#doctor willhelm

[malarkis]

Mercy

As requested by a dear friend of my, here’s an old fic I wrote about Willhelm and a few other familiar faces from the usual militia lot. I hope you all enjoy ; u ;

The sound of gunfire and canons blasted through the canvas walls of the medical tent as the two surgeons and their assistants rushed about, aiding to the wounded and the dying.  The men ran about, cutting and stitching as fast as their hands and minds could fathom, but sadly not as fast as the injured were being carried in by the minute.  The medical tent was just as much hell as the battle that raged outside.  Blood puddled on cots and soil, filling the air with its pungent, metallic miasma.  It was more than most could bare, but Percy and Willhelm did all in their power to make it work.

Usually, the two men would’ve worked separately.  Though equals in their field, the two were far from companions outside of their professional work.  A slight rivalry bloomed between them, no doubt stemming from their opposing work methods.  Willhelm was methodical and organized, although a bit too rigid in the eyes of his more radical colleague.  Much to Willhelm’s dismay, Percy was more unorthodox in his ways.  He was a brilliant man, that much the other would admit, but far too much of a maverick in his field.  The two butted heads endlessly, and they were more than thankful when their commanding officer agreed to let them work separately - Percy for the higher ups and Willhelm for the cavalrymen.  Today, however, was an exception. The sweat dripped off of  Willhelm’s forehead as he put the final stitch on yet another wounded soldier.  “Alright, take him away. Next”, he ordered, wiping away the beads of sweat that blurred his vision. The younger of the two chuckled. He barely even glanced up from his work, yet his colleague’s frenzy was as palpable as the bloody mess that lay in his hands. “Losing steam eh, Dr.Blackwood?”, he chortled. “You know, I can always take one off your hands for you. Lighten the load, perhaps?”

Willhelm rolled his eyes at the other man’s irritatingly nonchalant demeanor. He admired him for his ability to handle situations with dire stress, but he also wished he could do so quietly.  “As much as I appreciate your assistance, Dr.Hewlett”, he sighed, wiping his hands on a bloodstained rag. “I suggest you keep your paws to yourself, if you wish to keep them.” Percy guffawed as he signaled for the officer he was working on to be sent off. “Well they did warn me you were a genius with a scalpel and saw.  The offer still stands though. All this stress can’t be easy for you, old man.” A patient each was set upon their operating tables, groaning and bleeding. This was no time for levity. Willhelm simply scowled before returning to his work. “Bloody maverick.”

—————————

Hours passed and still the influx of patients continued to travel in and out of the medical tent.  There had been a slight lull accompanying news of the British forces finally taking the offensive and advancing a few meters northbound.  Nonetheless, the surgeons’ work was far from over.

A flood of wounded officers had found their way into Percy’s skillful hands, but like any surgeon, no matter the skill, he only had two. He kept his cool, but Willhelm could see a slight panic beginning to breach the surface. “Eating your words yet?” Willhelm smirked as he watched the other man toil over two patients. “You know it’s never too late. My hands are free. I could lighten the load, perhaps?”, he asked, parroting Percy’s earlier quip.

Percy felt his cheek twitch. “Well, Dr.Blackwood”, he spoke through a strained smile, taking off his spectacles as to wipe them of sweat and blood.  “That’s very kind of you to offer. Yet a tad bit unoriginal, don’t you think?” The older man chuckled. He couldn’t help but take even a little pleasure from the other’s chagrin. It seems even the great Percival Hewlett’s pageantries and medical prowess had their limits. “Come now, Dr.Hewlett”, he chided. “There’s no need to be shy.” One of the officer’s squirmed as he went under the needle. “P-perhaps Dr.Blackwood’s right”, he whinged. “Th-think of the othe-“ “I would consider it highly unwise, Mr.Parker, to question the authority of the man who holds your life in his very hands”, Percy cut off the officer with his usual strange brand of saccharine apathy. “Or in this case, your limb. Now please, do hold still.” His strange grin made the man shiver. The canons sounded off yet again, making the ground shake and the tent walls shiver.  Percy did all he could to hone himself in, to buckle down, to drown out all the chaos, all the din.  It was easy, or at least it was most of the time. Yet again, today proved to be another exception.  With aching wrists and tired eyes, the man set down his medical scissors with a defeated sigh. Willhelm simply watched, his brow raised expectantly. “Well, Dr. Blackwood. Today’s your lucky day”, the younger of the two finally admitted. “It seems I’m feeling quite generous.” The other couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s this? Am I sensing a sliver of humanity in the great Dr.Hewlett?” “Yes, well, don’t go getting used to it”, Percy retorted. He bowed his head as he focused on his work once more. “The next officer that walks through that tent is yours, Blackwood.” True enough it took no longer than ten minutes for three new patients - two officers and a private - to be lobbed into the already crowded quarters. The higher ups were split amongst the surgeons, an Officer Richards limping over to Percy’s side of the tent, while an Officer Daniels clung to his bloodied sleeve as he trudged over to Willhelm’s end.  A fourth member to the injured party joined them as well, his bespattered kilt swaying stiffly as the blood upon it began to dry. “Jesus Christ, Paddy”, Willhelm exclaimed, recognizing the man. His dark eyes shot quickly to the bloodied apparel. “Don’t tell me-“ “I appreciate the concern, Doc”, the other man panted as he practically dragged his wounded companion. “But it is not my blood. The boy. It’s the boy.” “Yes, well place him on the bench-“ “I would but I don’t think the lad’ll make it if I tried.” The young soldier groaned, his lips quivering as he clutched onto the darkened stain that continued to spread down the front of his coat. He opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a sputter of blood. “Christ Almighty! Get him to the table. The table! Get him on it now!”, Willhelm roared over the panic. He turned swiftly, catching one of his assistants by the arm as they were about to run past. “Bandages. I need bandages, clean ones. More of them. Understood?” Percy watched silently as the other man scurried away. His usual chatter may have ceased, but his curiosity was far from ebbed. With a huff and a grunt, the young soldier was lifted onto the operating table, whimpering in pain at even the slightest movement brought onto his wounded form. Such a sign didn’t bode well. “Alright. Let’s have a look now.” Carefully, Willhelm began to take the soldier’s hand off of his gut and peeled away the blood-soaked jacket flap. “Easy now. Let’s just-“ “How dare you!”, the officer bellowed from behind him. “You put him before me?! I was here first!” “You both came at the same time, Officer Daniels”, Willhelm said over his shoulder, not even turning to look at the man. “Now if you would please wait your tu-“ “Don’t you dare turn your back to me! I’m an officer!” “Yes and I am very much aware of that. I am sure your regiment will fair fine without you even for a moment. From the sounds of it, they already are.” The man’s brows raised in shock. How dare he! How dare anyone speak to him in such contempt!  “If we lose this bloody battle because of you-“ “And if we this boy loses his bloody life because of you, then what, Officer Daniels?!”, Willhelm bellowed as he spun around to finally face the nuisance of a man. “Now answer me this and answer me quick because I have another man’s life in my hands! Can you walk?”

“Y-yes.” “Are you breathing?”

