The Eleusian Effect

July 21, 2169 0800 Hours

Three weeks have passed since the Venus Mission. We have downloaded all the data from the alien vessel and we are about 35% through the analysis. We have found cures for cancer, birth defects and dementia. We found technological advances that dwarf anything discovered by man thus far. The only thing we have not found is a way to reverse the gender change. Oddly enough, no one seems bothered by it. I suspect that included in the compound that changed us was the ability to accept the change. The other odd thing is that all that were changed were heterosexual. Even the gay crew members that were changed from male to female remained attracted to men. Let it stand in my personal record that there was no duress, harassment or force used against the homosexual crewmembers. This is confirmed by their attached sworn statements. We want to make sure that regardless of anyone’s personal feelings about the subject, the ship’s gay population was and is treated fairly and without oppression of any kind.

The ship’s quarantine is still in effect and the female command crew is performing admirably. Ensign Morrison has been promoted to Lieutenant as well as the rest of the command staff. I had just run 23 miles in the fitness center and then showered. I headed over to the data lab to see the latest developments. I met Jim Braddock the science officer who was in charge of the lab. “What’s the latest, Jim?” “Well Doc, I may have found a clue about the change. It seems that the Eleusians were planning to return to Earth after about 1000 years. They had extremely long life spans. Anyway they were going to return to Earth but there seemed to be something of a negative political action that halted it.” “You mean a war?”

“No, more like a coup. Several of the gods or arbiters or whatever, wanted to colonize Earth, and some wanted to just educate us and then leave. Some wanted to travel throughout the solar system.” “That may explain what happened to the Martians. It was by sheer dumb luck that we found any evidence of their civilization.”

“Right. Well according to their records, the chief arbiter, Zeus, ordered that all the data, chemical compounds and records be-there doesn’t seem to be an English word for it so I will say scanned-into the alien pod which isn’t really a pod as it is a neural database.” “Amazing.”

“There’s more. There was only one of these pods, it’s safe to assume that there was an impending disaster.”

“What kind of disaster?”

“Hard to tell. It wasn’t a planet killer because well, because everything we found was intact. Some of them may have left the planet for deep space. Others may have settled quietly on Earth. There’s evidence of both.” Jim flipped her hair up and I noticed that she was wearing makeup. I chose not to say anything but this isn’t the first expression of femininity that I’ve seen. Other crew members have dressed up and even went on night’s out. Tanner has not said anything and she may be suffering the same issues. I made a mental note to see her later and looked around the lab further. “Jim-“ “Jaime, actually. I’m going by Jaime these days.”

“Okay. Jaime, any more medical data?”

“Yes, over here. I put it into a drive unit. You can take it with you. Be advised though it’s’ pretty full and that may not be all of it.”

“Thanks, Jaime. I will see you later.”

The drive unit was the size of a large suitcase. Fortunately, it was on wheels so I dragged it back to sickbay. I realized I hadn’t showered so I left the unit at my desk and went into my quarters. I felt like a long shower and had a desire for perfumed soap and other girly shower things. My beard didn’t grow anymore and the hair on my legs was pretty fine. I decided to put on some casual clothes and head back to my desk. I set the protocols on the computer with gender change and oddly it came up with nothing except a binary code. I switched to genetic data. This looked promising, as it came up with tons of data and video. It was in Latin and mine was pretty rusty. I ran a translation app and it was all readable. It was about 800 pages and hundreds of videos. I started at the beginning. The first video showed what I took as a laboratory, though it was an odd design. It was a strange Greco-Roman style with unfamiliar technology. I played it.

“I am Apollo. I have been charged with developing the insemination serum to save our dying race. Here I have documented the chemical compound, received from the third planet.”

Apollo continued with several molecular series, elements both familiar and alien and finally after 6 hours he found the proper sequence. He tested it on an earth woman they had brought back and found that it worked with no ill effects to the subject. He recorded 4 more video of tests which were somewhat progressive but uneventful. Unfortunately, in the fifth video, Apollo faced another problem.

“It has been 5 months since the first test. We have tested the serum on Eleusian, 3rd and 4th planet subjects. The 4th planet subjects reject the serum completely. I am sorry to say it was lethal to them. I have petitioned the consortium to give restitution to the subject’s family. If I had any idea that the serum would have been lethal, I never would have used it.” Apollo seemed genuinely remorseful about the death of the Martian. It was several weeks (I guess-that may be hours in Venus time) before he made another video.

