A
Study In Satin
by Tigger
*Another long and disappointing day,* Moriarty thought as he
finished his last entry in his experimental record. In other
days, he'd been able to work seventy-two or more consecutive
hours in the lab, take a short one-hour nap and then return to
the lab refreshed for another forty-eight hours. Age, however,
had taken that from him. He now required six hours of sleep out
of every twenty-four or his efficiency and his concentration
suffered.
He heard the sound of a gun shot and smiled darkly. Another
lesson for his unwilling accomplice. Then, his mind returned to
the words he'd just written. Haber *had* to be wrong. There
simply *had* to be a solution that would serve Moriarty's needs
so that, in turn, the world would ultimately be made to serve his
needs.
Grimly, Moriarty reopened the journal. There had to be an error
of logic or experimental design in there, especially since Haber
had become involved. And Moriarty would find it!
Frowning fiercely, the professor began to read.
Excerpt from the Experimental Journal of Professor Moriarty
February 21, 1911
Progress to Date:
Thus far, all attempts to reproduce the Holmes effect by
concentrating the potion have resulted in the death of the
experimental subject. Either the creature simply does not wake
up following administration, or dies of dehydration when its body
increases elimination to remove the excess bodily mass.
The other aspects of the project also continue to be a series of
promising developments turning into dead ends. Three more of the
good Dr. Haber's experiments have failed to unlink the
rejuvenation effect from the other two undesirable effects. He
has, however, developed a very interesting compound that shows
promise as a highly addictive aphrodisiac. Such a compound might
be very salable to wealthy old men attempting to regain their
manly vigor or to beget a male heir, particularly once they have
become addicted to the drug.
Conclusion:
While potentially useful, this is not the solution I seek.
New Effort:
Dr. Haber has developed a theory that, while it certainly
explains the body of our experimental results, I do not care for
in the slightest. In an attempt to better understand the
rejuvenation effect, he has reviewed all of my previous
experiments. From these results, he has theorized that the
connections between the rejuvenation and gender change effects,
and between the rejuvenation and the addiction effects, may well
be inextricably linked. His conjecture is that the infelicitous
sex change may actually be the main effect, and that the desired
rejuvenation effect is secondary.
Statement of Theory:
Haber likens the age regression/sex change effect of the drug to
a biochemical metamorphosis somewhat akin to that experienced
during puberty, with an attendant physical transformation
reminiscent of the transformations demonstrated by certain of the
insect species so prevalent in the Amazon basin. Moreover, based
on some of the clinical experiments I conducted while in South
America, he believes that intensity of the withdrawal is strictly
a function of the apparent age of the subject when treatment was
halted. If the subject was still physiologically old, the
withdrawal was all-consuming; even life threatening. However, if
the subject had reverted in age to near that at which puberty
typically occurs, the withdrawal symptoms appear to have been
much reduced.
Discussion of Historical Data:
At this time, Dr. Haber's hypothesis seems consistent with all of
existing data from both my and Dr. Haber's clinical experiments.
In doses and treatment durations that left the subject still
physiologically old and somewhat masculine, the withdrawal was
manifested as an aphrodisiac of the most demeaning sort. Desire
became all-consuming but performance became impossible.
Chimpanzees from whom the drug was withheld at this stage
actually damaged themselves in fruitless attempts to force
satisfaction from a non-performing member.
Even near the completion of the treatment cycle, when the subject
was a young and very feminine adult, withdrawal caused a
voracious sexual appetite that was more important than food or
sleep. It was at this stage that males caged with the
transformed females had sometimes been forced to kill the test
subjects in self-defense. As the treatment regimen continued
and the subject became both younger and more delicately feminine,
the withdrawal effect gradually reduced leaving a powerful but
controllable arousal if the subject reverted completely to an
adolescent apparent age before administration of the drug was
stopped.
Thus, Dr. Haber has reached his conclusion that there is no
potential for a partial treatment regimen resulting in reduced
age without feminization. For completeness, I will summarize my
experiences in South America as well as the results of the
withdrawal effect experiments below.
Background of South American Studies.
During my self-imposed exile in South America where I was
instigating a revolution in a particularly wealthy country, I
began to hear rumors of a tribe of Amazonian natives who had
overcome age itself. Further, the rumors were very clear that
they had done so by means of some secret drug that they had
discovered from the local pharmacopoeia. I elected to
investigate personally, mounting an expedition that took me far
into the interior of Brazil, to an almost hidden tributary of the
mighty Amazon.
There, I found a tribe that seemed to be comprised primarily of
nubile young women, with a strangely reduced number of males,
none very old. Through a translator, I found that they had
indeed conquered age, but at the cost of their masculinity.
