Part 22: Episode 4-4: Showdown

Previously, we agreed to an obvious-rigged surgery competition on TV. Now, we'll see how that goes.

Episode 4-4: Showdown



Valerie: I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me.

Everett: Aren't you being a little unfair? She didn't even want to go on TV in the first place. This isn't her fault.

Tsuji: The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

What?

Everett: Now, wait a minute. It's not as bad as it seems. If they can win the competition, we have nothing to worry about. I have faith in them.

Markus: Why are we treating surgery like a competitive sport?

Irene: I'm sorry Markus, Valerie. I should have objected more strongly to this. I feel responsible for the entire situation. But now that it's come to this, I have to ask you to appear on the show one last time. I promise you, that will be the end of it.

Valerie: We'll be alright. We need to finish this once and for all.



Cromwell: Ordinarily, they'd take a month to produce, but our technology let's us make them in ten days. They're made of a special material, which is easy to suture with and prevents the formation of thrombi. We only recently gained approval to use them.

Markus: I understand, Robert. Thanks.

Valerie: Our patient is suffering from an aneurysm, but still, having these will be reassuring.

Cynthia: I'm sorry, Valerie. But this is a good opportunity to sway public opinion in our favor.

Markus: Maybe so, but I'd rather be researching Stigma.

I like how Markus is the only sane person around, for once.

Cromwell: I'll be presenting a report on that in the near future, incidentally.

Cynthia: Well, then. Good luck to you two.



Guy: For the first time on national television, not just one, but two operations will be broadcast live! Our very own Leonardo Bello will be competing against Team Caduceus. As we near the start of the competition, what's going through your head, Dr. Bello?

Bello: A beautiful operation is performed quickly, as I intend to demonstrate. I assure you, our viewers are in for quite a surprise.

How does a guy so obsessed with speed manage to fill an entire hour-long timeslot?

Guy: Do you hear that, ladies and gentlemen!? Don't go anywhere! You don't want to miss this! Now, let's check in with Team Caduceus. I must say, you look really determined today.

Markus: Our only concern is the welfare of the patient. Nothing more, nothing less.

Valerie: We're concentrating on the procedure, not worrying about the competition.

Guy: It seems Team Caduceus has their eye on the ball. Anyway, I hope they'll perform an amazing operation for us. Each of today's patients suffers from aneurysms in their large intestine. This is an unprecedented opportunity to see America's best doctors live in action! Even though our patients are in good hands, we do have an emergency team on standby. However, I doubt they'll be needed. Well, the time has come! Teams, prep for surgery!



Once again, this is something we're familiar with. Don't let that fool you into thinking this is an easy one, though.

Elena: This will be an operation on an aneurysm, so the basic treatment will be to excise the bulge. But, according to the diagnosis, there seem to be other aneurysms lurking there, too. Let's use this opportunity to implant the synthetic vein while dealing with the aneurysms.



Markus: Got it. Are you okay, Val?

Valerie: Yes, I'm fine. Concentrate… stay calm…

Guy: This amazing, unprecedented surgical showdown begins now! Who will reign supreme!? You can't let your eyes miss even the slightest moment of this competition!

Markus: This guy isn't helping, is he?

He's making less and less sense the longer we wait. Best to get started now. Today's surgeon is…



Dr. Vaughn!



OPERATION VIDEO

Viddler Backup

This is a rough operation, both to complete and to score in. Knowing how to do aneurysms properly is a good start, but it won't be enough on its own.



In addition to the ordinary, bite-sized variety, you now have gigantic triple-aneurysms to deal with. The process for treatment is mostly the same, but it differs once you've excised the bulge.



Instead of just pulling the vein together, you need to use this thing. The three points roughly form an isosceles triangle. In other words, You can't just match the three veins any way you want. It needs to be oriented as shown.



You need to suture all three veins. The one's you've finished will turn red. The game won't give you your rank until all three are sutured, and if you aren't fast enough, it'll start bleeding. This does about 20 damage and breaks your chain, so try not to let that happen. Make sure to make a small suture that covers only the vein you're aiming for. Otherwise, the game gets confused.



Elena: There's a lot of cheering going on from that side. What's going on?

Markus: Must be the surprise he mentioned. Just ignore it.



After that, FOUR bulges appear at once. Two of them are clearly visible, the large on is underneath the tool wheel, and the last small one is offscreen to the left. This is a good point to use the Healing Touch, but the most important thing is that you don't leave the large one for last. The next wave appears when you've finished dealing with the small ones.



Finally, another wave of four appears. This time, two of them are large. Filling up a vial and dividing it up amongst two bulges is a good way to keep them under control while you work on another. I like to cut them all out, and then remove them without fear of a burst. This does result in vitals draining, though.



Finish those, and you're golden.



OPERATION END



Despite getting all the bonuses, this was not a perfect run, and the game demands an exceptional performance for getting XS here.



Still, not bad.



Valerie: Thank you. I'm glad it went smoothly.

Bello: I, too, am relieved that you were able to complete the operation. You had me worried there for awhile, since it was taking so long.

Valerie: Dr. Bello? You're already finished?

Elena: That can't be! We completed our operation so fast!

Have we considered that just because two people have the same symptoms doesn't mean their operations will be… aw, who am I kidding. Of course it does.

Guy: Let's take a moment to review some highlights from Dr. Bello's operation.





Wait… the words aren't just gameplay abstractions? They really exist?



Bello: That's my trademark. I have the ability to block out all distractions. I wanted to serve a piece of humble pie to all those arrogant doctors out there.

Quickly, though.

Guy: Impressive. Now, the judging is underway backstage by an independent judging panel. Who will emerge victorious from this historic battle!

Markus: …We're leaving, Valerie.

Valerie: But…

Markus: We're in hostile territory. There's no reason for us to stick around, no matter what the results are. Let's not give them another opportunity to criticise us.

Valerie: You're right. Let's go.



Guy: Dr. Leonardo Bello!

Next time: The conclusion. Pretty much whatever you think is going to happen, you're probably mostly right.