Federation/Klingon relationship status: It’s complicated.

by Daniel 'Danny' Giddings, Aide-de-camp

16th April 2025

The Federation, at least elements within it, have a love/hate relationship with the Klingons in The Undiscovered Country: Kirk hate-hates them (as he can never forgive them for the death of his boy); West and Cartwright hate them in an almost pragmatic way; and Spock, while not loving them, definitely empathises with them (as much as a Vulcan can).

2E has sought to show these feelings and perspectives, mechanically, over the years.

While the “opportunity to bring them to their knees” has been explored in this set and others (with Khitomer, Sabotage Peace Conference, the various Co-Conspirators and associated Paranoia cards), the humanitarian aspect (even though the very name is racist) has only been shown in three cards: the Olive Branch, the Statesman, and a Federation attemptable Praxis.

Realm of Fear adds two* more cards to this, making your attempts to help the Klingons (by solving their missions) a little simpler.

Today's offering is William Smillie, Commander in Chief.

• He's a 3 cost, 7/6/6, 5 skilled Admiral with the expected Gold Star.

• As a Federation Admiral he's obviously going to be susceptible to Personal Duty…

• but, despite his 7 Integrity, he doesn't have Honor, so that matter of his Trust won't be an Issue.

But the interesting bit is his game text.

While he's attempting a Klingon mission, Strength requirements can be met using the Integrity of your TOS personnel involved. This applies not only to the mission, but the dilemmas you face along the way (which might prove useful – you've probably noticed that while the member of the A's bridge crew are strong in morals, they tend to be weaker in muscles).

So, as long as Smillie's around, maybe the The Dice, Plasma Shocks and TWWP won't hit so hard. Or, when selecting missions, you might decide to do some good while visiting Cardassia IV to rescue some prisoners, take a trip to Organia to secure that strategic base, or maybe plot a course to that Desolate World and respond to the Rescue Signal.

Or, just splash him in any TOS deck, as 7/6/6 are just solid stats.

*Be sure to come back every day, but especially on the 19^th, when the second card is revealed. Can't say too much, but he's quite 'motivated'.

Thanks for reading!

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