This is the Orion Press letter-column. Readers are encourage to send in a letter of comment (LoC) on any Orion Press story or publication to the editor via email at orionpress@fastcopyinc.com or via USPS at 3211 Saddleleaf Avenue, Albany, GA 31721. Remember that the only reward any contributor receives is the satisfaction of seeing the readers' opinions of his/her work. The following missives are excerpts from letters of comments received or commentaries found on the web about our stories from various folks who have read some of our offerings in the Orion Archives or in our actual fanzines over the past twenty-five years.
From Nora L. Jeffrey -- December 2007
...I am excited about the fact that you are keeping "our generation's" stories going as I go grey, yet keep a young heart through it all! {Indeed, I'm still an avid Star Trek fan, and I'm glad that so many--like you--are, too! -- Randy}
From John Stevens -- December 2007
I enjoy your work very much. I'm particularly enjoying Chekov's Enterprise, and look forward to reading more.
From Pat Whittaker -- October 2007
Blindside, by Caroline R. Kummer, was a great story!!! I really enjoyed it and it was true to all the characters. Very well done! And very readable!
Re: "Conquering the Cube" by Sandy Adams: That's a cute story. I laughed out loud, even.
"Intermezzo," by Ann Zewen, was a very fair treatment of Carol. I personally didn't like her, but the story treated her fairly.
"Liberty," by Amanda Cassity, rocked for me. It was light and funny and the characters were true to form for me. It worked well.
[Enjoyed "Crossed
Signals," by Jill Thomasson, even though the couple involved work] in the same
department; that was the only thing that bothered me about it.
From Anna Perotti -- July 2007
So far I had time to read just "Where
and When," which I really loved. Will you congratulate the author for me?
From Donna Ramos -- May 2007
Finished David Landon's "Romulus Ascendant." It was quite good! Seems like he took a good many lines right out of the movie. :) My only criticism is that it wasn't longer! I would have liked to see D'Taj call Kirk a "Buckaroo," for example. And I was looking forward to seeing Tacitus use his knowledge of his former student, to defeat him. Don't know how Landon could have done that though... In any case, I very much enjoyed the story.
From David Landon -- May 2007
[D.G. Littleford's] "Leaving Vulcan", in particular, stands out as one of the finest treatments of the Spock-Sarek-Amanda relationship that I've ever seen in any medium.
From Anthony Hall -- April 2007
I wish I could pick just one online Star Trek fanfic story to praise,
but the truth is all of them are of top-notch quality in every respect! I love
them all!
I was wondering, however, how many stories, other than what's already archived online, you
may have coming up that deal with some of my favorite characters/situations, such as:
· The "Mirror, Mirror" characters/universe (any or all so long as
Spock-with-a-beard's is prominent in it)?
· Anything involving the planet Neural (though it was never called that in the episode)
and the characters in pre-"Private Little War" situations, possibly even when
then-Lieutenant Kirk first visited the planet and people (and let's not forget about the
Mugato)?
· More stories involving Yeoman Janice Rand (who doesn't love that perky, pretty blonde)?
· Super-being stories involving characters/situations from "Errand of Mercy,"
"Squire of Gothos" or "Charlie X"?
Bottom line, guys, keep up the fantastic work and give us more Star Trek!
Thanks a billion!
From The Great Link website -- found March 2007
Orion Press is one of the premiere sites on the internet for Star Trek fan fiction and zines...
From The Yahoo/Malaysia Answers website -- found March 2007
Question: What is the Evolution of the Planets in both creationist view and scientific view?
Best Answer (as chosen by voters): The creationist view is that God spoke, and things came into being. This is surprisingly interesting, considering some unpublished stuff I've seen concerning possible connections between the quantum foam and actual particles: on the Orion Press website--a TREK fanfiction site, best found by a Google search--there is a short story by someone that has obviously ALSO read this stuff: THE HITCHHIKER.
Conversely, the evolutionist view is that somehow,
there was a major creative event that produced an unimaginably vast amount of
matter/energy in what we call our universe. This stuff cooled and expanded, allowing the
four forces we know to condense out, then allowing matter to condense out, then over
unimaginably huge stretches of time, the matter condensed into stars, galaxies and
whatnot. Heavier elements (beyond the lithium/boron level) were forged in the hearts of
these early stars, and then spewed into space when these stars went nova; a second, and
third, etc. generation of stars were born, lived and died, enriching the universe in stuff
like carbon and iron and titanium and whatever, to the point that a world like ours could
condense out of the mess...
Both views have their detractors and proponents. The evolution group call the creationists
mindless barbarians; the creationists call the evolutionist group mechanistic
determinists, and folks that extrapolate 'way out of the range that their observations
will support...
From The Multilegged Creature Info website -- found March 2007
The Orion Press website hosts many quality stories about all of the TOS crew and more. You can buy more in the fanzines they produce. I wouldn't know what to recommend, it's all top quality... Follow the chronology, select by author or read the summaries.
From Smiley on the Roddenberry BBS website -- posted on November 2004 -- found March 2007
Re: Chekov's Enterprise -- Hey has anyone read the stories from Orion Press? Okay, so I know realistically it won't be happening, but I'd love to see it on film. They've got nearly everyone in Star Trek in it one way or another. It's the way I'd like to think things happened after Generations. Of course being a die hard fan of Chekov, I'm probably a bit biased. Either way go read them because they're awesome.
From the Czech Zakladna Antares website -- found September 2006
translation by Patricia Wright
The Orion Press website focuses on TOS and the Enterprise-B
under command of Captain Chekov. The stories are being written in accordance with this
line, with writers who are filling in the gaps between the episodes and movies in the
style of the original Star Trek, so they are improving on it in what ought to
become a comprehensive view of all the adventures. My first reaction, honestly, to reading
these stories was delight and relish. They have greater plot entanglements than the
traditional stories, Star Trek canon, and consequently deal with contact and
problems with some alien races and the bureaucracy of Starfleet.
On this site, I 100% recommend the Keeper
of the Katra by Chris Dickenson. It takes place shortly after the film Star
Trek V: The Final Frontier and examines the relationship (I daresay not sexual)
between the main characters Kirk and Spock.
From Dr. Maggie Hellstrom, GSI Darmstadt -- posted on alt.fan.surak -- April 1997 -- found July 2006
Trying to get back to more Vulcan-related subjects: McCoy's comment in [a story posted in this newsgroup] reminds me of the IMHO excellent Star Trek fan fiction work Keeper of the Katra by Chris Dickenson. An important part of this story, set just after the film Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, is the "relationship" between Spock and his half-brother Sybok. There is a delightful scene where Amanda reads "The hunting of the Snark" to the two young brothers... I very much recommend this story -- it makes for some very interesting reading, including glimpses of Spock's (very) private life and how this was affected by his "death" and "resurrection"...
The Orion Archive also contains a number of other fan-fic works of great interest to Vulcan fans, for instance "All That He Was...All That He Knew" and The Day They All Came Home, both by Linda McInnis, "Popcorn" by Chris Dickenson and "His Was the Most Human" by Rick Endres.
From Godawful Fan Fiction Website -- found July 2006
"The Adventure of the Vulcan Detective" by Terry Endres -- Spock, while on shore leave, is dragged out of a bar by the local Police. Apparently they figure he'd be a really good detective and so they draft him (huh?). Just shoot me now. This looks like a case of An Author Who Has Been Reading Too Many "Hardy Boys" Mysteries, Watson. {Editor's Note: It actually looks like a review from someone who never bothered to read the story. - Randy}
From Donna Ramos -- May 2006
Randy, I received my copy of Antares 14 the other day, and just love it! A terrific issue. Of course, I get a thrill to see that the cover features an illustration pertaining to my own Adventures in Iowa story. :-) But I love the other stories too! Read the two short ones right after mine in the first few minutes after removing it from the envelope...
Then I was drawn to the back to read the story about McCoy's first few days and weeks on the Enterprise (Mary Rottler and Lynn Syck's "The Beginnings"). I found that scenario very plausible after the events of "Where No Man Has Gone Before." And a great idea for spotlighting McCoy's important role in the command structure.
