by G. P. Hudson
Prime Minister Sallas didn’t waste much time after taking office to propose the sharing of technology. In particular, he wanted the jump system. Of course, if there was one thing that could prepare them for the coming challenges, it was the jump system technology. Whether they would share the technology was another matter.
The door opened and Dr. Ellerbeck walked into the room, accompanied by two assistants. Bast hoped all the intelligence he had about her was true. She was the top human expert on alien medicine. She knew better than anyone else how the human body reacted to the introduction of alien technology. He knew if anyone could safely remove the brain chips, it was her.
“Are you ready to begin, Colonel?” said Ellerbeck.
“Yes, Doctor. I am eager to get started,” said Bast.
Ellerbeck nodded, her blue eyes locked onto his. “Before we begin, I would like to remind you of the risks involved. There is no telling how your body will respond to the removal of the brain chip. Brain damage and death are very real possibilities. There is also the risk of psychological side effects.”
“I understand the risks.”
“As I’ve already told you, I’ve studied how these chips integrate with the brain, and I have extracted them before, but I’ve never removed one from a live patient.”
“That will change once you remove my chip, Doctor. Afterwards, removing them from the rest of the crew should be much easier.”
“This is your last chance to back out of the procedure, Colonel.”
“No, I want the procedure, Doctor.”
“Very well,” said Ellerbeck. “Then let’s begin.”
***
When Colonel Bast woke up he instantly felt that something was wrong. Something was missing. His stress levels started to climb as he struggled to determine the problem. Looking around he realized he was lying on a bed in the sickbay. Then he remembered that Dr. Ellerbeck was going to perform the procedure. He tried to lift his head to look around but couldn’t move. Why?
“Take it easy,” said a woman’s voice. He instantly recognized as Ellerbeck.
“I can’t move.”
“The anesthetics. Your Juttari implants made you resistant to most standard anesthetics, so I had to use something more powerful. Unfortunately it will take a bit longer for it to leave your system.”
“Doctor, something is wrong. Did something happen during the procedure?”
“No. There were no complications. Your vitals are fine. What do you feel?”
“Like a part of me is missing.”
“We did just remove your brain chip. So, yes, a part of you is missing.”
Bast began to calm down. He needed to think this through. The procedure was a success and there were no physical side effects. What else could it be? He attempted to run a diagnostic on himself, but couldn’t. The chip was gone. Then he realized what disturbed him. The quiet. The noises he was used to hearing on a daily basis were silenced.
“It’s all gone,” he said, almost saddened by the realization. “Even things I didn’t notice anymore. Background noises. All gone. Everything is so quiet.”
“Yes, that is a natural response. You’ve had all that noise in your head your whole life.”
“The quiet is overwhelming.”
“It’ll take some getting used to, but you will. Of that I am sure. If it’s any consolation, many people spend years trying to quiet their minds. Once you get used to it you might find that you like it.”
Would he ever get used to it? He knew that it would be different, but had not expected to react this strongly to the silence in his mind. In truth, he realized that he missed not having instant access to the technology in his brain. The telepathic communication. The interfacing with the ship’s systems. He had taken it all for granted, and now it was gone forever. He knew it was the only way to secure freedom from the Juttari. He did not want to be a Juttari slave again.
He closed his eyes, feeling sleepy again. The effects of the anesthetic still taking their toll.
“When will you begin operating on the rest of my crew?”
“As soon as you are fully recovered and we’re sure you’re okay, we will start.”
“I’m okay,” said Bast, and drifted off to sleep.
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