A Farewell to Arms (MA7-E4)

[Rev Solomon]

Solomon didn't feel altogether comfortable in hospitals. That in itself wasn't uncommon - no one liked to be reminded of the infirmities of his own body, even when those infirmities were as plain as a missing forearm.

He'd seen to his own health more often than not during his seventeen years as an itinerant preacher on the plains of Dantooine. His most significant medical event since then had been sorted out by Serena's healing touch, with the help of the Healing Crystals of Fire - a methodology that probably didn't hold much weight in the circles of Alliance medicine. But that hardly mattered. He knew his body, and he felt as hale and hearty as he'd been in the past seven years. If his duties as a Jedi simply consisted of council meetings, classes, diplomatic and humanitarian missions, even occasional action short of stopping a rampaging Sith, he wouldn't have mourned the loss of one arm and two fingers.

But then he'd gone and taken a Trianii padawan. Maybe he'd thought that Kazahan, a veteran of the Trianii Ranger corps, wouldn't need as much physical training as a youngling trained up from scratch. Maybe he'd thought his own prowess as a Jedi warrior would make up for his lost limb, as if it were possible to teach Djem So when you could only grip a lightsaber in one hand. But despite his best efforts, he now realized he was facing his limitations every day, and Kazahan, whether he'd admit it or not, was suffering for it.

Which was why Solomon now sat in an examination room in the medical center at the edge of the Sanctuary One colony waiting for a cybernetic consult. The Jedi preacher wore a plain black tunic with the right sleeve rolled up to just above the elbow, and his nerfskin coat and broad-brimmed hat sat next to him on the examination bed. He hadn't told Serena about this appointment yet, had even checked to be sure she was off medical duty today. It was a bald-faced indulgence of his own stubborn pride, he realized, but he wanted to have some idea of the options available to him before he admitted to her that he was beginning to cave.

[MA7-E4]

MA7-E4 entered the bay dressed in a set of nurses scrubs, and adorned with a padded pair of loafers that muffled the metal on metal sound she made when she walked in. She scanned over his data on the datapad she had brought with her before looking up to greet the Jedi with a smile.

Greetings Sir Jedi. This unit is pleased to have you visit our facility today. I am Matea, a series 7 Medical Assistant droid. How may I be of assistance?

Internally she began a file for her new patient, pertinent data shared between the pad and her own systems.

// Solomon // Jedi ___________ //

She would need to get additional information on his biometrics, height, weight, it was unlikely he was a Padathingy, though was not immediately aware of his rank or position.

[Rev Solomon]

Solomon looked up in surprise at the mechanized voice, and then he recalled Serena mentioning something about introducing a new droid to the clinic. He'd never heard of a droid introducing itself by name, but maybe that was how it was done these days.

"Well, hello, Matea," he replied, and he made a half-hearted gesture with his maimed left hand. "I'm here to see one of the doctors, I suppose. I have a couple old injuries that need attending to, and, well, I've put it off for a while, but..."

He took a deep, steeling breath, and went in for the plunge. "I want to find out what my options are for some prosthetics."

[MA7-E4]

She nodded. If you could please remove your shirt, I will begin an evaluation so we can determine your best options.

// Solomon // Jedi ___________ //

// Amputee, treatment sought, potential candidate for prosthesis. //

This unit will admit, when I had used humorous conjecture of my unfamiliarity with limb replacement as a conversation piece, I had not anticipated that such a case would present itself to my care quite so quickly.

She turned allowing him the privacy to remove his coverings without watchful oculars on him, while alerting him of the current level of understanding she had for the potential procedure he was requesting.

As your medical technician, I must make you aware before any treatment options that my knowledge of prosthetic attachments are not at the same proficiency as a specialist. This unit will do her best to help you in making an informed decision, and direct you to many fine specialists, or if you wish to remain in my treatment, this unit is happy to further her available data and abilities.

[Rev Solomon]

Solomon found himself bemused as he unbuttoned his tunic. Was the droid attempting to make small-talk?

"Well... I would like to see a specialist, if that's possible," he said. "I understand integration is usually more difficult for long-standing injuries. I just want to be sure I know what to expect before I commit to anything."

