The voice of the computer dictated “Human female patient presents with fracture of T2 spinal vertebra and severing of nerve tissue in the associated area. Simulation beginning in 5…4…3…2…1” A hologram of a woman, nearly broken in half appeared on the surgical table in front of Drake. He took a deep breath and made his first incision to expose the spine. He zoomed in the lenses on his surgical glasses to get a closer look. “Didn’t take it easy on me this time.” One of her vertebrae was shattered. Drake didn’t seem phased though. He flew into action, removing bone fragments. Reaching around to clear the damage on the anterior side was delicate work and he could barely see what he was doing. Slowly but surely, each fragment made its way out.

As that was done, he turned to the fragments of the anterior bone, and started to reassemble it, using a bone knitter to seal each piece in place. Once it was solid, he returned it to its original position and fused it into place. It was only there to act as a support for the real work. Which hadn’t even begun. Drake checked his timer. 1:26:43. “Oh jesus.”

He picked up a regenerator, and slowly, one by one, he fused the nerve endings back together. 1:26:43 became 3:42:27 before he was done.

He turned to the tray, and reassembled the posterior side of the bone, the same way he had before. Slowly, carefully, he placed it back where it had come from. He closed the site and said “Computer; surgery complete. Results?” There was a pause. “Movement and body function restored. Walking and movement aids required.”

Silence.

“Goddamn it!” Drake kicked over his stool. All this work. And I’m not getting any better. He thought. He sat down against a wall and just stared at the operating table in silence. The infallible Drake Marshall, lost. He looked at the timer. 4:02:31. An all time record. Everything had gone smoothly and quickly, but it still didn’t work like it should. “Computer; transmit detailed results to my PaDD.” There was a chirp of compliance. Drake cracked his neck, stood up and said “End program.”

He put on a false bravado and confidence and started his walk back to sickbay. Behind the false arrogance and smile to a nurse he’d been flirting with, he couldn’t get it out of his head. Not perfect. Not what he needed to sustain himself.

-Dr Drake Marshall