More Missions, More Myths
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | More Missions, More Myths |
| Publisher: | Mkashef Enterprises |
| Editor(s): | Wendy Rathbone |
| Date(s): | 1985-1990 |
| Series?: | yes |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
More Missions, More Myths is a gen Star Trek TOS anthology.
Summaries below are from the zine publisher. See Mkashef Enterprises. Also asidozines.
The first issue has this undated quote from Gene Roddenberry:
"I have always looked upon the Enterprise and its crew as my own private view of Earth and humanity in microcosm. If this is not the way we really are, it seems to me most certainly a way we ought to be. During its voyages, the starship Enterprise always carried much, more than mere respect and tolerance for other life forms and ideas — it carried the more positive force of love for the almost limitless variety within our universe. It is this capacity for love for all things which has always seemed to me the first indication that an individual or a race is approaching adulthood. I believe that we are at last beginning to understand that love is somehow integral to truth. Much of my pleasure in Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Uhura, Scotty, Chekov, Chapel, and Rand had to do with such thoughts. I have always found some hope for myself in the fact that the Enterprise crew could be so humanly fallible and yet be some of those greater things, too."
Series
"T'Beth" Stories
- 13 stories in More Missions, More Myths (1988-1991)
- Of Mixed Blood (1995)
- Cherish and The Chosen (1996)
- some of these stories, and many others are here
The "Tal" Stories
A series of stories by L.P. Santos featuring the Romulan Commander. They were about Tal, his wife the Romulan Commander, and their son, Ty, who is actually the biological son of Spock.
Issue 1
More Missions, More Myths 1 is 86 pages long and was published in 1985. The art is by by Vel Jaeger, Dragon, Schaezendur, Teresa Court, Carole Brownell, Kevin Gentry, Susan Landerman, Wendy Rathborne, and Dennis Bailey.
From the editorial:
Welcome to the first issue of MORE MISSIONS, MORE MYTHS. Yes, there will be more issues of this zine-for-all-ages. All issues will keep to the format of publishing stories concentrate on characterization and unique ideas in the Star Trek universe. Anything from the series & any of the movies is welcome. The limit is only your imagination....This zine is dedicated to the positive influences of Star Trek and the inhabitants of this planet. Star Trek advocates peace and equality of all races, and great love of all things no matter how different or strange which contribute to the well-being of nature and life in this universe. Star Trek shows us that we are not perfect but that by striving for better, stronger goals we can became better people for that. Star Trek gave us compassion in place of quick criticism, a unity in a world where even in crowds we are so alone, a belief in the future of Mankind instead of hopeless desperation. I like to think that fans reflect these influences to the best of their abilities in professional as well as personal situations. I like to think we can make a difference. And I hope I'm right. I wish all of you the most powerful positive influences I can think of: Peace and health. With those two in your pocket, everything else will come to you eventually.
And now, on to the zine. I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I have in presenting them to you.
- Tiberius, poem by Natasha Solten (2)
- Editorial (4)
- Martyr Complex/The Alternative Factor by Kathy Resch (7)
- Through the Portal by Jane Wray. After a Klingon mindsifter leaves Spock with the mind of a child, he and Kirk are thrown back in time to Earth of the 1970s where Kirk must find a way to care for his now helpless first officer without interfering in the past. The author notes that "this story was written before the use of CAT scans. For simplicity's sake, I decided to leave it in that time frame. So Kirk and Spock are somewhere in the early 1970's"" (8)
- Circle of Time, poem by Andrea Arat (26)
- Scotty's Gamble, poem by Robin Hood (27)
- A Dissertation, poem by Meg Fine (28)
- What Ever Happened To Vulcan Wings? by Robin Hood. Kirk encourages Spock to let loose a little during their shore leave on the planet Zanthan. (29)
- Lavdatio Spockis, poem by Twyla J. Peacock (30)
- She Who Waits... by Alayne Gelfand. Events at the end of STAR TREK III are seen from a different, refreshing point of view. Uhura is... she who waits. (31)
- This Dawn, poem by Wendy Rathbone (33)
- The Dangling Conversation (Post ST:TWOK. A conversation between McCoy and the Spock that he carries around in his mind. It sounds like many of their friendly - enemy conversations.) (34)
- Not Quite Paradise by Kim Knapp. Omicron Ceti Three and the influences of its spores on the Enterprise crew are seen through the eyes of Nurse Christine Chapel. (reprinted in TREKisM at Length #8) (36)
- A Handful of Stars by W. Rathbone. A young woman has a unique encounter with legend in an out of the bar at the edge of the galaxy. (42)
- Still Night, poem by Anrea Arat (44)
- V'ger in the Mirror, On Return, Thoughts Upon a Homecoming, Leap Beyond, poems by Diane Tessman (45)
- The Ninth Circle, poem by Meg Fine (48)
- A Moment of Hesitation, poem by Wendy Rathbone (49)
- Tiger, Be! by Diane Tessman (reprinted from Sol Plus #5). Young Jim Kirk, while recuperating from his tragic encounter with the gaseous cloud creature which killed Captain Garrovick of the USS Farragut, considered leaving Starfleet to begin a new, safer career. (53)
- There are Men, poem by Wendy Rathbone (62)
- Another King's Conscience by Natasha Solten. Haunted by events on Tarsus 4 and his subsequent encounter with Karidian and daughter Lenore 20 years later, Captain Kirk pays the now amnesiac Lenore a last visit. (63)
- Those Beside You, poem by Wendy Rathbone (69)
- Friend, poem by Andrea Arat (70)
- Discovery, poem by Louise Pacheco (71)
- She Walks Alone, poem by Jane Wray (73)
- Sarek's Time, poem by Andrea Arat (73)
- Revolution by Jane Wray. In the savage Mirror universe, Spock takes command of the Enterprise and saves the Halkans much to the dismay and anger of the Empire as well as the crew of the ISS Enterprise. (74)
- Meditation on Vulcan, #1 by Natasha Solten (83)
- In Her Smile, poem by Taerie Bryant (84)
- Your Horoscope (87)
inside page from issue #1, first half of horoscope page, not credited
inside page from issue #1, second half of horoscope page, not credited
inside page from issue #1, Dragon, illo for "Through the Portal"
inside page from issue #1, Schaezendur
inside page from issue #1, not credited
inside page from issue #1, Susan Landerman, illo for "Tiger, Be!"
inside page from issue #1, Susan Landerman, illo for "Tiger, Be!"
inside page from issue #1, sample text
inside page from issue #1, Vel Jaeger
inside page from issue #1, Carole Brownell
inside page from issue #1, Vel Jaeger, illo of Miramanee
inside page from issue #1, sample poem, illo not credited
Issue 2
More Missions, More Myths 2 was published in August 1985 and contains 86 pages.
The art is by Carol A. Pierce, Marilyn Cole, Teresa Court, Kym Hansen, Phyliss Amason, and Kamie Johnson.
From the editorial:
Here, already, is the second issue of More Missions, More Myths. I feel there are a few things I should mention so people will not be confused. The flyer states that this zine would have two stories which, you will discover as you read, are not in the zine. The first, "A Time To Heal," by Louise Pacheco, has been moved to another zine. The second, "The Reunion," (now titled "A Logical Conclusion,") has also been moved to another zine. Both stories deal with strong relationships between Spock and 'another woman.' I felt that I did not want More Missions More Myths to turn into a completely 'romantic' zine and so created a new zine for the more relationship related stories involving love and marriage.These two stories will appear in my new, upcoming zine. When Le'matyas Sleep. That more 'romantic' zine will have four stories in it, along with some poetry. All the stories are excellent, and the themes stress love and commitment, and I felt they would all go well together in one zine which would be a romantic zine. If you are interested in When Le'matyas Sleep, please send me a S.A.S.E. for my flyer. I expect to have it out some time this year.
There are many different stories in this issue of MM. I have adventure, friendship, and even an old-fashioned love-story (see the Sarek/Amanda story, "And Where There Is Love.") There are stories dealing with the recent movie, as well as poetry and artwork of all kinds. I be believe this issue has something for everyone. I wish to thank all who contributed to it.
Issue #3 of MM will include a novella by C.A. Pierce, An Act Of Kindness, as well as the usual smattering of short stories and poetry and artwork. S.A.S.E. me for flyers. I do not yet know when it will be available but as soon as the flyer is done I will send it out. I really do appreciate the pre-orders, folks. It helps with the initial cost of doing zines. Aside from printing, I have bills for typewriter ribbons, paper, white-out, border-tape, pencils, tape, glue...the list seems endless. For all who may think zines should be relatively inexpensive to create, you're wrong. And to all who have been such an immense help to, me, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Meanwhile, for anyone interested in back issues of my zines, I keep all of them in print so do not hesitate to order from me, or ask for flyers. I usually respond within three weeks (usually quicker) and I am always involved in new projects as well. To keep up to date on what I am doing, it would be beneficial to subscribe to Datazine or Universal Translator. I always keep my ads up to date in those publications.
I also recommend these zines as outlets to finding other publications, Trek or media related, that you may be interested in. They always have listings for interesting things to buy as well as listings of fans selling or trading items from collections which are often difficult if not impossible to find. They also print con listings. So, if you want to keep up to date on fan activities, these newsletters are must buys.
I hope you enjoy More Missions 2 as much as I have in putting it together. And I hope to make MM3 even better!
Again, thanks to all who contributed to this issue. The zine isn't perfect but it is a product of a lot of time, energy and love. That's what makes doing zines so special, and fun.