Apparently, the rejuvenation drug had a side effect of
feminization. I resolved to study the relevant herbs and see if
these effects could be separated and so remained in the vicinity
of this tribe for nearly three years. During that time, I
conducted a wide variety of experiments to determine the full
effects of the potion and to attempt to eliminate the sex change
effect of the drug.
Studying the methods used by the natives when one of the their
elders began to fail due to age, I determined approximate dose-
rates and administration schedules as a function of body mass.
Nothing I did appeared to disconnect the linkage between
rejuvenation and the sex change. Furthermore, I discovered that
the drug was addictive and that it had a significant withdrawal
problem in my test animals.
I was unable to determine precisely why this withdrawal did not
appear to distress the natives as it did my test monkeys. For a
time, I even surmised that a form of natural selection has
occurred among the members of that tribe and they have evolved
into a group of humans who can accept the drug without falling
victim to its after effects, but later experiments indicated that
this was not the case.
Note: On the off chance that all humans shared the
natives' immunity to the withdrawal effects, I ran
a quick study using the members of my exploration
party early on during my sojourn in the Amazon
Rain Forest. All were terribly afflicted by this
effect, and had to be destroyed. It saved me the
difficulty of killing them later as I did not want
any word of this discovery to be confirmed in the
outside world.
Duration of Withdrawal Symptoms:
Elderly monkeys were used as test subjects. At least three
uniquely identifiable stages of transformation were observed
during these tests. Each of the following subjects were put on a
treatment regimen of the herbal preparation consistent with their
body weight. At the appropriate stage of regression and gender
transition, the treatment was stopped and the subject was
physically restrained to preclude self injury at least during the
first observation period.
The first case study was nearly-masculine at the cessation of
treatment. The subject had received only that amount of the drug
needed to addict it, and to make the first, barely observable
physiological changes in stature and mass. To the uninformed
observer, the creature would have been taken for fully male, if
somewhat small in both bodily size and in the size of its
masculine endowments. Reaching this stage took approximately
half of the potion used by the third and final subject.
Unfortunately, this subject was insufficiently restrained,
actually fracturing several major bones - some compound and
causing blood loss leading to death - in its frantic attempt to
attain a satisfaction that would not have been available even if
he had been free to reach his own genitalia. This final
convulsive state occurred four days after the drug was withdrawn,
indicating though not proving that at the nearly-masculine stage
withdrawal symptoms remain compelling for an extended period.
Treatment of the second subject ceased when its genitalia and
gonads were visually (and functionally as evidenced by entry into
estrus in subsequent days) female. However, the subject's body
still remained significantly masculine in bone structure and
muscularity. This stage occurred relatively quickly after the
first stage, and required approximately three quarters of the
total quantity administered to the third subject below. This
subject seemed to experience a tapering off of the withdrawal
arousal after three days as evidenced by reduced howling within
the restraints and a willingness to eat and drink when fed.
At this point, the partially-feminized creature was released from
restraint in the belief that this stage might prove to be the
first point of potential survival. However, all waking moments
were spent in frantic self-stimulation, even while simultaneously
eating or drinking. Only exhaustion broke this pattern. The
behavior continued for three additional days after the subject
was released from the restraints. While there was a gradual
diminution of the compelling need for self-stimulation, it was
apparent that this would always be the major focus in the
remaining life of the subject. Eventually, this subject injured
itself during one of its still very regular bouts of self abuse
and had to be put down.
The third subject was at the stage of fully-feminized but fairly
young adult. Note: Once stage two was achieved, further
administration of the drug served to make the subject smaller,
more feminine in appearance, and physiologically younger relative
to the species age of puberty. Withholding the drug initially
resulted in frantic struggles against the restraints that lasted
for several hours that were then followed by exhausted sleep.
Restraints were removed at that point. When the subject awoke,
there was a period of continuous self-stimulation for slightly
more than twelve hours, followed by gradually increasing
intervals between episodes until a stable condition was achieved.
At this juncture, subject three seemed to be a completely natural
female of the species, although certainly more than normally
prone to arousal. This was, however controllable where it had
not been for the other subjects. This might be considered as the
earliest point of successful withdrawal in that the subject
appeared to be able to resume normal or nearly normal life
activities. In point of fact, this new female was highly sought
after by the males as she was extremely easy to arouse and nearly
always receptive. Once her initial all-consuming withdrawal was
controlled via the use of restraints, she became the essence of
femininity - including the characteristic of being easily
distracted by her own physical needs. This also appears to be
the subject that most closely replicates the experience of the
natives.
