*Disclaimer is located in part one.
-Mature Content Ahead-
-oOo-
Entering the med-bay, Spock observed Bones going through the information sent to him by the strigoi Jim had called Sarin.
"Doctor, what are your thoughts regarding the situation?" Spoke asked, stopping beside Bones to get a look at what the brunette was reading.
"It's a goddamned mess, is what it is. These bonafide vampires are under a viral attack similar to a type of rabies not documented since 2007*. There are notes here about using the nectar from a sanguine cordis to develop a vaccine, but without the plant I won't be able to test that," Bones stated, eyes gleaming at the challenge. "I can pull up the documents involving the 2007 outbreak and compare the similarities. But damn it, man I need that plant."
"I must question the location of the sanguine cordis, but I feel as though I already know the answer to be Inanais Tenebris," Spock voiced neutrally and Bones nodded in agreement.
"Let's just hope that Jim and that bloodsucker find it," Bones told the Vulcan. "For now, I'll do what I can with what I have on hand."
Nodding, Spock left Bones to his job and went back to the bridge.
-oOo-
When Jim woke up, it was to the smell of food and being alone on the cot. Sitting up, Jim sighed at the slight tenderness emitting from his lower back. If he were being completely honest with himself, Jim was expecting a more noticeable throbbing sensation. It had been a while since he had been intimate with another man and even longer since he had been so thoroughly fucked. Standing up from the cot, Jim snatched the blanket up and wrapped it around him with every intention of going back to sleep after eating something. Shuffling out of the sleeping quarters, he saw Sarin in the cockpit seat. On his way over to the raven, Jim grabbed a food packet and opened it to see what resembled a vegetable frittata. Sarin glanced over his shoulder at the sound of Jim walking over. Amaranth orbs blinked in amusement when the blonde settled down on Sarin's lap despite the raven appearing to be busy with something. Taking a bite of the wrap, Jim finally locked eyes with the raven and grinned. The clearing of a throat had blue eyes widening and Jim's head jerk around to face the holo-screen. Seeing his First-Officer had Jim almost choke on his food.
"Captain," Spock voiced monotonously, but Jim could see the disapproving skim the surface of the Vulcan's gaze.
Instead of jumping up and acting as if he had never sat on Sarin's lap to begin with, the raven was taken aback when instead, Jim settled further against him and took another bite of his food.
"Spock, how's everything?" Jim asked like there was not a care in the galaxy.
If Vulcans were to express annoyance, it would have been the barest amount. Even as Spock shifted, Jim could tell his First-Officer was none too pleased with him right now.
"Mr. Scott has been pushing the warp core beyond its usual limits and I have been informed that we are 12 hours from arrival," Spock answered and Jim faltered on his next bite.
"Twelve hours? You mean to say that I slept for 13 hours?" Jim stated incredulously, aiming his second question to Sarin in a whisper.
"No, you only slept for nine and a half," Sarin pointed out, referring to the time between the last transmission with the USS Enterprise and the current one.
Jim seemed to understand what the raven meant and nodded while finishing his food.
"Captain, I must ask. Has the sanguine cordis been located?" Spock questioned.
"It has," Sarin answered instead of Jim, gaining the Vulcan's attention. "Has Doctor McCoy been making any progress?"
"Yes," Spock stated and would have left it at that if not for the look on Jim's face. "He believes it is a rare strain of rabies not seen on Earth since the year 2007. The outbreak at the time had been contained within a year of it starting and he is currently going through and comparing the two. It is a slightly different virus, but with everything Doctor McCoy has available, he may be able to synthesize a vaccine for your race."
"Is one plant enough to create enough vaccines for 32,000?" Sarin asked the Vulcan.
"Recent data shows that there are only 18,000 strigoi on Hematit VIII*, only one plant would be limited to little more than half of that number," Spock voiced. "Why 32,000?"
Brows furrowed, Jim caught amaranth orbs and spoke.
"The other 14,000 would be the jé-rouges since they are falling ill as well," Jim said with understanding. "How many more plants will be needed, Spock?"
"With the numbers, it would be best to have five plants total," The Vulcan stated rationally.
Hooking his arms underneath Jim, Sarin stood up and set Jim in his vacant seat while he grabbed his duel swords from where he had placed them earlier. Strapping them on his back, Sarin grabbed a bag with more stasis capsules and made for the panel leading out only for Jim to call out.
