Nexus (Star Trek: TOS zine)

Zine
Title:	Nexus
Publisher:
Editor(s):	Toni Cardinal-Price & Mariann Hornlein
Date(s):	1978-1980
Series?:
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Star Trek: TOS
Language:	English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Nexus is a gen Star Trek: TOS anthology. There are six issues.

Several fan reviewers of the time refer to some stories as K/S; the contents skate really, really close to what fans today define as slash but were what fans in 1978 were defining as a relationship story, and perhaps what some would call pre-slash or simply smarm.

Issue 1

Nexus 1 was published in February 1978 and has 196 pages. The cover is by Gail Stark. The back cover by Edward Hornlein. The interior art is by Gail Stark, Iris Cruz, Marie Watson, and Mariann H. Hornlein.

The last story is slash.

front cover of issue #1

back cover of issue #1

The zine also contained an ad for a writing contest. Winners would win a copy of Nexus #2. Entries were to be no longer than 5 pages single space typed and had to include the following paragraph:

Kirk watched with disbelief as Spock walked calmly into the turbolift. Clenching his fist against the mounting anger, Kirk stormed in after him. He waited for the lift doors to close before he spoke.

"Just answer me one thing, Mr. Spock." Kirk snapped. "Why the hell did you do it?"

Spock turned, lifting one eyebrow in astonishment, "Captain," he said indignantly, "I did not do it. It simply happened."

Kirk looked at him in open mouthed surprise. He leaned against the side of the turbolift in shock. "Mr. Spock, your Vulcan logic never ceases to amaze me."

• Editorials
• A Star Trekker's Lament by Sarah Leibold (poem) (1)
• Ode to Shatner by Marty Barquinero (poem). Art by Gail Stark (2)
• My Daddy, Mr. Spock by Toni Cardinal-Price. Art by Gail Stark (3)
• Star Filled Sea by Iris Cruz (poem). Art by Iris Cruz (47)
• When Someone Understands by Ginna LaCroix. Art by Marie Watson (It establishes a close tie between Kirk and Spock. Only the Vulcan perceived why Sam's death so upset the Captain -- self-recriminations for past deeds and regret for things undone haunt BOTH men. This realization enables them to share a assuage each other's pain.) (from Trek Encore #1) (48)
• Aftermath by J. Thomas Ross (poem) (55)
• Triangle by Ellen Kobrin (poem). Art by Gail Stark (56)
• They by Pete Kaup (poem). Art by Gail Stark (59)
• The Birthday Party by Mariann Hornlein. Art by Gail Stark (this is a story about how well Spock and Peter Kirk relate to each other.) (60)

• Sea of Stars by Marty Banqinero (poem). Art by Gail Stark (73)
• The Syndrome Complex by Toni Cardinal-Price, poetry. Art by Marie Watson. (74)
• Turn and Walk Away by Ellen Kobrin (song with sheet music) (75)
• Bitter Herbs by J. Thomas Ross (76)
• Puzzle Crostic (107)
• Nancy With the Laughing Face by Roberta Rogow, art by Gail Stark, (After the death of the Salt Vampire, McCoy recalls the part that Nancy Crater played in his life.) (108)

• Struggle by Gail Stark (poem). Art by Gail Stark (115)
• Retrospect In Desperation by Toni Cardinal-Price (poem). Art by Mariann H. Hornlein. (116)
• Trial by Mariann Hornlein. Art by Iris Cruz. (Written with permission, an alternate version of "The Rack" by J. Emily Vance in Contact #4 in which Kirk is not dead and Spock decides to face court-martial. It details Kirk and Spock's strong determination to remain together on the Enterprise and Starfleet's equally strong drive to force them apart. Despite Starfleet's innuendo, coercion, persecution and dirty tactics, Spock and Kirk rely on each other's concern, support, love. And, despite the odds, they WIN.) (119)
• A Different End by Toni Cardinal-Price. An alternative to the previous story: Kirk & Spock really are lovers, and after the trial are now safe from invasive speculations. (slash) (164)
• Ads (167)

