I remember the hushed excitement in the room when the first *Star Trek Online* ship appeared on *Picard*. It was more than just recognition; it felt like validation. Now, the far-future setting of *Starfleet Academy* is echoing that sentiment, but with a distinct Klingon twist.
After Star Trek Online had spent a good few years presenting its own vision for Star Trek‘s future while the franchise was away from TV, Trek paid it forward over the course of Picard‘s second and third seasons as it brought several of the MMO’s original ship designs into TV canon for the first time. Now, a few years later, Trek on TV is doing it again—with a far-future, Klingon twist.
“Vox in Excelso,” the fourth episode of Starfleet Academy, caught us up on what has been going on with the Klingons by the time of its 32nd-century setting, and the answer, for the most part, was nothing good. With the Empire fallen and the Klingon diaspora on the verge of total extinction, the episode found a path forward where Starfleet played to the Klingons’ sense of martial honor by mock-battling for a new homeworld for the Klingon remnant to call home.
But a new home wasn’t the only thing the Klingons gained: in their ragtag fleet of surviving ships, three more Star Trek Online ships made their on-screen debut. The Ketha Recon Raptor, M’Chla Bird of Prey Refit, and the QeHpu’ Advanced Light Battlecruiser all mark the first Klingon-aligned vessels from the MMORPG to make their way into Star Trek‘s canon, alongside the eight designs canonized in Picard—including the cruiser made for STO‘s own part of the Enterprise legacy, the Odyssey-class Enterprise-F.
“We are grateful to our partners at Paramount for allowing us to make a marked contribution on the franchise we love so much, and, as always, we are grateful to the amazing community of players who have made Star Trek Online‘s ships a mainstay in the zeitgeist of the fandom over the years,” STO Executive Producer and Art Director Thomas Marrone said in a statement.
What’s especially fun about Starfleet Academy debuting these ships is that it now spreads STO‘s impact on Trek to a whole new period of time, well beyond its typical purview. Set in its own vision of early 25th-century Trek continuity, it made sense for its Starfleet designs to make the warp jump over to TV for Picard, as that show established its own take on that time frame for TV.
Although Federation ship technology and aesthetics had rapidly evolved by the time of Starfleet Academy, it’s nice to see that some classically Klingon ships could still be around to make it into 32nd-century canon, even as the Klingons endured their brush with extinction. A fittingly honorable tribute to both STO and one of Trek‘s most enduring alien species alike.
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Canon Fodder: From PC to TV Screen
Think about your favorite band getting a song on a movie soundtrack. It’s that jolt of recognition, that swell of pride. For *Star Trek Online* players, seeing their ships on screen is a similar experience. It’s not just a cosmetic change; it’s like the game is becoming a richer, more integrated part of the *Trek* universe.
The inclusion of these Klingon ships feels significant. It’s as if *Star Trek* is acknowledging the dedication and creativity of the *STO* community, giving their contributions a place in the official tapestry of the franchise.
Why are Klingon ships in Starfleet Academy?
The appearance of these ships in *Starfleet Academy* is about more than just aesthetics. It’s about survival and legacy. The 32nd century setting presents a diminished Klingon Empire, clinging to its martial traditions. These ships, therefore, represent a tangible link to their past, a reminder of their heritage even in the face of near-extinction. *Starfleet Academy*, though centered on a Federation training facility, utilizes the presence of diverse cultures such as the Klingons to mirror our own society.
The Odyssey Continues
I recently attended a *Star Trek* convention and overheard a debate: Is *Star Trek Online* truly canon? While it’s been debated, the visual integration is becoming undeniable. *Picard* paved the way by bringing in Federation ships, including the Odyssey-class *Enterprise*-F, a design deeply rooted in *STO*’s lore.
The *Starfleet Academy* episode, “Vox in Excelso,” uses three ships: the Ketha Recon Raptor, M’Chla Bird of Prey Refit, and the QeHpu’ Advanced Light Battlecruiser. These additions illustrate how Cryptic Studios’ designs are becoming part of the mainstream Star Trek aesthetic. This is like a jazz riff becoming a core part of the melody.
What is the M’Chla Bird of Prey Refit?
The M’Chla Bird of Prey Refit is a modernized upgrade to the classic Klingon Bird of Prey design. While it retains the iconic silhouette familiar to fans of *The Original Series* and beyond, it incorporates design elements and technological advancements consistent with the visual style of *Star Trek Online*. It speaks volumes that Paramount has now added this design to the official canon. This isn’t mere fan service; it enriches the universe.
A Matter of Honor?
Thomas Marrone’s statement reflects that sentiment, acknowledging both Paramount’s willingness to collaborate and the fans’ dedication. The inclusion of these ships does something else, too: It suggests that even in the far future, the spirit of the Klingon Empire—its ships, its warriors, its sense of honor—endures.
How does Starfleet Academy portray the Klingons?
*Starfleet Academy* presents a nuanced depiction of the Klingons. In the 32nd century, they are a fractured people on the brink of oblivion. The series doesn’t shy away from showing their desperation, but it also highlights their enduring sense of honor and martial prowess. The mock battle orchestrated by Starfleet to secure them a new homeworld is a testament to this, playing to their cultural values to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. Is this depiction a step toward restoring the Klingon Empire, or simply a momentary stay against extinction?