The Forgotten Colony: Khan and Supermen’s Uncharted Future in Star Trek
In the expansive universe of Star Trek, the consequences of seemingly simple scenarios can yield fascinating outcomes. What happens if Khan and his superhuman followers landed on an unoccupied planet and established a colony? Would their fate have been more peaceful compared to the chaos they caused in the future?
Such a colony would have been a peaceful start for Khan and his people. Given the technological limitations of the late 20th century, it would have taken them many centuries to develop the necessary means for starship construction. However, if Starfleet discovered this colony, Khan’s insanity would have ensured that he would try to seize any available starships to advance his cause.
Khan’s Rise to Power
Initially, Khan and his followers would have to establish basic survival techniques and gather the raw materials necessary for an advanced civilization. Over time, they would expand their population and set out to colonize other worlds. Assuming Khan never encountered Captain Kirk’s crew on Enterprise, they would start with technology from the 1990s, placing them well behind the Federation’s advancements by the time of Star Trek Discovery.
It would be Khan’s superiority and determination that would allow him to conquer and dominate the new planet. His descendants, however, would likely focus on building a society around reproduction and competition. Genetic drift would pose a significant challenge due to their small population size. Each woman could potentially bear 15 children over 30 years, assuming survival rates and no multiple births.
Reproducing and Competing
Khan would establish a society where reproduction was a sign of superiority and a symbol of a man capable of providing for his offspring. Men would be in constant competition, striving to produce the most food to support their children and themselves. Women would have the freedom to choose the father of their children, which would maintain social stability.
As the population grew, Khan would start structuring communities and governance to avoid resource exhaustion. A civil service system would be implemented, ensuring that talent rather than connections mattered in governance. This would further cement loyalty to Khan and his ideals.
The Intrigue of Starfleet’s Discovery
Given Khan’s longevity, he and his colony might still be around when Starfleet made their discovery. The Prime Directive would be a contentious issue, and Khan’s people might not possess the knowledge of warp drive. Starfleet might consider leaving them alone, but the shocking and disturbing revelation of their colony could lead to a more aggressive approach.
Starfleet would face a dilemma: should Khan be arrested and tried for war crimes, quarantined on the planet, or even made an ally in the face of other threats? A minority might call for the planet to be sterilized, but most likely, they would set up a surveillance system around the colony to ensure Khan did not spread his influence.
With Starfleet’s departure, Khan’s people would likely start working on unlocking warp drive and transporter technology, eventually leading to their expansion into the wider galaxy.
The impact of such a colony would be profound, transforming a barren planet into a society driven by competition and merit. Khan’s influence would extend far beyond his immediate followers, shaping the destiny of countless Augments and, potentially, the entire galaxy.