Fire (Star Trek: TOS story by Charlotte Frost)

Fanfiction
Title:	Fire
Author(s):	Charlotte Frost
Date(s):	1993
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Fire is a Kirk/Spock story by Charlotte Frost.

It was published in the print zine Way of the Warrior #6.

Summary

"On a medieval planet. Kirk & Spock find that their greatest danger lies in fear of the unknown...and they are the unknown."

The Author Comments

This was a story that I was a bit flustered that it was published in a zine that wasn’t particularly popular, and I thought it was a good story. However, even as I say that, I’m aware that it’s a good story, not necessarily a good K/S story. There is slash, and I think the relationship between Kirk and Spock has an appealing tenderness. But what I’m particularly proud of is the overall plot and how it meshes together. This story came about when the U.S. was preparing for Desert Storm. Only… nobody was sure if there was going to be a war or not. Troops were building up in Kuwait (I think it was), and many of those young members of the army were rather appalled that they might have to actually fight. It had been so many years since America had gone to war, after all. Anyway, the media was all over the place and the tension could be cut with a knife. Was all the build-up for not? When would the first shot be fired? If we went to war, how long would it last? So, while watching the news and feeling the tension, my imagination went to work with the backdrop of an unknown planet. I also did something rather unique – at least for the time (though not necessarily for the ST series, even in the 60's.) The main military general in the story was a woman. Her “sidekick” was also female – a “recorder” who was writing a biography of the general in “real time”, as that was the custom for their culture. What it just now occurs to me is how there’s some similarities to Xena and Gabrielle, though no such series existed at the time. This was my last K/S story and it got very little notice. Ironically, in a recent issue of KS Press, the letterzine of the fandom (that I started the forerunner to, way back in 1989), somebody gave some feedback on it. I actually got out the zine and re-read the story. I still think it’s a decent, solid short story (probably qualifies as a novella by modern standards). And I still think it deserved more appreciation than it ever received in the 13 years since its publication.

Reactions and Reviews

1993

An interesting story, but I couldn't help drawing parallels between the general and Kirk, Nisha and Spock. Would Spock have agreed to a marriage of convenience until Kirk was available? Kirk did, I guess, with Lori, so it's possible. Still, I can't help but hope there's more for Nisha with the king.

Kirk and Spock's shuttlecraft crash lands on a planet where two factions have been battling each other for hundreds of years and have now tost sight of why they remain at war. Kirk and Spock get involved in the dispute and until the Enterprise can rescue them, become close to the people and the military, ft is a coed military, based on a medieval culture and society. A kidnapping of a woman leads to a meeting with the king of the opposing people to help the planet resolve its differences.

A definitive creation of a planet and its people. Nicely done and quite Involving with a wonderful "series feel" that I enjoy so much. Kirk is at his best as mediator, ambassador and fighter. There was a small difficulty with an introduction of a growing attraction to Kirk and Spock by two of the native women that was just dropped. I would have liked to have seen more of a conclusion.

Excellent creation of the character of Nisha - she being the "recorder" which is an historian who records everything for prosperity. A really strong and unusual story by an author whose work I always enjoy. --Shelley Butler

Perfect writing. Subtle but expressive. Early in the story I kept being glad this was a fairly long story.

I like how Kirk and Spock are put in some situation on some planet without a lot of unnecessary explanation. The opening scene drew me in nicely. An excellent portrayal of the native culture. I realty liked the characters. General Selbria and her Recorder, and of course the one soldier who doesnt trust easily and so on. And their "battle" is so interesting. It was written in their legends that the others would attack, but here the people wait, for 500 years yet, and the enemy never comes.

The shuttle had crashed; Kirk is ill, dying. Spock is found by these people and taken as a spy, but they agree to help him and Kirk. I loved how Gen. Selbria trusts their honorable comradeliness.

Kirk and Spock are already lovers, but have been waiting for the next pon farr to bond. Sweet, sweet love between them once Kirk is recovered. Very beautiful words of love and very loving sex. Perfection.

The king on the other side kidnaps Selbria, hoping to marry her and bring peace between the two peoples. Kirk and Spock's part in encouraging the peace efforts is such perfect Star Trek. I could really picture this as if seeing an episode. The two very interesting peoples and how they come together. Another fulfilling mission...

Excellent. Lovely story.

2006

It takes an accomplished author to barely sprinkle K/S throughout a story and make it truly K/S. Ms. Frost does this quite nicely with ―Fire. Stranded on a planet with a society centuries behind their own, Kirk and Spock manage to overcome all the barriers and are accepted by its citizens. The problem lies in the fact that their benefactors are on the brink of war with an enemy they have not seen for 500 years.

Through many small subtleties, we see the love that connects Kirk and Spock as they become involved in the conflicts and culture of the Milan people. For the most part, we know of their love through a few whispered words, a cautious touch now and then, a look that draws them together. With so little to convince us they are lovers, though they freely admit it verbally, one might think this is a story that leaves the reader disappointed and frustrated, but just the opposite happens. Every one of those gentle caresses, those loving looks, those shared smiles, is worth a king‘s ransom.

Ms. Frost does allow them one hour alone together, and they express their love in a most convincing manner! But it is the clear commitment, the unquestionable trust and affection marking their every waking moment that broadcasts how much they love each other and how much that love has changed their lives and their future. This is a fine and entertaining story, with new characters for whom the reader quickly finds sympathy and understanding, while all along basking in the love of Kirk and Spock. Highly recommended.