Federation Classic

Zine
Title:	Federation Classic
Publisher:	Nova Press Publications
Editor(s):	Deborah Baudoin & Chris Dickenson
Date(s):	March 1992-1993
Series?:
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Star Trek: TOS
External Links:
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Federation Classic is a gen Star Trek: TOS anthology fanzine.

"A feast for classic fans."

cover of issue #2, David Lawrence

Issue 1

Federation Classic 1 is 144 pages and was published in March 1992. The cover is by David Lawrence. Other art by Lawrence, BEKi, Barbara Caldwell, and Chris Myers.

• Shayla by Deborah Baudoin (2)
• A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way by Sadie Maxwell (52)
• Passion's Price by J. Karen Huff (Follow-up to "Mudd's Passion.") (62)
• And Gain Strength from the Sharing by Chris Dickenson (Sybok vignette.) (73)
• By Virtue Fall by Chris Dickenson (78)
• Finale by Chris Dickenson (86)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

This is probably the most error-free zine I've ever read. I can't recall a single typo or other minor irritation. It's beautifully put together, with short quotes from the original series at the end of each of the six stories, a finishing touch I really enjoyed. Now, I'm sure you want to know a little about the stories. Well, let's see. The first one is titled "Shayla," by Deborah herself. "Shayla" is an uncomfortable sort of story. Spurred by recent events surrounding anti-abortion legislation in her home state, Baudoin carefully builds a believable background for, and explanation of, Christopher Pike's Number One. This is definitely not a feel-good story. Baudoin does an excellent job recreating the characters of Boyce and Number One, and there's a Tellarite I took a particular liking to, but I have to admit, even after several readings, I still don't like "Shayla." And, strange as it seems, that may be the very best tribute I can offer to the hard work and deep feelings that went into this story. I'd suggest "Shayla" to anyone who's feeling complacent about how far women have come in the last hundred or so years. A refresher course in what motivated women like Elizabeth Gady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony wouldn't be a bad idea either.

On the lighter side, there's "A Little Kindness Goes A Long Way" by Sadie Maxwell. The blurb on the flyer calls it "...a comic account of a day when James T. Kirk should have stayed in bed." Believe it I loved this one. In fact, I wish it had been longer. Looking for a little romance? You'll find it in "Passion's Price" by J. Karen Huff. It's a sequel to the animated episode, "Mudd's Passion," and is sure to fit the bill for all those Ghapelphiles out there. Be warned though, the quote that follows this one is comprised of Spock's words to Storm after the kal-i-fee. For those who can't keep track of every line in original Trek, what he said was this: "After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasant a thing, after all, as wanting..." Hmmm. How do you like them apples? The final three stories are all by Chris Dickenson. Having said that, perhaps I shouldn't bother saying any more. However, for those of you who are curious, I'll tell you a little bit about them. The first is a Sybok story, or rather a vignette, titled "And Gain Strength from the Sharing." It shows a side of Sybok we haven't seen before. This is the first piece I've read that managed to evoke any sympathetic feelings on my part toward that ill-guided Vulcan, which says volumes about Chris Dickenson's abilities. The next story is "By Virtue Fall." It's a STVI story that should please(?) those of us who were disturbed by the forced meld between Spock and Valeris. I still feel twinges of discomfort at the thought of Spock forcing a meld, but Dickenson's story has done much to answer "why." The last story is called, fittingly, "Finale." It's about Sarek and Amanda, and, incidentally, Spock. It answers, with an aching beauty, some of the questions left in our minds after the Next Generation eliminated their love story in a matter of words. "Finale" is, as Dickenson intended it, a more than fitting tribute to the man who was called "The Great Bird of the Galaxy."

All in all, I'd say that Federation Classic is more than worth the ten dollar price tag.

• Shayla, The history of Number One, told in flashback when Pike requires her to lead a landing party to deal with Cazida'a petition to join the Federation. Cazida keeps women in submission; breeders are raped from an early age, and those who fail to conceive are discarded to eke out a living as best they can as prostitutes or captured by Orions for slaves. Shayla manages to escape into the Federation as a refugee, find a sponsor, obtain an education and join Starfleet. She now must deal with the fact that Federation membership is the best hope for women on the planet, but acceptance is impossible because of their culture. Interesting take, with some nice Number One interactions with Boyce and a Tellarite.
• A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way, Kirk is forced to attend sensitivity training - and fails the course. Nice romp.
• Passion's Price, Follow-up to "Mudd's Passion" (TAS). Chris takes advantage of McCoy's absence to analyze Mudd's love potion, accidentally spilling some all over Spock. The subsequent romantic interlude convinces her that she doesn't want him at the price of messing with who he really is.
• And Gain Strength from the Sharing, Sybok vignette as he watches J'onn mourn his wife - Sybok's own parting from his wife T'Ariz when he faces the choice of exile or death and chooses exile (when his mother had chosen death).
• By Virtue Fall, Spock's mind-rape of Valeris, from his pov, as an outpouring of his anger at himself. Compelling. Vivid meld imagery as he seeks information behind doors.
• Finale, At Amanda's deathbed, Sarek reminisces over scenes from their life together. Tender and believable. Their meeting at the Vulcan embassy, a quarrel over Sarek's failure to believe the schoolmaster rather than Spock when the child insisted that he had solved a problem correctly and creatively, her wish to enjoy a last visit to the garden rather than go to a bed from which she feared never to rise.

Issue 2

cover of issue #2, by David Lawrence

Federation Classic 2 was published in 1993 and contains 132 pages. Artwork by David Lawrence, Chris Myers, Joy Riddle, Sylva Hebert, and Chris Brackman.

• Unheard Melodies by Chris Dickenson
• What the Russian Doesn't Know by Sadie Maxwell
• All Work and No Play by Joanna K. Seward
• Each a Star by Madalena Mumford
• The Road to Salvation by Deborah Baudoin
• The Right Tool by Chris Dickenson
• To Boldly Go by Deborah Baudoin