To Honor You Call Us Read Online Free PDF Page A

I was very busy on the Station.  Now, here on Halsey with all the combat casualties, I am too busy to dwell on things.  Work is good therapy.  My patients need me, and there is satisfaction in helping them, although after I treat them they are evacuated back to the Core Systems or returned to their ships and I never see them again.  Work is what gets me through the day.  The nights . . . the nights are somewhat more problematic.” 
    “I know what you mean.  What do they have you doing?”  Spacers got the same diseases as civilians.  So, some naval doctors treated infectious disease or cancer or neurological disorders or digestive problems, but most patched up the wounded, cared for them and, if possible, started them on the path to being restored to duty.
    “I’m one of fifteen combat/trauma surgeons on the Halsey .  We do all the combat surgery for the casualties from this ship, and also get the more difficult cases from the rest of the task force.  We are operating around the clock in three shifts.  But, they keep on threatening to put me on a Destroyer or a Frigate on detached service.”
    No one got rid of a Naval Surgeon, or even talked about it, without good reason.  “Why’s that?”
    “I’m afraid that I am insufficiently diplomatic in my dealings with superior officers.  My medical C.O., Captain Choi, has a different philosophy of the extent of reconstructive and rehabilitative surgery that can be profitably performed here, and what should wait until the patient reaches permanent treatment facilities back in the Core Systems.  I am of the view that, so long as surgical resources are available, we should treat the patient to the maximum level of cure that our facilities and staff are capable of providing.  Dr. Choi, on the other hand, says that the medications and other consumable resources used in these procedures should be conserved in case resupply is interrupted and we need them to save the lives of battle casualties.” 
    Max could see both sides and recognized that Dr. Choi certainly had some good reasons for his position.  On the other hand, Max asked if he would want to himself to be treated by a doctor who didn’t strive to provide the greatest and highest level of care and benefit that he possibly could every minute he was providing it.  Not a chance. 
    Max certainly did not want to get into an argument with this poor bedraggled fellow in any event.  During their conversation, Max had begun to notice other things amiss with Doctor Sahin, particularly with his uniform.  His boots were a bit dull, the creases on his trousers were not as sharp as they might be, there were a few faint spots on his uniform jacket, and his rank insignia and other decorations were less than perfectly situated.  He would not pass inspection from a taut commander, that was certain.  Max’s own uniform was parade ground perfect.
    “Well, Doctor,” said Max, “I’ve had my own issues with, what did you call it, being ‘insufficiently diplomatic.’”  The doctor’s raised eyebrow invited him to continue.  “There was the time when I commanded a little PC-4 and Commodore Barber (that was before he became the Famous Throughout the Fleet Admiral Barber) himself ordered me to disengage and withdraw when . . . .”  Max was interrupted by a beep from the doctor’s percom.  The doctor raised an index finger, indicating that Max should wait while he glanced at the display of the device strapped to his wrist.  From his angle, Max could see the text of the message, but didn’t know the medical codes, so he had no idea what it meant, except that the prefix PI meant that whatever it was, it was supposed to be acted on without any delay. 
    “Pardon me, Lieutenant, I am needed at the Casualty Station.  It was a pleasure to meet you.  If I may presume, would you be averse to our speaking again sometime?”
    “Sure.  My pleasure,” Max replied.  “You don’t need my comcode—I’m the only