Dead Space: Uprising

The waiting room was barren, just as ever. Nobody really got 'sick' anymore, just injured. Those were rare. Everypony knew of the safety precautions in order. Well, almost everypony. The young pony sitting alone in the small row of metal seats made a novice mistake. Nobody told her about the safety on the rivet gun. Now she knew, because there was a rivet in her leg. Didn't hurt much, but she was sent down just in case.

She examined the room. It was dull with some blue paint flaking off the walls. The walls were plastered with posters regarding medical check-ups, illness caused by space travel, and posters constantly reminding whoever read them to update their Resource Integration Gear, or more commonly known as a RIG. I small television hung on the corner of the wall. Didn't work. Nothing 'fun' did. Life on the USK Acestile was just that. Boring.

"Aria Cackles, the doctor will see you now", spoke a soft, automated voice over the intercom. The young pony sighed as she got up off her seat. With an occasional hiss of pain, she limped off to the doctors. Along the way through the small corridors, she noticed other ponies, probably nurses taking care of other patients. This was why there were no ponies in the waiting room. Ponies that were injured were either ok enough to suck it up and take a health pack, or too damaged that they needed hospital treatment. Aria disliked the environment. Too busy for her liking. She made her way through the dim corridors until she reached the door of Dr. Measle Stopper. She often wondered why ponies in the health sector had weird names.

She opened the door to find the good doctor sipping quietly at a cup of coffee. He was a rather old looking stallion, looking like he's seen more stomach ache patients than most. She sat attentively on the vacant seat by his desk.

"Hello Miss Cackles. How are you doing this fine day?” he asked politely. Aria had to chuckle to herself.

"Good, all things considering. Y'know, the rivet in the leg and all that"

"Indeed", he replied. He got off his seat and trotted around the desk to examine her leg. A small trickle of blood had dried on her suit. "Shot yourself in the leg, eh? The first time in a while that someone has come to me with an injury like that, I must admit. Did they take it out?" he asked. Aria cast her mind back to when she did shoot herself. The other ponies were sneering while her superior magically removed the rivet.

"Yeah, they did, but they sent me here in case of any infections or whatever", she admitted. The old pony moved his glasses up his snout.

"Well I fear they wasted your time. A simple health pack should cure the injury, and stop any infections. In our day and age, a health pack seems to do everything for us. How is your RIG doing?” Aria tried to get a good look at her back. A large blue segmented line ran across her spine, representing her state of health. A small blue segment was missing from the gauge.

"It's blue, but a little part is missing" she replied. The old doctor smiled and handed her a health pack. The small aqua bottle opened up to reveal a syringe. Aria prodded the needle into her leg, wincing quietly at the injection before withdrawing the needle. A nice, warm feeling tingled across her leg, removing the pain. Her RIG added the missing segment, returning her to full health. "Thank you Doctor", she replied happily.

"You're welcome. It's amazing what technology does for us. My great-grandmother was a nurse on a small town on Earth called "Ponyvillie". Back then, there wasn't a cure for cancer or heart disease, and now those previously dangerous illnesses are a mere annoyance. Amazing, don't you think?" he asked. Aria wasn't totally concentrating. She was still in awe at what that injection did for her. It was months since she last had to use a health pack, and she never got used to the feeling.

"What? Yeah, it is. I guess", she replied with an awkward smile. The old pony returned the smile and sat back onto his seat.

"Now then, just a quick couple of questions. Is your heart ok?" he asked. Aria nodded. "How about your wings?” Aria nodded again. The doctor seems to pause for a few seconds. "...How about your horn?” Again, Aria nodded. The baby blue pony always found it slightly strange when people notice she had both a pair of wings and a horn. "I've only treated a very, very small handful of alicorns in my lifetime. It amazes me" he noted.

"I know. People just stare at me all the time. Kinda weird, y'know?"

"I suppose. Either way, you're all clear. You take care now Miss Cackles. You have a certain sparkle in those green eyes of yours. I'd hate to see you hurt again". Aria smiled at his compliment, and left the room in stride. She still wasn't used to the feeling of the health packs. She doubted she ever would be. As she left the room, a small blue hologram appeared from her suit.

"Aria! Get your ass back to the Engine Room now! I don't even care if your leg is still damaged, just hurry!” squealed her co-worker. Aria sighed with irritation as the hologram disappeared and ran down the corridor