Stardate 9584.1.
Klingon Raptor class science vessel 12304.
It's mission: to dwarf planet 61810 on the farthest reaches of the Empire. Locate alternative energy supplies and minerals following the explosion of Praxis on stardate 9521.
Sixteen days in, only four members of the team remain. The others are dead.
Communications have been sabotaged, by an enemy that hides in plain sight. In the warmest place on this planet: inside their hosts.
Rescue will come. Too late for the team. In time to spread, the Infected...
"ngej"is a Klingon term for "infected" - an unusual form of mRNA (messenger Ribose Nucleic Acid) that rewrites the DNA of other lifeforms to create a version of itself adapted to the local environment. The 'territorial holdings' of the ngej occupy the rim of the Beta Quadrant on the Beta/Delta border. What little we know is reproduced here.
The Raptor class scout vessel design had been in the service of the Imperial Klingon Navy for over a century. A dozen crew with a captain, science crew, engineers and marines for protection. Whereas the similar-sized Bird of Prey had a more military role, the Raptor was a science vessel. The captain of the ship - usually ranked commander - would be a younger Klingon and the aspect of exploring virgin territory outweighed the 'shame' of being a science vessel, rather than a warship ready to fight an enemy. What the crew of vessel 12304 coun't know, is that they were going to have the fight of their lives. Not against hordes of warriors, killer robots or a fleet of drones. This was a fight for survival against biology.And they were going to lose. Each of the dozen-strong crew of 12304 had worked together for several missions prior to this one. The explosion of Praxis had motivated Chancellor Gorkon to activate the reserve scout fleet to seek out replacement sources of energy and minerals for the wrecked primary energy production moon. Raptor class and Birds of Prey were sent to the deepest frontiers and backwaters of the Empire, seeking under every rock, mountain, mine and asteroid for clues as to how to restore the Empire to power. Each of the crew had complimentary skills: engineering, geology, biology, chemistry, medicine, astrophysics, planetary sciences, demolitions, mining. These would work together so that a crew of 12 was still enough to do the necessary initial investigations to locate the energy resources the Empire now urgently needed.
The Raptor had twelve crew: a Captain, First Officer in charge of science, Second Officer and deputy chief scientist K'mtuch, Medical Officer, Chief Engineer, four marines and three engineers. The House affiliations of most matched up with their specialisations in science, mining or as warriors. Some were barely out of the military schools of Qo'noS, others were veterans of conflicts or had been reassigned to a scout vessel for indiscretions on more prestigious military assignments. Their personalities varied: the efficient, loud, decisive commanding officer; the First Officer mindful of working towards his own commandand acting as the voice and ears of the crew; the younger Second Officer, able to concentrate more on the science and settling into the leadership chain of the ship; the older Medical Officer, attentive to the wellbeing of the crew and ready for all combat emergencies, experienced in many conflicts and with a drinking problem that doesn't go unnoticed, the principal scientists for matters alien, biological and medical; the Chief Engineer, technical wizard and medically compromised from a career working in the unsafe reactor pits of some of the older warships and vessels of the Klingon Imperial Navy. The marines consisted of a Lieutenant, Sergeant and two bekks. Their mission was to protect the scientific mission and operate the weapons systems of the Raptor. They could also double-up for mining and demolitions. The engineers run the ship and vary from a veteran sergeant to a young bekk who barely knows a hydrospanner from a self-sealing stembolt.
Raptor 12304 was assigned to the far driftward reaches of the Klingon Empire, where the frontier fades rapidly away to unexplored space. Out here, there are prospectors, gulags, the discommended dishonoured warriors, and 'ronan' House-less Klingons. The question of ownership of worlds out here wasn't asked; all worlds would eventually belong to the Empire, once the frontline forces of the Imperial Navy got this far, to reinforce the fact. Raptors and Birds of Prey were the vanguard of the Imperial Navy, exploring and scouting out the resources, enemies and possible new additions to the Klingon Empire. The chain-of-command was a little more fast and loose out here, with no direct oversight or communications with senior officers. There was also no chance of military support for around 36 days or so. Modern Raptors had been updated with cloaking devices and had disruptors, photon torpedoes and ablative armour to defend themselves with. Like all Klingon warships, there were multiple redundancies and the ship was robust. They were as well-equipped as they could be to explore, face danger and have the highest chance of returning back to the Empire alive. Oversight of the operation was via a Warrior's Anger class command ship. This ship would monitor dozens of vessels including this Raptor class scout. If the data feed stopped, or a distress signal was received, a warship would be sent to investigate, or as reinforcements. Emperor class cruisers were the deep space warship of choice, with their four warp nacelles crudely imitating the eloquent warp technology of the Starfleet Radiant and Constellation class starships. These cruisers would be able to tackle most enemy warships one-on-one, the final arbiters on enemies of the Empire. Usually.
