Part 30: The HOA

Meanwhile, back to the main plot...



Is that the official name of the venture you mentioned yesterday, Mr. Mcercer?



In fact, I pushed for this title, to ensure that the importance of our motives was not forgotten.

Hoffman is very unimpressed



Let me see if I've got this right... The goal of the HOA is to provide doctors with world-class training, correct?
Actually, that's a very accurate summary of our main directive. You see, the number of doctors who reach their full potential as surgeons is rather minimal. Our emphasis would be to provide skilled doctors with the training to make them superior--top-tier.
This training you intend to do... I don't think it will be as easy as you make it sound.
I understand your concerns, but we've considered this from every possible angle. It's fool proof. I'd be happy to explain the procedure in more detail when we invite you to our offices. Caduceus and its doctors continue to set the standard for skills and practices in the medical field. The Hands of Asclepius is going to do everything it can to bring the world's doctors to your level. For that reason, I hope Caduceus will support us with personnel as a symbol of your cooperation.
Mr. Mercer, I do approve of your company's aspirations... But even though we've taken measures to counter PGS, the battle isn't over. All I can say is that, right now, it would be very difficult to lend you any of our staff. And unfortunately, we don't have any jurisdiction over doctors outside of our organization.
I realize that I am asking a lot, but even so, please consider my request.
It says in your plan that you intend to cultivate 10 or more premier doctors within a year... Wouldn't you say that's fairly ambitious for that kind of time span?
With people's lives on the line, time is of essence, wouldn't you agree?
...That is true...



I heard you had a rough time over at Hope, man... The Iron Vixen herself told me how much fun she had with you.

That gallblader operation is especially cruel

Yeah, I'm sorry to have worried everybody. But I'm OK now, really.
Derek... There was no doubt in my mind that you would return to work here.
Thanks, Dr. Clarks. Again, I'm sorry to have caused so much trouble.
Not at all. Besides, now you'll work twice as hard to make up for all the lost time, right? It was a relief to hear that you were able to save Professor Blackwell. Losing him would have been a tragedy for us all.
It took a while, but I'm back, and I feel confident again.
......
Angie, we're happy for you too! Your father's prognosis looks good, right?
Yes, thanks to everyone's help...
Hm? Hey, Tyler, where's Adel? Is he in class right now?
Oh yeah... About him... Things have gotten a little... complicated.
What'd you do to him, Tyler!?
I told Adel that the Director was the one who performed his operation. And after that, he...



H-Hey... Adel...?
...I feel so... betrayed...
Huh?
Well, I... I believed in him. I believed that if I ever got into trouble, he'd be the one who'd be there for me... But he... I don't understand...
N-No, you've got it wrong, Adel. Derek was--
...What?
Well... He... He really wasn't in any condition to perform the operation.
But, Dr. Stiles has the Healing Touch! Why didn't he use it on me!? Did he think I wasn't worth it!?
Even if he wanted to, he--
I... was about to die... And he still didn't-- How am I supposed to trust Dr. Stiles now...!?
Adel...!? H-Hey, where are you going?

I guess we now know why he's taking Derek's absence surprising "well"



I'm sorry, Derek. I couldn't shake him out of it.
So that's why Dr. Tulba looked so gloomy after the operation...
Dr .Stiles, it might be best to clear up any misunderstandings before matters get worse.
Adel...



The lack of doctors, the cost of entering the field, and the gap between the rich and poor. Even the skill level of doctors from one hospital to the next varies wildly. These are all problems I've been fighting to solve.
I'm aware that you have been a staunch activist in your attempts to make changes in our field... You've established charities and joined hands with both private investors and companies. For a division of the government, you've made these things happen with incredible speed.
I have my reasons for wanting to get things pushed through quickly.
...Hm?
Are you interested in seeing our operating rooms?
Yes, definitely.



Derek. Is today your first day back?
So you've returned... I can tell just by looking at you that you're back to your old self.

Speaking of returning, here's an interesting tidbit. When Hoffman started operating again in UtK and became the director of Caduceus, he got a new smug default portrait

Sadly that doesn't apply to SO or this game

Director Hoffman, Chief Kasal... I'm sorry to have been such a burden on you.
Ah... Are you the infamous Dr. Stiles!?
Derek, this is Patrick Mercer, from the Ministry of Health and Human Services. He's establishing a new medical organization called the Hands of Asclepius.
Nice to meet you. So, what is this "Hands of Asclepius?"
It's the company I founded for the sole purpose of creating more skilled doctors, like yourself. Of course, if you were interested, we'd be happy to welcome you aboard, Dr. Stiles.

Not this again...

...No thank you. I'm content working here.

At least Derek's answer is firm this time.

Mr. Mercer... I'd appreciate it if you refrained from recruiting our top surgeons.
Haha, but Dr. Stiles should be able to make his own choices, wouldn't you agree?

