How the Klingons Handled Exploration

The Klingon Defense Force is primarily a military arm of the Klingon Empire although there does exist exploration initiatives within the Empire. Klingons have, after all, charted numerous worlds and survey missions but their actions have historically had a different motivation than that of Starfleet and the Federation. Let's look at their timeline of exploration.
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[@christopherg2347]

"Klingons do not explore. They conquer the unknown. It is more honorable." - me, channeling Worf.

[@panzerviiimaus1581]

Klingon exploration: How it started: Hey look at that weird green planet with all the shiny rock people let's go learn about it! How it ended: So anyway I started blasting

[@damenwhelan3236]

Klingon Scientist: purple rock go boom. Put rock in tub. Tub go zoom... Put other rocks in tub = big messy boom. More research needed.

[@chrisbingley]

Klingon "Exploration" is just a bunch of reconnaissance missions finding new and interesting species to fight. If they fight back, and have some level of sentience, that's an added bonus.

[@christopherg2347]

Dishonor to whoever found the Tribbles.

[@chrisbingley]

@@christopherg2347 "Dishonour to you, and your Houuuuuuuuuuuuuse!"

[@CoralCopperHead]

@@christopherg2347 Ah, Worf. Son of Mough. Intimidated by the terrifying might of the Attack Tribble.

[@Adelina-293]

So, space Spartans?

[@EvanKorrigan]

Another great example of the KDF appoach to science is seen in the V'ger incident. "A huge mysterious energy cloud is approaching. Let's poke it with photon torpedoes, maybe it will do something interesting." Well, it did, but that something wasn't exactly conducive to the well-being of the Klingon squadron.

[@DokturProfesur]

Klingon first contact: "Welcome to the Klingon Empire. Here is your complementary bat'leth. You will now dedicate your existence to honor and glory, predominantly in the realm of combat."

[@singletona082]

'And if we refuse?' 'Oh yes please... we haven't had a decent battle in DAYS.' 'Then we will join with your empire.' 'Splended! Battle shall commense in three of your days. Prepare your armies and your weapons. We wish to see what value you bring to us.'

[@The_Str4nger]

that or they will be eaten

[@damenwhelan3236]

​@@The_Str4nger Possibly and probably both

[@erichouser7756]

Nailed it. Bravo

[@kevreid82]

@@DokturProfesur you don't arm conquered peoples. I think it more likely the klingons would demand some form of tribute, or enslave them.

[@Sephiroth144]

See species, conquer species, take maps- rinse and repeat. Now, to hit play and see what the more canon answer is

[@singletona082]

I would love a Klingon Epic centered on a great and mighty explorer. A captain who took his band of warriors and fellows out into the unknown. One struck by wanderlust and bringing glory for House and Empire through discovery. Staying in one place only as long as nbeeded. Leaving others for the pacification of natives, securing of mineral wealth, and seeing his talants best used in seeing how far his banner could fly. This being a klingon opera death and glory are his reward. Falling at the hands of some then unknown power. His final orders being for engineering to destabilize his ship's core then jettison in boarding pods to be picked up by the rest of the fleet as he flies a now ship sized bomb straight down the enemy's throat.

[@zacharythomas8617]

If you could predate it to about the times the Vulcans, and the Klingons make First Contact, I'll be sold. Good concept though.

[@Jean-Luc_Renard]

Maybe you could write your own. It would be a welcome addition to the library of Star Trek fanfiction. If you can't write, I take commissions.

[@kevreid82]

I don't think the vulcan model is really what starfleet adopted. The vulcans had been spacefaring for thousands of years and hadn't really made it far. And on several instances, tpol criticized archer for exploring just because he could.

[@tomhenry897]

Vulcans were scientists not colonizers Didn’t want to expand

[@davepowder4020]

I liked the Star Trek hypothesis that "Yesterday's Enterprise" changed the relationship between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. In an episode before "Yesterday's Enterprise", Wesley mentioned the Klingons being members of the Federation. After Yesterday's Enterprise events, the Empire is regarded as an ally instead. The hypothesis is that the time ripples from that event caused the Federation and Klingon Empire to be slightly more distant from each other, with the Empire remaining apart from the Federation instead of joining it. (What? No, it has nothing to do with the TNG writers not having established the Star Trek lore fully, nope, it was time travel!!!!)

[@CaptainKeen]

Or, Wesley was just really dumb about history.

