Through Erebus and Beyond

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Through Erebus and Beyond
Author(s):	Shelley Butler
Date(s):	1993
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
External Links:
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Through Erebus and Beyond is a Kirk/Spock story by Shelley Butler. It was the winner of a STIFfie Award.

It was published in the print zine Within the Mirror #7.

Summary

"Marlena has Kirk sold into slavery after she realizes that it's Spock he now desires."

Reactions and Reviews

I didn't see how to talk about this story without talking about the storyline, so if you haven't read it, be warned that spoilers follow. I was intrigued immediately by this title. "Erebus," the footnote told me, is a place out of Greek mythology—a place through which souls pass on their way to Hades. Expecting a sweeping drama of mythic proportions, I was anything but disappointed.

I have a terrific fondness for an inspired opening line, and this one certainly qualified: "Marlena loved being the Captain's Woman." As the scene unfolds, we are treated to a unique and not entirely unsympathetic peek into Marlena's thoughts as she performs the service that's required of her. It's obvious that her mind is not on her job, and that though she may love being the Captain's Woman, she isn't particularly enamored of the Captain himself. No wonder! It seems there have been a lot of rumors flying around, about the Captain and his Vulcan first officer. And—salt on the wound—now he's cried out Spock's name in a delicate moment. Marlena begins to plot. In an unusual (and very erotic) scene, she enlists the help of the one woman on board who can really feel her pain—Christine Chapel. I love the deft touch of dark humor the writer treats us to in these sequences. "'Say Christine,' as if this brilliant idea had just occurred to her, 'why don't you join me? I'm sure you could use a break from your work here. And I could use some company!' "The spider grinned as the fly said, 'That would be great!'" In other sequences, the prose sheds purple petals of melodrama. Spock is approaching pon farr (written as PON FARR in his thoughts!) and looks on Kirk as his "ersatz savior, the pretender to the throne of his katra." For my own tastes, I could have done with a bit of editorial rein here and there, but I must admit even in this I was charmed, mainly because the story is so mythic in scope. Overcome by passionate images of Kirk beneath him, unable to continue his duties on the bridge, Spock flees to the safety of his quarters. Kirk, of course, follows. In a scene that literally made me sweat from tension, Spock tries to warn Kirk away from him. At last, his control cracking, he begs Kirk to leave. I love the way the author makes this a turning point, as Kirk is both terrified, and deeply touched, that his indomitable, unbendable Spock shows him that first glimpse of vulnerability. Then—holy moly. In an incredibly erotic moment, as Spock has just revealed the words pon farr and Kirk is waiting for an explanation, Spock finds it impossible to focus on the conversation. "Spock saw the sweat glisten on the smooth skin of Kirk's well-defined chest. It made tiny rivulets down into hidden recesses. He imagined the hot lines of sweat running down between Kirk's buttocks, pooling briefly in the tight, puckered hole, then dripping to the delicate skin that covered plump testicles." Overwhelmed, he sweeps Kirk into a ravaging kiss—and Kirk, shocked at his powerlessness, flees. Unfortunately, he runs straight into the arms of the plotting Moreau, and with a hypo from Christine, Moreau knocks him unconscious. He is sold, rather predictably, into slavery, zapped with a mind-wiping helmet, and taken off to auction. (I did really like his last thought as James Kirk, a fervent, "I know who I am!" Nice.) That's where predictability ends. Spock, unable to control his fury at having Kirk taken from him, kills Moreau before he can find out where Kirk has gone. Meanwhile, Kirk is sold to an interesting guy named JoNal, who owns the most spectacular night club/resort/theater in the universe. Fun details about the club, which is called "Delight" because, "it was easily translatable into a myriad of languages." I really enjoyed the creative touches, like the unexpected appearance of a Star Trek guest star at the auction, and the unusual characterization of JoNal not as an evil, cruel reprobate, but rather a genteel businessman who takes great pride in his achievements and toasts with a colleague, "Here's to friendship..."

[MUCH snipped from this long review]

...This story pleased me on so many levels, and I was repeatedly struck by unique ideas and insights I've never encountered in fanfic before. It's an extremely imaginative, emotionally honest and passionate tale, with a wonderful sense of classical structure and just consequence. Each character is present for a reason, and each learns something important during the course of the story. Dramatic justice and irony are handled with a wonderfully deft, I suspect intuitive, grace.

This author should let loose with her creative muse as often as possible, because her muse obviously has very good instincts.