Considered as two of The most Classified pieces of military intelligence currently in the possession of the Joint research team, under the authority of the Coalition of Planets, A Medium sized Romulan Battlecruiser codenamed 'Caesar', and a once member of the crew of the ship, a young Romulan female named Laryssa. A young science officer, once tasked with the assignment of monitoring their Human prisoner, from inside of her own holding cell, under the disguise of a captured, Vulcan science officer…
Many Years Earlier…
Upon returning to Earth, in sole command of a Captured Romulan warship, Lieutenant Amanda Wallace had been instantly greeted by Starfleet Command, as a hero to Earth, as Starfleet Command and Intelligence, salivated over their new prize which hung over the birthplace of humanity, under the protection of the cloaking device. Granted the highest honour that Earth could bestow upon anyone, a new medal often referred to as 'The Golden Ticket', only one thing had remained, what to do with both the Romulan vessel and what had been classified as a Romulan female officer, more so as a deadly war had continued to unfold in the depths of space. Instantly arrested as an enemy officer, the young Sub-Lieutenant Laryssa had spent several weeks under interrogation for any information that she would give to the enemy of her own people, information of which she gave freely after requesting Diplomatic Asylum and protection from her own people, had they known of her betrayal, undoubtedly an assassination team would be dispatched to Earth, to deal with such a dangerous breach in Imperial Security.
Pleading the case of the once Romulan Officer, directly to the Prime Minister of Earth, the recently promoted, Lieutenant Commander Wallace had continued to request that her own prisoner, be instantly released into her custody.
"Mister Prime Minister, Nathan? Without Laryssa's assistance. I would not be standing her and we would not have this very ship, in which you stand. Sir, with respect? She is taking a huge gamble by just being here"
"This vessel, is remarkable…"
"And the analysis of her capabilities, will go a lot faster with one of her crew, assigned to the research. Now, this is where the problem lies. We are not entirely familiar with this technology, but she is. If you have her released into my custody and assign the both of us to this project? It will go a hell of a lot faster. The engineers have already said that the cloak is beginning to show signs of strain. It was not designed to be active, for this long. Imagine the panic it will cause, when this ship appears above Earth?"
"I have been in constant calls with our allies, they each want a piece of this ship…"
"I can imagine. Now, other than Laryssa? I have the most experience with this ship and her technology. Why have I not been assigned to her research team?"
"Starfleet Command, feels that…"
"Sir, I know that I am only a Lieutenant Commander, but I have flown this ship in combat against her own ships. I know some of her capabilities, hell I've even fought against a few. What I am proposing, with your approval of course sir? Is that we take this ship, someplace where we can hide her from the galaxy and dismantle her for her secrets. Imagine every Starfleet ship, with cloaking capabilities, faster engines, more powerful weapons and shields, based on this design. Laryssa, is a science officer and non-combatant, I saw that in her eyes when she first fired a weapon against one of her own. I also saw betrayal, because they not only came to kill me, but her also…"
"Do you believe that you can trust her, Commander Wallace?"
"No Sir, I don't believe, I know that I can trust her. Besides, I have an idea which will make her more compliant. She will take an oath, on camera. Renouncing her Romulan status and pledging her allegiance to Earth and the Coalition. At the first sign of her duplicity? I will personally release that information, on all frequencies, across the galaxy. She won't survive for long, once her people see it"
"Interesting idea, Commander. But, where will you hide such a large vessel?" Asked the Prime Minister, with a slight smile.
"Vulcan, Mister Prime Minister. The Planet Vulcan. I have studied their topography. There are several large, underground caverns which are big enough to hide this ship. Columbia, was a part of our escort, sir. I served on that ship, I know her Captain. She can be trusted…"
"And what will happen, if you simply vanish from Earth? People will notice that you are missing, Commander?"
"Trust me sir, I have… plenty of ideas"
Present Day…
Deep beneath the surface of Planet Vulcan.
Project Caesar, a highly classified joint species operation, to dismantle and study a captured Romulan Cruiser as led by a former Starfleet Lieutenant Commander, now known as the Director of Project Caesar, the young officer responsible for the capture of the enemy vessel, it's technology and a Romulan Officer. Having travelled to Earth for a classified meeting between Starfleet Command and the Coalition Council, under an assumed identity and returning to Vulcan, under a second identity, Director Wallace had finally stepped into her own quarters, deep beneath the surface in the hidden facility. With her bags placed inside of her quarters by one of the senior Starfleet officers assigned to the classified program, a quick shower and change of clothing out of the standard Starfleet uniform she wore, into her usual attire, black t-shirt and shorts, a quick meal later, the Director finally stepped from her quarters to hear a more than familiar voice calling out her name.
