Starbase Eighteen
| K/S Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Starbase Eighteen |
| Author(s): | Katherine Cooke |
| Date(s): | 2003 |
| Length: | |
| Genre: | slash |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: The Original Series |
| External Links: | |
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Starbase Eighteen is a K/S story by Katherine Cooke.
It was published in the print zine Beyond Dreams #6.
The Becoming Real Series
Summary
"Now lovers, Kirk and Spock are faced with a threat from both their pasts when a string of murders occur while the ship is in lay-over on Starbase 18."
Author's Summary
On Starbase Eighteen, a mysterious killer stalks the base, and there are political tensions, reflecting upheavals throughout the Federation and beyond. Kirk is exonerated from breaking the Prime Directive, but the killer takes control of die starbase. To the horror of Kirk and Spock, they discover Kirk is bonded to the killer—a Vulcan he met twelve years ago who seduced him, took his mind, then wiped the memory, leaving a dormant bond This Vulcan’s name is Sybok. They save the base but their enemy escapes. Spock and Kirk reaffirm their love, despite the terrifying discovery of the bond. But Kirk can no longer command the Enterprise until the possibility of breaking the bond has been assessed by telepaths on Vulcan. [3]
Reactions and Reviews
This stand alone sequel to Deflectors Down is one of my favorite stories in this zine. Katherine is so talented, and skillfully writes such enjoyable K/S stories with intricate, detailed plots and wonderful characterizations of Kirk and Spock. I do love a good plot with my K/S, and Katherine always delivers. Starbase Eighteen was an exciting, fast paced story that I just loved. What a surprise to find out Kirk had been bonded without his knowledge, and it was even more of a surprise to find out who he was bonded to.This story also had achingly beautiful scenes of love, passion, and commitment between Kirk and Spock. Kirk and Spock’s despair at their situation was so well written it was painful for me to read. I loved how Katherine showed Kirk’s courage, resolve, determination, and strength of will in dealing with the impossible situation he found himself in.
I cannot wait for the continuation of this story, and hope it is published very soon! [4]
This was an enjoyable and slightly different established relationship story. Kirk and Spock visit Starbase 18 to appear before an enquiry into Kirk’s handling of a mission involving a possible violation of the Prime Directive, and while they are there Kirk discovers that an encounter with a stranger eleven years ago has left an unpleasant legacy which could have serious consequences for his relationship with Spock. The story is set against the busy background of a starbase and the admittance of a new race to the Federation. The inclusion of two young children who stumble into something which appears trivial but turns into something very serious when the Starbase comes under attack by an unknown enemy, is a nice touch. How this impacts on the seemingly unrelated problems Kirk and Spock are having makes an interesting and well written tale which has more than its fair share of tension and emotional intensity. Kirk’s reactions when he realises that his impulsive actions many years ago could have placed the whole starbase in jeopardy, not to mention his future with both Spock and Starfleet is well described, and we feel both his and Spock’s utter dismay when they realise the implications of this.Kirk’s behaviour is typical as well, when he goes off by himself to tackle to the problem alone in order to protect Spock and the rest of the Starbase from the consequences of his actions. I also liked the fact that, in this particular story, Admiral Nogura is a little more sympathetic towards Kirk and Spock than he has been described in other tales, as shown by his decision at the end of the story when he allows Spock to accompany Kirk to Vulcan for treatment.