"Hey, wait, I'll go with you."
"No," Sarin and Spock seemed to speak at once, the two exchanging a look before focusing on the blonde.
"I can and I will. The last time you went out, you got hurt!" Jim argued, standing up and not caring if the sheet was a little loose and exposed a bare shoulder.
"And the last and only time you went out, you were almost killed. The answer is no," Sarin shot back, not bothering to raise his voice because the raven knew he was right.
Jim knew it too, because the blonde sat back down with a glare aimed Sarin's way.
"His logic is sound, Captain. Strigoi are a predator species bred with heightened senses, accelerated healing, speed and strength. Their natural enemy is the jé-rouges, the very species he is willing to help alongside his own," Spock voiced, going into what Jim liked to label as teaching mode.
"Yeah, well what good is accelerated healing when the poison of those things out there prevents it?" Jim questioned rhetorically. "Only one of us has the ability to heal that quickly without the proper medical equipment."
"Captain, you're not suggesting that you let him bite you," Spock voiced, actually sounding angry right about then.
"Easy, Vulcan," Sarin sneered, taking a step closer to the holo-screen.
"Stop it. No one has bitten anyone, Spock. Sarin wasn't healing, so I cut my hand and bled into a jar," Jim explained, waving his, surprisingly, still wrapped hand. "Now I'm going back to sleep in order to forget that you are going back out there and I'll see you and the crew when you arrive."
The first part of that statement was aimed at Sarin and the last part towards Spock before Jim reached over and ended the transmission.
"Change your bandage before anything else. I'll be back when I can," Sarin stated before leaving the craft.
Sighing, Jim went to where the sterile gauze was located while he undid the old gauze from his around hand. He blinked, staring in wonder at his hand. The wound was now a faded pink line as if it had been weeks since Jim had cut his hand. Confused, but not altogether bothered, Jim made his way back to the cot and spent however long it was until he fell back asleep thinking of the reasons behind his speedy recovery.
-oOo-
Knowing the location of the first plant and having a vague idea of where to find more, Sarin stealthily maneuvered through the dense fog and charcoal-like pillars. The smell of decay hung heavy in the air and not for the first time cause Sarin to wonder how such a unique and beautiful plant would grow on a death-consumed planet. Keeping his senses open, Sarin was well aware of the presence of multiple Umbra Percussor roaming around in the dense fog, fog that kept him hidden just as much as the creatures. Resigning himself to climbing back down into the large crevice that surrounded the plateau he was currently traveling on. Each step down was time consuming, the delicate charcoal-like rocks easy to crumble under the slightest disturbance. An hour passed before Sarin managed to safely reach the bottom of the crevice, his boots partially sinking in thick sludge. Sarin slowly began to move forward with the utmost precaution.
Zero light shone in the deep depths creating the perfect environment for the planet's inhabitants and making it difficult for even Sarin to see where he was going. Relying heavily on his other senses, Sarin quietly made his way through the thick sludge, sometimes finding himself stepping through cafe high water. A dim glow through the dense fog caught amaranth orbs and Sarin slowly made his way towards the light source. A shuffling behind him had Sarin stop and press up against the charcoal-like rock wall. Remaining still, Sarin felt something slimy glide by him, a tentacle-like limb sliding along the side of his face and leaving behind a slick residue that had Sarin scrunch up his nose at the smell. It was safe to say that the raven found out what caused the planet to smell like death and decay. Waiting another minute since the creature passed by, Sarin continued towards the light source that had caught his attention. The light grew brighter the closer Sarin got and he realized that it was more than one plant. Tucked into a crack in the charcoal-like rocks were three sanguinem cordis. Sheathing his swords, it was all he could do to remain steady and silent as he worked at securing each plant in their own stasis capsule.
'Just one more,' Sarin thought, pleased that his journey down inside the crevice was not turning out to be a waste of time.
A splash of water nearby had Sarin turn around just in time to feel a mass of slime covered limbs barrel into him. For a heart stopping moment, he thought his presence was exposed. Snapping of jaws and slashing tentacles of two Umbra Percussor fighting each other forced the raven down into the thick sludge coating the bottom of the crevice. Sarin barely managed to take a deep breath before the weight of the two creatures were upon him. His grunt of pain went unheard underneath the thick syrupy substance as one tentacle cut into his upper left arm, a burning sting followed. As the two creatures tumbled off of him, Sarin sat up only for the tip of a tentacle to slice the side of his face in a vertical motion from the side of his temple down the curve of his jaw.