• 

  art from issue #1, Marie Watson

• 

  filk from issue #1, Ellen Kobrin

• 

  art from issue #1, Mariann H. Hornlein

• 

  art from issue #1, Iris Cruz

• 

  art from issue #1, Gail Stark

• 

  art from issue #1, Gail Stark

• 

  art from issue #1, Gail Stark

• 

  art from issue #1, Gail Stark

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

See reactions and reviews for My Daddy, Mr. Spock.

See reactions and reviews for Trial.

See reactions and reviews for Bitter Herbs.

[zine]: ...a fairly neat-looking zine edited by 2 relative newcomers to fandom. Issue #1 is an impressive first try, ... [with] high and low spots.

[zine]:

• My Daddy, Mr. Spock / Despite the title, a pervading smarminess, and some silly characterization, a pretty good little story. Enterprise rescues an orphaned, Vulcan/Human girl who has been raised fully human. She gloms onto Spock, who is wildly uncomfortable with her, but when he brings her to tears with rebuffs - which nearly alienates all his friends as well - he acknowledges his feelings of envy and ends up adopting her. It does raise the point that fanzine writers often are unable to allow Spock to be Spock - he has to become human to be acceptable.
• When Someone Understands / Post- "Operation Annihilate." McCoy believes Kirk to be grieving; it takes Spock to recognize the guilt born of the fact that Kirk was estranged from his brother Sam when he died.
• The Birthday Party / Kirk, Spock & McCoy take shore leave in Iowa for Peter Kirk's 16th birthday. Despite McCoy's misgivings, Spock turns out to charm everyone, including Peter and a bunch of teenage girls now planning to attend SF Academy.
• Bitter Herbs / (naturally an old friend of Kirk's) survives a Klingon attack only to be captured, raped and finally romanced by the sole Klingon survivor. Enterprise is led off by the mother ship on a goose chase; when Kirk finally finds her back on the planet and captures the Klingon, she pleads her love and they agree to leave them there. Some interesting bits, especially a nice, complex Klingon.
• Nancy With the Laughing Face / An explanation of McCoy's divorce that ties in Nancy Crater. He loses everything in the divorce from Evelyn because of his adultery, then Nancy just shrugs him off and goes to New York, saying she didn't know the relationship meant so much to him. He is faced with discharge from his practice for alcoholism when he decides to head for the stars.
• Trial / An alternate version of "The Rack" by J. Emily Vance in Contact #4. Kirk dies of an overdose but Spock detects it through an empathic tie and saves him. Admiral Lewis believes they are homosexual lovers and letting the relationship interfere with their judgment and is hounding them out of the service. They now decide that they will fight; Spock will face court martial. The case turns on the legality of an order that Spock disobeyed to save Kirk. They win, based on the fact that Spock had information (that Kirk was indeed alive) based on his empathic tie, which the distant admiral did not have, and was justified in taking the risk to the ship. Well written, good characterization, if a bit too much breast-beating.
• A Different End / A play on the last story - in this one, Kirk & Spock really are lovers, and after that trial are now safe from invasive speculations.

• And the usual supply of rather poor poetry. Exception: The Syndrome Complex / McCoy & Kirk each soliloquizing on Spock's probable death in the ameba. Interesting point that McCoy wanted the job because Kirk would not survive Spock's death.

[zine]:

Nexus made its debut on the zine scene in February and even far a first issue, fell short of the mark. One hundred and sixty-eight pages of mimeo reproduction, the zine offers an adequate number of stories, poetry, end art. However, the reader must first get through seven - yes, count 'em - seven editorials.

The major fiction offerings were written by several authors, including the editors.

MY DADDY, MR. SPOCK by Toni Cardinal Price introduced an appealing little waif who believes Spock is, of course, her daddy. It is a pleasant exploration of the First Officer's compassionate nature.

