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Star Trek TOS Zinedex: Authors (B)

Ann Bagley


"Meld" Berengaria #8, [July?] 1976 (p. 23-25): H/C. McCoy is unconscious and slowly dying of paralysis from the bite of a Tholian green spider. Spock administers CPR while sending out telepathic signals to Kirk and Ker, a ciliated, tripodal, telepathic Bercan. Well-written.

"Typhoid Mary" Fanfare #1, Dec. 1977 (p.42-45): The Enterprise finds the sole survivor of a planetary plague, who insists that she is already dead and commits suicide despite the successful development of a cure.

Deborah A. Bailey

"Something to Remind You" Antares #4, Jan 2000 (p. 7-22): [Reprinted in: Orion Archives 2001: First Mission v.1]; Thoughts of music send Uhura into odd panic attack after the Nomad incident; Spock assists in her recovery.

Audrey Baker


"The Things I Do for the Federation" Alnitah #12 Dec. 1980 (p.4-14): Romp. Kirk must convince a minstrel woman - with a companion Arcturian wolf - to substitute for a look-alike in a betrothal ceremony, and then extricate her from the groom's clutches.

Barbara-Katherine

* "The Brew" Berengaria #4, March 1975 / Barbara-Katherine: Screenplay-format romp; McCoy, attempting to provide Kirk with an adequate substitute for coffee, instead comes up with a brew that makes Spock drunk and gives him amnesia to boot - and finds out only after Kirk makes him throw it all out that it was the long-sought cure to the common cold. Best of show for this zine.

M. Lee Bareti

* "Mystic Miscalculation" Beyond Antares (CA) #5, April 1985 (p. 18-19): Chekov has a dream (?) encounter with Dr. Strange - you know, the Mystic Master of Dormammu, from the comics - and blames it on the borscht.

Dayle Barker

"Deathmare" R & R #10, Summer 1979 (p. 123-137) [with Michaelene Dalton]: Responding to a plague emergency on Arachne, the landing party find themselves fodder for alien Vienne, who has set herself up as Goddess and lives by draining sexual energy from her victims. She has used up the planet's population and is looking forward to the Enterprise crew. Spock, resistant to her pheromones, is a delectable challenge for her; a depleted Kirk manages to rescue him just in time. The story manages to be quite spooky as the sexual interludes turn to terror for first Kirk and then McCoy.

M.L. "Steve" Barnes

"Heat Wave" More Trek Tales, 1977 (p. 1-21): McCoy grapples with a deadly disease, ill-tempers generated by his treatment with raising the heat on the ship, and his love/lust for Barrows which he refuses to believe is reciprocated despite Kirk's attempts to egg him on. He solves the medical problem by once again using himself as guinea pig, and Barrows' reaction finally convinces him he's not too old, after all. Cute, but not scintillating.
"To Seek the Sun" More Trek Tales, 1977 (p. 22-50): Spock and Uhura investigate a ship that denies having sent a distress call, and end up among the drugged captives of androids "protecting" their masters. Interesting twist on this premise - the androids really are assisting the people by starving them, eking out provisions to a delayed planetfall.
The Wind Born More Trek Tales, 1977 (p. 52-73): In order to retrieve an important, wounded scientist and protect mining rights, one of the Three must go out to meet the dreadful Wanti beast, god of the locals, to prove their right to the scientist (the Klingons go second) in trial-by-survival. So, of course they bicker over the choice; this time it is Spock who knocks Kirk out and takes the role of sacrifice. The plot's a tad contrived, but the character play is quite fine. Best of show.
The Parting More Trek Tales, 1977 (p. 74-79): Vignette of Sarek & Amanda on the eve of Spock's departure.

Betsy L. Barr

"Old Wounds" Galactic Discourse #5, April 1987 (p. 116-121): Flashbacks of the relationships between Kirk and Carol Marcus, and Kirk and Spock. When Spock leaves for Kohlinar, Carol inadvertently blurts out the general rumor that the men are lovers, much to Kirk's surprise.

Jean Barron

"For If Dreams Die" Log Entries #23, April 1979 (p.24-36): Kirk manages to rescue Spock from a collapsed building, but in the process becomes infected with a dangerous pneumonia which develops when he is alone on shore leave; when Spock detects his distress mentally, they discover they have formed an unusual mind-link.

Daniel E. Barth

"The Death's Head Nebula" Galactic Discourse #4, April 1983 (p. 62-76): A probe returning from a nebula infects Enterprise with a living corrosive agent. But the story really revolves around the conflict between Ensign Pickering and her pompous supervisor, Lt. Masters; she saves the day by disabling him in an emergency. Nicely written.

Melissa Bayard

"T'Pring's Decision" Pegasus #1 Nov. 1976 (p. 71-80): T'Pring's choice to obtain Stonn as a suitable mate in her family business goes awry when Stonn, though he would have fought for her, refuses to have her once she has lost face and status.

