Despite having been mentioned at various points prior to this episode, I don’t think an emperor actually exists at this point.
![tng sins of the father tng sins of the father](https://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/3x17/sinsofthefather_hd_340.jpg)
![tng sins of the father tng sins of the father](https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/episodes/tng/sinsofthefather.jpg)
As reciprocation for Riker’s tour on a Klingon ship, the Enterprise temporarily takes on Klingon Commander Kurn as first officer.