There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Valetudo
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Doog: “Welcome to another episode of LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Today, we’re visiting the planet, Valetudo. Valetudo is one of those gross, swampy, jungle planets that I hate, but it is an important world in the LIU Galaxy. Valetudo is considered an Essential World, meaning that it gets much more funding and protection from the LIU. Why does Valetudo deserve this honor? Because it houses one of the galaxy’s largest medical facilities. Let’s head down and check it out.”
Doog: “Valetudo, being a tropical swamp world, had its fair share of diseases. The native race, the Va, invested most of their race’s technological progress into irradicating these diseases. Now, the Va are mostly disease free. When Valetudo was incorporated into the LIU, the natives’ medical knowledge and technology became a valuable asset of the Union. With funding from the LIU, a city-sized medical facility was built near the planet’s equator. This city – or medical facility – is called, Sospitas. That’s where we are headed.”
Doog: “Well folks, I’ve landed in Sospitas. Despite there being numerous skyscrapers, I’ve been dropped off at ground level – near the disgusting, scum-water of the swamp. The customary swamp smell is present, and there are plenty of creepy insects. Luckily, none of Valetudo’s insects are disease vectors anymore. I guess I have that to be excited about. Maybe the next step should be irradicating this overpowering smell. It smells worse than a stripper pole out here.”
Doog: “Oh good…a robot. What do you want little buddy? Are you here to annoy me or something? Do you filter swamp air?”
Dr. A: “Actually, this is a portable Holo-Bot. I’m Dr. Asclepius, but you can call me, Dr. A.”
Doog: “Dr. A. That sounds good, but why aren’t you here in person? I can get a holographic guide every planet I visit – physical appearances matter in this show.”
Dr. A: “This is a colossal facility spread throughout dozens of multi-story buildings. In order to see everything Valetudo has to offer – in an acceptable amount of time – we need distance technology. Besides, holo-tech is widespread here. It allows doctors like myself to treat thousands of patients a day instead of a few dozen.”
Doog: “I guess. It just seems impersonal.”
Dr. A: “The patients don’t seem to mind. Holographic care is pretty common in our galaxy.”
Doog: “Now that I think about it, I wish STD centers had this tech. It would save me some embarrassment.”
Dr. A: “Uh, sure. Anyway, shall we get started?”
Doog: “Holo-guide-me to the destination, Doc Assclapius. Err…Dr. A.”
Doog: “Dr. A. That sounds good, but why aren’t you here in person? I can get a holographic guide every planet I visit – physical appearances matter in this show.”
Dr. A: “This is a colossal facility spread throughout dozens of multi-story buildings. In order to see everything Valetudo has to offer – in an acceptable amount of time – we need distance technology. Besides, holo-tech is widespread here. It allows doctors like myself to treat thousands of patients a day instead of a few dozen.”
Doog: “I guess. It just seems impersonal.”
Dr. A: “The patients don’t seem to mind. Holographic care is pretty common in our galaxy.”
Doog: “Now that I think about it, I wish STD centers had this tech. It would save me some embarrassment.”
Dr. A: “Uh, sure. Anyway, shall we get started?”
Doog: “Holo-guide-me to the destination, Doc Assclapius. Err…Dr. A.”
Dr. A: “I’ve started our tour in Sospitas’ largest building, the VFB or Valetudo Factory Building.”
Doog: “Factory? I thought this was some type of fancy medical center.”
Dr. A: “Oh, it is. The VFB makes medical equipment, most of which was developed by the Va.”
Doog: “Factory? I thought this was some type of fancy medical center.”
Dr. A: “Oh, it is. The VFB makes medical equipment, most of which was developed by the Va.”
Dr. A: “Interestingly enough, here’s a Va now.”
Frank (Va): “Good morning, Dr. Asclepius.”
Dr. A: “Morning, Frank! This is Doog, a reporter with TV2.”
Frank: “Welcome Doog. I presume you’re here to do a story on the Med-Scanner upgrades. It’s now compatible with 97% of this galaxy’s sentient species”
Doog: “No.”
