May I Enjoy My Life: Entry 9

Bones’ File

Profile:

Dr. James McCoy is a recent graduate from an accredited Medical School in Columbia. As a trained doctor, Dr. McCoy has joined Rhodes Island as a member of the medical department, code name Bones. 

This file is for general consumption, but most details regarding Dr. McCoy’s history and abilities are classified, at the request of Director Kal’tsit. 

Clinical Analysis 

Imaging tests show originium clusters along Bones’ major nerves, especially concentrated in the hands and along the spinal column. Granules have been detected in the circulatory system. Subject is confirmed to be infected with Oripathy.

[Cell-Originium Assimilation] - 10%

Bones has a number of visible lesions on his hands and forearms.

[Blood Originium-Crystal Density] - 0.28u/L

Despite having recently contracted oripathy, Bones’ levels indicate an acute case. He was exposed working in a hospital. Immediate intervention is required and long term treatment is needed to stabilize Bones’ condition.

Patient is to be considered non-cooperative in his own treatment. Bones seems to have an overdeveloped martyr complex and has repeatedly charged into situations that have exacerbated his condition. He is to be directly supervised, and not allowed on combat deployments for the time being. 

Confidential (Individual clearance for these files to be approved by Director Kal’stit):

Bones is another individual from another world (see files: Operation Originium Dust, Operation Lucent Arrowhead), race classification “Earthling.” Unlike the other Earthings, who have shown remarkable resistance to oripathy infection, Bones was infected within weeks of his arrival. However, it is his method of infection that is most astounding.

Based on an eyewitness report from Dr. Sussurro, Bones gave himself oripathy through the method of using an unknown brand of arts to remove the oripathy from a young patient under his care (see file Andrey Ivanovich). In doing so, he completely cured Andrey of oripathy, as confirmed by our own testing. Additionally, Bones then proceeded to treat Dr. Sussurro’s  oripathy in such a manner that her own infection was severely curbed, something that has never before been witnessed in the recorded history of Terra. 

Unfortunately, Bones’ abilities became widely known after his powers were witnessed by an Ursus doctor, and then an unknown vagrant. The doctor immediately informed the local authorities, who launched a massive manhunt for Bones, while the vagrant sold the information to members of the now defunct Bellone Famiglia who had fled to Ursus. 

All efforts to preserve Bones’ life and health are to be taken. For now, he is to be trained as a typical resident. However, should his lack of self care continue to manifest in outrageous risks, extreme measures are authorized. 

- Chief Medical Officer Warfarin. 

June 12th, 1100

Field operations always leave me feeling rather exhausted. This last one had been especially trying. It had been where I had first killed. I remember his face: he was a middle aged lupo, and he’d been trying to kill myself, James, and Dr. Gavial, not to mention the civilians present. I had trained all my life to heal, but for the first time, my hands had taken life instead of giving it. 

I still have nightmares about that mafioso's face. Even there, even in Ursus, the famiglia plagued me. I remember the Lestari Famiglia that operated in my childhood neighborhood. I mostly remember them making old Mr. Carvelli, who ran the arcade I spent so much of my time at, pay protection money. And I remember when they broke his hand when he was late on his payments. 

Do I regret killing that nameless thug? Yes. I regret that life forced me into a position where the best way I could preserve life was to take it. But if presented with the same circumstances, I would choose to kill him again. 

Saints and Angels knows I’ve killed often enough since then. I tell myself I’m a healer, not a killer, but I still cry in the dark hours of the night when I remember the faces of those who I did not save, but murdered. 

Still, I was in the briefing room. I’d already had a thorough decon and exam done by Dr. Warfarin. James was still in a coma at the time. At that point, I didn’t know how I felt about the man. He was equal parts frustrating and endearing. LIke a big, poorly house trained puppy. Adorable and more than capable of making you smile and laugh, but at the same time, capable of great destruction. Not out of malice, but out of sheer exuberance. Had I ever been like that? My parents would likely say yes, as would my various mentors. I had something of a history of creating large messes, though none so impressive as the ones James had managed in his very brief career thus far.

