The Romulan Faction

The meeting was late... coming up to the 0730 mark, Samji begrudgingly began tallying a list of all those who had failed to show up to either make a note on their record or discuss it with their Captain.

When all the officers were assembled and seated, Fleet Captain Samji could see that they were seated in groups, primarily sectioned off by ship. For now it was okay, but he wanted some interaction between them to promote new ideas. That would come later. He noted that even the officers from Starbase 10 who were there were also in one section off to the right. His Second Officer, and newly promoted Chief Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Grok was seated there, his tiny frame barely showing above the seat in front of him. Around him were Lieutenant Commander Ssta'elia, the Saurian female newly in charge of his Security, Lieutenant Commander Marksus Sangliar, the Tellarite who had been transferred from the Artemis, Lieutenant Commander Kletan Rexil, a Trill science officer who used to be on Starbase 10, and who had recently returned from his joining on Trill, and Dr. Hugh Michaels, the Chief Medical Officer.

Samji nodded to his assistant Adria Benile and she tapped a few buttons to bring up a holographic image. He cleared his throat and began. "Welcome everyone," he said, and then got straight to the point. "We're here to discuss Operation Horizon. Primary goal: to stop the Horizon's expansion and stabilize it such that our ships, upgraded with the appropriate technology, can explore this phenomenon. Remember, it is still our primary mission 'to boldly go where no one has gone before', and this certainly qualifies. If we can secure it and protect lives without destroying it, it is our duty to try."

Samji then moved and gestured to a screen where it was listing these mission objectives, and added, "If that doesn't work we need a 'plan B'. If we can't stabilize it, we will unfortunately need to destroy it. However, there may be no safe way to do so, which is why it may be easier to stabilize anyway. If possible, though, I want simulations that will give us an option that will work to completely destroy it without causing more harm than good."

"Now, recent reports from our Lotus Fleet ships, in addition to other Starfleet vessels and operatives in the area suggest that we are looking at resistance from three separate entities at once."

"First, the Romulans." He gestured to the screen again, which changed to display images of some Romulans with names and details below, in addition to a description of their known objectives. "With the recent destruction of Romulus by the Hobus supernova, the Romulans are anxious of anything even near their territory that has the power to wipe out systems. Their goal is simple: to destroy the Azimuth Horizon at any cost. Operatives indicate that their intended methods are simple explosive force."

"This is Empress Sela, female, approximately 65 years old, self-proclaimed ruler of the Romulan Empire," Samji said, pointing to a stern image of an older Romulan woman in an elaborate dress. Distinct from other Romulans, in that she was a human hybrid, she had blonde hair and less defined upper ear protrusions. "Daughter of Tasha Yar from an alternate timeline. Sela has gone mad with power, rage, malaise, and fear. Much of it was brought on by the Hobus Supernova event. She has disbanded the Romulan Senate and has alienated much of her race, but maintains her rule with an iron fist. Any dissenters are swiftly executed, making an example to others who try to oppose her. The Romulans' former ambassador, who had defected to us shortly after she took power, has verified much of this information. She demonstrates no illusions of diplomacy with the Federation and has confirmed her intent to destroy the Azimuth Horizon. Her only suggestion when confronted with the death and destruction on both sides of the Neutral Zone due to this asinine plan? Run or die."

Pointing to the second image, Samji said, "This is Admiral Tomalak, male, approximately 102 years old, and second-in-command to Sela. He will most likely be leading the assault and be aboard their most powerful ship; most likely a Scimitar Dreadnought. When he Commanded a ship for the Romulan Empire in the 2360s, he was reported by Jean Luc Picard to be, quote 'a typical Romulan Captain in every way; but reasonable when reason was the only option'. It seems his reasonableness has run out in his old age."

There were a few more images shown, which were Romulan ship commanders known to be loyal to Sela, but Samji elected not to go over them in detail for the moment, first pausing to see if there were any questions or suggestions about the Romulans and their intent.