“Of course I’m-“ “Do you have a bullet lodged anywhere?” “N-no-“ “Well then, what seems to be the problem?”, Willhelm challenged Daniels. His snide tone was far from appreciated. “Are you blind? I fell off my damn horse and now my wrist-“ “Yes, the thing looks broken. Fractured at most. Now if you please excuse me, I have a man with a hole the size of St.James in his guts! I’m sure you can tell which is more dire, considering that it was your wrist that broke and not your brain.” Daniels couldn’t believe the gall of this doctor! Who did he think was? He sat there, seething as he watched the doctor walk away. “Y-you…m-my superiors will hear of this! This will not go unnoticed, Doctor Blackwood! Mark my words!” “Well, that’s if he has any tongue to tell them with”, Willhelm grumbled as he reached for his forceps. “Aye, steady on now, Will”, Paddy warned. “Believe me, there are several things I’d love to teach that man, he’s a right bugger, he is. Though might I suggest we keep things rather untroubled. For the boy’s sake.” A boy indeed. Willhelm couldn’t help but feel the twisting pang of guilt as he gazed down at the young man. He was young, too young to be here.  “He should be at home. Working. Studying”, the doctor thought to himself. His mind wandered for a moment to his students. Then to his son. Good god, the boy looked so much like him - the dark hair and eyes, the slope to his nose. Now, Willhelm was a professional, a man of method and rules. Hardly did he ever let anything move him in such a way. He was acquainted with death and accustomed to blood and pain, much more so than he would like to admit. But this, this broke him. “Well?”, Paddy asked, taking Willhelm out of his subconscious. “What do you reckon, Doc? What’s the damage?” The doctor looked at his friend, but gave no answer. With his forceps and scissors he cut away at the bloodied cloth, revealing a gaping void of viscera and tissue. The boy had been shot in the stomach. It was only a matter of time before the acids and bile began spreading throughout his body and causing an unbearably painful death. And who knows how long it had taken for them to get back to the medical tent. Willhelm had to make a decision and fast. “I-I…I need time”, he faltered. “I just need a little time.” “I’m afraid we don’t have much of it, Doc.”

More blood came up from the young man’s mouth, the dark liquid dripping down his chin and mingling with the viscera that already dampened his uniform. He could not speak nor scream, yet the flurry of fear and panic that shown in his eyes rang clear as the gunshots outside. His cheeks grew wet with tears and blood as his hand gripped onto the fabric of Willhelm’s sleeve. “Steady on, steady on lad”, Paddy comforted the boy, holding him still as he shook with each cough, “Will, we’ve got to do something! Now!” A thousand remedies ran through the doctor’s already frantic mind, and yet none deemed themselves helpful to the cause. The blood was already traveling up to the boy’s throat, the bile and acids of his stomach surely making it hard to breath. The pain, oh Christ ,the pain in the young man’s eyes. Willhelm grabbed a nearby bottle of laudanum and uncorked it. He poured the ruby liquid into the soldier’s mouth while his other hand supported his head. “Will…”, Paddy said, staring in horror. And yet he kept going. The bottle was down to half its content. “Will.” A third. “Willhelm!” A quarter. “Dr.Blackwood!”, Percy’s voice yelled from across the room. Willlhelm stopped, his hands shaking as he put down the tinted bottle. The boy’s grip upon his sleeve had grown limp. He was dead. The doctor’s gaze travelled about the tent, gathering the unnerved glances of those around him. “I-I….I need to…wash my hands…excuse me”, he slurred before turning the other way and walking out of the tent. “Please excuse me.” Paddy, Percy, and the officers simply stared in silent shock at what they had just seen. “He killed him…”, Daniels murmured. “He bloody killed him…” ————————— Percy leaned against the post of the nearby tent, the light emanating from behind him casting long shadows onto the cold ground. The night air had grown silent and still. Only the scent of gunpowder remained as a reminder of the recent battle and victory they had accomplished but a few hours ago. The quiet only amplified the shouting coming from the nearby officer’s tent.

He listened intently, gathering whatever he could from the muffled voices. “So”, Paddy sighed, taking his place beside Percy. The flickering lamplight only accentuated the worry upon his already weathered features. “Officer Daniels really did it eh? Bloody bastard can’t even keep his own boots clean, yet he can keep his word on this?” An exhale drifted from the doctor’s lips and turned to vapor. “Apparently.” The two stood still, the muffled screaming being the only other sound than the groaning of the wounded. “Did he really do it though?”, Paddy asked, his eyes fixated on the glowing tent. “Did he truly kill the boy?” “In a sense, yes. But not to the extent of which most would think.” “Aye, but do they know that?”, the Scotsman said, gesturing to the tent. Pushing himself from the beam, Percy chuckled cooly. “They will. Soon enough.” ————————— “An outrage! This is an absolute outrage!”, Commanding Officer Wesley Péche yelled from behind his desk. “Out of all the people in this company that I expected this sort of buggery from, it definitely wasn’t from you, Dr.Blackwood!” Willhelm stood silently at the front of the desk. He was usually not one to back down from a heated debate, but tonight he could barely even look at the man before him. Instead, his gaze remained fixated on a small scratch engraved onto the dark wood. “I appreciate your trust, Sir-“ “Yes, well it doesn’t seem much like it! You’ve made a mockery of it! And absolute mockery! I hand picked you myself, do you know that?! The college had recommended me your superior, Dr. Langley, but I specifically chose you. Do you want to know why, Dr.Blackwood?” “If I could please explain-“ “Because they told me of your skill, your competence, and most importantly your compliance to the oath you took when you became a surgeon!”, Wesley continued, his hazel eyes glowing with rage in the lamplight. “I thought you proficient in understanding the importance of obedience to the rules. Perhaps I was mistaken.” Though older by a great many years, Willhelm couldn’t help but feel as if he were a young child being scolded by its parent. He clenched his fists tightly, opening and closing them as he took a deep breath. “Sir, with all due respect-“ “No! No!”, the other cried, throwing his hands up in the air. “I don’t want to hear it! Daniels told me quite enough! Not only did you waste an entire bottle of laudanum, a provision that we are in low supply of, but you ignored an officer his right to medical care. And let us not forget the biggest error of all, you-“ “Good evening, Officer Péche”, Percy interrupted as he lifted the flap of the tent. “Forgive the intrusion, but we are needing Dr.Blackwood back in the medical tent. Some of the patients are getting a little fussy.” Wesley scowled. He was already upset enough at one surgeon, he did not need the irksome company of the more confounding of the two at the moment. “Yes, well I am not done with him, Dr.Hewlett. As you can see, I am having a discussion-“ “Ahh! Well then perhaps I could be of assistance?”, Percy offered, fully stepping into Wesley's quarters. The officer blinked. “I don’t see how-“ “Well considering the misdeeds and accusations that are being speculated around the camp concerning our dear Dr.Blackwood, I thought I may shed some light on the situation. I did witness the entire ordeal, after all.” Willhelm held his breath. What on earth was his colleague up to? “W-well…I…I guess, that’s alright…”, Wesley considered, turning his gaze away from the other doctor. Percy always had a habit of making him feel uncomfortable whenever he was in his presence. He would have readily shooed him out of his quarters, but what other choice did he have? The only other witnesses to the incident were Paddy and Officer Richards, the two being unreliable due to their close relations to Blackwood and their injured state, respectively. As much as Percy was far from winning any favors in Wesley’s book, something hardly ever earned by anyone according to the men, the doctor  had always seemed rather neutral to most situations. Eerily so. Neither was he close to Blackwood in any sort of the sense. “Fine. Fine. I’ll allow it.” “Perfect. Do carry on, Officer Péche”, Percy said with his usual saccharine nonchalance as he lowered himself down onto a nearby chair. Willhelm stared in horror at the other doctor. Christ, this was it. He was doomed. “As I was saying”, Wesley continued, clearing his throat. “Firstly, you ignored an officer, when according to him and other witnesses, you had promised to ‘lighten Dr.Hewlett’s load’.” “Sir, I-“ “Secondly, you not only used an entire bottle of laudanum, but wasted it-“ “Correction”, Percy said from across the desk. “Not all of it. The bottle still had over a quarter left.” Wesley glowered, his lips drawing to a thin line before he resumed his monologue. “But wasted it entirely on one man. One man! A bottle can serve almost three men if I am not mistaken. Am I Dr.Blackwood?”

