บท 124: First test -120
After being shown the item and told about the nature of the operation, they were sent over to their workstation, and a small army of people soon flooded into the room. Among them were more soldier types pushing in more equipment.
But also, more doctors and what seemed like an army of support staff. Strange did a quick head count and counted about three dozen surgeons and enough support to give everyone here, himself, including three.
And as he had expected; soon enough, a soldier wheeled a table of equipment over while the people, two women, and a man, came over as well.
"Hello there Dr, Strange, I am Sandra, and I will be the surgical nurse with you today." She introduced herself.
"With me is John." She motioned towards the lone man. "He is the Anesthesiologist, and finally we have Casandra, who is the surgical technologist. The three of us will be assisting you through the procedure, and you will then grade us afterward." She continued.
Not even giving him time to respond, she quickly moved on, introducing the equipment, which included the three card-like objects and the three dummy bodies he would be performing upon.
"I don't feel I need you all; I mean no offense, but an Anesthesiologist isn't of much use for a dummy body." He finally said.
"Well, surely you would need some if you really go to perform the real thing right?" The man, John said, which he couldn't really disagree with.
"Fine, I guess you are right. So, were you also kidnapped or?" he couldn't help but ask them.
"Oh on, we all work here, or well not all here, but we work for the organization, same with the doctors that came in with us." Sandra quickly answered.
"Really? Must be a rather big organization indeed." He said, though it really wasn't a big surprise since they apparently had access to nuclear weapons. "I'm curious; if you have your own people, why invite us then?"
"Because this is apparently super important, and while we have some of the best there is, the man in charge wants only the very best." She answered with a shrug.
"Wait, so you don't even know what this is all about?"
No, no, really, we knot a bit more than you do, but only what we need to know; this whole organization is very much doing the whole need-to-know thing." John said.
After Sandra's explanation, Strange couldn't help but frown. This whole thing was becoming more and more mysterious as time went on, and he had a feeling that it was entirely possible they wouldn't be released but disappeared instead.
"Say, will we really be let go once we are done here?" He couldn't help but ask.
"Oh yes, don't worry about that; while I can't promise that you won't be subjected to amnestics first, you will be allowed to leave for sure." Casandra spoke up for the first time.
"Well… guess it could be worse." He wasn't really liking the idea, but he also realized that he didn't have much choice in this matter.
"No need to be nervous Dr, just do your best, and everything will work out. This wasn't meant to be such a big deal, not before the containment breach, at least." Sandra said, clearly able to tell that he was feeling rather nervous.
"Anyway, do you need anything? Anything not already here?" She asked and pointed towards the equipment.
"Well, I possible I wouldn't mind my music, it helps me focus and relax doing surgery, I should have had a music player with me before coming here." He explained.
"Alright, I will see where it ended up, just wait a minute." Sandra said as she walked off.
As Dr. Strange waited for Sandra to return with his music player, he reflected on the strange circumstances he found himself in.
The room buzzed with activity as the staff prepared for the procedure, their movements efficient yet shrouded in an air of secrecy that made Strange increasingly uneasy. Sandra returned, holding a small music player.
"Here you go, Doctor. We found it with your belongings," she said, handing it to him with a polite smile.
"Thank you, Sandra. It's a small comfort, but it helps," Strange replied, setting up the device to play his preferred playlist of classical music. "Now, I will take a moment to read over the material here and get to know what I am to do; please don't disturb me."
When it came to surgery, Strange was a bit of a perfectionist. He wanted to be the best, which meant that he carefully considered every operation. And so, here, he read everything and looked at the pictures and diagrams.
After almost three hours of reading and checking out the dummies and the object he was supposed to implant he was finally feeling ready. "Alright, I believe we can get started." He said and his three assistants quickly stood up.
As Dr. Strange positioned himself at the first dummy, he ensured that his headphones were firmly on the classical music providing a serene backdrop to the focused atmosphere. Sandra, John, and Cassandra each took their positions, ready to assist as needed.
"First dummy," Strange announced, his voice calm yet commanding as he began the procedure. The first incision was precise, guided by the diagrams he had studied meticulously. Sandra handed him the instruments smoothly, her movements practiced and precise.
As he inserted the card-like object into the cavity he had created, he couldn't help but marvel at the level of detail in the dummies. They mimicked human anatomy so closely that it almost felt like performing actual surgery.
"Steady now," John murmured from beside the anesthesia cart, despite the obvious lack of need for his services in this simulation. His presence, however, added a layer of realism to the procedure, preparing them for any eventuality in a real operation.
Once the implant was securely in place, Strange sutured the incision, his hands steady and his focus unwavering. "Done with the first one," he declared, glancing up at his team. Sandra checked the placement via the dummy's built-in scanners, nodding in approval.
The next dummy was the sole female one, and once again he was highly surprised at just how detailed it was. They had even made the breasts highly detailed. "To test if one would get distracted." Sandra added as she noticed where he was staring.
