How High is the Sky?

Fanfiction
Title:	How High is the Sky?
Author(s):	Robbi
Date(s):	2000
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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How High is the Sky? is a Kirk/Spock story by Robbi.

It was published in the print zine Beyond Dreams #2.

Summary

"Just how far will Kirk go to ensure the safety of the man he loves? Spock, commanding a science vessel, is mysteriously missing, and Kirk races across the galaxy in the face of disapproval, opposition, and the certainty that he will never be captain of the Enterprise again."

Reactions and Reviews

This is a most enjoyable story with a unique and believable plot that lends itself nicely to K/S, and there is a lot of sweet K/S. It’s after the V’jer incident, and Spock is called away to captain another ship for six months. I love the beginning, their sweet, tentative talks, as when Kirk tries to say he wishes Spock didn’t have to go...yet not quite saying how he really feels.

I never really got the significance of the title, but that’s a minor point. Not so minor is about POV. I loved this story, but being in everyone’s heads makes me crazy–I mean, not only Kirk and Spock and McCoy, for instance, but the crewpeople out in the hall and the guys on the planet, too. Also, the story is longer than it would have been because of this; we learn how each character feels about each thing that happens at every step along the way. Also adding to length is that very often, what’s said in dialogue is then explained again in narrative. This also takes away from the drama; although the drama is otherwise maintained nicely through the story, such as in the plot-line itself and in the subtlety of many of the scenes. Be all that as it may.... The feelings are wonderful. How they both have strong feelings by this time. (I love when it’s the slightly older characters such as here— the feelings are even more precious and poignant.) But it’s not quite the right time to say anything yet. What they do say is quietly revealing nonetheless. Neither wants to be apart from the other; and I love how Kirk worries that Spock will like command and not want to come back to the Enterprise, to him. I loved the little scene in the transporter room when they part. We see the passage of time for Kirk when Spock’s away–not a very good time for our captain. After a while, on a routine call to Spock, he finds that Spock’s missing off the Galaxia. This is the guts of the story, and is really a good idea and filled with innovative detail and vividly portrayed characters, besides realistic characterizations of Kirk and Spock. I won’t reveal all the story, but it’s just good. There’s a planet seeking to join the Federation, and Spock has apparently disappeared there, in some sacred caves. One thing I didn’t get: what is a “magnetic field” anyway, that a person would die in it? I’m sure Robbie knows what she’s talking about, but I didn’t feel I had anything I could relate that phenomenon to that I could grasp. “Light bending” I guess I understand–an example would be how it’s always said that watching the stars streak past at warp is too disorienting to the human brain. Kirk is gloriously Kirk here—throwing it all away, if necessary, in sexy Kirk style, to rescue Spock. It’s a fabulous scene of him standing up to Ambassador Fox on the planet when he’s denied access to the cave area. There are many memorable moments in this story such as this one. I adore this Kirk, his one word that speaks volumes. Again, very cool details, the innovative med-tech stuff, etc., besides just the whole plan of action Kirk comes up with. The rescue scene was good, too, and paced right—not overly drawn out, but yet moment-by- moment enough so we could be all nervous for Kirk in these treacherous conditions, worried about what he would or would not find. The scene back in sickbay, about their both being treated, had realistic details, too (but not too realistic, the kind of medical detail that goes on a bit too much). They are still not out of danger, though, as Spock is in a coma. These are beautiful, strong scenes, with Kirk at Spock’s bedside for days, with lots of beautiful thoughts and words. And more great stuff about Kirk moving hell and high water to help Spock, at the risk of his career. He’s trailing charges behind him left and right. Fine passages when Spock finally comes out of it and they finally say what needs to be said. But then, they must face the consequences of Kirk’s actions. This was realistic and unique, too. And then the lovely scenes of Kirk and Spock coming together, their three days of bliss.... Then we get to the hearing preliminary to the court- martial. This is all lengthy, too—how each person involves perceives and feels—but it’s good. Many things I really liked. I will leave it at that, because there’s a great denouement. And of course, more sex. In line with what I said earlier about explaining things, here again, there is a portrayal of “combative sex” (to get the anger out before or along with the sex). This is a good idea, and it’s something I like; but it could be more effective to just show it, instead of telling us that this is what we’re being shown. Also, perhaps, to not have the men themselves so aware and conscious of the psychological dynamics of what they were doing.

And a sweet ending...sigh.

A very refreshing story—unusual in some ways and really fun to read.