He shrugged out of his tunic and laid it aside on top of his longcoat. His right arm ended above the elbow joint, the stump bound over with scar tissue where it had been stitched closed during his convalescence on Generis. He'd taken pains to keep his shoulder muscles and pectorals exercised so he didn't lose what mobility he had, but with no anchoring point to pull against, his biceps and triceps had wasted away. Otherwise, his conditioning told well - his long body was still sleek and powerful.

[MA7-E4]

The droid turned, deft fingers running over the scar muscle, raising his arm slowly to examine the damage, as well as how well it had been maintained without proper treatment. Her fingertips were warm to the touch, and she rotated his upper arm to watch the muscle ligature's motion and range of movement.

Please inform me if anything I do causes discomfort. She chimed pleasantly as she pressed at various nerve endings to judge the responses. If I may be so bold, sir Jedi, you have taken remarkable care of this injury. Am I correct in assuming that you have not sought treatment for this previously? There are a few signs that point at that as likely.

She pressed a bit harder on one set of muscles, bending his arm slightly backwards as she did to watch the muscle tension that resulted.

[Rev Solomon]

"I was in a pretty remote area when it happened. And, well, not exactly conscious afterward. Fortunately, lightsabers have a way of closing wounds as fast as they make them."

He watched as the droid manipulated his arm and shoulder, impressed by the lightness and warmth of its touch. Whoever had programmed it had known their work.

"I realize it's not an ideal situation, but I really need to know how much function I can expect to get back. If the arm won't be combat-capable, I might not want to bother. We could just replace the fingers on my left hand."

[MA7-E4]

She gave it another rotation and then let it rest, gently releasing it, considering.

You are certainly a qualified candidate for treatment, sir Jedi. The damage, while severe has left much of your nerve endings, tendons and muscular system intact. Prosthesis technology has advanced quite readily in the last few decades, and I believe with a skilled surgeon and proper equipment you can expect to recover much of your dexterity. It may not be to the level you once experienced, but it will return.

A burst of coding from her secondary systems, small, though. She barely noticed it.

You may never play the violin again, though.

[Rev Solomon]

A part of him had been hoping the prognosis would be worse, though of course he immediately recognized it as irrational, the product of a prideful heart that just wanted to be right. Of course he would be more effective, more capable, with even partial functionality in his right arm than with nothing at all. If he had to retrain himself into a left-handed duelist, then so be it. Even so, he found himself recoiling at the thought of trusting his life to an artificial limb, of putting a machine between himself and his lightsaber, or even worse, between himself and the Force--

Matea's chiming voice jolted him out of his thoughts. "I beg your pardon?"

[MA7-E4]

The violin. She said coolly, maintaining a straight face as she spoke.

Even with the best prosthetic, you may never play the violin. The secondary systems flared heavily at the repetition of the line. She tilted her head slightly as they looked at one another, waiting for a response to the comment.

[Rev Solomon]

Solomon stared back, trying to read the unreadable in the droid's mercurial face. His mouth made several false starts before he finally caved.

"I'm sorry, was that... was that a joke?"

[MA7-E4]

The droid's face softened into a small frown. You did not find it humorous? This unit apologizes if you found the attempt at levity in poor taste.

The secondary systems interjected in the response again.

Or have I perhaps caused you concern because you are a violinist?

[Rev Solomon]

Now Solomon laughed - a burst, anyway, incredulous and wondering and fully cognizant of the absurdity of his own position.

"No, no, it's just that I've never heard of a droid making a joke before," he replied. "Is that... have you been programmed to do that?"

[MA7-E4]

Matea's oculars glanced away from the curious man, fingertips tapping away at the datapad. This unit does not know. The tone mimed a cold distance to the question, Matea suddenly in stark awareness of the interference her secondary systems had just caused. It had been designed to lighten the atmosphere, to keep things pleasant between herself and her patient. Instead it had demonstrated a uniqueness that was not common in a droid, let alone one with a memory wipe only 6 months prior.

She paused, oculars locked on the datapad as the coding in her secondary systems once more beat down new pathways, and processes.

I do not believe I was. An error. There was no reason to reveal such information, the probability that she had made a joke without being programmed to do so was ludicrously low. Again the other systems invaded the core programming, and she felt another bit of data overcome her. Another sensation much like the fear she had recognized in recent events. That ever present similarity to concern was there, this time mingled with other bits of coding. A desire to flee. Self-preservation? Probability of another misunderstanding. Warmth sensors on her facial servos heating in reaction. Oculars refusing to maintain eye contact with her patient.

