NaNoWriMo Oct. 5th Contest

A day in a Healer’s office.

A tall and slender female mechanick (sentient robot) activated a recording device as she sat at her desk in her office and began to record. “My name is Z-Sparks of the Planet Digitex. I am a multi-species healer specializing in younglings and pre-adult citizens with extraordinary issues. Today, I will be seeing and interviewing five such individuals…”

The first to enter was Vada from planet Dylax. He was of the Chameleon Clan. His parents were of the Diplomatic-Explorer Class. He lived in Triassic City; Habitat 12 Sector 3 which was basically city map coordinates on their world. He entered with a casual stride but seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. He was looking around as if to make mental notes before taking the seat I offered him.

Vada made himself comfortable. “Why have I been ordered to this evaluation visit, healer?”

I nodded. “Straight to the point… You have been summoned here to talk about your issues with, in your words, ‘the status quo’.”

Vada huffed. “The class system is outdated and needs to be reevaluated. Our people are capable of being of many classes, not just one.”

One of my eyes widened, our version of a raised eyebrow. “There are many people with more than one class to their name, this includes yourself.”

Vada sighed. “Then why are our people separated by class where we live and work like my birth guardians?”

I could only shrug. “Your birth guardians both have live in jobs of high importance to the planetary command.”

Vada frowned. “That is not an excuse nor does it answer the question I gave. There are diplomatic and explorer facilities in Habitat 12 where our birth guardians can work together.”

He then flicked his tongue out in a form of a red raspberry, forcing me to hide a grin as I thought, “A genius one moment, a child the next…”

Vada was beginning to become agitated; the changing colors of his skin a clear sign. “My younger sister, Ripple is constantly being ridiculed due to the fact she has no clear class.”

I raise a single hand for silence. “No system is perfect, Vada. That and everyone is ridiculed until their class becomes clear. Change takes time…”

Vada clenched and unclenched his fists in clear frustration. “Knowledge is power and with enough knowledge, I will have the power to bring that change.”

I sighed then thought. “There it is. Gnosiophobia; the fear of a lack of knowledge. Born out of a misplaced determination to bring about change. This is the root of his anxiety and the need to burn himself out with study and training.”

Vada took a deep breath to calm himself. “Are we done here?”

I nodded. “Yes. Thank you for your time, Vada.”



The second to enter was Diron from the planet Teranor. He was a shapeshifter, born from the birthing pools of the great creator. He was an enigma to his people. His thoughts were not one with the Fold, all shapeshifters as one. His thoughts were completely independent though he could speak telepathically. Like Vada, his birth guardians were of the diplomatic/explorer class though they did not call it that. Diron walked in with his shoulders slightly slumped; an indication of boredom.

He made himself comfortable in the chair. “What’s up, doc?”

One of my eyes widened. “Healer, thank you. You were ordered here to discuss your… overabundance of personality.”

Diron gave a knowing grin. “We all have a personality, my dear healer, even us shapeshifters. Mine is merely more… compatible with other species.”

I nodded. “Yes, you work well with other species of your age and above. However, you seem to have issues with the Fold.”

Diron sighed, his smile faltering. “I cannot count how many times I have explained this with the conscience. I do not have issues with the Fold. We are all free to think independently.”

I nodded. The conscience was the Teranor’s term for councilors. “Try to explain it to me, please.”

Diron frowned and shifted to his base form. He was featureless, hairless, much like a fleshy mannequin. To the unknowing eye, he was nightmare fuel. However, I had seen it too many times to be bothered by it. I waited patiently for him to speak.

“Imagine a world where everyone is a carbon copy of yourself; everywhere you turn there is a mirror image of yourself. Only it gets worse. Instead of everyone’s thoughts feeling like one of your own, you hear billions of thoughts all desperately talking over each other.”

I again widened a single eye as I shuddered at my thoughts, “He is truly an individual. After billions of years, the Teranors are evolving into a fully diverse species and he is the first documented case. This has likely not yet clicked in the fold’s collective mind. Once it does, they would likely…”

Billions of years ago, the Teranors were one impossibly large organism known as ‘The Terror’. It consumed world after world until a powerful psychic race introduced one single idea into its consciousness, individuality. This resulted in the terror separating into trillions of individuals in groups of billions who retreated into the darkness of space. They scattered all over the universe, one group of billions ending up on a small asteroid belt in a low orbit around a world they named Teranor.

The realization rendered me speechless for a moment as my thoughts raced. “This explains everything. His over the top personality, anxiety, feelings of loneliness…”

Diron interrupted my thoughts as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Are we finished, healer?”

I felt for the child; I wanted to embrace and comfort him but that was not my job. I instead decided to report this to my superiors and plead in his behalf for asylum. Finally, I managed to nod with a stoic face. “Yes, Diron. That will be all.”



The next to enter was Princess Kyteen from Purrearth. She was a White Ligeress, a mix of a white tiger and lion. She entered with a practiced confidence as two armed guards flanked her on either side. I offered a seat but the two guards shook their heads and she remained standing.

I decided to simply start the interview. “Your mother ordered you here to discuss your growing anxiety and depression.”

Kyteen nodded. “We all have issues, respectful healer. Mine have already been addressed… and noted.”

I nodded in return; Kyteen’s brief hesitation spoke volumes. “Perhaps if you were to address them to me, I can explain them more clearly to her highness, the queen.”

Kyteen raised a single eyebrow. “What are you suggesting?”

I sighed. “With all due respect, princess Kyteen, I have far more diplomatic experience.”

