The Hidden Truth

Star Trek TOS Fanfiction
Title:	The Hidden Truth
Author(s):	Beverly Volker & Nancy Kippax
Date(s):	1980
Length:
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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The Hidden Truth is a Star Trek: TOS story by Beverly Volker & Nancy Kippax.

It was published in the print zine Galactic Discourse #3.

Summary

Spock's attempt to conceal a physical condition and a tragedy in the life of McCoy combine to tear apart the friendship of Kirk, Spock and McCoy. An unsentimental story, McCoy learns that his ex-wife is dead.

Reactions and Reviews

McCoy’s mixed feelings on hearing of the birth of his first grandchild sparks reminiscence of an early falling-out between him him and Kirk and Spock. McCoy had just heard that his ex, Ariane, had died suddenly, and was dealing with conflicting emotions around that and the consequences of caring, when Kirk and Spock went off on a planetary mission together leaving him feeling excluded. Spock was in fact suffering a Vulcan endocrine transformation called Tyanar which is painful and causes loss of all pain control, though should be controllable with rensolin. Not wanting anyone to see him in that condition, he only reluctantly agreed to accept Kirk’s company, with the clear understanding that any revelation to others (including McCoy) would be a violation of trust. However, Spock underestimated the danger and Kirk eventually called in McCoy, demanding that he treat him on the spot to protect his pride. McCoy adamantly refused and took him to Sickbay, with all the privacy-securing provisions he could manage. Throughout the long treatment, Kirk remains furious with McCoy and McCoy withdraws into a shell, performing his function as doctor but without his usual fussing, compassionate bedside manner. Afterwards, McCoy feels unloved, that no one needs Leonard McCoy, just the skilled Doctor. Kirk begins to catch on that something else must be afoot, and attempts to reconcile, but McCoy rebuffs him, stating that it isn’t something he wishes to discuss with him. When McCoy attempts a reconciliation himself, he is dangerously injured in a turbolift crash. While his future hangs in limbo, Kirk and Spock rally to him. They also discover the tape from Joanna, and all are reconciled looking at events from one another’s perspective. Back in the “present” McCoy calls the others to a toast for his new grandchild, but has decided not to go visit, deliberately setting his family on the shelf again, and Kirk accepts his decision. (Though this seems a tad out of character, I like it - the guy really is running away, and he’s going to keep running.) A few unfortunate uses of “special” and all forms of the word “care” get overworked. Also, it is tiresome to always have to have someone at death’s door to effect a reconciliation. Otherwise, well written and a compelling exploration of the fragility of friendship within a plot that keeps the story going.

'The Hidden Truth,' is in my opinion, the best story of this zine. The in-depth McCoy personality was the highlight of this story, McCoy being spotlighted when he comes into conflict with Kirk and Spock. Spock was typical Spock in this story, but the characterization of Kirk was not quite kosher; the sensitive handling of McCoy, however, overshadowed all else, and the parts came together to create one very lovely story.

"The Hidden Truth" by Volker and Kippax is an intriguing character study of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. There are several different crises which bring these men closer to an understanding of each other.

I am delighted that GALACTIC DISCOURSE 3 is back in print for the pleasure of recommending "The Hidden Truth" by Bev Volker and Nancy Kippax. Allow me to preface my remarks by saying that I did not enjoy the early stories by these two (in the mid-1970's). I thought they were poorly characterized and bland. (They felt the same way about my writing.) This is the first story of theirs (printed 1980) that I have enjoyed, and I have run across some competent

stories from them since then, too. 'The Hidden Truth,' however, was special. I would have nominated it for a Fan Q if I hadn't read it a year late. The basic conflicts are McCoy's mixed feelings upon learning of his ex-wife's death, and Spock's medical crisis. (I'm a sucker for "medical distress" stories.) Kirk is involved by trying to sort these things out. There are misunderstandings (I don't usually like stories based on misunderstandings and their results) and hurt feelings, and efforts to straighten everything out.

One of the great strengths of this story is the characterization of McCoy (yes, I know the two authors specialize in Kirk and Spock stories). He acts very much like a research-oriented medical doctor who cares about his patients.... worth the price of this fanzine.