's asleep, but she's feeling every bit of that, and I don't know any other way to spare her that. At least the beta blockers are working. At the rate her adrenal gland is pumping epinephrine into her system, her heart would've exploded by now."

"Should we try increasing the dosage, see if we can overcome the implant?"

"No, I'd rather not. I'd rather not risk other side effects, and I have my doubts this thing can be defeated so easily...." Dr. Pohl paused for a moment, considering what had been done to his patient, and not liking it one bit. "What kind of sick, diseased mind dreams up a thing like this? What kind of person implants it in a human being?"

Dr. Reed looked to be at a loss for words, something Günter understood entirely. "Keep an eye on her, call me if anything changes. I need to go make some calls."

Dr. Pohl went back to his office and called up to the station's Operations Center and asked them to forward a list of flight plans for Octavarian ships in system. Once it appeared on his screen, he scrolled down the list, taking particular note of the medical facilities on each one. Most of them were no better than class 2, just a basic medical bay, and no full-time staff. Good for first aid, but not much else. The handful at class 3 or better were going the wrong way and were unlikely to be willing to divert. Then he noticed one entry that seemed too good to be true, a ship passing by on a direct flight to Canberra, with class 5 medical facilities. The best you'll find on most ships, and second only to a proper hospital, like the one on Canberra. Given the ship in question, though, he wasn't sure if they'd be able to help. Still, he called up to the Operations Center again and asked for a direct channel to the ship's captain. After a few minutes, he had gotten through.

"This is Commander Jankowski. What can the Leviathan do for you, Doctor?"

"I have a medical emergency here, Commander, a patient in need of immediate transfer to Canberra. I was hoping we could hitch a ride on your ship. I understand it's an imposition, but you've got the best medical facilities of any passing ship, and you're going the right way."

"You must understand, Doctor. I'm carrying VIP passengers, and can't divert without a very good reason. Still, tell me the situation, and I'll help if I can."

Günter proceeded to lay out the entire story for the Leviathan's CO, even finding a way to namedrop Taskmaster Kane (Günter wasn't above underhanded tricks when his patient's life was at stake). After he finished, Commander Jankowski leaned back in his chair, thinking it over.

"That's quite a story, Doctor... you don't have any alternate transport?"

"No, I'm afraid not. I've already reviewed all the passing traffic, which is how I knew you were passing through. They're either all unsuitable, or going the wrong way. I was going to request a medical shuttle from Canberra, but I'm not comfortable with the time I'd lose waiting on them."

"Alright, Doctor, you've made your case. We'll alter course and pick you up. If the Ministers don't like it, they can go soak their heads. Have your patient ready for transport within the hour."

"Thank you, Commander. You may have just saved a life."

"It's the least I can do. Leviathan out."