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| − | [[File:IKS Hegh'la under attack.png|thumb|200px|The Klingon Civil War]] |
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| + | |name=Klingon Civil War |
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| − | The '''Klingon Civil War''' was an internecine conflict fought within the Klingon Empire in late 2367 and early 2368. The war was waged between the supporters of the House of Duras and of Gowron, over who would be the rightful successor to K'mpec as Chancellor of the Klingon High Council. The forces backing Gowron were ultimately victorious, after it was revealed that the House of Duras was receiving backing and material support from the Romulan Star Empire. |
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| + | |image=Qo'noS burns.jpg |
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| + | |date=2367-2368 |
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| − | A time of great turmoil came to the Empire when Chancellor K'mpec died. He appointed an Arbiter of Succession which would be [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] of [[Starfleet]], a Human, which was an unprecedented move in Klingon history. Picard decided between the two challengers who sought the leadership of the Empire, Duras and Gowron. It was eventually learned that Duras's father, Ja'rod, was responsible for the Massacre at Khitomer due to his alliance with the Romulans. |
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| + | |location=[[Klingon Empire]] |
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| + | |result=Decisive House of Gowron victory;<br/>revelation of truth about Khitomer Massacre |
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| + | |combatant1=[[File:Klingon Empire.jpg|22px]]<br/>House of Gowron<br/><sub><br/>''Supported by:''<br/>[[File:Ufp-emblem.jpg|22px]]<br/>[[United Federation of Planets]] |
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| + | | combatant2=[[File:Klingon Empire.jpg|22px]]<br/>House of Duras<br/><sub><br/>''Supported by:''<br/>[[File:RomulanEmblem.jpg|22px]]<br/>[[Romulan Star Empire]] |
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| + | |co1=<sub>House of Gowron:</sub><br/>Gowron<br/>Kurn<br/>[[Martok]]<br/><sub><br />[[Federation]]:</sub><br/>[[Jean-Luc Picard]]<br/>[[Data]] |
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| + | |co2=<sub>House of Duras:</sub><br/>Lursa<br/>B'Etor<br/><sub><br/>[[Romulan Star Empire]]:</sub><br/>[[Sela]]<br/>Movar |
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| + | |shiploss1= |
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| + | |casualties1= |
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| + | |casualties2= |
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| + | }} |
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| + | {{quote|Can you not see what you are doing? Are you blind to what they represent? Then go. Your blood will paint the way to the future.|Gowron, 2367}} |
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| + | The '''Klingon Civil War''' was an internecine conflict fought within the [[Klingon Empire]] in late 2367 and early 2368. |
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| + | The war was waged between the supporters of the House of Duras and of Gowron, over who would be the rightful successor to K'mpec as Chancellor of the Klingon High Council. |
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| − | However, despite this, his position was strong among the Klingon High Council. Following Duras' death, his son Toral challenged Gowron for leadership of the empire. The Arbiter of Succession denied Toral's claim due to his age and concluded that Gowron would be the new Chancellor of the Klingon Empire. Despite this decision, half of the High Council sided with the House of Duras. This started the Klingon Civil War. |
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| + | |||
| + | The forces backing Gowron were ultimately victorious, after it was revealed that the House of Duras was receiving backing and material support from the [[Romulan Star Empire]]. ({{e|TNG|Redemption|Redemption II}}) |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | [[File:Kmpec.jpg|thumb|left|Chancellor K'mpec in 2367]] |
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| + | The conflict had its roots in the reign of K'mpec, the longest-lived chancellor of the Empire. Although K'mpec ruled with an iron fist and managed to keep peace within the Empire, his influence began to wane as he grew older, and two opposing factions began to develop. The first faction, led by Gowron, favored the continuing alliance with the Federation, while the second faction, led by Duras, sought to establish a more independent and aggressive policy for the Empire. Duras had support from a large majority of the High Council, while Gowron's support came largely from political outsiders and military personnel. |
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| + | |||
| + | When evidence surfaced that Ja'rod had betrayed Khitomer to the Romulans, K'mpec conspired with Duras to shift the blame to Mogh in an attempt to prevent a civil war, leading to the discommendation of [[Worf]]. This action, however, only postponed the conflict. |
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| + | |||
| + | Tensions came to a head in early 2367 with the sudden revelation that K'mpec was dying. He had been slowly poisoned by Veridium Six that had been introduced into his bloodwine. Because the killer had not shown his face to his victim, [[Klingon#Religion and tradition|Klingon tradition]] considered the act to be without honor. Recognizing the corruption that had taken hold in the Empire, K'mpec decided that he could not trust any [[Klingon]] with the task of choosing the next leader of the Empire. Therefore, he took the unheard-of action of selecting [[Jean-Luc Picard]], a [[Human]] [[Starfleet]] officer, as the Arbiter of Succession. |