An interesting follow-up to the Gem episode. And I got a pleasant surprise from the story of Scotty as an assistant instructor at the Academy. Not just a Scotty story, but about a young Robert Wesley also! I'm still working my way through it. And I still have the Finnegan story to read. I know I'll enjoy that. I just didn't want to wait to finish it all to tell you.
From Karen Halliday's Website -- January 2006
I highly recommend the Star Trek fan-fiction published by Orion Press - they are well-edited and feature many excellent stories for the Trek-o-phile. My particular favorites are anything by Jim Ausfahl, Pat Detmer, or Anne Zewen. Printed zines frequently feature superb cover art from Christine Myers.
Carol Davis' The Dianasian Gift -- Gretchen Jaeger, Kirk's handball nemesis and Chekov's lover, has an e-suit accident in a Klingon ambush, and inhales atmosphere with deadly results. Kirk is mooning over his lost true love (Edith) and the recent loss of a crewman, and won't talk to Spock & McCoy. Meanwhile, Peter Kirk has grown up into a jerk and takes up with bad company in the form of a crewman who has a plan to steal the crystals the Klingons were after in the first place and sell them to them. Koloth, on the same planet, encourages the thief by letting him use a beam that messes everything up on the Enterprise every time the ship passes by. Typical, but nicely done tv ending with a bomb about to go off, last-second rescue by Sulu's arrival, Jaeger saved by Spock's research, Peter redeeming himself by rescuing the only colleague who could tolerate him, and Gretchen & Chekov married.
Rick Endres' The Daystrom Project -- In a plot to take over the galaxy, Kh'myr Klingons abduct Dr. Daystrom and his daughter in order to force him to build a multitronic computer weapon with Klingon engrams. An okay read and a few quite-good scenes, but by and large Rick's usual vicious super-Klingons raping and torturing cute little things whose only character trait seems to be helpless beauty. I liked a bit at the end when McCoy is the only one on the bridge still mobile and Spock orders him to take the weapons console. Rick lets him off, but I think it's a very nice dilemma for the doc.
Jim Ausfahl's The Plumber's Helper -- While escorting a mother-daughter pair of engineers to assist with a sanitation breakdown on a colony on Gamma Virginis, Enterprise diverts to rescue a hibernating survivor (Giacomo Eletto) from a derelict NASA Jovian Platform. The platform turns out to have been sabotaged at the start of WWIII. Since the colony turns out to have an odd medical problem - a parasite that gets by the filtration, and whose victims die if treated - McCoy is called into action. McCoy quickly recruits Giacomo, who was an M.D., into Sickbay service. Giacomo turns out to be an ancestor of McCoy's. He is also an expert tracker due to his Cherokee heritage, and routs the colony's saboteur by sneaking into the compound on a handy-dandy buffalo. The saboteur turns out to have been well-meaning; the parasites are genetically engineered and can repair damaged tissue. A pleasant read, but far too many coincidences, and not up to Ausfahl's better short stories. Best bit was the medical tutorial - "Beat the Reaper" - in which the program has access to the trainee when the trainee has access to the program, and pops up at all hours with a victim's life counting down.
Jim Ausfahl's "Planet of the Killer Chickens" -- Security Chief Skorr (the avian) has to show Captain Chekov how to establish proper pecking order during Federation membership negotiations -- literally. Jim's usual good fun.
Nicole Comtet's Encounters and Countermoves -- Captain Spock is taking a bunch of cadets off on 3-week training cruise and has gathered up the old crew except for Kirk, who appears only in a cameo at the end. Things go awry beginning with two stowaways -- a lunatic who takes hostages to force the ship to take him to Serenidad, and a cadet's pet cat who gets loose and wreaks havoc with the ship's wiring. Spock resolves both. Then a cadet practicing firing torpedos just happens to hit the Romulan Commander's new renegade ship which was hanging about in the firing range and just about to be boarded by Orions. After a short reunion they repair her ship and send her on her way. This makes Spock melancholy and the crew gather round with metaphorical hugs -- projects to keep his mind off his lost love. Then a party for Scotty and return home where Kirk comes aboard for inspection. An entertaining novel, though the plot could have used some tightening-up, and the characterization is sometimes trite. McCoy appears only in his irrational-foil-for-Spock persona, Spock is rather uninteresting in his omnipotent perfection, and Uhura's main function seems to be social director. There are also a surprising number of typos for Randy's editing, and there are far too many saccharine uses of the word "special". But there are also some very fine touches -- notably the cat. {Editor's Note: The typos were fixed on subsequent printings and on this website. -- Randy}
Nicole Comtet's "Home Sweet Home" -- The Enterprise has recovered an old Vulcan probe; Vulcan demands its return, and Spock has an unsatisfactory return to Vulcan and equally unsatisfactory encounter with Dad. This premise of a racist elite in control on Vulcan, which turns up quite often, doesn’t seem to fit to me... but then, I’ve never been able to reconcile Vulcan logic with Vulcan hoo-ha. Nicole's In the Line of Duty is a somewhat predictable but entertaining little romp. Enterprise is escorting a snooty delegation of Cygnetians -- essentially Amazon warrior-women, in whose society males are assumed to be and kept inferior. So the crew has to work against an anti-male prejudice along with other oddities such as their fascination with Spock, invasive use of telepathy, and bratty telekinetic behavior. Lots of nice innuendo.
Nicole Comtet's Until the End of Time -- McCoy Get-'Em. Beautifully developed death scene for the aged McCoy with Spock providing the comfort, the two having long since come to terms with one another. Spock makes the passing relatively comfortable for the doctor, who retains his spark and feistiness to the end -- which comes from a previously unknown virus. Moving and fun -- and the emphasis on an afterlife does not spoil it for those of us who find that illogical. Nice touch is the revelation that there really is a "second star to the right and straight on till morning" -- at least on Vulcan.
Mary R. Schuttler's "Banshee!" -- Nicely written but silly premise - a banshee haunting sickbay, almost killing Kirk until his link to Spock calls him in to the rescue - leaving Kirk knowing that he will die when he is alone. Mary's "The Unexplained" is a Halloween story; Kirk recounts a nasty episode from his childhood in which he, Sam, Gary Mitchell, and the unfortunate Petey play with a Ouija board in a haunted house and Petey ends up bludgeoned by an psychopath’s spirit.
Mary Schuttler's "The Haunting" -- During an engineering fire, Kirk has the area flooded with fire suppressant, only to find that ensign Karen Jenkins was left behind to smother, and that Cody denies having given the all-clear signal that Kirk is sure he heard. Kirk suffurs sundry visitations by Jenkins' ghost, but it is only toying with him - which it reveals by frightening Cody into confessing to panic.
Cathy German's "Last Picked" -- Nice romp for McCoy, getting to be the hero when the trio try to rescue a protestor and Kirk and Spock wind up wrapped in glass silk by a big icky predator, and put into storage as dinner for the kids. Favorite line is Spock's: “Thank you for saving my sorry skinny green Vulcan butt.” In Cathy German's "The Wreck of the Aurora Borealis," Enterprise is assigned to guard a wreck full of gold dust, and ends up facing an angry cat, Orion raiders, and a large, amorphous, hungry space entity with a taste for gold. Creative, fun, and well-executed. Cathy's "The Lesson" -- Starfleet sends desk-jockey Jude Gordon to figure out what makes Kirk’s command crew tick so well; she finds out with a vengeance, on the bridge in the middle of a battle. Superbly written. Starts in battle, backtracks around in time to show vignettes of an unfortunate incident with a Vulcan roommate, shows the crew in normal mode and then in crisis. Nice touch is everyone’s immediate reaction “Intruder! Who? Ah... Jude”
Cathy German's "Comeuppance" -- Humor columnist Rose Osborne, who has been having fun with the E-crew for some time, comes aboard. She loses her sense of humor after she accidentally encounters what’s left of Yeoman Leslie Thompson after the Kelvans crystallized and crunched her, and becomes obsessed with understanding the girl and why she was on that mission. Charming. A bit trite having her finally understand by throwing herself in harm’s way for Kirk, but all in all excellent. Cathy's "Conversion" relates the events of "The Naked Time" from the point of view of Cathy's gruff Italian redshirt Sotello, in which he is nearly skewered by Sulu, and comes to terms with his nerd roommate. Delightful writing. Cathy's "Dear Mom" -- Leslie Thompson's excited letter home, prior to the Kelvans turning her into a dodecahedron. Another of Pat's great, poignant shorts on the lives of crewfolk we saw briefly if at all. "My Gift" -- In his final seconds, heading for the engine room, Spock contemplates the reactions of those he will save because he is the only one who can.