BIRTHDAY PARTY by Mariann Hornlein suffered, in my copy, by having the first page missing, an annoying though valid collating problem. Kirk, Spock and McCoy are invited to Earth for Peter's birthday and having nothing more pressing in the galaxy, they decide to attend. Spock is a hit with all the teen-age Human girls, and the boys are quite impressed with him, too. Kirk takes a backseat to his Science Officer's charms as the young females flock to their new heart-throb. The tenderest moment comes when a very sincere Kirk asks Spock to become his nephew's guardian in the event of his awn demise. Was this REALLY written by an adult?

Mariann's second story was a more mature subject. TRIAL, a what-if story based on THE RACK 1n Contact 4, traced the events after that story using the premise that Spock found Kirk in time to save his life. Well thought out and executed, the facts are essentially correct and the courtroom trial is absorbing, but the story lacked a depth of feeling to the characters and would have greatly benefited by grammatical,typo, and spelling corrections. This was, in fact, a problem prevalent throughout the zine.

Toni's A DIFFERENT END, while hilariously funny, made the whole attitude of TRIAL seem ludicrous.

One of the better pieces in the line, WHEN SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS by Ginna LaCroix, is a post-operation: Annihilate story and gives us a rather different view of Kirk's relationship with Sam. The sibling rival<; theme was a little off according to the age difference and the ending was somewhat flat, but it was well written and offered an interesting and believable theory.

NANCY WITH THE LAUGHING FACE

by Roberta Rogow needed about twenty more pages to adequately cover the story of McCoy and Nancy Crater's love affair, and the fact that the pages were printed out of order didn't help in following the continuity of the story. Roberta presented an interesting picture of Twenty-third century Georgia, but she was so caught up in describing the culture that the plot suffered.

BITTER HERBS by J.T. Ross is an, incredibly long, incredibly boring, typical Mary Sue featuring a heroine ~ith the imaginative name of Linda Clark and a very un-Klingon Klingon (explained and de- fended by the author) named Karn. It abounds with Klingons, cliches like "He's dead, Jim." and action-adventure of the ho-hum variety.

The poetry ranges from bad to passable. The art work, for the most part 1s very bad. With all the fine artists in fandom, many of the new and anxious for a chance to illustrate lines, I wonder why the editors didn't avail themselves to this talent. While the mimeo reproduction of most of the zine was satisfactory, that of the art work was not, making already inferior illos seem worse.

The best art in the entire line was that of Marie Watson, but even these two fine illos suffered in the reproduction. At $4.00 a copy, I'm afraid I have to rate this zine as overpriced. I think the thing that bothered me most about NEXUS was that it displayed a lack of caring or sincerity on the part of the editors. Absent were those extra little touches that make the difference between a quality zine thoughtfully produced, and one that exhibits a sense of indifference. I'm not talking about expensive items, but things like careful layout, top and bottom margins being equal, lettered titles, proofreading, the same typewriter throughout, pages printed in the correct order, etc. These are the things that take a little extra effort, but the difference shows. Since we are being asked to pay our dollars for these publications, I feel we have the right to expect the best zine an editor can produce.

On the positive side, I'd say there was plenty of room for NEXUS 2 to improve.

[zine]:

Perhaps the chief problem with reviewing this first issue is that many of the first issues put out during the last few years have been so damned good that anything else is too easily condemned. Having laid the ground work for this review, I will precede.

There are one or two things to be said of NEXUS that cannot be ignored; notably, that the editing and proofreading could definitely stand improvement.

My second pet peeve concerns fanzine art: choose decent material or don't print art at all. There are several pieces here which could just as well have been left out. Marie Watson's pieces are the exception — quite good, though incomplete.

Now to the meat of the matter: the fiction.

