Betazed (mirror)

This article pertains to a subject of the Mirror universe.

For the prime counterpart, see Betazed.

Betazed is the home world of the Betazed Empire, currently led Mother Eternal Keehani Ukinix, Matriarch of the Ninth Wing and Mother Eternal of the Unified Houses of Betazed.

History

Prior to 2256, Betazed was conquered by the Terran Empire. Following the Terran Empire's decline, the noble Houses of Betazed unified, and became known as "Wings." Initially, this unification brought a brief period of peace. However, conflict soon erupted with the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance, leading to the establishment of the Betazed Empire. During Empress Kirilow Ukinix's reign, the Unified House of Betazed fell under the dominance of the Ninth Wing, marking a period of aggressive expansion and consolidation.

Delta Quadrant Presence

The Betazed Empire extended its reach into the Delta Quadrant by acquiring Quantum Slipstream Drive technology from the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance. This advancement enabled the production of their own QSD-equipped ships. The Sixth Wing discovered a nebula rich in benamite, leading to the colonization of Kirilow II in the Kirilow system. Additionally, the Idrustix Prison Colony was established on a moon orbiting a gas giant in the same system, named after Idrustix Polgonz, the first political prisoner incarcerated there.

Government

The Betazed Empire operates under an autocratic system known as the Unified House of Betazed. This structure consolidates power among the various Wings, with the Ninth Wing holding predominant influence.

Leadership

Prior to 2396, Empress Vaxa Ukinix led the Empire until her assassination. Her granddaughter, Keehani Ukinix, ascended to power at the age of 20 after orchestrating Vaxa's assassination. Keehani's rise to power was marked by her youth and the swift elimination of challenges to her authority, solidifying her position as the youngest recorded Matriarch and Mother Eternal.

The War Effort

Despite being less than one-fifth the size of the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance, the Betazed Empire has achieved significant successes in their ongoing conflict. Under Empress Keehani's leadership, the Empire shifted from attrition-based strategies to multi-disciplinary tactics, resulting in notable territorial gains. Keehani's reforms have streamlined operations and enhanced overall efficiency, ensuring resilience despite the Empire's smaller size.

A pivotal aspect of the Empire's strategy is a clandestine alliance with the Trenvonn, a highly advanced yet isolationist species. Together, they are developing warships equipped with enhanced cloaking technology and extended Quantum Slipstream capabilities. The plan involves deploying these advanced vessels to simultaneously strike at Cardassia Prime and Qo'noS, aiming to create a power vacuum within the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance. Empress Keehani envisions that this confusion and destabilization will force the Alliance into a ceasefire, providing the Empire with an opportunity to secure a neutral zone and extend its influence. Her ultimate goal is to establish a Betazoid hegemony, loosely based on the United Federation of Planets from a parallel universe.

Society and Culture

Betazoid society within the Empire is characterized by intrigue, deception, and power dynamics. Political maneuvering and manipulation are commonplace, with honesty being a rare and potentially dangerous virtue. The cultural ethos, encapsulated by Keehani's motto "Excel or die," ensures that only the most competent and cunning individuals thrive.

Empress Keehani, as Mother Eternal, is both a revered and feared figure. Her regime tolerates no mediocrity, and her punishments are infamous for their severity. Subjects are driven by ambition, constantly striving to prove their worth in a society where failure can mean death or exile.

Notable Locations

• Rixx: The seat of the Empire on Betazed.
• Kirilow Colony: A strategically vital Delta Quadrant planet rich in resources, named after Keehani's ancestor. Kirilow supports the Empire's war machine with its abundant mineral wealth.
• Idrustix Prison Colony: A brutal prison moon used to detain and break political dissidents and traitors. Named after Idrustix Polgonz, who was its first political prisoner, the colony serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of defiance.