The Surgeon's Focus
Prologue (you can skip, but as the author of this book I implore you read as it will open your mind to the story that lay underneath):
The Turning Point
Sixteen-year-old Julian Blackwood stood frozen, clinging to his mother's hand as the hospital machines surrounding her beeped ominously. The once-vibrant woman, now frail and pale, smiled weakly.
"Julian, promise me...," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Anything, Mom," Julian replied, tears streaming down his face.
"Make a difference... Help others... Don't let my mistake be yours."
The machines flatlined, and Julian's world shattered. His mother, a dedicated nurse, had died from a preventable medical error.
That moment forged Julian's unwavering dedication to medicine. He vowed to honor his mother's memory by becoming a surgeon, ensuring no one suffered as he did.
Ok now, let's begin this chapter properly.
Now, twenty-five years later, Dr. Julian Blackwood scrubbed in for Emily Wilson's complex spinal reconstruction...
Dr. Blackwood's thoughts lingered on his mother's words as he changed out of his scrubs. The memory still fueled his passion for healing.
"Dr. Blackwood?" his assistant, Sarah, called out.
"Yes?"
"Emily Wilson's family wishes to thank you personally."
Dr. Blackwood smiled, following Sarah to the hospital's family lounge.
Emily's parents grasped his hands, tears brimming in their eyes. "Thank you, Dr. Blackwood," her mother said. "You've given our daughter a second chance."
Dr. Blackwood's expression softened. "She's strong. She'll walk again."
As he reassured the family, a young girl caught his attention. She sat quietly, sketching on a notepad. "Who's the artist?" Dr. Blackwood asked.
"That's Emily's sister, Lily," her father replied.
Dr. Blackwood approached Lily, intrigued. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to her sketchbook.
Lily nodded, her eyes sparkling.
Dr. Blackwood flipped through the pages, marveling and surprised at the vivid drawings.
"Your talent's incredible, Lily," he said.
Lily blushed. "I want to be an artist, like Mom."
Dr. Blackwood's gaze locked onto a sketch of a nurse. "Your mom was a nurse?"
Lily nodded. "She inspired me."
A connection sparked within Dr. Blackwood.
Dr. Blackwood's thoughts lingered on Lily's sketches as he reviewed the day's schedule and actives. His next patient, Rachel Lee, presented a unique challenge.
"Dr. Blackwood, Rachel's case is puzzling," Dr. Patel said, reviewing the MRI scans. "Her symptoms suggest a rare neurological disorder, but the tests aren't conclusive."
Dr. Blackwood's interest piqued. "Let's get her into the OR. I want to see this for myself."
The surgery revealed an unexpected complication: Rachel's brain tissue was enveloped by an unusual membrane.
"This is unlike anything I've seen," Dr. Blackwood muttered.
"Could it be a new strain of meningitis?" Dr. Patel suggested.
Dr. Blackwood's eyes narrowed. "I don't think so. This membrane... it's almost... artificial."
The OR fell silent.
"Artificial?" Dr. Patel repeated. "That's impossible."
Dr. Blackwood's mind raced. "Not impossible. Unexplained."
Dr. Blackwood's fascination with Rachel's case didn't go unnoticed. Dr. Victor Laurent, a renowned neurosurgeon, observed from his office.
"Blackwood's obsession with the impossible will be his downfall," Dr. Laurent whispered to Dr. Patel.
Dr. Patel's expression remained neutral. "Dr. Blackwood's expertise is unmatched."
Dr. Laurent sneered. "Expertise is one thing, ego another. He'll risk everything for the unknown."
As Dr. Laurent departed, Dr. Blackwood sensed a presence.
"Dr. Laurent," he acknowledged.
"Blackwood," Dr. Laurent replied, his tone icy. "I hear you're tackling the Lee case. Interesting choice."
Dr. Blackwood's gaze never wavered. "The membrane's artificial nature warrants further investigation."
