Your Move

Fanfiction
Title:	Your Move
Author(s):	Dreadnought
Date(s):	2003
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Your Move is a K/S story by Dreadnought.

"The Rescue" by Dreadnought for Your Move -- "At first, I thought Spock's legs looked odd in this picture, but when I inspected the image closer, I saw that it was an illusion. It's perfect, and the drawing is quite well made. I find the technique somewhat unusual, the way shadows and emphases are drawn by crosshatching the lines. As a person who likes to draw myself, I found myself looking at this image with more of a technical eye than with a Spock and Kirk lover's view, but making myself look at it that way it's beautiful and fits the scene of Dread Noughts story very well, too. I found myself liking this image more; the more I looked at it." Another fan writes: "Well, I hardly think it’s fair that Dreadnought is such a good writer, and she can draw well, too! This picture is the perfect accompaniment to Dreadnought’s wonderful story. Kirk’s despair and anguish seem obvious from the way he is holding Spock, and the expression on his face."

It was published in the print zine Beyond Dreams #6.

Summary

"Spock disappears while he and Kirk are on a routine check of a Federation colony, and Kirk is sure some of the inhabitants know more than theyʼre saying."

Reactions and Reviews

There were so many excellent examples of the subtle loving touches between Kirk and Spock in this story! The kind of neat little hints of a strengthening love that are reminiscent of the series were ever present. Of course, this is K/S so there was much more.

An example of Kirk's awakening to his own feelings is his keen sense of disappointment when Spock fails to make a rendezvous for a luncheon on a planetside assignment. That emotion quickly turns to fear when he realizes Spock would never do this to him. Thus begins the part of the story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The conditions under which Spock is being held are told very convincingly, and when Kirk rescues him, not only are the words poignant and clearly representative of their devotion, Dreadnought has done an illustration to accompany them. Kirk clutching an unresponsive Spock in his lap is an unforgettable scene that may not be unique but is always captivating.

The remainder of the story acceptably wraps up the events that led to Spock's disappearance, but more to my liking is the way they come to the realization that their relationship has a long way to go. Both are willing to take it to the next step, and we get to go along for the most pleasant ride.

This was an enjoyable first time story with Kirk and Spock on a visit to the planet Brendi. Kirk is just beginning to realise how important Spock is to him, and is about to let him know how strong his feelings are when the Vulcan goes missing.

While Kirk searches desperately for answers he comes to realise how much he cares about Spock, fearing he has been killed, especially once the truth of what has really happened is revealed and Kirk finds himself in the middle of a covert Starfleet operation to catch some dangerous criminals, with Spock unknowingly being used as bait.

I particularly enjoyed this author’s portrayal of how Kirk and Spock deal with having to attend a seemingly never ending series of diplomatic functions without really knowing why they are there in the first place. Kirk’s desire to spend some time alone with Spock seems to be continually thwarted, and his frustration with this situation is well described, as is his patience and understanding in dealing with a chance encounter with two curious children, clearly indicating his diplomatic skills as well.

Kirk’s understandable anger when he realises Spock has been duped into taking part in a potentially dangerous mission without knowing about it and Starfleet’s decision to keep this information from Kirk, is well described, as is his concern when Spock is finally found. Once he has recovered, Kirk’s choice of a mountaintop cabin to let Spock know just how much he really does care about him, leads to some wonderful sensuous love scenes in a beautifully described setting high in the mountains.

I also enjoyed this particular author’s portrayal of Kirk and how even in the middle of a crisis with Spock missing he still manages to find time to make good on his promise to show Sal’i round the ship, something most other Starfleet Captains would probably avoid, a good demonstration of his integrity and commitment, as are his unstinting efforts to find Sal’i after she disappears and the effect this has on solving the mystery of who arranged Spock’s kidnapping in the first place.

Oh, I love this. I love the slow build to Kirk's and Spock's relationship, and I love the chess game metaphor. Also, I was very intrigued by the background story. This is hurt/comfort of the best kind, in my not so humble opinion. Basically, I just like the way Dread Nought writes, the language itself. I have yet to come across a story by her that I haven't liked at least on some level. I like the way this is woven together so skilfully with the unease of the inhabitants of the planet in the beginning—that really has you wondering from the get- go: what's going to happen? I also really enjoyed the way the children are incorporated, how they are introduced in the beginning of the story and then used in the conclusion, and I love the sex scene in the end as well. Beautiful. Wonderful story.