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| + | |||
| + | Picard initially refused K'mpec's request, stating that a Starfleet officer had no business choosing the next leader of the Klingon Empire. K'mpec responded by saying that all he was doing was asking Picard to determine which one of the two challengers killed him, which would eliminate that person from contending for the leadership of the Council. K'mpec further argued that a Klingon civil war would inevitably involve neighboring powers – the Tholian Assembly, the Ferengi Alliance, and ultimately the [[Romulan Star Empire]] and the Federation itself. K'mpec pointed out that whoever had so dishonorably killed him – either Gowron or Duras – could not be allowed to rule the Empire. Concerned by the prospect of a massive interstellar war, Picard agreed to arbitrate the dispute. |
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| + | |||
| + | [[File:Duras son of jarod.jpg|thumb|Duras in 2367]] |
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| + | The process of selecting a new leader for the Empire was almost immediately disrupted when a bomb exploded in the middle of the ''Sonchi'' ceremony confirming K'mpec's death. One retainer each from Gowron's and Duras' delegations was killed in the blast. |
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| + | |||
| + | Picard, wary of K'mpec's warnings concerning the dishonorable actions of either Duras or Gowron, chose to proceed carefully. He revived the ancient ritual of the ''ja'chuq'', in which each contender tried to prove his worthiness to lead the Council, which delayed the final decision long enough to allow the ''Enterprise'' crew to investigate the bombing. |
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| + | |||
| + | What the ''Enterprise'' officers found was disturbing: the bomb had used a molecular decay detonator, a type of device used only by the [[Romulan]]s. Given the past history between the House of Duras and the Romulans – Duras had previously been involved in a cover-up of his father Ja'rod's culpability for the Khitomer Massacre some twenty years before, which was officially blamed on Worf's father Mogh, for which Worf chose to accept dishonor to keep the Empire from splitting up, Duras' house having grown politically powerful – there was now evidence pointing towards one of the contenders. ({{e|TNG|Sins of the Father|Reunion}}) |
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| + | |||
| + | The proceedings were abruptly ended by a fight between Duras and [[Worf]]. Duras had killed K'Ehleyr, the Federation ambassador to the Klingon Empire, for investigating into the matter of the Khitomer Massacre and uncovering Duras' father's complicity. Worf, as K'ehleyr's mate, claimed the right of vengeance against Duras, and killed Duras in honorable combat. Although Worf was officially ''persona non grata'' within the Empire, the High Council considered the matter closed. With Duras killed and his faction discredited, the way was cleared for Gowron to assume leadership of the Council. ({{e|TNG|Reunion}}) |
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| + | |||
| + | [[File:Gowron, late 2367.jpg|thumb|left|Gowron confers with Picard aboard the USS ''Enterprise'']] |
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| + | Although Duras died in disgrace, his family did not inherit that disgrace. The corruption of Duras had spread to much of the rest of the High Council, who stood ready to support the House of Duras despite the traditional dishonor of its now-dead leader. Lursa and B'Etor, the sisters of Duras, assumed the leadership of the House, and began gathering support to overpower Gowron. They also secured the allegiance of three prominent fleet commanders, swelling their ranks for a possible military challenge to Gowron's leadership. |
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| + | |||
| + | Gowron requested that Picard, as the Arbiter of Succession, ensure his installation as Chancellor. Picard would not step outside the boundaries of Klingon law, and refused Gowron's request for assistance. He would only assure Gowron that he would respond to any challenges according to Klingon law. |
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| + | |||
| + | The sisters' power play, when it came, took an unexpected form: they introduced to the Council Toral, a young, previously unknown illegitimate son and heir to Duras. Toral challenged Gowron for the leadership of the Council, and the Council, controlled almost entirely by supporters of the Duras family, backed his challenge. |
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| + | |||
| + | Picard was thus put in an extremely untenable position – if he accepted Toral's challenge, Gowron would quickly be killed and Toral installed as leader, but if he rejected Toral's challenge, Picard's supposed "Federation meddling" would be used as a rallying cry for the forces of Duras to wrest control from Gowron by force. Ultimately, Picard chose to reject Toral's claim, arguing that Toral had claimed no honor for himself, having fought no battles for the Empire. |
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| + | |||
| + | Incensed, Lursa and B'Etor protested Picard's dictating of Klingon affairs, and led most of the High Council in walking out of the Great Hall. Gowron was left with few allies and practically no support. ({{e|TNG|Redemption}}) |
