Difference between revisions of "Scimitar"

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==Technical Data==
[[Image:Scimitar.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The ''Scimitar'' menaces the ''Enterprise-E'']]The '''''Scimitar''''' was a [[Reman]]-operated vessel under the command of [[Praetor]] [[Shinzon]]. Apart from being larger and better-armed than most conventional vessels in the [[Star Trek]] universe, it also possessed a [[superweapon]] claimed to be capable of destroying living tissue on a planetary scale<ref>''[[Star Trek: Nemesis]]''</ref>.
Scimitar Class
*Role: Dreadnaught
*Crew: unknown
*Comissioned: 2378


Dimensions
==Physical description==
*Length: 890m
The vessel shared a general layout with the [[Dominion]] warship. The tapered primary [[hull]] housed the vessel's [[impulse engine|sublight]] and [[warp drive|FTL]] engines, crew areas and conventional [[weapon]]s. Two down-swept wings flanked this primary hull, holding the vessel's superweapon.
*Width: 1350m
*Height: 245m


Armament
The interior of the ''Scimitar'' was spartan and dark, mirroring the conditions on the Reman homeworld. The main bridge featured a conventional layout, albeit spread across two levels. The vessel's corridors were unusually wide, allowing small spacecraft to pass through them with some difficulty. A reception area with a large window looking out into space, as well as a sizable hangar, were located in the bow of the ship.
*52 Disruptor Banks
*27 Photon Tubes
*1 Thalaron Radiation Emitter


Defenses
==Tactical systems==
*Primary and Secondary Shields
[[Image:Scimitar wing deployment.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The ''Scimitar'' deploys its "targeting wings"]]As the vessel was designed as a pure [[warship]], it carried a significant arsenal of weapons and defenses, including 52 pulse [[disruptor]]s, 27 [[photon torpedo]] tubes and multiple layers of [[shield]]ing. Unusually, this shielding could remain active even when the vessel was [[cloaking device|cloaked]]; like the cloaks generally used by the [[Romulan Empire]], this version was capable of evading most means of detection available to the [[Federation]].
*[[Cloaking Device]]


Maximum Warp
Complementing the ship's weapons were an unknown number of [[Scorpion-class]] fighters.
*9.99


==History==
The ''Scimitar'' also possessed a  [[thalaron weapon]] capable of creating and emitting a controlled dose of "thalaron radiation". Any living matter exposed to this radiation would become petrified, even when protected by energy shielding or (the equivalent of) a starship hull. For unknown reasons, the ''Scimitar'' has to deploy large "targeting wings" to fire the thalaron weapon, even at point-blank range (the ''Enterprise'' was less then a mile a way targeted with the superweapon) and despite not need the targeting wings for its other armament.
Produced by the [[Reman]]s but technically operating under the flag of the [[Romulan Empire]], the Scimitar was first encountered by the ''[[Enterprise-E|USS Enterprise-E]]'', which travelled to Romulus in 2378 at the invite of the new Praetor, Shinzon. The ship is a large vessel, roughly the size of the D'Deridex in terms of volume. It was classified by Captain Picard as a predator, and this is certainly an apt description. The ship carried very heavy armament and shielding, enabling it to remain in a battle for prolonged periods under heavy fire.


Like most Romulan ships the Scimitar is fitted with a cloaking device, but this is of a new type which is undetectable to the current generation of Federation sensor systems. There were no detectable tachyon emissions or residual anti-protons from the cloak, making accurate targeting impossible. Still worse was the fact that the Scimitar could fire all weapons whilst cloaked, much as the Klingon prototype Bird of Prey which Captain Kirk faced at Khitomer could.
==Operational life==
The origins of the ''Scimitar'' remain a mystery. While the interior and control surfaces are Reman in design, it seems unlikely that a group of slaves would be able to construct a vessel of the ''Scimitar's'' size and abilities in secret. The design of the ship, as well as the military history of it's first and only commander, have lead some to believe that it may have originated in the [[Dominion]].


When Shinzon attempted to invade the Federation Captain Picard took the Enterprise-E into battle with the Scimitar. The results were shocking; whereas General Chang's ship was unshielded and lost its cloak when the Enterprise-A scored a single hit, the Scimitar retained its cloak and was undamaged throughout numerous weapon impacts. The difficulty in scoring hits on the ship made an already lopsided battle a hopeless affair for the Enterprise.
What is known is that the vessel was first seen in 2379 as the flagship of the self-appointed new Praetor of the Romulan Empire, a Reman slave leader known as [[Shinzon]]. Following a failed attempt to kidnap Captain [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]], he chased the ''Enterprise'' into the Bassen Rift, using the ''Scimitar's'' weapons to try and disable the ''Enterprise''. During the course of the battle both vessels suffered severe damage (the Scimitar taking damage was largely a result of Shinzon's incompetence, because he had the Scimitar, cloaked, attack the Enterprise at such a close ranger that it fire blindly and it), even more so when Picard attempted to destroy the ''Scimitar'' by [[ramming]] it (which the Scimitar could have avoided if Shinzon had move back in full reverse, but instead he had it wallow like a beached wail). With his mental and physical health deteriorating rapidly, Shinzon attempted to use the thalaron weapon on the ''Enterprise'' and continue on to destroy [[Earth]]; this attempt was thwarted when [[Data]], now aboard the ''Scimitar'', destroyed the thalaron generator. The ''Scimitar'' was lost in the ensuing explosion.


