Middle Infirmary
Whereas higher-ranking officers are entitled to use a spacious, well lit hospital section of the Temple where their recuperation is done with fancily cooked meals, lower officials must be contented with the very efficient but rather antiseptic infirmary that serves their needs, more a large cargo hold divided by thin dividers into wards and operating rooms than a purpose-built part of the original Temple. Fluorescent lights flicker on and off, as temperamental as most equipment around here, and the moans of some of the patients echo through the walls.
Today is the first day of Buran's new treatment process. This time the receptionist, a nice young Skeek that the sphynx remembers from the time she visited Dr. Maltar, greets her immediately and directs her right in, to one of the examination rooms where the Rath'ani doctor Hammarkin waits. He has a rather ominously long needle and syringe in one hand, and a flask of some golden-colored liquid to hand.
"Ah! Good morning, Technopriestess," Dr. Hammarkin says. "Are you ready to get started?"
The Rath'ani uses some sterile water to flush out the needle, pressing the plunger to its fullest extent. This long instrument looks to be made of some chitinous substance that is, hopefully, not as brittle as it looks.
Buran's expression shows some surprise at the sight of the needle. She hesitates, hoping that the doctor won't be too angered by what she will say. She sighs lightly; there's no point in wasting the doctor's time… "Doctor," she says, "I've been thinking. I don't know that I want to take the experimental treatment right now." Her gaze follows the doctor's hands as he works. "I just don't think it's what I should do."
The Rath'ani blinks, still holding onto the emptied syringe. "What? Whyever not? Aren't you interested in permanently curing your condition, Technopriestess?"
The Sphinx clasps her hands in front of her, choosing to stand near the door in what she hopes isn't a confrontational posture. "It's not that I'm not interested, Dr. Hammarkin. But I've thought about this, and I'm not sure that I want to take the risks, at least not now. I'd like some more time to think about it."
"Risks? It's been tested on laboratory specimens and others who've tried the technique have benefited greatly," the doctor says, looking a little upset. "Some doctors consider it experimental just because it hasn't been around a thousand years, but I think that's highly unfair. Are you sure you won't reconsider?"
"I'm still considering, Doctor. I'd just like more than a day to think about it." Buran smiles a little, trying to reassure Hammarkin. "I want some time to be sure that I'm doing the right thing. This is, after all, a major operation, is it not?"
Dr. Hammarkin sighs. "Very well. I can't compel you to march in here every time you need another injection. It's a waste of a perfectly good culture, but… " He puts the syringe down. "Your authorization's on file, so just leave a note with the receptionist any time you want to take the experimental treatment. In the meantime, I suppose you'll want me to authorize re-synthesis of the palliatives needed for your condition?"
Buran nods. "Thank you. And Doctor… I'm sorry." She genuinely is, too; even though she's had second thoughts about the experimental treatment, it's never pleasant to disappoint someone.
The doctor nods. "Very well. I'll have the lab interns get started on it. It may be a few days before they have a batch ready for you." He cautions, "You'll undoubtedly experience some bowel problems, but there's nothing you can do except be handy to a chamberpot or a toilet when the time comes."
Buran says, "I'll remember, Doctor."
Dr. Hammarkin starts writing on a note pad. "All right then. Good day to you, Technopriestess."
The door closes quietly, leaving Dr. Hammarkin to his work. That's one question answered, at least for the moment. But there's so many more. Someone must know something, must know if the people and places Buran has seen are real. Perhaps Aski Medes, the kind and devoted scientist, knows. Soon, she thinks, she must try to find him.
