Orion Archives

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You may be looking for the fanzine publisher Orion Press.

Zine
Title: Orion Archives
Publisher: Orion Press
Editor(s):
Date(s): 1991 - present day
Series?:
Medium: print
Size:
Genre: gen
Fandom: Star Trek: TOS
Language: English
External Links: Orion Press
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Orion Archives is a gen Star Trek: TOS fanzine published by Orion Press that reprints content published in previous Orion Press zines, in particular from Orion. Some of the later issues also reprint online fanfic.

The early issues are numbered, later on the titles are organized by the fictional timeframe the zine takes place in, and many of those contain reprints of the earlier ones. Many Orion Press zines take place in a vaguely shared universe at least as far as the basic chronology of the Trek universe is concered. Their website offers timelines and such that the zines adhere to.

The chronologically titled series was first started in 2001 in digest-size (sometimes refered to as "Orion Archives 2001"), but later (from 2007 onward) rereleased in full-size, like the newer issues. The timeframes of these edition however are the same. Issues are still being released as of 2009. Much of the proofreading was done by Karen Halliday.

A full list is available at the Orion Press website where most of the stories are available as well in their online archives.

The first reprint series was from 1991-1997. There are eight issues.

The second reprint series is from 2001-2007. There are fourteen, possibly fifteen issues.

First Reprint Series 1991-1997

Orion Archives 1 was published in March 1991 and contains 300 pages.

1992 flyer for issue #1

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

Orion Archives I is a collection of 13 stories, a chronology, and an explanation of the Orion universe—297 pages, in fact. Landers explains that the collection is from zines Stardate 1-21 and Orion 22-24, "a coherent series of stories we've been publishing since 1979." He goes on to say that they feature a few of the "weaker" stories in this collection.

After reading the book from cover to cover, I had one or two preliminary thoughts (gut feelings?): 1) there wasn't enough diversity in the authors (hence if you disliked one story of a particular writer, chances were you wouldn't like two or three more, either); 2) it's not a book I would buy, now knowing its contents. Before I explain this further, let me review several of the stories, ranging from extremely bad to terrific—

1) "Incident on Xantharus," by Rick Endres. "Incident" involves the original crew of the Enterprise, plus several new characters. The principal character, to my chagrin (I'm always looking for stories that tell me more about Pike, Number One, et al), is Chastain, a crew member who must undergo the banalities of the plot. A landing party is waylaid by the Orions, and summarily killed, tortured and left for dead, or taken into slavery, all in the attempt to extract top-secret Federation information. The story primarily follows Chastain (the slave, of course) through her process of degradation, humiliation, and impending death. We must stand by and learn, all too graphically, of the torment this young woman must endure. Though she is eventually rescued, there is a bitter twist at the end which virtually negates all she went through in order to protect the secret. Basically, "Incident" features the three Ss—Sex, Slavery, and Sadism. Definitely not high on my Christmas list.

2) "The Salos Sellout," by Thomas C. Harden. Scenario: Man feels cheated by the Federation. Man decides to sell valuable minerals out from under the noses of the almighty Federation. Federation good guys—namely Kirk et al—discover the subterfuge and must deal with it. The story is not a bad piece of writing; actually it's snappy and fast-paced. The characters could have been fleshed out a bit more. Some gentle humor at the expense of the captain was enjoyable—I would like to have seen more of that. At the risk of sounding prejudiced (and if I am subconsciously, may I be attacked by mosquitoes in January), writers of the male persuasion tend to be so plot-oriented that they forget the characters—even the ones who are well-known. Loosen up, guys! I particularly questioned the believability of Kirk willingly beaming off the planet, leaving Spock behind (to discuss the circumstances would give away the plot), but must concede this point as arguable. Overall, quite readable and noteworthy.

