17 "Vehement," the Doctor continued, "the worst
possible kind."
18 "That means a long session with drugs and radiation, right?" North
asked.
19 "This type," explained the Doctor, "is unresponsive to drugs. And
radiation in this location is unthinkable. There's only one answer,
North. We've got to go in...we've got to go in and take it out.”
20 "Surgery?" North stuttered. The Doctor nodded. "When?" North asked.
21 ''I'd like to do it this afternoon," the Doctor announced, "but an
operation like this takes careful, careful planning. But no less than a
week! This thing is growing fast, North, frightfully fast! We have to
act quickly before serious permanent damage is done. You must begin
immediately to settle your affairs."
22 North nodded. "What's the survival rate?" he asked.
23 "If I can get the Surgeon I want," the Doctor answered, "better than
95%."
24 "Good ," North nodded, "good. Will I lose anything?"
25 "There's no way of telling," the Doctor admitted, "until after the
operation."
26 Again North nodded, but the Doctor knew his apparent calmness
concealed a raging storm of emotion. "I'd better get back to my
office," commented North, "there's a lot to do."
27 "I've taken the liberty," the Doctor announced, "of writing up the
medical communique for Command. It already bears my signature. You can
send it whenever you feel it's appropriate."
28 North took the document and scrawled his signature then went over to
the copier and made a copy. He gave the original to the Doctor. "Transmit immediately!" he ordered.
The Doctor nodded. Without another word North