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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:15:33 GMT -5
22nd Mobile Fleet Daedalus Omega Daedalus Omega Administration Admiral Brian Donaldson Captain Nyoko Honda Captain Seera Krostov Captain Ethan Winegard Lieutenant Nami HottaStarDate: 88310.48 Admiral, As the assigned investigator into the events on StarDate 88293.20, I have conducted a number of interviews with all parties involved and spent a great deal of time researching the facts related to the event. This report will provide all the testimony and observations made by the individuals involved, as well as my own findings. Contents A. Transcripts of Interviews - Lieutenant Ti’Agra Kantrell
- Captain Nyoko Honda
- Captain Hayden Parker
- Lieutenant Dovan Alcar
B. Observations/Details regarding Briefing Incident C. Research Data - Timeline of Romulan Star Empire (2379-present)
- Treaties and State of Affairs
- Regulations / Prime Directive
D. Closing Notes
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:21:17 GMT -5
Frost: Computer commence recording.
Frost: StarDate 88298.75, investigating Officer Captain Tobin Frost, interview #1. For the record, please state your name and rank.
Kantrell: Lieutenant Ti’Agra Kantrell.
Frost: Lieutenant Kantrell, you were present during the incident on StarDate 88293.20, is this correct?
Kantrell: Yes, Sir.
Frost: Could you, for the record, describe the events that happened during the briefing in question?
Kantrell: Well, Sir... Lieutenant Dovan Alcar, Captain Hayden Parker and I responded to a request Captain Nyoko Honda to do a mission and we all gathered outside of Admiral Quinn’s office. At the beginning of the briefing Captain Parker became visibly upset when he heard the mission was to take place in Romulan space. His behaviour seemed paranoid to me... I believe he thought at one point that Captain Honda might be an Undine. He even mentioned this at one point. This set off Lieutenant Alcar, who was afraid we were going to be starting a war with the Romulan Empire. This interrupted Captain Honda’s briefing. Then an off duty Rear Admiral came over and made things much worse, sort of egging the Lieutenant and Captain on. This caused Captain Honda to become very frustrated and I would imagine angry.
Kantrell: Captain Honda dismissed Lieutenant Alcar and then Captain Parker the Rear Admiral and Captain Honda started to argue. Afterwards, Captain Honda had to contact Admiral T’nae and scrub the mission.
Frost: During the briefing, you mentioned Captain Honda outlined the mission was to take place in Romulan space. Did she mention the scope or purpose of the mission?
Kantrell: I don’t recall completely but I believe the briefing was interrupted before all the information was given. The type of mission was given I believe, that we were going to be dealing with Romulan insurgents.
Frost: Did Captain Honda outline the mission chain of command, ie: who issued the orders?
Kantrell: Yes, she told us that this mission was requested by Admiral T’nae.
Frost: You also mentioned Captain Parker alluded to the idea that Captain Honda may have been an Undine imposter. Did he give any evidence to this affect?
Kantrell: No, Sir... his behaviour at that point was strange to me. In my opinion, Sir... I think Lieutenant Alcar and Captain Parker should have waited until the end of the briefing. I have done several missions now with Captain Honda and she has always conducted herself with professionalism. I have even done missions with her in Romulan space. And she always asks at the end of the briefing if anyone has questions. That should have been the time Lieutenant Alcar and Captain Parker brought up their questions.
Frost: Speaking of Lieutenant Alcar, you mentioned became agitated after Captain Parker spoke up. Did he say why he refused the orders?
Kantrell: Yes, he said it was against the Prime Directive and that he thought we would be starting a war on a second front. He questioned the orders from an ethical stand point. I do believe that things would have calmed down and the mission would have gone ahead if not for the Rear Admiral interfering.
Frost: Earlier you said Captain Honda became angry when Captain Parker and Lieutenant Alcar refused the orders. Describe her behaviour, if you could.
Kantrell: I would not say her behaviour became unprofessional but I could tell she was frustrated and was getting angry by the tone and rising of her voice. I would imagine she was also confused and surprised too, since I was confused and surprised myself.
Frost: Indeed. The Rear Admiral that showed up, what did they say that provoked the situation?
Kantrell: The Rear Admiral was agreeing that we had no business going into Romulan space and that it was against the Prime Directive. She also became disrespectful towards Captain Honda at the end.
Kantrell: Captain Honda had to remind her that she was off duty and out of uniform and that she was interrupting our briefing. She asked her to contact Admiral Donaldson if she had concerns.
Kantrell: Oh, one other thing...
Frost: Yes, Lieutenant?
Kantrell: I believe that Lieutenant Alcar also referenced Captain Honda’s recent capture and torture by the Romulans and thought that she may have had personal reasons for doing this mission. I will inject here that I have gone on missions with her against the Romulans and found her conduct to be professional and proper. But I do not believe Lieutenant Alcar has.
Frost: There has been a lot of mention of the Prime Directive; could you explain the Prime Directive in your own words?
Kantrell: Well to me it refers to the Federation’s rule not to get involved in conflicts that are not our business... but I did not use the term myself.
Frost: Of course, is there anything else you want to add to the record?
Kantrell: No, Sir... I just want to put this incident behind us and move on and start doing our jobs again.
Kantrell: Oh and for the record, I want to say I would follow Captain Honda anywhere if ordered to complete a mission.
Frost: Indeed, thank you for your time and consideration in this matter, Lieutenant. You are dismissed.
Kantrell: Thank you, Sir.
((OOC)) Selections that are struck through are not officially on the record, as the Rear Admiral character was not a member of the Daedalus Omega fleet.
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:23:55 GMT -5
Frost: Computer commence recording.
Frost: StarDate 88298.89, investigating Officer Captain Tobin Frost, interview #2. For the record, please state your name and rank.
Honda: Captain Nyoko Honda, Fleet Executive Officer.
Frost: You were the commanding officer of the patrol mission on StarDate 88293.20, correct?
Honda: Correct. Patrol Mission A, on StarDate 88293.20, passed to me threw Command Division and authorized by Admiral T’Nae of StarBase 39.
Frost: Could you, for the record, describe the events during the briefing?
Honda: I started by calling all available officers to muster for a mission briefing. Captain Hayden Parker, Lieutenant Dovan Alcar, Lieutenant Ti’Agra Kantrell and Lieutenant Commander John Binet all arrived. Lt. Commander Binet was unable to attend the mission as his commanding officer, Lt. Commander Talia Zh’Kor was not able to attend, so I dismissed him. I then started my mission briefing. I had began to inform them of the nature of the mission and its objectives when Lieutenant Alcar objected openly to it being a breach of ethical protocol. Captain Parker joined in right after, saying sarcastically “what we are going to provoke another war”. I attempted to clarify the situation that was going on in the Romulan Star Empire, as perhaps they had misunderstood me. It changed nothing. They continued to challenge the orders and be disruptive.
Honda: Lieutenant Alcar brought up my background and accused me of giving an immoral order. He refused to carry it out and said that the mission was a matter of personal issues that I had as a POW with the Romulans. All of this was said publicly and in front of other officers present. I ordered the briefing to attention to first deal with Captain Parker, as I had lost control over the briefing and Lieutenant Alcar was continually arguing and being disruptive. The group went to attention. I told Captain Parker of the Romulan State, he went on about StarFleet’s meaning and ethics. I warned him that this was insubordination. Lieutenant Alcar then broke attention and informed me he was in the right. I turned to Lieutenant Alcar, told him he was breaching regulations, that he was to be at attention and had not received permission to speak. I also told him I would be issuing a reprimand for the behaviour and then relieved him of duty and dismissed him.
Honda: Captain Parker and I discussed what this was all about; I conveyed that I thought this may have been a personal attack on perhaps disapproval of my recent promotion. He denied such. He tried to provoke me into argument by asking me if that was a threat, to which I told him no. I simply clearly listed out my next actions that I would seek to decline the mission and seek legal action against him and Lieutenant Alcar, as per regulations. I then dismissed him. Hmm... I believe I dismissed Lieutenant Kantrell between Alcar and Parker, now that I think about it. It was all very fast and several StarDates ago. But I am sure Captain Parker and I were the last ones. That is it.
Frost: During the briefing, did you outline the nature of the mission?
Honda: I did. It was classified as a Patrol Mission but the details were shot down short by the outburst. I lost control soon after I said Vendor System. The two officers dismissed the briefing and proceeded to argue about the ethics of it. I could not even bring them under control with an Attention order, a total disregard for my authority.
Frost: Do you recall the exact reasons cited by Lieutenant Alcar and Captain Parker as to why they refused the orders?
