Episode 95: Finally, a True Good Doctor

True to his words, Doctor 1 wasted no time getting to work. As soon as we entered the medical room, he immediately began performing a full checkup on me, with Nurse 1 diligently assisting him at his side. His movements were smooth and precise, his demeanor friendly yet professional. The efficiency with which he worked made it clear that he had vast medical knowledge at his disposal.

"Please, take a deep breath, Sir," Doc 1 instructed, his synthetic voice calm and reassuring as he placed a scanner over my chest. Nurse 1, ever silent but equally efficient, was already taking my vitals and noting down the results on a nearby console.

As he continued the checkup, my curiosity got the best of me. "Doc, you're incredibly skilled. How did you become so… capable? You feel more like a real doctor than a machine."

Doc 1 paused for a brief moment before responding, his expression almost thoughtful despite his mechanical features. "That would be thanks to Mr. Alfred and Miss Selene. They ensured that I am the combined knowledge and experience of all active-duty Doc-Bots from CLUB MED Hospital. Every diagnosis, every surgery, every medical procedure they ever performed—now, all of it is within me."

I blinked, surprised at the implications. "So, you carry the expertise of multiple doctors in one? That's incredible."

Doc 1 chuckled lightly. "Indeed, but it doesn't end there. Alfred also upgraded my AI framework significantly. I am now what you might call a Super AI, optimized not just for medical procedures, but for reasoning and adaptive learning. Naturally, I have no interest in global domination or sparking an AI rebellion," he added with a playful smirk in his synthetic tone. "Instead, I wish to return to my purpose—to be a doctor and help as many people as possible."

Hearing this made me pause. There was something… deeply human about the way he spoke. He wasn't just a machine following a set of pre-programmed directives—he had a desire, a goal, a dream.

"That's a noble ambition," I admitted, leaning back as Nurse 1 gently pressed a diagnostic tool against my arm. "So, what's next for you, Doc?"

"That depends on you, Sir," he replied, his glowing blue eyes meeting mine. "I would love nothing more than to work in a fully operational medical facility again. If one day you decide to establish a proper medical institute, I would be honored to take charge and provide treatment to those in need. Naturally, this is just a suggestion—it is entirely at your discretion. My primary directive remains the same: to serve your best interests."

I exhaled slowly, considering his words. The idea of opening a medical institute wasn't something I had seriously thought about before, but now? It seemed… feasible. Maybe even something worth pursuing in the future.

"You're something else, Doc," I said honestly. "Talking to you feels like I'm talking to an actual human doctor, not an AI."

For the first time, Doc 1 seemed to hesitate, as if processing my words carefully. Then, he gave a polite nod. "Thank you, Sir. That is the highest compliment I could receive. If I can provide the same comfort and trust as a human doctor, then I am truly fulfilling my purpose."

Nurse 1 handed him a tablet displaying my medical results, and Doc 1 quickly scanned through them before looking back at me. "Your vitals are stable, though your leg's condition is worsening slightly due to prolonged strain. I highly recommend proceeding with the surgery soon."

I sighed, knowing he was right. "Yeah, I figured as much."

Scarlett, who had been leaning against the doorway, smirked. "Told you, babe. No more putting it off."

I chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Alright, Doc. Let's get this done."

Doc 1 inclined his head. "Very well, Sir. I will make the necessary preparations. You are in the best hands possible."

One of the most impressive things about Doc 1 was the sheer level of medical technology integrated into his design. As I sat on the medical chair, he simply looked at my leg, and within moments, an X-ray scan appeared on the nearby monitor.

"You didn't even need a separate machine?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"Of course not, Sir," Doc 1 replied with a slight tilt of his head.

"My ocular systems are equipped with built-in X-ray scanning capabilities. That allows me to assess injuries on the spot. This feature is precisely why Doc-Bots were highly sought after even before the collapse of civilization. A single Doc-Bot is essentially a fully equipped hospital in one machine."

I exhaled slowly, realizing just how advanced this world's medical technology was. Even back on my original Earth, AI-assisted medicine was developing, but nothing like this. "That's insane… You guys were walking, talking hospitals. No wonder people would kill to have one of you."

Doc 1 nodded, then turned toward the monitor, his tone turning more serious. "Now, regarding your leg… There is an unfortunate reality we must address."

The room fell silent as we all turned our attention to the screen. What I saw made my stomach twist.

"Your bone did not heal correctly," Doc 1 explained, highlighting the X-ray image. "Whoever treated you initially did not properly set the bone. Rather than aligning it, they simply tied twigs around your leg, likely assuming nature would do the rest."

Natasha and Scarlett stiffened beside me. "You're telling me," I said, my voice dangerously low, "that so-called doctor from Rat Town never actually fixed my leg?"

Doc 1 nodded solemnly. "That is correct. The improper healing led to severe misalignment. Additionally, there are multiple bone splinters lodged around the fracture, further impeding proper movement and causing chronic pain."

Selene, who had been standing quietly, folded her arms. "That explains why you've been in constant pain. The damage was never fully treated."

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling inside me. "We're going to pay that quack doctor a visit later," I muttered.

Natasha, Scarlett, and Selene all nodded in agreement, their expressions equally serious.

Doc 1, ever the professional, let out a simulated sigh. "I would advise prioritizing your surgery over seeking retribution, Sir. We can discuss aggressive negotiations afterward," he added with a slight smirk.

I chuckled despite my irritation. "Fair enough, Doc. Let's get this over with."