A/N: Another long-overdue update. If it wasn't for my PC breaking down...oh well. Let's just be glad I was able to retrieve the data. Haha...
rIOko - He isn't? Hmm...I guess so...let's make him more annoying...or not...I dunno. Thanks for the review!
J-Bob the Brave - Yea well...the idea kinda does present itself, huh? School's just crazy nowadays...but I still write! Thanks!
jericho Presbitero - Cool. Try ko tapusin (I'll try to finish)...I've got 2 weeks semestral break now. Hohoh. Astig!
Max Knight - Vandread Library seems to have moved...hmm...hope it gets put up soon. Anyways, thanks! Sorry for a long-delayed update!
Ah well...here's the next chapter...enjoy!
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CHAPTER 12
Learning
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"AH-CHOO!!!"
Jai looked up from the medical journal he was reading, something he had 'brought along' his time-travel. It was only seconds ago that he realized studying them intensively would be futile, as those kinds of 'new discoveries' weren't really all that new in this time period, and the technology was primitive compared to what he had on-hand at the present. He had come to the conclusion that such reading materials would be considered 'nice-to-know' stuff.
Nonetheless, a sneeze that bad-sounding was still one of the more common signs of a cold; besides, upon ocular inspection, Paiway looked like she had one. "You okay?" He asked.
The little girl 'sniff'-ed before sneezing once more. Rubbing her nose with a gloved hand, she smiled sheepishly.
"Been having that long?" He asked, and Pai shook her head. Further questions showed no fever, a slight feeling of weakness, and, much to her embarrassment, an abundance of mucus secretion.
He chuckled, and took the time to walk to the newly-stocked medicine cabinet and procure a tablet of decongestant. "Take this after lunch, get some rest, and drink lots of fluids. You should start to feel better. I'll give you another tablet this evening if you still feel that bad." He handed her some tissues as well. "And please don't use your hands to wipe that off."
She looked a little surprised. "You can tell for sure what sickness I have and what medicine to give just like that?"
"Well, this case is pretty simple," Jai replied, "and besides, I studied the profession for almost ten years, and cardio-pulmonary is my personal favorite." Paiway still seemed a little nonplussed; Jai had to ask, "What's so unusual about making a diagnosis like that?"
As he was asking, Duero and Parfet entered the infirmary as Jai was speaking, and the doctor surmised the situation. "It is very unconventional, not to mention difficult, these days to make a diagnosis and give treatment meds with only basic interview and observation to go by," he explained matter-of-factly. "It is considered standard operating procedure for all patients to undergo examination in a calibrated and properly programmed medical diagnosis scanning machine."
"A what?" The most sophisticated equipment Jai knew of was the Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI; and even then, it was only a help, a verification of whatever diagnosis the doctor would consider based on examination and clinical judgment.
"An MDS, ribbit," Pai said, working her words through muffled M's and N's. She had a frog-puppet on her right hand. "It scans the whole body – everything from blood, skin, nerves, and all other organs – then gives a detailed diagnosis of the sickness and how to treat it best, ribbit."
The Tarak physician smiled, though his mild surprise was evident. "I see they are also being used on Mejale, then."
"Sure, ribbit! Even nurse trainees like Pai know that, ribbit."
Jai shook his head and spoke. "A machine that can completely examine a person's entire body system inside and out, accurately identify the correct syndrome or illness and provide an effective treatment plan for such?"
"You've pretty much summed it up yourself," Parfet answered.
"Wouldn't that then render physicians...obsolete?"
"Only as far as examinations and diagnoses are concerned," Duero replied, "Surgical operations and the administration of meds are still carried out by the Tarak...or Mejale, for that matter."
"And I would use the term 'less efficient' instead of 'obsolete'," the scientist said.
Duero nodded. "Manual observation is a slow and tedious process in comparison; besides, given the sheer number of diseases, it would be impossible to say for certain which one the patient might have."
'Good point,' Jai pondered. 'Making the jump to space and to other planets, there's no telling how many more diseases have been added to those innumerable already existing before. I almost went crazy memorizing through med school...'
"If you'd like, ribbit, we could give you a demonstration, ribbit," Pai suggested.
"Really? Okay..."
They all walked a short distance to the far wall of the infirmary, in-between the life-support and sick-bed area. As it turned out, there were more beds now; those from little-used rooms were allocated in case of casualties, what with all the fighting going on lately. Consequently, the place looked just a little less spacious.
The MDS machine looked like a rather sophisticated – and less bulky – MRI. Jai had to remind himself for the umpteenth time that he was dealing with technology thousands of years more advanced than what he was used to, especially when it came to a clinical setting; it was still a little hard to get used to.
"I'll be the patient," the young nurse announced, finally removing the hand puppet. She carefully settled herself supine on the machine, while Parfet and Duero managed the controls. "You do know how to operate one, right?" the nurse-patient asked Duero.