Frank: “Perhaps it’s our breakthrough in treating the Ferventis Sanguinis Virus.”
Doog: “Nope.”
Dr. A: “Frank, Doog is more of an educational reporter. He’s here to show the galaxy what we do here on Valetudo.”
Doog: “Spoilsport, I was going to let him keep guessing.”
Frank: “Ah, yes. We must always think of the youth. Education is key. Well, I won’t hold you up any longer.”
Dr. A: “Follow me to the right, Doog.”
Frank (Va): “Good morning, Dr. Asclepius.”
Dr. A: “Morning, Frank! This is Doog, a reporter with TV2.”
Frank: “Welcome Doog. I presume you’re here to do a story on the Med-Scanner upgrades. It’s now compatible with 97% of this galaxy’s sentient species”
Doog: “No.”
Frank: “Perhaps it’s our breakthrough in treating the Ferventis Sanguinis Virus.”
Doog: “Nope.”
Dr. A: “Frank, Doog is more of an educational reporter. He’s here to show the galaxy what we do here on Valetudo.”
Doog: “Spoilsport, I was going to let him keep guessing.”
Frank: “Ah, yes. We must always think of the youth. Education is key. Well, I won’t hold you up any longer.”
Dr. A: “Follow me to the right, Doog.”
Dr. A: “In order to protect the LIU’s technology trade, I’ve only been granted permission to show you some end-stage production.”
Doog: “First the impersonal hologram…then the shortcuts.”
Dr. A: “It’s not a shortcut. A lot of the technology developed by the Va and the LIU is exported to other galaxies. Showing exact production procedures will expose company secrets and stunt profits.”
Doog: “I guess. What am I seeing here?”
Dr. A: “End-stage production of our Health-Bots.”
Doog: “Health-Bots? They look familiar.”
Dr. A: “Our patented Health-Bots are in use in many hospitals, doctor’s offices, convalescent homes, and eldercare facilities. I’m sure you’ve run across a few in your travels.”
Doog: “First the impersonal hologram…then the shortcuts.”
Dr. A: “It’s not a shortcut. A lot of the technology developed by the Va and the LIU is exported to other galaxies. Showing exact production procedures will expose company secrets and stunt profits.”
Doog: “I guess. What am I seeing here?”
Dr. A: “End-stage production of our Health-Bots.”
Doog: “Health-Bots? They look familiar.”
Dr. A: “Our patented Health-Bots are in use in many hospitals, doctor’s offices, convalescent homes, and eldercare facilities. I’m sure you’ve run across a few in your travels.”
Doog: “Are they like robot doctors or something?”
Dr. A: “They’re more like robot-nurses. They have scanners and equipment that run basic medical tests. They also have the ability to administer medications and vitamins. Despite their powerful medical subroutines, they still rely on doctors for diagnoses. It’s safer that way.”
Doog: “Hmm, got it.”
Dr. A: “Let’s move on.”
Dr. A: “They’re more like robot-nurses. They have scanners and equipment that run basic medical tests. They also have the ability to administer medications and vitamins. Despite their powerful medical subroutines, they still rely on doctors for diagnoses. It’s safer that way.”
Doog: “Hmm, got it.”
Dr. A: “Let’s move on.”
Dr. A: “The VFB is also the galaxy’s largest producer of Mel Tanks. Va Mel Tanks are top-of-the-line too. They have some of the most advanced diagnostic and monitoring tools available, allowing lower amounts of Mel to be utilized.”
Doog: “You make glass cubes. Amazing.”
Dr. A: “It’s more than that…”
Doog: “You make glass cubes. Amazing.”
Dr. A: “It’s more than that…”
Dr. A: “Ok, Health-Bots and Mel Tanks are so standard these days, that they might not seem all that exciting, but medicines are both vital and life-saving.”
Doog: “You make medicines here too?”
Dr. A: “We mass-produce dozens of pharmaceuticals on Valetudo, including major drugs like Hygieia, Jengu, Anahit, and Ixchel.”