“The serum had not worked as well as we hoped. The 3rd planet subject seems to have fared the best with one major flaw: all infants are female. They are healthy, even enhanced with greater musculature, adrenal processes and dopamine production. The serum was based on a Meltaxion steroid which was programmable at the molecular level. The effect, however, has caused the serum to only produce females. We knew that the 3rd planet had an abundance of males and females. We discovered that after testing on an island of natives, the serum rewrote their cells and turned them female. Xenometer, the science officer and commander of the vessel, Valon, was tasked to test the inhabitants of the island with the serum. He tested the humans and discovered that the serum has a viral effect and there is no known antidote. The male subjects underwent a metamorphosis and became female. Their bodies were enhanced and improved, due to the Meltaxion molecular programming. The viral effect was brought about the Valon and they were all changed. The sad result is that they could never come home again. They were stranded on that island and decided to never leave. They salvaged the Valon and used the technology to survive and cloak the island from the rest of the planet’s inhabitants.” I paused the video. This was unprecedented. We have learned more about our own planet that scholars and scientist have for the past 6000 years. We also have an explanation as to what happened to us. Another sobering thought: can we ever return to Earth? Will this gender-altering serum doom earth to extinction? I called the captain. “You need to get down here.” “I’m on my way.” Tanner knows my serious tone so when she hears it he doesn’t question me until we’re together. I continued to view the videos. The consortium was able to isolate the effects of serum but they did not find a way to reverse it. “Maybe some of the other videos can provide answers as to why they didn’t find the antidote.” I thought. “With all this advanced knowledge I find it hard to believe they couldn’t fix it.” Tanner came in. She was wearing a cocktail dress and heels. My fears of the captain giving in to his feminine side were pretty much confirmed. “You aren’t going to believe me.” “Try me.” I detected a slight giggle. It chilled me.

“The Eleusians created a fertility serum because their race was dying out.”

“You’re kidding me.” I heard the old Tanner returning.

“This drive unit has the first batch of medical data and it is chock full of answers.”

“And more questions, I’ll bet.” Tanner moved in closer any I could smell her perfume. I felt a little manly enjoying her smell. Then it dawned on me. “Computer, show pheromone levels in the room.” The computer beeped and responded, “The level of pheromones in the room is 68%”

“Is that high?” Tanner giggled again.

“Extremely. Computer show same for the whole ship.”

The computer beeped again, although it took more time for analysis. “The level of pheromones on the ship is 324%.”

“Oh my God. If there were any normal men on this ship, they’d be out of their minds.”

“I wish there were men on the ship.” Tanner said, again giggling.

“Are you okay?”

“Well, I don’t feel bad, but very different. I want certain things, things that I never thought about as a man. I had a bubble bath last night. I haven’t a bubble bath since I was little boy. Plus I have thoughts and feelings that are completely different but yet familiar.” I had to admit to myself that I felt the same way. I tried on several different outfits this morning before I went to the fitness center. I was actually concerned with the way I looked! Tanner started to bite her lower lip. “What’s wrong?” “I don’t think I want to change back. I like being this way and it’s scaring me.”

“I understand. I feel the same way but our first priority is the safety of the crew and the planet. This serum marooned the last ship that transported it and we are in the same situation. If we try to go back to our lives on Earth, we could easily doom the planet and the human race itself. The genetic pool has been contaminated and I don’t know if I can fix it.” I felt myself starting to cry. It shocked me and I shook it off. Tanner uncharacteristically hugged and comforted me. “It’s going to be okay. You are the best doctor in GASA. That’s why I picked you.” “Thanks, Commander.”

“You’ve been at this a while. Why don’t you take a break? It’s almost dinner time. You should change.”

“Maybe you’re right. I’ll take a fresh crack at it in the morning.”

I went to my quarters and put on some casual clothes. I didn’t feel any better so I had the replicator make some different clothes. I tried some of the casual clothes I wore as a man. Now that I am a woman they just didn’t feel right. So I started experimenting with different looks and eventually I found a nice dress. My brain was now fully female and in a surreal way, it was almost like I was getting ready for a date. I had urges, not sexual ones but, a desire to look…. pretty. I wanted to wear make-up and after a while I was mincing around my quarters. Whatever male part of me was left was riding around in my head like a passenger. The female was driving and she was in full force. Once I was satisfied with my look, I called Tanner. “Are you ready?” “I’ve been ready for an hour and a half! What are you doing there?”

“You’ll see!” I said with a giggle. I’ve never giggled in my life and now I am enjoying it. I went down to the cantina and met Tanner. The mess staff turned the cantina into a dance club and half the ship’s crew seemed to be there. People were dancing and enjoying themselves. “The crew needed this.” Tanner said.

“I think you’re right. We’ve been cooped up on this ship longer than planned and everyone definitely needed to blow off some steam.”

“That includes us, too! Let’s dance!” Tanner grabbed my wrist and pulled me onto the dance floor. Whatever male inhibitions we had evaporated on the dance floor. What was actually a relief that the crew, despite all the weird stuff that’s happened, has adapted pretty well. I think it was a smart idea to have crew that had no attachments, no family. It especially came in handy due to what happened next.

