Phillip Hughes, M.D, S.J. (fidesetratio) wrote in whatprice, @ 2009-04-23 12:24:00 |
|
|||
Current location: | MI7 |
Current mood: | discontent |
Entry tags: | !backstory, m.c. york, phillip hughes |
Backstory - MI7 York & Hughes discuss Astoria
Who: Col. York & Fr. Hughes, MD
Where: MI7
When: April, 2009
What: A series of Office Memorandums followed by a conversation about prisoners, healing, and the like.
MI7 Interoffice Memorandum 2009.046658793073098
To: Fr. Phillip Hughes, MD
From: Col. York, Special Projects Director
Re: Subj WIZADLT20071210005
Father,
We need to discuss this prisoner at your earliest opportunity. Would
you be available tomorrow afternoon?
Col. York
------
MI7 Interoffice Memorandum 2009.046658793073098
To: Col. York, Special Projects Director
From: Fr. Phillip Hughes, M.D.
Re: Subj WIZADLT20071210005
Col. York,
Shall I drop by your office around 2pm?
Phillip Hughes
--------
MI7 Interoffice Memorandum 2009.046658793073098
To: Fr. Phillip Hughes, MD
From: Col. York, Special Projects Director
Re: Subj WIZADLT20071210005
I'll clear my calendar for you. See you then.
Col. York
-----------------------------------
York's office was much the same as when he first arrived, with
family memorabilia on the walls and the GEAUX TIGERS poster
that greeted visitors as they entered. In the proper British
atmosphere of MI7, it was a sudden splash of French Americana.
Christophe was behind his desk when Phillip arrived, but rose
immediately. "Father Hughes," he said. "Thank you for coming."
Phillip smiled as he entered the room. He'd led his lab coat behind,
choosing to simply arrive in his black shirt and jacket minus the
clerical collar. "Colonel York. Anytime. Is this about Astoria's
worsening condition? I must admit, I'm at a loss as to what's
causing it."
Christophe's face fell as he sat back down. "Please, have a seat.
Her condition is precisely why I wanted to talk to you." There was
an open folder on his desk, the top sheet containing lab results
in a typed format, with what looked like x-ray film just behind.
"If you can't tell me the cause, what can you exclude?"
Phillip sat down opposite York and easily slipped into clinical mode.
"It's not anything genetic. I've eliminated about thirty conditions that
cause similar symptoms. I do believe her symptoms are being
exaecerbated by the conditions she's kept in, however. Most bacterial
causes have been eliminated as well. If it's something peculiar to those
with magic, then I need access to whatever resources they have. My
knowledge of medicine and immunology hasn't seen anything like this."
Christophe shook his head. "I may can get you something a little more
comprehensive about the prisoners in toto, but not Astoria.
She's been downgraded to SITO status." Phillip had seen that look in
Christophe's eyes before- it was that of clinical observation. Probably
couldn't be helped in a psychologist, but there was that feeling of being
stabbed with the glance he was getting. "Your file says that you have
secret and top secret access. Still have that badge with you?"
Phillip took the badge out of his jacket pocket and slid it across the table.
"Why the change in status, if I may ask?"
Christophe held up the badge, glanced at it, smiled and handed
it back. "Thanks. It's because she's one of the few adult Slytherins
we've captured. They're our link to the Death Eaters, or what are
now called the Purists. Astoria is at the point where her failing health
has made it necessary." He touched the file. "There's no answer
here. She has to go to Azkaban. SITO is an acronym for 'Special
Interrogative Techniques and Obliviation'." The hawkish look
returned. "I don't know what you know. Do the words Azkaban or
Obliviate mean anything to you?"
"No," Phillip answered, unashamed of his ignorance. "Most of
my limited knowledge comes from experience working here
and in brazil. And with the religious aspect of the paranormal.
I am not certain she's capable of withstanding any type of
interrogation technique."
"Neither am I," Christophe said, without inflection. "You are, of
course, aware that there are beings who call themselves
'wizards', and they use a thing they call 'magic' to do seemingly
impossible feats. You've been treating one."
Phillip managed to keep his countenance blank.
"Yes, I know that. Understan is a different thing altogether. I'm
still trying to pinpoint the physiological aspects of magic in
the human body. I understand the basics as much as anyone
can. "
"Something we haven't proved yet," Christophe said. "Heredity
or enviornment. Or neither. In our last meeting, I tried to convince
Astoria that there was a genetic basis for magic- a wizard
gene, if you will. And that we had used gene therapy to remove
it. A farce, of course, a last attempt to get her to volunteer
information. It didn't work." He raised an eyebrow. "There are
things you are ready to know, but they can't be unsaid. Let me
assuage some of my personal doubts, because I know the
tightrope you're walking. You are ordained, aren't
you? What if your Cardinal came to you and demanded
to know what's going on here? What if you felt you had to go
to confession over an issue in MI7? Where do you draw the
line, Father Hughes?"