Dr. Laurent chuckled. "You're chasing ghosts, Blackwood. This case will ruin your reputation."
Dr. Blackwood's jaw clenched. "I'll take that risk."
Dr. Blackwood's team assembled around the conference table, determined to unravel the mystery. "Alright, let's summarize," Dr. Blackwood began. "The membrane's artificial, but how? And why?"
Dr. Patel distributed images from Rachel's MRI scans. "Notice the membrane's uniform thickness and cellular structure. It's almost... synthetic."
Dr. Blackwood's eyes narrowed. "Biocompatibility? Could it be a new material?"
Dr. Rodriguez, a materials scientist, joined the discussion. "I've analyzed the membrane's composition. It's unlike any known biomaterial."
Dr. Blackwood's mind raced. "What if it's not just a material? What if it's a delivery system?"
The team exchanged curious glances.
"For what?" Dr. Patel asked.
Dr. Blackwood leaned forward. "That's what we need to find out."
As the investigation continued, Dr. Blackwood received an unexpected message:
"Meet me at the hospital's east wing at midnight. Come alone."
The message was unsigned.
Dr. Blackwood's team made a groundbreaking discovery.
"We've cracked the membrane's code," Dr. Rodriguez announced, eyes shining with excitement.
Dr. Blackwood's gaze locked onto the data. "What does it reveal?"
"The membrane's a nanotechnology delivery system," Dr. Patel explained. "It's releasing micro-doses of a proprietary compound."
Dr. Blackwood's mind reeled. "What compound?"
Dr. Rodriguez hesitated. "We're not entirely sure. It's unlike any known pharmaceutical."
Dr. Blackwood's thoughts raced. "Could it be a cure for Rachel's condition?"
Dr. Patel's expression turned cautious. "We need more research. This could be a game-changer or a ticking time bomb."
As they delved deeper, Dr. Blackwood received an urgent call from the hospital's CEO.
"Dr. Blackwood, we've received pressure from external parties to halt your research."
Dr. Blackwood's grip on the phone tightened. "Who?"
The CEO hesitated. "I'm not at liberty to disclose. But I advise you to tread carefully."
Dr. Blackwood's team made a shocking discovery.
"The membrane's not just delivering a compound," Dr. Rodriguez said, eyes wide with awe. "It's rewriting Rachel's DNA."
Dr. Blackwood's gaze locked onto the data. "What do you mean?"
Dr. Patel explained, "The membrane's releasing genetic editing enzymes, specifically CRISPR-Cas9."
Dr. Blackwood's mind reeled. "Someone's using gene editing to treat Rachel's condition?"
Dr. Rodriguez nodded. "But it's not just treating her condition. It's enhancing her genetic code."
Dr. Blackwood's thoughts raced. "Who would do this? And why?"
Suddenly, the hospital's CEO burst into the room.
"Dr. Blackwood, we've received a court order to seize all research related to Rachel Lee."
Dr. Blackwood's eyes narrowed. "Who's behind this?"
The CEO hesitated. "A private biotech firm, NeuroSphere Incorporated."
Dr. Blackwood's grip on the data tightened. "I won't let them silence us."
Dr. Blackwood's defiance against NeuroSphere's court order sparked a firestorm. "Dr. Blackwood, you're jeopardizing the hospital's reputation," the CEO warned.
"I won't compromise a patient care for corporate interests," Dr. Blackwood countered.
Dr. Laurent appeared, smirking. "Blackwood's obsession will be his downfall."
The hospital's board of directors convened an emergency meeting.
"Dr. Blackwood's actions are unacceptable," Dr. Laurent declared. "I demand he be removed from Rachel's case."
Dr. Blackwood's allies rallied around him.
"Dr. Laurent has a conflict of interest," Dr. Patel pointed out. "He's received funding from NeuroSphere."
The board chairman's expression turned stern. "We'll investigate these allegations. Meanwhile, Dr. Blackwood, you're suspended from Rachel's case."