"It looks almost exactly like the ones on Tarak, in truth," There was more than a hint of approval in his reply. "There shouldn't be any problem."
Jai simply stood in amazement, though peering at the assortment of buttons and screens. 'The interface looks easy enough to manage,' he mulled. Most of the variables were pretty straightforward, such as 'O2 saturation', 'CSF analysis' and 'cardiac output'. Some of the others, however, 'blue-dye reaction rate', for example, perhaps required more study on his part.
"Please keep still while the scanning is being done," Duero instructed; probably part of the S.O.P.
He watched as the machine was activated. A glass capsule enclosed where the patient, Pai, was lying still. A number of sensors that seemed embedded in the glass, yet at the same time separated from it – it was hard to discern which was which, even looking closely – revolved and circled around her. Jai concluded that, indeed, no amount of non-invasive human scrutiny could examine as well as this. It was over in just more than ten minutes – a bit slow, Duero mumbled.
Pai hopped down and anxiously awaited the results with the rest. A minute passed before a sheet of paper was printed out.
Duero took it and read. "Patient is suffering from nasal congestion and sinusitis, of viral pathology, probably streptococcus. Non-life-threatening. Suggesting primary treatment of water therapy and oral decongestant after meals." The list of specific medications that followed was rather lengthy, and he did not bother to continue.
Pai looked wonderingly at Jai. "You got it right even without the MDS!" For all her reaction, one would've thought Jai had worked a miracle.
He smiled, inwardly pleased that good 'old' medical training hadn't failed him even in this advanced day and age. "Like I said, the case was really simple. But now that I think about it, given all of the new possible causes of diseases and all, I could've been giving the wrong medication or something." He added the last part while browsing the list given to him by Duero – he didn't recognize all but three of the meds, and those were generic names; most of the others were probably brand names, he thought.
She still looked awed. "Only the best health experts can say for sure without the MDS! It's amazing; thank you so much!" She then left the infirmary, probably to go eat and take her medicine.
"Is it that big a deal?" Jai asked after the child had stepped out.
"You can say that every precaution and care is being taken when it comes to sickness and health," Parfet answered.
Duero added. "Not to mention the numerous cases of malpractice and negligence more than several decades ago, which is primarily the reason why more Tarak...and Mejale, I suppose –" Parfet nodded "– relied on machines, which are both exceedingly accurate and objective. I should say they aren't particularly dissatisfied with how things have been going since."
Jai nodded also, more in understanding than in confirmation. "Duero," he asked, "how long does it take to study to become a doctor?"
He thought for a second before replying, "Three to four years total; perhaps five if you happen to absorb information a little slower."
"Four years?! That's only half...actually, less than half of the time we spend in study and experience!" Jai exclaimed. "And I thought you just looked young!"
"I am already seventeen," the other remarked almost dryly.
"Okay...it's just so...different," Jai found himself nodding again. 'Apparently people have to mature at a very early age nowadays; it's almost sad...' Another question popped into his head. "How about those who are injured, for example, like in battle? Do all of them take this machine-scan?"
"In the case of trauma," Duero said, "as you probably know, it is much easier to identify the mechanism of injury, and more urgent to stabilize and treat, should there be a need to; the same is true for first-aid and other emergency cases. Strictly speaking, the MDS is normally only S.O.P. in cases where treatment is not immediately imperative. Isn't that right?" He added, turning to Parfet.
"That's how it's done here and in Mejale, as far as I know," the mechanic shrugged. "I'm afraid I'm not all that familiar with medical procedures and all."
"So emergency med hasn't changed as much," Jai remarked to himself. "Uh, you don't suppose you could teach me how to use this MDS, doc?"
Duero smiled; it was the first time Jai had seen him do so. "Like I said, it shouldn't be a problem...doc."
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A lone figure trudged the corridors of the pirate ship, seemingly unaware of neither direction nor destination, face grim with a troubled expression. 'Nobody else could have been doing it but me...but how? I mean, even being helmsman and all...I've never flown as much as a transport ship before! How could I have made this – Nirvana was it? – move?!'
"Do you need anything, Bart?"
His head jerked up, and he found himself in the bridge. He put on a surprised yet sour face, mostly because it was the truth. 'Aw, great...I did have to walk in here, of all places, huh?' Thankfully, only the usual personnel were present – with the exception of Ezra – the Boss, the Sub-Commander, and the three ship operators...one even in a silly teddy bear suit. No Barnette, thankfully, or any other really violent Mejale pirate. It took another question to realize it was B.C. who was addressing him.
"Uh, no...not really...I mean..." he stammered, inadvertently turning his eyes towards the supposed navigation contraption at the room's center. He sighed audibly, for three possible reasons: firstly, that he was relieved that the device was real and not only a figment of imagination; secondly, that he was upset that the device had been real and that he might be called to operate it as he had done once; and lastly, that he was in hopelessly big trouble for whatever the Mejale had against him this time.
