Chapter 11: Chapter 11 – Itchy

On the floor of a building, a medical facility operated and owned by a corporation, a recovery chamber was being prepped for a patient.

The room was sterile with metal walls and floors, along with a table, filing cabinet, and two chairs. There were several sealed boxes filled with various medical supplies and clothing that were packaged.

A single medical technician was on standby currently preparing an awakening program. He was looking at the computer screen above the recovery area and making sure that all systems were prepared and functioning.

‘Device, prepare the procedures for the patient named Engineer to awaken from his healing process.’ Said the young medic who looked and felt quite impatient. This day had been a long time coming from his reckoning.

He had been working in shifts with a team of medical staff to monitor and ensure that one particular patient was being taken care of even while in a chemically induced artificial coma. It happened that it was on his shift that he had received instructions from the doctor in charge to gently wake up the patient, run a few brief checks, hand him a health monitoring bracelet then permit his release from the facility back into his scheduled company work.

‘Device, I asked you to open the wake-up settings’. The young medic asked more impatiently this time. His months-long contract would soon be finished.

+Direct Authorization required from HR Manager.+

‘Really. Alright then, contact Contract AI 290 the Head of HR, and inform him that we’re going to be processing the contracted employee that he’s directly responsible for.

+Attempting to directly contact HR Manager…please wait…please wait. Connection established.+

[Hello, this is Contract AI 290. To whom am I speaking.]

‘Um, hi. I’m Brian. I’m a medical technician working in the facility on the lower floors, we’ve received the automated notification that a contracted employee under your direct supervision is now due to wake up from an induced coma following an eight-month recuperation period. This was confirmed by the doctor responsible for him. He was due for a routine brain implant; his recovery period has now ended. I’m here to check and release him back for company work.’

[Right. Right, thank you, technician Brian. I can see from my records here that you’re due to finish your contracted duty after this. Are you heading anywhere interesting for your company endorsed vacation?]

‘Uh, not really. I didn’t plan that far ahead yet Sir.’

[I’m the head of HR, not a military officer. You don’t need to call me Sir. Contract AI 290 would be just fine. Think about where you’d like to go to, we have a special offer if you book through the company. Food and drink expenses are covered on your behalf.]

‘Oh, I, I didn’t know that. Thanks, Contract AI 290. I need your direct authority according to my device here to begin the awakening procedures. Then we’ll just run a few tests on Mr…Engineer. Doesn’t he have a first name?’

[None, that I’m aware of, his legal name is a title it seems. I’ll enter the necessary codes to give you direct control over the process.]

‘Thank you.

[Just doing my part of the job as we all are. Eight months of duty is certainly a long time. I’ll tell you what, once you finish your work let me sign you off for another three weeks. You deserve it for all your hard work. Human Resources and I appreciate your diligence in this matter.]

‘Thank, thank you!’

[Of course….there. I’ve entered my access codes. You can now begin the process of waking up that particular employee. If it’s no trouble, can you ask if he has a working communication device and send him a copy of his work schedule?]

‘No trouble. I’ll get to it after I finish this task first.’

[Thank you. Have a nice vacation once you finish.]

‘I will. Thank you so much for the additional holiday.’ Replied the medical technician.

[My pleasure. I’ll get back to my work now. My personal contact information is located in the schedule for when the Engineer wakes up. Goodbye.]

‘Bye!’

The young medic turned his attention back to the medical facility where the Engineer was waiting in a large machine that encompassed his entire body. There was a large computer screen above it that showed current life signs and health information. On the top were the words: Brain Surgery Implant Recovery Systems Optimal.

The medic looked at the body lying down inside the recovery pod. He sighed.

‘I don’t know about you buddy, but I’m ready for a full month's holiday. Not that you’ve complained about working straight through for eight straight months of company time. I got no idea what your implant is, but I sure hope it’s worth it. Time to wake you up and talk to you in person to get things up and running.’

He turned back to the mechanical device that dealt with the operation of the medical centre recovery suite.

‘Device, can you begin the awakening process now. The authorization has been provided by the XXX corporation Head of HR Contract AI 290.

+Confirm direct authorization. Preparing the initial waking process.+

A series of beeps and other noises came from the recovery chamber as it slowly slid back and revealed a man initially lying down. He began to cough and splutter as medical equipment was automatically removed from his body.

+Support Equipment

‘Hi there, you’ve just woken up from an induced state of hibernation for eight months. Your body will need some time to adjust after your long period of inactivity. My name is Brian and I’m the medical technician here to help you adjust through the process.’

The young man smiled and stood there while holding out a pristine white robe.

‘Would you like any help standing up? Although your body has been exercised in the machine your coordination might be off a little bit.’

The Engineer stretched out his body and replied.