A slight smile, echoed over her face as she turned to see a young female walking towards her, her long black hair flowing behind her as she stepped to her side with a polite nod.
"Welcome back, Amanda"
"Laryssa, once again? You've changed your hair. Still looking for that style of your own I see?"
"Those, are my orders right? Blend in, do not raise any suspicions… I tried the Vulcan way, and it did not suit me. So, I thought about something more, Human. Doesn't really hide my ears, nor my skin tone, but I think it works"
"That, it does. Some call you, an illogical Vulcan?"
"V'tosh Ka'tur, I've heard of their philosophy and it sounds like a perfect fit, for me. I know they are outcasts here, but it is the perfect cover. I hear that you wanted to speak with me?"
"Walk with me. I'm sorry that I had to leave you here on your own, Command wanted an update on our progress. With the end of the war? Changes are coming on Earth and across the quadrant, the Coalition is being finalised and possibly reorganised into something else. I got that feeling from Samuels back on Earth. With the establishment of the Neutral Zone, the Empire has withdrawn, seemingly vanished. What do you make of that?"
"They aren't gone, I guarantee that. They're probably rebuilding, licking their wounds and a humiliating by a species that they had deemed as inferior. They'll be back…"
"Command, agrees with you, so do I. Look, I know it's not easy for you here Laryssa?" Wallace replied, before whispering slightly. "Pretending to be something that you're not…"
"Only a handful, know who I am. But, they look at me like I am still their enemy"
"Lary? You've proven yourself and your loyalty to everyone here, many times over. Give it time, they'll come around. Hell, when I first realised who you where? I thought about killing you myself"
"You never told me, how did you realise?"
"You know what, I need a drink. I brought a few bottles of Scotch back with me, from Earth… come with me"
Turning back around and walking the short distance back to her own quarters, the two entered the small and Spartan decorated room, before Director Wallace reached into her still unpacked bag, to pull out two bottles containing the amber, alcoholic liquid before turning and picking up two glasses, to pour out two large measures.
"You know, I've been in your quarters many times. Although sparsely decorated? I'm always amazed at how messy this place, actually is"
"I'll get around to it, Lary. Cheers!"
"Cheers…" Laryssa replied, as she sipped from the half filled, glass of amber liquid. "Smooth!"
"Ain't it a kick? From my dad's private stash. 2020, very few cases of this Scotch are left. We drank three entire bottles, myself and my parents when I returned home. I never thought I could get that drunk and survive"
"You should try Romulan Ale, you'd love it. So, I have to ask, how did you figure me out?"
"I suspected that something was a little off, when they brought you in…" Amanda replied, as the two sat in the small, black leather chairs. "… The way they treated you? Was more for show. You seemed to know just enough about Humans and Vulcans, to make a passing grade…"
"We knew little about Humans, but as you now know? Romulans and Vulcans, used to be the same species"
"I read the files. Your first mistake, was giving the Surak Salute. No self-respecting Vulcan, would use his or her left hand and more than that? Continue to give that wrong salute, which is a dishonour, by the way"
"Thank you for correcting me on that, by the way. And the second?"
"You talk in your sleep. I know enough Vulcans, to recognise the sounds of their language. The third, was two days before we broke out of that cell…"
"Wait, I talk in my sleep?" Laryssa asked, as she sipped from her glass once again.
"Yep. We shared that cell for a week, remember. Now, what clenched it for me, was when I was blindfolded once again, and taken for interrogation, again. Actually, I was beaten for the fun of it"
"I'm sorry about that"
"I know. I was, in and out of consciousness, as I was dragged back to our cell. But, I did clearly hear your voice, giving a report to your superior, in Romulan. That much, I heard clearly"
"We, no They? Underestimated you, as they had with Humanity"
"I was supposed to be your little project, but I turned you into mine. Little did I know, it was actually true? Until those two soldiers entered our cell, and tried to kill the both of us"
"They betrayed me, I was one of their officers, and they where going to simply kill me…"
"They where going to simply kill Me…" That's when everything changed, for Sub-Lieutenant Laryssa. When those two Romulan Officers, ordered the both of us to stand against the bulkhead of our cell. At that time, she was fresh out of training at the Imperial College on Romulus, a Science Officer with a great career ahead of her, an almost legacy due to her family's long history of service, to the Romulan Star Empire.
