Table Of Content

t:;# » ■'"V ■ - 0- Qtn^ Qocfurn [] n n D 0 1 I n e n E E D n n n r B by PRRPOinT Edited by Beverly J. Volker Additional Editing by Nancy Kippax Proofreading by Sandy Zier-Tietler Typing by Renee D. Wilson Design and Layout by Steven H. Wilson Published 1997 by Farpoint, Inc. 6099 Hunt Club Road Elkridge, MD 21075 The material herein is copyrighted by the individual authors, and presented by Farpoint, Inc. solely for the enjoyment of readers. This is not a for-profit publication, and no infringement against Paramount Pictures, Babylonian Productions, Universal Television, ITC, 20"' Century Fox, or any other copyright holders to the television series upon which this material is based, is intended. A A COIVTEIVTS i Editors' Introductions 1 By Beverly J. Volker and Steven H. Wilson j "Just A Matter of Time" 3 ^ Classic Trek Story by Beverly J. Volker "Transition: 2000" «■ Space; 1999 Story by Steven H. Wilson "A Passion for Peace" 1^ H Classic Trek Story by Philip Giunta N "I've Always Known" 25 i" Poetry by Lynn Syck and Mary Rottler "The Storm" 26 - Star Trek: Voyager Story by Karen Donnelly "Transition: 2024" L , Lost In Space Story by Steven H. Wilson "Endings and Beginnings" ^2 ^ Classic Trek Story by Lynn Syck and Mary Rottler "Transition: 2032" seaQuest DSV Story by Steven H. Wilson r "Future" 1®^ Babylon 5 Story by A. Wheeler n "ForeverCon" 1®® M Story by Philip Giunta "Legends" Novel by J. Green and D. Heineman "Transition: 2294" 227 Classic Trek story by Steven. H. Wilson n Speaking, the Editor Gentle Reader, It all began with Steve asking me to edit Enterprise Betrayed. "I don't think I know how to do that anymore," I protested. "Well, then,j ust read it and tell me what you think." "Okay," I agreed, thinking it might make some good summer reading. But, you know, it's sort of like riding a bicycle. Someone gives you a manuscript, and from somewhere a blue pencil materializes in you hand. Awkward phrases, dangling participles, and, finally, plot holes just seem to pop out; and, before you know it, there you are, back in the editor mode. From Enterprise Betrayed to Encounters was a short phone conversation. "How about editing the Farpoint zine?" "Sure, why not?" Why not, indeed. For one thing. Encounters is a very different kind ofz ine from Contact. (Anyone remember that little Kirk-Spock zine Nancy Kippax and I used to do?) I would be working with several media universes, not all of which are familiar to me. Secondly, I didn't get to pick the stories. That was all done by Steve. And thirdly, I would be working (with the exception of Lynn Syck, Mary Rottler and Steve) primarily, through Steve, with writers I didn't know. Well, I needed a challenge in my life... The writers were all, to a person, wonderful. They were cooperative, prompt and professional in their responses to my requests for re-writes and re-working of their stories. To my knowledge there was not one bomb threat or temper tantrum even when what I suggested was a major revision. You are holding what I believe is a collection of excellent SF stories, good writing and creative plotting — an SF media mix with a little something for everyone. Thanks to each of you who contributed for a job well done. Thanks to you, the reader, for your support of the zine and the convention. I know from personal experience that the writers would love to hear your comments on their endeavors. You can write c/o the address printed in the front, and your comments will be passed along to them. And lastly, thanks to Steve and Marion for pulling me hack into the zine world, if only for a time. I was so inspired by all this creativity that I was moved to dust the cobwebs out oft he old brain and write the first little Trek vignette I've done in years. Altogether, it was fun. Now you get to enjoy the results. We reach... Beit- Man Without a Title No, this is not a tribute to William Campbell. The above merely refers to the fact that I am NOT the chairman of Farpoint, nor the editor ofE ncounters, and so people ask what I do? Well, I tell them, I sign the checks and answer questions and try never to answer the phone. ^ 'Cause ifI answer the phone, I'll find out that plane tickets cost twice what they did last year, or I that we may not have a cover for this zine that's due out in two weeks, or that there are about a hundred thousand little joblets that I forgot to delegate when I (allegedly) abdicated last year. ^ This is not at all to say that Marion McChesney or Bev Volker have fallen down on their jobs ~ hardly! ~ it's to say that running cons and publishing zines is never what you expect. The ^ only thing you can expect, as the cliche says, is the unexpected. Take it from someone who's gotten more than one phone call from a celebrity guest that began with, "I'm really sorry to have to do this to you, but..." _ So I've been a lot more involved with both Farpoint and Encounters