3) "No Beach To Walk On," by Linda Mclnnis. This story doesn't quite reach the short story status, its length only two pages. It treats the aftermath of the Psi-2000 incident (look it up in your compendium), when Kirk dreams he is enjoying a loving relationship with Rand, only to wake up and find he is once again alone. He quickly gets himself under control, however, when duty calls, and as he strides purposefully toward the bridge, he mentally voices for us readers his satisfaction in not needing a lady at his side, since he already possesses the lady—Enterprise—declaring she's the only companion he needs. The only difference is that he states it calmly and rationally, not under the influence of the virus from a frozen planet. Unfortunately, this particular theme has been done and overdone, therefore "No Beach" is a bit cliche.

4) "A Matter of Trust," by Thomas Harden, Randall
Landers, and Kevin Morgan. Kirk, McCoy and three crew members beam down to an uninhabited planet where they find a team of scientists, deposited there by the Enterprise just three days previously, dead—killed by their own electronic gear which has exploded. Kirk and company soon find their own equipment on overload, but manage to get rid of it before it explodes. Unable to beam up because of instrument failure on the Enterprise, the landing party witnesses a fiery blast in the sky. They assume the worst. Thus begins a survival tale of the five people—captain, doctor, security officer, an alien environmental specialist, and a chief survival expert. Just the folks I'd want around if I were stranded. Although they find food and construct a shelter, things turn sour when Mr. Rosenberg is killed by Romulans while he and Ms. Kelowitz come upon them some distance from camp. While the landing party survivors bury the young man, their food is stolen from the camp (wonder why no one was left to guard the camp, knowing that if there were Romulans on the planet, they would no doubt be making a visit). Then the story takes a macabre turn. The dead scientists (nicely decomposing by now) and Rosenburg suddenly "come to life"; it's Night of the Living Dead in Outer Space!! These walking dead attack sporadically, threatening the landing party, when the Romulans save the day by coming forward to parley a truce. The survivors, Terran and Romulan, work together to solve the puzzle of the walking dead, who have now killed several members of the Romulan team. Of course they save the day and the mystery is unraveled. "Trust" had several holes in the plot. One of them was the Enterprise, functionally disabled the last time we heard from her, returning later working perfectiy, even though she is once again in orbit (the planet emits some sort of radiation that adversely affects electronic devices). It turns out that the starship has not blown up—what the landing party saw was the Romulan ship when it disintegrated in orbit. But no explanation is given as to why the ship is functioning perfectly upon her return. Once again, the characters are shallow. They talk "at" each other; there's lots of dialog, but it's wooden and lifeless. They don't ring true, and are, therefore, unfortunately, uninteresting. Oh, and one last comment. Southerners, even those from Georgia, do not say "them thar"! That phrase is an Appalachian mountain/Ozark hills idiom which is definitely not Southern. Rule of thumb, guys: if you don't speak it (or know someone who does), don't attempt to use it. A story with potential, but not really fleshed out (no pun intended). Another typical, too simple ending.

5) "The Once and Future Kirk," by Rick Endres. It is retirement, at last. Kirk, now in his eighties, has been ordered to step down and give up his beloved Enterprise. Rick has done an admirable job of playing on the pathos of "the last times" of the final day of duty. We see all the beloved crew in their roles of a later day as they come to bid farewell to James T. Kirk. But it doesn't end there. In a quick series of events, we are pulled out of our nostalgia into a different adventure altogether. Time warps and we are left blinking stupidly for a moment before we "catch on." Too short! There was potential for so much more, but the twists and turns tantalize; surprises invite further interest. A refreshing concept for a story.

6) "No Place Like Home," by Rick Endres. Rick has tied in with the end of the first five-year mission, reacquainting us with Lori Giani (originally introduced in Gene Roddenberry's novelization of Star Trek: The Motion Picture). We see a grounded Kirk, deeply in love with his wife, Lori, but unable to let go of his calling. Rick allows us to view Kirk's deterioration through Lori's eyes; we experience her pain for him in a poignant, despairing way. Rick also gives us insight into McCoy's resignation from Starfleet—a realistic and believable effort. The only major problem I had with the story is its reference—several times—to a person called Talya (who had apparently died) and a subsequent mindmeld between Kirk and Spock supposedly brought on by his or her death. Obviously, there is another story in which these events take place, but without access to it, the references in "Home" are vague at best. On the whole, however, a well-written and enjoyable story. I personally like Lori very much. Note: Just a guess here, but I think Rick has a problem with the character of Kirk; I don't know whether he can't get the character right, or just doesn't like him!

