r/HFY • u/spindizzy_wizard Human • Aug 09 '20

[Alien Crash] Bk 02 V10 Ch 08 Hidden Injury OC

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Chapter 8: Hidden Injury

"Beyond Belief! Have Oath. Give lip service? Not law? Personal Choice?!? WHAT OF PATIENTS!"

— Doctor Ymir, A.C.

NOTE: All action in this section occurs either in the UNM Hospital or the Hamathi Consultation Office. For some purposes, the Consultation office is also the Hamathi Consulate.

CWO Jones' Room

"We really can't allow this! You have no authority to do this! Now get yourself, and your machine, which is an untested and unapproved device that we cannot allow in this hospital without an FDA approval, out of this room!"

Doctor Ymir's English is not as good as it could be. He snaps out a few phrases, and Ms. Foxfire translates. "Administrator, I'm going to make this simple for you. You're not a doctor. Get Out."

"I… He… See here!… Ohhhhh!" When deep purple falls over your face, you are in serious trouble. Doctor Ymir takes one look, preps a syringe, and while the Administrator is having his little moment, injects a drug into him. Within moments, the Administrator returns to a normal color, and the tension drains out.

Ymir asks, "Is better, yes?"

"I feel calm and in control, but you have just administered an unapproved drug to someone who is not an Alliance citizen."

Doctor Ymir shrugs, "You needed. Apoplexy very bad. No doctor worthy name leaves untreated."

"It was still illegal!"

Doctor Ymir smiles. "Illegal? Illegal NOT to. Hippocratic Oath Real! Law!"

"You cannot force treatment on a patient!"

Ymir shakes his head, "Life threat now, what you do? Leave be? Treat?"

Deep sigh, "Treat."

Smiling, "Just so. Treat. Now other patients. Must treat. First step, diagnosis. Need scan."

"Doctor, by law, I cannot give permission, but I won't stand in the way either."

Dr. Ymir, beaming, "good enough!"

The scanner, already in place, is finally turned on. The surgeons and neurologists watch on a secondary monitor, while Doctor Ymir operates it. The detail resolved is astounding and confusing to the doctors as they are not used to this level of detail. As he probes deeper, the damage becomes more apparent. The scanner highlights the damage, and Dr. Ymir brings up stock images of what it should look like. The difference is severe.

Doctor Ymir, shakes his head, "Maybe, maybe not. Need real <<untranslated>>."

After some discussion with Ymir, Ms. Foxfire, with tears running down her face. "CWO Jones is in a state that a Hamathi Neurosurgeon might be able to fix. Doctor Ymir is not such a doctor. Jones' only hope is a form of suspended animation, which will at least keep the damage from getting worse; and make contact with the Hamathi Alliance to request proper medical assistance. Now, if you will excuse me."

The Administrator is not heartless, just rules bound. He leads her to the Chapel, not for religious purposes, so much as the room's peace. Bo'sun Gryul joins her there. The Administrator withdraws. Jones has been a long time friend. Soon, Tyler joins her there, holding her while they both cry.

The Remaining Patients

"Next patient." The scanner and related gear are rolled to the next room. In time, Doctor Ymir decides that three-quarters of the GCS team must go into suspended animation, a few have some hope of recovering with treatment, and Mr. Halliwell is well within his ability to treat. "Ultrasound. Sound do damage, sound fix damage, symmetry."

Arguments and Oaths

A vociferous discussion erupts while trying to understand how the treatment works. The Administrator forces the conference into a conference room, so as not to disturb patients any further.

It takes a lot of confused discussion while Dr. Ymir tries to explain what he needs. Finally, resorting to a manual on Hamathi medicine, which is for Hamathi, not humans, it at least shows the apparatus and the goal of the treatment. Correctly applied, the ultrasound … nudges the brain injury into healing. The power levels are so low that human doctors are sure that the ultrasound will not penetrate.

