Writing Challenge: Ensnared
Author’s Note: This story explores gender and sexuality themes. In telling this story, I have labored to abide by the community’s standards for good taste. This standard is subjective, and people differ in their journey on these issues. If you are too young to understand these issues or reading about sensitive topics or suggestive situations disturbs you, please do not read this story.
Ensnared
“I’m Chief Medical Officer of this starship, and this is a medical emergency! Beam Ensign Taleda to the medbay immediately!” I glowered at the Captain of the USS Stonewall.
Jake faced me with the steady gaze of a Starfleet Captain that I adored–except when I defied him. He raised his palms. “I’m sorry, Teslus. I can’t allow that.”
“Consider yourself overruled, CAPTAIN.” I put my fists on my hips and raised my chin.
Jake winced. “The order isn’t mine, Tes–”
“DOCTOR TESLUS ELBRUN!” I said.
“Admiral Yesper ordered us to let the Meklia treat Ensign Taleda.”
Jake’s words knocked me back. “What? They’re . . . they’re . . . circuits and electricity. What do they know of human physiology? Nothing!” I threw my hands in the air and let them fall to my sides with a slap. “Ensign Taleda sacrificed themself to shield Ambassador Toorok. They deserve . . . Ugh! Words are so limiting! So help me, Jake, if you had just a scintilla of psionic ability, I’d give you a piece of my mind!” I turned away from Jake and pounded the medbay console, which set off an alarm that I smacked off.
Jake’s voice softened. “I’m not happy about this either, but Admiral Yesper has a point. Treaty negotiations with the Meklia are in a fragile state. They’re mortified by the attack and want to make it right.”
“Admiral Yesper trades lives for political favors.” I crossed my arms and huffed. “The Meklia failed to protect their capital from an attack by one of their own. How can we trust them to save Ensign Taleda?”
Jake scanned the medbay to ensure we were still alone. He approached and wrapped his arms around me. “I know you care; I love that about you. You said the Meklia have stabilized them. The best thing we can do for Ensign Taleda now is send their medical records and any other information that will assist the Meklia in treating them.”
“This isn’t over,” I turned in Jake’s arms. My body shifted toward his embrace. I tried to pound Jake’s chest, but the stress of the last few hours had drained me to the point that my fists collapsed into a plea. I spread my palms on Jake’s regulation compliant chest. Fifty push ups everyday along with all the other exercises mandated by Starfleet regulations. I softened more. Though he wielded the piercing gaze, sculpted jaw, and commanding presence of a Starfleet captain, Jake Beck wasn’t one of the maverick miracle-worker captains extolled in Risian ballads. He was the get-it-done-by-the-book type that Starfleet depended upon but no one noticed. His swagger was fake; his protocol obsession genuine. Jake’s steadfastness anchored me against the chaos that would sweep me away. That the same protocols Jake used to protect me now blocked me was infuriating. I collapsed into his embrace. “And you can’t fix things just by hugging me.” You know he knows it works.
“Right, I get it. I’m sorry; I’m still trying to adapt to your Betazoid powers,” said Jake.
And I’m still trying to resist yours. “It’s one of your most endearing qualities, really. You have no mental barriers at all–like an infant.” For the first time since the distress call, I smiled. After a moment the feeble curve in my lips faded. Wait. I scowled. “Seriously? You’re thinking about sex now?” I pushed him away. “Get out. I have work to do.”
__________
“Captain, I’ve completed my preliminary examination of Ensign Taleda. I have something to show you.” I released my comm button and looked over my shoulder at the ensign. They rested under light sedation in the biobed.
Jake strode into the medbay. “What have you found?”
“Well, the Meklia saved Taleda’s life, but . . .” I expanded a scan on the med console’s screen, “those machines botched tissue regeneration.”
“What am I looking at here?” Jake stepped closer to the screen. “Is that a tentacle?”
“This structure here,” I traced an oblong mass coiled inside Taleda’s groin, “is composed of a complex arrangement of muscle tissues, blood vessels, nerve endings, and sensory organs. The structure reminds me of a tongue; however, the muscle configuration suggests prehensile capabilities.”
“So a tentacle.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Captain, the Meklia generated a tentacle inside the ensign’s groin.” Humans. “Stop thinking you’ve got this. I’m calling it a phallix because I believe the organ is analogous to a phallus but originates from the base of a cervix.”
I tapped the screen to the left of the tentacle. “This structure here is a uterus without ovaries or fallopian tubes.”
“What was their birth anatomy?” asked Jake.
“Male. They went to Mekla with a penis; they returned with this.” I drew the sheet back from Taleda’s lower half. How would I feel if my penis was replaced with . . .
“Are those lips?”
“Yes and no. The muscular and nerve structure resembles a vagina internally; but the exterior musculature and tissues mimic lips but with a much greater ability to . . . uh . . .” I shrugged, “dilate. I’m labeling it the oralva because it shares properties of both the human mouth and vulva.”
“Did the Meklia regenerate an alien reproductive system in Taleda?”
I shook my head and covered the ensign. “I don’t think so–at least I don’t think that was the Meklia’s intent. My analysis of Taleda’s DNA shows it is perfectly human.” I turned to the med console and moved two DNA scans side by side onto the screen. “I took the DNA scan on the left when Taleda joined our crew–standard procedure. I like to create a baseline. The DNA scan on the right is current.”
“They look identical,” said Jake.
“They are nearly so.” I magnified the same section in both double helices and added contrast. “This one small section in red here is different. The scan on the left that I took for a baseline shows damage at the molecular level. The one on the right shows no signs of damage.”
“Are you suggesting the Meklia repaired the ensign’s DNA and this, “Jake waved at Taleda’s groin, “is the result?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “All I can say at this point is that Ensign Taleda is the healthiest they have ever been.”
Jake pinched his fingers together. “With a slight change in genitalia.”
“Oh, and hormones. I almost forgot about the hormones,” I said. “Their hormonal profile is radically different from both human males and females and includes a molecule not previously documented in humans that looks like something between estrogen and testosterone.”
“OK, so no big deal.” Jake tapped his comm badge. “Sato, open a channel to the Mekla ambassador and transfer their transmission to the medbay when you reach them.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“What are you sensing from the ensign now?” asked Jake.
I stared at Jake.
Jake stared at me.
I raised a brow. “I’m sensing they’re sleeping.”
“Captain, I’m patching Ambassador Mek0359 to the medbay,” said Sato.
A cube-shaped machine appeared on the screen. The machine’s face contained a sensor array composed of lenses, sampling ports, and antennae; a speaker; and a viewscreen, which was blank. A single green light blinked on the top of the cube. The machine had no visible appendages or means of movement. “This is Mek0359. State your query,” said the Ambassador.
“Greetings Ambassador, thank you for making the time to speak with me,” said Jake.
“The manufacture of time is infeasible,” said the Ambassador. “State your query.”
“Yes, well, I’m contacting you to understand how you treated Ensign Taleda’s injuries,” said Jake.
“I did not treat Ensign Taleda’s injuries. Medical care is not my directive,” said the Ambassador.
“I understand,” said Jake. “You see–I mean discrepancies exist between Ensign Taleda’s state prior to the attack and after your treatment.”
The Ambassador remained silent for a moment then spoke. “The Meklia ran healing protocols to rectify the damage caused by our operational failure.”
“Thank you–er, we thank the Meklia for saving the ensign’s life. We need help understanding the state changes in Ensign Taleda. May my chief medical officer speak with the Meklia that treated our ensign?” asked Jake.
“One moment,” said the Ambassador.
The green light on top of the Meklia in the transmission’s image powered down then powered up. Jake and I looked at each other.
“This is Medical Unit Mek4628. State your query.”
