c. 2024 Rod Ice
All rights reserved
(11-24)
Caring for Kelly Strafe and Judson Baines presented more than medical challenges for Dr. Becka Stoudt. As lead physician of the Morningstar III’s medical ward, she was also struck by ethical conflicts raised from providing care for patients who were now being shipped back to their home terminal, on Mars. A place where judgment and punitive actions were likely to result. Though she was bound to follow instructions from her military hosts on the vessel, her concerns and theirs did not always sync, seamlessly.
Using a private channel, she reached out to the healing center at Texas City. There, an associate from past years was the chief officer, and director of operations.
Academic Master Lugar Koln had been one of her teachers at the school, many years before. Now, he had the status of an overseer. Someone who helped to guide their institution while avoiding the drama of day-to-day interactions with the chain of authority. He was semi-retired, and yet still respected within the planetary network.
The sound of her voice pleading across miles of outer space made him laugh, and tweak his trimmed, gray mustache. He had expected some kind of contact, after hearing that the duo of controversial figures, the lieutenant and professor, had been placed under her watch.
“Becka, I am an old man. You could do better for cutting-edge advice. But, tell me what you need to know. I’m glad to still feel useful, at least...”
Stoudt smoothed her uniform tunic, and huddled at her work station. She spoke in a hush, as a defensive measure.
“Lugar, we’ve been ordered to stand down here, and come back to the Red Planet. What happens after that is above my need-to-know level. But I am guessing that the contraption made by Tonka Hidecki will be involved. I’ve never seen it in use, but the reports are horrendous. Ms. Strafe is suffering from cranial injuries. Her brain function has been affected, almost as if she had a concussion! What do you know about the evolution of that dreadful machine?”
Dr. Koln sighed and sat upright in his office chair.
“I know that Hidecki committed suicide after his invention was confiscated by our acting government. Shortly after the first colonial assembly was formed...”
The Morningstar physician gasped and covered her mouth with one hand.
“SUICIDE? THAT ISN’T IN ANY OF OUR TEXTBOOKS!”
Her mentor nodded at the viewscreen, and crouched closer to his keyboard.
“Of course not. It’s an embarrassing footnote. Officially, he was praised for helping to advance the cause of science. His wellness chair became a primary tool to quietly eliminate dissent among the colonies...”
Stoudt felt her eyes burning. She cursed under her breath.
“HOW WAS THAT ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?”
The aging doctor shrugged and folded his arms while pondering.
“It’s more complicated than you might think, Becka. Earth stained our species with some bad habits. They were reborn here shortly after the first travelers arrived. It’s in our DNA, to arouse conflict and make war with each other. Some saw that as a sort of birth defect, a characteristic that needed to be nullified. Hidecki’s marvel made it possible. Those in charge felt that it was more humane than imprisonment. It’s a subject still debated in clinics across the outer worlds...”
His erstwhile pupil began to tremble. Her chest tightened with anxiety.
“DEBATE? OVER WHAT? IT’S EVIL TO JUSTIFY THOSE TREATMENTS WITH THE DISCIPLINE OF MEDICINE!”
Dr. Koln smiled with affection.
“There was disagreement among scholars and academics. Some of us, like myself, spoke out in defense of leaving the natural order of things alone. But others thought that perhaps we dissidents should also be mentally realigned by the chair. A frightening prospect...”
Stoudt flushed red and swelled with defiance.
“REALIGNED? IT TOOK YEARS OF STUDY TO LEARN WHAT WE KNOW!”
Her benefactor from the academy nodded again. It was painful to reconsider such old memories.
“We let it go, Becka. I let it go. I had a nice career helping people in need. Treating sickness and injury, and the debilitating effects of aging...”
His former student could only manage to take short, shallow breaths. Her head felt dizzy.
“You acquiesced to making a trade-off. Cooperation substituted for ethical integrity. How does that make you feel now, old friend? Can you look in a mirror?”
Koln bowed his head and winced, as if being stabbed in the gut.
“I did what was necessary. Just as you will do, very soon...”
Dr. Stoudt shrieked and threw her health scanner across the cubicle.
“Lugar, that’s where we are from different generations. I won’t just surrender my patients on cue. Somehow, someway, I am going to refuse!”
The weathered medical professional laughed out loud at this note of rebellion. He was proud of her courage, but knew that in the end, non-compliance would be impossible.
“Your ship has already turned around. It won’t take long to get back to Mars. There are soldiers waiting at the space dock. You don’t have a choice, Becka. Don’t make it hard on yourself...”
His counterpart from the Morningstar seethed with unexpressed rage. Yet she stayed focused on her task.
“You can help me, old friend. You’ve been through all the corridors of power. Tell me what I need to do when they board this craft. How do I make my stand?”
Koln closed both eyes, and reflected on his own journey through the medical curriculum at their original campus outside of New Cleveland. He longed to be younger again, and more active in his work.
“I used to be like you, Becka. On fire for the cause, you know? The Hippocratic Oath meant everything to me, to do no harm. But I’m tired now, old and tired...”
Dr. Stoudt was insistent. She would not relent.
“TELL ME! HOW CAN I RESCUE MY PATIENTS? I WON’T JUST HAND THEM OVER TO ADMIRAL NAUGA AND HIS GOON BRIDAGE!”
Her trusted adviser had turned pale. He scratched his chin, and leaned forward, over the data console.
“You need an ally, onboard. Commander Block has already shielded your communications stream. He must have a storm brewing in his heart. Guilt can gnaw the soul out of a man! Go to him, and offer your plea. Reason with him. Make that soldier understand what completing his next assignment will mean – spending an eternity laboring under the weight of his own cowardice!”
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