Honda: I do. Alcar’s was moral ethics, as written in his report, he also went forward to tell me that the orders were immoral and attacked my motive. That my being a POW of the Romulans made my command of this mission compromised. That was the final straw and was when I issued the Attention order. Captain Parker was sarcastic; he went on about treaties and the Prime Directive. That these orders violated those codes directly. I dismissed them and attempted to explain to him the mission parameters. He did not care. He responded with, “StarFleet doesn’t start wars, this mission will provoke one.”
Honda: I was surprised to see how out of the loop he was in terms of Mission Operations as of late. This was my concern but after that statement, I gave up. And didn’t want to argue, I simply noted his insubordination, warned him and then dismissed him.
Frost: I believe that covers my questions, is there anything else you wanted to add?
Honda: Lieutenant Kantrell remained a perfect officer. Didn’t challenge, didn’t question and only made one comment that she disapproved completely of the display shown by the other officers. She remained at attention the entire time and simply observed until I dismissed her. I was also hectic. It was very disconcerting that such an utter disrespect for my rank and status could be shoved in my face for simply doing my job. Then to be attacked by Lieutenant Alcar’s pointing out openly, stuff listed in my record. And questioning my ability to command and the merit of the mission. I had to terminate the mission for the lack of co-operation and logistics errors, of which went back to Admiral T’Nae’s office.
Honda: That’s all I have to say really. Was there anything else, Captain Frost.
Frost: No, that is all Captain Honda. Thank you for your time.
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:26:11 GMT -5
Frost: Computer commence recording.
Frost: StarDate 88301.16, investigating Officer Captain Tobin Frost, interview #3. For the record, please state your name and rank.
Parker: Captain Hayden Mason Parker.
Frost: Captain Parker, you were present during the mission briefing on StarDate 88293.20, is this correct?
Parker: Yes.
Frost: For the record, could you please recount the events as they occurred during the mentioned briefing?
Parker: At the aforementioned time, I arrived at Earth Spacedock because Captain Honda made note of a group of possible recruits for the fleet. Once I arrived, I had been drafted into a mission. I decided to go with it and Captain Honda proceeded to explain that we were going on a patrol into the Vendor Sector. I checked the map on my PADD and discovered that it was in the centre of Romulan space. I don’t remember if it was either I or Lieutenant Alcar that made the first objection, but one of us did and the situation kinda went out of control from there.
Parker: Both he and I considered it a violation of the Prime Directive which states and I quote, “No starship may interfere with the normal development of any alien life or society.” Though the Romulans are warp-capable civilization, the internal chaos they are facing is their problem and I quite frankly believe that StarFleet has more immediate concerns. Such as the war with the Klingons, the Borg encroaching once again and our only remaining allies in the galaxy, the Cardassians, are begging for help against a rising major rebel movement. Hence why I objected.
Parker: At the time, I had felt so strongly against the mission, which blinded me from my good judgement and breached standard protocol to approach such a situation. I asked Captain Honda several questions about the mission as to why we were engaging in an invasion of another species’ sovereign space, broken into factions or not. She apparently didn’t hear most of them, either through selective hearing or by accident I cannot say. Captain Honda did, however, note that we were supposedly going into Romulan space in order to help alleged Federation-aligned factions, which I still saw as a breach of the Prime Directive. As I said, I did not believe the Federation could handle a war on half-a-dozen fronts, especially consider Starfleet's primary role is not one of battle, but of diplomacy and exploration. Other than that, I do not remember what else transpired, if anything at all.
Frost: Very good. Did Captain Honda outline the mission chain of command, ie: who issued the original orders?
Parker: She explained that Admiral T’Nae gave the mission.
Frost: You stated that the mission was ordered to assist 'Federation-aligned factions'. Can you be more specific?
Parker: No, I wasn't given anything other than that. As I said, it wasn't my original intent to go on the mission, so I didn't have time to check on its original briefing.
Frost: In statements taken earlier, there was mention you may have suggested Captain Honda was an Undine imposter. Is this true and if so what was your reasoning?
Parker: I indirectly stated it but, yes, the suspicion was there. The idea rose from the fact that Captain Honda kept dodging my questions, and or not hearing me. The Undine are everywhere, it's only my duty to make such an assumption for the sake of Federation security.
Frost: You had cited the Prime Directive as one of your chief motivators to refuse the orders. In your opinion, are the current events happening in Romulan space an internal matter only?
Parker: Yes. You can check the Starfleet database and see that the Prime Directive was amended to apply to warp-capable species, as displayed in the 24th century when Captain Jean-Luc Picard denied assisting then-Chancellor Gowron in fighting the House of Duras during the Klingon Civil War. He knew that the House of Duras was anti-Federation, and he knew that Gowron would welcome Starfleet assistance with open arms. But he did not interfere.
Frost: Thank you Captain, I believe that covers my questions for the time being. If additional matters come to light, I may have more. But for now, is there anything else you would like to add?
Parker: No, I've said everything I wanted to.
Frost: Very well. At this time, I must turn you back to the authorities on ESD but I will suggest you be granted bail on your own recognisance. That is all, you are dismissed Captain.
Parker: Thank you.
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:28:59 GMT -5
Frost: Computer commence recording.
Frost: StarDate 88303.51, investigating Officer Captain Tobin Frost, interview #4. For the record, please state your name and rank.
Alcar: Lieutenant Junior Grade Dovan Percavil Alcar.
Frost: Lieutenanct Alcar, you were present during the mission briefing on StarDate 88293.20, is this correct?
Alcar: I had just been reassigned to Task Force Two; I was going through loadout procedures when on the aforementioned StarDate a general request in Fleet Channel was asked for “all Fleet Personal to report for a briefing.” So I went.
Frost: So yes... Can you recount the events as they happened during the mentioned briefing?
Alcar: Of course I can. Captan Honda called us all forward. She began to lay out a mission that was to be taken into Romulan space. I wondered why we were going into Romulan space for a combat patrol because we are letting most of the government take refuge on Vulcan. She just kept going with the briefing. I once again stated I wanted confirmation of the orders that allows us to go into Romulan sovereign space, since war was not declared. I then said I was having an ethical problem with the whole situation since a copy of the orders was not being produced.
Alcar: Captain Honda then became belligerent towards me, I reminded her of the fact she had a history with the Romulans and perhaps this might have been done because of some lingering personal reasons. She heavily inferred I should do as I was ordered. To that I had said, “Galitep, Krakow, Dresden, Betazed and even the problems of today may have been averted if one person said no. If there is an immoral order then it is the responsibility and the duty of an officer to refuse. Because my requests to see the orders were not presented, because Captain Honda had a known history of aggression with the Romulans and because I find preying on the Romulans when they are down to be reprehensible, I would not follow the orders based on them being illegal and flat out immoral.
Alcar: Attack orders in any mission are meant to be given to the Captain of any ship participating in aggression. StarFleet would not participate in the Civil War with the Klingons based on General Order One. What separates the Romulan and Reman conflict from that? A writer I know and love once wrote that, “The biggest threat to the Federation Charter, to our very minds is the attacks made under the patriotic guise of Anti-Undine activities.”
Alcar: But now I am rambling... Staying on fact; it was my speaking up that led to Captain Parker speaking up. Captain Parker agreed with me, so that makes me wonder how many others felt that way and did not speak up. I was not trying to mutiny, I was not trying to cause trouble. My race is known to work well with others. I was simply trying to keep a war on two fronts from breaking out. If I had been either allowed Objector Status and given deferred duty or simply to stand down like I asked several times to be...
Alcar: Now that being said, my record shows me to be an upstanding guy for only being here so early. Everything I have done has been because I have been trying to do the right thing. I think about it every day I have been in holding and run through my head what I could have done differently. All I can come up with is, “do the mission.” But then I remember that excuse, “just following orders.” My councillor is Bajorian. Her parents were killed during the occupation by Cardassians. Well during the ordeal that was the Dominion War some of those men were brought to trial because they followed orders unquestioned too. I think I am an explorer not a murder, Sir. All I tried to do was follow my oath of upholding the living breathing document that is the Federation Charter.
Frost: During the briefing, you recall if Captain Honda outlined the mission chain of command, ie: who issued the original orders?
Alcar: She had only stated that "Fleet" Gave her those orders, if my memory recalls, I could be wrong. That’s what made me ask for a copy of the attack order which is my right as Skipper of a boat.
Frost: Do you recall the intended objective, that is to say the purpose of the mission?
Alcar: We were to go into Romulan space and "investigate" something. But a few weeks prior we had gone on an “exploration Mission” which we went chocked full of warships. All the Captains there were in charge of heavy, heavy ships. It made me wonder if it was going to be just like that then.
