24

PROMISE OF THE WINDS - Elizabeth Scott

"Maybe you can talk some sense into him, Spock. They can't budge him off the planet.

Of course we could just haul his behind onto the shuttle, but I'd rather he come willingly."

Spock untangled long legs and rose from the briefing room chair. "Has he given a reason for his desire to stay, Captain?"

COURTSHIP - Gena Moretti

Spock of Vulcan sat at his personal computer in his quarters, fingers steepled before him.

The incident of T'Pring, and his aborted pon farr, was six months behind him. Theoretically, he had six point six years to take steps to insure his life during his next time. He hoped that would be long enough.

ROLLER COASTER - Telana Wells

The first sight Kirk beheld when rematerialization was complete was the broad smile of Doctor McCoy's face. "Jim!" The older man rushed forward then hesitated. "Jim?" The two men on the transporter platform hardly resembled the dashing young Captain James Kirk or his formidable Vulcan First Officer.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Ciana Sepulveda-Mitchell

Ship's evening, all is calm and quiet as I walk the corridors. The Federation representatives are safely back on Nimbus III. Scott's even got the ship nearly up to standard.

RISK WORTH TAKING - Kay Wells

"Fine," Kirk laughed. "So pick someone."

The doctor studied his glass, thinking. Scotty roused from his stuporous state and said quietly, "Mr. Spock."

The other two men turned and stared at him mutely. Finally, McCoy said, "You can't be serious!"

"Why not?" Scotty said drunkenly. "He says he can seduce anyone . . . ."

THE CANDIDATE - Marion Flanders

As she descended the steps she found herself gripping the balustrade with more force than was seemly. Taking a deep breath, Amanda slowed her pulse slightly before returning to Sarek's side. "Do you think you will be able to find a suitable match in time?"

THE HIDDEN ROOM - Anna Parrish

"How perfect you are," the Kirk said. He bent down to taste the shivering body, to adore Spock with his mouth and tongue as well as his hands. "You're beautiful," he murmured, "even if you're not real."

NIGHTMARE IN PARALLAX - Susan K. Dundas

"Captain." Lal spoke from close by now. "Are you willing to talk now?"

Kirk blinked in the brightness but still could not look up, voice tight as he demanded,

"Don't torture me in front of Spock. Do whatever you're going to do to me, but don't force him to watch."

LOADED DICE - Emily Adams

"The first step is a questionnaire. The questions must be answered honestly, but they will be completely anonymous. As the study progresses, you may be asked to participate in a number of situations and again answer questions on the results. It is guaranteed there will be no mandatory physical involvement nor will anyone be required to do anything that is against his moral character."

POETRY

COVERS

ART

January 1990