All in all, this particular zine has some absolutely wonderful stories in it, and is highly recommended. [5]
We're on Starbase 18. Cpt. Kirk and First Officer Spock have come here to face a Board of Enquiry looking into the questions of whether the two officers have violated the Prime Directive and breached StarFleet security on a recent mission. The Enterprise has dropped them off, along with the Norr'ebran dignitaries who had also been involved in the harrowing incident. Then the ship, under the command of Mr. Scott, continued on.If you've read other reviews of Deflectors Down or the story itself, you know the reasons behind their present plight. Now I, with my fingers mentally crossed, proceeded to delve into this next installment of Ms. Cooke's magical story. Immediately, I was reassured, rewarded, and thrilled by another infinitely tender love scene between Jim and Spock. I was in seventh heaven. It was so right to begin this way, it hooked me instantly, it was so sensitive and sweet. And it furthered the plot cleverly by letting us listen in to Spock's thoughts as he holds his sleeping lover. This way we realize that the lovers have not yet bonded, nor have they shared a really penetrating meld. We learn another fact, through the honest conversation between the two men, when Spock asks a perfectly natural question of Kirk, "Am I the first?" Kirk gives him an answer that made me wince. It is an answer that turns out to be supremely vital to the ensuing story. For we find that 11 years before, a very young Kirk, out celebrating his promotion to Lieutenant, has spent one debauched night with a total stranger, a male. Kirk's memory of that time is not only hazy, it is completely gone, and he is slightly embarrassed to admit it. (Shades of the date rape drug! I thought.). Still, I was not concerned because I wasn't in possession of all the facts and didn't know what was to come. All I was looking for were the love scenes! I got them—in spades! I was totally enchanted by the closeness of Jim and his Vulcan, their special, perfect-on-all-counts, except the bond, relationship. The dining out scene was simply exciting, stimulating, seeing them together like that, appreciating each other sexily across the table. Even the food and drink they were having is described. Erotic! I loved the descriptions of the effects of the melon on Kirk, how he could sense the "lightning streak of pleasure" down his spine as Spock's essence awakes in Kirk's mind. Furious lovemaking is in order! And it happens! I was enchanted by the dreamy atmosphere in their apartment afterward. They made love in the eerie light of Rigel's gas giants, shining like jewels through the window and painting their bodies and everything else with a soft, other-worldly glow. Fantastic! It seemed quite spiritual to me because of the way the author wove their physical loving with their intimate mind-sharing. Intense! All I could ask for.
[much snipped from this very lengthy LoC]
It's mysterious, it's dramatic, poetic and (I'm going to say it) operatic! Ms. Cooke has stepped up to the challenge of a sequel with the professionalism of a gifted, disciplined writer and the soul of a true K/S lover. This story has to be read to be believed, so get BEYOND DREAMS 6 and share the wonder. The lady promised and the lady delivered! [6]
At first, I was reluctant to read this, since it's the continuation of a story in a FT zine that I don't have, but then I figured that it was the only story left in the zine and I wanted to read that, too.... So, I thought, what the heck? I trust Jenna and Dusky and if they've thrown this story in the zine despite the fact that it's a sequel, I'm sure it's well worth reading on its own. And yes—it was! I loved this story, although it did feel kind of safe from the start, and it didn't turn out that way at all. The idea of someone being bonded without their knowledge was interesting. Definitely a story worth reading, and I will be looking forward to Katherine's continuation of this! I did have some trouble jumping through all the POVs and I'm not surprised if I go re-read this one now that I know who the villain is! [7]
McCoy takes an extended leave to be with his daughter and the Enterprise is sent on a milk run while the command team remains on the base. Kirk is exonerated on the Prime Directive violation by a panel headed by our old friend Admiral Komack who comes across rather better than he is usually portrayed in fan fiction only to fall into a situation far worse. A serial killer is ravaging the base, a Vulcan named Sybok that Kirk had a one-night stand with twelve years before. Using his extraordinary mental powers, Sybok caused Kirk to be attracted to him all those years ago, bonded them that same night, then carefully hid the bond in Kirk‘s mind. The bond has lain dormant until now, only to be activated as Sybok sets his plans of domination of Vulcan in motion. And he definitely has plans of revenge on Spock. In a nice switch, Katherine presents the killer‘s thoughts in a first person narrative that increasing reveals the killer‘s growing lapse into insanity bit by bit. A deft increase in tension as we see it happen before our eyes. Spock discovers the existing bond in a meld with Kirk, and all the happiness the two men have so recently found in their new relationship turns to dust in their hands. Not only is Kirk devastated by not being able to bond with the man he loves, he can no longer be permitted to command the Enterprise. Although Sybok escapes, Kirk saves the base, and both men are sent to Vulcan to see if the healers there can break the existing bond. [8]