I stepped into the console’s view. “Hello, um, Doctor. I am Chief Medical Officer Teslus Elbrun. I wish to understand the anatomical and physiological changes to the human patient you treated–Ensign Cameron Taleda.”
“Medical Unit Mek4628 repaired Ensign Taleda to the specifications you transmitted,” said the Medical Unit.
“That may be what you think you did; however, substantial changes occurred as a result of your–er, repairs,” I said.
“Unit Mek4628 documented molecular damage that existed prior to injuries sustained by the Ensign Taleda unit in the attack resulting from Meklia operational failure Z71. Unit Mek4628 received Mekla directive A7C85Y instructing Unit Mek4628 to repair all damage to the Ensign Unit as a gesture of good will.”
“Can you send me all the data pertaining to treatment of Ensign Taleda?” I asked.
“Transmitting.” The medical unit paused. “Transmission complete. State your query.”
“Thank you Unit Mek4628. We have no further query.” said Jake.
The transmission ended.
“We’ll they’re a helpful bunch,” I said. “Maybe the data will–”
A loud bang jolted me.
We turned. Nurse Abrams stood at the medbay entrance. A dented containment vessel rolled away from her. She staggered forward, eyes wide and fixed upon Ensign Taleda.
“Abrams!” I rushed forward as Rachel Abrams lost her balance. I caught Abrams before the nurse hit the floor.
“Elbrun! Something’s happening to Taleda,” said Jake.
I glanced at Taleda; they writhed like the woman in my arms. “Hold them on the biobed. I’ll be there shortly.” I braced my back and placed Abrams on the biobed next to Taleda. Abrams moaned and fought my hold.
“Computer, activate restraints on biobeds one and two,” I said.
“Patient restraints activated on biobeds one and two,” said the Computer.
I grabbed a scanner and moved it over Abrams. “Pulse spiking. Respiration approaching hyperventilation. Pupils fully dilated.” Abrams bucked against the force field holding her. “Administering sedative.”
“What’s happening?” asked Jake.
“Not now, Captain.” I turned to Taleda. “Rapid pulse. Fast respiration.” I lifted each of their eyelids. “Dilated pupils.”
Taleda moaned faintly and squirmed. Their phallix had uncoiled and now undulated beneath the sheet. The tip periodically made circular whipping motions as if searching for something.
“Increasing Taleda’s sedation.” I returned to Abrams who still writhed under restraint. “Hormones are spiking. Increasing Abram’s sedation.”
I stepped back and watched the biobed monitors for a moment then brought up new diagnostics on both and shook my head.
Jake watched and waited.
I picked up a medical tricorder and transferred the biobed sensor cluster readings; then I grabbed a psycho-tricorder from storage and scanned both patients. “Fascinating.”
“Doctor?” asked Jake
“Sorry, Captain.” I looked up. “Both appear to be in a rapid-onset state of extreme arousal.”
“Are you telling me they’re super horny?” asked Jake.
“That would be a crass understatement.” I watched the real time biomarkers. “The level of sedation I gave each of them should have placed them in a deep sleep; yet clearly their drive to mate has broken through.” I watched both patients for a moment then shrugged. “No other diagnosis fits.”
“Are they in danger?” Jake furrowed his brow and crossed his arms as he watched the two struggle against their bonds. “Is it contagious?”
“They’re not in danger; prior to sedation, they’re hearts beat at a level commensurate with intense aerobic exercise with corresponding respiration . . . uh, heavy breathing.” I looked at Jake. “As for contagion, that is unlikely. Taleda was beamed directly to the medbay from Mekla. The transporter would have automatically screened viral and microbial pathogens; and, if that failed, the medbay would have automatically deployed a medical quarantine field to block airborne disease sources.” Airborne sources. I snapped my fingers. “That’s it! Computer, raise a medical quarantine field around biobed one then filter all organic molecules from the air in the medbay and inside the quarantine field.”
Jake moved away from the biobeds. “Teslus?”
I sampled the air with my medical tricorder.
“Talk to me, please!”
“OK, pheromone levels have dropped.” I watched Taleda and Abrams. “Looks like my hunch was correct. See how they’ve calmed?”
“Yeah, they look like they’re sleeping,” said Jake.
“Exactly. Their biometrics indicate they’ve entered a state of deep sedation, which is what I expect.” I turned to Jake. “I hadn’t thought to measure pheromones, which are airborne chemical signals produced by an organism, animal, person–whatever–to entice a potential mate to copulate. In humans, pheromones produce a subtle effect, mostly subconsciously. The best genetic matches are more attracted to each other by their pheromones, but never to this degree.”
I showed Jake the readings on my medical tricorder from Abram’s scan. “This data shows that Nurse Abrams has entered her ovulation phase after exposure to Taleda’s pheromones.”
Jake shook his head. “Couldn’t she have already been in that phase before getting close to the ensign?”
“No.” I smiled. “We got lucky. Yesterday, I scanned her in biobed four to recalibrate the sensor cluster. Less than twenty-four hours ago, she was physiologically at least two weeks away from ovulating.”
“OK, weird. But that doesn’t explain Taleda’s extreme response.” Jake gestured toward the sleeping ensign. “I mean your scans of Abrams showed she was normal right?”
“Correct, but Abram’s pheromones clearly produced a reciprocal effect. I think we may have to change our perspective on normalcy.”
__________
“How are you feeling, Ensign?” I asked.
Cameron opened there eyes slowly and blinked. “Am I alive, Doc? . . . The explosion . . . Is the Ambassador OK? The last thing I remember . . . noise . . . and heat and pain. Burning–everything burning. They reached for their side.
“You’re safe and, um, healed. Ambassador Toorok survived because of your actions, Taleda. You honored Starfleet with your courage, and we’re all grateful you’ve come back to us.”
“I . . . I didn’t have time to think. I don’t know . . . It’s all so confusing.” Cameron rubbed their head, further mashing their curly purple locks into a runaway tangle. They looked at me hopelessly.
“You’re a hero,” I said.
“I don’t feel like a hero. I just feel like me.” They shrugged.
“Well, given the circumstances, that’s a good thing,” I said.
“What circumstances?” asked Cameron.
“You’ve been under sedation for several days. The Meklia treated your injuries; however, we need to discuss some complications from your treatment, but I don’t want to overwhelm you.”
“It’s OK, Doc. I feel great.” Cameron smiled, yawned, and stretched their whole body. “What the–” Cameron yanked the sheet off of them. Their phallix lay extended on the biobed. They shrieked. “What is that?!” Cameron scrambled on their back to the head of the biobed. “Get it off me!” Their phallix moved with them and began to recoil into their oralva. “GET IT OFF ME!” Cameron raised their fist.
“Wait! Stop!” I lunged forward.
Cameron screamed and doubled over in pain with the blow to their phallix.
“Is that part of me?!” They cried out and sobbed. Tears streaked their cheeks. “What’s happened to me?”
I grabbed a dermal regenerator. “I’ll explain everything; but you have to follow my instructions, and–keep an open mind.” I repaired the tissue damage. “Is the pain gone?”
They nodded through tears.
“Take deep breaths. Focus on breathing. Calm yourself.”
Tremors cut off their deep breath.
“May I assist you telepathically?” I asked.
Cameron nodded.
I entered the Ensign’s mind and projected calmness. Once their frenetic thoughts slowed, I focused their attention on deep breaths.
“I’m feeling much better, thank you.” Cameron smiled at me sheepishly.
I studied Taleda. Physically, they present as nondescript. The type of person you overlook in a group, party, or crowd. Slight of build. Average height. Generic face. Underdeveloped muscles. Interacting with Taleda, however, changes one’s assessment. Their facial features are delicate and paired with penetrating brown eyes that induce the intoxicating sensation of being seen.
