Setting the Course

Zine
Title:	Setting the Course
Publisher:	Kathy Resch
Editor(s):
Date(s):	July 1996
Series?:
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Star Trek: TOS
Language:	English
External Links:	Sharing the Sunlight series page at the K/S Archive
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

cover by Shelley Butler, titled Gift of Hyacinths

Setting the Course is a Kirk/Spock 204-page collection of stories by Jenna Sinclair set in the Sharing the Sunlight universe and published by Kathy Resch in 1996. It reprints stories that are set between the main novels of the series, i.e. Sharing the Sunlight, Promises to Keep, and In the Shade, that were previously published scattered across multiple zines.

The cover is by Shelley Butler, and it has been uploaded to Fanlore with the publisher's permission. There is no interior art.

All of these are now available online at the K/S Archive: Sharing the Sunlight series page.

Series

• Sharing the Sunlight
• Reflections on a Lunar Landscape
• Pursuing Hyacinths
• Heart's Delight
• Primal Scream
• Parallel Courses
• Double Trouble
• Son of Sarek
• Promises to Keep
• Setting the Course
• Jagged Edges
• Manna
• Journey’s End
• One Night
• In the Shade

Contents

The stories (Summaries by Gilda F.)

• Reflections on a Lunar Landscape (Spockʼs jealousy is expressed in a display of dominance after Kirk flirts with a woman and then attempts sexual intercourse with his lover that night. Prequel: Sharing the Sunlight. Sequel: Pursuing Hyacinths.) Originally printed in Counterpoint #7
• Pursuing Hyacinths (Kirkʼs problem with their melding creates problems in his relationship with Spock. Prequel: Reflections On a Lunar Landscape. Sequel: Heartʼs Desire.) Originally printed in T'hy'la #12
• Heart's Delight (While on their first shoreleave together as lovers, Kirk and Spock visit an archaeological dig. Prequel: Pursuing Hyacinths. Sequel: Primal Scream.) Originally printed in Counterpoint #9
• Primal Scream (Research “apes” get loose on the Enterprise and one finds its way to Kirkʼs cabin where he surprises Kirk fresh out of the shower. Prequel: Heartʼs Delight. Sequel: Parallel Courses.) Originally printed in Charisma #17
• Parallel Courses (Kirk wants to do something special to show Spock that he is trying to work past his doubts regarding their relationship. Prequel: Primal Scream. Sequel: Double Trouble.) Originally printed in No Greater Love #1
• Double Trouble (The officersʼ new beds seem to be a major topic of conversation aboard the Enterprise. Prequel: Parallel Courses. Sequel: Son of Sarek.) Originally printed in No Greater Love #1
• Son of Sarek (Spock is troubled by a childhood event that is brought forward by a ceremony they are to watch on the planet they are visiting. Prequel: Double Trouble. Sequel: Promises To Keep.) Originally printed in T'hy'la #14

Reactions and Reviews

See reactions and reviews for Reflections on a Lunar Landscape.

See reactions and reviews for Pursuing Hyacinths.

See reactions and reviews for Heart's Delight.

See reactions and reviews for Primal Scream.

See reactions and reviews for Parallel Courses.

See reactions and reviews for Double Trouble.

See reactions and reviews for Son of Sarek.

[zine]: What can be said about this collection of stories? It has everything: humor, excitement, romance, sex ... and is very well written too. Setting Course is a collection of stories set in Jenna's Sharing the Sunlight universe. The stories were originally published in different zines and now published together. And I am glad about that. I had already read the stories separately, but now I read them in the right sequence. The stories read like a novel. They belong together.

Together they form not only a story about our beloved Kirk and Spock, they tell the story of a starship dealing with very different situations with humans and other sentient beings all over the universe. There are problems with integrating non- humans, with the training of junior officers, with short- sighted humans and malfunctioning of the engines. Between that all we follow the growing affection between Kirk and Spock, read about their difficulties in accepting their love. Homosexuality is perhaps accepted worldwide and universe wide, but to deal with it yourselves and to accept it as a part of how you are is much more difficult.

Apart from that they have to deal with the differences between Human and Vulcan. Kirk has his difficulties with the melds and his fear of losing command, and Spock has to come to terms with emotions and feelings he only reluctantly admits that he has. During this novel, as I will call it, many of these differences are cleared away. It is not always easy for Kirk and Spock to deal with them, but they manage, and as Kirk says, he has to, because he can't deny what he feels for Spock, and he doesn't want to give him up for anything in the world.

What else can I say about this perfectly pictured universe? Perhaps I should mention the time when the Enterprise has to transport some animals and some apes manage to escape. Just picture Kirk, coming from a far too hot shower set for Vulcans, confronted in his bedroom by an intelligent ape pointing a phaser at him, who is very interested in his cock, fiery red from the hot water, rescued by an female ensign slipping over his red briefs lying on the floor?

Or when Kirk wants to surprise Spock with a large bed and to cover their relationship has ordered a double sized bed for all the seniors. To his utter embarrassment it turns out to be THE talk on the Enterprise and his little secret is widely known, although nobody knows exactly what is going on...? Or Kirk having difficulties with the meld and having a male lover? Spock coming to terms about his youth on Vulcan?

Did I mention already the plenty wonderful sex scenes? There is far too much of all those interesting things happening to tell here. Just go and read it and enjoy the beautiful art of it.

I just bought the sequel. Promises to Keep, Jenna's second novel, and I look forward to reading that one, to lose myself in that perfect world again. There will be a third novel and I hope a forth and fifth too!

[zine]: SETTING COURSE appears to be an anthology that explores several different aspects or problems a couple may encounter as they navigate the unknown waters of love. I’ll take one course correction at time... [see reviews for individual stories].