The moment I heard her voice, in the corridor, my suspicions where confirmed. She was a Romulan Officer, from that very same ship. When, when I finally came around, regained my consciousness? I put a plan into action, I led her to believe that I still, believed that she was a Vulcan Science Officer, captured by the crew of that ship. I still have no real idea of how long I was on that ship, maybe two or three weeks? But, I wanted to escape. The first duty of a Prisoner of War, is to escape, right? I began to plant a seed of doubt, in her mind that the crew of that ship, would kill us both, before we reached their home world and our bodies, would be used for scientific research, or we would be held until we reached Romulus and simply cut open, while still conscious, for their amusement and research of our unique biology, mainly as I was led to believe that she was a Vulcan, a different species.
"Laryssa, please listen to me? We won't make it to their home world. And if we do? I doubt we'd be treated with love and happiness. I know that you're injured, we both are. But you are far stronger than I am. The first time I was brought onboard, I saw what looked like a hanger deck, maybe two decks down. We'll have to fight our way out, but with your help, we can both make it off this ship?"
"Logic states that…"
"Too hell, with Logic! You've said that you're just a science officer. But I can fight, I just can't fight someone stronger than myself, not in this condition. I've been monitoring their routine as best I can. I would rather die in an escape attempt, than being cut apart, while alive. What does your logic say about that?"
It was at the moment, before she could respond, when the doors to our cell, opened and two Romulan Officers, entered with their weapons drawn. Their order was clear, stand before the bulkhead, the rear wall. I recognised an execution, when I saw it happening. Slowly, I stood and turned to face the two Romulans, before they ordered us to both turn to face the bulkhead as their weapons powered up. In that, one moment? Laryssa's pale grey eyes turned into instant fear, as she realised what was happening to her, a faithful member of the Romulan people. I remained still, stood facing the two soldiers of the Romulan Star Empire, as they once again ordered me to face the wall.
"You know nothing, about Humans. We like to face, our executioners and look into their eyes, at the moment of our death. You, tall Romulan? That mask, will not protect you. My soul, will inhabit your body, after my death. I will drive you mad, until it takes over your very soul and control. So, go ahead and kill me and I will live on, inside of your body"
I know, it sounds like a terrible horror novel, but it worked exactly as I had thought, when the tall Romulan male make his first and only mistake. He stepped forwards and attempted to spin me around and push me against the bulkhead of my cell. Granted, I wasn't in my peak physical condition? But with adrenaline, coursing through my body in that moment, the pain which had echoed through my body for days or weeks, seemed to dull just enough for my body to react.
Thanks to not only my Starfleet training, but the instruction of my Mother, a Tactical Officer. I have been trained in many forms of self defence. Although, due to my injuries, I was slower than I normally have been? I whipped around, quickly with a punch into the centre of the Romulan male's chest with my right hand. I took the chance that Romulan biology, was similar to Vulcan biology as I avoided his first punch by dropping to the deck plating and kicking out my legs behind his knees, which made the male Romulan collapse onto the deck plating as I rolled away.
The second Romulan, appeared to be almost as stunned as Laryssa was at that moment at the speed in which I had moved, not only by that? But by the fact that I had pulled a small blade from the first Romulan's belt and quickly moved behind the second Romulan, pull his own blade from his belt and just to be certain of my choice, I reached around the male Romulan to thrust one blade in the centre of his chest and the second, into his back. Where the Vulcan heart had been located.
It had all happened, from my perspective? Within a heartbeat. By the time I stood, with my hands covered in green blood, which had dripped off of the two knives and the body fell, the first guard had begun to stand. In that moment, I looked towards my cellmate, to see her holding his weapon.
"Sub-Lieutenant, put down the weapon…"
Her hand shock in fear, and anger as she looked deep into his eyes. In that one moment, in that second beat of a heart, I witnessed something amazing. I saw with my own eyes, her rebirth as she stepped forwards one step, her hand still shaking.
"You, you came here to kill me? I am Loyal, to the Praetor"
"Sub-Lieutenant, I am giving you an Order. Put Down, the Disrupter!"
"Human, can you help me?"
"Yes. I need your help though…" I said, slowly. As her eyes turned into the darkness, of betrayal.
"Jolan Tru, Sir…"
I was stunned not by how dark she had spoken, but what had followed, was incredible. In one moment, one pull of the trigger? A beam of green, disrupter energy, exploded from the weapon in her hand which had stopped shaking. The beam of energy which I swear that I saw in slow motion, impacted into the Romulan's chest and he dissolved before my very eyes. Before I could even react, with no alarms echoing throughout the ship? Laryssa reached for the weapon of the second Romulan, as she told me that they would be expecting two, distinct weapons discharges. Aiming straight and true, the second body was vaporised before my eyes, before her hands began to shake as she spoke in her native Romulan language.