Frost: Indeed. Lieutenant, do you by chance remember the system the patrol was to take place in?
Alcar: It was in Romulan Space, Sir. When I had asked what system, I was told it was in Romulan space. Which again since I do not have a copy of the attack order or the mission to re review nor my logs I cannot recall.
Frost: Now, you cited General Order One, you mean the Prime Directive, correct?
Alcar: Yes, Sir.
Frost: Could you, in your own words, describe the Prime Directive?
Alcar: It’s more about not interfering with the development of cultures, it’s more then not giving cave men phasers... it’s about keeping the Federation out of trouble that a lot of us as a galactic community have been in the past. It’s one of the sacred principals that StarFleet is founded on, without it we could not safely interact with a lot of species.
Frost: You also cited Captain Honda's history with the Romulans, specifically her being captured and tortured, as possibly being a motivator for the mission. Could you explain this further?
Alcar: Just that. I know a vendetta when I see one. Sickbay and shrinks cleared her for duty. But you don’t forget things like that ever.
Frost: I believe that covers my questions. Is there anything else you would like to add to the record?
Alcar: My cell.. Can I be released of my own recognisance? Like you all did with Captain Parker.
Frost: I will forward a recommendation to the Admiral, but you would still be limited to ESD.
Alcar: Aye, Sir.. And there is one last thing I would like to add...
Frost: Yes, Lieutenant?
Alcar: When Deep Space Nine was under the command of Ben Sisko, he had found out the Cardassians were supplying a group known as the Circle. Sisko asked if he could help the Bajorans he was told no by Starfleet Command they cited the Prime Directive and he went and helped them anyways.
Frost: I am sorry, Lieutenant, I don't follow the relative reference...
Alcar: Historical records about the group called the Circle. I was researching any and all incidents where officers defied orders to do the right thing.
Frost: Very well, Lieutenant, you are dismissed and I remand you to ESD security.
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:30:13 GMT -5
Observations and Details regarding Briefing Incident From the interviews conducted several key points can be made. Firstly, the chain of command was established by Captain Honda, citing that the original orders were issued by Admiral T’Nae of StarBase 39. However Captain Honda failed to reproduce these orders when they were requested by Lieutenant Alcar. Second, the mission was described as a patrol and relief sortie to take place in the Vendor Sector of the Alpha Centauri Block. The full extent of the mission was not disclosed as both Captain Parker and Lieutenant Alcar interrupted before it was finished, which is against standard operational procedure of a mission briefing. Thirdly, Captain Parker and Lieutenant Alcar both knowingly and willing refused the directed orders.
All other claims and statements cannot be accepted as fact, as they were not supported in multiple interviews.
Although the individuals in question did refuse the directed orders, both cited a number of moral and ethical issues that prohibited them from doing so. Reasons named were varied although some merit some consideration, while others can be dismissed at glance.
1. At one point during the briefing, Captain Parker alluded to Captain Honda possibly being an Undine imposter. Yes, there is the possibility Captain Honda might be an Undine but equally so could Captain Parker. In our current conflict with the Undine, we face the very real possibility anyone could be an imposter but this is not the first time the Federation has faced this type of threat. During the Dominion War, Changelings could look like anyone or anything and it is a known fact they did infiltrate StarFleet Command on at least some level. But distrust, fear and paranoia will only turn us on each other as the example Admiral Leyton in 2372. Admiral Leyton used the fear caused by the Changeling threat to nearly overthrow the legitimate Federation government. Only by trusting our fellow officers and trusting ourselves will be come through this conflict.
2. Lieutenant Alcar also mentioned Captain Honda’s recent ordeal with the Romulans, during which time she was a prisoner and tortured. The lieutenant felt that Captain Honda’s personal feelings towards the Romulans were motivation for taking the mission. Although this may be the case, Captain Honda was cleared for both active and combat duty; as such she had the right to take the mission. If during the patrol mission itself Captain Honda began to give questionable orders and jeopardize the mission itself, it would have been the right and obligation of the other officers to relieve her of command.
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:32:13 GMT -5
Timeline of Events in Romulan Space -2379 / 2380- Following the death of Praetor Shinzon at the Battle of Bassen Rift, the Romulan government fell into disarray. Tal'aura, one of the few remaining members of the Romulan Senate and a former ally of Shinzon, declares herself the new Praetor, supported by Fleet Commander Tomalak as the new leader of the Imperial Defense Force.
However, Tal'aura's leadership is opposed by Commander Donatra, who with the support of Commander Suran and former Admiral Braeg retains control of the majority of the Fifth and Third fleets. Any hope of a reconciliation between the two sides ends after the execution of Braeg, and Donatra vows never to accept Tal'aura's rule.
Donatra's rebellion is not Tal'aura's only concern. The Remans, led by General Xiomek of the Reman Kepeszuk Battalion, demand control of either a continent on Romulus or a planet with sufficient natural resources to maintain self-sufficient settlements as reparations for hundreds of years of slavery and exploitation. In response, Tal'aura cuts shipments of food and needed supplies to Remus and commands Tomalak to blockade the planet.
-2381- Starfleet is monitoring the deteriorating state of the Romulan Star Empire, which appears to be moving toward open civil war. Federation ambassadors are consulting with representatives of the Klingon Empire and other Alpha and Beta quadrant powers about a proposed course of action to either bring peace to the Romulans or control any conflict that spills out of Romulan space.
The imperial forces led by Tomalak have skirmished repeatedly with Reman ships in the space between their two worlds. The Romulan blockade of Remus is holding for now, leading to concerns that the Remans are suffering from shortages of food and supplies. The United Federation of Planets has offered humanitarian aid to both Romulus and Remus.
While Ambassador Spock has returned to Federation space, the unification movement he founded continues to grow on Romulus. Xiomek of the Reman Kepeszuk Battalion has allied with the Unification movement, seeing the underground organization as another population that has been exploited by the Romulan government, although the two sides disagree on how best to reach their goals. Xiomek is promoting a military solution to force the Romulans to accede to the Remans’ demands, while the Unification movement is calling for a nonviolent, diplomatic alternative.
On stardate 59480.33, Spock presents a formal request for aid for the Unification movement to the Federation Council, which agrees to take the matter under consideration.
With the blockade of Remus and upheaval at home, Praetor Tal’aura has insufficient forces to stop Commander Donatra, who rallies the breakaway military forces under her command to conquer several agricultural worlds in Romulan space. With these planets under her control, Donatra declares herself the first empress of the Imperial Romulan State and establishes a capitol on Archenar Prime. Tal’aura vows to retake the territory by any means necessary.
-2382- The unstable situation of the Romulans continues to be a source of concern for the Alpha and Beta quadrants.
The loss of agricultural planets now claimed by the Imperial Romulan State threatens Romulus with severe food shortages. Romulus’ power plants and factories cannot increase output without the heavy metals and dilithium that once flowed from Remus.
To avert the looming civil crisis, Praetor Tal’aura reluctantly accepts food shipments from the Federation. But she refuses the Federation’s offer to facilitate negotiations between her and Empress Donatra, saying that it is an internal Romulan matter.
Tal’aura charges her proconsul, Fleet Commander Tomalak, with retaking the planets held by Donatra. Tomalak appoints Admiral Taris as his second in command and orders her to re-organize and mobilize Romulus’ remaining military forces.
Seeking to stabilize the homeworld, Tal’aura agrees to reform the Romulan Senate. A reorganization commission selected by Tal’aura votes to allow her to appoint senators directly rather than holding elections, and she packs the Senate with her supporters. Leaders of the Romulan-Vulcan Unification movement petition Tal’aura for representation in the Senate for themselves and the Remans, but Tal’aura declines to respond to their request.
The makeup of the Romulan Senate angers Romulan nobles, who dominated the Senate prior to Shinzon’s takeover but now hold only a handful of seats. Representatives of several of the noble lines argue that for centuries the Romulan Senate has been a partner with the praetor in governing the empire, something that a weakened body beholden to Tal’aura cannot be. The Line of Tellus goes so far as to denounce Tal’aura publically and withdraw its members from government service.
The Klingon Empire takes advantage of the weak position of the Romulans to stage lightning strikes into Romulan space, retaking Khitomer and the sector surrounding it. The Federation Council criticizes the move, but Ambassador K’mtok responds that the empire is simply reclaiming territory that belonged to the Klingons by right.
Thwarted in their attempts to find a role in the Romulan government, the Unification movement, represented by Ambassador Spock, presses its case with the Federation Council. The Council takes up the matter of formally supporting the Unificationists, but is heavily influenced by Councilor T’Los of Vulcan, who states that the result of the unification of the two races cannot be predetermined, while the probable course of the Romulans and Vulcans remaining separate can be reasonably predicted. Therefore, her only logical choice is to protect the Vulcan way of life by opposing unification.