[@davepowder4020]

@@CaptainKeen NOOOOO!!! Wesley, Genius Wesley, Time-travelling Wesley was 100% perfect and could DO NO WRONG!!! Also, it makes for fun lore-hypothesis videos.

[@williambowes-xt2sm]

First of all how can wesley be dumb about history when hes a wonderkind who travels through time? Dropping the ball there Wesley, that's like his mother forgetting how medicine works! as to the Klingon empire only being allies instead of full members I thought their was some reference or apocrypha that said the romulans had a hand in that by dicking around with time somehow and instead of esentially being married to the federation now their just "good friends"

[@davepowder4020]

@@williambowes-xt2sm Wesley's line about "part of the Federation" was BEFORE he was a time-travelling wunderkind. He was merely a mortal wunderkind before his time-travelling buddy promoted him. But yeah, the "fan canon", and possibly official lore now, is that the Yesterday's Enterprise episode had several wide-ranging ripple effects in addition to giving us Romulan Tasha Yar and Star Trek X: Nemesis's Romulan Picard.

[@comentedonakeyboard]

Since "peacefull" exploration often was the first step of conquest in Humon history, reconaisance might be a more acurate term.

[@samwill7259]

The Klingons are a good use of the "Planet of Hats" trope. They were a "warrior race" because their society forced them to be. Once they were no longer slammed into that mold, they showed they had just as wide a range of talents as humanity

[@KlingonCaptain]

True! I make tiny boats, fill prescriptions for aging warriors, and eat many kinds of animals!

[@robos3809]

​@@KlingonCaptainqa'pla

[@drewf41]

As the Klingon lawyer from Ent. said, "Glory used to found on more than the battlefield."

[@CoralCopperHead]

@@drewf41 Ah, but what is a courtroom but a different kind of battlefield?

[@StarTrekDoor]

@samwill7259 Agreed.

[@zeehero7280]

Can't find new glorious battles without looking for them!

[@Treveli45]

"So why don't Klingons like the 'explorer' types?" "Well, remember. It was a Klingon explorer that came home with an 'interesting livestock specimen candidate' and released the First Tribble Plaque on Qo'noS." "Oh, right. That would give their explorers a bad reputation."

[@zerrodefex]

Can you blame him for thinking it might have been an infinite food glitch?

[@y_knot_tri]

@@zerrodefex He should have known Klingons get hairballs when they have too many.

[@AberrantChibi]

For some reason, the thought of Klingons just picking a direction and _going_ for it even if they don't have a ship fast enough to get back in a reasonable timeframe just brings a smile to face. At their heart, they seek challenge. And what greater challenge than the unknown? I suppose a good comparison would be how the two organisations would go down a cliff. Starfleet would debate, check out the steepness or whether there are loose rocks and then carefully send someone down to put up the rope attachments so they can safely descent and then get back up again. Meanwhile, the Klingons would race off the cliff in a soapbox cart. Possibly waving Bat'leth around.

[@specialnewb9821]

Yep and while the Klingons usually end up splat, sometimes they get there while feddies are still putting on their tricorders.

[@idoticHydra5671]

tldr of klingon exploration: Fuck it, we ball!

[@jpaulc441]

Spare a thought for all the intelligent Klingons throughout their history who helped develop their technology and advanced their civilization but were not given the respect they deserved and had no songs sung about them.

[@GSBarlev]

Idk man. I can imagine songs being sung of Ee'sak, of the House of New'ton, for successfully predicting Praxis' orbit, allowing its energy to be reliably harnessed, and bringing The Empire _literal_ power.

[@jpaulc441]

@@GSBarlev Haha, I'm imagining an interstellar war starting because A Klingon scientist claimed that he invented calculus (Q'alcalus?) but a Romulan claimed he had got there first.

[@VulpisFoxfire]

I mean, even the Terrans know, in order to conquer something, you have to know where it is and what they have worth taking, first...

[@singletona082]

Plus research is important. Fun new ways to kill things. Fun new ways to take away any advantages the enemy thought they had.

[@lexxstrum]

There was a graphic novel set in the Kelvin timeline that showed the Klingon's version of the Enterprise's 5 year mission. Second sons, orphans and other Klingons without a chance to become the head of their house were sent on a very large ship into unexplored space. They were tasked with conquering worlds for the glory of the Empire. Then they ran smack dab into Kirk's Enterprise, and well things didn't go as planned.

