Security Check

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Zine
Title: Security Check
Publisher:
Editor(s): Joy Baker
Date(s): 1980-1988
Series?:
Medium: print zine
Size:
Genre:
Fandom: Star Trek: TOS
Language: English
External Links:
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Security Check is a gen Star Trek: TOS Chekov-centered anthology of stories and art.

a flyer announcing this zine series

Authorized by Koenig

It is a zine "authorized" by Walter Koenig, but it was NOT published by his official fan club, WKFS. From the fourth issue of this zine:

In recent months, it has come to my attention that many people are confusing Security Check with the Walter Koenig Fan Society, and vice versa. Let me try to clarify this situation by making a few statements. The WKFS is Walter's official fan club. They do put out a journal with fiction and art, but this is not Security Check. We are simply and only, a fanzine dedicated to the Chekov character. There is mutual respect and support between SC and the WKPS, but I stress that I am not the president of the WKPS, just as Candi Chase and Sue McCutchen do not print Security Check.

Issue 1

Security Check 1 was published in December 1980 (second printing: August 1982) and contains 102 pages. The art is by Joy Heslet, Masataka Minami, Rich Pollet, and Marianne Tilson.

front cover of issue #1, Joy Heslet
back cover of issue #1, Masataka Minami
[Koenig's introduction, handwritten]:

11/27/80

Dear Friends,

I've just finished reading the several stories in this first issue of "Security Check." My immediate response is to thank all involved for fulfilling my Star Trek fantasies and making Mr. Chekov a principal character in the action.

While it is true that the poor fellow is, by turns, pummeled, gouged, clubbed, stabbed, hacked, and shot during the course of these adventures, it is also true that into a little misery a lot of pleasure must fall -- or something. And so, along the way there are liaisons with the most extraordinarily gorgeous, sensitive, bright, and compassionate ladies around.

What matter, after all, is a crushed skull or a six inch knife wound to the kidneys when there are full and sensual lips to kiss away the pain?

Many of the stories explore areas not investigated during the run of the series and are imbibed with clever plot twists that keep the reader guessing. I most certainly look forward to reading the second issue of "Security Check" due out mid 1981.

Incidentally, did I ever tell you that fanzines were invented in Russian? It seems there was this little old journalism student in Leningrad...

Happy Holidays to all, Walter Koenig

[from the editorial]:

What do a senior in high school, a self-employed contractor, a struggling college student and a nursing student have in common? Well, for one thing, they are all Star Trek fans. Another common denominator is that they are specifically Chekov fans. Which leads to the third similarity; they comprise the Committee of Security

Check. They are, respectively, Karen Fullerton, Brenda Gibson, Joy Baker and myself, Carolyn Atkinson. We welcome you into the realm of the Federation, specifically of the starship Enterprise. We invite you to travel with us as we follow the adventures of one crewman in particular — Pavel Chekov.

  • Introduction to the Premiere Issue by Walter Koenig (1)
  • Editor's Introduction and Acknowledgments (3)
  • Crime or Punishment? by Carolyn Atkinson (A book holds a blueprint for a Klingon invasion. Will Chekov betray the Federation to save the woman he loves?) (4)
  • Next Time Drink Water by Richard G. Pollet (27)
  • Command Decisions by Brenda Gibson (32)
  • A Tale of Two Russians by Karen Fullerton (Chekov and his cousin battle for survival against strange aliens on a remote outpost planet where survival is a remote possibility.) (63)
  • Long Live the Tsarevich, part one by Carolyn Atkinson (The landing party is stranding in what appears to be Old Earth Russia. What is Chekov doing as heir to the Russian throne?) (71)
  • Coming Attractions and Trivia Answers (back cover)

Reactions and Review: Issue 1

When I drop my check for a new, as yet unknown fanzine in the mail, I have a tendency to hold my breath...sweating out the waiting period...hoping the 'zine will be worth my hard earned money.

I'm very pleased to report that the editing staff of Security Check has lived up to the standards set by "ye ol' editors" of days gone by. From the introduction written by Walter Koenig to the Chekov oriented trivia, I found the 'zine well worth my money, and, I find myself now looking forward to the second issue (due out later this year).

The stories in SC are, for the most part, very well written and true to the ST universe both in ideals and characterizations. This 'zine easily fits into the hurt/comfort realm of fanzines. Although it deals not with Kirk or Spock being clubbed, gorged, stabbed, etc...but with Pavel Chekov. As a Chekov fan I caught myself cringing every time the Klingon's metal pipe connected with Chekov's splintering bones in "Crime or Punishment?" (the first story in the 'zine and written by Carolyn Atkinson).

Throughout SC we find Chekov the main focus. He sometimes shares the spotlight with Sulu, but each story is unmistakably Chekov's. Chekov gets the girl; Chekov has the con; Chekov saves the ship; and (into each life a little rain) Chekov does the suffering.

