In mid-2401, Chancellor Toral assumed leadership of the Klingon Empire after the disappearance of Chancellor Martok. While there was some division among the Great Houses on the young warrior’s ascension, his promises of restoring the empire’s honour through conflict won him the support he needed. Some noble houses consider him a dangerous upstart, but many see him as a chance for glory through battle, and his promises have made him particularly popular among young warriors who have never known true war.

His first pledge was to march on the territory of the fallen Romulan Star Empire, though this has yet to materialise as a serious military plan. Toral lacks the widespread support to assemble the massive fleets of Klingon houses, and instead this aggression has been largely led by those houses who share a border with Romulan territory. They have launched raids and strikes, almost exclusively in the independent worlds unaffiliated with any of the major surviving Romulan governments, in territories far from Federation space.

Now, this seems set to change, as Toral pledges to turn his eye on the Romulan Republic. In practice, this will likely not lead to a mobilised invasion by the KDF, but is license for those border houses to marshal their forces for their own attacks. The Republic is militarily stronger and more organised, but that also makes a tempting target for Klingons warriors eager to prove themselves. They are also considerably richer, giving victorious warriors grander prizes.

In the opening months of 2402, Klingon warbands, particularly from the houses bordering the Romulan Republic, will begin raids and strikes into Republic territory. At first they will probe and test the Republic’s defences, try to seize great prizes or challenge their commanders. They will be skirmishes of a handful of ships, but the Klingon threat is consistent, and it is serious. While many houses may send warriors to such battles, the House of Konjah, one of Toral’s most loyal and powerful followers, is the mightiest and most enthusiastic source of bloodthirsty captains.

The Federation and Romulan Republic are allies. Starfleet captains have often used their discretion in whether to intercede when the Klingon Empire – who are still ostensibly bound by a peace treaty with the Federation – have attacked independent Romulan worlds or ships. It would be unthinkable to stand idly by while the Klingons attack their Republic allies, however.

At first, Starfleet will want information. They will want ships to investigate and be sure of the nature of the Klingon threat, so diplomats to Qo’noS can do their work. But Starfleet captains will also have a duty to defend the Republic against attacks, and every legal and moral right to fire on an aggressive Klingon ship. Efforts to shore up Republic defences, help them better fend off Klingon invaders without Starfleet needing to involve themselves directly, are also increasing.

The Klingon Empire is not directly hostile to Starfleet. Toral’s clear indifference to antagonising them has sent a message to those who despise peace with the Federation: they may not yet be supported, but they will not be condemned. Warriors fighting the Republic will be eager to turn their weapons on Starfleet defenders. Even elsewhere, along every quiet, lonely border, in every distant encounter, Klingon warriors may seize an opportunity to bloody Federation noses. Starfleet captains must be wary.

Again, not all Klingons are loyal to Toral. The House of Koloth is foremost among the Federation’s friends in the empire, and they and their vassals and allies are eager to prove it. They will redouble their missions of cooperation with the Federation, and could even be persuaded to help against aggressive Klingon warriors.

The Romulan Republic, for its part, welcomes Starfleet’s aid. They are a proud people, and eager to stand on their own two feet, but they are not fools. They know they cannot stand against the Klingon Empire, and that if they are weakened, there are others who will seek to exploit and conquer them – such as the Romulan Free State. Friendship with the Federation is their best chance for survival, and this is not an offer of help the Republic intends to waste or reject.

Writing in 2402

This briefing summarises the most intense and pressing events concerning Starfleet in Q1 of 2402. While captains everywhere will deal with their day-to-day operations, conducting missions of exploration and discovery, of diplomacy and humanitarian outreach, of border security and peacekeeping across the galaxy, Klingon aggression against the Republic is Starfleet’s primary focus. Members should feel free to write whatever they want, but this briefing covers the most emergent issues in fleet canon.

You may write stories about tensions with the Klingons anywhere, where a lone encounter on any frontier could turn violent. Across the Federation-Klingon border, the atmosphere should be tense and paranoid unless captains know the specific Klingons with whom they are dealing. Klingons are not invading the Federation or raiding Federation worlds, but aggressive captains might take a chance to bloody Starfleet noses for pride and bragging rights, striking starships or raiding supply vessels. Elsewhere, Klingon Houses friendly to the Federation, led by the House of Koloth, seek to prove their friendship, reaching out for joint missions and offering assistance where they can.

In the Romulan Republic, Klingon captains, particularly from the House of Konjah, are launching direct assaults. For the moment they want to test Republic defences, see what their commanders and ships are made of, and steal riches. Starfleet captains may be directly sent to help the Republic, either shoring up their defences ahead of time or directly helping fight attackers or patrol endangered areas. Where the Klingons have struck may need aid, and Starfleet is well-suited to provide it. You may use captains of the House of Konjah in your story, or invent your own – minor – Klingon house involved in the fighting, perhaps even a vassal house sworn to Konjah.

There is a great fear that this will turn to something worse. That if the Republic is badly hit, the mood in the Klingon Empire will turn in support of Toral, which could lead to a full-blown invasion by the Klingon Defence Force. Shoring up the Republic now may prevent worse aggression later.

Some possible stories you could write include:

– Helping the Republic defend against Klingon strikes

– Building up Republic defensive infrastructure

– Providing humanitarian aid to Republic worlds hit by the Klingons

– Patrolling the Federation border, aware of the risk of Klingon aggression even there

– A joint operation with friendly Klingon Houses to prove some friendships remain strong

– Exploring tensions in the Federation, with some citizens – or Starfleet officers – uncomfortable that the unpopular Romulans are being helped against the Klingons, seen as close allies until very recently

You do not need to post these stories in any particular BFMS mission; this mission is here to organise Intelligence Office Stories and provide this support material. You may weave these plot threads in with any other stories you are telling, or not use them at all.

This current briefing will be live until early March 2025, at which point a new update will be released. You may wish to consider bringing missions engaging with this content to a close around this time, or be prepared to make other adjustments.