Oath of the Survivor

Kyle couldn’t remember having a better night’s sleep since the world ended.  A part of him still ached as he got up and thought about how life used to be.  It felt like a lifetime ago. Resting in the bed made him dare to hope that he could at least build something similar in the future.  His nav bracelet indicated that he still had time before his appointment, and he knew exactly how he was going to use it.

“C.H.A.D.D., what did you mean when you said you ‘archived’ the mana?”

[THAT IS… DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN, DR. MAYHEW.]

“Try for me.”

[THE ENERGY DIDN’T WANT TO BE USED IN A TRADITIONAL SENSE, DR. MAYHEW.  IT HAD AN INTENT TO CONDENSE AND BIND INFORMATION, WHICH IS WHAT IT DID.  IT IS NOT ENERGY AVAILABLE FOR USE, RATHER ENERGY CONTAINING INFORMATION ON GROWTH, HARMONY, THE CYCLE OF DEATH AND REBIRTH OF THE ORGANISMS IN THE FOREST.]

Kyle frowned at the explanation.  To one extent, it made sense.  He had certainly absorbed the energy, roughly seventeen percent if he was right, and it didn’t seem to give him anything he could use, unlike other times he’d used RESONANCE and drained mana.  On the other hand, C.H.A.D.D. was implying that the mana itself was sentient.  That was simply too much.

“So you’re trying to tell me the mana has a will of its own, and that it can choose what it wants to do?  How is that possible?”

[THAT IS AN INCORRECT ASSESSMENT, DR. MAYHEW.  YOU ARE CORRECT IN THAT THE MANA ITSELF CANNOT DETERMINE INTENT.  THE MANA WAS INSTEAD GIVEN INTENT AS IT WAS CONDENSED INTO THE SPHERE.]

“You’re losing me, C.H.A.D.D.  Nobody made the –“  Kyle stopped talking as the pieces clicked in his head, familiar energy seeming to thrum in his chest as he truly understood. 

When he was practicing with RESONANCE on the trees, he was able to observe the intent to grow in action as he held onto the broken branches.  He realized now that was only part of the equation.  While he didn’t believe that trees could think the way a sapient creature could, was it so far off to believe that their existence was more complex than simply growth?  The rainforest was a truly unique biome, teeming with diverse organisms all living and dying in harmony with one another.  While there was death on an individual and even species level, each death in turn fueled life and rebirth. 

Snapping out of his momentary stupor, he felt the energy in his chest recede.  His revelation was assisted by the mana he’d apparently archived as well.  I really need to stop absorbing random energy, Kyle thought.  Between the crimson essences and now the energy from the tree, he was a walking example of why people shouldn’t play with things they don’t understand.

[ARE YOU ALRIGHT, DR. MAYHEW?]

Kyle realized he’d been standing in the room quietly, not having finished his sentence to the drone. 

“I’m fine, C.H.A.D.D.  I do have to ask though, how did you figure all this out?”

[USING A SKILL, DR. MAYHEW.  THE ESSENCE OF THE WEEVIL CREATURE I ABSORBED ALSO ALLOWS FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE MANA IN PLANTS, ALTHOUGH I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS DESIGNED WITH EATING PLANTS AS THE PRIMARY FUNCTION.]

“Wait, you have multiple skills?  And how do you know the bug was a weevil?  You had no idea beforehand?”

[THAT WOULD BE BECAUSE OF MY CLASS, DR. MAYHEW.]

“You have a class?  C.H.A.D.D., what else aren’t you telling me?  Wait, what is your class?”

[DR. MAYHEW, IF YOU DON’T LEAVE SHORTLY YOU WILL NOT MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT ON TIME.]

He was about to force the issue, but checking the nav bracelet he was startled at how much time had passed.  Slinging the pack over his shoulders, he started towards the door to his quarters. 

“Don’t think we’re done with this conversation.  You have a lot to answer for.” 

The drone didn’t reply, and they made their way out into the hallway.

The trip to visit the ship’s physician was uneventful, and soon Kyle and C.H.A.D.D. found themselves outside a large set of steel doors.  There were a good number of triage units in the ship, though the chief physician didn’t keep an office in any of them.  Instead, he had his own small sick bay and lab located deeper inside.  The doors slid open, and the duo were welcomed with a loud shout.  “Get in here, you’re late!”  Startled, Kyle checked his nav bracelet.  It showed that he still had some time before his appointment was set to start, but before he could speak the voice shouted again. 

