posted
The Romulans are very active in AlphaBeta situations, though most of the time they're in the background while others fix things for them. They indeed seem to be very isolationist (is that a word??), and maybe even shy. The fact they joined the combined Klingon-Starfleet fleet in a DS9 ep, proves they are not so keen in talking a lot with other races.
posted
In 'Inter Ermin Silent Leges' (sp), there are a whole shit load of Warbirds in orbit around Romulus. All for show to be sure. but mabye some were basic frames to keep the feds guessing.
It wasn't that the warbird was shown especially big, it's that warbird's ARE big, and this was one of the few times it was actually shown on screen.
Now, regarding the Romulan Period of isolationism. I've always liked the simple idea that they pulled back, and then pumped all their money into research. The Warbird would look a lot more impressive if the Fed's previous look at them had been the old Bird of Prey (of course, they might have had ships between these, unless the Tomed incident just involved them sending out their Klingon D7's as fodder).
One other theory I've heard though, is that the Romulan period of isolationism no longer happened, due to Yesterday's Enterprise. Before that episode, the Romulans were never mentioned as having done anything for several decades before. However, the Ent-C saw then attacking a Klingon outpost (maybe roadtesting some Warbird prototypes). Originally, the Federation never heard of this. The Klingon's kept quiet. However, due to Yar's prescence, the fact that Garret was dead, the fact that the cheif engineer had a nice sandwhich for lunch, whatever, history turned out slightly different. Maybe the Ent-C DID get a message to Starfleet. Maybe the Klingons reported it. Maybe a Warbird got damaged and ended up in Fed space. Who knows. But, as a result, the Romulans - knowing that their cover was blown - came out of isolation at that point, and immedietly started trying to tear the Klingons and Federation apart.
------------------ "If every vampire who said he was at the Crucifixion was actually there it would've been like Woodstock. I was at Woodstock. I fed off a flower person and I spent six hours watching my hand move." - Spike, BtVS
posted
I think that before TNG, they were in a relative breakdown perhaps internal affairs. So during that time their economy fell and ship production ceased. So they became isolationist to the Fedration and the Klingons to prevent their situation from becoming a apparent. Their ways of beinga honorable lie in TOS was over as soon as they realized it was easy to decieve the Federation. When they got things under ontrol, they built large ships to make their enemies think that their power has increased. However their ships are only as powerful as perhaps the best of their enemies but in limited fashion since the Romulans use singularities and large starships in their fleet. I think that in total combat sips only number about 800 and about 200-300 of those ar Warbirds.
------------------ Predict the unpredictable, but how do you unpredict the unpredictable?
posted
Perhaps the artificial singularities are difficult to create, and thus they chose to build a relative few BIG ships instead of a lot of little ships.
And maybe the reason they don't use anti-matter is that by the time they figured it out, they would have had to have overhauled their entire fleet.
------------------ "You know, you--you let a wolf save your life, they make you pay and pay and pay..." - Fraser, "due South"
posted
That is the exact same point I made over on the 'Late bloomers?' thread a few days ago, Omega.
No less valid, though
------------------ Remember December '59 The howling wind and the driving rain, Remember the gallant men who drowned On the lifeboat, Mona was her name.
posted
So how big is the Romulan Empire? I used to imagine them as almost as big as the Federation, with the Klingon Empire being quite small ... but now, I'm picturing a much smaller Romulan Empire than I had previously ...
One thing to consider is that the Romulans have to be capable of defending their space. Tricks and illusions might work with the Federation, which isn't exactly going to invade them without cause. But we know they've tangled with the Klingons off and on for some time, and if the Klingons could have captured Romulus by force, they would have. So, as a minimum, the Romulan Empire is strong enough to hold off the Klingons.
Now, whether that means they have a fleet of roughly equal strength, or strong planetary garrisons, or excellent strategies and tactics is up for debate.
posted
Discovering a new piece of technology doesn't mean scrapping all current tech. They could just add new ships with m/am. Smaller ships. It's called phasing out. I have a theory of my own. I believe all writers have a note on their desks saying "don't reveal interesting things about rom. except when explicitly warranted by boss kahuna"!!
------------------ And keep your foot off that blasted samoflanche!
posted
Damn your irrefutable logic JeffKardde. I can see how you beat Oomega in all your arguments. Clearly, I am no match for your huge brain. Although it's size does make it easy...FOR ME TO POOP ON!
------------------ "I am in one of those rare periods of life where I am convinced I am a sexy devil."- Simon "Sol System" Sizer
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