Asivva sighed and gave a small smile. “It’s getting late. We need to get to the doctor. I can tell you about Theo’s remaining scores later.”
Chapter 12
Don’t let there be probes. Don’t let there be probes, Jade chanted in her head as she stared up at the ceiling through a curved piece of glass.
A large portion of the exam room Jade and Asivva had entered was dominated by a bulky glass tube placed horizontally in the center of the room. Mounted on the front of the tube were thin glass screens. The doctor, a beautiful raven-haired woman, had skipped introductions and instead asked Jade to lie down on a gurney. She’d explained that Jade would be pushed into the tube and her body would then be scanned and repaired.
After both Asivva and the doctor convinced Jade she’d be safe, she agreed to enter the tube. Now that she was inside, she started berating herself. How could you allow yourself to be locked in this glass cylinder of death?
The doctor pressed a few things on the glass screens, and a blue light illuminated all around Jade. She stiffened, expecting to feel pain. “This device,” the doctor explained, “scans your body and diagnoses any current, past and, occasionally, future illnesses. It’ll also identify any damage or deterioration. After it’s done scanning you, I’ll relay the findings and then get your permission to program the device to cure or fix anything that needs fixing.”
After a few minutes, the scan was complete. Examining her screen, the doctor began, “First off, our database has concluded that the only items which are poisonous to you are things made from the Ripsli tree. Make sure to stay away from any fabrics, foods, or products that contain any part of that tree.”
“Your husband will be notified of this. Don’t worry. Products from Ripsli trees are not too common,” Asivva said reassuringly.
Clearing her throat, the doctor said, “The cartilage in your right knee is slightly damaged. Also, your thyroid gland is producing less hormone than optimal. Do I have your permission to repair your knee and thyroid gland?”
Jade looked at her nervously and said, “I guess so. Will I need surgery? Will it hurt?”
“No. The machine will fix it in a matter of minutes. I’ll send a small amount of gas into the tube so you don’t feel any pain. You will be conscious though.”
Jade paled.
Not noticing Jade’s unease, the doctor continued, “Now on to cosmetic procedures. There are many scars and other types of skin damage all over your body. I recommend repairing them all.”
Before Jade could respond, the doctor said, “I don’t know what the grooming customs are on your planet, but females from Tremanta usually only have hair on their head, eyebrows, and eyelashes. I can go ahead and remove all the remaining hair permanently if you want.”
“You can remove the hair,” Jade agreed before the doctor could speak again. “I have a question about the skin-damage thing, though. Do you consider tattoos a form of skin damage?” she asked, pointing to a small star tattoo behind her left ear.
“Yes,” the doctor said, confused. “Was that done on purpose?”
“It’s common on Earth.”
“Well, I can program the machine to leave that area of your body alone if you’re sure you want to keep it.”
“I do. Can you please also program it to keep these two scars?” Jade pointed to a small scar on her knee and her arm.
The doctor grimaced but nodded.
Gee, they really don’t like imperfection here.
She typed a few things onto the pad and then said, “The last treatment you should receive is the elixir. The elixir repairs your body at a cellular level. You’re young, so you won’t need much, but if you continue to get elixirs throughout your life, you’ll age much more slowly. We estimate that our citizens will live to be about three hundred on average. Because you’re the first human to receive an elixir, that number could be much higher or much lower. Time will tell.” She paused. “Does all of that sound acceptable to you?”
Three hundred years? Jade was dazed. If she stayed here rather than returning to Earth, she could live for hundreds of years.
“Jade?” Asivva interrupted her thoughts.
Jade was overwhelmed and couldn’t remember everything the doctor said she’d be doing but nodded anyway. Anything to get out of this tube.
“I’m sending the gas in now.”
Red gas floated up from somewhere underneath her head, and a feeling of euphoria swept over her. As she laid there, feeling more relaxed than she had in years, her mind wandered to an image of Theo. “Mmm,” Jade murmured.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she noted her body was tingling all over. It also felt like someone was softly tapping her knee and throat. Curiouser and curiouser, she thought and giggled. All at once, the tingling stopped and her mind started to clear. “Did something go wrong? Why did it stop?” Jade asked, worried.
She found Asivva smiling at her through the glass. “No, the machine is done. You’re all healed.”
Jade couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this good. There were no aches or pains anywhere, and all vestiges of fatigue had vanished.
“Wow,” was all she could think to say as Asivva guided her back toward the door. “Oh, wait!” Jade said, stopping. She turned and saw the doctor typing notes into the pad. “Is there anything different about me? My anatomy, I mean.”
“A few small things are different,” the doctor said absently as she continued to type.
Jade came up short. “How is that possible? We’re completely different species from different galaxies. How can we be so similar?”
The doctor tilted her head thoughtfully. “It’s true that you’re very similar to us but it isn’t something I haven’t seen before. Have you ever heard of convergent evolution?” Jade wanted to smile at the woman’s excited tone. This was obviously a topic she had great interest in, and for a moment, the proper doctor was letting her nerd show.
“No.” Jade
