This Doctor Lacks Patients

[Jakob Benson]

The Iniquitous Sanitorium was ready. Now it only needed to be filled. Benson had a few patients in mind that deserved to be 'guests' in his new facility. But so far it wasn't required that they be 'brought in'. However just turning on the holonews would reveal a plethora of people that plagued society, infecting it with their mental ills. In time they would all find themselves within the facility's halls...

Benson sat at his desk in his quarters, going over some of the finer details and schedules. It was quiet. There was no music, no synthesized sounds of nature. There was nothing. And he liked it that way.

Not long ago he had gone through some channels to interview some staff. Organic staff. For good reason most that worked on these two tethered asteroids were droids. Hardly any organics resided there at all. Droids were less easy for the insane to manipulate. And they were less chatty. But there had to be more than just droids on staff. Yet not many.

Now he waited. Whether or not the responses would be through holocalls or an actual visit, Benson wasn't certain. But he was prepared for both.

[member="Subject 73 Red"] [member="Natalie LaForte"]

 

[Subject 73 Red]

[member="Natalie LaForte"] [member="Jakob Benson"]

Then, suddenly, a ship appeared out of hyperspace nearby the facility. It started to enter the asteroid field, heading towards the facility.

Red stood at the bridge of the small cargo ship, along side a droid pilot. Red pressed a button, and sent a transmission to the facility. "This is Cargo Vessel one-nine-seven-three-nine-six, on a direct course for Iniquitous Sanitorium. Requesting permission to land. Our cargo is a patient for the facility, extremely dangerous. Uploading codes now." Red released the button, and sent the codes to the facility.

Now, they awaited response from the facility.

 

[Jakob Benson]

The codes were received and once verified, a transmission was sent out to [member="Subject 73 Red"] 's shuttle. ~Cargo Vessel one-nine-seven-three-nine-six, you are cleared to land. Designated landing pad B-Fourteen. Dr. Benson will be informed of your arrival.~ The transmission was ended. A second later, another was sent to Benson's quarters. ~Dr. Benson, we have a cargo vessel enroute containing a patient.~

A hint of a smile crossed Benson's features before he git up from his chair. "Good. I'll await them in my office. Have the patient escorted there."

~Understood, Dr. Benson.~

Benson adjusted his tie and picked up a datapad on his way to his office. Just who the patient was, he wasn't sure. But he was eager to find out.

At the hanger, a small unit of the 501-Z police droids awaited the cargo vessel.

[member="Natalie LaForte"]

 

[Natalie LaForte]

What pulled me here?

Between her many free hours of managing her company and her children, Natalie often took up pet projects. Acquiring subsidiary firms. Managing orphans. Liquidating obsolete companies and handling mergers. But what exactly would drag an apathetic vampire towards an insane asylum. Perhaps it was the madness, or better put, 'madness' that lurked within that slowly drew her from the quiet manor on the planet of Mygeeto.

"Private transport freighter IMF-CHRYSALIS and IMF-AEGIS inquiring into standard docking access for lead ship, IMF-CHRYSALIS. Primary cargo aboard IMF-CHRYSALIS. Cargo includes private equity shareholders seeking to engage in business related discussions with relevant site manager and precious cargo."

The droid thought I was precious? How cute.

Perhaps there was something to be seen aboard the two hulking vessels in comparison to the barren Hoth space - three life forms aboard the 2 combined. One - that of Natalie, the other two of Cecelia and Saki, minority shareholders in subsidiaries of IMF, the company who owned these vessels. But what was most surprising was not the cargo.

No, Natalie came not as an investor, as the female voice suggested, but as a potential employee. As to what that would entail, well that was up to [member="Jakob Benson"], the Warden of the facility to decide.

~ [member="Subject 73 Red"] ~

 

[Jakob Benson]

An unexpected arrival. ~IMF-CHRYSALIS, IMF- AEGIS, hold your position until clearance is granted.~

A new transmission was sent to Benson's office as he arrived. A holo-image of Zed projected from his desk. ~Dr. Benson, IMF-CHRYSALIS and IMF-AEGIS are requesting permission to dock. They claim to have private equity shareholders and precious cargo. Their ships' ID's have been verified. How should we proceed?~

This was indeed a surprise. But not an unwelcomed one. "Provide them with clearance, as well as an escort to the conference room. I will arrive there shortly. Have our patient sent to my office, regardless." The conference room was on the same aateroid as the hanger and processing center, meaning that he had to prioritize his affairs.