The final story, also written by Carolyn, ends with Chekov laying in a pool of blood — his own! (Part II of that story, "Long Live the Tsarevich!" will be in SCII.)

As I read through SC, I found my only disappointment was the women involved with Chekov — not one was good enough for him! [1]

Issue 2

Security Check 2 was published in July 1981 and contains 114 pages. The art is by Michelle Ward (reprinted with permission from the March 1981 issue of WKFS Journal), Masataka Minami, Joyce Kleier, Diane Christensen, and Alan Brannigan.

front cover of issue #2, Joyce Kleier
back cover of issue #2, Masataka Minami
flyer for issue #2
[the editorial]:

Salutations and Felicitations!

Welcome to Issue 2 of Security Check. It's teen another nine month labor of love to get this together, and somehow it seems to have been a little easier this time. Practice makes perfect, I guess!

Nine months is a long time, and sees some changes in our Committee. We now number a high school graduate, a senior nursing student, a junior in college, a still self-employed contractor and, newest to our group, a junior in high school. Tad Atkinson, my loving little brother, has joined the Committee as technical advisor, proofreader and contributing editor. In this issue, he debuts a series of stories taken from the security files of the Enterprise. We hope you find "%steries of the Enterprise" a fascinating series!

I'd like to quickly thank everyone who contributed to this issue, the advertisers who hopefully helped you find us, and those many people behind the creation and life of the Chekov character. A very special thanks goes out to Michelle Ward for her assistance in finding art for us, and for allowing us to reprint the art on page 33. Consider yourself officially embarrassed, Michelle!

I know that this issue has been long awaited by many of you. I hereby solemnly swear that we will print no more 2-parters (unless it's really good!). That should ease some frustration and save my neck from the wrath of all those faithful Chekov fans who saw red (in more ways than one) at the end of Issue 1. Thanks for waiting.

In closing, I'd remind everyone out there that we're open at any time for contributions in any form that anyone can devise. Also I have an open mind, and I'll accept any comments, suggestions, etc., for the further improvement of this publication.

  • Editor's Introduction (1)
  • Long Live the Tsarevich, the conclusion (Kirk and McCoy race against time to save Chekov from a deadly attack. But even if Spock and the Enterprise find the lost landing party, the Tsarevich is doomed to die.) (2)
  • The Beginning, poem by Joanne Johnson (37)
  • The Last Lesson by Lorraine Beatty (38)
  • The Dream Comes True, poem by Sarie McBride (42)
  • Revenge by Murder by Thomas C. Atkinson (An assassin stalks the corridors of the Enterprise. Will Security find and stop him before he reaches his quarry?) (43)
  • The Birth, poem by Sarie McBride (54)
  • A Knight in Shining Armor by Karen Fullerton (55)
  • Irinia Was Her Name... by Marie Devlin (70)
  • Reunion by Carolyn Atkinson (72)
  • Visions, poem by Sarie McBride (81)
  • Starbase 7 by Brenda Gibson (Continuing the account of Chekov and his bride of five months, this story tells of two breaches Pavel must deal with—a serious security breach at a starbase that threatens the entire Federation and an equally serious breach between him and Niki which could lead to the end of their marriage.) (82)

Issue 3

Security Check 3 was published in May 1982 and contains 142 pages. The art is by Joyce Kleier, Mardi Wilson, Lynn Fellin, Heather Jane Forshaw, Susan Dubina, Kerin Andrew, and Richard G. Pollet.

front cover of issue #3, Joyce Kleier
back cover of issue #3, Joyce Kleier
[From the editorial]:

Those of you who bought previous issues probably were the recipients of a survey last fall dealing with Brenda Gibson's Pavel/Niki stories and what direction we should take with them. I'd like to thank all of you who responded. The resvilts were both surprising and useful, and you will begin to see these results in the next few issues. By the way, several people expressed fears that Security Check would deal only with P/N stories (perhaps I shouldn't use that abbreviation?). Let me abolish those fears. Brenda does have two stories in this issue, but one is not a true Kiki story, though it does fit in her series. As a matter of fact, it gives Pavel a bit more outside romance than even I like to think about!

Rest assured, as long as we have anything to say in the matter, our sweet li'l old Russian will not lack for romance, both with his wife and in other times of his life.

Speaking, in an elliptical way, of the Committee, I have an announcement that I am sad to have to make. Karen Fullerton, one of our founders, has given me her resignation from the Committee, effective with this issue's print date. I am firmly of the opinion that, if it were not for Karen, you wouldn't be reading any of this today. We are truly sorry to see Karen go, but are grateful for her past contributions and her continuing friendship.