If her appearance as a droid had not been so obvious, one could likely mistake what she displayed for embarrassment.

[Rev Solomon]

"Oh."

Solomon didn't have the slightest idea what to do with that revelation, but it was not altogether comforting to hear that a medical droid was doing things it hadn't been programmed to do. But then the rest of the droid's behavior was so peculiar - eyes down, shoulders hunched, feet shuffling almost imperceptibly. If he didn't know better, he'd say Matea was blushing.

He felt the need to push things along, though he wasn't certain if it was for his sake or hers - its.

"Well, where do we go from here? Is there a form for me to fill out, or some sort of examination? I'm not sure if I'm ready to actually start the process yet, but I do have some questions."

[MA7-E4]

Ah. Yes. Matea's attention returned to Solomon, coding transferring from the secondary systems to her primary ones at the request for additional medical information. She tapped out a few things on the datapad and offered it to him. Standard biometric data is necessary to begin a proper write up and allow for further recommendations.

This unit recommends that you use the additional information section of the form to share any concerns you may have. As you have requested a specialist, this will be of use when they review your case. She considered the fact that he had questions. This unit is not deeply knowledgable on the current state of prosthesis, but can gain additional data to assist in your queries.

// Open communication channel // Ping R1-X1 //

Her 'brother' would be more immediately knowledgeable on the subject given his longer association with their owner. She herself would be an excellent person to turn to for additional information, but could not send an automatic data transfer, as would be most expedient in this moment.

[R1-X1]

Rix was at that moment installing a new logic board in the guts of the KM-1 miner (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/KM1_mining_droid) Suriyesh had brought back from the same scrap heap she'd rescued Matea from. The spidery droid was on its belly with its carapace removed and its four hydraulic legs splayed and hanging off the workbench.

// Incoming signal // ID = MA7-E4 //

Without skipping a beat, the R1 astromech opened up a binary channel on the datastream. "Oh, hi, Matea. What's up?"

[MA7-E4]

Matea continued to converse with Rix over the datastream, even while Solomon worked on filling out his data.

Not terribly much, Rix. I am with a patient who has an interest in prosthetic technologies, but I do not have up to date information to work with. I theorized that with your closeness to Suriyesh that you may have access to such information. I am not interrupting you, am I? I do not want to be a bother.

[R1-X1]

"Oh, don't worry about that. I can hyperthread."

A pair of delicate manipulator claws gripped the logic board and carefully slid it down the guide pins in the center of the spider's chassis. Even without parallel processing, Rix could have done this kind of work in sleep mode. While he locked down both sides of the board, he called up the last few issues of Cybernetics Galactica into his active memory.

"Ask anything you like. If I don't have an answer, I can always ask Suri."

[MA7-E4]

She chimed pleasantly.

Thank you, Rix. You truly are a wonder.

Her attention returned to Solomon, smiling at him in pleasant demeanor to alleviate any tension he may he feeling from the paperwork. Please inform me when you have input the necessary information, and I am now prepared to answer most questions you may have regarding prosthetic options. There may be some delay in the information as I receive it, however.

[Rev Solomon]

Solomon merely hmmm'd in response as he pecked his way through the questions on the datapad. He'd just reached the item that asked him What activities do you plan to engage in with your prosthetic limb (check all that apply)? and was trying to decide which choice was closest to "lightsaber combat."

"This question about activities, what's that for? Do they really make different arms for..." He squinted at the pad, frowning. "...flying starships and lifting heavy objects?"

[MA7-E4]

She smiled at Solomon, lilting her head.One moment while I gather that information.

Rix, query. She chimed pleasantly in the binary datastream. What is the range of uses for a prosthetic, and are certain prosthesis specialized? Example, different prosthetic for lifting heavy objects than flying a starship? I am also going to record your answers, Rix, it will be beneficial to have this knowledge for the next patient in need of information on prosthetic limb replacement.

Her other coding interjected.

Working for the Jedi I am certain that will be sooner, rather than later.

