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One Police Plaza
The last time he had met a government official in New York, he was removing a nerve staple from Premier Alvin Katz at the government's request. At least this time it was more of a friendly meeting. He had a short dossier with a picture of Chief Jean Holiday. She was pretty lady but very professional and business minded. Hopefully, he could get some support for more presence in house space and a deal or two.
He locked his guns in the safe of his ship. After all, walking into a police station with loaded firearms wouldn't be wise. He then instructed the load master that the load of deuterium was for the base. "And if you would, good Sir, I will take what you can of your Sunbuck's coffee. I will take care of the tab when I return."
With that, he approached the front desk of the station and spoke to the officer at the desk.
"Greetings, Sir. I am Dr. John Henry Holliday of Med Force Enterprises, here to speak with Chief Jean Holiday. She is expecting me."
With that, he looked in the trophy case in the reception area. It wasn't very often he was in a police station for something.
Jean's aid walks in the Chief's office to let her know of a guest awaiting her in the lobby.
"Ma'am there is someone waiting for you in the lobby. He said you were expecting him." "What was his name?" The Chief asked."Dr. Holliday, Chief." "Ah yes I am surprised he made it here so quickly send him up and push back my meeting with the Sunbucks CEO till tomorrow." I cant forget to give him a talking to about putting to much cream in my coffee and not enough sprinkles on my donuts she thought. "Right away ma'am"
A few moments pass and Dr. Holliday is escorted into the Chiefs office.
The Chief of Police office is not what you would expect. The room was all white with reinforced glass surrounding the entire office. You can clearly make out the trade lanes heading to and from Planet Denver. The Blackwatch Fleet Carrier Excelsus is easily visible standing guard at One Police Plaza. To the left are black book shelves filled with penal codes and the Laws of Liberty. To the Right are black shelves filled with awards, family photos and other common items. Her desk a glossy black finish with a modern computer and etched on the side reads "Made By Ageira". Paper work is neatly organized and easily accessible.
"Ah Dr. Holliday! Welcome welcome please take a seat!" as she points to the chair in front of her desk.
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Doc was a respectful, southern gentleman to the point of being flirtatious as evidenced when he motioned to her seat. "Ah but not before you, Ma'am" as he removed his large brimmed, signature black hat. He broke protocol a bit when he offered a hand shake. She was an attractive woman but he kept it to himself. When she sat down, he took his seat. He really wasn't sure where to start but figured on issue would lead into another.
"I am not sure where to start," he began with his light, southern drawl. He just gave a quick overture of their initial communication. "Basically, I gave you an introduction of Med Force Enterprises. We take care of everyone and anyone who may need it regardless of affiliation or which side of the law they may walk. Yes, we get accused of harboring enemies but medicine is neutrality. I will not release someone until they are healthy enough to leave nor will I use a diagnosis to hide someone from the law. It is also why we work mostly out of house space. I mean, put yourself in my shoes. We have saved tens of thousands, probably more, but have had to push ethics.......but not in an evil way. The Hippocratic Oath is my bible and I swear by it."
He stopped and took a breath. "Apologies, I tend to get long winded and would rather not overwhelm you out of the gate. So what would you like to know?"
Jean smiles and takes as seat as she listens to the Doctor explain what his organization does..
"Well I can see how doing your work in house space could cause an issue. Every house has its own medical system and after a suspect is apprehended they are treated before being sent to serve their time She said with a straight face. Do you have any success stories that could really highlight the advances in medical research you and your organization has accomplished over these many years?
Just as the constant increase of entropy is the basic law of the universe, so it is the basic law of life to struggle against entropy. - V. Havel
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"I see that you are a woman who likes proof," he replies with a nod. "I cannot open up a lot of my files but.....I do have one that I have declassified as the patient is now deceased from a separate incident.
I do not know if the name David Hale rings a bell to you but it might. He was rather high up in the Liberty Navy years ago. It was at his request that I performed this procedure and the reason why this file now exist."
"I do not know if you know what a nerve staple is. Basically, it was used by a man bent on taking over the Coalition years back. The nerve staple is to them what Cardamine is to the Outcast, a device or substance used to enforce compliance. In the case of the nerve staple, if someone did not comply, the controller could create extreme pain to someone until the desired action was fulfilled. It might be something as simple as getting someone a cup of coffee or as extreme as performing an assassination."
"Its removal can kill the recipient if not done right as it s buried deep into the base of the brain and where the spinal cord meet. Somehow, I succeeded. Fortunately, I have not encountered one since."
Jean sits back in her chair and takes a look at the file
"This is incredible, you and your organization are the real deal and I am very impressed. If you were to ever want to publish your work and be recognized for your achievements here in Liberty I would suggest leaving out the Coalition part of this story along with any mention of the Naval Officer for privacy concerns and just stick to the medical facts of the procedure. Perhaps we can find some work that could in turn fund Med Force Enterprises? One Police Plaza has a medical wing and I would love to see you and your team giving some of my doctors training in areas that are not most common. What would you say to something like that?"
Just as the constant increase of entropy is the basic law of the universe, so it is the basic law of life to struggle against entropy. - V. Havel
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He gave a smile and motioned with his open hands as if to say, "easy, now."
"You wanted something that showed our capabilities and that is what I showed," he explained, "I am most certain that buried in the files of the Liberty Navy, they too have this record so while I declassified it due to the death of the patient, I am certain the Navy did not. That said, if I never have to perform that procedure again, I will not be happy enough."
He sighed, "I take no pleasure in knowing that even in my care, the patient has a good chance of dying and the other option being that if I do nothing the patient has a good chance of dying. For now, let us keep this file between us."
He thought a moment. Training Liberty personnel would be a good opportunity and an establishment of goodwill between them.
"I think you will find that the bulk of medicinal treatments are the same between us and the houses. A lot of shrapnel from an exploding ship, gun shot wounds, stabbings and common medical procedures but I am willing to assist. We do a lot of research on not just illnesses but on treatments for those procedures I have mentioned but for cures, medicines and so on. Until I can prove something a success, I keep those research projects classified."
He thought again. "Chief Holiday, starting at Police Plaza is an acceptable arrangement. If we can establish trust, perhaps building a facility in Liberty space would be an option. Granted, it is in the future but it is something to look forward to. We are non-profit so the only favor we ask would be a tax and fee exemption from the government. How do you feel about everything I have suggested?"