Thrakhath nar Kiranka

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Thrakhath nar Kiranka is a fictional character in Chris Roberts's Wing Commander video game and science fiction series. He belongs to the felinoid Kilrathi species and acts as the primary antagonist of Confederation Admiral Geoffrey Tolwyn and pilot-hero Christopher Blair during part of the "Kilrathi War". Thrakhath appears in the Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi and Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger games, the End Run and Fleet Action novels as well as in the animated series Wing Commander: Academy.

[edit] Personal Biography

Crown Prince Thrakhath nar Kiranka (2624-2669) was the youngest son of Prince Gilkarg nar Kiranka, son of the ruling Kiranka Emperor and third in line of succession. Born in 2624, he rose to prominence as heir to the Empire following the death of his brother at the Battle of McAullife in 2634, and of his father following the KIS Sivar debacle of 2655. He gradually assumed more responsibilities as his grandfather grew infirm.

The young prince proved to be a tenacious, ruthless commander who often demanded zu'kara (ritual suicide) from those who failed to live up to his high standards. He shunned desk jobs, preferring to lead his war armada from the front; in the early part of the war, and even as late as 2666, he regularly took to space in his custom-built Bloodfang fighter. He never truly respected his foes, regarding humanity as food-prey unworthy of the honor of battle.

Though his bullheaded leadership style led to early successes against the Confederation, it faltered as Thrakhath came up against Rear Admiral Geoffrey Tolwyn, who easily proved Thrakhath's match, in both obstinance and strategy. By 2667 and the Battle of Vukar Tag the tide was turning against the Kilrathi, with Thrakhath continually snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Stories of his incompetence spread, and the Prince who once drove the Confederation from "Enigma Sector" became known as an inept buffoon. Assassination attempts, both on him and the Emperor, became commonplace, one of which was organized by his one-time advisor Baron Jukaga.

By mid-2669 the Kilrathi had recovered from their losses of the previous year. With his rebuilt battle fleet, and facing a Confederation greatly weakened by the Battle of Earth, Thrakhath seemed on the verge of victory. In one stroke he would redeem his clan's honor and wipe out his hated enemy. But it was not to be. Thrakhath was downed in combat on 2669.267 by Colonel Christopher Blair, and his home planet, the seat of Imperial power, died shortly thereafter.