“No. No, sir.” “And worst of all, you readily poured the contents of said bottle down the throat of your own patient! Choking him from the reports of the others!” A shot of guilt tore through Willhelm’s gut. “I…Sir, I didn’t intend to kill the boy-“ “Well you most certainly did, according to those present!” “I only meant mercy-“ “Mercy?! By forcing a bottle down his throat!?” “He was in great pain, Sir! There was no other way!” “If I may? Gentlemen?”, Percy interrupted yet again as he stood form his seat and took his place in front of the desk. “I would like to give my own account of this afternoon’s situation.” Wesley hesitated for a moment, feeling a strange prickle as he sat under the fair-haired doctor’s expectant gaze. “If you must…” “Thank you”, he replied with a smile. “Now, I must say that the first two accusations are sadly true. Dr.Blackwood did ignore Officer Daniels’ request, and procured a bottle of laudanum from the already dwindling supply.” “Exactly. Therefore-“ “But he did not do so without reason.” Percy squared his shoulders and calmly placed his hands behind his back, as if he was ready to lecture in front of a class. It irked Wesley to no end. Willhelm shot the other doctor a nervous glance. “Dr.Hewlett, I don’t think-“ “Hush now, I believe Officer Péche has give me the podium, so to speak”, he replied with an ensured grin. “You see, in the medical world, rank does not outweigh the dire need of medical attention. A title and commission, though magnificent in their own right, does not outrank a giant gash across someone’s chest, for example. Though the two patients did arrive at the same time, Officer Daniels’ injury was far more inferior to that of the young private.” “Well I think that’s rathe-“ “Don’t tell me, Officer Péche, that if you were to walk into the tent with, let us say, a fractured shin, yet have your good friend - what’s his name? Harold?” The officer’s ears reddened. “Harold lay bleeding to death on another cot, you would use your rank to get ahead?” Wesley froze, his face looking like a strange cross between a scowl and a grimace. He was never one who enjoyed being scrutinized, much more so when it was he who was supposed to be doing the probing. “Alright. Alright, fine! But that still doesn’t account for what happened to the private. I should have you tried for murder, Dr.Blackwood.” Willhelm felt his blood run cold. “Murder?!”, he exclaimed. “Sir, you cannot be serious!” “All the witnesses said Dr.Blackwood gave the boy a high dosage of laudanum-“ “As a means of mercy, no doubt”, Percy explained. “May I ask you, Officer Péche, if you know the Hippocratic Oath?”

“I-it’s an oath recited by doctors and surgeons as a means of pledging allegiance to their cause and calling. I’m not that stupi-“ “Yes, but do you know the words?”

The officer simply huffed as he leaned back into his chair. “No…no, I don’t.” Obviously delighted by this, Percy prattled on. “Well, then I should enlighten you!” “Please don-“ “It’s quite long, but I shall get to the stanzas that ring quite profound. At least for this situation they do.” Willhelm swallowed hard. He was already in the thick of things earlier on, and now he was just completely lost as to where Dr.Hewlett planned on taking this whole spiel. He simply braced for the worst. “How about you, Dr.Blackwood?”, the other doctor inquired as he turned to his colleague. “Do you remember the third and fourth stanzas of the oath? I’m sure you recall.” “Err, yes”, Willhelm complied, shaking himself out of his stupor. “I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures that are required. I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.” An awkward silence emanated throughout the tent as the older doctor finished his recitation. Wesley simply stared in confusion. “I don’t see how-“

“I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures that are required. Warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug”, Percy parroted. “In other words, Officer Péche, Dr.Blackwood did nothing else but his job.” Willhelm turned to the man beside him, his eyes wide behind their spectacles. “The boy was dying, and in a lot of excruciating pain from the looks of it. I may not have been by his side, but even I could see that nothing could be done for him. The laudanum allowed him even a moments peace in his time of agony. He would have died sooner or later, quite slowly and painfully if I may add. All Dr.Blackwood did was ensure his comfort as he left this world.”

The older doctor couldn’t help but stare in shock at the man before him, his mouth slightly agape. Had his ears deceived him? Had Percy truly defended him?  He quickly pressed his lips together and returned his attention to the officer. Wesley sat with his elbows propped on the desk, his nine fingers knit together as he pondered over Dr.Hewlett’s words. After a few moments, his eyes peered up at the two men before him as he reached a decision. “I will readily admit that I know not of the medical world nor its rules and regulations, but I do know of my own rules. The rules of the military. I am afraid there are some things that cannot go without consequence. I am sure you understand, Dr.Blackwood.” A sinking feeling ran deep through Willhelm as he accepted his fate. “Yes. I do, sir.” “Which is why you will be given a warning…” The doctor raised his gaze. “Sir…” “I am a reasonable man. You will receive a warning for misconduct towards an officer, and the amount equivalent to the bottle of laudanum used shall be taken from your pay.” Willhelm blinked.  “A-and what of the boy?” “Gather his belongings and give them to his best mate. Tell them to give them to his family. That is all. Goodnight, gentlemen.” A wave of shock and disbelief surged through the older doctor. Or perhaps it was the sudden depletion of his adrenaline. “Well now that that’s finished, I believe it is time to take our leave”, Percy announced as he lead his colleague out of the tent, but not before turning to the commanding officer once more. “Thank you for time, Officer Péche. Perhaps I may repay you with a check up. I do believe you are due one in the upcoming days. How is your finger, by the way?” Wesley froze and simply occupied himself with a map that lay in front of him. “I..err..p-please just go. There are things I must attend to now. I said goodnight, gentlemen.”

A wicked smile played upon the younger doctor’s lips as they exited the tent and into the cool night air. The slight layer of frost upon the soil crunched beneath their boots as the two men made their way back to the medical area.

“I know I said we needed you back at your station, but I highly suggest you get some rest, Dr.Blackwood”, Percy chuckled. “You had quite the day.”

Willhelm, still fazed by what had just happened, stopped in his tracks and stared incredulously at his colleague. “I…I don’t understand”, he muttered, his warm breath making small puffs of vapor in the night air. “I know we are not the closest of comrades, far from it in fact. And yet…you defended me. I was clearly in the wrong, and yet you insisted..” Percy halted as well. “That may be so”, he said, turning to Willhelm with his signature grin. “But I’m not heartless.”

The older of two stood silently, his legs refusing to work. Or perhaps it was the heavy burden upon his shoulders that soldered him into his place in the frosty ground. “Dr.Hewlett”, he called out. “I…you must understand. I have blood on my hands. A boy’s blood rests upon my hands, and this time I fear a rag and some hot water won’t do…” “Don’t we all?”, the other chuckled. “We are surgeons after all.” “But would you have done the same? W-would you have…put him out of his misery?”