[@ZGundam64]

We never did find out how the Empire was doing in the 32nd century.

[@barrybend7189]

Part of the UFP or is just putting around fighting the Emerald chain. I'd love to see Klingons still using single piece ships as a matter of practicality.

[@Zyklon_B_still_and_know_God]

If the burn nearly killed off the federation, it probably had a very similar effect on the klingon empire as well. Likely they just became isolationists due to lack of resources and regressed to a pre warp type society

[@barrybend7189]

@@Zyklon_B_still_and_know_God given the history of the Klingons I'd wager they are more willing to make warp cores out of Singularity drives than to take the Burn lying down.

[@singletona082]

@@barrybend7189 A matter of Pride to overcome and go boldly forward even if it unto the jaws of Death. Plus imagine the utter Glee they would have at being able t orub it in the Federation's faces when it's their ships coming over the metaphorical hill as cavalry. When your one time biter enemies sing songs of your glory. You've done well.

[@marvelboy74]

Maybe if Disco got another season, it would have been worth revisiting the Klingons. Who knows what Michael's presence would have meant for 32nd century Klingons since she was now alive.

[@superbear4227]

To quote Commander Spock: "Fascinating."

[@roguerifter9724]

Honestly I always thought there was probably a very Rogue Trader (from Warhammer 40,000) vibe to Klingon exploration and your description certainly fits that.

[@drewf41]

As Quark said, "What honor is there in planetary surveys?"

[@singletona082]

@@drewf41 The honor of being the vanguard. The honor of finding something new. The honor of not living comfortable in a House's Hall and being Out There in the Starry Black.

[@fishbaitx]

i find klingon lore much more fascinating than any other within star trek thanks for more lore and history of the klingons

[@singletona082]

Very Viking with mixes of Russia and mongoulian horsemen thrown in.

[@zerrodefex]

The Klingons were flying around in our 14th century and the Vulcans and Romulans split over 2 millenia ago yet the Earthlings established the Federation in just a couple centuries, interesting how prevalent the "human progress much more quickly" trope is in sci-fi. Also I've always liked the Nova-class (7:51), it's such a cool little ship that I wish we saw more of (though I never liked that secondary deflector, it just looks out of place.)

[@richardmcgowan1651]

They would have mapped their systems and planets for resources. Of course, a growing Empire would need more and more resources. So they would have hunted out new planets and in turn come across stuff new to them. Like everything else you would have people better than others at doing that. The Empire would have had ships crewed with people who would be good at finding resource rich planets and systems.

[@tomhenry897]

Captured advance tech through conquest not by r&d

[@Deltarious]

I've felt for a long time that even during the run of TNG the Klingons are basically on a near inevitable path to joining the UFP as their goals and ideals really seem to be converging over time, despite a few hiccups along the way. It's true they have a lot of stubborn traditions and their way of life would be quite different if they couldn't solve their issues with a fight to the death, but their sense of honor as time goes on seems to fit into the Federation's ideals relatively well and nothing says their culture cannot adapt slightly to be less lethal but still maintain those traditions. Also the fact that it is implied that Sto-vo-kor is real and genuinely functions as described including possibly the ability to influence the world of the living in a very minor way is awesome and I want it to be fully canon

[@DocWolph]

Space Conquistadors.

[@matthewkeeling886]

Given the Vikings tendency to explore and their reasons for doing so... the Klingons being similar in that regard is unsurprising to anyone who knows how the Klingons work. I would love to see more about Klingon or Romulan exploration missions in Trek, especially how they differ from Federation type missions. More of this kind of lower stakes but meaningful story, less of "the Federation/Galaxy is about to be destroyed and only one ship can save it!" action-oriented fluff we have seen in newer Star Trek.

[@enisra_bowman]

ye, cliché Vikings might be a good description for Klingons cliché because historical ones had been way more traders and farmers, but you can't make a good Saga for the Ages with Olaf Olafson, the Great Onion Farmer, even it brings the audience to tears

[@AzraelThanatos]

@@enisra_bowman And also a lot of sending the younger gloryhounds away from your center of stability, meaning that if they want to start a fight, at least it's not in your own home.

[@poil8351]

not sure the klingons are big slave traders. unlike the vikings.