The council does not reach a decision on whether or not to support the Unificationists, and votes to table the matter.
-2383- Starfleet Intelligence continues to gather reports of unrest on Romulus. Praetor Tal’aura enacts food rationing and strict limits on replicator use on the homeworld, saying that the empire’s resources must be reserved to support the military’s campaign against Donatra and the breakaway Imperial Romulan State.
The shortages spark rioting in the capitol of Ki Baratan, and the struggle goes on for two days before the praetor orders troops to intervene. Observers on Romulus suggest that as many as 2,000 people could have died either in the initial riots or at the hands of Romulan troops.
The civil unrest and resistance from Romulan nobles strain Tal’aura’s command of the empire. She calls upon her allies in the Senate to help in stabilizing the government, and they respond by voting to expand the praetor’s powers, giving Tal’aura the power to grant or remove noble titles, which previously was a privilege that only the emperor enjoyed. She also is granted the ability to declare war without Senate approval.
Ambassador Spock returns to Romulus to take his place with the Unificationists. Leaders of the movement say that although they could not win the support of the Federation, they will continue to “wage peace” on Romulus.
On Stardate 60900.31, Fleet Commander Tomalak attacks Donatra’s fleet at Xanitla. Tomalak’s forces are soundly defeated in the battle, and he is dealt a further blow when Admiral Taris and the twelve ships under her command defect to the Imperial side.
-2384- Federation analysts say that a shakeup in the Romulan power structure has left the empire vulnerable to attack from within and without. Starfleet is dispatching additional ships to the border of the Neutral Zone and considers the Romulan situation one of the main threats to Federation safety and security.
After Tomalak’s defeat by Donatra and her fleet, Praetor Tal’aura removes him as proconsul, choosing Sela as her right hand and fleet commander. Sela, a human-Romulan hybrid with extensive experience in the military and intelligence fields, has been a part of several major Romulan operations, including a failed attempt to invade Vulcan and coordinating support for the House of Duras’ attempt to take over the Klingon High Council in 2367.
As a gift to Tomalak for his decades of loyal service to the Romulan Star Empire, Tal’aura allows him to “retire” to his rural estates on Romulus.
The Romulan defeat at Xantila has made open war with Empress Donatra unfeasible. Praetor Tal’aura reluctantly agrees to negotiate with the Imperial Romulan State to determine the new borders and the establishment of a neutral zone, but rejects the Federation’s offer to mediate the talks. Donatra says she would welcome the Federation’s input, but that she will defer to Tal’aura’s decision in this matter, and sends Admiral Taris to the Romulan capitol as her representative.
On Stardate 61602.00, Tal’aura is found dead in her private chambers. Tal Shiar investigators report that the praetor appears to have been attacked in her sleep.
The Romulan capitol erupts in a firestorm of rumors and accusations. Groups accused of responsibility for the assassination include a coalition of the noble houses, the Tal Shiar or agents working for Empress Donatra and the Imperial Romulan State.
Donatra denies having anything to do with the murder. “I face my enemies on the field of battle with honor,” the empress announces in an address to her citizens, “not with a knife in the dark.” She recalls Taris from Romulus and orders her to prepare to defend Imperial holdings.
At Tal’aura’s funeral in Ki Baratan, Sela publically blames the Remans and the Unification movement for the attack. “They claim to desire peace,” Sela says, “but ally with the murderers and usurpers who terrorized our planet and led us to the brink of destruction. The blood of one praetor was not enough for the Remans. Tal’aura was the victim of their thirst for destruction.”
-2385- In Romulan space, what began as a tumultuous year after the assassination of Praetor Tal’aura has settled down into what could be a long-term solution, and both Starfleet and the Klingon Empire have pulled back some ships from the borders of Romulan space.
In the weeks following Tal’aura’s death, her proconsul, Sela, stepped in to take the reins of control in the government. Granted temporary executive powers by the Senate as an emergency measure, Sela uses them to replace more than two dozen of Tal’aura’s “populist” senators with representatives of noble houses who had opposed Tal’aura’s rule. Among Sela's appointees is the influential noble Chulan of the Line of Tellus.
The backing of the nobles gives Sela the clout she needs to run the government, but she does not have the support of the military or the Tal Shiar and her regime is generally expected to be short-lived.
Rehaek, the leader of the Tal Shiar, makes a rare public appearance to announce that he will personally lead the investigation into the assassination of Praetor Tal’aura. “There are certain things which may seem expedient but which honor abhors. We cannot allow this crime to go unanswered.”
And Empress Donatra of the Imperial Romulan Empire wins hearts among the people of Romulus by offering food shipments to non-military settlements.
Federation experts fear a three-way struggle for control of Romulus, but instead Donatra meets with Sela and Rehaek on Romulus to find a peaceful solution. The three begrudgingly agree to put their personal disputes aside for the good of the Empire, and the worlds of the Imperial Romulan State are folded back into the Romulan Star Empire. Donatra holds onto the reins of power of the military, and keeps much of her forces safely off-world in case the peace does not hold.
With the threat of civil war averted, the Senate opens debate on who to elect the new praetor. Sela, as Tal’aura’s proconsul, is one of the leading candidates, and she makes a play for the position. But rumors of her possible involvement in the plot to assassinate Tal'aura dog her campaign, and when Donatra declines Sela’s request for an endorsement Sela’s defeat is almost assured.
After an extensive debate, Senator Chulan is chosen to be the new praetor. He is a compromise candidate who is acceptable to, but not strongly supported by, any of the major powers. Federation analysts predict that without the backing of a coalition of factions, Chulan will be a weak leader.
Donatra, who most agree was the broker of this newfound peace, travels to Remus to meet General Xiomek of the Remans. She offers the Remans full citizenship in the empire and representation in the Romulan Senate in exchange for their support. While Sela opposes the plan, which she sees as rewarding the Remans for a violent uprising, Praetor Chulan will not go against Donatra’s military might.
The physical strength of the Remans, as well as their supplies of dilithium and heavy metals, adds to Donatra’s formidable military strength, and she re-opens shipyards and munitions plants closed since Shinzon’s revolt. And as resources flow back to Romulus from Remus and the worlds Donatra controlled, energy rationing and food lines become a thing of the past.
The Romulan Senate is reluctant to deal with the Remans but is swayed by popular support for Donatra, and it reluctantly allows Xiomek to take a seat in the Senate and extends citizenship to the Remans. In common practice, however, most Romulans continue to treat Remans as second-class citizens, and the Remans have been reluctant to openly move to Romulan settlements.
-2386- The new openness on Romulus has made it much easier for the Federation to get news about what is happening on that world, but not all of it is favorable for the long-term stability of the region.
Ambassador Spock reports that the Romulan Mining Guild has finished a multi-year study of Remus and has presented its findings to the Romulan Senate. The guild reports that the planet has been seriously overmined, and recommends that to avoid a Praxis situation that the Reman operations should be shut down and mining operations should be moved to more distant areas of space. The guild spreads their operations across the Empire, settling hundreds of miners and their families on space stations and colonies light years away from Romulus.
The guild further recommends that it be put in charge of all off-world mining, but Colonel Xiomek uses his new position in the Senate to block that request. The conflict between the guild and the Remans sparks a number of skirmishes between guild ships and Remans in distant areas of the Empire.
Xiomek speaks to the Senate after the mining guild presents its report and argues that if the Remans are to be moved off of Remus, that they should be given a continent on Romulus for their new home, a request that is overwhelmingly rejected by the full Senate.
With the backing of Donatra, Rehaek and Praetor Chulan, an alternative plan is reached. The Remans are instead offered the planet of Crateris, in the distant Gamma Crateris system. The site of a failed Romulan colony, the planet has a harsh climate and is beset by almost constant electrical storms but is rich in dilithium, decalithium and heavy metals. Xiomek agrees, because even the harsh climate of Crateris is a significant improvement over Remus. Thousands of Remans board colony ships and make the move to their new home.
On Stardate 63322.55, Rehaek sends a statement to the praetor and the leaders of the Romulan Senate with the conclusions of his investigation into the assassination of Praetor Tal’aura. Rehaek rules that that Tal’aura was killed by agents loyal to a coalition of noble houses angered by her reformation of the Senate. Both Donatra and Sela request to see the evidence that backs up his claims, but Rehaek refuses to divulge his complete findings.