I placed my hand on their shoulder. “I’m here to care for you.” I looked down the biobed. The Ensign had brought their knees up and kept their feet apart to avoid contact with their phallix, which still lay extended on the biobed for a full meter from their body. “Do you trust me?”
Cameron nodded.
“OK, you need to retract your phallix. Try to do that,” I said.
Cameron shook their head. “No way. Nah ah.”
“I understand this is confusing and scary, but you must master retracting your phallix to protect it. Will you try?”
Cameron grimaced and nodded their head. After several deep breaths and hard swallows, they began straining. Their phallix did not move.
“So, stop. I recognize this is new for everyone. Given that you're still laying across the biobed, straining like you're constipated isn’t helping. Close your eyes and try envisioning what you want to happen. I know you can feel your phallix on the biobed. Think about that sensation but coiled in here.” I placed my palm on their groin.
Cameron closed their eyes. After a moment their phallix began to retract slowly. They gasped and opened their eyes wide. “I can feel it.”
Remember, your goal is for Taleda to accept their emotions, not tell them how they feel. “How does it feel?” I asked.
Cameron blushed. “Kinda good, actually.”
“Focus on that feeling and bring all of it back in,” I said. Yeah, that sensation is delicious.
After the Ensign fully retracted their phallix, I pulled the sheet over them. “Good work.” I paused. “When I entered your mind, Ensign, I saw you had had a dream about a pearl and silk. Do you remember that?”
They shook their head.
“The dream was quite vivid; but you’ve also been through a traumatic event, so maybe it’ll make sense later. I’m going to gather my notes. When you’re ready, let’s talk about your body.”
Cameron nodded.
I turned to get my PADD.
“Doc?”
“Yes?”
“Where’s my dick?”
__________
I lay with my head on Jake’s chest. His heart beat strong; his breath came slow and deep as he drifted through his afterglow. My fingers circled and teased his nipple erect before letting it subside and starting again. “What do you love about me?” I asked.
“Hmmm?”
He drifted toward sleep. I pinched his nipple.
His eyes popped open then slowly fell. “What?”
“What do you love about me?”
Jake relaxed into a sigh. “I love how the corner of your mouth curls when you're amused. Looking into your eyes is like gazing into never-ending space. I love the patterns you shave into your hair, and I love that you constantly move and change your tattoos.”
“Why?”
“You’re free. You express yourself in ways that I can never. It’s like you haven’t even read the personal presentation section of Starfleet regulations.”
“There’s a personal presentation section?”
My head bounced as Jake’s chuckle rippled through his chest. He caressed my shoulder softly until he drifted again.
“What else?” I asked.
“Well . . .”
I scratched a nail across his nipple.
“Uh . . . mmm . . . I love how I’m physically more capable than you in every aspect—strength, speed, stamina—but you own me in bed. I try to resist you . . .”
“You should keep trying; that’s fun.” I hugged him tightly, lifted my head and looked at him with my chin on his chest. “Would you still love me if I lost my dick?”
“Of course, don’t be silly,” he said.
“But we couldn’t be together in the same way.”
“We’d find a way.” Jake yawned. “Humans . . . humans . . . have . . . b e e n . . . d e v e l o p i n g . . . s e x . . . t o y s . . . f o r e v e r.”
“That’s true; your species has quite the fetish.” I lowered my head to his chest again and let him sleep.
__________
“I need to get out of here, Elbrun.” Rachel held her knees to her chest and rocked on the biobed. “I’m going stir crazy.”
I scanned her. “Why?”
“There’s nothing to do but think.” She frowned.
“Is that such a bad thing?” I asked.
“Yes!”
“If you want, I can invite your gaggle of girls to visit.”
“Don’t you dare! So help me, Elbrun—”
I smirked. “So what sim are you going to burn through this time? Rock Climbing? Parkour? Cliff Diving? Triathlon? Surfing? Gymnastics? Kung Fu? Ju Jitsu?”
Rachel’s eyes widened. “Huh, I didn’t think you were listening before. No—surfing this time. I need to lose myself in the flow.”
__________
Chief Medical Officer’s Log, USS Stonewall, Stardate 2423.65:
Ensign Cameron Taleda remains quarantined in the medbay. I released Nurse Rachel Abrams to active duty; but after her first day back, I transferred her duty station out of the medbay. Ensign Taleda’s presence distracted her to the point of ineffectiveness. The extreme arousal she experienced upon her first encounter with Taleda has partially subsided since Taleda’s quarantine, but not completely. She mumbled repeatedly about “bringing a pearl home.” Her biosigns indicate an elevated state of arousal that she describes as significant but manageable. I also note that her body has paused in the ovulation phase. I have confirmed the release of an egg into her uterus without further progression of her menstrual cycle.
Captain Jake Beck and myself remain unaffected by exposure to the pheromones produced by Taleda and Abrams. Abrams has served in Starfleet for six years without incident, which supports my theory that the effect she and Taleda experienced is restricted to them.
The only connection I’ve been able to find between the two is they both carry copies of the gene sequences that the Meklia repaired in Ensign Taleda. Nurse Abrams possesses half the genes paired with a more common genetic sequence in human females. Ensign Taleda possesses both halves of the genes. Thus, the genes must express a recessive trait. Nurse Abrams may (in theory) pass her half copy to offspring, with anatomy seen in Ensign Taleda forming only if she mated with someone possessing the other half of the genes.
These genes rarely occur in human populations. This infrequency may result from the individuals with these genes being either infertile or experiencing high rates of miscarriage.
I don’t know why or how Taleda sustained damage to those genes, but I suspect the damage forced development of male genitalia in place of their current form.
Taleda’s mother is a physician; I will contact her to discuss their case further. By a stroke of luck, one other crew member on the Stonewall carries half of the genes, Security Officer Ansen Luc. Captain Beck has authorized me to speak with Luc and possibly conduct tests to further characterize the phenomenon affecting Taleda and Abrams. End log.
__________
“Do you know why you’re here?” I asked.
“Captain’s orders,” replied Ansen.
I scanned Officer Luc with my medical tricorder. “Yes, but do you know why the Captain ordered you to see me?” All vitals are nominal.
“No.”
“I am investigating a medical issue that affects Ensign Taleda,” I gestured to Taleda, who waved from behind the quarantine field, “and Nurse Abrams, who assists us today.”
“I don’t understand. How can I help?” Ansen asked.
“You carry a complementary portion of the genes that both Taleda and Abrams carry. I suspect those genes play a role in the medical issue. I want to test that theory by exposing you to Ensign Taleda. Your participation is purely voluntary. No one, not even Captain Beck, can order you to comply. Do you wish to volunteer?”
Luc frowned. “Will it hurt?”
“No,” said Rachel. She avoided my stare by focusing on her tricorder. I felt and shared her eagerness to begin.
“We’ve tested sixty-three other volunteers with no response; however, they did not possess the genes that you do,” I said. “Sorry, I have to say something. Your nose has clearly been broken multiple times and healed without medical intervention. Why would you suffer for that long?”
Ansen felt the dents and knots along his nasal bridge. “No big deal.”
“Well, we expect this research to be less intrusive,” I said.
“What do I have to do?” asked Ansen.
“You will lay on biobed two under restraint while we lower the quarantine field that isolates Ensign Taleda,” I replied.
“So, I just have to lay there?” asked Ansen.
Rachel and I nodded and smiled encouragingly.
Ansen shrugged. “OK, I’ll do it.”
“Great! Rachel double check that your personal quarantine shield is on.” I guided Luc to the biobed. “Officer Luc, please lay here, and I’ll turn on the restraints. Perfect. Now I’m going to restrain Taleda and then lower the shield.” I moved next to Taleda’s biobed. “OK, restraints are on. Rachel, are you quarantined?”