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===War=== |
===War=== |
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| − | [[File:IKS Bortas |
+ | [[File:IKS Bortas under attack.jpg|thumb|The IKS ''Bortas'' under attack]] |
| ⚫ | The war finally broke out with a brazen attack on Gowron's flagship, the {{IKS|Bortas|Vor'cha class}}. Not expecting an attack so quickly, Gowron was taken by surprise and his ship was nearly destroyed before the attackers were driven off by Captain Kurn and the {{IKS|Hegh'ta}}. Kurn, an outspoken opponent of both Gowron and Duras, had been persuaded to support Gowron by his elder brother, Worf. Kurn brought the support of three full fleet squadrons with him, which gave Gowron a fighting chance to resist his enemies. Emboldened by this support, Gowron chose to go through with his installation as Chancellor of the Klingon Empire. |
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| − | [[File:IKS Bortas under attack.png|thumb|The IKS ''Bortas'' under attack]] |
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| ⚫ | The war finally broke out with a brazen attack on Gowron's flagship, the IKS |
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| + | As his first act as Chancellor, Gowron reversed the discommendation that had been issued against Worf and the House of Mogh, restoring the honor of Worf and Kurn. Faced with a choice to return to duty aboard the ''Enterprise'' or fight alongside his brother in support of Gowron, Worf chose to resign his commission to fight under Kurn aboard the ''Hegh'ta''. |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | The war would rage on and would be uninterrupted by outside powers despite the fact that Gowron asked for Federation assistance which was denied because the Civil War was an internal conflict of the Klingon Empire. However, it was believed that the Romulan Star Empire was secretly supplying the House of Duras with weapons and supplies for the war in order to gain an ally against the Federation. This was subtly seen in the fact that the House of Duras remained strong despite the fact that their supply lines were destroyed. |
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| + | As the official leader of the Empire, Gowron requested that the Federation send support in fighting the Duras family's forces under the terms of the Treaty of Alliance. Jean-Luc Picard, acting as representative for the Federation, refused to commit Federation resources, fearing that direct intervention would likely to lead to Romulan intervention as well, calling the conflict "by definition an internal Klingon matter." |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | In order to expose the Romulan support, Captain Picard asked Chancellor Gowron to launch a full scale attack on the House of Duras in order for their leaders to ask for the Romulans for assistance. The Federation Council also approved of the plan to send a fleet to the Klingon-Romulan border under the command of Captain Picard of the USS ''Enterprise''-D where it deployed a |
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| + | Although the majority of the Klingon fleet had not yet chosen sides in the conflict, Gowron was seriously outnumbered by the Duras' forces, who controlled at least seven squadrons and had amassed a large fleet near Beta Thoridar. Over the next two weeks, Gowron's forces suffered three major defeats, most notably at the Battle of Mempa. |
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| + | |||
| + | [[File:IKS Hegh'ta.jpg|thumb|left|Captain Kurn's flagship, the ''Hegh'ta'']] |
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| + | Although the Battle of Mempa was a major defeat for Gowron, it was also a notable battle because it could have resulted in a complete rout. General [[Martok]] first became a revered figure in the Klingon military for his heroic leadership on that day. Additionally, Captain Kurn used a brilliant and unorthodox maneuver of ordering the ''Hegh'ta'' to use a solar flare to destroy two pursuing warships. ({{e|TNG|Redemption|Redemption II}}; {{e|DS9|Apocalypse Rising}}) |
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| + | |||
| + | In the Federation, many eyes were closely watching the reports coming from the battlefields. Although the Prime Directive dictated that the Federation remain neutral in the war, Captain Picard correctly pointed out that if other powers – such as the Romulans – were involved in the conflict, then it would very much be a Federation concern. Picard argued that the unbroken string of Duras victories indicated that they were receiving outside support. Indeed, Picard pointed out that the Romulans had been trying to destabilize the Federation-Klingon alliance for the past twenty years, and it was almost unthinkable that they would remain uninvolved at such a crucial crossroads in the affairs of the Empire. |
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| + | |||
| + | In a proposal to [[Fleet Admiral]] Shanthi, Picard suggested that Starfleet blockade the Klingon-Romulan border and prevent any ships from sending any further, still-hypothetical, support to the Duras family. Using a new technique called a [[tachyon detection grid]], even cloaked ships would be detectable to Starfleet sensors. |
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| + | |||
| + | [[File:Sela.jpg|thumb|Commander Sela, daughter of Tasha Yar]] |
