Chapter 21: Scanned

In the diagnostic imaging lab, the med techs were obviously overjoyed to have a chance to study the Equestrians. They were equally excited to show off their system to the ponies.

"These functional quantum matrix imaging scans will help us calibrate our equipment. As of now, all our machines are set solely for humans. If anything happens to any of you while you are here, we have no way to provide medical assistance. A few minutes in this scanner for each of you will give us the ability both to create a generic baseline for your species, and to produce specific records which will greatly increase the quality of your medical service, in the, uh, unfortunate event that such a necessity arises. Just step up onto that platform please, you won't feel a thing." The med techs pointed Twilight to a raised circular pad.

She hesitated a moment, then stepped up onto it.

"The QMI scanner heads will drop momentarily. Try to relax. You can move around, but it helps to keep your motions slow and controlled. If you are overly active, the scan will take much longer to complete."

"You mentioned a generic species baseline?" Twilight asked.

The tech nodded. "Yes, by analyzing the individual scans from each Equestrian, the software will build a baseline model for your species. We have already created separate categories for Alicorn, Pegasus, unicorn, and Earth, with of course male and female of each. This goes far beyond merely taking an image. We will have detailed renditions of your musculoskeletal, circulatory, neural, and other systems, right down to the cellular level."

Twilight's eyes glazed over slightly. "That much information... How can you process it all?"

"We have multiple quantum wave computers in the facility mainframe. This doesn't begin to scratch the surface of what they can do, we've never even had them close to maximum capacity. Please stay to the center of the chamber, away from the red lines. The scan will begin momentarily."

There was a warning beep, then a transparent tube slid softly down from the ceiling around Twilight's platform. A red holographic button blinked on in front of her.

"The shield is there to protect you from injury. If at any time you feel claustrophobic or need to escape the device, press the button. The scan will end immediately and the system will retract, allowing you to exit."

Twilight nodded. "I'll be fine. Go ahead and do what you need to do."

The tech nodded and worked his controls. A set of large metal rings hissed down from the ceiling around the transparent tube, digital readouts and displays at intervals on their surfaces. They floated near each other with gaps of about a foot between them. Once they had taken up positions, they began to spin. Humming and whirring noises filled the room as the rings glided from position to position, shifting and sliding as they looked inside Twilight's body.

After a minute or so, a holographic rendition of her skeleton appeared above the console, moving as she moved. A pumping heart and blood vessels were added, then lungs and other organs. It was rather shocking when two gigantic eyeballs appeared staring out of a naked skull, yet moving around in unison with Twilight's own eyes.

"That's a bit creepy," she commented, waving her hoof and watching the bug-eyed skinless model of herself do the same.

"Ya don't look the same without yer skin on, Twilight," Applejack said uncomfortably, gaping at the lifelike three-dimensional image.

"Almost finished," the tech assured her. Muscles, flesh and her mane finally appeared in the hologram, and a complete miniature Twilight looked back at them, identical down to her purple fur. "And that's a hundred percent. Terminating scan."

The hologram of Twilight froze in position as the rings and cylinder retracted into the ceiling with a long hiss.

"Excellent. This is amazing." The technicians were entranced with Twilight's image, pointing at different areas and pressing controls.

Twilight walked curiously over to the scanner display. "Wow. I've never seen anything like this."

"Check this out." The tech pressed a few options, and separated various parts of Twilight's anatomy into an exploded diagram. "That's your brain and nervous system, here's your skeleton, there's your circulatory system. I press here, it all goes back together. Now watch this!"

The image of Twilight stood up and moved around, dancing and clapping on its two hind legs.

"But I didn't do any of those things," Twilight said. "How...?"

"The system is able to show movements that your body is capable of based upon your musculoskeletal design. Right now, it's adapting a human movement program to your unique physical build. As a result, it assumes that you wish to stand upon two legs when you move about, like we do. It will be more accurate once we have scanned all your friends and adjusted the program. Please swipe your wristband past this yellow light."

Twilight did so. Her bracelet glowed softly and emitted a small beep, and the light on the console turned green. "What was that for?"

"We've loaded a copy of your scan directly to the memory of your band. Standard procedure in case someone needs your medical records in the field and there is a network issue preventing communication with ProteC's computer systems."

"Oh. Thank you, then."

"It is not everyday I have the honor of seeing the inner workings of such a charming and unusual lady as yourself. The pleasure is entirely mine. Next please!" The tech moved away from the controls and waved Rarity towards the pad.

