Ships in the Night

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Fanfiction
Title: Ships in the Night
Author(s): Judi L. Hendricks and Paula Block
Date(s): 1981
Length:
Genre(s): het
Fandom(s): Star Wars
Relationship(s):
External Links:

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from Warped Space #46, art by Joni Wagner
from Warped Space #46, art by Joni Wagner

Ships in the Night is a Star Wars story by Judi L. Hendricks and Paula Block.

The story was published in Warped Space #46 in September 1981. Originally, pages 107-112 were deleted from the story, and fans had to send an age statement to receive the missing pages. The full story was printed in subsequent reprints.

Series

It is part of the Cori Beckett Star Wars series where Beckett, an original character, has a relationship with Luke Skywalker.

Controversy!

"Ships in the Night" was directly caught in the cross hairs of George Lucas' attempt to control fanworks.

response by Lori Chapek-Carleton printed on an insert to Warped Space #46; Chapek-Carleton also included the text of the first two letters by Maureen Garrett, George Lucas' spokesperson

The story as it appeared in "Warped Space" originally included a small separate leaflet with fanzine ads.

This supplement also included a statement by Chapek-Carleton (the zine's editor) regarding "Ships in the Night":

Ahem... You're probably wondering what happened to pages 107-112 of Ships in the Night which have been left out of your copy of Warped Space #46. By way of explanation, we are reprinting a set of letters [from Maureen Garrett].

The editor added that the missing pages of "Ships in the Night" would be sent separately for those who sent in an age statement.

The text of Chapek-Carleton's response to the Garrett letters:

While we do not consider anything we've published, including this story, to be 'pornographic,' we've withheld those pages containing some mildly explicit descriptions. As the wording in Ms. Garrett's letters is rather vague, we can only hope we've accurately second-guessed her intended meaning. Since the main concern expressed in these letters seems to be that objectionable SW material stay out of the hands of underage readers, we will only make the deleted pages available to those subscribers who send us a legal size SASE (with .18 cents postage) and an signed statement that they are eighteen years of age or older... We will attempt to obtain more specific guidelines from Ms. Garrett so that we may avoid awkward situations of this sort in future issues. While we do not fully agree with Ms. Garrett's descriptions of the legal aspects of various points, we believe that George Lucas has certain moral rights concerning the characters he created. If he or his representatives will provide SPECIFIC guidelines as to what he finds objectionable, we will attempt to comply with such standards. We are also interested in the opinions of our subscribers concerning the use of STAR WARS-saga characters in adult situations.

Also from Chapek-Carleton:

As an editorial aside, for those of you who didn't hear how the Lucasfilm "censorship" flap has resolved itself—basically it was generally agreed that everyone over-reacted, and the matter has pretty much died away. Lucasfilm is depending on the editors' good taste and judgment in decid[ing] what is printable, and we haven't heard of any further furor. We heard nothing detrimental concerning "Ships in the Night" from Lucasfilm, and they did get their prerequisite four copies of WARPED SPACE 46.[1]

Chapek-Carleton's note at the top of "Ships in the Night" (in a subsequent reprint?):

To continue on the subject raised in my cautionary note on "Second Chance", I'd consider "Ships in the Night" a very strong R, whether basing my criteria on merely the printed word, or visualizing the story as a scene from a film. Once again, the story is adult in nature, and explicit detail is used, but not in a pornographic fashion. The authors want it noted

that this story doesn't fit into any specific SW universe, although it incorporates some aspects of Judi Hendricks' 'Cori Beckett' series--which has appeared in an earlier WARPED SPACE and most notably in PEGASUS III, IV, and V--and of the 'for real' SW universe as portrayed in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Let's just say that it takes place in some sort of inter-dimensional corridor between the two ...

For much more on this controversy, see The Star Wars Letters.

Reactions and Reviews

1981

...for those readers who sent in an age statement, is 'Ships in the Night.' Readers who felt a bit cheated at the end of 'Marketable Commodity' in Pegasus #4 will be more than satisfied by this lovely return engagement between Luke and Cori Beckett. It is lyrical, sensual, erotic in the highest degree, yet so skillfully written and tasteful that there is not a hint of the pornographic in it. The characters are real people, totally believable, and the authors resist the temptation to cheapen them by tacking on a contrived and happy ending. This story should be required reader for every aspiring writer of erotica, as an example of How To Do It Right. It is complemented by illos in Joni Wagner's best style, although the artist seems to have been inhibited by Lucasfilm's recent pronouncements into making the illos a bit more PG than the story really deserves.[2]

... ok, Han’s got the Princess, so Luke's gotta get someone, too. It's beautifully, sensually written, and if Lucas thought "Slow Boat to Bespin" (in GUARDIAN 3) was hot stuff, wait 'til he reads this one! (On second thought, don't tell him!)