Spock has been asked to take over temporary command of another ship, and this means he and Kirk will be apart from each other for six months. Neither has fully revealed their feelings for each other, but they’ve both certainly danced around the issue a lot. In anticipation of Spock’s departure, Kirk is increasingly anxious. He focuses his feelings on worry that Spock will enjoy command so much, he won’t return to the Enterprise and to him. So he makes Spock promise to come back. The day comes and Spock transports away and Kirk is left alone. He’s on edge and experiences sexy dreams involving him and Spock. He’s restless and can’t sleep. I really enjoyed this situation and what Kirk was experiencing except for the over-explaining of almost everything that either of them said or felt. What they said would have easily shown how they felt without any further explanation, but it seemed like the author didn’t trust that the reader would get it. Despite this, I got quite caught up in the story. I loved how Kirk was so lonesome when Spock left and how unbeknown to either, they both decided to wait to tell each other the true depth of their feelings. What begins to emerge is a good exploration of Kirk’s growing obsession with Spock, one that takes over almost all his thoughts. Kirk can’t stop himself from contacting Spock many times, although it seems to do nothing to assuage his feelings. Then, Spock is missing. Very good set-up for Kirk who can barely contain himself to go and rescue him. Kirk’s whole single-mindedness, his absolute determination to save Spock is shown extremely well. The author did a terrific job showing us a Kirk who will not let anything get in the way of him and his Vulcan. I was thoroughly engrossed in this part and really enjoyed the energy and pace as Kirk finds and saves Spock. The pace of the story doesn’t slow down a bit when Spock is finally back on the ship and Kirk waits for his recovery. I loved the intensity and I appreciated all the great techno elements that helped make it real. Kirk has to go before high command for having gone against the directives of the planetary culture by trespassing inside the sacred caves. Until the truth of the situation emerged, however, I was so bothered by the fact that no one mentioned that Spock had been kidnapped and put in the caves. I understand the author meant to keep the truth a secret until we find out what really happened, but by not even talking about it along the way, I kept wondering why—very distracting. Also, the continual telling of everyone’s thoughts and switching points of view made for some difficult reading. During this section, there are many people in the room and we are privy to all of their inner thoughts, which beyond being very confusing, is really unnecessary to the story and lessens all the drama considerably. And please: “Fists slammed onto hip bones.” Not a pretty picture, especially when it’s just arms akimbo. Then Spock tears off his clothes and challenges Kirk to wrestle! I loved this, but here, the author pulls back and they only wrestle for a minute before Spock gives in and they’re all loving and romantic. I really wanted to see them wrestle in the nude with all their emotions fired up. What an excellent idea and it would have worked so well after the terrible emotional time they endured and not your typical foreplay. I liked it when Kirk, still naked from the night before, let McCoy come into his quarters, and a lovely ending to the story when Kirk reminisces about the first moment he saw Spock.

So despite the writing difficulties, I genuinely enjoyed this story.

This is a 45 page story with a great deal of action. For people who prefer lots of plot and very little sex (and I do mean very little), this story is for you. The story is set after the Vejer mission and Kirk and Spock are on the Enterprise. They are not lovers, but both are thinking about Jt The Galaxia is in need of an experienced science officer and experienced commander so Spock is chosen to be its captain for six months.

After he's gone a while, Spock gets trapped on a planet called Vanthrus in some sacred caves which have a severe magnetic field that supposedly can kill people and Vulcans alike. (It's explained in the story.)

Kirk rushes the Enterprise there to save him.

It turns out that the Federation representative there, Ambassador Fox is against Kirk breaking the taboo of entering the caves. Chancellor Criltof of Vanthrus forbids it, too. Naturally, Kirk ignores all this and goes to great lengths to rescue and save Spock. And Spock is near death, but, of course, he survives.

And as a result of ignoring orders and breaking prime directives and a few other things, Kirk resigns his office (he didnt want the rest of his crew to get in trouble) and is being court-martialed. You can tell that there's lots of tension, angst, and h/c strewn throughout this story.

There are several original characters in this story, but I especially like two women: Teris, the woman who replaces Spock on the Enterprise and Rayne, the woman who presides over the court- martial.

The story moves along well, and I didnt notice any plot holes, though there probably are some.

I’ve decided there can be too many good stories in one zine. I’m only halfway through BD 2 and I’m running out of adjectives.

One thing that stands out with this author, who is unknown to me, is the superb dialogue. Between Kirk and Spock it is at times purely entertaining and at other times grippingly erotic. In between, it’s all business and always right on target.

There is much more to say for this post-V’ger account. The events in TMP are only briefly referenced to set the time. There’s none of the uncertainty normally associated with their reunion, which is fine for a change. This involves certainty growing from a long-felt and never revealed awareness of each other and the attraction that’s been there from the time Kirk first took command of the Enterprise.

It is a temporary assignment to another ship that really gets them to thinking. It’s too soon after that 2 1⁄2 year separation to endure another one. We see this especially in Kirk, who is nearly nuts after the first couple of days. There is a good plot devised to keep things interesting on a different level. Obviously this author has an excellent understanding of TOS, it’s characters and its basic premises, because her story has a moral and requires a lot of thought from the reader.

This Kirk is as determined as any we’ve seen when it comes to protecting Spock and keeping him in his life. Once again, he is willing to give up everything else to achieve that goal. During the course of the story, Kirk has to explain his reasons to a number of people, including Spock and McCoy – hearing him speak these eloquent and soul-deep truths is worth the price of the zine.

I don't know who Robbi is, but I can't believe it's her first story. The plot is good, the characters are believable, even the new ones we are beingintroduced to. Just about everything feels right.

There's just one thing which I found clashed with the previous paragraphs and that was Kirk's dream. At first I thought it to be a real lifetime event. It's only at the end that I learn that it was all a dream. Because the transition came so abruptly, I couldn't give it my full attention. There was always a part in me saying there's something not right there.

As to the rest, I thoroughly enjoyed every bit.

Just as Kirk and Spock are both beginning to realise how much they mean to each other, but before they can do anything about it, Spock is assigned to command another ship (the Galazia) whose own crew have all been killed or injured) away from Jim. When Kirk discovers Spock has gone missing while on a planetary survey, he takes drastic measures to rescue him. This is a very well written piece which describes perfectly, Kirk’s anguish when he realises what has happened to Spock, and his reactions are exactly in character, as he refuses to allow the consequences of his actions to prevent him doing what he is planning to do, in spite of the possible ramifications. The final outcome is to say the least, surprising, with a very nice twist in the tale as is Kirk and Spock’s reaction to it. The reappearance of the annoying character Ambassador Fox (from A Taste of Armageddon) is also another nice touch. Like all the best KSP fiction, this particular tale sets up a seemingly impossible situation and then promptly resolves it in a previously unheard of way.