Several other such series of experiments were conducted during
that time in South America. The three stages appear to be
consistent with all subjects tested. If drug therapy were
reintroduced, provided the animal had not damaged itself during
the withdrawal period, that subject would proceed through the
remaining stage(s) as before. I did experiment to see if there
was a stage between two and three; in other words, a condition in
which the creature is appears fully female and remains
insatiable. Results of those experiments were inconclusive,
primarily because the insatiable animals tended to fatally injure
themselves, or to be killed by companions who could no longer
satisfy their demands.
After spending three years working alone in the jungle using
primitive facilities without making any progress, I decided I
must leave South America. I determined that, if I were to
achieve my ultimate goal of restoring my youth without suffering
the gender changing or addiction/withdrawal effects, I would
need the most modern laboratory facilities in addition to highly
trained and knowledgeable support laboratory support. That
decision required that I return to Europe where I would again be
forced to deal with the threat posed by the damnable Mr. Sherlock
Holmes who had not yet had the decency to die. Knowing Holmes
all too well, I knew without question that should I be recognized
anywhere in Europe, word would get to Holmes, and he would
attempt to interfere. Happily, this time I had a plan for my
very dear enemy that has worked rather splendidly.
Speculation:
One must wonder which stage represents the condition achieved by
Sherlock Holmes when his meager supply of the drug was exhausted.
By body mass, the amount of the drug I "prescribed" for his use
should have been barely sufficient to carry him to stage two.
Furthermore, Dr. Haber and I have conducted our own experiments
that show little change in final effect despite the distillation
process he used, although increasing the drug's concentration
does make the initial changes, especially up to Stage One, more
rapid.
When we met in his rooms at Baker Street, I observed him to be in
a nearly-masculine condition, perhaps late Stage One or the early
onset of Stage Two. If he had attempted to cease using the
potion at that point he would have faced the most demeaning
withdrawal condition of unsatisfiable arousal. While it is very
pleasant to think of my old foe in this condition, it is unlikely
that he would forgo the use of the remainder of his supply of the
drug in favor of remaining in that state. The only possibility
that might result in this happy end is if the withdrawal overcame
him when he was out of his apartments and unable to reach more of
the potion. I consider this unlikely as I would not expect him
to leave his rooms at all until he had experienced at least one
withdrawal event.
As I stated above, my best estimate of the effect that might be
achieved with the supply of the drug that remained to him when we
parted would be that of a Stage Two, hormonally and genitally
female, middle-aged human. This might be even more richly
effective as an end condition. He, or rather, she would be
consumed by a continuing, insatiable need for stimulation and
sexual release, yet, given what looks Holmes had when he started,
she would be rather unattractive and would certainly not be able
to find suitable "assistants" without the application of
significant funds for their hire. The thought of the once-great
Sherlock Holmes paying for others to service him sexually is
almost too sweet to contemplate. It is for that very reason that
I ordered the chemist to give him the quantity of the potion I
chose. I can well understand Holmes' decision to suicide.
However, I must remember not to assume as fact what is in truth
only speculation. I am confident that even were I faced with
such a condition, my own mental discipline would allow me to
function effectively despite the distractions. And while I
consider it unlikely that Holmes has that same capacity,
consideration must be given even for the unlikely. I remain
confident that Holmes did indeed die in the conflagration
reported in the paper, but I will give special orders to be
watchful for an unattractive middle-aged woman or slender man who
might approach these facilities. Indeed, I almost wish that this
were the case, as that would afford me the opportunity to see the
great Sherlock Holmes reduced to groveling need for stimulation
of his, that is, her feminine intimacy.
However, as I stated earlier, I believe that is unlikely in the
extreme. Holmes was the only man on earth to approach my genius
and mental discipline, but he still fell far short of my
greatness - as is evidenced by this my final victory. No, I
think it will be more profitable to consider the larger scene
within which this potion will play.
Implications:
Dr. Haber's believes that it may not be possible to decouple the
gender change from the desired rejuvenation. That is, as yet,
unproven. However, his analysis does strongly indicate that
under the current circumstances the addiction/withdrawal effect
IS unavoidable if a full and viable rejuvenation is to occur at
all.
Haber also believes, based on the data he has seen from my
experiments in South America, that the younger the subject is at
the cessation of treatment, the more likely the ensuing
withdrawal will approximate that experienced by Subject Three.
He offers that as an explanation as to why the formerly male
women of the tribe I discovered appeared "immune" to the drug's
withdrawal syndrome. My recollection is that an elder male
treated always regressed to a near-adolescent physiological age.
At the time, I believed that was done in order to make the elder
as young as possible without making his . . . her brain too
juvenile to retain the individual's lifetime of amassed wisdom.
Haber's alternative hypothesis is that regressing the elder to
nearly the age of puberty is why they have so little problem
during withdrawal.