7) "Only the Sound Remains," by Linda Mclnnis. Spock and his landing party are on an uninhabited planet covered largely by water, carrying out a routine investigation. But something is slightly off here, not quite right. Spock attributes his uneasiness about the water to a natural dislike inbred in any Vulcan. The uneasiness grows, Spock more than once sensing the water calling him. Soon he discovers the source of the call is not the water itself, but an inhabitant of it. He learns that this water-being, Ryllen, is humanoid, not native to the planet but having crashed there years before. She speaks of "hearing," or telepathic communication, explaining the uneasiness Spock felt about the water. Ryllen invites Spock to visit her world, the watery home of the Lleylora, the natives of the planet who took her in and enabled her to live under water. After much discussion with McCoy, Kirk, and landing party experts, it is agreed that Spock should go. New, breathtaking vistas open before the Vulcan as he overcomes his natural aversion to water and descends with Ryllen. He is brought face-to-face with the Lleylora and their vast cities, learning as much as he can about their culture. But there's a danger Spock is not yet aware of—the ease in which he has fallen into the thought language is matched only by his new ability to live underwater (thanks to some oxygen-bearing algae which attached themselves to him like a life-shield). He does not yet realize that he could readily shed his lungs and develop his own water-breathing organs, should he decide to stay. And that is becoming more and more a possibility as memories of his duty, his ship, his mates—and a particular captain—slip steadily away. Linda has woven a tapestry of intricate visual detail, science fiction, and drama. Her underwater people, the Lleylora, are elusive but fascinating, their culture drawing us into it every bit as much as Spock. Linda's style captivates her readers from the opening paragraph. She doesn't tell us the story—she throws us into it. There is mystery in her telling, and tremendous beauty. The story's ending is predictable, perhaps, but executed very well. Linda's prose is powerful, never drags, and conjures up mental pictures. "Only the Sound Remains" is the jewel in the cache. Superbly done.

8) "A Collection of Lines," by Linda Mclnnis. A young lieutenant narrates this touching story of newly married young couple from different planets, trying to keep up their relationship while performing separate duties on a busy ship. Tragedy touches the relationship and the captain must offer support. First person narrative by a spunky, intelligent and brave individual keeps the plot from becoming maudlin. We see a person who suffers emotionally while mentally is perfectly aware of her condition and what she must do. She recognizes that her bitterness toward the captain is unfounded, yet is impatient with herself because she feels the bitterness. A good read. There are five more stories falling more or less into the range I've already covered (unfortunately, more in the "not so hot" area). To review them individually would be redundant; further comment is unnecessary other than to say that to accuse some of the authors of being preoccupied with certain parts of the female anatomy is an understatement; and frankly, "Parts Is Parts" (Landers, Mclnnis, and Endres) just about does it for me. And I don't care what anyone says—the last thing the Dolman of Elaas would want to do is become the queen of a brothel. Oh, come ON! In summary, I have a problem with editors who have woven a universe such as the Orion family has done. Oh, it works. In fact, it is episodically correct, but the episodes leave so many holes it seems a shame to fill them with only one kind of mortar. It would be extremely difficult for an aspiring author (even an experienced one) to write something that would "fit in"—I mean, you're dealing with thirteen years of universe-building here. I suggest this universe is probably pretty full (or at least predictable). We all know what happens when the wine-skin is overstretched... another strong argument for diversity.

