- "I offer a toast. The undiscovered country… the future."
- — Gorkon, 2293
Gorkon, son of Toq, of the House of Makok was the Chancellor of the Klingon High Council. In this capacity, he notably pursued declared war between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets after both joined the Axis of Empires and the Alliance of Nations, respectively, starting the War on the Beta Quadrant. One of the most visionary politicians in Klingon history, Gorkon was the chancellor whose peace initiative eventually led to the signing of the Khitomer Accords and to the eventually normalized relations between the two governments after years of hostility and closer end tot he Duyi'zu conflict.
Biography[]
Early career[]
Gorkon was a Klingon Defense Force officer, eventually ascending to be commanding officer of the IKS Chech'Iw in the 2250s, upon which he obtained the rank of general. As commander of the Chech'Iw, Gorkon would have several run-ins with the USS Dauntless under the command of Captain Diego Reyes. In 2268 conflict with the Chech'Iw' cost the Dauntless eighteen crew members, including its first officer, Rajiv Mehta.
Cease Fire[]
In 2293 (14XX NE), the destruction of the Klingon moon Praxis forced the Klingon Empire to reassess its position towards the United Federation of Planets, as the Empire simply could no longer afford to maintain its massive military budget and deal with the devastating effects of the explosion on its economy. Gorkon approached the Federation via Captain Spock and opened negotiations that would see the military outposts on both sides of the dismantled borders and proposed to a cease fire, while also hoping to one day forged an alliance between the two war enemies.
Gorkon's peace initiatives were met with open arms by both the Federation and the Allied Council, but there were those on both sides who objected. A plot was forged between individuals associated with the Federation, the Romulan Star Empire, and even General Chang, Gorkon's own chief of staff. Gorkon traveled to rendezvous with the USS Enterprise-A aboard his flagship, Kronos One. He and a team of officers from Kronos One attended a formal dinner aboard the Enterprise with Captain Kirk and his crew. While there, Gorkon made a toast to the future – which he termed "the undiscovered country" – and expressed his hope that there would be peace between the Empire and the Federation.
Assassination[]
Gorkon was back aboard Kronos One when, later that evening, the vessel was disabled by two photon torpedoes. They were fired by an experimental Bird-of-Prey which was under the command of General Chang and had the unique ability to fire while cloaked. As Kronos One drifted out-of-control, two mysterious assassins from the Enterprise beamed aboard, their faces hidden by helmets they wore. The fact that Kronos One was crippled by a lack of artificial gravity made it easy for the intruders, equipped with gravity boots, to systematically kill Klingons en route to the Chancellor. Indeed, they were able to easily injure a floating and defenseless Gorkon with a phaser shot to the chest, mortally wounding him.
After Kronos One had restored power, Captain Kirk and Doctor Leonard McCoy beamed aboard to provide medical assistance. McCoy attempted to resuscitate Gorkon and was able to briefly bring him back to consciousness. With his dying breath, Gorkon motioned for Kirk to approach him, pleading, "Don't let it end this way, Captain."
Kirk and McCoy were arrested for Gorkon's death and returned to Qo'noS.
In the wake of his death, Gorkon's daughter, Azetbur, was elevated to the position of Chancellor. She continued to champion her father's ideals of peace, even in the face of resistance from her own advisors. The conspiracy was eventually uncovered by the crew of the Enterprise, enabling the continuation of the peace talks.
During his lifetime, Gorkon owned a bone cane and the Klingon Chain of Office. The latter item was inherited by Azetbur when she succeeded him as Chancellor.