“No”, the other said a-matter-of-factly. “Which is why I applaud you. There is little in this world that I wouldn’t do. I guess you’ve bested me in that, Dr.Blackwood. Congratulations.”

Willhelm tried to fathom something to say, but nothing surfaced except another puff of vapor. “I would say I owe you my gratitude”, he finally admitted. “Though I do not think that is enough, Dr.Hewlett. Lord knows what I would have in store for me had you not stepped in. I…thank you.”

“Like I told you, I was feeling quite generous today”, the other replied. “As you were, in your own right.” A bitter chuckle leapt from Willhelm’s mouth. “Generous? In what? Laudanum? Death?” Percy smiled once more before turning on his heel and lifting the flap of the medical tent. “Mercy, Dr.Blackwood. Mercy.” —————————

#fgjfdklgjsdl ive never been the one ppsting my own work so gahh #i hope yall like this #;; ^ ;; bb #my writing #willhelm blackwood #percy hewlett #paddy #wesley peche

[floridaprelaw-blog]

Fertility Doctors Sued After Using Their Own Sperms, Despite Patients Wishes

By Kayla Jacques, Florida State University Class of 2021

September 22, 2020

Infertility or difficulty conceiving is a significant health issue that affects women, men, and couples across the world. The reasons why a male or woman may have difficulty conceiving has been linked to pollution, various toxins around us, drinking & smoking, or hormonal imbalances. To help with these issues, men and women usually seek help from gynecologist, urologist, and reproductive endocrinologist to receive fertility treatments. The CDC reported that infertility services increase from 9% in 1982 to 15% in 1995 (Chandra, Ph.D., Copen, Ph.D and Stephen Ph.D.). One of the most popular treatments is the use of artificial insemination. In artificial insemination, a doctor inserts sperm directly into a woman’s cervix, fallopian tubes, or uterus. The most common method of artificial insemination is “intrauterine insemination” which is when a doctor places the sperm directly into the uterus. This is more sough after because it shortens the trip of the sperm and increases its chance of fertilizing an egg.

Even though this procedure is becoming more common. There have been a lot of issues and controversies surrounding artificial insemination. Recently, a couple of fertility doctors used their own personal sperm for women to conceive. Two women learned from their children’s at-home DNA tests that their fathers were their mother’s fertility doctors. The two women filed lawsuits against the doctors Wednesday for fraudulently using their own sperm. Before the insemination took place, the doctors told the women that they would have sperm donated to them from health and anonymous.

The first woman who is pursuing a suit Plaintiff Katherine Richardson Richards of Livermore, California against Michael Kiken of Virginia in the San Francisco federal court. Back in 1978, Richards and her husband were newlyweds and wanted be parents. The two were unable to conceive on their own and sought out Kiken for help conceiving. Richards husband suffered from male-factor infertility and was advised by Kiken to go through with artificial insemination from an anonymous doner. Kiken advised the couple that the sperm would (1) come from a sperm bank; (2) the sperm would be from an anonymous donor who would never know the Richards family; (3) the donor would be a medical student or medical intern; (4) the donor would physically resemble Richards husband; (5) the donor would share a similar ethnic background similar to her husband; along with a host of other qualities (Weiss). However, after completing a 23andMe DNA done by the child, it was found that Kiken was actually the father.

The second suit was filed by a woman named Beverly Willhelm and against physician Philip Milgram in a San Diego court room. Wilhelm’s went through a similar situation as Richards. Milgram ensured to her that her donor would be a physician from the University of California at San Diego who was in good health. However, Willhelm found out that this was false also through the 23andMe DNA test. Willhelm’s was going through a divorce and was trying to get her now ex-husband to pay child support for her son. He refused since he was not actually the son’s biological father and Milgram failed to get the signature establishing Wilhelm’s ex-husband as the father as required by California law. She is also suing Milgram because at the time of the insemination, he was also abusing narcotic drugs. DNA tests like 23andMe will possibly led to many more cases of fertility fraud. It is unfortunate that these women and many more women will have to go through similar situations such as these.  

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Chandra, Ph.D., Anjani , Casey E Copen, Ph.D and Elizabeth Hervey Stephen Ph.D. "Infertility Service Use in the United States: Data From the National Survey of Family Growth, 1982–2010." National Health Statistics Reports 73 (2014): 2-20.

Weiss, Debra Cassens. ABA JOURNAL. 18 September 2020. 20 September 2020. <https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/2-suits-allege-fertility-docs-used-their-own-sperm-for-in-vitro-fertilization-contrary-to-patients-wishes>.

Photo Credit: US News And World Report

[stevecanmakeanythingnerdy]