Gosh, I really loved this story. It has it all: an exciting action adventure plot, great characterizations of Kirk and Spock, wonderful hurt/comfort, an erotic love scene, and beautiful writing that just flows.

The shifting POV’s were handled very well; agent 87 was a great character; I loved Kirk’s dogged determination to find Spock; I liked how the children were integrated into the storyline; and did I mention the wonderful love scene? I could go on, but you get the idea!

Dreadnought is one of my favorite online authors, and I’m glad to read her work in a zine.

I really like the way this author writes. She has a wonderful command of characterization, plot and dialog with the added bonus of a fine sense of humor. Although I have not read a great deal of her work, what I have read amply demonstrates these skills and makes me anxious to see more. This offering is intriguing in many ways. Since this zine has been out for a year, I'm going to be rather free with details in this LOC.

Kirk is just beginning to accept the fact that his attraction to Spock may be more than comradely affection when the Enterprise is sent on what appears to be a rather routine mission to check on the Federation colony on Brendi. Routine but puzzling in that there appears to be no pressing need for the mission at all. Then Spock gets kidnapped. When Kirk sets out after him he runs into Special Services and discovers that the Vulcan was set up. It seems that top scientists have been disappearing from various parts of the galaxy, and Starfleet aims to find out who is responsible using Spock as the bait Kirk almost goes along with the plan but refuses at the last moment Meanwhile Spock has been held in an unheated part of a cargo ship and very nearly freezes to death. Any delay on Kirk's part would have assured Spock's death.

This whole sequence was written really well; very tight action-packed scenes and fine pacing had me on the edge of my seat I did find the idea that Starfleet would use Spock in this way without either his or Kirk's knowledge disturbing, and I was particularly upset by the idea that Agent 87c might have known that Spock was dying and yet had no plans to intercede to save his life. Also I have always liked Commodore Mendez (he of the red hot chili peppers), and to find him involved up to his neck in the plot repelled me. (Hey, Starfleet officers are supposed to be the good guys. I'm not crazy about finding out they can be as sneaky and unethical as the worst of the Federation's enemies.)

Kirk rescues Spock at the last minute, and the near loss propels Kirk into pushing their relationship to a physical level, although a shore leave in a pod s e t amid swirling snow on a mountaintop is maybe not quite what I would select for a romantic interlude with a desert-bred Vulcan who has almost frozen to death. It was an interesting choice though, described so vividly I could see the scene clearly, and certainly different from the tropical locales usually picked for such scenes. I could "feel" the cold, and the pristine beauty of that place was lovely. I like that about this author. Her plot choices are unique, and she has enough skill to make them plausible.

She also includes little touches that are perfect gems of characterization. For example when Kirk and the Enterprise are in hot pursuit of the ship Kirk has determined has taken Spock, a yeoman brings Kirk a cup of coffee:

'It arrived at his hand steaming hot. He carefully blew across the top before taking a sip. 'This isn't from the processor,' he observed.

Marshall stood at attention. "I got it from bio's private stash, sir. They parted with it under the circumstances.' 'Hmmm. Well, thank them for me, Yeoman.'

'Yes, sir.'"

Lovely, isn't that? How much clearer can it be that Spock has his subordinates' affection and respect? Love also means giving up your coffee when necessary.

It seems to me that this story is perfect for a sequel. I'd like to know what happens if Starfleet decides to repeat the set-up, this time letting Kirk and Spock into the plot ahead of time. Who are these mysterious kidnappers? What do they want with these scientists? Perhaps the author is working on the sequel even now. I hope so. I very definitely want to read ft.

Reviews of the Art

Well, I hardly think it’s fair that Dreadnought is such a good writer, and she can draw well, too! This picture is the perfect accompaniment to Dreadnought’s wonderful story. Kirk’s despair and anguish seem obvious from the way he is holding Spock, and the expression on his face.

At first, I thought Spock's legs looked odd in this picture, but when I inspected the image closer, I saw that it was an illusion. It's perfect, and the drawing is quite well made. I find the technique somewhat unusual, the way shadows and emphases are drawn by crosshatching the lines. As a person who likes to draw myself, I found myself looking at this image with more of a technical eye than with a Spock and Kirk lover's view, but making myself look at it that way it's beautiful and fits the scene of Dread Noughts story very well, too. I found myself liking this image more; the more I looked at it.