Lines of Communication

Fanfiction
Title:	Lines of Communication
Author(s):	Gena Moretti
Date(s):	1992
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Lines of Communication is a Kirk/Spock story by Gena Moretti.

It was published in the print zine Counterpoint #8.

Summary

"Spock is monitered and his bond to Kirk disrupted in an attempt by a saboteur to destroy any chance of peace between the warring parties that Kirk is supposed to help negotiate."

Reactions and Reviews

1992

If I'm ever stranded on a desert island, I'd like Gena to be with me. She has a very inventive mind. This was my favorite story in the zine, but since I like her story with music tapes best, I'll have to rate this "satisfactory."

2001

There are actually two lines of communication involved. Headquarters has commandeered Spock's whole science team for some project or other, and he's been forced into training and working with a new batch of scientists. Always before, some personnel familiar with his ways and exacting standards were available to clue in the newcomers, but this time he is faced with twenty-one new faces that know him only through his scientific reputation. While anxious to work with him, they are turned off by his brusque, non-emotional manner. Even though aware of this, Spock feels helpless to change circumstances. It falls to his bondmate to smooth troubled waters, and Kirk does this magnificently as he leads the team to interpret what the Vulcan is really saying.

The lowest level of Spock's praise is "very well, carry on" which means their work is good enough to support the next step in a line of research. Next up is "adequate," which translates as "you've covered everything and have done good work." Kirk tells his crew that Spock always believes in giving credit when credit is due, and "He'll never give you very well, carry on when you've earned an adequate." The captain warns them the elusive and rarely heard "satisfactory" comes next. Kirk informs them "It's the Vulcan equivalent of shaking your hand off, slapping your back black and blue, and offering you a place on the board of directors." By this time the scientists are blushing, one remarking with pleasure she had garnered three adequates, another thrilled to acknowledge a satisfactory had come his way. But the big one, the really big one is most satisfactory, a tribute Kirk says he has never heard topped, a tribute Kirk says he has heard the Vulcan use only twice in the three years they have been together. When the team realizes they have been accorded a most satisfactory, they are beside themselves!

The second line of communication describes how the bondmates foil the plot of a nefarious villain who would disturb fragile negotiations between two planets that have been at war with each other for centuries. The inhabitants have asked Kirk to mediate a peace between them. Spock's bond with Kirk has been masked so neither can feel it, and the first officer has been told that the price for notifying Kirk will be the death of a crewman. He is to avoid the captain, be abrupt, etc. The plan is that Kirk will be so rattled that he will botch the very delicate negotiations. Implants in their necks act as bugs, and the bad guy's henchman can hear each word spoken between Kirk, Spock and McCoy. Computers, compuslates and other means of communication are also forbidden to Spock.

How he and Kirk communicate, first with each other and then with McCoy, and how Kirk solves the planets' problem with basically one five minute speech make for fascinating reading. Okay, so this part comes across as a little too pat, but the whole story is so different and Refreshing I hardly noticed. This writer has been around for quite a while, and many of her stories are as unique as this one. Track this story down if you can. You won't be sorry.