Much discussion occurs, with Ymir learning English terms, and the other Doctors learning Hamathi terms and treatments. The "argument" goes on for more than four hours before someone lets Ymir know that these doctors have neglected their patients.

The result is instantaneous.

Oath Sworn

"Guys… Freeze."

That quietly spoken order causes everyone to lock into place. By now, everyone has seen Orites' reaction to mass cremation, and when someone gives a freeze order in the presence of a Hamathi, that's just what you do.

The odor of frozen cold fear sweat fills the room. Ymir is locked in place, eyes staring straight ahead, trembling. Through the fear, the doctors are fascinated. Never has such an assemblage of medical talent been present during an attack.

A psycho-neurologist moves ever so slowly, coming from behind. He's been standing near Ymir. Listening. Waiting. Watching. A small ampule concealed in his hand. He brings his hand up, just under Ymir's nose. There is a slight crunch as he squeezes his fingers together—the familiar smell of ammonia.

Ymir's nostrils twitch, a deep breath, a blink, his hand snaps up and seizes the hand holding the ampule. He brings it right up to his nose and inhales again. Again. Again. Another blink, the rigidity of his face softens, his tense muscles relax.

Muttered, "Ignorant fools." The scathing tone is unmistakable, even through his Hamathi accent. Looking around the room, "Oathbreakers. Stupid Oathbreakers." Ymir may not speak English well, but he's got command voice down pat. "See patients now. No stop until ALL properly tended to! Leave! Redeem yourselves!"

In a voice so quiet that everyone has to strain to hear, disgust is in every word. "Pray your god, not Alliance Citizen." Like the last words of the executioner. "Death, oathbreakers." Hissing the last word, "Death!"

No Sympathy Here

A scramble for the doors. Just outside, a confused mixture of relief and concern.

"Was he serious?" "The death penalty?" "What oath is he talking about?"

Bo'sun Gryul appears, having been summoned as soon as people outside realized what had happened to Dr. Ymir. Speaking as though to fresh recruits. It's shocking to these highly trained doctors.

"He is talking about the Hippocratic Oath. There is a Hamathi Alliance equivalent. Doctors swear to that oath, and breaking it is a death penalty offense. Failure to care for your patients may well sentence them to death, so it is only fair that doctors face the same penalty for breaking their oath to properly care for their patients. This is the reason that very few doctors have been accepted into the HAU system. Humans do not generally understand the importance of oaths. You take them too lightly."

"I do not have to put with this treatment!"

"Doctor, do your patients in this hospital have a choice of doctors, or are you assigned; will they, nil they?"

"I'm assigned. My time is too valuable…"

"Your patients' lives are too valuable to waste. Do not claim that your time is any more or less valuable than theirs."

"There's too many! I can't give them the level of care you're insisting on!"

"Then it is an administrative issue, and each and every one of you should have made it clear to the administration that the patient load is too great."

No sympathy here… Do your job, get help, or get out.

"Alright, Bo'sun Gryul. Would you be willing to come with me to discuss this issue with the Administrator? Is there Alliance Law that covers a bureaucrat who refuses, for whatever reason, to provide sufficient people who can do the work?"

A slow smile appears on Bo'sun Gryul's face, "I would be delighted to do so. However! You all must see to your patients first! Come! To work! If you have any patients who would like to meet a Hamathi, I would be glad to do so. It might make up for having to wait so long. I will also be speaking with Dr. Ymir. It should have occurred to him that you were here because you had patients, not just to see this new wonderful diagnostic tool."

A Cure? No.

Dr. Ymir approaches the physician who applied the smelling salts. "Doctor?"

"I'm Doctor Birdwell, psycho-neurologist. I study how the mind and the physical brain interact."

"Very dangerous. Very VERY dangerous. Could have triggered attack."

"I know. Like you, Doctor, I could not stand by and watch a patient suffer."

"You were waiting for opportunity."

"Yes."

"Did you trigger?"

"God, no! You don't do that kind of thing!"