I was slumping in my seat with Gavial, who had several bandages on. She looked tired, but pleased with herself, as she usually did after great violence done for a good cause. I’ve never quite understood how Gavial is able to balance being both one of our greatest fighters and best healers. She gives off an air of being invincible, but she’s far from that. I’ve seen her in her rare private moments of vulnerability. When the hot tears come, and she mourns those we’ve lost, and berates herself for her perceived failures. Yet when the next dawn comes, her indomitable spirit rises once more, and she is Gavial the Great again. 

“So, you got out alive at least, huh?” Gavial said, glancing over at me. 

“Yes, where are the others? They weren’t on our VTOL,” I said, glancing around. It was just the two of us. Exusiai had insisted on clinging to James like a rock spider, and Texas was unconscious and in emergency surgery. That damn idiot had been taking Amp-X. If she wasn’t infected now, it would be a holy miracle of the Sankta themselves. 

“This is just for the two of us. I think the top brass are keeping this compartmentalized. Hard to blame them. And, well, I think the two of us are in for a legendarily epic tail-chewing.”

I groaned. “If only James could learn to control that tongue of his.”

“Huh? No, I mean for calling Babel Has Fallen. Why, what did that dumb idiot say this time?”

Before I could elucidate, the door slid open, and the leaders of Rhodes Island entered. First was Chief Medical Officer Warfarin, looking like she wanted to spit venom. That was never good. When Warfarin developed a temper, she had creative ways of making her displeasure known. Next came CEO Amiya, who smiled and came over to check on us. “You two look exhausted. Don’t worry, we’ll make this initial debrief quick, then let the two of you rest.”

“They can rest when they explain why the fuck they called Babel,” Warfarin growled, her red eyes sparkling. 

“You know why, Warfarin. Now is not the time to call these two to account. You know that it is not our policy to second guess our field operatives decisions in most circumstances. While I will grant that this is not most circumstances, I will also not overly examine the mouth of the burden beast they have gifted us with.”

Ah, yes, our ever loquacious leader, Director Kal’tsit. Honestly, the funniest thing I had heard all year was when James had told her to keep it to 20 words or less. It had been completely inappropriate of course, especially in those circumstances, but twist my tail if it hadn’t also been highly accurate. 

“Twenty words, Kal,” the last member of the command staff present said, and despite myself, I couldn’t help but laugh. Even Amiya had to hide a smile behind her hand, and Warfarin howled at the comment. Gavial chuckled, though she was too tired for much more. 

Kal’tsit regarded the speaker for a moment, her expression utterly neutral as ever. Their expression was unreadable, of course. I’ve never seen the Doctor without their hood on. The only one who ever conducts their medical exams is Kal’tsit. Honestly, I don’t even know what the Doctor’s gender is. They’ve never said, and respond to both male and female pronouns with ambivalence. There were bets early on as to which bathroom they would use, but the answer seems to be “whichever is closest.”

“I will tolerate that kind of disrespect from young men in highly stressful situations, especially when they are as valuable as this Dr. James McCoy seems to be. You, however, I will not tolerate such sass from. While you have begun to regain my trust in some small ways, our relationship is not yet one where such banter is appreciated. Do I make myself clear?”

Doctor shrugged, then turned to Amiya. “Well. This is your show.”

“Thank you, Doctor. Sussurro, Gavial, let’s keep this brief,” Amiya said in her firm but gentle way. She’d grown so much in the past five years, from awkward teenager to commanding adult. And now eight centimeters taller than I was. “We’re aware of the confrontation with the Emperor’s Blade and your meeting with Wei Yenwu. The details of that can wait. For now, we only need to know two things: First, what was the situation in Leithanien, and second, what, exactly, is this Dr. McCoy.”

“First of all, ma’am, I take full responsibility for calling Babel Has Fallen,” Gavial said, her back now ramrod straight despite her clear exhaustion. “I was in operational command at that point, and gave my personal authorization code for Hibiscus to squawk it. Don’t blame the kid, she was just doing what I told her.”

