Chapter 15

Governors Island Space Port
New York City

Thankfully the tram driver was human, one of the Canadian military operating under the UN flag. And a golf cart let them see everything as they went. They probably could have walked it but the walkways were busy.

They passed by a set of three large, stern buildings. Most of the people not obviously from Earth were large men with knobby gray skin and short black hair. They all wore the same dull, grey uniform. "Do you know who those are?" Penelope asked the driver.

"Eridians." The driver replied. "They're kind of religious. Don't know why they're here but I keep bringing corporate types over there."

"Huh". They turned left at a large, circular building where more cat-creatures were going in and out. "Mrr'tani, right?"

"Yeah, that's their barracks. There's a ton of them around here now. They handle all the internal security, construction, work the space port. You don't want to run in to them at night, they're nice enough but they're creepy in the dark."

"Good to know."

"Now these buildings are all the local science types. They said they were newer, they didn't have to pull the wiring. And 515, medical building."

Among the flags flying from the building was a red cross. They got out and looked up at the impressive facade. "They re-used the old hospital." Spencer said, noting the carving in the marble above the door.

"Yeah. Thankfully it's not that busy. Better to have I guess. You folks have a good day."

"Thanks." They walked in the front door and found what looked like a front desk in a likely spot. They desk was manned by four different species, a cat-type, an etherial looking man with pointed ears and very pale eyes, a woman with mottled green skin, and a woman who appeared human. But her black and purple uniform and gloves gave her away. Spencer went to her. "Excuse me. Dr. Spencer Reid to see Dr. Essa Linalter. He said I didn't need an appointment."

"Oh. No, it's been very quiet." The clerk went to work on her computer for a moment. "Yes, he's expecting you. I will need to have some ID…". They pulled out their badges. "Um, is that the only ID you have?" They pulled out their passports. "Actually, let me see…". She turned back to her computer.

Spencer sighed and pulled out the other passport, with the purple dragon on the cover and the slip of metal tucked in the back.

"Oh!" The clerk smiled. "There we go." She took the slip of metal and passed it over a reader. "Excellent. Now we don't allow Terrans past the desk…"

Spencer looked at Penelope and frowned. "She's my legal companion…."

"Ahhh" The clerk looked back at her computer. "Well, in that case let me get you a visitors pass."

While she got that going Penelope leaned in to Spencer. "Mothers know things." She murmured. He nodded in agreement.

Down the main hall, turn left, it looked and felt a lot like a hospital. Once they turned left there was another desk and it looked like down this way was all people who looked like them in those black and purple uniforms. Check in and wait a few minutes until Lt. Galon came down for them. "Right this way." They said. They snagged what looked like a shopping basket as they went by. "For your things, if you need it."

"So, what do you do for a physical?" Spencer asked.

"Fluid tests first, then a full body scan. Past that it's up to the doc, depends on what he sees on the scan."

Fluid tests involved a needle, a set of tubes, a bathroom and a cup. Their needles were small, and Lt. Galon was skilled enough to make it painless. If they even noticed the scars inside Spencer's elbow they did not react. The bathrooms were human standard. None of it was surprising so far.

The next room held an exam table and a large tube like structure. Lt. Galon dropped a small pile of fabric on the bed. "So, get undressed and step in the tube. Feet on the marks, hands on the handles, I'll start talking to you when you're in there."

"And I'm supposed to wear this?" It wasn't a paper gown, more like a soft pair of pajamas, t-shirt and pants. A very soft pair. These were going to be nice to wear.

"No, those are for after. Take everything off before you get in."

Because of course he was going to have to get naked. Spencer started pulling off his outer layers, and tried not to blush.

"Do you want me to wait outside, Spency?" Penelope asked.

"Actually, you have to." Lt. Galon said. "We use a very small amount of radiation to do the bone scan. It's better to limit exposure as much as possible. When you're done just get dressed and meet us next door."

"All right." Once the door closed Spencer quickly stripped off, put his clothing in the basket, and climbed into the tube as quickly as he could. Feet here, hands here, it closed in around him. It was cool in there, and he could hear machinery moving around him. "All right Dr Reid." Lt. Galon said over the intercom. "Just close your eyes and breathe normally." Closing his eyes and breathing normally lasted about three minutes. After that there was a minute of taking a deep breath and holding it three times. And then standing there with his eyes open for a minute or so. And then the tube opened. "Thank you Dr. Reid." Lt. Galon said. "Please get dressed and meet us next door."

Spencer quickly got dressed, gathered up his basket, and went into the next room. It was about two to three times the size of a normal exam room. It had an exam table, a computer terminal, and some chairs. It also had three circles marked out on the floor. And on each of those circles was a perfect, holographic, three-dimensional man. Dr. Linalter was studying the one in the middle. "Okay, this is amazing." Penelope said as she looked them over. "I lust. I swear."

Spencer walked slowly around the holograms. As he did the layers changed from bones to muscles to organs. "No kidding". He said. "Who are they?" He asked Lt. Galon.

"Well, this is a healthy Terran, about your age and size." Lt. Galon indicated the one on the left. "And this is a healthy Quadranian. The one in the middle is you."

"Wow." As Spencer watched the computer continued to add layers until his scan was complete. Dr. Linalter was looking at it with fierce concentration on his face. "So, reasonably healthy?" He asked the doctor.

There was a disturbingly long pause. "I'm trying to figure out where to start." Dr. Linalter replied. "What exactly is keeping you upright?"

Spencer sighed.