Kintakan Empire (D-002)

"'You think the Klingons are warriors? You think the Romulans are smart? You think the Cardassians are brutal? You've obviously never met the Kintakans.'""-Federation Ambassador Juan Listiago"The Kintakan Empire, commonly referred to as "Kintaka," is a large, major, interstellar empire, spanning a vast area in the galactic southwest. Their technologically advanced species has only occasionally interacted with the Federation, leading them to be largely shrouded in legend and myth.

History
Almost nothing is known about the Kintakans. The Federation has known of their existence for nearly 50 years, but only become concerned with them in the last twenty. The Kintakans recently greatly extended their borders, and about ten years ago, formed a mid-sized border with the Federation. The two interstellar states had several skirmishes before signing a treaty on Galan IV in 2359. The treaty basically stipulates a non-aggression pact. The Kintakans were never actually seen during the treaty negotiations, instead choosing to make the entire agreement over a non-visual comm line.

Since then, the Kintakans have slowly built up defenses on their border, and attempted to attack several surrounding areas. Most famously, the Kintakans attacked the Human, but non-Federation settlement of Ylgu III. The colony appealed to the Federation for help, but the Federation, not willing to risk peaceful relations with an enemy of unknown strength, refused them. Ylgu III and the surrounding area was taken in a matter of months, and in 2363 was officially declared Kintakan space. The people of Ylgu III, however, refused to surrender, and began an underground resistance similar to that of the Bajorans. This resistance was led by popular Ylguan scientist and politician Eugene Ugly. The Kintakans responded by starving the planet, and restricting all trade.

Ugly is credited with somehow escaping the planet, and convincing several dozen Federation free traders to supply the Ylguan resistance. Most famously, Clayton Chorky Jr, commonly known as "The Ylgu Runner," supplied the rebellion with weapons, food, and various other supplies.

In 2367, Eugene Ugly was killed by a Kintakan warship performing a bombardment from high orbit. Ugly's death rallied the Ylguan people, and in a matter of weeks, the resistance grew from a mid-sized group to nearly every able-bodied citizen of the planet. The Kintakans attempted everything from brutal massacres of children to leveling of entire continents, but the Ylguans refused to stop fighting. Before long, the Kintakans were experiencing casualties in the thousands month by month. The empire began slowly withdrawing their forces, which only emboldened the Ylguan resistance further.

By 2368, Ylgu III was officially free of Kintakan rule. Since then, the Kintakans have been increasingly hostile towards the Federation, at times attacking and disabling small trade ships near the Federation-Kintakan border. Experts say that it is necessary for the Federation to establish more friendly and open relations with the Kintakans, or conflict will be imminent.

Legends
There are a plethora of legends concerning the Kintakans. Some are more reliable than others, but none are able to be verified. The ones listed below are the most popularly accessed in the Federation Database.

"The Prophecy of Galen" (Cerca A.D. 1209)
"Translated from an ancient dialect into English. Unknown author."They came one evening, dark and gray

And took my wife and child away

The shadows of their fleet, like locust or flies

Made both suns appear to die

Our warriors fought with strength and valor,

But each had fallen within an hour

Their butchered bodies sprouted death

Survivors yearned for Kalrons* breath

We fled upon our wings of iron,

Begging the prophets for a sign

But most were nullified in moments,

This was our third atonement

Wives, children, mothers, fathers,

None were allowed to escape the slaughter

The faceless beasts and their endless fire

Seemed to never quench their desire

For blood from our people, and still they cease not

Heed my warning, or face these wretched thoughts"*Kalron is suspected to be the author's deity."

"Firsthand Account of Kintakan Attack" (Cerca A.D 1435)
"Translated from an ancient dialect into English. Retrieved from decimated planet in what is now Kintakan space."Interviewer: Begin recording, the month of Glilca, the third rotation of the moon. The time is 14:00. Captain, are you prepared for these proceedings?

Captain: I am, sir.

Interviewer: You were Captain of the IXP Intrepid, correct?

Captain: Correct.

Interviewer: What happened three rotations ago to your ship?

Captain: We were attacked.

Interviewer: Who were you attacked by?

Captain: It was a highly advanced starship of unknown origin.

Interviewer: You said in your initial report that your ship was hailed before they began to attack you.

Captain: Yes, their captain called us with an audio only signal and simply told us to surrender.

Interviewer: You refused, of course?

Captain: Naturally. I attempted to ask for identification, but -degraded transcription-.

Interviewer: Are you aware of a race known as the Kintakans?

Captain: I am. They are a myth, though.

Interviewer: They are not. In fact, they were responsible for -degraded transcription- of your ship.

Captain: I don't understand.

Interviewer: Captain, any information you -degraded transcription- crucial to discovering more about their species.

Captain: I will do my best... Their ship looked -degraded transcription-, and their weapons were highly powerful. It only took two shots before -degraded transcription-. I don't -degraded transcription- and I'm pretty sure they boarded several of our other escape pods.

Interviewer: Did you ever see one of them?

Captain: Yes, and it was-

-Transcription Degraded-

Account of Kintakan Appearances (Cerca 0 A.D)
"Translated from an ancient dialect into English. Unknown author."Their heads are as cows melded with all manner of foul beasts. Razor blades are in the place of their teeth, and their eyes shine lights as the sun.

Their women are dark-skinned, and covered in scales as the Tarpalaxian Lizards, except for their hands. Their hands flame as if struck by lightening, and some have a third hand extending from their right wrist. These women are the fiercest in the galaxy. Some say that even to look on them is to invite death into your soul.

Their men are pale and huge, double the size of an average man. Their skin is covered in thick, slimy fur. Their mouths rarely open, but when they do, a guttural cry that strikes fear into the hearts of even the bravest soldier is the only sound they dare utter. Their fur is said to kill on contact, and they are told to be brutal with both their friends and their enemies.

Woe unto those who meet these wretched beings!

Woe unto those who search for these being and invite death!

Woe unto the Kintakans! For they shall be all our downfall!

Territory
The extent of Kintakan territory is unknown, but certainly vast.

Government
Nothing is known about the government of the Kintakan Empire. The only known position in the Kintakan government is Ambassador. Six Kintakan Ambassadors signed the Treaty of Galan IV.

Society
Kintakans are a brutal, intelligent species, who seem bent on domination of known space. Many of their customs are unknown, but they appear to have equal treatment of genders, as well as a strict system of secrecy.

When fighting ground battles on Ylgu III, the Kintakans wore armor that concealed their appearance. Upon death, the same armor dissolved their body into dust, keeping their appearance entirely secret.

Technology
Kintakan technology is highly advanced. A single Kintakan warpship has been shown to be an equal match for any Federation starship. Though it is difficult to separate legend from fact, Federation records show that they have highly advanced warp engines, advanced shielding, and high-yield photon torpedoes.