“This isn’t an inquiry panel, Gavial. There will be time for that later. For now, please, just explain what happened in Leithania and Dr. McCoy’s unique circumstances.”

“Well, I…” Gavial swallowed and glanced at me, now uncertain. “I mean, as to what happened in Leithanien, Texas and Exusiai got a bad feeling. Those two are some of the best damn scouts I’ve ever worked with. When your best eyes and ears tell you that something’s wrong, you listen. Turns out it was a damn good thing I did, because a few hours later, the whole city turned into a battleground when the damn Horn Followers attacked. As to Bones…”

“Bones?” the Doctor asked.

“James,” I clarified. “Exusiai decided he needed a nickname.”

“I like it. Warfarin, write that one down in his file,” the Doctor said.

“This is hardly the time to add another to your so-called collection,” Kal’tsit said, her right ear twitching slightly in irritation. 

“Helps me remember them. Anyway, keep going,” Doctor ordered. 

Gavial looked at me and nodded, so I sighed and continued. “You saw that the city devolved into chaos, and at least one of the Twin Empresses responded.”

“Both, actually, though what the fuck happened to Lieselotte I still don’t get,” Gavial said. “There was all this magic being thrown around, a god-damn ghost showed up, then that fucker Arturia Giallo started playing a song with the Empress, and Ch’en used that crazy sword of hers. When the dust cleared, the cultists were dead, but Lieselotte had vanished! They were about ready to round us up and kill us all for kidnapping her before you guys showed up.”

My ears twitched at that. Later, I would come to learn what we all did: the Horn Followers had managed to manifest the spirit of the Witch King. Virtuosa, also known as Arturia Giallo, along with Ch’en and Gavial, had helped seal away the spirit of the Witch King. What Gavial and Ch’en privately confirmed to me later was that to seal away the Witch King, Empress Lieselotte had been trapped as well. 

“Ah, well, our encounter with Empress Hildegard you witnessed yourselves,” I said. “We were rescued from the cultists by Team Rainbow. Apparently, they abandoned their contract with Maylander to render aid.”

“Hmmm,” Doctor said, folding their arms. “Kal, analysis?”

“You’ve read the briefings. Form your own,” she sniffed. 

Doctor kicked their legs out, leaning back in the chair. “Well, I don’t know much about ghosts, but this sounds like the same thing we ran into back in Londinium, doesn’t it? We should get Tin Man’s opinion on this, maybe ask Logos too. That said, the Horn Followers are growing a hell of a lot more bold. Leithanien is going to be destabilized with one Empress gone too. Hrmmm. Gonna be real hard to get good beer and sausage for a while.”

“That is your analysis? That your favorite brands of snacks and alcohol will be more difficult to obtain?” Kal’tsit demanded. 

Doctor shook their head. “It’s pertinent. Leithania provides a lot of supplies. They’re a major economic producer, and Victoria hasn’t recovered yet.”

“Mom, dad, don’t fight in front of the kids, you’ll make them cry,” Warfarin said in sing-song tones. 

Kal’tsit actually growled at Warfarin, who stuck her tongue out at her. Doctor shrugged, and only Amiya had the good graces to look mildly embarrassed by her command staff’s antics. 

“That’s enough for now. And Dr. McCoy? What of him?”

“Good kid. Tries, real hard,” Gavial said instantly. “He needs a firm hand to steer him straight, but he’s got the makings of a good doc. Give him to Lucia here and she’ll get his head on straight. Keep him the hell away from that menace Ack though. The two of them will blow up the whole damn landship.”

“I think they may be somewhat more concerned with the fact that not only is he from Earth, but he may also be able to cure oripathy,” I said, and Gavial shrugged. 

“Bullshit,” Warfarin said, turning from making faces at Kal’tsit’s back. “That’s impossible. No one can cure oripathy. Not even us.”

“I watched him do it. Watched him pull the crystals right out of a late stage 2 acute case and into his own body. Andrey Ivanovich is completely clean now. Test him yourselves. I had Hibiscus run the labs, but do it again. I doubt you’ll find even a trace of originium in his blood,” I said. Then I unbuttoned my jacket, and exposed my collarbone. “Notice anything?”

