Small Problem by Melanie Brown

Small Problem

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2023

“Be seated, everyone.”

We had all stood when Director Wilson entered the conference room. The four of us had been waiting, maybe a bit impatiently, for twenty minutes for the director’s arrival. The conference room the director had booked for our meeting was designed to seat around fifty. Well, true to everything else at BioSynthIndustrialMedical, we certainly go large.

Director Wilson shuffled some papers he had taken out of his briefcase after he sat down. He sat there quietly for several minutes, going through the papers in front of him while we just sat and waited. Like the other three, I had my notebook computer open, displaying important notes.

Finally, the director cleared his throat as he shuffled some papers again. He opened a notebook PC in front of him. “Let’s get this show on the road, shall we? As you all are aware, in two hours, I will go before the board at the shareholder meeting to discuss our progress in the nano-technology operations. We’re spending a lot of shareholder money, and the board is interested in seeing some results. Dr. Kumari. Let’s start with you.”

Not hiding his annoyance at being picked on first, Dr. Kumari said, “Thank you, Director Wilson. I’m very pleased to announce a major breakthrough in our nano-particle technology. We have designed an advanced nano-machine that we feel is six to eight months ahead of our nearest competitor. Our little robots, if you will, can survey a patient from the inside, diagnose independently what is wrong with the patient and then develop a plan of action to repair whatever the problem is all on their own. The competition’s tech isn’t capable of this yet.”

Director Wilson tapped some keys on this notebook. He didn’t look up but said, “That’s excellent, doctor. You’ve made a lot of progress in the last six months. But that capability will be tougher to sell if we’re not the first to market. How quickly can we turn this into a product?”

Dr. Kumari nodded at another seated at the table. “Dr. Nakagawa can address that issue.” Wilson turned his gage to Dr. Nakagawa.

Dr. Nakagawa sat up straighter and adjusted his tie. He said, “Thank you, Dr. Kumari. All the masks and dies are already in the computer. Once this design is finalized and approved by the board, we can start cranking these nano-machines out by the millions in just a few weeks. Our fabs in Thailand are ready as soon as the project gets a green light.”

Wilson turned to me. Despite doing this work for years, as an engineer, I still don’t like having the spotlight directed at me. “Mr. Moore. This is your project. Overall, what is your opinion on where we are in our testing? Have we ironed out that glitch that caused several test animals to die?”

I took a deep breath. Why did he have to start with that issue? “Thank you, Director Wilson, for this opportunity. Yes. That was a software glitch. After making the repair to the lab rats, the nano-machines tended to clump and cause a blood clot inside the heart. We corrected the code, and that issue won’t happen again.”

Wilson chuckled. “That’s certainly good news. What else do you have?”

I turned my notebook so Wilson could see my data, I said, “The software has been working perfectly in simulations as well as lab rats. The nano-machines rally to the master bots, identify the problem, say a tumor or a respiratory condition, make the necessary tissue repairs, then stand down and get flushed from the system. This will eliminate most surgery as we know it.”

I allowed myself a smile. “We’ve already secured a patent on this technology. The competition is nowhere close to our capability. But it is very expensive. In a month, I feel we’ll be ready to begin phase one clinical trials. Our nearest competitor is within three months of performing trials. Theirs is not a complete solution like ours, but if they’re first to market, it could hurt our product.”

Wilson stared directly at me. “Just how sure are you of the safety of our product? Two months ago, one of our competitors rushed into a trail, and the adverse effects almost shut them down.”

I grunted. “I’d take it myself. That’s how sure I am.”

Wilson nodded. “I’ll inform the board that we’re ready for trials and should start immediately. Excellent work, everyone. I’m sure the board will be excited.”

*          *          *

“Come on in, Mr. Moore,” said Director Wilson after I knocked on his office door.

I entered his office. “You needed to see me, sir?”

He waved for me to sit. “Yes. And close the door, please. I have good news and bad news for your project.” This can’t be good, I thought.