In retaliation for the death of Tal’aura, the Tal Shiar begins a campaign of assaults on the noble houses, arresting dozens of nobles and seizing their assets. Sela pushes back against the persecution of some of her major supporters, and sways the Senate to drastically cut funding to the Tal Shiar. In a speech before the Senate, Sela accuses elements inside the Tal Shiar of knowing about the plot to assassinate Tal’aura but doing nothing to stop it. “Does standing silent make them as culpable as the killers?” Sela asks. “In abandoning their sworn duty to protect the praetor, as a symbol of Romulus itself, they are no better than those who wielded the knives that killed her.”
Donatra refuses to take sides in the conflict between Sela and Rehaek, instead encouraging the praetor to handle the situation. Praetor Chulan appoints a Senate committee to formally investigate the matter, but the committee takes little action.
On Stardate 63446.41, an explosion destroys Rehaek’s home on the outskirts of Ki Baratan. Observers report several visitors to the estate in the hours before the blast, any of whom could have planted the explosives. The remains of Rehaek’s wife and young daughter and several servants are found in the wreckage, but Rehaek is missing. Investigators theorize that the blast was intense enough to have vaporized anyone close to the point of detonation.
Two hours after the explosion, Tal Shiar forces storm Sela’s townhouse in Ki Baratan and take her and her personal guard into custody for the murder of Rehaek. In a secret trial held days later, Sela is sentenced to death for the crime. At the last minute, Donatra intervenes. She argues that the evidence is not overwhelming, and pressures Chulan to allow Sela and her supporters to accept permanent exile instead of death.
Taris maintains a low profile during the troubles, putting many of her responsibilities in the hands of General Tebok. Late in 2386, she informs Donatra that she is going to take her ship to Levaeri V to investigate claims that a blade believed to be the Sword of the Raptor Star has been recovered. The ancient sword, reputed to be one of the swords created by Vulcan swordsmith S’harien and taken into exile by S’task, is a revered artifact of the Sundering.
-2387- On Stardate 64317.6, Klingon long range sensors pick up a small Romulan fleet led by Sela. The fleet passes the Beta Stromgrem supernova remnant and continues into unexplored space.
On Stardate 64333.4, a Romulan Mining Guild ship observes the start of a chain of events that will forever change the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. The star in the Hobus system, in the far reaches of Romulan space, begins to exhibit massive fluxuations of radiation. Days later, Ambassador Spock of the Federation appears before the Romulan Senate to warn them about the dangers of this star.
Spock believes that if the Hobus star goes supernova, it could create a reaction that would threaten much of the Romulan Empire, and he asks the Senate to coordinate with Vulcan to find a solution. After a lengthy debate, the Senate rejects Spock's plan. After the close of the Senate's session, Donatra accepts an invitation from Colonel Xiomek to visit Crateris and inspect the construction of the new Reman colony. Their path allows them to perform a sensor sweep of the Hobus system.
After arriving on Crateris, Donatra and Xiomek spend several hours in a private meeting, where it is believed that Xiomek gives Donatra information about possible rogue elements within the Romulan military and government. Donatra decides to return to Romulus earlier than planned, and invites Xiomek to take passage on her ship, the IRW Valdore, so he can be in Ki Baratan for the next meeting of the Romulan Senate.
On the way back to Romulus, Donatra contacts Admiral Taris, who is in the Levaeri system, and orders her to return to Romulus. The message is recorded by Romulan military communications relay stations, but Taris does not change course. A later review finds that there is no evidence of the message in the computer banks of Taris's ship, and that the communications officer who would have been on duty during that time cannot be found.
Ambassador Spock returns to Vulcan, where he meets with Ambassador Jean-Luc Picard. The two appeal to the Vulcan Science Academy to assist the Romulans with the crisis in the Hobus system, but the academy declines their request without comment. The two former Starfleet officers decide that they will make their own plans to deal with the situation.
On Stardate 64444.5, the IRW Valdore reports unusual stellar activity, including a disturbance equivalent to a force seven ion storm. Romulus loses contact with Donatra's ship, and dispatches four D'deridex class warbirds to search for the Valdore.
The Romulan Senate finally authorizes an evacuation order, and ships are recalled to help ferry Romulus residents off-world. Military estimates are that it will take a minimum of six weeks to evacuate the homeworld.
Twenty-seven hours later, the Hobus star goes supernova. The resulting chain reaction destroys Romulus and Remus. Billions of Romulans are killed.
Starfleet immediately orders all available ships to cross the Neutral Zone and assist the Romulans with any possible relief and recovery efforts. Several of these ships are attacked by Nero, who is captaining the Narada, a heavily modified Romulan vessel. Additional cruisers are diverted to escort relief vessels to Romulan space.
Intercepted Romulan transmissions indicate that Praetor Chulan and the leaders of the Senate escaped Romulus before the planet's destruction. But the USS Nobel, en route to Romulus, find the bodies of Chulan and the Senate's ruling council floating in space near their derelict shuttle.
-2388- Fallout from the destruction of the Romulan system dominates interstellar events in 2388.
The Romulan colony worlds reel from the loss of their homeworld and a vacuum in leadership. With the death of Praetor Chulan and the disappearance of Donatra, there is no one who has the authority to call the worlds to order or organize a new government. The leadership council of Rator III declares itself to be the new Romulan Senate and Rator III as the new capital of the Romulan Star Empire, but it is quickly challenged by the leaders of Achenar Prime and Abraxas V, who make similar claims.
One person many look toward to pull the Romulan people back together is Admiral Taris. She concentrates on evaluating what military forces remain, and issues a call for all remaining ships, even deep exploration vessels, to return to Romulan space.
Internal squabbling and politics hinder the Federation's relief efforts in Romulan space.
The Federation Council dispatches a fleet of ships to provide food and aid to refugees and to help the displaced survivors of the disaster find new homes, but Starfleet finds it must negotiate with each of the colony worlds. What one world welcomes, another sees as false friendship, or even an act of war. The fight between the three "capital" worlds further complicates issues, because any assistance given to one of them must be granted to all to avoid accusations of favoring one faction or attempting to interfere with the Romulans' internal affairs.
Most of the Federation's allies agree to send ships and supplies to supplement the Romulan relief effort. Even the Cardassians, who are still struggling to rebuild their homeworld, agree to a token contribution. But the Federation's appeal to the Klingon Empire to join the relief convoys is harshly rejected.
-2389- Infighting continues among the leaders of the Romulan colony worlds. While basic needs are being met and Starfleet is delivering supplies and replicators to every world that will accept their help, the Romulans lack a stable government and the chain of command of the military is chaotic.
Throughout the course of 2389, five Romulans try to seize the emperor's throne, more than two dozen people declare themselves praetor, and at least a dozen more claim the role of supreme commander of the Romulan fleet. Most of these erstwhile leaders fall prey to quick assassinations. A fortunate few are simply ignored.
Federation analysts agree that the Romulan empire will remain in turmoil until there is a leader who is able to command the allegiance of the majority of the colony worlds. Federation diplomatic teams attempt to organize a conference where representatives from each of the colony worlds can take the first steps to establishing a new government and choosing leaders, but the Romulans cannot even agree on where the meeting should be held and the plan collapses.
The Klingon Empire takes advantage of the confusion with lightning strikes into Romulan space. The empire takes control of the Tranome Sar and Nequencia systems in a matter of days, and is poised to strike deeper into Romulan territory. The Klingons temporarily halt their advance when Starfleet sends a fleet to protect the Romulan/Klingon border, but tensions remain high and there are reports of minor skirmishes between Federation and Klingon starships.
-2390- The Romulan colony worlds are starting to develop a loose network of alliances and rivalries, but none of the potential Romulan leaders has been able to unify the worlds under one banner. Left to their own devices, some of the worlds are looking to find allies outside the Romulan Star Empire. On Stardate 67620.54, the Romulan colony of Talvath formally requests Federation protection and offers to open talks that could lead to Talvath applying for Federation membership. Some see this as the first step to the dissolution of the Romulan Star Empire.
A bright spot for the Romulans has been Admiral Taris, who has been organizing the remaining ships into a new fleet. In areas with holes in the chains of command, Taris has been approaching each ship captain personally, and outside observers expect her to have the Romulan military fully operational within seven months.
Federation analysts warn that a strong fleet could quickly overwhelm the weak leaders of the colony worlds, and that the Romulans may soon be under military control. For her part, Taris has not publically expressed an interest in governing the civilian population, and has ordered the forces under her control to concentrate on relief efforts and defense of the border regions.