She gave me a thumbs up.
“Lowering the quarantine shield.” I moved back to Luc’s side and watched the scan data on my tricorder. “Do you feel anything, Officer Luc?”
“No.”
I looked at him. He had started sweating and his breath quickened. Behind me, I heard Taleda moan softly and squirm. “How about now?”
“No, nothing. I’m OK,” Luc’s voice was thick and hoarse. He glanced toward Taleda and flexed against his restraints.
“Forty-three seconds into trial, Ansen Luc presents with an erection,” said Rachel.
“No,” Luc clenched his teeth and moaned. “I don’t–”
“You’re hard as a rock,” said Rachel. “These uniforms hide nothing.”
“Rachel, a little sensitivity please,” I said.
“We need accurate data.” Rachel pointed to Luc’s groin. “He’s hard–impressively so–but this meathead won’t admit he’s losing it.”
Taleda moaned. I turned. The Ensign writhed under their restraints.
Luc cried out. He bucked against his bonds; eyes locked on Taleda.
“Computer, raise quarantine field; filter pheromones from medbay and quarantine area,” I said. “Rachel, start the recovery timer . . . Rachel?”
She didn’t respond. I looked up. Like Luc, Rachel was transfixed by Taleda. Her medical tricorder lay on the floor in pieces. I checked her mobile quarantine field; strength and frequency were both normal.
Rachel whispered, “Wrap the pearl in silk.”
“All pheromones have been removed,” said the Computer.
“Computer, start recovery timer for Cameron Taleda, Ansen Luc, and Rachel Abrams.”
__________
“The purpose of this research is to ascertain the physical and cognitive impacts of interaction between individuals with the identified gene sequences. The near and long term impacts are unknown and may be temporary or long lasting. Do you understand?” I looked up from the consent form on my PADD.
“I’ll be working with Taleda, right?” asked Luc. He ran a large, thick-fingered hand over his close-cropped blonde hair while studying the Ensign, who watched him from their biobed.
“I need a verbal yes or no, Officer Luc,” I said.
“Yes.” Ansen rubbed his thighs. He whispered, “Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk.”
“What did you say?” I asked.
Luc stared at me with his dour face.
I shook my head and returned to the consent protocol. “Do you consent to monitoring your physical condition?” I asked.
“What?” Luc glanced at me then returned his gaze to Taleda. “Yes, fine.”
“Do you consent to monitoring your mental state by medical tricorder?”
“Yeah, yeah when do I start working with Taleda?” asked Luc.
“Do you consent to monitoring your mental state through direct telepathy?”
“Sure, whatever.”
“Do you consent to monitoring of your behavior, including intimate moments, through sensor readings, direct observation, and telepathic connection?” I asked.
“Yes, yes, all that, whatever you want. Can we start?” asked Luc.
“We’ll start now,” I said.
Rachel squealed from across the medbay. Taleda grinned.
__________
Chief Medical Officer’s Log, USS Stonewall, Stardate 2423.70:
I have released Ensign Cameron Taleda from medbay quarantine with the restriction that they, along with Nurse Rachel Abrams and Security Officer Ansen Luc, continually use personal quarantine shields. Rachel Abrams’ response during the exposure trial between Taleda and Luc suggests pheromones aren’t the only stimulation vector among the three. I must protect them and the rest of the crew.
The physiological, mental, and behavioral interactions between the three subjects relate to human sexual reproduction, so the remainder of this log documents comparative differences between the three in this regard.
Cameron Taleda is a twenty-two year old, nonbinary human born with male anatomy. They identify as nonbinary both before and after the transformation of their sexual organs, which technically makes them a transsexual–I’ll let the labelers sort that one.
Taleda’s friends described them as a gamer nerd who comes across as a braggart, but also the first to stand against other players trolling their friends.
When asked about their sexual history, Taleda replied, “Anything that moves.” Later, they clarified, “Any humanoid that moves.” When I asked for a list of prior liaisons, Taleda admitted they had not copulated with anyone yet. They did describe their performance in an unsanctioned erotic holodeck game, with the ghastly title “To Boldly Cum Where No One Has Cum Before”, in which Taleda claims to have reached the supposedly impressive rank of “Rear Admiral.” Their words.
Rachel Abrams is a twenty-one year old, cisgender, lesbian human female. Tallest of the three, Abrams presents as the most physically striking with a conventionally beautiful face paired with (as a former lover describes) “blue-sky eyes and hair flowing through midnight with obsidian curves and eddies catching hints of starlight during a new moon.”
Abrams is arguably also the most intelligent of the subjects. However, my personal observations, conversations with her, and interviews with her friends and lovers suggests she directs her quick wit and expansive knowledge exclusively toward acts of seduction. She describes herself as a “huntress.” When I pressed her on this, Abrams revealed that she reflects her quarry. “I make her see what she wants.”
Her friends were entirely cisgender females consisting exclusively of either former lovers or ostensibly future conquests. Her former-lover friends described Abrams as gamophobic, withdrawing at the first blush of commitment, but too hot to drop. Her future-conquest friends described her with a nauseating list of superlatives that demonstrated her seduction skills.
In response to my request for a list of sexual liaisons, Abrams produced the names of thirty cisgender women who identified as heterosexual prior to meeting Abrams and “confused”, “maybe bi”, or “totally into girls now” after their sexual relationship with Abrams ended. None of the women carried the genes under consideration in this study.
Ansen Luc is a twenty-six year old, cisgender, heterosexual human male. His dour countenance and gruff manners detract from his attractiveness to the point he repels people. My interviews with Luc elicited only single-word responses or non-verbal grunts, so I switched to a telepathic examination.
Luc’s early childhood memories revealed a roly-poly ball of sunshine with a contagious smile and infectious giggle. Human masculine norms poisoned that little boy as he grew, withering expressions of individuality and extinguishing joy, forging the man he is today. To wit, Luc is intelligent but shied from developing his mind to minimize beatings from peers.
The people he identified as friends characterized Luc as a coworker, teammate, or acquaintance but not a friend. Everyone stated they didn’t know Luc well enough to comment on him. When I asked for a list of sexual partners, Luc claimed he had had intercourse with dozens of women. When I insisted on contact information, he produced the names of three. The first woman stated that their interaction “didn’t count.” The second woman described the encounter as “awkward”. The third woman said the following, “The sex was OK . . . actually, I was really hard up and he was there.” None of the women carried the genes in question.
The three study subjects did not know each other prior to their encounter in the medbay. Other than genetics, I have no idea what links a loyal virgin, a promiscuous gamophobe, and an oppressed misanthrope. End log.
__________
Officer Luc sat for his weekly examination. The biobed complained under his bulk.
“You’re underweight for your frame size,” I said. “Have you lost your appetite?”
“No.” Luc picked at calluses on his palm.
I examined his biomarkers. “Well, I can’t find a medical reason for your weight loss. Are you depressed?”
He shrugged. “Training.”
I raised my brow. “For?”
“Wrestling.”
“That’s right. You compete in the Quadrant’s Quinquennial Games, correct?”
Luc nodded.
“So . . . why do you need to lose weight for that?” I asked.
“Dropping to Junior Heavyweight class,” he said.
“The amount you’ve lost is not healthy. You have a thick frame and significant muscle development from what—I’m guessing powerlifting?”
He nodded.
“You risk sabotaging your performance from fasting. Why would you do that?” I asked.
“Won gold in heavyweight class last games. Need a challenge.”
I shook my head. “If you insist on this path, at least eat food that will minimize the health impacts. I’ll send recipes to the galley for you.”
He looked up but just nodded.
“Moving on, your biomarkers show your arousal level has increased a bit. Can you cope with the change?”
“Doesn’t matter,” said Luc.