'Never going to hear the end of this,' Sarin inwardly cursed, thinking about Jim's reaction to his injures…much less his filthy appearance.
Struggling to stand up from the thick sludge that tried to suck him back down, Sarin swallowed a breath. Inches away from him was another sanguine codis lighting up the head of an Umbra Percussor that appeared to be staring straight at him. The seam of its mouth split open revealing thin razor sharp teeth that dripped with a substantial amount of saliva Sarin had no doubt was poisonous. He then watched as the creature devoured the plant in one large bite, glowing blue nectar bleeding out from the creature's mouth being the only evidence of the action.
'Four is sufficient,' Sarin stated, unwilling to risk searching for a fifth plant and testing his luck any more that he already has.
Feeling his face and arm burn from the cuts, Sarin loathed seeing what he looked like covered head to toe in black sludge. He glanced to his side, opposite of the wall to see if he could spot the other creature. Without the extra light from the plant, it was no use. He could still hear slithers and shuffling of them, too close for him to risk moving more than to lean up against the charcoal-like rocks and wait; wait for a moment when silence signaled the departure of the creatures so he could make a break to climb upwards. Crumbling rock mixed with slime fell around him as another creature moved somewhere above him. Getting as comfortable as he could, Sarin waited.
-oOo-
The beeping of an incoming transmission roused Jim from sleep. Sitting up groggily, the blonde stood up and dressed in a surprisingly simple long sleeve navy blue shirt and black cotton-like pants; both were slightly too long for him. Moving to the front of the craft while pushing the sleeves up to his elbows, Jim absently noted that Sarin had yet to make it back. Accepting the incoming transmission, Jim was greeted by the sight of his First-Officer and his CMO.
"Greetings, Captain, it is good to see you in good health. The Enterprise has entered Inanis Tenebris' orbit and we are ready to beam you and Mr. Sarin up," Spock informed the blonde.
"Where is that bloodsucking bastard anyway?" Bones asked, though there was nothing angry in his crude words, just honest curiosity as he glanced behind Jim to the rest of the visible craft.
"He hasn't gotten back yet," Jim stated, a frown marring his lips.
"Still?" Spock questioned. "It has been exactly 12 hours and forty-seven minutes since our last transmission."
Nodding, Jim quickly went back to the sleeping quarters and put on his Starfleet issued boots before returning to the front.
"Captain, we are unable to lock onto your exact location. It seems that some type of mineral is interfering. You will need to move out into the open," Spock stated and Jim nodded, taking the glowing plant from the cabinet and putting it inside a bag that he strapped across his chest.
"Spock, under no circumstance are you to beam me up without Sarin. That is an order," Jim told the Vulcan, getting ready to step out of the craft and search for the raven when the panel leading out slid open and Sarin stumbled in. "Jesus!"
"Good god man!" Bones shouted along with Jim, unable to stop the exclamation at the sight of Sarin's grimy form.
The black sludge had dried and caked over Sarin's entire body. Pieces of the dried substance crumbled and fell to the floor as the raven took another step inside so the panel could slide shut again. Jim paused in front of Sarin, hands stretched out but hesitant to touch him. The only thing other than black Jim could see were Sarin's amaranth orbs that expressed the raven's displeasure of his present condition.
"Hold this," Sarin huffed, shoving the bag containing the three plants into Jim's arms before addressing Spock. "How far?"
"There is a clearing .81 kilometers southeast of your position," Spock voiced, everything about him showing indifference to Sarin's appearance except for the slight twitch of his left eye.
Ignoring that hidden laughter, Sarin grabbed a few more things including the blood capsules and stuffed them inside the bag Jim held.
"Be there in two minutes," Sarin told the Vulcan before ending the transmission.
Jim pressed a hand against his mouth and nose as he fought the urge to gag at the putrid smell wafting off of Sarin. Without pausing, Sarin opened the panel and pushed the blonde out. Jim sighed at his clothes becoming dirty as he crawled through the narrow path for the second time, standing up once he was able to. As soon as Sarin joined him on the other side, the raven scooped Jim up and took off running in the direction Spock had mentioned.