"Hey, hey? Calm down. It was us or them. Mandy, that's my name. I am Mandy. Laryssa? I need your help, now more than ever. If this is your ship? How the hell do we get off?"
"The, the moment a life pod or shuttle is launched, they will know. I knew him, I knew them both…"
"Laryssa, look at me please? I can get us both off this ship, but first I need to know where we are?"
"There are eighty-four on this ship, you can't fight them all…"
"Then think like a Scientist, an officer on this ship, where would you go?"
"We're on deck six. The bridge, is heavily guarded at all times. As is the engine room…"
"Is there a back-up bridge, in case of an attack?" I asked slowly, as she smiled slightly.
"No. Science Lab three, I can reroute bridge controls, to those consoles. But, it's two decks above"
"Laryssa, I know that you have no reason to trust me, but I can protect you. Give me one of those weapons and take me there?"
The element of surprise, has often been noted as one of the greatest tactical advantages in many situations. But, the anger of betrayal by her own people? Had fuelled the fire within the Junior Science Officer, and the masks that the Romulan Crew had worn, was the perfect cover to move freely throughout the ship, towards our destination. We had almost made it, passed through several checkpoints inside of the large ship, before we had both been stopped by a small security detail. I guess that they knew, that I was loose, judging by the alert which had echoed throughout the ship and the demeanour of the two guards whom had stopped the both of us, as we tried to enter the corridor which had led to our destination.
"Centurion, your identification?" Called out one of the guards, in his native language, before Laryssa replied.
"Stand Aside, Centurion. Both of you, or I shall report this incident. Do you know who I am? I am Tal'Shiar!"
I had never seen a mask's mouth almost drop open before, actually? It didn't, but I got the impression that the two males stood before the both of us, dropped their jaws, judging by their body language, which was of instant fear and respect.
"Regardless Ma'am? My orders are clear…"
"Your orders, came from myself, Centurion. This thing before me, is the prisoner in question. Do not worry, it does not speak our language. It's features have been hidden, have you ever seen a Human before?"
"No, Ma'am"
I had recognised one word, from the Romulan language, and that was the word, Human. In that moment, I became very worried. Hell, I didn't trust my Romulan escort any more than I would trust a Klingon, but she was all that I had, in that moment. The mask that I wore, had limited visible range, mainly forwards. In that one moment, the mask was pulled from my face by Laryssa at my side as she drew her sidearm. It was the first time that those two Romulans had seen a Human, to say nothing about a female as my then red hair fell away and free.
"It's hair, is red"
"As is it's blood. I have spent days studying this creature. It is very fond of one phrase…"
One phrase, a single sentence as spoken in my own native language and perfectly spoken, with an Irish accent. 'Now, Do it Now!'. I never knew that I could move that fast, nor that agile. As I leapt into the air with a powerful kick, into the very thick jaw of the first Romulan. To be honest, I broke three toes with that one kick. Knowing the limitations of the mask they wore, to hide their identity, I remained beneath their visual range as I kicked and punched low, very low. I had no idea that Romulan males, had the same… vulnerabilities as Human males. Who would have? I discovered that, when I punched out with as much force as I could muster, against the first guard and then the second guard after rolling before him. As the two fell to the deck plating in pain, I removed both of their masks before swinging both masks into their own faces, knocking them unconscious instantly. It was the first time I had seen the features of a Romulan male, aside from Laryssa, the only Romulan I had seen in the flesh? They looked slightly different. Their skin tone is a slightly darker shade of green and with ridges above their eyebrows from between their eyes and moving up their forehead towards the sides of their heads.
"They should be out for awhile. Do all Romulan males have those ridges?" I asked as Laryssa unlocked the Science Lab doors.
"No, not all. I'm from one of the Southern continents of Romulus, they're from the North. Over the eons, our species changed slightly to acclimatise to the regions. From what I've read, Humans have something similar. Come on, this way"
"Something like that, different skin tones, different features, but we're all the same species. I'm an Engineer, what do you need me to do?"
"Just stay there and cover the door. If anyone comes in…" Laryssa called out, as she threw me her own sidearm as I covered the door.
"I think this is a heavy stun setting. Get to work"
Laryssa was beyond angry at the betrayal of her people, she was a loyal soldier of the Empire, if only months out of training. Perhaps they wanted her dead, because she had been exposed to myself in a tight space for so long, I don't know. After seeing two different looking Romulans, I understood why they had chosen her for her little, assignment as she did look like a Vulcan. Some form of parallel evolution maybe? I had to know that answer, but not at that moment. She turned dark, the moment control of the ship had been rerouted to the Science Lab, a darkness which had echoed within her eyes as she shut down the life support and gravity, across the ship with the exception of the Science Lab. She suffocated her entire crew out of anger.