Science log 41. Science officer K'mtuch reporting. Science vessel 12304. Dwarf planet 61810.
I will hide this tricorder when I'm finished. If none of us make it back to the Empire, at least there will be some kind of record.
Whilst looking for new energy supplies, we stumbled on an enemy that the Empire may not be able to defeat.
First, it was the protection team that were infected. It makes sense; they were on the perimeter of our operations, ensuring the safety of the team. Out of line-of-sight.
Perhaps they cut themselves on a sharp rock. Maybe an insect bit them. Or a worm crawled into their gagh.
The guards started to be erratic with their patrols, until they ceased them.
One by one, the science team started to disappear. Behaviours would change. Memories would be forgotten or friendships, too.
We found the earliest victims were mutated in later stages; their bodies and minds twisted to better serve their infection.
Adaptations would help infect new victims.
As the first stages of the infection are internal and invisible, it's impossible to know who is infected and who is not.
Whilst we may be only scientists, we are still Klingon.
We will fight to the last person. And die honourably.
Nobody trusts anybody now, and we are all very tired. Nothing else we can do except set the ship for self-destruct, to prevent the escape of this infection. Then just wait...
Lieutenant K'mtuch, Second Officer of Science Vessel 12304. End Log.
In the stark, icy wilderness of an uncharted icy planetoid, a lone Klingon scientist named Kar'thok pressed forward into the depths of an ancient ice cave. His breaths were visible, crystallizing into the cold air as he ventured deeper, a sense of unease gnawing at him.
The cave walls shimmered with a ghostly blue glow, the ice reflecting the faint light of his torch. As he turned a corner, Kar'thok's eyes widened. Before him stood a towering wall of ice, its surface marred by dark, crimson streaks of blood. He leaned in closer, tracing his gloved fingers along the blood stains that spelled out strange symbols, words unknown even to his advanced scientific knowledge.
Kar'thok activated his tricorder, scanning the markings. The readings were chaotic, the symbols resonating with an energy that defied the laws of physics. It was then he noticed the source of the blood—cells that were still alive, pulsating ever so slightly as if frozen in a moment of agony. He whispered to himself, "What is this...?"
His comm badge crackled to life, a fellow scientist from the ship reaching out. "Kar'thok, what have you found?"
Kar'thok hesitated. "A relic... a discovery... something beyond our comprehension. I need more time."
He knew this could be a breakthrough, a key to unlocking ancient secrets of the universe. But as he continued to study the wall, an eerie feeling settled over him. The blood, whatever it was or whatever it contained, was not just a scientific anomaly. It was a harbinger of something dark, something that perhaps should remain untouched by even the bravest of Klingons.
Kar'thok's hand hovered over his communicator, torn between calling for backup and the innate Klingon instinct to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
Months later.
On the icy expanse of the arctic planet, the secret Klingon research station of the House of Antaak stood as a testament to their strength and determination. Nestled amidst towering glaciers and endless snowfields, the station was home to a team of scientists, each driven by the quest for glory in this frozen wilderness.
Commander K’Elena, a renowned molecular biologist, led the team. Her latest mission involved studying the unique microorganisms that thrived in the planet's extreme conditions. One frigid morning, while examining samples from a deep ice core, her trusted warrior-scientist, Lieutenant B'iqeQ, made a startling discovery.
“K’Elena, you must see this,” B'iqeQ called out, his voice filled with the fire of discovery.
K’Elena strode over to B'iqeQ’s workstation, where he pointed to the screen displaying the genetic sequence of a newly discovered microorganism. “This mRNA sequence… it is unlike anything we have encountered before. It appears to have the power to rewrite DNA in its own image.”
K’Elena’s eyes blazed with astonishment. “Are you saying this mRNA can alter the genetic code of other organisms?”
“Indeed,” B'iqeQ confirmed. “It acts like a biological template, overriding the host’s DNA and replacing it with its own sequence.”
The implications of this discovery were immense. If harnessed correctly, this mRNA could bring great honour to the Empire, offering unprecedented control over biological processes. However, it also posed significant ethical and safety concerns.
As the days turned into weeks, the team at the research station worked tirelessly to understand the mechanisms behind this extraordinary mRNA. They conducted experiments, analyzed data, and debated the potential applications and risks.
One evening, as the auroras danced across the sky, K’Elena gathered the team for a meeting. “We have made incredible progress,” she began. “But we must proceed with honour. This discovery has the potential to change the course of Klingon history, but we must ensure it is used responsibly.”
The team nodded in agreement, aware of the weight of their responsibility. They knew that their work on this frozen world could pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in medicine, agriculture, and beyond. But they also understood the importance of ethical considerations and the need to safeguard against unintended consequences.