*Beeping sound*

Still, you of all people should know it's bad form to-- Hm...? Excuse me for a moment. This is Sidney. ...Is it an emergency? What's her condition...? I'm sorry, you're breaking up... DId you say PGS in her stomach!? Alright, get her to the O.R.! Derek, I know you just got back, but can I trust you with this operation?
...Yes, I can handle it.
...Alright. Then, it's in your hands. Hurry over to the operating room, please!
Yes, sir!
Hmm... What a perfect opportunity. Would it be possible for me to observe the operation?
Of course.
Do you think I will have the honor of witnessing the famed Healing Touch?
Let's just wait and see...



This patient has been infected with GUILT before and is currently suffering from tumors inside her stomach as an effect of PGS. There is one objective for this operation:

• Excise and extract all tumors from the stomach.

But, it appears that blood pools are also starting to form, so we'll need to drain them while extracting the tumors.
And Doctor... I know we have a government official observing us, but please try not to get distracted.
Thanks, Angie. All we need to do is concentrate on who's in front of us, right?
...You got it!



Operation Video


Let's do our best, Doctor.



Here's a drinking game if you're itching for a visit to the hospital: take a shot for every blood pool in the video.

There are multiple tumors present. Please be sure to treat all of them. PGS has set in as well, so don't forget to inject the sedative.

In this operation, the tumors will create blood pools until they're removed. It's how you can tell where they are without the ultrasound.



They also create small tumors, which might create more blood pools. The blood pools themselves can create even more blood pools.

If you value your health (and money depending on where you live), don't do that drinking game.

Treatment of the affected area is complete, but... her vitals aren't stable yet. There may be more tumors. Let's find them with the magnification tool.

So we pick the magnification tool...



A blood pool formed! There are definitely tumors left...
Find the hidden tumors with the magnification tool, Doctor!



No! The patient is undergoing cardiac arrest!

So we have to use the defibrillator. How tumors in the stomach can cause cardiac arrest is beyond me



Ah, Healing Touch. How I've missed you

It's a good time to use it because the patient will periodically go into cardiac arrest, which tank the vitals.

It raises the vitals instead if it was below 20, but that is a risky move considering all the tumors around.



There's 1 tumor on the left side and 3 tumors on the right. A convulsion occurs after we treat them all.

Huh? What's happening!?



Tumor reaction has increased! Please check the areas we've already treated again!

I don't think this is how tumors work



It's possible for cardiac arrest to occur while we're cutting the tumor. I'm not sure if the cytoplasm timer still runs during the resuscitation.



The gimmick of this operation occurs after we remove a tumor.

Blood pools seem to be forming after extracting the tumors. Please use the drain.
What...? Is the drain malfunctioning!?
I-I'll get another drain ready immediately! ...Hang in there!

Glad to be back in Caduceus, where they can't even provide proper working drain

The drain will return after waiting a bit, and then we remove all 5 tumors that spontaneously form. It feels like cardiac arrest occurs much less often than during last wave.

No more tumors detected... Treatment complete. We were in trouble for a second there, but I'm glad everything turned out alright.

Closing up...

Operation complete. Well done!
......
...Something wrong, Angie?
It's nothing... I just couldn't help but notice how impressed Chief Mercer was with you... And... I hope you aren't going to consider transferring to the HOA because they'll pay you better...
Ugh, are you kidding!? Not after I finally got to come back here!
I've had enough of transfers!
Haha, I suppose that's true, isn't it?





I think the blood pool limit here only counts the ones made by the tumors periodically since I'm pretty sure there's at least 40 of them.



I've seen footage of it before, but seeing it in person is really something else!
Footage...?
The HOA has been striving to reach his skill level. Of course, there are many who doubt it can be done. At any rate, the war has already begun, and we're doing everything we can to ensure our victory.
Mr. Mercer... What exactly do you mean by that?
This arrived at the Ministry of Health and Human Services. It's a copy, but please, take a look.
A letter...? ...! "There are those who would ask how the deceased shall rise, and what form they shall take. An exercise in futility. What is sown in life can only be reaped through death." I recognize this cryptic prose... Delphi...!?
Yes, the police are still trying to confirm the source, but really, there's no mistaking it. Delphi has resurfaced, and with them, the return of medical terrorism!



...... You must have had your reasons. But, that's of no concern to me anymore.
What? Listen, from now on, I'll-- ...Adel? Why is your stuff all packed up?
...I've decided to resign.
What!? You're going back to Costigar because of this!?
Don't flatter yourself; you're not the reason I'm leaving... I've got bigger plans. I've been invited to participate in the Asclepius Project.
Adel... You're joining the HOA!?

Welp. Bye, Adel

Don't you feel GUILTy for plagiarism?



Tons of blood pools? The drain breaking? Inexplicable cardiac arrests? This operation has them all!

There's no toxicosis there, but we have an extra minute here. Not that you'd need it, but it's still a nice gesture from the developers