I sat down and leaned forward. “I’m guessing you talked to the board?”

Wilson folded his hands in front of him on his desk. He said, “Yes. And they were very impressed. They loved the work all of you have put into the project. However, they rejected starting trials just yet.”

“Rejected? Why?” I asked. “It’s imperative we get started as soon as possible.”

“I agree,” nodded Wilson. “But you haven’t heard yet. NanoHome rushed into clinical trials with their product called NanoArmy. It was a disaster. Adverse reactions to every test subject. There were several deaths. So, the board wants more testing. NanoHome has shut down development of their product for the foreseeable future.”

I sat up straight. “That’s horrible. But I can guarantee you, our product is safe. If it weren’t for the regulations, I’d put it on the market today.”

Wilson frowned. “Well, Stan. That’s not going to happen. Research across the board has been set back. Everyone is suddenly afraid of this tech. I agree we have a solid product. But after more extensive testing, we can apply for clinical trials again.”

I stood up and leaned on Wilson’s desk. “But we’re so close! I know it’s safe!”

Wilson frowned at me. “Go devise a suite of tests so we can prove it without a doubt to the board. You’re dismissed, Stan.”

I left Wilson’s office stewing. These idiots, I thought. We could start saving lives today! I’d trust it with my own life! I paused on my way back to my office. That’s it! I’ll prove it to them all. I hurried to my office.

*          *          *

“Are you sure about this, Mr. Moore?” asked my lab assistant.

“I’m very sure, Carl. I’ve calculated the dosage and loaded the syringe. The tracking instruments are already scanning. Just poke me on my left butt cheek.”

Looking unsure, Carl said, “This has been cleared by management?”

“I’m project lead,” I said, getting impatient. “You signed the form, right?” He nodded. “That indemnifies you in case something goes wrong.” Of course, there’s no authorization to do this. But we can no longer wait for the bureaucrats. We have to take action now.”

“Last chance to abort,” said Carl as he hovered the syringe over my ass.

“Do it, Carl. Then check for adverse reactions.” I winced as I received the injection. The solution was rather thick and ice-cold. The tracking system started receiving data immediately.

Patient Age: 47 YO

Patient Sex: M

Issue: PSA level 9.7

Diagnosis: Prostate cancer likely

I already knew that. My doctor gave me the choice of surgery or radiation. I was going to elect surgery, but even that doesn’t guarantee that all cancer cells are removed.

I felt feverish and a warmth in my groin area. I passed out.

*          *          *

Carl said, “Thank God you came out of that. You were out for an hour. I was getting ready to call for an ambulance.”

I smiled weakly. “I’m glad you resisted.” My fever was gone. On the tracker’s screen, it read, Prostate cancer removed. I couldn’t wait to verify with my doctor. This was great! The nanomachines should already be being flushed from my system. I sat up, and then my vision blurred.

“Carl. What does the screen say? I can’t read it.” My vision was blurry, and my eyes itched. The display read, “Issue: Impaired vision.” The next line read, “Diagnosis: Far-sighted vision. Repairing.”

What the hell? It’s not supposed to do more than one thing. I wouldn’t mind having my vision corrected, but it’s not supposed to do that.

Everything went black. “I’m blind!” I shouted. “Oh my God!”

Carl said calmly, “Maybe it’s because the nanites are working on your eyes.”

“I sure hope so!” I said, panicked. This was crazy.

Just as suddenly, my vision returned. “I can see! Oh wow. Perfect vision.”

Carl said, “They don’t seem to be flushing like they’re supposed to do.”

I reached up to the tracker. There’s a control to turn the bots off if they malfunction. I pressed the cancel operation button several times. Nothing happened.

The screen read, “Issue: Unknown.”

“Diagnosis: Unknown.”

I suddenly felt feverish and sick to my stomach. Carl said, “There’s no turning them off, Mr. Moore!”

I blacked out.

End Part 1