In 2267, there had been no contact between the United Federation of Planets and the Romulan Star Empire for over a century. The Earth-Romulan War left a lasting impression on both powers and the Romulan Neutral Zone was established as a result.
However, a lone Romulan Warship set out to test federation resolve by crossing the neutral zone and decimating several Earth Outpost Stations. The USS Enterprise got the tail end of a distress call from Earth Outpost 6 and proceeded there at maximum warp. Not knowing what a Romulan starship would look like after a century, the Enterprise inquired about the identity of the mysterious attacker. "Space vessel, identity unknown." Hanson replied. Minutes later he was space dust along with his outpost.
Enterprise Navigator Andrew Stiles had no doubt that it was the Romulans who attacked. Several generations of his family served in the Earth Defense Service during the war. "After a whole century how will we know what a Romulan vessel looks like?" Kirk asked "You'll know sir, they're painted like a giant bird of prey." Stiles replied
The Enterprise began shadowing the vessel while it was still in Federation Territory, scoring major hits at least three times.
|
