"If you have the courage."
A duel was an event where two opponents agree to engage in combat against each other. One who participated in a duel was called a duelist. The victor was often the one who was unscathed or generally in a better position than the opponent at the end of the event. Some duels were to the death.
Duels were also common with other species, including the Andorian Ushaan, the Vulcan Kal-if-fee and most notably the Klingon Right of Vengeance. (ENT: "United"; TOS: "Amok Time"; TNG: "Reunion", "The Nth Degree", "Redemption II"; VOY: "Blood Fever")
The Earth astronomer Tycho Brahe lost his nose in a duel over a math equation. (ENT: "The Andorian Incident")
James T. Kirk once maintained that "the Klingon Empire has maintained a dueling tradition. They think they can beat us with swords." (TOS: "Day of the Dove")
Kirk and Trelane, the Squire of Gothos, battled each other in a duel of guns. Later, they used swords. (TOS: "The Squire of Gothos")
Ogus II had arcades which offered recreational laser duels. (TNG: "Brothers")
In the 24th century, Frenchmen, like Jean-Luc Picard, used fencing to duel. He invited Guinan to participate in a duel, and she promptly defeated Picard using a fake wounded tactic. (TNG: "I Borg")
In 2375 aboard Deep Space 9, Worf and Martok challenged Gowron to a duel after the latter attempted to send Martok on a suicide mission to Sarpedion V. Benjamin Sisko rejected this plan and told Worf and Martok to remove Gowron from command and appoint Martok as chancellor. When Gowron revealed this plan to the council Martok said no and Worf grabbed his bat'leth and challenged Gowron to a duel. During the duel the bat'leth broke and Worf stabbed Gowron in both ribs with his knives until he fell backward and died. Worf did death ritual for him and Martok placed the chancellor robes over Worf's shoulder. Worf refused the title and crowned Martok Chancellor of the Klingon Empire. (DS9: "Tacking Into the Wind")
Adrev dueling Picard
In 2399 on Vashti, the former Romulan Senator Tenqem Adrev challenged Jean-Luc Picard to a duel outside the Romulan Social Club. Though Picard parried Adrev's first thrust, he then threw his sword aside and refused to fight further. The duel was ended by Elnor, who offered Adrev a chance to back down and slew him when he refused. (PIC: "Absolute Candor")
See also[]
- Fast draw