Einya trAeolix

Subject : RE: Amendment 3 : Proposed modifications to the Aegis Treaty From : Ambassador Einya tr'Aeolix To : Aegis Diplomatic Corps CC : Office of the UFP President, Ambassador Joy Two, Ambassador Raumuk, Federation Embassies of all Participating Partners, Commanding Officer Aegis. Again many thanks to my esteemed colleague for your thoughtful responses. It is the opinion of my government that the Raccin Convention could be applied and not violate our specific policy requests. On the subject of Romulan augmentation of the security forces of Aegis, my government would like me to clarify several points: 1. The total authorization of troop level would be no more than five-hundred at any given time, but that the level could be below that as needed for proper operation of the station. This number would not count against any additional personnel, such as engineers, doctors or scientists that might be dispatched in the future. 2. While serving as Station security, officers of the Romulan Star Empire would be deputized under the auspices of Aegis Station Security and be required to follow any and all ethical and professional guidelines required by the legal code they are enforcing. As such they would serve the station first and not be under direct Romulan authority, unless as specified in the Force Commitment Resolution, that they were activated as reserve troops of the Romulan Star Navy, an act requiring seventy-two hours notice and counter signatures from the Station's CO. 3. Under the proposal we are making, station authorities would have primary jurisdiction over residents of the station. If, for example, an accused criminal of any of the member governments were to seek lawful refuge on the station, it would be the decision of the advisory council and the station's commanding officer to handle the situation. Forgive us if we're seeming bullheaded on this, but we would remind you that a major failure in the operation of the prior Aegis Agreement was that the station was treated as Federation Property and not a neutral space station operated by the signatory governments. We have no desire to do anything which could be construed as a violation of rights of Federation citizens, on the contrary, we are simply acting in the interest of our own people and their rights.

Subject : RE: Amendment 3 : Proposed modifications to the Aegis Treaty From : Ambassador Einya tr'Aeolix To : Aegis Diplomatic Corps CC : Office of the UFP President, Ambassador Joy Two, Ambassador Raumuk, Federation Embassies of all Participating Partners, Commanding Officer Aegis. I thank you for your most thoughtful response to my governments concerns. To rebut, however, I would first say that my government proposes a code of accepted "Intergalactic" law that is neutral and not one developed by any single government of the respective signatories. Secondly, my government is willing to commit 500 Romulan Galae troops to the security of the station for at least a ten year period. (A second binding resolution on this matter for you to review is included in this transmission) And we would encourage the other primary signatories to do the same. Thirdly, we continue to oppose the inclusion of any statement that requires adherence to the Federation's so-called 'Guarantees.' If the question is of Starfleet Officers behavior, then this needs to be taken care of by your government. My government will not allow our citizens to be subjected to your code of ethics out of political expediency. For a Romulan, for example, we do not have such notions of limits on the state's power to search a person when the security of the station and/or the Empire is involved. I do hope you will understand that forcing your code on others is simply unacceptable to my government. I believe adopting a more general statement of principals that could be ratified by all parties would be more acceptable. Ambassador Einya tr'Aeolix

OOC: My apologies for being largely gone recently, I shall endeavor to make the Romulan presence more visible. Subject : RE: Amendment 3 : Proposed modifications to the Aegis Treaty From : Ambassador Einya tr'Aeolix To : Aegis Diplomatic Corps CC : Office of the UFP President, Ambassador Joy Two, Ambassador Raumuk, Federation Embassies of all Participating Partners, Commanding Officer Aegis. It is the opinion of my government that the largest portions of the proposed treaty modifications be accepted without issue. However, as one might expect, certain proposed changes are completely unacceptable to my government and will not be approved. We would ask that these sections be modified in the interest of appeasement and international goodwill so that we could come to agreement on language that would be accpetable to all parties. The following sections are in question: It is the opinion of the Romulan government that station security should be maintained by an allied force and that a uniform criminal and contract code crafted by the signatory governments and enforced as such as to avoid conflicts of imposed morality by the Federation. Likewise, Article 19(2) is completely unacceptable and the Romulan government cannot abide the Federation morality code being enforced. Romulan citizens aboard the station will not be forced into following a morality code which they do not believe in. I hope that you can understand that these are genuine concerns and that they will be addressed.

