And so you end up down in the hospital's cybernetic bay, worrying about the time. You paid extra for an early appointment, but now that you're here, you're worried you've cut it too fine. More money out of your paycheck has gone to pay for a maid service to pack up your cases and send them onto the airport. Will you make it on time?
You hate how you always worry about things. Even irrational things that you know that you shouldn't. You just sit and worry and worry and worry.
" Shiratori Fuji?" A female doctor looks out of a room. She's wearing a full body suit and white coat, both shining and spotless, with a rolled hood that can go over her head. She's short, with a short bob-cut of dark hair and a sharp expression. expression.
You blink and get up, "Yes, that's me." Then follow her into the surgery suite. The room is mostly white, with a variety of surgical robotics hanging above it. You can see the stud of a wireless dongle in the doctor's cybernetic port, linking her brain with the surgical unit. She waves you to sit down.
"I'm Doctor Rensei. I'll examine you first. Please remove your shirt and jacket."
"I actually don't have too long. I have to fly later today so I can't get major surgery." You remove your clothes and sit on the bed.
"Oh ho." She says, looking you over. "Kind of ridiculous to come all this way then isn't it? I'm barely going to be able to fit you with anything. You already have your eyes." She leans in a bit close and looks you over. "First though, let's deal with that arm." The surgical unit hinges down and slices through the stiff material, removing it. "Yes, it's healing well. Try not to sleep on it for a few nights, if you're a side sleeper, and avoid heavy lifting."
"Yes Doctor."
"Now, cybernetics." She looks you over. "Or biotechnology. That's really my specialty." She looks at you and you see a flicker of digital information in her eyes. "You seem like you need biotechnology more than anything though. I notice you have a lower essence than a normal person would."
"You can scan for essence with technology?"
"Oh yes." She waves. "Magicians mystify magic. Really there's no such thing. Just physics. So yes, there are scientific tests for essence, and I note that yours is considerably below what it should be." Her manner is so direct, almost rude, and so matter of fact that it's hard to even protest.
"I never had this reported when my other implants went in."
"You should have paid for premium service then shouldn't you?" She frowns at you a bit. "Clinically, given your lack of recovery time and your low essence, I can't fit you with extensive cybernetics. There are some minor bio-symbiots that could be fitted, or another port of your data jack if that's what you want."
"Wait a second! What exactly causes low essence?"
"A few things. Certain diseases. Depression. Gender Dysphoria is a common cause."
"Gender dysphoria?" You're only minimally familiar with the idea. "Like, when you're actually a woman?"
"Yes." She says. "If it is that, then you'll actually find that you can get quiet extensive cybernetics, more so than a normal person, if they reinforce your desired gender. Of course, that would take a therapist to figure out."
"That's ridiculous." You say, feeling a strange void inside you. "I'm not-- any of those things."
"Well, think about it." She shrugs. "As it is, it might be quite dangerous for you to have more cybernetics. Cyberpsychosis would not be probable at the level of essence you're at, but more extensive modification might cause you significant ill effect."
"What can I do about this?" You ask. "Is there some therapy I can go to?" God. How would going to therapy look on your performance evaluation? "I have to leave the country in a few hours!"
"Where are you going? Somewhere civilized?"
"Taipai."
"Alright. I'll write you out a referral to a clinic there." She begins to fill out a card then hands it over to you. "The Clinic Rouge." The business card has a stylized woman making a kissy face on it. "The woman who runs it is excellent. She and I worked together in Chiba. She'll sort you out."
"I-I see." You shake your head and get up, putting on your shirt and jacket. "I'm sorry to have wasted your time then doctor."
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you more."
You step outside, still startled by the brusque doctor and her diagnosis. You're not depressed are you? You're not really a woman."
What will this do to your prospects of marriage?
You've got to repress this. Got to put it aside for the company.
But, maybe--
you feel
[ ] Strange contentment
[ ] a feeling of revelation
[ ] Worry
[ ] Irritation with yourself for not being more decisive.
