First Contact (Star Trek: VOY story)

Fanfiction
Title:	First Contact
Author(s):	Ruth Devero
Date(s):	2000
Length:	181 kb / 31,134 words
Genre(s):	slash, slavery
Fandom(s):	Star Trek Voyager
Relationship(s):	Chakotay/Paris
External Links:	First Contact (Adventures in the Slash Dimension) First Contact (AO3) First Contact (Boys in Chains)
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First Contact is a Chakotay/Paris slash story by Ruth Devero.

Summary: "When an away mission goes wrong, Paris and Chakotay wind up in the middle of a slave culture -- and only one can be the master. A classic Trek theme. (180 kb)"

The story received "The Cha_Club's Special Award" in October 2000.

From the author's notes:

"Ah, yes, the never-ending slash story. It was supposed to be finished in October, 1999. Then in November, 1999. Then it was supposed to be done in December, 1999. Or, was it mid-January, 2000? What was supposed to be a nice, short first-time story set in a slave culture (is there any Trek writer who doesn't write one of these?) turned into a nice, long first-time novella set in a slave culture. Well, there's just that much more room for the sex. (...) And, oh, my goodness, it turned out to be a hurt/comfort story! I love a good slave story just as much as anyone. But I wanted to do something different with it. All too often, the two characters fall instantly into their roles and really enjoy themselves. That doesn't happen here. After all, these two guys are the essence of independence: neither is going to enjoy being the slave that much. Nor should he."

Recs and Reviews

Chakotay and Tom are stranded on an alien planet with no way of contacting Voyager. To make things worse, the Commander is assumed to be a slave because of his Tattoo. While waiting to be rescued they have to blend in – Chakotay acting like a slave and Tom as his master – a task neither one is very happy about.

The whole "stranded on an alien planet" is certainly not a very original plot, but one thing this fic shows is that it can be quite interesting if done well. Set during the early seasons of Voyager, we have a Chakotay and Tom that, while not overtly hostile, are still a bit wary of each other. The enforced closeness and dependence make them re-evaluate their perceptions and their growing camaraderie soon turns into attraction. At the same time, they both struggle with the roles the Verkau society has imposed on them.

All in all, this is a great version of a much abused Trek cliché.

Classic slave culture scenario, marvelously penned down with a unique perspective. From hesitant beginnings to the slow building of trust between the two men, this story brings out the best in C/P characterization. It's erotic, convincing and utterly compelling. This is the story I read when I am feeling down or upset or pissed off about something. It never fails to lift my spirits.

The story is called 'First contact' easy to see on the page because it has a well deserved award icon next to it. Chakotay gets pegged as a slave and it is up to Paris to get them out of hot water. Located at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Quasar/1767/page2.htm with many other fine stories. This one is very well written with a lot of attention to character, plot, and background.

Upside: Great realization of the culture, funny, and hot.
Downside: Strangely, thins over multiple readings. (Granted, it took me ten years or something of rereads for that "thinning.")

I've got two new C/P recs this week: The first is by Ruth Devero and is called First Contact

The second is by Torch and is Once More, With Feeling

I can't recommend these two stories enough. Both are not only well written, but have great characterizations and dialogue. First contact is more plot driven than Once More, With Feeling; I'm recommending them for different reasons. First Contact is longish - about 200K and Once More, With Feeling is about 60K. Don't forget to let the authors know what you thought.