Peace and health, Wendy
- Editor's Comments (4)
- More Missions, More Myths, poem by Alayne Gelfand (7)
- The Ones Left Behind by Jane Wray ("McCoy, Christine, Spock and a young Vulcan ensign Savik help each other adjust to life on the Enterprise following the death of Captain Kirk. 'Someone was caressing him tenderly. He glanced down. He was stripped to the waist and beside him stood Christine Chapel in a transparent robe. She was slowly tracing the outlines of the muscles on his chest, smoothing the hair. 'Doctor!' Spock exclaimed as he backed away. 'Relax, Spock,' came Kirk's echoing voice. Spock moved forward with Christine still caressing him. 'Jim,' he said in a soft voice. 'I thought you were dead.'") (8)
- Enterprise, poem by Wendy Rathbone (22)
- Shining Through The Haunt by Robin Hood (Kirk and McCoy share their grief after Spock's death.) (24)
- Sentinel, poem by Robin Hood (25)
- The Other Side of Babel by Jane Wray (26)
- Earth Woman, poem by Donna Rose Vanderlaan (31)
- A Dawning Dream by Renita Lane ("A strong hand gripped Saavik forcing her to stop. She turned with her knife held ready but it was knocked from her hand as the one they called Spock pinned her against the wall. Saavik twisted violently, testing his hold, but she couldn't break free. She subsided, trying to conceal her fearful trembling as tales of Vulcan lab experiments flickered through her mind.") (32)
- Don't You Understand?, poem by Donna Rose Vanderlaan (34)
- This Side of Paradise, poem by Kathy Resch (36)
- I Should Have Known, poem by Tere Ann Roderick (37)
- Waiting for Ghosts, poem by Wendy Rathbone (38)
- How Do I Tell Him?, poem by Robin Hood (39)
- Premonition, poem by Wendy Rathbone (39)
- Forebodings of a God, poem by Jane Yambe (40)
- Revival, poem by Robin Hood (41)
- Three for Leave by Carol A. Pierce. ("McCoy, Spock and Kirk share the good times of a shore leave on a cold and snowy planet.. 'Oh, Spock! You never let yourself experience anything new. Don't write it off before you try it. Think of it! You, me and Bones at a winter ski lodge, skiing, snowshoing, tobogganing -- ' Kirk stopped, seeing that familiar brow on the rise. 'Please?' Spock tilted his head, then looked from Kirk to McCoy. 'What are your plans, Captain?'") (24)
- Sharing, poem by Donna Rose Vanderlaan (56)
- Eenie, Meenie, Mienie, Moe, poem by Meg Fine (58)
- And Where There Is Love by Louise Pacheco (a Sarek/Amanda story) ("There were countless dinners and lunches, cinema dates, expeditions to museums, visits to the opera, afternoons spent horseback riding, and, of course, many evenings spent dancing. At first I couldn't understand Sarek's interest in such humanly illogical pastimes. But then, of course, I began to realize; the ambassador was falling in love with me.") (59)
- I Wake To Sleep by Louise Pacheco (a Sarek/Amanda story) ("Tonight, my wife. Tonight we will talk. Tonight, for the first time in years, we will touch minds and souls. It is painful to remember. Nothing has been the same between us since we left Earth 5.8 years ago. On Earth it was fairly easy to forget my Vulcan heritage. But here on Vulcan, ever. And you, my wife, have suffered the most as a result of my silence.") (72)
- In the Garden, poem by Alayne Gelfand (76)
- Desiderius Maus, poem by Twyla J. Peacock (77)
- The Secret of Starfast by Jane Wray ("'The planet Earth was completely destroyed,' Amek said. Spock closed his eyes as emotion flooded him. If the explanation were true, then Kirk, McCoy and Christine would logically be dead. That cold fact was possible enough, but at the very moment that Spock was undergoing the grief of losing them, he was simultaneously receiving telepathic thought emanations. They, especially Kirk, were undergoing similar feelings. They were not dead but were on Earth, trying to decide how to rescue him.") (79)
- Methuselah's Legacy, poem by Robin Hood (88)
- Duty, Logic, and Perfection, poem by Twyla J. Peacock (89)
- Another Alexander, poem by Wendy Rathbone (90)
These two stories below appear on the publisher's online as well as paper flyers, but were moved to another zine, When Le'matyas Sleep #1, due to their romantic het subject matter. See the editorial above for more.
- A Time to Heal by Louise Pacheco ("I am tired of portraying time and time again, the same cold, heartless exterior when deep inside I long to smile, to laugh -- to touch. I remember instances, having observed Jim in conversation with the good doctor, when he would lightly touch him on he arm or shoulder. And I would watch them, wondering how it would feel. But Vulcans do not touch. And as a result, we live lives of loneliness, each of us locked within our separate shells, "living lives of quiet desperation", as the human writer Thoreau so aptly put it.")
- The Reunion (later re-titled "A Logical Conclusion") by Jane Wray ("The door banged open. If they had not been on an otherwise uninhabited planet, and if Christine had not said Spock would be there shortly, the landing party members might not have recognized the man before them. He was very thin and his long, dark hair covered the familiar pointed ears. He had a full beard from which a broad smile suddenly broke. Only his slanted eyebrows were familiar. "Jim!" he cried. He dashed to Kirk and embraced him warmly.")
from issue #2, Marilyn Cole
from issue #2, a rare illo by Dragon that doesn't portray people
from issue #2, Teresa Court
from issue #2, Carol A. Pierce
from issue #2, Dragon
from issue #2, Dragon
from issue #2, sample text
from issue #2, sample poem
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2
This adult zine has a nice balance of poems, stories, and illos at reasonable cost. The 90 pages have slightly reduced, but very clear, print. "The Ones Left Behind," by Jane Wray, is a touching story of a mature and more "human" Spock. Kirk is dead and we are shown how McCoy and Chapel help Spock endure this loss. One can feel his new awareness and acceptance of himself as a dual being. Jane Wray is a very good writer anyway, but she has outdone herself with this wonderfully-written relationship story that is full of clear and realistic images. The new Vulcan character that she introduces plays very well against Spock. "Shining Through the Haunt," by Robin Hood, has an enjoyable fresh slant on Kirk's pain over the loss of Spock. Uplifting rather than depressing. "The Other Side of Babel," by Jane Wray, is a 'behind the scenes' look at "Journey to Babel" with a touching reunion between father and son. "A Dawning Dream," by Renita Lane, is an original, very well-written Saavik story that shows us her harsh existence before Spock met her and took charge of her life. Saavik is wild, fearful, and barbaric. A wonderful story with very clear images. I loved it. [Kathy Resch] tells a moving, poignant story of how Spock has always had to leave love and affection behind him in "This Side of Paradise." In "I Should Have Known," by T.A. Roderick, Morrow worries about Kirk's need to find Spock's body and doubts Kirk's mental state. Louise Paccheco's "And Where There Is Love" is a delightful and realistic story of how Amanda and Sarek met and what they thought of each other. One of my favorites. You'll love it! Her "I Wake to Sleep" has more about Sarek's battle with emotions and their expression. The two stories together are a nice combination. Jane Wray has done it again in "The Secret of Starfast," a fascinating adventure/relationship story with really impressive Spock imagery. Spock, Kirk, McCoy, and Chapel are sharing a house and their lives while doing their own thing in civilian life. Then Spock is kidnapped to get information on his latest project. The zine is filled with wonderful poetry. "Methuselah's Legacy," by Robin Hood, is one of my favorite poems among those she's done. The last line in particular is poignant and moving. "Desderius Meus," by Twyla Peacock, is an unusually-written love poem. There are other poems by Vanderlaan, Meg Fine, A. Gelfand, Jane Yambe, and WLR. Marilyn Cole has done a lovely cover and her illo on page 19 is really breath-taking. There is also a nice Spock and McCoy illo by Teresa Court. [1]
Issue 3
More Missions, More Myths 3 was published in 1985 and is 92 pages long. Art is by Carol A. Pierce, Vel Jaeger, Phyliss Amason, Kym Hansen, Marilyn Cole, Anja Gruber, Gene Delapenia, Taerie Bryant, Shellie Whild, Jacqueline Zoost, and Dragon.
From the editorial:
Remember, I am always looking for poetry, fiction, and artwork. My zines are on-going publications and as far as I'm concerned, as long as you readers are out there I will continue to publish. But I need help from writers and artists, too, so send me material. I am fairly quick to answer letters, though I cannot always give a personal reply to everyone who writes and tells me their thoughts on my zines. But keep writing. I always love hearing from Trekfen.
- Small Voyage by Wendy Rathbone (2)
- Editorial (3)
- Decisions by Renita Lane (4)
- The Exxon Affair by Jane Wray (5)
- Glass Stars by Wendy Rathbone (24)
- The Calling by Gene S. Delapenia (25)
- Snips and Snails by Robin Hood (26)
- Crossword -- Killing Time by Alice Rathbone (29)
- Nightwatch by Tere Ann Roderick (30)
- Temporary Separation by Wendy Rathbone (32)
- Counterpoint by Renita Lane (33)
- Brief Reflection by Kathy Resch (36)
- Tears for a Wistful Ghost by Meg Fine (38)
- Do You Wish by Jane Yambe (39)
- An Act of Kindness by Carol A. Pierce. ("Spock slid into bed, stretched his back, neck and legs. He was feeling good after the minor workout and the discussion with Kirk. Perhaps in the morning they would find some clue to the saboteur. He took a deep breath, settling into the bedding, enjoying the cool sleekness of the pillow. He began to turn down his mind and slip into quiet sleep when he suddenly realized, with a start, that he was not alone in bed! His eyes snapped open, his mind turned on high again. Spock felt with his foot. Not again! His ankle and leg were being wrapped and held. He had to stretch to reach the intercom. "Spock to Dr. Arba... I am in my cabin in bed and one of your elusive creatures has decided to share it with me. Though I do appreciate animals in their myriad varieties, I am not, at present, interested in acquiring a pet, and certainly not a Connanda. Therefore I would appreciate it if one of your staff would retrieve it. It is presently coiled, rather tightly, around my let, otherwise I would bring it to you." Spock was barely maintaining his calm, his annoyance growing. He was also quite aware f the fact that the Connanda was one of the most deadly snakes int he galaxy. Spock found it prudent, therefore, to remain as motionless as possible. The large serpent continued to coil and twist, entangling Spock's other ankle. He reduced his breathing and heart rate, working on lowering his body temperature, which he reasoned was what the snake was attracted to. But then, he realized, the entire room was more than warm enough for this variety of snake.") (41)
- The Everman by Taerie Bryant (86)
- The Gatekeeper by Robin hood (87)
- Untitled, #29 by Gene S. Delapenia (89)
- One by Tere Ann Roderick (90)
- Explorer by Wendy Rathbone (92)
interior art from issue #3, by Anja Gruber
interior art from issue #3, Jacqueline Zoost
interior art from issue #3, Carol Pierce, art from "An Act of Kindness"
interior art from issue #3, Anja Gruber
Issue 4
More Missions, More Myths 4 was published in 1986 and is 132 pages long.
