In Character Conference Alien Relations Seminar Stardate 10406.26

Speaker: Captain Q'tor of the House of Qaveq – Former CO IKS QIB

Subject: The truth about Klingons and why they do the things they do.

Synopsis: Do you serve under, or with Klingon officers in Starfleet?  Do they seem rude, loud, brutish?  Do they appear quick to anger and slow to laugh? Everyone has heard the following myths about Klingons:  They kill for the sheer joy of killing.  They take no prisoners because they are bloodthirsty savages.  They advance in rank and position by killing their superiors.  Find out the truth behind these myths, and how to interact with Klingon officers that may be serving on your ship, or any other Klingons that you may find yourself in the position of dealing with from Captain Q'tor of the House of Qaveq, Klingon Warrior and veteran Starfleet Officer.

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CTO_q`vort says:
::strides in and salutes Captain Q'tor in the Traditional way::
LtJG_Lingn says:
::takes a seat out of the way of the klingons::
LtJG_Lingn says:
CO: What ship do you command Captain?
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
Lingn: Currently I am not in command of a ship.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
Turok: Welcome Ensign. Have a seat.  We will be starting in just a few minutes.
CTO_q`vort says:
CO: You are the former CO of the QIb are you not?
Ens_Turok says:
Q'tor: Thank you sir. ::taking a sest in the front row::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
q'vort:  It has been my honor to serve on board the QIb, yes.
LtJG_Lingn says:
::salutes the Captain:: CO: It is an honor to meet the Legend in Person.
CTO_q`vort says:
::gives Q'Tor the Klingon Salute::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
Lingn: I am hardly a legend. ::returns the salutes::
CTO_q`vort says:
CO: Modest too. I heard about what happened to the QIb. Truly a waste.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  If everyone is ready we will go ahead and begin.
Ens_Turok says:
::Nodding in agreement::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  To serve with Klingons in Starfleet one must understand Klingons.  The way they think.  The reason they act the way they do. You must know the truth behind some of the myths about KLingons and Klingon culture.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Klingons kill for the sheer joy of killing.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Who among you have heard this?
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: No one has heard this about Klingons?
LtJG_Lingn says:
CO: I have, but I doubt it is true.
Ens_Turok says:
::Raising his hand in agreement::
LtJG_Lingn says:
CO: Klingons kill for Honor.
CTO_q`vort says:
::nods in Agreement::
Ens_Turok says:
ALL: They fight for honor, death is just the side affect.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: I did not ask if anyone believed it.  And that Klingons kill for Honor is also a misconception.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  A Klingon strives for honor in everything he does.  When it comes to killing, a warrior kills his opponent... if that opponent is worth killing.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  There is no honor in killing the weak or defenseless.
CTO_q`vort says:
::nods in Agreement::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  It must be understood that while every Klingon receives some training as a warrior, not all Klingons are warriors.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Klingon Society also has it's doctors, lawyers, farmers, teachers, poets, laborers, etc.  No society could function without these things.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Klingons take no prisoners.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: This is a commonly held belief is it not?
CTO_q`vort says:
CO: Yes.
Ens_Turok says:
::Nodding::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  This is actually true, but not for the reasons most think.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: For a Klingon warrior, there can be no greater dishonor than surrender, or allowing oneself to be captured.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  The flip side of this coin, is that a Klingon warrior will not dishonor his enemy by accepting their surrender, nor will he attempt to capture them.
SFI_Ens_Tyret says:
::walks in and takes a seat::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
::nods to Ens_Tyret in acknowledgement::
SFI_Ens_Tyret says:
::nods back::
CTO_q`vort says:
CO: I had come to this situation while serving on the Katana. I had to compromise. After all I am the Exchange Officer.
CTO_q`vort says:
CO: It seems our cultures sometimes do not agree with each other.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: That is what is required by both the Klingon warrior, and his Starfleet shipmates.  Compromise
CTO_q`vort says:
CO: But we do compromise and get along well.
SFI_Ens_Tyret says:
CO: I heard a rumor Klingons never retreat.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Many non-Klingons feel intimidated by Klingon shipmates.  Some display outright fear.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
Ens_Tyret:  This is a false rumor.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  The Klingon Empire has not survived and flourished for over 1500 years because its warriors are stupid.
CTO_q`vort says:
::nods in agreement::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: There is no shame in retreat, or withdrawal if there is no chance of winning a battle, or by being bested by an honorable enemy.
LtJG_Lingn says:
CO: How do Klingons deal with Dishonorable ones. Such as the Romulans?
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: It is the hope of every Klingon warrior to die in battle, facing his enemies.  This does not mean being slaughtered needlessly.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