[R1-X1]

Sparks jumped as Rix soldered the necessary connections. On either side of him, the spider's spreadeagle limbs twitched as new circuits joined old ones.

"Oh, maker. Prostheses can be just as diverse as limbs on a droid. You can even make them modular - swappable parts, different attachments. But generally people want something that looks like their old limb. Which makes sense. Most things are designed for humanoids to use, so a humanoid limb is the most versatile design you can have."

Rix challenged his own thesis as his spindly manipulators danced nimbly around the spider droid's interior.

"The question about piloting and lifting, that's really trying to gauge the balance between fine motor control and raw power. Other things, too, like reaction time and range of motion. Different models have different tolerances. What's he plan to do with it?"

[MA7-E4]

Matea's attention returned to Solomon. Limb replacements cover a variety of activities, striking a balance between functions. Some may need to be more specialized than other based on your usage.

She sat down across from him, the tone becoming more informal as she answered his questions. She didn't need to sit, it was simply reflexive, she had in fact, not even noticed the action. Her systems had logged it, of course, but there had been no direct consideration in the motion.

What expectations do you have regarding your activities? She queried, tapping one finger against the datapad absently, a bit of coding triggering the electrical relay in that fingertip again and again much as any person would develop small movements and tells while talking.

It will be beneficial to know what the most stressful activity you plan for the limb is, and work our way back from that.

[Rev Solomon]

"Lightsaber combat," Solomon replied easily enough. "But that's not just one kind of motion. It's... well, it involves just about every kind of motion a human arm is capable of."

He sighed and thumbed through the list on the pad. "I know Jedi have received prosthetics before. Luke Skywalker, for example. And..." He frowned, and his voice took on a darker timbre. "Anakin Skywalker supposedly had all four limbs replaced."

[MA7-E4]

She had researched all available public data upon her appointment to the facility on Jedi. The names Luke, and Anakin Skywalker were well established in the history she had found. His tone and inflection had changed on reference of Anakin. A high ranking member of the Empire, and regarded as an enemy of the Sith, Matea's deeper systems explored that data, and she let her oculars wander away from Solomon, ticking back and forth quickly as information was processed and shared.

After what seemed too long, almost long enough to have surely elicited suspicion in Solomon she turned back to regard him. Tone dropping to a low sound, near a whisper. Comforting.

A prosthetic limb will not alter the person you are. You will still be you, Sir Jedi. Just as Anakin Skywalker was surely still the person he was before his own prosthesis. You are your own person, and the limb will simply be a part of that person.

[Rev Solomon]

Solomon looked up from the datapad in wide-eyed surprise. He'd expected the droid to provide information, to walk him through the options, maybe even cross-reference his situation with case studies in its databanks to offer him some context and expectations. By rights it should have cheerfully pointed out how successful Darth Vader was in all his murderous endeavors despite his biomechanical handicap. But Matea was looking past his words to the feelings lurking underneath. Had he knows he could do that, he might have guarded himself more carefully, but now that it was in the open, he could scarcely deny it outright.

"I know that," he admitted. "And I've known other Jedi to get on just fine after replacing an arm or a leg. But the thing is, the Force is primarily a connection between living things. The midichlorians, the organisms that mediate between us and the Force, they're only found in living cells. If I were to get a prosthetic arm, it would mean there is a part of myself that has no connection to the Force."

Solomon's awareness caught up with him - here he was talking about the disadvantages of machine-hood to a machine. "I'm sorry, this probably doesn't mean much to you. But Vader was more machine than man. I can't help but think that his own relationship to the Force was twisted as a result."

[MA7-E4]

If she could have been indignant over the notion that her being a machine somehow dampened her understanding of the situation she would have, but in that moment a file she had began earlier was open and awaiting new input as it logged additional details.

// Living Force //

// 1 A. Midichlorians
B. Living Cells
C. ___________ //

She stopped entering data for a moment, another subroutine in her secondary systems flaring as she tilted her head, oculars darting back and forth once more as datastrings passed along newly created pathways.

Query. She chimed. Is this the reason it is referred to as the Living Force? Jedi Padathingy Kazahan had used that term for it previously, without explanation.

She leaned back as if pondering and analyzing the data, the secondary systems almost entirely taking over for these moments.