Although two Norexan-class warbrids joined the Sovereign class ship in battle, the Scimitar was easily able to defeat these ships in a matter of minutes before turning its attention back to the Enterprise. Captain Picard did give a good account of his ship, fighting until all weapons were exhausted before then ramming the Scimitar rather than surrendering. The Sovereign's hull did appear to be rather stronger than the Scimitar's, yet although the impact did inflict considerable damage on the Reman ship even this did not stop it. Only a last desparate boarding action by Picard and Lieutenant Commander Data was able to stop the enemy vessel.
==References==
 
<references/>
Perhaps most worrying of all, the Scimitar was designed to house a Thalaron radiation emitter system which could engulf ships or even whole planets. As a weapon of mass destruction the Scimitar would be horrendously effective, able to exterminate planetary populations with ease. 
 
The Romulans seem unlikely to proceed with class production of the Scimitar as the design stands - the employment of a Thalaron system would likely provoke a quadrant-wide armaments race of horrific scale and scope. However, there is nothing preventing them from producing a modified design with only conventional weaponry. Should this prove to be the case, Starfleet has much thinking to do.


[[Category: Star Trek]]
[[Category: Star Trek]]
[[Category: ST Starships]]
[[Category: ST Starships]]

Revision as of 20:28, 24 January 2010

The Scimitar menaces the Enterprise-E

The Scimitar was a Reman-operated vessel under the command of Praetor Shinzon. Apart from being larger and better-armed than most conventional vessels in the Star Trek universe, it also possessed a superweapon claimed to be capable of destroying living tissue on a planetary scale[1].

Physical description

The vessel shared a general layout with the Dominion warship. The tapered primary hull housed the vessel's sublight and FTL engines, crew areas and conventional weapons. Two down-swept wings flanked this primary hull, holding the vessel's superweapon.

The interior of the Scimitar was spartan and dark, mirroring the conditions on the Reman homeworld. The main bridge featured a conventional layout, albeit spread across two levels. The vessel's corridors were unusually wide, allowing small spacecraft to pass through them with some difficulty. A reception area with a large window looking out into space, as well as a sizable hangar, were located in the bow of the ship.

Tactical systems

The Scimitar deploys its "targeting wings"

As the vessel was designed as a pure warship, it carried a significant arsenal of weapons and defenses, including 52 pulse disruptors, 27 photon torpedo tubes and multiple layers of shielding. Unusually, this shielding could remain active even when the vessel was cloaked; like the cloaks generally used by the Romulan Empire, this version was capable of evading most means of detection available to the Federation.

Complementing the ship's weapons were an unknown number of Scorpion-class fighters.

The Scimitar also possessed a thalaron weapon capable of creating and emitting a controlled dose of "thalaron radiation". Any living matter exposed to this radiation would become petrified, even when protected by energy shielding or (the equivalent of) a starship hull. For unknown reasons, the Scimitar has to deploy large "targeting wings" to fire the thalaron weapon, even at point-blank range (the Enterprise was less then a mile a way targeted with the superweapon) and despite not need the targeting wings for its other armament.

Operational life

The origins of the Scimitar remain a mystery. While the interior and control surfaces are Reman in design, it seems unlikely that a group of slaves would be able to construct a vessel of the Scimitar's size and abilities in secret. The design of the ship, as well as the military history of it's first and only commander, have lead some to believe that it may have originated in the Dominion.

What is known is that the vessel was first seen in 2379 as the flagship of the self-appointed new Praetor of the Romulan Empire, a Reman slave leader known as Shinzon. Following a failed attempt to kidnap Captain Picard, he chased the Enterprise into the Bassen Rift, using the Scimitar's weapons to try and disable the Enterprise. During the course of the battle both vessels suffered severe damage (the Scimitar taking damage was largely a result of Shinzon's incompetence, because he had the Scimitar, cloaked, attack the Enterprise at such a close ranger that it fire blindly and it), even more so when Picard attempted to destroy the Scimitar by ramming it (which the Scimitar could have avoided if Shinzon had move back in full reverse, but instead he had it wallow like a beached wail). With his mental and physical health deteriorating rapidly, Shinzon attempted to use the thalaron weapon on the Enterprise and continue on to destroy Earth; this attempt was thwarted when Data, now aboard the Scimitar, destroyed the thalaron generator. The Scimitar was lost in the ensuing explosion.

References