Ten years had passed since the man commanding the fleet of Romulan vessels on approach to Cardassian space had last found himself headed towards the planet he and his fellow soldiers had once eyed as the ultimate goal. Then he'd been but a mere Captain and commanded a small attack squadron lead by his flagship, the war-worn Winged Death; now he was a Rear Admiral charged with elements of three tactical wings and commanded them from the one bridge of one of the finest warbirds to ever be launched, the War Eagle. The greatest of anticipations had come over him towards the end of the conflict, when the great fleets of the allies amassed and headed for Cardassia, destruction on the mind. Like so many of his cohorts from his Academy class, he feared he would not return, would not survive that awful, bloody conflict; yet in spite of the most dogged attempts by the Cardassians, the Breen and the Jem'Hadar he had survived. He considered, after the war was over and the fleets headed to their respective homes, joining the numerous commanders who decided they had served their empires and retired. After all, he'd served nearly thirty-seven years in the Galae, nearly all of his 60 years in this existence, selflessly sacrificing his body, soul and occasional mental sanity to protect the empire he loved. In the end, it was that call – the one that brought him into the Galae now almost forty-seven years before – that had kept him serving. When his ship finally did return to the Two Worlds, he and his men were among the honored soldiers. He was, if you could call it that, rewarded with a promotion to his current and given the charge of protecting the outlaying systems near the small, developing race known as the Kumani. It had been a quiet, if not welcomed assignment. After so much violence, so much bloodshed; peace had come welcome with open arms to he and his crew who'd shook down the War Eagle in relative peace, with only sporadic dust-ups with the local Kumani or an occasional run-in with Arati Pirates. When he'd received the orders recalling him to Romulus to take command of elements of three tactical wings, the same sinking, etching anticipation returned into the pit of his stomach. Romulus had gone through turbulent changes in the last years; four Praetors had rose and fell and a fifth was soon coming. The Empire at one moment moved boldly to assert itself, then in the next withdrew into the shadows only to rear the great wings of the Empire in radical fashion. Now was one of the later moments and he knew it. Though he'd been in the Outlands, he had sources in the capitol who kept him up to date on the latest happenings in the Senate. He was to be sent to Cardassia to secure the Empire's holdings in the area, but this came not long since the senior Ambassador to the Cardassian Union along with a number of troops had been withdrawn, mirroring a similar action in the Gamma Quadrant. An observation made by dissident scholar came to mind, “the Senate and the Praetor, like the Empire herself is full of contradictions – at one moment they are both cunning and brilliant, able to make stunning moves of strategy and legislation, and yet at the same time their own ambition prevents them from achieving the ultimate goal of power... petty in-fighting and clashing ambition clouds their judgment....” His thoughts wandered as his attention turned to the present. Rear Admiral Jaelin t'Lhen considered the scope of his orders, the implications and ramifications they could hold, silently he considered the intentions of those in the Senate. Mingling thoughts returned to his last conversations with Imperial Command before leaving for Cardassia. It had been a small meeting in a quiet, secluded room in the bowls of the Senate building. Across from him had sat two senators, an aide to the Praetor-elect with Aeolix to his side. “Then you mean to go through with this,” Aeolix said, his brow arched in a near Vulcan fashion. “I cannot stress strongly enough the care that should be taken before we...” “Yes,” the aide to the Praetor said with a dismissive waive, “we've heard your objections Ambassador. Let me make something clear to you, you're participation in this event is not because of we particularly agree with your... perspective but because you're years of service give you considerable weight on such issues in the minds of our allies.” Aeolix and Lhen collectively sneered, but held back any remarks. Sensing the tension in the room, one of the Senators interjected himself. “The Senate and our Praetor, do not feel that we can let the Ferengi claims go unchallenged – you yourself said that the station rightfully belongs to the Romulan people as much as anyone else.” “Yes, but...” “Senators, if I may,” Lhen said in a calm tone. “I believe what the Ambassador is trying to say is that our mixed-messages, our erratic commitment to the Aegis Project as it were, conveys to the allies a sense of... “ “Non-sense,” the young aide chided the seasoned Admiral. “You give them far to much credit. They know there has been some... domestic difficulties as of late, this sends a clear message that the Empire has moved beyond those divisions and is ready to assert itself in intergalactic policies again.” “Are we?” The three men across the table looked at Lhen as if he'd been speaking in Klingon. It took a moment for them to process it before they could respond, much too the delight of the Ambassador