Queen for a Day
| Star Trek TOS Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Queen for a Day |
| Author(s): | D.J. Hewlett |
| Date(s): | 1980 |
| Length: | |
| Genre: | gen, though there is some fade-to-black sex between Kirk and a woman |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: The Original Series |
| External Links: | |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Queen for a Day is a Star Trek: TOS story by D.J. Hewlett.
It was printed in Illogical These Humans!! where it had art by Sue Klasky.
Some Topics Discussed and Some Context
- the title of the story was likely meant to be humorous, but it was also a pointed jab
- while many fans socialized and created in their own silos, the topic of Kirk/Spock was forefront in many fans' minds ("K/S, The "Porn" Issue, Homosexuality & Bi-Sexuality in General" was a panel at the 1978 T'Con, and Alternative: Continuing the Epilog to Orion had been published in 1979; while not in this fandom, the zines Code 7, Forever Autumn (Starsky & Hutch zine), and Pushin' the Odds gives a lot of context, to the context of the day, as does the 1977 Open Letter by Mary Lou Regarding Explicit Fanworks, Open Letter by Winston A. Howlett Regarding His Review of "Alternative: Epilog to Orion", and The SekWester*Con Porn Debate)
- for younger fans in present time, the language and the attitudes expressed may seem alien and dated, but in the late 1970s and early 1980s, casual (and pointed) bigotry and homophobic comments and content could be very commonplace; for some fans at the time, the views expressed in this story wouldn't have raised as many eyebrows as you might think
- the story doesn't suggest a relationship between Kirk and Spock, however, there are several instances of McCoy and Kirk teasing and prodding Spock about his sexuality, suggesting that Spock's oddness and otherness is akin to homosexuality
- the story dabbles tolerance for differing sexualities and identities, but comes firmly down on the side of the "universal naturalness" of heterosexuality
Summary and Excerpts
Kirk is in the shower when Spock tells him on the intercom that an important call has come through for Kirk. Kirk says, "I'll take it in my quarters, but give me a minute first. I'm not quite decent." Spock replies, "Understood, sir." The author points out that Kirk puts on a shirt, but no pants. "... the viewer would only show him from the waist up, so he was safe."
It turns out the admiral has chosen Kirk for a case in which he has to trick the population of a planet into giving the Federation their valuable ore. The admiral tells him it's because Kirk has the "highest integrity" and is an "honorable, trustworthy and diplomatic man" and this case "requires you to use your abilities in away you've never been called upon to use them before."
The admiral glanced down slightly and Kirk thought he noticed a reddening of the older man's cheeks. "You see, they live in a culture entirely alien to ours. Their way of life is quite different, but it is imperative to your mission that you adapt to it entirely. They have a completely, uh, different set of preferences."Kirk frowned. "Admiral Bean, I've never know you to beat around the bush before. What's so different about them? We've encountered strange beings before. You said yourself that we can be trusted not to alienate any prospective members of the Federation merely because they are different from us."
"Jim, I think you will understand after you hear what I'm about to say. The people of Faros III are homosexual."
"All of them?"
"Yes, Jim, all of them. Our report from the scout ship wasn't extensive, but it seems that heterosexual activity is forbidden except for the purpose of creating life."
The admiral stopped for a moment to allow Kirk to absorb this information. As the realization of it began to sink in on him, Kirk's expression changed from one of study to that of shock.
"Admiral, you said before that it would be imperative for us to adapt to their culture. Just what did you mean by that?"
"Jim, we want you to go there and persuade those people, by whatever means you have to employ, that we are their friends and that we want them to join us. We desperately need that cyradan. In return, we are prepared to offer them full membership in the Federation. But, due to their reluctance to accept outsiders, you are going to have to become one of them. Convince them that you understand their position so that they will be open to an offer from the Federation."
At the words "become one of them," Kirk's eyes bulged out and he looked at the admiral as if the older man had suddenly sprouted horns.
"I can't ask you to do anything that you consider morally wrong. But this mission has to be a success. confidence in you."
When Kirk explains the mission to McCoy and Spock, McCoy is flabbergasted. Spock, however, takes it in stride:
"I feel that the culture that I am accustomed to on Vulcan, that of nearly total sexual abstinence, serves to make this assignment somewhat less of a problem to me than to the rest of you.""Come on, Spock," chided McCoy. "You don't really think that you can convince the Farotians that you are gay, do you?"