July 22, 2169, 0730 Hours

It’s customary to indulge heavily in alcohol during a military social event. On many occasions I’ve questioned where I woke up simply because I didn’t remember how I got there. These new enhanced female bodies apparently can party as well as they can perform physically. I turned in about 3am and woke up at 7am and I felt rested with no hangover. I was still in my dress and my make-up had faded. I wash my face and changed into my new, modified uniform. I felt hungry which was weird because I hadn’t felt hungry in a few days. As a matter of fact, I don’t remember the last time I ate. I went to the dining hall (the cantina was next to it) and got breakfast. It was busy and everyone had a large quantity of food on their plate. I ordered my eggs and fruit and sat down. Tanner moved over to me and Morrison came over, too. “How’s the command crew, Lieutenant?” “Fine, Sir-Ma’ am.”

“Ma’am will suffice. We will have to get used to the fact that we’ll be this way for the time being. Doc, any progress on an antidote?”

“Not yet. We do know now that the Eleusians knew an antidote had to be created. With some of their beginning calculations I may have something viable in about six months.”

“Six months!”

“Yes. Even with their advanced technology, we are months away from any kind of chemical compound.”

“Okay.” Tanner finished her food and said, “Lieutenant Morrison, meet me in the conference room in about an hour.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Talk to you later, Doctor.”

“Aye, Sir.” Tanner walked off, in the way a ship’s commander does. I looked at Morrison and she looked concerned. “Don’t worry,” I consoled her. “I’m sure it’s just a routine meeting.” “Thanks, Doctor. I appreciate it.” Morrison got up and returned her tray. I was a little nervous myself but turned my attention to finding the antidote. I walked back to sick bay and continued sifting through the data. Two hours passed and the com clicked on. “Doctor, may I see you in the conference room?” “On my way.” I needed a break though I could have kept going. Mental acuity is another blessing that comes with being an enhanced female. “Reporting as ordered, Ma’am.”

“Come in. I have received a change of orders from GASA.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. They want us to go to the Mars Colony.”

“Why?”

“Well, since we can’t risk endangering the Earth with this virus we have, they will resupply us there. They are sending supplies there and evacuating the area so to prevent contamination.” “I see, well it beats staying here. I think most of the crew wanted to go home and being this close without letting them off the ship is torture.”

“I agree. That’s why I asked for the next assignment.”

“Okay and that would be?”

“Deep space exploration.”

“Is the Kennedy adapted for deep space?”

“It will be on Mars. The only problem is that our engineers will need to do the upgrades.”

“That will take almost a year! You accepted this?”

“Yes, Doctor. I also made arrangements to take back command of the Kennedy.”

“That’s why you met with Morrison.”

“Yes, most of the bridge crew has been rotated back into their previous positions. Morrison has had a taste of command so I wanted to do this gradually. She will remain as second officer, unless Troy wants to let her be first. Jaime will continue to oversee the pod operations and assist you on finding an antidote. I plan to be back in command as of August 1.” “I see. Okay. I admire the way you are making the change gradual.”

“Well it’s only fair. Morrison’s done an excellent job and it would be demoralizing to just yank her out. As soon as we get to Mars, I am going to recommend her for command of her own ship. She may want to take some of the current bridge crew so the timing is good.” “Very good, Ma’am. Anything else?”

“Actually, yes. I have decided that once we can contain the virus, I will probably remain a woman.”

“Oh?” I was not surprised.

“The truth is that I like it.” Tanner seemed to be happier as a woman. “I never would have considered it as a man. But now, I can’t see myself as anything else as female.”

“I understand.” I really did.

“What about you?”

“I haven’t decided yet. I mean it’s not unpleasant being a female, especially and enhanced one. We should probably give the crew the option.”

“That’s the best thing to do. I have heard others saying the same thing.”

“We will put that into consideration as we find the antidote.”

“Keep me posted.”

“Roger that, Ma’am.”

I thought about remaining a woman, but I still have my parents to consider. I’m not sure how they’d react if their eldest son became their daughter. Lots to ponder.

July 25, 2169 1130 Hours

Most of the bridge crew was back to posts, with their alternates still working side by side half of the duty day. Tanner was back in command from noon to 6pm with Morrison in command 6am to noon. She seemed to adjust to co-commanding and even learning more.

We finished analyzing the third drive unit from the alien pod and made a major breakthrough. Finally, we found the genome sequence of the serum. We then were able to develop a counter-sequence but there was a problem. Tanner came down immediately when I told him we were close. “So what’s the problem?” “We need a male to test it. We need to expose him to the serum, then see if the antidote will change him back.”

