The Breen

OVERVIEW

The Breen are a technologically advanced race that live in either the Alpha or Beta Quadrants of the Galaxy. We have yet to see a Breen unmasked from underneath their helmets, or a Breen starship. In fact, we have yet to hear them utter a word! Still, they have developed a loyal following of fans, including me!

THE BREEN THEMSELVES

The Breen are a humanoid race, and stand about the same height as humans [Star Trek VI, Indiscretion (DS9), In Purgatory's Shadow/By Inferno's Light (DS9)]. They have been called a warrior race [Elogium (VGR)]. The Breen come from a planet of the same name, which has a polar environment [Return to Grace (DS9)]. Kira once described the planet Breen as a "frozen ball of ice" [Indiscretion (DS9)]. As a result of their frigid homeworld, the Breen require heavy survival suits to survive in hot climates [Indiscretion (DS9)]. At room temperatures, they seem to get along fine wearing thinner uniforms, along with a beaklike helmet that covers their face [Star Trek VI, In Purgatory's Shadow/By Inferno's Light (DS9)]. Whether or not this equipment is also essential for a Breen's survival remains to be seen. Breen brains are four-lobed, as are Ferengi and Dopterian brains. This makes them unreadable by Betazoids [The Loss (TNG)]. Another interesting part of Breen physiology is that they have no blood [In Purgatory's Shadow (DS9)]. Pregnancy at a young age is not uncommon amongst the Breen [Elogium (VGR)].

A breen doing what they do best.

BREEN TECHNOLOGY

The Breen utilize biological components in much of their technology, including their ships [Scorpion Part 1 (VGR)]. They are also the manufacturers of the CRM-114... an extremely powerful portable hand cannon designed to destroy moving targets and surface emplacements, marketed by Quark's cousin Gaila [Business as Usual (DS9)]. The Breen use disrupters as their primary weapons. They are classified as type 3 (the same type as Klingon and Romulan disrupters), and discharge blue pulses [Hero Worship (TNG), Star Trek: Generations, Indiscretion (DS9)]. Breen starships also utilize disrupters, although some use phasers [Hero Worship (TNG), Indiscretion (DS9)]. Breen starships also have cloaking devices [Hero Worship (TNG)]. Due to their environment, the Breen are experts at refrigeration [For the Uniform (DS9)].

OTHER BREENBITS

The Breen are politically non-aligned, and have been known to attack Federation vessels [Hero Worship (TNG)]. The Breen utilize privateers, and one group of them attacked the Bajoran Colony of Free Haven in 2372. [To the Death (DS9)]. The Breen have outposts near the Black Cluster [Hero Worship (TNG)], and have settlements at Portas V near the Demilitarized Zone [For the Uniform (DS9)]. In 2370, a Breen pilot participated in the palio on Deep Space 3 [Interface (TNG)]. A Breen of unknown identity was replaced by a founder at some unknown date, and the "original" was imprisoned in Internment Camp 371. This brave fellow gave his life by initating an escape from the camp in 2373, shortly after Cardassia joined the Dominion [In Purgatory's Shadow/By Inferno's Light (DS9)]. The Breen might not be considered the nicest guys, as in 2366 two Breen warships attacked the Cardassian ship Ravinok then forced it to crash land on Dozaria where they put the crew and passengers on that ship into a forced labour camp on the surface. There the survivors of the crash mined dilithium under the watchful eye of Breen guards [Indiscretion (DS9)]. Some have found the Breen to be highly irritating [The Magnificent Ferengi (DS9)] The Breen may be known for their low integrity and backstabbing nature, as there is a Romulan saying "Never turn your back to a Breen" [By Inferno's Light (DS9)].