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| + | Shanthi and the Federation Council authorized Picard's plan, and the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} led a 23-ship fleet into Klingon territory to deploy the tachyon net. This action drew immediate protest from the Romulan side of the border, as Commander [[Sela]] demanded that the Federation fleet withdraw or be considered hostile and a potential invasion force. |
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| + | |||
| + | In order to provoke the Romulans into attempting to run the blockade, Picard suggested that Gowron launch a full-scale assault on the Duras' forces in the hopes of forcing the Duras to call for help from their secret allies. The Romulans took the bait, and despite an attempt to evade detection, that was defeated thanks to the initiative of Lt. Commander [[Data]] in command of the {{USS|Sutherland|NCC-72015}}, the Romulan ships were exposed. |
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| + | |||
| + | With their connection to the Duras family exposed, Sela ordered her ships to retreat back to Romulan territory rather than risk a fight with both the Klingons and the Federation. Klingon support fell away from the Duras family as knowledge of their collaboration with the Romulans spread, and Gowron's offensive led to a complete victory. In the final days of the war, Lursa and B'Etor fled their base on [[Qo'noS]] as it was stormed by Gowron's forces, abandoning Toral to fend for himself. He ended up being convicted of treason by the High Council. In the days following the war Gowron handed the fate of Toral over to Worf. Worf opted to spare Toral's life, as he'd been little more than a pawn of his aunts, a decision he'd later regret. ({{e|TNG|Redemption|Redemption II}}; {{e|DS9|The Sword of Kahless}}) |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | The war would rage on and would be uninterrupted by outside powers despite the fact that Gowron asked for [[Federation]] assistance which was denied because the Civil War was an internal conflict of the [[Klingon Empire]]. However, it was believed that the [[Romulan Star Empire]] was secretly supplying the House of Duras with weapons and supplies for the war in order to gain an ally against the Federation. This was subtly seen in the fact that the House of Duras remained strong despite the fact that their supply lines were destroyed. |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | In order to expose the Romulan support, Captain Picard asked Chancellor Gowron to launch a full scale attack on the House of Duras in order for their leaders to ask for the Romulans for assistance. The Federation Council also approved of the plan to send a fleet to the Klingon-Romulan border under the command of Captain Picard of the USS ''Enterprise''-D where it deployed a tachyon sensor net which was designed to detect cloaked Romulan starships. The Romulans attempted to run the blockade and employed some trickery to evade the Starfleet vessels but were detected by Lieutenant Commander [[Data]]'s vessel. After being detected, the Romulan convoy abandoned its plan and returned to Romulan space and abandoned their allies. |
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The House of Duras base of operations would be assaulted by Gowron's forces ending the Civil War. A force led by Kurn stormed the facility, searching for Lursa and B'Etor, the Sisters of Duras. Lursa and B'Etor were able to transport out. Despite being seriously injured, Worf was able to overpower the Romulan guard, and was rescued by his brother. Toral was captured by Gowron's forces. |
The House of Duras base of operations would be assaulted by Gowron's forces ending the Civil War. A force led by Kurn stormed the facility, searching for Lursa and B'Etor, the Sisters of Duras. Lursa and B'Etor were able to transport out. Despite being seriously injured, Worf was able to overpower the Romulan guard, and was rescued by his brother. Toral was captured by Gowron's forces. |
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===Aftermath=== |
===Aftermath=== |
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| − | Following the end of the war, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the USS |
+ | Following the end of the war, [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] and the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} proceed to [[Qo'noS]] to give a full report to the Klingon High Council on the Romulan connections to the House of Duras. During this council session, Toral was brought into the chambers, and Worf was given the opportunity to execute Toral for the crimes of the House of Duras against the House of Mogh. Worf declined, and refused to allow Kurn to do so either. Worf explained that Toral had committed no crimes against Worf personally, and spared Toral's life. ({{e|TNG|Redemption}}) |
| − | For the next several years the Duras sisters attempted to rebuild their forces in order to resume their fight against the Empire. The Duras sisters sold a quantity of bilitrium to the Bajoran Kohn-Ma terrorist Tahna Los. |
+ | For the next several years the Duras sisters attempted to rebuild their forces in order to resume their fight against the Empire. The Duras sisters sold a quantity of bilitrium to the [[Bajoran]] Kohn-Ma terrorist Tahna Los. ({{e|DS9|{{ed|Past Prologue}}}}) |
| − | They later tried to raise funds by playing in the The First Annual Deep Space Nine Poker Tournament by cheating in the tournament. |
+ | They later tried to raise funds by playing in the The First Annual Deep Space Nine Poker Tournament by cheating in the tournament. ([[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine|''DS9'']] novel: ''The Big Game'') |
| − | |||
