19

TO CATCH A UNICORN - Robin Hood

That was quite a mission, Spock. They were such beautiful aliens, more beautiful since they looked just like my favorite animals. Imagine sentient beings that look exactly like horses. And their fascination with you. Breathing in your scent every chance they got, even the kids . . . colts. Ruffling your hair with muzzles you said felt softer than Truth wings. And that young male who was in love with you. Yes, he was, don't argue with me.

THE EWING SYNDROME - Janis E. Laine

The cabin door whispered shut behind him and Spock leaned against it, fumbling blindly for the privacy lock. Even before T'Pring had appeared on the viewscreen to speak the ritual greeting, he sensed something was amiss. He attributed the foreboding to mutual prenuptial apprehensions jitters, as Dr. McCoy phrased it with a sly dig to Spock's ribs. But when he arrived at the ceremonial grounds, his fears proved entirely justified. T'Pring had chosen the Challenge.

ASSUMPTIONS - Kay Wells

A sea of reddish-brown humanoids, becoming more numerous by the minute, jumped around excitedly, emitting sharp grunting sounds and baring sharp pink teeth. They appeared quite identical, each head topped with a flopping ball of frizzy orange hair. One of the natives, apparently braver than the rest, ventured forward holding out the blunt end of his spear as if to touch Kirk. A security guard immediately jumped between, phaser pointed.

"Captain," Spock reminded, reaching for the phaser, "the prime directive." Too late. The guard fired at point-blank range as Kirk lunged forward.

SECRETS OF THE HEART - Cybel Harper

"What's wrong with him, Bones?" Kirk asked as he paced back and forth across the doctor's cabin.

"What's wrong with who?"

"Spock, of course," Kirk said, as if the answer should have been obvious. Of course, the doctor thought with a mental sigh. Who else?

IN THE NAME OF LOVE - Charlotte Frost

The base was in ruins, wisps of smoke rising from the remains of the building. Even as the transporter beam released him, James Kirk could smell the putrid odor of destruction. "There must be survivors," he whispered determinedly to the guards and medical personnel surrounding him. His mouth firmed to a thin line. "You have your orders. Move out! Look for Vulcan readings!"

THE SEED OF TRUTH - Marion Graham

He stood leaning his forehead against the cool glass. The sky outside was a shifting mass of pewter clouds; the fog below a roiling monochrome of gray. Everywhere he looked was devoid of distinguishing features, color, substance. He felt as though he was looking into a mirror.

STAR VOW - Charmen Tramen

The Vulcan motioned to a chair. "You have been troubled since we witnessed the transcendence. I have sensed that."

"That's part of it, I suppose," Kirk admitted. "I don't know if we witnessed an ending, or a beginning." Hazel eyes darted to the Vulcan face then quickly away. "I feel the same way about our friendship. Three years ago I thought it had ended . . . . Now that you intend to remain in Starfleet, I want to believe it's begun again. If we're to serve together, Spock, there are things I need to resolve."

LAST FIRST TIME - Elizabeth Scott

It was the first time Kirk wouldn't supervise 'putting the Enterprise down to nap' as the crew called it. He and Spock had done it together for the past three years It was a time Kirk enjoyed. Walking the quiet corridors with his first officer, the ship still and peaceful waiting for all the crew to come home from their adventures. He sighed. Spock had been so adamant. He'd always thought the Vulcan welcomed that time of friendship, of closeness.

THIN ICE - Emily Adams

"What's going on, Uhura?" Kirk asked.

She blinked as if coming out of a daze. "Oh, Captain," she smiled. "Nothing, really. We just got out of a movie called 'The Solution." Have you seen it?"

"No," he admitted, "although I've heard it's god. Did you enjoy it?"

"Oh, yes. The ending is sad though. But you should see it."

RIVER RISING - Martha Selena Brown

He didn't know why he was running his finger over the outline of Spock's mouth; whys were among the many things he wasn't worried about. The deep brown eyes looking at him, the strong hands holding one of his, were a source of infinite satisfaction and he smiled as his finger traced again those precise lips, now open.

POETRY

COVERS

ART

September 1988