Alien Spotlight : Romulans ( 2008 ) Summary . Standing on the observation deck of a Romulan shuttle , the Praetor asks a Romulan commander what he thinks of a new starship that has been built and the design of a warbird painted on its hull . The commander asks if it is the new ghost ship that he has heard about , and comments that it is smaller than he had expected . As they land on the deck , the Praetor continues , telling them that it is the finest ship in their fleet with the best crew . Another Romulan meets them , one that knows the commander ; Praxus . Praxus had previously told the commander about a new posting , but could give no more information than that . He explains that there are some power issues then the cloak is active , but is cut off by the Praetor , wishing to continue the tour . As they continue through the ship , it is very crowded with equipment , and likely not suited for long term voyages . The commander quietly says to the centurion with him that " " worth all the " lives " lost in development , I am sure " " and the centurion cautions him . In the command deck , the Praetor urges them to look through the viewscope . Looking through reveals a heavy " Dreadnaught " - class heavy cruiser under tow , the commander ' s ship . The Praetor presses a button and a strange plasma burst fires out , hits the ship , engulfs it , and causes the vessel to implode . As they re - enter the shuttle and leave the ship , the commander is stunned by his ship being completely destroyed and sits quietly , but is stunned when he looks out the window and the ship they just left is completely gone . As the shuttle approaches the palace , the Praetor tells the commander that he is to take command of the new ship , that his assignment begins on the following day , and that he will find out the details when he returns to the palace at that time . The commander and centurion leave and discuss the loss of their ship , the centurion expressing his distrust of the current situation . Back inside the palace , the Praetor watches them from a balcony and complains that the commander " " sucks the " joy " from a room without even speaking a " word " ! " " A man in the room agrees and comments that he is the best in the fleet and that the Praetor should not settle for less . The commander returns home , and is met by his wife in formal attire . She tells him to dress for dinner and then she can share her news with him . At dinner , he is greeted by his wife and son , and his son is wearing a uniform as he was promoted to full serving rank , ahead of his entire academy class . In fact , he has arranged to serve on his father ' s new ship as his first assignment . The commander is outraged at this and will not allow his son to serve with him on this mission , but cannot share his reasons . His son is upset and storms off . His wife encourages him to follow , but that is not the Romulan way . After dinner , the commander spends some time thinking . His wife returns and they discuss the situation with his new mission , their son , and she comments that these things are reasons why many in the service do not marry , and that she is glad that he chose otherwise . In the palace , the Praetor turns off a screen watching them , and asks why he cannot trust anyone . The man with him , a Klingon named Korlat , agrees and tells the Praetor that he understands the burdens of ruling . The Praetor then rants about his father ' s ease of rule and how that increased his own desire to take the throne . He is interrupted by the entrance of Decius . The Praetor tells Decius that he has a special assignment for him and they move out to the balcony to discuss it . As they walk to the balcony , Korlat reports in and explains that the Praetor is easy to manipulate and that the weapon is everything reported . An alliance might even gain them access to the cloaking device . The next morning , the commander calls on the centurion , and asks to talk with him , but suggests that they walk outside as the walls might have ears . He explains that he is worried about this new ship as it can serve only one purpose , and that is not defensive . It is an instrument of war , and he is going to have to talk with the Praetor , however , on arrival , he discovers that his wife has been summoned too . The Praetor accuses the commander of holding contempt for him and tells him that he will be taking Decius on his mission . The commander grudgingly accepts and makes to leave with his wife , but the Praetor will not let her leave and insists that she stay at the palace . Outside of the palace , the commander encounters his son , and tells him that he is proud of his son ' s achievements and apologizes for his reaction the night before . His son wishes him success and the commander heads toward his ship . He meets up with the centurion , explains the nature of the mission – a preemptive strike against the Federation outposts near the Neutral Zone . Back inside the palace , Korlat and the Praetor discuss the possible opposition to the mission , a ship , and decide against telling the commander and his crew about it . Memorable quotes . " " Well , commander ? You are strangely silent . Have you nothing to say before we return to my palace ? " " " " There is . . . much to absorb Praetor . Including the loss of a ship on which I have served for half my life . " " " " You are too sentimental , commander . " " " " . . . it is not the Romulan way ! " " " " Oh - hhh ! You men and your " ways " ! Such stubbornness will yet be the " death " of you ! " " " " We have a saying on my planet , Praetor . ' Heavy lies the head that wears the crown . " " " " If there is a price – it is worth it to wield absolute power ! " " " " It will be . . . glorious ? " " " " It will be " war " , Praetor . War is " always " glorious . " "