Echoes of the Empire
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Echoes of the Empire |
| Publisher: | Banana Press |
| Editor(s): | Joyce Thompson and KathE Donnelly |
| Date(s): | 1978-1983 |
| Series?: | |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Echoes of the Empire is a gen Star Trek: TOS anthology fanzine published by Banana Press which also published Datazine/Forum and BeNiF.
Summaries
This is NOT the universe of the aired ST series, nor is it the 'Mirror, Mirror' universe. It is a universe somewhat like the 'Mirror' one because it does have an Empire and the people and their actions are violent and treacherous. Political power and influence mean everything, no matter what the cost. Sarek is like this; he practices a strange type of immorality with honor. In this universe, the Vulcan and the humans are the ones we would consider evil; the Klingon and the Romulan are the 'good guys.' These Vulcans are emotional with only a tinge of logic. They do not experience pon farr and cannot initiate a healing trance. The economy is based on slave labor. The more educated slaves become house-servants while others are merely laborers. The male slave owners frequently use the female slaves as sexual companions, but nothing lasting can ever become of it. Sex is a commodity for trade or barter. It is an accepted way of advancing politically and socially. Fidelity is seldom considered, and it is practiced even less. In most ways, the universe is 'wide open.' So long as an action is effective and does not disrupt the Empire it is fine. It is strictly a 'whatever the traffic will bear' situation. [1]
Described as ST fandoms answer to Dallas, the first two volumes trace the courtship of Sarek and Amanda, as well as the birth and life of young Spock, in the savage, alternate Vulcan-Terran Empire. Learn how Amanda trapped Sarek into a marriage he didn't want. Follow Sarek's ambitious rise to power as the Governor of a slave planet. See how Spock is affected by his parent's greed and political machinations. This is an adult-oriented zine and explicit material is included. Age statement required. [2]
Issue 1
Echoes of the Empire 1 was published in June 1978 (second printing June 1979, third May 1984) and contains 54 pages.
The fiction by is by Joyce Thompson and the poem by is by KathE Donnelly.
The front cover is by Caroline Hedge, other art by Mary Stacy-MacDonald, and Don Barnes.
A summary of the first issue was printed in the second issue:
Amanda Grayson and Sarek met at a diplomatic reception on Vulcan. They were attracted to each other immediately, and a strong emotional and physical relationship developed between them. Neither of them would admit to loving the other, but when Amanda's father asked her to leave Vulcan with him, she decided she wished to stay with Sarek.
Sarek was a candidate for the job of Assistant Governor of Bel- Tanar, the Empire's main slave training and processing planet, and he concentrated all his efforts toward that goal, including a brief but tender affair with T'Mrel, the Governor Regent of Bel-Tanar's quadrant. Their affair came to an end when Amanda, having selfishly decided that she wanted Sarek more than any other man, purposely conceived’ his child as a means to force their marriage. Sarek agreed because he knew Amanda would abort the child if he refused, and Vulcans revere life above all else. Also, Inspector Grayson, Amanda's father, would have used his political influence to damage Sarek's budding career.
So, Sarek and Amanda were married on Bel-Tanar, shortly after he received the job as Assistant Governor. He quickly rose to the rank of Governor through hard work and some political maneuvering of his own. But the marriage itself was stormy, and he and Amanda quarreled constantly. Amanda resented Sarek's total devotion to his work to the exclusion of all else, including her, and Sarek resented being trapped into a marriage he hadn't wanted. He was distressed by Amanda's lack of concern for the child she carried. She told him she had no love for the child and had only used the baby to force their marriage. She planned to have as little as possible to do with the child after it was born and that she would have no more children after this one. Neither of them seemed to be able to remember or recapture any of the "good times" they had known early in their relationship. Amanda's difficult pregnancy added to the tension between them, but they each held on to the hope that perhaps after the child was born that then they could settle their differences and be a family.
Finally, on one occasion, Sarek and Amanda pretended to be a happily married couple because an important ambassador was visiting Bel- Tanar. During the evening reception, Amanda began to feel ill, but she told no one, and after Sarek had left her room, she began to hem- morhage and realized that the baby was going to be born prematurely.