Cathy German's "Only So Much" -- Kirk goes ballistic when a crewman commits inexplicable suicide. McCoy takes the brunt, trying to force Kirk to accept that he can't control everything, can't keep everyone safe. The lesson is almost driven home when McCoy himself is drowning, trapped under a tree... but Kirk manages to pull off another miracle rescue and is back to himself, secure in his omnipotence. As always, excellent characterization, dialogue and relationship insights. In Cathy's "Da Woid," it's not McCoy's communicator that makes for new trouble on Iotia, it's an e-book containing a self-help book and the Bible. Kirk barely manages to rescue Spock by playing God and changing the illustration of Satan (to Harry Mudd).
Cathy German's "There Would Be Others" -- Post-"Empath." McCoy and Spock have had a falling-out and Kirk has sent them -- just the two of them -- on a planetary survey to work it out. Spock is hit by a spear-trap and falls into a lake; McCoy gets him out but loses all their equipment and is left trying to care for a very ill Vulcan with no modern miracles. A small hunter alien who actually aspires to be a storyteller manages to overcome fear and poor communication to bring the pick-up shuttle to the pair. Cathy's typical excellent dialog and aliens. Cathy's "The Tale the Cap Told" is an unnerving take on the irresistable "put McCoy in the Civil War" theme. Kirk and Spock accompany McCoy to a Velsian antiques dealer to authenticate a Confederate cap that's been in his family for generations. McCoy makes the mistake of asking how the verification is done -- they look into the dealer's heart and McCoy and Spock find themselves in the war surgery. They are seeking McCoy's ancestor (who turns out to be a woman -- I'm skeptical, were there *any* female doctors in the Civil War?) when Spock is brought in, spilling green blood all over his Confederate uniform from a stomach wound, and they can't find their way back.
d. William Roberts's Liberation from Hell -- This novel fits into the universe of Rick Endres' Serenidad series, involving the Klingon race wars and culture postulated there. Following Rick's pattern, a great many of these pages are devoted to Klingon sex, consensual and rape, and lots of malicious Kh'myr torture. Our favorite Klingons - Kang, Kor, Koloth and even Worf's grand-daddy - all get together to destroy a smuggler/conspirator in a tale full of political maneuvering and lots of phaser and dagger fights. Meanwhile, among the Feds, McCoy storms out of Starfleet General Hospital and onto the Reliant, where he finds himself a fish out of water under Terrell's command - he's used to being the Captain's closest confidant. He finally proves his worth to Terrell by wandering around openly on the battlefield (Klingons in this universe won't kill doctors - except in revenge if they fail to save a patient) and saving the Klingon emperor's sister. But in the end, McCoy begs Kirk for any assignment with the Admiral - the only thing Kirk has open is simulation observer. Chekov has a nice role here as Terrel's exec, and we see Kelowitz and other old Big-E crew. Events are nicely set up to lead into the movie trilogy as Reliant heads off, sans McCoy, to work with Dr. Carol Marcus.
In Randall Landers' "Honesty," Chekov and Saavik accuse one another of improvising their reactions and statistics. Cute.
D.G. Littleford's "Light Speed in an 85 mph Zone" is a nice little vignette - young Kirk is celebrating his admission to SF Academy by getting another traffic ticket, forcing the long-suffering cop to admit he’ll miss him.
Selek's "Reminiscing" -- As the aging Amanda recovers from a dangerous insect bite, Sarek reminisces over their courtship - a nicely written set of incidents in which Sarek winds up nearly drowning during a "walk on the beach" and then nearly dying from the resulting cold. Excellent characterization.
In Rob Morris' "Sometimes a Cigar," one unintended Freudian phrase leads to another in this little romp, centered around Saavik's review of Peter Kirk's work. Rob's "Phantoms" is a bittersweet vignette of Spock observing the new crew and seeing the old -- and seeking his own Kirk on Deck 15. "The Unforgiving Minute" is set after Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Peter Kirk has saved McCoy's wife Teresa by taking on four Klingons, and is comatose. Told first-person by McCoy as he discovers that Peter has also saved her before the attack, by taking her on sexually when her medication ran out. [I must have missed a dumb plot point here somewhere in the Teresa storyline... apparently she goes into a pon farr-like rut periodically without medication. Ah, yes, Teresa the sex object and nothing but a sex object. Bleah.] {Editor's Note: Teresa was addicted to Klingon aphrodisiacs in a previous story. These drugs are illegal in Federation space, and once the assassination occurred, they were impossible to find, hence her condition. -- Randy} Rob's "Growing Up Together" is several short clips out of the lives of Chekov and Peter Kirk, all beginning with Chekov's query, "Are you all right?" and Peter's response, "No." Nicely done.
Anna Perotti's "Paragraph 17" -- In a first contact encounter, things go nicely with Kirk wining and dining the Beta Reticulan head of state until he discovers that though the people are startlingly human-like, their secondary sexual characteristics are reversed on that planet. Cute.
In Joanne K. Seward'S "A Bird in the Hand, A Bird in the Bush," Starfleet asks Kirk to teach a seminar on the Prime Directive to the dismay of McCoy & Spock - and finds a fitting metaphor in fledgling cardinals.
Holly Trueblood's The Dorian Solution -- Very nicely written novel with a premise that is more fantasy than scifi and has been done many times since (and perhaps before) Wilde, but makes a fine story with an absolutely delicious dilemma for Captain Kirk. In a first-contact situation with the Dorian world, they find that it has avoided many of the expected social problems of its stage in technological development, but is oddly behind in medicine. Kirk and McCoy discover the cause, too late, when they participate in a local ceremony and become linked so that McCoy suffers whatever befalls Kirk. Kirk is horrified when he finds himself in a situation where his only logical course of action is to take a life-threatening leap. Keywords: Dorian Gray. Honored Ones, meteorite, flying machines, communicator interference, leap, affirmation of the Way. McCoy: "This'll hurt me more than it does you..."
Ann Zewen's No Cold Wind -- Enjoyable novel with some nice aliens, excellent characterizations, and nice job of tying up some loose ends. The plot is slowly revealed in the reading, but here's the summary... The Kelvans are baaaack - this time in their own large, many-tentacled bodies. They gain knowledge by eating others and absorbing their RNA - which they have now done to Rojan and the other Kelvan colonists, as well as to the starship Thalis. They are running around eating people they find interesting and wiping out everybody else. When they encounter the Rycherians, they learn that the younglings of the species, at first maturity, are spectacularly powerful telepaths. So they kidnap them, to eat them later when they get suddenly smart, but since they can't communicate with the kids (who are earless) the Kelvans go off in search of Spock (whom they know about through Rojan) to be their control and go-between. Meanwhile... the Rycherians, whom the Federation is anxiously courting to keep them away from the Romulans, have appealed to the Federation to find their children. Keeping it all very hush-hush, Kirk is sent with secret orders to have Spock recruit the Sedolan Vulcans, a colony who practice completely open telepathy - no secrets at all - to help negotiate with the Rycherians. That's where the Kelvans find him, take him, and then destroy the planet while Kirk & crew watch, not knowing Spock has been kidnapped. Kirk is blamed for Spock's death, unable to explain to his crew that he was under orders not to touch the Kelvan ship. Back on Earth, Kirk is "allowed" to resign, under clouds of suspicion of cowardice. He joins the Zephyr, a privateer ship under contract to patrol Gorn space, do battle with Orion pirates, and slurp up any available booty. There he falls in love with the mysterious Talya (T'Alya), who turns out to be half-Vulcan and half-Elasian, with a wild temper and no training in controlling her touch telepathy, hence with an aversion to touch that is quite an obstacle. Kirk, of course, is really on a secret mission to find the Kelvan ship and rescue the children. Talya becomes pregnant, then very ill with complications and absolutely refuses to go to Vulcan because she had promised her mother not to. So, Kirk takes her to McCoy, then goes off again hunting for the Kelvans. McCoy is unable to save Talya. Spock and mr'Antor, the eldest youngling, undertake to destroy the Kelvan ship and get out with the other kids in a pod. Spock gets a mental message from Kirk as they get closer, so he speeds up the timing. They escape, the Zephyr picks them up, the Kelvan ship explodes, and Kirk collapses when Talya dies. Spock takes the Zephyr back to Enterprise and barely saves Kirk from dying of broken-bond shock by mind-meld, only made possible by using mr'Antor as an anchor. The experience of the broken bond is so powerful that he resolves not to bond at all, since any bond with him, by either a human or a Vulcan, would almost certainly leave one of them to suffer that fate. Instead he will seek out kohlinar, and he deliberately avoids Kirk to keep from being swayed in his resolve.