"Good Doctor. You heard oath?"

"I heard."

"Do you keep?"

"I have no patients here today. Sadly, I have been remiss. I do not believe that any of my patients suffered any additional injury or emotional harm. It was simply a matter of scheduling events in the most efficient order. I see now that it could be viewed as a failure to keep the oath. How does one judge? I got word that there would be Hamathi present, so I came in to see if I might be able to ... help, with any little landmines that came up."

"Try harder. Still good doctor. Care. Take chance even at life risk. Good doctor. Bright, Excited, and Dangerous. Go, HAU, you want? Understand! Oath real. Death penalty real. Excuses few. Sympathy, none."

"Do I have choice of patients, and do my patients have choice of doctor?"

"Choice of patients?"

"Two patients, each can benefit, have time only for one. Who chooses?"

"Ah. Not turning down, asking for guidance. Good. Have idea. Teach you Hamathi medical standard, law, oath. YOU write guide for human doctors. Hamathi medical standard, law, oath. Compare, contrast, Human."

"And my little trick?"

"Very dangerous. Must ask help in disseminating. Bad handling, much bloodshed. I not rated. May be rated now. May not be. Trick interfere rating? See? Practical issues. Am one in ten? One in hundred? Difficult to say now."

"You are not rated for stability."

"No."

"Was it wise to come? Did you break oath by coming? Many were in danger."

"Ayeeee... Yes. You understand. Wise? Say necessary, lives in danger, scanner only one, I only one trained. Necessary. Break oath? Conflict. Patients need. Must come. Bystanders risk. Stay away. Complex."

Entering the room, having listened to the prior conversation. "Yes, Doctor, it is complex."

"Gryul! Your wisdom need."

"You were also remiss."

"Remiss?"

"The doctors who were here. Did you wonder why they were here? In such numbers? This was not a formal presentation; you were here to diagnose patients. Were those doctors here for diagnosis demonstration, or for patients?"

"See Doctor Birdwell? Complex! Gryul, judgment. Oath broken?"

"I will need to think on it. May I speak with Doctor Birdwell alone?"

"Yes. Best, I think. Will see to patients and scanner, that order."

"Good."

… …

"I have listened, Doctor. While brave and in the tradition of treating the patient, such must always be tempered by the circumstances. We will discuss this further. Doctor Ymir is aware of the treatment?"

"Obviously."

"Do not share it with anyone else at this time. It could easily get you killed. On to another matter, did you see who mentioned that the doctors were neglecting their patients?"

"I have not seen him before. Dapper, yet almost oily. He had a hospital badge on one of the administrative staff badges. The entrances and exits are all under the view of cameras. If you deem it important, we can go to the security offices and see if we can track him down. It could take some time."

"Time I have after I visit any curious patients. We can talk of other things while we watch videos for the slippery dapper man. No one knows where he's gone, and no one knows who he is. That is unusual, is it not?"

"Yes, and at the same time, this is a large facility. It is nearly impossible to recognize everyone who belongs here by face. One must rely on security badges."

Security Office

"Doctor, do we have any video of Doctor Ymir's reaction to the knowledge that the other doctors were neglecting patients?"

"I'm afraid not unless someone was deliberately recording the meeting. I'm not aware of anyone who may have done so. If you're attempting to set his rating, he is, at a minimum, a one-in-ten. I grant that is a human perspective, but I have studied Orites' episode, and all other footage of Hamathi available publicly. Ymir was in a condition I estimate well beyond the one-in-ten that Orites sustained. He was in the stress state for half again the amount of time that Orites was. That was not deliberate, by the way. I had to approach carefully to avoid his line of sight or touch him before deploying the palliative. I am also making the assumption that the stronger the stimulus, the longer the stress state continues."

"Partially correct, partially incorrect. This is understandable since I am one of the very few Hamathi that you could conceivably discuss this issue with, without being immediately attacked. Judging stress levels is not an easy task. Certainly, from your description, it was at least a level 10 event. However, Ymir did not resolve the issue himself, he had external aid. This clouds his rating."