[@enisra_bowman]

@@poil8351 to be fair, a lot of Media excludes slavery when it's not necessary to show how evil a side is and for a recuring villian, they maybe don't wanted to complicate things

[@matthewkeeling886]

@@poil8351 That is a slightly overstated aspect of the Vikings, some of their biggest clients for that trade were the same kingdoms of Christian Europe who were complaining about the slave trading (of their own people) after all.

[@Atlas3060]

Klingon Diplomatic Communique to a new world: "Attention inhabitants, I am Star Colonel Nicolai Malthus; I have brought with me the finest warriors numbering..." *Flipping through the papers* Wait sorry I picked up the wrong series' paperwork. Ah here's the Klingons: "Attention inhabitants, I am Admiral Kol of the House Maltus; I have brought with me a division of my finest warriors..."

[@singletona082]

Congratulations. you are being folded into the Klingon Empire. Please resist.

[@taylorlibby7642]

Anybody else just turn the volume all the way down and find something else to look at when the unskippable commercials come on?

[@qhu3878]

I've never felt so seen

[@Peaceforall20111]

KZbin premium switched from satellite and I now spend on a year what I spent a month. And no ads is so nice. When I use my kids accounts for something I want to throw their device against the wall from the ads

[@RememberTheChase]

KZbin premium

[@JS-zd4yp]

​@@RememberTheChase yt has been free for twenty years and continues to collect share and sell your data. Paying for it now is a chump move. If they disable adblock fully i will simply not watch it

[@taylorlibby7642]

@@Peaceforall20111 Fair enough, but the point is to avoid paying YT anything if I can help it. ; )

[@KlingonCaptain]

Simple, Klingons explore things by standing on them with awesome spikey boots! 👢 I should know.

[@charlieturner5831]

Love to see a video on the kilngon defense force

[@vovacat1797]

I have always imagined Klingon exploration fleets to be basically Spanish/Portugese/British exploration fleets of the Age of Discovery (15th - 17th century). So, ships that are mostly not up to the task, captains hailed as great explorers but really just merchants and grifters, big time colonialism, slavery, corporations, all the good stuff. Klingons hate tlaking about it because of how inglorious most of it is, but yet they totally keep doing it because it's very profitable. This also totally works in terms of how they most of the time see the Federation as a colonial rival, so they don't have a huge war but random encounters out in the void lead to shots fired constantly.

[@darkhorse13golfgaming]

Klingon Exploration Corps motto: YEET!

[@dustinprewitt]

This is something I've always wandered.... this and first contact

[@kineuhansen8629]

i wonder how the klingon are doing in the post dominion era late 24 century early 25 century like are we still allied with them how is there fleet and what about in the 32 century are they still arround

[@roguerifter9724]

Depends on which timeline. Even with the old novel universe being deleted from existence (That was literally its final arc's end) there are still multiple timelines in play. There actually was a short novel series focused on a KDF exploration mission. In Star Trek Online The Klingons and Federation fought a war then reformed their alliance when the Iconians and their servant races launched an invasion with various other threats to both factions emerging afterwards (Currently the alliance is fighting the versions of the Borg from multiple universes)

[@singletona082]

@@roguerifter9724 The Klingons may hold long grudges on an indavidual level but by and large they are an easy come easy go lot. Give them the things they want and they will love you. be a staunch opponent that respects their way of war and they'll be the best enemy yo ucould ever want and be gleeful at all the new toys you develop so they can overcome.

[@Skybaby79]

I'm not sure how the Klingon philosophy and exploration wouldn't coexist. Empires are all about expansion. They explore, they acquire resources and they conquer the native inhabitants. That's very Klingon.

[@Quackerilla]

Need a TV show that follows the "exploits" of brave Klingon explorers and scientists. A Klingon Science Team, bat'leths included.

[@VulpisFoxfire]

Though the only examples I can think of are in apocrypha, that has appeared as Klingon kid's show in-universe, along with their own version of Star Trek itself...'Battlecruiser Vengance' I think the latter was called.

[@mleadenham1]

With a very brutal form of “peer review.”

[@Kyleplier]

5:00 that’s my favorite Klingon warship of all time as one who got started in Star Trek with TOS reruns on VHS.