Ann's novel, Boy Scout, does a nice job on the background of Kirk and Carol Marcus. After a disastrous tour on the Shenandoah, in which Commander Kirk became a hero by getting everyone home after the entire bridge was destroyed and his senior officers killed, Kirk is being pushed into early promotion and captaincy of the Enterprise. He wavers, wanting to take a ground assignment to have Carol and David back in his life, and slowly wins over David. Things go awry when Kirk accompanies David on an introductory boy-scout camping trip that goes all wrong. Though he's the hero again, and discovers that command comes naturally to him, Carol is unwilling to ever face that kind of worry again. Very nice set-up for the movies.
From Carolyn Kaberline -- November 2005
I just found this website a short time ago, and I wanted to say how much I've enjoyed reading the stories on it. The Original Series has always been my favorite, and it's nice to find a website devoted totally to it. Keep up the good work.
From Ricky Thompson -- September 2005
I wanted to send you a note and tell you that I finished reading Keeper of the Katra. You gave me a copy a couple weeks ago in the store. It was hard to put down. You were right, it was excellent-excellent. It was a great bridge to Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. The writer captured all of the characters perfectly. I thought Kirk was written a little strange, but I guess that was the point given his relationship with Spock.
I would love to read any others that you suggest. Has Dickenson published a book...other than fanzine? {Editor's Note: Not to my knowledge. You can find her Orion Press works easily by going to the Bibliographies page, and scrolling down to her name. I'd also recommend "You Are Not Alone" in particular. -- Randy}
From Jim Ausfahl -- December 2004
Randy Landers' Insanity's
Child was fun. It does not at all hold me back from an idea I had--I
won't be stealing any thunder, is what that means--and that I will develop, but I'm not
sure if it'll be with UHURA or KIRK. Will see.
ANTARES 13 was nice; no superstition there, man! Diane Doyle (author of "Gorgon's
Lair") is going to develop into a major asset, I think, to the ORION PRESS
stable of authors.
From Joseph Manno -- May 2004
Re: Rob Morris' "The Old Once Over":
Chekov shook his head. 'Obviously, I disagree. Demotion is a standard practice in these cases. We cannot know what was Demora's own failings and what was the illness. Neither thing would erase her potentially catastrophic mistakes. Nor does it alter the love felt for her by so very many.'"
And when one cannot know, clearly
the benefit of the doubt is to the benefit of the service. To do
otherwise is to besmirch Demora's memory. One would, in this case, make the
presumption that her failings were caused by the illness. The fact that
Chekov refuses to do so is indicative of his obduracy and the fact that he's far
more concerned with his image than he is Demora's record.
I find this turn of events both disturbing and highly unlikely.
Thanks for listening.
From Pinetrees -- April 2004
"Honesty" by Randy Landers -- Ha! Chekov is right on. Haven't you always suspected as much?? Good observation, Randy.
From Jemima -- March 2004
"To
Explore" by Rob Morris -- Where's the pun? But seriously, this inspirational
vignette was surprisingly expressive.
"Honesty"
by Randy Landers -- I liked this humorous explanation of Vulcan hyper-accuracy.
From Rob Morris -- March 2004
"Ashes"
by Randy Landers -- I was one of several betas on this, but I added or changed
nothing, it was that good. Randy showed Sulu in a very bad place getting help from an
unexpected but not impossible quarter, as always within screen canon.
"Honesty"
by Randy Landers -- This type of story is why I asked for the privelege of writing in the Chekov's
Enterprise series. Captain Chekov, now the seasoned officer, refuses to
tolerate nonsense from his subordinates, even to questioning a semi-sacred Vulcan precept.
Randy, you keep it true.
From Whoa Nellie -- March 2004
"Ashes" by Randy Landers -- Nice to see Guinan doing her usual thing in pre-TNG days.
From Rocky -- March 2004
"Gillian Weep Not," by Linda McInnis -- I really love this story and how it evokes the rhythms of the sea and air and the life bound up in them. A wonderful follow-up to one of the best Trek movies, Gillian's emotions at the recent upheaval in her life and her continuing connection to the whales rings very true.
From Jim Ausfahl -- February 2004
I liked "First Contact 101," although I have to admit that I didn't have anything cognate in my college experiences; I was more the Spockish type. Hey, medical school takes grades, eh? However, I have to admit that the insight--the best way to understand how to interact with unfamiliar sentient species is to be forced to--is right on, and is mirrored in James White's "Sector General" series. Which I have devoured voraciously.
Personally, I detest ghost stories--and yet I remained riveted to Mary Schuttler's "Something Evil" anyhow. That says a lot, and good. [Not to dispute Donna Ramos' letter], but based on my limited knowledge in this area, those who have experienced such events--with the exception of folk who are heavily into the occult and used to such events--are in a major hurry to get as far away as possible, as quickly as possible, and that, permanently. That tends to be especially true of folks who are very heavily grounded in the reality we know (Which would include Kirk, in my opinion, and would include the likes of me, for other reasons). So, I found the ending more rational, even if equally dissatisfying: I agree--a sequel is in order, maybe with Spock taking the lead.
I enjoyed [Rob Morris' "Lawful Warrant"] myself.
From Donna Ramos -- February 2004
"Something Evil" was one of Mary Schuttler's creepier ghost stories. The writing was quite detailed and visceral. The peril was intense and painful and unrelenting. I loved it. I have to admit to being a bit disappointed at the way it ended, however. I realize that Mary's previous stories have tended to be open-ended or left unexplained, and I realize that Kirk was seriously injured at that moment, but I just found it a bit out of character for him to not want to get to the bottom of what just happened. I couldn't help but wonder how the story would have been different had Spock been in the story, having come back with McCoy, for example. He would have been very curious to go back into the house, I think. I also wondered about McCoy's aunt. It sounded as though she had lived in the house. What was her experience there? There are a number of questions one could explore. Do you know whether Mary is planning a sequel?
Rob Morris' "Lawful Warrant" was a fun run-in with Harcourt Fenton Mudd to tell us what he's been up to as of late. I enjoyed that story quite a bit.
Jim Ausfahl's "The Choice" had a lot of interesting ideas in it: a futuristic monarchy, the musician's medical condition, and Spock being framed for murder. I thought the story suffered, however, by trying to do too many things, and perhaps for not being the intense murder mystery I thought it would be. Once the authorities concluded Spock wasn't a suspect, and that the "abducted" musician wasn't in any immediate danger, all the intensity and urgency went out of the story. The idea of Sarek and Spock being able to win a music competition seemed contrived to me, but I know the idea exists elsewhere in fandom, so that's just me, I guess. I thought the engineering competition was an interesting idea, but could have involved more intrigue and peril. And the Klingon villain sort of came out of nowhere. There are lots of interesting elements to the story, but it could use more focus.
I've been meaning to give you some feedback on Jim's previous stories as well. I'm not sure which, if any, I've commented on before, so I'll give a quick rundown of the most recent.
Going back to "Planet of the Killer Chickens," I thought this one was rather imaginative and different. I recall it being a little difficult to understand quite what was going on the first time I read it, because I was still getting familiar with the characters from Chekov's crew. I don't think I'd seen this done before, where you extrapolate an alien race and appropriate customs based on an intelligent avian evolution.
