The New Voyages by Sondra Marshak

Author:Sondra Marshak [Marshak, Sondra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction; American, Star Trek Fiction, Short Stories; English, Fiction, Science Fiction, General
ISBN: 9780553027198
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 1976-06-01T07:00:00+00:00

Myrna Culbreath

Our own hunting has been good-both for stories in the wilds of Star Trek fiction and for the introductions that the stars and makers of Star Trek graciously took time to give by way of returning thanks to the fans.

Yet certain quarry eluded us. Without an anthology of a hundred-odd stories, it would be impossible to include a word from each of the many guest stars or semi-regular members of the Enterprise crew who have developed followings of their own in Star Trek fandom.

Yet they are an important part of the Star Trek phenomenon, and should be represented. At any convention, fans can be seen tracking down pictures and memorabilia of their particular favorite. That guest star may have appeared once, years ago, on Star Trek, yet is still instantly recognized at a Star Trek convention or when seen on another television show. He or she very probably remembers that Star Trek role with fondness-perhaps even as a high point in a career.

Almost every guest star has received such attention: a Klingon villain, a Romulan commander, an android, even a monster. Most have had stories written about them in Star Trek fan fiction. Certain ones have become “legend”-by being invited as guests to conventions and received with great enthusiasm, or by having dozens of stories written about them.

In particular, what we might call the Vulcan contingent has captured the imagination of fans, as has the whole idea of the Vulcan culture behind Spock.

Only three out of seventy-nine episodes gave us a glimpse of other Vulcans, yet they have been engraved in our memories : T’Pring, Spock’s intended wife (Arlene Martel) ; T’Pau of Vulcan, the indomitable ruler (Celia Lovsky ) ; Ambassador Sarek, Spock’s Vulcan father (Mark Lenard) ; Amanda, Spock’s Human mother (Jane Wyatt); Surak, the ancient Vulcan philosopher of peace (Barry Atwater); even Stonn (Lawrence Montaigne), who got T’Pring, and may have regretted it.

Arlene Martel frequently appears at conventions to answer questions both as herself and as T’Pring, and is phenomenal as both. Mark Lenard, as the grave and powerful Sarek, is another perennial favorite (and one of the few to have played two guest roles on Star Trek, appearing also as the Romulan starship commander in “Balance of Terror”).

The interest which these and other stars still take in Star Trek and the seriousness with which they took their roles then and now, is a credit to them and to Star Trek, and we feel sure that they, too, would like to express thanks to the fans for returning that interest. Let us, then, express thanks for them-and to them.

Perhaps it is fitting that we do so as an introduction to a story about a custom of the Vulcan culture. In a sense, Vulcan culture itself is a kind of star in the universe of Star Trek. The fans’ fascination with it is unique; whole sagas have been written about it: trilogies, epics, odes, sonnets.

Yet that is not so remarkable. It is a “fascinating” culture, and in

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