As the months passed, the research station continued to unravel the mysteries of the mRNA. Their findings were shared with the High Council, sparking interest and collaboration across the Empire. Scientists from across the Empire flocked to the station, eager to contribute to this pioneering research.
In the end, the discovery of the mRNA that could rewrite DNA in its own image became a testament to the power of Klingon exploration and the boundless potential of their ingenuity. And on the frozen frontier of the icy world, the research station stood as a symbol of honour and progress, lighting the way for future generations.
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The ngej are thought to be originally from either deep in the far Beta Quadrant or nearside Delta Quadrant. Intelligence indicates from the direction of their encroachment into the Beta Quadant that their direction of invasion is from the Delta Quadrant near the Delta/Beta border. Attempts at probing into ngej space have been met with ferocious attacks on Klingon planets and colonies - the fighting strength of the ngej. The ngej race achieved dominance in the universe through their biological superiority in the area of toxicity. All aspects of a ngej's biology is toxic: blood, sweat, tears - all are poisonous across the spectrum. The complexity of the poisons that a ngej comprises of gives thought to a creature that has been biologically engineered as well as naturally genetically pre-disposed to be as poisonous as possible.
The ngej appear to have the ability to alter their genetic and phenotype configurations; they are able to add poisonous spines that can be fired, they can also emit a fine poisonous mist up to a range of fifteen metres or so. ngej are already known to be able to squirt venom accurately over a distance of up to ten metres, envenomate with poisonous fangs, release poison over their skin as a waterproof wax to prevent themselves drying out and camoflage their skin with background colours. Their biological variations makes them hard to differentiate from uninfected members of the species using tricorders, and the cocktail of poisons makes combating a venomous attack difficult at best.
As the ngej themselves biologically appear to be all the weapon that they need, they do not appear to wear any sensors or weaponry systems. The range of vision a ngej depends on the host and can vary. The mRNA mutates the organism whose DNA is exposed to it, this creates a natural variety of ngej biology. With an Empire of different species like the Klingon Empire, this results in many new mutated ngej examples with variations of spines and venom delivery systems. Equally the means of delivering the mRNA to the victim DNA varies, to allow the greatest chance for the biological coding to be passed on to the next victim generation.
Lastly, there is no common ngej culture. This is due to a total lack of written or spoken language. According to the Klingons, there is no warning of an attack from the ngej and no attempt at dialogue is responded to. Starfleet Intelligence also notes that Klingons are not renowned for their 'dialogue'. Currently the ngej Contamination resides on the far side of the Klingon Empire, but with starships now exploring through the Nirophian Corridor an encounter with the ngej is to be anticipated.
The ngej is a fascinating and terrifying lifeform with several unique abilities:
Genetic Assimilation: The ngej can assimilate the genetic material of other organisms. This process allows it to mimic the physical appearance and biological functions of its host, making it nearly impossible to detect through conventional means.
Rapid Adaptation: Once the ngej has assimilated a host, it can quickly adapt to new environments and threats. This includes developing resistance to various forms of attack, such as chemical agents or radiation. Once a victim is absorbed, the ngej incorporates the memories and personality into its own. The initial infected are indistinguishable with the uninfected person. As the infection progresses and mutations occur, the ngej swaps the strategy of concealment with aggressive infection.
Regeneration: The ngej possesses remarkable regenerative capabilities. Even if a part of its body is damaged or destroyed, it can regenerate the lost tissue rapidly, making it extremely difficult to kill. The ngej has genetic memory of a thousand species from a thousand worlds, allowing it to access a genetic library of adaptations.
Infiltration and Mimicry: By mimicking its host perfectly, the ngej can infiltrate groups and organizations without raising suspicion. This ability makes it an excellent spy and saboteur, capable of undermining its enemies from within. The initial stage of infection is about infecting the host, taking control of their conscious mind. This can be used to then forward the driving motivation of spreading itself to other lifeforms.
Heat Sensitivity: Despite its many strengths, the ngej has a notable weakness: it cannot withstand extreme heat. This vulnerability can be exploited to identify and eliminate the lifeform.
Hive Mind Communication: The ngej operates with a hive mind, allowing it to communicate and coordinate with other ngej entities over long distances. This collective intelligence makes it highly strategic and efficient in its actions. Seperated parts of ngej can operate independently or collectively, this has led to the hypothesis of communication between the parts.
These abilities make the ngej a formidable adversary, capable of posing a significant threat to any civilization it encounters. The Klingon Empire’s encounter with the ngej serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the uncharted regions of space.
The origin of the ngej is shrouded in mystery, adding to the difficulties in combating this insidious enemy.
