Equilibrium (Star Trek: TOS story by PSW)
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Equilibrium |
| Author(s): | PSW |
| Date(s): | 2014 - 2015 |
| Length: | 152,047 words |
| Genre(s): | Gen, Kidnapping, Whump |
| Fandom(s): | |
| Relationship(s): | McCoy & Spock, McCoy & Kirk, McCoy & Original Characters |
| External Links: | FFN AO3  Cover art by carbongrunge (2024) |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Equilibrium is a McCoy focused Star Trek: TOS story by PSW, where McCoy is kidnapped by non-federation aliens and forced to work for them.
It is often recced as a "must read" for McCoy fans, and it often compared to the official tie-in novels for quality and length. It is also praised for its original characters, and the exploration of the triumvirate's friendships.
This story was first posted to Fanfiction.net in 2014 and then to Archive of Our Own in 2018.
Summary
Author's Summary
McCoy's transport is destroyed in what appears to be a containment field explosion, leaving no known survivors. The truth, however, is not so simple as that...
Story Summary
McCoy is kidnapped by non-federation aliens. They force McCoy to work for them, and medically treat captured Vulcans and Romulans. McCoy struggles to treat those in his care, and to try and find a way to escape, all while his own well-being deteriorates. Meanwhile, it has been reported to the Enterprise that McCoy died during an explosion, and Kirk and Spock struggle with their grief at the loss of their friend.
Coda
The author also wrote a short one-shot follow up to the story called Peaches and Tolik Blossoms.
Author's Notes
From Fanfiction.net:
A/N: I've been working on this for a while, and thought others might enjoy the attempt. This will be a somewhat long story, and due to my schedule/other activities, updates may not be completely regular, but if I know people are enjoying it, I will continue posting. If you see something that is not quite right (wrong deck for science labs, incorrect Rigelian naming conventions - as I couldn't really find those anywhere), you're welcome to let me know, but please don't let it ruin the story for you. If you don't like it - that's okay, too, but remember I'm really just doing this for fun, so please don't ruin it for me. :-) I don't own anything related to Star Trek, other than the complete series on DVD and the 2009 movies (which are good but not quite the same ...)
Reactions and Reviews
2016
Re-reading Star Trek:TOS fic linkffn(Equilibrium by PSW) and was reminded of why I loved it in the first place. The plot/action is compelling and well-paced, and I love how the plot itself sets up some character study - how off-balance Kirk and Spock are without McCoy, and how much he needs them. Watching McCoy function and make tough decisions on his own is really awesome and is done so well. Plus, he's thrown in with a bunch of Vulcans, so that had to be interesting.Everyone is in-character, even the Romulans, which is hard to do. My only complaint is the character of Trella - I understood why it was important to focus on her, to show McCoy’s importance, but I still felt she was the weak point. That could just be me, though.
All in all, definitely worth your time.[1]
2018
listen I have read a lot of Star Trek novels and I’m here to tell you that this fic is the best Star Trek novel I’ve ever read. the triumvirate bonds (and suffers), Bones gets to be absolutely kickass awesome, it will have you on the edge of your seat for chapter after chapter, and it feels amazingly true to the series but also takes the time to delve into the characters’ emotions and reactions in a way that TOS never really did but should have. basically it’s the TOS novel I always truly wanted.[2]
2019
Everyone reading this, drop what you’re doing and read “Equilibrium” by PSW right now. I’ll wait. It’s only 150,000 words. It’s also an absolutely remarkable achievement in TOS fanfiction that is probably my favourite Trek thing ever, or at least way up there, and I’m talking canon included. Featuring: Bones being kidnapped and presumed dead! Bones actually being awesome and brilliant and facing complex moral dilemmas! Spock and Kirk trying to deal without Bones and failing in surprising ways and learning about themselves in the process! Spectacular Triumvirate feels, both apart and together! A new alien civilization that feels fleshed out and fascinating, and a layered plot that works, and a super satisfying ending with a final line that’s sure to make you smile.[3]
My, oh my. Where can I even start reviewing a story as perfect as this? Perhaps by saying that I have rarely had a better start to a new year when it comes to reading than what this story offered 3
I am relatively new to Star Trek fandom but boy have I took a deep dive into everything :D Despite their cringe-worthy moments, I have a deep love for the original series and the six movies with the original cast. (I do love the alternative original series movies as well, but they are certainly different from the old stuff.)
Gen stories are quite rare in this fandom so whenever I find them I squee with joy as I love the explorations of the wonderful friendship this trio has (as you say, the equilibrium). (Not that I have anything against slash fics! In fact, while I am the first to admit Kirk & Spock are the space husbands of the centuries, I slash Spock/Bones myself.) I love how it was Spock who found Bones before Kirk and how, even though Bones clinging on him might have irritated Spock, Spock totally understood his need for that.
