Hello Earth
Fanfiction | |
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Title: | Hello Earth |
Author(s): | Dovya Blacque |
Date(s): | 1993 |
Length: | |
Genre(s): | slash |
Fandom(s): | |
Relationship(s): | Kirk/Spock |
External Links: | |
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Hello Earth is a K/S story by Dovya Blacque.
It was published in the print zines As I Do Thee #19 and Splendor.
Summary
"Being stationed on Earth isn’t as bad as Kirk might once have thought; anything seems bearable as long as Spock remains at his side. In a moment of clarity, Kirk sees just how content he is… and why."
Reactions and Reviews
1993
What a pleasure it was to find this story by one of the reliably talented writers in K/S. Kirk and Spock are both assigned to Earth, after the events of STVI. Kirk isn't too happy about what he's doing, public relations liaison with the UFP, but he does find one part of his life that gives him happiness. His weekly Saturday night dinners in Spock's apartment, and the contentment he finds there, leads his thought in surprising directions, and this story tells the simple tale of how he acts upon those thoughts.
This author has the marvelous ability to write meaningful dialogue about inconsequential events. Her detailing of K and S's conversation before K pops the big question is just delightful. And I loved Spock's reaction. I loved the fact that he took a full week to answer Kirk, and the insight that simply speaking freed Kirk from indecision and gave him lots of energy for his work. And God help me, even though it's corny, I adored the whole business with the ring.
I was a little confused by the dialogue on page 141, At first I thought that Spock fully understood what Kirk was asking when he gave Spock the ring, especially when I read "Finally, after swallowing heavily, Spock managed, 'Tell me why?' in a soft almost frightened voice." One could easily assume that with all of his experience living among humans that the true significance of such a gift would be obvious. But further down on the same page we read, "'Hmmm... This is an engagement ring?' Spock asked incredulously, not unkindly." This exchange was a little unclear to me, as if the author were implying first one thing and then another, or perhaps as if a first draft comment or transition had been left in when it should have been edited out of a subsequent draft.
But this is the only criticism I have for this very sweet, romantic, slow-paced story. It seemed very appropriate for this older Kirk and Spock not to rush in to anything, and their measured conversation before their sexual activity was so completely in character.
Nevertheless. I also especially enjoyed the line "Kirk sailed - as if to as 'Right here? On the floor? - ", and the impetuous way that Spock got them on the floor. Their comments about thinking of making love to one another when Kirk was in the body of Janice Lester seemed very real. These were thoughts and words that I could imagine real people having and making, they resounded in my brain with authenticity, as did almost all of the carefully constructed dialogue in this story.
Perhaps I like "Hello Earth" so much because its focus is so clear, its style so unhurried. The author is dealing with slightly older characters than we see in the typical K/S story, and she handles the subtle changes that were necessary with aplomb. Don't read this story expecting a plot or any "action." No hard-edged characters here. It would help to be a romantic. But read it for the characters, and enjoy. [1]
The feelings evoked by this story really lingered. Also, some quite polished, expressive, vivid, clever language. Kirk and Spock after ST6 are portrayed very "realistically." I could hear the older characters we know from ST6 saying these words. I really like Kirk and Spock older anyway, and especially as depicted by this author. Grown wise with years, but still with a touch of romance and poetry. It felt like a perfect coming-together for them after all these years.
Kirk is assigned in Federation PR on Barth in San Francisco; Spock is Head of Sciences at Academy. Kirk's bored. A charming, simple scene, Kirk to Spock's for dinner, as he does every Saturday night. Kirk gives Spock a ring. He has realized Spock is the one thing in his life that feels meaningful, tells Spock so and proposes a marriage. How sweet...
Lovely dialogue, appropriate thoughts. Spock's eventual words of acceptance, very fine. The kiss so perfect. I really liked the conversation of all the specific times they had alaost expressed their love in the past. The bond, the sex, very poetic and powerful.
Genesis effect changed Spock's metabolism so he won't live as long? Interesting and useful premise. [2]
1998
Mmmmmmmm, yes. From start to finish, a completeness, a strength, a perfection in words and deeds. I love it.[3]
2007
“Hello, Earth” in As I Do Thee 19 is very typical of the author’s low-key but intimate style. Here, Kirk and Spock have been friends for many years. It is after the events of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, and Kirk and Spock are both winding down their careers with assignments on Earth. Kirk isn’t especially enamored of the desk job he’s been assigned to, though Spock gets him to admit that the negotiations he’s in charge of can have significant impact. Every week, Kirk trudges up a San Francisco hill to have dinner with Spock. And it’s during one of these dinners that he reaches into his pocket and pulls out.... Well, you’ve got to read it yourself, don’t you think? [4]
References
- ^ from The LOC Connection #50
- ^ from The LOC Connection #51
- ^ from The K/S Press #23
- ^ from The Legacy of K/S in Zines: 1991-1995: Publisher by Publisher