"I am capable of running," Jim murmured against Sarin's muck-covered ear.
Sarin grunted and that is when Jim focused on the side of the raven's face, catching sight of red mixed in with black. Raising a hand, Jim carefully trailed a finger down the caked line.
"They are simply flesh wounds, nothing to merit concern over," Sarin whispered, keeping as quiet as he could while rushing in between tall charcoal pillars carrying precious cargo.
"They - as in plural? Where else are you hurt?" Jim whispered back, voice tightly controlled.
"Again, nothing to concern—,"
Sarin ducked to the side, a tentacle passing over where his head was moments ago. Jim bit back a curse as one of Sarin's hands pressed the blonde's head against his shoulder as the raven rolled out of the way of another on-coming strike. Seeing three Umbra Percussor through the parting of dense fog, Jim felt his body fight between shaking in fear and tensing in anticipation of another attack. Jim quickly found himself placed steadily on the ground before Sarin drew both swords, using one to deflect a tentacle and the other to slice clean through another.
"Run," Sarin hissed at Jim, giving the blonde a shove in the right direction as he hung back to give him time to get away.
Wanting nothing more than to help, but knowing he would not stand a chance and only get in Sarin's way, Jim started running. His footsteps sounded like thunder in the quiet, practically calling attention to himself. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw one of the creatures fall to Sarin's blades while another attempted to go after Jim. Arching his arm, Sarin released one of his swords and Jim saw it pierce through the center mass of the creature. Entering the clearing, golden white lights began circling around Jim as the USS Enterprise started beaming him up.
"No, wait, Spock! Sarin, hurry the hell up!" Jim shouted, seeing Sarin entering the clearing.
Just as the same golden white lights began circling Sarin, blue eyes widened in horror as a sharp black tentacle pierced through the raven's chest. Sarin coughed, blood splattering his lips.
"—RIN!"
Jim's shout carried onto the Enterprise as he appeared on the transport. Bones and Spock were present, helping him off even as Jim struggled against their grip.
"Wait! He needs help!" Jim shouted just as Sarin appeared only for the raven to collapse on the platform.
The gaping hole bled freely and Bones quickly kneeled down beside the raven, calling out for assistance to get Sarin to Medical. Both Bones and Sarin were then transported straight to Medical where the doctor and his staff rushed in aiding the raven.
"I can't see anything past this muck!" Bones yelled as he and Chapel poured sterile water over the raven in an effort to clear away as much of the dried sludge as possible. "He should be healing by now."
"It's the poison," Jim stated as he hurried into the med-bay. "He only began to heal after I gave him some of my blood."
Bones whipped around at that, a curse on his tongue when Sarin groaned.
"Get me a transfusion kit and a bag of O-negative!" Bones ordered his staff, his face twisted into his usual scowl as he injected a hypospray filed with a high dosage of pain relief in Sarin's neck.
-oOo-
Sarin's muscles were stiff and there was an annoying beeping going off too close to his ear. The raven wanted nothing more than to drift back off into nothing, but the incessant beeping and the feeling of eyes watching him forced consciousness upon him. Opening his eyes to purposefully dimmed lighting, Sarin glanced around and met gazes with Jim. Sarin noted Jim's CMO working at a nearby desk, one of the four sanguine cordis plants having its glowing blue nectar examined.
"How are you feeling?" Jim asked when Sarin remained silent, the raven still taking in the med-bay they were in.
Bones barely lifted his head to give Sarin an absent glance before the brunette went back to doing whatever it was he was doing with the nectar.
"Fine," Sarin stated, voice gruff as he pushed himself up into a sitting position.
Bones scoffed, never taking his eyes away from the microscope.
"Bet you're stiff as hell," Bones muttered, jotting something down on his PADD. "You've been dead to the galaxy for six hours since the transfusion."
"Hn," Sarin sounded, a smirk tugging at his lips at the doctor's southern drawl.
It was unlike anything Sarin was used to hearing. He mostly dealt with Klingons and Romulans aside from his own people, not a single one had that type of speech pattern. Swinging his legs off of the medical bed, Sarin rolled his shoulders until they cracked.
"That's just gross," Jim stated, grinning despite his words and walking over to the raven. "Is he good to go, Bones?"
"Yeah, go on. Get out of here," Bones ordered with a wave of his hand.