“Officer Luc, most people—look at me—most people in this state of arousal report a significant disruption in their lives. Inability to focus. Intrusive erotic thoughts. Irritability. Poor sleep.”
Luc’s hazel eyes revealed nothing. “Doesn’t matter.”
I scoffed and immediately regretted it. “Sorry. Perhaps a different approach may be more productive. Each of us, including you, has the right to live unburdened by expectations. Sharing who you are can be cathartic. If you’re open to talking with someone in a similar position, Nurse Abrams frequently runs physically demanding holosims. You might ask to join her sometime.”
“OK, we done?”
“You’re free to go.” I gestured toward the door.
Luc stood to leave.
“Oh, and Officer Luc, make sure you listen as much as you talk.” I smiled.
He nodded.
__________
“Doctor Elbrun, I presume. I expected a call sooner.”
The creases on Dr. Taleda’s face bore witness to decades of frowning. I’m really glad I can’t read minds through subspace communication. “I apologize, Doctor Taleda. I’ve been–”
“I don’t care about your duties; I’ve left you no less than seventeen messages regarding Cameron’s treatment,” said Dr. Taleda.
“I understand, Doctor Taleda; I know you have limited time and wish to delve into Cameron’s care, so why don’t we start with identifying a source or sources of the genetic damage. I examined your genetic records and Cameron’s father that you sent. Neither of you have the DNA damage that Cameron carries. If the Meklia–”
“You can’t trust those bolt buckets. Look at what they did to my baby! Butchers!” said Dr. Taleda.
“Nevertheless, if they repaired Cameron’s DNA correctly, which appears to be the case, then the damage must have occurred before or during pregnancy. Can you recall any event or factor that may have exposed their DNA to alteration?” I asked.
“Doctor Elbrun, as I’m sure you have learned by now, people with genes that my family carries have tremendous difficulty conceiving and bearing children. I, personally, went to great lengths to bring Cameron to this universe. In vitro fertilization proceeded correctly. I had lab grade purifiers installed in my home. I took a prenatal vitamin, and I ate only cultivated food–no replicator fabrications. I assure you I did everything according to protocol, and I have the records to prove it. I kept meticulous notes in my journals. Those MACHINES screwed up!”
“Can you send me your journals? Maybe they will help me see something I’m missing,” I said.
Dr. Taleda looked away from the view screen for a moment then returned her glare to me. “Done. When will you be restoring Cameron’s genitals?”
__________
“What’s your poison tonight, Doc?” asked the bartender.
“Synthale, thanks Toby.” I leaned against the bar. I’m tired. I looked around. This place is dead. “Ten Forward’s slow tonight, huh?” I spotted Abrams, Taleda, and Luc in the far corner.
“Yep.” Toby placed a glass of synthale in front of me. “They’re an odd trio; aren’t they?”
I took a long draw on my ale. “How do you mean?”
“Well, the Belle of the Ball, the Oddball, and the Outcast–a few weeks ago they existed in alternate realities. Abrams always had her posse, and it wasn’t them.” Toby jerked a thumb toward the trio. “Taleda hung with the cosplay crowd; and Luc, well, Luc was always either in a fight or breaking one up.”
I kept my eyes on the three. “If he’s such a troublemaker, how come you let him in here?”
“He’s not the problem. Some people can’t leave others alone. I guess they resent him doin’ his job–excuse me Commander. Holler if you need a refill.”
I nursed my drink, so I could watch them more. Per my orders, they weren’t allowed to meet privately yet. Sensor data confirmed that whenever two or more were off duty they met in public.
They sat as close to each other as their quarantine fields allowed. Taleda and Abrams chatted and laughed; Luc listened–attentively but silently. Oddly, the other two included him in the conversation as if he contributed as much as they did. The three leaned in too close, causing green sparks from their colliding quarantine fields to crackle through the air. Taleda and Abrams laughed.
This is more than friendship.
They laughed again. Boisterous and carefree. No one laughs with me like that. Gee, I wonder why Mr. Senior Officer and Telepath. Stop complaining, Teslus. Jake’s a great friend and lover. You can talk to him about anything. So what if there’s no one to talk to about him? I sighed and finished my ale.
__________
Chief Medical Officer’s Log, USS Stonewall, Stardate 2423.131:
I have maintained the ban on private encounters between Taleda, Abrams, and Luc. I understand almost nothing about their condition; thus, I cannot risk their health and safety or that of the crew. The three continue to spend their free time together in public. Each remains in the same elevated state of arousal that began after their initial encounter. Abram’s menstrual cycle has been paused in her ovulation phase with a viable egg for the last seventy-one days. Other physiological changes have occurred–their hearts now beat in synchrony. All three referenced the same repeating thought, “Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk.” I’ve puzzled over the meaning of this extensively to no avail. End log.
__________
“Do you see anything yet?” Abrams paced in front of my desk.
“Not yet.” I tweaked the scanner’s focus on the DNA sample. “Wait. Yes . . . I think–yes, I see something.”
Rachel rushed around the desk and leaned over my shoulder. Her quarantine field tingled my neck. Her warm breath pulsed over my ear. I liked it. “Let me see,” she said softly.
Rachel had trapped me between her body and the desk, restricting my movement to a tilt of my head to give her access to the scanner. She pressed her breasts into my shoulder as she peered into the scanner’s viewport. “It looks like the damage on Cameron’s DNA before the attack!” Rachel backed off and sat on the edge of my desk. Her legs swung over the edge.
I smiled and nodded. “We’ve found our teratogen. That compound in the prenatal vitamins caused the damage to Cameron’s DNA, altering their development in the womb.”
Rachel pumped her fists. “Yes! I knew it! The Meklia did heal them.”
I saved the test results and molecular structure of the compound. “Now what I have to do is contact the Federation Archives to figure out when and why this chemical became a component of prenatal vitamins, so we can stop other children from being deformed like Cam–”
“Everyone knows.” Rachel’s voice quavered.
I looked up.
“Everyone knows you two are a couple.” A tear slid down her cheek.
I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”
“You and the Captain–we all know you’re together. I’m sorry, Teslus! You’ve been so nice to us, and you work so hard to help us, and,” Rachel threw her hands up and sobbed, “I placed bets!”
I rose and hugged her, but her quarantine field blocked contact and shot pins through my arms. “OK, that’s not working.”
She laughed halfheartedly.
“Take three deep breaths, and tell me what’s bothering you.”
Her tension receded with each breath. “The crew has a weekly betting pool.” Rachel’s chin trembled. She stared at her hands in her lap. “We bet on where, when, and how you two will get caught in a PDA.” She looked up. “That’s a public display of affection. We call it–”
“Captain’s Quarters.” I quirked my brow and smiled.
Her eyes widened. “You know?”
“You do remember I’m Betazoid, right? I’ve known since Ensign Gruber proposed the game in Ten Forward to Ensigns Gomez and Volek.”
Rachel sniffled. “Really?”
“Why do you think Ensign Gruber spent a month cleaning all the grips in every Jefferies Tube in this ship?”
“That was you?” She grinned.
“Not me; I’m just the messenger,” I said.
“If he knows, how come we weren’t all punished?”
“Ensign Gruber proposed the game to spite Jake–er, Captain Beck, but the rest of you played because you like the Captain. I convinced Jake that the morale boost from playing far surpassed any hit to his ‘command presence’.” I grinned. “Plus, he’s SO CUTE when he blushes!”
“I know! Right?”
__________
“Come into my office, Cameron.” I offered them a chair and sat in the one diagonal to them.
They flopped onto the chair. “So . . . how long have I got?”
I smiled. “Barring an away mission mishap–you wear a red shirt after all–I guess about one hundred and forty years.”
They grinned.
I hesitated. “Seriously, you’re in great health. The only issues I’m concerned about are your elevated arousal levels and . . .”