Here are some key theories about its origins:
Ancient Bioengineering: Some Klingon scientists speculate that the ngej might be the result of ancient bioengineering experiments. These experiments could have been conducted by a long-lost civilization that sought to create a perfect infiltrator or a biological weapon. Over time, the ngej could have evolved and spread across the known universe.
Extraterrestrial Origin: Another theory suggests that the ngej originated from a distant, uncharted region of space. It could be a naturally occurring lifeform from a planet with extreme environmental conditions, which would explain its unique abilities and resilience.
Interdimensional Entity: There is also a hypothesis that the ngej might be an interdimensional entity. This theory posits that the ngej could have crossed over into our dimension through a rift or a wormhole, bringing with it abilities and characteristics that are not bound by the laws of our universe.
Evolutionary Anomaly: Some believe that the ngej could be an evolutionary anomaly, a rare lifeform that developed its mRNA-based assimilation abilities through natural selection. This would make it a unique and highly adaptable organism, capable of surviving in various environments.
Despite these theories, the true origin of the ngej remains unknown. Its mysterious nature and formidable abilities continue to pose a significant challenge to those who encounter it. The Klingon Empire’s encounter with the ngej has only deepened the intrigue surrounding this enigmatic lifeform.
Author Notes on the ngej for ST:TIY:
Little is known about this biological phenomenon that has somehow forged its own territory. My original plan was for this to be a poisonous amphibious species. I then had an idea for a different approach on the early hours of 30 January 2024; I thought of a lifeform that, for conservation of energy and adaptive purposes would rewite the DNA of it's victims to become evolved versions of the lifeform, in the mutated body of the host (whose individality would be erased and overwritten). This was a biological Borg crossed with The Thing or The Fly; it would retain the venomous protection, however it would be a very simple biological entity: messenger RNA or mRNA. This becomes a transmissable method of rewriting, for example, a Klingon into a porcupine-like extra armoured Klingon with pods that fire mRNA-tipped darts to procreate still further.
This is a simple form of life, yet it can conquer the strong, the intelligent and the brave with equal efficiency, rewriting them into the next generation of ngej. What Starfleet Intelligence may have originally thought was the ngej was based on an earlier form of life that had stumbled on the mRNA and been mutated, with their will rewritten to be ngej. Unlike the Borg, there is no Queen, no government, no common homeworld or culture; just the building blocks of life that rewrites the code for other life to become its own. There's nothing to negotiate with and no enemy to kill - just biology looking to reproduce in a way that is indiscriminate and efficient.
I wanted to have very different challenges for the Klingon Empire on each border. The Federation is the threat of a better ideal, of democracy and diplomacy which could undermine the Klingons. For the Romulan Star Empire it's a species that challenges the Klingons at their own game: conquest and dominance. The Gorn are like the Xenomorphs in the Alien movie franchise. The Kinshaya are religious extremists. The ngej are something very different: a biological threat to the Klingons that are more akin to an infectious pandemic than a species with a culture and nation.
With a normal threat to the Klingons, there's a fleet, nation and government. Klingons will hear the rush of blood and the cry to battle from their ancestors. With the ngej there's no honour, no battles, no victory; only survival. As with a main inspiration, The Thing (1982), this starts with a science team making adiscovery. I chose an old Raptor class as the ship as something different. As with sci-fi horror, this runs by the 'rules' of bumping off the peripheral, out-of-sight characters first. Infecting the guards, changing their behaviour to monitor the Klingon scientists and assimilating their knowledge before evolving to better contaminate the rest. The scientists will eventually see a mutated guard and piece together something has infected them - hence the Klingon term for 'Infected'. Sadly, with only a dozen crew, the science vessel crew are doomed before they can devise a counter. And the rescue vessel - likely a cruiser - will simply become a vector of transmission.
As with Praxis, this exposes the Achilles Heel of the Klingons as being their lesser developed scientific knowledge. The Federation would send an Oberth class science vessel with a specialist crew. Or the Enterprise. The Klingons are militaristic. However, blowing up the planet or shooting an infected collegue may not be enough to resolve the problem.
There's also the issue of the House of Antaak. They are scientists, driven by the need for genetic perfection. This form of basic life has the biological potential for them to take control of their DNA and shape it into the most 'perfect' form. This makes the House of Antaak like Weyland Yutani in the Alien franchise: driven to preserve some of the dangerous life form so that the science can be utilised for their own gain. This could pitch the House of Antaak against other great Houses. This is also the debate of the Klingon Empire NEEDS scientists; the TNG sneery attitude of Klingon Warriors towards scientists is just silly: without scientists you don't get progress. You need scientists for discoverying new science, new weapons, new technology for new warships. I'll leave the anti-science rhetoric to the odd opinionated warrior.
