Kirk's Decision
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Kirk's Decision |
| Author(s): | Frankie Jemison |
| Date(s): | 1977 |
| Length: | |
| Genre(s): | slash |
| Fandom(s): | Star Trek: TOS |
| Relationship(s): | Kirk/Spock |
| External Links: | |
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Kirk's Decision is a K/S story by Frankie Jemison. It is illustrated by Leslie Fish.
It was published in the print zine Obsc'zine #1.
This Story and "Kraith"
Kraith was an early, influential fan universe created and directed by Jacqueline Lichtenberg.
"Kirk's Decision" was likely meant to be set in the Kraith alternative universe.
The title echoes a form common in Kraith, such as T'Uriamne's Victory, Spock's Decision, Ssarsun's Argument, Spock's Argument and fans would have recognized this immediate.
Given that the followup to "Kirk's Decision" was "Aftermath" and reviewed in terms of Kraith, it is logical to assume that both stories were meant to be set in the Kraith universe.
The only problem with this is that Kraith had no slash, as homosexuality was inconsistent with the established realities of Vulcan in the Kraith universe.
For this reason, "Kirk's Decision"/"Aftermath" were probably never submitted to the Kraith Round Robin for official inclusion.
A fan in 1977 commented about these off-shoot, unofficial Kraith stories:
...whether the stories are officially accepted by Lichtenberg or not, people have been and are writing Kraith stories. This occurs without the permission, or sometimes even the knowledge, of Lichtenberg and the Kraith editors... In many cases, there are stories of inferior quality being printed under the Kraith name, which in the long run, may harm the reputation of the series. It means that there are stories whose concepts do not exactly coincide with those in the authorized Kraith series... [1]
Reactions and Reviews
1977
Frankie Jemison's 'Kirk's Decision' had a nice warm feeling to it, but suffered by appearing in the same zine with Fish's incomparably powerful treatment.[2][3]
"Kirk's Decision" was good. It presented the relationship as it should be, based on love, not lust. Kirk had to make a conscious choice to commit himself to Spock, rather than just falling into bed. [4]
1985
"Kirk's Decision," by Frankie Jemison, takes place after Kirk serves Spock in pon farr. It was a nightmare experience for Kirk, and he does not realize that a bond was formed, but only on Spock's side. Therefore, when Kirk later unwittingly makes love to a woman, Spock senses it, and attempts suicide. He is rescued in time by McCoy. Kirk rushes to his bedside and, making the decision to become Spock's exclusive bondmate, kisses his lips, as his eyes open slowly. The watching McCoy, tears in his eyes, vows: "Even if Spock couldn't wear white...the whole ship would work their asses to the bone for this. The wedding would be the biggest bash in Starfleet history." [5]
1998
A very sweet/sad story. Kirk saved Spock's life by going through pon far (sic) with him, only to have sent him near to death by being with a woman. Now he has to decide if he will bond with and be forever sexually faithful to his friend or watch Spock die. His decision was inevitable "no price too great to pay," but the writer let me feel for Kirk as he wrestles with all he will give up and for Spock lying bleeding, telling Spock "how logical it was for him to die." But "in love and reverent homage, Kirk’s head bowed.He leaned over this person whom he owed so much and gently kissed his lips." Only three pages, but full of feeling. [6]
References
- ^ by "Daniela Kendall" (pseud for one of the Kraith Creators, for "Inside Kraith" from Probe #11 (1977)
- ^ referring to the influential story "Shelter" by Fish and Joanne Agostino, published in Warped Space 20 in October 1976
- ^ from Scuttlebutt #1 and Interphase #4
- ^ from Obsc'zine #2
- ^ from Not Tonight, Spock! #7
- ^ from The K/S Press #18