The Klingon Coup of 2294

[Saylek 0]

Setting: Early 2325. Thirty years after the timeframe of the USS Challenger (NCC-2457).

 

 

"The Klingon coup of 2294," the lecture began, "was an early test of endurance for the Gorkon reforms – a loose band of disaffected warriors seeking to impose their will over the High Council."

 

Not moving from the podium, the Vulcan instructor scanned the faces in the lecture hall. Attendance was heavy today. He made eye contact with several cadets, noting no open chairs. Applications of the Prime Directive was a required course at the Academy, which meant it was taught in a wide range of timeslots by more than one instructor. Cadets tended to drift between sessions, regardless of which they'd actually enrolled, depending on seating availability and their interest in the particular subject or speaker. Logically, he knew, there was an attraction to hearing historical events told by those who had witnessed them. Admiral Chekov's lessons, for example, were always taught in the auditorium.

 

Today, it was his turn to discuss a topic with familiarity. "While insurgents claimed to seek a conservative return to Klingon values, it was notable that key members of noble houses – warriors themselves – condemned them as rebels to the Empire itself, not just radicals seeking to depose Chancellor Azetbur." Behind him, displays highlighted some of the political figures. "This all but ensured its collapse."

 

He strayed from the podium, pacing the elevated platform. "The coup of 2294 is worthy of attention for two reasons. First, it is an exemplary case of measured Starfleet response. Second, it represents a major turning point in extending the non-interference directive from application to pre-warp societies to those of spacefaring galactic powers."

 

He pausing, knowing this was the introductory point of second semester studies. The Prime Directive had many sub-orders, but this more recent addition was among the more controversial.

 

True to form, one of the Andorian cadets in the class raised her hand and asked, "But Professor Saylek, doesn't that extension seem excessively isolationist? How can Starfleet avoid all interference with other cultures? Doesn't just knowing we're here affect them?"

 

The Vulcan paused, looking to see if there were any riders to the question. Seeing none, he went on. "It is important to note two key distinctions in the application of non-interference to post-warp societies." He raised a finger. "One, the directive is limited to Starfleet itself. As a galactic entity, the Federation does and will continue to interact with external cultures. The Council can openly choose to influence, ally, or war with other governments according to the powers granted it by the Articles of Federation. Starfleet could be directed as an agent of such policy. The key to non-interference is that Starfleet should not set such policy. And yes, this is a change from earlier eras."

 

He raised a second finger. "Two, unlike pre-warp civilizations, it is not necessary to withhold knowledge of the Federation's existence to species which have already ventured into space. The policy of non-interference applies specifically to the internal affairs of another species."

 

"Isn't that hard to define?" asked the precise voice of a upperclassman in the front row. "Wouldn't commerce or the exchange of ambassadors alone affect internal affairs?"

 

"They would, Mr. Nakamura," Saylek agreed, "but those interactions are not led by Starfleet."

 

The Asian human looked non-plussed briefly, then changed tacks, "What about the fleet? We're here to deter invasion, but just moving our ships around can cause response. Eveb having a fleet can promote hawkish factions or trigger an arms race."

 

The Vulcan instructor stopped. "Officer thinking," he commended. "It is exactly these sensitivities that individual starship commanders must not discount." He stepped back toward the podium. "Let us consider specific points of the Klingon coup of 2294." He cued a change in the display behind him, which faded to several well-known figures of that decade.

 

"The Gorkon Initiative was a turning point in galactic relations, a rapprochement proposed by the Klingons after the destruction of their energy-producing facilities on Praxis," he commenced. "The subsequent complicity of high-ranking Starfleet officers in the assassination of Chancellor Gorkon led to increasing awareness of the power of Starfleet to shape internal and external political events, topple governments, and start its own wars. The added attempt on President Ra-ghoratreii showed that unchecked power could violate the internal security of the Federation itself. As a result, the Sarek Commission recommended new policies to strengthen the neutrality of Starfleet, in particular, the expanded application we are about to review."

 

He cued the display again as it shifted to the rotating graphic of an Excelsior Mark II vessel. "With the signing of the Khitomer Accords, the Federation commenced relief convoys to the Klingon homeworld, which had suffered ecological damage from the Praxis explosion. After a number of convoy ships failed to reach their destination, Starfleet was directed to provide suitable escort, led by the starship Challenger."

 

A hand went up and Saylek nodded recognition.

 

"Wasn't the starship Columbia also assigned escort duty?" a Denobulan cadet ventured.

 

Saylek nodded slowly. "You are undoubtedly aware that I commanded Columbia during that era," he admitted. "I should note our ship played only a secondary role, but where relevant, I will offer personal observations on the events that unfolded."

 

There were changes in expression among the audience, showing either interest or amusement. The cadet who'd issued the question smiled, clearly pleased with himself.

 

"Two capital ships to protect medicine and supplies?" came the query from a Caitan student. "Wasn't that excessive? Or was Starfleet trying to send a message?"

 

Saylek mused briefly. "The concern for convoy safety was real, as an attack on its freighters proved how prudent that precaution was," Saylek noted. "It is fair to cite, however, that employing two ships-of-the-line stressed the Starfleet commitment to rendering aid."

 

Another hand went up, toward the darkened rows at the back. "But wasn't aid a form of interference with Klingon politics? There were people who believed they should get by on their own, even among the Klingons themselves."

 

Saylek squinted against the lights of the podium. "Mr... Hansen, is it? Certainly such opinions were held by conspirators like Admiral Cartwright and General Chang." There was a muted murmur. He swept his glance over the classroom. "I am not suggesting that association invalidates the sentiment. But in this case, Starfleet was directed to execute direction under a formally-signed treaty."

 

"But then," the Andorian cadet from earlier spoke up again, "we didn't help them put down a coup that would have thrown that treaty away. Don't we have an obligation to protect allies?"

 

The Vulcan was pleased to see his students employing the Socratic method to test his assertions. "Very good," he affirmed. "It is important to think logically, comparing such conflict of values. The Prime Directive has many functions, not the least of which is to protect us. It keeps one from allowing emotions to overrule judgment. As future officers, you can receive no greater counsel on this subject that to always demand the debate regarding non-interference. Great captains may have erred, or chosen differently than others might, in its application but they have never rendered it absolute or circumvented it blindly."

 

He recalled the choices Challenger had faced in deciding whether or where to intervene during the coup. As he was about to describe, the incident had become a textbook example, setting the stage for developments along both major borders - the Elasian matter and Organian complications of the very next year - culminating in Tomed Incident of 2311.

 

"If you will direct your attention to the timeline, let us review the initial evidence of the growing insurgency..."

Edited March 15, 2009 by Saylek