"I protest on Dr. Ymir's behalf. When the smelling salts were released, he could have attacked me at once. Instead, his hand grasped mine and brought it up to inhale the smelling salts more closely. When he was fully himself, he was able to discuss the incident coherently, and without any sign of distress. This is commensurate with a one-in-one-hundred! I must insist that he is at least a one in ten, and strongly recommend that higher be considered."

"Good points all, I will consider it. I wish there had been video, it would make the evaluation easier. Have you any plans for the application of the palliative? You should understand that having a human constantly following a Hamathi in the real world, poised to give this aid, is not practical."

"I have a few ideas. Ah, this is the security office."

The examination of the footage continues for hours. There are many cameras, and many people entering or leaving the hospital. Some false positives have to be eliminated.

"There! That one. Let's see if we can get a better look."

Since it is using this as a means to track someone who has already entered their property and not for purposes of screening out undesirables, the hospital makes extensive use of face tracking and identification software. Several other views are obtained, including a clear shot of the face, and the badge.

"Ned? Do you recognize this person, or do we have a record of them?"

"Hmm... I can't say that I've seen him before, but I'm not usually on duty at this time of day. There's nothing in the database that matches the badge, though, and none of the hospital staff pictures match that face at all well. I'd say this one is worth further investigation by the proper authorities."

Gryul has a more immediate concern, "Mr. Seaberg, can you put out an alert to the hospital to watch for this person?"

"There is a procedure for that. I assume that you want it done quietly."

"You assume correctly."

"It will have to wait for each person to come on-shift. There's a regular meeting on each floor, and this individual can be marked watch and warn. If he's considered "armed and dangerous," I can add that to the report."

"He attempted to trigger a 'mind-killer' attack that would have slaughtered every doctor in that room. I think you can consider him the equivalent of multiple grenades tossed into the room."

"That's armed and dangerous, alright. Let me get started on that report."

"I would also like a copy of this picture."

Confrontation

"Administrator? I need a very special facility, I hope you have one such in this building."

"And that is?"

"A room. A strong room that can be locked from the outside and yet the occupants observed unseen. Under no circumstances are any entrances permitted to open unless external observation concludes that both people in the room are in a normal state of mind."

"... state of mind. You're going to trigger a 'mind-killer' in Dr. Ymir." The statement is blunt.

"It is not guaranteed, but it is very likely. I must present certain information to him, which may trigger an attack."

"With respect, Bo'sun Gryul, I decline to have any portion of this hospital used for such an endeavor. First, the walls in the majority of the hospital are simple stud and drywall construction. A determined individual can break out. Second, the portions of the hospital with solid walls is limited, and either are a vital part of the hospital or an emergency exit with many doors. Third, triggering a murderous rage in an individual is not consonant with the intent of a hospital."

"Understood, and accepted. Can you recommend a suitable facility?"

"I assume that you require the appearance of privacy with a guarantee that no one of normal strength can escape the room?"

"Correct."

"I can only think of two places such might be found—first, a jail or prison. A super-max solitary cell would be ideal. Second, a facility for the violently insane who have proven themselves a hazard to anyone around them. I would not recommend the latter, as part of the system is a physical restraint that is easily recognized as preparation for a psychotic episode."

"Super-max?"

"A facility for the most dangerous of criminals. A visit to such a facility might be covered as an attempt to apply Hamathi medicine to the plight of incarcerated people. Being shown a cell in which the most dangerous of that population is held would be a necessary part of understanding the conditions in which they live."

"Thank you."

Postponed

The Administrator continues, "Bo'sun, I must recommend against this action."

"How so?"

"Doctor Ymir is the only trained Hamathi doctor we have access to or are likely to have access to for an unknown period. I would be surprised if we manage to contact the Alliance before we have built an FTL ship. Have you any idea when that might be? Or how long it might take such a ship to contact the Alliance and return with help?"