The art is by Marilyn Cole, Tom Howard, Carole A. Pierce, Jacquelyn Zoost, and Anja Gruber.
- Walk in Sorrow by Jane Wray. The entire Enterprise crew is kidnapped and forced into hard labor slavery by telepathic aliens who are blind, deaf and dumb. They force Spock to become a slave-leader and control his actions by brain implants. Can Kirk reach his best friend through the powerful alien controls and stop the madness? Will Kirk and crew have to kill Spock in order to escape? (3)
- Chess, poem by Wendy Rathboone (19)
- Poems from the Vulcan, by Jane Wray (20)
- Memories in Shadow by Jane Wray. Spock falls suddenly ill and may die if Kirk and McCoy cannot discover what disease afflicts him. Spock's childhood may hold the only answer as Kirk takes an interesting mind-meld journey into his unconscious first officer's shadowed past. (22)
- Troubled Warrior, poem by Tere Ann Roderick (26)
- F.I.A. Intelligence Report by Twyla J. Peacock (27)
- A Force of Two by Jane Wray and Twyla J. Peacock. (Aliens snatch Spock and McCoy from the bridge of the Enterprise where the two land on an unfamiliar planet and are immediately put to work in an army of doomed men fighting an unwinnable war. Will they survive the planet's harsh winter? Can they keep the hope that someday they will be rescued?) (Another summary: The Enterprise is hunting for a lost vessel and her crew when Kirk is warned by unknown beings to turn back or be destroyed. After explaining their mission, Kirk is given permission to continue, but the beings will demonstrate their power by depriving him of that which is closest to him - Spock and McCoy. The story tells of the adventures Spock and McCoy go through after their removal from the Enterprise.) (29)
- She, poem by Robin Hood (45)
- For the World is Hollow, poem by Kathy Resch (46)
- Kalifee, poem by Bonita Kale (52)
- Dishonored Sands, poem by Natasha Solten (52)
- Die Trying by C.A. Pierce. Ex-Admiral James T. Kirk is in jail for crimes committed during the rescue of Spock and Saavik from the unstable Genesis world. Will this be the final blow to crush Kirk's will to live? Can Spock, Sarek and the Enterprise crew free him before prison life destroys their friend and leader? (53)
- The Path of the Heart by Twyla J. Peacock. The journals of 20-year-old Amanda Greyson are finally published 100 years after her death. This excerpt details her gradual crossover into the mystical and highly secretive Vulcan culture as she meets, befriends, and falls in love with the enigmatic and unbonded Ambassador Sarek. (71)
- Soliloquy, poem by Twyla J. Peacock (70)
- Heart Watch, poem by Romilly Kerr (95)
- A Table for Four by C.A. Pierce. The Enterprise is transporting four dangerous terrorists, all inflicted with a rare and fatal disease. The prisoners escape, taking Spock as hostage and exposing him to the unknown virus. Will Kirk and McCoy find a cure for the virus? Can they rescue Spock before the disease runs its course? (96)
- Flame of Life, poem by Natasha Solten (112)
- Survivor, poem by Tere Ann Roderick (113)
- Legacy of a City, poem by Tere Ann Roderick (114)
- Observation After a Death, poem by Wendy Rathbone (114)
- Yesterday Is Tomorrow by Wendy Rathbone. After just missing a coordinated time/space beam-up, Kirk and Spock are stranded in the past in the early 1970s. There, they are reunited with an old friend, Air Force Captain John Christopher, whose life has changed dramatically since his first run-in with Kirk and Spock. Will he ever forgive Spock for hiding the fact that the life he returned to in order to have his son would lead to tragedy? Will he risk his life and the futures of his children to help Kirk and Spock return home? (115)
- A Letter to John Christopher, poem (131)
- The Next Rim, poem by Natasha Solten (132)
inside page from issue #4
inside page from issue #4
inside page from issue #4
inside page from issue #4
inside page from issue #4
inside page from issue #4
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4
At the very beginning of More Missions. More Myths #4. editor Wendy Rathbone tells us "I really enjoyed putting this issue together because of the top quality material I received." I believe Ms. Rathbone is more than justified in referring to MMMM 4 as "top quality material" because it is just that. I thumbed through the clean layout of reduced copy and selected a short story at random. It was very good. I selected another. It was better. With each succeeding story, I became more intrigued with the stories and the characters.I feasted on a two-page intelligence report describing the known and unknown offspring of the Big Three that the renegade Kirk and company might contact. A too-brief (for me) biography revealed some surprising descendants, and we're told "initial contacts are dealt with in another report." I can't wait. "A Table for Four" introduces us to four female terrorists quarantined on the Enterprise until they take Mr. Spock hostage. It's tough to decide which is more interesting! the characters or their sad plight. Or, imagine you're Kirk and Spock. You're stuck in Omaha, Nebraska in 1965 and you've just missed your rendezvous with the Guardian of Forever. Where would you go? How about your old friend, John Christopher? Kirk and Mr. Spock answer this question and more when they discover that John Christopher's future will determine their own in "Yesterday is Tomorrow." "A Force of Two" has Spock and McCoy melodramatically fighting the elements and not each other for a change when they're transported to a slave world where death is the only escape. In another story, Kirk and McCoy find a way to save Mr. Spock and present us with a delicious slice of Spock's past when he succumbs to a mysterious childhood disease in "Memories in Shadow." "Die Trying" refers to Admiral Kirk in prison and his trials and friendships therein. Even though the ending is too convenient, the story holds up well as a character study of Kirk. I was pleasantly surprised at The Path of the Heart" (where do they come up with these wonderful titles?), a journal of Amanda Grayson from the day she enters the Vulcan Embassy to teach the children until the fateful day she leaves Earth as the bride of Sarek. It was a fresh, believable treatment of a young woman's happiness and hopelessness In a truly historic romance. "Walk In Sorrow" had the crew of the Enterprise being irrational. True, given the circumstances, anybody can be forced to do anything, but Scotty and the others seemed too eager to lynch Spock, their captors' trustee. Each of these stories flows well and so similarly that I'm sure the editor truly edited, not just published, this zine. Unfortunately, typos ran rampant, made more noticeable by the high story quality. The artwork is fine, especially the Women in Star Trek section by Anja Gruber, and it's plentiful and varied. The format could be improved (story titles are at the top of the page too far from the text, and the artwork is stuck up there, too), There are numerous poems scattered throughout the zine, and an obvious effort was made to relate poems to stories. More good editing.
Congratulations to the writers and particularly the editor of MMMM for a job well done. I'm recommending this excellent zine to my friends and have given it a place of respect on my zine bookshelf. [2]
Issue 5
More Missions, More Myths 5 was published in November 1986 and contains 109 pages. It does not contain an editorial or comments by the editor.
It has art by Tom Howard, Jacquelyn Zoost, Dragon, Anja Gruber, C.A. Pierce, Sherry Veltkamp, Natasha Solten, and Jody Zweserijn.
Typists were Wendy Rathbone, Pat Friedman, Ann Carver, and G. Brennan.
- A Perfect Flower by Tom Howard. Sulu takes a long deserved shore leave on the beautiful garden planet Pontormo where he runs into some rare and exotic plants, and a strange, alien girl who mysteriously appears and disappears. (7)
- A Small Break In The Action by Isabell Klein. Kirk muses, in this interesting vignette, what he might have become had he not joined Starfleet at the early age of seventeen. (17)
- Prelude, poem by Meg Fine (1)
- Sorceress' Song, poem by Taerie Bryant (21)
- My Side, poem by Anja Gruber (22)'
- Orion Swap Meet by G. Brennan. Kirk's nephew, Peter, has gotten himself into a pile of trouble. Not only has he become a drug addict, apparently he's aided two Orion criminals in their escape from a Federation prison. Kirk and Spock and crew attempt to discover what is really going on and in the process learn much about Orions, their culture and clan system and their common pirating practices. (23)
- Nostalgia, poem by Taerie Bryant (57)
- Lover, poem by Tere Ann Roderick (57)
- Captain's Log (58)
- Captain's Log, fiction by Twyla J. Peacock (58)
- God of Clay, poem by Meg Fine (60)
- No Respite In Podunk by C.A. Pierce. Kirk, Spock and crew investigate a class M planet inhabited by all elderly people who are on the verge of starvation. They attempt to help them, supplementing their food grains, at the same time puzzled by their very existence. Then the Enterprise is called away on an emergency, inadvertently stranding Spock on the planet. What the Vulcan learns during his stay with these people could change the Federation forever. (61)
- Three Together, poem by Anne K. Monnig (83)
- A Gift of Song, poem by Tere Ann Roderick (84)
- On Leaving Omicron Ceti III, poem by Deborah C. Leis (87)
- Going to Vulcan, poem by Bonita Kale (88)
- Improvements by Bonita Kale. Friendly aliens abduct Kirk and Spock without their knowledge to set about "improving" the two men. Kirk is given Spock's positive traits and Spock is given Kirk's. Now Kirk has super human strength and must learn to deal with new, logical thought processes. Spock must learn to deal with human compassion and the strong emotions that accompany it. Together both men must adapt to the changes while searching for those who did this to them. (91)
- A Greater Love, poem by Taerie Bryant (109)
inside page from issue #5, Tom Howard
inside page from issue #5, sample text, shows use of //
inside page from issue #5, Jody Zweserijn
inside page from issue #5, Anja Gruber
inside page from issue #5, Jacquelyn Zoost
inside page from issue #5, Jody Zweserijn
inside page from issue #5, Tom Howard, illo
inside page from issue #5, Carol A. Pierce
inside page from issue #5, Dragon
inside page from issue #5, Jacquelyn Zoost
inside page from issue #5, Jacquelyn Zoost, a little Planet of the Apes
inside page from issue #5, Sherry Veltkamp
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5
'A Perfect Flower’ has Sulu newly returned to duty from shore leave. Scenes of shipboard life are intercut from scenes of Sulu’s recent leave. A gentle romance is revealed, more dreamy myth than a typical love story. A think of it: a Sulu story without a single fencing match! ‘A Small Break in the Action’ is a short look at some of Kirk’s responsibilities when he isn’t out rescuing all of time and space. It’s a time for Kirk’s routine affirmation that he wants to remain in the service. Just for a moment, he imagines what he might do for a living if he did not re-up. Surely an out-of-work starship captain is qualified for any number of exciting careers, but what? ‘No Respite in Podunk’ is my favorite of MM5’s stories. There is a well-planned plot here, along with some excellent characterizations of both Spock and of the native inhabitants of the story’s planet. Due to a past plague, the only surviving natives are elderly people, whom the Enterprise crew wishes to help and comfort in their last months of life. Some interesting questions are raised here: what do you do if you must warp out of orbit before reaching all of your landing party? What do you do if you are the marooned crewman? How can you learn about a political body (such as the UUP) before you reveal your existence and commit yourself to some kind of relations? And finally, in the best trek tradition, the author explores a theme with implications beyond the dramatic needs of the fictional universe; if we are lucky, the elderly will be with us always, and in increasing numbers. Just how do we balance the need for individual dignity despite impaired ability? MM5 has other features which make this zine a good one. There is a wacky cartoon on the title page which still makes me giggle. There are additional stories, some excellent artwork, and quite a bit of poetry. My favorite poem is ‘Lover,’ there is drama and emotion and an interesting contrast between the imagery of life and fire as death – and the poem should reach any of us who still grieve for the Enterprise. MM5 is a fine zine I can recommend to anyone who remembers that the key word in fanzines is not professional but amateur, done for the love of it. [3]
Issue 6
More Missions, More Myths 6 was published in April 1987 and is 102 pages long. It has a b/w cover by Sherry Veltkamp. Other art is by Marilyn Cole, Dragon, Tom Howard, Sherry Veltkamp, Jacquelyn Zoost, Jody Zweserijin, Stien, Kym Hansen, and Caro Hedge.