| ⚫ | Toral was allowed to live. It is not clear if he was sentenced to discommendation following the defeat of the House of Duras. In 2372, he tried once again to conquer the Klingon Empire, by using information he was able to steal from Dahar Master Kor, by attempting to retrieve the Sword of Kahless from the Gamma Quadrant. Thankfully, Kor, Worf, and Jadzia Dax were able to prevent Toral's plan, and the Sword was later jettisoned into space. |
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| + | The Duras sisters allied themselves with Doctor Tolian Soran, and helped steal trilithium from the [[Romulan]]s. Soran helped build a trilithium weapon capable of extinguishing a star, and agreed to provide the technology to the sisters in their attempt to gain control of the [[Klingon Empire]]. The sisters died in 2371 in combat with the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}. (''TNG'' movie, novelization & comic adaptation: ''Generations'') |
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| ⚫ | Four years later, Toral and his supporters launched an attack against forces loyal to Chancellor Martok, when he claimed that he had control of the Sword of Kahless, and was the rightful ruler of the Empire. Because Worf had knowledge of where the real sword was hidden, Toral launched an attack upon him aboard the USS |
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| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Toral was allowed to live. It is not clear if he was sentenced to discommendation following the defeat of the House of Duras. In 2372, he tried once again to conquer the [[Klingon Empire]], by using information he was able to steal from Dahar Master Kor, by attempting to retrieve the Sword of Kahless from the Gamma Quadrant. Thankfully, Kor, Worf, and [[Jadzia Dax]] were able to prevent Toral's plan, and the Sword was later jettisoned into space. ({{e|DS9|The Sword of Kahless}}) |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | Four years later, Toral and his supporters launched an attack against forces loyal to Chancellor [[Martok]], when he claimed that he had control of the Sword of Kahless, and was the rightful ruler of the Empire. Because Worf had knowledge of where the real sword was hidden, Toral launched an attack upon him aboard the {{USS|Avenger|Defiant class}} as it entered the Ikolis Expanse. Thankfully, Worf was able to escape and bring the real sword back to the Empire. Further probing proved that Toral was being supported by the [[Romulan]]s, and Toral's insurrection was swiftly defeated. (''TNG'' video game: ''Armada'') |
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| + | |||
| + | For his efforts in ending the war, Captain Jean-Luc Picard received the Rising Phoenix award. (PIC [[episode]]: "Remembrance") |
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===Alternate timeline=== |
===Alternate timeline=== |
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| − | In an alternate timeline in which Doctor Noonien Soong's dream of widespread acceptance of artificial life in the form of Soong-type androids was realised, the House of Duras and its supporters |
+ | In an alternate timeline in which Doctor [[Noonien Soong]]'s dream of widespread acceptance of artificial life in the form of Soong-type androids was realised, the House of Duras and its supporters won the civil war. This led to the reformation of the Klingon-Romulan Alliance, which worked against the [[United Federation of Planets]]. (''TNG'' - ''Myriad Universes'' novel: ''Brave New World'') |
| ⚫ | |||
| + | *Battle of Mempa |
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[[Category:Conflicts]] |
[[Category:Conflicts]] |
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| + | [[Category:Klingon conflicts]] |
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| + | [[Category:Romulan conflicts]] |
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| + | [[Category:Federation conflicts]] |
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Latest revision as of 05:39, 11 June 2020
| Klingon Civil War | |
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Date: |
2367-2368 |
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Location: |
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Result: |
Decisive House of Gowron victory; |
| Belligerents | |
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House of Gowron: |
House of Duras: |
| Strength | |
| Casualties and Losses | |
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- "Can you not see what you are doing? Are you blind to what they represent? Then go. Your blood will paint the way to the future."
- — Gowron, 2367
The Klingon Civil War was an internecine conflict fought within the Klingon Empire in late 2367 and early 2368.
The war was waged between the supporters of the House of Duras and of Gowron, over who would be the rightful successor to K'mpec as Chancellor of the Klingon High Council.
The forces backing Gowron were ultimately victorious, after it was revealed that the House of Duras was receiving backing and material support from the Romulan Star Empire. (TNG episodes: "Redemption", "Redemption II")
Prelude to war[]
Chancellor K'mpec in 2367
The conflict had its roots in the reign of K'mpec, the longest-lived chancellor of the Empire. Although K'mpec ruled with an iron fist and managed to keep peace within the Empire, his influence began to wane as he grew older, and two opposing factions began to develop. The first faction, led by Gowron, favored the continuing alliance with the Federation, while the second faction, led by Duras, sought to establish a more independent and aggressive policy for the Empire. Duras had support from a large majority of the High Council, while Gowron's support came largely from political outsiders and military personnel.
