A Hard Fate Makes a Hard People
The Klingons are generally regarded as the most militaristic, aggressive, and evil of the races; a reputation they do not deserve. The Klingon Empire is economically inferior to the Federation and, unlike this rival, has no open frontiers on which new territory can be found without conflict. The Klingons can never compete with the Federation economically and feel compelled to maintain a powerful fleet to avoid being dominated. This requires running their economy on a continuous wartime basis, reducing their entire population to rather spartan living conditions.
Born into Slavery; Grown into Rulers
The Klingon Empire arose on the ruins of a previous one (known only as "The Old Kings") of which the Klingons had been a subject race. The Old Kings used Klingons primarily in their starship crews without, apparently, civilizing them. when the Kings disappeared (supposedly in fear of a gigantic black hole in the galactic core), the Klingons quickly picked up the pieces. The Klingon ships are organized as the Deep Space Fleet.
Lebensraum
The Klingons currently feel constrained and surrounded. They have three hostile borders with major galactic powers (the Miraki, Hydrans, and Federation), a tense border with the Lyran Democratic Republic (against whom they fought an abortive war last year), and the Tholains occupy space stolen from their southern provinces. Judging the Hydrans to be too busy with their war against the Lyrans to honor the Hydran-Mirak defense pact, the Klingons have decided to launch an attack against their ancient feline enemy. A quick victory over the Mirak and a secure northern border would do much to strengthen their strategic position within the galaxy.
Last updated 10/05/2002
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