Venus Descending

Fanfiction
Title:	Venus Descending
Author(s):	Jenny Starr
Date(s):	1987
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Venus Descending by Jenny Starr is a K/S story.

It was published in the print zine First Time #11.

Summary

From the publisher: "In order to help Areel Shaw find her younger brother, Kirk takes a drug that makes him younger and sexually submissive."

Excerpt

"I spread my hands in ignorance. "I thought Venus wasn't addictive. I mean, I know you have to keep taking it to get the results, but I've never heard of anybody becoming physically dependent on it." I looked at Spock for enlightenment, but his face shared my confusion. Areel was shaking her head. "You're talking about the old drug, Jim." "You mean there's a new one?" "Yes. Venus IV."

Reactions and Reviews

1989

This is one of my favorite stories by one of my favorite authors. It is erotic, unusual, and insightful while remaining completely consistent with the characters. I was a little uncomfortable with the description of sado-masochism, but 1 just skip those parts and it doesn't hurt the story. It also makes it easier to accept the boy's decision to stay. Despite those distractions, this is a well written, well thought out story.

1990

What can I say about a story where Kirk becomes a submissive sex slave? I would have never thought it would be believable but Ms. Starr manages to create a marvelous story, full of rich images. Kirk's slow but steady descent into a mindless slave, begging to be degraded was masterfully written and keeps me reading and re-reading this story. Spock's actions at the end are true to the character. Kirk is begging to be taken, but even though the Vulcan has longed to hear those words he will not take advantage of the situation. He will 'love' Kirk. The images of the gay bar scene were also powerfully portrayed — some of the mind pictures are extremely vivid. Ms. Starr proves again and again that she is one of the best authors around, K/S or otherwise.

Kirk is given a drug which changes his whole behavior pattern; he longs for submissive sexual encounters with men (it apparently doesn't work with heterosexual encounters.) This is for a mission of "rescuing" a man from the "S/M culture." This story has several problems. In the first place, most men in the S/M subculture aren't interest in 12 year olds; the story feeds a common, but false stereotype. In general I have problems with stories which present the "gay culture" as entirely made up of leather and S/M men (where are the gay women? Don't they exist?) It seems that the "gay culture" is being presented as something sensationalistic, as something too "weird" for "ordinary" men like Kirk and Spock. A more serious problem is that I find it unbelievable that a drug would so radically change Kirk's whole personality and demeanor. Of course, it's supposed to be the device to get Kirk and Spock together. Can't they get together by some easier method? Such as, perhaps, falling in love?

1996

This good story was made even better by alternating first person POVs—Spock, then Kirk, then Spock. etc. Flawlessly written; good pacing; unusual, inventive, realistic-feeling.

Kirk will take the Venus IV drug to act as bait, to help Areel Shaw find her gay brother, hooked on the drug and abducted to the gay ghetto on Alpha Centauri II. This new version of the drug makes men and women alike very sexually wanting in a submissive way, besides making them look gorgeously ten years younger or whatever. Homosexuality is illegal on ACII. A good picture of the gay subculture. Boys Town is the S/M scene; Kirk and Spock go there, and Kirk takes the drug.

The interaction and conversations between them feel so authentic. It's dangerous taking this drug, but Kirk thinks he can control, because of his command training. Someone must be his master, which is of course Spock.

Good detail, as we follow them from here to there on the planet. The hotel, getting the drug, getting the right clothes for this undercover work. Spock in Vulcan robe, and Kirk of course dressed to kill, in skin-tights pants and silk shirt.

No overt feelings are yet expressed between them (though we learn in Spock's POV how strongly he feels). It's so touching how Kirk is so open with Spock, trusts him implicitly to keep them safe while Kirk gets in a potentially very vulnerable state. At first he is just "giddy." but not anything like submissive or homy yet. In a little while, though, he feels so high, just loves being with Spock strolling through this Boys Town.

However the author did it, she had me feeling giddy and high, too. And Spock plays the role perfectly, of the possessive master. I love when Kirk has to delicately explain a few S/M facts of life to Spock. By now, Kirk is finding Spock irresistible.