She passed out after calling for help. Spock was delivered surgically, and while he was a perfectly normal baby, Amanda was very ill and suffered internal damage. During Spock's birth, Sarek could not be found or contacted. For the first time since his marriage to Amanda, he had gone to bed with another woman, the ambassador's wife, Alleeah. When Sarek finally did hear the news, he went to see his son first, then Amanda. She was somewhat upset that he saw the baby before he came to her. But they talked a little about their situation, for the first time without quarreling, and they agreed that when she was fully recovered they would talk more and hopefully they could work out some way to solve their differences and become a real family.
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1
First, let it be known that I am a Sarek & Amanda freak. It try to order whatever comes out dealing with those two particular characters, and I worry about quality later. Sometimes this system works and sometimes it doesn't. In the case of 'Echoes of Empire.' I have mixed feelings. Perhaps the two adjectives that best describe the zine are 'irritating' and 'intriguing.' There is real potential here. However, the story suffers from a severe case of underdevelopment. The story is set in an alternate universe which the author stresses is not the Mirror, Mirror Universe. All right, fact accepted. So I, the reader, start looking for some background material in this universe. There was very little given, and so I failed to orient myself. In fact, in retrospect, I wondered why the author took such pains to stress it was NOT a Mirror, Mirror story. It could so very easily have been one and a good one with some work. In discussing this novella, a friend and editor speculated that the characterization missed so the author created her own universe to compensate. I guess I don't believe in propagating alternate universes without reason. The story itself moves and holds the reader's interest. I believe the major problems with this work is that it is too short and too much is left to the reader's imagination. Throughout, Joyce drops all sorts of fascinating little tid-bits that should be followed up on and developed further. If it had been twice as long, with the little extra detail, I think it would have been a better story. I mentioned once that the characterization missed. The characterization of Amanda in particular, disturbed me. She comes across as a spoiled brat who stamps her feet and throws a temper tantrum when she doesn't get her way. I could have easily accepted a portrayal of her as a real bitch. It would have implied more character, and in whatever universe, I firmly believe Amanda would have character. The characterization of Sarek is by far the better of the two. However, he strikes me as being far too vulnerable to rise to the position of importance he attains given the universe he inhabits. Artwork is minimal, and for the most part, left me feeling completely neutral. However, someone took the time and trouble to proofread this. Typos are minimal, and I appreciated the lack of distraction. Given the number of pages, this is a rather expensive zine. It is an interesting Sarek & Amanda variation. However, I have to put it on a 'borrow, if possible' list. Read it that way, and then make the decision as to whether you want it for your collection.[3]
This is a zine for folks who hate the sweetness and light of the NTM Sarek and Amandai it supplies an alternate universe in which the pair have absolutely no redeeming quantities, and can only be said to richly deserve each other. From the opening scenes when Amanda and her father connive to have Sarek impregnate her so marriage will follow, through Sarek's angry paternity denials ("There are several other Vulcans with T-Negative blood'"), and during their hate-inspired marital quarrels, the author doesn't supply enough warmth of characterization to involve the emotions of the reader. When the story ended with Spock's delivery coinciding with Sarek's infidelity, my only reaction was one of relief that the whole experience was over. I can't imagine wanting to reread it for any reason. The dialogue throughout is stilted and poorly handled, and the reader is mostly told about things that happen, rather than experiencing them with the characters. The one exception is in the sexual scenes, which are related in meticulous detail, the only time the narrative style comes alive. There is not enough story line to make it worth mentioning, serving as it does only as a framework to display the worst possible sides of both human and Vulcan, devoid of honor, truth, chastity, or any other of the generally accepted virtues. Joyce promises this is the first of a series, but unless she is able to write in some elements that readers can identify with satisfactorily she may have a problem building a following.[4]
Issue 2
Echoes of the Empire 2 was published in February 1979 and contains 85 pages.
The art is by Debi Barbich, Caro Hedge, the calligraphy by Carol Angel.
The fiction is by Joyce Thompson, and this issue contains a poem by KathE Donnelly.
The author thanks Karolyn Popovich for the use of her typewriter.
