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KLINGONS(tlhIngan) -Fusion- Letter From the Editor: Since taking up my posting here two years ago, I have heard it constantly asserted that there are "two races or species, or types of Klingon"; those that look like "humans" (that is,presumably, Terrans) and those -like myself- that do not. Whenever confronted with this assertion (and this has been more frequently than I would have thought possible), I have replied that this is not the case. I have been met -in most cases- with blank disbelief. The belief among Terrans appears to be that in the days before our Empire entered into the Federation, and when there were still hostilities between us, the appearance of the "true" Klingons was unknown to the Federation, and only became known shortly before our accession to membership. It is suggested that another race of Klingons, similar in physiognomy to the Terran type, crewed and commanded Imperial vessels and were responsible for most (or all) of the contacts which took place between our nations. At a certain point in time, it is alleged, the "true" Klingons came to the fore, and the most outlandish hypotheses have been advanced to account for this, This persistent belief has been a source of puzzlement (and, I think I need not say, of irritation) to me since I became aware of it. I will assert now, and for the record, that there is only one Klingon species; we of Klinzhai, and none other. Racial variations within the species exist, but the degree of variance is so minor as to be irrelevant to a Terrestrial Homo Sapiens. There are also the former subject species of the Empire, but none of these so closely resembles Homo Sapiens as to provide any basis for the belief. All of the foregoing is by way of preamble. The point of this letter is to say that I have very recently discovered the well-spring of this odd misconception, and wish to make it public, so that in the course of time it may be dispelled. The explanation, though at first glance improbable beyond the bounds of belief, is so simple that I am amazed it was not previously discovered. Were it not for the false beliefs to which it has given birth, it would be entirely humorous. The videos in question were not specifically anti-Klingon, except insofar as the Empire was a principal adversary of the Federation at the time. Rather, they were a glorification of the exploits of one of the line units of Starfleet, the U.S.S. Enterprise, and of its Captain, James T. Kirk, who apparently enjoyed almost legendary status within Starfleet in his day, and whose exploits had often featured in news reportage among the general populace of the Federation. Pokrebyshev explained that about two decades before the Short War, Starfleet had felt the need to recruit political support among the voting public, in the face of growing demands within the Council for cutbacks in its budgetary appropriations. It therefore commissioned from Hyperclimactic Studios of Toronto a series of one-hour documentary dramas concerning the exploits of one ship and its already legendary captain. The series was apparently shot with great attention to technical realism, a decommissioned and condemned hulk being made available for the filming, but, as is often the case with projects commissioned by politicians and executed by the bureaucracy it was shot on a lamentably tight budget. Of the various alien species portrayed in the videos, almost none were played by members of those species. Notably, Klingons in every case were portrayed by Terrans in outlandish (and highly unrealistic) makeup. The uniforms were a vague approximation of what Imperial troops wore at the time; the faces bore no resemblance to reality. Budgetary considerations aside, the lapse is understandable insofar as (being on the wrong side of the fence, as it were) Hyperclimactic were in no position to obtain members of our species as actors. The resemblance between the actors in this series and the customary description of the "other" species of Klingon leaves me in no doubt that this is the origin of the myth of two species. I am confirmed in this opinion by Captain Pokrebyshev's statement that the series enjoyed great popularity when first produced, and indeed for many years thereafter. It would seem to have been successful in its aim; so much so that Starfleet's resources were maintained and increased, with the result that when faced by the lethal menace presented to Empire and Federation in the Short War, Starfleet was able to succour us with a fleet almost as large as, and far better armed and equipped than, the Imperial Battle Fleet. In that, therefore, we all owe a debt of gratitude to Hyperclimactic Studios and the wisdom of Captain Pokrebyshev's predecessors. However, it does explain the belief now widespread, and the initial shock and confusion of many Starfleet personnel when units first made rendezvous during the War. We all have lumps on our foreheads - some would say, as well as on our personalities. Dear people of Terra, you will have to live with that, as we do! Qapla' KSD/ksd Robert J. Ferguson - SysOp Kelvik sutai-Dok'Marr (Alias) Philadelphia, PA 215-426-5596 (BBS) Commander of: Listening OutPost Filad Member of: Klingon Legion of Assault Warriors (K.L.A.W.)