[@vic5015]

I find the idea that Starfleet's earjy dealings wuth the Klingons perhaps only involved a few of the more aggressive Houses rather than the Empire as a whole a fascinating one. Reminds me of an episode early on in the new Doctor Who where Rose, the Doctor, and MO Harriet Jones encounter aliebs called the Slitheen. Onky to discover that these particular ones are all members of a singke criminal famiky and not necessarily represented of their apecies *at all* . Slitheen even turns out to be the family name, which zero clear indication where the species calls itself. Its like "Your spacers is The Slitheen?" "What? No. We are the Slitheen family!"

[@clintmatthews3500]

It seemed to me the TOS Klingons were more of a dark mirror of future humanity rather than just space barbarians. While sticking with that wouldn’t have made them as iconic I think it would have made for a more well rounded race.

[@markfergerson2145]

Interesting. The way you put it, the Klingon exploitation model is very similar to that of the Ferengi.

[@GSBarlev]

_Prodigy_ S02 had a really cool portrayal of a Klingon scientist / explorer. Without spoiling anything: our plucky crew discovers him carrying out his research on a desolate world, unable to return home until his research is complete so as to satisfy his honor. Minor spoiler: it was hilarious to see, at the successful conclusion of an experiment, him lead the gang in a spirited rendition of Worf's "lullaby" from _Birthright, Part II._

[@jy3n2]

Coming soon: Klingon scientists and their struggles with the Tribbles!

[@warwolf88]

I must have more videos Rick I enjoy them so much😊

[@Armageddon2077]

In the Stellaris Star Trek Mod one of the first things I did as the Klingon Empire was to conquer, occupy and enslave the Gorn Hegemony

[@TK199999]

You should really do a video on War of Usurper, the House of G'Iogh (pronounced Gee'hawk by Chang) and Melkor. For those too young to have played or know about the Klingon Academy game and its amazing story with General Chang and Gorkon. Beta cannon suggests that the Klingons had a High Council and Chancellor of said High Council who functionally ruled the Empire, around the 20th or 21st century since the last functional ruler, not a ceremonial or powerless figure head of the Empire, Emperor Q’rogh the Weak death (suggesting the handful Emperors who came after we powerless). But the Empire or more accurately all the Great Houses of the Empire hadn't united until after war with the UFP in DISCO under Chancellor L'Rell. Suggesting that until then not all the Great Houses recognized the High Council or Chancellor as the central authority of the Empire. Meaning the Empire existed in state of low level civil war for centuries until T'Kuvma started the war with the UFP. Which makes more sense if at that point the Empire existed only in name and was in fact just collection of petty kingdoms ruled by the Great Houses. Not that the Great Houses would lose their autonomy after the reunification, just they accepted the High Councils authority over them afterward.

[@radionoakmont7756]

very awesomes this is very true for the klingon empire.

[@Numba003]

This was a fun video. Thank you. I quite enjoyed the thumbnail for this one. Glorious Klingon expansion, lol. God be with you out there, everybody. ✝️ :)

[@I_am_Diogenes]

I never thought about it but it makes sense , you have to find them to conquer them .

[@romulascott]

I want a Star Trek show that will showcase a Klingon ship with a great Klingon crew. The same with the Romulans.

[@Nicole-m1p4f]

It needs to also be understood that there are different methods to honor than purely warfare. Though yes warriors are on the upper part of the totem pole, scientists are definitely required and so are engineers. In fact warriors songs are supposed to name these engineers. So these people are definitely necessary but all people need to learn how to fight one of the things that isn't explored is what species are in the Klingon empire? Do Klingon ships have other species on on lower levels? Are there methods for other species to acquire honor? I predict after the Dominion war many other species probably became more powerful as so many Klingons died they needed to have a more diverse military just to be capable of defending themselves. I predict that after the Dominion war you would have seen a more diverse crowd in a Klingon ship. This probably gave these species more bargaining power in the Klingon empire. I really wish that after deep space nine in Voyager ended the next series explored what the new alpha quadrant would look like

[@zali13]

To very, very rashly go where no Klingon has gone before. Goodness, they should make a series about this with some random UFP crew for comedic relief.

[@captainyossarian388]

Love your lore videos, Rick. Keep up the great work!

[@vic5015]

Klingon Great Houses = Earth's historical Feudal Lords, but with starships.

[@yewtoob2007]

Ah yes, the gothic monastery of STO's Boreth...

[@somberdoc]

Klingon first contact message: greetings and welcome to the klingon empire! Please resist

[@ModYoBricks]

“Boldly go? Hold my Blood Wine!”

