A Common Bond

Star Trek TOS Fanfiction
Title:	A Common Bond
Author(s):	Ginna LaCroix
Date(s):	1984
Length:
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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A Common Bond is a Star Trek: TOS story by Ginna LaCroix.

It was published in Nome #7.

Summary

"Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Sulu are stranded on a planet where non-whites are discriminated against."

"McCoy, Kirk, Sulu and an injured Spock are stranded on a planet where whites are supreme and all non-whites are oppressed and shunned. The doctor and Kirk struggle to protect their friends and eke out a living until they can be rescued, it they can be rescued."

Reactions and Reviews

The opening of this story finds Kirk, Spock, McCoy & Sulu marooned on an alien planet. While McCoy works as a medical orderly, the other 3 carry slates & concrete in a building firm. Spock in particular, already injured & badly treated because he is 'non-white' is very weak; his position is worsened by the fact that the boss wants Kirk &, therefore, wants the Vulcan out of the way. Kirk ultimately uses this to advantage to gain favours for Spock. Later Spock kills the boss when Kirk finally goes to offer himself in exchange for the others' freedom. Typically both Kirk & Spock end up suffering a lot of pain & anguish but they are eventually rescued by the Enterprise & remaining crew. This, though a fairly straightforward suffering/rescue story left me feeling rather flat. Apart from the obvious sacrifices of each man for the others in the group, the message is rather obscure. Even when Kirk later remarks that Spock's cry of, "You can't have him!" just before he kills Brakak, the boss, was rather possessive, any interesting thoughts that might have come of this are left dangling & then lost. I think the same words are used in "Captives" in a somewhat similar context but with more satisfying results. I almost feel as though the author here is avoiding the question.

This very sensitive story involves the virtual imprisonment of Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Sulu on a somewhat primitive and very prejudiced planet. This society recognizes only the rights of “whites”, thereby setting the scene for a beautifully if somewhat poignantly told account of friendship. The four men pull together in al things, thinking always of each other, protective especially of Spock, who has suffered grievous injuries pulling them all from a burning shuttle.

This author is such a master at keeping her characters true and believable and unfailingly shows us how wonderful the human condition can be when nurtured by love for our fellow beings. This is a shining example. Despite the indignities they must suffer at the hands of people with a total absence of compassion, the Enterprise crewmembers never lose sight of each other’s needs.

I found this to be a story that will stay with me for a long time. It would have to be called pre-K/S, I suppose, but it’s so compelling one hardly misses the K/S elements. In a climatic moment, Spock kills an overseer who demands a sexual liaison with Kirk. This kind of devotion and sheltering prevail throughout.