From the editorial:
Welcome to the sixth issue of More Missions, More Myths. I am quite pleased with this issue. It seems the stories and artwork submitted to me just get better and better. And we're already rolling along with issue number seven. It will be open to submissions through May and I invite everyone to send in their creative endeavors. I consider all kinds of Star Trek art, poetry and fiction. The only stipulation for this zine is that the work must not be excessively violent. Also, no overt K/S. There are other" zines specifically for the K/S writers. More Missions is geared more toward adventure and friendship, with the feeling of the series and the movies motivating the contributors of this publication.
Thanks to all my artists for sending in their work, quickly and on time. It is most difficult to get artists for every story in a zine because if hey have less time to work before the deadline and many are working for other fanzine editors and have other projects to complete. The artists in this zine are wonderful, and I think you will agree as you page through the stories. This time every story has an illo. Illustrations add a wonderful dimension to stories and this zine is no exception. There are a lot of talented people out there. It is my pleasure, to deal with them and put together a magazine that reflects a composite of those, talents and gives other Star Trek fans something more to read. And we all know, there isn't enough on Trek to read!
- Soliloquy to the Stars by Gail Schnirch. The end of the five-year-mission is seen from the individual points of view of Kirk, Spock and McCoy. (7)
- A Galaxy to Myself by Gretchen M. Cupp. Kirk has a whole galaxy to himself as we see what happened from his point of view while lost in interphase during The Tholian Web. (16)
- Tonight, poem by Wendy Rathbone (18)
- Definitely Not Serendipity by C.A. Pierce. (When McCoy and Scotty take a shore leave camping trip to one of Earth's dense forest regions, they literally run into three young, sight-seeing Vulcans when their respective shuttles collide and crash land.) (Another summary: McCoy and Scotty are on their way to a two week leave on Earth when their aircar is involved in a collision with another aircar containing three young Vulcans. They land in an isolated area and the Vulcans are injured, but McCoy is able to help and all seems well until the Doctor suffers a heart attack.) (20)
- Legend's Sleep, poem by Wendy Rathbone (39)
- Memories, poem by Gail Schnirch (41)
- In the Dawn of Our Days by Jane Wray. On a planet whose society parallels pre-reform Vulcan Kirk, Spock and McCoy become involved in a violent war, as well as struggle with some old Romulan adversaries who are out to assassinate that planet's "Surak". (43)
- Home Again by L.P. Santos. As a storm and blackout threaten Earth due to the "whale probe's" unanswered call, we see it all from the point of view of Adam, a young man who is closer to the Enterprise "heroes" than he realizes. (64)
- The Voyage Home, poem by Wendy Rathbone (72)
- Sound of Silence by Gail Schnirch. (On their first mission aboard the new Enterprise after the end of The Voyage Home, McCoy becomes lost on a hostile world. Kirk and Spock set out on a grim search with little hope of ever finding their friend alive.) (Another summary: Post STIII. Dr. McCoy disappears while exploring a new found planet. Although no body is found, the doctor's communicator is discovered at the edge of a steep ravine and there seems no hope that he is alive. The Enterprise leaves for Starbase IX and shoreleave but returns to the planet when Spock insists that they must, if only to retrieve the body.) (73)
- The Three of Wands, poem by Wendy Rathbone (102)
inside page from issue #6, Jody Zweserijin
inside page from issue #6, Sherry Veltkamp
inside page from issue #6, Sherry Veltkamp
inside page from issue #6, Sherry Veltkamp
inside page from issue #6, Jacquelyn Zoost
inside page from issue #6, Dragon
inside page from issue #6, sample text
inside page from issue #6, Tom Howard
inside page from issue #6, Sherry Veltkamp
inside page from issue #6, Sherry Veltkamp
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6
- Soliloquy To the Stars / Pensive bits for each of the Big Three just prior to STI. McCoy with Natira, Spock on Gol, Kirk unhappy with Lori.
- A Galaxy to Myself / "Tholian Web" from Kirk's pov.
- Definitely Not Serendipity / Scotty and McCoy go on leave to a cabin and run into (literally) three Vulcan tourists - who end up interested in Starfleet careers. McCoy has a heart attack, which seems kind of pointless.
- In the Dawn of Our Days / Spock beams down in Vulcan warrior regalia to rescue a Vulcan anthropological party and ends up injured, embroiled with a local Vulcan woman and boy seeking a protector, then trying to rescue Surak from the Romulan Commander when Kirk and McCoy come after him. We learn the Commander's name - Miha'la. Jane's attention to detail and good storytelling turn this implausible instance of "parallel planetary development" into a very nice read.
- Home Again / Christine Chapel's son Adam confronts his father Spock, whom he had presumed dead. Nice enough, and in interesting parallel to Kirk and David.
- Sound of Silence / Post ST-IV. McCoy vanishes without trace from a landing party on a planet with unbreathable atmosphere. Kirk and Spock must deal with his death. McCoy has been taken to an underground city of faceless, silent, loveless beings who destroyed the surface of their planet in religious wars, in order to restore one. He finds existence without touch and friendship so depressing that he chooses to return to the surface and die. Meanwhile, Spock is driven by memories he cannot understand to return to the planet just in time for him and Kirk to rescue McCoy as his oxygen runs out. Plot holes you could drive a Mac truck through, but an alien society that makes a good metaphor for hell, and good characterization.
- Some interesting short poetry by Wendy Rathbone. [5]
The most successful vignette/character piece is 'Soliloquy to the Stars.' It is set just prior to the first movie and is actually three soliloquies, showing Kirk, Spock, and McCoy after leaving the Enterprise. The strong friendship between all three characters is emphasized and Veltkamp's illustrations are unusually effective. 'A Galaxy to Myself' details Kirk's thoughts while trapped in the Tholian Web. Pure soliloquy is difficult to maintin, and Cupp's characterization occasionally gets shaky. this short piece has some unusual touches however... 'Home Again' is a post-ST IV story, and is the longest character piece. Instead of one or more of The Big Three, Santo's protagonist is one Adam Chapel, the 12-year old result of something Henoch did while borrowing Spock's body in 'Return to Tomorrow.' He wants very much to meet the father he's never known. The premise is a little off-beat, but Christine Chapel gets unusually good press; she's shown as strong and sympathetic, a women electing to raise her son outside of an offered (but loveless) marriage. All three adventures have a strong series' feel. 'Definitely Not Serendipity' is probably the weakest, though the premise is still interesing. This tale follows Scotty and McCoy on a two-week shore leave on Earth, showing their misadventures after an aircar wreck throws them together with a bunch of young Vulcans. There are several confusing point-of-view switches, and the pace drags, though Pierce always maintains the story's humor. 'Sound of Silence' is a presumed dead-but rescued tale, with McCoy lost down a crevice on a lifeless planet. The situation isn't new, but Schnirach's treatment is: Paul Simon's lyrics appear throughoutat appropriate points. This juxtaposition of 20th and 23rd centuries is occaisonally jarring, but the characterizations make up for it.... 'In the Dawn of Our Days'is the most thoroughly successful of the adventures. Wray takes an interesting parallel-development angle by setting her tale on a Vulcanoid world still in its violent period. When an entire Vulcan historical team disappears, the Enterprise is sent to investigate -- and an equipment failure strands Spock in the midst of tribal war. This isn't simple hack and slash, however. Surak (or at least a Surak) turns up with his peaceful-logic doctorine, and a favorite series villain returns to cause no end of trouble... Four of the zine's five poems are by Rathbone. Though none are strictly Trek, these short poems are placed after stories with similar themes, addign to their effectiveness... More Missions, More Myths #6 is well-organized, with fiction, art, and poetry balanced for maximum effect. This balance extends to characters as well; the often-neglected McCoy receives as much attention as Kirk and Spockdo. Though the zine has minor problems, a lot of thought obviously went into it. A recommended read. [6]
I recently read MORE MISSIONS, MORE MYTHS #6 by Wendy Rathbone and really enjoyed it. It had an excellent story about the new ENTERPRISE on either their first mission or the first time they needed to send down a landing party, and McCoy disappears. It is called, "Sound of Silence" by Gail Schnirch. It also had a good one about a planet that parallelled pre-Vulcan culture which was good, called "In the Dawn of Our Days" by Jane Wray. I liked most of the other stories, too, so the price of $9.00 for 102 pages wasn't bad. There are six stories and five poems. I also liked the cover by Sherry Veltkamp which appears to be a pencil or charcoal sketch of "the big three." I don't know much about art so I am not sure what she used, but I like it. [7]
Issue 7
More Missions, More Myths 7 was published in August 1987 and contains 110 pages. This issue does not have an editorial.
