Chapter 7
Nyota screamed and jumped up. Pike and McCoy leaned over to get a closer view. Spock walked over to Pike's desk and grabbed a glass. He went back to the table and placed it over the worm.
"It would be advisable not to stand too close until we determine the species," Spock said.
" , where did you get that powder?" he asked Uhura.
"Yeoman Rand. She is selling it." Nyota said. She placed her hand on her belly.
"Spock, you and McCoy take that…thing down to the science lab and figure it out. Sulu, you round up Yeoman Rand. I want all the crew members who ingested that powder to report to sickbay." He said.
Pike turned and looked at Nyota, and said, "We will figure this out. Go to the lab with Spock and McCoy."
Pike's jaw was clenched. This was a critical mission that was grounded before it could get started. Uhura was critical to the negotiations with the Tzenkethi and whatever species they encountered in the Badlands. Most importantly, Ambassador Sarek was from the most powerful Terran ally in the Alpha Quadrant.
Spock sat down and pulled another glass and a bottle of scotch out of his desk. He poured a shot and drank it. His hands were shaking. It wasn't that he was afraid of worms, but parasites in space were far more dangerous than Earth parasites that had all but been eradicated.
It didn't take long for Sulu to locate Janice. She was in the mess hall selling the powder. Security confiscated the container holding the powder. They escorted Janice to the bridge. They escorted the women officers to the sick bay. There were so many women there, they had to be moved to a cargo bay.
Pike and Sulu were there to brief them. The women looked frightened when Pike explained that the powder was actually eggs that turned into some kind of larvae.
"What would I like to know is why?" Pike asked. "Why are you taking an unknown powder."
"Look at these uniforms," Masters called out. They are too tight and too short."
"These bras are ridiculous. They were made to make us look sexy, but sometimes I can hardly breathe." Another officer said.
"I get it. For now, we need to make sure that all of you are safe. Then we will work on uniforms." He said.
"Why can't we just wear the male uniforms?" Masters said.
Pike looked at Sulu. "Check with the commissary on Starbase 12. There are less than seventy females on the ship. Maybe they can help" He said.
The women began to cheer. Pike motioned with his hands.
"How many of you have purchased the powder, but did not take it? He asked.
Seven women raised their hands.
"How many of you have taken the powder for less than a week?" he asked.
Most of the women raised their hands.
"Line up according to how long you have been taking it. Those who have not taken the power will need to wear containment suits to retrieve the powder from your quarters. There will be a containment unit in cargo bay three. Take the powder there." Pike said. He sighed. Most of the women on his crew had taken the powder. He needed to search Janice's quarters.
"Pike to Spock."
"Spock here."
"You and Sulu get containment suits and meet me at Rand's quarters," Pike said.
They opened the door and stepped inside quickly. The cabin looked like any other cabin except when they got to the sonic shower. There was a glass tank with a heater underneath. There was a screen with holes large enough for the powder, but too small for the several small worms laying eggs at a rapid rate. Some of the eggs below were hatching and devouring the powder.
Spock moved forward and collect two worms and a small vial of powder. When he finished, Pike fired his phaser and the tank and heater vanished. Pike shuddered.
"Let's find out what these things are." He said.
"I think Mr. Spock has a theory," Sulu said. He patted Spock on the back.
"The Earth Tapeworm was used by humans to lose weight. The symptoms were nausea and vomiting and rapid weight loss." Spock said.
"Maybe that is what we have here," Pike said.
Spock looked down. "I believe this may be a space-variant," Spock said.
"Crap!" Pike said. "Anything from space will be ten times harder to eradicate. I want that woman off my ship. We are going to have to send anyone who has taken more than one dose to Starbase 12. We don't have the resources to take care of sixty sick crew members."
"I will give you twenty-four hours. If we cannot find a solution, they will have to go."
This was concerning to Pike. His crew was already smaller than usual. To run a ship with fifty fewer crew members was dangerous. However, it would take weeks to recruit more crew members.
"Spock, Rand was in my ready room this morning, There has to be something we are missing," Pike said.
Spock followed Pike to the brig. When Sulu reached the sick bay Nyota and several other women were vomiting, including nurse Chapel.
"Captain Pike, it is getting worse. There are dozens of crew here vomiting…oh, shit." Sulu said.