We have tried several innovations with this issue. Titles are all typeset. We are trying to include italic type where applicable and/or aesthetically pleasing. (Thanks to Brookside Church for letting me type "Enterprise" 64 times on their typewriter without blinking an eye!) Our binding is different, too. We are constantly trying to upgrade the quality of our publication, and are always open for suggestions.

As this issue hits the public domain, the new movie. The Wrath of Khan (or whatever final title is given to it in the next week) is about to be released. I had thought of waiting until the movie was actually out before sending this issue to print, so I could sit here and make profound comments on it. However, if I did that, I'd miss my due date for an upcoming convention, which would cause chaos in all sorts of places.

So I have to settle for rumors and hints. However, I won't rehash those. We do know that Chekov is supposed to have a very nice part in this movie, expanding (hopefully) both his character and the relationships the character has with others. I am sure I speak for us all when I say that I look forward to the new dimensions that will be added to the character, and to writing stories reflecting these changes. We will continue to integrate all aspects of Pavel Chekov — ensign, lieutenant

and whatever ccmes after - in this publication.

  • Editor's Introduction (1)
  • Starship, poem by Teresa Sarick (4)
  • War's End—War's Beginning by Carolyn Atkinson (The story of two young people and their tempestuous relationship during the last days of the Klingon Wars.) (5)
  • A Mother's Lullaby, poem by Joann Johnson (25)
  • Vengeance is... Death by Rosemary Rackham (26)
  • (T)Rapt, poem by Teresa Sarick (42)
  • End and Beginning by Richard D. Pollet (43)
  • Pavel A. Chekov by Tammy Cornett (57)
  • The Return by Brenda Gibson (58)
  • The Cries of the Stars, poem by Sarie McBride (81)
  • The Mist by Karen Fullerton (On a planet being research for colonization, the men of the Enterprise encounter a beautiful, mysterious girl with strange powers. Is she responsible for the deaths of half of the research party?) (82)
  • Thoughts of Him, poem by Sarie McBride (99)
  • A Question of Method by Thomas Atkinson continues the series "Mysteries from the Enterprise." (This story is selected from the personal files of the Enterprise's security chief and deals with kidnapping, murder, and espionage. "A scream was heard... Chekov rushed out of his office, phase drawn..."—What happened? Who was it who screamed? Why did that person scream? Per that matter, was the person (thing) that did the screaming animal, vegetable or mineral? Find the answers to these and many other questions, including one on method, in this, from the files of Lt. Pavel Chekov, edited by that malnourished Alfred Hitchcock, Thomas C. Atkinson.) (100)
  • A Person Lonely, poem by Sarie McBride (114)
  • Cousin, Friend? by Brenda Gibson (The birth of Pavel and Niki's first child—what should be a joyous occasion—is marred by the outbreak of full-scale war with the Klingons, and the sudden reappearance of a subtly-changed Cousin Piotr.) (155)
  • War's End, War's Beginning (e story of two young people and their tempestuous relationship during the last days of the Klingon Wars,)
  • Genealogy of the Chekov Family, compiled by Carolyn Atkinson (140)

Issue 4

Security Check 4 was published in December 1982 and contains 122 pages. It has an introduction by Walter Koenig.

The art is by Gail Bennett, Tammy Cornett, Susan Dubina, Heather Jane Forshaw, Merie Letter, Gennie Summers, and Sarah Thompson.

front cover of issue #4, Gail Bennett
[Koenig's letter]:

Welcome to Security Check 4 and the continuing saga of the life, loves, suffering and comfort of Pavel Chekov past, present and future.

In today's world where just surviving becomes a complex problem and spiraling costs make time and money consuming hobbies a luxury, the issuance of a fourth volume of a fanzine 'is truly a laudable achievement. The addition of taste and talent to the equation makes the effort all the more commendable. Such has been the case with Security Check and I am, therefore, pleased to, once again, accept the invitation to introduce this newest edition.

As alluded to in the first paragraph of this missive and depending upon your current disposition regarding the character of the reptile deposited Russian, I'm sure there will be something for every one between the covers of Security Check 4. So turn the page with me now and prepare for stimulating reading and high adventure.