"The Wait" Pegasus #1 Nov. 1976 (p. 144-147): Vignette of Scotty crashed on a planet sending his last signals for rescue.

Clare Bell

POEM: * "The Stowaway" Galactic Discourse #3, July 1980 (p. 123): [reprint of “Reverie” from Warped Space #42]; Spock finds a Terran butterfly on the wall.

Diane Bellomo

"Whales Weep Not" Antares #4, Jan 2000 (p. 29-41): Gillian Taylor attempts to adjust to the 23rd century, and a couple of crushes.

Kate Bennett

"A Toast to Innocence" Entercomm #5, 1982 (p.89-105): Kirk grapples with fellow admirals opposing his recommendations on a nasty situation with the Orions, as well as with his marriage to Lori and his rocky friendship with McCoy -- who dresses him down for his inability to commit and for pushing Spock away, before he bids farewell to take a research position himself. Well written, convincing introspections for Kirk.

Bonnie Berryman

"For the First Time in My Life" Antares #2, 1998 (p. 106-152): [with Mary Rottler]; Kirk accompanies Spock to a scientific conference for R&R.

Margaret Bertram

"And the Greatest of These" Log Entries #2, Feb 1976 (1p.): Vignette of Spock meditating to learn that his rising emotions go back to his early Vulcan heritage.

Jacqueline Bielowicz

"A Touch of Love" Tal-Shaya #3, August 1976 (p. 28-36): Despite McCoy's insistence that Spock is brain-dead after an encounter with the mind-sifter, Chapel demands to accompany Spock to a hospital on Vulcan, and convinces a telepathic healer to keep trying for contact, which ultimately succeeds in recovering his mind from its retreat. A little sappy, but an okay read.

Paula Block

** "The Tinman" Interphase #3, August 1976 (p. 50-82): Wow. Great premise, excellent execution and imagery, but somehow not quite a satisfactory ending. Post-Empath, McCoy’s extensive contact with Gem has caused him to suffer from steadily increasing empathy until he faces a life of isolation - with the best case scenario being to live out his days on Vulcan doing research. Scenes of McCoy’s mounting mood swings as he comes into contact with various people and their problems are superb. The solution involves a “euphitron” - essentially programmed states of consciousness - with McCoy falling into unknown states of consciousness under its influence, and Spock bringing Kirk along into a mind meld with him to share, though not replace, the pain, thereby dissipating the empathic energy McCoy’s system cannot handle. It all made sense to me up to that point... Great imagery going back and forth from McCoy’s transcendental state (where he finds himself on a beach, creating a sand Spock and drawing Kirk out of the sun) to scenes on Minara.

"The Southern Surgeon’s Nightmare" Alpha Continuum #2, March 1977 (p.42-43): Illo interp: Civil War. McCoy wonders what sins have landed him in a purgatory of endless Civil War surgery.

* "Ain’t No Virgins" Alpha Continuum #2, March 1977 (p.46): Illo interp: McCoy dozing with a unicorn nearby. Pretty entertaining stream-of-consciousness from McCoy, suffering the mother of all hangovers and trying to make sense of the unicorn checking him out.

POEM: "Of Priests, Captains, Vulcans and Ship Surgeons" Interphase #4, May 1977 (p. 28): Interp of Interphase #3 cover - McCoy in sleep or death. McCoy musing on those who sleep alone.

* "Up for the Honeymoon " Obsc'zine #2, August, 1977 (p.72-77): Faulwell story.; McCoy and Sadie are newly wed, but McCoy is recovering from a recent myocardial infarction, so Sadie decides to take things into her own hands - and mouth. Paula’s usual fine characterization & dialogue.

Becky Bockoven

"Portal" Galactic Discourse #4, April 1983 (p. 161-169) /: AU - Arthurian. Lord Kirk's beloved advisor Len has vanished into a mysterious portal through which strange creatures have appeared. Kirk captures the sorcerer Spock in order to force him to close the portal. By mind-meld, Spock shows Kirk that he has no control over the portal, which draws misplaced individuals throughout the universe, in order to restore them to their proper spheres.

Martha J. Bonds

"My Life Closed Twice" Galactic Discourse #1, Feb. 1977 (p.92-110): In late middle age, Spock dreams of Jim and decides to come to terms with those memories. At a loss after Jim’s death, he had learned to rely on McCoy and stayed to finish his tour. The two “closings” (from the Dickinson poem) to his of life were those of Jim and McCoy. Now he becomes attached to a young assistant working with him on a renewed Daystrom M-5 project. Nice little touch is a Wizard of Oz dream.

"Nothing Gold Can Stay" Contact #3, March 1977, (p. 40-53): (Title from Frost poem); Kirk and Spock explore an abandoned edifice in which they are overcome by memories evoking loneliness. Contact appears to help, but eventually, Kirk must knock Spock out to get him to safety. Unclear tie-in to Jim’s nightmares of the Enterprise being destroyed.