Doog: “Some of those sound familiar.”
Dr. A: “I’m not sure if that ‘STD Center’ comment you said earlier was a joke or not, but you might have heard of them there. Jengu and Ixchel are both powerful antibiotics.”
Doog: “Which of those is in an ointment form?”
Dr. A: “Ixchel.”
Doog: “That would be it. I always thought it was called ‘Itch Gel’ though.”
Dr. A: “That’s some powerful stuff. You might want to reconsider the people you…uh…associate with.”
Doog: “I’m not made of money, doc.”
Doog: “You make medicines here too?”
Dr. A: “We mass-produce dozens of pharmaceuticals on Valetudo, including major drugs like Hygieia, Jengu, Anahit, and Ixchel.”
Doog: “Some of those sound familiar.”
Dr. A: “I’m not sure if that ‘STD Center’ comment you said earlier was a joke or not, but you might have heard of them there. Jengu and Ixchel are both powerful antibiotics.”
Doog: “Which of those is in an ointment form?”
Dr. A: “Ixchel.”
Doog: “That would be it. I always thought it was called ‘Itch Gel’ though.”
Dr. A: “That’s some powerful stuff. You might want to reconsider the people you…uh…associate with.”
Doog: “I’m not made of money, doc.”
Dr A: “That wraps up the VFB. In order to see other places within Sospitas – in a timely manner – we need to stop by my office.”
Doog: “Your office is in the factory building?”
Dr A: “Sure, why not. With this technology, my office could be in a broom closet eight light years from here. The location doesn’t really matter.”
Doog: “Your office is in the factory building?”
Dr A: “Sure, why not. With this technology, my office could be in a broom closet eight light years from here. The location doesn’t really matter.”
Doog: “It’s a nice office – minus the ugly old hag over there. Why do you keep patients in your office?”
Dr. A: “That’s not a patient! That’s me! I’m in upload!”
Doog: “I…uh…did I say old hag?”
Dr. A: “Actually, you said UGLY old hag!”
Doog: “Sorry. Your hologram looks so different, though. I didn’t expect the real you to be so less attract…er…youthful.”
Dr. A: “I’m actually uploaded into the bot. The hologram is just a projected image. I can make my avatar look however I want!”
Doog: “Seems a little like ‘catfishing’, but to each their own.”
Dr. A: “It’s NOT catfishing! It’s the same as wearing makeup or nice clothes or anything else!”
Doog: “Yeah, sure. I guess.”
Dr. A: “Just lay down in that upload bed over there so we can move on. I want to get this tour over with!”
Dr. A: “That’s not a patient! That’s me! I’m in upload!”
Doog: “I…uh…did I say old hag?”
Dr. A: “Actually, you said UGLY old hag!”
Doog: “Sorry. Your hologram looks so different, though. I didn’t expect the real you to be so less attract…er…youthful.”
Dr. A: “I’m actually uploaded into the bot. The hologram is just a projected image. I can make my avatar look however I want!”
Doog: “Seems a little like ‘catfishing’, but to each their own.”
Dr. A: “It’s NOT catfishing! It’s the same as wearing makeup or nice clothes or anything else!”
Doog: “Yeah, sure. I guess.”
Dr. A: “Just lay down in that upload bed over there so we can move on. I want to get this tour over with!”
Dr. A: “Who’s catfishing now?”
Doog: “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Dr. A: “Where did your shirt go? When did you get abs?”
Doog: “Oh, I guess my shirt fell off during upload.”
Dr. A: “It didn’t fall off during upload! I can see your body behind you, with its shirt on.”
Doog: “Hmm, weird. I’m not sure what happened then. Oh, and thanks for mentioning my abs, I’ve been working out.”
Dr. A: “Those aren’t your abs, you hypocrite!”
Doog: “That’s enough body shaming, Doc. Perhaps we should move on.”
Dr. A: “Sigh. Whatever. Transferring our uploads to new Holo-Bots.”
Doog: “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Dr. A: “Where did your shirt go? When did you get abs?”
Doog: “Oh, I guess my shirt fell off during upload.”
