Private Possessions

Zine
Title:	Private Possessions
Publisher:	Pon Farr Press MKASHEF Enterprises
Editor:
Author(s):	Alexis Fegan Black
Cover Artist(s):	Jackie Zoost
Illustrator(s):
Date(s):	November 1986
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: TOS
Language:	English
External Links:
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Private Possessions is a K/S slash 127-page novel by Alexis Fegan Black.

The art is by Jacquelyn Zoost (cover), Marilyn Cole, Natasha Solten, and Alayne Gelfand.

front cover by Jackie Zoost

back cover by Jackie Zoost

It includes a poem by Natasha Solten called "Interdiction."

"Private Possessions" was inspired by the cover by Marilyn Cole of Naked Times #11.

This story was later printed in 5 of Hearts: The Collected Short Novels of Alexis Fegan Black.

Summaries

From Media Monitor:

Kirk must help Spock regain his memories and his telepathic abilities after the Vulcan has been missing for eight months, and in the hands of Fid'mandu'kar — the most notorious slaver ever to come to down the pipes. Not a "slave story" in the strict definition, rather PP is an exploration of attitudes and love.

From On the Double:

After Spock is rescued from slavery, his memories are slow to return, and his behaviour is far from predictable. Excellent character study with lots of erotic interludes.

From the Editorial

Actually, there isn't much I need to say about PRIVATE POSSESSIONS -- other than that it is a K/S novel, inspired by Marilyn Cole's slave-Spock cover of NAKED TIMES #11.

Originally, PRIVATE POSSESSIONS started out to be a short story for NT#12... but as can often happen, the characters wanted to say more than a short story format would permit, so-.. rather than try to cram too much into too small a space, I decided to offer PP as a novel.

I would also like to thank the artists who contributed to PP —Jacquelyn Zoost for her lovely covers, Alayne, Natasha & Marilyn. I really do appreciate all of your efforts.

Last but not least, I'd like to thank my new IBM pc for saving me the incredible hassle of re-typing. Being an admitted dinosaur (and proud of it!) I resisted getting the computer for years despite the fact that I'd worked extensively with the hardware end of artificial intelligence devices for years. Ah well... I guess I'm one of those people who isn't intimidated by the nuts, bolts and microprocessors, but who runs screaming for the hills when confronted with apiece of software. Anyway, now that the computer has come to live in the house, I'm hoping to do more personal writing. We'll see.

Gallery

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  sample text

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  Marilyn Cole, this illo was originally the cover of Naked Times #11, and it is the inspiration for "Private Possessions"

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  Alayne

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  Natasha Solten

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  Jacquelyn Zoost

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  Alayne

Excerpt

Truth stared Kirk in the face.

But I can’t… I can’t just take advantage of the fact that he doesn’t remember me, dammit! Kirk argued fervently. I can’t play the role of his master, he thought, mentally choking on the word. Even if I wanted to, it would mean losing him forever…

But the Truth was quick to counter. And if he doesn’t recover, then he’ll still have his… dignity… and I’ll still have his friendship. It was a weak argument even to his own ears.

The Truth agreed. You’ll have nothing, it reminded him.

I’d rather have nothing than to have him on… on dishonest terms! He wouldn’t accept that and neither will I!

Truth laughed, shaking an admonishing finger at him. That’s your problem, Kirk, it stabbed without mercy. It’s always been an ‘all or nothing’ bargain with you, hasn’t it? You want the whole jar of candy or none at all. You’re spoiled, selfish and too noble for your own damned good or anyone else’s! It’s up to you, old friend.

Kirk found himself trembling. Why is it always up to me? he asked of no one in particular.

You’re the captain, the Truth-demon reminded him sarcastically. That was another of those ‘all or nothing’ bargains you struck with the universe, remember?

Kirk bit his lower lip until it was painful. Not now, his mind pleaded with his nasty conscious. I… I don’t even know what I’m feeling…

The Truth in his mind sighed disbelievingly. In case you’ve never labeled it, Kirk, it’s called love...