From the editorial:
This zine is longer than #1 by a fair number of pages -- our poor, tired typing fingers can testify to that. We do ask that after you've read it that you send us your comments on the material. Tell us what you liked, what you didn't like, what you would like to see in future zines, how you feel about the various characters, etc. We do plan to continue the series for at least two more zines (we're gluttons for punishment!), and your opinions help us determine what material to include. If you send a SASE, I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have or discuss the Echoes universe and its characters with you further.
I first started writing these stories because I was fascinated by the character of Sarek and greatly admired Mark Lenard, the talented actor who gave life to the role. For all you Sarek fans, I would like to refer you to the Mark Lenard International Fan Club. They put out informative publications and frequently publish other stories about Sarek.
Recap as described in the third issue:
Sarek and Amanda decided to attempt to patch up their troubled marriage shortly after Spock's birth in spite of all the differences they had had in the past. And in the beginning they were quite successful, even though Amanda's father, Inspector Grayson expressed his doubts that Sarek was really a suitable husband for his only daughter.
All went well in the marriage until Spock was seven years old. This was when Amanda received the word from Dr. Whitney that she was pregnant with their second child. Amanda was horrified at the idea and decided immediately that she did not want to have the child. She blackmailed Er. Whitney into performing an abortion on her, even though the procedure was strictly forbidden by Vulcan law. Sarek found out about the abortion later and was very angry. He told Amanda that because of her crime, she was no longer his wife except in name.
Sarek discovered that some of the guards had been plotting against him, and he decided that he needed someone to discover their plans for him. He chose a young slave named Darella whom one of the guards fancied. Sarek seduced her and convinced that she could be very useful to him by spying on the guard, Sarlo. Darella was unsure of herself, but Sarek convinced her that she could do what he asked of her. Later the Governor found out that Darella had been beaten severely, and when he confronts her in the hospital, she tells him that Sarlo beat her when he discovered that she had been spying on him. But she had gotten the information Sarek had wanted, and that was all he had really cared about. She tells him where she had hidden it, and then Sarek realized that she has really out-lived her useful ness to him, so he has the doctor put her suffering to an end permanently with an overdose of medication.On Spock's tenth birthday, Sarek discovered that Amanda had been indiscreet with one of her lovers and that Spock knew about it. Sarek decided that he could no longer have Amanda around where her behavior might upset Spock so he asked her to leave and suggested that she return to her father. Sarek had sent Spock away to school on Vulcan when he was 11, but he called him home when he was 14 because he heard that Spock had decided he wanted to go to the Imperial Starfleet Academy. Sarek wanted Spock to follow in his footsteps.
Spock tried to explain it to his father, but Sarek refused to listen. In spite of that Spock refused to give up hope.
Sarek noticed that when Spock turned 15, he began to be interested in girls. However, Sarek did not approve of the girls Spock seemed to choose, so he contacted his friend Martin Gentry about hiring one of his prostitutes to give Spock a proper introduction to sex. Gentry and one of his girls, Kessi, came to Bel-Tanar in the guise of father and daughter, and Kessi's main job was to seduce Spock, which she does with no trouble at all, yet he never suspects that she is anything more than the daughter of one of his father's friends. Keaai actually does like Spock and she feels sorry for him that Sarek is trying to run so much of his life. Unknown to Sarek, she encourages Spock to go ahead and do what he wants with his life, to do whatever it will take to make him happy. Spock is more than grateful for her encouragement, and as the story concludes, he is more sure than ever that he should go to the Academy and that he will eventually will find a way to go.
from issue #2, Debi Barbich
from issue #2, Debi Barbich
from issue #2, Debi Barbich
from issue #2
from issue #2
from issue #2, Caro Hedge
Issue 3
Echoes of the Empire 3 was published in November 1979 and contains 90 pages.
The fiction is by Joyce Thompson.
The art is by Caro Hedge and Debi Barbich
150 copies were printed.
This volume follows Spock's life from age 15-19 on the planet Bel-Tanar.
Recap of issue #3, as described in issue #5:
Sarek wished to keep Spock on Bel-Tanar so he was willing to accept anything Spock did as long as it kept him happy and at home. This included a series of affairs with different yo\ing women. A friend of Spock's from school on Vulcan, T'Vara, and her husband, Sorvel, a sadistic Imperial official came to Bel-Tanar, and Spock renewed their acquaintance. T'Vara made a play for Spock, but he refused her. That same evening Spock was the unwilling witness to T'Vara's brutal beating by Sorvel. Spock next forms a relationship with Mi-yama, a young slave, whom he eventually comes to care about very much.