‘I’ll be fine. Just, give me a moment to get up. It’s all a bit fuzzy at the moment.’

The medical technician waited there by the recovery chamber moving the white robe into both of his hands.

‘You’re doing quite well. Relax and take as much time as you need. I’m here for your assistance at any point if you need it.’ He said to the Engineer lying flat with a relaxed tone.

‘I can’t remember a lot. Who are you again? What is this place?’ asked the Engineer.

‘No problem. Being unsure of the situation is perfectly normal. My name is Brian and I’m the medical technician who was assigned to watch over the recovery chamber for the last eight months. Tell you what, let me just come over and help you up a little. Once we get you on your feet, you’ll feel a little bit unsteady at first, but you’ll soon feel back to normal again.’

‘Yeah…thanks, I guess. I have a feeling right now. It doesn’t feel right though.’ The Engineer spoke slowly.

Brian walked over to the recovery chamber and put the white gown into one hand while using the other to support the back of the Engineer to help him sit slowly up.

‘I got you, let’s get you sitting up first, and then we’ll try a few steps ok. Your body should be fully recovered, the implant was successfully put in during the operation and I didn’t hear about any complications from the doctors. It would have been in your file.’

‘Thanks…Brian. I still have this feeling though. It doesn’t want to go away.’

‘You don’t want to throw up, do you? The disorientation should pass. If you do feel the need though I have a sterile vomit pack ready.’

‘…Do…do you get a lot of people who want to throw up after brain surgery?’

‘Well, you’re the only one who’s actually been into the surgical suite for brain surgery and then been transferred into the recovery bay. I couldn’t say much about people who need to throw up. Mostly we just handle minor and major medical issues that take place in the workplace. My job is to monitor and support once a patient is prepared to be discharged.’

‘You… like to talk.’

‘Sorry, it’s been long-time monitoring. Being able to talk with you is a new experience. Is that feeling any better now?’

‘I don’t want to throw up. The feeling isn’t physical, it’s more emotional. Annoying. Impatient. Ok, help me on my feet thanks, Brian.’ Said the Engineer.

‘Sure, ready in three…two…one…’

*Hup* Brian helped the Engineer stand on both of his feet.

The Engineer was unsteady for a moment, grasping onto Brian’s shoulder before standing straight.

‘I’m ok, I’m ok. Bit cold though.’

‘Well friend, you are completely naked. Would you like to wear this robe now?’

The Engineer looked straight down. ‘Ah. Yeah, thanks. I didn’t realize that.’

Brian handed over the robe with both hands to the Engineer. ‘It’s fresh out of a packet’ he laughed lightly.

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‘Great. I just need to get it on though. Do you mind a moment?’

‘Take as much time as you need. Do you need any help getting dressed?’.

‘Nope, I’ll just need to stretch a little bit though to loosen my body. Being naked should help me out. Perhaps some yoga.’

‘Uh…I’m just going out the room for a moment while you get changed. Be right back.’

The medical technician left the room in a slight hurry. He shut the door behind him.

The Engineer smiled. ‘People skills can be overrated. A helpful guy but I need a moment to work out what’s going on with this implant now stuck in my head.’

He walked over to the Device that held his medical records in the room, touching the screen he activated it and started reading through the information that flowed down the screen.

‘Got my date of birth, address, health status, and recent employment with the XXX corporation eight months ago. What else have we got here.’ The Engineer said aloud.

As the Engineer quickly scanned through the information which was mostly mundane regarding the eight-month recovery period and the healing process he got another feeling. This time it was physical. He felt that his hair which had grown over time was a little bit scratchy. So he rubbed his hair a bit.

‘I’ll need a haircut, or I’ll just grab some clipper and do it myself.’ He thought to himself.

After quickly checking through the medical data which held little interest to him the Engineer considered hacking into the company-owned Device to see if it would give him any more information about what exactly this brain implant was meant to do.

It was at this point that a knocking sound came from the door to the recovery room.

‘Do you need any help getting dressed after your exercise?’ came a voice from outside.

‘Ah, no problem. I finished up and I’m just getting dressed right now. Just a moment thanks.’ Said the Engineer.

‘Ok. I’ll wait for you. Let me know if you are feeling unwell or have any other symptoms though, I’ll be right outside. I still need to do a rundown on your physical condition and record it before you can be released to your current work duties.’

The Engineer threw the robe on and tied it up covering up his body.

‘I’m all ready and dressed.’ He called out.

Brian opened up the recovery suite door and walked in.

‘You look better already dressed up. It’s a better look than being naked at least. You finished with your exercises?’

‘Yeah, all done. Thanks for waiting. I need some privacy sometimes.’

‘…Well, while I’m able to offer you human privacy you should be aware that this recovery suite has a recording system at all times. It means that every action in this room is under scrutiny, for your safety and protection obviously.’

