Romulan Civil War

Romulan Civil War
Belligerents:	Romulan Star Empire vs. United Federation of Planets, Free Rihannsu Movement
Date(s):	2276
Location(s):	Romulan Star Empire
Scale:	Rihannsu Grand Fleet, against Federation Starfleet, and an Armada of Free Rihannsu vessels
Result:	Fall of the Romulan Government, beginning of the reign of Ael t'Rllaillieu as Empress

The Romulan Civil War (also known as the Second Romulan War) was a conflict in 2276, between the Romulan Star Empire and the United Federation of Planets and the Free Rihannsu Movement, which rebelled against the authority of the empire. Despite long odds, the Free Rihannsu defeated the Imperial Forces, due to the overstretching of the Imperial Fleet, and the superior tactics of the Rebels lead by Ael t'Rllaillieu and James T. Kirk. (TOS - Rihannsu novel: The Empty Chair)

Road to War

Throughout the 2260s, skirmishes had taken place, as more involved Romulan Star Empire began to test the defenses of the Federation, first and most notably at the Battle of Icarus IV. Starfleet interested in Romulan technology launched a series of covert operation to steal Romulan hardware most notably the cloaking device. (TOS episodes: "Balance of Terror", "The Enterprise Incident")

Events within the Star Empire itself also lead to the war. The Romulans became dissatisfied with their treaty with the Klingons, which they believed was more beneficial to the Klingons. Also corrupt Praetors within the Tricameron, began the treacherous project such as the Vulcan neural project at Levaeri V, and Sunseed. While many in the Empire became nervous of the government, one noted commander took action: Ael t'Rllaillieu.

In 2275, Ael spoke out against the project on Levaeri V, fearing that the Praetors with Vulcan neural abilities would transform the empire into a police state. She was "rewarded" by given a ship destined to be destroyed in patrol action in the Neutral Zone. Ael however escaped onto her ship the ChR Bloodwing, and went to the only people she had left, her enemies of the Federation. She made contact with the USS Enterprise, and persuaded its captain James T. Kirk to help her, with the capture of the Vulcan crewed USS Intrepid, Kirk saw no choice but to assist. Fooling the Grand Fleet into thinking the Enterprise had been captured the two ships made it to the base, and destroyed it. (TOS novel: My Enemy, My Ally)

The next year, Bloodwing returned from exile to Romulus, working with Starfleet Intelligence to retrieve Dr. Leonard McCoy from custody. While in the Senate chamber Ael took the sacred Sword of S'task, and left with McCoy. (TOS novel: The Romulan Way)

Conference at RV Trianguli

With tensions between the Romulans and Federation at an all time high, diplomats from both sides met at RV Trianguli near the Neutral Zone, to discuss a diplomatic solution. The Romulans had different plans, the colony worlds began to revolt against the Empire, using Ael as a rallying cry. An ambush was launched at 15 Trianguli, to destroy the Bloodwing, and Enterprise. The attack was barely defeated, and both ships were lucky to escape. The conference itself did not go well either, as the Romulans delivered a four point ultimatum to the Federation delegation. Information received from Federation undercover agent Terise Haleakala-LoBrutto, suggested the Romulans were planning on a preemptive strike. The attack nearly destroyed the ships of the Federation delegation. and Bloodwing entered space to aid in the Free Rihannsu revolt, and Enterprise following orders followed her. Unknown to the Federation at the time, a cloaked shuttle armed with the Sunseed weapon was launched at RV Trianguli on a course towards Sol. (TOS - Rihannsu novel: Honor Blade)

The War

The two ships headed for the nearest rebelling planet at Artaleirh. Using "home field" advantage, the Enterprise and Bloodwing lure the attacking force of Nine Grand Fleet vessels into and asteriod field, thus destroying or disabling the Romulan fleet. However soon the force is met by a Klingon force hoping to destroy the tired survivors. The Enterprise and Bloodwing are saved by intervention of the Clan-ship Tyrava.

Kirk is then placed in command of the Free Rihannsu Fleet and decides to push and meet the rest of the Grand Fleet at Augo. Despite Kirk's best planning, the battle turns chaotic and victory is only assured with the intervention of a Federation force.

On Romulus, thing get even more desperate, as the government tries to prevent an uprising on the homeworld as well. Arrhae (Terise) is warned about the Sunseed probe and warns Enterprise.

Kirk meanwhile decides to push on to Romulus itself. Using Praetor Gurrhim to spread information of his "death" the public offers no resistance to the invasion. The fleet destroys Grand Fleet headquarters, and lands on the planet after interdicting subspace communication and transporters. Kirk and Ael are met by sympathetic senators including Arrhae who join the group into the city. The Three activate the Sunseed probe, but the attempt is defeating with the combined help of the engineers of both Enterprise and Bloodwing.

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the Romulan Civil War, Ael reluctantly agreed to become Empress in order to sow unity and regain honor for the Romulan people. The Empire was at peace in most of Ael reign, and the Empire became quieter to its neighbors. The Empire would not become active until the 2360's. (TNG episode: "The Neutral Zone")