Ruanek

**Ruanek** (*Rihannsu*: **Ruanek i-Dartha tr'Strevon**) was a Romulan officer, defector and linguist. He was a friend of Spock, and a staunch ally in his quest for reunification between Vulcan and Romulus. (ST novels: *Vulcan's Forge*; *Vulcan's Heart*; *Vulcan's Soul: Exodus*, *Exiles*, *Epiphany*)

## History

Born on Romulus in the city of Dartha in the 2260s, Ruanek came from House Minor Strevon, a minor noble family. By the 2290s, he held the rank of Centurion in the Romulan Imperial Fleet and served aboard the IRW *Adamant* under Commander Avrak. In 2294, Ruanek was part of a mission to the Federation protectorate world Obsidian, where he met Captain Spock and Doctor Leonard McCoy. He secretly helped the Starfleet officers escape from Avrak's guards and the deranged Vulcan Sered. (TOS novels: *Vulcan's Forge; Vulcan's Soul: Epiphany*)

Ruanek maintained sporadic contact with Spock over the next five decades. In 2344, he was instrumental in the downfall of Praetor Dralath. Promoted to Commander by Liviana Charvanek, Ruanek then aided Ambassador Spock and Commander Saavik escaping from Romulus, knowing that it meant exile for himself. (ST novel: *Vulcan's Heart*)

He made a life for himself on Vulcan as a "cousin" of Spock and member of Sarek's house. Ruanek married the healer T'Selis, and became a teacher of linguistics and martial arts. He eventually held the title of Research Fellow at the Vulcan Science Academy. (ST novels: *Vulcan's Soul*: *Exodus*, *Epiphany*)

Ruanek briefly returned to Romulus in 2374, and helped Ambassador Spock investigate the assassination of Emperor Shiarkiek. Once the truth was discovered, Ruanek killed Archpriest N'Gathan in a duel at the Firefalls of Gal Gath'thong, avenging the Emperor's murder. (ST short story: "Blood Sacrifice")

Ruanek met Timothy Sinclair in the mid-2370s, while the latter was researching the connections between Vulcanoid species. He helped Sinclair translate several ancient Vulcan texts related to the mythical Vhorani. (*Star Trek: Pendragon*: "Starkindler")

In 2377, Ruanek was heavily involved in the Watraii crisis. He joined Spock, Saavik and Commander Data on a covert mission to recover Admiral Pavel Chekov and the coronet from the Watraii homeworld, and later revealed himself to Commander Tomalak, claiming the Right of Statement to buy time for Spock to reach a diplomatic solution. Afterwards, he returned to his life and family on Vulcan. (ST novels: *Vulcan's Soul*: *Exodus*, *Exiles*, *Epiphany*)

Ruanek and T'Selis had at least one daughter, T'Savia, who was attending Starfleet Academy in the mid-2370s. (ST novel: *Vulcan's Soul: Epiphany*)

In 2385, Ruanek and T'Selis were members of a research team on Mintaka III, where they found remarkable commonalities between the Mintakan language and ancient Vulcan dialects. (*Star Trek: Pendragon*: "Another Time, Another Place", "Starkindler")

Though it was "out of fashion" in the late 24th century, Ruanek occasionally used his traditional Rihannsu name. (*Star Trek: Pendragon*: "Still Called Today")

## External links

* Ruanek article at ***Memory Beta***, the non-canon *Star Trek* wiki.
* Ruanek article at ***Star Trek Expanded Universe***, the fanon and fanworks *Star Trek* wiki.