When evidence surfaced that Ja'rod had betrayed Khitomer to the Romulans, K'mpec conspired with Duras to shift the blame to Mogh in an attempt to prevent a civil war, leading to the discommendation of Worf. This action, however, only postponed the conflict.
Tensions came to a head in early 2367 with the sudden revelation that K'mpec was dying. He had been slowly poisoned by Veridium Six that had been introduced into his bloodwine. Because the killer had not shown his face to his victim, Klingon tradition considered the act to be without honor. Recognizing the corruption that had taken hold in the Empire, K'mpec decided that he could not trust any Klingon with the task of choosing the next leader of the Empire. Therefore, he took the unheard-of action of selecting Jean-Luc Picard, a Human Starfleet officer, as the Arbiter of Succession.
Picard initially refused K'mpec's request, stating that a Starfleet officer had no business choosing the next leader of the Klingon Empire. K'mpec responded by saying that all he was doing was asking Picard to determine which one of the two challengers killed him, which would eliminate that person from contending for the leadership of the Council. K'mpec further argued that a Klingon civil war would inevitably involve neighboring powers – the Tholian Assembly, the Ferengi Alliance, and ultimately the Romulan Star Empire and the Federation itself. K'mpec pointed out that whoever had so dishonorably killed him – either Gowron or Duras – could not be allowed to rule the Empire. Concerned by the prospect of a massive interstellar war, Picard agreed to arbitrate the dispute.
Duras in 2367
The process of selecting a new leader for the Empire was almost immediately disrupted when a bomb exploded in the middle of the Sonchi ceremony confirming K'mpec's death. One retainer each from Gowron's and Duras' delegations was killed in the blast.
Picard, wary of K'mpec's warnings concerning the dishonorable actions of either Duras or Gowron, chose to proceed carefully. He revived the ancient ritual of the ja'chuq, in which each contender tried to prove his worthiness to lead the Council, which delayed the final decision long enough to allow the Enterprise crew to investigate the bombing.
What the Enterprise officers found was disturbing: the bomb had used a molecular decay detonator, a type of device used only by the Romulans. Given the past history between the House of Duras and the Romulans – Duras had previously been involved in a cover-up of his father Ja'rod's culpability for the Khitomer Massacre some twenty years before, which was officially blamed on Worf's father Mogh, for which Worf chose to accept dishonor to keep the Empire from splitting up, Duras' house having grown politically powerful – there was now evidence pointing towards one of the contenders. (TNG episodes: "Sins of the Father", "Reunion")
The proceedings were abruptly ended by a fight between Duras and Worf. Duras had killed K'Ehleyr, the Federation ambassador to the Klingon Empire, for investigating into the matter of the Khitomer Massacre and uncovering Duras' father's complicity. Worf, as K'ehleyr's mate, claimed the right of vengeance against Duras, and killed Duras in honorable combat. Although Worf was officially persona non grata within the Empire, the High Council considered the matter closed. With Duras killed and his faction discredited, the way was cleared for Gowron to assume leadership of the Council. (TNG episode: "Reunion")
Gowron confers with Picard aboard the USS Enterprise
Although Duras died in disgrace, his family did not inherit that disgrace. The corruption of Duras had spread to much of the rest of the High Council, who stood ready to support the House of Duras despite the traditional dishonor of its now-dead leader. Lursa and B'Etor, the sisters of Duras, assumed the leadership of the House, and began gathering support to overpower Gowron. They also secured the allegiance of three prominent fleet commanders, swelling their ranks for a possible military challenge to Gowron's leadership.
Gowron requested that Picard, as the Arbiter of Succession, ensure his installation as Chancellor. Picard would not step outside the boundaries of Klingon law, and refused Gowron's request for assistance. He would only assure Gowron that he would respond to any challenges according to Klingon law.
The sisters' power play, when it came, took an unexpected form: they introduced to the Council Toral, a young, previously unknown illegitimate son and heir to Duras. Toral challenged Gowron for the leadership of the Council, and the Council, controlled almost entirely by supporters of the Duras family, backed his challenge.
Picard was thus put in an extremely untenable position – if he accepted Toral's challenge, Gowron would quickly be killed and Toral installed as leader, but if he rejected Toral's challenge, Picard's supposed "Federation meddling" would be used as a rallying cry for the forces of Duras to wrest control from Gowron by force. Ultimately, Picard chose to reject Toral's claim, arguing that Toral had claimed no honor for himself, having fought no battles for the Empire.
