THE PLANET THAT LOVED PEOPLE (standard:science fiction, 2156 words) [8/18] show all parts
Author: Danny Raven	Added: Mar 04 2016	Views/Reads: 1804/1394	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
PART 1 - CH 7

SEVEN 

Tyler looked through the observation window of the operating theatre in
the small hospital at Fleet Head Quarters. Under a brilliant light in 
the centre of the room, the Surgeon General was bent over the table, 
totally engrossed in his work. Tyler watched for a few minutes then 
decided he wanted a closer look. He nodded to a Guard who pressed a 
wall button and the door slid open. 

The Surgeon General glanced up when he heard someone coming in.
Recognising Tyler he signalled for him to put a mask on. Tyler took one 
from a dispenser and waited while it moulded itself over his nose and 
lower face then walked over to the table. 

Only a small area of the patient's back was visible, the rest covered by
an expanse of sterile green drape. The Surgeon General was using a 
tissue-grafter and Tyler bent over and followed his deft movements for 
a while. “How much longer?” Tyler asked. 

“Two hours,” the Surgeon General replied without interrupting his work.
Tyler smiled under his mask. “Fine. I'll be back.” 

He left the operating table and walked over to the door which slid open
this time when he approached. Outside, he tugged the mask from his 
face, tossed it into a waste bin and strolled over to the lift. 

Two hours. Enough time for his meeting with The Inner Council. It had
been a day since his visit to Sirene and they would want a report. 

‘Must keep them informed,' he thought, smiling and entering the lift,
‘of some things!' 

As the lift began to ascend he wiped the smile from his face and
concentrated on the progress report he would deliver to them. 

When he returned a couple of hours later the operating theatre was
empty. He found the Surgeon General in a guarded side room with the 
patient. She was awake and he was checking her with a hand-scanner. 

Tyler walked over to the bed and after a cursory glance at the
attractive young woman he turned to the Surgeon General. “Show me,” he 
ordered. The Surgeon General pocketed the hand-scanner and leaned over 
the bed. “Sit up please,” he said to the woman. 

She sat up and her long black hair cascaded down her back. The Surgeon
General moved it aside, unfastened the white gown she was wearing and 
Tyler leaned forward to examine her. 

The skin on her back was light golden and smooth except where a small
silver disc had been implanted at the top of her spine. The Surgeon 
General had done an excellent job and the disc looked as if it had been 
there a long time. Satisfied, Tyler straightened up and nodded. 

The Surgeon General re-fastened the young woman's gown and let her hair
fall back. “Sleep awhile,” he said softly to her. 

She lay back down and they waited until she settled then left the room.
When the room door slid shut, the Surgeon General leaned wearily 
against it. Tyler indicated for the Guard to move further up the 
corridor so they could talk. 

The Surgeon General removed his surgical cap and ran his hand through
his thinning grey hair. “That's how you wanted her?” he asked. 

Tyler smiled. “Exactly how I wanted her. Now she can pretend she's an
Android. If anybody ever checks they'll find the disc. If it convinced 
me it'll convince them.” 

The Surgeon General said nothing. He knew better than to interfere or
criticise. 

“What about the prisoners?” Tyler went on. “How are the preparations for
receiving them?” 

“I've taken over the Fleet's Cryogenics Laboratory. It needs a few


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