By Michael Dismuke, STA Contributing Writer
Art by Alain Rivard
Hands down, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is my favorite movie of all time. I’ve watched it at least 50 times. I’ve read Nicholas Meyer’s screenplay. My sister and I can recite entire scenes from memory.
But there was always something left out of the story that I always wondered about and was barely hinted to by the time we were reintroduced to Klingons in The Next Generation. What was that, you ask? Think about it.
The Khitomer Accords are signed. Chancellor Azetbur, the daughter of Gorkon, is now the top official in the Klingon High Council. The Klingon/Starfleet masterminds behind Gorkon’s assasination are either arrested or dead. Did you really think the action stopped there?
No. Friggin. Way.
Much like the fall of the Berlin Wall and end of the Cold War on Earth brought an end to nearly 50 years of outright hostility between the Eastern and Western superpowers, I can imagine how various factions in the proud Klingon Empire spasmed and convulsed under Azetbur’s bold decision. Hundreds of years of hostility between the Klingons and Federations could not simply be packed into the back of the cargo bay with the swish of an electro-pen.
Hence, my mission briefs pack entitled “The Khitomer Accords.”
What was it like inside the borders of the Klingon Empire as armies, warriors, crews, and captains were told about the cessation of hostilities? Did they all acquiesce and agree to the ceasefire? Were there factions of Klingon die-hards who may have been loyal to men like General Chang ready to use subterfuge and violence to restore the status quo? With new leadership, what old secrets waited to be unburied? How did power dynamics between different Houses shift, and what skirmishes were fought to solidify such power?
I imagine Azetbur’s rule was not one of peace. Sure, she knew that the Federation would not be an imminent threat. But the threats from within had to be so immense, that even Starfleet knew she would not survive long.
The Klingons are a proud people. And as many Klingons may have been proud of Azetbur’s bold move to sign the Accords, others felt dishonored and humiliated to have – in their minds – lost to the UFP. What would their pride motivate them to do to preserve a Klingon culture?
I could literally write a comic, novel, or television sci-fi drama series on the galactic-political climate of the Klingon Empire during Star Trek’s lost era. I guess I can settle for playing it out myself in Star Trek Adventures using the ruleset as provided in The Klingon Empire core rulebook. And I hope you are able to answer these questions and stumble across some intrigue, fun, and Klingon honor as you delve into the era after the signing of the Khitomer Accords.
Download a copy of “Khitomer Accords” now from modiphius.net, modiphius.us, or DTRPG!
Purchase the Star Trek Adventures RPG core rulebook or the starter set and get started right away!
Thanks for reading this article, and thank you for your interest and support of Star Trek Adventures! Keep frequencies open for news about additional STA products in the coming months. Live long and prosper!
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