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| A Metron encountered in 2267 | |
| Gender: | Male |
| Born: | circa 770, Earth calendar |
| Actor: | Carole Shelyne |
| Voice Actor: | Vic Perrin |
The Metrons are a powerful, enigmatic race whose govenment is known as the Metron Consortium.
The Mertrons were first encountered by United Federation of Planets representatives in 2267. In that year, Captain James T. Kirk had ordered the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) to pursue a Gorn vessel that had destroyed the observation outpost located on Cestus III.
As the pursuit passed the uncharted solar system at 2466PM, the Enterprise was scanned from that system. Then the Gorn vessel inexplicably slowed and stopped. Thinking they planned to fight, Kirk prepared to engage -- and then the Enterprise likewise slowed and stopped. Both ships were being held in place from the solar system at 2466PM, not by tractor beams, by rather by 'an unidentifiable power'.
The Metrons, declaring both species savages, prepared a planet and removed the captain of each ship to it. There, they would fight to the death, and the outcome of this contest would determine which ship survived, and which was destroyed.
Eventually, Kirk won this fight, but elected to spare his helpless opponent. This demonstration of mercy surprised the Metrons, whose analysis of the situation did not lead them to expect it. A Metron appeared to Kirk, and suggested that, although the Federation was still half savage, there might be hope for it in a few thousand years. The Metrons then returned Kirk to the Enterprise and transported the ship 1600 light years away from their space.
The Metrons demonstrated the ability to manipulate forms of energy unknown to Federation science, to perform comprehensive scans at great range, to transport matter great distances instantly, and perhaps to rapidly terraform planets to specific requirements. All of these feats are well beyond what even 24th century Federation technology can accomplish. This suggests their science and technology is hundreds or thousands of years more advanced than that of the Federation.
Metrons have long lifespans; the representative that met Kirk was approximately 1,500 years old, despite appearing as little more than a boy. His comment to Kirk suggests an interest in the political and sociological geometry of the galaxy thousands of years hence. It is possible that this perspective is a consequence of this long lifespan. (TOS: "Arena")
They conducted trade with the Verillians in 2373. (DS9: "Business as Usual")