and the Rear Admiral. “You doubt your own Galae,” came finally from the aide. “I do not doubt the skill of any Romulan wearing the uniform, but what you suggesting, what you have proposed could provoke an intergalactic incident that could lead to war.” “You fear the Ferengi?” “Of course not,” Lhen spat, disgusted at that implication. In a calmer tone Aeolix intervened, “I do not believe anyone doubts our ability to dispatch the Ferengi in an armed conflict, nor even the Cardassian Union, however the chances of opening our empire to attack from third parties such as the Breen or the Tholian Empires, is most troublesome.” “All of this has been discussed in Senate,” one of the senators said. “You really think the Ferengi will carry this out to an armed conflict with the Romulan Star Empire?” Aeolix and Lhen frowned in near unison, they had a point. “No.” Lhen found his thoughts on the present once more as his operations officer informed him they were nearing Cardassian space. Adolescent Romulans had a game called Laihi'mo, in which they ran their flitters at each other at high speeds in a straight-line, the last one to pull away won; it was becoming increasingly clear that the Senate and the Praetor-Elect were now playing their own game of intergalactic Laihi'mo, he only hopped that someone blinked and the two flitters didn't collide.

To: President, Government of the United Federation of Planets CC: Government of the Bajora; Government of the Klingon Empire; Government of the Ferengi Alliance; Government of the Cardassian Union; Starfleet Command, Governments of the United Federation of Planets; Captain Muon Quark, Starfleet Command, Governments of the United Federation of Planets; Captain Sorehl, Security Council, Governments of the United Federation of Planets; Ambassador K’Vorlag, Representative, Government of the Klingon Empire; Ambassador Joy Two, Planet Mudd, Governments of the United Federation of Planets; Liaison Kith Ghemor, Provisional Government of the Cardassian Union; Public Affairs Office, Government of the Ferengi Alliance; From: Ambassador Einya tr'Aeolix, Representative of the Government of the Romulan Star Empire Re: Response To Message Received 0808.24-1134 Mr. President, The Government of the Romulan Star Empire, being a duly represented partner of the Aegis Project and a signatory of the 2376 Treaty, has been content for many years to allow the Federation to operate the station as it suited our operational needs. We have, as required by treaty, remained a 'silent partner;' paying our end of the agreement, supplying weapons, medical goods and occasionally, when needed, our troops for the defense of Cardassia Prime. However, the recent discussion of the future of the Aegis Project has left our government with many questions, doubts and concerns about the abilities of the Federation to maintain the facility and maintain peace, stability and order in the quadrant. In advance, we apologize for our delay in reaction as domestic issues have kept the Senate occupied through much of the last month; now that we have had time consider the appropriate response, we are now in a position to deliver it. The insinuation that the Ferengi Alliance has ownership of the Aegis facility is beyond laughable. The Romulan Star Empire will not sit idly by and watch as one of the major strategic resources in the area, bought and paid for with Romulan blood, is simply handed over to a group of opportunist cowards who would just as soon sell the station to the highest bidder as operate it themselves. While the amendments proposed by the Federation require some modifications, they are not themselves grounds for the Ferengi to occupy the station. Further their attempt to cut supply lines by refusing to deliver goods does little to improve the lot of the Cardassian people -- their stated purpose for occupation of the Aegis facility. Even more troubling is their recent attempt to secure the station through military embargo. The Romulan Star Empire, as stated, will not allow this to happen. As of 2100 local time, the Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire has dispatched elements of the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Tactical Wings of the Fourth Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Jaelin t'Lhen to the Cardassian system to secure our assets in the system; as stipulated by the Ferengi requests, the fleet itself will remain outside of Aegis space. While we hope and desire a peaceful solution, we will not watch as the honorless Ferengi attempt to hijack intergalactic property for their own self-serving purposes. With that in mind, as you read this I am boarding one of the aforementioned warbirds en route to the Cardassian system where we hope to engage in a diplomatic solution to this crisis. Let it be known though, the Romulan Star Empire will not take threats from the Ferengi Alliance lightly; any action taken against our vessels will be seen as deceleration of war. There is an old saying among my people that holds that "one should not play games with those who've mastered the art of deception." The wolves of Romulus smell blood, Mr. President. Elements willing, they will not be unleashed from their cages. Signed, Ambassador Einya tr'Aeolix Senior Representative of the Kiith Mrevhoqq'ghi Government of the Romulan Star Empire

The Federation, not respect borders and sovereignty of other powers... never!