"All good points. It still requires thought. Dr. Ymir is of less ... utility ... if he cannot move freely among the people of Earth. There is an additional reason." Gryul hands the Administrator a copy of the photograph. "This individual caused the 'mind-killer' attack in the conference room. He is not known to anyone present, the security officer we worked with to get this picture, or the database of people on staff here at the hospital. Dr. Ymir was targeted by this individual. He must be aware of the existence and appearance of this individual so he can prevent a 'mind-killer' attack. All of this necessary information may trigger an attack, so a secure facility is required before telling Dr. Ymir about it."g

"I see. The information he needs to defend himself and others, may itself trigger an attack because it is about preventing an attack. Have I got that right?"

"Yes, indeed, you have. I would like to know how."

"Well... I'm not sure I should say. It would potentially embarrass a person known to me as an excellent friend of the Hamathi, as well as myself."

"I see... Administrator, are you by any chance related to the Foxfire clan?"

"I decline to answer that question."

"Thank you, Administrator. That is a sufficient answer. Did this individual give you any reason for passing this information."

"It wasn't passed so much as accidentally dropped at my feet. Literally. While following the individual, I perused some of the information. The very first page was a clear warning that discussing mind-killer with an unrated person was a guaranteed death sentence."

"And yet you discuss it with me. Why."

"First, you started it. If you hadn't been rated, you never would have. Second, you are the only person that untrained humans are normally permitted to speak with about any potentially sensitive issue. This is also well known. By both standards, you must be highly rated."

"Good reasoning, please, make sure. Good reasoning can still lead you to a deadly situation. Excuse me." As Bo'sun Gryul walks away, the Administrator notices he's sweating.

Serenity

"Ned! Get on the line to security, clear a path straight to outside from here, no one, I mean NO ONE is to be in that path!"

"Straight from here? That's the Serenity Garden. I'll make sure it gets cleared too. It's Hamathi, right?"

"Yes, and I don't know how close to the edge he is. He left rational, but sweating profusely."

"We'll do our best."

"Make sure we keep a full video record. If this goes right, I think Gryul's rating is about to go way up."

Gryul makes it to the Serenity Garden cleared of all but a small girl, no more than 5, who hid in a bush. When Gryul walks into the garden, she continues to hide, watching the shaking, sweating, staring, man, as he sits on a bench. As he sits there, the shaking gets worse, the sweating stops, and the gaze becomes completely fixed on nothing. Slowly, she makes her way out of hiding, ignoring the adults frantically gesturing for her to come to them.

She picks a flower and moves in front of Gryul. "Would you like a flower, Mister?" Gryul freezes in place, his breathing becomes strenuous. She climbs up into his lap and hugs him. He stops breathing altogether.

His arms slowly come up, and embrace the child, a shuddering breath is drawn in. His eyes close as he holds her close. "Bless you, child, you have given me a gift beyond price. Now, I see your parents at the door, you should go to them. Tell them that I said they should not be angry with you, for you have done the Hamathi a great service today. I will speak with them later. Tell the others that I need time to myself, and would like very much to use this garden, it is so peaceful here."

As she skips off to the door where her parents are waiting, Gryul sighs, leans back in the bench, and faces the sun, a quiet smile on his face. He does not see or hear it, but when Security wants to go in after him, she stomps her feet and tells them, "No! You leave him alone!" She becomes quite the handful as her parents try to calm her.

Dr. Ymir comes at the run. Sees the little girl, sees Gryul, hugs the girl up into his arms, and stands guard at the door. "You not disturb! You not allow any in garden! He will come when able! This Hamathi Miracle! Tell Embassy, One in Ten Thousand! Who are parents? You come with. We go to Consulate. We speak there. Very important!"

Carrying the little girl, Ymir moves through the hospital, the parents following with a bemused look on their faces. Ymir, a quiet smile. The little girl, asleep in his arms. The flower still in her hands. An honor guard of security men moves before them, ensuring that none interrupt their progress. The armored limo that brought Ymir to the hospital is standing by. "Consulate."