"Contact" was the story that I had meant to send feedback about. Along the lines of the "Killer Chickens," this story about intelligent insectoids was terrific scifi and Star Trek at the same time. It was truly gutsy of Jim to depict these beings as having reverted to their primal instincts of eating each other, ambassadors, Orions, and any one else they could get their appendages on, as a result of the famine. I also liked the character Elul and his subterfuge for buying the landing party some time. I'm not sure whether I would have wanted this planet in the Federation after all that, however. ;-) Nevertheless, this story is not only my favorite of Jim's fanzine stories, but for me it's among the most memorable of Orion Press' offerings.
His other story, "The Trainer," however, I couldn't get into as much. Imaginative elements again, but I'm not into video games or holodeck stories, and so this one just didn't appeal to me personally.
I sort of have mixed feelings about "The Hitchhiker." The character Gandalf was a little too hippy for me. (Anything that reminds me of "The Way To Eden" is just not a good thing!) And I found his slang and cultural references too anachronistic. I can see what Jim was going for, I think, but I'm not quite sure what would be the best way to get there. On the other hand, I found the confrontation between Gandalf and his "twin", all quite interesting. A take on powerful beings much more to my liking than the NextGen "Q" idea.
From Sandy Sandys -- October 2003
My parcel arrived today, and I feel I must register a complaint! Do you have any idea of how long I was obliged to spend in the bath reading Donna S. Frelick's The Children of Haole? Do you realize how wrinkly I am now?? Seriously, as a huge Kirk fan, I really enjoyed it, thanks!
From Rob Morris -- September 2003
First off, A
Difference Which Makes No Difference is a great novel. Despite the
extreme situation, everyone stayed in character and their actions fell into the realm of
the possible. I did find it odd--though this is probably vanity-- that when McCoy
cautioned Miguel against taking on Khaareg, Miguel didn't point out that a much smaller,
nowhere near as strong Human, being Peter Kirk, had bested a similar opponent in my own
novella, Waiting
on Serenidad. But that's a minor quibble. {It's
just because we generally try to avoid referring to previous works unless integral to the
plot. It helps make the stories flow smoother without causing the reader to worry about a
lot of backhistory. - Randy}
I am confused by Vetara's final fate. I had thought she was to live long enough to be
killed by her son, who would be Ja'rod, father of Star Trek: The Next
Generation's Duras and his sisters who died in Generations,
and enemy of Worf's father Mogh. I realize the daughter may still be alive, so maybe she
fits the timeframe better, but I was just curious. {Indeed, the
infant daughter ends up being the father of Ja'rod, as far as the timeline goes. It just
fits the timeline better. -- Randy}
From Tim Harrison -- July 2003
excerpted from his website: http://www.starshiptim.com/treklib.html
© Tim Harrison
Chris Dickenson's Keeper
of the Katra is one of the best fanfics I've ever read. Better than a
hefty portion of the professional novels. Aside from the somewhat strange way the
chapters are divided up, it's excellent in every way. It takes place immediately following
the bulk of Star Trek V, during the time the Enterprise leaves the
"center of the galaxy" (please) and Kirk, Spock, and McCoy return to Yosemite.
An excellent character piece and good history surrounding Sybok. Now, just because it has
a connection to Star Trek V, don't discount this. Great stuff.
From Rabble Rouser -- July
2003
an excerpt from their website: http://www.geocities.com/rabble_rouser_st/
© Rabble Rouser
The Orion Archives of Star Trek - The Original Series contain original general works that “are true-to-aired Star Trek as well as internally consistent with each other.” There are a wealth of fine stories that focus on the entire crew and not just the “big three” spanning their entire careers. I enjoyed Randall Landers’ "To Coin a Phrase," a charming McCoy story, the humorous Scotty story "Parts Is Parts," and the poignant Rick Endres vignette "Memorial Day." Also excellent is Landers novella Chekov's Enterprise where Pavel gets command of the Enterprise-B when Harriman gets his comeuppance.
Chris Dickenson’s stories are wonderful from the short and scary "Blood Is Thicker," a vampire story, to a story about the friendship between Sulu and Uhura “The Wait” and a McCoy story “The Difference.” Dickenson also wrote the powerful novella Keeper of the Katra which tells the story of Sybok. Ann Zewen also has some strong pieces in the archive including a story of the bond between McCoy and Chapel in “The Music Box,” a story of Jim Kirk trying to get to know his young son Boy Scout.... Highly recommended is Donna S. Frelick’s "Heaven," which tells Antonia’s story. Yet another standout is a story which gives a slice of life aboard an Enterprise filled with cadets, “Fairy Tale Ending,” by Joanne K. Seward. Cathy German’s “Comeuppance” is warm and uplifting and not to be missed.
From Paul Laurendeau, York
University -- July 2003
an excerpt from his website article: http://www.yorku.ca/paull/mavision/colt.html
© Paul Laurendeau
...Another short story, titled Drink Deeply, authored by Elizabeth Knauel and Rick Endres, was inspired by Captain Pike and Yeoman Colt (who, strangely enough, carries here the first name Jeanne-Marie). Violent and harshly sexist, this piece of fiction is strongly held under the spell of what I call the Talosian Prejudice. It is consequently very unpleasant, but somewhat intriguing to sample -- if you can stand it...
From Mutara Nebula -- October 2002
Wow! I printed out and read the Rick Endres novella, Resurrection, while waiting for my brakes to be repaired at an auto shop. It was fantastic.
Anyone with the slightest interest in Gary Mitchell, the Galactic Barrier and Uhura need to read this thing ASAP. I would swear it was written by an actual Trek novelist. It had great continuity with past episodes that answered such questions as why the ESP transformation didn't take place in the Kelvan and Medusa episodes as well as a plausible explanation as to the Klingons change of appearance.
Well done -- congrats to the author.
From Joseph Manno -- September 2002
I read Chekov's Enterprise some years ago, and wanted to mention that while I was never impressed with Trek's favorite moptop, Randy Landers instilled him with that wry fatalism all Russians possess, and yet managed a unique characterization. I wasn't quite able to make the jump required to see Pavel as worthy of commanding that ship of ships, but that was far more to do with my own preconceptions than any failing on his part.
From Mysti -- September 2002
Regarding Randy Landers' Chekov's Enterprise -- Fantastic and artfully written just as it was in the movie and the parts that follow are also incredible penmanship.
From Angela Soloman -- June 2002
Just a quick note of kudos for the quality of the stories being posted recently. I especially enjoy the work of Cathy German, being as you may remember, quite the McCoy fan. The characterizations and interactions ring absolutely true, and the storylines never fail to grab my attention and hold my interest! Thanks! Everyone keep up the good work.
From Bill -- May 2002
Really enjoyed Rob Morris' story, "Dead to Me." Little things like the "shuttlecraft certification" as a justification to get him home, and a written depiction of a Scots accent that wasn't overblown (like many authors' attempts). Great dialogue. Aye, ye've done well.
From Nicole C -- April 2002
I would like to say that I loved everything about Cathy German's "There Would Be Others." Hearing McCoy’s voice so clearly in my head. Jim Kirk’s strong presence even though he really almost wasn’t even in the story. The skillful portrayal of McCoy and Spock’s relationship. Spock being injured. (I always enjoy a dose of hurt-comfort.) And the fantastic look at the familiar boys through alien eyes. You captured it all. I honestly haven’t read an original Star Trek fanfic this good in a long time. Thanks so much.
From Gina -- October 2001
Yesterday, I finished reading Randy Landers' Chekov's Enterprise. What a pity that my English is so little! I'd like to tell you a lot of beautiful words, but I'm afraid of [making] mistakes. The story is very involving; the characters, the old ones and the news, are happily described. The situations are enthralling. During the battle against the Tholians, on the bridge, I was there, too... You truly love Chekov, and after the reading of the story, I love him as well. Congratulations! Thanks! Tomorrow I'll start reading another story.
