Star Trek: The Next Generation — Kahless
{4.5/5} “Kahless no longer fomented rebellion for Morath’s sake alone. Now he did it for himself as well — and for Kellein. He had discovered it was the only thing that made his heart stop hurting for her, the only balm that worked for him. Had he been the one to die instead of Kellein, she would have made the rest of her life a tribute to him. She would have turned her sorrow and her anger into something useful — and deadly. Could he do any less?”
Star Trek: The Next Generation — Kahless by Michael Jan Friedman, published in 1996
An ancient scroll has been found on Boreth that seems to have been written by Kahless. But it contradicts some of the myths that Klingons believe in fervently. Worf is worried what this will mean for his people. On Qo’noS, Kahless, clone of the original and current symbolic emperor, discovers a conspiracy is afoot to unseat Council Leader Gowron.
Chapters alternate with ones set during the time of the original Kahless.
Other characters who show up include Alexander, Kurn, and Riker.
It’s about how a soldier who disobeyed unacceptable orders becomes a rebel, and how members of the Klingon Empire and the Federation work together to thwart a conspiracy. In both storylines, it’s about honour.
This is the 2nd time I’ve read it.
I’ve read 19 of Friedman’s novels plus a bunch of comic books. I previously reviewed Star Trek: TNG — Double Helix: The First Virtue. He’s also written stories in anthologies such as Star Trek: The Lives of Dax.