King of the Shimrah Raiders

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	King of the Shimrah Raiders
Author(s):	Addison Reed
Date(s):	1988
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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King of the Shimrah Raiders is a Kirk/Spock story by Addison Reed.

It was published in the print zine First Time #20.

Summary

"Abandoned on the planet he had been sent to on a covert mission, Kirk survives as leader of the people there until Spock arrives."

Dragon for "King of the Shimrah Raiders"

Dragon for "King of the Shimrah Raiders"

Excerpt

"The basis for the succeeding account, translated from the native, was found hidden in the Hall of Archives of the planet Tohhran during an expedition ten years following the rescue of its civilization from the Klingon Empire, Federation Stardate 3187.0. It details the daring attempts to repel the Klingon forces by a small group of rebels headquartered in the hostile Shimrah Mountain Range. And of their mysterious leader, the man they called King."

Reactions and Reviews

I thought that in WTM, Second Action by the same author would be unsurpassed this year, I was wrong. This story has heart, writing, nice art by Dragon, a scruffy Kirk and above all, PLOT! A definite must for anyone on the edge of burnout.

I believe this is supposed to be a Trek version of the career of Lawrence of Arabia, but Lawrence had no prime directive or Organians to deal with. So the parallel doesn't work very well and the plot lacks internal logic. The Organians shouldn't have had to point out to Fleet Command that sending Kirk to head a local organization of rebels was interference. It would have made far more sense or them to have done what happened in "The Enterprise Incident". They should have sent Kirk secretly on orders that they would never acknowledge, and rescued him secretly too. Then they could have made a big show of giving Kirk a slap on the wrist if the Klingons or Organians had complained. The way the author wrote it, Starfleet violated the treaty, and they have absolutely no defense for having done so. I find this unbelievable. I am also amazed by the outrageousness of Spock's solution to the problem. Kirk should have never agreed to it. He should have insisted on staying on the two years he needed to get the Klingons to leave through use of the Shimran Raiders. Why wouldn't it occur to Spock that creating an earthquake is dangerous, and that the effects weren't controllable? Lawrence of Arabia blew up legitimate military targets. That is a justifiable tactic. But if using an earthquake as a weapon is justifiable, then why not go around destroying planets with the Genesis Effect? We are supposed to believe that the natives of the planet are well-served by an earthquake that destroys lives and levels buildings. If anything, an earthquake is many times worse than sending Kirk there in the first place. ... The slightest amount of reflection would have revealed that this wasn't the optimum solution. I can't imagine that Fleet Command would have found it acceptable... Spock should have been court-martialed and Kirk should have been tried with him as an accomplice. Compared to this, Kirk's behavior at the opening to this story is a minor aberration. I still think I should mention that I don't think it's proper for Kirk to massage Spock's back and shoulders on the bridge, and Kirk shouldn't be deciding who gets command on the basis of who needs to sit down. If he felt that Spock needed rest, he should have had Uhura call Spock's relief to the bridge, and sent Spock to his quarters. Command isn't supposed to be used for R&R. What if a crisis had suddenly developed with Spock unable to function at top efficiency: The entire story is characterized by a reckless disregard for consequence.

I liked this story very much. A vividly told tale with a nice rhythm and pace, of an interesting planet and its people; with just enough but not too much about other characters; and with beautiful emotional intensity, which is always there even though Kirk and Spock are separated for a large part of the story.

We come in on Kirk as "King" (his name, not title), leader of a band of raiders, freedom-fighter style, on a planet the Klingons are hassling, because of a power source they want. It wasn't supposed to turn out like this, but because of Starfleet/galactic politics and mishap, Kirk has been stranded here, for a year and a half now.

The flashbacks revealing that background story are done really well, simple but effectively telling us all we need to know. The writing is excellent- The settings and physical details have authenticity and are easy to visualize.

And then there are the flashbacks of what had been going on between Kirk and Spock before they were parted. Kirk's soft, sad memories in his exile are so touching. Beautiful and subtle tensions there had been, in their developing awareness of feelings for each other. Really fine.

Such a powerful moment, when Spock had suddenly hugged Kirk goodbye. Kirk, and we, couldn't help but sense Spock's desperation—for him, this was such a bold thing to do. And Kirk brushed his lips against Spock's...and then was gone. These moments touch me deeply. These men are coming from a space where such intimacy toward another man is basically unusual (as opposed to the premise that either or both of them are comfortable about homosexuality through experience, or even comfortable with physical affection). I can just feel how thrillingly shocking these physical/sexual moments are for both of them.

Lonely among strangers, marooned, day after night after day Kirk is haunted by those last moments together. He has no idea of Spock's feelings about his impulsive kiss, and runs through endless scenarios in his mind-Kirk in this setting is interesting. Without his ship, without Spock, even though he is not written out of character. Kirk is less than Kirk, Undoubtedly this has to do with the constant uncertainty he must live with as to whether or not he will ever be recovered by Starfleet If he was stuck someplace where he knew he had to live out the rest his life regardless, he would give it his best, wouldn't he? Here, he keeps to himself, is morose. Then again, maybe, without Spock. we would never see Kirk truly at his best?

There were some little glitches for me: As far as POV, being in both Kirk's and Spock's heads, the switch was not always done perfectly. Also, I questioned Kirk massaging Spock's shoulders on the bridge. And, I don't know about Kirk calling Spock "hon."

I love Kirk the dirty, scruffy guerilla soldier smoking cigarette.

They are finally reunited, because Spock had known Kirk's love and moved hell and high water to get to him. A wonderful emotional journey then, realizing without a doubt they are nothing without each other. Beautiful moments expressed with grace and subtlety. Exquisite, sensual. Very clear and immediate.

The resolution is dramatic. Kirk and Spock ridding the planet of the Klingons for good, at no small danger to themselves. Their solution is ingenious, of course. And there is a wonderful character, the slow-witted man whom Kirk had befriended, who although jealous of Kirk's attentions to Spock, ends up saving the day at the risk of his life.

Really a most enjoyable read, and so heart-stirring.

There's a deep sadness through much of this story, the sadness of a man who believes himself deserted and forgotten. But this man, Kirk, is not one to wallow in that sadness. He won't go down without a fight.

The story begins with Kirk as a leader of a small group of rebels trying to dislodge the Klingons from their planet. Kirk has been on the planet for fourteen months, masquerading as a mercenary. When their originally leader dies, Kirk is almost automatically thrust into the role. He had been sent by Starfleet to do just that, but when the Organians learn of Starfleet's interference in the planet, Kirk is essentially stranded. He struggles on, but he can stopped thinking of Spock, missing Spock. Their relationship had seemed to be moving to a higher level before Kirk's departure from the ship. But where it would have gone is now nothing but something for Kirk to wonder about. But then after a raid on a Klingon compound, a man is discovered in the ruins of the blast. It's Spock. The men think he's working for the Klingons, but Kirk is able to persuade them otherwise. But while Spock's presence lifts Kirk's spirits, it plunges into despair the young boy Kirk has befriended. Pedge, a name given to him in ridicule, has come to hero-worship the man he knows as King. Kirk had come to his rescue when, yet again, Pedge was being tormented by the other men. To him, Spock has stolen King away. When he sees them almost kiss, it's more than he can stand. Still, Kirk's mission must go on. With Spock help, Kirk puts a plan into action that tricks the Klingons into thinkig the planet is unstable. Once they leave, Kirk and Spock are free to leave, too. But not before yet another event that almost takes them from each other. They survive it, but there is a loss.

This is a really wonderful story that I'm not really doing justice to. You really must read it for yourself!