Which did make him feel slightly embarrassed. "Ah, yes, that's very smart. Now, I'm ready to begin."
"Let's proceed then," Strange said, focusing his attention back on the task. He approached the second dummy, aligning his tools and preparing for another precise incision. The classical music continued to play, keeping him calm despite the high stakes and intricate work ahead.
As he made the first cut, Strange was methodical, his hands moving with practiced ease. Sandra was right beside him, providing the necessary tools without needing specific prompts, attuned to his method of operation.
The second implantation process mirrored the first in its precision, but the differences in anatomy required slight adjustments in technique. Strange adapted seamlessly, showcasing his skill and deep understanding of human anatomy—even if it was replicated in a dummy.
Once the implant was in place, he looked up to Casandra, who was monitoring the technical aspects of the procedure. "Check the scanner, please," he instructed calmly.
Casandra nodded and reviewed the readings from the equipment. "The placement is perfect, Dr. Strange. No deviations from the expected parameters," she confirmed.
"Excellent," Strange replied, his attention already shifting to the third and final dummy. He cleaned his tools briefly, then positioned himself to start anew. This procedure was just as crucial as the first two, and his focus remained sharp.
As he worked on the third dummy, the room's atmosphere grew tense with anticipation of completing the task flawlessly. Sandra, John, and Casandra watched closely, their roles minimal but their presence essential for the simulation's realism and for providing immediate feedback.
The final implantation went smoothly, and as Strange finished the last suture, he stepped back, removing his headphones. "All three implants are successfully in place," he announced to the room, which seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Sandra approached with a digital tablet, showing the detailed results of all three procedures. "Dr. Strange, all implants are perfectly aligned according to our targets. You've done an exceptional job under these unique circumstances."
Strange nodded, acknowledging her praise but his mind was elsewhere. "Thank you, Sandra. Now, what's the next step?"
"Now you will be allowed to rest for the rest of the day, tomorrow as well if you request it, while you do that you will be asked to answer a series of questions about the operation and about our performance."
"Will I be able to leave sooner if I don't ask for the extra rest day?" he asked.
"I'm afraid not, you will just be allowed to rest for a day longer at the end." Sandra said, to which Strange could only nod.
"Alright then, I want to rest an extra day."
"Very well, we will inform those in charge; if you wait here for a bit, someone will take you to where you will be staying," she said before John, Casandra, and she each began wheeling a dummy out on a medical bed.
As Dr. Strange settled into the waiting chair, the reality of his temporary captivity sank in. He was not just a participant but a pawn in a larger game, the rules of which were not disclosed to him. His mind churned with the possibilities of what the mysterious organization could want with such precise surgical simulations.
A few minutes later, another staff member approached him. "Dr. Strange? I'm here to escort you to your accommodations. Please follow me," the woman said, her tone professional yet friendly.
Strange followed her through a series of nondescript hallways, noting the lack of windows and the security cameras that dotted the ceiling at regular intervals. They arrived at a simple but modern room, equipped with a bed, a desk, and basic amenities.
"Here is your room, Dr. Strange. You'll find everything you need here. If you have any requests or need assistance, please use the intercom on the desk," the escort explained, pointing to the small device next to a digital clock.
"That door." She said pointing towards another door. "Is the bathroom, and that one." She pointed towards another. "Leads to a small area you can mingle with the other guests here."
"Thank you," Strange replied, his voice calm but his mind racing. As the door closed behind the staff member, he took a moment to absorb his surroundings. The room, while comfortable, felt more like a luxurious cell. He knew he wouldn't be able to leave until the organization decided he could.
So he wasted time going towards the area where he could see the other people kidnapped here; he would rather spend some time with them than alone.
As Dr. Strange approached the communal area, he was met with a variety of expressions: curiosity, anxiety, and a cautious sense of camaraderie among those gathered. It was a diverse group, men and women of various ages and backgrounds, all brought together under mysterious circumstances.
He recognized a few faces from the surgical room—other professionals like himself, drawn into this secretive operation. Nodding to a few who made eye contact, he chose a seat where he could observe the interactions and listen to the conversations that bubbled around him.
A middle-aged woman sitting across from him gave a tentative smile. "You're Dr. Strange, right? I heard them call your name earlier," she said, her voice a mix of weariness and forced cheerfulness.
"Yes, that's me. And you are?" Strange replied, extending the conversation as he gauged her demeanor.
"I'm Dr. Emily Chen, I specialize in neurosurgery. It seems we've all been brought here for our particular skills," Emily explained, her eyes scanning the room as if looking for an exit she knew wasn't there.
Strange nodded, absorbing the information. "It does seem that way. Have you gathered anything about why we're here? Or what does this organization plan with us after this is all over?"
Emily sighed, "Not much. They keep the information tight. I know there's a lot of speculation going around. Some think it's governmental, others suspect the private sector, given the resources. As for after, well, assurances were made, but you know how reliable those can be."
A/N
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