Of "My Daddy, Mr. Spock" by Cardinal-Price, all I can say is it's another of those "children vs. one of the Big Three as parent" tales that falls to make it. As far as fanfic is concerned, Roy and Lilker can, and anyone else ought, with just a few more years of experience as writers and observers. The characters and situations in this story strain credulity. Perhaps worst of all — Kirsten is the usual child-going-on-fossil type that seems to be the general run of fanfic children these days.

"Bitter Herbs” by Rosa is an interesting idea and not badly put together, promoting’ the notion that Klingons are not all ”guys in black hats.”

”The Trial" by Mariann Hornlein is billed as a ’what-if? based on "The Rack,” and this one is for the audience that prefers happy endings instead of good, tight fiction. I read an earlier version in which an impossible series of events was used to make things come out right. The objectionable material was eliminated, but nothing else seems to have been substituted and the result is impossible in terms of the logic of bureaucracies. The sound of trumpets and soap-box speeches brings the story to an unbelievable close which is followed by the insult of a different ending, something which ought to have been left unpublished.

Rating? I hope issue 2 is a distinct improvement.

Issue 2

front cover of issue #2, Marie Watson

Nexus 2 was published June 1978 and contains 180 pages. The cover is by Maria Watson.

• Mind of a Man by Mariann H. Hornlein, art by Laurie Towhey, (1)
• Always Tomorrow, by Valerie Piacentini, with a little input from Sheila Clark, art by Marilee Hornlein (2)
• Mind Control by L. Jeanne Powers, art by Karen Todash (32)
• No Place Called Home by Toni Cardinal-Price, art by Franni Roth (34)
• Careers by Mariann H. Hornlein, art by Nadine Costa (39)
• Letters to a Voyager by Gail Saville, art by Stacy Finnerty (42)
• A Matter of Choice by Katie Gillen (44)
• Odona by Dayle S. Palko, art by Terry Todzonia (50)
• Flight by Dayle S. Palko, art by Iris Cruz (51)
• Premise by Mariann H. Hornlein, art by Karen Todash (52)
• Things They Never Told Me by Teri White, art by Laurie Huff (55)
• How I Cry by Pete Kaup (69)
• All the Green and Growing Things by Gail Saville, art by Stacy Finnerty (70)
• Star-Cross Puzzle by Marty Barquinero (72)
• The Night of Madness by Dayle S. Palko (74)
• Between the Darkness and the Dawn by J. Thomas Ross, art by Pete Lipsack (75)
• Fantasy by Terry Todzonia, art by Todzonia (98)
• The Keeper by Gail Saville, art by Roy Coles (100)
• untitled poem by Terry Todzonia, art by Dale Harty (113)
• The Korvan Incident by Sheila Clark, art by Judy Miller (114)
• The Medicine of Life by Ellen L. Kobrin, art by Marie Watson (128)
• Final Report by Sharon Emily, art by Pete Lipsack (130)
• You're Gone Now, My Love by Iris Cruz, art by Cruz (133)
• To Sleep, Perchance to Dream by Marianne H. Hornlein, art by Hornlein (135)
• The Power of a Child by Toni Cardinal-Price, art by Carolynne Griffith (147)
• front cover by Marie Watson, back cover by Ed Hornlein, cartoons by Dorothy B. Martin

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

[Always Tomorrow]:

I have only read #2 which seemed to be a mix of stories ranging from the very good to slightly nauseous. My favourite was "Always Tomorrow" by Sheila Clark and Valerie Piacentini. It is a hurt/comfort type of story where Kirk is declared unfit medically to command. Spock and McCoy, told that Kirk only has a year to live, decide to keep the truth from him and all work together in espionage to give him a sense of purpose. There is a happy ending.