To step off the soapbox and finish, Orion Archives I is well-edited; the artwork, though just okay by the admission of the editor, is for the most part satisfactory. Grammar is excellent, syntax and all that. Layout is good; sans serif font is clean and easy to read (the pages did come out of the middle of the book—faulty binding, I guess). Sounds like all the makings for a good book, right? What can I say, except that for the two or three outstanding stories I mentioned, the rest were found wanting. Though well-executed, Orion Archives I was not exemplary. And for a collection such as this, selecting from years of works, the result is ultimately disappointing. [1]

Issue 2

Orion Archives 2 was published in June 1991 and contains 270 pages. Fiction by Endres, Henrie, Landers, McInnis, Rosen and Warner. Art by Endres, Farley, Harden and Summers.

1992 flyer for issue #2
  • Victory - Mark C. Henrie [see OA 2001 - Beginnings]
  • Salt - Linda McInnis [see OA 2001 - Beginnings]
  • First Best Destinies - Rowena Warner [see OA 2001 - Beginnings]
  • Meeting at Xanadu - Alex Rosen [see OA 2001 - First Mission - 2]
  • Completion - Linda McInnis [see OA 2001 - First Mission - 3]
  • The Adventure of the Vulcan Detective - Terry Endres [see OA 2001 - First Mission -4]
  • Plague! - Randall Landers [see OA 2001 - First Mission -4]
  • Scotty's Vacation - Mark C. Henrie [see OA 2001 - First Hiatus]
  • The Sound of Death - Randall Landers [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission -1]
  • The Last Survivor - Rick Endres [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission -2]
  • Resurrection - Rick Endres [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission -2]
  • Until Judgment - Rick Endres [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission -2]
  • Interlude - Rowena Warner [see OA 2001 - 2nd Hiatus -2]
  • His Was the Most Human - Rick Endres [see OA 2001 - Interludes]
  • The Wounding - Linda McInnis Goodman [rep: Orion 22; also OA 2001 - Interludes]

Issue 3

Orion Archives 3 was published in August 1991 and contains 272 pages. Fiction by Clark, Dixon, Endres, Landers, McInnis, Reitz, Warner, Woytach, and Yambe. Art by Brown, Dixon, Endres, Reitz, Harden and Kruse.

1992 flyer for issue #3
  • The Anniversary Gift - Donna C. Clark [see OA 2001 - The Beginnings]
  • The Fire Bringer - Jane Yambe [see OA 2001 - The Beginnings]
  • To Coin a Phrase - Randall Landers [see OA 2001 - First Mission - 1]
  • Runner - Steven Dixon [see OA 2001 - First Mission - 1]
  • No Margin for Error - Linda McInnis [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 1]
  • A Crystal Clear Problem - Rowena Warner [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 2]
  • The Balance of Nature - Jeffrey Woytach [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 2]
  • Mark of the Beast - Rick Endres [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 3]
  • Masks - Bonnie Reitz [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 3]
  • Klingons! - Randall Landers & Rick Endres [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 3]
  • Fire in the Shadows - Bonnie Reitz [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 4]
  • All That He Was... All That He Knew - Linda McInnis [Orion 22; OA 2001 - Interludes]

Issue 4

Orion Archives 4 was published in December 1991 and contains 338 pages.

1992 flyer for issue #4
  • The Wait - Chris Dickenson [see OA 2001 - First Mission - 1]
  • I Grieve with Thee - Chris Dickenson [see OA 2001 - First Mission - 3]
  • The Curtained Sleep - Ann Zewen [see OA 2001 - First Mission - 4]
  • Turnabout Vengeance - Rick Endres [see OA 2001 - First Mission -4]
  • The Price of Peace - Randall Landers [see OA 2001 - First Mission -4]
  • Vanguard - Jeff Card [also Orion 25]
  • To Hell(guard) and Back - Linda McInnis [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 1]
  • Just Another Routine Assignment - Ann Zewen [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 1]
  • A Klingon Holiday - Randall Landers [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 3]
  • Escort Service - Linda McInnis [see OA 2001 - 2nd Hiatus -1]
  • Alis Volat Propriis - Linda McInnis [see OA 2001 - 2nd Hiatus -1]
  • The Beggar's Tooth - Randall Landers [see OA 2001 - 2nd Hiatus -1]
  • The Day They All Came Home - Linda McInnis [Orion 25; OA 2001 - Interludes]
  • On My Mind - Chris Dickenson [see OA 2001 - Interludes]

