The Awakening (Star Trek: TOS story by Terri Anders)

For similar titles, see The Awakening.

Fanfiction
Title:	The Awakening
Author(s):	Terri Anders
Date(s):	1987
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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The Awakening is a K/S story by Terri Anders.

It was published in the print zine Way of the Warrior #1.

Summary

While studying a long-dead city, the survey team unknowingly release an evil entity and all are unaware that it has possessed Spock

Reactions and Reviews

1987

‘The Awakening’ was easily the best story in the zine, and fortunately the longest. This is a post-ST:TMP situation where an evil, lustful entity takes possession of Spock and forces the Vulcan to rape Kirk. The reader should be warned that the rape and the subsequent medical treatment are very graphic, but from that point on the story is a tender, touching tale of friendship between the Big Three. I liked the story’s intensity, and found it dramatic, believable, and excellently plotted.

1989

"The Awakening" by Terri Anders catches me again wherever I open to it. The problems (disaster!) of Spock's possession by a lustful sadistic spirit seems insoluable, till it' s solved by the most unlikely person, using the most unlikely means for that person to use. Very well imagined, very convincing medical details. I even almost believed that Kirk could forgive Spock so quickly for his actions while possessed.

1990

Even though the idea of alien possession has already been done and the graphic, sexual brutality of the incident was shocking, the circumstances allowed for the expression of such intense reaction and dialogue that I found myself easily accepting the author's beginning story premise. Many core emotional issues were touched upon, while dealing with a violent rape explored by the use of male characters. I didn't expect to see betrayal and forgiveness, and was very pleased to see it in the plot. I also enjoyed the sense of character vulnerability, self sacrifice, risk, gentleness, and love after the savage incident. The plot was resolved very well, too. Considering all the trauma that went on before, a positive story ending was an added treat.

2000

I read with interest your tale of how your taste in K/S has broadened over the years from a strict First Time preference to include other variations of K/S, but that you still don’t care for rape and death stories. I also don’t care for death stories, and I’m really careful around rape stories, but an occasional one works for me. I recently re-read The Awakening by Terri Anders in Way of the Warrior 1. In that excellently conceived and written story, Spock is possessed by the spirit of the rape god, Nivroch, and he brutally rapes Kirk while under the control of the spirit. When I first read that story many years ago, I couldn’t even finish it, but when I finally forced myself to do so, I recognized that this was certainly not a gratuitous scene, but integral to the story, and used to make a very poignant and beautiful point. There are some incredibly moving lines and scenes in this story. So, I guess I should acknowledge that there are exceptions to every rule.

2009

This is a very well written K/S horror story, set after the events in The Motion Picture. Following his encounter with V’ger Spock has now realised how he feels about Kirk and that he wants a full relationship with him, but has not yet had the courage to tell him so in words although he has been trying to convey his feelings with in non verbal ways instead, hoping Kirk will pick up and act on them himself. The characterisation of both Kirk and Spock here is very good. Kirk is in much the same position when the story starts with the two of them accompanying some archeologists on a visit to some ancient ruins. When they open up a sealed room with horrifying pictures of torture and sacrifice all over the walls, they little realise what a can of worms they have opened. Spock’s sudden collapse when the room was first opened has Kirk worried, although McCoy later assures him that the Vulcan is fine, he still feels a sense of concern, especially so soon after nearly losing Spock during the encounter with V’ger and although McCoy think he is worried for no explainable reason, his fears are nevertheless real to him and are very well described.

The author describes very well the fear both Kirk and McCoy share that Spock may be regressing back to his previous emotional state when he rejoined the ship prior to his encounter with V’ger and the effect this will have on Kirk who has now finally been able to admit to himself at least that he is in love with Spock, and has been for a very long time. The depiction of McCoy here is very good as well; he is as understanding and supportive as we would expect him to be.

This author also describes very well the gradually increasing sense of horror and fear as the story progresses. Spock’s reactions, when he understands what has happened to him and the consequences to himself and especially to Kirk, are vividly depicted as are Kirk’s reactions as the story unfolds. Dr McCoy is also well described and despite his initial horror at what has taken place and the likely consequences, he manages to overcome his feelings to help them solve the problem.

It was also nice to read a story where the doctor (and several other crew members) have an instrumental role in finally solving the problem, rather than just appearing as extras or a sounding board to advise Kirk and/or Spock on what to do to. Kirk’s despair at the situation he finds himself in is very well described, and although this is not always an easy story to read, being quite dark in theme and occasionally violent, it is worthwhile persisting and getting all the way to the end!