[zine]:

Fulfilling the promise of the first issue, 'Nexus' #2 is a first-rate zine which shows a strong bias towards K/S stories -- and good ones! 'Always Tomorrow' is a well-plotted story about Kirk's efforts to rebuild his life after a disabling injury, and Spock's selfless attempt to hide from him the medical report that the injury will prove fatal. In 'No Place Called Home,' the author explores Spock's true feelings for his mother as, after her death, he and Kirk argue, each in his own way, for her right to Vulcan honor. It is well-written and conceived. Teri White again demonstrates her ability at K/S characterization in 'Things They Never Told Me.' When Spock asks Kirk to participate in the lot-rath, a Vulcan ceremony which will formally bind their friendship, Kirk wholeheartedly accepts. but the ceremony involves a desert journey which suddenly becomes a nightmare, and Spock finds himself in a race against time to save Kirk's life. Of the poems, Kobrin's 'Medicine of Life,' is note-worthy as a moving and perceptive analysis of the K/S friendship. Non-K/S stories include "A Matter of Choice,' an unusual love story for Kirk with a unique and sympathetic heroine. The artwork is generally average, but Marie Weston's pictures are superb, and the zine is now offset, a definite improvement. 'Nexus' #2 is a must for K/S fans and is recommended to fans in general.

Issue 3

front cover of issue #3, Pat Stall

back cover of issue #3, Pat Stall

Nexus 3 was published in February 1978 and contains 266 pages. It has a front cover and back covers by Pat Stall.

• The Duty of a Son by Toni Cardinal, art by Marie Watson (1)
• The Glass Rose by Liz Ellen Snyder, art by Ellen Blevins (As McCoy prepares to join the Enterprise, he is still fighting the guilt he feels for the death of his wife. A friend tries to help the doctor put the death in proper perspective and ready himself to begin a new life in Starfleet.) (48)
• I Am the Captain of My Soul by Donna McGreevy Toutant, art by Russ Volker (51)
• For Leila's Love by Bonnie Guyan (77)
• Four Sides of a Triangle by Liz Ellen Snyder, art by Debbie Calnon (78)
• The Decision by Bonnie Guyan (87)
• A Portfolio of Expression
  • Dancer of the Stars, Miriam Amos (88)
  • Friend by Nancy Lee Morgan, artist Kathy Carlson (90)
  • Spock by Kathy Penland (91)
  • Comings of Age by Mary Stacy MacDonald (92)
  • Time WIll Tell by Victoria Clark, art by Laurie Huff (95)
  • Reflections by Toni Cardinal and Marty Barquinero, art by Iris Cruz (96)
  • Uhura by Pete Kaup, art by Pat Stall (98)
  • Alone by Nancy Lee Morgan, art by Kathy Carlson (99)
  • Nova by Toni Cardinal and Marty Barquinere (101)
• Live with Love/Stay with Love by Pete Kaup, art by Michael Verina (102)
• The First Child by J. Thomas Ross, art by Debbie Young (116)
• Mirror, Mirror by Mark Polokoff (137)
• Running Up and Down on Green Grass by Ginna LaCroix, art by Edith Crowe (138) (also in Trek Encore #1)
• Slavery Guise by D.B. Martin (155)
• A Different Reality by Mary Ellen Mayti, winner of issue #1's contest (156)
• One I Will Serve by Verna Mae Long, art by Edith Crowe (163)
• The Logical Excuse by Bonnie Buyan (136)
• Sheanana by Jeannie Houston, art by B. Vogler Houston (187)
• And Miles to Go Before I Sleep by Teri White (213)
• Answers to the Star Cross puzzle in issue #1 (214)
• Jungle Trek by Sheila Clark, art by Roy Coles (215)
• Through the Eyes of the Mind by Mariann Hornlein, art by Hornlein (241)

• 

  art from issue #3, Ellen Blevins

• 

  art from issue #3, Russ Volker

• 

  art from issue #3, Debbie Calnon

• 

  art from issue #3, Miriam Amos

• 

  art from issue #3, Kathy Penland

• 

  art from issue #3, Mary Stacy MacDonald

• 

  art from issue #3, Pat Stall and Pete Kaup

• 

  art from issue #3, Michael Verina

• 

  art from issue #3, Debbie Young

• 

  art from issue #3, Edith Crowe

• 

  art from issue #3, B. Vogler Houston

• 

  art from issue #3, Roy Coles

Issue 4

front cover of issue #4

art from issue #4: "Captain, as per your request, I regret to inform you there is insufficient data to determine the precise date and place of the premiere of THE MOVIE."

art from issue #4, Nan Lewis

Nexus 4 was published in 1979 and contains 292 pages.

