Warning: contains spoilers forStar Trek#29!
Step aside, Captain SIsko, theStar Trekuniverse has a new Emissary, one that no one saw coming. While Sisko may be the “Emissary” in the eyes of the Bajoran people as well asStar Trekfans, a crisis unfolding in the universe has forced him to select a new Emissary, as seen inStar Trek#29.Sisko’s choice forStar Trek’s new Emissary is sure to shock fans.
Star Trek#29 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Tess Fowler. Lore has destroyed the multiverse, replacing it with a dark and twisted version, one shaped in his image. Sisko, from his vantage point in the Celestial Temple, decides to go into what Lore has created, and put things right. The Prophets caution him, but he will not hear it. Sisko understands that by going into Lore’s world, he may become consumed. To that end,he selects an Emissary to act where he cannot: Kahless II.
Kahless the Second,Star Trek’sCloned Klingon Emperor, Explained
Kahless II Decided to Live Up to His Namesake, and Kill the Gods
For anyone who has been following IDW’sStar Trekcomics over the past two years, Sisko selecting Kahless as the new Emissary was a shocking moment.The original Kahless is hailed as the founder of modern Klingon society, and is highly venerated in their culture. Introduced in the sixth seasonStar Trek: The Next Generationepisode “Rightful Heir,” this Kahless is a clone of the original, created by Klingon monks in a bid to rally the species. Kahless was appointed the Emperor of the Klingon Empire, but given how it is structured, his role was largely ceremonial.
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As Kahless II’s “reign” continued, he grew more and more disillusioned withthe state of Klingon society.This dissatisfaction was stoked by feelings of inadequacy and being redundant, and Kahless had enough. The original Kahless famously slayed the gods of the Klingons, and his namesake decided to take that quest up once again. Kahless strong armed the Shapers of Sardakesh into fashioning him a weapon capable of killing gods. Kahless took it, embarking on a reign of terror that brought him into conflict with Ben Sisko, who the Bajoran Prophets returned to help stop the carnage.
Kahless II’s Rage Nearly Destroyed the Galaxy–and Even the Entire Universe
Kahless' Actions Led Directly to the Rise of Lore
Kahless’ campaign culminated in the crossover eventStar Trek: Day of Blood, which saw him lead an uprising on the Klingon homeworld. The crews of theThesesus,led by Ben Sisko and theDefiant, skippered by Worf, stood against Kahless and his legions.Day of Bloodended with Kahless losing both his god-killing technology and a majority of his followers to Lore. Lore took Kahless’ technology, augmenting the cult leader’s former adherents and deciding to finish what the Klingon Emperor started. Loretraveled to the Pleroma, the home of the gods, and destroyed it, creating a ripple effect.
During the currentStar Trekstoryline, “When the Walls Fell,” Sisko and his crew travel the multiverse, even meeting the KelvinEnterprise.
As a result of Lore’s actions, theStar Trekmultiverse was seemingly destroyed, and replaced with one created in Lore’s evil image. The quest to stop Lore, and reverse the damage done, will play out in the forthcomingStar Trek: Lore War. Similar in structure toDay of Blood,Lore Warsees Sisko and a ragtag group of rebels opposing Lore, all while fighting their former friends, who have been brought under Lore’s thumb, including Shaxs ofLower Decks. Sisko must try and awaken them to their true nature, and rally them to help him fight Lore.
Kahless II Is a Broken Man–and Is Ripe to Find Redemption
Klingon Society is Built Around Honor–Something Kahless Ironically Lacks
While Lore may bear some of the blame for the fall of theStar Trekuniverse, much of it can be laid at Kahless’ feet. It was Kahless who commissioned the god-killing technology, and it was he that created the cult-like Red Path to carry out his will. However, Kahless did not account for the intervention of Ben Sisko and Worf, the latter of which had recruited Lore. Lore quickly turned on Worf and the others. After the uprising was put down, Kahless and the Red Path were in disarray–the perfect time for Lore to take control.
On the flip side, Kahless II is now without honor, ironically making the founder of Klingon society an outcast within it.
Kahless, still alive and wandering the galaxy, must now embark on a new quest: redemption. The original Kahless was a great hero, overthrowing the ancient Klingons’ oppressive masters and unifying the various factions of his people into a cohesive whole. On the flip side, Kahless II is now without honor, ironically making the founder of Klingon society an outcast within it. For someone who remains Klingon, this is a fate worse than death. He has disgraced his namesake, making it the target of shame and ridicule.Kahless II will have a long roadto redeeming his name.
Kahless II Is the New Emissary of theStar TrekUniverse
Will Kahless Find Redemption as a Spiritual Figure Once Again?
And now, Kahless’ journey takes another, unexpected turn: becomingStar Trek’snewest Emissary. Sisko’s reasoning for picking Kahless remains a mystery for now, but he mentions that the Klingon has “tasted” the Prophets’ tears. Part of Kahless’ god-killing weapon was powered by a Bajoran Orb, giving him experience with the Prophets. Sisko finds a new destiny as the Emissary, one that will lead him to saving the universe. For Kahless II, being the Emissary will give him a shot at redemption, and cement his place in Klingon society.
