The Sickbay door swished open, revealing a harried looking McCoy barking orders to his staff, who in turn looked quite nervous. He hadn't noticed his visitors yet.
Great, just great. Bones was clearly pissed. Which never turned out well for his self-proclaimed best friend.
The base of Jim's neck started up a familiar twinge – phantom hypo syndrome. He should probably get out now before the premonition became reality.
"So, uh, Spock, it seems like everything's under control here –"
He was interrupted by a large crash as one of the newest crewmembers dropped a pile of PADDs and McCoy swore loudly.
"Mostly under control. I should probably go make sure the calculations are being entered properly and set up for that hearing. You can listen to what Bones has to say and report back right?"
Spock regarded him for a long moment as precious seconds ticked by. The doctor would realize they were here any second. Didn't his FO see that escape was now or never?
Just as Jim began to feel sweat beading up on his skin, Spock finally spoke, "While I am more than capable, Captain, I believe the man passing himself off as a Doctor would be most displeased for you to elude him, especially with my assistance."
"Well, color me shocked, the goblin is capable of understanding people."
The captain jumped at the unexpected sound of a Southern twang.
Shit. Game over.
"Jim, quit trying to wriggle out of here and for Christ's sake, stop rubbing your neck. There are more important things afoot than your overdue shots. No dramatic gulping either. Follow me; you both need to see this."
Spock gave Jim what he could only describe as, "I told you so" and followed the doctor. McCoy and Spock briskly moved through the chaos to the records station with Kirk trailing grumpily behind.
God, Bones didn't always have to act like he was little kid.
"Stop sulking. I need big-boy Jim to look at these."
He stuck his tongue out at his CMO, but intrigued despite himself, Kirk grabbed one of the patient forms that Spock was already browsing. The doctor waited while they examined the data.
Jim was confused. According to the pre-filled section, this was the result of a human female's scan, but the readings were like none he had ever before seen.
He whistled softly, "Tox levels are damn near off the chart. Whoever this is ought to be dead twice over. And what's up with these weird hormone productions? And the pheromone concentration in the blood stream?"
As he said the word pheromone aloud, it hit him. "Bones, are these the scans I ordered from Mudd's women? I knew there was something off about them. What the hell are they?"
Bones looked grim. "I just don't know Jim. I've run it with all the diseases we have, but nothing matches, and despite all the toxins, they're in perfect health. I thought you or the walking green computer might have some ideas."
"Doctor, have you considered that it might not be a disease at all? Perhaps it is the effect of an illegal stimulant."
McCoy began to protest that he had already tried that too, but Kirk was no longer listening.
At Spock's suggestion, Jim's mind flashed back to something Gaila had told him about, what seemed like another lifetime ago, and everything made sense.
Mudd had had just about enough of the women's moaning and groaning. What feather brains. Couldn't they just shut up and learn the value of patience?
"You're not getting anymore until she comes back. I need you all dosed at the same time, so stow it already."
The only one of the three with even a lick of sense was Evie. Even though she had come up with this stupid plan. And even though he doubted that he trusted her as far as he could throw her ridiculously perfect body.
A body that she had been determined to thrown down quite enticingly, he had to admit to himself. Not that he ever sampled the cargo.
No, he had found that it always paid to deliver the goods untouched, though sometimes it was hard to hold true to that philosophy.
It helped when he was tempted, to remember the times like this, when they were in between hits, and looked like the average to below average women that they were, with lined skin, dull hair, and blemished bodies.
Looking at the two huddled forms, he considered the same questions he always did when he thought about his new business.
Funny how the drug only worked on Terran females. He wondered for the umpteenth time how many more credits he would rake in if only he could expand his operation to other species. Hmmm….maybe he should start up testing again.
He idly contemplated his plans (both for the future and this particular venture) as he listened to the two women's soft complaints. He didn't really think that Evie would be successful, but she had been insistent upon trying. The silly girl thought that maybe the dashing captain would take a liking to her, and she wouldn't have to fulfill her contract.
Maybe she even fancied that she could get to be some kind of hero in bringing him down.
He snorted derisively.
Mudd had learned from long experience that sometimes the best way to make someone more cooperative was to let them destroy themselves, so he had signed off on Evie's harebrained scheme. He reasoned that if it did succeed, which was highly unlikely, he would get what he wanted – safe passage to his drop off point and the freedom to disappear after the deal.
And if it didn't, well, he'd have the bonus of a docile Evie and he'd still use his fall back plan.
Oh yes, Harry Mudd was no milksop; he always got his way.
Presently, the barred door opened and a group of red shirted lackeys unceremoniously tossed the disheveled and disgruntled Evie into their holding cell. She glared after them, looking suspiciously haggard, and whirled around to face the laughing Mudd.
"Vulcan crash your party?"
She didn't respond, but her reddened cheeks answered for her.
"I told you it wouldn't work. Someone deeply in love will be able to fight off the drug's effect."
The woman still said nothing. Mudd saw that she was refusing to be goaded, and wisely let the matter drop. It was really for the best; now she wouldn't be so damn smug.
He turned back to the other waiting women, who had been silently watching the scene unfold. If only they had been so quiet an hour ago. He sighed.
Females. Can't live with 'em, can't live without the wealth they would bring him.
Making sure his back was to the camera, he passed each woman a small green pill, which they swallowed eagerly, if somewhat resentfully in Evie's case.
"Now ladies, it's time for the real show."
He smiled at the trio of goddesses who were once again before him and headed to the door.
"Oi! Guards! I got a crazy sick lass in here. We need help!"
The poor fellow who came to check never stood a chance.
That was the power of Venus.
It feels good to be on this writing roll. But it can only be sustained by the epic power of reviews...
I know, I'm so demanding.
Thanks for reading and I really will be trying to update more frequently. :)