Ship of the Line by Diane Carey

[Ithekro]

Which makes things interesting late in Kirk's time when the Klingons are quoted to say that "Vulcans are know as the intellectual puppets of the Federation" and that the Federation was a "homo sapiens only club". Vulcans were, by Spock's time, considered more or less a non-threat to the Klingons. But the Humans were around blood enemies level it seemed. I suppose a century of humans poking around the borders and interfering with Klingon affairs will do that. Especially after the virus smoothed the foreheads of the Empire.

 

[Idran]

That, plus a likely general disgust at the Vulcan society turning to a more pacifistic bent after V'las was ousted and Syrranite philosophy began to take hold. There aren't many that Klingons sneer at more than pacifists.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Although the "intellectual puppets" line can be read as indicating a certain respect for the Vulcans even now - which would fit with the sense that, even if they've retreated into unfathomable (from a Klingon perspective) pacifism, they remain one of the few Federation races that have almost a semi-respectable standing. Building on historical status as an impenetrable yet inscrutable foe, perhaps. In the Enterprise era, particularly in the novels, it would seem that the Vulcans were able to hold their own against the Klingons to the degree that Vulcan had some manner of diplomatic standing (this comes up in the Augment arc, for instance); no doubt the Klingons tested Vulcan combat ability in the past and were convinced that these were no jeghpu'wI. In the Errand of... books, if I recall, it's still the case that Vulcans are considered more able to reach out to the Klingons than most. It would seem that by the time of The Voyage Home the Vulcans are being dismissed as any legitimate power as Klingons view such matters, but are still (the Klingons believe) trotted out to add some supposed respectability to the Federation's position.

"Oh yes, here comes the Vulcan to be all 'quiet unassuming strength' and logical at us. Not going to fly; we know this is the Human Empire now. Face us directly, Earthers".

 

[DaveGalanter]

Although the "intellectual puppets" line can be read as indicating a certain respect for the Vulcans even now - which would fit with the sense that, even if they've retreated into unfathomable (from a Klingon perspective) pacifism, they remain one of the few Federation races that have almost a semi-respectable standing. Building on historical status as an impenetrable yet inscrutable foe, perhaps. In the Enterprise era, particularly in the novels, it would seem that the Vulcans were able to hold their own against the Klingons to the degree that Vulcan had some manner of diplomatic standing (this comes up in the Augment arc, for instance); no doubt the Klingons tested Vulcan combat ability in the past and were convinced that these were no jeghpu'wI. In the Errand of... books, if I recall, it's still the case that Vulcans are considered more able to reach out to the Klingons than most. It would seem that by the time of The Voyage Home the Vulcans are being dismissed as any legitimate power as Klingons view such matters, but are still (the Klingons believe) trotted out to add some supposed respectability to the Federation's position.

"Oh yes, here comes the Vulcan to be all 'quiet unassuming strength' and logical at us. Not going to fly; we know this is the Human Empire now. Face us directly, Earthers".

I wouldn't take the word of that particular ambassador as anything other than bluster. He also called Kirk a devil and a terrorist. Why? Because Kirk approved (along with many others, I am sure) the Genesis project. He called Kirk a murderer (we know that he was attacked and acted in self defense--and both triedto save Kruge, and refused to kill Maltz), and said the "weapon" was test-detonated by Kirk, which it was most certainly not. Oh, and then the unstable planet was supposed to be a secret base from which to launch a war to annihilate the Klingon people--all according to the Klingon Ambassador. Since none of those things are true, I don't think I'd take his description of Vulcans as anything other than cow-cookies.