Dr. A: “It didn’t fall off during upload! I can see your body behind you, with its shirt on.”
Doog: “Hmm, weird. I’m not sure what happened then. Oh, and thanks for mentioning my abs, I’ve been working out.”
Dr. A: “Those aren’t your abs, you hypocrite!”
Doog: “That’s enough body shaming, Doc. Perhaps we should move on.”
Dr. A: “Sigh. Whatever. Transferring our uploads to new Holo-Bots.”
Doog: “What the heck? Is this a school?”
Dr. A: “It is. Valetudo houses one of the largest and most prestigious medical schools in the galaxy. Millions of the LIU’s best doctors were trained here.”
Doog: “Hey, I’m back at college, but – this time – I have abs. If you’ll excuse me, I need to meet some of these young lady doctors.”
Dr. A: “Good luck with that. I’ve disabled our avatars so we won’t distract the lesson.”
Doog: “What! No! I need this! I might never have abs at a college again!”
Dr. A: “Transferring our uploads…”
Doog: “Nooo…”
Dr. A: “It is. Valetudo houses one of the largest and most prestigious medical schools in the galaxy. Millions of the LIU’s best doctors were trained here.”
Doog: “Hey, I’m back at college, but – this time – I have abs. If you’ll excuse me, I need to meet some of these young lady doctors.”
Dr. A: “Good luck with that. I’ve disabled our avatars so we won’t distract the lesson.”
Doog: “What! No! I need this! I might never have abs at a college again!”
Dr. A: “Transferring our uploads…”
Doog: “Nooo…”
Dr. A: “The hundred-story Vedius Building is a medical research center with hundreds of laboratories, workshops, and offices.”
Doog: “And no college aged ladies wanting to see these sick abs.”
Dr. A: “The Vedius Building is the galaxy’s leader in new medical technologies, like AI diagnostics, full-body scanners, new medicines, artificial tissues and organs, and so on.”
Doog: “I could have been doing live-action body scans, but you hid my abs.”
Doog: “And no college aged ladies wanting to see these sick abs.”
Dr. A: “The Vedius Building is the galaxy’s leader in new medical technologies, like AI diagnostics, full-body scanners, new medicines, artificial tissues and organs, and so on.”
Doog: “I could have been doing live-action body scans, but you hid my abs.”
Dr. A: “Ahem, this particular lab is focusing on bone studies.”
Doog: “I could have been doing some bone studies with those college…”
Dr. A: “Stop! Skeletal studies. Ok, Skeletal studies. I shouldn’t have said bone around you.”
Doog: “I could have been doing some bone studies with those college…”
Dr. A: “Stop! Skeletal studies. Ok, Skeletal studies. I shouldn’t have said bone around you.”
Dr. A: “This lab is researching faster ways to mend bon…uh…skeletons, make artificial skeletons, and replace marrow. I think I said that in an incorruptible way.”
Doog: “You did good, Doc. I don’t think that was twistable. Too late though, I’m over the college ladies. After a little thinking, I might want one of these older, more career stable girls in the labs. Time to let these abs shine.”
Dr. A: “Transferring.”
Doog: “Hey!”
Doog: “You did good, Doc. I don’t think that was twistable. Too late though, I’m over the college ladies. After a little thinking, I might want one of these older, more career stable girls in the labs. Time to let these abs shine.”
Dr. A: “Transferring.”
Doog: “Hey!”
Dr. A: “Research and manufacturing are great, but most of the buildings in Sospitas are devoted to actual medical care. There are two hospital skyscrapers and eight towers of doctor offices.”
Doog: “Are there even that many patients on this planet?”
Dr. A: “Using holographic technology, doctors here can treat patients across the galaxy. It only requires a planet, city, or space station to install the holo-technology we’ve developed.”
Doog: “Interesting. What about the hospitals? Do you holo-transfer them here or something?”
Dr. A: “No, the hospitals only treat actual patients. They have to come here to be treated.”
Doog: “So, it’s mostly for elite citizens that can afford to travel.”
