18

THESE THINGS WOULD I DO - Emily Adams

Kirk spoke, not even bothering to open his eyes. "When you've been as close to death as we were, do you ever think of things you wish you'd done or places you wish you'd seen or things like that?"

"Yes," the Vulcan answered.

UNTIL TONIGHT - Peter Silverton

I don't really know what I expected, but I think I was surprised to find you were not alien. Not really. How could we all have misjudged you so? Especially me, your closest friend? I've known you almost two years and I don't think I really knew or understood you until tonight.

THE SOUVENIR - Kay Wells

James Kirk sat at his desk, tapping a stylus against his fingers and regarding the immobile form of the ship's doctor standing across from him. He knew there was no point in pleading his case again but he felt helplessly compelled to do so.

"Ah, Bones. I really do have some things up here I want to do." Then, as an afterthought, he added, "Bring me back a souvenir."

"Will do," the doctor replied enthusiastically. "I'll find you something really special."

Kirk eyes him suspiciously.

A THOUSAND TIMES - Mara Lynn Cade

"You expect me to what?!" the young captain shouted, eyes blazing with indignation.

"Captain, please understand, you were never meant to . . . . It was never the intention of the Diplomatic Corps to ask . . . . " For a man whose professional work was with words, Hynsyn found himself suddenly inarticulate. "To ask this . . . of you."

OTHER GAMES BESIDES CHESS - Sharon Pillsbury

"You are trembling, Jim."

"I'll be okay."

"My quarters are quite comfortable," Spock pointed out. "Under the circumstances perhaps we should . . . share my bed for tonight."

"That could become a habit!" Kirk smiled softly. "You go get some sleep. I'll manage to survive."

"As you wish," the Vulcan said formally, then left the room.

ONE SMALL BERRY - Elizabeth Scott

"And you'd let him go off and marry some stranger?!" Uhura asked loudly. It was out before she could stop it. She cringed at the tone of righteous indignation in her voice. "Sorry, Sir. I know. It's Mr. Spock's life and he has the right to make his own decisions, male or female."

"Exactly." Kirk nodded, a nod that was much too emphatic and nowhere near sincere.

NOON TOMORROW - Addison Reed

There was no escaping the ponderous blunted probe. Pounding with a life-force all its own, it blindly sought its goal, insinuating itself more deeply with each silken stroke, spreading molten heat that at the same time filled and enveloped him, expanding until it blossomed into his mind; pulsing until it permeated every cell, touched every nerve. As the presence lingered, swelling to challenge its warm confines, he sensed a great unknown need rising in him, slowly caressing him with its nearness, luring him with its distance.

REFLECTIONS IN A WARPED MIRROR - T'Hera Snaider

Spock laid his stylus hastily aside. He had been tapping it on the arm of the command chair. He became aware, uncomfortable so, of Uhura's eyes on the back of his head. She alone on the bridge was sensitive to his mood and Spock, although he appreciated her concern, wished she would not react so disconcertingly. He had a strong urge to turn around and return her stare.

Restless, he stood and moved to the science station, peering into the scanner without knowing what it was he saw. His mind was preoccupied with thought of the captain. Ever since Kirk had been retrieved from Tholian space, the captain had been acting strangely.

WITHOUT A WORD - Dagmar Buse

Funny how things have turned out so far, Kirk mused. Indeed their second five-year mission had so far started off as sedately as the first one had been adventurous. They were eight months into it.

For once, Kirk wasn't complaining. true, he felt slightly nostalgic remembering the excitement he'd lived through on his first time out. He was fairly sure that sooner or later excitement to satisfy even him would come their way. Anyway, the more quiet start suited him and his ship just fine to get reacquainted with each other. Especially with his crew, although there had been some cases where no readjustment had been necessary. Like him and Spock, fo example.

A THOUSAND TIMES - Mara Lynn Cade

"You expect me to do what?!" the young captain shouted, eyes blazing with indignation.

"Captain Kirk, please understand, you were never meant to . . . it was never the intention of the Diplomatic Corps to ask . . . : For a man who was a professional word merchant, Ambassador Hynsyn found himself suddenly inarticulate. "To ask this . . . service of you."

"Service? Ha!" Kirk scoffed, hazel daggers aimed at the portly diplomat's vital organs.

"Please try to understand, captain, it is the custom of these people. When the Pehta grants a bounty, it is his right to choose a . . . token as recompense. To refuse his wishes would seriously undermine the weeks of negotiation that have gone into this treaty."

DEAR MOM - Roberta Haga

Dear Mom: I guess if you were any other person you'd tear this up and never speak to me again. Maybe that's why they made some people mothers so the rest of us would always have someone who'd never turn us away. I've been so busy there's been no time. No, that's not true.

There's been time to write, to have called, sent you a message at least. I don't know if it can be called an excuse or not, but I've been afraid to contact you. Afraid of what I'd say, of what you'd say. I'm in love, mom. So deep it hurts. How come you never told me it could hurt like this?

I'm drunk, mom, that's why I'm not making much sense. It's the only way I could find thecourage to tell you any of this.

POETRY

COVERS

ART

July 1988