The First Level of Hell

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	The First Level of Hell
Author(s):	Carlin Rae Thorne
Date(s):	1987
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

The First Level of Hell is a Kirk/Spock story by Carlin Rae Thorne.

It was published in the print zine Naked Times #13 and also in Speed of Light... & other K/S stories.

The covers of Naked Times #13 are from this story.

front cover of issue #13, by Chris Soto: "The front cover is conceptually very interesting. Kirk and Spock are surrounded by a cosmic swirl in the shape of a figure eight—which is also the sign for eternity. Kirk looks like Alexander grabbing his destiny in the form of a star, but he also could be the Vulcan deity, Ta'ashala, who stole fire from the kingdom of the stars in a legend recounted in "The First Level of Hell", the final story in NT13. Spock stands behind Kirk on the front cover, a loyal Hephaistion."

back cover of issue #13, by Chris Soto: "Yet on the back cover, he is far more glorious, with his long hair streaming. Stars and planets also stream from his open hand whose fingers are splayed in the Vulcan sign of greeting. He is obviously the deity Krebeshra, who reigned over the kingdom of the stars in the same legend I cited from "The First Level of Hell". "

Summary

"On a drunken binge after Miramaneeʼs death, Kirk makes a deal with an artist to transport the man to an uninhabited world in exchange for a picture that will give him “happiness."

Excerpt

"The collective energy of billions of minds, amassed over centuries of existence, can essentially create what is known in metaphysical communities as an astral entity." Kirk glanced up. "What do you mean?" "For centuries, Captain, a sizeable percentage of your Earth's population has subscribed to the belief in good and evil -- and in the physical embodiment of those concepts," Spock recited coolly. "It is a fact that energy can accumulate and eventually manifest into physical reality."

Reactions and Reviews

THE FIRST LEVEL OF HELL (by Carlin Rae Thorne) is certainly an interesting tale of "Kirk meets the devil". But instead of horns and a tale, the devil is a well-known artist skulking around a bar in Chinatown, San Francisco. This mysterious stranger offers to do a painting for Kirk which will make all his wishes come true. Subsequently, the story leads into a first-time encounter between Kirk and Spock — an encounter which is both harsh and tender. Personally, I preferred the more realistic "love/- hate" love-making experience which K & S share, though it's my understanding that many K/S fans might be made uncomfortable by it. This author captured an interesting aspect of gay lifestyles which kept me turning the pages until the story ended (happily, I might add) with a bizarre twist.

Richly atmospheric, this story tells the tale of Kirk and Spock's encounter with a strange, colorful and ultimately dangerous character, aptly named Mephisto.

Kirk meets this charismatic man in a dark, lonely bar in San Francisco's Chinatown. He is an artist, renown for his portraits. Mephisto asks Kirk for trade- in return for passage to a solitary world where he can hide, he will paint a portrait of Kirk that will "bring him great happiness". Following the death of Miramanee, Kirk agrees to the deal.

When Kirk reveals to Spock the nature of the bargain, Spock recounts the Vulcan legend of good and evil, an involving tale of Vulcan mythology.

Included in this was something rather startling to me. I have long subscribed to the theory that psychic energy can manifest into physical form, an idea that leads me to believe that on some level, be it alternate universe, spiritual or energy. Kirk and Spock actually exist as "living" entities created by the psychic energy of millions over a long period of time, perhaps in the same way, on a smaller scale, that one holds the memory of someone deceased so that they still exist. As Spock says: "Simply that the collective energy of billions of minds, amassed over centuries of existence, can essentially create what is known in metaphysical communities as an astral entity."

These ideas and thoughts are woven so beautifully into this story along with the discussions of loneliness and ability to love- which opens the door for K and S to be together. It's so rich in detail- Kirk's fear that all who get close to him die; Spock's fear of revealing the truth and his knowledge that "He would either live with Kirk or he would not live." Notice the author didn't say "die", instead used the term "not live" which could mean an eternal life of emptiness as well as death.

Stay tuned for the scene where Kirk denies that he's in love with Spock, who steps forward, places his hand on Kirk's face for a meld and "Then, as Kirk's eyes widened in fear, he said two words: 'Prove it.'."

And what a perfect way to describe the meld: "...allowed their minds to seek sanctuary..."

Something interesting in relation to discussion about POV- here it switches back and forth between K and S. It is done so skillfully, that never once is the reader confused or overwhelmed- we get to explore inside both minds making the changing POV exciting reading.

There could not have been a more powerful sex scene, especially when Spock penetrates Kirk. Justified by the hurt of anger that Kirk constantly risks his life and therefore threatens them both, Spock takes Kirk in forceful domination and Kirk accepts it. "For the first time in his life, he was one with another being. Not only at oneness with Spock, he was equal to the Vulcan..." I love this concept that neither is weakened by submission, in fact Kirk takes pride in the release of authority and the joy it brings to his lover.

A little touch: the coconut sun lotion that they use is described as "the scent of paradise".

All this culminates to a delicate, thoughtful ending that brings up some interesting questions of human philosophy.