Gennai opened his eyes and found himself in his home with his beautiful wife standing in front of him.

“Gennai?” said his wife. “Gennai? Why are you not speaking to me?”

After a moment of trying to understand where he was at, he answered, “Sorry. My mind was elsewhere.”

Their home was a little cozy place built high on a large hill looking over a valley filled with colorful forests, winding rivers, and crystal blue lakes. Large cities with many species of his kind were nestled perfectly around the gorge below. When others visited this planet, they were amazed at the organization and structure of these majestic cities. Gennai’s kind were considered my many as nothing more than short, small rodents. After they saw not only the cities but the many advancements in technologies, especially in the medical field, some accepted them as equals. Others could never accept them, even though they had proven themselves to be as much.

“It seems like that is the case quite a bit these last few days,” responded his wife.

“You are right, Sianna” said Gennai with a small sigh. “Just excited about being invited to this medical conference. You do know that this is the first time that one of our species has been invited.”

“Yes, because you have told me numerous times.”

“They actually want me to speak about the medicines and vaccines that we have developed which have been effective in curing the Coronet and Bacterium viruses. These viruses have killed millions of different species on many planets and these medicines and vaccines have all but cured many planets from ever being affected by these viruses again.”

“Yes, I am aware of that as well because you have told me that numerous times.” Sianna said in her normal tone while she was busy packing clothes into bags, preparing Gennai for his travel.

“This can show many other species how far we have come and that we can help in so many ways.”

“Yes, I know. You speak about it all the time,” she said in a comforting tone. Sianna had finished one bag and moved on to another.

Gennai was now pacing the floors of his home, deep in thought. His small hands and arms moving franticly as he spoke. “This can be the breakthrough that we need to inspire other species to work with us and truly look at what we have accomplished. They will see the incredible advancements in medicine that we have discovered and how our technologies can bring civilizations together.” He continued to pace and began scratching his little chin with his tiny fingers as he pondered upon the future and hope this conference could bring. He almost ran into his wife who was standing at the front door with packed bags and other needed equipment. He looked up and met her smile.

“If you do not leave now, you will be late for your transport,” she said with a kind smile but a stern face.

He grabbed the bags and other equipment and began to walk out but stopped and looked back at his wife. “I am so lucky to have you.” He gave her nose a little snuzzle.

“Just come back to me safe and sound,” she said with a little anxiety.

“I promise.” He gave her one last smile and walked out the door. His eyes closed and darkness appeared.

Gennai eyes opened, and he found himself just finishing his speech at the conference. There were many that stood and applaud his marvelous discourse. He tried to stand taller than his two feet height and also adjusted his checkered vest and red scarf, all picked out by his wife. The leaders of the conference sat at tables near the front where seven of the ten leaders were seen standing and applauding as well. Three continued to sit but at least two of them gave his speech a half-hearted applaud. The one leader at the end sat with his arms folded and stared at the little rodent with an angry face.

Once the applauding died down, many in the audience began to move around the large room. There were many different presentations going on throughout. Many images and videos were being shown of different medical procedures and breakthroughs that many were watching and examining. Gennai made his way down from the extra high podium created just for him so all could see and hear him. As he made his way down, one of the leaders of the conference came running up to him with a large smile. She was of the same species as Tharros and was a well-known doctor in her medical field. Her name was Kyliann, and she was the one that insisted that Gennai attended this conference.

“That was absolutely marvelous, Gennai!” Kyliann praised, almost shouting. “Truly inspiring to see all that your species have accomplished and the much-needed help that your advances in the medical field have done!”

“Thank you, Kyliann!” said Gennai. “I am thankful that I was able to represent everything my species has accomplished. I hope there are many more events that our species can lend their expertise.”

“Oh, I know there will,” she said nodding her head excitedly with a huge smile. “This speech changed many opinions about your species. Your work that you demonstrated has convinced many that you deserve a spot at the table of medicine and science.”

