Hi again, Ric here with another cultural index and this one is going to be rather hard Star
Trek species to examine. You see, sometime in the age of the Klingon Second Empire, maybe
around the 22nd century, Chancellor Mow’ga discovered new territory reigned over by a
seemingly passive species and decreed that their territory be ceded to the Empire, as
is the Klingon way of conquest. He amassed an armada to assault this new specie homeworld
and sent this fleet of mighty ships and glory-seeking warriors deep into that space, and they were
never heard from again. The entire fleet vanished, ever since then, the Klingons have been wary
of this mysterious species, the Breen. By the year 2155, the Vulcans had learned
of the Breen and decided not to prowl too close to their territory, instead focusing
their attention elsewhere. In the year 2268, the Romulans made first contact with the Breen
and began tentative trade discussions, but all the while were wary, for they knew little
of the Breen and any species that can keep secrets form the Romulans was worthy of caution.
Then in 2275, the Andorian Captain Igrilan Kor made contact while patrolling deep in
the unexplored Alpha Quadrant with an unknown vessel, also patrolling its borders. This
was the Federation’s first contact with the Breen and Kor’s report concluded that
the Breen were polite, but the meeting had been reserved. Piecing together the evidence
acquired by the other species over the years, the Federation made the decision to do as
the Vulcans had, and leave the Breen alone. Still, the exploratory nature of Starfleet
brought them into increasing proximity to the Breen, and in those still-uncharted depths
of space, many a skirmish would erupt between the Federation and Breen marauders (2283),
there was even suspicion that they raided and destroyed Federation outposts, although
no concrete evidence was ever found. Since then, the Breen Confederacy has become
another player in the political landscape of the Alpha Quadrant, but has remained impassive
and unreadable as a stone. Best described as a neutral party for the most part of interstellar
history, the Breen are often invited to talks and diplomatic meetings and sometimes they
accept these invitations, but little progress is made as they seem content to observe and
seldom commit. It should be noted however, that this purely
the Federation’s experience with the Breen. Other species have engaged in trade with them
in the past and Ferengi in particular remain the only party to have consistent, profitable
contact with the withdrawn group. There are even rumours that it was from the Breen, that
the Ferengi originally purchased their warp technology. Cardassia too claims to have an
embassy on the Breen homeworld, wherever that lies.
It wasn’t until the Dominion War that the Breen became a true threat to Starfleet and
the Federation as they entered the war on the side of the Federation’s enemy and immediately
had Starfleet on the defensive. After the war was done and the Treaty of Bajor signed,
the Breen retreated back into their space and resumed their prowling as if nothing happened
and Starfleet had still learned precious little about them.
From what the Federation can tell, they seem to be territorial, but not xenophobic. Their
species often reach out to act as mercenary crews or raiders on their own, hitting targets
with overwhelming aggression then slinking back into their defended space. Although it
should be noted that even such marauders are geared in the same fashion as their military
wings. Such acts are official regarded as piracy, but the culture has an unescapably
warrior like ethos to it, bound by a code of conduct.
Unlike the Klingons however, the Breen’s code sees pragmatism and expediency above
all else. The take slaves as a resource to put to work in their mines and have cortical
implants designed to sift through people’s memories for interrogation, despite the potential
permanent damage they may cause. Rescued prisoners reports such instruments
as well as guards wielding Neural Truncheons, effectively shock batons, but ones that actively
interfere with the target’s nervous system and can cause permanent harm. In personal
arms they supplied their soldiers with disruptor tech of similar capabilities to Romulan weaponry
leading Starfleet to speculate on potential trades in their past or skirmishes. One such
powerful weapon is the disruptor canon, the CRM 114.
In ship to ship combat, during the Dominion War, they employed an energy dampening weapon
that was devastating to Starfleet and Klingon ships alike, like the truncheon, it messed
up a ship’s EPS systems and left them vulnerable. Not an honourable way to kill your enemy,
but an efficient one. Some of their technology seems to have organic
components and they may have cloaking technology. It is their environmental refrigeration suits
that they are most known for, however. These beige and brown padded outfits are of military
origin and serve to keep the internal temperature below zero, although how cold is unknown,
to provide a comfortable climate for the occupant. The mask is probably the most standout feature
of the protective suit and many have speculated on what lies underneath and it’s a commonly
shared statement that no one in the Federation has ever seen a Breen. The mask has a visor
that seems to be a camera with a Heads Up Display and the nose cone may be a filter
to intake and cool the air. Biologically, we know very little on the Breen.
