"...What the Reman menace has done is beyond unforgivable..." said Kimara Cretak over state media to the quadrant. "We should have purged these abominations a long time ago. And now...things are going to change in that regard..." Cretak had used Elim's execution to catapult her political career back into the spotlight. The assassination of the praetor/senate was just another stepping stone to what she wanted - the praetor chair. But given how things were going if Romulus didn't take control of matters there wouldn't be much of an empire left for them to rule. While I didn't care for 31's extremes to resolve this situation - yet - I wouldn't mind seeing the Romulan empire fall if it gave the Remans their freedom and kept the fed out of their crap. The truth was that 31 might not need to do anything at all; the Romulans might do themselves in. This didn't violate order one; it reinforced it.
"To the federation and anyone else that might think to insert themselves into our conflict; stay out of it," continued Cretak. "We do not want your help and we will not ask for it. This is an internal matter and will be resolved as such." "The Romulan star empire is wounded; it is not destroyed..." In other words they would become a wounded animal. Noted. That might draw us in whether you like it or not Cretak.
Working at the rear bridge stations Donatra Wesley and Amanda finished up their biz before making their report to me. "We know where both Xhax and his thalaron production facilities are," said Amanda. "Enterprise too is aware." "Call them." "Captain." "What do you think?" "Well, we just saw the Cretak broadcast as well." "They're desperate and wounded." He nodded. "When any creature is at its most dangerous capability." "Yeah. And in this case it won't stay contained to Romulan space." He sighed. "No; it won't." "This is a very difficult decision we face now captain..." "You received our intel?" "Yes; my staff agrees with your conclusions." "Captain - Jean Luc - my crew and I can do this job readily with minimal risk, as you well know." "Indeed." He thought on it some more. It was JL's call. "Make it so then. Good luck Diana." I nodded. "We'll be back soon. Excelsior out."
Amanda put up Romulan space on the screen. She highlighted where the Reman thalaron facility was. It was deep in the heart of Romulan space. The Romulans didn't know where it was. Amanda then said, "Sir, we could just send the location of it to the Romulans if you don't want to risk the Excelsior." That was true; we could. Plus it would help to keep us out of an otherwise internal matter. Without using our considerable powers it was a razor's edge we were now walking; but it would have been that without the powers anyway.
"Mister Rogers - inform the captain of your suggestion and see what he thinks." "Aye sir." She did via thought. She turned in her chair nearly an instant later to face me. "He says he leaves it up to you sir." I bent grinned. "I had a feeling he'd say that." I sighed and took the center seat; the seat I hated for these very reasons. "Opinions?"
Donatra said, "Either way helps keep the Romulan empire - what's left of it - stable captain. The greater that destabilization for the imperial remnant the greater it will be proportionately for the entire quadrant." Wesley said, "We heard Cretak's threat; but it's one of desperation to me. Her ability to back up that threat is moderate at best. She's not even holding a political position yet. She speaks with influence but not actual authority." Amanda shrugged. "You're a direct person captain. Going in reflects your more...Kirkish style." I raised a brow at that. "Really?" "Yes sir. With respect sir; you're still a superhero. You're just one that wears a Starfleet uniform now too."
I sensed something else on her mind. Telepathically we spoke further: 'What is it Amanda?' 'It's not appropriate for now sir.' 'We're talking at the speed of thought. I can handle it; whatever it is.' 'The captain...likes you. He once told a Ba'ku woman that he was attracted to older women...' 'I definitely qualify...twenty five going on five thousand...' 'As I said, this is not the time; and after everything you've been through...' 'It's okay Amanda; I appreciate you telling me.' 'I could...bring him back...' 'I know; I can too if I pushed for it. It's done though.'
"Number one - battle stations. Mister Rogers," I said, "jump the ship to the target coordinates."
We went to battle stations and jumped ahead at transwarp speed; all in a Q flash of light.
It was swarming with Reman ships; larger ships too. "Weapons ready..." said Donatra. They came as one mass straight for us. "Mister Rogers; disable them." "Aye captain." She sent out her power and disabled the entire mass of them. There was no need for death where it could be avoided. The ship flew right past them at half impulse power. "The thalaron production facility is on the surface. Shall I...go Q on it too sir?" "No. We'll destroy this the old fashioned way. Put us into high orbit for an orbital bombardment. Destroy it when ready."
We arrived in orbit and Donatra fired a full volley of photons. They struck the facility right on and blew it to hell. "Facility destroyed," said Donatra. "That is the only one they had," said Amanda. "That's ninety percent of their war making capability right there." "Excellent. Jump us back when ready."
We jumped back. "Inform Enterprise of the latest." "Enterprise acknowledges," said Donatra. We were quietly celebratory. This war still had a long way to go...
Amanda turned in her chair to face me. "Captain; I have an idea..." "Fire away." She was very serious. "What if we threatened to supernova their star if they don't stop fighting and start talking?" That was better than 31 thinking! Remus and Romulus shared the same star. Two birds, one stone; literally. Plus they all knew by now we had the power to do it. It wasn't a bluff, but obviously we didn't want to truly use it either. "Tell the captain." "...He says brilliant if it works."
"Mister Rogers - tell Romulus and Remus who you are and what you can do." "Aye captain..." Then - "They're willing to talk sir. Our assault on the thalaron facility helped prove our sincerity and capability." "Tell them they must learn to coexist or else..." "Done sir; Xhax and the Romulan leadership have pledged to find a peaceful solution to their problems..."
It was still early; but everyone cheered. Enterprise called and shared the same. Now, just maybe, we could end this utter stupidity and get back to our motto of "semper exploro" - always exploring...