Kyteen frowned but nodded. “Very well. I want to do more for my people than merely wave at them with a pretty smile on my face. I want to feel the freedom of the commoners who come and go as they please…”

One of the guards kneeled, catching Kyteen’s attention. “My princess, you are becoming emotional…”

Kyteen frowned deeper. “Is that not the point of these many, many discussions? To bring my feelings to the surface so they may be addressed with properly?”

The guard bowed deeper, not responding. However, I spoke, regaining Kyteen’s attention. “I believe your honorable guard does not wish your mother, the queen to jump to conclusions upon seeing the tears on your face.”

Kyteen paused, touching her face. “Yes… She would suspect.”

I smiled. “I believe I know the issue here, princess Kyteen.”

Kyteen turned to me, surprise on her face. “Do tell…”

I nodded. “You want to know the weight of the crown before it is bestowed upon you which is very wise. Your mother wants you to be a child while you are a child as you are only in that role once and then you must rule.”

Kyteen was silent for a long moment. “What do you recommend?”

I smiled gently. “A private talk with your mother. Tell her it is a woman issue; that will definitely get her attention.”

Kyteen raised an eyebrow as, I noted, the two guards did well to hide a smile. “Thank you, respectable healer. You have given me much to think about.”



The next to enter was Era from my home world of Digitex. She was a very young Mechanick. She was born in the Sentience Temple in Mainframe City. However, her sentience spark flickered and went out for a brief moment before activating with power never seen before in recorded history. Since then, she suffered from FOH, or fear of harm and Algophobia, the fear of pain. Her parents were of the Diplomatic Healer class.

Era peeked in, looking around for any threats before slowly stepping inside. “You wish to see me, healer, Z-Sparks?”

I smiled gently. “Yes, Era. Please, have a seat; this will not take long, I promise.”

Era timidly climbed up onto the seat. “I know I am shy; I am working on battling my fears.”

I nodded. “Yes, you have made progress. However, many suspect you have another issue you are not comfortable talking about.”

Era winced. “Is it that obvious…?”

I sighed. “I’m afraid so. Would you be willing to discuss it with me; one mechanick to another?”

Era was silent for a long moment, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. “You would not understand if I told you.”

I smiled patiently. “Please…”

Era sighed. “Very well…

She closed her eyes which I could see faintly glowing under the lids before chaos broke loose. The lights flickered, the door hissed open and closed and the communication devices rang out. Outside, all the vehicles immediately around the clinic blared their proximity alerts, flashed their headlights and every traffic signal flashed in a random pattern.

When Era opened her eyes again, the chaos ended and she looked at me with tears in her eyes. “Please don’t report this…”

I was momentarily stunned. Era had an ability that, thus far has never before been documented in official records. This made me very worried for her. Such an ability had to have required an untold amount of energy which meant she had more power within her than anyone had dared to even dream. It also meant that this may be just the beginning of her capabilities.

Finally, I found the ability to speak. “Who else knows?”

Era shook her head. “Just you.”

I nodded. “It took much courage to share this with me. I will not report your ability but I do have to report the enormous power within you.”

Era began to cry. “Why…?”

I paused, gathering my thoughts. “Imagine a shapeshifter on a sugar high.”

Era giggled, recent sadness forgotten. “I think I understand.”

I giggled in response. “Good. Thank you for your time.”



My last appointment for the day was Atrace from planet Croctna. She was born in Aviary City. Her parents, of the Parrot Clan were of the diplomatic healer class. They emphasized on health, wisdom and compassion. However, Atrace had become determined to end all suffering through illness. This was due to a trauma earlier in life where she was witness to a plague that had killed millions before a cure was found. This was what led her to develop unusual phobias. Nyctophobia or the fear of night as it meant she had to stop studying and Ligyrophobia or the fear of loud noises as the screams of those dying still haunted her. She also developed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which lead her to constantly study.

Atrace entered the room looking as if she had not slept in days. This was not a good sign. She gladly accepted the chair I had offered her and immediately fell asleep. She was beginning to molt early in life and the rings under her eyes made me cringe. I did not bother to wake her as her immediate need was clear; she needed rest. I quietly left the office and returned with a blanket which I draped over her. I then returned to my desk and waited for her to wake up.

It was about six hours later when Atrace’s eyes flickered open. She looked around, confused then jumped upon seeing me sitting behind my desk. The sun was beginning to set. She fumbled for an explanation but I stopped her with a gentle smile. “I allowed you to sleep so you can talk with me coherently.”

Atrace blushed and repositioned herself on the seat as I offered her a warm cup of nectar tea. “There is too much illness and dying out there…”

I sighed. “Atrace, no one can learn it all and no one can save them all no matter how hard one may try. You are going to destroy yourself if you remain on this path.”

Atrace teared up. “You don’t understand…”

I gave a rueful smile, surprising Atrace. “We Mechanicks suffer from illnesses of our own. When I was but a prototype, a being younger than you are now, I too wanted to cure all illnesses and I was just as obsessed as you were.”

Atrace looked at me, hopeful. “What happened?”

I shrugged. “I too came close to burning myself out until I realized that I would do more if I could simply diagnose the illness or issue and allow healers with more experience to deal with it. I still study as there is always more to learn but, this way, I am not overwhelmed by trying to do it all.”

Atrace paused, taking in my words then slowly nodded. “I guess that makes sense. Could I find an apprenticeship here?”

I giggled. “Take a break from your studies for a few days then come see me. If there is an opening available among the healers, I will let you know.”

Atrace smiled then happily walked to the door. Upon reaching it, she turned to me. “Thank you.”

I smiled. “My pleasure, Atrace. Thank you for your time.”