The last of the meal had been cleared away, leaving only the faint aroma of Romulan spices in the night air. Outside, the twin moons hung low over the horizon, their light shining through the glass canopy. The formalities were behind them now, replaced by quiet conversation and reflective silence.

Jerok sat with his hands folded, studying the faces of the Quorathi councilors. Across the table, Tolak spoke with one of the younger delegates about interstellar education and the exchange of knowledge between worlds.

Then, into the lull, a female councilor leaned forward and cleared her throat. “You both speak of the Republic as something new, a rebirth. But what of Romulus? Is it still there? Can we return?”

The questions froze the room in place almost immediately. The conversation quickly faded. Even the servers slowed at the edge of the pavilion, still within earshot.

Jerok and Tolak exchanged a glance. They had expected this question, perhaps dreaded it. It was a truth they had lived with for years and never spoken of lightly.

Jerok answered first, “Romulus is gone. The supernova that consumed our homeworld destroyed more than a planet. It ended an empire. What survived were the people, scattered across the stars, trying to rebuild what was lost.”

Tolak leaned forward slightly, his tone steady and deliberate, “From that chaos, two paths emerged. The Romulan Republic was founded by those who believed we could be better than the fear and secrecy that once defined us. The Romulan Free State rose as well, built by those who refused to change. They still serve the Tal Shiar, the same organization that ruled through deception and control. I am sure your ancestors spoke of them. Where the Republic seeks cooperation, the Free State demands obedience. They call it order, but it is the same tyranny reborn.”

The elder councilor frowned, “And yet both claim to speak for the Romulan people.”

“That is true,” Tolak replied, “But the Republic does not claim ownership of any who wishes to remain free. Our founding charter forbids it. On our shared world, Romulan and Reman live as equals, rebuilding together. The Free State, however, sees every lost colony and every world settled before the supernova as theirs by right. To them, you are still citizens of an empire that no longer exists. That is why we are here, to make sure your world is not drawn into their grasp.”

Jerok nodded slowly, “When Romulus fell, the Federation did what it could to help. Starfleet led evacuation efforts across entire systems. Billions were saved because Federation ships crossed into danger to bring them out. But it was not enough. The destruction was too vast, and the Federation itself suffered heavy losses in the lead-up. Many still carry the regret of what could not be done.”

The elder’s expression softened, “You both carry the weight of what was lost.”

Jerok gave a reassuring smile, “Every Romulan does, in one way or another. But from loss comes change. The Republic is proof of that. It is not the empire reborn, but something new. A chance to be better than what we were.”

Tolak added quietly, “And the Federation stands beside us, not as masters, but as partners. That is why we are here. To help you stand, not to tell you where to walk.”

For a long moment, silence filled the pavilion. The moons cast their light across the table. Then the elder councilor rose.

“Perhaps that is what we feared to hear,” he said, “But truth is better than comfort. If Romulus is gone, then our home must be here. Quorath will not turn away from what we are, but neither will we surrender our future to tyrannical ghosts.”

Jerok inclined his head, “That is the choice every free people must make.”

The silence eased into quiet conversation once more. The council spoke in low tones about cultural exchange and cooperation. Trust would take time, but the first bond had been formed.

Jerok looked to Tolak, and in that glance was understanding. For the first time since their arrival, they were no longer speaking to a colony uncertain of its place. They were talking to a peoples ready to claim it.