Could I ask a question? Is there a sequel to Chekov's Enterprise that develops the characters of Riley and the others who have been presented almost at the end of the story, and explains the plot against Kirk, Scott and Enterprise-B? Thank you! {Indeed, there is. In bortaS choQ, you'll see more of Riley and the intrigue at Starfleet Command. -- Randy}
From Gina -- September 2001
I'm an Italian reader of Orion's stories, I like reading English even though with difficulty, because of I'm still learning this language. Then I apologize for my bad English. {Not a problem. We've got lots of readers worldwide, and it's wonderful to hear from fans in other lands. -- Randy}
About Keeper of the Katra, I'd like ask author Chris Dickensen who was T'alya. I never heard this name before. In the story, Kirk maybe loved her and she had died in McCoy's arms. How can I ask Chris this question? Thanks. Ciao! {T'alya's story is told in Ann Zewen's novella, No Cold Wind. -- Randy}
From Donna Ramos -- August 2001
Just read Ann Zewen's Boy Scout story. I really liked it. It had me wanting Kirk to work things out with Carol and be with her and their son, even though I knew something had to happen so that he would go off and command the Enterprise. I especially liked it in the Beginnings section, right after Randy Landers' "The Spider's Lair" so that I knew what had happened on the Shenandoah.
Carol Marcus certainly comes off the bad guy here. Very self-centered, overly protective to the point of smothering. Interesting that you have her using proto-matter in her equations to get the grants years before David actually employs it. I keep wondering why Kirk never took her to court to get visitation rights, but then this is how The Powers That Be set it up, with David never knowing Jim Kirk is his father until Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan.
One of my "picky buts" (this is picky, but...) is that I was quite surprised to see that the group of campers were so upset by the rain and hadn't brought tents. I was always taught that anytime you go camping in the mountains you plan for rain. In fact in the Rockies in the summer, it's a given that it rains every afternoon! I've hiked a lot in rain over the years and I've never encountered a trail that became all that muddy and treacherous that quickly. I know you do say it is raining really hard, and you do need a crisis at that point... :-)
But anyway, really enjoyed the story!
From Karen Halliday -- June 2001
I think Jim Ausfahl does some brilliant writing,
especially in "The
Ambassador's Taxi" and "A
Serpent in Eden" (which have my max of 5 stars in my personal "zinedex"
notes).
I think Jim has excellent characterization, dialogue, and just plain good ways with words,
but most of all I am very taken with his ability to come up with new lifeforms
and civilizations which, to me, is what Star Trek is fundamentally all
about (well, along with loyalty, sacrifice, courage, honor, angst and all that stuff).
What I love about exploring other cultures is that little zing you get from a new
perspective, and Jim does that really well. I enjoyed his social caste that could only
speak in questions -- I went around for a morning or two trying it, and I couldn't do it.
And I loved his high-temperature metallic tree people. I look forward to any new stuff he
comes up with! {Then check out these two stories by Jim: "Planet
of the Killer Chickens" and "The
Hitchhiker." -- Randy}
From Helen Kay Ferguson -- May 2001
I have just read Cathy German's story, "Only So Much," and I wanted to tell you immediately how very much I enjoyed it. Cathy is a wonderful writer, and she has just the right feel for Star Trek in her story. By that I mean that all the little details are authentic to my 'ear.' McCoy's dialogue and body language, Kirk's body language and character, the cocky spring to his step, Spock's unselfishness for his friends--all authentic and very satisfying. She knows these characters well, and it shows in her writing. I've been a TOS fan since the show first aired on television so long ago, and I found her story very satisfying. As a long time fan, and someone who loves these characters well, that is the highest praise I can think of. Thank you, Cathy, for sharing your excellent story through Orion Press. I will certainly look forward to reading more work with her name on it!
From Ann Freeman -- May 2001
I very much enjoyed Randy Landers' Chekov's Enterprise. It is about time we read about his becoming a competent captain. After years of being under the tutorial of Captain Kirk and Mister Spock, Chekov is indeed the most worthy and experienced officer to command a ship of her stature. I look forward to reading more adventures with Chekov and Uhura. I do hope you continue to write them! For the most part, I felt that your characters were...well, true to character. {Check out the Chekov's Enterprise page which has lots of stories about our dear Russian and his first command. - Randy}
From Marcia Pecor -- May 2001
Randy Landers' "The Sound of Death" is a sobering story. "And tragic that a race could actually think they were the sole masters of creation." That says it all. Thanks for a good read.
From Karen Halliday -- February 2001
I enjoyed Ann Zewen's No Cold Wind just as much on a second reading - terrific characterization, plot and aliens, and what a nice job of tidying up a bunch of loose ends!
I also really loved Rob Morris' A Form of Redemption - it was predictable that Peter was going to have to do something heroic, but the something was very well executed, and Rob did a lovely job of exploring motivations and letting Peter start to make better choices.
From Karen Halliday -- December 2000
I just loved Randy Landers' "A Klingon Holiday" story with Klingons capturing all those smirkin' Kirks on the Shore Leave Planet - and their commander wiping out his entire force in sundry fits of pique. Especially liked his refrain of "I am never wrong!" Not to mention Kirk discovering a stun burn on his butt. What a hoot! Another winner: Rick Endres' "The Human Equation" -- very nicely executed story. Xon provides a "fascinating" new perspective, I think. I finally got to read Nicole Comtet's Until the End of Time over the break. A charming and well written story.
Really enjoyed Randy Landers' take on Sulu in "Spider's Lair" - I like the contrast of Sulu's command crew that just doesn't come together to form the kind of team he was part of with Kirk, and the effect that has on him. Sulu's more interesting here than he was in Randy's Chekov's Enterprise, where he was kind of annoying. I also like the open ending -- did they, or didn't they rid the universe of Kicksulpop... Nice work!
From Angela Solomon -- October 2000
I just wanted to drop a note of feedback and a huzzah or two regarding the Nicole Comtet novella Until the End of Time. I greatly enjoyed the story, it rings true throughout. My only caveats are some awkward grammar and punctuation in spots, but hey I'm anal that way. I may be mistaken but I take this as a fitting tribute to the late DeForest Kelley, of whom I continue to be a fan. All I can say is that it makes me cry every time I read it, which is repeatedly. Keep up the wonderful work, each and every one of you!
From SJO58 -- June 2000
I read Ann Zewen's story "Sam" in the online Orion archives. I just wanted you to know that her story deeply touched me. Thank you for sharing.
From Anna Perotti - May 2000
I liked...Rob Morris' "The Way Back" and "The Viewing" and Jim Ausfahl's "Intruder." I'm very fond of both writers and I was looking forward for them. Nicole Comtet's "Home Sweet Home" is also good, although I think the confrontation between the wise Vulcan and the fanatic one is a bit abused (and not much logical, IMHO). But it is well written, Spock is Spock and I liked the chance to get a glimpse of Number One. She was an interesting character, who had deserved more than the moon-light appearance she got in the series. Cathy German's "Last Picked" is the kind of story which makes an Italian reader- we are all superstitious to a degree :) -wishes the heroes to be blessed. Hope Kirk and Spock got court-martialed for endangering their lives and McCoy's so foolishly. It was entertaining anyway.
From Nicole Comtet -- February 2000
A very good website. A great variety of subjects and genres, all well written and plotted. My favorites are Joanne K. Seward's "A Bird in the Hand, a Bird in the Bush" (with our trio so well depicted) and especially Cathy German's "Last Picked" (which I loved for I just could hear and visualize our dear McCoy as he struggled all by himself to save the "skinny butts" of his friends, at least that of Spock since Kirk's butt is not exactly skinny). "Last Picked" is beautifully written, and the characters are just right, just as I image them. I hope that Cathy German will give you more of her works; I am looking forward to reading her again.
From Allyn Long -- January 2000
I just finished Randy Landers' tale of the Enterprise-B
(Chekov's
Enterprise). It was a wonderful story! I hated to see it end. It
reminded me of the old Star Trek stories where the main characters relied on each
other for support and information. It also brought up small bits introduced in TOS that
may have been more prominent had the series continued for a few more years, such as the
relationship between Spock and Chekov. I also enjoyed reading about some characters that
we rarely hear about in the Simon and Schuster books or the movies. Randy seemed to
capture the personalities that were vaguely introduced on the show. Randy gave them depth
and emotion worthy of Star Trek (for that matter Starfleet Academy) something the
show at times has lacked upon.
I am new to the world of fanzines although I have been a fan of Star Trek for
many years. I am a lone fan since my husband does not understand my love for the show or
the books nor do any of my friends or fellow teachers where I have worked. (Where are all
you people?) My children are young however so there is still hope. I am looking forward to
reading more tales from Orion Press.
