Ch.14Science Non-fiction!

#014

Just as Earth has various communities and archives on the internet, space also has networks for each planet or planetary alliance.

Naturally, with technology to access these networks, there are pan-universal alien communities and archives.

‘I would have gone completely insane if I couldn’t talk to people in space.’

Since alien networks can be accessed from Earth, Dexter still occasionally posts messages.

One of the satellites launched by the United States belongs to the OSA and operates for the purpose of alien network communications.

However, while OSA’s technology is cutting-edge on Earth, it’s somewhat behind when looking at the cosmic scale.

That’s why they developed and launched a quantum communication satellite in collaboration with alien operators.

Anyone, alien or human, with OSA authorization can access alien networks from anywhere on Earth.

Dexter had been searching for days at home on the alien network for what he needed to use the body correction device.

‘Earth female preset.’

What Dexter was looking for was the most crucial file.

Using a body correction device isn’t as simple as just wearing it on your wrist or ankle.

To see proper results, you need “alien species’ unique configuration values.”

Since each alien species has different shapes and components, there are files storing the unique configuration values that record physical characteristics.

These are called “presets,” and for an ordinary person like Dexter, creating such preset files is extremely difficult and complicated.

If you apply a preset file to a computer and body correction device, all information about the wearer is stored in the computer, allowing for correction of physical flaws.

The modified data from the computer is then transmitted back to the body correction device, implanting the data into the wearer’s body and transforming their physique.

‘And I found this preset today.’

It was a preset created by an alien developer for his girlfriend from Earth.

He offered it as a gift to aliens with similar concerns, and it seemed incredibly thoughtful.

Either way, it was literally a gift file for Dexter, so he gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 score in the rating section asking how helpful the file was.

‘When Jesse wears the body correction device, her physical data will be transmitted to my computer, right? Then I just need to modify the data according to the preset, and that’s it.’

If that works, he might be able to help Judy later as well.

It was a perfect plan.

‘That is, if I can get Jesse to wear it.’

Though he had been trying to convince himself, truthfully, part of him felt guilty toward Jesse.

After all, wasn’t he trying to force an experiment on someone else because of what he had said?

‘I feel a bit sorry, but it could greatly help her recover from her injuries.’

For Dexter, who had spent time in space and lived alone for so long, self-justification for survival was much stronger than guilt.

The guideline that “both results and process are equally important” was shifting to “results are slightly more important.”

In that sense, to ensure he could have Jesse wear it at any opportunity, Dexter had the body correction device in his pocket while talking with Rose.

“Isn’t Dr. Yelena seeing patients today? I haven’t seen her since morning.”

Dexter asked Rose while fiddling with the body correction device in his pocket.

Rose glanced toward the examination room and nodded.

“On-duty doctors usually stay in their offices when there are no patients. Especially elderly ones like Dr. Yelena.”

As Rose said, on-duty doctors are employed by the prison.

There’s no need to wander outside the infirmary and risk looking idle if they run into the warden or chief guard.

So staying quietly in the examination room and keeping a low profile was the best strategy.

Yelena wasn’t much different, rarely leaving the examination room unless it was important.

That’s partly why she had called for Dexter.

“Is that so? It’s almost lunchtime, what will you do, Rose?”

“Someone needs to stay in the infirmary, so…”

Rose was looking at Dexter nervously.

Dexter understood what that look meant and casually suggested:

“Really? Then why don’t you go grab a quick meal? I’ll call you if anything happens. Dr. Yelena was eating enthusiastically earlier.”

Dexter had seen Yelena drinking green juice from a half-gallon water bottle along with a sandwich, claiming it was for her health.

‘You could get water intoxication drinking that much water, let alone green juice… I really don’t understand old ladies.’

Her health-conscious behavior was truly baffling.

“Oh, would that be okay? I don’t want to burden you…”

“Go ahead. I’ll keep an eye on Blueberg.”

As Dexter kept insisting, Rose finally nodded in agreement.

“Alright, I’ll be back shortly. If Dr. Yelena asks for me, please call me right away.”

After Rose left the infirmary with a bow, Dexter went to the patient room.

However, Jesse’s condition seemed a bit strange.

‘What’s wrong with her?’

Jesse was sitting on the bed with a gloomy expression, head bowed low, staring at the floor.

Normally, she would have hurled insults at Dexter by now, saying things like “What are you looking at? Look away.”

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Dexter opened the door and entered the room, and Jesse slowly raised her head.

“Is something wrong? Why are you like this? Are you in pain?”

“…Nothing.”

Seeing Jesse so subdued instead of loudly shouting at his questions, Dexter became concerned.

‘Is she really sick?’

Jesse was already pale and nothing but skin and bones.

Dexter wondered if she might actually be seriously ill.

After pondering for a moment, Dexter slapped his thigh with his palm and exclaimed:

“Ah! Is it that?”

‘That?’

As Jesse looked up at him questioningly, Dexter asked:

“Um, this is a bit awkward to ask, but are you… having that time of the month?”

Jesse was about to get angry at the absurdity, but seeing Dexter’s genuinely concerned expression, she couldn’t bring herself to lash out.

“No… And what kind of crazy person would ask a woman that so directly…?”

Seeing the “don’t be ridiculous” look in Jesse’s eyes, Dexter backed off a bit.