Just then, an old species walked slowly up to Gennai and Kyliann. His long white beard that hung from his long slender snout blended with his stylish suit and brown pants. He was quite tall, standing over six feet. His two large paws that he stood on, were almost the size of Gennai. He wore glasses on his slender face and his large green eyes appeared gigantic to both as he stared intensely. He had reddish fur and two triangle ears at the top of his head and his hands appeared to be manicured and well-groomed as if they were his prize possession.

He looked down on Gennai through his glasses for a long moment and then said, “I am a well-known physician on many planets. I have helped many species’ medical programs become quite successful with my input and expertise.” He paused and looked at Kyliann and then back at Gennai. “The speech you gave does not give me confidence in your species’ ability to further advance medicine. Quite honestly, I feel that it is a step back and not any species should be given a seat at the table, which your friend here feels that you have deserved.” He then gave a slanted smile. “No offense. Rodents are not physicians. They are a pest on many planets and food on others.”

He began to walk away when Kyliann stood in front of him with her stern look. “You cannot just say those hurtful things and then walk away!”

“Watch me,” said the long white bearded physician as he began to walk around Kyliann.

She lifted up her hand and calmly said, “You are first going to listen to what we have to say, Doctor Boranski!”

“That’s Borinski!” almost shouted the physician, “and I do not think you have anything that you can say to me Doctor Kiliann to change my mind.”

“That is Kyliann and this here is my friend, colleague and fellow physician Gennai.” Doctor Borinski gave a small sigh and folded his arms waiting for Kyliann to continue knowing she would not allow him to pass. “There are three species including mine that owe their lives to this great physician. The Bacterium virus was becoming widespread on our planet and thanks to Doctor Gennai’s research and expertise, he developed the vaccine and medicine to purge it from our planet along with two other planets.”

“Pure luck, if you want my say,” commented Doctor Borinski. “There were many capable physicians researching that virus.” He looked over at Gennai with his eyes narrowed. “This rodent just happened to stumble on the answer first.”

“You were one of those capable physicians, were you not?” asked Kyliann.

“It so happens that I was.”

“So, you are acting this way out of petty jealously and not giving expert opinion,” explained Kyliann.

He stepped closer to Kyliann and stared into her eyes. “I was operating and saving the lives of thousands of species before you hatched from your little egg on your dismal planet. Do not tell me that I am jealous of a small rodent.” He lifted up his chin to gesture his superiority. “Good day Doctor Kyliann.” He then looked at Gennai, nodded and said, “Rat.” He then walked off to mingle with the other guests.

Kyliann then walked over to Gennai. “Some are just too ignorant to see the true you. The remarkable physician and outstanding researcher. I take you over a hundred Doctor Borinskis any day.” Gennai looked up and smiled. “Even though you are just a Rat,” she added with a wink.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Thanks, Kyliann,” said Gennai. “You’re a good friend.”

“Come on, doctor,” Kyliann said to Gennai, gesturing him to follow her. “There are many that want to hear your incredible stories.” They spent the next many hours meeting many fellow physicians, talking about the future of medicine and discussing the great work that Gennai and his fellow colleagues accomplished. His eyes closed and darkness appeared.

Gennai opened his eyes once again and he was sitting next to Kyliann around a large conference table in an unknown room surrounded by many monitors and giant glass screens running algorithms of all types. There were three others around the table that were all of different species. They were all physicians and scientists from other planets. They were discussing a disease that was rampaging the planet that they were on. All of them had been on this far away planet for weeks trying to find answers. Gennai had found the answer using research he had completed before for other diseases like this one. Now they were arguing if they should divulge the answer that he had found.

“You know who these beasts are, don’t you Gennai?” said the small creature with very small lips but huge eyes. He also had a very small, pointed nose and tiny ears. His hair was long and auburn color and set nicely against his long face. His skin was leather like but looked incredibly smooth and had an orange tint.

“I do,” said Gennai, “but I cannot allow that to affect my decision as a physician.”

“I agree with Gennai,” said Kyliann. “What purpose are we here if not to help?”