In Friendship Always, Walter Koenig

  • Seasonal Trek, filk by Teresa Sarick (1)
  • Editor's Introduction (2)
  • A Word from Our Sponsor, letter by Walter Koenig (3)
  • The Lermentov Years by Carol Atkinson (Ever wonder what Chekov did during the Enterprise's drydock hiatus? Find out in this story, which documents his experiences as Executive officer on the 'reject of the fleet.') (4)
  • To the Stars, poem by Sarie McBride (28)
  • Word Search by Joy Heslet (29)
  • The Games People Play by Rosemary Rackham (30)
  • We Took a Dream, poem by Sarie McBride (41)
  • The Homing Impulse by Sarie McBride (42)
  • RRe-Aura, poem by Sarie McBride (82)
  • Rainbow's End (Yesterday's Dreams) by Brenda Gibson (This story continues our version of the Federation-Klingon War, hostilities escalate, and little Katya could soon be an orphan.) (84)
  • Come Back, poem by Teresa Sarick (106)
  • The Price of Peace by Thomas C. Atkinson (Ambassador Chekov is suspected of treason when an important treaty disappears, and it's up to his son to clear his name.) (107)
  • From Nowhere, poem by Sarie McBride (121)

Issue 5

Security Check 5 was published in June 1983 and contains 126 pages.

cover of issue #5
  • Phobia (Chekov is an unwitting pawn in a deadly experiment.)
  • The Barrier... and Beyond (The first days on the Enterprise are filled with danger for a new ensign.)
  • other unknown content

Issue 6

Security Check 6 was published in December 1983 and contains 102 pages.

The cover is by Lydia A. Moon. The interior art by Lucinda Swisher, Gennie Summers, Debbie Phillips, and Lydia A. Moon.

The editor in chief was Carolyn Atkinson, Joy Baker was the business manager Brenda Gibson was the contributing editor, and Thomas Atkinson was the contributing editor.

cover of issue #6, Lydia Moon

From the editorial:

[I'd like to thank] our long unsung heroine, without whom we'd never reach you looking as good as we do. She straightens my sometimes crooked margins, gives advice on layout, lets me use some of the equipment at need, and generally pulls us all together. She probably by now recognizes Pavel Chekov more readily than James T. Kirk. Thanks, Jeanne.

...or a very special man to me. He advised me on technicalities associated with the racetrack and introduced me to the secrets of parimutuel betting. The knowledge he accumulated during a college summer break now helps to make Diana the story it is. He's always told me how proud he is of me. Well, I'm very, very proud of him. Thanks, Daddy.

...or, speaking of special men, like another excellent example of the male of the species. He must have a lot of patience for tolerating what we do to his character in these stories. He has always met my rather timid requests for introductions with graciousness, making me feel less of a fool than I know I must appear. We are all thankful for his friendship. Thank you, Walter.

  • Diana by Carolyn Atkinson ("The story of a boy and a girl and a horse race.") (2)
  • The New Ensign (poem) by Sarie McBride (22)
  • The Horkus Affair by Brenda Gibson (23)
  • The Dream (poem) by Brenda Gibson (44)
  • After the Battle by Richard G. Pollet (45)
  • Kidnapped! by Thomas C. Atkinson (49)
  • A New Word (poem) by Sarie McBride (59)
  • Hope For a Future by Rosemary Rackham (61)
  • Destination's End (poem) by Sarie McBride (80)
  • Paradise Lost by Carolyn Atkinson ("Aliens invade a peaceful planet and attack the Federation colonists there... among which is Chekov's best friend and family.") (81)
  • untitled poem by Lucinda Swisher (102)

Issue 7

Security Check 7 was published in May 1984 and contains 142 pages.

cover of issue #7
  • an interview with Walter Koenig
  • The Academy by Brenda Gibson ("Pavel wants to go to Starfleet Academy. His father is equally opposed to the plan.")
  • Memorial For a Friend by Rosemary Rackham
  • Revolution: 2035 by Carolyn Atkinson
  • A Day In My Life by Brenda Gibson
  • Invisible Enemies by Sarie McBride
  • Chimes of Memory by Carolyn Atkinson ("The beautiful Arianna must depend on a handsome stranger to save her People of the Wind from destruction.")
  • art, poetry

Issue 8

Security Check 8 was published in December 1984.

cover of issue #8, Lydia Moon
  • Breakdown (The strain of the past week proves too much for Commander Chekov as the wounded Enterprise limps its way back to Earth after an encounter with Khan.)
  • A Matter of Perspective (An incident with a cadet on the Enterprise leads Chekov into remembering his early days on the starship... and his first red shirt situation.)
  • other unknown content

Issue 9

Security Check 9 was published in 1985.

cover of issue #9, Gennie Summers
  • Encounter on Goranth, conclusion (Can free agent Rampaal destroy the Klingon plans before it's too late. Can Captain Sulu rescue Commander Chekov and his landing party from the Klingon... friendly natives?)
  • Kobayashi Maru (A simulation scenario becomes all too real for Cadel Chekov.)
  • other unknown stories and poems

Issue 10

Security Check 10 was published in March 1988.

cover of issue #10
  • A Farewell to Security Check" by Walter Koenig
  • New Day, New Beginnings by R. Rackham
  • A Time to Endure by J. Stoops
  • other unknown content

References

  1. ^ from WKFS Journal #2