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4

[The Curtained Sleep]: I was particularly struck by Ann Zewen's story, "The Curtained Sleep." Best Kirk story I've read in a long time, especially since it "got him" for all those years of womanizing without being mean or vindictive. It epitomized what I like best about Star Trek: You can laugh with people at their foibles and take to heart their troubles without making fun of that person. [2]

[The Curtained Sleep]: I also enjoyed Ann Zewen's story, "The Curtained Sleep," very much. The "females rule better, and should be in charge" premise has almost been done to death--I think a lot of women use it for their "Mary Sue" stories--but the twist you put on it, and the way you used that twist to influence Captain Kirk, certainly livened it up. [3]

[The Curtained Sleep]:

Ann Zewen's story, "The Curtained Sleep," about Kirk's nightmare experiences as a (gasp) woman was really on target. What a different world it would be, hmmm? I thought that assurances that Janice Lester's lack of promotion were due to her shortcomings were true to that character, but I found myself wishing it had been a case in which a perfectly capable woman gets passed over again and again....It wasn't true in Janice's case, I know.

[4]

[The Curtained Sleep]: Ann Zewen's story, "The Curtained Sleep," about Kirk's nightmare experiences as a (gasp) woman was really on target. What a different world it would be, hmmm? I thought that assurances that Janice Lester's lack of promotion were due to her shortcomings were true to that character, but I found myself wishing it had been a case in which a perfectly capable woman gets passed over again and again....It wasn't true in Janice's case, I know. [5]

[On My Mind]: Two offerings by Chris Dickenson ("Unexpected Sparks" and "On My Mind") were, as always with her stories, finely cut gems, showing her readers new facets of familiar characters. It is always a delight, when you think you know all about someone, to be shown that they have depths that you may not ever have suspected were there. [6]

[On My Mind]: Chris Dickenson's "On My Mind" was, well, nice. The narrative was clean and concise, yet not sterile, either. The descriptions of visuals, the phrasing of a character's actions, the entire mood was evoked with well-chosen words and a nice rhythm to the sentences, a certain cadence to the paragraphs. The ending was nicely done...not overblown. Just the right amount of quiet disappointment and regret on Spock's part. I enjoyed this one a lot, and the bit with the music box made me curious about the story that inspired this one, but the story stands on its own quite well. I was surprised, because I pretty much loathe Chapel....Chris, I was particularly taken with the way chose to describe Spock's absent fiddling with the music box. Not too many words, just enough to deliver an instantaneous and very strong visual image! [7]

[On My Mind]: "On My Mind," by the prolific Chris Dickenson, ties in well with its predecessor story, but I don't think it would work as well for someone who hasn't read "The Music Box." Still it was interesting to see Chapel from Spock's point-of-view (myself having always empathized with Chapel). [8]

[On My Mind]: I find the quality super and the writing top-notch as always in Chris Dickenson's story "On My Mind." It was very well written, if poignant. It was so very true to character, even if we wish (almost like Spock at the end) that it had not turned out so.[9]

Issue 5

Orion Archives 5 was published in January 1993 and contains 300 pages. Fiction by Endres, Dickenson,and Zewen. Art by Boursaw, Endres, Harden and others.

From Media Monitor: "Features some of the best fiction from Orion 28 and The Daystrom Project... an action-adventure tale involving the Daystroms, Kirk and Klingons who want the multitronic technology. Also in the collection, "You Are Not Alone,' a Saavik/David story by Chris Dickerson. Also, 'Just a Little Training Cruise' by Randall Landers, details Sulu's life on another starship. More fiction by Dickerson, Endres and Ann Zewen... Artwork by Coursaw, Endres, Harden and others."

