Sounds of Silence (Star Trek: TOS story by Marcella Belton)

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Sounds of Silence
Author(s):	Marcella Belton
Date(s):	1985
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
External Links:
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Sounds of Silence is a Kirk/Spock story by Marcella Belton. It has a sequel called Before You Can Reach for the Stars.

It was published in the print zine Consort #1.

the first page in Consort #1

art by TACS for this story in Consort #1

Summary

"Kirk is captured and raped repeatedly over a long period of time."

Reactions and Reviews

This zine is nicely done - well edited and, except for one story [Sounds of Silence], a refreshing change of pace from some of the other K/S zines I've read recently.

As to bad stories: There was really one one [in Consort #1] that I considered excessively bad. That was "Sounds of Silence" by Marcella Belton. This is one author that I haven't determined yet what type of story she will produce, even after 5 years of reading K/S. I had decided after reading several of her stories that I simply would not read any more. They totally depressed me and were so far removed from my concept of Kirk & Spock that it seemed as if they weren't even the same characters at all. Then I happened to notice that she had a story printed in NOME, which I knew would not print some of the stories I had been reading so I decided I would read one more and was pleasantly surprised. "Legend of the Sand Dollar" was an excellent story. I thought, 'Great, her writing style has changed,' and promptly read her story in CONSORT. This story is beyond merely out-of-character and disgusting; it verges on obscene by anyone's standards. There was one scene on page 108 that I definitely thought should not be in print. This is the only story I have ever read that has made me nauseous. After reading this, one begins to have a better appreciation for some of the letters that have been appearing in NTS lately urging everyone to tone down this type of story. I would suggest to the editors of CONSORT that they institute an editorial policy on this type of story. If this is not desired, they might at least let their readers know in advance. My overall impression of the zine is that it merited a Fair rating (a Good rating if you are forewarned not to read the above-named story).

"Sounds of Silence" was offensive to me and a number of other fans. I also thought that the final scene of the story was very poorly done. Spock should have been supportive to Kirk, since he had been repeatedly raped over a long period of time. Instead, Spock was so insensitive as to be sexually demanding and he actually compared himself to Kirk's rapist. That is more obscene that anything else in the story. Yet the worst writing in the story was Kirk's casual reaction of passing it off as a small quarrel between friends. There is no way that anyone so traumatized could have been so casual about it.

A very strong and violent story of Kirk being used and abused by a nasty Klingon (like there's some other kind?)

The story concerns Admiral Kirk right at a crucial time in his life—this was a very good choice—he has just resigned from Starfleet and is considering his rather bleak future when he is kidnapped by said nasty Klingon.

The Klingon leader, a well-portrayed nasty Klingon, must avenge his clan for Kirk's deeds (he killed a bunch of the Klingon's buddies). However, in the process of his avenging, he begins to fall in love (if you could call it that) with Kirk.

Ham, the aforementioned nasty Klingon, becomes more and more obsessed with Kirk and continually (boy—lots of continually) rapes him.

These scenes, though brutal, are done quite well, but I would suggest not reading this if you have a weak stomach. Despite Harn's sadistic actions, we understand his reasoning. (I didn't say we accept it, just understand it—you know where he's coming from even if you don't like it).

Kirk is used and abused and even poor McCoy is thrown in with him. This creates a big dilemma for Kirk as he cant escape or even die because the Klingons will torture and kill McCoy if he does.

Ham's growing obsession with Kirk will make you squirm and you really want to see him get his in the end, which, thank goodness, he does.

There were a few charmingly funny moments when you knew the author must be British such as when the Klingon orders: "Bring the doctor round." I also appreciated when the Klingon yelled "Aargh" just like Charlie Brown. (That's not British, it's just funny.)

And although I loved the ending when Spock explains why he killed the Klingon—"I killed him because on entering that room, it was immediately obvious to me what he had done to you. I did not want him to live", the actual ending was pretty terrible. As in bad.

I‘ve always found it puzzling that there have been few stories that explored the Klingons‘ determination to avenge their honor by destroying James T. Kirk, a man they term the quintessential villain, following the events on Genesis. Also, I like stories based on the movies, so this one which combined the two elements, was intriguing.

'Sounds of Silence' demonstrates how brutal a vengeful Klingon can be, and it is not a story for the weak of heart. Kirk, a captive, realizes he cannot match the strength of the Klingon commander and even if he could fight the man‘s sadistic advances, the price would be extracted from the fragile McCoy, also held hostage. Ever resourceful, Kirk uses his mind to extract what he can from the continual beatings and rapes – he clings to silence. He staunchly refuses to allow the Klingon to know how badly he‘s hurt or the level of his fears. His enemy continually wonders how this human, who is so physically inferior, could have earned the galactic reputation that is surely his. He learns.

The story ends on a mixed note – with Spock to the rescue but Kirk unable to accept all that Spock now offers him. The author teases us by saying 'the end...perhaps'. I don‘t know if there was a sequel, but it would undoubtedly be filled with possibilities.