Science fiction is all about asking questions, and Star Trek has done that since day one. Different alien species explore different societal and philosopical issues. First introduced in Deep Space Nine, this lesser-known alien race asks viewers: What could drive an entire species to attempt mass murder for the sake of peace?
The Kellerun, a lesser-known but compelling alien species in the Star Trek universe, first drew viewers’ attention in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. As was often the case in DS9, they posed unsettling questions, this time about the extremes a society might pursue to secure a lasting peace.
Kellerun and the Armageddon Game
The Kellerun first appear in the Deep Space Nine episode “Armageddon Game.” After being locked in a brutal, centuries-long conflict with a species called the T’Lani, the Kellerun developed deadly biological weapons known as Harvesters. However, their “weapon to end all wars” succeeded only in causing catastrophic devastation to their ecosystem.
In 2370, with the horrors of war fresh in their minds, the Kellerun and T’Lani made a joint resolution. Together, they agree to destroy their Harvester stockpile and erase all knowledge of the weapons. In “Armageddon Game,” Dr. Julian Bashir and Chief Miles O’Brien find themselves embroiled in a dangerous mission to deactivate the deadly bioweapons. With Bashir’s skills in medical and bio-science, and O’Brien’s genius with technology, it seems like a surefire win for the purpose of peace.
However, their involvement took a sinister turn. Bashir and O’Brien became targets of assassination, along with any scientists who had knowledge of the Harvesters. Both the Kellerun and T’Lani proved that they were willing to go to horrifying lengths to eradicate their dark past. They both manage to escape the assassination attempt by beaming off the Kellerun space station where the bioweapons were stored, but not before Miles is severely injured during a harrowing confrontation with a Kellerun death squad.
In the midst of their escape, O’Brien is infected with a Harvester sample. Bashir’s medical expertise is put to the test as he battles against time and limited resources to save his friend, all while trying to avoid being tracked down on the Kellerun homeworld’s devastated surface.
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I suppose another day won’t kill me.
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That’s the spirit.
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In the end, a clever ruse by Sisko allows Bashir and O’Brien to escape. However, it seemed likely that the Kellerun and T’Lani would have a long and difficult road ahead of them, as they sought better ways to guard against the possibility of war.
The Kellerun in the 31st century
The Kellerun experienced further hardships in the centuries ahead, particularly in the 32nd century. Rayner, a Kellerun who would go on to become the USS Discovery’s first officer, experienced the horrors of war renewed under the Breen occupation of his homeworld.
The reintroduction of the Kellerun in Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 was a surprising move that excited fans of the apocrypha. The devastation wrought on the Kellerun homeworld by the Breen’s ruthless invasion, led by Primarch Tahal of the Breen Imperium, left deep scars. These wounds were particularly poignant for Commander Rayner, whose entire family had been killed on Tahal’s orders.
Rayner’s fervent desire for justice, bordering on rage, created powerful tension with his Starfleet training and Federation ideals. Yet, despite these traumatic events, Rayner found purpose and camaraderie within Starfleet. As a member, he forged enduring friendships and earned respect for his leadership skills and strategic acumen. His tenure as captain of the USS Antares, and later as executive officer aboard the USS Discovery, showcased his dedication to his crew and his unwavering commitment to Starfleet’s principles of exploration and cooperation, personal feelings notwithstanding.
Kellerun Culture and society in Star Trek
What little fans know of Kellerun society gives the impression of a highly militaristic people. Their prolonged conflict with the T’Lani shaped their societal structures, making them a people deeply entrenched in the practices of war and survival.
The top-knot style of haircut was apparently preferred by many Kellerun in the 24th century. It is reminiscent of the chonmage haircut popular during Japan’s Edo period, a possible visual clue to the structure of their society. Viewers also know that Kellerun have practiced the art of crafting ballads at one point in their past, as the “Ballad of Krul” is considered classic literature among their people.
Key Points about the Kellerun
- During their centuries of conflict with the T’Lani, horrible weapons known as Harvesters devastated their world.
- They murdered all scientists associated with the Harvesters to avoid history repeating itself.
- The Kellerun xperienced a harsh occupation of the Breen Imperium in the 32nd century.
- The Breen war leader, Primarch Tahal, was responsible for many Kellerun deaths, including the family of Commander Rayner, the USS Discovery’s First Officer in the fifth season.
The Kellerun, despite their relatively limited screen time in the Star Trek franchise, bring a distinctive and thought-provoking element to the series’ exploration of ethical dilemmas and the consequences of war. Their narrative delves into the extremes of wartime morality and the lengths to which a society might go to secure peace for themselves, even at the cost of their own integrity, and the lives of innocents.
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