In Character Conference Alien Relations Seminar Stardate 10406.25

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.

========================================================================
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Greetings.  Go ahead and find a seat.  We will begin in just a minute to give those leaving other seminars time to get here.
Ens_Tulpuq says:
:: salutes the honorable seventh Captain of the QIb ::
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: salutes in kind with a fond wink ::
Lt_Chaser says:
:: cowers away from the huge Klingon man ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
Ravenprowler:  It is good to see you again Commander.
Lt_Chaser says:
Q'tor: Not as good as it is to see you alive, HoD'wI batlh !
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
nuq neH?
Capt_K`Beth says:
::steps in quietly and sits at the back, watching and listening::
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: steps up not caring who else is in the room and hugs Q'tor tight ::
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: stands at attention before taking her seat ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
Ravenprowler:  ::whispers::  Please Commander. Not in front of the Humangnan
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
Q'tor: She is KLINGON!
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Lets go ahead and get started.
Lt_Chaser says:
:: smiles at Tigs ::
Ens_Tulpuq says:
:: grunts ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  I am Captain Q'tor of the House of Qaveq.  Welcome.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Before I get started does anyone have any specific questions that you would like addressed?
Capt_K`Beth says:
::settles back in her seat and sips her coffee as she listens::
Ens_Tulpuq says:
:: thinks Q'tor is very handsome and wonders if he is married ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: No?  Very well then.  How many of you have served, or are serving with Klingons?
Lt_Chaser says:
: raises her hand ::
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: raises her hand ::
Ens_Tulpuq says:
:: raises her hand ::
Capt_K`Beth says:
::just sips her coffee and watches::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
Lt_Chaser:  Are there any sort of problems that you have encountered or observed?
Lt_Chaser says:
:: nods:: Captain: Aye, sir-r. When I was lil they chased me.
Lt_Chaser says:
Captain: Seems they didn't like me "bor-r-rowing" their-r things.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
::chuckles:: Lt_Chaser:  That would cause it.
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: laughs ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Klingons live to kill
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
Qapla'
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Battle is all they ever think about.
Capt_K`Beth says:
::raises an eyebrow at that statement::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: They take no prisoners because they are bloodthirsty
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: These are a few of the misconceptions that the average non-Klingon have about Klingons.
Ens_Tulpuq says:
:: shakes her head no ::
Capt_K`Beth says:
::chuckles quietly::
Lt_Chaser says:
:: thinks ghobe'::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: It is true that compared to many other races Klingons do seem to kill others.... a lot.  We are after all a race of warriors.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  While all Klingons receive some training as a warrior, not all Klingons are warriors.
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: thinks HIja' ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Just like here in the Federation, we have our politicians, our lawyers, our scientists, scholars, poets, musicians, etc.
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: doctors even, chuckles ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Yes, even doctors... such as they are ::smiles::
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: smiles back ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Yes Klingons kill their enemies.  However, an opponent has to be worthy of killing.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: There is no honor in killing the weak, or defenseless.
Lt_Chaser says:
:: Nods, true ::
Capt_K`Beth says:
::her comm badge beeps and she listens to the message and stands up, nodding to the speaker as she quietly leaves::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Klingons do not take prisoners.  This is true.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: To a Klingon, surrender or capture is unthinkable.  To surrender to an enemy, or allow oneself to be captured is the pinnacle of dishonor.  Not only does the warrior dishonor him, or herself, they dishonor their entire family for seven generations.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: With Klingon lifespans being what they are this dishonor could last for nearly 1000 Earth years.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  The flip side of that coin is that a Klingon warrior will not dishonor a worthy opponent by accepting their surrender, nor would he try to dishonor them by capturing them.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: So no, Klingons do not take prisoners, but no, it is not because they are bloodthirsty.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Are there any questions so far?
Lt_Chaser says:
:: shakes her head no ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Klingons advance in rank by assassinating their superiors.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: How many of you have heard this one?
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: raises hand ::
Lt_Chaser says:
:: raises hand ::
Ens_Tulpuq says:
:: raises hand ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: The simple truth is, this is not true.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: On any given ship in the Klingon fleet, there is only one officer that can get away with killing his or her superior, and that is under very strict circumstances.
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: nods ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Does anybody here know who that officer is, and what the circumstances are?
Lt_Chaser says:
Captain: HIja'
Lt_Chaser says:
Captain: It is the XO, in the case of killing the CO if he is no longer-r str-rong enough to command a ship.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
Chaser:  majqa' Lieutenant. Excellent.
Lt_Chaser says:
:: Beams ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Or if the Captain is showing signs of cowardice.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Nothing will demoralize a Klingon crew faster than the hint of cowardice, or weakness from their commanding officer.
Ens_Tulpuq says:
:: nods vigorously ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  So in such a situation it is not just the First Officers prerogative, it is his, or her, duty.
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
Qapla'
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: And it must be an open challenge in front of the crew.  And even then this does not guarantee that the First Officer will be made the Commanding Officer.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Any questions so far?
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: shakes her head no ::
Lt_Chaser says:
Captain: No, sir.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Klingons respect strength.  When dealing with Klingons you should speak to them forcefully, but respectfully.  If there is a disagreement stand your ground.  A Klingon warrior will respect that.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: He, or she, may never agree with you, but he will respect your position.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Should a Klingon insult you, this is actually a type of ritual known as the mu'qaD veS, or curse warfare.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL Insult him, or her back.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: It's all part of the ritual.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Of course for non-Klingons it would probably be wise to let the Klingon initiate this particular ritual.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Klingons may seem suspicious of everyone.  They do not make friends easily, but when they do, you could not ask for a more loyal friend.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  Klingons, being a warrior race, view everyone for the first time as a potential enemy.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  You must prove yourself not an enemy.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  There really is no easy way to do this, other than through your actions.
Ens_Tulpuq says:
Qapla'
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  It is not easy for a Klingon warrior to serve in Starfleet.
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
Captain; SO true.
Ens_Tulpuq says:
:: agrees totally ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  In the early days the relations between the Klingons and Federation were.... rocky at best.
Lt_Chaser says:
:: laughs::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  To the Klingon mindset at the time, the Federation were trying to extend their empire through the insidious and underhanded use of Diplomacy
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: Diplomacy bah, smiles ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  When the Klingon Empire expands they do so with honor.  They openly conquer their opponents.  There is no luring their opponents through talk, promises of aid, in order to "infest" the opponents’ world.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
Turok:  Welcome Ensign.
Ens_Tulpuq says:
tlhIngan maH!
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  To many Klingons, Diplomacy is still not something that a true warrior engages in.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: And yet Starfleet will always choose diplomacy over force of arms.
Ens_Tulpuq says:
:: nods her head ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: This is an alien concept to Klingon warriors.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  We as a people are still learning the value of Diplomacy
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  As with just about anything else, we are beginning to see Diplomacy as a weapon.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  And every situation calls for a specific weapon.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: A True warrior merely needs to determine what that weapon is.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Are there any questions?
Lt_Chaser says:
Captain: No, sir.
Ens_Tulpuq says:
:: thinks the Captain is wise ::
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Very well then.  My time is up, I thank you for attending.  Hopefully you have learned at least a little about how to interact with Klingons.
LtCmdr_Ravenprowler says:
:: applauds ::
Ens_Tulpuq says:
Captain; Thank you Captain.
Host CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL: Qapla'
Lt_Chaser says:
Captain : Qapla'  :: stands clapping ::