Heading Out
| K/S Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Heading Out |
| Author(s): | Allie Benet Atwater |
| Date(s): | 2005 |
| Length: | |
| Genre: | slash |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: The Original Series |
| External Links: | |
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Heading Out is a Kirk/Spock story by Allie Benet Atwater.
It was published in the print zine Beyond Dreams #8.
Summary
"Day in and day out of star mapping on the Enterprise ends up including an encounter with a new race of beings."
Reactions and Reviews
And now for something completely different. “Heading Out” is an established relationship, slice-of-life- aboard-the-Enterprise story. This author writes under a variety of pen names, but I can usually recognize her by the leisurely pace she sets, and by the characterization of McCoy, who is more the good-ole-southern’ boy than in most other stories. Very entertaining.In this offering we are treated to a series of “written snapshots” that show how well the command team relates to each other both personally and professionally. I like to see them at their jobs and watch them interact with the rest of the crew. We find out how birthdays are celebrated on the ship, that Spock adores the large pink frosted roses on the traditional cake, and that Uhura always makes sure he gets more than his share of them. We see him interrelate with two young Vulcans who experience their first sugar rush, and who have a decided case of hero worship for the first officer. We get to watch a chess game, find out about the girl Kirk took to his first winter dance, and meet friends of the Kalandans from the episode That Which Survives. My favorite part has to be when Spock uses his finger to mimic the erection (or lack thereof) of his captain’s penis. Not that I believe it would happen for a second, but it was fun to read.
This author has been around for a very long time, and I love that she is still writing K/S, still finds she has stories to tell. Although these are not my Kirk and Spock, they are very much her own, and I enjoy seeing the guys from her unique, well-written perspective. [1]
Since I had this zine in my hands from reading another story, I turned to see what else there was to offer. Some of the stories I remembered, some not. I chose this one because I didn’t remember it. There isn’t a lot of plot, or maybe I wasn’t paying attention, but while it may lack in plot, it does have some fine moments aboard the Enterprise – moments concerning Kirk and Spock and sometimes Bones and other crew.I found it a nice way to relax and imagine myself aboard the Enterprise, heading out into the unknown. I enjoyed the established relationship and the way the author handled the love scenes. They were nicely done without a lot of description and more or less faded to black in the way of an old movie. This was good, because it’s what I was in the mood for. There was an easygoing relationship with the “big three”, with McCoy fully aware of the intimate status of his friends and more likely to tease them about it than anything else.
There were interesting little touches, like a new computer program that actually produced uniforms that fit! And featured fabric with a nice touch. I especially enjoyed learning that Spock has a sweet tooth and is particularly fond of the sugary decorative roses on birthday cakes!
More toward the adventure end of the spectrum, the Enterprise did encounter the planet from which the Kalindans originated and talks with them ensued. Still, I was more interested in the evenings Kirk and Spock spent playing chess, or just walking down the corridor together. It was a nice way to spend a couple of hours.[2]
What an engaging story! It contains all the blandishments that make it indispensible for me. Satisfaction guaranteed, a deeply intimate and comforting read. Everything about it is wonderful. I had such fun looking in on the inner workings of our ship, the everyday interactions of Kirk's well-oiled and trained crew, his loyal crew. It has a lovingly erotic established relationship theme. A Kirk and Spock so close and committed, so respectful of each other's professional and private personas. I fell in love with this author's gifted creation. I loved the way she touched on several of TOS episodes. Seemingly very lightly but extremely interesting and fine. The author's technique is exceptionally vivid: I felt I was actually on our ship with our beloved crew; plus the new 'token' species assigned. Their assimilation into the regular crew seems a lesson in tolerance and our guys come off looking great. After all, these beings are the best of their planets' representatives and it shows. It made me proud once again. This is a deeply intimate tale of the day-to-day workings of our beloved starship; laced upon the framework of the established realationship of it's two top officers. The wonderful scenes we're given in their bedroom and when they're dining in the mess rooms, their easy connections with each other and their crew--newly-met and familiar; Kirk's ever-exciting commanding presence and Spock's musical gifts--all of it made me believe I was actually in that special world so dear to my heart. Wouldn't you know it though? The Enterprise suddenly encounters a space buoy! Uhura misidentifies it. I really thought there would be fireworks but I was spared: they eventually sort things out and discover a supremely peaceful species and a system of beautiful habitable planets. You'll never guess who the Bursians really are or whom they were waiting for; this is another scenario that is quite rewarding and interesting. A first contact for the Federation, one they can reap tremendous benefits from. Our heroes score again! Read it, it's every bit as exciting and fulfilling— more!—than any episode ever aired. Inventive, and intelligently expressed and with a shining ending. A superb story. [3]
This was a light hearted and enjoyable ―slice of everyday life‖ story, depicting Kirk and Spock‘s relationship on a routine star mapping mission which evolves into a first contact scenario, which, for once, does not degenerate into a crisis! It was a pleasant change to see their everyday world on the Enterprise when everything is as it should be, an ordinary mission with no life and death situations, just normal day to day routine instead, including Spock‘s sweet tooth and the effect it has, a birthday party on the ship, which they both attend, and contact with a non hostile alien race who were truly delightful! I really enjoyed this portrayal of life on the Enteprise, as a big family community with all its associated goings-on. [4]
Since I had this zine in my hands from reading another story, I turned to see what else there was to offer. Some of the stories I remembered, some not. I chose this one because I didn‘t remember it. There isn‘t a lot of plot, or maybe I wasn‘t paying attention, but while it may lack in plot, it does have some fine moments aboard the Enterprise – moments concerning Kirk and Spock and sometimes Bones and other crew.I found it a nice way to relax and imagine myself aboard the Enterprise, heading out into the unknown. I enjoyed the established relationship and the way the author handled the love scenes. They were nicely done without a lot of description and more or less faded to black in the way of an old movie. This was good, because it‘s what I was in the mood for. There was an easygoing relationship with the ―big three‖, with McCoy fully aware of the intimate status of his friends and more likely to tease them about it than anything else. There were interesting little touches, like a new computer program that actually produced uniforms that fit! And featured fabric with a nice touch. I especially enjoyed learning that Spock has a sweet tooth and is particularly fond of the sugary decorative roses on birthday cakes!
More toward the adventure end of the spectrum, the Enterprise did encounter the planet from which the Kalindans originated and talks with them ensued. Still, I was more interested in the evenings Kirk and Spock spent playing chess, or just walking down the corridor together. It was a nice way to spend a couple of hours. [5]