Bolerov let out a deep sigh. "It's really quite simple, Commander. Our sensor mask allows us to mimic the physical characteristics of another object. In this case, we make Warlord look like the Devoras."
"I thought Federation cloaking technology was limited to some ship at Deep Space Nine." Commander Kolvash countered with a raised eyebrow. Truly, he was becoming suspicious.
Bolerov shook his head slowly. "This isn't cloaking technology. We're not trying to make ourselves invisible. We're covering our true appearance to look like something else."
Subcommander Tolkaan appeared next to Kolvash. "That is a hundred times worse!" He was quite irate. "Using this masking technology, you could start a war between the romulans and the klingons. Our own sensors wouldn't know the difference! This is an outrage!"
Kolvash regarded his officer with an icy gaze. "You are dismissed, Subcommander."
Tolkaan glared at him for a moment, wondering why his commanding officer wasn't as upset by this as him. Kolvash's gaze remained cold, but became more intense. Raising his hand, he eventually replied, "Glory to the Empire!" and left.
"My apologies for my second in command's outburst. He will be disciplined." The romulan commander eventually returned his gaze to the main viewscreen. "But surely you can see the cause of our alarm. We were not told of this ability before."
Bolerov smiled wryly. "The need to tell you hasn't arisen before." He shrugged. "I don't see the problem. We're offering to withstand the brunt of any Reman attack at no risk to you whatsoever. From your chair, this should seem like a great deal."
Commander Kolvash tilted his head. "For this engagement, it certainly does. You must admit, though, there is a bigger picture here. Your vessel could come into our territory completely unrecognized... it... it... completely destabilizes the entire quadrant!"
Bolerov's eyes narrowed. "The entire Romulan fleet has had the ability to do the same thing for over a century, Commander. In the end, your people asked the Federation to 'live with it'. We have. Now... our technology has finally caught up. It is now your turn to live with it." His smile was almost evil.
Ambassador Donatra's face came next to Kolvash's. "This arguing isn't getting either of us any closer to Romulus, gentlemen." She looked sternly at the russian commander. Clearly, she had some kind of authority in this matter that wasn't easily discerned. "Captain Bolerov, please do whatever you deem necessary to ensure our safe passage. We will cloak and follow behind. Hopefully, nothing will happen to either ship. I hope you realize what you may be faced with." Her expression appeared to be of geniune concern.
"Trust me," Andrei concluded. "the Remans are incapable of mounting any kind of credible threat against this ship."
Kolvash scoffed. Donatra squinted, trying to discern any kind of bluff or lie in the Federation captain's eyes. She could find none. Clearly, this new masking technology would have to be reported to the Romulan senate. But... that was for another time. Besides, could this vessel truly be that advanced? After all, she commanded the IRW Valdore and the IRW Tal to help the Enterprise with the Scimitar. In the end, Enterprise was a wreck, the Valdore was a wreck, and the Tal was destroyed. Somehow, the Warlord had gone against the Scimitar's sister ship by itself and come out victorius. Such a vessel could seriously disrupt the balance of power.
Captain Bolerov turned back to Tony. "Lieutenant, engage the sensor mask. It's time to become the Devoras."
"Aye, aye, Sir." Tony replied officially. His fingers danced over the console. Several seconds later, he replied, "It's done, Sir."
Kolvash looked at something out of range of the viewscreen. His eyes widened with disbelief. "By the gods," he muttered. Ambassador Donatra was also agape. "Even our tight scans say it's the Devoras."
"The best part is; we can run with shields up... and people scanning us will never know." Bolerov sat back in his chair triumphantly.
Kolvash was stunned with what he was seeing. He even ran to a window to see with his own eyes. He was staring at the Devoras, a Romulan warbird. It even had the same paint chip to the left of the forward torpedo launchers. He walked back to the view screen. "Does that image reflect damage, or is it just a picture?"
"It's fully interactive, Commander." This was too good. He couldn't have written the romulans reaction any better. "As we pass by a sun, the image shimmers. As we pass behind an asteroid, it darkens. If someone fires at it, it simulates damage." He gave the romulans time to process the magnitude of what he just said. Calmly, he concluded, "I believe it's time for you to cloak now. Put at least a hundred thousand kilometers between us. In the event of a conflict, I don't want your ship in danger. We wouldn't want a stray torpedo hitting your vessel while it was cloaked." Absently, still in shock, Commander Kolvash nodded to his science officer. Within moments, the true Devoras disappeared from sensors. "We will run silent until we reach Romulus. Warlord out."
Aboard the cloaked Devoras, the viewscreen switched to a scene of stars and the Warlord/Devoras in the center. For so long, the Romulans had prided themselves on their technology. They had always been a step ahead of the Federation. Yet, as the years progressed, the Federation steadily caught up. Now, Kolvash and Donatra stared at an image of their own ship, masking the USS Warlord. If this starship was truly fully functional, the Valdore would be no match for it.
Nothing would...