((As an editorial aside, for those of you who didn't hear how the Lucasfilm "censorship" flap has resolved itself — basically it was generally agreed that everyone over-reacted, and the matter has pretty much died away. Lucasfilm is depending on the editors' good taste and judgment in decid[ing] what is printable, and we haven't heard of any further furor. We heard nothing detrimental concerning "Ships in the Night" from Lucasfilm, and they did get their perquisite four copies of WARPED SPACE 46. - Lori Chapek-Carleton)) [3]

...I loved "Ships in the Night" — thought it was touching, well-written, definitely not porn ... and certainly an example of a situation when it is not only desirable but needful to go beyond the bedroom door to the intimacies of the carnal couch. Luke was well-handled, and I have always been fond of Cori. [4]

"Ships in the Night" was adorable but I can see where Lucasfilm might get a little upset about it. It isn't a suitable story for kids and I approve of your policy of signing for it at the time of purchase. However ... how many fanzine readers are under eighteen? Speaking solely from personal experience. I've noticed less than 25% of 'zine readers are that young and even that may be a high estimate. Lucasfilm should get to know us better, maybe they'd have a better idea of what we consist of ...[5]

Alas, poor "Ships in the Night"--an emergency appendectomy (or was that hysterectomy ... or the operation for the other sex?). Arrgh. (Of course, I'm grateful that you didn't castrate the copy you sent me, but I imagine there are going to be a lot of disgruntled readers. Hang in there.) Well, eventually, the mess with LF will be straightened out, I suppose. Meanwhile, thank you, Moral Majority. [6]

I think I enjoyed "Ships in the Night" the most—quite a charming love story, with enough humor and tenderness to carry the subject off. But I'm being consumed with curiosity — has Lucasfilm said anything to you about it yet? [7]

Joni Wagner's illos for "Ships in the Night" were very good. Her style is so natural. It looks effortless but it must take a lot of effort to achieve it. I enjoyed the story, too. The love scene with the mental as well as physical contact was well done; but what energy and endurance Luke and Cori had! Ah well, perhaps I'm just a wee bit envious! [8]

I found "Ships in the Night" a very enjoyable read. In my opinion. Block and Hendricks handled the subject tastefully. There was nothing disgusting, nor any four-letter words anywhere. It was so well-done that, I feel, if a pre-teen somehow did get a hold of the story, they would have come away with a more positive impression of male-female relationships and find the idea of sex less frightening or upsetting.

Ms. Garrett states in her letter that STAR WARS pornography is unacceptable and does damage to the wholesomeness associated with the character. I do not consider what WARPED SPACE prints to be pornography. Porno is what you find in cheap, badly-written men's magazines. Besides, a person could do a paper on the multitude of sexual innuendos present in both SW movies. Luke is not young and blond, nor Han dark and fiery by mistake. The way I see it, all life is a struggle. In such a struggle, warmth and closeness become important factors in maintaining physical and emotional well-being. In the SW universe, the Rebel Alliance is in a tight situation. If its members can derive comfort from each other, then this is to their benefit and ultimate survival. Sex is apart of life. If the characters are going to appear to be real people, then they'll get laid from time to time. As long as the writing of it is tasteful and of good quality, there shouldn't be any conflict of morals. [9]

I liked "Ships in the Night" by Paula Block and Judi Hendricks, particularly the concept of how Luke uses the Force to make his and Cori's relationship much more complete and meaningful. Although it did seem that Luke was trying to make up for lost time ... [10]

The six missing pages in "Ships in the Night" were far more suggestive to my fertile mind than what was written on them. This is one of the problems of censorship ... With a clear-cut censorship, the crafty author may aptly avoid the specific words and details expressly forbidden, and achieve an expression of the same thing in a more subtle way. However, censors usually prefer a vague statement of what is forbidden emphasizing the penalties of stepping across very ill-defined and fuzzy boundaries. This I feel is done deliberately. If one is unsure as to what will be penalized, the timid or peaceable natures will avoid the area altogether while those who delight in shocking (or who have to use a bludgeon on the reader) will barge on in and create obscene garbage, to which the censor may point and say, "Can you honestly say that this is worth paying a fine for?" ... I don't have strong objections to censorship but I have a bitter hostility towards vague censorship, where it is up to the censor's whim, or the political situation of the moment, just what is to be picked out to be made an example of ... [11]

"Ships in the Night" -- what a beautiful story. Well-written, tastefully and sensitively crafted. Tender, yet not so sickeningly sweet. That story is every bit as good if not better than some I've read by pro writers. Just a beautiful erotic story. Joni Wagner's art for the story is perfectly executed. She does a great Luke. At first when I read letters in JUNDLAND WASTES concerning the controversy over stories of this type, I felt Lucas was absolutely right. Well, he does own the names. But perhaps the restrictions are too tight if the stories would all be as well-written as Paula's and Judi's. That story just enthralled me, and I am not that crazy about Luke. But oh, that Han! [12]

I enjoyed [it] tremendously as some really lovely, funny, novel erotica and also, once again, as a delicate and well-done duet of characterization. Of course, I would have loved to see what Po and Judi would concoct for the simultaneous scene with Han and Leia. "Assault on Logaria" is still my favorite Beckett story—from that point on the willful Corellian spitfire seems to direct the mainstreams of her passion more towards other targets than Han (i.e.. Daemon Pascal! in "Satisfaction Guaranteed," and Luke, to a small extent, in "Used Boy," then in "Ships." Of course, St. George doesn't seem to like Han bedding the ladies since the old "Slow Boat" letter, so maybe it's better to mix SW and non-SW characters in the boudoir. In any case, "Ships" is light and, for all the steamy scenes, full of good humor that's difficult to resist. [13]

As for Block and Hendricks's "Ships in the Night"--sorry, folks, a classic role reversal just doesn't make it. And it's not as well written as their other collaborations, either. I sort of got the feeling they decided to do it just for the hell of it and never mind bringing it up to standard. [14]

1985

Luke even gets Cori Beckett to bed with "steamy" results. Now that is positive action. A [15]

References

  1. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  2. ^ from Jundland Wastes #5/6, reprinted in Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  3. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  4. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  5. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  6. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  7. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  8. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  9. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  10. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  11. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  12. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  13. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  14. ^ from Warped Space Supplement, LOCs for #46-#47 (letters were written in 1981-82, but not printed until 1983)
  15. ^ from From Star Wars to Jedi: The Fanzine Way (1985)
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