“It was only to extend a hand, but not solve the solution,” said the species with a large flat nose and incredibly green eyes that fit nicely with his light green shirt. His face was round but looked small on his large head. His whole body was covered in black fur except for his exceptional hands. They were black in color and well groomed. “Giving them the answer will only create problems for many other species.”

“Agreed,” said the small creature that sat in the next chair over. She had a tiny beak and two blue eyes. Red and brown feathers covered her body and small wings hung on her back. She was related to Kyliann’s species but from a different planet. “They will continue their ways if we cure this disease. Why not allow them to die which will be a blessing to many?”

“I cannot believe I am hearing this!” said Gennai in a high tone but trying to keep his voice down because he knew other ears were close by. “We were asked to help. We volunteered our services to save lives. I did not come here to help them die a comfortable death. I came to solve the problem.”

“By doing so, you will be causing problems for others,” said the creature with small lips but huge eyes. “I came here also to help but seeing that these beasts do not see this as an olive branch but a demand that we help, I cannot with any good consciousness cure a disease that has stopped these beasts from harming others.”

“So, you want us to sit back and allow them to die when we can stop it?” asked Gennai.

“These beasts are not worth saving,” said the scientist with the tiny beak. “I know it sounds harsh, but maybe this is the answer that many species were hoping for. Their death will mean less wars.”

“That is not our call,” said Kyliann. “We are here to save the lives of whomever the species is regardless of their past actions. We all have taken the oath to save lives where we can.”

“Then you do it without us,” said the species with the large green eyes. “I have seen and heard their plans. They blame others for this disease, and they only want revenge.”

“Then we tell them the truth,” said Gennai. “We know the source. It came from their water source. We explain what happened and that we can cure it with help from other species. We need resources. We cannot do it alone.”

“You are crazy if you believe that they will listen,” said the creature with small lips.

“We must try,” said Gennai. “Maybe this is a beginning to peace.”

“More war and death are my thoughts,” said the species with the tiny beak.

Gennai closed his eyes and darkness appeared.

Whey they reopened, he was speaking to a large group of species that represent ambassadors and leaders of different planets. The leader of the species for whom Gennai was trying to help by creating a vaccine that will cure the dreaded disease destroying their species, was located at the head table. Simply looking at this beast brought fear to many. Fangs protruded from its large mouth. Two large dark red eyes seemed to pierce your soul when it looked upon you. Two small slits over its mouth represented its nose. Large hairy ears sat atop its head. Reddish scaly skin covered its entire body, all the way down to its two large feet. The beast, who called themselves the Kako, sat with its gigantic arms folded, listening to what Gennai was saying. Many were surprised to see the beast listening and seeming to agree with what was being said.

“I know what we are asking you is a hard thing to do,” said Gennai with as much power and emotion as he could muster. “We are asking your species to trust each other. I know there has been much war and hatred between all of your species. It is not easy to forgive, and I doubt that many of you will ever forget, but now there is a time to come together for a greater purpose.” He paused and looked across the room to see if all were listening. He was amazed that all were giving their full attention to a tiny species like himself. “The species that call themselves, the Kako, are dying because of a disease that has spread across their planet. No one caused this. This came because of environmental changes upon their planet that polluted their water supply.” He could see that many were thinking of what would be asked of them. “Now let me be completely honest.” Kyliann knew this part was coming, but she still shivered as she heard him say the words to begin this part of his speech. “There are species that believe that we should do nothing for them and allow them to die. I have told their leader, that sits at the head table, these same words when speaking to him alone. He actually said that he would probably do the same thing if this happened to any one of your species.” A few smiles appeared and were quickly removed. Gennai’s face showed his still solemn look, and all saw him as a figure of authority and power. “I know that doing nothing would be wrong. Death, when can be prevented, is not the answer for those that do not deserve it. Yes, there are some in all species that have done wrong, and punishment should be given by righteous leaders. But even though your species are at war, one species cannot allow another species to become extinct by a disease when a cure is available.” Gennai sighed and looked around the room. He was surprised to see that all seemed to be agreeing with what he was saying. “What we need from all of you is resources to allow us to cure this planet. Then, when they are cured, they have promised to come to the table and talk of peace between all of your worlds. They promised that they will remember how you came to their aid and will see that differences can be understood, and compromises can be established. This would be the better path to take. Stand with me now and let us save a species from extinction.”

