Control (Star Trek: TOS story by Wendy Rathbone)

Also see Control.

Star Trek TOS Fanfiction
Title:	Control
Author(s):	Wendy Rathbone
Date(s):	1984
Length:
Genre:	het?
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
External Links:
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Control is a Star Trek: TOS story written by Wendy Rathbone and illustrated by Ann M. Crouch.

It was published in the print zine As I Do Thee #1.

Reactions and Reviews

The author introduces us to a new member of the crew: Devon Quinn. Gradually, through Kirk's personal logs, we learn a bit more about her. She is someone to whom both Kirk and Spock are drawn, someone who, given time could become as close to them as they are towards each other. Beautifully done, it isn't intrusive at all to the friendship Kirk and Spock share, but adds to the equation. But then she dies. I think that Spock partly blames Kirk for her death, because he had decided to go forward with the mission, regardless of reported Klingon activity, which ultimately results in their shuttle crash, thereby severely injuring Devon. How else could I explain Spock's rejection of Kirk? The loss of control alone couldn't be the reason because later on they come together and apparently that loss of control, which Spock fears and which was the basis of his rejection, isn't any issue anymore. Over the years I've read it several times and only now does it occur to me to question why Spock didn't use a healing meld. If he couldn't help her totally, at least try to stop that internal bleeding before starting that desperate trip to find medical help. To me, it feels as if some pieces are missing. Events just move too quickly. Enjoyable.

... ultimately ends up as a shore leave in a shuttle craft. We are cursorily introduced to one Devon Quinn who is just as cursorily killed off. Both Kirk and Spock are in love (of a sort) with her, but they turn to each other (on Devon's recommendation) after her death. Before they are totally settled and after Kirk's first rather abortive kiss, Spock utters the immortal line: "I like you Captain, I really do. But I do not love you." Put that in Nimoy's mouth and chew on it! The problem, I suspect, is that the author~did not care too much for poor Devon and while I can sympathize with that (I have an aversion to women in my K/S) unfortunately she is rather obviously sacrificed to the exigencies of the plot and I can't help remembering Evanna from PRECESSIONAL who actually enhanced the relationship between Vulcan and human.