Suzan Lovett wrote 12 Classic Trek stories between 1981 and 1985. She has generously given me permission to reprint these stories in one volume.
STORIES INCLUDE:
PANDORA'S BOWL
Originally published in "Trekism at Length" # 5, December 1985
Kirk busied himself with his food, not wanting to watch.
"Jim?" Ruth asked, noticing his withdrawal.
"It isn't funny, Ruth."
"I thought you said this was all accepted in good humor?"
"Yes, but not him. He's Vulcan. And not like this. It's turning into a vendetta and he got so few choices."
"Do you know him?"
"No. He must have graduated before I entered the Academy. He's probably served a few years before he got to Command College."
---Initially, the Starfleet Academy banquet is quite enjoyable, and Cadet Kirk is having a good time, despite the tradition that is used to punish the violator of even the smallest infraction of protocol. But when a young Vulcan officer is singled out, things start to go a little bit too far…
STILL WATERS
Originally published in "Odyssey" # 7, July 1983
"She's coming to my cabin for dinner," Kirk went on enthusiastically, "and what might follow," he added with a twinkle. "Isn't she incredible, Bones? God, it'll be like holding a firefly in your arms."
As Kirk droned on, McCoy tuned him out. Not that he was jealous; it was just that this happened a little too often. Whenever a desirable female passenger presented herself on the ship, there was Kirk, pitching. Of course, the captain had to be extremely careful of entanglements with the crew: shore leaves were sporadic at best and he was a virile man. But, thought McCoy, what chance does that leave for an old man like me?
---A gorgeous artist/musician is on board the Enterprise, and Kirk has a good idea of what's going to occur during her visit. But events don't always happen according to plan….
ANOTHER SHORE LEAVE
Originally published in "R&R" # 14, February, 1981
"You can't do this to me. Bones! I have overdrawn my IOU's to get permission for this particular leave. Who knows if we will ever be in this sector again. Three days of pure bliss waiting for us and...."
McCoy interrupted: "I know, Jim, and I'm sure the crew will appreciate it." He didn't mention he was practically drooling over the prospects himself. "I also know our planetfall coincides with your birthday. I am really sorry, but this is one shore leave you are going to miss."
---Wrigley's Pleasure Planet - and Kirk is under quarantine. What's a frustrated Captain to do? Help comes from the most unexpected quarter.
CONSEQUENCE
Originally published in "Vault of Tomorrow" # 2, January 1982
His fingers wrapped around Spock's throat. He rolled over the Vulcan. He knew part of his friend was fighting along with him. No, all of Spock was fighting along with him, against a blind, consuming, relentless inferno.
The Ahn Woon became an iron band.
Spock was losing the fight, and the Human couldn't hope to win without him. Kirk's fingers tightened of their own accord.
---An "Amok Time" AU.
NOT ALONE
Originally published in "R&R" # 15, April 1981
Kirk was halfway through the corridor before the doors were fully open. McCoy had just picked up another hypo and turned toward Spock when the Captain burst through the Sick Bay door.
"Bones, stop!"
Ignoring the surprised looks from the line of crewmen and nurses, Kirk headed straight for the doctor and plucked the hypo from McCoy's hand, frozen in mid-air. He held the hypo tightly, as if someone would try to take it away. Only then did he allow himself to lean against a bed and try to still his pounding heart,
---There's a murderer on board the Enterprise, and Spock is the intended victim.
SUFFICIENT PROVOCATION
Originally published in "R&R" # 21, April 1985
Spock had found the weak spot in the port cover. He pushed Amanda to the door. "Get out, Mother. Warn them the hull might give any moment. Stay on the other side of the lab exit until they get to you. If there's a crack, it will seal again automatically." As he was talking, he was attacking the unwieldy mass with renewed determination.
"Spock!" Kirk railed at him, but the Humans' voice was edged with resignation.
Amanda wasn't ready to abandon her son and Kirk. She threw herself at the stubborn block of metal. Spock gripped her arm tightly; she gasped with the pain. "Mother, GO!"
---Post "Journey to Babel". New dangers face Kirk, Spock and Amanda as their voyage to Babel continues.
TRIGON
Originally published in "R&R" # 15, April 1981
(Kirk) had other friends, and I came to like most of them. My favorite by far was Doctor McCoy. . . . .We were sharing a friendly drink in the Rec Hall when the Vulcan went by. My look must have left something to be desired. "Okay, Chandra, what have you got against Vulcans?" No subtlety in the man.
