Chapter 359: Accessing The Medical Section 2

"Yes," Eirenne said. "Including people who remain in the reserve halls."

Doctor Marr moved closer to the records.

"This could save years of work."

Aurelian looked at Vaela.

"These records remain protected. Medical access only."

She nodded.

"That should never have been in question."

"It will be once outside doctors arrive."

The Arcturus family medical teams would soon be joined by others from Larkspur Haven and Helion Bastion Twelve.

Eventually, Alliance officials would ask for access as well. Some would have good reasons. Others would see the records as valuable research.

Aurelian had no intention of letting the population become a collection of useful samples.

"Eirenne, separate personal medical files from general treatment research. No one sees individual records without patient approval unless it is required to keep them alive."

"Understood."

The archive accepted the restriction without resistance.

That was encouraging.

They continued deeper.

The third room contained sealed treatment pods. Twelve stood along the walls, each large enough to hold one person.

Thin tubes ran from the pods into the floor, where they connected to systems beneath the chamber.

Doctor Tal examined the nearest pod.

"This resembles a preservation unit, but the internal structure is different."

"It is designed for active treatment," Eirenne said. "The patient remains conscious unless sedation is required."

Rhoswen stepped closer.

"What kind of treatment?"

The wall display answered before Eirenne did.

Tissue repair.

Nerve restoration.

Immune rebuilding.

Controlled adaptation.

Genetic correction.

Temporary metabolic support.

Aurelian focused on controlled adaptation.

"Explain that term."

Eirenne searched the newly available records.

"The matrix can help a Human body adjust to hostile environments, repeated high-gravity exposure, low oxygen, radiation, and long periods aboard ships."

"Permanent changes?" Astra asked.

"In some cases."

Vaela’s expression hardened.

"Could it create something that is no longer Human?"

The room remained silent for several seconds while Eirenne examined the restrictions built into the system.

"No," she said at last. "The matrix follows a fixed Human biological range. It can strengthen existing functions or correct damage, but it will not add non-Human traits."

"That was an important limit to confirm," Aurelian said.

"Yes."

Rhoswen looked toward one of the pods.

"Can it make someone stronger?"

"Possibly," Doctor Marr said. "But that is a poor reason to use it."

"I was asking for him."

She pointed toward Aurelian.

Aurelian looked at her.

"I did not ask."

"You were thinking about it."

"I was thinking about whether the system is safe."

"That too."

Astra stepped between them and examined the pod display.

"What does it require before treatment?"

"A full medical scan, command approval, patient consent, and a treatment plan approved by two medical specialists," Eirenne replied. "The matrix will refuse any process with an estimated fatality risk above a fixed limit."

Aurelian glanced at Vaela.

"That is more careful than some modern clinics."

"Some modern clinics are owned by families that care more about results than patients," she said.

The comment was direct, but not aimed at him.

Aurelian did not disagree.

They left the treatment room and entered the fourth chamber.

This room was completely different.

There were no medical beds or treatment pods. A wide ring filled most of the floor, with a narrow path leading toward its center.

The air felt heavier near it, though Eirenne found no change in gravity or pressure.

Astra moved slightly ahead of Aurelian.

"This is not standard medical equipment."

"No," Eirenne said. "This chamber is connected to the commander treatment records."

A display rose from the ring.

Commander physiological support.

Neural burden stabilization.

Fleet-link recovery.

Advancement adaptation.

Long-term command preservation.

Rhoswen looked at Aurelian again.

"This one is definitely for you."

"We are still inspecting."

Doctor Marr studied the ring from a safe distance.

"It may be designed to treat the damage caused by command links without interfering with them."

Aurelian understood why that mattered.

A commander’s connection to shipgirls was not a simple communication system. It involved the mind, the body, and something deeper that Human science could measure only in part.

Poor treatment could damage the link.

A system capable of working around it would have been extremely valuable during the age when Sanctuary Ardent was built.

"Can you confirm it is safe?" he asked.

"Not yet," Eirenne said. "The full record remains inside the main chamber."

The central wall opened.

Cold white light moved across the room.

Beyond it was the Human Continuance Matrix.

The central chamber was vast but almost empty. A single structure rose from the floor like a smooth white tree made of metal and glass.

Eight thick branches extended outward into the surrounding rooms, carrying power, data, and medical material through the walls.

At the base of the structure stood another platform.

It looked similar to the one in the Steward Chamber, though there was no chair this time.

A soft voice filled the room.

"Emergency steward detected."

Aurelian stopped.

The voice was not Eirenne’s.

Rhoswen looked around.

"Another AI?"

"No active intelligence detected," Eirenne said. "This appears to be a fixed control system."

The voice continued.

"Protected population medical authority confirmed. Commander physiological record incomplete. Initial examination available."

Astra moved closer to Aurelian.

"It wants to examine you."

"It is offering to."

"That difference is small."

Aurelian approached the platform but did not step onto it.

"Can it examine someone without beginning treatment?"

"Yes," Eirenne said after checking the controls. "The examination is passive. No injections, no tissue changes, and no neural connection beyond standard medical scanning."

Doctor Marr reviewed the same information.

"I agree. It appears safe."

Vaela looked less certain.

"You do not have to do this now."

Aurelian considered the time.

The Arcturus convoy would arrive soon, and the matrix had already identified the treatment records connected to commanders. If he delayed, he would still need to return later.

Better to understand what the system could see before outsiders learned it existed.

"Astra?"

She studied the platform.

"I will remain beside you."

That was not approval, but it was close enough.

Aurelian stepped onto the platform.

The white structure brightened.