S'Brin

Summary: One crewmember becomes devoted to forbidden research. This is the story of how even the most terrifying concepts and sudden changes can positively impact others.

Pairings: S/Mc, U/Sc, K/R (implied), and other minor characters –m/f and m/m.

Rating: K+ for swearing, slash, and adult concepts.

Disclaimer: I own Lieutenant Hernandez, Tzu, S'Brin and Simon. However, Star Trek and all related characters belong to Paramount. Go them.

Chapter 1: Genius and Insanity

(Author's Note: This chapter takes place a hand full of months after the prologue. Tzu is pronounced 'Suu.')

"Can you believe Hernandez escaped?" Doctor McCoy asked his old friend Captain Kirk as he sat down next to him in the briefing room. Kirk shrugged.

"I've got to believe it. We're being ordered to find him in conjunction with Commander Tzu from Starfleet Security."

"How did he get out?" Sulu asked, "I knew him, Captain. He's not particularly brilliant or strong, just a poor scientist who went crazy. He was a nice guy until…" He trailed off.

"Until he snapped." Chekov finished less delicately.

The door opened and two men walked in. Mister Spock sat next to Kirk, and his much shorter companion, Commander Tzu, stood at the front of the room, facing the other officers.

"As I'm sure you all know, Lieutenant Jeraldo Hernandez escaped yesterday from the penal colony on Theta Psi 7, where he was receiving psychiatric care. He hijacked a shuttlecraft and is now holding three innocent people hostage. He is armed with a class two phaser and it is assumed he can pilot a shuttlecraft on his own, as per his Acadamy training."

"Has he given any clue as to his intended refuge or his reason for escape?" Spock inquired.

"He only said his work was done, but not properly recorded. We aren't sure if he was serious or suffering from another one of his delusions."

"Assuming he was lucid at the time… Doctor, could his statement relate to his research which you would not condone?"

McCoy nodded slowly, "It could, but if he's completed his research, what if he starts experimenting? Or has already started?"

"Are you referring to his research on genetically engineered children for same-sex couples?" Tzu interrupted. Spock and McCoy nodded. Tzu looked uncomfortable for a moment. "I assumed so. I'm afraid to say that it is quite likely he has already begun his experimentation. Before he escaped, he received a number of comms from his brother, Ivan. Of the ones we could access, the first read: "It's okay, you tried. Don't beat yourself up. We can give you more samples." The second: "Are you sure that's legal?" The third: "I've got them, but let me and Chaz give you more samples first." And the final: "Yes! It worked! Thank you so much! Are you sure you want to try the other samples?"" Tzu cleared his throat. "I think we can safely assume the samples Ivan spoke of were semen samples from he and his husband, Chaz. If "it" was a viable conception,"

"Mister Hernandez would be an uncle." McCoy finished.

"You mean he made a baby from two men's DNA?" Scotty asked with surprise. "I'll be."

"That is our hypothesis, yes." Spock agreed. There was a brief silence.

"Then, could he be going to visit his brother?" Uhura asked, "I know if I had a niece or nephew, I'd want to see it as soon as I could."

"If he is, he's going the long way. He's heading the opposite direction of Earth, where it is reported his brother lives."

"Well, he is mad." Chekov muttered. Tzu frowned.

"Quite."

"So, Commander, am I to assume that we are to follow and apprehend him?"

Tzu nodded at Kirk, "Yes, Captain. Also, we must do so without bringing harm to any of the hostages."

"So, I guess we can't use the tractor beam to drag him in kicking and screaming?" Kirk joked.

"Let him scream," Tzu said with a smile, "It's that kick we're worried about. I'll give your navigator the coordinates."

"Thank you, Commander. Bones, Spock, I want you two to review his research before he… snapped. That work is his life; if you understand it, you might be able to talk him into letting the hostages go. Chekov, get those coordinates. Sulu, when the course is set, proceed at warp five. Dismissed, gentlemen."

Everyone except Spock and McCoy went to the bridge. Spock and McCoy went to the medical lab.

"Did you ever think he would succeed?" McCoy inquired.

"I believed his theory was viable, though unethical."

"What do you think they'll do?"

"To Hernandez?"

"No, the baby." McCoy amended, shaking his head.

"Assuming there is one? Assuming it survives?"

"Yeah," His voice was distant

"It will be researched the entirety of its life. Its biological parents will be institutionalized, and so unless it is put into the custody of its extended family members, it will be the responsibility of the orphanages."

"You say it like the baby is an animal! Poor thing, I really worry about him."

"You assume it is male?"

"Better than "it"!"

"Perhaps you should be more concerned with the second transmission Hernandez received."

"Which one?"

"Are you sure that is legal?" Spock quoted, "Which was later followed by: we got them, but,"

"Let me and Chaz give you another sample first." McCoy finished. "They were using other samples, so?"

"I would hypothesize that they stole other samples. If so, they may have another couple's child."

"Or be developing it. My God, and not even with consent. Damn."

Spock nodded. "Do you still have his files?"

"Yeah, let me pull them up." McCoy began working at one of the computers. "Here they are. It looks like his math works out."

Spock read over McCoy's shoulder. "He might have changed some of the data. These calculations are off. He has been able to continue his research the whole time."

"Of course, there's no harm in letting an insane person use a calculator. Damn it. Can you make the calculations work, since he managed to?"

"I shall endeavor to do so."

McCoy nodded and crossed his arms. "What really bothers me is that he was actually able to do it. I never thought he would be able to once he snapped."

"The expression states that there is a fine line between genius and insanity."