c. 2024 Rod Ice
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(11-24)
After his session in the Hidecki Wellness chair, Judson Baines was physically and mentally exhausted. Yet oddly, he felt cleansed. Having endured the strain of this abusive treatment gave him a new benchmark for his own endurance. He had proven to be an unfit subject for realignment, something that marked him as a willing outsider. Yet because of his position as a university scholar, this badge of infamy only deepened his appeal as an intellectual prodigy. Students sought his advice as they wrestled with the concepts that formed a foundation for their own privileged existence. As descendants of pioneers who traveled from Old Earth, they knew little of what had transpired before the exodus of their progenitors. Now, they began to question truths that had been held for a century, and more, while pondering his unique, personal experience.
Meanwhile, ReTrainer Fargo Bolden was called to testify before the high council. His explanation first resonated as wordy and effusive, but kept members listening with much interest. Then, he spoke in a more colloquial way about what had happened when his machine failed in its mission. This approach served better to edify his critics, and justify the outcome.
Bogram Fortuna sat at the head of their table. He wore the ceremonial garb of an attendant on the Larman transports that had first brought human beings to the Red Planet. And followed their minimalist guidelines when addressing the group. This adaptation of bygone customs was a nod to their common heritage, but also a signal that no one was to be placed above any other. He was not a ruler of their collective, but simply, a moderator and servant. One to lead discussions and supervise the passage of resolutions, when voted upon by equals.
“We’ve reviewed your documents, sir. There still are gaps in our understanding, though. Could you explain what caused the wellness device to break down when being operated in a fashion that you describe as normal?”
Fargo sighed heavily, and nodded. He had not slept well for the past three days.
“In a word, no. No, I can’t! The wellness device is calibrated to interact with human physiology, without causing side effects or harm. My peers have adjusted the parameters through many hours of study and assessment over the years it has been used. We’ve gotten it fine-tuned for all purposes. But something Professor Baines experienced seems to have upset that paradigm, and caused the halt in treatment. Without interviewing him thoroughly, we can’t be sure of its nature...”
Fortuna raised his eyebrows.
“You haven’t checked on him since the session ended?”
The head ReTrainer frowned and covered his face with one hand.
“I’ve been prevented by an attending physician from the Morningstar III. His doctor has lobbied my superiors about health issues as a result of the chair being employed. It’s truly distressing to have her run interference, when I am in the middle of sorting out details. Is there anything you can do to stop that irritating woman from standing in my way?”
The council chief hesitated briefly, before offering an answer. He wanted to speak with the utmost level of diplomacy.
“Mr. Bolden, we all stay in our lane. That’s how this society functions so well. Aggressive behavior is counterproductive. We don’t look fondly upon career goals, or winning awards. Results matter most. Dr. Becka Stoudt has convinced her associates that a rest period is needed. I’ll go along with that, until she signs off on his condition...”
Fargo snorted loudly. He did not attempt to hide his displeasure.
“I thought that when he and Lieutenant Strafe were handed off to us, that was it! This situation is untenable. Am I in charge of caring for those two individuals, or not? Let’s have your decision. I don’t want to waste energy arguing over what I can’t control!”
Fortuna was leathery and gaunt from many trips between the outer worlds, seeking cooperation. His skill as a negotiator was renowned throughout the solar system. Yet now, he felt impatient. The challenge to his oversight was clear, He did not relish the thought of being judged by his own counterpart in the medical profession.
“I’ll say it again, stay in your lane! There’s more than technology at work here, the high council is concerned with student uprisings that are brewing in the university branch at New Cleveland. We want order and comity above all else. Dissenters are a distraction we can’t tolerate. Do you understand? Every brick that went into building our system matters. Each component, each layer of mortar, is in its place. If you move one piece, you move all the others...”
The ReTrailer laughed hard enough that he spewed spit on the conference table.
“That’s cryptic nonsense, don’t you see? As Bogram of the council, your opinions steer this ship of state. All it would take is a snap of your fingers to get Baines released to my care, once again. Do it, and I’ll have your answers without delay. It’s a matter of what he saw in his head, and what he felt while in the wellness chair...”
Fortuna cringed as his neck muscles grew painfully tense. Other members of the council stared at him intently, for guidance. He could feel the energy of their shared concern.
“I’ll need to have a private conversation with Dr. Stoudt. That means going onboard her vessel, which would require the cooperation of Commander Hornell Block. His craft is in drydock at the moment, being resupplied and upgraded. That means a note of approval from Admiral Nauga would have to be obtained. None of that will happen until the professor has a chance to confide in his primary caregiver. Does that make any sense? This is considerably more complicated than just having me snap my fingers! It’s a choreographed dance of partners!”
Fargo groaned audibly. He did not like hearing excuses. But the chain-of-command, in every sector of their civilization, was a construct of consequence. He knew well that those boundaries had to be respected.
“Fair enough then, I’ll wait for your call. When I can interview Baines directly, then you’ll get answers about why the Hidecki marvel failed on this occasion. Until that happens, I’m just as much in the dark as everyone else!”
Bogram Fortuna waved his hand in a gesture of gratitude.
“Very well. Friends, this session of the council is formally dismissed!”
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