Incensed, Lursa and B'Etor protested Picard's dictating of Klingon affairs, and led most of the High Council in walking out of the Great Hall. Gowron was left with few allies and practically no support. (TNG episode: "Redemption")
War[]
The IKS Bortas under attack
The war finally broke out with a brazen attack on Gowron's flagship, the IKS Bortas. Not expecting an attack so quickly, Gowron was taken by surprise and his ship was nearly destroyed before the attackers were driven off by Captain Kurn and the IKS Hegh'ta. Kurn, an outspoken opponent of both Gowron and Duras, had been persuaded to support Gowron by his elder brother, Worf. Kurn brought the support of three full fleet squadrons with him, which gave Gowron a fighting chance to resist his enemies. Emboldened by this support, Gowron chose to go through with his installation as Chancellor of the Klingon Empire.
As his first act as Chancellor, Gowron reversed the discommendation that had been issued against Worf and the House of Mogh, restoring the honor of Worf and Kurn. Faced with a choice to return to duty aboard the Enterprise or fight alongside his brother in support of Gowron, Worf chose to resign his commission to fight under Kurn aboard the Hegh'ta.
As the official leader of the Empire, Gowron requested that the Federation send support in fighting the Duras family's forces under the terms of the Treaty of Alliance. Jean-Luc Picard, acting as representative for the Federation, refused to commit Federation resources, fearing that direct intervention would likely to lead to Romulan intervention as well, calling the conflict "by definition an internal Klingon matter."
Although the majority of the Klingon fleet had not yet chosen sides in the conflict, Gowron was seriously outnumbered by the Duras' forces, who controlled at least seven squadrons and had amassed a large fleet near Beta Thoridar. Over the next two weeks, Gowron's forces suffered three major defeats, most notably at the Battle of Mempa.
Captain Kurn's flagship, the Hegh'ta
Although the Battle of Mempa was a major defeat for Gowron, it was also a notable battle because it could have resulted in a complete rout. General Martok first became a revered figure in the Klingon military for his heroic leadership on that day. Additionally, Captain Kurn used a brilliant and unorthodox maneuver of ordering the Hegh'ta to use a solar flare to destroy two pursuing warships. (TNG episodes: "Redemption", "Redemption II"; DS9 episode: "Apocalypse Rising")
In the Federation, many eyes were closely watching the reports coming from the battlefields. Although the Prime Directive dictated that the Federation remain neutral in the war, Captain Picard correctly pointed out that if other powers – such as the Romulans – were involved in the conflict, then it would very much be a Federation concern. Picard argued that the unbroken string of Duras victories indicated that they were receiving outside support. Indeed, Picard pointed out that the Romulans had been trying to destabilize the Federation-Klingon alliance for the past twenty years, and it was almost unthinkable that they would remain uninvolved at such a crucial crossroads in the affairs of the Empire.
In a proposal to Fleet Admiral Shanthi, Picard suggested that Starfleet blockade the Klingon-Romulan border and prevent any ships from sending any further, still-hypothetical, support to the Duras family. Using a new technique called a tachyon detection grid, even cloaked ships would be detectable to Starfleet sensors.
Commander Sela, daughter of Tasha Yar
Shanthi and the Federation Council authorized Picard's plan, and the USS Enterprise-D led a 23-ship fleet into Klingon territory to deploy the tachyon net. This action drew immediate protest from the Romulan side of the border, as Commander Sela demanded that the Federation fleet withdraw or be considered hostile and a potential invasion force.
In order to provoke the Romulans into attempting to run the blockade, Picard suggested that Gowron launch a full-scale assault on the Duras' forces in the hopes of forcing the Duras to call for help from their secret allies. The Romulans took the bait, and despite an attempt to evade detection, that was defeated thanks to the initiative of Lt. Commander Data in command of the USS Sutherland, the Romulan ships were exposed.
