Something Hidden
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Something Hidden |
| Publisher: | STAG / ScoTpress |
| Editor: | |
| Author(s): | Sheila Clark |
| Cover Artist(s): | Sheila Clark |
| Illustrator(s): | |
| Date(s): | February 1976 (though the review cites 1975) |
| Series?: | Yes - Explorer Series |
| Medium: | print zine |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | Something Hidden online here |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Something Hidden is a 64-page gen Star Trek: TOS novel written by Sheila Clark.
It was published by STAG in 1976.
There is minimal interior art that is not credited.
Summary
It is an AU in which Spock became a scientist on Vulcan instead of joining Starfleet.
From an ebay seller: "Spock went to the Science Academy. Several years later is he a passenger on the Enterprise, and the Science Officer is killed. Kirk must persuade Spock to work as acting Science Officer, but he has no interest in doing so."
"The Explorer Series"
- Something Hidden (1976)
- Something Lost (1983)
- Something Missing (1986)
Series Description: From the Author's Foreword in Something Missing
Something Hidden was based an the premise that Spock went to the Vulcan Science Academy instead of joining Starfleet, During the course of the story, Spock, promoted to Chief Scientist, was heading a survey which was investigating the imminent breakup of a moon. The scientific party was rescued From the moon by the Enterprise, and when the ship's Tellerite science officer was killed, Spock took aver the position. On the ship's eventual return to Vulcan with the rescued scientists, Spock managed to join the ship as science officer.In the second story in the series, Something Lost, a navigational malfunction sent the ship into unknown space. It had been established in Something Missing that Kirk did not wholly trust the judgement of his first officer, a man named Wood. When Wood was killed, Kirk appointed Spock to the position of first officer. This brought the series almost into line with series Trek; the only difference being in Spock's background. Usually an alternate universe story has obvious differences from series Trek; this one does not have obvious differences. I have in mind a fourth story for this series, but unless it produces these differences, it will be written as ordinary series Trek.
However, obvious alternate universe story or no, I hope you enjoy Something Missing.
Gallery
Mr Spock (upper left) and the ambassador who appeared in the episode 'Journey To Babylon'
The USS Enterprise
Reactions and Reviews
Since this zine came out in 1975, 500 copies have been printed. It is again scheduled for reprint this September [1981], so a review for readers on this side of the Atlantic seemed timely. I don't know if any changes in art or format are contemplated for the new edition, but my observations are based on the 1980 edition. 'SH is that odd (8 5/6 x 11 11/16) size some overseas zines have. Its 64 pages would probably be over 70 in the 8 1/2 x 11 format. The zine is mimeo but readale. The few bits of art appear to be traced rather than electrostenciled and the art is uncredited. The story deals with an alternative universe Spock who, although he had very much wanted to, did not join Starfleet, but followed Sarek's wishes and became a scientist at the Vulcan Sciene Academy. Rapidly rising to Chief Scientis, he heads an off-planet research team on a satellite ready to disintegrate. T'Pring, whom he seems to regard as a bobbling, emotional idiot, comes also, to endure his pon farr, but not share it, and to die sending out a desperate SOS shortly afterwards. The Enterprise, with Captain James Kirk, comes to the rescue. The appeal of the story comes in the unfolding of Spock as he reacts to Kirk. The characterizations are good and there are McCoy/Spock exchanges in fine tradition. It makes up for slightly sexist statements where 'men' means men, not personnel, and for the places where the science is weak. The quiet growth of Spock and the developing friendship between Kirk and Spock are the strengths of this zine. Eventually replacing the ship's incompetent-and-then-dead science officer, Spock wins the respect of the crew and for the first time, experiences positive social interaction. Spock, a civilian, must leave when the Enterprise docks on Vulcan for repairs. In a slightly improbable but satisfying conclusion, Spock quietly arranges to join Starfleet, and returns as science officer before the Enterprise leaves. The zine is worth borrowing. Those into the Kirk and Spock friendship may want to brave overseas postage and get their own copy. [1]