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:32:29 GMT -5
-2391- Taris' victory in the Zeta Pictoris system rallies the Romulans, who have been desperately seeking a sign of their former glory. Rator III is the first to proclaim Taris as the leader of the Romulan Star Empire, quickly followed by Achenar Prime and more than a dozen other worlds. In an address broadcast throughout the empire, Taris says "I am a military commander, and I would prefer to remain so. The seas of politics are rife with submerged hazards and hidden perils, and a wise person does well to avoid them. But my Empire calls and I cannot resist her plea." Taris calls on the leaders of the colony worlds to meet at Rator III to select representatives for a new Romulan Senate and make plans to organize a government and build a new capitol.
A Federation operative inserted into the fleet that departed Romulan space with Sela in 2386 has reported that Sela and her followers have landed on Makar, an M-class planet in the Beta Quadrant with abundant supplies of decalithium and heavy metals. A humanoid race with technology equivalent to Earth's Iron Age inhabited two of Makar's temperate southern continents, but Sela sees the population as an additional natural resource, and within weeks her forces have hundreds of Makarans working in the mines.
The operative also reports that Sela's ship picked up a signal that was similar to the artificial quantum singularities that the Romulans use to power their warp drives, as well as signs of a massive gravitational field. Sela has dispatched two ships to investigate these anomalies.
-2392- One of the Romulans's construction projects is Rihan, a new capital city being constructed on Rator III. The first building completed is used to house meetings of the Romulan Colonial Organizational Committee, which was formed under the directions of Admiral Taris.
The committee lays some initial groundwork for a new government, but is beset by the in-fighting and factionalization that has plagued the Romulans since the destruction of their homeworld. A group of moderates suggests that the Romulans need a single figure to focus their energies and cites historical records of Romulan rulers. Reminders of Donatra declaring herself empress of a breakaway state trouble some members of the committee, but Admiral Taris indicates that she would support the revival of the monarchy. However, Taris says that any move to crown a ruler must be made by the Romulan people.
-2393- In Romulan space, the Romulan Colonial Organization Committee continues the work of forming a new Romulan government. Several legislative sessions are interrupted by arguments between General Taris and General Tebok about what the role of the Romulan military should be.
Tebok sways a portion of the RCOC with his argument that far-flung areas of the Empire, particularly the areas near Klingon space, can and should be sacrificed in the short-term to strengthen the position of what are now the Romulan core worlds, but Taris says that it is their duty to keep fighting for every world. The debate takes up much of the later part of the year for the RCOC, but no decision is reached.
-2394- In Romulan space, the Romulan Colonial Organization Committee completes its initial work at forming a permanent government for the Romulan Star Empire. The RCOC narrowly rejects the plan to reform the Romulan monarchy, deciding instead to reform the Romulan Senate on Nova Roma.
They offer General Taris, the hero of Zeta Pictoris, the position of Praetor, but the majority of legislative and executive power is held in the hands of the Senators.
-2395- Tragedy strikes for Starfleet on Stardate 72487.91, when the U.S.S. Kelso is lost with all hands.
The Kelso was supposed to be on a routine mission to study the long-term effects of the Hobus supernova on star systems in the Devron Sector when it was destroyed. Initial reports indicated that the Kelso could have come under attack. However, when the remains of the vessel were recovered by the U.S.S. April it was found that a coolant leak caused by an experimental cloaking device onboard the Kelso caused plasma to vent from the ship. The plasma reacted with ionizing radiation present in the area, causing the explosion which destroyed the Kelso.
After careful consideration, Captain Barax Wenn of the April reveals the cause of the Kelso's destruction to the Romulan ships assisting in the search for the vessel. Praetor Taris lodges an immediate complaint with the Federation Council, and, as a "gesture of good faith," informs the Klingon Empire of the details of the Kelso's destruction as well.
Starfleet Security admits that the U.S.S. Kelso was testing a Federation cloaking device. The Romulans eject all Federation diplomats and ships from their space in protest, and Chancellor J'mpok recalls the Klingon ambassador to the Federation back to Qo'noS for "strategic discussions."
Tensions between the three powers are at their highest point since the destruction of the Romulan homeworld in 2387. After a full inquiry, six members of Starfleet Security are court-martialed.
It takes three months for Federation President Aennik Okeg to convince the Romulans and the Klingons to send representatives to a summit to discuss the situation. When the meeting finally begins, Okeg makes the Federation's position clear. He apologizes for the experiments into cloaking technology, and says that he has signed an executive order banning all research into or creation of Federation cloaking technology.
"The narrow legal view may be that the Treaty of Algeron ended when Romulus was destroyed," Okeg says. "The Romulan Star Empire we knew is gone, and you are a new people. What has not changed is the Federation's commitment to peace."
-2396- A medical crisis puts a strain on the rebuilding Romulan Star Empire. An outbreak of Bloodfire ravages the Kevratas system, ultimately spreading to multiple colony worlds.
The disease is lethal to several species, including Romulans, but is curable if treated promptly with a drug developed by Beverly Crusher. Praetor Taris seems uninterested in treating the disease, however, preferring to stop its spread with a quarantine of the Kevratas system.
The quarantine is enforced by a blockade of Romulan ships, and stops all food and medical shipments to the planet during its coldest season. Thousands die from disease and starvation. "It seems like Taris is letting these people die like it's some sort of experiment to her," said Admiral Zelle, an expert on Romulan politics. "If she ever saw someone die from Bloodfire, she'd have more compassion."
Starfleet observation posts are seeing an increase in ship traffic going to the far reaches of the Beta Quadrant. Reports are that the Dopterians are funneling ships and supplies to Romulan exile Sela and her followers in exchange for decalithium. Ships similar to reports from the U.S.S. Voyager have also been sighted.
Since Sela is well out of Federation space, Starfleet has no grounds on which to stop the trade. However, Starfleet Intelligence is keeping a close eye on the situation, and reports are that they are formulating a plan in case Sela becomes a threat to the Federation. Also, since decalithium is a highly restricted substance, any ore that the Dopterians bring into Federation space is subject to seizure.
-2397- In Romulan space, the government of Kevratas, which was decimated by a plague of Bloodfire and the subsequent Romulan quarantine, declares its independence from Romulan rule.
"They've given us nothing but death and offered nothing but more pain," said Kevatran leader Kito. "We owe Taris no allegiance."
Praetor Taris orders General Tebok to put down the insurrection with force, but the general refuses to order his troops to fire on civilians. He instead negotiates a settlement with Kito, agreeing to give the Kevatran leaders safe passage to Nova Roma to present their grievances to the Romulan Senate and ordering that relief supplies and medical personnel be sent to Kevatras immediately.
In response for his insubordination, Taris orders Tebok to resign his position as head of the Romulan military. Tebok refuses and instead appeals to the Senate, which overrules Taris. "In the old days of the Romulans, Tebok would have ended up on the wrong end of an honor blade," said Emal Kotay of the Trill News Service. "Now, not only is he alive, he's still in charge of the fleet. The cracks are appearing in Praetor Taris' rule, and if she doesn't do something soon she won't last."
-2398- In what is seen as a deliberate insult to Praetor Taris, General Tebok promotes General Velal to command of the Romulan Second Fleet. Velal has been openly critical of the prateor and her policies, and was one of the officers responsible for negotiating the agreement that kept Kevatras under Romulan control.
-2399- On Stardate 76306.19, the I.R.W. Alth'lndor notifies Nova Roma that it is experiencing unexplained malfunctions in several systems, but that the problems should not impede the ship's progress.
General Velal offers to send a ship to rendezvous with the Alth'lndor. General Tebok is due back in Nova Roma in 32 hours for a meeting of the Romulan Senate. Tebok assures Velal that the engineers on the Alth'lndor believe the problems are being caused by a computer virus and that they will have a solution for the problem shortly.
Two hours later, the Alth'lndor drops out of warp and transmits a final distress signal. The I.R.W. Kaidor is the closest vessel, and it races to the Alth'lndor's location. The Kaidor reports detecting an antimatter containment failure, but before her crew can act the Alth'lndor explodes, killing General Tebok and all hands.
Praetor Taris orders that until a new commander for the fleet is selected, that all fleets must report to her directly. Velal goes to Tebok's allies in the Senate to block Taris, and the Senate quickly passes a bill that calls for all Senate approval for all high-level military appointments.
The uncertainty in the chain of command once again throws the Romulan fleet into chaos, and several commanders announce that they will no longer report to any authority but their own. Starfleet steps up border patrols in response, hoping to block any rogue ship before it can attack a Federation target.
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:32:51 GMT -5
-2400- On Nova Roma, Praetor Taris clashes yet again with the Romulan Senate over a plan to further restrict the powers of the praetor. Taris makes a rare personal appearance before the Senate to argue against the proposal. "In the absence of a monarch, and at a time of extreme upheaval in the Alpha and Beta quadrants," Taris says, "We must have one voice to speak for our empire to the galaxy. Only by expanding the praetor's powers will we have stability and strength. A disharmonious chorus leads to chaos."
