Klingon D7 Battlecruiser IKS BortaS

The Klingon D7 Battlecruiser BortaS is the very stuff of legends within the Klingon Empire. Lost over a century and a quarter ago, its name has lived on, lending itself to a popular series of vids and holonovels translated into Federation Standard English as "Battlecruiser Vengeance".

Under her commander, HoD Qor'tath, the BortaS had a sterling record in war and cold war against both the United Federation of Planets and the Romulan Star Empire. During the Four Years' War, the BortaS fought in over a dozen battles and was responsible for the destruction of several Starfleet vessels.

In the year 2250, she undertook a secret mission to Romulus, where her crew stole the Tokath, a Vulcan artifact dating back to the time of Surak, before the Romulans left Vulcan. Romulan Birds of Prey pursued her, damaging her severely. To avoid capture or destruction by the Romulan task force, the BortaS entered Federation space and encountered the Dyson Sphere. When the Sphere's docking beams seized the ship, its warp core finally gave out and the surviving crew crowded into the command boom, which was drawn into the Sphere.

The BortaS' command boom was of standard Klingon design and thus could manoeuvre independantly, therefore the crew were able to land the boom relatively safely. Over the course of the next few decades, a fortification and then a city grew up about the boom. Today, the boom sits at the centre of BortaS City, surrounded by stone walls. Its systems are kept at standby, power provided by hydrogen cracked from local H2O sources. The engineering crew has maintained its numbers at a skeleton crew level using the tutorials and manuals in the ship's library computer. Although poorly trained by modern military standards, they have kept the ship's systems in reasonable working order for over 125 years, an astounding feat by any measure.

Borta City is a thriving metropolis of several thousand Klingons, descendants of the original survivors. With little in the way of technology, they have created a society reminiscent of their primitive pre-space forebearers in the time of Kahless the Unforgettable. At the centre of the walled city is the central plaza and the BortaS' command boom, flanked by statues of Kahless and HoD Qor'tath.

The city is surrounded by 15 metre tall stone walls with a number of guard towers spaced more-or-less evenly along them. The city is roughly round in plan, with radial avenues leading from the central plaza. Buildings are typically Klingon; blocky, slightly tapered masses of stone, wood and stucco with buttresses at the corners. External staircases lead to flat rooves on many of the residential buildings, where much of family life is conducted in the open air.

Much of the city uses a relatively low level of technology, comparable to that of 14th century Europe.


The descendants of the surviving crew of the IKS BortaS are genetically modified Klingons from the mid 23rd century, victims of a runaway experiment which affected all Klingons in the Empire for over a century until a cure was found in the late 2260's. They are, therefore, identical to the smooth headed "Classic" Klingons of the original Star Trek TV series. They have, however, rejected the neo-fascist ideology espoused by Klingons during the Federation Cold War, and have returned to an idealised version of their ancestors. They worship the classical Klingon gods and live in a manner they inagine their ancestors did–rather closer to the romantic ideals of Klingon honour than existed in ancient times or, for that matter, in modern times. Like Worf, they have been raised on stories and folklore, and have taken it to heart.

     
"Modern" Klingon (left) and BortaS Klingon (right)

A Klingon SuvwI' (knight)

Klingon society resembles that of Earth's ancient northern European medieval cultures. Those born into a ruling family - either a great or minor House - hold more status than that of a commoner. Unlike class systems on other worlds, however, the ability to fight and a willingness to die provides the keys to upward mobility. The commoner who proves himself capable in war could join a House’s army, then through bravery and skill go on to found his own House. A coward or scoundrel, however, will find himself tumbling down the social ladder. The worst receive discommendation - banishment by society.

Klingon society generally recognizes four social classes:

Ha'Dlbah: At the bottom of the social order, these are the inhabitants of planets conquered by the Empire. They are expected to serve and support the Empire, by paying taxes and supplying goods and services. Unlike the Romulans, Klingons allow their subjects to keep their own culture, traditions, and political systems, so long as they don't cause trouble. They find it easier to leave the existing social order in place, but make it accountable to Klingon authority. Although not considered property, Ha'Dlbah have no standing in Klingon society. They must obtain permission to move from their local lord or regional governor. They may not own weapons, nor serve in the military. They may not bring grievances against a Klingon, and crimes against Klingons are punished severely. Their lands can be seized without compensation, nor do they enjoy protections against unreasonable search and seizure. Ha'Dlbah who behave, however, have little to fear, and can even gain a measure of prominence. They can not, however, climb the Klingon social ladder. This term means, literally, "dog, cur, inferior person," and Klingons consider it a grave insult.
vumwl': These are the accountants, weapon-smiths, nursemaids, and thousands of other second-rate professions needed to keep society functioning. Generally, these Klingons were refused induction into a House's army, because they lacked the mettle, though many simply chose to follow in the family business. Without belonging to a House, they have little opportunity to fight, and thus earn fame or respect. They have no songs to sing nor deeds to celebrate. They are still Klingons, however, and expected to act with honor. They have the right to protect their good name, and can seek redress under Kahless' code. They enjoy freedom of movement, as well as protection under Klingon law - they may bring complaints against other Klingons, no matter their rank, and officials must have reason to enter a Klingon home. Their property may be seized, but with just cause and due process.
Suvwl': Those who intend to walk the warrior's path seek admission in the military of a particular House. This rank is not hereditary, though kinship with a loyal warrior counts in the applicant's favour. Thousands, of Klingons seek to enlist in a House and claim association with it. Without being formally adopted, however, warriors do not enjoy the same power or privileges as the nobility; they are not truly "of the House." They serve as retainers, forming much of the household. In return, membership gives warriors something to belong to, and a greater purpose. They fight in the House's name, and therefore have many chances to gain honor. When they die, their spirits journey to Sto-Vo-Kor, and the House celebrates their deeds. Legally, a warrior's word carries more weight in disputes, and they receive preferential treatment.
chuQun: These are the nobility, and the only true members of the House. They make up a small percentage of those who live and fight under a particular lord's standard. Standing at the top of the social order, they receive their authority by virtue of the lands they control and the army at their command. Presumed to be the most honorable, the nobility enjoys the most power and privileges in society.

IKS BortaS
Commanding Officer, IKS BortaS
Hod Ktong Klingon male
Dahar Master
Dahar Master Qolor Klingon male

This page ©2006 Owen E. Oulton