[network] @jwatson; Paranoia Strikes Deep [Night 246]

[jumpthegun]

Right. I just want to be clear given that obituary. I don't know you people. I've never met any of you. Yes, I've seen some of the logs and I've read through your guides, so don't bother telling me to do that. I don't know what the hell you're playing at or how you managed to get audio and video footage of me like that, but I'm not indulging you.

My name is Dr. John Watson. If you require medical advice, I can provide it. Otherwise, I'm a bit busy. Thank you.

Comments

[jumpthegun]

[At least this person is being direct and helpful.]

Someone mentioned radiation sickness. Is there a stock of medication for this that we have access to?

[deus_ex_phs]

Unfortunately, no. As of the last report we received, radiation treatment supplies are critically low.

[He's not going to mention that John's the one who received that report.]

Our next restock isn't scheduled for another four months, give or take, too, so until then, we're on our own.

[And considering that their "session" is due to end sooner than that... But that's more than needs to be dumped on John all at once.]

[Private]

On a side note, I should mention that as a doctor, you have the authority to prescribe medication and ask that the Admin deliver it to a patient. She generally tries to accommodate those requests when she can. Some of those supplies are getting low, though.

Private

[jumpthegun]

[Well, that's just brilliant, that is. John sighs to himself, really hoping this is a dream still.]

Thank you for the information. Do we have a list of the available medications or is it just a request system and see if the Admin can pull it up?

Private

[deus_ex_phs]

Only a general list:

Low-grade Painkillers: Low
Mid-grade Painkillers: Acceptable, restock requested
High-grade Painkillers: Acceptable
Specialized Medication: Acceptable
Radiation Medication: Critically low

As far as I'm aware, you just submit the request, but I haven't been privy to the exact details of those kinds of exchanges between doctors and the Admin.

[Since, you know, most of the doctors here respect doctor/patient confidentiality.]

Private

[jumpthegun]

[John supposes he can check on his tablet to see if 'he' has prescribed anything before.]

All right. Is there a reason painkillers are so high on the list of things to find out? I can understand there are probably some aches and pains around here, but I'd have thought cold and flu medications would be faster to go. Antibiotics, maybe.

Private

[deus_ex_phs]

Probably due to MN poisoning. It's a byproduct of the nanomachines in our bodies that are currently keeping us alive. Symptoms vary, but increased pain seems to be associated.

It also doesn't seem like we have many instances of contagious illnesses. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd attribute that to the medical nanomachines, too.

Private

[jumpthegun]

Has anyone actually seen these things? Or is it just posited they exist based on the symptoms?

Private

[deus_ex_phs]

Actually, yes. By another doctor, in fact. Here.

[He'll send John a link, because yes, he's info moogle enough to have kept one in his notes.]

I can also confirm that blood transfusion, and therefore nanomachine transfusion, from a healthy subject to someone with confirmed MN poisoning relieved symptoms at least temporarily. I was the donor.

Private

[jumpthegun]

Blood transfusions? Do you even have the equipment for it?

[Needs must and all, but that's bloody dangerous, otherwise. John would trust in his own ability to maybe do something with needle draws and quick transfusion, but that would be tedious for everyone involved and highly risky.]

Private

[deus_ex_phs]

Not ideal equipment. Medical syringe and tourniquet, and immediate transfusion to the patient. Short of not giving a transfusion at all, we didn't exactly have any other options.

The doctor involved was a good doctor, though, with a solid background in field medicine. Good man, too. I was willing to trust his experience.

Private

[jumpthegun]

[Considering John has read the Guides, he assumes this is obliquely referring to himself. Which is flattering, he supposes. He's not going to call attention to it.]

Right. Thank you again for the information. If I have any other questions, I might tap you.

[He seems... reliable. Even if he's amongst those trying to convince John he's been here before. At least he's not trying to push it directly. John can deal with that.]

And I'm available if you need me.

Private

[deus_ex_phs]

[That's okay, John. Kunsel is content with oblique references to what you've done for him. You'll understand when you remember, and that's good enough.]

I appreciate it, Doctor, and likewise. Feel free to contact me anytime.

[He'll probably answer pretty quickly, too, in most cases. Comes from a lifetime of being hooked to his phone.]

Private

[jumpthegun]

Sure. I'll talk to you later.

[And now we're disconnecting. At least John is politer about hanging up on people than other paranoid soldiers in Norfinbury.]