"Come on, I'll show you where you'll be staying," Jim voiced, leading the way out of Medical and to the commanding officers wing. "I'm right next door if you ever need anything. The mess hall in down a level to the left and there is a recreational room on the same level to the right if you get bored. Showers are down at the end."
Stepping inside the room that would be his until further notice, Sarin watched Jim pace back and forth in front of the entrance. He waited for the blonde to speak up, his patience waning as Jim continued for another minute.
"James, what is it?" Sarin questioned, his tone giving the blonde no other option but to answer him.
Instead of voicing his words, Jim held up his hand to show Sarin the healed cut. Amaranth orbs narrowed and an abalone hued hand grabbed Jim's to bring it closer despite not having to. Sarin brushed his thumb over the pink scar causing Jim to shiver at the gentle touch.
"I noticed it when I went to change the bandage," Jim stated softly, glancing up to see Sarin's cheeks darkening to the tips of his ears. "Are you blushing?"
Releasing Jim's hand, Sarin turned and walked away. He did not get very far since the room was not all that big, just large enough for a single bed, a desk with a chair, and a small bookcase. The raven chose to lean up against the desk, crossing his arms over his chest while cupping a hand over his mouth.
"You are," Jim voiced, amused. "Why?"
"It must be an effect of my seed spilling inside you," Sarin whispered, his hand muffling most of his words that Jim had to strain his ears to make out what was said.
This time Jim flushed red all the way down his neck. Sarin found it endearing.
-oOo-
Stepping out of the shower room designated for male crew members, Sarin pushed the sleeves of his black Starfleet issued sweater up to his elbows. The matching black pants were nice and everything, but he missed his standard uniform. Even his boots were unsalvageable and had to be disposed of with everything else. Only his swords were saved from the incinerator, Jim having stored them in his temporary room. Walking into said room, Sarin spied Jim stretched out along his bed clad in a uniform identical to the one he had first seen him in. The blue shirt brought out the pigments of his eyes and Jim's grin seemed to brighten them even more.
"What's with you wearing black?" Jim questioned, tugging on the bottom helm when Sarin got within reach.
"What's wrong with black?" Sarin shot back, smirking down at the blonde.
Jim shrugged his shoulders.
"Nothing really, you just wear it all the time," Jim stated, scooting over towards the wall so Sarin could sit down.
"Black is the uniform color signifying my rank as a warrior class assassin," Sarin explained, laying down beside Jim.
The blonde rolled over, straddling Sarin's hips with his hands resting on the raven's abdomen. Jim stared down at Sarin, the raven tucking his hands behind his head as the blonde's fingers drew unknown patterns on the skin that became visible with Sarin's actions. Sarin's muscles quivered at the touch.
"We're thirty-three hours from Hematit VIII," Jim told him, his tone solemn.
Moving his hands from behind his head, Sarin cupped Jim's hips.
"After helping your people…you could join us," Jim started, biting the corner of his lip. "I have connections that can insure that you can join the Federation without any problems."
"Joining your crew, your family…yes, but never the Federation," Sarin said seriously, his deep voice smooth.
Jim sighed.
"I figured you'd say that," Jim voiced before grabbing hold of the helm of his blue uniform top and pulling it over his head.
He let it drop to the floor beside them before grabbing hold of Sarin's identical black top to do the same. Leaning down as the material slipped to the floor to join Jim's shirt, the blonde closed his mouth over Sarin's. Hands explored and mouths swallowed moans, before too long bare skin met bare skin as the rest of their clothing was removed. Pressing his hands against Sarin's chest to balance himself on his knees, Jim slowly lowered himself down until the raven filled him completely. A shuddering moan tumbled through kiss-swollen lips; Jim's back arching at the sensation of Sarin colliding with the bundle of nerves inside him. Sarin's hands tightened on Jim's hips, keeping the blonde steady as Jim adjusted to being stretched to capacity.
Lifting himself into an upright position, Sarin's arms wrapped around Jim's back and the raven nipped the blonde's chin before capturing him in a searing kiss that left Jim breathless. Tangling his fingers in Sarin's raven locks, Jim's blue eyes locked onto amaranth as he circled his hips. The action caused a growl to rumbled Sarin's chest and Jim gave a breathless laugh, grinning at the sound the raven made. He pumped his hips up and down at a pace that signaled they had all the time in the galaxy, a pace Sarin had issues with as the raven yanked Jim down as he jerked his hips up. Jim gasped a moan, his eyes rolling and head lolling to the side as Sarin struck against that sensitive bundle once more.
