Alex hurried along the central aisle, turning his head left and right as if he were on an excursion. He admired the spaceship with its high-tech fineness, thoughtful design, and safety. Iss hovered slightly ahead of Alex and, as his guide, opened up hidden niches with multi-skilled droids intended for emergency repairs or emergency situations, and to help the crew in an airless space if necessary.
The medical bay made an indelible impression on Alex. As he entered the bay through the gateway, Alex felt how sterile and clean the room was.
A small, snow-white ball, about half the size of Iss, introduced itself, “Hello, Captain Phoenix, I’m the head doctor of the Universal series...”
Before it could list all of its titles, Alex cut in, “Got it, got it. I’ll call you ‘House’, or just ‘Doc’. Why not?”
“I’m grateful to you for the name, captain. I’ll do my best to fulfill your generosity and trust in me.” Doc said.
“No need to thank me, Doc. Work hard for the benefit of the crew and earthlings, and you'll receive Intellectum for self-improvement like your colleague, Iss.”
The discreet medical AI flinched noticeably.
Alex gave the AI a playful slap. “Okay, Doc, show me the people and the medical bay.”
The medical AI darted in zigzags from one wall to another before calming down. “Please, Captain Phoenix, Iss, follow me.”
They reached the first two clear medical capsules, which contained two naked earthlings immersed in a strange, viscous substance. Further inspection revealed it was not a gel, but a multitude of transparent eels that flowed around the bodies in different directions. Small metal droids of various colors and configurations scurried around the sleepers.
Alex read the names and specs of these small droids and wondered. There were many droids in this place – energy surgeons, paramedics, cell therapists, and many others. Alex also noticed medical droids often flew up to the red square and disappeared inside, reappeared after a few seconds, and returned to their patients.
“Doc, where do they go?” Alex pointed to the healers. “And why?”
“Follow me,” the medical AI said.
One of the walls lowered silently, revealing another room covered with curved pins with obsidian black tips. An oblong droid the size of a large hornet appeared in the center of the room.
“It was a portal,” Alex guessed.
A semicircle formed around the droid, which displayed data. Moments later, several pins changed their color to a bright green. Executing a quick somersault, the droid rushed to the nearest green pin. The tip of the pin released long eyelashes towards the droid.
Anticipating Alex’s questions, Doc explained, “The droids are transferring the medicine. This is a warehouse for medical supplies. There are two machines that produce medicines tailor-made for each particular patient.”
“This is awesome, Doctor House.” Alex approached the people in the capsules. Their wide eyes looked around with genuine interest. Alex tapped each capsule, gave them a thumbs-up, and smiled. “Just hang in there, guys. You’ll get through this.”
Doc reported, “In addition to the complete cure, I am presenting a prognosis for additional improvements for patients Matvey and Runner.”
.
Matvey
Correction of 12 genetic defects
Improving motor function + 20%
Neural development + 17%
General reinforcement and plasticity + 25%
Regeneration + 25%
Runner
Correction of 9 genetic defects
Improving motor function + 15%
Neural development + 19%
General reinforcement and plasticity + 25%
Regeneration + 30%
.
“Did you hear that? You’ll get additional improvements. Forty-five minutes, and you’ll be out of this benevolent jelly. Obey Doc, and I’ll see you at general meeting in the wardroom in an hour. Don’t be late. You’ll receive the spaceship scheme before then.”
“All Ice Vigors onboard have received the spaceship scheme and a reminder of the upcoming meeting,” Iss reported.
Alex nodded and moved toward the exit. At the door, he turned to face Doc. “Well done, Doc. Prepare a schedule for visiting the medical bay for everyone, including Flash.”
Doc replied, “The schedule is ready. However, you must give permission to take genetic material from each crew member. This will achieve great results.”
“Understood, Doc. I will see you at the meeting. For now, return to your normal duty.”
“Yes, Captain Phoenix.” With that, the medical AI returned to its patients.
The hour flew by. Alex met with the rescued people and inspected the spaceship. He loved the Dark Radiance and had many ideas on how to further improve it. When Iss reminded Alex the meeting was imminent, his disappointment knew no bounds.
It’s noisy here, Alex thought as he entered the wardroom, where people laughed and talked. When the crew spotted Alex, all the conversation stopped, all the eyes turned to him.
Food had been prepared and set out to eat. It smelled delicious.
Damn uplifting speeches. I’m hungry! I’ve almost forgotten how to dine at a table. Ah, right… fork, knife, spoon.
He sat in an empty chair and proclaimed, “Bon appetit, everyone. Enjoy your dinner, please.” Alex waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to begin their meal. “I’m ready to answer your questions and exchange information. For now, though, I’m hungry as a wolf.”
He spent a few moments admiring the food on his plate, something he had long dreamed of, and began to eat.
“Alex, what’s going on?” Sophia, nee Lady Munstead Wood, asked, hypnotizing him with her bewitching green eyes.
Alex nodded, wiping his lips with a napkin. “Companions! Hear me out, even though my words may seem nonsensical. I will leave it to you to draw your own conclusions about recent and possible future events.
“First, the bad news – we had almost no chance of survival. The Admins planned to destroy most of us during the hunts and sweepstakes. Ten or fifteen million might have survived, while the rest would go for recycling. Those are the dry statistics that are common practice in the Commonwealth. Hunters