“You’ve got a good skin care routine,” Doctor commented. “That sunburn you got back in Dossoles is all gone. Not even any wrinkles.”

Honestly, I can never tell if Doctor is a genius, mad, a mad genius, or simply making sport of us all. 

“Your infection,” Amiya said, standing and coming over to examine me. “It’s…it’s gone? But…”

“I watched the kid rip the originium right out of her. He’d have purged the whole thing if only Lucia had let him finish,” Gavial said with a shake of her head. 

“Yes, well, he was exacerbating his own condition, and mine was already well managed,” I said, blushing and letting Warfarin and Kal’tsit examine me. 

“We’ll need to run a number of tests,” Kal’stit said, using her fingers to trace my now unblemished flesh. “But this is…startling.” 

“Well, drain me dry. Huh. Maybe you two aren’t completely hopeless after all,” Warfarin mused, tapping my skin with her finger. “We’ll run some tests to confirm, of course. Heh heh, I was hoping a cute little thing like you would end up in my lab!”

“I will be conducting the tests myself, Warfarin. Restrain yourself,” Kal’tsit said.

“Well at least give me some vials of blood! I promise not to drink them this time!” 

“You will be provided samples, but you will obey chain of custody and properly document their every use, down to the milliliter. This is not a circumstance where sloppy science will be tolerated. We must be utterly thorough and rigorous in our approach, for this may be our first and only chance to finally end the scourge that has plagued our world since time immemorial.”

“Plus, you can’t drink their blood. They’re infected,” Doctor pointed out. “Probably tastes all gritty.”

Kal’tsit looked like she wanted to hit Doctor. Doctor, as usual, was completely unreadable. 

Many have long pondered if Doctor deliberately provokes the Director, or simply comes by it naturally. Myself, I think perhaps they initially did so by accident, but now do so at least partly by design. Much like James at times, Doctor has more than a hint of mischief in their nature.

“This is indeed a great discovery. Thank you for your vigilance in delivering Dr. McCoy to us whole, Gavial and Sussurro,” Amiya said. “Both of you, report in for treatment. I want you to sleep in the medical department for observation tonight.”

I nodded gratefully, and both of us stood up and departed at the dismissal.

Gavial checked behind herself as we walked, then grinned. “Well, that went pretty good. Still got my tail!”

“Yes, I suppose. Do you think…do you think Warfarin would really try to do something to James?” I asked, feeling a tad nervous. 

“Eh, don’t sweat it. She talks a big game, but I’ve never seen her do too much shady stuff. Well, I mean, shady stuff that wasn’t for someone’s own good. Unless they pissed her off. But really, she doesn’t actually harvest people’s organs. Not anymore, anyway.”

I also sometimes wonder if Gavial is pulling my tail or is simply used to living with existential danger. Perhaps she simply assumes she is tough and strong enough to handle whatever life decides to throw at her. I must be far more cautious. Not only is virtually everyone a physical threat to me, but I lack the prowess at arms to even begin to defend myself from someone like Warfarin. If she decided to overpower me, there would be little I could do. So, I must take precautions to defend myself. A vulpo lives by their wits, not their brawn. 

Still, by that point I was much too tired to care. I checked myself into the clinic, and soon passed out. 

June 13th, 1100

They are keeping me all day today. Turns out, I overused my arts. Again. I should have known, really. I could see all the signs in myself, the burning muscles, the tachypneic breathing, and the fuzzing at the edge of my vision. I’ve done it often enough in the field that I should know to slow down and stop pushing myself. Instead, I’ve just gotten used to the symptoms and can ignore them more easily. 

Just like a certain oversized idiot. I hope James is alright. He’s still unconscious. If he dies, not only will the world lose the best chance at curing oripathy it’s had, but it will lose an outstanding doctor. 

I just have to not be an idiot about this. Mother always did say I was an overly romantic fool. 

