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The Klingon Species by Dan Foster
Report by the Federation Sociological Research Institute regarding the Klingon Species
Report released July 2378, Stardate 55899Primary author Darid Kai of Alpha Centauri
Approximately 1700 years ago a new humanoid species appeared on the planet Qo'noS. Where this group came from is unknown, but many possibilities exist. Perhaps this was a star-faring race, stranded for whatever reason. Perhaps the semi-mythical Preservers dropped them mistakenly on Qo'noS. It is even possible this race did actually evolve on the planet (see note 1).
The Preservers were mistaken because a sentient race already existed on Qo'Nos, one that archeology tells us did evolve there. The two species were physically very different. The native humanoids were much stronger and larger than an Earth Human, and had remarkable bony crests on their craniums. Though intelligent, their culture was centered on physical strength, and was warrior based. The transplanted race looked almost identical to Earth Humans (see note 2), though slightly larger and stronger. Their sociology focused more on cunning. They were very easy to identify however due to Human-like craniums, or smooth foreheads.
The cunning nature of the smooth headed Klingons (henceforth referred to as K-2) is reflected in the myths of the ridge headed Klingon (K-1). Some believe that the story of Kahless, betrayed by his conniving brother Morath, may in fact be reference to the two tribes of Klingons. In the story the betrayer, who has engaged in a cunning lie, is defeated after twelve days of battle by the stronger Kahless. Other historical evidence suggests that this was about the time the K-1 subjected the K-2, thereby unifying the Klingon people (see note 3).
The K-2 gift of cunning were not lost on the K-1, and they came to employ the K-2 as court scientists, scribes, or lawyers. Though a successful arrangement, it was not always peaceful. Records suggest that the Klingon's only experiment with democracy was brought on by the K-2. This ten year period between the Second (Reclaw) and Third Dynasties is remembered in Klingon history as "The Dark Time." General K'Trelan, responsible for the end of the Imperial reign, may have been a successful K-2. The elected council was later executed, and the Empire was restored. Later, the K-2 would again revolt, only to have the Emperor Sompek destroy the entire city of Tong Vey in retaliation. As time passed however, the subterfuge of the K-2 became more subtle. Historical records suggest that the end of Imperial reign and rise of the current High Council in 2069 TCE may have been slowly engineered by the courtesans in the Emperor's House.
This arrangement was still in effect when Terran Starfleet Captain Jonathan Archer made contact with the Klingons in 2151 TCE. This initial, uncomfortable contact with the K-1 dominated council was seen as an opportunity by the K-2. Violent contact had already occurred with the Romulans and Suliban, and the K-2 began to feed upon xenophobic paranoia. After the United Federation of Planets formed in 2161, the K-2 claimed it was a sign of Terran expansionism, and severed what little communications there were between Qo'noS and Earth.
By the early 23rd Century, the K-2 had stealthily maneuvered themselves into key positions. Citing their administrative strengths and the K-1's military prowess, the Council was made completely K-2, while the military was K-1. When the Federation attempted formal contact in 2218, the K-2 incited the warrior class to fight. The K-2 also pointed out that they might be better equipped to deal with the rigors of being Fleet Officers. By the end of the Four Years War most Navy officer positions were held by K-2. The K-1 were becoming second class citizens.
To keep the Warrior class content, the K-2 aristocracy began a series of wars against the Romulans (see note 4). These bloody wars went on for decades, and kept the warriors distracted enough for the K-2 to become entrenched.
Federation hostilities began to mount again in the 2250's as a cold war escalated to border skirmishes. Having fought the Romulans to a standstill, the Klingon Empire began expanding toward the Alpha Quadrant. By this time the officer compliments of IKN vessels were exclusively K-2. This continued through the Organian altercation and forced treaty in 2266. Then the K-2, looking for weapons that would get them around the Organian Peace Treaty, made a mistake.
Rather than restart hostilities with the Romulan Star Empire (see note 5) the Klingon ruling class decided to trade technology with the Romulans and begin treaty negotiations. For the Warrior caste, this was too much. The K-1s had spent the better part of a century fighting Romulans, and would under no circumstances capitulate. A K-1/K-2 hybrid named Chang waited until the Romulans delivered the first cloaking ships (see note 6) in 2267, and then set in motion a coup. The success of the coup was ensured not only by loyal Klingon Warriors, but also by many K-2 who had become sympathetic with the K-1 during military service. The coup was brief but effective. Within a year the majority of K-2 were either exterminated or serving the new Klingon ruling council.
That posed another problem. The Klingons now feared such disunity happening again, and searched for a way to overcome the differences the two species had. Klingon scientists developed a DNA resequencing process which was encased in a viral infection. K-2 who were loyal to the Empire were ordered to accept infection. Following a painful month-long process, their genetic code would be re-written, and their physiology drastically changed. Those who refused were executed (see note 7) and many did not even survive the process. Those who did baffled Federation spies and scientists. Suddenly, a race Terrans hadn't seen in a century were running the Empire again. Even worse, some of the better known Klingon commanders along the border were now part of that species (see note 8)!
The typical Klingon response to inquiries was and is, "We don't discuss it with outsiders." This is still a taboo subject among Klingons, and in some cases a matter of shame. Not over the genocide, but that the K-1 allowed themselves to be manipulated by the K-2. When dealing with Klingon citizens, it is advisable to avoid the subject unless trust has already been established. Indeed this short report has been assembled from years of research, and is still lacking in detail. Any additional information should be forwarded to the Federation Sociological Research Institute, San Francisco, Terra.
Note 1: Very unlikely however due to the fact that no archeological evidence exists prior to 700 TCE (Terran Common Era) Earth calendar.
Note 2: They were particularly similar to the Mongol nation, inspiring theories that they may have been transplanted from Earth like the Amerind tribe discovered by USS Enterprise stardate 4842.6. Anatomical records made by Dr. Leonard McCoy at the K-7 Deep Space Station cast a very improbable light on this theory.
Note 3: Approximately 900 TCE, as told in "Histories of the Dynasty" by Korchas.
Note 4: During this time there was no contact between the Federation and Romulans following the Treaty of Cheron. How history would be different if the Federation had sided with either the Romulans or Klingons during these wars can only be speculated.
Note 5: Now active again, and deploying ships equipped with cloaking technology and plasma torpedoes.
Note 6: Obviously a shipment of Klingon weapons and vessel technology made it to the Romulans, as they soon began patrolling the Neutral Zone in Klingon type ships.
Note 7: Indeed it is unknown how many K-2 were annihilated in the course of the coup, how many refused the infection and were executed, and how many died as a result of the process. One estimate neared a half billion.
Note 8: In particular Captains Kor, Kang, and Koloth.
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