Dr. Blackwood's eyes blazed with determination. "I won't back down."
As tensions escalated, Rachel's condition worsened.
"Dr. Blackwood, please," Rachel's mother pleaded. "You're her only hope."
Dr. Blackwood stormed into the hospital boardroom, determination etched on his face.
"I demand to know why I was removed from Rachel's case," he said, his voice firm.
The board chairman shifted uncomfortably. "Dr. Blackwood, your actions have put the hospital at risk."
"Risk?" Dr. Blackwood repeated. "You're more concerned with NeuroSphere's interests than patient care."
Dr. Laurent smirked. "You're just a rogue doctor, Blackwood."
Dr. Blackwood's gaze locked onto Dr. Laurent. "And you're a pawn in NeuroSphere's game."
The room fell silent.
"Enough," the board chairman intervened. "Dr. Blackwood, we'll reconsider your suspension if you cooperate with NeuroSphere."
Dr. Blackwood's eyes narrowed. "Cooperate? You want me to compromise a patient care for corporate interests?"
Suddenly, the door swung open.
"Excuse me," a soft voice interrupted.
Rachel's mother stood in the doorway, with a determined and worried look on her face. "I have something to say."
"I refuse to cooperate with NeuroSphere," Dr. Blackwood declared, his voice firm.
The hospital board chairman's face reddened. "You're jeopardizing your career, Dr. Blackwood."
Dr. Blackwood stood tall. "I'd rather lose my career than compromise patients care."
Rachel's mother stepped forward. "I have proof that NeuroSphere is exploiting patients like Rachel."
The room erupted into chaos.
"Order!" the chairman banged his gavel.
Dr. Laurent sneered. "You're making a grave mistake, Blackwood."
Dr. Blackwood's eyes locked onto Dr. Laurent. "You're the one making mistakes, Laurent and I'll expose you."
As tensions escalated, Dr. Blackwood received an encrypted message again:
"Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight. Come alone."
The message was unsigned.
Dr. Blackwood stormed into Dr. Laurent's office, his anger palpable. "Laurent, you're involved with NeuroSphere, aren't you?" Dr. Blackwood accused.
Dr. Laurent smirked. "I'm just trying to advance medical science, Blackwood."
"By exploiting patients?" Dr. Blackwood's voice rose.
Dr. Laurent shrugged. "Collateral damage. You're too soft, Blackwood. You don't understand the bigger picture."
Dr. Blackwood's eyes blazed. "I understand that you're selling out patients to NeuroSphere."
Dr. Laurent's smile faltered. "You'll never prove it."
Dr. Blackwood looked at Dr. Laurent angry and determined to find a prove to nail him.
Suddenly, Dr. Blackwood's phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number:
"Check Dr. Laurent's email. Password: NL4132."
Dr. Blackwood's eyes locked onto Dr. Laurent. "I think I already have proof."
Dr. Blackwood secretly entered Dr. Laurent, and locked onto his laptop.
Dr. Blackwood's fingers flew across Dr. Laurent's keyboard. The password worked.
He scrolled through Dr. Laurent's emails, his eyes scanning for evidence.
One email caught his attention:
"Subject: NeuroSphere Project Elysium
Dear Dr. Laurent,
...successful implantation of membrane in Rachel Lee.
....next phase: cognitive enhancement...
...payment: $5 million...
Best,
CEO, NeuroSphere"
Dr. Blackwood's jaw clenched. "This is it. Proof of NeuroSphere's exploitation."
He forwarded the email to his phone and printed a copy.
Suddenly, Dr. Laurent burst into the room.
"Blackwood, what are you doing?"
Dr. Blackwood held up the printed email. "Your secret's out, Laurent. You're going down."
Dr. Laurent's face paled.
"You'll never take me down, Blackwood. NeuroSphere will protect me."
Dr. Blackwood smiled grimly. "We'll see about that."