The Last Hunt

Fanfiction
Title:	The Last Hunt
Author(s):	Alice Hooker
Date(s):	1993
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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The Last Hunt is a Kirk/Spock story by Alice Hooker.

It was published in the print zine First Time #35.

Summary

"Kirk is upset when he learns that the diplomat the Enterprise is to transport is the same man Kirk was assigned to as a cadet and who drugged him to be used sexually by another male "

Reactions and Reviews

1993

An ambassador comes onto the Ent0rprts: stirring up memories for Kirk who had an encounter with him in the past when Kirk was a cadet at the Academy. Reed, the ambassador, is a realty good villain: the kind with power, just the right amount of sexiness, evil in his greed, egotistical and charming. Very well done. The story concerns itself with Reed's impact on Kirk and Spock with jealousy, anger, revenge and a touch of murder mystery.

All this I enjoyed, but there were some problems. One was some character inconsistencies. I know each author gets to interpret a rather wide range of character traits for Spock, but here I felt some aspects were way out of character, even allowing for creative interpretation. An example is at one point in the beginning of the story, when Kirk and Spock's relationship has only been defined by thoughts of hope and desire by both with no realization as of yet, Spock grabs and embraces Kirk suddenly with not much surprise or response on Kirk's part. Spock even went as far as to give Kirk a massage!

Another time, Spock inexplicably stops himself from referring to Kirk as "captain" and says instead "Jim". More on Spock's unlikely language later.

Kirk can't bring himself to tell Spock what happened with Reed in the past, but asks Spock to mind meld with him to find out. this is a good devise to tell the story, but as a reality for these characters it was highly illogical, to coin a phrase.

During the memory, there were some really good Unas, such as when Kirk, dressed in a robe, looks at himself in the mirror: "...he felt that he looked like an exotic far eastern potentate of old, or a member of his harem." Also, an excellent description of how Kirk feels when Reed kisses him: "Kirk felt weak kneed and held onto the strong body, cursing his awkwardness, feeling like a hayseed in the arms of a prince."

I had a little difficulty with the constant changing of POVs, sometimes in the same paragraph, especially since this is Kirk's memory and Spock is watching it.

Nice word: "hirsute" as Reed describes the race of people on the planet. Also: "filigreed memories" as Spock listens. I'm confused as to how McCoy was with Kirk during this time as a cadet at the Academy, as this was never explained. But I liked the description of present day McCoy as a "silent watcher: as he watches Kirk and Spock. it just was a little too fast and easy for Kirk and Spock to find love with each other, the memory was supposed to be the catalyst, but it wasn't enough. It was a bad experience and certainty had an effect on Kirk, but it didn't translate into bringing them together, then there is a slightly jarring moment when Spock gets jealous of McCoy when Kirk talks about him. Kirk actually has to explain: "...Can you honestly see me and Bones getting it on together?" Where did this come from?

There's too much banter and teasing that doesn't sound like either of them. Example: Spock: "...if we stay here a moment longer, then I will be unable to resist the urge to molest you on the spot!" Spock slaps Kirk on the rear?? Kirk: "giggling fit"?? If this memory was so powerful, would they be acting this way afterwards? And Kirk and Spock "come in their pants"??

But then there are some nice moments such as when Spock thinks: "Kirk loved him, he was loved, and if he was dreaming, Spock of Vulcan never wanted to wake up." Also, two rape scenes done tastefully and effectively - sexy with just the right amount of ugliness. Good dichotomy of the drug's effect and Kirk trying to fight it.

I suppose it's ad right for Kirk to refer to the bathroom as "the John", but not the narrator. Spock's thoughts that he had been "duped"? Or that McCoy "would have his hide"?

A lovely ending and an excellent denouement for Reed.