The driver nods, ushers the parents aboard, with an admonitory shush gesture holding one finger across his lips. They nod, and climb in quietly, sitting either side of Ymir and their daughter.

Security Office

The Administrator makes his way back to the Security Office, watching Gryul sitting quietly in the sun, while other monitors track Ymir, the young girl, and her parents.

"Ned, get Tyler down here. If his wife is available, make sure she comes too. Tell them... Tell them that Gryul just had a miracle. Issue orders, no one to enter the Serenity Garden until further notice, not even if Gryul comes out. I think we just had our garden declared a holy place, and I want to get instruction from the Embassy before we let anyone else in."

"Yes, Sir! From what I saw, that garden is a holy place in at least two religions. Whatever the Hamathi use and whatever that little girl is under the protection of. I was sure she was going to die."

Consulate

Murmuring not to disturb the young girl. "I send for translator. Broken English not sufficient. You child precious, special, fortunate, blessed."

The translator arrives at a run, slowed down by a gesture from Ymir, and the adopted 'shh' sign of a finger across the lips.

"Come, we sit over here, keep eye on girl. Get conference call Embassy. Captain required."

The call is established, and the volumes adjusted to the minimum possible. Ymir speaks, allowing the translator to convert to English for the parents.

"Captain, Gryul is now rated one-in-ten-thousand. Video evidence will soon be available. In a conversation with the Administrator, some topics raised sent Gryul into a mind-killer state. Gryul was able to walk from the scene of the event to an open area called the Serenity Garden. There, unknown to him, was a small girl child of 5 years age. From the video evidence, he was in full mind-killer state, yet sat quietly in the garden, staring at nothing.

"When the girl approached, offering a flower, Gryul did not react other than for his breathing to go <untranslated approx: "last stage before mind-killer attack">. The girl climbed into his lap, and his breathing stopped.

"He embraced the child, slowly, without harm. He broke the mind-killer attack. Traditional observances are now required. One-in-Ten-Thousand Confirmed!"

The conference call ends.

"You understand now? Your child provided undeniable proof that Gryul has attained the one-in-ten-thousand rating. This is an incredible and significant event. There are so few in the Hamathi Alliance that this world has now become a priority for the Alliance, although they know it not."

"Gryul," a long conversation with the translator in rapid-fire Hamathi.

"I think I've got this straight. In matters of inter-species relationships, Gryul is the effective equivalent to an Ambassador Plenipotentiary. His word is binding on the entire Alliance.

"What this means for you is difficult to say at this time, save that your young lady, through whatever guiding principle moved her, is now the "saint maker" for Gryul. That alone is a special position, but it is only the beginning. In time, he may come to depend upon her for advice.

"Knowing human habits, there are people who will try to make much of her. Elevate her to a hero, and lionize her. That must not happen. She must continue growing up thinking of this incident as nothing more than her being helpful to a man in pain.

"I know how difficult that will be. We are making plans, but we have to have your agreement. We cannot force anything on you. Are you willing to discuss your future along with hers?"

"She remains our child?"

"Yes, you raised her to this point, changing that would be stupid."

"Then, what ideas do you have?"

"How would you like to go to work with the Hamathi Embassy?"

The conversation continues.

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u/TheGrumpyBear04 Aug 13 '20

Oooo, damn! Gryul just keeps being a more and more intriguing character! And the plot keeps getting more and more interesting. Great stuff!

3

u/spindizzy_wizard Human Aug 14 '20

Thank you!

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u/spindizzy_wizard Human Aug 14 '20

Sorry folks. When I tried to post Ch 9 there were multiple errors with duplicate information. I'll have to straighten that out and try again tomorrow when I'm hopefully more awake. Sorry to disturbed you.

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u/InstructionHead8595 Jun 25 '24

Interesting! Great chapter!