"The results, sure, if you can keep them down to a layman's level. I'm
not even trained in our medicine, and this--" Odeon gestured to the
equipment around them, "is so far ahead of ours it isn't funny."

"I think I can manage that. Okay, nothing but chit-chat until we get
to my office. Do you like coffee?"

"I'll drink it, but given a choice, I really prefer herb teas.
Something with a tang, like cranberry or ginger."

"I know just the thing." Drulet grinned. "I'll stick with coffee, and
you can try Blue Ginger. That originated on Herbert's World--have you
heard of it?"

"Afraid not."

* * * * *

Odeon sipped his tea, then nodded appreciatively. "This is good,
Doctor. Okay, what's the verdict?"

"You're healthy as the proverbial horse, Captain. More injuries than
I've seen on a single individual before, but no lasting damage--and
contrary to what you told me about your medical history, you've never
been sick a day in your life. No chickenpox or measles, no colds--and
no satyr plague." He shook his head as Odeon started to object. "Oh,
you're a carrier, all right; the pseudo-virus is in your body fluids.
It just isn't inside your cells."

"But I've got all the symptoms!"

"Yes, you told me--the diagnostic ones being the increased sexual
capacity and the penile moistening during arousal. The tests are
conclusive, though; in your case those are genetic, not disease-caused."

Odeon frowned. "Then how come none of it showed up till the day after
I had intercourse the first time? Because that's when the urge got
strong and I started getting wet."

Drulet shrugged. "That question I can't answer; I don't know enough
about the disease. Could be pure coincidence, or maybe the virus'
presence in your body pulled the genetic trigger, so to speak.
Possibly any physical stress or trauma could've set it off, once
puberty hit. But that's all guesswork."

"I understand." That part, anyway, Odeon thought. Why he'd have a
genetic condition that mimicked the satyr plague was a whole 'nother
question, and one he knew the doctor wouldn't be able to answer, so he
dropped the subject. "Would you mind sending my commanding officer a
copy of your report, so it can go in my medical records? I'm due my
annual physical next month, but with this one so recent and so much
more thorough, that can be waivered."

"Be glad to. If you don't mind, I'll forward a copy to Ranger Medart
as wel