"Doctor," said Spock, rather coldly, "While I agree with you that the thought of inragender sexual intercourse is not logical, I cannot but sympathize with the Farotians in their belief that intergender intercourse take place only for the purpose of furthering the species. That is the only logical reason for it in the first place."
Sulu volunteers after asking if the planet's citizens "recognize commitment, a sort of marriage arrangement." Kirk things a moment and then "brightened at this. "I image they must. After all, I know they have a different culture, but some things are considered universal. Mates, for instance."
Kirk and his officers put on dresses, and Spock puts on a turban to cover his ears. McCoy tells Spock he looks "absolutely enchanting this evening... you really must give me the name of your dressmaker."
When they beam down to the planet's surface, they see that the Farotians are very delicate and fey; Kirk is thankful that his dress hides his "own well-developed muscles and healthy tan."
The landing party finds lodgings in a house of women aka lesbians. Scotty says the place "gives him the creeps."
Kirk goes out for a walk at night and sits by a fountain. He falls asleep, only to wake and find a woman touching his body. She is upset, as she touched him because "I did what I wanted to do. I don't regret it! It isn't wrong! It felt so good, so right!" They have sex, but are caught by the women and Kirk is thrown in prison. He is declared a "pervert" for his "unlawful intercourse" with a woman at the wrong time of the year.
Kirk is regretful: "His entire mission was blown. Gone up in smoke. And for what? A ten minute roll in the hay with a girl who probably didn't know whether to enjoy it or not. Oh God, how had he gotten himself into this?"
Scotty, however, is delighted, as it appears failing their mission is better than having to act like a homosexual: "At least we don't have to play games anymore. I'm thankful for that. I was afraid my wrist would go limp permanently if I'd had to keep it up any longer."
They find out that there is a rebel on the planet who is trying to get young people to get legislation passed legalizing heterosexual activity. They call themselves the Straight Liberation Contingent.
At the trial, Kirk makes a speech and goes all-IDIC-y and also tosses in the Prime Directive (though neither have been particularly practiced in this story, and Kirk's offer of solace sounds like a veiled threat!): "None of us are homosexuals. Now, before you say anything, hear me out. I said that the Federation is made up of many cultures. We do not yet have a culture such as yours, but that doesn't mean that we couldn't have. We don't base our relationships with Federation members on sexual customs and preferences. Humans have certain customs and Vulcans have other different ideals. All of the members are different, and it's those differences that make us what we are. Can't you see this.?... Our prime directive is one of non-interference. We would no more think of trying to change your culture than we would think of destroying your planet, though I suppose we have the power to do either one. That isn't the way we work."
This somewhat tolerant speech about differing sexual identities and desire is thrown out the window in the last scene aboard the Enterprise:
"It makes one wonder how they will deal with the sexual revolution they are about to encounter." Kirk said.McCoy snorted. "Spock, I'd hardly call a handful of militants led by one man a revolution."
"Perhaps not. Doctor, but Earth had a similar revolution in its 20th century. A small group calling themselves the Gay Liberation Movement managed to make quite a few changes over a period of time."
"That's true, Spock, but all they achieved was their right to live as they chose. They didn't affect Earth's culture in any big way. Homosexuality was found to be a passing fad after the first fifty years of gay rights. There is a lot to be said for forbidden fruit, you know." Kirk sipped his coffee.
"Correct, Captain. But during Earth's upheaval with sexual rights, you were not in direct contact with other planets whose cultures were based on homosexuality. Perhaps if you had been, heterosexuality might have become a thing of the past."
"Spock, do you mean to say that through contact with the Federation, the Farotians might become influenced into a heterosexual culture? But wouldn't that be in violation of the prime directive?" questioned Kirk.
"Not directly, sir. But I think we might have an indirect influence on their ultimate decision."
Kirk's mind wandered back to the moonlit garden with Ariane. He smiled faintly. "Well, it's none of my business of course, but I can't help but feel there would be a lot of disappointed men in this galaxy if the women of Faros chose to remain homosexuals."
Spock turned back to his viewer, stiffening slightly. "You should know. Captain. I'm sure I have no thoughts on that subject."
Kirk grinned at the Vulcan's back. "I'm sure you wouldn't, Mr. Spock, Mr. Sulu, take us out of orbit, please.