Anyway, I guess I’ll spend the day trying to beat my own score at Wintermaul Wars. Weedy in Engineering got within 1000 points. How am I supposed to retain my reputation if I let someone out score me?

June 14th, 1100

My throne is secure once more. I worked all afternoon and into the morning today, and successfully eeked out another 64 points by abusing the bug with Crystal Shooter’s interaction with an Obelisk and over buffing its crit rate with some creative mazing. 

James was still out, but I had lunch today with Myrrh and Myrtle, who came to my room. 

“Man, why do you get all the cool missions? I just end up on the lame ones where we just deal with search and rescue and stuff,” Myrtle complained as she munched on her sandwich. 

“I hate going on combat ops,” Myrrh said, shivering. “I'd much rather stay on the landship and work in the pharmacy. Compounding medicines is much safer than running about a battlefield.”

“But the combat pay!” Myrtle said, waving about her sandwich. “It's a nice bonus, and it's way more fun to be out there than back here! I didn't come all the way to the surface just to laze around on the landship!” 

“It wasn’t supposed to be a combat op,” I pointed out, nibbling on my own food. It was mushrooms, cheese, and tomatoes on focaccia bread. My two best friends had known just how to cheer me up, even bringing me a bag of veggie straws and a sparkling lemonade. 

“Yes, how did setting up the clinic go?” Myrrh asked. 

“We got the staff properly trained and all the equipment set up before we were called away. I was supposed to stay for a few more weeks to oversee things, but that’s not what happened,” I said.

“Aw, that’s too bad. I know you were really looking forward to it!” Myrtle said, giving me a commiserating look. 

“Yes, well, I got to have an adventure, didn’t I?” I said. 

“Yeah, and the guy you found is pretty cute too!” Myrtle said enthusiastically, and I nearly choked on my food. 

“Myrtle, he’s enormous,” Myrrh said, sounding exasperated. “You know how the taller races view women like us.”

“Ugh, don’t I just. I’m 22! But people treat me like I’m still a kid or something,” Myrtle complained. 

For a short-lived race like the Durin, 22 was actually fairly old. Most Durin don’t live past their sixth decade, even with how peaceful their underground cities are and how excellent their healthcare tends to be. I was 23 myself, though Vulpo life expectancy is a bit longer at around 65 years. Absently, I wondered what Jame’s life expectancy was. Well, assuming he didn’t kill himself or die of oripathy. 

The world just isn’t fair, and vulpo having shorter lifespans than most other races is just a part of it. Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to be born a pegasus, like Maria Nearl. She was already 27, but considered a child by her people’s standards. But as my grandmother used to tell me, you wish in one hand and spit in the other and see which one does you more good. 

“So?” Myrrh said, and I frowned at her. I’d been lost in my own thoughts for a moment. 

“Hmm, sorry?”

“Is he, you know…” Myrrh asked, dropping her voice. 

I blushed deeply. “Well I, ah, I would consider him more handsome than cute, but-”

“I KNEW IT!” Myrtle cried, jumping up and pointing at me. “You do like him! Hahah, I always said that the battlefield was the place where love can bloom!”

“T-that’s not, um, Lucia, I asked if the rumors were true and he can, um…cure you,” Myrrh whispered. 

“I helped take her blood earlier, and her count is way down! She might even be cured!” Myrtle said, grinning broadly.

“Keep it down,” I hissed, my eyes darting towards the door, but it remained shut. “And you know you’re not supposed to discuss patients' medical records! You’re going to get your nursing license revoked!” 

“Yeah, but you’re right here, and Myrrh is your friend and fills your prescriptions so, like, it’s not a big deal,” Myrtle mumbled around a mouthful of sandwich. 

“It’s still not very professional,” I said. Then sighed. “But…yes. My OBCD is down.”

“That’s so great! Does this mean that everyone is going to get cured now!?” Myrtle asked eagerly. 

I looked down at my sheets and fiddled with them. “I…I don’t know. Probably not. It still seems like it’s too good to be true.”

“Everyone’s talking about it. It’s supposed to be a secret, so of course the entire landship knows,” Myrrh sighed. “Though they’re not really sure what or how, the rumors are spreading that an entire family was cured of oripathy.”

