Variations on a Theme (Star Trek TOS zine)

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Variations on a Theme is a Scottish gen Star Trek: TOS fanzine, written by Valerie Piacentini and Sheila Clark. There is a non-explicit description of rape, both past and present. The zine was very popular and after its initial UK print runs, was reprinted and sold in the US via Bill Hupe.
==About==
Each issue can stand alone despite being a sequel to the one before. The series was inspired by Kraith in that it follows Commodore Spock from the parallel universe in Kraith. That alternate Spock tries to kidnap the Kirk from the Kraith universe, believing he was abused by his Spock (because of the domestic discipline scene in Kraith). In this AU that alternate Commodore Spock tries to find and rescue a Kirk who was abused for real. 
He encountered many universes before he found one where his counterpart, Captain Spock of the Enterprise, was a sadist who delighted in torturing and humiliating his young and vulnerable First Officer, Commander James Kirk. In pity and outrage the Commodore crossed into the alternate universe to help Kirk escape—but found himself unable to leave when Kirk killed the Captain to save the Commodore’s life.
The Variations universe is then an alternate universe of an alternate universe of an alternate universe.
==Its Kraith Connection==
"Variations on a Theme" originated from Valerie's utilizing one character from a Kraith alternate universe story, one who was never going to appear again in Kraith, and writing him into yet another alternate universe. This makes the "Variations on a Theme universe" an alternate universe of an alternate universe of an alternate universe. 
From A 2007 Interview with Valerie Piacentini: 
==Its Genre==
While the zine series is officially gen, at least one fan, however, feels a sexual tension in this series: 
==General Reactions and Reviews==
===1978===
===1984===
 
 
 
 
===1986===
===1990===
==Issue 1==
Variations on a Theme 1 was published in September 1977 and is 44 pages long
Originally intended to be a single short story, this fanzine presented a universe in which Captain Spock was a probably insane sadist who failed to adjust to his human heritage, showing his contempt for humans by his vicious treatment of his First Officer, Commander James T. Kirk. During Commodore Spock’s attempt to rescue the human, the Captain is killed. Kirk refuses to ensure his own safety by abandoning the Enterprise in Klingon space, accepting that he would face trial if his ‘crime’ was discovered. To conceal this, the Commodore therefore assumes the Captain’s place, joining with McCoy in the difficult task of restoring Kirk’s shattered confidence.
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1==
==Issue 2==
Variations on a Theme 2 was published in June 1978 and is 67 pages long. A fan has stated that it contains one of the earliest uses of the term "K/S" (in the form of "K/Sex"). Science Fiction Citations 
The crew of the Enterprise had accepted the Commodore without suspicion, but the authors realized that there would be other problems for Spock and Kirk to overcome. Spock was called home to face his ‘father’ on a Vulcan where reason and logic did not hold total sway—and where the punishment for murder was cruel and barbaric. Sarek’s reaction, when he eventually discovered that his son was dead, was unexpected, and freed Kirk and Spock to return to the Enterprise—where Kirk’s long-lost brother had been posted to the Security section.
Years earlier Sam Kirk had deserted his young brother; on Deneva, we learned how each had developed during the years apart. The end of Variations 2 saw Kirk as the capable, confident First Officer of the Enterprise, serving his Captain with whole-hearted loyalty, but still haunted by a deep personal insecurity.
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2==
==Issue 3==
Variations on a Theme 3 was published in August 1979 and is 64 pages long. The initial STAG Press print run in August 1979 was 400 copies. By July 1981, and after three reprints, another 400 copies had been printed. The zine was also issued an ISBN number: 0260-1478.
 
Although Sarek knew the truth and accepted it, the rest of the family did not. If they did discover the truth, Kirk might very well be called to account for killing the Captain, and punished for it with the full rigour of Vulcan law. The truth therefore had to be kept hidden. Spock’s family council insisted that he marry. In this universe the bonding ceremony triggered pon farr—and it was established in Kraith Collected that the Commodore was immune to pon farr. He would therefore be unable to consummate a Vulcan bonding, his wife would complain, the imposture would be detected, and Kirk would be in danger.
Kirk also, because of the sexual assaults he had suffered from the Captain, was impotent—psychologically so—and afraid to enter into any sort of personal relationship with anyone apart from Spock. Realising the situation that both men were in, McCoy suggested that they bond—something that he had discovered was acceptable on Vulcan—and Spock and Kirk were formally bonded. In the same issue, Kirk's Academy friend Gary Mitchell came on board as a navigator. Basically lazy, he finally settled down to become a steady, uninspired member of the crew.
There is a story in Duet #12 (1985) which is a slash version of this story. See "Variations 3 1/2 or The Other Choice" by Martin Coates.
==Issue 4==
Variations on a Theme 4 was published in May 1980 and is 64 pages long.
McCoy discovered that he had xenopolycythemia. Spock remembered Yonada—but in this universe, the Enterprise had encountered Yonada before Spock’s entry into Kirk’s life—a plague ship crewed by only a handful of immune disease carriers. To stop them spreading the disease or crashing into an inhabited world, the Captain had destroyed Yonada. Spock therefore decided to go back to his own universe, find McCoy there, and obtain the cure from him. When he failed to return, Kirk went in search of him leaving Charlene Masters in command of the Enterprise, only to discover that Spock had been arrested, accused of being AWOL.
==Issue 5==
Variations on a Theme 5 was published in October 1981 and contains 73 pages. The initial print run was 400 copies.
The Enterprise is being used by Starfleet on basically political missions. They go first to the Amerind planet where Kirk, as the god Kirok, has to persuade a native tribe to leave their lands ‘because the gods wanted them’—in fact, Starfleet had discovered traces of the Preservers there and wanted to investigate them. This done, the Enterprise was assigned to take the Dohlman Elaan to Troyius—with an overbearing Petri determined to find fault with everything the shy princess-to-be did.
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5==
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==Issue 6==
Variations on a Theme 6 was published in February 1982 and is 91 pages long. Art by Virginia Lee Smith. The zine was issued an ISSN 0260-1478.
This has analogues of Galileo 7 and Journey to Babel. The Enterprise carries on with more diplomatic duties—to take a number of Federation delegates to Babel for a conference. On The way, Kirk becomes involved twice in scientific missions…and is tricked into taking a wife.
* "It Seems a Shame" by Gene Delapenia
* "Barbarian" by Gene Delapenia
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6==
==Issue 7==
Variations On A Theme 7 was published in August 1983 and is 68 pages long.
Variations #7 includes more episode analogues, this time Plato’s Stepchildren and Alternative Factor. The visit to Platonius saw them decide to complete their bond link, and this was vital to the success of their next mission, an analogue of Alternate Factor, in which Spock for the first time encountered T’Pring, who was terrified of the Captain she had rejected in favour of Stonn. He also met, presumably for the last time, McCoy and Scott from his original universe.
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7==
==Issue 8==
Variations on a Theme 8 was published in August 1984 and contains 114 pages.
In Issue 8 they go on leave, first to Earth and then to Vulcan. In Scotland they run into Scotty's brother… who wants revenge for Scotty's death; then the twins (Kirk's children - see Issue 6) are kidnapped - vengeance against Spock for something that happened many years previously.
* Alternative Universe by Ann Smith
* Quiet Evening Doubts by Lorraine Goodison
* Scotty by Gene Delapenia
* The Infinite Necessity Of You by Lee Owers
* Though Now We Speak by Lee Owers
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 8==
==References==
 
Category:Star Trek TOS Gen and Het Novel Zines
Category:1970s Zines
Category:1980s Zines