‘Are you telling me that there’s a team monitoring this room?’

‘Yeah, they have a crew watching it twenty-four seven. It’s necessitated by global government legal requirements. I wouldn’t enjoy being in their position, sitting there watching stuff through a screen. Maybe your naked exercise routine brought something different into their lives. I just need to use that Device behind you, it’s for company medical staff only, once I ask you a few questions, input some information and give you a health tracking bracelet then we’re good to go. Do you have any questions for me first?’

The Engineer thought for a moment. ‘That monitoring team saw me naked?’

‘Don’t worry about it, I’m sure they have filters for that stuff. As long as nobody is tampering with any equipment in this room then it’s not a problem. I mean, who would mess around with equipment in a recovery suite? Hah! I think there’s a military team on standby to intervene in case anyone did that.’

‘Haha.’ Nervously replied the Engineer. He had just been playing around with the Device in the room that contained his records, and it was all being monitored in real-time; he also wasn’t doing any naked exercises so that excuse went out the window as well.

‘Anyway, do you have any questions for me? Please take a seat.’

The Engineer sat down on one of the chairs with his hands resting on his lap. Thank

‘Nope. Not a single one. Thanks for taking care of me while I was healing in that thing.’

Brian smiled. ‘All part of my job. Now, do you feel any odd sensations or reactions in your body? This is the first time that you’ve been fully conscious since before your brain implant. We can’t exactly measure the aftereffects when your body is in an induced coma.’

‘Nope. I’m fine. Everything is fine.’

‘Right then. Wait, you did say that you felt something earlier?’

‘Nope. I mean, it was nothing much. Probably just a bit of dizziness from sitting up too fast.’

‘Ok, any other sensations that you’re feeling at the moment? Disorientation should have passed by now. Can you tell me your name and date of birth?’

‘My title is Engineer. Date of birth is 20XX, August 10^th.’

‘I need to verify your information quickly. Wait a moment while I input it.’

The man then walked over to one of the storage boxes in the room and pulled out a plastic-wrapped tablet before removing the shrink-wrap.

‘Have to make sure that we’re still using sterile equipment as a precaution.’ Brian smiled at the Engineer.

The Engineer plastered a big grin on his face. ‘Great!’

‘I’ll just put your date of birth and confirmation of identity in…checks out. It’s a bit silly to do this I know given that you’ve been immobile for so many months but it’s the procedure. Do you mind providing a sample of your DNA?’

‘Sure, I can spit.’

‘Oh, I meant more like a drop of blood. I mean we’ve got all the sterile stuff here, but sure saliva will work just the same. You can put the saliva on your finger and just touch the screen on this point.’ Brian held out the tablet screen with one hand, while the other pointed at the tablet.

The Engineer spat a tiny amount of saliva onto the tip of his finger before placing it onto the tablet, a small light on the screen flashed green.

+DNA Verified. Patient designate Engineer confirmed.+

‘There we go. Oh, your physical senses might need some time to reset. That would explain the feeling that you felt earlier.’

‘I see. Nope, I’m fine. Everything is fine.’

‘That’s the spirit! Now, I’ve been tasked by the head of HR Contract AI 290 to verify that you own a working communication device as your new work schedule will be uploaded. Also, you’ll need to wear a health monitoring bracelet so an on-site team can make sure that there are no hiccups with your implant.’

‘Do I need to wear it?’

‘You’ve got an implant in your brain. Having a small temporary wearable won’t make that much of a difference, will it? This is for your health and is a company-mandated policy.’

‘Alright then,’ grumbled the Engineer softly.

The medical technician got off the chair and went to another storage container pulling out a small sterile-looking packet. He opened it, took out the bracelet, pressed a button, and checked it before sitting on the chair and handing it out for the Engineer to take.

‘Here you go. All setup, it’ll automatically pick up your health signs. Now, do you have a working communication device?’

‘Not on me. I’m naked except for the robe, are my personal belongings around here somewhere?’

‘Ah, right. My mistake, your stuff was sterilized and securely locked away in this room. It should be in another one of those boxes. I mean, we’re pretty much done here so if you want to take your possessions, items of clothing, and communication devices they’re located in the red box near the door. The smaller one over there.’

The Engineer stood up and put his hand out. Thanks for taking care of me for eight months Brian, I appreciate it. Brian put down the tablet that he was holding and placed it on the seat of the chair and reached out his hand to shake it.

‘It’s been my pleasure. I’m going to be having my holiday soon you know after we’re done here. You can get changed outside of the recovery suite in the company rest area. They have private rooms there.’

‘Where are you going on holiday?’

‘….I didn’t choose yet, but the Head of HR said that I would get another few weeks added on for my work diligence.’

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