• The Love Gift by Teri White, art by Dottie Young (1)
• Planet of the Undead by Mariann H. Hornlein, art by Hornlein (7)
• Thoughts of a Security Crewman by Gene S. Delapenia (35)
• Escape by Liz Ellen Snyder (36)
• A Friend is the Counterpart of Oneself by Verna Mae Long, art by Kathy Carlson (38)
• The Redemption of Cyrano Jones by Ian McLachlan, art by Kathy Carlson (52)
• Dear Friend by Jimmye Galli (59)
• The Snare by Linda Knights, art by Mary Stacy-McDonald (60)
• In Response by Becky D. Peters (93)
• When All Else Fails by Cynthia Drake, art by Mary Stacy-McDonald (94)
• Sand Castles by Susan Fine (116)

Portfolio of Poems and Pictures:

• Contemplations by Elaine Tripp, art by Pete Lipsack (117)
• Questions by Mariann H. Hornlein, art by Gloria-Ann Rovelstad (121)
• My Misery Declare by Jimmye Galli, art by Jim Hopkins (122)
• Life in Dark Water by Rolaine Smoot, art by Charmaine Calnon (124)
• We Saw by Marty Barquinero, art by Iris Cruz (127)
• Enigma by Mariann H. Hornlien, art by Ruth Kurz (128)
• First Lessons by Jimmye Galli, art by Mimi Berman (132)
• Untitled poem by Marilee Hornlein, art by Charmaine Calnon (134)
• The Enterprise Incident by D.J. Biehl, art by Marilee Hornlein (135)
• The Secret Life of Lieutenant Sulu by J. Thomas Ross, art by Dawn Singer (137)

More stories:

• Comes the Madness by Toni Cardinal-Price , art by Marilee Hornlein (138)
• To Fear No Evil, by Sheila Clark, art by Stacy Finnerty (166)
• Figures in the Twilight by Liz Ellen Snyder (189)
• Chance Meeting by Freda Rayborn (190)
• Mother by Jimmye Galli (191)
• A Fate Worse that Death by Simone Mason (192)
• From the Ashes and the Dust by J. Thomas Ross, art by Kathy Carlson (206)
• Time of Flame by Gene S. Delapenia (242)
• The Midasa Touch by Ruth Kurz, art by Kurz (242)
• Lone Voyageur by Susan Fine (259)
• The Dream by Pete Kaup (260)
• Rape of a Rock by Bonnie Guyan, art by Nan Lewis (Spock's mind has been wiped clean by the mind-sifter and he is to be placed in a Sanitarium until transfer to Vulcan. We learn of the events that led up to the tragedy and we are with McCoy as he bids a gentle farewell to his friend. Months later Kirk and McCoy return to Vulcan where they accompany a partially recovered Spock on a trip to the mountains. Their adventure endangers McCoy's life, but in the process restores Spock's memory and leads to his return to the Enterprise.) (262) (reprinted in Plak Tow #4)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4

See reactions and reviews for Rape of a Rock.

[zine]:

292 pp offset & mimeo, ST genzine, heavy stock covers, strongly stapled, scant art, ranges from poor to adequate...

