- For other uses, see Kell.
Kell, son of Gorkon was a Klingon male and an agent of Imperial Intelligence in the 23rd century. In the year 2266, Kell was surgically altered into a Human and assigned to infiltrate the Federation Starfleet. He became Ensign Jon Anderson, a security officer on the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), taking the place of the real Jon Anderson. Kell's mission was to kill Captain James T. Kirk. (TOS - Errand of Vengeance novels: The Edge of the Sword, Killing Blow, River of Blood)
Biography[]
Kell grew up with an older brother, Karel, and a mother. His father was an officer with the Klingon Defense Force who perished during the Battle of Donatu V in 2244.
- Kell and Karel are said to be sons of Gorkon. Given that it is established that their father died during the Battle of Donatu V, it is unknown if the future Chancellor of the High Council of the Klingon Empire is their father or another member of their family.
While serving on the Enterprise, Kell befriended his roommate, Ensign Luis Benitez, who nicknamed him Flash (after Flash Gordon), and had a romantic relationship with Ensign Leslie Parrish.
At first highly distrustful of "Earthers", Kell quickly grew to respect his Section Chief, Lieutenant Sam Fuller, and his fellow squadron members. He also came to learn that, unlike how he was portrayed by his I.I. instructors, Captain Kirk was not the antithesis of everything the Klingon Empire stood for, but an honourable warrior.
For his actions in System 1324 against the Orions, Ensign Anderson, along with other members of his squad, were awarded the Starfleet Citation for Conspicuous Gallantry and the Starfleet Medal of Honor for their heroism. He also served with distinction in System 7348, helping to protect the indigenous primitive Klingon population from the Orions and the Klingon Empire. However, while on this mission, Kell and Ensign Benitez came face to face with his Klingon I.I. handler (later revealed to be Councillor Duras) and Kell – to his dishonour – stood by while Benitez was killed to protect his secret identity.
Kell was among the 127 casualties incurred during the battle against the Klingons during their attack on Starbase 42. He was killed by Karel, who believed him to be a Starfleet security officer. With his dying breath, Kell told Karel his identity and that he felt that Starfleet and the "Earthers" were actually more trustful than most Klingons were told.
During a post-mortem examination by Lieutenant Commander Leonard McCoy, the Enterprise's Chief Medical Officer, Kell's Klingon nature was revealed, although McCoy told Captain Kirk of his belief that "Ensign Anderson" may not have died the loyal Klingon operative he started his mission as. (TOS - Errand of Vengeance novels: The Edge of the Sword, Killing Blow, River of Blood)