The sounds of a flitter flying a little lower than was permitted by regulation told Einya that someone was going to get a visit from the Imperial Capitol Air Authority. He smirked lightly, remembering how in his youth he himself had done something very similar; but many years had passed since he'd been a young boy, just learning to fly a flitter. “Children,” the female Rihan next to him remarked with motion to the streaking red and black Haevn flitter that finally passed out of sight. “I've always felt that you shouldn't be able to fly one of those things till you were at least 20...” Eniya lifted a brow, dubiously. “And how old were you before your parents let you fly one?” The female grinned. “I grew up on a warbird,” she said tactically, “so I it was a rare opportunity to fly one alone.” “And your children?” Her mild grin turned into a half-frown as she continued walking. “My husband overruled me on that one...so long as the children were on ch'Rihan and na with me. “And your own?” “Nijji is clamoring for me to get him one,” he said with a sigh. “He says all the other kids his age have one of their own, and that it will teach him some responsibility.” “He's your fifth child, correct?” “Ie.” “And did you lavish such things on the others,” the female Rihan had stopped along the path they were walking to investigate a growth of Kael'Naji flowers. She took a deep breath, letting the light, flowery aroma fill her nostrils. It had been sometime since that fragrance had been anywhere near her. “I didn't raise my other children as closely,” Eniya said finally. There was a hint of something somber in his voice. He'd always felt that he'd not got to know his other four children as well as he had his youngest son, Nijji; but his duty was to the Empire and that had kept him from his family. “Ie,” she said picking a flower from the bush. Holding it in her hands she resumed walking with Eniya beside her. “I was fortunate that in most of my assignments I could bring my children with me, or at least have them visit for long months. “Except my eldest.” Now it was the female's voice that betrayed regret. “Destorie was always involved in something with his father, or too busy in school activities that could not be avoided to flit off to Vulcan or Qo'Nos to see his mother.” “I am sure he understood Sevik.” “Ie,” she said. “That doesn't change the fact that I regret not spending time with him.” “But such is our life.” “Ie, duty to the Empire is always first. I think that lesson did come through.” They continued to walk down the stone path that intersected a grove of ja'ko trees. The park itself lay just south of Senate compound and just a stone throw from the central offices of the Rihan Diplomatic Corps, the Kiith Mrevhoqq'ghi. The two colleagues, Sevik t'N'kedre and Eniya tr'Aeolix, found themselves in most interesting positions. Both had spent the better portions of their lives off-world in service to the Empire, though most of his time had been on Cardassia, when he'd not been a senator for some years, while N'Kedre had spent hers on several worlds strung throughout the galaxy. Now they both found themselves recalled to their homeworld as the days darkened for the Two Worlds. “So,” N'kedre said, pausing slightly before continuing down the path. “They recalled you from Cardassia? I thought the Empire wanted a foothold in Cardassia's future...to assure that the Lloann'na did not muck it up too badly and create another ally to use against us.” “They do,” he snarled, but not at the female next to him. “The Empire is sending a message apparently, that they won't commit a high-level ambassador to the region until their demands are recognized.” N'kedre frowned. “They're pouting.” “Ie,” Einya said equally displeased. “I am not sure