“My junk.”
I nodded. “Your physiology isn’t bothering you, so I’ll keep monitoring you to ensure nothing becomes problematic. Who knows;” I shrugged; “maybe we’ll learn something. Does that chant still run through your head? ‘Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk.’”
Cameron nodded.
“It’s stuck in my head now too.”
“Any idea what it means?”
I shook my head.
They started to rise.
“Wait a moment, Cameron. I want to talk to you about . . .” I realized I stared at their crotch; I looked up. Cameron smirked at me. I blushed and avoided their gaze. Why is it so unsettling to be around them? “I spoke with the Librarian at the Federation’s Earth Archives. The composition of the prenatal vitamins your mother took predates World War Three. Few records survived that period. One mention of the vitamin stated it reduced the risk of birth defects. There has been no research on the chemicals since then.
“I’ve thought a lot about how a poison could persist in such a crucial medication for so long. What I came to was this. Progress requires us to draw upon past discoveries. At some point in the past, the well was poisoned, but successive generations never tested the water before drawing.”
I forced myself to look into Cameron’s eyes. I swallowed. “The Librarian said that other records from that era reveal a society heavily impacted by fear, anger, and shame. Differences spurred suppression. I suspect someone acted out of malice, perhaps rationalized by the false morality of a long forgotten God, to ensnare future generations for centuries.
“I’m sending my results and the data from our ongoing study to Starfleet Medical for review and protocol revision. No more children will suffer your fate.”
“What do you think I should do?” asked Cameron.
“About what?” I asked.
Cameron grabbed their crotch.
My eyes flitted to their groin and lingered longer than was professional before meeting their gaze again. Hard to say which is more distracting. “That choice is solely yours. The operation isn’t trivial; however, we can regenerate male genitalia for you. And to be clear, I will comply with your wish whenever and whatever you decide. Even if that requires me to end the research today.”
“But what do YOU think?”
“You don’t need my consent or approval.”
Cameron scoffed. “My Mom’s nagging me to hack off my phallix. Rache and Ansi plead with me to keep it. Everyone’s telling me what to do except for the one person whose opinion I want.”
I take their hand in mine despite the needle pricks from the quarantine field surrounding them. “I’m not telling you what you should do because that would be a disservice to you. The choice is yours and must be made only by you.
“I can offer a suggestion. Whatever you decide, ensure that you choose for you and not because another person, society, whoever, made you think you had to choose one way or another.
“That’s difficult to sort through, so take your time and think carefully about it. Humans often conflate concepts. I’m perpetually mystified by the human distinctions of man and woman because the two are more similar than different, and the dissimilarities seem irrelevant to human’s social use of the concepts. The nonbinary label is equally confusing because the name is rooted in what it rejects, not what it is. Don’t you find that odd?”
Cameron shrugged. “I dunno. I never thought about it. That's what people call someone like me.”
“Think about it. Anatomy does not define a person.”
__________
I frowned at my reflection in the wardrobe replicator’s mirrors. Tonight’s Captain’s Dinner was the first opportunity for Jake and I to spend personal time together for weeks. Our schedules had kept us apart, and I looked forward to seeing him even if we shared the moment with twenty others. So I wanted to elevate my game; turn heads across the room. I sighed and slumped. I have no idea what I’m doing.
“Computer, contact Rachel Abrams.”
“Calling Rachel Abrams.”
“Hey you!, What’s up?”
“The Captain’s Dinner is tonight, and I don’t know what to–”
“Ooo! A fashion emergency! On my way.”
Rachel transported to my quarters.
“Why are you using the site-to-site transporter?” I frowned at her. “Beaming into quarters is for emergencies only.”
Rachel’s eyes widened. “Why are you naked?!”
“I’m getting dressed.” I rolled my eyes. “Oh right, I forget how prudish you humans are about nudity.” I gazed at the front of my torso and smiled.
Rachel watched me. “You do have exquisite definition.”
“Yoga–for balance and flexibility.” I looked over my shoulder at the mirror behind me. “I sometimes think I should bulk up, but I’m completely unmotivated to put in the effort because Jake is totally into my body; though, he does keep refusing my personnel request for someone to help with stocking medical supplies.” My eyes drift down. “I accuse him of forced labor to buff my figure. He won’t deny it.” I love my ass. Small but curvy and tight with lovely side dimples.
“Eh hem!”
I turned to Rachel. She was blushing and nodded toward my sex.
“Seriously? A person can’t appreciate the sight of their own body?”
Rachel avoided my gaze, still blushing.
“Fine, I’ll quash my joy in the male form.”
She stared mouth agape as my erection faded.
“That’s seriously impressive,” She said, meeting my gaze after I was fully flaccid.
I shrugged. “For humans maybe, on Betazed, we teach that basic control technique to children when they enter puberty. Arousal control is easy.” I turned back to the mirrors. “I want to start with my hair.” I ran my fingers through my hair and teased out a couple of locks. “So boring.” I studied Rachel’s hair. “You have great hair.”
Rachel smirked and flipped her hair forward to frame her face. For a moment, I glimpsed the predator.
“Computer, change my hair color to Rachel Abram’s”
“Don’t you steal my color! I swear; I’ll–Oh, that does look good on you. The color intensity complements the black in your eyes and your pale complexion well . . . How is your skin so clear and smooth?”
“Dunno.” I shrugged.
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.”
She studied my hair. “You want to spice things up a bit?”
“Yes! Yes!” I clapped excitedly. “A thousand times yes!”
“May I?”
I nodded and faced her, avoiding the reflections that would prompt second guesses.
“Computer, add a crimson streak to Teslus’ forelock, left side, twenty degree angle, upward fade to temple.” She smiled. “Excellent. Now let’s get clothes on your body before I decide I have a new type.”
I blushed.
“Go commando–it’s sexier,” Rachel said.
I nodded. “It is; isn’t it?”
“Computer, crimson dress, form fitting, short sleeves, short skirt, plunge back to waistline, asymmetrical plunging neckline from left shoulder, twenty degree angle, asymmetrical bare midriff with asymmetry matching neckline.”
I felt the dress form around me. “Well?”
Rachel crossed her arms and held her chin as she paced from my left to my right and back again. “Computer, shorten skirt. Shorter.”
“Rachel, it has to cover my ass; this is a formal event.”
“Yes, I’m aware. Shorter. Perfect!” She studied me further. “Computer, tighten dress. Tighter.”
“Too tight! Too tight!” I gasped.
“Exhale. You’ll be fine.” Rachel’s eyes poured over me for a long moment then she nodded. “The Captain will love you in this.” A mischievous smile danced across her lips. “Have a look.”
I turned to the mirrors and gasped. “It’s gorgeous!” The torso framed my shoulders and chest exquisitely while mirroring the geometry of my hairstyle. I turned. The back accentuated the muscles in my upper back while focusing attention downward to my ass. “I love it!” The dress unequivocally stated, “Neglect me at your peril.”
I faced forward again and moved my gaze from head to toe. I gasped midway. The head of my penis dangled below the skirt’s hem.
I looked at Rachel. “Bitch.”
“Slut.” She smiled, winked, and teleported.
I gazed at my reflection, turning slightly left then right. “I do love this dress.” The hem of the skirt tightened then began sliding up my thighs. “Hello there. A pleasure to see you again.” I shifted and moaned. “I think I’ll let this one play out.” Slut.
__________
Blood saturated Ansen’s right brow and pooled toward his eye.
“Rachel, swab that.” I moved the tissue regenerator over the laceration on his forehead. “I need space to work, Cameron. Please step back.”
“Who did this?” asked Cameron.
“Some Jerks in Ten Forward,” said Ansen.
“Who? I want names.” Cameron clenched and unclenched their fists.