"Fascinating. This technology is beyond anything I've seen before." Marky watched the display while Rarity's scan completed, and Celestia walked onto the pad. "What's this, here?" He pointed at one of the holographic readouts.

"That's the genetic reference template," the tech said, glancing at it. "Remember the blood samples we took earlier? The computer has recorded a gene sequence for each of you. It's matched up with your scan to provide additional information about both you as an individual, and your species as a whole. Again, this allows our medical system to provide you with the most advanced healthcare in the world. Would you please step this way?"

Marky stepped up onto the pad and waited patiently for his own scan to complete.

Several minutes passed, and the holographic display began beeping in a way that it hadn't for any of the other scans.

"Is something wrong?" Marky asked, slightly worried.

"Hmm. Interesting," the technician said. "Your genetic code and anatomical structure are different in several ways from the other Equestrians."

"I think I forgot to mention, I'm not an Equestrian," Marky explained. "I imagine there may be some marked differences between our species, even though we look alike."

"That would account for it then," the technician said. "Your physical makeup is quite obviously different. Look at this." The man swept his hand across the holographic display and called up a second image next to Marky's. "This is Applejack. Note the extremely high bone and muscle density. To put it simply, if this pony were engaged in a tug-of-war with a tractor, I would be hesitant to place my bets on the tractor."

"Ah do a lot of work around the farm," Applejack said, evidently pleased.

"Now here is yours, Marky. The bone is lighter and thinner. Muscles not quite so tough. You couldn't pull half the load Applejack could. Even Rarity has a marginally higher strength index than you do."

Marky scowled inside the scanner. "Gee, thanks for the confidence boost. Please continue to tell all the ladies what a weakling I am."

"Sorry," the tech said absently, not sounding sorry at all. "Oh, and check this out. There are other differences to, such as these organs here, and this here. The computer is at a loss, it merely recorded their location. It has no idea what they do."

Marky sighed. "Well that makes two of us. Did I mention I got C's in biology class?"

The technician frowned and tapped a button, releasing Marky from the machine. "Well, we have your scan recorded and processed as far as we can. We should be able to provide you with sufficient medical care based upon the similarity between you and the Equestrians, but you understand that your species baseline consists of you alone. Although we will provide you with the best care we can, under the circumstances, I would recommend you avoid any serious medical emergencies."

"Story of my life," Marky said. "Nothing ever works out in my favor. Guess I'll just have to remove sustaining life-threatening injuries from my day planner."

"Can you tell me how much stronger I am than Marky?" Rainbow Dash asked, cheerfully.

"Rainbow Dash! Really now! How insensitive can you be?" Rarity was shocked.

"Aww, fine, what about comparing me to Applejack then?"

"They will do NO such thing!" Rarity said, giving a warning glare at the technician. "I would say they have done QUITE enough already."

The man raised his hands in the air supplicatively. "Just trying to do my job, ma'am!"

"Hmmph! By humiliating this fine gentleman?" She put a foreleg around Marky's neck. "Now I see why they have you working out here in a jungle!"

"I didn't mean-" the tech began, but was silenced by a single look from Rarity.

"Really, it's okay," Marky said. "It's better if we know of my shortcomings, before we end up in a life or death situation. To tell the truth, I had no idea. At home, I'm considered to be in peak physical condition."

"How does this really affect anything?" Celestia asked.

Emmy glanced back from the holographic readout she was studying alongside one of the human technicians. "Well, in general, it doesn't seem like it does. As he said, he appears to be in excellent condition. His frame just isn't as strong as an Equestrian."

"Isn't that what the humans just said?" Twilight looked slightly annoyed.

"I guess. Let me be more specific. Marky's build is more in line with the creatures here on Earth. With the thickness and strength of our skin, most objects fail to penetrate it. Marky, on the other hand, would bruise or bleed far more easily. His lighter skeleton also means an impact that would stun one of us, would potentially kill him outright, much like the humans."

"Well I'll just have to watch my step then," Marky interjected. "And don't you dare treat me with kid gloves. I'm a stallion, not an invalid. I can take care of myself."

"Don't worry Marky, we'll make sure you don't know we're watching out for you!" Pinkie said happily.

Marky rolled his eyes. "If anyone but you had said that Pinkie, I'd think I was being made fun of."

"How about ice cream?" Pinkie Pie asked.

Marky flinched at the sudden change of subject. "What?"

"I want ice cream do you like ice cream?"

"I... yeah, I guess, who doesn't?"

"Let's go get ice cream! Can we get ice cream?"

Jeff blinked. "Uh, sure. We're pretty much through for the day now anyway. Why not."