Thank you for the story. Will it continue? {Check out the Chekov's
Enterprise page which has lots of stories about our dear Russian and his
first command. - Randy}
From Helen Ferguson -- January 2000
"The Red Shirt" by Ann Zewen -- A very interesting perspective for a story, well written and just the right length. After the story, you are left with your own questions, rather than having all the loose ends neatly tied up. I imagined Kirk beamed back to the ship, tight lipped and going to his quarters to write his reports, putting the details on paper, with all the emotions left out, to be later talked out over a glass of Saurian brandy with Bones. And then up into the wee hours of ship's morning, gritty eyed and headachy, struggling with letters of condolence for each lost crewman, the heretofore unknown names burned into his brain with each letter written. Thanks, Ann, for yet another great story!
"The Emancipator of Trill" by D.B. Littleford -- Of all the stories in this zine, this was my favorite! DS9 has the best aliens, bar none, in Star Trek (the Shapeshifters, the Cardassians, the Vorta, the Jem Hadar and, of course, the Trill, my personal favorites for dressing up as at conventions)! And the Trill present some interesting ethical problems that are beautifully explored in this story. Bravo to the author for a wonderfully written story that fits into the television universe, and gives us some prequel material on the trill. I think McCoy is beautifully written in this story, his dialog rings true and is perfect for McCoy. I loved his bad, but perfectly typical McCoy joke. A wonderful touch in a story with many of them such as having him previously involved with Emony Dax. The idea of the symbionts as being "voyeurs" of Human sensation and experience was an interesting one that I know I will think more about, as well as the idea of cultural conditioning making certain practices in a society that may be in fact be questionable become accepted norms. This story has all the best of Star Trek, entertaining, beautifully written and thought provoking in a larger sense! Many thanks to D.B. Littleford for sharing this great story. I hope to have the chance to read more of your writing soon.
"Winter Hunt" by Crystal Perry -- An adventure story that is fun to read, clearly and vividly written; all the characters are very believable and the dialogue is well done (no easy task!) with a satisfying conclusion. I hope to have the chance to read more of Crystal's writing in future zines.
"Dead to Me" by Rob Morris -- I found the premise of this story to be very interesting, but somewhat confusing. I would like to read more from this fine writer. Thank you, Rob, for taking the time to share your work. A thought provoking story.
"The Ride of the Valkyries" by Nicole Comtet -- This story was great fun to read. It reminded me of stories I used to read in early zines, that often seemed to be written for the pure fun of it! I really enjoyed all the little details, and I loved the idea of all of them riding away on the HD motorcycles. The restaurant descriptions made me hungry! I love to read stories where Sulu gets to be in a lead role, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Great writing, and I hope to read more from her. Thanks, Nicole, for sharing your work. I hope to have the chance to read more from you in the future!
From SJO58 -- January 2000
I want to start off by thanking you again for Chris Dickenson's Keeper of the Katra. It's one of the best fan fics I've read in some time.
Chris did a wonderful job in creating Sybok, and the relationship between him and Spock. In The Final Frontier -- which I thought was the worst of the movies. We did not get a sense of what Sybok was all about, other than some insane Vulcan. Nor did the film give any indication that there was any bond between the brothers.
Chris created a story of Spock's family. His Vulcan family and his Enterprise family, and entwined them together into one. I thought the characterization of Kirk was dead on. In the film he came across as a spoiled child, demanding to know everyone's business. Yet at the same time he refused to share himself. Keeper of the Katra explores Kirk's vulnerable side, and explains why he became so reckless.
I also like the fact that Spock has a wife in the story. And I'm curious to know if Chris had written any other stories involving T'Liba? {Hmmm. Not to my knowledge. We've thought about a referral to her now and then, but we've not had much opportunity to do so. Perhaps this is an oversight we'll soon correct. -- Randy}
Well, I can go on and on about why I thought this story was so great. But I don't think you want to be up all night reading my phrase.
So I'll just sat thank you to you and Chris Dickenson, for sharing the story.
THANK YOU!!!!!
From Cathy German -- December 1999
I think that The Dianasian Gift, by Carol Davis, is as good as anything I'd ever read. No other story names immediately come to mind, but there is a general, overall goodness to what you post, and I wanted you to know that I appreciate it
From Tan Y.S. -- November 1999
I have just finished reading Randy Landers' novella, Chekov's Enterprise, and I must say that I have enjoyed it very much. The Star Trek movies did not allow for much character development of the Enterprise crew other than Kirk, Spock and McCoy, and I think Randy did a wonderful job of exploring the relationships between Chekov, Uhura and Sulu.
From Helen Kay Ferguson -- October 1999
I would like to comment on Ann Zewen's excellent novella Boy Scout, and if you could pass my comments on to Ann, I would be most grateful. Ann's writing has been a favorite of mine for a long time, and I think she is truly a wonderful writer as well as a skilled editor. My favorite elements of Boy Scout have to do with the overall tone of the novella and how well Ann captures the tone of the relationship between Kirk and Carol. The dialogue is perfect, sounding to my ears just as it would really be spoken between them. I forgot I was reading a story (the highest praise I can think of for a writer) and felt as if I was watching everything unfold before me. I loved the scenes showing David's growing trust of Kirk. And, I loved the careful coming together of Carol and Jim as they explored whether their youthful love was still strong enough to carry though ten years later. I loved Carol's cooking scenes in the novella, and the remembrance of her "cooking" in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. These small bits are what really make fan fiction special, and this novella in particular ring true to me. Carol's fears for Jim, and down the line someday for David rang true to me too, I think they would ring true for any mother who loves her child and wants the best for him, whether it is possible, logical, or not. As parents we want that safe world, safe situation, the best of all possible scenarios for our children. Carol takes this to an extreme partly because of her need to be in control. The scenes in the novella involving Carol and her work make this really clear. In Star Trek: The Search for Spock, Saavik chides David for his use of protomatter in creating Genesis, and the movie intends this scene to be an indicator of how David is like Jim Kirk, but I always felt that scene rang false, and was more of an indicator of the relationship between David and his mother.
Ann's scenes in the novella involving Carol with using protomatter make more sense to me. Bravo! I really thought that Carol's passionate need for Jim, her desire to "absorb his entire being into herself" before she parts from him for the final time, was a sensitive and accurate observation of human nature that is familiar to any woman who has loved someone to distraction, but knows in her deepest heart, that it will not work. Bravo Ann, you are right on, and this honesty in your writing makes the novel true and compelling, making the reader turn the page even though anyone who loves TOS knows the final outcome for Jim, Carol and David. The only thing in this novella that did not ring true for me was the character of Dick Sylvan, who seemed too obviously incompetent to be leading any group of children and adults doing anything. This character was too much of a set up for Jim Kirk to once again save the world, or in this case, the scouts! However, as a character study of Carol Marcus and Jim Kirk, Boy Scout was very well done, and a great read. This novel can't be beat--and I thank you so much Ann for writing it, and all the writing and editing you have done for Orion Press! I remain a very loyal fan of your work, who only needs to see your name on the cover to know I will want to read what's inside!! My very best wishes are sent your way.
From Amanda Ludwig -- September 1999
I have got to hand it to you. Out of all the online (and off-line) stories I have read, Randy Landers' Chekov's Enterprise has got to be the best. I found it sometime in February and have been back to read it again several times. It has to do with several of my favorite characters from the series, and it's a very nice piece of work. Wonderful story!
From Brad Whitley -- September 1999
I am so glad I found your website! I am a college student who is interested in the original Star Trek, especially the voyages of Captain Pike. I'm glad you posted Rick Endres and Elizabeth Knauel's Drink Deeply. I am glad of your site and hope to use it as a means of getting high-quality fiction in the future.
From Holly Trueblood -- August 1999
I would especially like to pass along my appreciation to Nicole Comtet for "The Ride of the Valkyries." It was -- I don't know how to put it -- an "old-fashioned" fan fiction story. Light and fun, nicely constructed and with the characterizations all properly in place. Sometimes I'll read a story -- especially one without sturm and drang and high drama -- and wonder at the end, "So what was your point? Why did you write this other than to fill up some paper and some hours." Not this one! It was perfectly delightful! It's so nice, sometimes, to see our good guys just acting like good guys with only the conspiring of circumstances rather than intergalactic bad guys as their foe. Thanks for including this story in your website. Where else on your website can I find Nicole's work? {Nicole has quite a few pieces online, including Encounters and Countermoves, "Home Sweet Home" and In the Line of Duty. - Randy}
From Karen Halliday -- August 1999
I really enjoyed Holly Trueblood's The Dorian Solution. I believe Holly has given us the single most delicious dilemma I've ever seen Kirk put through in that story -- and even if you can see it coming away off, it is just beautifully executed.