These guys being protective towards each other hits all my buttons, so thank you for having that as well. Also, I have a thing for the relationship between Sarek and Spock. For example, I loved their interaction at the end of Star Trek IV film (it was as close to a hug as those two will ever get!)
I think you nailed it with the character voices, by the way. Writing Spock and other Vulcans is an intimidating task (at least to me) but you did it masterfully. Also, all the science around the energy-producing compound etc. must have been tricky to write but you did a marvelous job there as well.
Last but not least, I got a good laugh out of the last paragraph of the story. Oh, Bones... you have no idea what kind of adventures are still coming your way!
I am so happy I found this fic, thank you so much for sharing your talent and writing it for us :) [4]
2020
Y’all this fic is GOOD. Like holy shit. I caught myself wanting to write fanfic for it before I remembered that it itself is fanfic and not canon. Starts off with McCoy and others being kidnapped and their deaths faked. Spock and the rest of the Enterprise are grieving (and my heart breaks every time.) Meanwhile, McCoy is being forced to engineer a treatment for captive Vulcans, Romulans, and Rigelians who are being subjected to some really awful stuff–but I won’t spoil it for you. I will say though that this fic brings out a mixture of emotions, from anger and disbelief to excitement and absolute relief. Like edge-of-your-seat action. This is not a Spones fic but the Spock/McCoy friendship is strong and central to the fic’s resolution. A must for McCoy fans cause he’s just so good in this fic. The OCs are great as well, you find yourself caring about them a lot.[5]
2021
long tos fic about McCoy being kidnapped by aliens and the Enterprise crew thinks he died !! again some of the best characterization I’ve ever read. And a really cool exploration into the Bones & Spock friendship. Highly recommend. I seriously can’t rec this author enough all their stuff is amazing.[6]
If there’s anyone who hasn’t read the fic Equilibrium by PSW, then I highly recommend it. It’s a long one at over 150,000 words, but it is a freakin’ excellent fic that outright fees like an actual novel. Especially if you’re a McCoy fan, this is a worthwhile read![7]
sometimes a 150K star trek fic can be so personal…[8]
2022
My favourite trek fic (not counting the actual Trek novels) of all time is PSW's novel-length Equilibrium, which I firmly believe every TOS fan -- and especially every McCoy fan -- should read. Start there, and then keep going.[9]
2023
Listen if you like TOS and are up to read what is essentially a short book then read Equilibrium by PSW on Ao3. Absolutely fantastic piece of work, I have nothing but praise for it and have already left a very long comment on it. Outstanding work, beautiful writing and characterization, just read this fucking story if you want a good one[11]
2024
long, character-driven, plotty. reads like a miniseries or movie that does true credit to both the primary three and the larger ensemble of TOS[12]
2025
The GOAT McCoy in a Situation fic. Reads like a good TOS novel, with a compelling story and strong characterizations that emphasize how important the triumvirate are to each other.[13]
Inspired Fanworks
Fanart
- Some art for an all time favorite fan fic of mine!, Archived version by comradetoad (2024)
Example Art Gallery
Cover art by frangipani-wanderlust (2018) -- Based on a photo reference and common print zine illustration: McCoy (Star Trek: TOS zine) #4 (1983) and McCoy's T.O.Y. #3 (1990)
References
- ^ "Comment on Fic Rec Friday!, posted to r/FanFiction July 15, 2016". Archived from the original on 2022-12-10.
- ^ "alright there are only 27 minutes left of fanfic appreciation day here but gosh dang it I'm gonna do a fic rec post too GO GO GO". Archived from the original on 2022-12-10.
- ^ "March 28, 2019 Tumblr post by trek-tracks". Archived from the original on 2024-09-08.
- ^ Fanfiction.net
- ^ "Making a quick lil rec list in case anyone's lookin to read something new". Archived from the original on 2022-12-10.
- ^ "Top 5 favourite fanfics you have read in 2020-2021?". Archived from the original on 2022-12-10.
- ^ "June 25, 2021 Tumblr post". Archived from the original on 2022-12-10.
- ^ "Oct 3, 2021 Tumblr post". Archived from the original on 2022-12-10.
- ^ June 23, 2022 Tumblr post
- ^ Comment on International Fanworks Day Feedback Fest 2022
- ^ "June 28, 2023 Tumblr post by carbongrunge". Archived from the original on 2024-12-03.
- ^ "Rec at saltficrecs, Dec 31, 2024". Archived from the original on 2025-04-13.
- ^ "He's a doctor not a damsel, dammit! (A Leonard "Bones" McCoy in a Situation fic rec list)". Archived from the original on 2025-04-13.