Chapter Five: Deirdre
Days passed and still Spock had not fulfilled his promise to prevent McCoy from further sullying his reputation and harm his position of Doctor on board the starship, demoting himself to nothing more than being a drunkard.
He'd seen the Vulcan several times. They continued their ongoing feud and verbal assault but the First Officer refused to bring up the subject of the Physician's problem. Although Leonard knew that it was to stop further spread of the rumor he was mildly grateful to Spock, even if the emotion was wasted.
However, the rumor did still become well known throughout the Enterprise. McCoy noted the sound of scorn or laughter, sometimes both, behind his back and he saw the burgeoning contempt and mirth in his patients' eyes. They had no faith in him.
McCoy couldn't stop himself, though. He kept on seeking solace from the warm liquid and sometimes he almost found himself praying that the First Officer would stop him as he had promised he would.
Meanwhile, the Enterprise was used to further spread the Empire's control and venom in the deepest regions of space, called on to do the bleakest of work, caring little that it was corrupting the souls of the men and women who lived by its laws and desires.
The starship had suddenly been called to a planet known as Galzec. Kirk walked into the Doctor's office, the Vulcan following a few steps behind.
After preliminaries, the Captain stated why he was really there.
"Habilcar, that's the man's name, Doctor, if you aren't too trashed to hear it. He wants us to check up on the health of his concubine and their child."
"Don't they have someone to treat her there, blast it? I'm hardly acquainted with their biology," McCoy snapped.
Kirk smiled broadly. "Good Sawbones! I knew I could still count on you to figure things out by yourself even though most of us have lost faith."
The Captain turned to Spock who did not react at all and gave Kirk no further opportunity for insults to be hurled in the Doctor's path.
"Few humans have been allowed on Galzec, despite the Empire's control. It's due to the large quantity of Dilithium there. Habilcar has given us permission, and done what we asked, but has stressed the desire to keep Mekeru, the Capital, pure from most human influence. There was one human allowed on Galzec, however." Kirk continued. "Habilcar seems to have a reputation for… Shall we say coveting the exotic? No. Lusting is probably more like it."
"And you'd know all about that, don't you," McCoy said.
Kirk merely smiled. "The Empire offered him one human girl. He took her as his mistress. I can't say I don't see where he was coming from."
It was well known that the Captain also liked to dip his foot in unusual waters. Foot was probably not the right term.
"So the woman is full human and the child is half human," McCoy nodded.
"Yes. At least that species you are use to."
"Yes, but I still wouldn't count on it. Why all this for a concubine and an illegitimate offspring?" McCoy inquired. "It seems a little unusual."
"We don't ask questions," Kirk said and patted the Doctor's cheek condescending. "You should just do it and be happy the Empire remains oblivious to your recreational habits."
McCoy's face burned in shame and anger while Kirk, pleased with himself, stood and left. Spock remained by the door, lingering.
The Doctor studied the Vulcan. "And what do you know about all this?"
Spock did not blink. "I know as much as you do, Doctor."
Not wanting to pursue the matter, McCoy simply nodded.
The Woman was attractive. There was no question why the Empire had selected her for the Ruler, though McCoy guessed she would have been barely out of adolescence when she had been sent to Galzec. She looked around the Sickbay, in fear at the grotesque instruments on display but warmly when her eyes rested on another human. When her eyes rested on Spock her mood changed drastically and her actions became hostile.
Warming again, she turned to McCoy. "It has been so long since I've seen another human," she told the Doctor. "My name is Deirdre."
She said it like an unfamiliar word.
He nodded and lead her to an examining table. After he had read the scans, the Doctor was about to let her go but Spock reached out and stopped him. "You are to exam her appearance, as well. Make sure she is not scarred in any way or damaged. I am to make sure you do and that you do not press your advantage."
McCoy resented the implication. The woman was beautiful but he was not interested or attracted to her. It had been a long time since he had been interested in anyone in that way.
Still, the Physician led the girl into his office, where there was more privacy and the Vulcan followed. Deirdre looked nervously at the Vulcan when the three were alone.
"Don't worry about him," McCoy motioned towards Spock. "He's iron. Might as well be a computer or android."
She nodded shyly and disrobed.
There were no scars on her body but what struck the Doctor was the way she seemed to shrink from his stare and touch.
"Okay," McCoy whispered and the woman started to dress.
"He's clever," Deirdre said softly, her eyes darting from Vulcan to human. "He never leaves a mark. He tells me I'll get to see Channing tonight. It's been too long. I miss her."
McCoy knew to whom she was referring: her daughter. He tried to act as if the words did not reach him. He looked at Spock and was slightly disappointed to see that the man was achieving easily what he had to fight for.
"If you see her will you tell her that I love her," the woman asked plaintively.
McCoy did not need to look at Spock for approval. He decided for himself. "Yes."
"Oh thank you!" Deirdre cried.
No remarks came from the Vulcan as he guided the concubine from the office.