This zine is undoubtedly a good buy for its bulk, but its quality is sadly wanting; careless editing with regard to typos, spelling and grammar downgrade it sharply in contrast to former issues. Mimeo is sometimes unreadable. Pages 117 to 138 are used for mostly poor verse and art, but the fiction is fairly equally balanced with 8 medium to long stories and 6 short ones. I tend to prefer tales long enough for the reader to see the characters develop and change, and skilled writer Mariann H. Hornlein offers these qualities and a little more in her "Planet of the Undead" and "Games the Madness." "Planet" combines dungeons and dragons and sword and sworcery [sic] with the ST universe in an entertaining fashion, giving Kirk and Spock an unusual mission. "Madness" puts Spock in the hands of the escaped criminally insane Dr. Daystrom (of "Ultimate Computer"), and makes the First Officer into an unwitting weapon against Kirk and the Enterprise.

"From the Ashes and the Dust" is J. Thomas Ross' newest entry in her Klingon/human marriage series, takes them through some harrowing adventures and opportunities for heroism; very well done.

"The Snare", by Linda Knights, is one of the best sf promise ST stories to appear in some time -- I could wish she would expand it to a novel. The E and crew are trapped "by a strange entity which controls time-space continuum, and Kirk (sometimes alone, sometimes with other members of the crew) is repeatedly thrown into various dangerous Earth times of the past. He/they are always dressed appropriately whether it is World War I under mortar fire, as captives of a cruel Indian tribe, or right in the middle of the Civil War, and the accompanying descriptive detail is a joy. The situations are always grave immediate danger, always require great courage and hard choices. Ending is a bit trite, but after all, the author had to restore everything to normal unharmed, didn't she?

Sheila Clark's interesting "To Fear No Evil" shows the E and crew ESP at its worst, with all of them unwillingly suffering emphatically the grief and fear of a strange, recently bereaved passenger, Kirk most of all. Spock seems helpless to get through to her with a mind probe, and it is Kirk's empathy that finally enables them to determine her home planet and get her there for assistance before they all lose the ability to function in their jobs.

In short, if you can put up with poor mimeo, sloppy editing and many trite plots, this one's for you. G-rated.

Issue 5

front cover of issue #5, Marie Watson

Nexus 5 was published in 1980 and contains 233 pages. Art by Ruth Kurz, Marie Watson, Gene S. Delapenia (inside front cover), Iris Cruz (inside back cover), Edward P. Hornlein (back cover), Kathy Carlson, Mary Stacy-MacDonald, Miriam Harvey, and Debbie Calnon,

• The Link by Doris Biehl (1)
• Dreamers Never Lie by Ginna La Croix (also in Trek Encore #1, along with the author's original ending) (not listed in the table of contents but is in the zine) (16)

• Time of Flame by Gene S. Delapenia (37)
• The Hostage Effect by Majliss Larson (38)
• Desert Flower by Mariann Hornlein (60)
• The Rest Cure by S. M. Stephenson (94)
• Rejoice by Susan Fine (105)
• The Sailing by Pamela Rose (106) (reprinted in Only Trek #1)
• The Rainforest by Susie Gordon (128)
• Apart by Dolly Cook (137)
• Days of Rain and Roses by Liz Ellen Snyder (138)
• In Futile Hate by Donna McGreevy Toutant (144)
• The Search by Susan Fine (165)
• Stonn's Soliloquy by Collet Mak (166)
• Before the Clock Strikes Midnight by Lynne Stephens (167)
• Baptism by Jill Kathleen Scurato (178)
• And To Sacrifice a Galaxy by Toni Cardinal-Price (179)
• Spock - McCoy Portfolio by Mariann H. Hornlein (186)
  • Web of Anger by Jimmye Galli
  • Advice by Liz Persic
  • Gift of Sight by Elaine Tripp
  • My Inmost Soul to See by Jimmye Galli
• Home Thoughts From Abroad by W. Rockburn (193)
• End Result by Elaine Tripp (203)
• The Case of the Insidious Sneeze by J. Thomas Ross (204)
• The Witness by Jeanne Cloud (212)
• Distress Call by Kay Miller Brown (213)
• Coming Home by Marty Barquinero (233)

