CONTAMINATION CREW
BY ALAN E. NOURSE
Illustrated by Ed EmshOrders were orders! The creature had to be killed.
But just how does one destroy the indestructible?
(The following is taken from thefiles of the Medical DisciplinaryBoard, Hospital Earth, from thepreliminary hearings in re: TheProfession vs. Samuel B. Jenkins,Physician; First Court of MedicalAffairs, final action pending.)
COM COD S221VB73 VOROCHISLOVSECTOR; 4th GALACTICPERIOD 22, 2341 GENERALSURVEY SHIP MERCYTO HOSPITAL EARTH
VIA: FASTEST POSSIBLEROUTING, PRIORITY UNASSIGNED
TO: Lucius Darby, PhysicianGrade I, Black Service Directorof Galactic Periphery Services,Hospital Earth
FROM: Samuel B. Jenkins, PhysicianGrade VI, Red Service GeneralPractice Patrol Ship Lancet(Attached GSS Mercy pro tem)
SIR: The following communicationis directed to your attention inhopes that it may anticipate variouscharges which are certain to beplaced against me as a Physician ofthe Red Service upon the return ofthe General Survey Ship Mercy toHospital Earth (expected arrivalfour months from above date).
These charges will undoubtedlybe preferred by one Turvold Neelsen,Physician Grade II of theBlack Service, and Commander ofthe Mercy on its current surveymission into the Vorochislov Sector.Exactly what the charges willbe I cannot say, since the BlackDoctor in question refuses eitheraudience or communication withme at the present time; however, itseems likely that treason, incompetenceand mutinous insubordinationwill be among the milder complaintsregistered. It is possible thateven Malpractice might be added,so you can readily understand thereasons for this statement—
The following will also clarifymy attached request that the GSSMercy, upon arrival in orbitaround Hospital Earth, be met immediatelyby a decontaminationship carrying a vat of hydrochloricacid, concentration 3.7%, measuringno less than twenty by thirty byfifty feet, and that Quarantine officialsbe prepared to place the entirecrew of the Mercy under physicaland psychiatric observation fora period of no less than six weeksupon disembarkation.
The facts, in brief, are as follows:
Three months ago, as crew ofthe General Practice Patrol ShipLancet, my colleague Green DoctorWallace Stone and myself beganinvestigating certain peculiarconditions existing on the fourthplanet of Mauki, Vorochislov Sector(Class I Medical Service Contract.)The entire population ofthat planet was found to be sufferingfrom a mass psychotic delusionof rather spectacular proportions:namely, that they and their entireplanet were in imminent danger ofbeing devoured, in toto, by an indestructiblenon-humanoid creaturewhich they called a hlorg.The Maukivi were insistent that ahlorg had already totally consumeda non-existent outer planetin their system, and was now hardat work on neighboring Mauki V.It was their morbid fear thatMauki IV was next on its list. Noamount of reassurance could convincethem of the foolishness ofthese fears, although we exhaustedour energy, our patience, and ourfood and medical supplies in theeffort. Ultimately we referred thematter to the Grey Service, feelingconfident that it was a psychiatricproblem rather than medical orsurgical. We applied to the GSSMercy to take us aboard to replenishour ship's supplies, and provideus a much-needed recovery period.