RANDOM RECORD WORKOUT SEASON 5 Battle 29 Billy Ocean: Suddenly (Side 2 ) Vs. Sigue Sigue Sputnik: Flaunt It (Side 1 ) Billy Ocean: Suddenly (Side 2 ) Here is the lowdown on Billy Ocean. Aside from having a pretty cool last name, Billy Ocean (actually born Leslie Sebastian Charles) is a Trinidadian-born English recording artist who had a string of R&B international pop hits in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the most popular British R&B singer-songwriter of the early to mid-1980s, so take that, seal! He was wildly popular in the UK, and eventually had a series of transatlantic successes, including three US number ones. In 1985, Ocean won the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his worldwide hit, "Caribbean Queen" which is included on this album. In fact, the middle 80's were quite kind to Mr. Ocean. This album had his biggest hits, and he also had the theme song to the popular film Jewel of the Nile a little later after this album. Billy has been active, pretty much since 1969, and part of that is attributed to his lungs. No, really. Freak fact about Billy- dude has an extra lung! In the 70's a routine doctor's appointment discovered an extra pulmonary node central to his albeit medically normal lungs. This extra lung has been attributed with the longevity of Billy's singing career. Crazy, right!?! Well, anyhow, lungs aside, Billy can also write a pretty mean tune. "Loverboy" starts off the second side. I have always thought this would make an excellent rocked up cover. Gwar has already tackled "Get out of my dreams" so I am calling this one! Mine! Think of the chord progression with some cool rugga chuggas...?! Yeah? You get it. The tune made big waves on the air. "Lucky Man" follows it up. More in a similar vein of the previous tune, but this time with acceptable funk levels. Late night airwaves party! A B-side for sure and very Lady positive so that's good. Billy appreciates his woman! "Dance Floor" contains a slow jam from the ocean man. Tide comes in, tide goes out. The actual tide, not the laundry detergent everyone is eating. What is wrong with you anyways! Call up Lionel, because we are dancin' on the CEILING with these key heavy rhythms! (#seewhatididthere). "If I Should Lose You" is an even slower jam. Real smooth and steady like waves from the ocean (#seewhatididthere). "Suddenly" is an even SLOWER jam, and more famous...since it's the title track and a major hit off the album. A bit of pop and orchestral arrangements. Simple piano seals the deal. Billy's voice is so smooth and flawless. He really is a great singer. Right in line with Ray Parker Jr. And Lionel Ritchey. Billy can kill it. Also worth noting is the impressive line art on the cover. Sigue Sigue Sputnik: Flaunt It (Side 1 ) Sigue Sigue Sputnik were a British new wave band formed in 1982 by former Generation X bassist Tony James. The band had three UK Top 40 hit singles, including the songs "Love Missile F1-11" and "21st Century Boy", both on this LP. The band was formed by Tony James, who had just left the band Gen X, and Neal X(Whitmore), who recruited "post-punk drag queen" Martin Degville. Degville was a clothes designer and supplied the band's wardrobe, and YaYa, the store where he worked, became the band's base. Their first gig was in Paris, supporting Johnny Thunders, with James' former Gen X colleague and then drummer for Thunders, Mark Laff, on drums. The band's name Sigue Sigue Sputnik (pronounced "cig-cig" btw), is a supposed reference to a Russian street gang and supposedly meaning "burn, burn satellite". Themes and imagery in the band's songs were often influenced by futuristic, dystopian or post-apocalyptic films such as A Clockwork Orange, The Terminator, Blade Runner and the Mad Max trilogy. Visually, their image included fishnet masks and brightly coloured wigs. It's essentially a mash up of Max Headroom meets New York Dolls. SSS even went as far as to sell advertisements in between tracks. You may also recognize the name from the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off soundtrack. To say they were unique is an understatement. The previously mentioned "Love Missile FL-11" starts off all the bizarre action. Lots of production, loops, synth, sound clips and fades. Literally, the sound fades from speaker to speaker at points. This is Devo on speed. It's a cool trick, but not mind blowingly amazing. "Atari Baby" is the next tune and it's slower...building techno. Maybe if U2 were an electronica band? Innovative and different certainly...but not actually too different from the previous track. "Sex Bomb Boogie" is back to the up tempo beats. I feel like there are going to be lots of sex noises. This song just seems like a drunken Tokyo all nighter gone awry. Too long for my tastes on this one. Strangely no sex noises, though. "Rockit Miss U. S. A. / Deathwish VII" is the final cut. Eastwood's famous "make my day" line kicks it all off. I Am sure this is ripe with controversy, but I don't get it. Still pretty futuristic and chaotic sounding, but really not that different from all three tunes before it. This is starting to seem like a one trick pony. I appreciate the weirdness for the sake of being weird, but it's just...too weird. It's like Billy Idol and Tina Turner met in Thunderdome and went waaaay beyond. (#seewhatididthere). Village people 2.0 for the future. Literally if the Blade Runner city street scenes came to life and formed a band, this would be it. And that's sad because I love all of those things. It's the reason I picked this up in Vienna, Austria and carried it all the way back to the U. S. A. I saw that cover and said WTF?!? I HAVE TO HEAR THIS!!?! Polysics beta. I think it's one of those cult things. You either get it or don't. DJ's on crack. One thing is for sure, they must have been a site to see live! Maybe the Buggles tripping with the Cure?!? And to clarify I mean tripping on acid, not actually tripping on cords on stage...which could also happen. I *think* I even heard the Willhelm scream! (#lookitup #itsathing) Mr. Ocean put in motion all kinds of commotion, but he burned off 165 calories over 22 minutes and 5 tunes. That is 33.0 calories per song and 7.50 calories per minute. Billy also earned 9 out of 15 possible stars. Sigue Sigue Sputnik not only flaunted it, but also exploded my mind and burned 161 calories over 4 songs and 21 minutes. That is a total of 40.25 calories per song and 7.67 calories per minute. The Sputniks earned 8 out of 12 possible stars in the process. Looks like Sigue Sigue Sputnik can also flaunt a RRW win, too! They beat Billy by .17 CPM! Listen for yourself! Check out the links: Billy Ocean: "Loverboy" https://youtu.be/CmhjXEkI5Lg Sigue Sigue Sputnik: "Love Missile F-11" https://youtu.be/Dn4EOGJMAgU #RANDOMRECORDWORKOUTSEASON5 #RANDOMRECORDWORKOUT

#randomrecordworkoutseason5 #randomrecordworkout #billy ocean #sigue sigue sputnik #max headroom #vinyl #records #vinyl record #vinyl collection #love missile #sound clips #weird #ocean #Loverboy #80s music #80s

[sunflowers-and-sweetviolets]

OC List

This is mainly from a collection of pieces of work that I will probably never finish. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saoirse McGowan - She/Her, big lesbian, married to Gayatri Chatterjee / McGowan, Café owner.

Cian MacSweeney - He/Him, heterosexual, married to Mary Ní Nuaillain/MacSweeny, Saoirse’s adoptive father, Retired 

Mary Nuaillain/MacSweeny - She/Her, heterosexual, married to Cian, Saoirse’s adoptive mother, Retired 

Pearse McGowan - He/Him, unknown, Saoirse’s biological father, deceased, former IRA member.

--

Seán O’Hugh - He/Him, bisexual, dating Ferdia MacGrath, Pilot.

Peadar O’Hugh - He/Him, heterosexual, elder brother of Seán O’Hugh, Doctor.

Padraig O’Hugh - He/Him, heterosexual, Seán and Peadar's father, , Pub/Inn Owner. 

Maeve O’Hugh/MacDonagh - She/Her, Seán’s biological mother, deceased.

--

Gayatri Chatterjee - She/Her, unknown/questioning, married to Saoirse, Co-Worker of Claudio. 

Rohan Chatterjee - He/Him, Straight, brother-in-law of Saoirse, Programmer.

Mahafuzur Chatterjee - He/Him, Unknown, Rohan and Gayatri’s older brother, Engineer/Mechanic.

“Maa” Chatterjee - She/Her, Unknown, mother of Gayatri, Mahafuzur and Rohan, only ever mentioned by Rohan.

--

Ferdia MacGrath - He/Him, homosexual, dating Seán O’Hugh, Art Teacher.

--

Orla O'Dochartaigh - She/Her, classmate of Saoirse, close friend, Journalist.

Aoife O’Dochartaigh - She/Her, sister of Orla, Chef.

--

Ionatán Mallakey - He/Him, classmate of Seán, close friend, Politician. 

--

William/Willhem Karl - He/Him, classmate of Ferdia, close friend, German Teacher.

Franziska Karl - She/Her, sister of Willhelm, Journalist 

Dominik Karl - He/Him, father of Willhelm, Civil Servant.

--

Antonio Valiente - He/Him, co-worker of Ferdia, Eldest, Spanish Teacher.

Fernando Valiente - He/They, brother of Antonio, Middle child, Programmer. 

Claudio Valiente - He/Him, what do you think, Youngest brother, Childcare Worker.

José Valiente - He/Him, Father of the Valiente brothers, Deceased.

Maria Valiente/Romero - She/Her, Mother of the Valiente brothers, Benefits, ex civil servant.

--

Seamus O'Dea TBD

Aisling O'Dea TBD

John O'Dea TBD

---

Gráinne Collins-Vásquez TBD

Oisín Collins TBD

Caoimhin Collins TBD

---

Not OCs but just character names I like.

Connor "Books" Keenan

Aodhan "Aid" McMallon

Seán Brooke

Cormac MacGiolla Phádraig

#oc list

[naturistaxxx]

La terapia con sales minerales fue inventada por el doctor Willhelm Heinrich Schüssler (1821-1898), quien, según sus estudios, identificó la presencia de estas 12 sales en los tejidos del organismo.. Schüssler atribuyó funciones específicas a cada una de estas sales y concluyó que un desequilibrio en la distribución de los compuestos inorgánicos altera la salud,, y afirmó que el aporte de las mismas sales en cantidades infinitesimales desencadena un estímulo que capacita a las células para una mayor y mejor absorción de los minerales en el organismo. 👉 Info e inscripción: [email protected] Diploma SIM21.org 🎓 Dirección: Dr. Claudio Esteve 🍃 Duración: 1 mes - 100 % online 🌐 https://www.sim21.org/ 🌎🌈 https://www.instagram.com/p/B-GFOaHhx9n/?igshid=7qqavz80qxls

[fateshaped-a]

halloween costumes .