[@tellinallfilms2533]

Nice video as always man! Could you maybe do a video on ground combat? I often wonder about how starfleet conducts planetary invasions.

[@katiebarber407]

what a great video.

[@poil8351]

klingon explores more like conquistadors in space.

[@AC20sAkimbo]

Klingons are Sontarans, minus the charm

[@DokturProfesur]

Klingons are Sontarans except you can actually take them to theme parks and they will be able to ride all the rides.

[@charlestaylor253]

Klingons also don't look like baked potatoes, just don't mention their macro-heads with micro-brains... 😉

[@Jay-ql4gp]

Thank you!

[@rosswebster7877]

It would be great to follow up with a companion video about the vassal species within the Klingon Empire in both Alpha and Beta canon.

[@USS_Grey_Ghost]

I wonder if any other Klingons joined Star fleet after Worf

[@GSBarlev]

Torres?

[@DarthRevan-v4z]

@@GSBarlevHalf-Klingon. Worf was full Klingon.

[@Shadeem]

I would love to explore the concept of klingon vassal planets, I doubt they are as bad as those mining colonies show on ENT, not that they are walk in the parks. But if you consider the size of the empire there should be dozens of races

[@RobertEnleed]

The Klingons were able to reach the Gamma & Delta Quadrant first (maybe more) Like the Old Norse people from our ancient times, they were the most adventurous. The Klingons are like that.

[@armorer94]

Violently.

[@DRourkey]

When they first reached warp speed they all had to hold onto something, and ever since they were known as klingons

[@craigblundell4927]

Personally I’d think a Klingon explorer would be a noble choice as it involves going to the unexplored and unknown enemy and conquering territory and Expanding the Empire

[@stormlands]

ho encoutererd the breen first ? and how did the breen look at exploration ? any video on this or somthing.

[@THATGuy5654]

I feel like the Klingons were just ridiculously lucky that they didn't run into a more advanced civilization with a lot less patience. "You want us to submit to you? That's interesting. Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with your civilization that a massive scale genetic engineering project can't fix." "Captain Krug, I think today is a good day to blow up the ship before they get our planet's coordinates."

[@tomhenry897]

Did but more aggressive and armed Then added advance tech to theirs

[@ethzero]

Klingons: _Do you have a flag?_

[@diosnelfrica590]

Hey Rick will you do a Prodigy breakdown?

[@acebrandon3522]

Well done, interesting to hear and see into the society that promotes games for their kiddos like a. Torcher for Fun and Profit. b. Skull Me, Klingon c. Grand Thief Mayhem, Klingon Style. d. Targ' Hunters e. Bat' Leth for the Young and Old f. DoM'Jught ??!!?? Kling??

[@ThubanDraconis]

Space, the final frontier. These are the victories of the Battlecruiser Blooddrinker, It's five year mission: to defeat new enemies and destroy new civilizations To boldly conquer what no Klingon has conquered before.

[@feralprocessor9853]

Right off the bat, an insecticide creature has a tiny ember on its head.

[@AlbelNox]

Same way the British did only with less headbutting and less booze (Klingons are lightweights)

[@cane6074]

It would be interesting if we ever encounter subject species of the empire in canon, I bet do to the Klingons feudal nature, they would instead of governing them directedly, they would instead allow the subject species to be governed by vassal states of under their domain. They would allow a largely hand of approach toward them in exchange for tribute. Subject species of the Klingons would be interesting concept to explore in canon trek media. It's kind of interesting that despite the fact that they're an expansionist species, we never see any conquered species like we do with the cardassians, who conquered the bajorians.

[@DarthRevan-v4z]

We meet a ship full of refugees trying to escape from the Klingon Empire in ENT.

[@grahamturner1290]

🖖

[@BdogFinal14]

The Klingons are probably one of the developed species in the lore. Yet, so much of their canon doesn’t make sense. A warrior culture could never flourish without a massive supporting technical class. Someone has to build the ships, develop new weapons and maintain everything.

[@RazielGrace]

unsure if they was ever a complete history of the mirror universe as a whole not just the Terran empire by itself. would be intresting to see what can be found. Espically the Klingon empire

[@CAP198462]

Like the thumbnail, can I get the yarmok sauce?

[@Adelina-293]

I imagine Klingon exploration went like this. Scientists: We found a new civilization and can learn much about them. Warriors: You want us to fight them? *Scientists facepalm*

[@eduardmart1237]

What game did you use to get screenshot from? Star Trek Online?