“Doesn’t matter,” said Ansen.
“It does matter!” Cameron’s voice cracked. “You matter.”
“Cameron’s right, Anse. Tell us what happened.” Rachel swapped sponges to absorb more blood.
Ansen exhaled. “My shift was ending, and I was finishing a report of a disturbance at the bar when I overheard some guys running you down.” He glanced at Cameron. “They called you a freak; said they knew someone—one of your cosplay buddies—who had seen your . . . your—what’d you call it, Doc?”
“Someone saw Cameron’s phallix?” I asked.
“Yea, through their pants,” said Ansen.
I looked at Cameron. They pursed their lips.
“I stretch periodically. I try to be discreet, down my pants leg is all. Someone must have seen me.”
“They called you a defective freak, so we had words. Called me a monster lover. Nobody talks about you like that. Nobody. I wrote them up for hate speech. They jumped me in the corridor after my shift.”
“Did you use the strikes I showed you?” asked Rachel.
I switched to an osteoregenerator to heal the broken bones in Ansen’s hand.
Ansen nodded. “I did, but there were six of ‘em, and I’m not as good as you.”
“You still have that report on your PADD?” asked Cameron.
Ansen handed them the PADD. Cameron flipped to Ansen’s last report and read the names. They handed the device back and turned for the door.
“Where are you going?!” I asked.
Cameron turned toward me and opened their arms while stepping backward to the door. “To educate some people.”
“Wait for me!” Rachel caught my eye.
“Go ahead; keep them safe.” I nodded toward Cameron. “I’ll finish here. And no violence you two!” I hope they destroy those guys.
“Peace, Tesi!” called Cameron as they slipped out.
__________
I woke groaning into my pillow as the warm pool spread beneath me. Mmmm. What was I . . . I drifted. Drifted. Drifted. Slept.
Rachel bounced into the medbay. “Good morning, Tesi!”
“Morning, Rache, you’re awfully perky today.” I took a long draw on my green tea and contemplated something stronger.
“I had a great night!” She stopped. “You look worked over. You OK?”
I nodded.
“Uh huh, sure. Let me know if I can help.”
I turned to my view screen as Rachel went to the storeroom. Let’s see how the rest of the family fares. I pulled up biometrics on Rachel, Cameron, and Ansen. Their arousal levels had increased further and were substantially higher than at the study’s start. Not good. Hearts still beat in unison. Odd but not a problem. I froze mid sip. At 23:16 last night, all three simultaneously climaxed.
I placed my cup on the desk and lowered my voice. “Computer, retrieve the last twelve hours of biometric data for Teslus Elbrun.”
My finger moved down the time series data.
20:40
21:05
22:36
23:00
23:07
23:16 I came.
No. No. No. I compared my heartbeat to theirs. Unity. I rubbed my eyes. What’s happening! Think Teslus. Think.
Arousal levels! They’re different! I checked my arousal levels. Normal. I exhaled. A coincidence—nothing more. I’m tired, that’s all. Just tired. . . . Tired. Oh, no. I looked inward. May the four Gods help me.
I released the block suppressing my desire.
The room spun. Lust, joy, love coursed through me, entangled my thoughts–disoriented and subsumed me. I tried to flee, reeled, and collapsed on the floor.
“Tesi! Can you hear me?”
I opened my eyes. Cameron, Rachel, and Ansen, their faces wrought with concern, stood over me on the biobed.
“How do you feel?” asked Rachel.
“Weak.” My voice was hoarse and dry. “Water.”
Cameron handed me a glass.
“I found you collapsed on the floor,” said Rachel. “What happened?”
I closed my eyes. “Too little sleep, too much caffeine, not enough food.” I opened my eyes.
All three of them looked as if they were about to say, “bullshit.”
I smiled. “I’ll be OK; let me rest.”
“You do that,” said Ansen.
“But we’re keeping,” said Cameron.
“An eye on you,” said Rachel.
“Thank you.” They squeezed my hands and started to move off. “Hey can one of you bring me a PADD?” I closed my eyes again and checked the mental block on my desire; it had been restored. How?
“Here you go.” Cameron handed me the PADD.
When they had engaged each other to the point of distraction, I whispered into the PADD, “Computer, transfer all of my biometric data for the last three months to my personal log and secure it with encryption alpha-zeta. Erase those three months of data from my medical file. Store all future biometric data for me in my personal log with encryption alpha-zeta.”
“Transfer and encryption complete.”
__________
“Mocha ice cream, hot caramel sauce, sliced almonds, and whipped cream.” Jake looked at me. “Extra whipped cream.”
The replicator chimed. Jake retrieved the dessert and slid it toward me.
I frowned at it. “You don’t have to feed me.”
Jake tapped his finger on the table. “You are not leaving my sight until I have witnessed you eat enough calories to sustain life.” He gestured at the dish. “Be grateful I’m trying to entice you instead of force feeding you emergency rations.”
I saluted. “Aye, Aye Captain.”
With the first bite, I closed my eyes and pretended to savor the indulgence. He had remembered my favorite dessert after all. In truth, he might as well have fed me emergency rations. No taste. No interest. Like feeding a corpse. I shoveled the ice cream.
“Let’s take leave and go to Risa.” Jake smiled at me. “Get away from the ship for a while. Just you and me.”
Just you and me. A bolt of panic shot through me. Too far! Too far to bring the pearl home. I nodded on the last bite. “As soon as I finish my research. I should get back.” I rose.
Jake intercepted me. “I’m worried about you.” He held me in his arms.
I felt his warmth, but it didn’t warm me.
“You’re not eating and you’re distant, and cranky. I know we’ve both been busy, but I can’t remember the last time we had sex.” Jake tried to look me in the eyes, so I laid my head on his chest.
Bring the pearl home. Do something or he’ll interfere. Wrap it in silk. I lifted my face and kissed his neck. Jake’s skin felt vital against my lifeless flesh. I felt his desire press into nothing. He’ll interfere. Bring the pearl home.
I kissed his neck again, and thought of The Three. They noticed. Surprise then eagerness. Bring the pearl home. I kissed Jake again. Can you do this? Wrap it in silk. I thought of Jake, and I thought of them. The corpse’s heart beat. I felt them clamor against the barrier that blocked my desire. I inhaled and braced myself against Jake’s body. Here we go. I dropped the barrier.
__________
“Computer, record personal log for Teslus Elbrun, Stardate 2423.165.”
“Recording.”
“I’m vulnerable in sleep. Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk. Sleep—wake must match The Three. They match—same space, same food, same sleep, same wake.” I stare at the tremors in my right hand, and grasp it with my left to still the shaking. “Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk. The Three’s desire grows. Bring the pearl home. No one knows how much. Wrap it in silk. I know. The pearl and silk are healthy. Protect them. Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk.”
Something wet splashes on my hand. I look down and see a drop of blood slide off my thumb. I press and hold a sponge to my nose then wipe my hand and toss the blood-soaked material into the portable disintegrator that I now keep within arm’s reach.
“Their minds change. We want the pearl. Anticipation. Eagerness. Wrap the pearl in silk. Separating The Three–too difficult. Blocking them–too hard. Tired. Must rest. They know. I am with them. They know. Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk. Telepaths. Three bodies. Merger. Enlightenment. Pearl. Silk. End is near. I feel it. Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk.”
I rub my eyes. “Climaxes, too many climaxes. Can’t stop them. Quakes and aftershocks. Can’t block them. Don’t want to. Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk. End log.”
I replayed the log because I couldn’t remember what I said. I looked strange. Haggard. I looked closer. “Computer, pause playback and zoom into my eyes.” Gray eyes stared at me. Condemned me. I looked away and exhaled. I’m close. Just a little longer. Bring the pearl home.