"Descent" Beyond Orion #2, July 1977 (p. 62-68): Kirk watches over Spock, who is recovering from torture suffered to save Kirk. Standard H/C.

"Born of Ashes" Contact #4, Sept. 1977, (p. 19-72): An omnipotent being - this one Osiris, the Phoenix - tortures Kirk and Spock in order to discover the secrets of their friendship. A surprisingly common theme that doesn't do much for me...

"The Real Thing" Contact #4, Sept. 1977, (p.106-110) (with Sharon Schildknecht): Spoof. Kirk persuades Spock to join him in a fund-raising game show, and is disconcerted when Spock bests him. The game is rife with zine allusions.

"Alone in a Fragile Shell" Galactic Discourse #2, July 1978 (p. 45-49): Recovering from his exposure to Ambassador Kollos (“Is There In Truth No Beauty”), Spock explores the meaning of separation and union, touching and untouched. Interesting.

"The Saints and Poets, Maybe" Galactic Discourse #3, July 1980 (p. 124-131): Kirk, Spock and McCoy are all in good moods as they wrap up a mellow shore leave when Kirk investigates a local porcupine-like critter, gets nailed with poison spines, and witnesses his death. Afterwards, McCoy is plagued by the fact that he gave up on Kirk and it was Spock who insisted they keep trying to resuscitate - successfully. An old premise, but well handled. Title from “Our Town” quote.

"Freeze Frame" Galactic Discourse #4, April 1983 (p. 58-61): The touch between Kirk and Spock after Spock's contact with V'ger, from Kirk's pov, with flashback to the night three years before, when McCoy reported Spock's emotional breakdown and plans to leave, and prevented Kirk from seeing him. Good exploration of the anger between Kirk and McCoy there.

Susanne Bowers

* Light and Shadows (novel) Orion Press, 2000, 192p.: Interesting, well-written Get-‘em. Enterprise is destroyed and the remnants of the crew stranded in small groups on the rather medieval planet 120 IV - protected by Prime Directive, so they cannot lead their own lives or bring any technology, and rescue is improbable. Kirk, Spock and McCoy stay together, homestead near an unfriendly village, and eventually move in with a farmer and her mentally handicapped son. They run into Uhura, but she has settled in happily with a nice camp of hill people and is not interested in leaving. Kirk battles slimy murderers, rogue bandits and his guilt, but finds solace with his new mate and family. McCoy dies painfully of an infected wound - Spock having refused to assist his death - just barely after delivering Kirk's son James. Kirk is killed by an arrow in a raid when his son is a few years old. Spock stays to care for Kirk's family. About when the son comes of age, rescue arrives. James turns to the stars as his father had done, Spock remains until Riva and her elder son Tomar have died, has a last meeting with James, and puts himself into a terminal trance.

Matthew Brown

"The Human Computer" Alnitah #4 July 1976 (p.16-27): Enterprise recovers and revives android Tarik, whom they find drifting in space. Tarik's quick actions save Spock from an observation pod accident, but when Spock learns that Tarik holds secret Klingon commands, he destroys the android. Standard adventure.

"Menage a Trois" Alnitah #5 Jan. 1977 (p.41-48): Starting into pon farr, Spock finds that he is drawn to Miranda ("Is There In Truth No Beauty"). Miranda and Kollos - after some reluctance on Miranda's part - agree to do what needs to be done to save Spock, but end up caught in each other's heads. McCoy solves the dilemma by having Spock look at Kollos, to shock him out of the meld.

Wheaten Buckly

"The Morning Moon" Beside Myself #3 (/), undated (p.4-19): On a frustrating diplomatic mission, Kirk finds himself drifting off into daydreams of Spock, and forces a discussion of their relationship, promising honesty. Fade out on their first time together.

Sue Bursztynski

"Ka-Ree-Ah" Alnitah #12 Dec. 1980 (p.15-22) (with Jan McDonnell): Interesting take on the aftermath of "Amok Time." Stonn reclaims his honor by following ancient law to the letter, Challenging T'Pring's brother and forcing Vulcan to re-examine the absurdity of death challenge in Kal-i-fee. Nice touch is T'Pring ending up the consort of a legend, after all.

"The Treatment of Women in Trek" Beyond Antares (AU) #34 Aug. 1993 (p.7-10): Article.

Liz Butler

Forewarned (novel) ScoTpress, June 1982. 54p: Spock gets to be Spock-dead again. Actually, this was pretty well done catharsis; well-written exploration of how the characters handle separation. A bit much with the "bond that not even death can break..." stuff, but what the heck. All the major players (including Spock) share a dream in which Spock dies as a result of exposure to a mutated flu-like virus on Almiridian. When Enterprise is then ordered to survey said planet, they discover the nightmare to be a type of Romulan telepathic warning buoy. Nasty Klingons get theirs by ignoring the warning.