than I intended; and, U in many ways, I can't say that's a bad thing. I certainly enjoyed writing the four pieces I did for this zine. I hope you'll enjoy reading them. I chose to write my "Transitions" series in four ^ different TV universes ~ the four I've been most passionate about during my fandom career: Space: 1999, Lost In Space, seaQuest DSV and Classic Star Trek. What? You loudly demand. What about Babylon 5? What about Next Gen? These are — the most celebrated S/F shows of all time! Classic Trek was fine, but it's been outmoded, and, geez, Steve, those other shows... Let's just say I'm a sucker for unexplored potential. Those first three shows on my list of ^ favorites all floundered in the ratings and underwent drastic format changes. Those changes left lots of questions unanswered and lots of holes for fan-writers to fill. As for Classic Trek, it, too underwent a drastic format change ~ from TV to the big screen. In that change, lots of years went p unaccounted for ~ lots of potential unexplored. And all four series lost major characters during ' their history ~ although Trek waited twenty-eight years to kill Captain Kirk, and John Robinson didn't die, only the actor who played him did. Still, my stories revolve around these losses and transitions. Now that I've blabbed about my writing, let me say that I'm very pleased with all the stories in this first issue of Encounters. The writers have done an incredible job. In the cases of Bev, Lynn and Mary, that's no more than I'd expect. Their contributions inject a note ofz ine tradition into the mix, giving us the perspective of writers who've done this since the fandom was new, writers who still have much to say to us. U And I eagerly welcome Jackie Green, Ann Wheeler, Karen Donnelly and Phil Giunta. These are writers who are new to the zine community, I believe, and take fan fiction in some new r directions. Ann and Karen bring us fiction from B5 and Voyager, Jackie and Phil look at classic Trek characters in a new way, and Phil even brings us a gentle parody of Fandom. Thank you all for your hard work and professionalism. And thanks to you, our readers and attendees of Farpoint. Without you, this creative effort would be meaningless. STEVE R r Just a Matter of Time by Beverly J. Volker The Enterprise hung suspended, her silver patina gleaming against the ebony backdrop of space, dotted with pinpoints of diamond fire stars. The long, tube-shaped nacelles with their glowing red tips looked like twin cigars and the huge saucer section boasted her name and the call letters, NCC-1701. A cruiser-class vessel, she was Starfleefs finest, the ultimate in technology. And she was his. Or was it the other way around? James Kirk remembered the first time he'd seen her. The word had come from headquarters. He was being given a ship, his first command, the answer to his dreams, the goal of years of preparation. It was not just any command. Enterprise was already a legend, had already carved a reputation under Captain Christopher Pike. Kirk, too, was on his way to becoming a legend, being the youngest officer ever to be given command of a starship. It was to be a marriage of man and machine. It was, in fact, more of a marriage than anyone could have anticipated. A junior lieutenant, not much younger than Kirk himself, had escorted the Captain to the tethered giant waiting in space dock for him to board. Kirk was able to observe her from the shuttle viewport as they approached. He still remembered how his heart rose up in his throat as he caught his first glimpse. He still remembered the youthful enthusiasm that drove him confidently toward his destiny. It was love at first sight, a love that would last a lifetime. Kirk stood staring at the huge, lifelike painting of his first command that now hung over the stone fireplace in his home. The painting was a gift from his crew on the occasion of his retirement from duty. The first time. The time it had been wrong. He had been too young then for retirement, but he hadn't realized it. McCoy had tried to tell him. He hadn't been listening. Spock was going back to Vulcan. The five year mission had been difficult, tiring, and emotionally draining. Starfleet was offering the returning hero a promotion, an Earthside position where he could be a living legend, a political coupe. It was one oft he times in his life when Kirk had made a wrong decision and it had been a whopper. Thankfully, it was an error that would eventually be rectified, and he and Spock and many of his original crew would be given a second chance to serve together for more successful missions aboard the Enterprise. Kirk sighed, smiling ruefully at his painting. The Enterprise looked a little like a cumbersome whale compared to later, more streamlined versions. She was like a vintage car, one that seemed sleek and modern in her day, but old-fashioned and obsolete compared to current