that the powers in the Senate know how to conduct themselves sometimes.” “Perhaps it is because they keep changing?” The both frowned. In the period of three years, the Empire had seen a torrent of changes. First the coup attempt by Shinzon in which almost the entire continuing committee was assassinated which led to a power vacuum that threatened to destroy the Empire from inside. The Galae, whom many blamed for the Shinzon Incident, had quickly stepped in and taken control of the government, long enough for a new set of leaders to come to power. Fifteen months after Shinzon's coup had failed, Praetor Jaelin i-ch'Rihan tr’Avfad came to power. Avfad was young, by Rihan standards, barely 60 years of age. He was pragmatic and an idealist. Aeolix had warned the young man, whom he'd seen grow as a leader when they served in the Senate together, that making radical changes to the Rihan way of life would be dangerous. His warnings had proved prophetic. In the first weeks of his Praetorship, Avfad proposed sweeping changes to the Empire; calling for the abolishment of slavery, the opening of full diplomatic relations with the Federation, even opening the door to the possibility of dismantling the Neutral Zone. These changes were met with swift action from forces within the Empire. Though political assassinations were once rare in the Empire, the last few decades had seen...quite the change in atmosphere. Both of the Ambassadors had known that the death of Avfad signaled trouble for their Empire. Even more so when Avfad's successor, a weak, ineffectual man Aele tr’Yyhei assumed the role of Praetor. N'kedre had known the latter for many years, meeting him years ago at a state dinner she and her husband had attended. At the time, her husband had summed the man up fairly well in a single statement. “He's as mailable as Negali dough, and has the backbone of Lloann'na jellyfish...without the sting,” her husband had remarked. Indeed. His tenure was fraught with turmoil and indecision. At one time the Senate would make bold moves in policy, such as re-emerging as a major player in the Cardassian Reconstruction and entering the Camelot Project in the Gamma Quadrant, while at the same time cavalier officers, Senators, Admirals and Tal'Shiar Directors made moves of their own, undermining the Senate without consequence. Which led to the current predicament. “I can't say that I blame the other governments for being...apprehensive around us,” N'kedre said with a sigh. “The government has been so...” “Erratic,” Einya said in agreement. “They likely think we're up to something...” “But the truth is that our Empire stands on the edge of Civil War.” “Ie. What we need is a strong Praetor to unify the government and quickly put to rest all of the cowboys that are making names for themselves by undermining the Senate at every chance they get. “Then we can assert ourselves once more, and finally have the say in the Galaxy's affairs that is so rightfully ours.” N'kedre nodded. “Ie, I agree...however I do na think that Lenak tr’Llhvae is the man that will do that...” There was a long silence from Einya. “Agreed,” he said finally. “If anything he will only worsen the problem. He's a lightening rod. He'd made no secret which branch of the Military he plans to place in charge of the security of the Empire.” “Ie,” she said. “The Galae has already begun to consolidate their forces. I have a good feeling that the withdrawal from Camelot had more than a little to do with that.” Aeolix nodded. “These are dangerous times for the Empire...” “In deed,” she nodded. “It appears that just when we thought it was our time to step forth into the light and take our place, that our internal differences have once again embroiled us.” “The curse of passion...”