~Understood, Dr. Benson.~

As the holo-image disappeared, Benson did an about-face and exited his office to head to the turbolift that would bring him to the passageway that linked the two asteroids together. The whole journey would take him 15 minutes, which was sure to be plenty of time.

~IMF-CHRYSALIS and IMF-AEGIS, clearance has been granted. Co-ordinates are being transmitted. Proceed to designated landing pad A-Seven. Dr. Benson has been notified of your arrival.~ The transmission was sent, as well as a dozen 501-Z Police Droids to the A landing pad to provide the escort.

[member="Subject 73 Red"] [member="Natalie LaForte"]

 

[Subject 73 Red]

[member="Natalie LaForte"] [member="Jakob Benson"]

Red nodded when he was cleared for landing. He nodded to the droid pilot. "You know what to do." He told his droid.

"Copy that." The droid changed their course to land in B-14.

Their ship begun the landing cycle, and the landing gear came out as they slowly entered the hangar. The ship slowly touched down. Red pressed a button, and the exit ramp opened up and extended out. Red walked out of the cockpit of the bridge to the cargo hold, where two heavily armed droids were guarding the prisoner. The prisoner had binders on, to stop him from escaping. Red nodded to the two droids.

"Bring the prisoner. We're moving out." Red told them.

The droids nodded and brought the prisoner to his feet. They forced the prisoner forward, and moved him down the cargo ramp. Red walked behind the two droids. The unit of police droid approached.

"We have orders to bring the patient to the Doctor's office." The droids reported.

"Alright. Lead the way." He replied.

The squad of droids lead the way towards the office. With Red, his two droids, and the prisoner following.

 

[Natalie LaForte]

"Control please be aware, IMF-CHRYSALIS assuming close proximity to station and a shuttle will be sent with our representatives. Both ships will remain in orbit of a nearby asteroidso as to not clutter landing zone for other vessels. Thank you for the swift response."

Several minutes later; just that would happen. A shuttle containing two lifeforms would depart the large carrier-cargo hybrid vessel, containing Natalie and her business associate, close friend and pilot for the short ferry to the asteroid, Cecelia. The pairing were an unlikely sort of friends. Cecelia, embroiled in an early age in the art of space faring, practical and hands-on, and a much more mature Natalie now taking the reigns of her business, albeit with very little knowledge on what even an engine was. But for that very same reason, when the unimportant class of shuttle landed, only the vampire stepped out, spotting out of the corner of her eye [member="Subject 73 Red"], perhaps a bounty hunter of sorts?

It felt strange. And on the shuttle as she gazed upon the asteroid against the bleak backdrop of space, she recollected the few years when she had been forced into an asylum, though the reason why had passed her now. Maybe that's why?

A quick flash of an ID card identified Natalie as described; "Natalie Priscilla Genesis LaForte, Chief Executive Officer of IMF holdings."

With the bureaucracy of introductions to the police droids finished, and assuming they correctly identified her, there would be no reason why she would be arriving shortly behind [member="Jakob Benson"].

 

[Subject 73 Red]

[member="Natalie LaForte"] [member="Jakob Benson"]

Red followed after the guard droids. The prisoner was in the middle of them, with the prisoner and the guard droids in front of Red and his two droids. Red motioned for his two droids to stay behind with the ship. They nodded and moved back to the ship. Red followed the guard droids through a passageway. Then, there was a light as they were scanned for weapons. Then, there was an alarm as weapons were found.

"Check the prisoner for weapons." One of the droids said.

"It's not the prisoner. It's... him." One of the droids pointed to Red.

Red stood there silently, waiting. He still had his helmet on, so his face was hidden from sight.

"Wait here." One of the droids told Red. Then, the droid contacted [member="Jakob Benson"] . "Sir, the man that brought in the prisoner is heavily armed. Should we tell him to leave his weapons with us?" The droid asked.