Taris sways some Senators to her side, but her general unpopularity with the Romulan populace dooms her call for expanded executive powers. The Senate proceeds with its plan to limit the power of the praetor.
In another possible problem for the Romulan praetor, agents for Starfleet Intelligence have intercepted and decoded several messages from Nova Roma to a planet deep in the Beta Quadrant. These messages point out irregularities in the reports about the death of General Tebok and the destruction of the I.R.W. Alth'lndor. Sela has ordered her spies to investigate and find the truth of the matter.
-2401- Starfleet Intelligence observers report that a possible uprising in Romulan space that could further destabilize the already troubled empire.
"Velal has had enough," says one anonymous observer. "But to get rid of the devil, he might be making a deal with a Fek'lhr."
The commander of the Romulan Second Fleet reportedly met with Sela and some of her exiled followers in the Zeta Volantis system. Following that rendezvous, General Velal gathered a trusted group of ship commanders.
"Taris must be removed for the good of the Empire," said a source close to General Velal. "Velal's alliance with Sela will give him the ships and weapons he needs to make that happen. We don't want a civil war, but we know that there will be some parts of the fleet that will remain loyal to the praetor."
-2402- No news of note
-2403- In Romulan space, the conflict between Prateor Taris and General Velal continues to divide the already fractured empire. Kevatras and Abraxas Prime throw their support behind the rebellion, giving Velal and Sela's forces much needed safe havens and supply bases.
The war comes to an abrupt end on Stardate 80957.96, when forces of the Romulan Second Fleet approach Rator III. "The prateor had been locked in her rooms for a few days at this point, and she wouldn't allow anyone to enter," a Starfleet Intelligence observer reports. "Her staff finally broke down the door when Velal's fleet entered orbit. I think they were going to try to get Taris to safety … but she was already gone."
An extensive search of the palace turns up no clues. The Tal Shiar extends the search to all of Nova Roma, but Praetor Taris has disappeared.
Velal and Sela land in Nova Roma while the search is still ongoing, and proceed directly to the Romulan Senate.
"Sela made a very pretty speech about how she was a loyal Romulan and a friend to the Senate, and never once did she mention the dozens of Warbirds she had in orbit over their heads," said Mira Mandel of the Federation News Service. "No one was surprised when the Senators tripped over themselves to offer her their fealty."
The Senate names Sela as praetor and General Velal as the leader of the Romulan fleet by acclamation. The reign of Praetor Taris is over.
-2404- The Romulan Star Empire is enjoying a time of peace that it hasn't seen since the destruction of the Romulan homeworld almost two decades ago. Praetor Sela settles long-simmering disputes between colony worlds, opens the Romulus memorial at the remains of the homeworld, and gently shapes the Senate to her way of thinking.
"She's using a little bit of blackmail, a dose of charm and a lot of guile," said a Starfleet Intelligence operative on Nova Roma. "But Romulus hasn't had a leader who can pull people together like she can since Donatra disappeared."
-2405- No news of note
-2406- No news of note
-2407- In Romulan space, Starfleet Intelligence observers report that Sela has revived one of Praetor Taris' ideas – a Romulan monarch.
"Sela hasn't said a word about it herself, of course, but allies of hers in the Senate are floating the idea," one agent says. "And it's not a coincidence that people have started making comparisons between Sela and beloved Romulan rulers like Ael i-Mhiessan t'Rllaillieu. "There's even a quiet search going on for the Sword of S'task, even though everyone believes it was destroyed when the homeworld was lost." -2408- On Stardate 85365.28, years of instability and infighting in the Romulan Star Empire seemingly come to a close with the coronation of Empress Sela. The new empress will have no praetor, and the Senate will serve at her pleasure.
"Security has clamped down in the capitol city," a Starfleet Intelligence source inside Romulan space said. "The Romulans say that they have reason to believe that there may be an assassination attempt on the empress, but I think it's more than that. This is the first time Sela can show just how much control she has."
Observers at the coronation say that it proceeds with as much pomp and circumstance as the recovering empire can muster. Sela calls for a return to the traditions of old, including the carrying of honor blades and blood oaths.
In fact, before taking the crown the empress publicly uses a jeweled blade to cut her own palm. As the blood dripped down onto a rug of white fur, Sela takes an oath to uphold and preserve the empire with her life.
"Tradition is very important in this new order," the SI source says. "Sela is consciously recalling a golden age on the old homeworld, and using those memories to inspire the people. They're talking about mnhei'sahe again, and a lot of people have started referring to Nova Roma as Mol'Rihan, which is 'New Romulus' in High Rihannsu."
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:34:02 GMT -5
Treaties and State of Affairs
With the destruction of the Romulan homeworld in 2387, the Romulan Star Empire effectively cease to exist, as such the Federation has had to revisit many of political treaties and observations. Chiefly among these was the Treaty of Algeron, the cease-fire agreement that was signed after the Tomed Incident in 2311. The treaty, which reaffirmed the Romulan Neutral Zone and prohibited StarFleet from developing cloaking technology, effectively became void when the Empire collapsed. To this effect, StarFleet developed a variation of cloaking technology on the USS Kelso in 2395. When the nature of the Kelso came to light, both the Klingons and Romulans protested but Federation President Aennik Okeg managed to arrange a summit between the three powers. At the summit the Federation President signed an executive order banning all research into or creation of Federation cloaking technology. Okeg was quoted,
"The narrow legal view may be that the Treaty of Algeron ended when Romulus was destroyed. The Romulan Star Empire we knew is gone, and you are a new people. What has not changed is the Federation's commitment to peace.”
As we all know though, the Federation is currently using cloaking technology and the reasons are quite simple. All treaties and provisions ordered in the alliance with the Klingons effectively ended when they declared war on the Federation. Similarly, when Sela overthrew the interim Romulan government the Federation did not officially recognize her authority, as such the commitments to the former government needed not to be honoured.
As for the current state of the Romulan region of space, the Federation and StarFleet are dealing with colonies on a case-by-case basis much like they did after the Hobus Supernova. Many worlds have been subjugated by Empress Sela but her power is still not all encompassing. Fringe worlds are still claiming independence and asking for assistance from the Federation. As always, it is the Federation’s obligation to furbish aid when possible.
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:34:28 GMT -5
Regulations / Prime Directive
General Order One, or the Prime Directive as it is commonly known, is considered an absolute rule to StarFleet officers and crews. Although originally it was outlined to prevent the interference with pre-warp cultures, it now encompasses developed cultures. As the Prime Directive is taught to every cadet in the Academy, I will not dwell on all 47 sub-orders within it. Rather I will discuss how it relates to the Romulan region of space.
Firstly, the Romulans and Remans are both advanced, warp capable societies, which until recently was an ally by treaty with the Federation. The last official government of the Romulan Star Empire, prior the Hobus Supernova had requested Federation aid and outreach as such, StarFleet assisted worlds throughout the Empire. After the Supernova and the vacuum of power it created, StarFleet continued its obligations to these struggling worlds and plans to do so until a formal request to cease and desist is given by the colonies. As the Federation does not formally recognize Empress Sela’s authority or her new Star Empire, she cannot speak for the entirety of Romulan Space.
Now, in the hypothetical scenario that Sela’s authority was formalized but independent colonies continued to oppose her, it could be argued that helping these colonies would be a breach of the Prime Directive. Such was the case with the Klingon Civil war in the mid 24th century, ruled such because it was an internal matter. However, in that example, StarFleet did eventually intervene when it was revealed that one side was being supported by the Romulans. An outside element made the conflict a galactic issue, not an internal one. Such is also the case with the Romulans. While in her exile, Sela allied herself with the Delta Quadrant natives, the Hirogen. This predatory species has been supporting Sela’s faction in exchange for her blessing to hunt inside Romulan space. An outside element, supporting one side thusly making the conflict no longer internal.
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:35:04 GMT -5
Closing Notes
In closing, I think it is important to note that Captain Parker and Lieutenant Alcar acted out of moral and ethical motivations. Although their personal interpretations of the current Romulan political situation and how it relates to the Prime Directive may be questioned, they did what they did because it seemed right at the time. As officers and leaders, we must let our moral compass guide us or else we risk becoming automatons.
I will call to point though, that neither officer let Captain Honda complete the mission briefing and then ask for their feedback. Despite being formed on the principle of peace-keeping, StarFleet is still a military organization and chain of command is to be respected. If at the end of the briefing and after their questions answered, the officers still felt morally opposed to the orders, they should have the right to step aside and let another officer take the assignment. Although a ship captain is placed in charge of ship, it is not their ship to do with as they please. A vessel is a resource of StarFleet, an extension of the United Federation of Planets; as such a vessel must go where it is ordered, even if the commanding officer does not.