                                 a list of halloween costumes my muses will be wearing for 2017 ; some do not participate in hallowee and will therefore remain blank. 

Jeremiah . zombie danny zuko .  Sebastian-Claire . chat noir . Elin . wonderwoman . Lasse . old school sherlock holmes . Aedan . gordon ramsay . Sven . N/A . Kimberly . princess leia . Andreas . bugs bunny . Grayson . the joker, nurse edition . Jeanne-Marie . N/A . Caesar . zombie cop . Maron . ozzy osbourne . David-Allen . alucard , hellsing . Jackson . adam , from the biblical adam and eve . Tommy . tenth doctor , doctpr who . Frankie . baseball player . Lana Jody . basic cat . Saltzer . tiger makeup . Charlie . N/A Lukas . N/A  Jason . jack skellington . William . hydrogen, aka wearing a hydrogen t-shirt . Jim . top gun inspired outfit . Zander . male nurse . Oleander . N/A Levy . scary clown . Barren . old wizard . Arlen . pennywise ( 2017 ) . Zeke . N/A . Constantine . N/A Gottfriend . blurred out sims . Abaddon . the mask . Theodore . a minion . Aurora . princess anna . Irene . princess aurora . Frederich . roman godfrey . Uruha . yakuza boss . Dinah . N/A. Paula . ghost . Alexej . N/A Keaton . a starving artist . Gerasim . his natural form . Willhelm . batman . Krasimir . roman gladiator ( shirtless ) . Daniel Shannon . quarterback with a cut throat . Nicolai . black and white pennywise, simplified . Samael . an angel , aka putting on a small halo . Red . werewolf ( how ironic ) .

#( ; general trivia ) #oh boy i'm not tagging everyone here

[ao3feed-mchanzo]

To Die Anew

by soulclefxi

Several Years after the walls of Aldersbrunn crumbled, and King Balderich von Alder lost his life at the hands of Doctor Junkenstein, his successor, Reinhardt Willhelm brings the remains of battered defenses for one final stand. The once stalwart four will face secrets, magic, and the true nature of death's stone cold grasp.

Words: 495, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Overwatch (Video Game)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: Multi

Characters: Junkrat | Jamison Fawkes, Junkenstein - Character, Roadhog | Mako Rutledge, Soldier: 76 | Jack Morrison, Reaper | Gabriel Reyes, Ana Amari, Jesse McCree, Hanzo Shimada, Reinhardt Wilhelm, Angela "Mercy" Ziegler, Balderich von Adler

Relationships: Junkrat | Jamison Fawkes & Roadhog | Mako Rutledge, Junkrat | Jamison Fawkes/Roadhog | Mako Rutledge, Reaper | Gabriel Reyes/Soldier: 76 | Jack Morrison, Reaper | Gabriel Reyes & Soldier: 76 | Jack Morrison, Jesse McCree/Hanzo Shimada, Jesse McCree & Hanzo Shimada

Additional Tags: Junkenstein, Halloween, Junkenstein Wins AU, it's an au of an au really., the best kind, Multi-perspective, Mostly Mccree though maybe

from AO3 works tagged 'Jesse McCree/Hanzo Shimada' http://ift.tt/2g6YiOV via IFTTT

#mchanzo #fic #ao3feed #overwatch #jesse mccree #hanzo shimada

[nevergiov]

Reasons why I love Noora Amalie Sætre

~the way she appeared in the middle of that party in s1 looking like an angel

~she was Eva’s saviour like a million times without even realizing

~her platinum hair

~that one time she completely ignored that dude to sit next to Eva in spanish while simultaneously correcting the teacher

~“I lived in Madrid”

~she wouldn’t have joined the bus without Sana with them

~her fashion sense

~she was done with Vilde’s shit the second she met her but warmed up to her after a while

~she’s still (comprehensively) done with Vilde’s shit most of the time

~that time she went to the Halloween party dressed as Log Lady from twin peaks

~her smile

~the way her eyes light up every time she smiles

~her voice isn’t the loudest in social situations but her eyebrow game sure is

~how gentle and caring she started behaving when she found out about Vilde’s eating disorder

~she can make tortillas and pancakes

~she knows a shit ton of useful information about potatoes

~the infamous “stop walking around like a fucking cliche” speech

~her guilty pleasure is listening to Justin Bieber

~red lipstick

~the first time they took Vilde to the doctor and she was like “our friend here is gonna get laid”

~that one time she hugged Vilde when she finally decided to give back the sweater

~“willhelm”

~talked shit about the guy for the entire first season, ended up falling in love with him

~she couldn’t care less for the russebuss and doesn’t try to hide it

~“you know I love you, Chris” *high five*

~when William told her she was beautiful and she tried so hard not to look flattered

~she doesn’t live for gossip but was particularly into the whole Isak situation

~her relationship with her housemates

~the moment she realized she had a crush on Nissen’s biggest fuckboy

~the way she played hard to get with Nissen’s biggest fuckboy

~her middle name

~that one time a heavily drunk Eva run away with her coat, phone and keys and she was like “fuck”

~she can play the guitar and sing

~when she blackmailed William to raise money for charity and Syria

~*her friend finds out about her secret relationship* “you know I hate Gossip Girl”

~that time she asked William to make hot cocoa at like 2 in the morning

~she secretly loves Eskild’s bear hugs

~the fact that she writes her name with two o’s

~the quote on her bedroom wall

~the fact that unlike her friends, us and the whole school she saw something else in William

~that time Eskild was particularly loud and she ended up sleeping on the floor in the hallway

~her internal struggle whenever it comes to feminism and how women are portrayed in society

~how independent she is

~when she decided to hide her relationship with William because she didn’t wanna hurt Vilde

~how overly dramatic she can be sometimes

~“300.000 kroners??”

~how strong she is despite being abandoned by her parents, treated like shit by her first boyfriend and sexually harassed by Nico

#noora amalie sætre #skam

[justbemytommo]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: SKAM (TV) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen Characters: Isak Valtersen, Even Bech Næsheim, Eva Kviig Mohn, Jonas Noah Vasquez Additional Tags: Evakteket Challenge, 5+1, superhero au, doctor!Isak, Extra!Even (but what else is new), gratuitous mentions of Willhelm, see if you can spot him! Summary:

"May I ask what led to your loss of consciousness?” Isak asks.

“Would you believe me if I said I flew headfirst into the eighteenth floor windows of the MagnussCorp building?”

Isak looks at him, unimpressed.

“Not in the slightest.”

“Well then,” Even says, smiling. “I flew headfirst into the eighteenth floor windows of the MagnussCorp building.”

 Or, 5 times Isak refused to see what was right in front of him + 1 time he did.

(AKA the ridiculously self-indulgent Superhero!AU I can't believe this fandom doesn't have yet)

#bestof2018

[jackpot807]

Stories from Atlas: Aboard the Vesta Pt. 1

This is a small side story from the universe that Wander takes place in. Wander is the “main” story, but there will be many more side stories to add depth to the universe.