[@The.Badger.]

Yay!!!

I can’t believe that Klingons ever developed space travel given how violent they are. Wouldn’t they have destroyed theirselves a long time ago?

[@LordTalax]

Well humans did. In Star Trek we had three world wars.

[@tomhenry897]

Captured tech form more advanced societies

[@lhemnenn4713]

I remember the Klingon lawyer saying that he remembered a time when their society was less focused on military bravado activities, a time when lawyers like him could do their job properly and still be seen as honourable ...

[@Phil-D83]

Imperial powers that take inspiration from human antiquity, and some

[@Allsystemsphenominal]

Exploration? Thats just conquering a land where no enemies are.

[@shazrael446]

Aliens landing on Qo'noS. Klingons: "Board their ship, take everything you can!" Wait. . .a second. >Hyper militaristic empire >Their women like to dress sexily >War, always war. Are the Klingons just Mirror Earth but with more honour?

[@Skylinesandsunsets]

It's a wonder how the Klingons survived the atomic age without going to nuclear war.

[@Marinealver]

I claim this planet in the name of Qo'noS!

[@jffryh]

Wouldn't klingons be more proud to call their military "offense forces" rather than "defense forces"?

[@feralprocessor9853]

Straight away, colonial expansion.

[@booboolips6053]

Why do Klingons explore the Galaxy? For the glory of the Empire🫡

[@singletona082]

Plus imagine being the first to find a planet full of either awesome shit to bring home, or amazing fighters to do battle with. Either way it is most definitely a good day.

[@Krahazik]

@@singletona082 its all about them bragging rights.

[@oisinm332]

Make terraforming or Kronosforming an epic challenge. Only the strong can do it, blah, blah, blah.

[@singletona082]

It genuinely baffles me that their warrior first mentality hadn't been adapted to be what drives other fields. There is much glory in finding the way of things, of building better ships, of being the highest example of one's craft and career. Even a simple cook. Folk gotta eat. Even if klingon food is less... Processed than human cuisine thta makes long term storage all the more of a challenge to be taken on with gusto.

[@lhemnenn4713]

​@@singletona082In Star Trek: Enterprise it was stated that that was pretty much how Klingon society was for a time, at least one Klingon remembered this period by the time of Archer. But the military apparently became the only respected aspect of the Empire overtime ...

[@ah9580]

ALMOST LIKE ROGUE TRADERS

[@mridlon1634]

I would think, they would be more or less like spacefaring Vikings.

[@tba113]

I wonder what the galaxy would look like if Mankind's first contact had been established with the Klingons instead of the Vulcans. I don't think the Klingons would have simply invaded, plundered, and exterminated Earth at that stage. After all, the technology disparity would mean Mankind would not have been able to put up much of a worthwhile fight, so from the Klingon perspective, there'd be no glory in the battle. The entire Sol system doesn't even have any dilithium, latinum, or other mineral wealth worth the time for a post-warp empire to plunder, and while the location is strategic enough with respect to the Romulans, the only marginally habitable planet in the system was a radioactive ruin at that point. But that to me reveals the real value of contacting the Humans: Earth was a smoking wreck because Humanity had just fought an apocalyptic war against itself, pushing nearly to the last drop of blood before taking a breather. Rather than bomb or invade, I think the Klingons might have offered Mankind a place at their table, if not as a junior partner then at least as a vassal state. I mean, the Klingons would have thought a species that hotwired its own genetics to create armies of super-soldiers, nearly nuked itself to dust, and then immediately turned around and announced itself on the galactic stage by riding a jury-rigged _ICBM,_ would sound pretty cool. Sure, those monkeys might struggle to take a punch like a true-born Son or Daughter of Qo'noS, but with a history like that, the heart of a Human is clearly the heart of a warrior.

[@tomhenry897]

Per the Vulcans they would turn earth into a slave planet mining minerals

[@darinbauer8122]

I like to think that a majority of Nerdsteampunk sciencey Klingons were solar sailing around making ends meet somehow before and after the 13th ce. That would explain the populations of Negh Var and Vor'Cha. Peace!

[@LordTalax]

Solar sails don't work in deep space.

[@StevenHughes-hr5hp]

The Klingons discoved Romulus only to discover the natives were hostile?