At the same time, Sarek was involved in a relationship with T'Saara, Spock's tutor. She was very wise, and eventually she convinced him to formally divorce Amanda. This angered Amanda greatly, and in order to get revenge, she gave her permission for Spock to enter the Academy, permission Sarek had refused to give him. Spock was excited about this, and he told Sarek that he planned to leave for the Academy in 3 days. Sarek denounced Spock as his son be cause of this. Spock said a sad yet passionate farewell to Mi-yama that evening, and then left for the Academy immediately. He had lied to her and to his father about his plans just to make sure no one tried to stop him. Spock was sorry about the estrangement with Sarek, but going to the Academy meant more to him than anything else, so he left Bel-Tanar with a shuttle pilot with high hopes and much idealism about his future in the Imperial Starfleet.
From the editorial:
Welcome to the Echoes universe for the third time! If anyone had told me when we published Echoes of the Empire #1 in mid-1978 that we would ever be doing a third issue, I would have said "no way."
But the stories seem to keep coming, and our readers are proving to be very faithful, so I am continuing to write. And we now have enough material to take our characters clear through Echoes of the Empire #5. Since our issues are already full, we are not seeking outside contributions at this time. We do appreciate all the sup port and interest our readers have given us, but at this time we cannot use any other material.
KathE and I appreciate all the kind comments that have been sent to us in regard to the Echoes universe, and we would really appreciate it if you would continue to send us your opinions about our zine. We're not asking for praise; we're asking for your real opinions about what you did and didn't like in our zine.
As always, if you have any questions about the Echoes universe or if you would just like to discuss it with me, I'd be more than glad to do so. Just send me a SASE along with your comments or questions and I'll get right back to you. The Echoes universe is my "baby" so like any proud mother, I'm always more than willing to talk about it!
I hope that you will find Echoes of the Empire #3 as enjoyable to read as it was for KathE and me to do. Please tell your friends who also like ST about our zine.
from issue #3
from issue #3
from issue #3
from issue #3
Issue 4
Echoes of the Empire 4 was published in May 1980 and contains 96 pages.
The fiction by is Joyce Thompson and the poem is by KathE Donnelly.
The front cover is by Caro Hedge, other art by Debi Barbich.
200 copies were printed.
From the flyer:
Join Spock and Sarek for more exciting adventures in the savage Vulcan/Terran Empire. Follow Spock on his journey to the Imperial Starfleet Academy and learn what happens when he is kidnapped by space pirates and sold into slavery. Find out how Spock reacts to seeing the Empire from "the other side." Meet a new character who is destined to change the course of Spock's life. All this and much, much more! This is the fourth in a projected series of continuing fanzines published by the Banana Press, written and edited by Joyce Thompson and KathE Donnelly. Echoes of the Empire #4 is an adult-oriented fanzine, and stories which are explicit in nature are included in this zine. No age statement is required.
Another recap as described in issue #5:
On his way to the Academy, Spock was captured by pirates who mis took him for a Romulan slave, since he had worn slaves' clothing in his escape from Bel-Tanar. They in turn sold him to Alpha Complex, a slave breeding facility, where he was put in a cell with, Kaali, a female Capellan slave. They were expected to breed immediately and produce another slave for the Empire.However, as a Vulcan, Spock had been taught since he was a child that it would be wrong to have a child with an "inferior," so he refused to mate with Kaali. As a result, they were both beaten and abused quite freely. Finally, those in charge find a way to force a mating between Spock and Kaali they decide to drug him with a medication which brings the mating drive to the surface to the exclusion of all else. But because they think Spock is a Romulan, not a Vulcan, he is given the improper dosage, and he becomes a madman.