• 

  inside issue #5, inside back cover, Iris Cruz

• 

  inside issue #5, Mary Stacy-MacDonald

• 

  inside issue #5, Kathy Carlson

• 

  inside issue #5, sample text

• 

  inside issue #5, Mary Stacy-MacDonald

• 

  inside issue #5, Miriam A. Harvey

• 

  inside issue #5, Ruth Kurz

• 

  inside issue #5, Kathy Carlson

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5

[And to Sacrifice a Galaxy]: Gen, pre-KS (IMHO). Prisoners of the Klingons on Organia with no way out, Kirk and Spock realize they cannot allow Kirk to be submitted to the mind-sifter and try to fight the grim, logical conclusion it brings them to... and are thus forced to acknowledge the true depth of their feelings for each other. Angsty, moving and powerful short story with excellent characterization and introspection.

Issue 6

cover of issue #6, Marie Watson

Nexus 6 was published in 1981 contains 256 pages. Art by ERIC, Kathy Carlson, Debbie Calnon, B.P. Gordon, Doris Biehl, Ruth Kurz, and Joyce Perdue.

The editor wrote:

It's very difficult to say farewell to this crazy business of NEXUS, but alas, it seems a parting of the ways is inevitable. To try to continue printing this zine will no longer be possible.

• Let Me Help by Sheila Clark (1)
• Abdication by Dayle S. Barker (5)
• Thoughts by Liz Ellen Snyder (6)
• Song of Surak by Collett Mak (9)
• Along Some Flaming, Shimmering Path by Doris Biehl (10)
• Reflections in Stone by Rolaine Smoot (25)
• Untitled by B.D. Peters (26)
• The Gift of Love by Dolly Cook (29)
• The Joyus Time by Jimmye Galli (30)
• That Evening Over Chess by Toni Cardinal-Price (31)
• The Secret by Mariann Hornlein (32)
• Dear Pavel by Richard C. Pollet (69)
• Quest by Della Van Hise (72)
• Twintor by Majliss Larson (73)
• Star Child by Susan Fine (98)
• Pic Nar by Liz Ellen and Kathryn Synyder (99)
• Homesick by Gene S. Delapenia (105)
• Sea World by Simone Mason (106)
• The Movie by Ellen L. Kobrin (124)
• Message by Susan Fine (127)
• Morning Glory by Toni Cardinal-Price (128)
• Night Watch by Dolly Cook (145)
• Tal's Song by Dayle S. Barker (146)
• I Stand Alone by Jimmye Galli (147)
• You Come by Dolly Cook (147)
• Illogical, But by Liz Persic (148)
• Never by Jimmye Galli (150)
• Lost in Thought by Dolly Cook (151)
• Amok Time I and II by Cynthia Drake (152)
• Reflections" by Doris J. Biehl (157)
• Non Pareil by Dayle S. Barker (210)
• A Simple Story by Jeanne Cloud (211)
• Talisman by Della Van Hise (212)
• Bittersweet & Dance with the Dark Angel by Rolaine Smoot (215)
• Assignment: Enterprise by Joy Mancinelli (216)
• The End of the Journey: A Place of Rest" by Hazel Ann Williams (McCoy is permitted a few moments return from the dead to bid his two friends a loving farewell.) (245)
• Conquered by Toni Cardinal-Price (248)
• A Dream? by Gene S. Delapenia (249)
• Reductio ad Absurdum by T.R. McCoy and V. Bond (250)
• Love by Dolly Cook (256)

• 

  inside issue #6, B.P. Gordon

• 

  inside issue #6, Ruth Kurz

• 

  inside issue #6, sample text

• 

  inside issue #6, ERIC

• 

  inside issue #6, B.P. Gordon

• 

  inside issue #6, Kathy Carlson

• 

  inside issue #6, Debbie Calnon

• 

  inside issue #6, Debbie Calnon

• 

  inside issue #6, D. Biehl