  • Shades of Gray - Chris Dickenson [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 1]
  • Out of the Ashes - Ann Zewen [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 2]
  • The Daystrom Project - Rick Endres (novella) [see novel listing; also OA 2001reissue]
  • Memorial Day - Rick Endres [see OA 2001 - 2nd Hiatus -1]
  • To the Last Extremity - Chris Dickenson [see OA 2001 - 2nd Hiatus -2]
  • Just a Little Training Cruise - Randall Landers [see OA 2001 - 2nd Hiatus -2]
  • You Are Not Alone - Chris Dickenson [see OA 2001 - Interludes]

Issue 6

Orion Archives 6 was published in January 1995 edited by Marge Robles. Authors include David Lawrence, Jeanne Matthews, Christing Myers, Julie Nosal and Cynthia D. Slatton.

  • Popcorn / Chris Dickenson [see OA 2001 - Beginnings]
  • The Difference / Chris Dickenson [see OA 2001 - Beginnings]
  • Blood is Thicker / Chris Dickenson [see OA 2001 - First Mission - 1]
  • Not a Bad Day's Work / Chris Dickenson [see OA 2001 - First Mission - 3]
  • The Music Box / Ann Zewen [see OA 2001 - First Mission - 3]
  • Tomb of Fear / Jill Thomasson [see OA 2001 - First Mission - 3]
  • Trapped - Pamela Corsa [see OA 2001 - First Mission -4]
  • No Cold Wind / Ann Zewen (novella) [novel; also OA 2001 - First Mission]
  • Star Trek Chronology / Randall LAnders, p. 270-27
  • The Orion Universe / Randall Landers, p. 274-278

Issue 7

Orion Archives 7 was published in January 1995, contains 274 pages, and was edited by Marge Robles. It is a collection of fiction published in Orion #29-#31, including 'Keeper of the Katra.' All of the material in this issue is set during the movies timeframe. Featured authors include: Chris Dickerson, Linda McInnis, Valerie Phillips and Ann Zewen. Featured artists include: Jim Boursaw, David Lawrence Jeanne Matthews, Christine M. Myers, Julie Nosal and Gennie Summers.

  • Dignity - Chris Dickenson [see OA 2001 - 2nd Mission - 1]
  • False Colors - Ann Zewen [see OA 2001 - 2nd Hiatus -1]
  • If Not Victory - Ann Zewen [see OA 2001 - 2nd Hiatus -2]
  • Friendship's Song - Valerie Phillips [also OA 2001 - First Mission - 1]
  • Gillian Weep Not - Linda McInnis [see OA 2001 - Interludes]
  • Tryst - Linda McInnis [see OA 2001 - 2nd Hiatus -2]
  • That's What Friends Are For - Ann Zewen [see OA 2001 - First Hiatus]
  • Keeper of the Katra - Chris Dickenson (novel) [also OA 2001 - 2284]

Issue 8

Orion Archives 8 was published in April 1997.

  • unknown content

Second Reprint Series, 2001 and 2007 Present

Note: Though it has a different title format, Hyperion 2296-2323 may also fit into this series

References

  1. ^ from The Trekzine Times v.2 n.1
  2. ^ from an LoC at Orion Press Feedback (1990)
  3. ^ from an LoC at Orion Press Feedback (1990)
  4. ^ from an LoC at Orion Press Feedback (1991)
  5. ^ from an LoC at Orion Press Feedback (September 1991)
  6. ^ from an LoC at Orion Press Feedback (March 1990)
  7. ^ from an LoC by Jean Kluge at Orion Press Feedback (September 1991)
  8. ^ from an LoC by Susan Leinbach at Orion Press Feedback (September 1991)
  9. ^ from an LoC at Orion Press Feedback (September 1991)
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