He does finally mate with Kaali, and in the violence that accompanies the mating, Kaali is injured severely. The next day when both Spock and Kaali are taken to the medical wing of the complex, Spock is finally recognized by T'Mrel, an old friend of his father's, and so he is set free. T'Mrel also
discovers that Kaali did conceive Spock's child, so she contacts Sarek at once to find out how he wishes for the problem to be handled. An abortion is out of the question since the child is part Vulcan, so Sarek instructs T'Mrel to make arrangements for Kaali to come to Bel-Tanar and have the child there. But Spock must not know anything about it, so T'Mrel tells Spock that Kaali died from the injuries she suffered. Spock was confused and a bit lost by all that had happened, but T'Mrel arranged for him to continue his journey to Vulcan and the Academy, and he was cautiously hopeful that he would be able to put the horrors of Alpha Complex behind him and enjoy his time at the Academy.
Issue 5
Echoes of the Empire 5 was published in May 1981 and contains 60 pages.
The fiction by is by Joyce Thompson and the cover is by Caro Hedge.
200 copies were printed.
This volume features a unique (and sexy!) look at the life of young Spock at the Starfleet Academy (ages 19-22). Watch his character grow and develop through four important events which take place during these years. See how Spock reacts to learning some startling and disturbing truths about his early life and his parents. Learn how chance meetings with two women from his past influence his present and future life.
From the editorial:
One more time!
I've just about decided that writing these little opening statements is the most difficult part of putting out a zine, mostly because there are lots of things I'd like to say, but I have difficulty putting them all into words. This volume finds me in my usual quandary, but this time there's a special reason. The time has come when KathE and I have decided to put the Echoes of the Empire series to rest, so to speak. This is the final volume that we plan to publish in the series, but this does NOT mean that there will be no more stories in the Echoes universe. I plan to keep writing in this universe, and the stories will be printed in the future, but they just won't appear in a zine devoted totally to this universe. I am branching out a bit and have done some writing in other Trek uni verses, and we hope to publish some of these stories as well as Echoes universe stories in a new zine, which is as yet untitled. Right now the zine is just in the "talking stages," but it is definitely something we want to do when we can fit it into our schedules.
And that brings me to this current volume and a couple of things I'd like to tell you about it before you start reading the stories. This zine and the material found in it are done a bit differently than previous volumes, and I want to explain the change that has been made. In past volumes, I have basically told one continuing story in chronological order, but this is not the case with #5.
The stories included here are not really one continuing tale; they are what I like to refer to as "episodes" in Spock's life at the Academy. There is a thread of continuity, but it does not bind these stories together tightly. Some characters from previous volumes reappear, and some new ones are introduced. Many of the "episodes" involve Spock's various sexual experiences during his time at the Academy, but these experiences are presented to help show Spock's personality and character development as a result of his encounters with these people, their lives, and their problems. The time-frame covered by these "episodes" is Spock's four years at the Imperial Starfleet Academy, ages 19-22.
I had hoped to be able to include in this volume the stories concerning the events back on Bel-Tanar in regard to Sarek and the birth of his first grandchild since they do take place at the same chronological time as the events at the Academy, but I found very quickly as the writing began that this was a series of stories that was going to be long and involved, much more so than could be included in a zine that was already approaching the full mark in regard to pages. So in order to keep this zine affordable for both you readers and KathE and me, as publishers, I decided to not include those stories at this time. They will, however, be the very next Echoes stories which are printed. It will require a bit of back-tracking, but I think it will be the best way to handle it in the long-run. The stories are very important to the structure of the universe. And because they are, I didn't feel that I could include them here as an afterthought. So, you'll have to be left in suspense a bit longer.
Even though the Echoes of the Empire series will no longer exist "officially" we do plan to go ahead with our plans to do a reprint of volumes #1 & #2 later this summer, and a reprint of volumes #3 & #4 is a possibility come winter if there is sufficient fan interest.
And, if you are still interested in keeping up on the Echoes stories as they are printed, be sure to send me a SASE to keep on file, and I'll be more than happy to send you a flyer and more info when they are available. Also, be sure to watch in Forum for the latest news on any new zine or Echoes stories that KathE and I may publish.
I do want to issue my standard invitation to correspond with any Echoes reader who has a question about something or someone in any of the stories contained in this zine. Drop me a line or two, enclose a SASE please, and I'll get back to you just as soon as I can. Your comments and thoughts on the stories are always appreciated, and we enjoy hearing from our readers.