First off, they cannot be read by empaths and even telepaths have trouble sensing their
minds, akin to issues with reading Ferengi. Another statement suggests that the Breen
in fact have no blood nor circulatory system that would be recognizable for a standard
humanoid. This has been attributed to the idea that they are in fact an ammonia-based
lifeform that is in fact mostly gelatinous, as strange as this sounds, their native temperature
may be so low that their chemical makeup remains solid, around minus 77 degrees C. This would
help explain why no-one has seen a Breen, as when their helms are removed and their
sealed environment exposed to a common humanoid temperature, they literally evaporate leaving
only skeletal remains at the most. Also it would really smell.
It is also suspected that the Breen as we see them are in fact multiple species, leading
to numerous conflicting reports, collating reports reveals potentially a dozen different
species of Breen including the Amoniri, Fenrisal, Paclu, Silwaan and Vironat. These species
would wear the standardised armour of the Breen Confederacy with it being adapted internally
for the different species. What is also known is that Breen become pregnant at a very young
age, although the reason for this is also pure speculation. It could be a biological
fact, such as a far short lifespan or an evolved response to a harsh environment that has a
high mortality rate. The Breen language is often garbled to a humanoid
ear with an electric tone added by the mask. Other species can learn Breen, but most are
unable to reproduce its harsh cadence. As for the political structure of the Breen,
surprise, surprise, it’s still unknown. The Breen Confederacy is the given name for
their galactic government which does span several colony planets including the frozen
home world. As mentioned, some suspect that they are multiple species unified in an interstellar
alliance but several things are discernible facts. Either way, as a unified alliance or
individual species, they exist as a tribe of one. In that, most positions are volunteered
for by a Breen who then acts in that role until they wish to change, the motivation
would therefore be duty or a sense of code-of-conduct among their people. This applies to their
leaders too who only serve as long as they are wanted. Such leaders are called… Thots.
Yes, I know, moving on. The rank seems about on par with that of a captain or higher, but
seems to have political connotations too such as a Cardassian Gul or legate. The highest
ranked Thot was the Breen Domo who oversaw Confederacy-wide decisions.
As many of the Federation’s encounters have been military or raider based, it is suspected
that they have a strong warrior culture as a whole and suffering does not dissuade them,
whether it be their own or that inflicted on others. Their concept of tribalism, banding
under differing goals however would therefore explain the wide variation in encounters.
But when the species acts as one, they can amass great sway in the galactic scene such
as their attack on San Francisco, Earth which was done to demoralize Starfleet and cause
as much collateral damage as possible, even though the majority of the Breen fleet was
destroyed, they accomplished their goal, leaving Starfleet to brand the species as a high threat
level. Something the Romulans have been saying for decades. “Never turn your back on a
Breen.” And that’s about it. The Federation has
been trying for decades to build a consensus on the Breen Confederacy and acquire as much
Intel as possible but they still often underestimated the icy species. Or species plural. Their
unintelligible language to their mysterious appearance make the individual a mystery and
on a larger scale, their engagement in various raids to full on alliances in War as well
as their indiscernible diplomatic overtures make the Confederacy’s goals just as elusive.
In a way, I wouldn’t mind more details on the Breen to iron out some of the rumours,
but I also enjoy the idea that there’s a species out there that can be fairly prevalent,
but that the Federation does not know much about. I especially like that the other powers
of the Quadrant have a much more storied history with the Breen and that it seems that the
Breen are literally avoiding the Federation. So thank you for watching this index on the
Breen Confederacy, or what little I could scrape together, and the next one of these
indexes will be on the Silents and Silence of Doctor Who because I owe you one for that
April fools and I did actually find out some nice stuff when I was researching potential
topics. Thanks again, and until next time, I’ve
been Ric and I’ll see you later. Goodbye!