Vreenak Vreenak was a male Romulan politician of the 24th century Romulan Star Empire . He became an influential member of the Romulan Senate . Personal life . Vreenak enjoyed drinking the Romulan beverage " kali - fal " . When offered a Starfleet - replicated drink in 2374 , he noted it was , " " lacking in aroma " " , and should , " " forcibly open one ' s sinus es well before the first sip . " " ( ) Career . Vreenak rose to the position of senator in the year 2360 , later becoming vice - chairman of the Tal Shiar , secretary of the War Plans Council , and one of Proconsul Neral ' s most trusted advisers . In 2371 , Vreenak was nominated by the Romulan Senate Council for the prestigious Praetor Colius Award , becoming the youngest nominee ever . Two years later , he was responsible for negotiating the non - aggression pact between the Romulan Star Empire and the Dominion . One of the most ardently pro - Dominion senators , Vreenak had very little faith in the Federation - Klingon Alliance ' s chances during the Dominion War . In 2374 , Vreenak attended a high - level diplomat ic meeting with the Vorta official Weyoun on the planet Soukara . During his return journey , he was convinced to make a secret detour to Deep Space 9 to meet Starfleet Captain Benjamin Sisko in order to view supposed evidence of a planned Dominion invasion of Romulan space . In reality , Sisko had worked with Elim Garak who set out to have a holographic record forged of a secret meeting showing Weyoun and Legate Damar discussing the invasion . Garak obtained a genuine optolythic data rod for the task . It was Sisko ' s hope that Vreenak would return to Romulus and convince the Senate to join the war against the Dominion . Upon examination of the data rod , however , Vreenak discovered that the evidence was forged , and headed back to Romulus threatening to expose the plot . However , due to sabotage by Garak , Vreenak ' s shuttle exploded while " en route " , killing the senator , and at least two of his guards . The subsequent investigation by the Tal Shiar uncovered the fabricated evidence , but its defects appeared to be the result of the explosion . The Romulans logically concluded that the Dominion had assassinate d Vreenak to prevent him from returning to Romulus with the evidence , rationalizing the Dominion ' s subsequent protests of its innocence as corroboration of that conclusion since they themselves would have done the same . As result , the Romulans joined the Dominion War on the side of the Federation Alliance . Both Garak and Sisko shared the guilt of his death to a greater good . ( ) Memorable quotes . " " So you ' re the commander of Deep Space 9 . And the Emissary of the Prophets . Decorated combat officer , widower , father , mentor , and . . . oh , yes , the man who started the war with the Dominion . Somehow I thought you ' d be taller . . . " " " " Sorry to disappoint you . " " " " To be honest , my opinion of Starfleet officers is so low that you ' d have to work very hard indeed to disappoint me . " " " " I look forward to seeing your station , while it ' s still here , that is . The way the war ' s going with the Federation , it may not be around much longer . " " < br > " " You are persistent , captain , I ' ll grant you that . But dogged determination isn ' t enough to change the reality of your situation . Time is definitely not on your side . The Dominion shipyards are working at one hundred percent capacity , yours are still being rebuilt . The Dominion is breeding legions of Jem ' Hadar soldiers every day ; you ' re experiencing a manpower shortage . But most important , the Dominion is resolved to win the war , at any cost . " " " " It ' s a fake ! " " Appendices . Background information . Senator Vreenak was played by actor Stephen McHattie . The script for " In the Pale Moonlight " gives the pronunciation of Vreenak ' s name as , " " VREE - neck " " . Of his introductory scene , it describes him as being , " " a little bemused by this whole adventure and we get the feeling it may be hard for him to take Sisko seriously . " " Shortly after the episode aired in 1998 , the line " " It ' s a faaaaake ! " " as delivered by McHattie , became a popular internet meme , with fans using the term as a common reply in Usenet and forum discussions . As the years went on , the scene became further popularized through animated GIFs and other spoof images and videos . Vreenak ' s shuttlecraft was the first new Romulan ship design seen on - screen since Alidar Jarok ' s scout ship in eight years prior . Apocrypha . Vreenak is mentioned in a number of apocryphal works . The " " novel " Serpents Among the Ruins " gives his first name as " Merken " , and indicates he was in public service around 2311 , the year of the Tomed Incident . He is shown as one of the senior aides to the Romulan ambassador during negotiations leading to the Treaty of Algeron , and is a staunch Romulan nationalist and supporter of the novel ' s antagonist , Admiral Vokar . Vreenak is also mentioned in the " Tales of the Dominion War " short story " Blood Sacrifice " , which takes place immediately before and during the events of " In the Pale Moonlight " . During a conversation between Ambassador Spock , Kimara Cretak and two of the story ' s characters , Ruanek and Amarik , Amarik tells the others of Vreenak ' s death . The Pocket DS9 novel " Hollow Men " bridges the gap between " In the Pale Moonlight " and , with Sisko and Garak traveling to Earth to take part in Allied talks between the Federation , the Romulans and the Klingons . During their visit , Sisko informs Starfleet of the extent to which he and Elim Garak were involved in the death of Senator Vreenak . According to the " The Sky ' s the Limit " short story " Suicide Note " , Koval later succeeds Vreenak as vice - chairman of the Tal Shiar . In an alternate universe as established in the " " novel " A Gutted World " , Starfleet considers Senator Vreenak to be one of several high ranking Romulan officials to have been replaced by Changelings . It is mentioned in the " " novel series that the Romulans eventually discover the truth of Vreenak ' s death , leading to what will be called the Third Great Earth - Romulan War in 2575 .