WARNING: THERE ARE SPOILERS TO THE MAIN STORYLINE IN THIS. DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU WANT TO KEEP WANDER A MYSTERY

Aboard the Vesta Pt. 1

The USS Vesta is a family-owned ship, funded by the Aurelia family and built by Othoren Industries. It is 850 feet In length and 100 feet in width, with most of its movable space on the first story and the foundation equipment on the second. Its engines are two Hermes-II Iono-Nuclear hybrid engines that generate enough force over a period of a week to propel the Vesta several times faster than the speed of light. At the current speed, Silver determined the Vesta would arrive at Atlas within the hour.

Silver, the onboard AI, constructed by Google in their central lab in California, had spent the past twenty years on the Vesta, quietly calculating over and over again the expenditure of fuel (not that the Thorium would ever run out) and communicating with other nearby AI’s, as they were all traveling at exactly the same speed, no less than a mile apart from each other.

The colonization fleet, colloquially referred to as “The Giant Leap” is the largest civilian flotilla ever made by humanity. Its goal was the colonization of Atlas, a planet several times larger than Earth. It has oxygen. It has water. It has life. And it is magnificent.

Silver had woken up the family she had been charged with looking over for the last twenty years. Willhelm, the father of the family of five, was the first out of his cryo-pod. He ran his hand through what hair he had left to try and get the frost off. Looking forward at nothing in particular, he asked, “Sil are you here?”

“I am here, Will.” Silver replied.

Will looked down the hall. He could see the pods with the rest of his family depressurizing. Air rushed out of the sides, and they opened slowly. He saw William, his oldest, lackadaisy leaning out of the pod and took a step out, arching his back and standing on his toes stretching. Thomas, the younger brother, screamed out “WOW!” in amazement at the awesomeness of finally going through a proper cryo-cycle.

And from the pod next to him, a hand wrapped around the edge, and out leaned the very pregnant Ivonne, his loving wife. She had wanted to have the baby on Atlas, so she could have bragging rights about having the first alien-born child. The Aurelia family was all awake and ready for the long day ahead.

“Sil can you make some breakfast please?” Ivonne asked. To which Silver replied in her oddly human tone, “I have hot plates of bacon and eggs already on the table, Misses Aurelia. Along with a can of coffee to warm you up.”

Silver took a moment to recheck a parameter or stored data, then continued, “The fleet has begun a holding pattern around Atlas. The Fleet Leader has given the order to enter the atmosphere within the hour. I left an agenda for Mister Aurelia on the table for you to go over, but to keep things simple, you are to report to Captain Andell when we land.”

Will and Thomas were already in the kitchen, face deep in breakfast. He helped Ivonne out of the pod and the were walking out of the hall and into the kitchen as well. “Thank you, Sil. Let the Fleet Leader know that we are awake and getting ready.”

“I will.” Silver replied.

He turned to Ivonne, “How was it?” He asked.

“Well I feel a little sick, but the book said that’s good. I think I just gotta get some food in me and I’ll be all set.” She said happily. The prestige and honor that being part of the Giant Leap gave fulfilled a personal milestone for her. She liked knowing she was part of, well, a giant leap for mankind. It was named after Neil Armstrong’s quote when they first landed on the moon back when space travel was in its infancy. “One giant leap for mankind.” It held a sort of wonder for her that is normally reserved only for children. But even now, she’d look up at the sky and marvel at the enormity and possibility of it all. And she finally had the privilege to realize the potential. With her family, no less.

Wilhelm was a man of ambition. Working only directly underneath Chief Engineer Hardman, he wanted to take his place one day, and be the man who built Atlas up from the foundation. But how could he ever compete with Hardman, the genius? Hard work, that’s how. He knew in his heart of hearts that one day, the mile-high buildings will all have the name Aurelia on them somewhere.

As for the kids? Well, what young boy didn’t want to be an astronaut?

They all sat down for breakfast and got right to it. Will was seventeen, and the doctor said he was probably going to grow to be really tall. Actually, he’s tall now. 6’2 to be exact. And he eats like a horse.

“Will slow down or you’ll get sick.” Ivonne told him. He didn’t respond, but he did slow down a bit.

Thomas was ten. He wanted to be like his dad and build space stations and stuff. He didn’t know it at the time, but he wasn’t aware that it wasn’t as simple as ‘putting together legos’ like he’d always compare it to. There are wires that need to be connected, radio frequencies that need to be tuned, nuclear reactors that need coolant, etcetera etcetera.

Indeed, getting onto this prestigious group was no small feat. Wilhelm needed a hail mary to get onto this project. And he had one, in the form of the ISS. He turned that thing from a decaying husk, into a megacity floating above Earth. Almost all of the industry is done in space, now, thanks to him. His oxygen compression and modular foundry techniques are written in books, now. And that is what got him onto this project as a commanding figure. And man was it good.

Good times. Good times.

“I have a transmission from the Ambition.” Silver said, breaking Wilhelm from his reminiscing.

These moments were always super exciting for the family. A message from the flagship, the USS Ambition, were usually messages from either the Fleet Commander or a Supreme Governor back at Earth. This one, though. This is going to be an important message. Maybe even from the Emperor himself. The thought of it made Thomas both excited and nervous. He was in a world of wonder that most kids could only imagine. A world of fairytales and adventure.

“Put them through, Sil.” Wilhelm said.

On the table, the hologram of Admiral Emerson appeared. Tall, broad and commanding, Admiral Emerson was the highest authority of the fleet. Wilhelm had only seen him once, since most of the time he relays information through Hardman, who talks to Emerson. In a fleet of five hundred million people, people of Emerson’s stature gain a sort of mythical bearing. Like a King or Emperor. All those days of talking to lowly supervisors and technicians set the mood to make a visit from someone of such a high position extraordinary. Of course, it wasn’t a transmission to the Vesta exclusively. Rather, the whole fleet.

“Men and women of this fleet. For those of you who don’t know me, I am Admiral Hugh Emerson. You all already know this, but you are all a part of something big. Something monumental. Within the next thirty minutes, you will enter the atmosphere of the planet Atlas, where we will set a foundation and build up the next epoch of human history.”

He took a moment to collect his thoughts. He spoke firmly and deliberately. Each word held a significant gravitas to them, as did his character, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a significant moment in human history. From the discovery of fire, to the industrial revolution, the first steps on the moon and the creation of AI. This is the next step in our story. And it is you who will be telling it. You are the bringers of prosperity and plenty. You are the architects of ambition. You are the creators of happiness and life. Each and every one of you are the best and brightest humanity has to offer. And I know we will create a perfect, clean and magnificent society that everyone back home will admire and envy.”

“This moment will define humanity for centuries to come.”

The words vibrated through the air, exciting everyone. An entire world of wonder was making promises of happiness and good lives to all. Wilhelm smiled and held Ivonne’s hand.

“Everyone move to your positions and await orders. This is Admiral Emerson of the USS Ambition, wishing all of you a good day. Ambition out.” And with that, the hologram flicked away.

Everybody, not just the Aurelia’s, everybody got goosebumps. Everybody in the fleet, and everybody back home had heard that broadcast. It was a message of hope - a message of wonder and a message that promised that everything will be okay.

“I am receiving a request for a system takeover by the Ambition central AI. This is per the request of Admiral Emerson and part of stage 1. Should I relinquish control to them?” Silver asked.

“Yes, please. They’ll guide us to our zone.” Wilhelm replied.