"What?" Pike said.
"A few have diarrhea," Sulu said.
"Keep that containment suit on and isolate and don't allow any women in unless they are showing symptoms." Pike hit the communication panel. A red light flashed.
"Attention Enterprise crew. All unnecessary personnel, return to your quarters. I repeat return to your quarters. We have a containment issue on the vessel." Pike said.
"Attention security, if anyone leaves their quarters or sickbay, stun them but do not engage," Pike added.
Janice was flirting with one of the security officers when Pike arrived.
"If you want to have children someday, step back!" Pike exclaimed.
The officer tumbled backward and fell to the deck.
Pike paced back and forth in the containment suit.
"Most of the females on this ship are critically ill. Yet, you look right as rain. I want to know what you brought on my ship and why you aren't showing any symptoms." Pike shouted.
"They are just Danaxian Tapeworms. Most doctors use a v-probe to remove them, but my dealer told me about a hack." She leaned forward and whispered. "Apple Cider Vinegar."
"Do you have any?" Pike asked.
"Yeah, I have a bottle in my quarters." She said.
"How much do you use, Yeoman?" Spock asked.
"250 milliliters." She said.
"There are nearly seventy infected crew members. We will need 17.50 liters." Spock said.
"You just did that in your head?" Pike asked.
"It is basic mathematics," Spock replied.
"Impressive. See if you can solve this problem. Where are we going to get 17.5 bottles of apple cider vinegar in the middle of space?" Pike asked.
"We are going to make it," Spock said.
"Make it?" Pike replied.
"I ordered four cases of apples for smoothies. We will need …" Spock paused to calculate. "Six four more cases, roughly ten apples per liter, " Spock said.
"You seem to be getting your memory back," Pike said.
"Indeed," Spock replied.
"However, it is urgent that we move all of the infected officers to their quarters. There are not enough portable latrines. We also need to sanitize the sick bay, the cargo bays and the lab. Danaxian Tapeworms will spread easily through human bodily fluids." Spock said.
Pike palmed his face. The situation was less dire, but still nerve-wracking.
"Yeoman Rand, how long does it take for the worms to die?" Pike asked.
"It takes about a week. Until then it is murder with the hurling and trots, but it is worth it." She said. "I lost ten pounds in five days."
"I hope you still feel this way when you face disciplinary action. I am not putting you up for court martial, because you held no malicious intent, but you will never serve in Starfleet again." Pike said.
"Well, that suits me fine," she said. Spock led her to the transporter.
"I hope you find your way," Spock said.
"Thank you. I hope you and Nyota get together. She likes you a lot." Janice said with a wink. Then she dematerialized.
Spock contacted the produce shop and ordered six more cases of apples. He had them transported to cargo bay one. Then he and Sulu went to cargo bay three to vaporize all the containers holding the powder and hatching worms.
After crushing the apples, Spock used the mother from the existing cider to facilitate the fermenting process. There was little that could be done for the women who were ill, other than to confine them to quarters and provide water until the vinegar was done. No one was really that interested in eating because they were sick or doing double duty cleaning the mess in the halls, sick bay, and cargo bays.
Nyota had given up sleeping in her bed. Spock placed some blankets and a pillow in her bathroom. She slept there most of the time. The ship was very empty without the female officers. Instead of three shifts, they had two shifts filled by mostly male officers. Everyone was exhausted, sick or sick and exhausted from a lack of food, and sleep.
Spock reversed the polarity on several stasis units to speed up the fermentation process. It was working, but it would take at least two weeks. By then, they would reach the Tzenkethi Coalition.
In his spare time, Spock went to the gym and worked on the hydroponic bay in cargo bay one. Spock had also stopped the emotional eating since Janice revealed that he still had a chance with Nyota. If he was going to find a mate, Spock would have to regain the discipline he had lost on P"Jem.
In twelve days, the cider was done. Spock, Sulu and McCoy visited all the cabins of the female crew members placing containers outside their doors. Three days later, the women began returning to work. It was then that Pike realized how Janice stayed so fit.
When Uhura arrived on the bridge, Ensign Romex's mouth dropped open. Spock was talking to Sulu when Sulu pointed at the turbo lift. Spock turned around. He couldn't believe his eyes. There standing before him was Uhura, looking nearly as fit as she was when he left the ship.