 

[Jakob Benson]

Benson had just stepped inside of the conference room when one if the 501-Z police droids contacted him in regards to [member="Subject 73 Red"] and his weaponry. If it was one thing that some droids lacked, it was common sense. He lifted up his glasses a tad so that he could pinch the bridge of his nose to ward off frustration before responding. "Negative. So long as the patiemt doesn't get a hold of them, all should be fine. Have them both wait for me in my office as ordered."

~Understood, Doctor Benson.~ The droid turned to red and gestured down the passage. "~Moving on.~ To both the patient and Red, they'd probably note how new everthing looks and smells. Benson's office was sparse, containing merely a desk and two chairs. Only Benson's chair held straps.

Once the shuttle containing [member="Natalie LaForte"] and Cecelia had landed, the 501-Z Police Droids checked their identification. ~Dr. Benson is waiting for you in the conference room. This way.~ Providing a proper escort of police droids in front of and behind them, the two women were brought to the turbolift and up to one of the processing centers. There the conference room resided. Within it was a large oval table that seemed made from the asteroid itself, but polished to a fine sheen. The floors and walls were the same way. All light was artificial, except for the one circular window which brought in some light from distant stars.

Benson turned to face them squarely as they entered, the police droids doing their duty of holding the perimeter. Only a hint of a smile was expressed. "Welcome. I hear that you've taken an interest in my facility. So let us cut to the chase and discuss just how much interest you have and why."

 

[Natalie LaForte]

"What excellent craftsmanship..." Natalie gleamed as the palm of her arm outstretched onto the crystalline surface, taking careful note of the speckles of impurities laced throughout the worktop. "Artisinal I take it? A man of fine taste" retracting her gaze and hand from the table and then losing herself in the myriad of interior design that was the conference room. It was a passion of her own to some extent, having had to take a module in colour theory when she studied her degree in fashion (that has been to as much use as you can guess). While her inner academic screamed about the mono-decor, there was certainly something appealing to the eye about using the natural world in man-made constructions.

Cecelia disdained such rants, more suited for one's own thoughts.

"I can't say my associate shares my passion for interior design, so let us indeed 'cut to the chase'." Refocusing her vision on the Warden and picking up the remnants of happiness with what once was a smile. "My interests in this facility are many, and I simply wish to seek it grow. The current mental health facilities in the galaxy are few and far between, and most of them are inadequately equipped to cater to today's medical standards." A curious hint of charisma but in a droning tone plagued Natalie's voice. She has been in the position of being a negotiator far too many times to feign excitement, but it was clear she was indeed interested in this field of moneymaking.

"Put simply, my company, the Intergalactic Monetary Fund, seeks to invest not only in the Iniquitous Sanitarium, but to facilitate the procurement of patients and staff, and aid in any future developments you deem necessary; in exchange for an equity stake in all profits generated."

Cecelia glanced on towards Natalie as she took a slow stride towards the only natural light in the room, its beams illuminating her pale skin and continuing confidently."I myself would be unlikely to have any direct involvement, but we have a team of expertly trained and qualified staff who would love to assist in the day-to-day operations of a facility such as this." The woman paused in her steps, having not quite reached the window and still close enough to the table to lean against it and look eagerly into Jakob's eyes.

~ [member="Jakob Benson"] - [member="Subject 73 Red"] ~

 

[Subject 73 Red]

[member="Natalie LaForte"] [member="Jakob Benson"]

Red nodded to the droid and followed after the droids. They entered an office and waited in the office. The droids led the prisoner to a chair and sat him down. Red stood nearby, waiting. His helmet was still on, so his face was still hidden from sight.

Red looked around the room. It was very sparse and empty, with only a few pieces of furniture in the room. It was very clean and sterile, a lot like the labs Red grew up in.

He stood there, waiting.

 

[Jakob Benson]

Flattery got nowhere with Benson. In fact, he saw it for what it clearly was; a manner of which for one to manipulate others into getting what they want. It was just a ploy and nothing more. He cared little for how the place looked, just so long as it served it's function. His time was spent on his patients, not with how comfortable or pleasing to the eye his surroundings were.

But finally [member="Natalie LaForte"] cut to the chase.

Benson's expression didn't change. One couldn't tell if he liked what he had heard or not. There was a pause before he chose to respond, and he did so while placing his hands into the pockets of his coat for no other reason than to just put them there. "Two things. One being how much equity are you wanting to get your hands on. And two, I do believe that with many of the patients within these halls, droids would be far better suited to handle them than humans or other organics that can become empathetic." Such a thing wouldn't do well, for that could increase the chances of a breakout.