I rose and moved to the replicator. Focus. Focus. “Computer, make contact lenses to change the color of my eyes back to black. Use one of my retinal scans taken prior to the attack on Mekla as a color reference.”
Once my eyes looked normal, I sedated myself.
__________
Someone laughed.
“Who’s there?” I propped myself up on the bed with my elbows and stared into the darkness. Rest had brought some relief.
“Look at you! All prepped and primed for me.” They laughed again. “Naughty boy.”
“Cameron? Rachel? Ansen? Is that you?” I asked.
“Yes, call me Onyx.” Another peel of laughter then I felt a smack on my ass.
“Hey!” I yanked the pillow from under my hips, flipped on my back and crossed my arms and legs. “Not funny!”
I felt something press against my lips–not a finger exactly, more like a thought. “Shhh. I feel your need. Your compulsion is my compulsion.”
I grabbed at the pressure on my lips; there was nothing. You’re not here are you?
“In every way that matters, I am.”
I felt something push slowly through my fingers, caress the back of my hands, coil around my arms, and lift them over my head. I gasped as my wrists pressed into the mattress. How are you doing this to me?
“You want what I want. I want what you want.”
A tendril traced my lips. “I know how you like your mouth used.” Onyx pressed on my lips.
No! I won’t betray Jake.
“You want what I want; I want what you want.”
Onyx withdrew. Relief. Longing. Loss swirled on my tongue. Please.
They kissed me again and withdrew . . . and again . . . and again.
“I want what you want.”
My body betrayed me. My lips yielded.
I arched my back and moaned against the restraint. Onyx held me down. My heart raced.
“You want what I want.”
The Pearl?
“Yes.” They turned my head exposing my neck to a warm, wet tendril that snaked toward my ear.
I . . . I don’t–not there, mmm, I can’t handle–pl . . . please, I don’t have the Pearl.
“Yet, you keep it from me.” Onyx coiled a tendril around my earlobe and grazed the rim with a feather touch.
My toes curled. I don’t understand.
“Yes, you do.”
This is wrong. We have to stop. I love Jake.
Pain cut my lower lip. Ow! Did you just bite me!
“Night after night you come to me for release. Not him.” My lower lip stretched out. Suction twisted and tangled pain and pleasure. “When he needed you, you gave your lover to me. Why?” A tendril encircled my nipple and pulled.
I don’t want to say.
Pain shot from my nipple as Onyx squeezed.
“Tell me.”
Don’t make me say it. I cried out as the pressure increased.
“Tell me.”
I wanted you to have him! I sobbed. I wanted you to take my lover! Tears spilled down my temples.
“Tell me you don’t love me!”
No! I cried. Sobs wracked my body.
Onyx released me. Soft tendrils swept away my tears. Kissed the tremors in my lips. Cradled me. Caressed my neck. Encircled my chest and moved down. Down. Down.
A whisper wafted through my mind. “Give yourself to me.”
I spread my thighs.
__________
Personal Log for Teslus Elbrun, Stardate 2423.192:
Separation risks everything. Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk. They’re suspicious. They keep the pearl from us. Stop them. Pearl. We won’t let them. Silk. Quarantine with Onyx. They can’t enter. Can’t keep pearl from us. Wrap silk. Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk. End Log.
__________
Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk. I sat on the edge of their bed. Rachel and Ansen flanked me. The faint buzz of their quarantine fields hummed in my ears. Cameron stood between my legs, leaning over with their hands on my thighs. Their brown eyes held me.
“It’s time, Tesi.”
I swallowed. Bring the pearl home.
“Free me.”
Desire rampaged unchecked. Wrap it in silk. I panted.
“Come with me, Tesi. Join me. What I want you want. What you want I want.”
Bring the pearl home; wrap it in silk.
“Yes, Tesi, free me.”
Bring the pearl home. “Com . . .” Wrap it in silk. “Com . . .”
“Yes, Tesi, free me.”
Bring the pearl home. “C o m p u t e r . . .”
“State the nature of your request.”
Wrap it in silk. “Dis . . . is . . . able . . . qua . . . quarr . . . tine . . . fffield.” Pearl. Silk.
“State which fields you wish to lower.”
“Cam–Camrun Talda . . . an . . . RRRachl Abbbrms . . . an Annnssn Luuuuuuuc.”
“Disabling quarantine fields on Cameron Taleda, Rachel Abrams, and Ansen Luc.”
They squealed and leapt onto the bed. “Join us, Tesi!”
An atom detached. Then another. And another. An exponential atomic cascade disassembled and transported Teslus Elbrun’s white eyes.
__________
“Where is Tesi?” Onyx sat in three chairs facing Captain Beck’s desk.
Jake massaged his temples. The last few weeks had pulped him, “I’ll get to that in a moment.”
“Why can’t I see him?” asked Onyx.
Jake scanned the three bodies sitting across from him. “Which one of you should I look at . . . er, address?”
“I am one,” said Onyx.
“OK, the one in the middle then. You’re being transferred. The Federation seeks to protect the remaining–what are they calling you?” Jake picked up his PADD and read. “Trinaries. The Federation Council has backed President V’leekh’s call for the establishment of a home world for trinaries. The Betazoids don’t trust Earth to care for its own; so, until the Federation finds a suitable planet, they’ve offered sanctuary to all humans carrying trinary genes. You’ll be highly regarded on Betazed. Merged minds are the highest form of enlightenment for Betazoids. Though I suspect they also want to figure out how you impacted Teslus–”
“I’m not like that anymore,” said Onyx.
Jake nodded. “We’ll get to that too. Since you’re the only living trinary with a vital Third, Starfleet has tapped you to lead the colonization efforts.”
Onyx crossed their arms. “And if we refuse?”
Jake shrugged. “Leave Starfleet; step out of an airlock; I don’t care. In two days, you’re off my ship and out of my life forever.”
“You’re exiling me, so you can keep Tesi for yourself!”
Jake slammed his fists onto the desk. “NO ONE gets to be with him!” He closed his eyes and took three measured breaths. “The second thing I must tell you is that you're pregnant.”
Onyx stared at Jake. “Impossible.”
“I’ll let the Emergency Medical Hologram explain it. Computer, active Emergency Medical Hologram.”
The hologram appeared. “How may I be of service?”
“Hologram, ‘splain what we’ve learned about trinary reproduction.”
“Trinary human sexual reproduction occurs when the nonbinary Third’s phallix retrieves the egg from the female First and places that egg in the Third’s uterus. The male Second then penetrates the Third’s oralva and deposits semen. Sperm from the semen enters the Third’s uterus. Fluids inside the uterus dissolve the sperm’s cellular structure and combine the Second’s DNA with DNA from the Third. The combined DNA fertilizes the First’s egg. The embryo gestates in the Third’s womb, where the appropriate mix of hormones fosters healthy development. Gestation period–”
“That’s enough; end Hologram.” Jake tilted back in his chair. “The Betazoids have offered prenatal care; however, as you are the first known trinary and the first to reproduce in perhaps centuries, your health care will be a series of guesses.”
“Where’s Tesi? I want to talk to Tesi!”
“The love of my life is under the care of a Betazoid healer on a ship headed to Betazed at maximum warp. They don’t know if they can revive him from the coma.”
“What happened to him?” asked Onyx.
“The current theory is that the unification of your minds overwhelmed and scorched his. I begged for his extraction before . . .” Jake wiped his wet eyes and inhaled sharply. “The extraction protocol that the Betazoids gave us for emergency transport underestimated the potential damage. In short, for the sake of science, they left Teslus in too long. That he labored toward his fate makes it worse. Contravening your nature cost him his mind. Now he’s gone.”
Onyx cried out. “I never meant to hurt him! I love him!”
“Process this on your own. The counselor is available. Dismissed!”
*