It was Magno who spoke. "The last time...you fell into that hole right there, into the glowing sphere."
"Uh, huh," he said absently, still transfixed.
"Since then, we have been able to control this ship's movements a little better by ourselves. Now, whether your antic had something to do with it, I don't really know. In any case, the movement hasn't been that refined or responsive as during that battle."
He remembered, perhaps a little all too well for his own liking.
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During the last battle...
Upon reaching the bridge, ready to offer whatever help he could – he just as seriously considered running off to a corner and hiding – Bart was thrown off his feet by a slight tremor...oh, all right, his left foot tripped over his right as he scrambled through; the bottom line was that he skidded along the smooth floor before plunging headfirst through the gap in the floor. It felt more like passing through a portal than actually falling, though.
Surrounded by a blue glowing light, he could see everything that was happening around the ship. Enemies whizzed past, both Vanguards and Dreads executed formations, and a laser beam was headed straight for him!
Acting upon pure instinct, he leapt to one side...and somehow felt the whole pirate ship lurch in the same direction, so that he didn't collide with the surrounding sphere.
He was, however, too panic-stricken to take notice.
"I don't wanna dieeeeee!" He screamed, backing up. Again the ship moved in the same direction, but he was hardly aware.
A com-link appeared somewhere to his left, snapping him out of his mindless screaming. It was Amarone. "Tarak! What the...the...the..." was all she could say. It took him one moment to sense that she wasn't quite looking at his face anymore, another moment to peer down at himself, and even another to realize that all his clothes were missing...
...and yet another moment to properly react.
"How dare you...! Don't look at me!!!" He tried to twist and cover himself up, though he knew his dignity would never be the same again. In moving this time, he was able to notice that the pirate vessel also shifted.
The Boss' face popped up in a different link. "Hohoho...it would seem that this new machine was not just for show after all," her voice was a mixture of approval and amusement, "but I have to say that your decency at the moment is absolutely lacking."
"Hey! Don't – YOWCH!" A bullet grazed his side and a flash of pain seared through, nothing serious but he still couldn't hold back a whimper.
"We've been hit on the right, Boss," was Belvedere's audible report.
Magno stood from her place above and hollered toward the sphere where Bart was floundering. "Come on, helmsman! You're supposed to be navigating! Is that all you're capable of?!" She sounded more amused than anything else.
"You don't have to remind me! Besides, it's not you who's getting hurt here!" Despite his angry tone, Bart looked as focused as ever on keeping the ship – and himself – from taking damage.
Every movement, every shift of his weight, even every twitch of his fingers, produced a movement of the Nirvana. In a short span of time, he was able to maneuver the ship faster and more deftly. 'This isn't like the systems back in training,' he thought, really getting into the task, 'it's so much...easier!'
The emergence of the two Vanguards from the hangar also helped make his job easier, as the enemies became more preoccupied with fighting the smaller Tarak and Mejale combat vessels. "Hm...I guess Hibiki ended up fighting after all...but who could be inside the other one...?" Bart wondered out loud.
"Even we have yet to learn that..." a voice sounded from behind, making him jump and the Nirvana to jerk upward.
"Hey! Don't get over-excited!" Magno scolded, interrupting herself. "As I was saying, even we do not know that...but it should turn out all right, if he is to be believed."
"He...?" Bart sounded absolutely incredulous. "Duero?"
The pirate boss looked just about to slap him. "Weren't you listening? It isn't the physician; he is at the infirmary. We do not know for sure yet, but I have a feeling I already do..."
He was a little less skeptical now. "You don't mean..."
"Yes, I do mean. He is missing from the sick-bed, and probably in better condition now. Well...perhaps in a better condition than you, at least."
"I TOLD YOU TO STOP LOOKING!!!"
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Of course, the part about being naked was disturbing, but what really struck him was what came after the initial adrenaline rush of piloting the ship and dodging projectiles: how was he able to move the ship in the first place?
"What I really want to know is how I was...I mean, was I the only one able to move it like that?" His face was devoid of all comedic features. He was in a pondering mood now.
"As a matter of fact, yes," was Magno's reply, with neither disappointment nor surprise. "I've had five girls go in, but they said it was like jumping into a bathtub. I'm guessing it wasn't like water for you, right?"
Bart nodded. "Definitely not...I could even breathe in there easily. It felt like...floating, as if you were in a bubble or something like that."
"I see...entirely different," she uttered, and then stretched her arms upwards after a few moments, addressing Bart. "Oh well...nothing we could do about that now, right? I suppose you are indeed the only one who could navigate well enough when needed."
He puffed out his chest instinctively, apparently proud, yet at the same time a little apprehensive at so huge a responsibility.
"In any case," Magno went on, "let's hope those mechanical monstrosities don't return anytime soon; it'll be Christmas in two days...and nobody's shown any initiative to start decorating already! I should have a word or two with the entire crew!"