It's about four in the morning, ship's time, when the Orions close in.

Spock is in the guest quarters, meditating. It is one of the few times they've seen him out of Starek's sight; the newlyweds have spent the entire trip so far holed up together, either discussing options for the rest of their honeymoon, or, from the sounds of it, having increasingly inventive sex.

The engineers know this because they've organized themselves into a highly efficient team of spies, dividing up their tasks so that the engine room and bridge remain staffed even while they're gathering intel. They've even committed their schedule of listening at bulkheads to memory, rather than have it fall into the hands of Merendith or Stavret, who would no doubt ruin their fun by telling them to stop.

But the girls have other plans than just listening. And now that the commander and his mate are in separate rooms, it is time to execute those plans. Spock knows nothing of this, of course. He simply opens his eyes to find the unlikely trio of Riena, Kelia, and Larue standing at the foot of the bed, watching him intently.

"Spock-daeh," says Riena carefully. "Could you help us with a science project?"

"Most certainly." Spock nods and eases out of his lotus position. He is barefoot and clad in just soft pants and a T-shirt. Wearing less clothing, especially on board this ship, is beginning to feel more natural.

"We can do our experiment right here," says Kelia. "The bed is perfect."

"Indeed?" Spock displays what he hopes is enough eyebrow for all three of them.

"Oh, it's nothing like that," Riena waves and sits down. "Okay, no, it sort of is. Remember how D'nila said we should see if Orion pheromones affect you?"

Larue plops down on Spock's other side. "We figured it'd be better to test your tolerance instead of being surprised later. We don't want any trouble like that."

Spock looks around at the three, heartened by their concern. "That is indeed a most logical course of action."

Riena breaks into a smile. "We thought you'd see it that way. Now scootch back."

"Scootch?"

The Orions giggle. "To scootch:" Keila explains, imitating dictionary syntax, "to move the body in order to make room, especially while using one's well-defined rear end to bear the weight."

She smiles directly at Spock. Her hair is straighter than that of the others and her body leaner, closer to the Vulcan ideal. But he gazes back unflinchingly. After spending fourteen of the last twenty seven hours engaged in marathon lovemaking with his new mate, he is developing a tolerance for bold statements and bedroom eyes. Also, it is not as if the engineers mean it personally. Orions flirt with everything sentient.

"So, yeah, scootch back about a meter or so."

Spock obeys, which lets Keila join them on the bed. She places an octagonal game board into what becomes the center of the group.

"We thought Orion chess might help pass the time. Have you ever played?"

"Orion chess?" Spock inquires, watching Keila remove pieces from compartments in the back of the board. His tone implies he never knew there was such a thing.

"Oh it's fun," exclaims Larue. "There are four players. And see how each piece has two sides with different symbols? It means some of your pieces can act like others for the first few turns. Then when you reverse them, you see what they really are for the rest of the game. It's always a big surprise."

"Fascinating," murmurs Spock, thoroughly engaged. "But perhaps it is best to inquire whether what I might experience if your pheromones do in fact begin to have an effect?"

Both girls look at Riena. "Well, I'm not exactly sure," she admits, a finger near her chin. "You're a unique case. Maybe you'll just feel really turned on. Or maybe there'll be distinct sensations, as if we were doing stuff to you."

"I see." Spock is dubious. "And if such feelings arise?"

"You've got to tell us about them." Larue put in. "Like what and where and how strong."

"But the most important part," adds Keila, carefully arranging pieces on the board, "Is that you've got to stay here with us for as long as possible. That'll make everything easier to control, in the long run."

She finishes setting up and looks at Spock expectantly. "Ready?"

He gives a decisive nod. "I am prepared."

"Oh wait, let me go to the bathroom," says Larue, gliding off the bed and sauntering over to the appropriate door. Spock looks after her swaying hips, curious about how all Orion women seem to be able to turn even the simple act of locomotion into a sexual display.

Once the door hisses shut, Larue assumes a sly expression. She slips her communicator from it's belt pouch and keys for D'nila's code.

"Dee! We got -- I mean, uh, phase alpha complete," she whispers, trying, and failing to give her voice the appropriate level of gravity for covert ops. "You are go for beta-test. I repeat: beta-test is go."