Dr. A: “That’s partially true. One of the hospitals is strictly reserved for elite citizens. However, the other hospital treats citizens of all means, usually at the LIU’s expense.”
Doog: “Ha! Why would the LIU pay for people to travel to Valetudo? What, is it like a teaching hospital or something? Do you do medical experiments on the patients?”
Dr. A: “No! Valetudo is near the Opifex Sector. The LIU transports workers here from neighboring worlds so they can be treated and returned to the workforce.”
Doog: “Hmm, I guess I’m just a bit cynical.”
Doog: “Are there even that many patients on this planet?”
Dr. A: “Using holographic technology, doctors here can treat patients across the galaxy. It only requires a planet, city, or space station to install the holo-technology we’ve developed.”
Doog: “Interesting. What about the hospitals? Do you holo-transfer them here or something?”
Dr. A: “No, the hospitals only treat actual patients. They have to come here to be treated.”
Doog: “So, it’s mostly for elite citizens that can afford to travel.”
Dr. A: “That’s partially true. One of the hospitals is strictly reserved for elite citizens. However, the other hospital treats citizens of all means, usually at the LIU’s expense.”
Doog: “Ha! Why would the LIU pay for people to travel to Valetudo? What, is it like a teaching hospital or something? Do you do medical experiments on the patients?”
Dr. A: “No! Valetudo is near the Opifex Sector. The LIU transports workers here from neighboring worlds so they can be treated and returned to the workforce.”
Doog: “Hmm, I guess I’m just a bit cynical.”
Doog: “So, what am I witnessing here…besides a naked man with no abs.”
Dr. A: “This is another technology developed in congress with the Va. It’s an AI surgeon.”
Doog: “I thought you said AI wasn’t safe for medical stuff.”
Dr. A: “No, I said it wasn’t safe for the AI to make diagnoses. We still need doctors for that. As far as surgeries go, nothing is safer than an AI surgeon. They never make mistakes or lose medical equipment. They also are much more sterile.”
Doog: “Ah, makes sense. So, what is this guy getting done? A tummy-tuck? He’ll need one for abs like these.”
Dr. A: “I can’t disclose patient details like that.”
Doog: “You can disclose his wiener to me, but not why he’s here?”
Dr. A: “Uh, maybe you better transfer out.”
Dr. A: “This is another technology developed in congress with the Va. It’s an AI surgeon.”
Doog: “I thought you said AI wasn’t safe for medical stuff.”
Dr. A: “No, I said it wasn’t safe for the AI to make diagnoses. We still need doctors for that. As far as surgeries go, nothing is safer than an AI surgeon. They never make mistakes or lose medical equipment. They also are much more sterile.”
Doog: “Ah, makes sense. So, what is this guy getting done? A tummy-tuck? He’ll need one for abs like these.”
Dr. A: “I can’t disclose patient details like that.”
Doog: “You can disclose his wiener to me, but not why he’s here?”
Dr. A: “Uh, maybe you better transfer out.”
Doog: “Well folks, that’s Valetudo. This swamp world is home to a massive medical facility called Sospitas. They are one of the galaxy’s largest exporters of medical technology and medical knowledge. They train the next generation of doctors, and treat workers from the nearby Opifex Sector. They also treat citizens on other worlds using holographic upload technology. Speaking of which, I don’t think Dr. A has left unload, so I’m going to try to sneak back in a let these abs work their magic! Oh well, see ya!”
Note: Holo-bot technology allows rural and distant worlds to get medical care, but it is not cheap. Holo-Bots must be purchased to allow doctor/patient interactions. Health-Bots must also be purchased to physical provide care recommended by the doctor. After that, a monthly fee is collected to allow worlds access to the medical staff on Valetudo.
Note: Holo-bot technology allows rural and distant worlds to get medical care, but it is not cheap. Holo-Bots must be purchased to allow doctor/patient interactions. Health-Bots must also be purchased to physical provide care recommended by the doctor. After that, a monthly fee is collected to allow worlds access to the medical staff on Valetudo.