From Rhonda Green -- July 1999
Rick Endres and Elizabeth Knauel's Drink Deeply -- The story was terribly enjoyable. I love vampires, and I like reading Captain Pike stories, so I figured that the odds were in my favor that I'd enjoy it.... As I prefer stories rated PG or PG13, I always get apprehensive when fanzines delve into the sexual, especially the homosexual. But you guys handled it extremely well. It was always tasteful, never gratuitous -- tastes great! less filling!
From Nicole Comtet -- June 1999
...I have just finished reading The Dianasian Gift, by Carol Davis, and enjoyed it very much indeed. It is very well written, the plot is interesting, and the characters are superbly described, even Chekov, which is the character I like the least in the bridge crew. But what I enjoyed most is her rendition of the relationship and closeness between the three: Kirk, Spock and McCoy. Spock, in particular, is just as I love him; so Human and yet so Vulcan. The best of both worlds! It is thanks to people like her (and you, Randy) that we can still read good stories about our favorite characters of Star Trek. Unfortunately, what PocketBooks publishes nowadays is usually just trash -- so please keep up the good work, and give us more Classic fan fiction. I shall do my best to contribute.
From Tim -- June 1999
Have just finished reading Randy Landers' Chekov's Enterprise. Interesting look at some of the more rarely seen aspects of the Federation. Could really visualize the action. Well done! The media and the power of Section 31 are foremost in my mind. I haven't seen any DS9 episodes, so I hadn't any previous knowledge about Section 31. Scary is the word, in my mind.
From Jane Melander -- April 1999
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading Randy Landers' Chekov's Enterprise. I've been a Chekov fan for years....
I adamantly agreed with your write-up on "Why not Chekov?" It's really sad that the Powers That Be at Paramount think the only form of the original Trek that is "true" Star Trek concerns only Kirk, Spock and McCoy....I sure couldn't understand why Chekov hadn't been Sulu's first officer in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. I like Rand well enough, but it just didn't seem to fit all that well. I always maintained that the reason Chekov wasn't Sulu's first officer was -- naturally - because he was going to get his own ship soon! So you can see how your story fit into how I saw the natural progression of the Star Trek universe (at least that of the original series) after Generations.
Getting back to your story -- I really liked how you tied in the ramifications of Captain Harriman's actions on the Enterprise-B's maiden voyage! He was an accident waiting to happen, that's for sure! And that Sulu and Chekov would react in the way they did at Kirk's memorial was only fitting for their characters.
I found it really distressing (and disturbing) that -- had Chekov not been overridden by Sulu on his search pattern -- they would have found Scotty's transport. That, I think, is really tragic! Thank you for tying up that loose end. If I take that idea into the Next Generation universe, I could speculate that Scotty possibly searched through the memory banks, and found a log stating what happened there -- including Chekov's fight to keep on a more careful and thorough search pattern. I'm sure he would have said, "What if...?" What if Sulu hadn't been so blasted bull-headed? What if Starfleet Command hadn't ordered Chekov to do it Sulu's way? What if...? That's really tragic!
I always thought Chekov and Uhura would work well together....I see Chekov and Uhura forming a natural team....I liked the give and take you gave their relationship -- especially as both of them were adjusting to their new roles as Captain and First Officer.
I must say that I truly enjoyed how you added Saavik into the mix, and the secondary plot about her still dealing with David Marcus' death on the Genesis planet after all those years.... I always thought Saavik's character held a lot of promise, if handled the right way by the writers. I was always disappointed that Paramount dropped her character. Oh well, I think you did your homework well. The way you portrayed Saavik fits exactly how I pictured her! It means a lot to me that you got it right! Well, that and how you portrayed Chekov's character! <grin>
It dawned on me after I completed reading the story that you did something really amazing with Chekov's Enterprise. I'm not a big women's lib freak, so I don't go out of my way to point out where things are balanced too heavily on the male side of things. But it dawned on me slowly that most of Captain Chekov's main command staff are women!!! What a huge change from the old days of Kirk (and the "new bimbo of the week" attitude)!
Thank you for all of the hard work (not to mention the sweat and tears) that you put into your story! And thank you for sharing your story with the rest of the universe! Believe me, I can appreciate how much work and effort goes into writing such a wide-reaching story! Your efforts are very much appreciated by your readers!
From Sylvia Mancini -- April 1999
Although I have enjoyed all the Classic Star Trek stories I have read, I must single out Donna Frelick's The Mindsweeper and Children of Haole as two of my favorites. Apart from the storylines, they were written in such a way that one didn't want to put them down until the end! I hope she has more stories in the works!
From William F.B. Vodrey -- April 1999
Thanks for Chekov's Enterprise -- I enjoyed it. It was good to see Chekov finally in (long overdue) command. I liked how you worked in other characters and the names of worlds from the original series, including Saavik, Sulu (a little harsh on him, but I understand why), Uhura, etc. The memorial service for Captain Kirk was very well done, and Chekov's Jewish faith (done because of Walter Koenig's ancestry, I presume?) was sensitively portrayed, particularly in like of what he had to do to the Tholian colony. The closing tie-in with Starfleet Intelligence's secretive Section 31 was a masterstroke -- I didn't see that coming! Well done. Thanks again.
From Diana -- April 1999
I just finished reading Randy Landers' Chekov's Enterprise. It was wonderful! I thought putting Chekov in the captain's chair worked very well, and I liked the plot. The conflict with Sulu was surprising, but I thought it added a lot to the interpersonal relationships you had happening. I look forward to reading more of his fan fiction.
From Donna Frelick -- April 1999
I enjoyed reading Chekov's Enterprise. Some very nice plot twists there and a different perspective on our favorite Russkie. It never ceases to amaze me that, given the same premise and canon, we can all come up with such different interpretations of character and key events....
From Joseph Manno -- April 1999
Let me start by saying that I enjoyed Randy Landers' Chekov's Enterprise for a variety of reasons. Since writers like to hear what works significantly more than what doesn't, I'll start (and finish) with praise.
As for the flip side:
Here's my grades:
Plot: Some good ideas, some reaching. How about a C+?
Writing: While my observations are valid, I believe, still when it works, it works well. I'd say a solid B.
Characterization: Extremely uneven. Some near brilliant (I like Chekov a bit more than I ever did before -- I'm just not sure it's him!), some not so brilliant (I think you have Takei and Sulu mixed up), so I'd have to say C+.
Intangibles: Your awareness of the Star Trek universe is strong enough to boost any fan fiction you create. B+.
That's an overall grade of B-, close to a B.
Let me finish with something a Professor of English and a writing instructor used to say to me -- "I only comment on stuff with potential. Otherwise, I just try to smile and nod." Take care and keep writing!
From Garry Stahl -- April 1999
Regarding Randy Landers' Chekov's Enterprise: Chekov is handled consistently, but I think you are a little inconsistent with McCoy. He seems almost a manic depressive before his wife and kids are killed. Sulu comes off an a ass, but having read your introduction to the story, I can see why. The Scotty material ties up a little inconsistency between "Relics" and Generations and doesn't strain the fabric of reality in doing so. Nice touch. Most Trek inconsistencies do not clear up with that ease or elegance. Spock, is well, Spock and done well. Saavik, I have seen nothing of the character myself outside of the movies, so I can't really comment. So much for the characters.
The story is good, I will say that first. It wallowed a bit too deep in tragedy for my personal taste, but you told a good tale in the end. My dislike of tragedy is my problem, not a problem with your writing. I liked your portrayal of the Skorr, another ignored race that has potential....I like the usage of Caits and Skorr. All in all, good tale, good concept, please do more. {Check out the Chekov's Enterprise web page which has lots of stories about our dear Russian and his first command. - Randy}