There was silence as Gennai looked around the room. His heart was beating rapidly as he awaited their response. Suddenly, he heard applauding as one ambassador stood and smiled. Then another stood applauding. Then another. Soon all ambassadors were standing and applauding, and the room erupted into cheers and shouts of joy. The leader of the species who called themselves Kako, stood and looked at Gennai. The beast gave a small smile and then bowed showing Gennai its respect. Gennai responded by bowing towards the beast. Months later, the species calling themselves the Kako, were cured of the disease. Peace finally came to all who helped save them from extinction. Gennai closed his eyes and darkness appeared.

Gennai opened his eyes and found himself standing before a large group of injured species. They were all lying in different beds in a large room. This large room held some of the injured survivors of the attacks of the Kraken empire on their planets. It was a “put-together” hospital created by the survivors to help the injured. The Kraken gave them few supplies and limited space to allow them to help these poor souls that had lost everything. Many had died because the resources were not available for them to treat the wounded. Some felt that it was better for them to die then to live and serve the Kraken.

“We have been told that you are an excellent physician,” said the Kraken creature who stood behind Gennai as he looked in amazement at the number of injured species that were needing help. “As you can see, there is much work for you here. If you are able to save them, they will be an asset to the Kraken empire. If not, then we will blame you for their death.” The Kraken creature then turned and walked out of the room, leaving Gennai alone with the hundreds of injured species to help.

He bowed his head and gave a heavy sigh. His wife and home were gone along with his planet. The Kraken were now stripping his world of all resources and using it for their purposes. He did not feel any reason to continue. All hope appeared lost.

“Hello,” said a friendly voice. Gennai looked up and saw an amphibian looking creature talking to him. “Are you injured? Are you in need of assistance?”

“I guess I am here to help,” said Gennai with as much strength that he could muster.

“That is extremely wonderful as you can see, we are in great need,” said the amphibian with enthusiasm. The amphibian then looked at him with his kind eyes. “I can tell that you have been through a horrible ordeal. I wish there was something I can say to help, but I know when I lost my home, there were no words that could help. The best I can do is my friendship.” The amphibian extended his hand towards Gennai.

Gennai extended his tiny hand and grabbed one of the long fingers on the amphibian’s hand and gave it a small shake.

“My name is Igetis,” said the amphibian. “I am here to help you because I do believe that you are a physician. My medical background is very limited.” He gave Gennai a sly smile.

Gennai smiled in return. “My name is Gennai and yes I am a physician.” He gave another heavy sigh, as his mind began thinking about his wife, friends, and home. He still could not believe they were gone.

“Well, doctor,” said Igetis. “I am at your disposal. You tell me what to do and I will do it.”

Gennai looked around the room and could see that many were in pain and needing help. He stood as tall as his two legs would stand. “All right. Let’s get to work.” His eyes closed once again and darkness appeared.

His eyes opened again, and he saw the General standing before him. Gennai had tears running down his tiny cheeks and he began to wipe them away.

The General gave Gennai a small smile and said, “The program is finished.” He then gestured to the large glass doors and Gennai walked out of the device and stood at the top of the stairs. The first face he saw was that of Igetis. Gennai saw that same smile on Igetis’s face that he had just seen when he felt all hope was lost. Now again, he felt that hope had returned.

He could feel power surging through his body. His eyesight was incredible. His mind was completely focused. He had never felt this good before, ever. He then lifted his head, gave a large incredible smile on his tiny face and said, “That’s get to work.”

All stood and admired the tiny rodent. Even though he was the smallest of them all, he had the largest heart which made him the strongest.

Makarios then said, “My turn?”