Mindsifting

Also see Mindsifter.

Fanfiction
Title:	Mindsifting
Author(s):	Natasha Solten
Date(s):	1987
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Mindsifting is a K/S story by Natasha Solten.

first page

art for this story from Daring Attempt #7, artist is Jacqueline Zoost

It was published in the print zine Daring Attempt #7.

Reactions and Reviews

1997

This is a follow-up (with some scenes added) to "Errand of Mercy." Wouldn't we all like to know exactly what happened when Spock was put under the mindsifter? Natasha Solten shows us, and very convincingly she does it too. I especially like the way she paints the Klingon guard who interrogates Spock - he's no generic nasty alien, just another guy-doing-his-job who doesn't much like his orders.

The whole story is from Spock's POV. in his first-person Voice' which isn't easy to write, I imagine, but it works fine here. There's a reason for the 1st person, too (there, that should make Kathy Stanis happy) because Spock is writing the whole story down afterwards in an attempt to clarify his feelings.

Spock holds his own against the ordeal of the mindsifter, as we know, except for one thing. When the guard asks him what his relationship is with Barona, Spock resists until the guard finally forces him to tell the secret truth; that he loves Jim. The guard assumes they're lovers; he doesn't see what's so terrible about this, but in view of Spock's obvious horror at having been forced to reveal his feelings, he doesn't mention this little detail to Kor.

Now I'm not going to describe this wonderful story scene for scene, but the one that comes next I just love, and I have to quote my favorite bit from it so you can see why. The boys are in a Klingon cell pending Kor*s decision, and Spock is having a nightmare. Kirk wakes him up because he's calling out loud.

"What did I say?" I could tell he was making an effort to keep that small smile from faltering. "My name." He swallowed, bowing his head again. "And you kept saying you were a dealer." He looked up, his eyes brimming, his lower lip shuddering. "A dealer in kivas." He took a shaky breath but his voice remained steady. "You looked like you were in pain. I," he took another breath, "I couldn't stand it anymore so I came over and woke you up."

Ohh, don't you just love that? If this doesn't convince you that Solten writes some of the best dialogue in the business, then I give up. Next thing you'll be telling me that [Gayle F] can't draw for toffee, or that you always thought Tellarites were sexier than Vulcans anyway, or...um, where was I?

Right. Back on the Enterprise, Spock is having unaccustomed trouble writing up his mission report. Kirk tries to help him, tells him that he can leave out anything personal, but of course Spock can't bring himself to write a less than complete report about anything (darn that Vulcan!) and finally Kirk suggests he write his thoughts down in a personal log. Hence this story.

Of course Kirk gets Spock to tell him about it eventually. But he does it so well - this is the Kirk I like, so supportive, perceptive, not to mention seductive! And his reaction to Spock's confession is priceless.

The ending really benefits from being written in Spock's POV - it's romantic and very Vulcan at the same time. Personally I think that's a combination to die for...