The artwork: Dragon, Caro Hedge, Tom Howard, Jody Zweserijn, Stein, Shellie Whild, Anja Gruber, C.A. Pierce, Jacquelyn Zoost, cover by Sherry Veltkamp.
- The Ratings Game / The Ratings Game by Debbie Cummins (3). A scene we never saw in Bread And Circuses shows the true bond of friendship between Kirk and Spock as Claudius Marcus uses them once again to get better ratings for his tv show.
- Fine Feathered Foes by G. Brennan. It's the Enterprise's mission to approve the entertainment planet Carribea for Starfleet use. Required uniform on Carribea is standard pirate garb complete with parrot. But something isn't right with Carribea, and the visiting Klingons there are too friendly for their own good. (15)
- The Tale of the Tribbled Mind, poem by Ann K. Schwader (30)
- A World Without Walls by L.P. Santos. Romulan beliefs and customs are seen from the point of view of sub-commander Tal after events in "The Enterprise Incident". (31)
- Honesty, poemby Ann K. Monnig (38)
- The Pernicious Permutation by C.A. Pierce. Betrayal and murder threaten the Enterprise's mission and the safety of her crew. (39)
- This Time by M.C. Pehrson. The Genesis Effect causes the Enterprise to enter a time loop where, no matter who many ways Kirk and Spock choose to deal with Khan, one of them keeps ending up dead... (75)
- Dark Genesis, poem by by Ann K. Schwader (81)
- Tieenal Boxes by Laura Swinbourne. Kirk's life is threatened by the very alien customs of one of his crew, and his belief that aliens and humans can work safely together is sorely tested. (83)
- Final Review, poem by Ann K. Schwader (93)
- Behind the Door by M.C. Pehrson. Locked alone inside a strange building on an alien planet, Spock blacks out and experiences several alternate histories of his own life, not all of them pleasant and some quite deadly... unless McCoy and Kirk can get the door open soon... (95)
inside page from issue #7
inside page from issue #7
inside page from issue #7
inside page from issue #7
inside page from issue #7, Dragon
inside page from issue #7, Stein
inside page from issue #7
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7
More Missions zines continue to improve with the publication of MORE MISSIONS, MORE MYTHS 7. This zine strongly reflects the depth of experience and professional skill on the part of the editor, Wendy Rathbone. I may not always like every story in every zine, but the stories are always thought provoking or funny or clever or ... 'Ratings Game' augments the 'Bread and Circuses' Star Trek television episode and does it with style. It could easily stand alone, especially with Debbie Cummin's writing skill, but the fact that it presents a believable 'behind the scenes' look makes it a high-caliber story, Dragon's uncanny likenesses help to make this one of the best stories in the zine. 'Fine Feathered Foes' is such a light little adventure that it welcomes a second reading. Anyone who is interested in Klingons getting their just desserts will enjoy this story as the characterizations are excellent. Another good story and a good way to lead off the zine. 'Tale of a Tribbled Mind' was a well done piece of rhyme. Which of us hasn't wanted a real Tribble sometime in our lives? This is a humorous case of too much of a good think, and the piece naturally lent itself to the cartoon art style.
'A World Without Walls'. Wow. It is difficult to pick out the best story in the zine when the first three are so very strong in plot and style. I've always liked Tal and wondered what happened to him and the Romulan Commander. The characterization of Tal was crisp, gentle, and intelligent. I didn't particularly like the subservient role of the Romulan Commander, but this is Tal's story and a good one it is, too. I thought the clever tie-in with his father (the Romulan Commander from 'Dagger of the Mind'), the atmospheric description of the planet, and the fireside scenes were very well done. I look forward to reading more of L.P. Santos' work. Let's see what we have next. 'The Pernicious Permutation'. Well, an awkward title doesn't mean an awkward story, and it doe have C.A. Pierce's name on it so it has possibilities already. First of all we have a realistic Federation with internal conflict, terrorism, and bigotry. That's refreshing. Next, we have species discrimination onboard the Enterprise and some snot-nosed recruits supporting it. That's good. A nosey reporter. Interesting. A spectrum of aliens. That's good, too. Oh, My God! I just realized this is a sequel to Ms. (Mr? Miss? Mrs?) Pierce's earlier Lady Liberators story! I loved that story. Okay, I've found the best story in the zine. What else does this story have to offer? A murder mystery! Great. Fake Vulcans and political skullduggery. Clever. An exciting solution that doesn't magically cure all the ills of Star Fleet. Perfect. Before you begin to think that C.A. paid me for this review, let me tell you what I didn't like. I didn't like the young doctor being a cosmetically altered half-Vulcan. It was implausible and unnecessary. If he'd been some other race, it might have worked for me, but considering the problems Spock has, I can't see this guy just waltzing in with red blood and a convenient empathy for fellow aliens (and what does he do every seven years?). Aside from that one character, I thoroughly enjoyed the story (obviously). The end of the story came entirely too soon. Again, Dragon's art really contributed to the story's impact. I'm always confused by timeline convolution stories and 'This Time' was no exception. It was very visual, but I didn't understand it at all. The Stein art was nice though, both pieces.
Speaking of art, I thought the layout of 'Dark Genesis' was very effective. I would probably have put both poem and art on the same page, but there's something dramatic about have Khan staring at you as you're reading the poem. Good job, editor. 'Tieenal Boxes' was an interesting premise, but I thought it stretched my belief too far on several occasions. First, the 'racial research' McCoy does at the beginning is too convenient and detracts from the real story. At first, I thought it was going to be a Spock story. Then, for Kirk to beam down alone to search for one tardy crewman seemed excessive to me. A commander has too many trained subordinates to take time out from preparing for an important mission to search for one person, especially alone. Logic aside, the 'what's right on Earth ain't necessarily right elsewhere' theme was interesting and I like the character herself although Kirk's refusal to leave with his botany lab expert (the crewman) bordered on the Mary Sue.
My last complaint is the characterization of Kirk. For someone with his experience with aliens, he seemed awfully harsh and demanding. I'd have liked more understanding on his part and more motivation of the part of the alien crewman (if she was so radically different, why had she joined Star Fleet?). "Behind the Door" is a very fitting end for this excellent zine. Putting slices of Spock's life together in new and infinite possibilities is a creative and informative touch. I enjoyed the reunion of T'Pring and Spock, him helping Zarabeth in the birth of his son, the unknown Deltan, the presence of Amanda. I was looking for the Romulan Commander somewhere in his subconscious, but she must not have made as much of an impression on the Vulcan as we believe. A nicely understated story, not relying too heavily on the technical details 'of the machine that enables Spock to see "what might have been" in his life. A strong ending for this zine. [8]
Issue 8
More Missions, More Myths 8 was published in November 1987 and contains 106 pages.
The art is by Vicki Brinkman, Dragon, Anja Gruber, Tom Howard, Tokako Oda, C.A. Pierce, Marie F. Williams, Sherry Veltkamp.
The illos by Tokako Odo were reprinted from a "small Japanese fanzine called HYPERDRIVE," and published in "More Missions, More Myths with permission.
- The Right Choice by Gail Schnirch. After Gary Mitchell's death in "Where No Man...", Kirk has trouble dealing with his loneliness, as well as his over-efficient Vulcan first officer, a man he's never really gotten to know, or like, very much. (3)
- Nothing in Common, poem by Cybel Harper (28)
- The Old Days by Mary Schuttler. An elderly James Kirk gets a visit from his old friend Spock, a reunion that brings back old memories and the bitter realization that he can never go home again. (29)
- Death of a Friend, poem by Natasha Solten (reprinted from First Time #10) (34)
- Thorn in the Flesh by Barbara Trimble. Kirk and McCoy transport down to a mental facility where one of the patients, Janice Lester, is scheduled to have a competency hearing to facilitate her release.