All around the planet, millions and millions of ships were over their designated landing zones, carefully selected because of their unique advantages. Some were over mineral deposits, some were by the water. Some were on especially fertile land and some were in exotic forests. The Vesta was assigned to a location near the North Pole. Wilhelm will lead a group of a few thousand engineers to place the foundation for a space elevator that would connect the planet to a space station which has yet been built. This was mainly a civilian fleet, and the few military vessels that were there, were to remain in orbit unless something required them to entire the atmosphere.

The Aurelia’s all gathered at the flight deck and watched outward. Before them was beauty so great that words cannot do it justice. Deep green mixed with the blue and white in a wonderful painting of creation. Even from up here, they could see the wide rivers and the deep oceans. The white sands of the deserts and the green of the fields and the forests.

There were auroras all over the planet. They could see them now that they were close. Velvet waves of green, blue and pink waving through the atmosphere, adding to the mystery and allure of Atlas. The placement of the planet from the star it orbited meant that such cosmological activity couldn’t have been possible. One of the big questions that scientists wanted to answer was “How are these auroras forming?” Where the Vesta is landing, aurora activity will be near the maximum level, providing a great show for the kids at all times.

“Here we go…” Ivonne said, putting her arms around her kids as the Vesta began descending along with all of the other ships. Atlas was getting closer and closer, along with all of their hopes and dreams. A new beginning was approaching.

Suddenly, the Vesta violently lurched and shook, knocking everyone off balance. This can’t be turbulence.

“Sil, what was that?” Wilhelm asked.

There was a long silence from the AI.

“Silver!” Wilhelm asked again. Thomas got close to Ivonne and she held him tight.

“...Something is happening, Mister Aurel-” Was all she could say before an arch of blue lightning rippled along the ceiling and along the flight panel, deafening them all. A fire sparked in the instruments, they could smell it. The ship began to jolt and vibrate.

Wilhelm turned to Ivonne and looked at her. She was clearly worried. “Get the kids into the escape pod.”

“What’s happening, Will?” She asked, trying her best to keep the kids calm.

“I don’t think it’s anything, maybe just-” He was interrupted by a cacophony of roars as the circuits and wires of the ship began to crackle and fizz.

“Coooooooooode 1106” Silver said, her now wobbling voice overlayed with static said. Wilhelm knew that Code 1106 meant Silver was on her way out. Something critical to her just blew up. And if she’s getting torn apart, so is the ship.

“Code 110-” Silver’s voice was suddenly replaced by a high-pitched screech as her language center melted from a fire deep within the bowels of the ship. Thomas cried out in fear and clutched onto Ivonne for dear life.

“Dad we gottta-” Will said to his father before his father interrupted,

“Everyone get to the escape pod!” He bellowed over the shaking hull and sparking electronics. They all ran out of the flight deck and to the back of the ship where the escape pod was. They got in and Wilhelm locked the door behind them. Sometime in the rush to get there, Thomas had started crying and Will was asking too many questions that Wilhelm didn’t have the answers to. He could feel the Vesta starting to dive.

“All that fucking equipment we got up in the cargo…” He cursed.

He pressed the launch button. Nothing happened. He pressed it again. Nothing happened. Now he was starting to panic. The escape pod was fried, too, even though it was a closed circuit system. This is bad. He had to think quick. He knew the Vesta would not burn up in the atmosphere. The crash is what will kill them. But if he could slowly ease down onto the flat arctic…

He decided he had no other choice. He got up.

“I have to go guide us onto the surface.” He said. Ivonne knew what that meant. Her mouth dropped and her eyes widened.

“Will, don’t do-”

“It’s the only hope we got, Ivonne! Everything is fried and if I don’t try, we’re dead!” He yelled over the roar of the vibration. Thomas was too scared to listen, but Will shot up, “No, dad, you’ll fucking die!” He said.

Wilhelm was breathing quickly. He knew he had to act fast. This might be the last chance he ever sees his family. He put his hand on Will’s shoulder.

“William I have to!”

Will’s eyes began to flood with tears, “No, dad! Don’t!”

Wilhelm gripped onto Will’s shoulder tight, “Listen, Will. I need you to step up and be strong for Tom and your mother! If I don’t make it, you need to be strong! You need to be strong for me, Will! Can you do that?!”

Will doesn’t know what made him say yes, but he nodded his head and sniffed back a tear. Wilhelm smiled, “I love you Will.”

“I love you Dad.” He replied.

Wilhelm turned to Ivonne, who held Thomas close. She yelled over the chaos, “You better come back! Don’t you dare leave me with these two!”

Wilhelm tried to smile at the horribly-timed joke, but all he could do was lean down and kiss her.

“I love you!” He said.

“I love you too, Will! Forever and always!”

Thomas was too scared to really acknowledge what was going on. He was crying into his mother’s shoulder and wasn’t listening. Wilhelm leaned down and turned Thomas to face him, saying, “I love you, Thomas!”

All Thomas could do was cry in his face, screaming, “DON’T GOOOOOOO!!!”

“I’m sorry rocket man, I gotta!” He replied.

Thomas kicked and screamed. He wasn’t going to make this better. Wilhelm said, “Thomas, remember the moon? Remember the moon Thomas?”

Between sniffles, Thomas muttered, “Yeah…”

“Well whenever you don’t think I’m here with you, just look up at the moon. Alright Thomas?” He asked desperately, trying to calm him down.

After a pause, Thomas said, “Okay…”

Wilhelm shed a tear. “I love you!”

He took a step back and looked at his scared family. His life. His reason to get up in the morning. His light. His happiness. Everything. He knew he had to do this. For them. He popped open the door, yelled a final “I love you!” to them, and closed the door.

He ran down the corridor back up to the front of the ship as quickly as he could. The ceiling was on fire, as was most of the flight panel. But he knew that, when the electricity goes on a ship like this, the massive pneumatic backup pumps could still control the wings. He could do this. He has to do this.

All of a sudden his vision shook and he couldn’t think. The world became a maddening blur of grey and black, melting into each other. What’s happening? He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t talk and he couldn’t see. He could feel himself slipping away as if his mind were sinking into an ocean of darkness.

Focus.

He didn’t know what was happening, but the visions of Thomas and Will and Ivonne flashed into his head. Somewhere in the symphony of chaos, a single, determined resolve was made to pilot this ship to safety even if it kills him.

He grabbed the stick.

Flames were spilling over the Vesta, flowing over the cockpit window. The colors were melding with the green of the land and the grey of the ceilings and walls, adding to the confusion. All of his energy was devoted to pulling the stick up and concentrating on remaining lucid. In a moment, the ship was a mile above ground and he could see it approaching too fast. This is it. A final effort. For his family.

He pulled back on the stick as hard as he possibly could. He couldn’t see anymore. The memory of his wife and two sons and unborn daughter were…

They were melting away.

What’s happening to me? He thought.

The ground is approaching. He is nearly level, now. He doesn’t know how low to the ground he is, but he knows he is seconds away from impact. The white expanse of snow was all he saw. A perfect calm suddenly flooded over him and the ship and the turbulence subsided, as did the assault on his mind.

That final moment of calmness allowed him to try to recollect his thoughts but he found there were no thoughts to recollect.

The ground is close.

He closes his eyes.

#wander

[malarkis]

Dr.Willhelm Blackwood, because what would any napoleonic militia be without the cranky ass surgeon who probably could and would end you *cough cough* @donc-desole he’s getting real tired of harry’s bs *cough cough*

#doctor willhelm #willhelm blackwood #the good doctor #god help me #my art