“Well, you can tell them all that this is simply not true, nor have I been cured of oripathy. I’m still going to continue my treatment plan, even if it will need adjustment.”

“Hmm, OK, but that’s not the exciting part!” Myrtle leaned forward. “Is this new doctor guy hot!? Does he like you!?”

“He’s a colleague that I barely know, Myrtle. And my love life is frankly not nearly as interesting as a potential cure for oripathy.”

“Yeah but that’s like, big picture stuff. You’re one of my best friends! I want the juicy details!” Myrtle said eagerly.

I leaned back and sighed. “He probably considers me to be a child like everyone else, Myrtle. That’s why I stick to dating other vulpo.”

“Well, that’s boring. I’ve dated lots of people! You should try it,” Myrtle huffed. 

“Speaking of, are you still going out with Verdant?” I asked. 

“Harry? Yeah, me and him are still going steady. He brought me this!” Myrtle showed the yellow chrysanthemum in her hair, and Myrrh and I both made appropriate noises. 

“You two are having safe sex, right?” I asked.

Myrrh went beet red, but Myrtle took it in stride and nodded. “Y-yeah, of course! He’s super careful about it. Doesn’t want me to get infected. Although…” She looked wistful. “If he could get cured…maybe we could have kids. I am 22 now. Old baby maker isn’t going to work for that much longer.”

“That’s, um, you still have another ten years at least, Myrtle,” Myrrh said, adjusting her glasses. “All three of us are still young…”

“Pff, by my age, my mom had four kids! Not that I want to settle down and have a family right away, you know, but Harry’s a good guy. I think…well, maybe we have a future together,” Myrtle said, looking slightly abashed. 

“That’s wonderful,” I said, giving her hand a squeeze. I glanced at Myrrh. “You and Gantt are still dating, right?” 

“Oh, yes!” Myrrh grinned at the mention of her boyfriend. “We’re taking a trip to Columbia to meet his parents! I…I think he might propose soon! I just…I hope they like me…I’m from a rural tribe and…h-he lives in the big city…what if they think I’m not sophisticated enough?”

“Then they’re stupid and don’t deserve you. Sophistication is overrated!” Myrtle declared.

“I’m sure it’ll be great. Gantt comes from a pretty humble background. I wouldn’t worry about it too much,” I reassured Myrrh. 

“See, this is why we have to set her up with that new doctor! You ever notice how few single guys there are on the landship? It’s criminal, I tell you!” Myrtle harrumphed. 

“Myrtle, please do not try to set me up with James,” I groaned. “I’m perfectly happy being single.”

Myrtle and Myrrh shared a glance, and I blushed. They’d heard me cry over bottles of wine about how hopeless my love life was, and seen how miserable I’d been for weeks after I broke it off with Steward. He and Merry really were good for one another, it’s just…I had thought he was the one…

Which is why I was determined to not make an idiot of myself over an alien I met barely a week ago. High stress environments lead to an outpouring of emotions, and relationships based off of such emotions rarely work out. Besides, James seemed to have a thing for Exusiai. At the time, I figured that she was taller, like him, so it was only natural. Though I knew that if Exusiai was even mildly religious, he would be in for disappointment. 

What I wouldn’t have given to be even a couple of centimeters taller. Or have a more noticeable bust. Though in that crowd, I suppose I couldn’t complain. I mentally call us the Short Flat Club, because all three of us are ‘vertically challenged’ as James so glibly put it, and are lacking in womanly attributes. I really shouldn’t be concerned about that: I’m a doctor, with a successful career at the bleeding edge of oripathy research. There are thousands of women who would kill to trade places with me. 

…I just wish I was built more like Gavial. 

Yes, yes, spit in the other…

Anyway, to prove myself a liar, as soon I was discharged an hour after lunch, I went and made some fowlbeast broth for James. Maybe I wasn’t tall, but dammit, I could and can cook. You know what they say about the best way to man’s heart…

It’s through his fourth and fifth rib.