If, as he conjectures, the rejuvenation is inextricably tied to
some new form of "reverse puberty", and if the ability of the
subject to cope with the withdrawal effect is directly tied to
how close the subject is, physiologically, to the age of normal
puberty when the drug therapy is stopped, then this entire
program is at a dead end. At least, it is a dead end insofar as
my own aspirations and ambitions for myself are concerned.
I absolutely refuse to permit my superior intellect to be eroded
and destroyed by the vagaries, fits and ill humors of the
naturally inferior body of the female of the species. Even the
thought of living another fifty or sixty years as a mere woman,
with the memory of my lost superiority to constantly torment me
is beyond ludicrous. I would rather die, which is precisely what
I suspect Sherlock Holmes finally did when he, or rather she
logically considered his own fate.
The other implication of Haber's theory is that the utility of
this preparation as a weapon must be more carefully considered as
well. On the battlefield, where the majority of the fighters are
barely out of their teens (and therefore relatively close,
physiologically to the onset of adolescence) the utility of such
a system on a wholesale basis might prove tactically weak. The
fighters might retain sufficient strength and intellect to pose a
considerable threat. Indeed, it is not inconceivable that they
might pose an even greater threat, enraged at their fate, but
still sane and out to avenge themselves on the cause of their
transformation. I am not certain I believe the legend of the
Amazon Warriors, but among the lower animals, the female of the
species can be very dangerous, particularly when enraged. This
bears further thought.
Nonetheless, if the weapon were used strategically, against older
individuals, such as field grade and general officers, or even
against senior government officials, in such cases, the effect of
the withdrawal might be a very potent weapon. "Encouraging"
these individuals to comply or face the withdrawal unaided or
better, to ultimately transform such powerful "men" into a
passion driven strumpets are but two stratagems that come to
mind. More thought is required.
This concept does, however, have the further advantage that the
drug could be used in its current form without the need to
develop a gaseous version. Certainly, a simply method of
administration such as an inhaled or orally ingested version
would be advantageous, particularly in the initial addictive
attack, but it is not absolutely mandatory as it would be if the
weapon was to be used over an entire battlefield.
Conclusions and Plans for Future Effort:
The possibility that a rejuvenative drug free of gender changing
and addictive effects is not feasible is not a pleasing thesis,
nor is it one I am going to accept without a great deal more
research. As Haber himself pointed out, his specialty is
electrochemistry and weapons research, and these issues are
biochemical. While I am well-versed in bio-chemistry, as I am in
all areas of modern scientific inquiry, there are intrinsically
less-capable men who nonetheless have significant expertise
within their limited scope. For the time being, until my own
studies encompass their specialized knowledge, they may be of
assistance.
Dr. Haber has stated that he believes that we should extend our
experiments to include naturally female subjects as well as the
males. He makes the point that the female reaction might give us
some clues on how to "reverse-in-process" the male to female
gender transition. I never considered this line of inquiry
because rejuvenating women was not, at any time, a priority of
mine so I did not think to pursue that line of investigation.
In fact, I do not know if the natives ever used the drug on
female (natural or transformed) members when they aged. My
experiments proved that if the treatment were suspended at any
time, reintroduction of the drug on a subject recommenced the
transition noted above. Haber's proposal bears further thought,
and while I have agreed to consider this possibility, I am rather
concerned that these additional clinical experiments will expend
my limited supply of the special herbs without positive result.
That particular logistical problem will, of course, be resolved
once my regular supply system is fully established. However, I
am loathe to initiate such an herb-demanding effort until I have
proper knowledge of the effects of the drug as it may be
necessary to use some aspect of the potion as a control on
suppliers or customs agents.
On a more positive note, my minions have located a very eminent
biochemist nearby in Germany who could fill this need admirably.
Unfortunately, he is currently out of country and is not due to
return for at least two weeks. I have dispatched two men to
watch him, and intend that he 'disappear' en route home to
Germany. I believe I will discuss Dr. Haber's concept of testing
natural females with him, once he is 'settled in' and fully
understands his role and the consequences of failure.
I must admit to the need to exercise considerable restraint upon
my inclination to take the man immediately. Delays, delays,
always delays. It is fortunate that I am still in vigorous good
health for my age so I have time to pursue these investigations
with a degree of caution.
In the meantime, Haber will be encouraged to continue his own
efforts on my behalf. That should not be difficult - it might
even prove diverting. It seems that the chimp who was attacked
by his transformed companion after his failure to perform to her
needs, was injured. His genitals have become painfully swollen
and I suspect are damaged beyond repair. I shall permit Dr.
Haber to see to putting the animal down. It should recall to his
mind how the beast came to be in such a condition.
A most efficacious method of ensuring Dr. Haber's continued best
efforts.
End Journal Entry.