- Small Comforts by Deborah Goby. Kirk has an encounter with Scotty and discovers just how little the promotion to the Excelsior means to the engineer, and how much Scotty really loved the Enterprise. (47)
- Wordsworth on the Starship Command, (My Heart Leaps Up, revisited) poem by Ann K. Schwader (53)
- The Way Home by L.P. Santos. Another slice of life about Tal, his wife the Romulan Commander, and their son, Ty, who is actually the biological son of Spock. (54)
- I Am Spock, poem by Cybel Harper (67)
- Linguistic Observation, poem by Ann K. Schwader (This poem took third place in the Star*Fest '87 poetry contest, and is printed here with permission.) (68)
- Incident on New China by C.A. Pierce. Another mystery for the Enterprise. On New China a deadly lifeform is killing scientists, but just exactly what this alien is is unknown... (69)
- Just Magic by Cybel Harper. On a planet where technology behaves like magic, Spock sets out on a quest for a stolen gem which has fallen into the hands of a self-proclaimed wizard name Ozemious. (missing in the table of contents) (92)
inside page from issue #8, Tokako Oda
inside page from issue #8, Dragon: this illo was used a year later as the cover of Charisma #2
inside page from issue #8, illo by Tokako Oda
inside page from issue #8, Marie F. Williams
inside page from issue #8, Anja Gruber
inside page from issue #8, Anja Gruber
inside page from issue #8, sample poem
inside page from issue #8, Tom Howard
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 8
MORE MISSIONS MORE MYTHS #8 presents a more subdued genzine than its previous issues. The stories seem shorter and more informal than those in earlier editions, and editor Wendy Rathbone presents a nice, readable cross-section of the Star Trek universe using both new and experienced writers.Some zines (such as DESTINY'S CHILDREN) use the same experienced writers over and over, and some (such as GRIP) use entirely different writers each time. Both these approaches have benefits; however, Ms. Rathbone uses her veterans and new blood for some uneven but interesting results. My first impulse is to ignore most of the stories and tell you all about the outstanding L. P. Santos story lurking in the middle of the 106-page zine—not because the other stories aren't good (they are), but because they seem pale next to the Santos story that I'm nominating for the Fan Q and Surak awards, "The Way Home." But while I refrain and let you know about the others, I'd like to comment on Takako Oda's Japanimation artwork. At first, I didn't care for it because it was so different from what we usually see in zines, but as it kept popping up throughout the zine, I began to appreciate how beautiful it was. It's probably the newest art style to hit Trekdom in a while, and I like it (especially the rendition of Spock on the title page; it would've made a great cover). "The Right Choice" by Gail Schnirch deals with Kirk after Gary Mitchell's death. It's too emotive for me (lots of painful looks and silent sobs), but the antagonism between Kirk end Spock is Interesting. The captain resents the Vulcan for trying to take Mitchell's place, and it's a credible beginning of the rapport between the Big Three . I've always been a sucker for "Kirk and company after the ENTERPRISE" stories and "The Old Days' by Mary Shutler does an excellent Job of capturing Kirk as a senile 87-year-old in an Old Folks' Home. There's nothing earthshaking about it, no great character revelation; Just a warm, sad ending for our heroes. I know it's been done before many times, but I still love it. "A Thorn in the Flesh" was frustrating. Barbara Trimble sets up a wonderful scenario for getting compassionate Kirk and scheming Janice Lester together for a final confrontation and then—Nothing happens! A security team stuns her as she tries to finish Kirk off. Aargh! I enjoyed the flashback to Kirk and Lester's tender moments, and Janice's madness is evident in her every word (she says "nightie night" as she lunges at him with a knife). I Just wish the resolution hadn't been so lackluster. Janice deserves better.
Deborah Goby s 'Small Comforts" is a nice "between the scenes" look at Kirk and company after the first ENTERPRISE is decommissioned. There's evidence of a real understanding between Kirk and Scotty that we never got to see on the screen, large or small. All the stories so far have been nice. Very nice. But they don't hold a candle to an incredible story called "The Way Home" by an incredible L. P. Santos. L. P. does a Romulan Commander/Tal series that gets better with each story. I don't often like Romulans, but this one is so well written, sensitive, and understated that it stayed with me for days. When I first saw it, I thought, "Gee, this writing is so good, I wish L. P. would do something besides Tal stories," I had to eat my words and became a convert, however, when I finished the story for the second time. More! More! More! L. P. introduces us to a Romulan culture rich in colorful atmosphere, disgustingly brutal, frightening in its reality. Still, amid the sadness is a strong, intelligent man teaching a son that's not even his (guess who's it is?). The only person more sympathetic than Tal is his innocent son, and it's an eye-opening experience to see his world as it really is. He sees the harsh slave pens, the Vulcan spirit kept alive by proud slaves, and the bravery of both his fathers. The universe that Santos has created is easily comparible with other Star Trek universes. If L. P. decides to do a novel (pro or otherwise), run, don't walk to buy it. I've read a hundred professional science fiction novels this year that weren't as well written as this story. If Wendy's smart, she'll put these stories in a collection of their own. and if I'm lucky, she'll ask me to illustrate it. Moving right along, I don't usually comment on poems in zines because I don't understand them, but "I am Spock' by [Cybel Harper] was a strong piece on the 'Are thee Vulcan or are thee Human?' theme. C. A. Pierce is another More Missions veteran whose work is always skillfully accomplished and whose subject matter is rarely dull. In 'Incident on New China,' we're introduced to a scientific group on an ice world terrorized by creatures that burrow beneath the snow and eat people. If that wasn't enough for Kirk. Spock, and McCoy to contend with, they also have to figure out who's murdering the leaders in the scientific community. There's a minor sub-plot about Vulcan cousins, and the "mystery" is solved a little abruptly, but all-in-all, it's an action-filled story with intriguing bad guys.
I think 'Just Magic" by [Cybel Harper] has an interesting premise—"magic" being investigated by Spock on a feudal planet. Why Spock? Because everyone on the planet has pointed ears! (They had to come in handy sometime.)
A nice zine with interesting stories. It's interesting to see Ms. Rathbone reprinting art and poems from sources that many of us would not have an opportunity to see (Japanese fanzines, con program books), and I hope she keeps it up. I miss her editor comments (she's one of the few who have interesting things to say), and I eagerly await MORE MISSIONS, MORE MYTHS #9. [9]
Issue 9
More Missions, More Myths 9 was published in April 1988 and is 124 pages long.
The art is by by Shellie Whild, Judith Steinkamp, Caro Hedge, Tom Howard, Jacquelyn Zoost, and Sherry Veltkamp.
From the editorial:
Also, I'd like to plug a few of my projects. When Le'Matyas Sleep #2 is due in June and will be an adult erotic zine, not K/S though one story does have K/S overtones. I am very impressed with the stories I received. Excellent writing and plots, as well as a little sexual excitement make the stories really worth reading in my opinion.
For More Missions, More Myths I am also very impressed' with the high quality stories I have been receiving. A lot o£ new and old writers out there have been hitting the typewriters. I am now accepting stories for #12. Numbers 10 and 11 are well on their way to being completed. I hope to have 10 out by June or so. Send me those SASEs to keep in touch and up to date on all publications. It looks like the issues will be getting bigger, too, because of all the input I'm jetting so prices may increase a little but I will try to keep then down, down, down.
I would like to point out that I always keep all issues of More Missions in print. It really helps when running a series of stories. I have one series right now by L.P. Santos that I have been getting an excellent response on from you readers. I have more stories about Tal and the Romulan Commander to last through MM #12. Another series of stories begins in this issue. It begins with the novelette "Know Thy Enemy" by Ann K. Schwader. ' I highly recommend this story. And if you decide you like the characters and haven't already ordered BEYOND DIPLOMACY from me, you are really missing out on a treat. Ann is a professional writer and I am honored to be publishing her fiction, as well as her poetry in More Missions. And one more series that will begin with MM #10 is a series of stories about Spock. and his young daughter whom he doesn't really know or want. This series by M.C. Pehrson, (who also has an excellent series of stories in When Le'Matyas Sleep #2), begins with the story "A Taking Of Leave" and so you don't miss out, please send SASEs for flyers.
I wish everyone happy reading and universal peace. Now I must go and produce more zines! Bye for now.
- Friend, poem by Cybel Harper (3)
- Unfinished Business by M. C. Pehrson (14 pages). Kirk sees an old friend, Sola Thane (from the pro novel Triangle) and their relationship rekindles while Spock, whom she also loves, is far away on Vulcan recovering from Fal Tor Pan. (5)
- Know Thy Enemy by Ann K. Schwader (34 pages). In this prequel to the novel Beyond Diplomacy (also available from MKASHEF Enterprises), Neysa El Man, a Starfleet cadet and student meets a Klingon, Lt. Karan, in an exchange program and strikes up an unusual friendship with him. (reprinted in Diplomacy & Empire #1, part of the Beyond Diplomacy universe) (19)
- After Some Farthest Star, poem by Ann K. Schwader (51)
- A Midwinter Night's Dream by Tom Howard (53)
- Perchance to Dream by L. P. Santos (20 pages). Another in a series of stories about Tal, his wife the Romulan Commander, and their son, Ty, who is really Spock's biological son. In this segment, the topics of war and violence are hard lessons for a small boy to learn, and for Tal as well, who advocates peace but is in the minority with his opinions. (69)
- Reunion, poem by S. A. Whild (86)
- The Entity of Command, poem by Natasha Solten (87)
- On the Edge of Reality by Sharon Heeley and Kim Lemponen (35 pages). Kirk, Spock and McCoy beam down to a planet to investigate strange readings and encounter a bizarre kidnapping involving a dark castle with man y private nightmares lurking within. (89)
inside page from issue #9, Tom Howard, a portrait of The Romulan Commander
inside page from issue #9, poem by Cybel Harper, illo by Shellie Whild
inside page from issue #9, Jeannie L. Matthews
inside page from issue #9, Tom Howard, Kirk as Alexander the Great and Spock as Sherlock Holmes
inside page from issue #9, Tom Howard
inside page from issue #9, Judith Steinkamp
inside page from issue #9, Jacquelyn Zoost
inside page from issue #9, sample text
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 9
"Know Thy Enemy" is the centerpiece of MM#9 and I would recommend buying the zine simply to get that story. Aside from L. P. Santos' "Perchance to Dream"—a story about Tal and his half-Vulcan son, Ty—I wasn't impressed with any of the other stories in MM#9 although the zine does have some good illustrations and poetry. [10]
Issue 10
More Missions, More Myths 10 was published in 1988 and contains 148 pages. Interior art consists of a frontispiece and two illos.
- Artwork by Jacquelyn Zoost and Anja Gruber
- Strange Alliance by Sharon Pillsbury. Kirk is thought to be insane and is relieved of command because he insists his presumed dead friends, Spock and McCoy, are still alive. He becomes obsessed with finding them but can do nothing unless someone helps him break out of the psychiatric institution where Starfleet has ordered him to remain. (3)
- Gifts by Wendy Rathbone (86) (reprinted from The Poets and I)
- Red Planet Blues by J. Russell Wooldridge. In The Search For Spock, Uhura is left on Earth after Kirk and friends embark for the Genesis world. This is the story of how she makes it past 'Fleet security to arrive safely on Vulcan. (87)
- An Endless Peace by L. P. Santos. Another in the series of Tal and the Romulan Commander. In this gentle story, we see the great depths of love they feel for each other, both physical and mental. (91)
- Reflections of Change by Ann K. Schwader. In this sequel to "Mirror, Mirror", the female officers of the ISS Enterprise decide to take matters into their own hands. (109)
- Haiku by Wendy Rathbone (117) (reprinted from The Poets and I)
- A Taking of Leave by M. C. Pehrson. Spock meets a unique, alien woman and a strange love/hate relationship develops. This is the first in a series of stories that center on Spock, and the consequences of his affair with this woman. First story in the "T'Beth Series." (118)
- To the Real Hero by Wendy Rathbone (148) (reprinted from The Poets and I)
frontispiece by Jacquelyn Zoost
Anja Gruber for "Red Planet Blues"
Anja Gruber for "Red Planet Blues"
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 10
in MISSIONS #10 there is another Romulan Commander/Tal story, although I am more drawn to the first story [in issue #9]; really a novelette, by Sharon Pillsbury called "Strange Alliances" which is Kirk, Spock, McCoy and which is about 80 pages long. Kirk is removed from the ENTERPRISE and put in isolation for 3 weeks under treatment because he refuses to believe Spock and McCoy were killed. The story follows their adventures as prisoners of the Klingons. I especially liked Reese, a gun runner Kirk gets information from, in his search for Spock (ha, ha) and McCoy's experiences as a prison doctor. [11]
Issue 11
More Missions, More Myths 11 was published in 1988 and contains 98 pages. Cover by Paula Mathai. It has a small frontispiece illo by Jacqueline Zoost, but no interior art. The back cover is blank.