“If you’re sick, I need to call Dr. Yelena right away. You’re really not sick?”

“No, I’m fine…”

Though she said she wasn’t sick, Dexter thought she might actually be ill, so he placed his palm on Jesse’s forehead.

“Do you have a fever?”

“Hey. Do you… always act like this?”

Jesse was startled by Dexter’s sudden action.

Ignoring her question, Dexter just voiced his thoughts.

“You don’t seem to have one… Or do you? Hmm? It feels like you’re getting hot just now.”

True to his words, Jesse’s face was turning red.

The only times men had touched Jesse’s body were when she was arrested by police, during prison transfers, and when Dexter had grabbed her wrist.

Especially when it was a gesture of concern for her well-being.

It was enough physical contact to make her blush and feel feverish.

“Hey, t-take your hand off. Now.”

“No, I think your temperature is really rising. Should I call the doctor?”

Jesse couldn’t tell if he was being dense or doing this on purpose.

“I said I’m fine, so please take it off.”

Jesse said, clearly embarrassed.

Dexter found it strange that she wasn’t yelling.

“This is weird, really. So you’re okay?”

“How many times do I have to say it? I’m fine.”

Jesse lowered her head to hide her reddened face.

‘Wait, this is the perfect opportunity.’

Dexter thought as he looked around.

‘Rose is gone. And Dr. Yelena should still be in the examination room?’

No one would come for at least 10 minutes.

Dexter took out a silver body correction device from his pocket and said:

“Let me see your foot.”

“W-what?”

“Your foot. Give it to me.”

Jesse couldn’t understand why Dexter was suddenly asking for her foot.

“Why, why are you doing this?”

“Am I going to do something bad to your foot? Hurry up and show me.”

Jesse hesitantly extended her foot toward Dexter.

She was wearing white socks and slippers. After taking off her slippers and adjusting her position, she stretched out her leg.

The act of entrusting her leg to Dexter made Jesse feel somewhat embarrassed.

“Since you can’t use your hands right now, let’s put this on your ankle for now.”

Dexter said as he fastened the body correction device to Jesse’s ankle.

“W-what is this?”

Jesse was confused as a watch-thick silver metal band was fastened to her ankle.

“It’s a smart band. Don’t you know? It measures your heart rate, tracks how long you’ve walked, and stuff.”

“Why are you putting it on me?”

Jesse’s question was one Dexter had anticipated.

“You look too thin, so I wanted to see if there’s a way to help.”

Dexter went on to explain that the silver band monitors how the body’s metabolism works and identifies any problems.

“I didn’t know such things existed…”

Jesse nodded as she spoke.

While Jesse might like cars, she was completely clueless about other fields.

For Jesse, who could barely send an email, the smart band Dexter had given her was practically cutting-edge technology.

Of course, even for Earth humans, the body correction device is beyond cutting-edge—it’s revolutionary.

“You’re really skinny. Aren’t you too light?”

When Dexter held Jesse’s ankle with one hand, it was so thin and bony that his hand completely covered it.

Looking at Jesse’s sunken cheeks, Dexter asked:

“How much do you weigh right now?”

“Do I have to tell you that too?”

Dexter’s question was a bit too embarrassing for Jesse to answer directly.

“Who asks a woman’s weight so casually?”

“Why not? It’s not like I’m asking something inappropriate. I’m just trying to see if you’re sick somewhere. How many pounds?”

Thinking that Dexter was genuinely concerned about her, Jesse unconsciously replied:

“About 80 pounds…?”

“Wow, I’m almost 200 pounds. Jesse, it would take three of you to match me.”

Dexter spoke so naturally that he didn’t notice, but Jesse was surprised that he suddenly called her by her first name instead of her last name.

“Um, are you allowed to call me by my name like that?”

“What did I call you?”

“J-Jesse.”

Dexter was also taken aback when he heard this.

‘Did I call her by her first name?’

But at this point, saying “I’ll call you Blueberg again, hehe” would just make the atmosphere awkward.

“I can call you by your first name if I want.”

Dexter responded confidently.

For Jesse, it was impossible not to feel something subtle toward Dexter, who treated her so casually and initiated physical contact so naturally.

Though Dexter had responded, Jesse remained silent.

Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere any longer, Dexter hastily prepared to leave.

“Anyway, keep wearing that band. Don’t take it off.”

Dexter was about to leave the room when:

“Um, wait.”

Jesse stopped him.

“Thanks for looking out for me. And.”

“…”

“I’m sorry for lashing out at you before.”

Dexter looked at Jesse and said:

“Alright. I accept your apology.”

Dexter smiled and left the room.

Sitting on a chair in front of the reception desk, Dexter checked that no one was around and let out a deep sigh.

Dexter also felt subtle emotions when looking at Jesse.

Not just a crazy woman, but a woman who had been driven to that state by her circumstances.

Though he tried to appear calm and cheerful, it was hard to hide his feelings.

‘This is driving me crazy, really.’

If Pangchu-ra, the space marine, had seen Dexter in this situation, he would have said:

‘You chose to come to this prison. Endure it with grit and determination.’

A space marine might endure with grit and determination, but Dexter was not a space marine.

There had to be a better way to navigate this.

Dexter stared at the door to the patient room.