Using Jim's moment of ecstasy to his advantage, Sarin reversed their positions to where Jim's back hit the bed. Cupping the back of one of Jim's knees, Sarin hooked the blonde's leg over his shoulder while Jim's other locked behind the raven's knee. The new angle had Jim seeing stars and Sarin pace was the complete opposite of the blondes, a pace similar to their moment back in the craft's cleaning station. The only slight difference that Jim could tell through the blinding pleasure was instead of long hard strokes, Sarin was doing short rapid strikes to his tight channel.
Having lost his hold on Sarin's raven locks, Jim grasped for the bedding underneath him, his knuckles turning white at the force of his hands clenching the blanket. Feeling one of Sarin's hands pull the blanket from one of Jim's, the blonde fought to open his eyes, having not realized the moment they closed. Sarin laced his fingers with Jim's, the raven's almost brutal pace slowing until his strokes were long and slow, but no less effective. Jim came with a cry of Sarin's name, their eyes locked until blues fluttered shut. Feeling Sarin pull out, Jim's eyes opened only to find himself being turned over onto his stomach. Sarin pulled Jim's hips up and the blonde sucked in a shaky breath as Sarin pushed back into his hot, slick channel. Fingers still laced, Jim tightened his grip on Sarin's hand and tugged until Sarin's front moved against Jim's back with every thrust of the raven's hips.
"You're…rel—relentless," Jim moaned, and Sarin's deep chuckle vibrated against Jim's back.
Sarin nipped along the back of Jim's neck, the blonde's over-stimulated body shaking with every scorching mark left by the raven. Turning his head, Jim accepted Sarin's brief kiss before the raven went back to leaving a burning trail along Jim's surprisingly sensitive shoulder blades. This time Jim's orgasm built up slowly and seemed to explode throughout his system, his inner walls clenching tightly around Sarin and Jim moaned as the raven came deep within in, his hot seed warming him to the core. Sarin lay on his side, curving around Jim's lax body with one arm resting under the blonde's head. Nuzzling his face in the crook of Jim's neck, Sarin ran his other hand down the blonde's side before moving Jim's leg to hook over his thighs. Jim's entire body trembled at the feel of Sarin beginning to harden again, the raven still inside him. Slow careful thrusts of Sarin's hips were met with Jim's teeth sinking into the raven's arm that he was resting on and Sarin groaned, his abalone hued hand splayed over Jim's quivering stomach.
"Careful, amant*," Sarin murmured against Jim's ear, his thumb brushing soothingly against Jim's stomach.
"…killing me," Jim moaned, his eyes squeezing shut as they grew moist from the unyielding pleasure battering his system.
"Never," Sarin whispered, tracing the edge of Jim's ear with the tip of his tongue.
Black spots danced across Jim's vision and for a moment his third orgasm caused the blonde to pass out. Blue orbs blinked open to the sight of darkened amaranth and the feeling of Sarin's hand threading through Jim's damp locks.
"Are you alright?" Sarin asked, having filled the blonde for a second time.
Jim could feel the evidence warm between his legs and moaned, his body refusing to do much else. Sarin dropped a kiss to parted lips and Jim kissed back lazily, his tongue meeting Sarin's as the raven dived in for another taste.
"Absolutely relentless," Jim finally spoke, his hoarse words whispering over Sarin's mouth.
The raven smirked and Jim grinned back sleepily.
"You think so now," Sarin voiced, giving Jim's bottom lip a teasing nip and a wicked smirk that had the blonde groaning and attempting to push the raven away.
The action was half-hearted at best, Jim's groan turning into a chuckle as he then pulled the raven in.
"Sleep…sleep first," Jim murmured.
Deciding to give in to the blonde's tired demand; Sarin wrapped his arms around Jim and followed him into slumber.
-oOo-
"I've managed to stabilize an enzyme within the plant's nectar, but I won't be sure of the effect until I can test it on the actual virus," Bones stated, holding up a small sealed test tube that contained a surprisingly bright amethyst liquid.
"I thought as much," Sarin voiced with a nod, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a stasis capsule he had packed with his blood capsules. "My commanding officer managed to send me this sample before communications were lost."
