“The Veteran,” appearing in Star Trek Unlimited #8, first published by Marvel, was written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning and drawn by Tom Morgan. Both Kang, a Klingon from the Original Series, and Sulu travel separately to Veridian III, where Captain Kirk died in Star Trek: Generations. There, they encounter S’Alath, the Gorn Kirk fought a century prior. It is revealed S’Alath is dying, and his people brought him to this planet to die a warrior’s death. S’Alath, whose mind was deteriorating, was filled with bloodlust and sought revenge on Kirk. However, he met his end on Veridian III.

The Gorn, Star Trek's Reptilian Race, Explained

Despite Their Cool Appearance and Popularity, the Gorn Remain Underutilized

The Gorn have only appeared once in the classic Star Trek series, but they made a lasting impression on fans. One of the most unique species seen in the Original Series, the first with the Gorn came in the 23rd century, after they attacked and destroyed a Federation colony. As detailed in the episode “Arena,” the Enterprise gave pursuit, only for them and the Gorn to be captured by the god-like Metrons, who forced Kirk and the Gorn captain S’Alath to fight to the death. Kirk won, but refused to kill the Gorn. Impressed, the Metrons let both go.

“Arena” is rightfully regarded as a classic Star Trek episode, as it embodies the spirit of the franchise. Although the Gorn destroyed a Federation colony, Captain Kirk still demonstrates mercy and comion when he defeats S’Alath. The Gorn’s attack was the result of a misunderstanding, and since then, the Federation has taken steps to keep relations with the Gorn smooth. Star Trek stresses brawn over the brain when dealing with enemies, and Kirk’s actions in “Arena” are a great example of this ethos. By sparing S’Alath, Kirk helped facilitate peace between the Federation and the Gorn.

Since “Arena” first aired, the Gorn have made sporadic appearances across the Star Trek franchise. They were seen in Star Trek: The Animated Series in the background, and made an appearance on Enterprise as well, during the show’s fourth season, Mirror Universe-themed two parter “In a Mirror Darkly.” The Gorn have also made appearances in several non-canonical Star Trek media as well. “The Veteran” is far from their first appearance in Star Trek comics, including 2001’s The Gorn Crisis, in which the Federation sought to enlist the Gorn’s help in the Dominion War.

The Gorn looked to remain a franchise mystery until the first season of Strange New Worlds, which has positioned the Gorn as a major enemy. The show also made some stunning, but controversial, revelations about Gorn biology, making them akin to the Chest-Bursters from the Alien franchise. Strange New Worlds also established that La’an Singh had a history with the Gorn: they attacked her previous posting. The Gorn were also responsible for the death of Enterprise engineer Hemer. Finally, the Gorn were receiving their due, even if not everyone was okay with it.

"Arena" Only Told Half the Story of Kirk's Battle With the Gorn

The Gorn Kirk Fought Did Not Get a Happy Ending

And while fans debate the merits of Strange New Worlds’ changes to the Gorn, Star Trek: Unlimited #8 goes back to where it all started. Captain Kirk made many enemies during his time as skipper of the Enterprise, S’Alath and the Gorn among them. S’Alath would have killed Kirk had he had the chance, but Kirk showed him a better way. “The Veteran” implies that S’Alath took the lessons he learned from Kirk to heart. S’Alath was just as important to peace between the Gorn and the Federation as Captain Kirk.

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“The Veteran” brings S’Alath’s story to a bittersweet end. The story established that S’Alath was highly respected among his people, so much so that when his mental faculties started going downhill, they still allowed him to have an honorable death. Unfortunately, S’Alath’s mental deterioration had erased his memories of the comion Kirk had shown him. S’Alath spent his final days in a single-minded bloodlust, a terrible ending for someone so important to galactic peace. If Kirk had still been alive, S’Alath may have very well killed him, or Kirk would have been forced to end him.

“The Veteran” continues the thematic elements introduced during the Gorn’s first appearance. Part of what made the Gorn such a cool species was just how different they seemed from Starfleet and the Federation, yet Kirk was able to get through to them and build a lasting peace. Star Trek has never referenced any major conflicts with the Gorn since the events of “Arena,” implying that while the two galactic powers were not exactly allies, they were never at war either. Far from being a pariah in Gorn society, S’Alath was highly regarded, proving peace was the way.

“The Veteran” also shows that not every Star Trek character gets a happy ending. S’Alath’s health was failing him, and it ravaged him in mind as well as in his body. Only in his failing mental state did S’Alath forget the lessons he learned from Kirk in “Arena.” The Gorn let S’Alath have one last hurrah, giving him holographic targets to take his rage and bloodlust out on. S’Alath respected Captain Kirk, perhaps more than any human, but his diseased mind forgot about this, a heartbreaking fate for this wildly popular character in Star Trek lore.

Star Trek Fans Need to Know What Happened To S'Alath and Kirk

Marvel Gave Kirk's Most Iconic Fight a Bittersweet Follow-Up

The classic Star Trek rarely gave follow-ups to key episodes, and “Arena” was one of them. The Gorn have been a popular Star Trek race since their introduction, but have only made a scant number of appearances. While the lack of Gorn-centric episodes may be due to the constraints of budget and other logistical factors, the comics have no such hang-ups. Abnett, Lanning and Morgan take advantage of this, giving fans the final chapter in Kirk’s rivalry with the Gorn. Far from detracting from the original, it works to enhance it, giving it even more emotional impact.