OFFICIAL DIPLOMATIC MEMORANDUM TO: COMMISSIONER, FEDERATION SECURITY COUNCIL FROM: EINYA TR'AEOLIX, ROMULAN AMBASSADOR SUBJECT: QUARRY RESPONSE DATE: 0801.28 Pursuant to your inquiry into the mission of the Aegis Project, I have been authorized by the Senate of the Romulan Star Empire to provide the following correspondence. It is the feeling of this government that the spirit of the treaty which established the Aegis project has been violated by the Federation. When our governments established the base, it was our understanding that all of the governments would be tasked with the operational management of the station. For sometime this was observed and this requirement was not an issue. At some point, however, the Federation began assuming a larger and larger role in the management in the station. Elements within the Federation took this to mean that gave them ownership of the station. At that point, Starfleet officers began resisting any attempt by my government to take a larger role in the operational management of the station, despite our offers. The opinion of this government is that the Federation has largely ignored the assistance of the allies which helped found the Aegis Project. To that end, it is the feeling of the Empire that the project has largely failed as a result of mismanagement by the Federation. From day one, the Federation has fundamentally misunderstood the mission which they accepted, following the cessation of hostilities Compounded by an unwillingness to accept outside counsel in proceedings. The Federation has taken an approach that not only assumes their values are correct, but can be instilled in the Cardassian people overnight. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of cultural relativism, which my Empire has warned the Federation Advisory Council on numerous occasions. Additionally, the Federation has assumed that Cardassia is no longer an independent nation, but a protectorate of the Federation. This blatant ignorance to the sovereign rights of Cardassia has engendered animosity between the Federation and the Cardassian people, who feel as if they are being occupied. To that end it is the opinion of the Romulan Star Empire that: 1. The Aegis Project has failed. 2. The Aegis Project failed as a result of mismanagement and philosophical ideas of the Federation. 3. The continued existence of Sky Harbor-Aegis in it current form stands only to further the perception of the Federation et al as an occupying force. Any future assistance to the Cardassians must include their involvement. 4. The RSE moves for the inclusion of the Cardassian provisional government as a member of the Cardassian Reconstruction Authority, under provision 17 of the establishing treaty of that originization. 5. In order to move forward with the reconstruction of the Cardassian Union, the joint powers of the Cardassian Reconstruction Authority must turn greater control of the region to Cardassian authorities while providing financial support to the region. a. To accomplish this, the RSE recommends that Sky Harbor-Aegis station mission be reduced to that of planetary security, manned by Cardassian crews and supervised by joint Allied forces. b. A monetary fund be established to provide economic assistance and capitol growth for the Cardassian Reconstruction, which to this point has largely stalled. i. This fund would be contributed to by all four of the signatories of the Cardassian Reconstruction Treaty in equal part. Oversight would be provided by the CRA. ii. This fund would not be a loan, nor a blank check. Cardassians needing assistance in gaining the capitol to commit to reconstruction efforts would have access to this fund. 6. In addition to the above recommendations, it is thee feeling of the RSE that a key factor in the current instability of Cardassian is the failure to establish a true government. Which we believe is largely the result of Federation meddling. a. The Cardassians must be free from our influence in the establishment phase. While it is important that our governments are present to provide insight and counsel in the process, we must not allow our own philosophical ideas to interfere. i. We propose a constitutional convention be held on Cardassia. At this convention, while representatives of our Government would be present, they would only be there for advice and consent. In summary, it is the feeling of this government that unless some or all of these recommendations not be considered seriously, that we will have to end our continued involvement in the Aegis Project, this includes our continued monetary support for any action taken by the CRA. However, it is not the desire or the wish of this government to have to take this action, and we sincerely hope our advice will be heeded.

Ambassador tr’Aeolix sat calmly in his chair, as his transmission with Romulus ended. It seemed that since he’d taken his position as Ambassador to Cardassia and Aegis he’d spent very little time doing that job, and a very large amount of time on the comm net with his homeworld. Since the Shinzon-incident, which had seen the coup of the ruling Continuing Committee and the death of many high ranking members of the Senate, had left a power vacuum that had quickly been filled by a number of reformers, but also the rise of hard-liners who’d be pushed to the back burners by the moderates who’d been nearly obliterated in the coup. Granted such shifts of power were not entirely new on Romulus, in fact internal strife had been an accepted and omnipresent factor in all Romulan politics since the very first far-travel ships set foot upon the Romulan soil thousands of years before; this however seemed somehow…different. The Tal’Shiar, who’d been rebuilding ever since the disaster in the Gamma Quadrant in the weeks leading up to the Dominion War, had proffered greatly from the destruction of the Romulan “center” of politics. In fact, one of their former leaders was considered to be a challenger for the Praetorship, something thought to be unthinkable before the Dominion War. Despite this internal strife the Romulan Empire found itself in a position to rise to galactic power, and both sides involved were well aware of this—and upon that, they were united. Looking over his notes he stood, straightening his uniform he stood and headed towards the exit of the Embassy, it was time he and the good Admiral had a talk.