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 14, 2010 19:35:20 GMT -5
((OOC))
A long winded report to be sure but there is a lot of information that has to be considered by both sides. I want to make a couple personal notes to the report as well. Firstly, the timeline presented is word-for-word from the official Star Trek Online website. Although the conclusions as to why the Federation uses cloaking technology are my own, they make sense from a storyline point of view. Further, the assumption that the Federation does not recognize Sela’s rule or her new Star Empire is drawn from real world examples of military juntas that the United Nations, NATO and other organizations do not recognize. The fall back hypothetical example is an ‘in-case’ the first assumption is wrong.
I would like to also point out that I tried to come at this investigation from a neutral point of view. Although it looks like I spent a great amount of time shooting down Parker and Alcar’s arguments, I did look for reasons in the storyline to validate them. I just did not find much to support them. During Alcar’s interview, he pointed out the time Ben Sisko of DS9 refused a Prime Directive order because it was the right thing to do at the time. The problem I have using this example is it directly contradicts his strongest argument for refusing Honda’s orders. Simply point, why is it ‘right’ to follow the Prime Directive at one time, and ‘wrong’ to follow it in another.
Finally I would like to put forward a personal suggestion for punishment, if it is warranted by the tribunal. Lieutenant Alcar is not a bad officer; his just has an opinion of right and wrong and does not back away from it. To that effect, I would suggest he would be removed as commanding officer of his vessel but in turn be placed into a diplomatic position within the fleet. The capacity would include assisting in first contact duties, mediating disputes and such. Like I said before, Alcar’s character is not a bad one, it would be my opinion he would function better in a non-combat position. As for Parker, the in character punishment of a bump in rank and maybe reassignment to a support role for a while (ie: a cruiser type vessel). The reasoning would be that his intelligence background has made him a bit more paranoid, so assigning him to a ship with a lot of people would allow him to reconnect with his humanity.
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Post by Vice Admiral Brian Donaldson on Sept 15, 2010 5:52:37 GMT -5
Regulations / Prime DirectiveGeneral Order One, or the Prime Directive as it is commonly known, is considered an absolute rule to StarFleet officers and crews. Although originally it was outlined to prevent the interference with pre-warp cultures, it now encompasses developed cultures. As the Prime Directive is taught to every cadet in the Academy, I will not dwell on all 47 sub-orders within it. Rather I will discuss how it relates to the Romulan region of space. Firstly, the Romulans and Remans are both advanced, warp capable societies, which until recently was an ally by treaty with the Federation. The last official government of the Romulan Star Empire, prior the Hobus Supernova had requested Federation aid and outreach as such, StarFleet assisted worlds throughout the Empire. After the Supernova and the vacuum of power it created, StarFleet continued its obligations to these struggling worlds and plans to do so until a formal request to cease and desist is given by the colonies. As the Federation does not formally recognize Empress Sela’s authority or her new Star Empire, she cannot speak for the entirety of Romulan Space. Now, in the hypothetical scenario that Sela’s authority was formalized but independent colonies continued to oppose her, it could be argued that helping these colonies would be a breach of the Prime Directive. Such was the case with the Klingon Civil war in the mid 24th century, ruled such because it was an internal matter. However, in that example, StarFleet did eventually intervene when it was revealed that one side was being supported by the Romulans. An outside element made the conflict a galactic issue, not an internal one. Such is also the case with the Romulans. While in her exile, Sela allied herself with the Delta Quadrant natives, the Hirogen. This predatory species has been supporting Sela’s faction in exchange for her blessing to hunt inside Romulan space. An outside element, supporting one side thusly making the conflict no longer internal. It was an early morning for him, but so was the routine and requirement of a Flag Officer and Fleet Commander. He walked calmly yet wearily to his office's replicator. "Coffee. Hot. Extra Cream, Extra Sugar." The replicator beeped it's acknowledgment and produced the steaming beverage. Rear Admiral Donaldson took a big sip and sat down at his desk to begin the day. He nodded once to the Officer standing on the otherside. "Good morning, Sir." LT. Hotta said in her usual manor. Donaldson grined and took another sip. "I read Captain Frost's report lastnight, Lieutenant. I wrote a statement I would like to include with it." Hotta nodded and took the Admiral's padd he offered her. "Right away, Sir. I'll add it to the record ASAP, Admiral." He nodded and shuffled through the rest of the day's business. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Admiral's Comments: Rear Admiral Brian S. Donaldson - Daedalus Omega Fleet Command STARDATE: 88312.03 For clarification... The Klingon Civil War was a totally different scenario from the current state of Romulan affairs. The Klingon Civil War consisted of two klingon politicians fighting over control of the entire empire... and specifically the title of Klingon Supreme Chancellor and ruler of the Empire. In the Romulan's case... We have several hundred star systems declaring independence and individual freedom from both Romulan factions. It is the federations duty to aid said worlds in their time of need. Now... If Praetor Sela and General Velal decide to fight one another for control of their government and a new civil War erupted, WE could not interfere with their actions. But, we still could give aid and travel to those independent star systems. Also, If Sela decided to take an independent world back by force and said world asked for Federation assistance... we would be obligated to help them. Case in point is Bajor and the Cardassians. Bajor and her people were pillaged and raped for years by the Cardassians. Eventual the bajorans won their freedom and the Cardassians withdrew from their world. Days after, the new independent Bajoran government asked for Federation aid and it was granted. If we did not aid the Bajorans when they gained their independence from the old Cardasssian Union, events would not have turned out as they had. We would not have found the Bajoran Wormhole, the federation spacestation Deep Space Nine would not exist, Bajor would not have eventually gained admittance into the Federation as an official member world. Also, since this incident I have also been reviewing starfleet rules, regs, and general orders. Several that are pertinent and relevant were not listed in frost's original report. they are.... General Order 6: The request for emergency assistance from Federation citizenry or non-aligned persons demands unconditional priority from Starfleet personnel. Such personnel shall immediately respond to said request, postponing all other activities. This responsibility extends to current governments at odds, actively or passively, with the Federation. General Order 13: Except when orders state to the contrary or in accordance with General Order 6, Starfleet personnel will respect the territorial integrity of independent planetary systems and governments within and without the confines of the Federation's borders, and will not violate territorial space belonging to such worlds General Order 22: As the rights of individual expression and free discourse are considered sacred, Starfleet personnel may debate the policies and decisions of their governmental representatives privately at any time, to the extent that such discussions do not violate their command oath or specific duties to the Federation per these Orders or Starfleet regulations. General Order 25: If a commanding officer deems that an individual or group of individuals pose a threat to Starfleet personnel or Federation civilians, he may take any action deemed necessary (including force) to secure the safety of those threatened General Order 30: Starfleet Command recognizes the right of each ship commander to interpret the specifications of the Prime Directive as he/she sees fit, consistent with the conditions of the other existing general orders in effect, and based upon circumstances that may arise in dealing with newly discovered sentient races. General Order 33: If a commanding officer deems that an individual or group of individuals pose a direct threat to the safety of Starfleet personnel, Federation citizens, or those under current Federation protection, they may take any actions necessary to safeguard the lives of those threatened. In such cases, the commander may use their discretion in deciding whether to use force. However, care should be taken to avoid unnecessary loss of sentient life. General Order 34: All Starfleet personnel and/or Federation civilian contractors shall follow a superior's order to the best of their ability, unless said orders should conflict with the regulation laid out in these orders. Special dispensations are granted in emergency situations as per specific orders, with the exceptions of General Orders 1, 2, 3, or 7. I want to draw specific attention to General Orders 6 and 13. and... These are the most pertinent of the General Orders. It states that If anyone, ANYONE, asks for aid or help, We must give it to them... even if doing so violates territorial boundaries. These missions are to be given top priority. In Conclussion, If any member of this fleet wishes for clarification and or this Command's official view on any rule, Regulation, or situation... feel free to contact this office and we will more then happily help you as best we can. Signed, Rear Admiral Brian S. Donaldson Commanding Officer, Fleet Daedalus Omega Flagship: U.S.S. Independence NCC-93027-A
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Post by utukku2000 on Sept 15, 2010 13:11:57 GMT -5
((OOC)) This is a formal filed report into the investigation of the events in question. It is not a debate. Any arguements into it should be saved for the tribunal.
Further, all information I found and used either came directly from the Star Trek Online website and/or the Memory Alpha and Beta websites. Not all players have had the chance to view every episode of the Star Trek series, thusly gleaning data from these sites is the most consistent form of information.
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