From the editorial:
Welcome to More Missions 11. Five fine stories grace these pages. Three are part of author's own invented universes. "Cristabeth" by M.C. Pehrson is a sequel to "A Taking Of Leave" which appeared in More Missions 10. "Daleth" is a sequel to L.P. Santos fine Romulan series, her last story, "An Endless Peace" also appearing in MM 10. "A Memory of Stars" brings back Neysa and Karan from the excellent Klingon novel Beyond Diplomacy by Ann K. Schwader.... Plus "A Jewel of a Planet" by Gwen Brennan will, I think, bring on some chuckles. And "April Love" by Mimi English is a moving story about a child's love for animals which becomes an alien society's saving grace. All and all, this issue delves into the deepest of emotions, both happy and sad, and should give readers a delightful treat, another unique and highly creative look into a universe that has spread to encompass fans worldwide: STAR TREK.
- Christabeth by M.C. Pehrson. A sequel to "A Taking of Leave" in Issue #10, this story deals with Spock's discover of his pre-teen daughter and the beginning of their awkward relationship. Story in the "T'Beth Series." (3)
- A Jewel of a Planet by Gwen Brennan. Wilbur T. Muglump, the Keeper of Secrets in the Federation, is the perfect person for the job. He is nondescript and very, very forgettable, even to the Enterprise crew where he is on a mission to keep the secrets of one planet from falling into Klingon hands. (35)
- Daleth by L.P. Santos. Another in this series of stories about the Romulan Commander, Tal and their son, Ty, who is actually the biological son of Spock. (52)
- April Love by Mimi English. Only a little girl knows the secret of an intelligent species on a mining colony, and no one will listen to her. (68)
- A Memory of Stars by Ann K. Schwader. This story, dealing with the characters of Neysa and Karan from the excellent novel Beyond Diplomacy, details an early encounter between Neysa and Karan's consort, Kralais. (reprinted in Diplomacy & Empire #1) (82)
Issue 12
More Missions, More Myths 12 was published in 1988 and contains 108 pages. Cover by Shellie Whild. It contains no interior art.
The editorial:
This issue is special in that there are two stories here that deal, each in its own unique and understated way. with Christmas. However, neither story is really a "Christmas story." Christmas just happens to be the background the time period in which the stories take place. The first, "Homecoming" by M.C. Pehrson is a sequel to the powerful "Christabeth" which appeared in More Missions 11. This story, I predict, will be a great favorite among readers. Pehrson knows the characters well yet writes less predictably than the average writer, throwing in interesting conflicts, emotions. ideas. She also understands well child psychology. and the infuriating manipulative minds of those children who are sometimes too smart for their own good.The second story, " Let Nothing You Dismay" by Ann K. Schwader is another look at Neysa and Karan, the characters from her excellent novel Beyond Diplomacy which is set in a changing Klingon Empire. Those who love a good look at alien culture and character won't be able to put this one down. A third story in this issue. "Oasis" by L.P. Santos is another adventure involving the Romulan Commander from "Enterprise Incident," her husband Tal and their son Ty who is actually the biological son of Spock (though neither Ty nor Spock know this.) Though all three of these stories are parts of ongoing series, all stand on their own. You need not have read the previous adventures to understand them. though it is recommended. The other two stories in this issue are: "Back In Time" by Anna Parrish and "Child's Play" by Sharon Pillsbury. Both stories are humorous. wonderful ideas which I'm sure will please many readers.
All in all I think this issue is one of the best yet, proving that I am not kidding when I say that I continue to receive high quality stories. You writers out there are getting better and better. Please keep it up.
- Homecoming by M.C. Pehrson. A sequel to "Christabeth" which appeared in MM #11, this story told from Admiral Kirk's point of view deals with his unexpected visit to the Enterprise and a terrible, selfish game played at his expense by the captain's daughter whom he has just met. Story in the "T'Beth Series." (3)
- Back In Time! What? Again? by Anna Parrish. Old lady Myrtle Hermogiknees is a STAR TREK authority, fan writer, scoffer of K/S. One day, at a local STAR TREK convention, she is accidentally beamed aboard the real Enterprise and taken on the most unbelievable ride of her life. (34)
- Oasis by L.P. Santos. Tal learns he must trust a Vulcan healer with the secret of Ty's part Vulcan heritage, or watch his son slowly die from a terrible fever. (50)
- Child's Play by Sharon Pillsbury. Something in the water of an alien planet regresses Kirk's and Spock's minds back to childhood and McCoy, who remains unaffected, must search for an antidote while at the same time keeping an eye on the two troublesome officers who thing they are ten years old again. (64)
- Let Nothing You Dismay by Ann K. Schwader. In this novella, a sequel to Beyond Diplomacy, we see Neysa and Karan settled in the Klingon Empire and battling again with more betrayal and prejudice of their personal values. (81)
- Between Stars, poem by Ann K. Schwader (108)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 12
This zine features three stories set in continuing series. 'Homecoming' has Admiral Kirk returning to the Enterprise for a surprise visit at Christmas, to discover that Spock's daughter is secretly on board to be returned to Vulcan. I was pleased to see that although I have (deliberately) not read the previous stories, I was well able to follow the plot. This seems important to me since not every reader can be sure of obtaining earlier stories in a series. The writer is to be congratulated on the skill with which she indicates the background without slowing the story. She chooses an interesting character for the child, and I found myself wondering how the situation would be resolved. I was, however, unhappy with the way in which crewmembers who have served with Kirk for so long were so easily persuaded to believe ill of him. 'Let Nothing You Dismay' is a story dealing entirely with characters of the author's own creation, and is set within the Klingon Empire. As a science fiction story I can recommend it, as the characters are well conceived and developed; however, its appeal will vary with the degree of interest each reader has in this type of story. I did feel that because of the unfamiliar background, this story would be best enjoyed by someone who has read the original novel in the series, 'Beyond Diplomacy', which is available from the editor. 'Oasis' is part of a series with a more direct Trek connection, dealing with the Romulan Commander from Enterprise Incident, her husband Tal, and her son, who is in fact Spock's child. The boy is dangerously ill, but a healer cannot be summoned lest the truth of his parentage be revealed. The zine is completed by 'Back In Time', the tale of a fan transported to the Enterprise, and my favourite story in the zine, 'Child's Play', in which Kirk and Spock drink the water on a new planet, and revert to childhood. McCoy tries to keep them out of trouble, handicapped by being out of contact with the ship. There is, however, a twist in the ending. [12]
Issue 13
More Missions, More Myths 13 was published in March 1989 and contains 121 pages. Cover by Sherry Veltkamp. It has a single small illo by Tom Howard.
- Just Like Old Times by Kay Wells. On an alien planet, a serious accident befalls the captain. It's up to Spock to find the planet's mysterious inhabitants who may be able to help the severely injured Kirk. (3)
- The Moon is Twice As Lonely by L.P. Santos. Leila had a son. He is 14. In this story, he and Spock meet for the first time. (13)
- A Vulcan Boyhood, poem by Gloria DeLeon (22)
- A Study in Madness by Michelle Perry. In the author's own alternate universe, Spock, the only survivor of the Enterprise crew, begins to behave irrationally. (22)
- Oath of Fealty, poem by Gloria DeLeon (28)
- Curtain Call by Ann K. Schwader. In this story involving the characters Neysa and Karan from the novel Beyond Diplomacy, the rock creature from "The Savage Curtain" is again encountered, pitting humans against Klingons. (reprinted in Diplomacy & Empire #1) (30)
- Out of Step by M.C. Pehrson. A continuation of the "T'Beth series" which started in Issue #10. (53)
- Deathgrip by M.C. Pehrson. A sequel to "Out of Step", this novella explores the character of Spock in great depth as he slowly succumbs to a rare and painful disease. (part of the T'Beth series) (60)
Issue 14
More Missions, More Myths 14 was published in June 1989 and contains 102 pages. It contains no interior art.
- Doctor's Orders by Gillian Calvert. McCoy insists that Spock is too perfect, and that there is very little about him that he can tease. Spock decides to remedy the situation, and secretly takes aboard the ship a very small, very furry, no-regulation pet that wreaks havoc on his quarters, not to mention his perfectly disciplined nerves. (3)
- Autumn in New York by Natasha Solten. This vignette expresses Spock's uncharacteristic despair as he and Kirk prepare for the Guardian of Forever to return them to their future following Edith Keeler's death. (18)
- As If You've Always Been There, poem by Natasha Solten (19)
- In the Land of the Blind by Debbie Cummins. This story contains scenes we didn't see from the episode "Whom Gods Destroy". Garth struggles with sanity, while Kirk and Spock worry more about each other's fate than their own. (20)
- If All Goes Well by M.C. Pehrson. Story in the "T'Beth Series." With Admiral Kirk still commanding the Enterprise, Spock is left to deal with his deadly addition to the drug Stardust, and his confused feelings toward Lauren Butterfield. He returns to Vulcan to teach his daughter, T'Beth, a serious lesson in discipline, only to agree to take her aboard ship for a few days. From there, T'Beth's further misbehavior ends up putting several Enterprise officers' lives at risk, including Spock's and Butterfield's. (43)
- Dialogue, poem by M.C. Pehrson (100)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 14
MORE MISSIONS MORE MYTHS 14 is the as usual issue with great Trek stories from Wendy Rathbono. This is not K/S as her other zines, but with these zines it's wonderful reading in all apsects and in this issue it's as usual from the publication. A series of stories in continuation is the series from previous issues in dealing with Spock's 12-year-old daughter and the problems Spock has to face. Other stories mentioning, "Doctor's Orders" by Gillian Calvert, "Autumn in New York" by Natasha Solten and others in this issue are worth the price of the zine. [13]
Issue 15
More Missions, More Myths 15 was published in 1989 and contains 100 pages. The front cover is by Shelly Veltkamp. It contains no interior art.