Reactions and Reviews

1987

'He was born in a cage,' is the intriguing first sentence in Black's latest zine. Spock has been kidnapped and brainwashed by brutal slavers before being rescued. The central theme is Kirk's thoughts and emotions as he attempts to help Spock regain his memories. The story is well-written in the smooth professional style expected from Black. The personalities of Kirk and McCoy are in character, Spock's, of course, altered due to the nature of the story. I had two complaints, both very minor. Black has... a habit... of using... dots... to indicate... emotion... in a character's speech. Used with restraint... it's a useful device... used too often... it's an irritant. During the story, emphasis is placed on how badly Spock's mind has been damaged and how long it will take him to recover, if ever. Kirk accomplishes it in record time. This portion of the story could have used a bit of stretching out. The physical appearance of the zine is attractive, good clear, printed text, interesting covers and illustrations.

'Private Possessions' is a novel I've enjoyed. I thought it had an interesting angle on the old theme of sex slaves. In this story, Kirk rescues Spock at the beginning, so the plot centers on him trying to break through Spock's conditioning. The refreshing aspect here is that Spock subconsciously finds his slave conditioning 'excuse' for him to express his feelings and desires for Kirk. This story does not have the depth or intensity characteristic of most of the author's other works, but it is a positive, interesting psychology story that reads quickly and isn't too heavy or overly emotional in theme.

PRIVATE POSSESSIONS is basically an "old" story in K/S but told in a crisp, interesting fashion. In the beginning of this 127 page novel, we're introduced to a Kirk who is searching the galaxy for Spock — who mysteriously disappeared in a section of space known to be travelled by slavers. When Kirk eventually does find Spock (did anyone really doubt that he would?), the two of them are sent down to a Federation— affiliated planet where Spock will hopefully be able to relax and regain his memories slowly.

Kirk spends a great deal of time agonizing over Spock's apparent subservience, and the term "master" sends our dashing starship captain into the pits. I do like Ms. Black's stressing of the point that Kirk and Spock are equals through the dialogue and narrative; it gives a much "nicer" feel to what might otherwise be just another slave novel.

Another thing which sets this apart from other slave novels is the gentleness shown throughout. Kirk steadfastly refuses to take advantage of Spock's amnesia despite the fact that the two were lovers prior to Spock's disappearance. There is a genuine respect shown for the characters, and despite the potential for harshness in the premise of PRIVATE POSSESSIONS, I found their reactions to one another completely believable, often tender, and occasionally surprising.

We see here a Spock who views the world very literally — and the humor which arises from that gives this novel a good balance between the serious and the humorous.

There isn't a lot of sex in PRIVATE POSSESSIONS, but what is there is quality — well-written, graphic, and exciting (well, isn't that one reason we read K/S?). It's also just a tad on the "kinky" side — something different which I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed.

Not being a connoisseur of K/S art, and being an admittedly poor art critic, I can only say that I found the illustrations to be adequate. The covers (by Jacqueline Zoost) are nicely done, very abstract in feeling, and in my opinion nicely foretold what we would find tucked between the covers.

All in all, PRIVATE POSSESSIONS is a very good read — tightly written, well-thought-out, and presented in a very readable non-reduced format. I was somewhat surprised that I liked this novel, as I normally don't care for slave scenarios in the least. But, as Ms. Black's ads advised us, PRIVATE POSSESSIONS really isn't a slave novel. It's more of a psychological study on Kirk, and how he copes with the fact that Spock was a slave for eight months. Personally, I would have enjoyed knowing more of Spock's point of view -- and how he coped with those memories — but I was very satisfied with the end result anyway.

A nice "simple" K/S novel with a feeling of tenderness and love. Perhaps not as "heavy" as some of Ms. Black's other works (such as DREAMS OF THE SLEEPERS or THE OUTWORLDS series), but well worth reading and well worth the price.

1994

Detailed, intimate study of Kirk's efforts to bring Spock back from his mind-altering slavery. Kirk takes him to a huge, private estate on some planet and the results of Kirk's help are not what either he or the reader expects. Therein lies the strength of this story.

Spock realizes that the only way Kirk will not only submit, but proclaim his love is by domination. Kirk understands the concept that they are both slave and master.

Wonderful sex scene in a tower overlooking the city, done very visually with lots of great poetic, cosmic thoughts.

Exciting exploration and good readability combined with a fast pace make this another AFB must-read.

2004

I just skimmed through "Private Possessions" (short hurt/long comfort zine) and "Covert Action" (for all the hotness you would probably be annoyed by long haired Spock and his slave Zhames on covert action on Romulus). But I think AFX is the one well-known K/S author that pushes my kink buttons best :)