Lingn:  Harshly.  However I would remind you that not all romuluSgnan are dishonorable.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Klingons do not trust outsiders.  I assume everyone has heard this about Klingons.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: This is true... to an extent.  Klingons do not trust strangers period.  Whether they are outsiders or not.
Ens_Turok says:
Q'tor: and sometimes other Klingons.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  This is the result of living in a society in which every stranger is a potential enemy until he or she proves otherwise.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  To prove otherwise is not an easy task.  But once you have proven yourself worthy of a Klingons trust you will be hard pressed to find a more loyal ally or friend.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Klingons are rude and brutish.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Indeed, by Federation standards we may seem this way.  In truth it is that Klingons are very open and honest.  We find the "politeness" of other societies distasteful.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  If I find someone to be weak and dishonorable I will come out and tell him this.  I will not attempt to be polite, or politically correct, and avoid the issue.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  When dealing with Klingons, non-Klingons should remember the following:
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Do not show weakness or fear.  Speak loudly, clearly, and forcefully.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: To a Klingon, whispering is considered rude.  Speaking softly is a sign that you cannot be trusted.  If something is worth saying, then it is worth saying loudly enough to be heard.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Should a Klingon warrior begin openly insulting you, what should you do?
CTO_q`vort says:
CO: Insult back.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
q'vort:  majqa'. Excellent.
Ens_Turok says:
Q'tor: But to what point, wont enough insult lead to a fight?
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Should a Klingon warrior start openly insulting you he is probably initiating what is called the mu'qaD veS.  Or curse Warfare.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: It is a type of ritual.  A Klingons status among his fellow warriors is measured to a degree by his ability to curse and insult another.
Ens_Turok says:
Q'tor: And if you out insult them, doesn't it dishonor them?
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  He or she, may lose some status, but no.  A true warrior will not be dishonored by words.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Should a warrior initiate the mu'qaD it is a sign that he has at least started to trust you.  Why bother with words if you are an enemy?
Ens_Turok says:
::Nodding::
SFI_Ens_Tyret says:
CO: Makes sense.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Remember this.  For 1500 years the Klingon Empire expanded and grew by open conquest.  The Federation on the other hand has grown since its founding, mainly by diplomacy.
CTO_q`vort says:
CO: And to the Empire, nothing is unconquerable. It just has not been conquered yet.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  To a Klingon warrior, diplomacy was seen as insidious and treacherous.  It was like poisoning an enemy.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Diplomacy was not the way of a true warrior.  Better to fight and face death, than to sneak in selling promises of aide and assistance.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  A Klingon Diplomat was merely the ruler of a conquered world.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Over the last hundred years however, the Empire has begun to see diplomacy in a different light.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Diplomacy is now being seen as just another weapon in the empires arsenal, and every weapon has its purpose.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: There is a surprisingly enlightening saying from ancient Earth teachings:  A true warrior knows when to fight, and when not to fight. When it is time for diplomacy then this is not the time to fight.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  One last myth concerning Klingons that I wish to dispel before closing this evening:
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Klingons advance in rank and position by assassinating their superiors.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: This is absolutely not true.
CTO_q`vort says:
ALL: If we did we would not have a fleet.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: On a Klingon vessel, there is only one officer that is not only authorized, but duty bound, to kill his superior, and then only under very specific circumstances.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Should a Klingon commander show signs of weakness or cowardess, it is the next in commands’ duty to openly challenge him for leadership in a duel, in most circumstances to the death.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Nothing will demoralize a Klingon crew, or any other military unit, faster, or more completely, than signs of cowardess or weakness by their commanding officer.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  In such circumstances it is the first officers’ duty to openly challenge his commander for leadership.  This accomplishes two things.  First and most importantly, regardless of who wins it rallies the crew.  Second, should the commander lose, it restores his Honor.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Even if such a challenge is successful, there is no guarantee that the first officer will be assigned permanently as commanding officer.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  We are running late, so I must conclude.  Are there any questions?
SFI_Ens_Tyret says:
::leaves::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Very well then.  I thank you for coming.
LtJG_Lingn says:
CO: Great Lecture. ::leaves::
Ens_Turok says:
Q'tor: Excellent lecture sir.