"From what I see and hear, nothing you haven't got." I was being flippant; but he insisted, and finally got all the story out of me.
"Let me give you some advice, Chandra. If you love Jim, don't compete with Spock." He put his hand on mine. "In fact, if you have any thoughts of a future with Jim, you'd better start liking Spock."
---Chandra has pulled every string she can to get this particular assignment. When Kirk takes a very personal interest in her, she's absolutely delighted. But she's about to find out exactly what being involved with Kirk might demand of her - and exactly who the most important person in the Captain's life is.
THE WEB
Originally published in "R&R" # 17, April 1982
He knew it was senseless to blame Starfleet-might as well blame the fate that had placed him on this spot at this time-but these situations came his way too often lately, and he was sick of them. He was tired of being the one to order a crewmember into danger, the one to hold his responsibilities dearer than his friends, the one to push the button.... He couldn't help feeling like just a cog in the well-oiled Starfleet machinery, his whole existence devoted to making sure he functioned, obeyed, conformed-all according to the regs. He activated his log and started to record his resignation....
---Terrorists have captured a starliner filled with tourists and they have presented their demands. The hostage situation rapidly escalates into a complex political web involving the Klingon and Romulan Empires. As all their choices narrow down to the unthinkable, Kirk and Spock face the most difficult decisions of their careers.
CHANGES
Originally published in "Vault of Tomorrow" # 3, April 1983
"Bones, we have to talk."
"We will, we will. Atlanta isn't exactly Andromeda."
Well, that was true. Kirk gripped his hand. "Take care, Bones, and let me hear from you soon."
McCoy looked at him sadly, shaking his head. Wish there was something I could do without hurting either of you. I can't even say I hope you aren't making a mistake, because I know you are.
---End of the five year mission, and Kirk, Spock and McCoy must make decisions about their futures.
ANTINOMY
Originally published in "Nome" # 7, April 1984
The admiral, seeming to have said his last word on the subject, turned to leave. Then he whispered something, as if to himself: "I only wish his credibility wasn't likely to come into question."
The mumble was perfectly audible to the Vulcan. "Sir, please qualify that statement."
Nogura smiled. It was always a thrill to experience that moment when the fish had swallowed the bait, without yet realizing there was a hook attached to it. He erased the smile from his face before turning to the Vulcan. "You are a man of integrity, Commander. So is Captain Kirk. A legal battle ground is no place for either one of you. There, only winning counts. Captain Kirk will do everything in his power to save you, but he has nothing to back up his testimony except his word. He'll be accused of lying for you and...." He paused as if unwilling to go on.
---Spock is behaving strangely, and Kirk is determined to find out why. But in his attempt to aid and protect his friend, he makes choices and compromises that lead him into an unseen trap. A greater game is being played, and he and Spock are both pawns on this particular chessboard.
OMEGA
Originally published in "R&R" # 18, April 1983
"Perhaps you should reevaluate your decision to turn away visitors. Especially..."
"No, Mr. Spock," she interrupted firmly. "I don't want to see him. He wouldn't be like you. I couldn't bear his guilt."
Spock had no answer to that. He knew the irrational way the Captain blamed himself for everything that happened. He held out a small package. Janice reached for it and with a sinking feeling realized what it would contain. It was customary, and she had been expecting and dreading it. She turned it over in her hands, wishing it would vanish.
"I can't accept this. I... appreciate it, but..." She tried to give it back. "Please return it with my thanks."
---Janice Rand has saved Kirk from a terrible fate - at a tragic cost to her own life. All she has left to do now is make one final goodbye…
MILES TO GO
Originally published in "Vault of Tomorrow" # 4, April 1983
Kirk held his breath. Just as he was used to reading the slightest expression on Spock's face, he was also used to digging through the Vulcan's jargon to the heart of the matter. Spock was finally putting the conversation on a personal level and on the right track. It had taken him almost a decade of struggling, but tonight, over a year after one instance of affirmation, he was finally ready to talk.
Kirk had once been on a backpacking trip with his father when they had come across a deer by a mountain brook. The boy had ached with the desire to touch the wild beauty of the animal, had been terrified to move lest it would bolt away. The same feeling now assailed him.
---The Vger incident behind them, Kirk decides to take Spock on a visit to his mother in Iowa. Kirk is looking forward to a relaxing visit, but the odd undercurrents in his mother's reaction to Spock and a chance encounter with an old acquaintance force him to reevaluate many things in his life.
*****
NOTE: This is primarily a genzine, but some of the stories in this zine contain R-rated het material.