- At Your Side by Sandy Hall. A look at Kirk's feelings as he deals with Spock's death after The Wrath of Khan. (3)
- Between Stars by M.C. Pehrson. In this continuation of the popular T'Beth series, the Enterprise crew takes on a group of alien refugee children only to discover their strange powers are more sinister than innocent, putting the ship at great risk. (9)
- Never and Always by Michelle Perry. Sarek and Amanda have a rather "different" relationship... (62)
- Cry Havoc by Ann K. Schwader. Neysa (Keysa) and Karan are back in yet another adventure in the Klingon Empire. This time Keysa is pregnant, and someone from the Federation is trying to frame her for espionage. (64)
- Scotty's Viewpoint, poem by Michelle Perry (105)
Issue 16
More Missions, More Myths 16 was published in May 1990 and contains 156 pages. The front cover is by Shelly Veltkamp, the two pieces of interior art are by Brett Barham.
Each story is in a different font.
This issue contains a 4-page fan survey conducted by the Central Connecticut Star Trek Support Group, see Who Are Star Trek Fans? A Survey.
- Little Boy Lost by Sharon Pillsbury. Intelligent, but mute, ape-like beings find Kirk on a routine planetary expedition and carry him away, thinking he is a lost, deformed child of their own species. (3)
- Sweet Revenge by Debbie Cummins. Someone is out to murder Kirk. Affected with a slow acting poison, Kirk still manages to investigate the incident, while McCoy frantically searches for an antidote. (42)
- The Game with Live Pieces by Ann K. Schwader, art by Brett Barham. In another installment involving the characters Neysa and Karan from the novel Beyond Diplomacy, an all too human Keysa runs into more corruption while married to Thought Admiral/Emperor Karan and living in the Klingon Empire. (109)
- Vantage Points by M.C. Pehrson. In another installment involving the character of T'Beth (Spock's daughter), T'Beth and McCoy find themselves the victims of a deadly amusement park foul-up (a la Futureworld). Meanwhile, Spock and Lauren finally get the chance to be alone to talk. (12)
- Vulcan Allegory, poem by Gloria De Leon (156)
- Neural Decay by Laurie D. Haynes. In this sequel to "A Private Little War", Kirk tries to right the wrongs that were done to Tyree and Apella's people.
inside page from issue #16
inside page from issue #16
Issue 17
More Missions, More Myths 17 was published in December 1990 and contains 142 pages.
The art is by Mark Freeley and Anja Gruber.
- Dedicated Research by Ann K. Schwader, art by Mark Feeley. In this prequel to Beyond Diplomacy, Lt. Neysa El Man uses her last Triangle shore leave for field research -- and witnesses Admiral Karan's kidnapping. Who's responsible... and how is the death of Neysa's father involved? (reprinted in Diplomacy & Empire #1) (3)
- Clamor Rushing in Microbism EarPiece, poem by Patience Sibeal (34)
- Promises, Promises by Rosalind Brinson, art by Anja Gruber. In this post STAR TREK V story, Uhura's experiences are the main focus as the Enterprise heads back to Earth. (37)
- Look My Way, poem by Patience Sibeal (43)
- Vulcan Pages by M.C. Pehrson. In this story of the continuing adventures of Spock's troublesome daughter, T'Beth, excerpted pages from her journal display her feelings about Spock's death (after The Wrath of Khan), her feelings about his resurrection (after The Search for Spock), as well as feelings on growing up in a world that is alien to her all too human background. (44)
- Lessons in Klingonaase (titled "Lessons in Klingonese" online) by M.C. Pehrson. On a trip to T'Beth's homeworld, taken in the hopes that familiar places there might help fill Spock's memory-gaps since the Fal Tor Pan, Spock and T'Beth are kidnapped by Kruge's father. He takes them to his home planet where, as vengeance for his son's death, he keeps them as slave-prisoners. In the midst of terrible abuse, Spock is forced to realize that he has no power to protect his daughter unless he obeys every command the Klingon gives him. (77)
- Limericks by Anna Parrish (131)
- The Gift by M.C. Pehrson. After their rescue by Kirk from the Klingons, Spock has no idea how to deal with T'Beth who, as a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of Kruge's father, is a very changed person -- more dependent yet at the same time no longer a little girl. This story very accurately depicts how extremely dysfunctional Spock's family is, and how Spock himself feels about his seemingly inherited inability to be a good father. (121)
inside page from issue #17, Mark Feeley
inside page from issue #17, Mark Feeley
inside page from issue #17, Mark Feeley
inside page from issue #17, sample poem
inside page from issue #17, Anja Gruber
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 17
Picked up More Missions, More Myths #17-18 at a convention. They are from Wendy Rathbone and lately have contained continuing sagas; all previous issues are still in print. I especially like the Neysa/Karen stories by Ann Schwader, about a human female and a Klingon in John Ford's The Final Reflection (a pro book) universe. It is not necessary to have read it, but reading "Beyond Diplomacy" by Ann is essential, I think. I guess you would call them Mary Sue. And the heroine does have a "Y" in her name, like in the article in the last newsletter, but they are very well written and Karen is such an interesting character. The other continuing series is M.C. Pehrson's about Spock's problems with a rebellious daughter, more or less. I am not fond of this series myself, but if fans enjoyed Simple Gifts, I think they will like this as well. I just couldn't "get into" Simple Gifts myself.[14]
Issue 18
More Missions, More Myths 18 was published in June 1991. The front cover is by Shelly Veltkamp, the back by Jackie Zoost.
Editor's note: ""Fatal Vision" by Ann K. Schwader is part of a longer body of work by her taking place in the John Ford Klingon Universe. Other stories of hers appear in 'More Missions.' "I'll Be Waiting by M.C. Pehrson is a story that was slated to appear in 'More Missions' #17 alongside 'Vulcan Papers.' It has been misplaced until now. Suffice it to say, it appears here out of context as the flip side to 'Vulcan Pages.' and reads quite well on its own. It, along with 'A Planet of Warriors.' is a portion of a longer body of work the author has been working on for many years. Her other stories in this universe appear in various issues of 'More Missions'." [15]
- Starborne, poem by Natasha Solten (3)
- Fatal Vision by Ann K. Schwader, art by Bonnie Reitz (59). ("Five years after Karan's Rebellion, Macbeth on Klinzhai and a threat from the past force First Consort Keysa to her hardest decision since leaving Starfleet. How far Beyond Diplomacy must she go to prevent another war?")
- Parallel Dream, poem by Natasha Solten (59)
- A Little War, poem by Natasha Solten (60)
- Back on the Bridge, poem by Patience Sibeal (61)
- Vulcan Fire, poem by Natasha Solten (63)
- The Friendship Gift by Natasha Solten (64). ("In this sensitive story about change and growing old, a 60 year old Kirk must decide where his dreams for the future lie as he realizes that he cannot repeat and relive his past. Feeling left out of the still-young Spock's new life which includes a relationship with a female physicist named Mat, Kirk turns to an experimental medical procedure that reverses aging. The results strengthen the friendship between Kirk and Spock in a surprisingly personal way.")
- Dance with a Romulan, poem by Gamine (79)
- Decisions, Decisions by Rosalind Brinson (80). ("Scotty and Uhura take a meaningful trip to Aberdeen, Scotland together, while Chekov does battle with a new lieutenant from engineering who seems to hate him for no reason. Find out what secret links her to Chekov's past. And just how deep does this new relationship between Scotty and Uhura go?")
- The Devil, poem by Natasha Solten, (97)
- His Hands Were Small, poem by Gamine (98)
- I'll Be Waiting by M.C. Pehrson (100). ("This story, slated for MM #17 and misplaced until now, is the flip side to the story Vulcan Pages, which appeared in MM #17. Spock and Lauren find themselves growing closer as she learns chess from the "master" in his private quarters. With this story, Pehrson takes the reader through events of The Wrath of Khan and The Search for Spock from Lauren's point of view.")
- untitled poem by Gamine (127)
- A Planet of Warriors by M.C. Pehrson (128). ("In this sequel to "Lessons In Klingonaase" and "The Gift" which appear in MM #17, Spock's daughter, T'Beth, still emotionally disturbed from her ordeal at the hands of the Klingons, becomes involved with a radical group of teenagers who find themselves in a bundle of trouble for defacing sacred Vulcan property. The lesson she learns about lying is a hard one.")
- Adonais, poem by Natasha Solten (158)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 18
Myths #18 had an especially wonderful story in it for those who like Kirk and Spock friendship stories, and wonder what would become of them after retiring from the Enterprise. I just loved Spock's "The Friendship Gift" to Kirk and wish it would someday really happen to our heroes. Written by an excellent writer, Natasha Solten. [16]
References
- ^ from Universal Translator #31
- ^ from Treklink #5
- ^ from Treklink #9
- ^ from Treklink #11
- ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
- ^ from Datazine #47
- ^ from Treklink #11
- ^ from Datazine #49
- ^ from Treklink #12
- ^ from Treklink #17
- ^ from Treklink #14
- ^ from IDIC #12
- ^ from Treklink #20
- ^ from The Trekzine Times v.2 n.2
- ^ More Missions, More Myths entry at the Star Trek Zine Index (TOS) (accessed 17 Aug 2009)
- ^ from The Trekzine Times v.2 n.2