With their connection to the Duras family exposed, Sela ordered her ships to retreat back to Romulan territory rather than risk a fight with both the Klingons and the Federation. Klingon support fell away from the Duras family as knowledge of their collaboration with the Romulans spread, and Gowron's offensive led to a complete victory. In the final days of the war, Lursa and B'Etor fled their base on Qo'noS as it was stormed by Gowron's forces, abandoning Toral to fend for himself. He ended up being convicted of treason by the High Council. In the days following the war Gowron handed the fate of Toral over to Worf. Worf opted to spare Toral's life, as he'd been little more than a pawn of his aunts, a decision he'd later regret. (TNG episodes: "Redemption", "Redemption II"; DS9 episode: "The Sword of Kahless")
Closing days of the war[]
The war would rage on and would be uninterrupted by outside powers despite the fact that Gowron asked for Federation assistance which was denied because the Civil War was an internal conflict of the Klingon Empire. However, it was believed that the Romulan Star Empire was secretly supplying the House of Duras with weapons and supplies for the war in order to gain an ally against the Federation. This was subtly seen in the fact that the House of Duras remained strong despite the fact that their supply lines were destroyed. Worf was captured by forces loyal to the House of Duras. Lursa and B'Etor attempted to seduce Worf into turning against Gowron, and giving up information about Starfleet. When Worf refused, he was taken by a Romulan guard, who then tortured Worf for information.
In order to expose the Romulan support, Captain Picard asked Chancellor Gowron to launch a full scale attack on the House of Duras in order for their leaders to ask for the Romulans for assistance. The Federation Council also approved of the plan to send a fleet to the Klingon-Romulan border under the command of Captain Picard of the USS Enterprise-D where it deployed a tachyon sensor net which was designed to detect cloaked Romulan starships. The Romulans attempted to run the blockade and employed some trickery to evade the Starfleet vessels but were detected by Lieutenant Commander Data's vessel. After being detected, the Romulan convoy abandoned its plan and returned to Romulan space and abandoned their allies.
The House of Duras base of operations would be assaulted by Gowron's forces ending the Civil War. A force led by Kurn stormed the facility, searching for Lursa and B'Etor, the Sisters of Duras. Lursa and B'Etor were able to transport out. Despite being seriously injured, Worf was able to overpower the Romulan guard, and was rescued by his brother. Toral was captured by Gowron's forces.
Aftermath[]
Following the end of the war, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the USS Enterprise-D proceed to Qo'noS to give a full report to the Klingon High Council on the Romulan connections to the House of Duras. During this council session, Toral was brought into the chambers, and Worf was given the opportunity to execute Toral for the crimes of the House of Duras against the House of Mogh. Worf declined, and refused to allow Kurn to do so either. Worf explained that Toral had committed no crimes against Worf personally, and spared Toral's life. (TNG episode: "Redemption")
For the next several years the Duras sisters attempted to rebuild their forces in order to resume their fight against the Empire. The Duras sisters sold a quantity of bilitrium to the Bajoran Kohn-Ma terrorist Tahna Los. (DS9 episode: "Past Prologue")
They later tried to raise funds by playing in the The First Annual Deep Space Nine Poker Tournament by cheating in the tournament. (DS9 novel: The Big Game)
The Duras sisters allied themselves with Doctor Tolian Soran, and helped steal trilithium from the Romulans. Soran helped build a trilithium weapon capable of extinguishing a star, and agreed to provide the technology to the sisters in their attempt to gain control of the Klingon Empire. The sisters died in 2371 in combat with the USS Enterprise-D. (TNG movie, novelization & comic adaptation: Generations)
Toral was allowed to live. It is not clear if he was sentenced to discommendation following the defeat of the House of Duras. In 2372, he tried once again to conquer the Klingon Empire, by using information he was able to steal from Dahar Master Kor, by attempting to retrieve the Sword of Kahless from the Gamma Quadrant. Thankfully, Kor, Worf, and Jadzia Dax were able to prevent Toral's plan, and the Sword was later jettisoned into space. (DS9 episode: "The Sword of Kahless")
Four years later, Toral and his supporters launched an attack against forces loyal to Chancellor Martok, when he claimed that he had control of the Sword of Kahless, and was the rightful ruler of the Empire. Because Worf had knowledge of where the real sword was hidden, Toral launched an attack upon him aboard the USS Avenger as it entered the Ikolis Expanse. Thankfully, Worf was able to escape and bring the real sword back to the Empire. Further probing proved that Toral was being supported by the Romulans, and Toral's insurrection was swiftly defeated. (TNG video game: Armada)
For his efforts in ending the war, Captain Jean-Luc Picard received the Rising Phoenix award. (PIC episode: "Remembrance")
Alternate timeline[]
In an alternate timeline in which Doctor Noonien Soong's dream of widespread acceptance of artificial life in the form of Soong-type androids was realised, the House of Duras and its supporters won the civil war. This led to the reformation of the Klingon-Romulan Alliance, which worked against the United Federation of Planets. (TNG - Myriad Universes novel: Brave New World)
List of Conflicts[]
- Battle of Mempa