Shoot for Earth: MedSci Missions 3

“, , , The The guy was born the way he is, should we be trying to change him?”

The Ambassador frowned. “I can’t emphasise the importance of this assignment enough. The safety of the whole ship, and thus, potentially all of Earth, depends on that man’s mental health.”

“On his mental health, or his cooperation? I’m not sure it’s the same thing. What is his diagnosis, anyway? I ask because I have to gear the game to interfere with his natural psyche.”

“Of course,” Heather said. “You seem reluctant to carry out behavioural modification therapy. I’m with you on letting people be who they were born to be, to a point. But really, when you have someone who stole his almost dead girlfriend’s body and put a different dead person’s revived brain bits into it, don’t you think it’s warranted?”

“Well, it worked. She’s alive again.”

Karen shook her head. “How alive? Look at all the cognitive challenges she has. Imprinted no less with Roed’s own image attached to most of her memories. I mean, who does that?”

Sufra sighed. “Well, you’re the boss. What have you decided is his defective personality type that you want me to modify?”

Heather spoke emphatically. “We’ve gotten away from labelling people with exact personality types, and especially with what they used to call disorders. Now the we list the characteristics of the individual and make sure they understand who they are as a person. We show them the traits that the majority of people in our society will find hard to deal with. The majority used to expect people with unusual personalities to learn to conform to their ways. Now the education system helps neuro typicals meet atypicals roughly halfway, and we guide the atypicals to do the same, when they’re in a work environment. It’s been working fairly well for many individuals.”

“In other words,” the Ambassador added, “we’re still trying to profile his personality traits and how to best deal with his characteristics that are challenging for us. Dr Green is a skilled expert on that, don’t forget, and his continued input is vital.”

“I know, ma’am. As you said, Dr. McTavish will be able to pass on his input, and it will be more efficient. Are you sure it’s legal to modify Roed like this? For how we need him to be? I’m not a lawyer, but isn’t he supposed to consent to treatment?”

Karen hesitated. “Did Sophie consent to him modifying her to how he wanted her? Certain rights are given up when someone is arrested, especially on a ship on a special mission. Usually, I’d put the best interests of any employee front and centre, but I’ll admit that in this case we might need to manipulate to our advantage. Considering his criminality and what’s at stake, I think it’s justified.”

“I understand,” Sufra said reluctantly, “but I don’t want to do anything that will permanently change his basic personality.”

“No, no one wants that. That’s where Dr. Green is vital! His only job is as a doctor, so his primary concern is to do no harm. Dr. McTavish is more complicated. Her first duty is as First Officer of a ship with a mission to stop alien DNA from infecting all humans and changing us forever.”

“Ok, I see your point,” Sufra conceded. She thought a minute. “I might have to use some AI that isn’t normally acceptable in a machine used by people.”

“As long as it’s legal, I’m fine with that.”

“Mmm …”

Karen sighed. “Well, I was given authority by our government to act on their behalf. I’ll sign off on special circumstance use as necessary. If I get fired for it, at least it will be because the government is healthy enough to do it.”

“Ok, I’ve got some ideas. Shall I go get started?”

“By all means.”