Star Surgeon

el the tension the moment he stepped into the room. He looked at the long semicircular ta

physicians each, representing the Red Service of Surgery, the Green Service of Medicine, the Blue Service of Diagnosis, and finally, seated at either end of the table, the representatives of the Black Service of Pathology. B

mmed glasses. The glasses were purely decorative; with modern eye-cultures and transplant techniques, no Earthman had really needed glasses to correct his vision for the past two hundred years, but on Hugo Tanner's angry face they added

ould allow him. He had placed Fuzzy almost defiantly on his shoulder, and from time to time he could fe

o consider this student's application for assignment to a General Practice Patrol ship, as a probationary ph

nd the table. The White Doctor loo

imgar,

tor Tanner rumbled from the

pops and whistles that made up the Garvian tongue. The doctors listened, blinking, as the complex family structure and ancestry which entered into every Garvia

be clear on the record that the applicant is a native of the second planet of the Garv system." T

do you consider to be the basic principle that underlies

principle that environments and life forms in the universe may be dissimilar, b

Doctor Tanner said sou

d will be found valid," Dal said. "As different as the various life forms may be, the basic life processes in one life form are the same, under different conditions, as

ut tell me this: what in your opinion is the plac

ted him, Black Doctor Arnquist among them. The questions came faster and faster; some were exceedingly difficult. Once or twice Dal was stopped cold, and forced to admit that he

rther medical questions, we can move on to another aspect of this student's application. Certain questions of poli

r's educational qualifications for assignment to a General Practice Patrol ship." Black Doctor Tanner paused to glare in Dal's direction. "He has been trained

hen why are we having his review, Hugo? Dal Timgar's c

re gaining experience and judgment while fulfilling our medical service contracts in every part of the confederation. They are probationers, but we must not forget that we physicians of Hospital Earth are also probationers. We are seeking a permanent place in this great Galactic Confederation, which was in existence many thousan

tor Arnquist broke in, "but really, Hug

of our own, a qualification of intelligence, if you will. The confederation has ruled that only races having a certain level of intelligence can become members. A star-drive could only be developed with a far-

Doctor looked up, fr

Our technology was primitive, our manufacturing skills mediocre, our transport and communications systems impossible. But in our understanding of the life sciences, we have far outstripped any other race in the galaxy. We had already solved the major problems of disease and long

'm afraid I don't quite see the connection. N

ians. The confederation needed us badly enough to admit us to probational membership, but if we ever hope to become full members of the confederation, we must demonstrate our usefulness, our unique skill, as physicians. We have worked hard to prove ourselves. We have made Hospital Earth the galactic

laxy," Black Doctor Arnquist'

ls. He has completed the required work, his qualifications are acceptable, and now he proposes to go out on a patrol ship as a physician of the Red Service of Surgery. But think of what you are doing if you

e traditions of medical service we have worked so long to establish, although I doubt it. But I do know that if we permit him to become a qualified physician, it will be the beginning of the end for Hospital Earth. We will be selling out our sole bargaining position. We can forget our hopes for membership

capsule which Black Doctor Tanner gulped down. The other doctors were talking heatedly among themselves as Black Doctor Arnquist ros

t calling is to provide good medic

ossible med

said ot

a physician's duty is to help his patients

ing to his feet. "But we must protect ourselves

worthy to be physicians to anyone," Doctor Arnquist snapped. "You make a very convincing ca

tain our position? But if we must yield to a Garvian who has no busi

best physicians in the galaxy," Black Doctor Arnq

he others. "Once again he is defending this creature and turning his back on common sense. All I ask

ght his breath and shook his head. "There's nothing more I can say," he said weakly. "I have done what I could, and the decision is up to the rest of you." He coughed agai

state it is beyond reproach." Doctor Arnquist looked from face to face along the council table. "The decision is yours, gentlemen, I would ask only that you consider what our highest calling as physicians really is-a duty that overrides fear and selfishness. I believe Dal Timgar would be a good physician, and tha

. "It would be good if you would wait outside," he sai

ill raging in the council chamber. Fuzzy was quivering with fright; unable to speak, the tiny creature neverth

yet Dal knew that every Garvian depended upon it to some extent in dealing with people around him. He knew that when Fuzzy was sitting on his arm he could sense the emotions of those around him-the anger, the fear, the happiness, the suspicion-and he knew that under certa

n appearance, in ways of thinking, in likes and dislikes. But these differences were not advantages, and he had realized that if his classm

ter anger in Black Doctor Tanner's mind, and the temptation deliberately to mellow that anger had been almost overwhelming, but he

was gone. The decis

o remember what had been said, how many had seemed friendly and how many hostile, but

the room and faced the semi-circle of doctors. He tried to read the answer on their faces, but even

application, and have reached a decision. You will be happy to know

anted to shout for joy and throw his arms around Black Doctor Arnquist, but he stood

of a probationary physician, in the Red Service, and will be assigned aboard the General Practice Patrol ship Lancet, leaving from Hospital Seattle next Tuesday. If you prove your ability in that post, your performance will once again be reviewed by this board, bu

aged to say. "Who w

Service of Diagnosis. Both have been specially selected by this council. Your Blue Doctor

e Green

the White Doctor said. "Known to h