As is our usual custom, we are printing in this volume a short synopsis of the events that have taken place in the first four zines in this series. This will give the new reader a better understanding of the universe and the events that have led to the present situations, and it will enable the reader who has been with us since the beginning to refresh his memory. And in the same vein, because we have had requests for it, we are also including a bit of information which gives some background on this universe, its organization, and its people, which was originally printed in the first volume of the series. This information in itself might answer some of your questions about why certain things do or don't happen in this universe in comparison to the aired ST universe.
KathE and I both hope that you have enjoyed this zine and all the zines in the series as much as we have enjoyed doing them for you. It's been our pleasure!
Issue 6
Echoes of the Empire 6 was published in 1983 and contains 74 pages.
100 copies were printed
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6
This volume is devoted specifically to one specfic 24-36 hour time-period in Spock's life following his graduation from the Imperial Starfleet Academy at age 22, but just prior to his first assignment in deep-space. Before he can leave, a secret from his past is revealed, and it is a secret with important and far-reaching consequences for Spock and many other people in his sphere of acquaintance. Learn how this all affects Spock as well as two very important women from his past. And just what exactly is Sarek's involvment in all of this? Is he merely an innocent victim of treachery or is he the mastermind behind it all? Can Spock figure it all out and still have time to save a woman he has been involved with for several years? Alternate universes have always been on of my secret passions, so I was glad to see this concept used in a series of adult zines. This volume, in particular, centers on the lives of Spock, a new graduate of the Imperial Starfleet Academy, and Saren who has recently become an Inspector Regent, a powerful political overseer in the hieracrch of the brutal & unpredictable Vulcan-Terran Empire. It's difficult to comment too much on the storyline without ruining the surprises that are woven into it, but I can make a few general comments. It is interesting to see how several characters who appear to be widely diverse in nature and social status all become intertwined in a life and death situation for one of them -- a prostitute who is involved sexually and romantically with Spock but who has also revealed a deadly secret from the past. Spock's attempts to save her combine with Sarek's attempts to destroy her provide a central conflict. The solution is most unexpected yet I found it, dare I say, 'quite logical.' By the author's own admission, this zine's purpose is to tie up a few loose ends which have developed as this zine series has grown. As ever, exapanding number of characters cannot help but spawn such unfinished business; however, in most cases I found the solutions to be plausible and acceptable within the framework of this alternate universe. The character of Sarek is especially chilling in one very long scene which takes place in the office of the whoremaster. In many ways, this scene, which gives a bit of dark insight into the ways of those who manage to survive and prosper in the Empire, is the pivotal scene for the entire plot. Sarek's motivations are made quite clear, and while the reader may not agree with them, it is possible to understand his rage at the treachery which as been perpetrated against him. For those who may not have read or have access to the first five volumes of this series (all back issues are currently out of print), a two-page summary of the events which take place in them is included in each copy of #6. It can also serve a a quick reference sheet for those how have read the previous zines but find their memories need a bit of jogging from time to time. The episodic nature of presenttion sis frustrating to the reader who wants more immediately and is not ready for the story to end after a specific number of pages, but the series has been presented in this manner since its inception, so it should come as no surprise. A seventh volume would be most welcome, and since this is advertised as a continuing series of fanzines, I can only assume that another publication can be anticipated. The zine does contain one sexually explicit scene as well as some strong language, so I would recommend it to readers who do not object to such content. Layout is clean and clear for the most part, and the typos are relatively few. Occasional graphics are interspersed among the stories, but there is no pictoral artwork. It is a zine which an interesting concept which I find to be well-exectued and an enjoyable change of pace to read.[5]
Issue 7
Echoes of the Empire 7 wasn't written. But, if it had been, it would have gone something like this: "Spock is a young officer (age 24) aboard an Imperial Starship and Sarek is a powerful Empire official. This alternate universe zine continues with more intrigue, betrayal, and adult adventure. A long-forgotten incident from Sarek's past has deadly and surprising consequences for both Sarek and Spock. Can they escape with their lives and their careers intact? Sarek and Spock are forced to face each other -- will they be reconciled? A tale of desperation, determination, and revenge!" [6]
References
- ^ from an editorial of the first issue
- ^ from an ad in Datazine #19
- ^ from Right of Statement #3
- ^ review by Dixie Owen in The Clipper Trade Ship #24
- ^ from Datazine #27
- ^ according to an ad in Datazine #32