Meanwhile, in Benson's office, the 501-Z Police Droids left the room, all but one that remained for no other purpose than to keep [member="Subject 73 Red"] informed of Benson's status. ~Dr. Benson's meeting is underway.~ There'd be no small talk. Only the statements of facts.

 

[Subject 73 Red]

[member="Jakob Benson"] [member="Natalie LaForte"]

Red nodded to the droid that had reported where the warden was. God, this was taking forever, and the droid was just staring at him. The prisoner Red had brought in started quietly humming a little tune to himself. Was this what normal people considered, awkward? If so, Red hated it. Red leaned his head back and groaned softly. His current helmet setting was set so that nobody on the outside could hear him. He sighed.

"God, I hate this. This is so boring. No one is saying anything." He muttered to himself.

He turned to the droid in the room. "So... how's your day been?" Red asked the droid.

Gah! Why did I ask that? Now, it's even worse than before!

"Anyway, how long will it take for the Doctor to get out of his meeting?" He asked.

 

[Natalie LaForte]

"It depends on how much capital you might need, and therefore how much staff I would be willing to offer you..." It wasn't the first time that Natalie had been so inclined to negotiate shares, of course almost every other time was the acquisition of a company so devoid of profit that the answer was almost always 51% in exchange for clearing a few debts here and there. This situation was a little bit... different.

"As I understand it, the running of an enterprise this large, you're not looking for just credits. I can offer you more than that, and how about you tell me what you think it's worth?" Seemingly on cue, Cecelia, the woman stood teetering at the back of the room walked to Natalie's side and offered her a datapad, containing a few projections and facts about the company Natalie was expelling information about. Smoothly, the pad transitioned into Natalie's hands as she spoke, and was subsequently set down on the granite-like table, switched off. "To clarify, I am not offering menial staff. IMF is a holding company for several operations I am in charge of; accountancy, web development, artificial intelligence, administration and management. Things you might not expect that you need, but you certainly will. Of course, we have been a frontrunner in the development of droids for almost 5 years now, having sold to intergalactic political powers, but you seem to have already acquired such security."

Suddenly, her voice turned rather blunt."I will be precise. I can offer you right now, a top of the line management team specializing in healthcare administration, a state of the art artificial intelligence who can coordinate any automated system within the facility, and complete hassle free tax accountancy to ensure maximum profits in an era of ever increasing bureacracy. Whats more, I could also attempt to open negotiations with some contractors of ours to see a steady inflow of patients, but that will take some time and is not a guarantee."

Natalie's grimace emerged, displaying a fearsome set of peculiar canines.

~ [member="Subject 73 Red"] - [member="Jakob Benson"] ~

 

[Jakob Benson]

The 501-Z Police Droid did a double-take as [member="Subject 73 Red"] asked it how it's day had been. But then that question was quickly followed by another that was more suitable. "Dr. Benson prefers short meetings. His interactions with his patients are his priority."

Benson meanwhile listened to [member="Natalie LaForte"] as she went on with her pitch, only offering so much as a slight tilt of his head, first one way and then the other to give any indication that he was processing what she was saying. His expression never changed.

"There is no bureacracy here. There is no jurisdiction but what I create. So as far as taxes are concerned, that only occurs with products I bring in. As for patients, I have my own sources for that, afterall, I'm not just fresh out of medical school. I have been in this profession for quite some time."

He paused for a moment, half wondering just what kind of a facility it wss that Natalie thought this was. "The co-ordinates for this facility are given to very few. The fortunate thing about asteroid belts is that they are always on the move. I have no interest in putting this place up on the holonet. The less people know about it, the better." Some patients would be high profile and as such, discretion was at the utmost.

"I will allow for two administrators, one for each section of the facility, on a trial basis. Providing the trial runs successfully, we can talk equity and credits."

