IRW Scimitar

The Scimitar was a prototype Scimitar class Warbird in operation for a short period of the late 24th century until its destruction in 2379.

Crew

 * Shinzon of Remus
 * Vkruk

History
The Scimitar was the culmination of a Romulan development program to create a powerful new class to utilise against the Dominion (TOS novel: Captain's Blood). The design included a revolutionary Thalaron radiation core, developed by the Tal Shiar, making it a deadly advisory. Shinzon of Remus discovered this thalaron device in an operation during the Dominion War and used it to gain power and build the Scimitar in a secret base on Remus (Tales of the Dominion War short story: Twilight's Wrath).
 * ''The exact details of the Scimitar's construction are unclear, Shinzon's discovery of the Thalaron technology could have included data on the Scimitar class development, or indeed he could have used the thalaron generator as a bargaining tool to gain information on the class. Shinzon did have support from elements of the Romulan Imperial Fleet so there is also the possibility they supplied him with the designs and even parts. There is even the possibility that the secret base was not Shinzon’s own place of operations but merely the secret facility the Romulans were using to construct the Scimitar class and that Shinzon's connections within the Imperial Fleet allowed him to get involved.

The Scimitar was the only ship of the class to be completely as the necessity for such a super-weapon disappeared following the end of the Dominion War. Shinzon used the Scimitar to destroy the remaining unfinished Scimitar class vessels to make sure no one could oppose him (TOS novel: Captain's Blood).

With the road clear of other Scimitar class opposition and the backing of the Imperial fleet Shinzon used the thalaron technology to wipe out the Imperial Senate and make himself Praetor. Then with an overture of peace he lured the USS Enterprise into Romulan space with the hope of capturing Jean-Luc Picard (which was necessary to cure Shinzon of a life threatening illness). The plot failed and Picard escaped with the knowledge of the Scimitars existence and Shinzon’s plans to attack Earth. The Enterprise fled Romulan space to meet with a battle group in preparation for a strike against the Scimitar, but Shinzon was close behind and engaged the Enterprise in the Bassen Rift where communications disruptions would prevent the Federation starship calling for aid. Aid still came however in the form of a pair of Mogai class Warbirds. Whilst they were quickly neutralised by the Scimitar they gave the Enterprise some time. However despite all their efforts the Enterprise was hugely outgunned and verging on crippled. In the hope of stopping the Scimitar Picard resorted to ramming the vessel, the tactic delivered a powerful blow and took out the Scimitar's disruptors. In an act of desperation Shinzon ordered the Thalaron weapon be fired on the Enterprise thereby killing everyone on board.

Not willing to let his crew be killed Captain Picard beamed to the Scimitar in the hope of stopping Shinzon. Equally unwilling to let his Captain be sacrificed Lieutenant Commander Data traversed the vacuum of space to Rescue attempt. On the Scimitar Picard reached the bridge quickly neutralising the Reman crew but was forced into hand-to-hand combat with Shinzon, finally killing him. Data arrived on the bridge to find his Captain somewhat dazed and quickly beamed Picard back to the Enterprise before sacrificing himself to destroy the Scimitar and save his crewmates. (TNG Movie/Novelization: Nemesis)