Ensign Harry Kim was passed over for one promotion after another, but now he has a new role in Starfleet that makes up for years of mockery.

Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek #13!

Star Trek’s Harry Kim has a new codename that makes up for years of mockery. Voyager’s Operations Officer, Ensign Harry Kim was never once promoted in the show’s seven-year run. This led to Harry Kim becoming the butt of jokes in the Star Trek meme community, but in Star Trek #13 he returns with a dangerous new mission and a cool codename that establishes him as a deadly operative.

Star Trek #13 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Marcus To. The violent and xenophobic Tzenkethi are consolidating their power, leading Starfleet to send Captain Sisko and the crew of the Theseus to investigate. Throughout the issue, several references are made to a Starfleet operative, working undercover in Tzenkethi space, named “Kingsnake.” One of the issue’s text pieces is made up to resemble a briefing from Kingsnake to Starfleet Intelligence, outlining the threat. Later, the ship arrives in Tzenkethi space. Tom Paris and an away team beam down to the contact point, and are stunned to learn “Kingsnake” is actually Harry Kim.

Harry Kim Was Going Places…and Not Just to the Delta Quadrant

Ensign Harry Kim, played by actor Garrett Wang, was an integral member of Voyager’s crew. As the ship’s Operation Officer, Harry was responsible for ensuring Voyager functioned smoothly. When viewers first met Harry in Voyager’s pilot episode “The Caretaker,” he was fresh out of Starfleet Academy and eager to serve. Harry seemed to have a bright career ahead of him, until Voyager was thrown to the Delta Quadrant. Now 75,000 light years from home, Harry’s job suddenly became more stressful, and he would rise to the occasion. Yet for reasons unknown, Harry was never promoted, while others around him ascended.

Has Harry Kim Found His True Calling After Years in Starfleet?

Now, years after Voyager’s return home, Harry Kim has found a second life as a Starfleet Intelligence agent. The crew of the Theseus, particularly Tom Paris, were surprised to learn Harry was actually Kingsnake. Tom and Harry are best friends, and the fact Harry kept this from him is impressive and a testament to his skills as an operative. If Harry’s mission is successful here, it could lead to further work in Starfleet Intelligence, perhaps even in the infamous Section 31. Transforming Harry Kim from an underutilized, “green around the gills” ensign into a master Intelligence agent is surprising, but gives the character the development he sorely lacked on television.

Harry Kim’s new codename, Kingsnake, perfectly compliments his new career path. The king snake is non-poisonous, instead killing its victims by squeezing them to death. The king snake is also well known for its resistance to the venom of other snakes, and they have been known to attack other snakes. These qualities make the king snake a lethal creature, and the perfect smokescreen for Harry. With a name like Kingsnake, someone may expect a grizzled, hardened warrior and think twice before crossing his path, never suspecting it is actually Harry Kim. His new nickname makes up for the years Star Trek has spent mocking his lack of upward mobility.