"I've taken care of the crew, now what?"
"What have you done"
"I killed them by shutting off all life support and gravity across the ship"
"You, you vented the atmosphere? Remind me never to cross you. Which control is the helm? I can't read this text"
"The one next to you, I'll have it converted into your language in just a moment… got it!"
"You recognise English, nice. Alright, we've got three escorts which have engaged what looks like an Andorian fleet, the rear Andorian ship, is taking damage. I'm moving us in to protect that ship, take weapons and create a diversion…"
"On it! Targeting the attacking Imperial ship, disrupters are firing…"
I would have loved to have seen the look on the faces of the Andorian crews as the large Romulan ship, now under our command, turned and not only protected one of their own ships, but fired upon the Romulan escort ships. As a part-time Engineer and Tactical officer, I gave orders to Laryssa and what to do next, as I piloted the large and highly agile ship for her size, between the formation of the much smaller vessels, punching a hole through their lines to protect the damaged Andorian ship, by extending the shields of the ship around the damaged vessel. At first, the Andorian ship fired upon us, but with myself and Laryssa deep inside of the ship? The only damage was to the outer hull, corridors and rooms.
"Attention Andorian ships, I am Lieutenant Junior, Amanda Wallace onboard of the Romulan ship. Hold your fire, I repeat hold your fire against us. We're here to assist. Focus all weapons on the attacking Romulan ships…" I called out, before a surprised voice echoed through the speakers of the now open channel.
"You're What?"
"I've taken this ship, feel free to scan this vessel. You will only find two life forms left onboard, myself and one other. Laryssa, fire torpedoes, cripple those ships!"
"Firing plasma torpedoes, maximum yield, full spread. Heavy damage to two of the three ships, they are retreating"
"Attention Andorian fleet, please make contact with Captain Hernandez onboard of the Starfleet vessel, Columbia and inform her that I am alive and onboard of a Captured vessel. She will verify my identity. For the moment however, I would not recommend boarding this ship. Life-support and gravity are deactivated across the ship, and thanks to you? We've taken damage"
"Lieutenant? I estimate eight hours to repair the damage" Laryssa replied, with an icy cold look in her eyes"
The greatest intelligence asset known to the Coalition, a Romulan Battlecruiser, had just fallen into their laps, more than that? The bodies of the crew which floated around inside of the ship. Everyone, and I mean everyone in the Coalition wanted a piece of the ship and the crew to study, as we warped back to Earth with the ship under escort from several Coalitions ships, including the Columbia which had joined the escort of the captured vessel, we had eventually made it to Earth, under cloak. Laryssa and I had become friends during our travels. Especially as we had permitted no one to board the ship, not even my Captain and crew. I had to keep the secret of the identity of the Romulan species, from being leaked during an unsuspecting conversation.
"Is that your home world, is that Earth Mandy?"
"Yes, that's Earth. Do you see that island at the top, next to that larger one? That's where I was born, that's Ireland. Haven't been back there in several years"
"A beautiful planet. I guess, this is my home now. I will never see Romulus again. Amanda, what will happen to me now?"
"This, this ship and the bodies inside? Will be classified at the highest level. It will be taken to a secure facility to be dismantled for it's secrets. Command, will know that you are not a Vulcan, Laryssa. You will be arrested and imprisoned as a Prisoner of War. Interrogated and questioned on everything that you know of Romulans and their culture. But, you saved my life Laryssa and I like you, I will do everything that I can to protect you. Just do me a favour, tell them everything that you know, openly, honestly and freely. Make yourself an asset?"
"I would have done that, anyway. Lieutenant Amanda Wallace of Starfleet, as a citizen of Romulus and the last surviving member of this vessel's crew? I present to you, the Romulan Battlecruiser Caesarius. And formally request diplomatic asylum and protection from my Enemies, within the Romulan Empire"
"It is within my power to accept this ship on behalf of the Coalition of Worlds, and I will do everything that I can, to gain you that sanctuary and protection. Laryssa, I will tell them everything that's happened, everything that you have done. I won't let them hurt you, I promise"
"Thank you"
"Just one question. What does it mean, Jolan'Tru?"
"Loosely translated? Good Day" Laryssa replied, with a slight smile.
Presenting the ship and everything inside of it, to the Coalition Council. Laryssa, was in fact arrested and imprisoned, as a prisoner of war while I became a hero to the Fleet, although the true reasons why I had been hailed in such a way, was highly classified. No one was ready to know the truth about the Romulans and their Vulcan ancestry, it would destroy the Coalition of Worlds if the knowledge that the Romulan people had originated from Vulcan.