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"You will be remembered with honor."

Valkris was a female Klingon operative in the 23rd century, who was romantically involved with Commander Kruge.

In 2285, Valkris undertook a mission for Kruge to obtain information on the Federation technology known as "the Genesis Device." Hiring a merchant vessel to facilitate her mission, Valkris made contact with Kruge and supplied him with the data. When Kruge learned, however, that Valkris had reviewed the information herself beforehand, he destroyed her vessel in order to preserve the secrecy of the mission. Valkris accepted this without complaint, stating before her death to Kruge, "Success, my lord... and my love." She was then told by Kruge that she would be remembered with honor. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

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Background information[]

Valkris was played by actress Cathie Shirriff. She was the first female Klingon character to appear onscreen following the race's redesign for the films. She was also the first female Klingon character to be depicted showing cleavage, an aspect of female Klingons that became typical of them, exemplified by the Duras sisters.

In the script of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, she was described as an "exotically beautiful woman of epic proportions and mystery."

Purportedly, Cathie Shirriff wasn't the first actress considered to play this part. She later recalled, "Actually, I was told by the people on the film – and this might be hearsay – that the role was originally to be played by Glenda Jackson. But she had a time problem and couldn't do it, luckily for me. It's not a large part, but I'm thrilled to have done it." (The Twilight Zone Magazine, August 1984; [1])

Valkris' death scene was commonly censored from TV versions of the film. (Beyond the Final Frontier, p. 70)

In Marc Okrand's tlhIngan Hol language, Valkris' name is valQIS. (The Klingon Dictionary 2nd ed., p. 58)

Apocrypha[]

In the novelization of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, we learn than Valkris has an older brother, Kiosan. When she was chosen to lead her family's house over him, he fell into dishonor, and his behavior so tainted the family that she was forced to disown him. She undertook the mission to steal the Project Genesis data because she knew Kruge would kill her afterwards in a manner that would restore her family honor. There is no evidence of a romantic involvement with Kruge in the novelization; he admires her as a fierce warrior, and she "loves" him because he will redeem her house.

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