Yes, I'm ordained, Colonel. But as a Jesuit, you'd more have
to worry about my superior than the cardinal. However, I signed
the same confidentiality contracts as eeryone else. If I did feel
the need to go to confession it wouldn't matter. That bond is
sacred and unbreakable. My conscience is my guide, Colonel
and if that leads me to a conflict of interest than I am certain I shall
inform you. After all, my superior consented to my move here to
MI7 for three years but he does not fully understand what we are
doing here."
Christophe nodded. "What I expected. We're at war, Father. I'm
sure you understand." He nudged the folder again. "But you
may not have grasped all the implications. Are you aware that
there are wizards who specialize in healing? And these Healers
can completely cure diseases, reverse trauma, perhaps even
cure cancer? That they can regrow bones in a day? If we had one,
be assured we'd use him. I still think this ability is why they're so
long-lived. But even death is not a limit to a wizard- they can
choose to remain a ghost."
Phillip wasn't sure how to respond to that. After all, it pushed the
boundaries of belief, even for a Jesuit like himself who believed in
miracles. "I am uncertain if Id be more intrigued or worried to
learn from one of them. "
"If one would teach you," Christophe said. "Depends on the
wizard- Astoria, for instance, would rather lose her left arm
than show you the simplest spell. That is, if she didn't try to
kill you first. She did me. And if Muggles- their word for us-
could use magic, which we can't. There's a whole world out
there, Fath... Doct... can I call you Phillip? A whole world
out there they've kept us blind to. Without letting this talk
degenerate into moral relativism, how many millions of people
do you think have died over the centuries because they hadn't
had access to this kind of health care?"
"Phillip is fine," Phillip said amicably.
"It might shift to ethics soon too with that train of thought.."
Christophe held up a hand to forestall it. "As you say. Healing
is only the smallest part of it, of course. Wizards, with enough
time and concentration, can do the most amazing things.
Levitation, teleportation, prophecy... some of the most difficult
things has been to separate the actual abilities from all the
myths and legends. There's a whole world out there, Phillip,
one that's been hidden from us. Those of us that have had a
glimpse have had their memories wiped out... permanently
wiped out. That's part of what I used to do before I came here-
I've treated soldiers and civilians that I know now have been
Obliviated by wizards. It was with these patients that I learned
it's not just the magic that counts, but the skill of the wizard."
Phillip was, of course, grateful that they were not going to have the
conversation about ethics. There was no need to get into an argument
about ethics with his superiors if he could avoid it. Phillip knew he
was held to a higher moral and ethical code than most people, but that
had been his choice. Besides, there were still things here he and the
Jesuits wanted to accomplish.
"Which makes perfect sense. In other areas of magic - shamanism, for
example, it is about the natural ability and the training. The more
powerful the shaman, the greater the good or harm they can do. But
what does this have to do with Astoria? Are you trying to get a read
on her skill? Or bring in more skillful wizards to study?"
"I doubt that would work." Christophe shook his head. "After many
sessions over a long period of time, I've decided Astoria is completely
non-compliant. No, actually, since we're bringing you more into the fold,
so to speak, you should be aware that the wizards aren't the whole
story. There are plants and creatures that have existed this entire time,
things that wizards sometimes take for granted, some of which that
we can take advantage of. You'll learn them, and learn of them.
You have your duties that you follow, but in addition, I want you to learn
as much as you can about the healing aspects of magic. You'll be our
resource, our expert."
He shifted in his chair. "One thing you shouldn't rely on is for the wizards
to tell you anything. Not only is it taboo to them, but it's a whole matter of
attitude. The friendliest of them really only consider us like a favorite pet.
The worst would love to see us all dead."
"Astoria is not beyond hope!" Phillip said with a bit more emotion
than was probably appropriate. "None of these people are."
Phillip sighed. "I've worked in conditions where everyone wanted me
dead - that's nothing new. The research sounds interesting and useful,
Colonel, but am I allowed to make a request?"
Christophe gestured. "Of course. Fire away."
"Currently my schedule include one free weekend a month to attend to
my pastoral duties in London. I'd like to increase that to two or
three weekends a month. I would of course be on call those weekends
should something come up, but I've been here six months and it's not
working out for me to only be at my church one weekend a month," he
explained.
"I don't mind at all," Christophe said. 'You'll still have to work
that out between the higher ups in the department and in your church,
but I can add my recommendation there if you want. It sounds like a
lot of work for you...'
"Thank you, Colonel," Phillip said with a nod of his head. Now was not
the time to bring up his troubled conscience. He'd said his bit about
Astoria, stated his opposition, the rest could wait. Besides, he did
not exactly trust his superiors here.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"No, that's it," Christophe said. "Welcome aboard, Phillip. Well, welcome
aboard again. I'll make the arrangements for you to get information
in installments. All top secret, of course. We can meet on it later."
"Of course," Phillip said getting to his feet. "Thank you, Colonel.
I'll see you around."