A Doctor's Notes
Author's Note: First, the customary disclaimer: I, in no way, own the rights to any of the characters in this work of fiction. I am only writing this because of my appreciation for the work done by the dedicated team at Ubisoft Montreal and, more specifically, their writers. I have always been a fan of "The Doctor" and when I read what little back-story he had I was hoping to hear more about him in AC Brotherhood. However my expectations were not met, he was in the game as part of a tutorial, nothing more. So I felt the need to delve deeper into his character, to shape the man behind the mask, as it where. What are his motivations? Surely a serial killer was not spawned from nothing? Therefore, I humbly present A Doctor's Notes.
Abstergo Industries Employee Profile
Subject: 19
Name: Classified
Date of birth: 1982
Alias: T
Department: Research and Development
Past Company projects:
2005: Entered the pharmaceuticals division as an intern. Helped develop a variety of flu variants for dispersal in the Third World. Results: Impressive, despite age concerns the subject performed with skill beyond that of most certified virologists was retained and promoted to full employee.
2006: Engineered virus 9129 a more destructive variant of the bubonic plague. Also conducted tests within Africa. Results: Unparalleled success. The virus was not only effective and contagious but spread across the entire continent in only three months! The removal of the African population allowed our Acquisitions department to scour the continent for any artifacts.
2010: Discovered important genetic variants that led to deeper understanding of the human brain and better synchronization within the Animus. Results: Alterations to basic animus functions allowed the R&D department to dig deeper into a subject's DNA.
2011: Managed to synthesize product 1071 dubbed "New Fluoride" designed to cause addiction as well as repair tooth enamel. Results: Inconclusive, recent legal action has led to suspension of project
Current Project(s):
Animus training program: The subject, despite recent legal difficulties has been kept out of the public eye and enrolled as one of the first employees to take part in massive training exercises within the Italian branch. The training will include -
(Data removed by the Censorship department). Possible side effects include, but are not limited to: nausea, schizophrenia, split-personality disorder, depression, and death. The subject has agreed to participate and has signed a waiver exempting Abstergo Industries from any liability concerning said side effects.
Supervisor's Notes: At first I was nervous about including subject 19 considering the leak in his department concerning "New Fluoride", however his extensive knowledge in biological warfare is too valuable coupled with the skills the Animus will impart.
A medical prodigy, subject 19's age belies his encyclopedic knowledge of chemistry, and biology. Above all the subject's greatest asset is his loyalty. Having been a discrete employee during his time within the company, I had no doubt he would understand the importance of keeping this project under wraps. However, there is another reason subject 19 was selected for the project. Upon further investigation Lineage Discovery and Acquisition has found an obscure journal tying one of the subject's ancestors to the Brotherhood during the Italian Renaissance, specifically to one of the agents we utilize in our training program. This journal, transcribed below (for the most part) in modern English has convinced me that subject 19 will perform excellently in his training sessions. After all, the best synchronization rates are achieved by direct descendants.
Warren Vidic
Head of Genetic Research
Attached Manuscript:
Entry #1:
Notes: This scrap is the earliest found in the notebook, it is written in the shaky hand of a child but with enough grammatical prowess to suggest it is the work of an early adolescent, possibly a ten year old.
Date Unknown , estimated 1480
Papa says I should keep a journal about my work so when I succeed him I can look back on my childhood fondly. I don't know what he means but I know it makes him happy so here I am! Today marks my first day as Papa's apprentice!
Papa is the best doctor in all of Roma! Even Signora Viozza says so and she knows everything. Papa says I am young but I am ready to help, I know it. I want to wear the long robes like him and the three corner hat that sets him apart from the other medici.
He cares for his patients, looking down on those who charge ridiculous amounts of coin for medicine and spend all their profits with the women in the colorful dresses. "Suini!" he calls them! He says the women need to be taught the dangers of the street, not encouraged in their sin. He is sad for them, even when they keep getting sick.
I will do my best to be just like Papa.
Entry #2:
1986
I look back on my first scribbling and am embarrassed by how childish I was back then. Now, at the age of sixteen, I have been apprenticed to my father for many years. I understand that it is a doctor's duty to heal his patients, whether he is a good man or not. But my admiration in father's abilities is not shaken.
His eyes scan every laceration for signs of infection, his words probe for any symptoms patients might have missed, his hands work so deftly with surgical instruments that it seems more like an art than a science. He says I exaggerate, but none of his patients are left wanting by his work or hungry by his prices. Well except for that puttana Solari, she comes every week with a new problem and always blames father for every affliction. He suggests a change in lifestyle and she just scowls at him. But my mind wanders.
I have made great progress as well! I can sew a wound better than any tailor; I hold a scalpel with as much dexterity as an artist holds a brush, I even know the exact dosing for various remedies. But father says I take my work too seriously. That I should not only deal with the disease but the patient. He points to the small Medico Della Peste (plague mask) hanging in the wall over his medicine cabinets.
"Do you know why I keep that there?" he asked. "I leave it behind because one of my patients, a young girl, was afraid of it once. She said it made me look like a monster. A healer should be an encouraging sight, not a frightening one. He should treat his patients like human beings not objects."
I look up at the mask, cocking my head slightly to get a better look at it. It's a curious thing more elegant than the masks worn by the others. Its beak is small and convenient, not large and unwieldy. The glass lenses glint malevolently when the sun hits them. I wouldn't be surprised if a child saw a monster. But father's words make an impact. I guess I still need improvement.