models. But, like a vintage vehicle, she was also a classic. And in Kirk's mind, all the up-to-date technology that current ships had to offer, still didn't improve upon his Silver Lady. The buzzer to his door interrupted Kirk's reverie. He glanced at the viewer, knowing whose face he would find there. Gncountcrs "Come in, Bones," Kirk pushed the button to release the lock, then realized that it was keyed to McCoy's touch anyway. In a few seconds, the old friend was striding toward him. "Spock here yet?" Kirk grinned at the doctor's never-ending tendency to be one-up on the Vulcan. He shook R his head. "He called earlier and said that the meeting at Headquarters was running longer than he'd planned. He'll meet us at the restaurant." Dinner at their favorite eating spot was as regular an event as their three divergent schedules would allow and Kirk often found that since his official "retirement" he was usually the one who had the most difficulty finding the time to get together with his two fiiends. However, this night he had been adamant about seeing them; he had an ulterior motive which he had to give one last try. Years of close association made McCoy suspicious and his suspicions made him sour. "I cancelled two appointments because you were so insistent that we get together tonight. Now, Spock might not show up..." "Thank you. Bones." Kirk smiled his most charming smile. "Don't worry, Spock will be there. He'll come right from the meeting." The captain drew his eyes back toward the painting on his wall. "I was just enjoying one of my favorite pieces of art. She really was beautiful, wasn't she?" McCoy followed Kirk's gaze. "In her day. She's a bit obsolete by present standards, though." He chuckled. "Just like us, I guess." Kirk scowled, tapping his friend's shoulder. "Speak for yourself. Doctor. I don't plan to ever become obsolete." "It's not always what you plan," McCoy countered. "Well, Enterprise held her own." Kirk's gaze wandered back to the picture, "even when we had to take her down, she went out in a blaze of glory, doing her duty for what had to be." "That how you plan to go out, Jim?" McCoy's tone was only half teasing. Kirk's voice matched his. "Perhaps," he grinned. "But not for quite awhile yet. I hope ... Now, if we don't get moving, Spock will beat us to the restaurant, yet." El *** The Brownings Restaurant had long been a favorite of the former Enterprise officers for I its cozy, yet elegantly tasteful atmosphere and for its fine cuisine. Within its richly paneled walls, brass appointments gleamed in the soft lighting. Each table, covered in crisp white linen, seemed to be private, set apart from the others. Kirk, Spock and McCoy had years earlier claimed their r favorite, in front of a paned picture window that looked out over the Pacific Ocean. A quick call to the owner, a quiet, unpretentious man claiming to be a descendent of the renowned poet, ^ always assured them that "their" table would be waiting when they arrived. As usual, dinner had been satisfying, filling both hunger and taste to each man's desire. The waiter had cleared away the last of their plates and Kirk leaned against the tall tapestry- _ covered back of his chair, sipping the rich, red wine in his crystal glass. Before him, the sun had |;| already set over the ocean and the first stars were beginning to dot the horizon. To his right, Spock also sipped, leisurely, at a glass of wine, apparently in no hurry to end the evening. n R £ncountgrs S McCoy, opposite Spock, had ordered a mint julep and was fidgeting with the straw while the ice made clinking sounds in the glass. "My meal was delicious. I think the chef outdid himself tonight." The doctor let out a satisfied sigh. "How was your steak, Jim?" "Fine..." McCoy didn't wait for him to elaborate. "And your vegetable ... thing, Spock. Even that looked pretty tasty." Spock nodded," I assure you. Doctor, the timbale was excellent." The dinner conversation had been relaxed, sprinkled with the gentle teasing and banter that was part oft he comfortable companionship the three friends had, after so many years, learned to enjoy with each other. They genuinely liked being in each other's company. Being together could almost always make any situation more pleasant and at times even made the unbearable bearable. Kirk knew the other two shared these feelings and decided the mellow, after-dinner good cheer they were all savoring made the timing perfect for his planned pitch. "Well, gentlemen," he began in his most persuasive tone, "there is still time for you to change your minds and come with me to the launching oft he new Enterprise next week." McCoy rolled his eyes indicating he had been through all this before and hoped the subject was closed. He should have known Jim Kirk better. "Just because you got suckered into performing at this publicity circus doesn't mean that Spock and I have to subject ourselves to