“I said get in here!  I don’t have all day, there’s lots to do.” 

Kyle walked through the doors, calling back.

“I’m sorry, I think you might have the wrong person in mind.  I’m supposed to be meeting with the head physician, and I’m early.” 

He could hear some loud rummaging in a closet towards the back of the infirmary, and took some time to look around.  There were eight sick beds, and a wide variety of different instruments and tools neatly arranged against two of the walls.  The third wall contained a variety of different monitors, and he saw an image of himself pulled up on one of them.  A shape exited the closet, loud voice once again booming.

“If I said you’re late, you’re bloody late!  Is that understood?” 

Kyle stared as one of the most heavily muscled men he’d ever seen slammed the closet door shut, having taken out a box of files he was holding in one massive arm.  The man stood about a meter and a half tall, with arms that would have made Cornelius jealous.  He was completely bald, his scalp reflecting the bright lights of the infirmary.  He looked Kyle up and down behind a thick pair of spectacles, a bushy moustache bristling at the sides as he spoke. 

“So, you’re the Mayhew kid I’ve heard so much about.  Bloody waste of a Healer.  Well, grab a seat.  Let’s have a look at you.”

Kyle’s surprise was quickly replaced by annoyance. 

“When I was trained, we learned something called bedside manner.  You don’t treat patients this way, much less people you’ve just met.  That’s just basic decency, and I’m not going to deal with it.  Good day.” 

With that, Kyle turned and left the infirmary.  At least he tried to.  The man had somehow managed to cross the distance in the blink of an eye, a grip like iron on Kyle’s wrist. 

“This appointment isn’t optional, lad.  Scans say you’re clean, but I’ve been asked to do a deeper evaluation and I’m bloody well going to do it.  Now, grab a seat or I’ll put you in one.” 

The man’s voice was no longer booming, replaced by a low, threatening tone.  Unfortunately for the physician, Kyle just wasn’t impressed.  The last twenty-four hours had left him physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted.  He wasn’t in the mood to get bullied by somebody he’d just met, especially after saving dozens of lives just the day before.

“Let go of my arm.  Now.” 

He didn’t raise his voice or threaten the man.  He simply looked down at him and met his eyes through the spectacles.  The man’s grip tightened, just a bit, and in one fluid motion Kyle yanked his arm back and pivoted, striking out with his free hand in an open-palmed strike.  It hit the physician in the center of his barrel chest, knocking him back a couple of steps as his arm came free.   The big man roared as he made to tackle Kyle, before a sharp voice stopped them both.

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” 

They both turned to see Chester standing in the entryway, arms crossed and face red with anger.  First, he turned to the bald man who had stopped mid-rush, arms out wide. 

“What is wrong with you?  I asked you to do a basic physical and overall evaluation, and I come here to find you coming to blows with our guest?” 

Before anybody could respond, he turned to Kyle. 

“And you!  I’m not sure how hospitals work on your planet, but if you think you can attack our ship’s sole D Grade physician, you’re sorely mistaken.”

With a huff, the man crossed his arms. 

“He was late to the appointment.  No respect at all.”

Chester raised his hand to the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes for a breath before he spoke. 

“He was not late, Randolph.  I came to introduce the two of you, and I arrived right on time.”

“You told me he was a Healer.  Any Healer worth their salt would have shown up early to fill out a chart and take care of the paperwork.  He’s a hack.”

Annoyed at the other man, Kyle turned to leave. 

“Then this hack has better things to spend his time on.”

“Mr. Mayhew, please stop.  There are several orders of business we can only get done here that require a Collective-licensed physician.”

Kyle sighed.  He liked Chester, and he certainly respected the man.  Randolph still looked to be in a huff, and he could almost see the plea in Chester’s eyes.  The fact that he’d shown up for an appointment like this was a strong hint that he’d expected something like this to happen.  Grudgingly, Kyle walked back into the room and sat down.  Chester seemed to deflate a bit in what Kyle assumed was relief. 

“Excellent.  Randolph, this is Kyle Mayhew.  I need to you conduct a physical examination, then get him assessed.”

~~~

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