“I’m not sure GASA with get on board with that. Why can’t we use a volunteer that used to be a man?”

I paused for a very long time. I didn’t how to tell him that we have been women too long. I took a breath. “The genome sequencing takes a short time to work but a few weeks to lock the chromosomes into the new, female order. Had we found the information earlier, we could have changed back. Now we are women forever whether we want to be or not.” “Hmm. Well that may not be as much as a problem as you think. I have been informally surveying the crew and most aren’t concerned with being men again.”

“Right but those who want to change back, can’t. That’s the bad news.”

“There’s good news?”

“Yes. For us, the antidote also acts as a vaccine. The good news is that we can inoculate ourselves and return to earth.”

“Amazing work, Doctor. We will have an event in the cantina tonight. That way we can share the good and bad news with everyone.”

“We’ll need to set up vaccination stations. Once we get everyone immunized they can go ashore and break it to their families.” I thought that was very compassionate of Tanner. Her demeanor is much softer than before. She is still a great commander.

July 29, 2169 1745 Hours

“This is Captain Tanner. In 15 minutes, all off duty personnel will report to the cantina. There will be an awards ceremony and then an update on our current and next mission. That is all.” I am wondering how the crew is going to react to the news that they are stuck as women. I hadn’t decided whether or not I was going to change back and now there was no option. The good news is that we could at least go home to earth. I think that for most, that would be the most desirable option. Since the change, no one has been sick or even suffered a serious injury. We are not indestructible-a crew member suffered a second degree plasma burn but not serious. She was fine in a few days. Our healing properties and immune systems were off the charts. It’s actually the best qualified crew to go into deep space.

Tanner had informed GASA central that we had found a vaccine/antidote. They released us from quarantine as soon as everyone was vaccinated. They sent some custom supplies to space dock to be loaded on the Kennedy. The rest of the supplies we needed were already on Mars and we are still slated to make a stop, though it will be much shorter than originally anticipated. The new deep space upgrades can be done in a few weeks but multiple crews rather than our crew taking a year. All in all, things were looking good.

I heard Tanner’s announcement as I got out of the shower. I put on my dress uniform (modified, of course) and headed toward the cantina. Troy joined me halfway. “So we’re still going to Mars?” “Yes. The good news is that we won’t be there as long as originally planned.”

“That’s great. Now I have to find time to tell my mom that her son is now her daughter.”

“GASA will have counselors to help you. Don’t worry.”

“Thanks, Doc.”

We arrived at the cantina and I went up on the small stage next to Tanner. She was in dress uniform and full make-up. She’s gotten pretty good with it and looked like a model. Once everyone was settled, she stood and walked to the lectern. “Ladies, welcome to the first USS Kennedy Awards Ceremony. A few months ago, we started mankind’s greatest mission, traveling into the unknown reaches of space. That curiosity changed all of us. I take full responsibility for your situation. For those of you who did not want to remain women, I am truly sorry. I have made arrangements with GASA to assist you in any way that you wish. You may choose to leave the service, but I hope that you don’t. This is the finest crew in the fleet and I would travel the stars with each and every one of you, any time.” The crowd exploded in applause. Once it died down, the captain continued. “The good news is that we are no longer quarantined. Doctor Obama and her team worked extremely hard and put in long hours to get back as much of our life as possible. Well done, Doctor.” Another round of raucous applause erupted. “We have some happy business to attend to so let’s get to it.” Tanner announced the names of twenty people, from the kitchen staff up to engineering. He then called the bridge crew and then finally Lieutenant Morrison. “For diligence above and beyond the call of duty, I present the Silver Star to Lieutenant Vivian Morrison, for interim command of the USS Kennedy. Your hard work and leadership was exemplary.” She hung the medal around Morrison’s neck and hugged her. Morrison smiled and stood to the side while Tanner regained control. “I have another announcement. I have recommended Lt. Morrison for command. The USS Vonnegut is in need of a skipper and it’s a fine ship.” Tanner turned to Morrison, “It’s yours if you want it. You can even take your bridge crew you had from the Kennedy if you want to.” “Wow, thank you, Ma’am.”

“My pleasure. Now on to new business. As I said earlier, we are still going to Mars for resupply and a ship wide upgrade for deep space. The Vonnegut is to be upgraded in 6 months after us so Morrison, we’ll see you out there. Right now we are getting a month’s furlough. During this time, I want each and every one of you to take care of what you need to. Tomorrow we will start the crew exchange to prep the ship for Mars and the upgrade. You all need to talk to your families, make sure they understand what happened to you and why. Contact GASA or myself if you need anything at all. Once we are back onboard, we will proceed to Mars, spend about 3 weeks there and we receive orders. Now enjoy the food and relax.”