Flesh and Blood (Star Trek: TOS story)

Fanfiction
Title:	Flesh and Blood
Author(s):	Deanna Gray
Date(s):	2002
Length:	25 pages
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
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Flesh and Blood is a Kirk/Spock story by Deanna Gray.

It was published in the print zine First Time #54 and was the first place winner in that contest zine.

Summary

"Spock is picked as a subject to have computer components integrated into his brain in order to enhance the communication between the two."

Reactions and Reviews

Flesh and Blood was the most original story in the entire zine and fairly long at 25 pages. Obviously I like longer stories much better than shorter ones.

Being original is not always good if it means the story is totally off the wall or just plain wacko without intending to be. Being original is not good if you really can't recognize the characters as being the familiar ones that you love. This was not only original but it was very well done and extremely interesting. I frankly don't even want to give away any of the plot except to say this involves Spock getting a computer implant.

After I read it I wanted to read it again. It encompasses all the elements of a really good K/S story to me: friendship, angst, originality, trekkie plot, h/c, both physical and emotional, but in small doses, not over-kill. I felt as though I was watching a classic trek episode while reading it as Kirk and Spock are, to me, so recognizable here, and are written like men. I know that sounds odd, but I hate it when Kirk and Spock come off as feminine! There is some lovely sex in this story too. I have to admit, I prefer a penetration love scene in a long, angsty story like this one. I like the feeling I get, the completion between the fellows, and when it's Kirk penetrating Spock, as is done here, even better! Sometimes a story will build up to what seems like it will flow into some great lovemaking, only to fall short of what I expected. Not so here. The lovemaking between Kirk and Spock is very satisfying and definitely lives up to the story.

I am 99.99% sure I know who this author is! (Note from Jenna: This LOC was written and submitted before the authors of the contest stories were announced.) This story has all the hallmarks of her writing: an unusual and involving plot, excellent writing, and believable and interesting characterizations of Kirk and Spock. The clincher was the really hot love scene, since this author (or who I think she is) writes some of the best love scenes in K/S, which usually get my vote as deserving of the Shelley Butler Thrash on the Carpet Award! (Not to get too graphic here, but she writes the best “Kirk penetrating Spock” love scenes around.) I don’t think I’ve ever read a story with a plot quite like this, in which Star Fleet wants to use Spock in an experiment involving a computer. The experiment goes terribly awry, however. The computer is self aware and takes over Spock’s body and mind, and plans on using the androids Harry Mudd discovered to control humans and all other sentient life forms. With that formidable mind and body controlled by the computer, Spock is very dangerous, and must be stopped somehow. Leave it to our intrepid captain to figure out how to do this in a truly different way! This was an exciting, compelling, unique story, and in that group of my personal favorites that made voting for the top three so difficult!

This is the winner of the contest zine and in my opinion, it is a richly-deserved one. Although I really, really enjoyed all the submissions, this one by far outshone all the others in what I consider to be the single most important element when it comes to a K/S story: the characterizations of Kirk and Spock. This author has demonstrated time and time again through her writing that she really, really knows these two men and never fails to make them come alive for me on the pages of her stories. Add to that the fact that she always manages to find the most unique concepts for K/S stories that I have ever come across and the end result is a piece of work that quickly becomes a "must read" for every K/S fan.

In this story, the author takes the idea behind the TOS episode "The Ultimate Computer", except this time, instead of impressing human engrams onto the computer, the opposite is done to Spock. One of the parts of the story I enjoyed most happens in the beginning, where Spock drops a few hints to Kirk that this is something he really doesn't want to do, but can't think of a sound reason to back out. Unfortunately, Kirk doesn't pick up on this and the experiment is carried out, with disastrous results. When Kirk returns to the planet where Spock is staying, he already suspects something is wrong based on a recent communication from Spock and when he does beam down, he finds his suspicions are correct. Gone is the Vulcan he knows and loves and instead he finds himself face-to-face with a computer housed in Spock's body. But true to form, Kirk refuses to give up and finds what can only be described as a unique solution to this particular problem.

Overall, a well-written, well-paced, certainly well- characterized story that clearly deserved the first place ordinal it received.

Impeccable characterization and believable dialogue are the key to bringing Star Trek and K/S to life for me. The opening conversation here—really a blasting narrative from a worried McCoy—is so credible ifs uncanny. You forget you're reading, so clear are the inflections of speech, the barely controlled exasperation. Equally well captured is Kirk's cautious defensiveness of Spock, the protective nature that forces its way to the forefront whenever Spock is the target of thoughtless remarks or danger.

McCoy's fury unsuccessfully masks a terrible concern for Spock, who has volunteered for a research project involving implants in his brain. In a conversation with Kirk, Spock almost gives in to his desire to remain on the ship with his friend, and Kirk nearly allows himself to beg the Vulcan to stay. But in the end, that familiar devotion to duty on Spock's part and Kirk's determination not to push his friend both come into play and the experiment is scheduled to begin. Kirk's concern, so well described, is barely held in check. He worries in silence as they deliver Spock to the designated research station, respecting Spock's decision while fearing for his friend's safety and well being. Such is only the beginning for this tightly-plotted, fast-paced, horrifying ordeal of a story.

The project progresses without Kirk, as the Enterprise must leave her First Officer to the engineers and computer experts for endless months. The tension Kirk feels during this separation is alive with apprehension and loneliness. Later, as his worst fears are realized, we are shown the determination that makes him the outstanding leader and exceptional human being that he is. His desperation to save his friend is so typical of the never take no for an answer JTK of the series.

You won't put down this page-turner until the end! No part of you will be disappointed, either. There is something for everyone here—adventure, suspense, angst, and love at its undaunted best! Take this trip when you have time to read it in its entirety and to live every breathtaking moment, every sentence, to its fullest.

Kirk reluctantly allows his first officer to undergo an experimental procedure to implant computer components in his brain at Starfleet's request. But when the tone of Spock's messages starts to change, Kirk knows something has gone wrong. A thrilling and sometimes blood-chilling plot, with echoes of The Ultimate Computer and many moments of complicity and tenderness between Kirk and Spock.