Conjecture: Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker's actions prior his prosthesis infers an already twisted relationship to the Living Force, as it is described. Further query, you had indicated a desire to use your prosthetic for lightsaber combat. Does the lightsaber alter your connection to the Force?

[Rev Solomon]

Solomon was so surprised to be questioned about the Force by a droid that he didn't think to correct her Jedi terminology. But before he could answer, she had moved on to another, even more arresting question.

"No," he said. "But then a Jedi's relationship to his lightsaber is very unique. It is built through a process of meditation and self-discovery. You can only unlock its full potential when you are in balance with yourself and in balance with the Force. It's much more than a weapon, in many ways it's an extension--"

He suddenly had the impression that he'd been maneuvered into a corner. But he finished the thought, even as he felt the weight of its argument turn against him. "--of yourself."

[MA7-E4]

She blinked at him, head lilting to one side, then the other, as if waiting for him to continue. When he didn't she spoke up again, secondary systems firmly humming along of their own accord.

Would a similar process assist you in a better understanding and attachment of your prosthetic? While the manufacture of such a piece of technology may be outside of your skill set, is meditation and training with the prosthesis a therapy method which may be beneficial. I will advice that it is outside of a typical recovery recommendation.

Her smile widened, leaning back.

[Rev Solomon]

"Possibly. I don't know. I'd never considered it before."

Solomon had moved past marveling that he could have an actual conversation with a droid, simply because the conversation was marvelous in its own right. He couldn't deny that the notion rang true, and even though it left him teetering over the precipice of the unknown, it no longer seemed so horrible a thing to contemplate. In fact, he found himself wanting to head to the Jedi library and scour the archives for accounts of other Jedi who had replaced a limb, just to see if any of them had tried what Matea was suggesting.

"I still feel I need a little more research before I can come to a decision," he said. "Thank you, Matea. You've been very helpful."

[MA7-E4]

She smiled pleasantly, extending her hand to take back the datapad she had given him earlier. This unit was pleased to have been of service, Sir Jedi. I will store your biometric data and information on file for when you have reached a decision.

Her head lilted to one side, curious. As a final point, in reference my earlier query, if it is not out of line to raise the line of question. Is it known as the Living Force, due to it's connection to living cells?

[Rev Solomon]

"It's not out of line at all. I've just never known a droid to show any interest in the Force."

Again, Solomon found himself astonished how easy it was to talk to Matea, as if she - yes, it was hard to deny now - were a real person. And who knew? Maybe knowing something about the Force would come in handy down the road for a medical droid in a Jedi colony.

"You're on the right track. The Living Force and the Unifying Force are two sides of the same coin. The Living Force surrounds all living things, both giving them energy, and drawing its energy from them. The Unifying Force is bound up in the laws of the universe itself - time, causality, beginnings and endings. Each one teaches us something about our existence. In the Unifying Force we have our destiny, but in the Living Force we have our freedom, and the possibility of change."

[MA7-E4]

// 1 - Living Force //

// 1 A. Midichlorians
B. Living cells
C. Giving, drawing energy
D. Freedom, change? //

// 2 - Unifying Force //

// 2 A. Bound to Universal laws
B. Giving, drawing energy
C. Destiny? //

She smiled pleasantly at Solomon. This unit thanks you for this additional data. Her oculars again rocked back and forth, scanning the data she had, as well as additional queries that were formulating. Her internal chrono beeped, reminding her of additional appointments that were waiting. No time to continue the discussion she found herself growing increasingly interested to discuss.

Sir Jedi, Solomon, She spoke slightly more informally by adding his name to the title she had been using, would it be possible to discuss such matters with you at another opportunity. Perhaps when there is more available time that is not restrained by duties?

[Rev Solomon]

Solomon smiled. "You know, I think I'd like that. I don't think I've ever met a droid quite like you before, Matea."

He turned and began pulling his tunic back on. "As I said, I'll need to do some more research. But I may be back with questions of my own."

[MA7-E4]

She smiled warmly, and bowed slightly to the Jedi as he finished dressing and prepared to leave. This unit thanks you, Solomon.

[Rev Solomon]

He slung his coat around his shoulders and turned to tip his hat. "And I thank you. May the Force be with you, Matea."

Solomon stepped out of the examination room with plenty to think about - a great deal more, in fact, than he'd ever bargained for.