There was a trip to the sex shop and all sorts of wonderful accouterments: a leather collar, wrist and ankle cuffs; and the bed is equipped with chains. I hoped they would use these; Kirk hopes so, too. Like a safe place to play with this tantalizing bondage idea. One thing I thought was a bit over-the-top was the sexual intercourse going on right in the main rooms of these bars. Oh well; I guess so.

Everything is resolved with Areel's brother, mission accomplished, but Kirk is still insanely high and wants Spock so badly. The writing wonderfully reflects his crazed state.

And in Spock's POV, oh god, how to resist. When he realizes Kirk wants himt not just anyone, he can resist no longer Something beautifully unusual, definitely intense, in this first person Spock. Echoes of his control-chant, etc., as he loves Kirk, fucks him, in pure and simple language. Oh, oh. And in the morning, true love....

Beautiful story; but I'm disappointed they didn't use any of the bondage accouterments. Except the whole passage surrounding that was about the equality and freedom in their love, so that wouldn't have been the point. Damn.

2000

I recently re-read a very interesting story by Jenny Starr called Venus Descending in First Time 11. In it Kirk and Spock agree to help Areel Shaw find her younger brother Paulie, who is gay, on a planet where homosexuality is greatly frowned upon. Therefore, a “gay ghetto” has developed, and in this particular part of the gay ghetto the subculture of Bondage and Domination, or B&D (not Bodie and Doyle!), flourishes. Add to this the latest variation of the Venus drug which renders a man very young looking and sexually submissive, and you’ve got one heck of a story idea when Kirk takes the drug. Spock acts as his “master” as they go through the night looking for Paulie. Just imagine! Anyway, I was much struck by this story because it does deal with the whole idea of a place where gay men congregate and act in a stereotypical manner. Stereotypical, that is, to the end of the twentieth century! It places Kirk and Spock within those stereotypes and yet above them. For our heroes certainly don’t generally act in ways that would allow an unenlightened 20th century person to identify them for the purposes of ridicule or harassment. And yet I sometimes get impatient when it is insisted that Kirk and Spock aren’t gay, they are only attracted to this one particular man, as if being gay were something to be avoided in our literature. In particular, this is an argument and a story line that I’ve heard/read many times regarding Kirk. Not that I have a problem with the sentiment and emotion behind it, that part is wonderful.

Very cool story line about Kirk taking the Venus drug (the one from "Mudd's Women") and Spock becomes the recipient of its effects.

The set-up is excellent: Kirk and Spock are on shore leave at a hotel on some planet and they encounter Areel Shaw from Kirk's past, as we know. Lots of nice detail about Areel such as Kirk noticing: "She was wearing one of those thigh-length, nearly transparent numbers that are all the rage now. It was ice-mauve (her color), and she looked like a million bucks." I thought it was great that Kirk identified the color of her dress so specifically!

He kisses her and you dont have to see to knowthat Spock bristles! Kirk insists on having Areel and Spock go with him to the bar. "Maybe they can come up with a plomeek cocktail or something."

Oh my! While Kirk, Areel and Spock are all sitting in a booth, Kirk reminisces to himself about his past encounters with Areel: "...scenes of a drive in the country, sitting behind the controls, that cool blond head in my lap, working; two bodies writhing on the floor of a hotel shower stall, water vibrator in hand..." Wow! I am imagining Spock must be going nuts if he can pick up any of these thoughts!

Then Areel starts crying and telling of the Venus drug: "Overwhelming need to submit sexually to someone...anyone!" Cant you just see it coming? All kinds of great set-up here: A female can't go to Boy's Town—only male! Kirk says he'll take the drug with someone he trusts and who will pose as his master. Who ever could that be?

Then, sadly, the whole story falls apart — or is just thrown away. All the excellent potential story lines about Areel and Kirk, the enslaved brother, Spock being the master, going to the dangerous Boy's Town (which turned out to not be very dangerous at all), even Kirk taking the drug, was wasted.It even turned out that Areel's brother didn't need saving and was perfectly happy....

But some very nice things when Kirk and Spock do make love, even though the entire scenario of Kirk as sexual slave and Spock as master was hardly shown at all. It was especially disappointing because the story idea was so terrific and really could have been wonderful.