Star Trek: The Next Generation ; Kahless - Hardcover

Friedman, Michael Jan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0671547798 ISBN 13: 9780671547790

Publisher: Star Trek, 1996

Synopsis

For the last fifteen hundred years, the Klingons have revered him as the first Klingon emperor, the legendary warrior who united their people and taught them the meaning of honor. Myths and fables have grown around the memory of Kahless, but the truth of his incredible life has remained a mystery...until now.
A clone of the original Kahless now holds the title of emperor. He thinks he knows all there is to know about his might ancestor, until the discovery of an ancient scroll throws the ancient stories into doubt and threatens to tear the Klingon Empire apart. Surrounded by treachery and rumors of revolt, he can trust no one - except Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Lieutenant Worf of the U.S.S. Enterprise.
The past collides with the present as the true story of the historical Kahless sparks a battle for control of the entire Klingon Empire. Yet even if Worf and Picard can prevent a civil war, the revelations contained in the scroll ensure that the Klingon Empire - and the rest of the galaxy - will never be the same.

About this title

About the Author:

Michael Jan Friedman is the author of more than forty science fiction and fantasy books, among them many Star Trek and Star Trek: Next Generation novels.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

No," he lied. "Nothing important. I am merely reenacting themyth of Kahless's labors at the Kri'stak Volcano."Picard nodded. "Yes, of course...the one in which he dips astrand of his hair into the lava." His brow wrinkled as he triedto remember." After that, he plunged the flaming lock into LakeLusor -- twisted it into a revolutionary new form of blade, whichno Klingon had ever seen before."Worf had to return the human's smile. Without a doubt, Picardknew his Klingon lore -- perhaps as well as the average Klingon.And in this case even better, because this particular legend hadbeen nurtured by a select few until just a few years ago."That is correct," he confirmed.Pointing to the northern slope of the volcano, he showed thecaptain Kahless's position. The emperor-to be had hurled himselfacross the deep channel again -- this time with a bit lesseffort, perhaps, thanks to the improvement in the terrain he wasleaping from -- and was descending the mountainside, his trophystill in hand.It was only after much hardship that he would come to the lakecalled Lusor. There, he would fashion from his trophy theefficient and graceful weapon known as the teat 'telh.Picard made an appreciative sound. "Hard to believe he could everhave made such a climb in fact."Worf felt a pang at the captain's remark. He must not haveconcealed it very well this time, because Picard's brow furrowed."I didn't mean to question your beliefs," the human told him."Only to make an observation. If I've offended you --"The Klingon waved away the suggestion. "No, sir. I am notoffended." He paused. "It was only that I was thinking the samething."Picard regarded him more closely. Obviously, he was concerned."Are you . . . having a crisis of faith, Lieutenant? Along thelines of what you experienced before Kahless's return?"Worf sighed. "A crisis of faith?" He shook his head. "No, it ismore than that. Considerably more." He watched the distant figureof Kahless descend from the mountain, making improbable choicesto defy impossible odds. "A few years ago," he explained, "it wasa personal problem. Now. . ."He allowed his voice to trail off, reluctant to give the mattersubstance by acknowledging it. However, he couldn't avoid itforever. As captain of the Enterprise, Picard would find outabout it sooner or later."You see," he told the human, "these myths --" He gestured to theterrain below them, which included not only the volcano but thelake as well. " -- they are sacred to us. They are the essence ofour faith. When we speak of Kahless's creation of the teat 'telhfrom a lock of his hair, we are not speaking figuratively. Wetruly believe he did such a thing."Worf turned his gaze westward, toward the plains that formed thebulk of this continent. He couldn't see them for the smoke andfumes emerging from the volcano, but he knew they were therenonetheless."It was out there," he continued, "that Kahless is said to havewrestled with his brother Morath for twelve days and twelvenights, after his brother lied and shamed their clan. It was outthere that Kahless used the teat 'telh he created to slay thetyrant Molor -- and it was out there that the emperor united allKlingons under a banner of duty and honor."Not just stories," Picard replied, demonstrating hisunderstanding. "Each one a truth, no matter how impossible itmight seem in the cold light of logic."Yes," said Worf. "Each one a truth." He turned back to hiscaptain. "Or at least, they were." He frowned, despite himself."Were?" Picard prodded. He hung there in the shifting winds,clouds writhing behind him like a monstrous serpent in terribletorment. "What's happened to change things?"The Klingon took his time gathering his thoughts. Still, it wasnot an easy matter to talk about."I have heard from the emperor," he began.The captain looked at him with unconcealed interest. "Kahless,you mean? I trust he's in good health."Worf nodded. "You need not worry on that count. Physically, he isin fine health."In other words, no one had tried to assassinate him. In thecorridors of Klingon government, that was a very realconcern -- though to Worf's knowledge, Kahless hadn't promptedanyone to want to kill him. Quite the contrary. He was as widelyloved as any Klingon could be."The problem," the lieutenant went on, "is of a different nature.You see, a scroll was unearthed alongside the road toSto-Vo-Kor."Picard's eyes narrowed. "The road the historical Kahless followedwhen he took his leave of the Klingon people. That was . . .what? Fifteen hundred years ago?"Even more," Worf told him. ,"ln any case, this scroll -- supposedlywritten by Kahless himself -- appears to discredit all the storiesthat concern him. It is as if Kahless himself has given the lieto his own history.

About this edition

• Publisher: Star Trek
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0671547798
• ISBN 13: 9780671547790
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320