Quote:
Originally Posted by SilvercatMoonpaw
Is this an alternate history, or an Earth far into the future? (I have to ask after your previous statement.)
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Maybe a bit of both, but primarily alternate history: parachronic spaceship from an advanced timeline crashes on a more primitive world. Crew are dead, most systems are buggered, but the sick-bay escapes destruction by being better protected and having long-duration backup power. AI doctor for chrysalis machine goes offline until rescue (that never comes) or something interesting happens.
Locals get somewhat over their fear of the crash site -- maybe centuries later -- and explore the wreck. AI doctor wakes up ("Please state the nature of the medical emergency..."), realizes the situation, and attempts to lure the locals in for check-ups, de-worming, re-setting bad breaks, etc. Without a common language, the first couple of patients are deposited in the chrysalis more as sacrifices to appease the God of the Metal Cave. The doc does its medical thing, then plays "warmer-colder" with projected images and physiological reactions to see what they might want. What really gets the patients excited is images of their totem animal and especially human-totem chimeras....