it." He was not going to fall prey to Kirk's coaxing this time. "I did not get 'suckered in'," Kirk denied. "My being there was a direct request from Admiral Jasper. And I concurred that having a captain and crew members from the former Enterprise would lend an aura of continuity to the affair. Besides, it's the Enterprise. I think it would htfun for the three of us to be together on her bridge for her launching. You agree, don't you, Spock?" He turned to the Vulcan. "You're asking Spock to agree that something is fim!?" McCoy was astonished. "Jim-boy, I'm afraid retirement has addled your brain more than I thought." "Doctor, I believe it was merely the Captain's enthusiasm for the new ship that caused him to speak in those terms," Spock defended. McCoy shook his head. "I believe it was the Captain's 'misery-loves-company' syndrome. He has to attend, so he wants us bored, hassled by the press, and performing like dancing Vegan bruins as well, just so he doesn't have to do it alone." "He will not be alone," Spock corrected. "I believe Mister Chekov and Mister Scott also will be present." "Besides," McCoy ignored Spock's information. "Jim could never say no to an attractive female, and Helen Jasper isn't a bad looker even with her high-ranking military demeanor." "Now, wait a minute. Bones." Kirk had been quiet, allowing his friends to discuss him as if he weren't there, but he was not going to let this dig slip by. "Helen is a fine officer and she does an excellent job with Public Affairs. She keeps Starfleet's image impressive in the non-military eye." "I never said she lacked tact and the power of persuasion ..." McCoy argued. Spock cut in smoothly. gncounfcrs ^ "Doctor, I do not believe Admiral Jasper's abilities were the topic of discussion here." _ "Well, I think they are, Spock. It was her ability to persuade Jim to do this to begin with, ^ that's now causing this pressure on us." Kirk was on the verge of anger at McCoy. I "Nobody persuaded me, McCoy and nobody is pressuring you. Just because I wanted my friends, two fellow-officers who served with me during the best part of my career, to be with me when the Fleet launches our successor ... Forget it. If you don't want to do it, don't worry about r it." Silence hung over the table for several heartbeats, evoked by the only thing which could have caused it - Kirk's apparent frustration with the two men he had pointedly called friends. ^ Spock broke the silence. "Jim, your presence at the ceremony will indeed be most beneficial in many ways, and I believe that you should be there. I would have been most gratified to accompany you, but as I P have already explained to you, my father and Governor Dahlt of the Veron Colony are arriving on Earth the very day of the launching. Veron is a remote colony and Dahlt has never before travelled off-world. It has taken Sarek nearly a year to set up this meeting with the Federation. ^ Veron is rich in minerals that would be useful to us, and my father assured the Governor that my experience with space exploration would give him a fair assessment of Starfleet's involvement on ^ other Federation colonies. I cannot very well not be there." "But couldn't you meet with Dahlt when we get back from the cruise? It's only a quick trip," Kirk responded. n "I'm afraid Dahlt's visit to Earth will be rather brief, too. He is uneasy about being away from home very long." "Surely Sarek and some oft he other officials will want to give him a tour of Earth, hold a n reception while he's here." Kirk still believed it could be worked out. "I think not," Spock explained. "The Veronians are not a very social race. It's a rather significant move that Sarek managed to persuade him to come at all." "Ah, Sarek is very good at diplomacy." Kirk smiled, thinking of the older Vulcan. "I'm sure he could convince Dahlt to let Earth show him some hospitality." "Jim, it would be unfair to ask that of my father," Spock sighed and leaned back in his chair. "The situation with the Veronians is ... touchy at best, and Sarek has had to make many concessions to Dahlt's reluctance to come, one of them being that he would be exposed to as few people or as little of Earth's culture as possible. You of all people should understand the r difficulty in dealing with other races. "I do, Spock, but I'm disappointed." Kirk made a face that suddenly turned into a grin. "And I never say never." McCoy could apparently keep quiet no longer. "C'mon, Jim, give him a break. You've already made Spock feel bad about not being able to go with you. What more do you want?" "I want the two of you on that maiden voyage. I can't explain why, but it's important to me. I want you to be able to understand that and the excuses that I've been getting for the past two weeks don't seem good enough." Kirk's eyes said that he was being honest, not just persuasive. "It's just that the timing is all wrong," McCoy hedged.