Breaking Point

Star Trek TOS Fanfiction
Title:	Breaking Point
Author(s):	Ginna LaCroix
Date(s):	1980
Length:
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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Breaking Point was written by Ginna LaCroix and illustrated by Merle Decker. It is a Star Trek: TOS story in the zine Sun & Shadow.

Reactions and Reviews

'Breaking Point' is the sort of story that gave Pulsar Press its rep for publishing pain stories. Heavy on the hurt, with several drubbings, fractures, Klingon torture machines, and phaser blast or two, the story doesn't have much of a point, except to possibly demonstrate that Kirk could have the primordial ylem of the Big Bang fall on him, and he'd probably come through okay.

Ginna Lacroix has long been a favorite of mine. This zine was published in 1980 but the story has lost nothing over the years—the mark of a fine author. Her trademark is sensitivity and unconditional love expressed in terms we must consider pre-k/s by today's standards. Her words never fail to move me.

This is by any definition a hurt/comfort premise. Don't be discouraged, though. It has enough plot, but isn't overburdened by it. Remember the omega glory and the awful beating Kirk took at the hands of Cloud William? Spock looked on helplessly while the giant delivered a blow to Kirk's head with a bar from their cell window. We learn he did not breeze through this without a scratch, but suffered a severe skull fracture and concussion. While he starts on a rather shaky road to recovery, Starfleet throws he and Spock into a dangerous situation on a Klingon-held planet. Kirk is gallant and determined, Spock is worried sick and McCoy is fit to be tied! Ginna depicts so very well the way Kirk handles his pain and doggedly tries to accomplish what he's been sent to do. But what really shines through is Spock's caring and protectiveness. Kirk is not weak, and Spock is not a mother hen. He is simply always there. He feels every bruise that is inflicted on his captain and friend, is there to catch him when he falls and at one point rushes to his rescue, killing several Klingons in the process. I found it interesting that one of the Klingons who survives is Kor from Errand of Mercy. In fact, it is his earlier encounter with the enterprise's commanding officers that blows their cover. When they begin to torture Kirk for information and Spock reacts, Kor says "I have seen your reactions before when your captain was in trouble, Mr. Spock." Everyone sees it, don't they?

You might expect me to describe this story as angst- ridden, but it isn't. Somehow it is uplifting in an unusual sort of way. The strength of Kirk and Spock never wavers, they never lose their sense of self or their complete loyalty to each other. While it may be far from the glaringly obvious love we see today, it is most satisfying.

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