 

[Natalie LaForte]

Ah yes. Independence from galactic powers. How sweet that would taste. A factor she had overlooked in her initial offerings, but certainly not one she could not put a corporate spin on, quipping back almost immediately with a serious furrow in her brow, in a low voice "That's certainly true for your jurisdiction currently, but any acceptance of patients without a pre-planned funding mechanism from whoever is giving you them is a stagnant business opportunity at best. "

As she finished, her voice raised itself in tone and she seemed more jolly. "And since this is a first of its kind facility, there is no precedent for how profit could be generated and would come into existence, allowing yourself, and my company, to become market leaders and future builders for any competitors we may face in the future."

If this could have been any more cinematic, Natalie's face would have black lines and a blue background behind her as he continued to peruse the exact details that her assistants had so kindly forgotten to provide to her. But she did not allow such cartoonish expressions to overcome her. "T-Two?" She bounced her facial expression back to its confident posture. "Exactly the amount I was hoping you would request!" If he added a few zeroes. "I already have them selected from our extensive range of personnel. I'll have their dossiers sent to you following this meeting."

"Were there any other terms you were hoping to discuss?"

- [member="Jakob Benson"] ~ [member="Subject 73 Red"] -

 

[Subject 73 Red]

[member="Jakob Benson"] [member="Natalie LaForte"]

Red nodded. "Right... Right." Great, with his luck, this might take a while. Well, Red had time, he could wait.

He switched his helmet to the private channel, so that no one could hear him speak, or any noise come out of his helmet, for the time being. He sighed. Today was going to be a long one.

 

[Jakob Benson]

"If there are governments as a whole that would like to send me patients, then they would fund that care, of course. I also have some patients that will come in willingly and wish to pay for their own care. Funny how that is." A hint of a smile was seen as Benson thought of those patients that he convinced to come to this facility. It was always easier that way.

The tiny smile soon disappeared. "However some will want to run and will have to be hunted down. I have no time for games, so bounty hunters will be dispatched. That could be where your company comes in for a bit of the funding." He remained silent for a moment as he studied [member="Natalie LaForte"] and her assistant. "This facility is already paid for. The only overhead costs are in food and fuel for transportation. Should your two administrators be successful in their trial, then their salaries will also be added to the overhead as well."

He looked to the time, taking note of the length of the meeting. "I have a new patient waiting. So unless there's anything else, than I shall tend to them."

[member="Subject 73 Red"]

 

[Natalie LaForte]

Natalie's sickeningly sweet smile would bring itself to attention, her fierce eyes glancing directly into Jakob's. "That seems to work out just as well as we were hoping." It didn't. "I shall have them dispatched immediately. Of course, if you do need any additional funds for bounty captures or indeed for facility expansions, do not hesitate to speak to them and I will ensure it's done." The woman reared her head to Cecelia, rolling her eyes and understanding the predicament. The amount required would likely not accumulate to much more than a small sum, but when negotiations don't go as perfectly as she had expects, someone would be getting a telling off.

But not in front of the investee.

Her head reared round back to Jakob, following by a clasping of hands. "I do not wish to keep you from your practice any longer. I bid you adieu, until our next meeting." striding to the exit.

Cecelia would soon sigh under her breath, whilst maintaining her composure. The average mechanic would lift the datapad Natalie had left in her corporate wake, soon following the woman.

Unless there was any particular reason otherwise, the two would leave the station without causing any further interruption, allowing the Doctor and his hunter to continue...

~ [member="Jakob Benson"] - [member="Subject 73 Red"] ~

 

[Jakob Benson]

"Yes, I'm sure that the arrival of your people will make things...interesting." With droids it was easier. He didn't have to worry about ulterior motives or an abundance of lies and cover-ups. With his 501-Z Police Droids he had complete loyalty. Now with the two that [member="Natalie LaForte"] wanted to bring in, it'll be different. But Benson was sure that he'd keep them occupied.

He then nodded his head as she exited with her assistant. Soon after Benson got to his feet and exited the meeting room. His pace was quick, but not overly so. It wasn't as though he was worried about keeping [member="Subject 73 Red"] waiting, but moreso that he was eager to get started.

Minutes later Benson arrived at his office. He pushed up his glasses that had slid down a little on the bridge of his nose. The two inside looked very bored, but that was none of his concern. "Apologies for the delay. I'm Dr. Benson." He strolled over to his desk and sat down. "And what do we have here?" A successful hunt, that's what it was. Yet the amount of payment had yet to be decided.