Sarin handed the stasis capsule to the CMO.
"Just the one?" Bones and Sarin nodded. "Then I best make it count."
"No pressure, Bones," Jim voiced from beside the raven and earned himself a glare from the brunette.
Jim was quick to shake it off, not taking offense. With steady hands, Bones drew a miniscule amount of the viral sample and placed it on a sterile strip. He then placed a single drop of the amethyst liquid on the blood and set the mixture under the microscope. Bones identified the orange oblong–shaped cells as the virus and watched in stunned fascination as they began to disintegrate as what appeared to be amethyst crystals attacking the viral strain without mercy. Pursing his lips, Bones glanced over at the tribble and knew that he would need to test it. He disliked this part of the process. The last time Bones used a tribble was when Khan was on board and he used his blood to see what the effects would be. It was the tribble coming back to life that helped him in saving Jim from fatal radiation poisoning. Injecting the live virus into the tribble, the three watched in horror at how fast the docile creature turned violent, its furry body slamming against the glass casing keeping it from getting loose inside the med-lab.
"Fuck," Bones voiced in disbelief, utterly shocked.
The glass cracked and Bones quickly injected the enzyme into the tribble. The furry creature seemed freeze before its body gave a shudder before relaxing.
"Uh, Bones, I think it died," Jim stated even as Bones scanned the tribble with a tricorder for its vitals.
"The good news is that it killed the virus," Bones started. "The bad news is that it also killed the host."
"Not a vaccine then," Sarin voiced, tone empty as he continued to stare at the motionless creature.
"I can start over, try a different path in synthesizing—,"
Bones was cut off when Spock entered the med-lab.
"There is no time. We have entered orbit around Hematit VIII," The Vulcan informed them. "The needs of the many greatly outweigh the needs of the few. If the virus gets off planet then the entire galaxy is at risk."
"Spock, don't be an asshole," Jim snapped, for once frustrated at the Vulcan's lack of emotional consideration.
"Can you make it airborne?" Sarin asked Bones, ignoring how Jim twisted to look at him incredulously.
"Yeah, but—,"
"You can't be serious! Sarin, those are your people," Jim voiced angrily, ignoring Bones' glare for being interrupted once more.
Not caring about the audience, Sarin cupped Jim's chin with his thumb and pointer finger.
"And my people don't deserve this suffering. It is my duty to free them of their pain," Sarin told the blonde softly, willing him to understand.
"If everyone has been infected, then your race will be extinct," Jim argued, eyes widening when Sarin nodded.
"With the enzyme becoming airborne, it would need to be set off on the planet's surface and there is also a 98% chance of you becoming infected in the process," Spock stated, noting how upset the situation was making his Captain.
"I'm grateful," Sarin said, watching as Jim's blue eyes brightened even as the blonde's jaw clenched. "I got to meet you."
Releasing his hold on Jim, Sarin turned to Bones.
"Make it happen, Doctor."
Jim left the room at those words.
-oOo-
Standing at the center of the transporter with his swords strapped to his back, Sarin held onto steel sphere that was a foot in diameter. Inside was the entire dosage of the enzyme Bones had developed, pressurized to be released at the moment the timer hits zero.
"You're a brave son-of-a-bitch," Bones stated, holding out his hand. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
Sarin accepted the handshake and exchanged a nod with Spock. The other crew members on the bridge shared grave expressions, having gotten to know the raven from the short amount of time he was with them.
"It is a given that if you are bitten or scratched by them that you will become infected. Also, try to keep any fluids from coming into contact with your eyes or mouth," Bones told him with a heavy sigh.
"James?" Sarin asked and Bones shook his head 'no'.
"I haven't seen him since he left the med-lab," Bones stated, frowning deeply.
Resigning himself of not seeing Jim one last time, Sarin gave Spock the go-ahead. Golden white light circled around him and he was beamed onto his planet's surface. Just as the process was complete, Jim burst onto the bridge out of breath only to stare at the empty transport platform.
"Damn it, Jim, where the hell have you been?" Bones yelled at his friend and Captain, his grim expression softening at the pained look on the blonde's face.
"…too late. I'm too late," Jim whispered brokenly.
-oOo-
*2007 is referring to the rage virus in 28 Days Later.
*Hematit is Romanian for bloodstone.
* VIII is a Roman numeral vampire number.
*Amant is Romanian for lover.